Save the soil

A comparative modelling study of two Brazilian rain catchments suggests that climate change will have contrasting effects on future soil erosion in the Amazon and Cerrado. The findings have implications for land management in both biomes in the coming decades.

The research, published in the International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, used rainfall records and projections from NASA’s Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX-GDDP). This allowed the team to estimate soil loss under different scenarios.

Soil loss, the amount of soil removed by erosion, was calculated using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), which estimates erosion driven by rainfall, land cover, topography, and soil properties. Rainfall erosivity refers to rain’s capacity to detach and transport soil particles.

The team explains that the Cerrado is a biodiverse savanna, while the Amazon regulates rainfall through evapotranspiration, the transfer of water from land to the atmosphere. Differences in rainfall, elevation and land use affect soil erosion patterns. The global circulation models (GCMs) of climate simulations suggest that shifting rainfall intensity will change erosion rates with heavier rainfall increasing soil loss risk.

In the Amazon catchment, soil loss historically ranges from just a few dozen kilograms per hectare each year to almost 20 tonnes per hectare per year. Soil erosion is predicted to increase by several per cent through the remainder of this century.

By contrast, soil loss in the Cerrado’s Piranhas River catchment has been from a hundred kilograms or so to almost 250 tonnes per hectare per year. The models predict that soil erosion will actually become less of a problem in the coming years despite the effects of climate change.

As such, there is a need to respond to the changes of the future in different ways in the two very different regions. In the Amazon catchment, rising erosion risk supports conservation measures such as terracing, no-till farming and crop rotation. While in the Cerrado catchment, simply maintaining current agricultural practices may help sustain reduced soil loss.

Sobral, R.V.S., Lobato, A.K.R., Soares, A.d.C.L., de Mendonça, L.M., Cruz, J.d.S. and Blanco, C. (2026) ‘Impact of climate change on soil loss in small catchments in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes’, Int. J. Hydrology Science and Technology, Vol. 21, No. 4, pp.417–436.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems

The International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• DeepFM-driven personalised recommendation algorithm integrating multimodal multimedia for college English listening: an empirical study with controlled experiment
• A weighted multimodal fusion and deep learning framework for quantitative evaluation of music performance effects
• Intelligent multimodal analysis of musical time-series: an approach to mental health estimation
• Intelligent judgement and training optimisation algorithm of table tennis landing area driven by deep learning and computer vision
• A multi modal fusion framework combining CNN-based image recognition and BERT-based NLP for intelligent retrieval and matching of English teaching resources

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Economics and Business Research

The International Journal of Economics and Business Research has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Crisis myopia: how systemic uncertainty reverses the logic of saving and consumption
• Building trust and confidence in the use of banking apps: a study on Southeast Asia and Europe
• The competitive strategy analysis of the South African telecommunication industry
• Building innovative employees: the influence of psychological safety, psychological capital, and intrinsic motivation in the banking sector

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Information and Communication Technology

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Explainable AI-assisted creative system for visual communication design: based on diffusion models and user intent understanding
• Generative AI and cybersecurity in 6G for intelligent English language learning systems
• Integrated design of graphic creativity and visual information visualisation in multimodal contexts
• Student performance and health management technology based on GPA model and psychological data mining
• Multi-modal advertising visual information fusion using dynamic heterogeneous graph neural networks

Research pick: Emotional by design - "Deep learning-based innovative product design driven by social network data"

A new AI system can convert social media discussion about a product into a new design that takes into account user needs more accurately than earlier approaches, according to research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology.

The work addresses the problem of complexity in attempting to extract useful information from social network data for product development. Comments and reviews are typically unstructured, meaning they do not follow a fixed format, and also have many variables, such as sentiment, context, and usage scenarios, which makes it difficult to translate into insights about how people feel about products.

A deep-learning framework is at the heart of the system and combines various AI components. Firstly, it uses a multi-scale attention network to identify emotional needs in user comments. Attention in machine learning refers to a mechanism that prioritises the most relevant information in a dataset. The idea of multi-scale processing means it captures both detailed and broad patterns in language. The second component is a generative adversarial network (GAN). This uses two models working against each other, with one generating images and the other evaluating them. In addition, a spatial cross-reconstruction module refines image features, while a semantic correlation module links textual emotion signals to visual attributes. All of this works to improve the link between what the users say about the original product and the new design.

In tests, the model achieved more than 90 per cent accuracy in identifying the users’ emotional needs. This improves on existing methods and suggests that AI might help with data-driven product design informed by user sentiment and social media behaviour.

Wang, C. (2026) ‘Deep learning-based innovative product design driven by social network data’, Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 27, No. 49, pp.59–78.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting

The International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Effect of board-ownership dynamics on shareholders' wealth in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Global research mapping on the convergence of ESG and sustainable finance: a bibliometric and topic modelling approach

New Open Access article available: "Assessing environmentally sustainable practices in boutique hotels: frontline staff perspectives"

The following World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development article, "Assessing environmentally sustainable practices in boutique hotels: frontline staff perspectives", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Free Open Access special issue on "Achieving Carbon Neutrality from Environmental Impact Monitoring and Assessment Technologies – Part IV" published by International Journal of Environment and Pollution

The International Journal of Environment and Pollution has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Mapping carbon disclosure research: bibliometric analysis and frontier exploration
• Health impact assessment of the cooling benefits of urban green infrastructure from the resilience perspective
• Impact of sewage treatment plants on local tourism and ecotourism

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems

The International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Research on English oral classroom instruction design in teacher-AI collaborative models
• The application of moderated mediation statistical model in the study of college students' online music purchase intention
• Research on compliance of intelligent penalty system of tennis match based on multi-source heterogeneous data fusion
• Multimodal learning behaviour clustering and psychological cognitive state assessment algorithm
• Legal requirement identification and zero-knowledge proof under concealed addresses
• A topological deep learning framework for graph representation: application to metal-organic frameworks

Research pick: Cash and carry on - "Corporate failure prediction model for European SMEs"

A study in the Global Business and Economics Review suggests that the failure of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be predicted as much as three years before insolvency. The work could offer lenders, investors, and business owners an early warning of financial problems years in advance.

The researchers analysed data from more than 24500 European companies over an eight-year period. From this data, they developed a forecasting model that has an overall accuracy of about 82 per cent. It could identify more than 70 per cent of insolvencies three years in advance on test data with known outcomes. The final model relies on seven financial indicators: cash ratio, contribution per interest paid ratio, solvency ratio, short-term financing, leverage, debt-assets ratio, and return on assets. These measures capture a company’s liquidity, debt burden, financial resilience, and profitability. However, the model could yet be improved if there were greater disclosure from SMEs. That said, this is highly unlikely given the nature of smaller businesses.

The researchers say the work addresses a big gap in the corporate finance literature. Traditionally, this has focused on large publicly listed companies. However, SMEs account for most businesses in OECD economies and roughly two-thirds of employment, making their stability an important economic issue.

Silva, S. (2026) ‘Corporate failure prediction model for European SMEs’, Global Business and Economics Review, Vol. 34, No. 4, pp.395–419.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering

The International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Construction and modular design of teacher education course knowledge graph based on association rule mining
• Cultivating collaborative innovation ability model in higher education based on multi-agent system

New Open Access article available: "Judgement stage in electronic administrative proceedings and evidentiary authority"

The following International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics article, "Judgement stage in electronic administrative proceedings and evidentiary authority", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Business and Globalisation

The International Journal of Business and Globalisation has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• How innovation shapes export performance through market and entrepreneurial orientations in a geopolitical era
• Untangling the mystery of employee happiness in the FMCG sector: the role of corporate social responsibility, environmental self-identity and corporate image

New Open Access article available: "Roots of innovative knowledge in small commercial enterprises in Ecuador"

The following International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business article, "Roots of innovative knowledge in small commercial enterprises in Ecuador", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Information and Communication Technology

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• A multi-objective optimisation model for the spatial layout of public art
• Fault diagnosis and self-healing of power line carrier communication enabled by artificial intelligence: smart grid application based on data mining
• Social sentiment early warning system integrating transformers and explainable SHAP values
• Adversarial machine learning algorithms for English translation quality estimation
• Utility-driven simulation modelling and multi-objective evolutionary optimisation for BIM-based construction emission reduction

Research pick: A deep dive for meaning - "Application of quantum optimisation osprey algorithm in English translation quality improvement model"

Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has taken inspiration from the hunting behaviour of the fish-eating bird of prey, the osprey, and combined this with inspiration from quantum computing to improve machine translation, particularly for long sentences and technical texts between Chinese and English.

Ospreys scan large areas of the water before making precise dives on their piscine targets. This strategy has been modelled and adapted into an algorithm that balances broad exploration with focused searches for promising solutions. The result in this work is the Quantum-Optimised Osprey Optimisation Algorithm (QOOA). The team explains that QOOA uses qubits, the mathematical units of quantum information, to explore a wider range of possible solutions. It also incorporates a quantum rotation mechanism that shifts from broad exploration to targeted refinement as the search progresses.

The team tested the new model on the WMT2018 English-Chinese translation benchmark, which contains almost 177,000 training examples. Compared with a baseline neural machine translation system, QOOA scored 3.2 percentage points higher and reduced the number of post-translation edits needed by 12.7 per cent. In addition, the team reports that their approach was particularly effective for lengthy and technical texts, where previous translation systems have been prone to errors and ambiguity.

Wang, L. (2026) ‘Application of quantum optimisation osprey algorithm in English translation quality improvement model’, Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 27, No. 49, pp.1–18.

New Open Access article available: "Influencer persona endorsement and algorithm awareness as drivers of product search intention on Douyin: an extended TPB approach"

The following International Journal of Information and Decision Sciences article, "Influencer persona endorsement and algorithm awareness as drivers of product search intention on Douyin: an extended TPB approach", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics

The International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

New Open Access article available: "Inventory turnover and corporate performance in an emerging market: a nonlinear dynamic analysis"

The following International Journal of Business Excellence article, "Inventory turnover and corporate performance in an emerging market: a nonlinear dynamic analysis", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Information and Communication Technology

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Deep learning-driven multimodal early warning analysis for intelligent security in coal mine camps
• Emotion representation and recognition in oil paintings via meta-learning and semantic augmentation
• Generation of virtual character interaction logic driven by multimodal behavioural data
• Visual feedback-driven active perception by drone swarms for proactive crowd anomaly capture
• Dynamic resource allocation in smart laboratories based on multi-agent reinforcement learning

Research pick: The microbial fuel cell promise – clean energy, clean water - "Innovative applications and recent developments in microbial fuel cells: a comprehensive review"

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which use microorganisms to generate electricity from organic waste, are emerging as a tool in the transition to cleaner energy systems and for the treatment of waste water, according to a review of recent research in the International Journal of Environment and Waste Management.

Unlike conventional power generation, MFCs use bacteria that break down organic matter and generate electrons as part of their natural metabolism. These electrons can be tapped off from the fuel cell by electrodes to create an electrical current. The review points out that wastewater, food waste, and agricultural by-products can all be used as a food supply for the bacteria and therefore as a sustainable fuel source for power production.

Indeed, the researchers argue that the greatest strength of this technology is to combine electricity generation with waste treatment. In wastewater facilities, MFCs can help remove organic pollutants while simultaneously producing power, potentially reducing the energy demands of treatment plants.

The team highlights advances in electrode materials, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, and conductive polymers. The review also considers the role of electroactive bacteria. These are microbes that can transfer electrons directly to the electrodes and include those in the Geobacter, Shewanella, and Pseudomonas genera.

Challenges remain, however. Power output is still relatively low in MFCs, and scaling systems from the laboratory bench to an industrial operation remains difficult. Cost, efficiency and long-term reliability must improve considerably to allow MFCs to achieve widespread commercial adoption.

Deshmukh, S.M., Dhokpande, S.R. and Sankhe, A.A. (2026) ‘Innovative applications and recent developments in microbial fuel cells: a comprehensive review’, Int. J. Environment and Waste Management, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp.1-26.

New Open Access article available: "Low-carbon interior decoration lifecycle analysis based on BIM technology"

The following International Journal of Environmental Engineering article, "Low-carbon interior decoration lifecycle analysis based on BIM technology", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Information and Communication Technology

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Advancing the application of intelligent design systems in adaptive co-creation models using AIGC and reinforcement learning
• Evolution of cultural community interaction networks and information propagation based on dynamic interest graph
• Dynamic sound field reconstruction with multi-channel broadcasting systems in immersive virtual environments
• Integrating deep learning and GIS technology for optimising rural tourism development paths
• Deep learning-based public crisis event identification for multimodal data contexts

New Open Access article available: "Heart disease detection using 1D transformer network: case of ECG signals and clinical data"

The following International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics article, "Heart disease detection using 1D transformer network: case of ECG signals and clinical data", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Research pick: We need blockchain education - "Blockchain-enabled secure distance learning platforms for higher education"

Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has looked at potential security and privacy weaknesses in remote higher education systems, focusing on centralised virtual learning platforms.

The researchers explain that these platforms usually rely on a single administrative infrastructure for authentication, records, and content delivery. This, they suggest, creates a single point of failure, where disruption or compromise of the central system might then affect the entire environment. This could open up the possibility of data tampering, credential fraud, and unauthorised access, while undermining trust in online degrees.

The team suggests that blockchain technology, usually associated with digital, or crypto, currencies, has the potential to protect education systems, making them tamper-proof. Earlier work has been tried allowing simple static credential storage. But the new approach is dynamic and could be used for enrolment, course access and ongoing assessment, rather than being mainly a certificate verification system.

The team’s proposal of Blockchain-Enabled Secure Distance Learning (BESDL) represents a lifecycle-based framework covering the full education process. It uses smart contracts, self-executing rules on a blockchain, to manage decentralised identity management, secure content-based access control, and encrypted content delivery.

Tests suggest improved authentication speed, better security, and greater scalability under high concurrent student loads compared with conventional systems.

Chen, J. and Chang, X. (2026) ‘Blockchain-enabled secure distance learning platforms for higher education‘, Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 27, No. 56, pp.1-31.

Research pick: Factory-in-factory systems for greener industry - "Industry note: Innovative waste-to-energy pyrolysis technology for sustainable biowaste utilisation"

A waste-to-energy system designed for palm oil mills could turn agricultural waste into electricity, industrial fuels and carbon-storing materials while generating commercially viable returns, according to an “Industrial Note” in the International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation.

The authors examined Factory in Factory (FiF) systems wherein an integrated biomass treatment system built around two linked technologies can be used to convert organic waste into usable energy and saleable by-products. The work argues that the approach could help industries reduce greenhouse gas emissions while addressing mounting pressure on landfill capacity and waste disposal.

The system is aimed particularly at palm kernel cake (PKC). This is a waste residue from palm oil production that is generated in vast quantities at mills across Malaysia. The material is already concentrated at these industrial sites, so using FiF means transportation and collection costs are avoided almost entirely.

At the centre of the process is Pyrolysis Molecularisation Extraction Technology (PMET), which uses pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic material without oxygen. This approach can process around 300 kilograms of biomass per hour. The process generates combustible gas, carbon-rich biochar and a liquid bio-oil known as green tar.

Biochar, a charcoal-like substance, can be used either to sequester carbon for long periods or as a soil improver and for pollution treatment. The bio-oil could be used as industrial fuel or as a feedstock for chemical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical products as an alternative to fossil products from the petrochemical industry.

The authors explain that a second component, the Gas Generator Assemble Cabinet (GGAC), can use pyrolysis-generated gas in electricity production. Such units can generate around 130 megawatts of electricity per month. This would allow mills either to offset their own power use or sell electricity to the national grid.

Lee, C-W. and Kao, W. M-W. (2026) ‘Industry note: Innovative waste-to-energy pyrolysis technology for sustainable biowaste utilisation‘, Int. J. Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, Vol. 5, No. 2.

Editorial statement from Prof. Luna Leoni, Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Information and Operations Management Education: Time for a Renewed Vision

Organisations worldwide are redefining how managerial knowledge, operational capabilities, digital competencies and learning processes are developed and transferred. Accelerated technological change, AI-driven transformation, new workforce expectations and increasing organisational complexity are reshaping both management practice and management education at an unprecedented pace.

Within this evolving landscape, the International Journal of Information and Operations Management Education (IJIOME) is entering a renewed phase of development to strengthen its relevance, international visibility and interdisciplinary contributions.

Since its foundation, IJIOME has provided a valuable platform for research at the intersection of information systems, operations management and education. The journal has advanced our understanding of how organisations and individuals learn, adapt and manage information and operational processes in dynamic environments.

Today, these foundational themes are becoming even more strategically important. Organisations increasingly require future-ready managerial capabilities, digitally enabled learning systems and adaptive operational models that can respond to continuous transformation.

Rather than redefining the journal’s mission, this renewed direction strengthens and modernises IJIOME’s original interdisciplinary foundations. The journal will continue to serve as a rigorous international forum for research addressing the evolving relationships between information systems, operations management, organisational learning and management capability development. In particular, IJIOME will place growing emphasis on four interconnected domains that reflect both the journal’s historical strengths and the emerging priorities of contemporary management research:

• Digital transformation and information-driven organisations, including AI-enabled management, digital capabilities, smart operations and data-driven organisational systems.
• Future-oriented management education, including digital skills, workforce transformation, competency-based education and technology-enhanced learning environments.
• Organisational learning and knowledge development, including learning organisations, knowledge transfer, intellectual capital and managerial capability building.
• Sustainable and responsible organisational transformation, including ESG integration, responsible leadership, sustainable operations and human-centred organisational development.

By reinforcing these directions, IJIOME seeks to support a broader international research community while remaining fully consistent with its core identity and mission.

We warmly invite scholars, educators, practitioners and policymakers from around the world to contribute rigorous, relevant and forward-looking research addressing the future of organisations, management education, information systems and operational transformation.

We are particularly interested in contributions that bridge academic rigour and managerial relevance, as well as proposals for special issues devoted to emerging and high-impact themes.

We look forward to a renewed period of growth, visibility and international engagement for IJIOME, and we sincerely thank our authors, reviewers, editorial board members and readers for their continued support and trust.