Research pick: Edging towards energy efficiency - "A meta-heuristic optimisation algorithm based method for scheduling edge computing resources"

The Internet of Things, which includes environmental sensor networks, industrial monitoring systems, home automation, and wearables, has brought with it an ever-increasing demand for computational power in smart mobile devices. Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology, discusses how mobile edge computing might meet these demands.

Yujie Li, Yaoyao Xu, and Fangfang Cao of the Nanchang Institute of Science and Technology, and Xiang He of Jiangxi Flight University also in Nanchang, China explain how cloud computing served as the backbone for data processing in mobile devices. However, these systems have their shortcomings, such as the requisite connectivity, the likely bottlenecks and delays and the ever-present security and privacy risks associated with having one’s data on a third party system.

Mobile edge computing (MEC) could address many of these issues by decentralizing computation so that instead of a system being reliant on remote data centres and servers, the computational tasks are carried out on edge servers that are closer to the user. This reduces delays, latency, as well as potentially easing the load on the main servers, allowing faster processing of data to take place. However, even this approach raises problems of energy consumption as the mobile devices offload tasks to nearby servers.

The new work from Li and colleagues offers a way to tackle this issue by proposing an innovative resource scheduling model designed to optimize energy use in MEC systems. The new model assigns tasks in a non-random way that takes into consideration the available computational resources of the edge servers and their energy consumption. To enhance this process, the researchers used a sophisticated optimization technique known as enhanced particle swarm optimization. This algorithm gives quick convergence of processes to an optimal solution selected from a broad range of putative solutions to the given problem or task. It is thus more effective in managing energy usage across the entire system – on the mobile devices and on the edge servers.

The researchers’ test results are promising. When applied to a setup with ten smart mobile devices, the model was able to reduce energy consumption by up to 55% compared to other approaches. These savings are achieved through smarter scheduling of computational tasks, ensuring that both the energy needs of the mobile devices and the power costs of the edge servers are balanced.

Li, Y., Xu, Y., Cao, F. and He, X. (2024) ‘A meta-heuristic optimisation algorithm based method for scheduling edge computing resources’, Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 25, No. 9, pp.88–103.

Free Open Access article available: "A meta-heuristic optimisation algorithm based method for scheduling edge computing resources"

The following paper, "A meta-heuristic optimisation algorithm based method for scheduling edge computing resources" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 25(9) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Noise to signal - "Design of music signal enhancement system based on big data clustering technology"

Music is created, streamed, and consumed through electronic platforms and while this format does not suffer the pops and crackles or the wow and flutter of vinyl or magnetic tape, there is always the persistent problem of noise interference and how to minimise it. Taoru Kong of Xi’an Siyuan University in Xi’an, and Yanli Shen of Guangdong Polytechnic of Science and Technology in Zhuhai, China, writing in the International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering, point out that electronic music can be particularly susceptible to the problem of noise. The team is developing a powerful new approach to reducing noise interference.

The team’s system combines hardware and software designed to tackle noise interference. It begins with a music signal acquisition module that captures the raw audio. This data is then processed using an audio codec to refine the signal quality that exploits a large training data set and a clustering algorithm to detect and isolate unwanted noise. By analysing patterns within the music signal, the system can target interference, applying a statistical tool known as a an improved wavelet transform to eradicate the noise without distorting the original music.

In addition to this analytical system, the team has incorporated a so-called autocorrelation filtering algorithm. This step further cleans up the signal by isolating the music. This, the researchers say, produces a remarkably clear audio output, which is critical in a world where the smallest distortion can detract from the listener’s experience.

The experimental results show that this system outperforms traditional noise reduction methods by a significant margin. For example, it achieves a signal-to-noise ratio of 30.12 dB, which is considerably higher than the 27 to 28 dB range seen with conventional techniques.

Kong, T. and Shen, Y. (2024) ‘Design of music signal enhancement system based on big data clustering technology’, Int. J. Computational Systems Engineering, Vol. 8, Nos. 3/4, pp.182–191.

Free Open Access article available: "Prediction method of battery remaining life based on CEEMDAN-RF-SED-LSTM neural network"

The following paper, "Prediction method of battery remaining life based on CEEMDAN-RF-SED-LSTM neural network" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 25(9) 2024), 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 Critical Accounting

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

• Late payment of invoices: is it an ethical practice?
• Fraud and going-concern assessments during COVID-19: perception of Fijian auditors
• Does corporate governance matter in the failures of listed home-grown banks?
• Retail business practices in Bangladesh: an empirical study
• Solving the ambiguity of microfinance and intimate partner violence: a PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis study

Research pick: Closing the European digital divide - "Impact of digitalisation on labour productivity in the EU"

Research in the International Journal of Business Innovation and Research has looked at the relationship between digitalisation and labour productivity in the European Union. The study found that the growing digital divide between some countries means that the impact of technological transformation on productivity is far from uniform.

Giuseppe Cinquegrana of the Italian National Institute of Statistics in Rome, and Giovanni De Luca, Paolo Mazzocchi, Claudio Quintano, and Antonella Rocca of the University of Naples Parthenope, Italy, looked at 23 EU member states over a five-year period and found that digital advancements, such as internet connectivity, digital skills, and the adoption of new technologies, can have different effects around the EU.

Broadly speaking, digitalisation has a positive effect on productivity. However, this study shows that the benefits are most pronounced in countries that already have high levels of digitalisation, such as those in Northern Europe. Nations like Sweden and Denmark, with good digital infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce, experience the biggest productivity gains as digitalisation spreads. The relationship can be measured using the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index, which tracks the progress of digital transformation, and gross domestic product per worker, a standard measure of productivity.

However, the study also reveals a more nuanced picture than is obtained from that data. It suggests that the impact of digitalisation on productivity is not immediate or even implicit. The team found that countries with better education systems and more extensive technological adoption are more likely to see digitalisation pay off in terms of higher productivity.

The findings reveal a stark north-south digital divide within the EU. Southern and Eastern European countries, in particular, lag behind their Northern counterparts in both digitalisation and productivity levels. This gap is further exacerbated by factors like lower investment in research and development and the presence of smaller, less innovative businesses. In these regions, the lack of resources to train workers in digital skills and the relatively low rate of technology adoption in businesses continue to hinder productivity growth. In highlighting this divide, the work offers the opportunity for policymakers to endeavour to close this digital divide.

Cinquegrana, G., De Luca, G., Mazzocchi, P., Quintano, C. and Rocca, A. (2024) ‘Impact of digitalisation on labour productivity in the EU’, Int. J. Business Innovation and Research, Vol. 35, No. 6, pp.1–39.

Free Open Access article available: "Impact of digitalisation on labour productivity in the EU"

The following paper, "Impact of digitalisation on labour productivity in the EU" (International Journal of Business Innovation and Research 35(6) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Smarter partners, smarter products - "Future innovation framework (FIF) for value co-creation of smart product-service system design in a global automotive manufacturing company"

A novel framework for designing smarter, more sustainable products is discussed in the International Journal of Product Development. The framework could help car manufacturers and others navigate the increasing demand for digital services. Zhang Yan, Tobias Larsson, and Andreas Larsson of the Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden, explain that the Future Innovation Framework could change the way companies develop Product-Service Systems.

Product-Service Systems combine physical products with digital services in a collaborative process for their customers. With traditional product development models struggling to keep pace with technological advancements, the Future Innovation Framework gives manufacturers a structured approach to integrating digital solutions into their products as well as ensuring that they are meeting their sustainability goals.

At the heart of the Future Innovation Framework is the idea of value co-creation. In this, businesses and consumers work together to design products that provide mutual benefits. This is made possible by advances in information and communication technologies such as digital twins. Digital twins allow for real-time data sharing and the creation of virtual facsimiles of prototypes that can then be assessed so that smarter decisions can be made. By facilitating collaboration among the various people involved on both sides of the business, equation, the Future Innovation Framework can help companies create products and services that are more responsive to changing consumer needs as well as being more aligned with long-term sustainability.

The team reports on how car manufacture, Volkswagen, has already used the Future Innovation Framework in the design of its smart electric vehicle. The company’s work illustrates the practical benefits of this framework. The team explains that by getting diverse teams involved early in the design process, the manufacturer was able to address those technological challenges and sustainability concerns. The case study highlights the potential of the Future Innovation Framework to streamline the design process, improve innovation, and reduce the environmental impact of a product. It also has a role to play in the promotion of the circular economy, which can reduce waste and improve the lifespan of a given product, by shifting the focus from short-term sales to more sustainable practices.

Yan, Z., Larsson, T. and Larsson, A. (2024) ‘Future innovation framework (FIF) for value co-creation of smart product-service system design in a global automotive manufacturing company’, Int. J. Product Development, Vol. 28, No. 5, pp.1–29.

Free Open Access article available: "Effectiveness of AI-based decision support systems in work environment: a systematic literature review"

 The following paper, "Effectiveness of AI-based decision support systems in work environment: a systematic literature review" (International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics 11(5) 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: "Future innovation framework (FIF) for value co-creation of smart product-service system design in a global automotive manufacturing company"

The following paper, "Future innovation framework (FIF) for value co-creation of smart product-service system design in a global automotive manufacturing company" (International Journal of Product Development 28(5) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Navigating better pedestrian safety - "Analysis of driving behaviour for right-turn manoeuvres at intersections with different types of traffic participants"

A study in the International Journal of Vehicle Safety has looked at driver behaviour during turning manoeuvres at road junctions (intersections). The work raises concerns about pedestrian safety, particularly when several vehicles are involved in making the same turn.

Shoko Oikawa, Yuta Kusakari, and Naoyuki Kubota of Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, and Yasuhiro Matsui of the National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan, used a driving simulator to replicate five different traffic scenarios. They hoped to better understand how various factors, such as the presence of pedestrians and other vehicles, influence how drivers approach and navigate junctions.

The team saw a rather troubling issue: when three vehicles were turning ahead of a driver, the speed at which the driver entered and moved through the junction increased. This scenario also led to a decrease in the amount of time drivers spent looking for pedestrians, which in turn points to a higher risk of them hitting someone crossing the road on foot. Moreover, the driver’s attention was focused mainly on the movements of other vehicles, with scant attention paid to the presence of pedestrians. Thus, in turning, many drivers seem to assume dangerously that the road is clear when it is patently not.

In some countries, laws are in place to help protect pedestrians crossing at junctions. Some of those tell drivers that they must give way to someone about to cross before they make their own turn. However, the behaviour revealed in the study suggests that if drivers are not even aware of the presence of pedestrians at a junction, then no amount of law-making without enforcement will reduce the risk to pedestrians in this situation.

The team points out that Japan has major traffic safety issues, with pedestrian fatalities a major concern. In 2023, pedestrian deaths accounted for well over a third of all traffic-related fatalities, many of those occurred at junctions. The findings mesh with previous studies, that also found that the presence of other vehicles on the road can divert a driver’s attention and increase the risk of pedestrian accidents.

While many modern cars have technology in place that is aware of obstacles and even pedestrians, this will be compromised by the presence of other vehicles as well as by driver inattention. There is this a need for more effective safety measures to be put in place, particularly at busy junctions where cars and pedestrians meet in often unpredictable ways.

Oikawa, S., Kusakari, Y.,Matsui, Y. and Kubota, N. (2024) ‘Analysis of driving behaviour for right-turn manoeuvres at intersections with different types of traffic participants’,Int. J. Vehicle Safety, Vol. 13, No. 5, pp.1–13.

Free Open Access article available: "Analysis of driving behaviour for right-turn manoeuvres at intersections with different types of traffic participants"

The following paper, "Analysis of driving behaviour for right-turn manoeuvres at intersections with different types of traffic participants" (International Journal of Vehicle Safety 13(5) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Not the usual business - "Creating opportunities: social entrepreneurship and disability employment"

Research in the International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, is set to challenge the received wisdom on entrepreneurship among marginalized groups, particularly people with disabilities. The work shows how inclusivity and diversity can perhaps unexpectedly drive social and economic change.

Chi Nghia Nguyen of Aomori Chuo Gakuin University, Japan, Matteo Rossi of the University of Sannio in Benevento BN, Italy, Laurent Vilaine of the Catholic University of Lyon, France, and Mohamad Baker Hamieh of the Lebanese International University in Mazraa, Lebanon undertook a comparison of social entrepreneurship. They compared eight case studies of people with disabilities in Vietnam and six cases involving non-disabled entrepreneurs in Japan. Their findings suggest, as one might hope, that disability does not inherently limit entrepreneurial success. Instead, they found that such individuals turn constraints into opportunities for innovation and community empowerment.

Social entrepreneurship, the practice of using business methods to address societal challenges while generating income, takes on a transformative role in disadvantaged settings, the researchers suggest. They found that in Vietnam, disabled entrepreneurs have developed ways to boost their skills, their technical expertise or social networks, while collaborating with others to overcome inherent limitations derived from their disability. The team explains that this adaptive approach not only creates sustainable livelihoods for themselves but also generates broader opportunities within their communities.

Such efforts are in stark contrast to traditional poverty alleviation models, which often cast marginalized individuals simply as passive recipients of aid. The research sees how disability can be reframed within the context of human capital—a term that encompasses the knowledge, skills, and other attributes individuals can bring to bear in their work. So, instead of viewing disabilities as insurmountable barriers, those disabilities are just one aspect of a person’s capabilities and character, which can be complemented or compensated for by other strengths as needed. This shift in perspective moves the narrative away from what individuals cannot do to what they can and opens new pathways for innovation and inclusion.

Nguyen, C.N., Rossi, M., Vilaine, L. and Hamieh, M.B. (2024) ‘Creating opportunities: social entrepreneurship and disability employment’, Int. J. Business and Emerging Markets, Vol. 16, No. 5, pp.1–18.

Free Open Access article available: "Examining the role of community interest in improving responsible project management practices in construction projects: a developing country's perspective"

The following paper, "Examining the role of community interest in improving responsible project management practices in construction projects: a developing country's perspective" (International Journal of Project Organisation and Management 16(6) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Tourist footprints on the nature reserve - "An environmental pollution assessment method for tourist attractions in nature reserves based on factor analysis"

A study in the International Journal of Environment and Pollution, has looked at a fast, efficient method of assessing environmental pollution across nature reserves and so could offer a clearer view of the impact of tourism on such putatively fragile ecosystems. Qiong Da, Fang Zhou, and Nima Ciren of the Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University in Nyingchi, China, used factor analysis, a statistical technique to simplify complex data, to assess the various forms of pollution that might be present on a nature reserve including water and soil contamination, and air pollution. Their approach can highlight core environmental risks in less than half an hour.

Nature reserves draw millions of visitors annually, benefiting local economies, but tourist activity can put a strain on the environment. The researchers point out that current pollution assessment approaches can take days if not weeks and are data-heavy. Ultimately, these leave reserve management and policymakers in a quandary as to how to respond effectively to environmental issues as they arise.

The new approach uses an environmental pollution framework tailored for tourist destinations within reserves, making it possible to condense diverse indicators into the common factors that represent the most important pollution threats. The team suggests that their approach offers a more focused and so manageable dataset that might allow conservationists to act on immediate risks essentially in real-time.

The approach is adaptable and could be useful to the broader conservation effort. The framework offered by the researchers could be used in ecological assessment across other areas, not just tourist traps within nature reserves. It might thus allow timely and useful insights to be gleaned from other kinds of conservation areas that are also facing pressures from human activities. The approach could thus support resilience and long-term sustainability of conservation areas beyond the tourist hotspots.

Da, Q., Zhou, F. and Ciren, N. (2024) ‘An environmental pollution assessment method for tourist attractions in nature reserves based on factor analysis’, Int. J. Environment and Pollution, Vol. 74, Nos. 1/2/3/4, pp.1–15.

Inderscience journals newly listed by Chartered Association of Business Schools

We are proud to announce that the following Inderscience journals have been added to the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) Academic Journal Guide:

• International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences
• International Journal of Innovation and Learning
• International Journal of Knowledge and Learning
• International Journal of Learning and Change
• International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development
• International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management
• International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking
• International Journal of Services Economics and Management
• International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage
• International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development
• International Journal of Tourism Policy

Inderscience's Editorial Office congratulates all editors and board members involved and thanks them for their continued efforts in raising the prestige of their journals.

Free Open Access article available: "Service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty in the freight forwarding industry: the moderating role of animosity and CRM"

The following paper, "Service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty in the freight forwarding industry: the moderating role of animosity and CRM" (International Journal of Business Innovation and Research 35(5) 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: "Creating opportunities: social entrepreneurship and disability employment"

The following paper, "Creating opportunities: social entrepreneurship and disability employment" (International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets 16(5) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: A MOF in the frame for cleaner water - "Recent development of metal-organic framework 5 adsorbents for organic dye removal from aqueous solution"

The future of MOFs, metal-organic framework materials, looks bright. A review in the International Journal of Environment and Waste Management has looked at how a specific class of these sponge-like materials might find increasing use in removing dye contaminants from industrial wastewater.

Irvan Dahlan and Hamidi Abdul Aziz of the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, and Yung-Tse Hung of Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, have focused on MOF-5 materials. These substances, constructed from a metal such as zinc to which organic molecules are bonds to build vast crystalline structures are highly porous and so have a large internal surface area compared to their overall volume, which means they can soak up, or adsorb (sic) small molecules, such as organic dye pollutants present in industrial wastewater.

The textile, pharmaceutical, and paper industries all generate vast quantities of wastewater contaminated with synthetic dyes. This represents an enormous burden on the environment and a serious risk to ecosystems where this contaminated wastewater might end up.

Organic dyes can be stubborn pollutants, as they are often chemically stable and difficult to break down. They can resist traditional wastewater treatments. Once present in natural waters, they block sunlight and so hamper photosynthesis in aquatic plants, and can thus disturb entire ecosystems. Moreover, some dyes are toxic, carcinogenic, or have mutagenic properties, and so represent a risk to marine life as well as throwing up health concerns for communities dependent on the water sources that are contaminated.

Conventional dye-removal methods, such as chemical treatment, filtration, and biological processes, are often too costly and complex to be commercially viable and commonly inefficient at handling large volumes of wastewater regardless of cost. MOFs, on the other hand, have emerged as a promising alternative due to their unique structures. Importantly, simple changes to the organic molecules from which they are constructed, and the metals used to lock these molecules together into a three-dimensional structure can be made relatively easily so that they can be given different pore sizes and adsorption characteristics.

The team’s review shows that much work remains to be done with MOF-5 materials so that they bugger pore sizes can be developed for the larger dye molecules. There is also a need to improve the durability and reusability of these materials to make them suitable for industrial remediation use. Optimisation of their physical and chemical characteristics is now possible, but there is also a need to find ways to scale up their manufacture economically.

Dahlan, I., Aziz, H.A. and Hung, Y-T. (2024) ‘Recent development of metal-organic framework 5 adsorbents for organic dye removal from aqueous solution’, Int. J. Environment and Waste Management, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp.378–389.

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Technology and Globalisation

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

• Industrial upgrading with shifting resource toward external information sources
• Wealth creation in developing countries: linking techno-economic-social networks
• Cassava bread in Nigeria: the potential of 'orphan crop' innovation for building more resilient food systems

Free Open Access article available: "Gender injustice against women in the Muslim world and the conflation of hegemonic terms (feminism) as deflection"

The following paper, "Gender injustice against women in the Muslim world and the conflation of hegemonic terms (feminism) as deflection" (International Journal of Islamic Marketing and Branding 6(5) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Classroom 2.0 - "Education in the Metaverse: a bibliometric exploration"

One of the biggest buzzwords of recent years is metaverse. The term encompasses the notion of a virtual world that blends reality with digital environments. We have seen steps towards this destination over the last couple of decades with the development of virtual online spaces and their convergence with virtual reality hardware. A detailed review in the International Journal of Economics and Business Research, has now looked at how the development of a functional metaverse might change education and take us beyond the confines of the traditional classrooms.

Shorouq F. Eletter, Ghaleb A. Elrefae, Amer Qasim, and Tahira Yasmin of Al Ain University, United Arab Emirates suggest that the metaverse holds the promise of immersive, interactive, and customized learning experiences. They explain that the metaverse in the context of education would likely combine virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) so allowing students to engage in a dynamic learning experience that could essentially be set anywhere in time and space. For example, historical sites, geological locations, science laboratories, even with the world of mathematical visualisation.

Unlike conventional e-learning platforms, which are commonly based on video clips, graphics, and text-based resources, the metaverse offers a digital space where learners can engage with the content, instructors, and peers in real time, often as so-called avatars or characters immersed in this meta world. These digital classrooms offer more than just a place for lecture-based learning. They foster collaboration, engagement, and creativity, and could allow countless new possibilities for students around the world.

The team mined the Scopus database of academic publications and found that there has been a significant increase in the number of studies exploring the intersection of the metaverse and education. The researchers have identified various themes such as student engagement, global collaboration, and personalized learning as the main drivers of this growing interest. Their findings suggest that the development of the metaverse in education has the potential to break down barriers related to time, space, and socio-economic background for students and educators alike.

Eletter, S.F., Elrefae, G.A., Qasim, A. and Yasmin, T. (2024) ‘Education in the Metaverse: a bibliometric exploration’, Int. J. Economics and Business Research, Vol. 28, No. 6, pp.42–55.

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Environment and Pollution

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

• Study on the influence of residents' well-being on the use of urban parks and emotional recovery under air pollution environment
• Sorption of ivermectin in Nigerian Oxisols and Alfisols: quantitative insights on environmental fate in tropical soils
• Research on comprehensive evaluation on effects of synergistic governance on urban environmental pollution based on the evaluation model of niche suitability
• Transport and influential parameters of Cryptosporidium from soil to surface water with preferential flow
• Improved degradation of Orange II by Fe3O4/NiO/NaHSO3 system under visible light irradiation
• Spatial and temporal analyses of airborne particulate matter in South Marmara Region of Turkey

Research pick: Is China charging ahead on the road to EV battery recycling? - "The evolving frontiers of sustainability and innovation: analysing China’s approach to electric vehicle battery recycling"

China is perhaps in pole position when it comes to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, accounting for over 60% of worldwide sales in 2022. This dominant position makes it a critical player in addressing one of the most pressing sustainability challenges of the electric vehicle revolution: how to recycle batteries. As the world increasingly turns to EVs to combat climate change, the question of what happens to EV batteries once they reach the end of their life has never been more urgent.

Writing in the International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, Igor Laine of LUT University in Lappeenranta, Finland, explains how the big issue is the lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries, which are used to power most of today’s EVs. These batteries contain valuable metals, including cobalt, lithium, and nickel, which are finite resources and environmentally harmful if not disposed of correctly. As demand for EVs grows, so too does the pressure on these raw materials, making effective recycling both a necessity and a challenge.

According to Laine, China has become the world’s largest manufacturer and consumer of EVs and is responding to the growing challenge of waste batteries with a strong recycling strategy. The country has implemented a variety of regulations aimed at holding manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products. In addition to legal measures, China has invested heavily in the development of new technologies designed to improve the efficiency of battery recycling. Techniques for diagnosing battery health, dismantling old batteries, and extracting precious metals for re-use have been developed in recent years. China’s EV future could well become sustainable in terms of batteries.

However, Laine points out that China’s recycling infrastructure is not entirely mature. Recycling processes themselves could be improved in terms of efficiency. One of the major problems is that the precious metals that are at the heart of EV batteries are present with myriad other substances, all of which make extracting those metals difficult.

Extraction of the metals is the fine detail problem of battery recycling. The bigger picture sees the vast EV market in China where concerns about efficiency of battery recycling are overarched by the sheer scale of the problem, the enormous numbers involved. There is something a paradox at play with these two perspectives. On one hand, demand for EVs is growing, which means there is a constant flow of waste batteries to be harvested for the next generation of vehicles. But, the size of the market puts the potential for scalable sustainability out of reach, at least for the time being.

Laine’s work suggests that the regulatory approach to EV battery recycling taken by China represents a drive in the right direction. However, to address the big problems might require an international stance, a global collective effort. International cooperation could help with research and development into recycling technology and allow standardized recycling practices to be established. The path to truly sustainable battery recycling needs innovation, regulation, and collaboration.

Laine, I. (2024) ‘The evolving frontiers of sustainability and innovation: analysing China’s approach to electric vehicle battery recycling’, Int. J. Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp.342–357.

Prof. Huawen Liu appointed as new Editor in Chief of International Journal of Intelligence and Sustainable Computing

Prof. Huawen Liu from Shaoxing University in China has been appointed to take over editorship of the International Journal of Intelligence and Sustainable Computing.

Research pick: The digital transformation of fintech in Jordan - "The impact of digital transformation on the effectiveness of electronic financial systems"

A study in the International Journal of Economics and Business Research, looks at the part digital transformation has played in improving efficiency in financial systems across Jordan’s public shareholding industrial companies. Information and communications technology has changed industries around the world and continues to do so.

This research, from Khalid Alomari, Ali Salah, and Rukana Alshweesh of Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, in Ma’an, Jordan, focuses on the impact of changing technology on Jordan’s industrial sector. They point out that businesses are readily adopting digital tools to streamline their operations and improve how they make decisions.

The term “digital transformation” is rather broad and encompasses changes in many different areas: business models, operations, and customer interactions, as well as financial systems. Technology is important for providing accurate and timely financial data to guide day-to-day operations as well as long-term strategy. Of course, data volumes are enormous given all the technology that can soak up information. It is increasingly obvious that traditional methods of handling financial information are no longer sufficient.

The research touches on various elements of digital transformation, including customer engagement and innovation in business models and ultimately the effect on financial performance. Companies that embrace new business models incorporating digital tools and platforms can improve their internal operations and position themselves to better meet the needs of their customers. Adapting to rapidly changing digital trends is now a business necessity if organisations are to gain and sustain their competitive advantage.

Companies across Jordan are modernising in terms of fintech and this will eventually have a wider impact on the Jordanian economy itself, the research suggests. It will boost national competitiveness, create new growth opportunities, and perhaps even lead to sustainable economic development.

Alomari, K., Salah, A. and Alshweesh, R. (2024) ‘The impact of digital transformation on the effectiveness of electronic financial systems’, Int. J. Economics and Business Research, Vol. 28, No. 6, pp.21–41.

Free Open Access article available: "Factors promoting value creation in lean management within public social and healthcare organisation"

The following paper, "Factors promoting value creation in lean management within public social and healthcare organisation" (International Journal of Services and Operations Management 49(5) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Leaning in to improve healthcare - "Factors promoting value creation in lean management within public social and healthcare organisation"

Research in the International Journal of Services and Operations Management has shown that the success of lean management techniques in public healthcare depends not only on the tools used to implement it, but on a fundamental shift in organisational culture. Lean management has proved itself able to reduce waste and improve efficiency across the public and private sectors. This work, by Petra Hurme and Johanna Liljeroos-Cork of Tampere University, Finland, emphasises the need to encourage long-term collaboration and improve staff well-being to make it work well in the healthcare sector.

Lean management is designed to maximise value by eliminating waste, often by streamlining processes, reducing waiting times between steps in a process, and generally improving the allocation of resources. In public healthcare settings, early applications of the lean approach have led to positive outcomes, such as enhanced service delivery, improved staff satisfaction, and even cost savings. However, within this sector, many organisations have not reaped the rewards or gained only temporary or superficial improvements.

The research looked at several healthcare and social service organisations and found that transient and superficial benefits of lean in those settings were often down to a failure to change the organisation’s internal culture in order to embraces more fully the principles of lean to allow staff to engage in ongoing improvements. The team suggests that leaders need to prioritise the development of an environment that is supportive of staff where they will experience greater job satisfaction and be happier. When employees are emotionally engaged and feel included in decision-making, they are better able to drive the changes necessary to improve services, it seems.

One of the critical findings of the research is that organisations and management need to redefine how value is measured in this sector. It is not solely about operational efficiency as it might be in a factory where working more efficiently and faster towards greater profit are important. Instead, healthcare value should also be understood in terms of how well the service meets the needs and expectations of patients and service users and how well it treats its staff.

Hurme, P. and Liljeroos-Cork, J. (2024) ‘Factors promoting value creation in lean management within public social and healthcare organisation’, Int. J. Services and Operations Management, Vol. 49, No. 5, pp.1–21.

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. 

• The lean management practices impact on the competitive advantage and business performance
• The impact of digital transformation on the effectiveness of electronic financial systems
• Education in the Metaverse: a bibliometric exploration
• The impact of digital marketing strategies on customer satisfaction and organisational performance: exploring the moderating role of entrepreneurial intention

Free Open Access article available: "The impact of digital marketing strategies on customer satisfaction and organisational performance: exploring the moderating role of entrepreneurial intention"

The following paper, "The impact of digital marketing strategies on customer satisfaction and organisational performance: exploring the moderating role of entrepreneurial intention" (International Journal of Economics and Business Research 28(6) 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: "Education in the Metaverse: a bibliometric exploration"

The following paper, "Education in the Metaverse: a bibliometric exploration" (International Journal of Economics and Business Research 28(6) 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: "The impact of digital transformation on the effectiveness of electronic financial systems"

The following paper, "The impact of digital transformation on the effectiveness of electronic financial systems" (International Journal of Economics and Business Research 28(6) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Stirring the quiz bowl - "Question optimisation: building quiz bowl tournament sets"

A quiz bowl is usually an academic competition in which teams of students, typically from high schools or universities, compete by answering questions across a variety of subjects, such as history, science, literature, and current events. The format is often fast-paced, with teams buzzing in to answer questions posed by the moderator. Correct answers earn points, and the team with the most points at the end of the game wins. These tournaments can vary in size, but usually involve multiple rounds heading towards a grand final. Readers in the US and elsewhere will be familiar with College Bowl, a televised tournament and its spinoffs, such as the UK’s, University Challenge.

Organizing a quiz bowl tournament is no small feat. While the players compete in fast-paced intellectual battles, behind the scenes, the real work lies in preparing and fact-checking the questions. Traditionally, this has been a painstakingly manual task, requiring hours of work to ensure that questions are arranged in a balanced, fair, and engaging manner. However, research in the International Journal of Data Analysis Techniques and Strategies has demonstrated how technology might offer a more efficient but just as effective approach to the challenge.

Kara L. Combs and Trevor J. Bihl of Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USA, have devised an approach to automating the organisation of quiz bowl question sets that uses optimisation techniques to reduce the burden on those responsible for preparing the competitions. The study focuses on applying mathematical models to arrange the questions in a way that meets the key criteria of any tournament: a smooth difficulty curve, thematic balance, and consistency. The team’s approach proves itself a timesaver but could also improve the overall quality and consistency of any quiz bowl competition.

The researchers used the well-known Python programming language to implement their solution. Optimisation algorithms were used to arrange the questions automatically so that the final set for each round of the competitions fits the requirements of a fair, balanced, and entertaining competition. They tested their approach and were able to cut in half the time needed to organise the questions.

Combs, K.L. and Bihl, T.J. (2024) ‘Question optimisation: building quiz bowl tournament sets’, Int. J. Data Analysis Techniques and Strategies, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp.386–409.

Free Open Access article available: "The lean management practices impact on the competitive advantage and business performance"

The following paper, "The lean management practices impact on the competitive advantage and business performance" (International Journal of Economics and Business Research 28(6) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Tech the talk - "The use of technology to develop students’ entrepreneurial mindset and competencies"

As the commercial landscape evolves, the integration of technology into entrepreneurship education is emerging as an important part of educating the next generation of innovative business leaders. A study in the International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning highlights the changes taking place and points to how technological tools are reshaping not only the design and delivery of entrepreneurial knowledge but also the very skills that students need to master in order to thrive in the commercial world today.

Marsela Thanasi-Boçe and Selma Kurtishi-Kastrati of the American University of the Middle East in Egaila, Al Ahmadi, Kuwait, explain that conventionally entrepreneurship education focuses on foundational business skills such as planning and operations. However, their work suggests a more subtle approach is needed that also places emphasis on creativity and innovative thinking. Recent global events, such as the pandemic, have given this shift new urgency, catalysing the rapid adoption of digital learning platforms. With these new tools, educators can create a more engaging learning environment for their students and even mirror the complexities of real-world business challenges.

The team suggests that we need to have ongoing discussions about technology-enhanced education, and their work sheds new light on the various digital resources that might be used to support entrepreneurial training. Online learning platforms, business simulations, and other interactive tools not only engage students but also provide practical experiences that reinforce critical skills such as opportunity recognition, resource acquisition, and risk management. These skills can then be transferred to the businesses those students start when they enter the commercial world with all its uncertainties and opportunities.

The research also highlights how educators themselves need to be adept at using the new technologies. Knowledge of the curriculum is no longer sufficient, the must-have the skills to use the digital tools effectively in order to pass those skills. In other words, there is an increased pressure for ongoing professional development among educators in this field. Educational establishments, such as business schools, that invest in faculty training are in turn investing in their students and the quality of their entrepreneurship teaching.

In addition to investing in faculty education, the work hints that stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry stakeholders should be mutually beneficial. Collaborations with businesses can provide students with opportunities to apply their theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. This can bridge the gap between classroom learning and the real-world, as well as offering networking opportunities for students and businesses.

Thanasi-Boçe, M. and Kurtishi-Kastrati, S. (2024) ‘The use of technology to develop students’ entrepreneurial mindset and competencies’, Int. J. Technology Enhanced Learning, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp.428–446.

Research pick: Take note! Pitch perfect AI - "Application of integrated image processing technology based on PCNN in online music symbol recognition training"

A step towards improving online music education by developing an AI tool that can recognise musical notation is described in the International Journal of Wireless and Mobile Computing. The work of Ting Zhang of the Academy of Arts at Shangluo University, Shaanxi, China, addresses a longstanding problem in digital music instruction, where the ability to recognise and interpret musical notation often falls short due to platform limitations. The research shows how image processing and machine learning can help online learners, allowing them to gain a richer, more accurate grasp of musical concepts.

Zhang has developed the Pulse-Coupled Neural Network (PCNN), an artificial neural network inspired by the workings of biological neurons, which “fire” in response to certain stimuli. Traditionally, online music education has relied on simplified digital representations of musical notation, leaving students without crucial guidance when attempting to understand the intricacies of symbols and musical structures.

The PCNN model focuses on improving the digital segmentation of musical symbols within an image of a musical score, for instance. By incorporating oblique spectral correction in the system, Zhang is able to break down the image into segments for precise differentiation between symbols. This allows even distorted representations of the music score to be analysed accurately, taking into account tilted symbols or misalignments.

The use of an optimized Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for the image-recognition tasks makes the system efficient and accurate, giving it an up to 97 percent success rate.

For students, the enhanced notation recognition system could give them feedback in real-time even when no tutor is available for discussion. This system emulates face-to-face instruction, where instant feedback is usually available. The researchers saw notable improvements in student understanding of pitch and rhythm and in their grasping foundational music theory concepts.

Zhang, T. (2024) ‘Application of integrated image processing technology based on PCNN in online music symbol recognition training’, Int. J. Wireless and Mobile Computing, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp.369–380.