Janet Sawaya, Tshepo Maswabi, Resego Taolo, Pablo Andrade, Máximo Moreno Grez, Pilar Pacheco, Kristine Paberza, Sandra Vigante, Agniete Kurutyte, Ugne Rutkauskiene, Jolanta Jeżowska and Maciej Kochanowicz
This paper aims to draw together the evidence‐based advocacy experience of five national programs focused on developing public access information and communications technologies…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to draw together the evidence‐based advocacy experience of five national programs focused on developing public access information and communications technologies (ICT) via public libraries as grantees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Libraries Initiative.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors describe a common approach to strategic advocacy and to impact planning and assessment. They then outline the experience of each program in using a range of evidence to help meet specific advocacy objectives. They give particular attention to how each program is using specific evidence to convince key players of the importance of public access ICT provided by public libraries in meeting the objectives of the key players.
Findings
This collective experience shows that when advocating at the national level, statistical data and empirical evidence can demonstrate that public libraries contribute to stakeholders' goals. Such data can include technology skills that users have gained as well as how users improve their businesses, become better educated, and access government services. Common denominators from the programs include a disproportionate positive impact achieved (or anticipated) in rural communities and on relatively disadvantaged groups such as older workers, old people and unemployed people.
Practical implications
Both the general approach to evidence‐based advocacy described and the specific messages about targeting advocacy efforts on key players and on the service users who are most likely to benefit from public access ICT are of potential value to anyone planning a national, regional or local advocacy program focused on public libraries and their services.
Social implications
As the paper deals with global library advocacy issues, and impact planning, it is hoped it is a step towards more measurable social impact for libraries.
Originality/value
This is the first full public report of the Global Libraries approach to evidence‐based advocacy as conducted in the five countries represented in the paper. It is part of a steadily growing body of knowledge being amassed by Global Libraries about effective provision of public access ICT via public libraries in a range of countries.
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Krishna Teja Perannagari and Shaphali Gupta
Artificial neural networks (ANNs), which represent computational models simulating the biological neural systems, have become a dominant paradigm for solving complex analytical…
Abstract
Artificial neural networks (ANNs), which represent computational models simulating the biological neural systems, have become a dominant paradigm for solving complex analytical problems. ANN applications have been employed in various disciplines such as psychology, computer science, mathematics, engineering, medicine, manufacturing, and business studies. Academic research on ANNs is witnessing considerable publication activity, and there exists a need to track the intellectual structure of the existing research for a better comprehension of the domain. The current study uses a bibliometric approach to ANN business literature extracted from the Web of Science database. The study also performs a chronological review using science mapping and examines the evolution trajectory to determine research areas relevant to future research. The authors suggest that researchers focus on ANN deep learning models as the bibliometric results predict an expeditious growth of the research topic in the upcoming years. The findings reveal that business research on ANNs is flourishing and suggest further work on domains, such as back-propagation neural networks, support vector machines, and predictive modeling. By providing a systematic and dynamic understanding of ANN business research, the current study enhances the readers' understanding of existing reviews and complements the domain knowledge.
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S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh, Rob Law, Dimitrios Buhalis and Cihan Cobanoglu
Fabiola Monje-Cueto and Johnny Davy Ruiz Ayala
In this chapter, the reality of Bolivia's current situation is presented, including details regarding the country's political, economic and environmental context. Then, alternate…
Abstract
In this chapter, the reality of Bolivia's current situation is presented, including details regarding the country's political, economic and environmental context. Then, alternate possible future scenarios are presented, developed by four different types of stakeholders in Bolivian society during four workshops that produced various suggestions on how to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic using a sustainable approach.
Several findings are incorporated into these scenarios, including potential risks, public policy recommendations and structural changes required to attain the best possible post-pandemic scenario for Bolivia, including the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the 2030 Agenda, especially SDGs 8, 13 and 17.
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Ndaru Nuridho Alfian, Rashid Kanu and Mohammed Alhaji Mohammed
Mosques are built with dome-shaped ceilings for communal worship with common architectural styles worldwide for prayer. Since the acoustics of worship buildings are just as…
Abstract
Purpose
Mosques are built with dome-shaped ceilings for communal worship with common architectural styles worldwide for prayer. Since the acoustics of worship buildings are just as significant as their aesthetics, they should enhance people’s sense of hearing. This study evaluates the speech intelligibility of a small mosque with multiple domes to determine the space acoustic conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
The investigation involved extensive literature reviews to collect relevant data to model the case study. The Enhanced Acoustics Simulator for Engineers (EASE) software program was used to integrate critical parameters such as the absorption coefficient of materials, dome shapes and the number of domes in the simulation. The study employed speech intelligibility parameters such as C50, S.T.I. and %ALcons to assess the acoustic conditions. The assessment model was validated through statistical analysis and a paired t-test.
Findings
The study discovered that varying shapes of the multiple domes showed no significant impact on speech intelligibility. However, different multiple domes materials resulted in significant disparities in speech intelligibility. Applying high-absorption materials in multiple dome designs achieved the most effective acoustic performance. Except for C50 in some circumstances and receiver positions, all other alternatives met the optimal value for overall speech intelligibility because the sound was not sufficiently diffused early on, suggesting that the early reflection sounds were either weak or insufficient.
Originality/value
This study not only helps to determine the multiple-dome effect on mosque acoustics but also empowers archaeoacoustics and historic conservation by documenting these significant places of worship. The findings advocate using high-absorption materials in multiple dome designs and offer practical insight into mosque design material selection. By enhancing the understanding of the acoustic conditions in small-scale mosques, this study equips architects, engineers and builders with the knowledge to create spaces prioritizing speech clarity and intelligibility.
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In this chapter, the authors review the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship and how it has evolved with increasing concerns about the environmental and social impact of…
Abstract
In this chapter, the authors review the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship and how it has evolved with increasing concerns about the environmental and social impact of business firms. The authors offer a background to the emergence of sustainability issues in the field of entrepreneurship research, and review a number of influential approaches to entrepreneurship that in various combinations address the relationships between the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of business. The authors further suggest three levels at which entrepreneurs can understand and assess their approach to sustainable entrepreneurship, highlight how the issue of sustainable entrepreneurship applies equally to startups and already established corporations, and in the conclusions point toward the emergence of humane entrepreneurship as a critical posture for entrepreneurship in the 21st century.
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Barbara de Lima Voss, David Bernard Carter and Bruno Meirelles Salotti
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in…
Abstract
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in the construction of hegemonies in SEA research in Brazil. In particular, we examine the role of hegemony in relation to the co-option of SEA literature and sustainability in the Brazilian context by the logic of development for economic growth in emerging economies. The methodological approach adopts a post-structural perspective that reflects Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. The study employs a hermeneutical, rhetorical approach to understand and classify 352 Brazilian research articles on SEA. We employ Brown and Fraser’s (2006) categorizations of SEA literature to help in our analysis: the business case, the stakeholder–accountability approach, and the critical case. We argue that the business case is prominent in Brazilian studies. Second-stage analysis suggests that the major themes under discussion include measurement, consulting, and descriptive approach. We argue that these themes illustrate the degree of influence of the hegemonic politics relevant to emerging economics, as these themes predominantly concern economic growth and a capitalist context. This paper discusses trends and practices in the Brazilian literature on SEA and argues that the focus means that SEA avoids critical debates of the role of capitalist logics in an emerging economy concerning sustainability. We urge the Brazilian academy to understand the implications of its reifying agenda and engage, counter-hegemonically, in a social and political agenda beyond the hegemonic support of a particular set of capitalist interests.
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Bassam Samir AL-Romeedy and Shaymaa Abdul-Wahab El-Sisi
This study explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in fostering sustainable entrepreneurship within the tourism industry. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has…
Abstract
This study explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in fostering sustainable entrepreneurship within the tourism industry. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has raised concerns regarding its environmental impact, social equity and economic sustainability. Sustainable entrepreneurship offers a promising approach to address these challenges by integrating environmental, social and economic considerations into business practices. AI technologies, with their ability to process vast amounts of data, analyse patterns and make predictions, have the potential to support sustainable entrepreneurship initiatives in the tourism industry. By analysing the current literature, this study provides insights into the effective utilisation of AI to promote sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism industry, while acknowledging the need for responsible and ethical AI implementation. The findings contribute to the understanding of how AI can be harnessed as a tool for driving sustainable practices and innovation in the tourism sector, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and responsible tourism industry.
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Shu-Hsien Liao, Da-Chian Hu and Cai-Jun Chen
This study proposed an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB), that is, considering that behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs (beliefs) will influence…
Abstract
Purpose
This study proposed an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB), that is, considering that behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs (beliefs) will influence perceived service quality (PSQ) on food delivery services. PSQ (behavioural intention) will influence electronic word-of-mouth (EWOM) (behaviour). In addition, exogenous variables including information from online ratings and consumer groups will affect the strength of the relationship between received service quality and EWOM on food delivery service.
Design/methodology/approach
This study aimed to investigate the mediation (PSQ) and moderation (Online ratings and consumer groups) effects on the extended TPB for Taiwanese consumers (n = 823).
Findings
This study first found a positive relationship between different beliefs and PSQ (behavioural intention). In addition, there is a positive relationship between PSQ and EWOM. Online rating has a moderating effect between PSQ and EWOM. Consumer group has a moderating relationship between PSQ and EWOM.
Originality/value
This study first found that the three stages of beliefs-intention-behaviour for consumers on food delivery service are reciprocal with two paths, starting with offline-to-online in terms of generating the positive relationship between individual belies and PSQ. Next, it can generate positive power to return online with a behaviour of EWOM. In addition, online ratings can enhance and strengthen the positive effect between PSQ and EWOM.