Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Project Organisation and Management

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Project Organisation and Management are now available here for free:

• The supporting role of the project management office in the transfer of knowledge between projects - a study of five cases
• Does temporal distance (still) affect the performance of virtual teams?
• Analysing the stakeholder networks in collaborative project using network theory: implications for coordination and control
• Assessing project management maturity in Sweden
• Successful stakeholder engagement in not-for-profit projects: a systematic literature review

Free Open Access article available: "The application of VR-based fine motion capture algorithm in college aerobics training"

The following paper, "The application of VR-based fine motion capture algorithm in college aerobics training" (International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering 9(6) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Hashtag “#Hashtag”

Hashtags, the keywords preceded by the “#” symbol, are widely used on social media platforms like Instagram to categorize content and increase its visibility. While their primary function is to help posts reach broader audiences, a study in the International Journal of Web Based Communities shows that hashtags also play a significant role in shaping how users perceive the trustworthiness of the post’s source. This research challenges the common practice of “hashtag stuffing”, the use of excessive or irrelevant hashtags to boost engagement. It then explores the unintended consequences it may have on the credibility of a given post and the person or company using them.

On Instagram, as with other platforms, hashtags are often used to tap into trending topics or relevant themes, enabling users to increase the visibility of their posts. This study suggests that beyond increasing visibility, hashtags play a significant role in how users judge the credibility of a post.

Ye Han and Peter Haried of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Cross, Wisconsin, Shuang Wu of Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey, USA, carried out experiments and found that hashtags act as “heuristic cues.” In psychological terms, a heuristic is a mental shortcut people use to quickly make decisions or judgements without having to analyse every piece of information. In this context, hashtags serve as cues that shape how trustworthy a post seems, even if the viewer does not scrutinize the content itself in detail.

When a post includes hashtags, users tend to assume that the source is more likely to share additional information or similar content. This perception increases the post’s credibility, reinforcing trust. However, this trust is undermined when hashtags are deemed irrelevant or excessive, as is the case with hashtag stuffing. Users may begin to question the authenticity of the post, leading them to engage in more critical analysis of the content, ultimately reducing the post’s perceived trustworthiness.

This finding underscores a critical tension for Instagram users, particularly commercial enterprises and so-called influencers who all rely on visibility and reach. While using more hashtags may help posts reach a wider audience, the study suggests that excessive or irrelevant hashtags can backfire. Users may interpret such posts as less credible, as the hashtag choices can signal an attempt to manipulate engagement rather than offer valuable or pertinent content.

The research also suggests that the visual nature of Instagram posts affects how users interact with hashtags. If the image is clear and straightforward, users are more likely to engage with hashtags, trusting that the content is well-supported by relevant tagging. In other words, hashtags should be directly related to the post’s content to maintain both trust and engagement. This balanced approach prevents users from feeling overwhelmed by irrelevant information and ensures a more authentic connection with the audience, the research suggests.

Han, Y., Wu, S. and Haried, P. (2025) ‘The hidden impact of hashtags on Instagram: navigational heuristics on source trustworthiness’, Int. J. Web Based Communities, Vol. 21, Nos. 1/2, pp.155–185.

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development are now available here for free:

• Exploring the coworking space as an innovation intermediary: a case study in Amsterdam
• Crime detection and crime hot spot prediction using the BI-LSTM deep learning model
• FOA-ESN in tourism demand forecasting from the perspective of sustainable development
• Digitalised human needs to support intra-organisational knowledge sharing among knowledge workers
• Research on a recommendation model for sustainable innovative teaching of Chinese as a foreign language based on the data mining algorithm

Free Open Access article available: "Construction of a CS-ELM-based assessment model for civic education within a multidimensional analysis framework"

The following paper, "Construction of a CS-ELM-based assessment model for civic education within a multidimensional analysis framework" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(6) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment are now available here for free:

• Customer engagement in online brand communities and value co-creation: the Balkan countries perspectives
• Beyond the counter: unveiling the nexus of workplace training, employee engagement, and citizenship behaviour in Fijian retail
• The effect of organisational green culture and organisational environmental ethics on green employee behaviour: the role of green innovative performance and green communication and feedback among employees of garment industry in Bangladesh
• Women corrections executives' experiences with reciprocal trust and burnout symptoms: an integrated literature review
• Moonlighting intentions from IT professional's perspective: mediating role of organisational commitment

Free Open Access article available: "Sentiment analysis for tourism reviews based on dual-stream graph attention fusion network"

The following paper, "Sentiment analysis for tourism reviews based on dual-stream graph attention fusion network" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(6) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Social sharing - "Why do people disclose themselves on social networking sites? Evidence from Vietnamese Facebook users"

A study in the International Journal of Knowledge and Learning has looked at how individual personality traits influence how much users disclose personal information on social networking sites. Self-disclosure, revealing personal details to others, is generally considered a key component of online social networking interaction.

Understanding what motivates people to share in this way could help platform providers improve the user experience and engagement. The work might also have applications in psychology, social media studies, but perhaps also it could ultimately benefit the bottom-line for the platforms.

Nam Tien Duong of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, Vietnam, has looked at the intersection of personality, self-presentation, and social networking behaviour. He found that social network users are driven by specific interpersonal needs that shape how much they reveal about themselves. These needs, grounded in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, emphasize the social and emotional drive for connection and affection. Social networking platforms have offered us a unique space to meet these needs through active self-expression online.

The research has drawn on two primary interpersonal needs that shape behaviour: the need for belonging and the need for self-presentation. The need for belonging involves the desire to connect with others and feel recognized, while the need for self-presentation is about managing the image we project to others. The study emphasizes that self-presentation plays an important part in motivating self-disclosure, though its impact varies depending on an individual’s personality traits, particularly extraversion and narcissism.

Extraversion refers to a person’s tendency to seek out social interaction and enjoy group activities. According to the findings, individuals with high levels of extraversion are more likely to disclose personal information. Their enthusiasm for engaging with others translates into a greater willingness to share personal details. In contrast, introverts, who are less inclined toward social interactions, tend to disclose less about themselves, even when they may still have a strong desire for social inclusion.

Another personality trait that significantly influences self-disclosure is narcissism. Narcissists, who possess a strong desire for admiration and validation, often share more personal information to highlight their perceived individuality. This behaviour is driven by a need to garner attention and reinforce their sense of self-importance, which stands in contrast to those who may share less for more intimate or relational reasons.

Duong, N.T. (2025) ‘Why do people disclose themselves on social networking sites? Evidence from Vietnamese Facebook users’, Int. J. Knowledge and Learning, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp.186–203.

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies are now available here for free:

• Working capital as a determinant of firm performance
• A decade of competition laws in Arab economies: a de jure and de facto assessment
• Understanding the actual buying behaviour of organic food users in India: a PLS-SEM approach
• Impact of central bank's COVID-19 policy measures on banks: evidence from India
• The impact of external debt on economic growth in emerging economies: investigating the role of capital formation

Free Open Access article available: "3D image reconstruction using an improved BEV model and global convolutional attention fusion"

The following paper, "3D image reconstruction using an improved BEV model and global convolutional attention fusion" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(6) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Free Open Access article available: "Electric vehicle charging station planning based on the development of distribution networks and coupled charging demand"

The following paper, "Electric vehicle charging station planning based on the development of distribution networks and coupled charging demand" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(6) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Digital safeguarding – screen time, safe time - "Fuzzy expert system for access control of children to the internet"

As digital devices become more integrated into children’s lives, concerns about their impact on physical and mental health continue to grow. In modern households, smartphones, tablets, and computers are now commonplace, leading to increased exposure to online content. This shift has raised important questions about how much screen time is appropriate and what effects it has on children’s well-being.

The issue of screen time has been widely debated, with research pointing to both potential risks and benefits. Excessive screen use has been linked to physical issues such as eye strain, headaches, and sleep disruption. There are also concerns about the relationship between increased screen time and physical inactivity, as children who spend more time on devices might be less engaged in outdoor play and exercise, both essential for their physical development.

On the other hand, the online world offers numerous opportunities for learning, creativity, and socialization. Educational apps, online learning platforms, and digital games can stimulate intellectual growth, promote critical thinking, and even foster social connections with peers across the globe. The challenge is finding a balance that maximizes the benefits of digital engagement while mitigating the potential negative effects on health and well-being.

Beyond physical health, the psychological effects of digital media are also a growing concern. Research indicates that extended use of devices, particularly those providing access to social media, can influence children’s emotional well-being, intellectual development, and sense of identity. While some cases have linked excessive screen time to negative outcomes, the full psychological impact of digital media remains an area of ongoing research. It is important to also acknowledge the positive effects, such as improved cognitive skills and the opportunity for global social connections.

Given these concerns, researchers are exploring more personalized methods of regulating screen time, such as the use of fuzzy logic inference systems. These systems, a type of artificial intelligence, can evaluate complex and imprecise data, making them ideal for tailoring screen time recommendations and restrictions based on a child’s unique characteristics.

Parents, guardians, or teachers could input data about a child’s age, health, and psychological profile into the system, which would then use this information to determine appropriate screen time and content limits. Unlike generic restrictions, which may be difficult to enforce or inappropriate for all young users, fuzzy logic systems offer a more customized and flexible approach to managing screen use.

While there are existing tools that restrict screen time and block content, an adaptive approach, could be key to managing both the quantity and quality of screen time. Younger, more vulnerable users would have stricter controls and limits, while older, more mature children could access a wider range of appropriate resources, all based on their individual developmental profiles.

Alguliyev, R.M., Abdullayeva, F.J. and Ojagverdiyeva, S.S. (2024) ‘Fuzzy expert system for access control of children to the internet’, Int. J. Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems, Vol. 16, No. 6, pp.455–462.

Free Open Access article available: "Pseudo-coordinates graph convolutional generative adversarial network for art style transfer"

The following paper, "Pseudo-coordinates graph convolutional generative adversarial network for art style transfer" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(6) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Free Open Access article available: "Research on over-the-air programming and real-name authentication technology of eSIM based on 5G communication technology"

The following paper, "Research on over-the-air programming and real-name authentication technology of eSIM based on 5G communication technology" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(6) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Free Open Access article available: "Real-time frequency adaptation in carrier communication algorithm based on 2sVCNet network"

The following paper, "Real-time frequency adaptation in carrier communication algorithm based on 2sVCNet network" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(6) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Urbanisation, musically speaking - "Comparative analysis of the impact of urban music on students of state, private and parochial educational institutions"

Urban music, which originated in marginalized communities in The Caribbean and the USA, has found a global audience, resonating especially with young people, as is often the case with emerging music genres. Urban music has evolved into more than just a genre of entertainment, it has become a significant cultural force that shapes the identities, behaviour, and educational experiences of young people.

A study in the International Journal of Knowledge and Learning has examined the impact of urban music on secondary school students in Peru. The work sheds new light on its multifaceted role in adolescent life, which may well have wider implications. The findings suggest that urban music, encompassing styles such as hip-hop and reggaetón can serve as a platform for cultural expression and social belonging, influencing students in ways that are deeply linked to their socio-economic environments.

Agustin Angel Roberto Chumpitaz-Avila and Luis Fernando Castro-Llacsa of the National University of San Agustín of Arequipa in Arequipa, Peru, highlight how this musical genre has penetrated schools across Peru, including state, private, and religious institutions. This reflects the wide-reaching influence of urban music. While critics have long asserted that urban music might somehow promote antisocial behaviour, the research suggests that its influence on youth is not so easily categorized and indeed can have a strong positive influence.

Urban music does commonly have explicit lyrics that often feature violence, overtly sexual imagery, and drug use. Those social observers who malign it for these characteristics suggest that young listeners may internalize these messages. However, the current study found that while some students might adopt attitudes reflected in the music, the broader socio-economic and familial context plays a more significant role in determining their behaviour. Urban music, it seems, is a tool for young people to interpret their surroundings rather than an inherently harmful influence.

Chumpitaz-Avila, A.A.R. and Castro-Llacsa, L.F. (2025) ‘Comparative analysis of the impact of urban music on students of state, private and parochial educational institutions’, Int. J. Knowledge and Learning, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp.170–185.

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.

• Real-time frequency adaptation in carrier communication algorithm based on 2sVCNet network
• Research on over-the-air programming and real-name authentication technology of eSIM based on 5G communication technology
• Pseudo-coordinates graph convolutional generative adversarial network for art style transfer
• Electric vehicle charging station planning based on the development of distribution networks and coupled charging demand
• 3D image reconstruction using an improved BEV model and global convolutional attention fusion
• Sentiment analysis for tourism reviews based on dual-stream graph attention fusion network
• Construction of a CS-ELM-based assessment model for civic education within a multidimensional analysis framework

Research pick: Classical class – notes on automated music analysis - "Classification of classical music genres based on Mel-spectrogram and multi-channel learning"

As digital music libraries continue to expand, the challenge of accurately categorizing musical genres remains high on the agenda. A study in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology introduces a deep learning model designed to improve the classification of classical music genres.

By employing multi-channel learning (MCL) and Mel-spectrogram analysis, the model, known as MC-MelNet, offers what the research suggests is a more nuanced and efficient approach to genre identification. Tests carried out by its developer, Lei Zhang of the Henan Academy of Drama Arts at Henan University in Zhengzhou, China, show that it outperforms traditional classification methods.

The ability to classify music automatically has far-reaching implications for streaming services, music recommendation algorithms, and digital archiving. Classical music, with its intricate structures and subtle variations, presents a particular challenge for automated classification. Zhang explains that MC-MelNet addresses these issues by integrating multiple layers of analysis, capturing both the tonal and temporal characteristics of a composition.

At the core of MC-MelNet’s innovation is its multi-channel learning framework, which processes multiple audio features simultaneously. Conventional approaches rely primarily on Mel-spectrograms, which break down an audio signal into different frequency components in a way that mimics human hearing. However, while effective in capturing tonal elements, Mel-spectrograms alone do not fully represent the temporal dynamics of music.

MC-MelNet overcomes this limitation by incorporating additional audio features such as Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) and Chroma features. MFCCs capture the timbral qualities of a sound, making them useful for distinguishing between different instruments or playing styles. Chroma features, on the other hand, focus on pitch content and harmonic structure. By combining these elements, MC-MelNet creates a richer and more detailed representation of musical compositions, allowing it to distinguish between closely related classical genres with greater accuracy.

Unlike conventional classification methods, which require manual feature extraction, MC-MelNet uses an end-to-end deep learning approach. It utilizes convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to detect spatial patterns in audio data and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), specifically long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, to process sequential musical information.

MC-MelNet might have applications beyond classical music classification. It could, for instance, be adapted for real-time sound processing and audio event detection. Enhancing the model’s generalizability by training it on a more diverse dataset could make it applicable to a wider range of genres, improving automated music classification for commercial streaming platforms.

Zhang, L. (2025) ‘Classification of classical music genres based on Mel-spectrogram and multi-channel learning’, Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 26, No. 5, pp.39–53.

Free Open Access article available: "An objective comparison of two prominent virtual actor frameworks: Proto.Actor and Orleans"

The following paper, "An objective comparison of two prominent virtual actor frameworks: Proto.Actor and Orleans" (International Journal of Communication Networks and Distributed Systems 30(3) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Free Open Access article available: "Both right nearby and far away: Rural Sámi entrepreneurs' engagement with spatial contexts"

The following paper, "Both right nearby and far away: Rural Sámi entrepreneurs' engagement with spatial contexts" (International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development 24(5) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Going spare roadside, cutting costs and emissions - "Using the route planning for supplying spare parts to reduce distribution costs: a case study in a roadside assistance company"

A distribution model designed to streamline spare parts delivery to roadside assistance vehicles could cut costs in half, according to work in the International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics. The model builds a solution to the well-known Travelling Salesman Problem, a complex optimisation problem that involves finding the shortest route that visits each city once and ends at the starting point. The model was tested on real data from a roadside assistance company operating a fleet of service vehicles.

Abolfazl Shafaei, Mohammad Reza Akbari Jokar, and Majid Rafiee of Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran, and Ahmad Hemmati of the University of Bergen in Bergen, Norway, explain that the major logistical challenge for roadside assistance fleets is balancing inventory space with repair capabilities. Service vehicles have limited space onboard, so they must prioritize particular spare parts and specific tools. Service vehicles usually visit a central warehouse on a regular schedule to restock on spare parts every few days. This adds to overall fuel costs, vehicle wear and tear, and lost servicing time. The new system replaces these frequent trips with a centralized delivery truck that optimizes the frequency and route of spare part deliveries.

However, drivers everywhere expect fast, efficient service from the company with which they entrust their vehicle’s roadside maintenance, They also expect it to be inexpensive and a high-quality service.

The team tested several delivery schedules, including daily and every five days, and found that the most efficient option for this roadside assistance company was an optimized cycle on the first, second, and fourth days. This approach reduced costs by 56%.

The new model reduces the need to stockpile items by ensuring regular deliveries to the service fleet out on the road. This frees up space for repair equipment that allows for a wider variety of roadside fixes.

Beyond the immediate time and cost savings to companies running roadside assistance fleets, the model also promises significant environmental benefits. With fewer vehicles returning to a central warehouse to restock, fuel consumption and carbon emissions can be greatly reduced. Indeed, for the test case, the team found that annual carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 75 percent.

Shafaei, A., Akbari Jokar, M.R., Rafiee, M. and Hemmati, A. (2025) ‘Using the route planning for supplying spare parts to reduce distribution costs: a case study in a roadside assistance company‘, Int. J. Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp.131-158.

Free Open Access article available: "Piano teaching-assisted beat recognition based on spatio-temporal two-branch attention"

The following paper, "Piano teaching-assisted beat recognition based on spatio-temporal two-branch attention" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(5) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

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.

• Implementation of gesture recognition technology optimised by neural networks in OpenMV
• Ideological opinion clustering identification based on Gibbs sampling in social new media environment
• Classification of classical music genres based on Mel-spectrogram and multi-channel learning
• An alternative method for generating fractal art patterns based on the balanced optimiser algorithm
• Knowledge creation in vocational education using multi-source data fusion under big data environment
• Intelligent fault diagnosis of mechanical equipment based on industrial big data
• Piano teaching-assisted beat recognition based on spatio-temporal two-branch attention

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Learning Technology

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Learning Technology are now available here for free:

• A framework for co-designing effective LADs supporting sensemaking and decision making
• An analysis of technological resources to encourage self-regulated learning behaviour in virtual learning environments in the last decade
• Modelling e-learning quality, self-efficacy and students' behaviour
• Advances in personalised recommendation of learning objects based on the set covering problem using ontology
• Demographic differences in China's higher education students' interactions and experiences with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

Free Open Access article available: "Intelligent fault diagnosis of mechanical equipment based on industrial big data"

The following paper, "Intelligent fault diagnosis of mechanical equipment based on industrial big data" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(5) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Robots get a grip on objects with a twist - "Rotation-invariant 3D convolutional neural networks for 6D object pose estimation"

Recent work in 6D object pose estimation holds significant promise for advancing robotics, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), as well as autonomous navigation. The research, published in the International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering, introduces a method that enhances the accuracy, generalization, and efficiency of determining an object’s rotation and translation from a single image. This could significantly improve robots’ ability to interact with objects, especially in dynamic or obstructed environments.

In robotics, 6D object pose estimation refers to determining both the orientation (rotation) and position (translation) of an object in three-dimensional space. “6D” describes six degrees of freedom: three for translation (X, Y, Z axes) and three for rotation (around those axes). Accurate pose estimation is critical for autonomous systems, including robots and AR/VR systems.

Challenges arise due to variations in object shapes, viewpoints, and computational demands. Current methods rely on deep-learning techniques using large datasets of objects viewed from various angles. These models struggle with unseen objects or those with shapes different from training data.

The new technique discussed by Zhizhong Chen, Zhihang Wang, Xue Hui Xing, and Tao Kuai of the Northwest Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in Xianyang City, China, addresses the various challenges by incorporating rotation-invariant features into an artificial intelligence system known as a 3D convolutional network. This allows the system to process an object’s 3D point cloud, regardless of its orientation, leading to more accurate pose predictions even when the object is rotated or seen from unfamiliar angles. The network uses a consistent set of coordinates, known as canonical coordinates, which represent the object in a frame of reference unaffected by rotation. This innovation improves the system’s ability to generalize to new poses, overcoming a limitation of conventional methods.

Not only is the new approach more accurate, it is more efficient and so needs less training data and less computer power, making it more suited for real-time, real-world applications.

Chen, Z., Wang, Z., Xing, X.H. and Kuai, T. (2025) ‘Rotation-invariant 3D convolutional neural networks for 6D object pose estimation’, Int. J. Computational Science and Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 8, pp.1–9.

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Monetary Economics and Finance

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Monetary Economics and Finance are now available here for free:

• The impact of corporate social responsibility disclosure and board characteristics on firm performance: evidence from Vietnam-listed firms
• ESG performance and cost of capital: what do we know? Evidence from the US
• Indian stock market sensitivity to macroeconomic and non-macroeconomic factors: an industry-level analysis
• Are machine learning models more effective than logistic regressions in predicting bank credit risk? An assessment of the Brazilian financial markets
• Does FinTech adoption improve bank performance?