Abstract
Purpose
Digital innovation requires organizations to reconfigure their information technology infrastructure (ITI) to cultivate creativity and implement fast experimentation. This research inquiries into ITI generativity, an emerging concept demoting a critical ITI capability for organizational digital innovation. More specifically, it conceptualizes ITI generativity across two dimensions—namely, systems and applications infrastructure (SAI) generativity and data analytics infrastructure (DAI) generativity—and examines their respective social and technical antecedents and their impact on digital innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
This research formulates a theoretical model to investigate the social and technical antecedents along with innovation outcomes of ITI generativity. To test this model and its associated hypotheses, a survey was administered to IT professionals possessing knowledge of their organization's IT architecture and digital innovation performance. The dataset, comprising responses from 140 organizations, was analyzed using the partial least squares technique.
Findings
Results reveal that both dimensions of ITI generativity contribute to digital innovation performance, with the effect of DAI generativity being more pronounced. In addition, SAI and DAI generativities are driven by social and technical factors within an organization. More specifically, SAI generativity is positively associated with the usage of a digital application services platform and IT human resources, whereas DAI generativity is positively linked to the usage of a data analytics services platform, data analytics services usability and data analytics human resources.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the literature on digital innovation by introducing ITI generativity as a crucial ITI capability and deciphering its role in digital innovation. It also offers useful insights and guidance for practitioners on how to build ITIs to achieve better digital innovation performance.
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This chapter aims to investigate and interpret China’s educational aid by analyzing its history, philosophies, and practices in Africa. The study is based on review and analysis…
Abstract
This chapter aims to investigate and interpret China’s educational aid by analyzing its history, philosophies, and practices in Africa. The study is based on review and analysis of governmental documents, reports, academic papers, and news by Chinese and foreign scholars on China’s aid, particularly educational aid to Africa. The analysis unveils three transformations of China’s aid “from pro-ideology to de-ideology,” “from single area to multiple areas,” and “from pragmatic economy driven to sustainable and humane economy focused” in Africa. Meanwhile, it indicates a continuity of the philosophy of solidarity, morality, and reciprocity in China’s South-South cooperation with African educational development.
The analysis also shows China’s educational aid does not match well with the framework of the Western donors. China, under the FOCAC framework, is devoted to higher education cooperation, human resources training program, scholarship, and Chinese language education with African partners. With the growth of its economic and political influence, China will play multiple roles as the biggest developing country and as an active promoter and provider for South-South cooperation in the negotiation and construction of the post-2015 agenda. Nevertheless, we assume China will keep a pragmatic higher education cooperation with its developing country partners to inclusively link it with business, technology transfer, and people-to-people exchange.
This study delivers a comprehensive review and analysis of paradigm shift, philosophy, mechanism, and practice of China’s educational aid to Africa to fill up the literature gap in this field. It also timely presents China’s stance toward discussion on the post-2015 agenda.
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Jianbin Gao, Qi Xia, Jianping Li and Mao Ye
The purpose of this paper is to present a symmetrical method to extract smooth signal from linear mixtures in the frequency domain; with experimentations, the method is thereafter…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a symmetrical method to extract smooth signal from linear mixtures in the frequency domain; with experimentations, the method is thereafter evaluated.
Design/methodology/approach
The Second‐order Frequency Identification (SOFI) algorithm has been presented to retrieve baseband signals which have inactive bands and different bandwidths in the frequency domain. However, the SOFI method will bring about accumulative error, therefore an improved method is proposed in this paper by using symmetric extraction mode. In contrast to the SOFI algorithm, the ISOFI method can extract simultaneously the signal with the highest degree of smoothness and the signal with the lowest degree of smoothness. This means that the signals are not extracted one by one; instead, they are extracted in parallel. Experimental results in both noise‐free and noisy scenarios verified that the proposed method has a significant improvement compared with the SOFI algorithm.
Findings
An improved SOFI (ISOFI) method is proposed to reduce the accumulated error encountered in the SOFI algorithm. In the proposed method, the symmetric mode is utilized to extract in parallel the signals with different smooth degrees. Experimental results demonstrated that the ISOFI has a higher accuracy and lower accumulated error compared to the original algorithm.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates use of the symmetric extraction mode to overcome the disadvantage of accumulated errors existing in the SOFI algorithm.
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Zengan Gao and Mao Ye
The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for data mining (DM)‐based anti‐money laundering (AML) research.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for data mining (DM)‐based anti‐money laundering (AML) research.
Design/methodology/approach
First, suspicion data are prepared by using DM techniques. Also, DM methods are compared with traditional investigation techniques. Next, rare transactional patterns are further categorized as unusual/abnormal/anomalous and suspicious patterns whose recognition also includes fraud/outlier detection. Then, in summarizing the reporting of money laundering (ML) crimes, an analysis is made on ML network generation, which involves link analysis, community generation, and network destabilization. Future research directions are derived from a review of literature.
Findings
The key of the framework lies in ML network analysis involving link analysis, community generation, and network destabilization.
Originality/value
The paper offers insights into DM in the context of AML.
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Marine seaweeds, characterised by high-valued bioactive compounds, are used worldwide for several applications, including human food, animal feed, pharmaceutics and cosmetics…
Abstract
Marine seaweeds, characterised by high-valued bioactive compounds, are used worldwide for several applications, including human food, animal feed, pharmaceutics and cosmetics, bioplastics, agricultural fertilisers, biofuels, and others. Seaweed production can be carried out through different approaches, from on-land or sea-based cultivation to the harvesting of wild stocks. The latter can be of particular importance in the case of seasonal algal over-proliferations, often caused by eutrophic conditions associated with intensive human industrial activities, and which wreak havoc with ecosystem functioning and hinder economic activities. In Europe, Italy experiences seaweed blooms in several coastal basins, such as the Lagoon of Venice and the Lagoon of Orbetello (Tuscany). Here, the proliferating seaweed represents a disturbance to the natural ecosystem and to local business and touristic activities. These biomasses hold no economic value in the country and are systemically removed and disposed of. Re-purposing the biomass to produce seaweed-derived commercial goods would provide benefits for the environment and local economic activities while promoting a sustainable business within a Circular Economy framework and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals number 12 (‘Responsible consumption and production’), and number 14 (‘Life under water’), among others.
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The purpose of this paper is to understand urban sculpture venues that emerged in the recent decade and their connections to the on-going entrepreneurial urban policies and urban…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand urban sculpture venues that emerged in the recent decade and their connections to the on-going entrepreneurial urban policies and urban strategies in Shanghai. How does this phenomenon relate to Shanghai’s urban policies? How does urban sculpture development reflect the nature and characteristics of the urban sculpture authority?
Design/methodology/approach
Case study is the major research method used to achieve an in-depth understanding of the developmental processes, mechanisms and characteristics of urban sculpture projects. Three cases were selected and studied using purposeful sampling methods, including Duolun Road Sculpture Project (2002), the Shanghai International Sculpture Center (2006) and the Jing’an Sculpture Park (2009).
Findings
A twofold main argument is established in this paper. Urban sculpture venues emerged as a new type of instrument to advance urban entrepreneurial policies; the use of this instrument, however, also involves politics in that art politically transforms the features and functions of open spaces in Shanghai.
Originality/value
Although scholarly interest in exploring cultural development through urban planning in the Chinese context is evident, urban sculpture planning (termed as “urban sculpture” in the Chinese ideological context) in Chinese metropolitan cities, in particular, is an unexplored topic, and thus leaves a gap in the knowledge. This paper introduces a new conceptual model, i.e., “aesthetic regime,” to describe the role of the urban sculpture authority in the development of the urban sculpture scene. It looks at the artistic representation of artworks, design of the sculpture venues, functionality of the artworks and social mechanisms for the actualization of these projects. An evolutional trend of the three sites across the decade is concerned.
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The paper aims to investigate the relationship between social responsibility and equity in China. In the process, the authors utilize data on corporate social responsibility (CSR…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to investigate the relationship between social responsibility and equity in China. In the process, the authors utilize data on corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports (in particular, information disclosure) and equity capital (focusing on cost). The overarching hypothesis may be phrased simply as: is CSR reporting rewarded by the capital market in China?
Design/methodology/approach
The data of 3,012 list corporations in China securities are used and 1,015 CSR report quality scores (Rankins CSR Ratings) are hand-gathered from HEXUN (Web site) and utilized in the process of developing the model; financial and stock market information is obtained from the Wind database and the China Stock Market and Accounting Research database.
Findings
The authors’ results suggest that overall the quality of CSR report is strongly, negatively related with the cost of capital: the higher the quality of social responsibility information disclosure, the lower the cost of equity capital. Most intriguingly, the authors find a sharp contrast between the government-owned corporations (state-owned enterprises) and privately owned, listed corporations. The quality of CSR reporting has a much higher impact in lowering the cost of equity capital for privately owned corporations. In contrasting the results for mandatory versus voluntary CSR disclosure, the quality of CSR reporting for the latter does not have any higher impact in lowering the cost of equity.
Practical implications
Good social responsibility behavior by corporations and their subsequent information disclosure has beneficial financial impacts. In the authors’ research, the authors showed its immediate impact to be in the lowering of the overall corporate cost of equity. In this regard, the authors would recommend that chief executive officers pay more attention to CSR practice and its disclosure. Private firms issuing CSR reports will benefit from much lower financing costs through the capital market.
Originality/value
Due to the structure of capital markets in China, the authors are able to show that CSR reporting of privately owned, listed corporations have much more effective signaling power. On the basis of the authors’ empirical findings in relation to the quality of CSR reporting and its impact on cost of capital, the authors suggest there is greater scope for research which takes a “finance and society” perspective. Based on more extensive research, such a perspective may enable scholars to orientate finance and finance research toward a model of “socio-capitalism”.
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Abstract
Purpose
Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the purpose of this study is to provide a well-supported explanation of how rural college students (RCS)’ entrepreneurial learning experiences (ELE) affect their returning home entrepreneurial intention (RHEI) through the three antecedents of TPB (Personal attitudes, PA; Subjective norms, SN and Perceived behavioral control, PBC).
Design/methodology/approach
An extension of the TPB was proposed, including the additional constructs of entrepreneurial learning experiences(ELE). Data were collected from a sample of 986 rural college students from ten universities and colleges located in China using a survey questionnaire. SEM was used to test the hypotheses and the relationships between variables.
Findings
RCS’ ELE significantly and positively influences the formation of their RHEI through the mediating effect of PBC. In addition, the three antecedents of TPB have direct and significant impact on RHEI, and PA, PBC indirectly mediate the relation between SN and RHEI.
Practical implications
The results of this study have implications for entrepreneurship educators and policymakers by promoting RCS’ RHEI through optimize the content and methods of entrepreneurship education from the perspective of students learning, and strengthening publicity for rural entrepreneurship, increase support for returning home entrepreneurship.
Originality/value
The role of ELE in forming RCS' RHEI has been underestimated by previous studies. This study combines the push-pull theory with TPB to explore the formation mechanism of RCS’ RHEI, and helps to understand the role of ELE in shaping RHEI through the development of an extended TPB intention-based model.
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Bahati Sanga and Meshach Aziakpono
Lack of access to finance is a major constraint to the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship in developing countries. The recent proliferation…
Abstract
Purpose
Lack of access to finance is a major constraint to the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship in developing countries. The recent proliferation of mobile phone services, access to the internet and emerging technologies has led to a surge in the use of FinTech in Africa and is transforming the financial sector. This paper aims to examine whether FinTech developments heterogeneously contribute to the growth of digital finance for SMEs and entrepreneurship in 47 African countries from 2013 to 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a novel method of moments quantile regression, which deals with heterogeneity and endogeneity in diverse conditions for asymmetric and nonlinear models.
Findings
The empirical results reveal that the rise of FinTech companies offering services in Africa heterogeneously increases digital finance for SMEs and entrepreneurship in their different stages of growth. FinTech developments have a strong and positive impact in countries with higher levels of digital finance than those with lower levels. FinTech developments and digital finance positively and significantly influence entrepreneurship in Africa, particularly in the nascent and transitional development stages of entrepreneurship. Institutional quality has a considerable positive moderating effect when used as a control rather than an interaction variable.
Practical implications
The results suggest the need to promote FinTech developments in Africa: to provide a wide range of alternative digital finance schemes to SMEs and to promote entrepreneurship, especially in countries where entrepreneurship is in the nascent and transitional development stages. The results also underscore the need to promote FinTech development through supportive regulations and institutional quality to reduce risks related to FinTech and digital financing schemes.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first attempts to account for the often overlooked heterogeneity effects and show that the influence of FinTech developments is not homogenous across the varying development stages of digital finance and entrepreneurship.
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Senem Seyis and Alperen Mert Sönmez
The purpose of this study is to identify, classify and prioritize the benefits, challenges and risks for the integrated use of building information modeling (BIM), radio frequency…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify, classify and prioritize the benefits, challenges and risks for the integrated use of building information modeling (BIM), radio frequency identification (RFID) and wireless sensor network (WSN) in the architecture, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This study relies on the mixed method approach which consists of systematic literature review, semistructured interviews and Delphi technique. A systematic literature review was performed and face-to-face semistructured interviews with seven subject matter experts (SMEs) were conducted for identification and classification purposes. Delphi method was applied in two structured rounds with eleven SMEs for prioritization purpose. These three research techniques were chosen to reach the most accurate data by combining different perspectives on the subject matter. Data gathered by these three methods was triangulated to increase the validity and reliability of this research.
Findings
Thirteen benefits, ten challenges and four risks for the integrated use of BIM, RFID and WSN were identified. The results could aid the practitioners and researchers comprehend the pros and cons of this integration by representing SMEs’ valuable insights and perspectives about the current and future status, trends, limitations and requirements of the AECO industry. The identified risks and challenges show the requirements for future studies while the benefits demonstrate the capabilities and the potential contributions of this hybrid integration to the AECO industry.
Originality/value
The integration of BIM, RFID and WSN is still not commonly implemented in the AECO industry. Some studies focused on this topic; however, none of them reveals the benefits, risks and challenges for integrating BIM, RFID and WSN in a holistic manner. This research makes a significant contribution to the AECO literature and industry by uncovering the benefits, challenges and risks for the integrated use of BIM, RFID and WSN that could increase industry applications.