- If you cannot fly, then run: a model of BIM implementation taxonomies and thresholds
- Applying machine learning algorithms to determine and predict the reasons and models for employee turnover
- AQINM: an adaptive QoS management framework based on intelligent negotiation and monitoring in cloud
- Consequential effects of leading technology-driven offensive strategy in a universal bank
- OpenStack: a virtualisation overview
31 January 2025
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Information Technology and Management
Research pick: Banking on Ha Noi rocking the financial sector - "Banking development contributes to economic growth and inflation control in Vietnam"
An examination of Vietnam’s financial sector for the period 1990 to 2022 provides empirical evidence of the relationship between banking development, trade openness, inflation, and economic growth. The findings, published in the International Journal of Economics and Business Research, suggest that a well-functioning banking system plays an important role in supporting economic activity. They also highlight some of the challenges facing developing nations associated with financial sector expansion in a globalized economy.
Thao Huong Phan and Thao Viet Tran of Thuongmai University and Trang Mai Tran of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, in Ha Noi, Vietnam, discuss how Vietnam’s banking sector remains the dominant channel for capital allocation, given the relatively underdeveloped nature of its financial markets. Banks provide credit to businesses and individuals, facilitating investment and economic activity. Their research found a positive relationship between banking sector growth and economic expansion, both in the short and long term.
Trade openness, defined as the extent to which an economy engages in international trade, has previously been linked to economic growth. By participating in global markets, businesses gain access to new customers, technologies, and competitive pressures that can improve their overall productivity and their bottom line.
Of course, this kind of international exposure also comes with risks, particularly if domestic financial institutions are not well-equipped to manage the inevitable external shocks. The researchers suggest that Vietnam’s banking sector needs to strengthen its ability to address such problems through improved risk management and regulatory oversight.
Inflation, another key factor in economic stability, also plays a role in financial sector performance. While moderate inflation can signal a growing economy, excessive inflation undermines purchasing power and creates uncertainty for investors. The study suggests that sound monetary policy, including responsible credit expansion and liquidity management, will also be important in ensuring financial stability.
As Vietnam continues to integrate into the global economy, its financial sector will need to adapt to new demands. Strengthening banking regulations, enhancing risk management practices, and ensuring adequate liquidity controls will be important in maintaining financial stability, the work suggests.
Phan, T.H., Tran, T.V. and Tran, T.M. (2025) ‘Banking development contributes to economic growth and inflation control in Vietnam‘, Int. J. Economics and Business Research, Vol. 29, No. 7, pp.1-16.
Free Open Access article available: "The impact of digital marketing on the business performance of firms in Laos"
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering
- NBSOC framework for team structure to develop blockchain-based applications
- A robust non-singular fast terminal sliding mode controller for optimising a wind energy process
- Application of cognitive work analysis in support of systems engineering of a socio-technical system
- A VNS-IG algorithm for dynamic seru scheduling problem with sequence-dependent setup time and resource constraints
- Investment efficiency evaluation of electric power substation projects by stages using the EWM-DEA model
- Toward smart manufacturing systems incorporating reconfiguration issues
30 January 2025
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Vehicle Information and Communication Systems
- Performance analysis of pentagonal MIMO antenna with elliptical slots for 5G V2V communication
- Real-time voice-controlled human machine interface system for wheelchairs implementation using Raspberry Pi
- Performance analysis of routing protocols for vehicular networks
- Driving style recognition of highway-driving semi-trailer at different altitudes
- Experimental study of the weather effects on LoRa-based vehicular communications
Free Open Access article available: "Unbalanced data identification based on Bayesian optimisation convolutional neural network"
The following paper, "Unbalanced data identification based on Bayesian optimisation convolutional neural network" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(2) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
Research pick: The drive to digitise - "Industry 4.0 and lean augmentation? Digital transformation in the German and Japanese automotive industry"
Research in the International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management has looked at digital transformation in the German and Japanese automotive industries. The study highlights key differences in how companies in each country have adopted digital technology.
Martin Schröder of Ritsumeikan University in Osaka, Takefumi Mokudai of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, and Hajo Holst of the University of Osnabrück, Germany, explain how digital transformation in the automotive industry is an ongoing process. It is encompassing a range of technological developments, including automation, smart manufacturing, mobility-as-a-service (MaaS), and the broader shift towards new business models.
One might talk of “Industry 4.0” as being the state-of-the-art where the emphasis is on automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It is this that has been particularly influential in shaping how companies innovate and adapt and how they make the most of new opportunities.
The researchers found some notable distinctions between German and Japanese companies and their approach digitalization. German companies tend to adopt top-down, systematic approaches, implementing digital technologies across entire production lines. This, the team explains, is done in order to optimize manufacturing processes. In contrast, Japanese firms take a bottom-up approach, integrating digital tools incrementally into existing systems. This, the research suggests has led to “island solutions,” or individual digital enhancements that are not necessarily integrated fully.
Nevertheless, firms in Germany and Japan are both evolving. Japanese firms are adopting more comprehensive and systematic digitalization models. While their German counterparts are increasingly focusing more on operational flexibility, reducing downtime, and improving product quality, rather than simply pursuing extensive automation. The changes reflect a broader shift in the automotive sector, as companies in both countries adapt to the challenges posed by digital technologies, the transition to electric vehicles, for instance.
Schröder, M., Mokudai, T. and Holst, H. (2024) ‘Industry 4.0 and lean augmentation? Digital transformation in the German and Japanese automotive industry’, Int. J. Automotive Technology and Management, Vol. 24, No. 6, pp.1–27.
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Business Information Systems
- Individual and technological factors affecting the adoption of enterprise resource planning systems in the Jordanian banking sector
- Role of consumer susceptibility in influencing information usefulness
- Artificial intelligence in strategic business management: the case of auditing
- Exploring the performance of Kuwaiti employees within the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor with respect to the utilisation of the EDRMS system
- The relationship between the voluntary disclosure and financial reporting quality of Islamic banks: an empirical evidence from Yemen
Free Open Access article available: "An ELM-based approach to promoting reading of library books"
The following paper, "An ELM-based approach to promoting reading of library books" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(2) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
29 January 2025
Free Open Access article available: "Exploration of English learning mode based on mobile learning platform assisted by data mining"
The following paper, "Exploration of English learning mode based on mobile learning platform assisted by data mining" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(2) 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 Business Process Integration and Management
- An approach based on process mining for generalisation assessment of BPMN models
- Multi-objective business process optimisation: a business sustainability approach
- A study on the factors that impact consumer decision making process in the context of using social media for choosing a hotel in India among students
- Robotic process automation for the advance payment to suppliers process
- Obtaining the best practices from internal benchmarking: an analysis of the efficiency of a network of fuel stations
- Microservices extraction through set of business processes variants
- Efficiency evaluation of state cooperative banks employing data envelopment analysis and neural network technique
- Flexibility-based selection of paradigms and tools for BP modelling and execution
Research pick: The work-from-home shift - "Active and passive links between work from home and employee well-being: a post-COVID performance perspective"
A lot has been said about the tragic, and ongoing outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. There has also been much discussion about the economic impact and how the pandemic led to a dramatic shift in work culture for many people. Remote working and working-from-home, while having been part of many people’s day-to-day routines for decades, emerged more obviously for others from the emergency measures such as lockdowns and quarantines.
Research in the International Journal of Business Performance Management discusses how what began as a response to health and safety concerns for many people has since become the norm and an essential component of modern work structures for many organisations. Simanchala Das, Sanam Jaswanth, Nethi Sandhya, Ponnada Satya Sumanth, and Pattem Gayathri of the KL Business School at the Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation in Andhra Pradesh, India, point out that while remote work and working-from-home offer many advantages for lots of workers they also present challenges that organisations must address to maintain both productivity and employee well-being.
For many workers, the benefits of working-from-home are obvious. The flexibility to manage one’s own schedule and work environment has contributed to an improved work-life balance for so many people. Moreover, without the need to commute, employees can save time and reduce stress, factors which have been linked to increased job satisfaction. Remote work offers autonomy, allowing employees to structure their day around personal priorities within limits, and this has led to greater perceived control over their work.
Employers have recognized many advantages, including reduced overheads associated with reduced facilities and utilities needs. Remote work also opens up the possibility of hiring talent beyond the local area, increasing access to a more diverse pool of candidates.
However, the widespread adoption of working-from-home has given rise to several challenges, particularly concerning employee well-being. Isolation is a recurring issue, with many remote workers reporting feelings of loneliness and a lack of connection to their colleagues. The absence of casual, in-person interactions, can make it harder to maintain team cohesion and effective communication. This lack of face-to-face contact can hinder collaboration and may reduce creativity and innovation, which thrive in environments where ideas can be shared informally. Additionally, there are suspicions among employers and industry leaders that staff working-from-home might in some ways lead to lower productivity without the pressure of one’s boss keeping a weather eye on an employee’s work in the office, for instance.
In response to challenges associated with well-being and mental health, many organisations are recognizing the importance of creating a supportive work culture in a remote setting. This includes not only providing the necessary digital tools to facilitate communication and productivity but also fostering an environment where employees feel connected and valued. Regular virtual check-ins, team-building exercises, and informal conversations are some of the strategies that can help mitigate the sense of isolation many remote workers experience.
However, if there is a shift in emphasis to outcomes rather than hours worked, then employee and employer can benefit greatly, it seems. A results-oriented approach allows businesses to strike a balance between offering flexibility to employees while ensuring that the goals of the organisation are still being met.
Das, S., Jaswanth, S., Sandhya, N., Sumanth, P.S. and Gayathri, P. (2025) ‘Active and passive links between work from home and employee well-being: a post-COVID performance perspective’, Int. J. Business Performance Management, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp.46–58.
Free Open Access article available: "Digital dance generation and application based on hybrid density network"
The following paper, "Digital dance generation and application based on hybrid density network" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(2) 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: "Machine learning model-based monitoring of mental health status of college students"
The following paper, "Machine learning model-based monitoring of mental health status of college students" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(2) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
28 January 2025
Free Open Access article available: "Computer multimedia art pattern and visual communication design integrating virtual reality technology and big data image processing"
The following paper, "Computer multimedia art pattern and visual communication design integrating virtual reality technology and big data image processing" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(2) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
Research pick: The online pharma baby boom - "Factors influencing online purchase decisions of pharmaceutical products by baby boomers: mediating effect of consumer behaviour and attitude on trust development"
The COVID-19 pandemic left few facets of life untouched tragically in so many cases. It also had a major impact on economics and shopping habits in particular. While e-commerce emerged at a time when the children of the Baby Boomer generation, Gen X, were first logging on, before the Millennials ever had a bank card and before Gen Z was even born, perhaps even before silver surfers were to be minted, it became the domain of the younger tech-savvy users. See footnote for generational definitions.
As the pandemic hit, Gen X and the Baby Boomers, many of whom had opted out after the dot-com bubble burst, found themselves opting back in out of necessity especially as online pharmaceutical platforms became de rigueur for dealing with the aches and ailments of the ageing internet players.
A study in the International Journal of Business Information Systems has looked closely at specific elements that inspire trust among older consumers, especially when purchasing medicines online. After all, this is an area of e-commerce fraught with safety concerns. Trust in this sector is more than just a buzzword. It does not matter so much if the latest gadget or fashion accessory does not live up to expectations, but when your life-saving pills and potions fall short…well, it could be game over.
It has to be emphasised that for consumers who spent decades relying on face-to-face interactions at local pharmacies, for many making the digital leap to online transactions requires overcoming a lifetime of ingrained habits. The researchers conducted a detailed analysis of survey data from 314 respondents. They used structural equation modelling, a sophisticated statistical method, to identify relationships between variables emerging from the survey answers.
The team has found that three factors are associated with reliably building trust among older e-commerce users: brand image, monetary value, and offline presence.
Brand image emerges as a powerful influence. A vendor with a strong, positive reputation can reassure wary customers by reducing perceived risks, a critical concern for individuals used to assessing products in person. Whether through word-of-mouth, advertising, or long-standing credibility, a trusted brand becomes a dead cert, if you’ll pardon the allusion.
Equally important, the team found, was value for money. Competitive pricing and well-crafted discounts are not mere enticements. For older consumers, often living on fixed incomes, such financial incentives can make online shopping more appealing and more accessible.
Finally, the existence of a physical shop, somewhere in town or a not-too-distant location, offers additional reassurance. An offline location tethers the online operation to the real world. This makes it tangible and legitimate, almost suggesting that if one really had to, one could drive to the shop and discuss any concerns face to face with the manager. Ultimately, this notion bridges any gap in the trust might one have in a virtual as opposed to a physical shop.
What began as a necessary adjustment during the pandemic, is evolving into a permanent shift, with many older shoppers who may well not have had a prior digital life, proving that it can be, for them just as with any Gen Z, all about the clicks.
Maddodi, B., Shetty, D.K., Tatkar, N.S., Parthasarathy, K., Shridutt, B., Prasad, S.K., Pavithra, S., Naik, N., Mahdaviamiri, D. and Patil, V. (2025) ‘Factors influencing online purchase decisions of pharmaceutical products by baby boomers: mediating effect of consumer behaviour and attitude on trust development’, Int. J. Business Information Systems, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp.118–135.
Footnote
Recent generations are loosely defined as having been born in the following periods, although the boundaries are not demographically as precise and in some literature, they may be broader. For instance, some researchers define the Millennials as simply spanning those born in the early 1980s to the early 2000s. The same is true for all generations cited, there are variations depending specific sources.
Baby Boomers (the Boomers) – born 1944-1964
Generation X (Gen X) – born 1965-1980
Generation Y (the Millennials) – born 1981-1996
Generation Z (the Zoomers) – born 1997-2012
The parents of the Boomers (growing up in the so-called boom years after World War II) are sometimes known as the Silent Generation, (born 1928–1945) their grandparents, the Greatest Generation (born 1901–1927), and their Great Grandparents, the Lost Generation (born 1883-1900 experiencing World War I in their youth). The cohorts after Gen Z, the Zoomers, are Generation alpha (born in the early 2010s and no later than the mid-2020s) and Generation beta (a near-future generation of those born this year, 2025 and into 2039).
The irony of talking about the Boomers and Gen X as somehow not being tech-savvy is that it was people of those generations who invented and implemented the internet, and their work began in the 60s!
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management
- Evaluation of early stage start-ups by business angels: Indian evidence
- From extrospection to introspection: the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita-based framework for planetizens during VUCA times
- Employees' psychological well-being in a pandemic: a case study during the peak of the COVID-19 wave in India
- Demystifying Samyak Agraga from the women characters of the Mahabharata: a holistic leadership perspective
- GRI-aligned disclosures of Indian corporates: a study on environmentally sensitive industries
- Stock market co-integration and error-correction of global capital markets: a study of ADR issuing Asian countries
Free Open Access article available: "Monitoring and early warning of regional subsidence of transmission lines based on time series algorithm"
The following paper, "Monitoring and early warning of regional subsidence of transmission lines based on time series algorithm" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(2) 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 Computational Intelligence Studies
- Nonlinear modelling and analysis of stable behaviour of robot gait control system based on image processing technology
- Research on intelligent access control technology of face recognition model based on parameter sharing and dense connection
- New media interaction in art design based on deep learning binocular stereo vision
- Application of binocular image reconstruction method in the construction of 3D model of wooden arch corridor bridge structure
- Research on spiking neural network in art visual image classification
- Research on the optimal charging method of parallel power batteries for smart electric vehicles
- Performance prediction analysis of college aerobics course based on back propagation neural network
27 January 2025
Open Access issue published by International Journal of Information and Communication Technology
- Monitoring and early warning of regional subsidence of transmission lines based on time series algorithm
- Computer multimedia art pattern and visual communication design integrating virtual reality technology and big data image processing
- Machine learning model-based monitoring of mental health status of college students
- Digital dance generation and application based on hybrid density network
- Exploration of English learning mode based on mobile learning platform assisted by data mining
- An ELM-based approach to promoting reading of library books
- Unbalanced data identification based on Bayesian optimisation convolutional neural network
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications
- Predictive analysis for diabetes mellitus prediction using supervised techniques
- Performance evaluation of machine learning classifiers for brain stroke prediction
- Codon usage in conserved sites is more biased compared to variable sites in the SARS-CoV-2 genome
- A novel algorithm for genomic STR mining: application to phylogeny reconstruction and taxa identification
- A modified UNet-based semantic segmentation architecture for pancreas tumour detection
Research pick: AI does the books - "AI’s influence on corporate transparency and financial performance: a new era"
The term artificial intelligence (AI) has perhaps been much misused, not least in hyperbolic reports in the media of its potential to destroy the creative industries and to wreak havoc on the job market. However, AI encompasses so many disparate tools not just the generative software that magics up images, music, video, and text from user prompts but also the analytical tools that can spot latent patterns in data whether that’s financial reports or medical scans.
Despite the hyperbole, it can be said that AI and related tools are changing the way many processes across industries and academia are carried out. Sometimes the transformation is certainly for the better when the AI tools can detect patterns that would normally be missed by human or even conventional software analysis. Research in the International Journal of Behavioural Accounting and Finance has looked at how AI might benefit corporate operations in terms of financial reporting, decision-making, and stakeholder engagement.
Adel Almasarwah of Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, Assyad Al-Wreikat of Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland, USA, Yahya Marei of Seneca College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Nizar Alsharari of Jackson State University in Jackson, Missouri, USA, point out that conventional labour-intensive tasks can be automated using machine-learning tools, neural networks, algorithms. These could allow businesses to handle data, make decisions, and communicate transparency more readily than previously.
The shift reflects the ability of AI tools to process enormous quantities of data quickly and accurately. Given that financial reporting is usually an arduous task prone to human error, the refinements offered by AI’s capacity to identify trends and anomalies could ensure greater accuracy in corporate disclosures. This should allow companies to meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and the expectations of investors and other stakeholders more effectively.
Accurate and timely financial reporting, supported by AI, has the potential to foster trust among stakeholders and strengthen corporate governance practices. For investors, in particular, the ability to rely on clear, data-driven insights should enhance confidence in a company’s management and operations.
Almasarwah, A., Al-Wreikat, A., Marei, Y. and Alsharari, N. (2024) ‘AI’s influence on corporate transparency and financial performance: a new era‘, Int. J. Behavioural Accounting and Finance, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp.233-253.
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Information and Communication Technology
- Classification of existing mobile cross-platform approaches and proposal of decision support criteria
- A PRI estimation and signal deinterleaving method based on density-based clustering
- Study on a method for capturing basketball player's layup motion based on grey level co-occurrence matrix
- Study on improved personalised music recommendation method based on label information and recurrent neural network
- A wireless sensor network node redeployment method based on improved leapfrog algorithm
- Prediction method of tourism destination selection behaviour based on nearest neighbour decision tree
- Algorithm for interference filtering of Wi-Fi gesture recognition
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Diplomacy and Economy
- The war in Ukraine: some international legal and political aspects
- Impact of cryptocurrencies on inflation: evidence from BICS countries
- India's largest fintech IPO: a case study of Paytm
- Sponsoring an event and stock return: Vivo IPL to Tata IPL
- Economic policy uncertainty and stock market performance: evidence from the Middle East
25 January 2025
Free Open Access article available: "The determinants of economic efficiency and market power of the Spanish port system"
The following paper, "The determinants of economic efficiency and market power of the Spanish port system" (International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics 19(4) 2024), 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
- PointNet++ model based on directional attention for insulators segmentation
- An end-to-end radar emitter denoising and recognition method using batch norm removal
- SynthBendText3D: a framework for generating scene text data in arbitrary orientations using a 3D graphics engine
- Predicting remaining lithium-ion battery life based on multi-cycle time series models
- Concurrent execution of transactions in blockchain: a framework for on-chain-off-chain nested contract processing
- Facial expression recognition based on YOLOv8 deep learning in complex scenes
- Hybrid collaborative recommendation of cross-border e-commerce products based on multidimensional evaluation
- Social psycho-emotional characterisation of college students based on semi-supervised learning
Free Open Access article available: "Social psycho-emotional characterisation of college students based on semi-supervised learning"
The following paper, "Social psycho-emotional characterisation of college students based on semi-supervised learning" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(1) 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 Productivity and Quality Management
- Supply chain disruption at the US ports: an assessment of underpinnings using the fishbone approach
- From scientific research to industrial application: a Lean Six Sigma system for improving the bill of materials of the packaging process
- Developing a multi-period production system for efficiency analysis based on DEA-R
- Improving warehouse capacity, productivity and sustainability
- Improving productivity in SMEs by the implementation of Six Sigma: human resource management implications
- The impact of fasting on workplace productivity and wellbeing: a review of fasting in Ramadan
- Determinants for labour productivity improvement in hotel service: empirical evidence from Vietnam
Free Open Access article available: "Hybrid collaborative recommendation of cross-border e-commerce products based on multidimensional evaluation"
The following paper, "Hybrid collaborative recommendation of cross-border e-commerce products based on multidimensional evaluation" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(1) 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: "Facial expression recognition based on YOLOv8 deep learning in complex scenes"
The following paper, "Facial expression recognition based on YOLOv8 deep learning in complex scenes" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(1) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
24 January 2025
Free Open Access article available: "Concurrent execution of transactions in blockchain: a framework for on-chain-off-chain nested contract processing"
The following paper, "Concurrent execution of transactions in blockchain: a framework for on-chain-off-chain nested contract processing" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(1) 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: "Predicting remaining lithium-ion battery life based on multi-cycle time series models"
The following paper, "Predicting remaining lithium-ion battery life based on multi-cycle time series models" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(1) 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 Operational Research
- Distribution of occupied resources on a fractional resource sharing in a queueing system
- Analysis of MAP/PH(1), PH(2), PH(3)/1 queueing system with two modes of heterogeneous service, standby server, vacation, impatient behaviour of customers, additional service, start-up time, breakdown and phase type repairs
- A new secant-like quasi-Newton method for unconstrained optimisation
- A fuzzy random periodic review mixture inventory model with backorder price discount
- An optimisation-simulation framework for integrated inventory and cash replenishment problem of automated teller machines in India
- A modified method for solving the unbalanced TP
Research pick: Hogging the libido limelight - "Analysis of the reproduction components trait litter size in sows and interaction with boar libido in indigenous pigs"
A study in the International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation looks at a little-researched factor in pig farming: the libido of boars and the impact this has on sow fertility. Tshepo Teele of the Center of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the University of South Africa, has looked at indigenous pig breeds in South Africa and identified the sex drive of the boar as having a big impact on litter size. Obviously, litter size has a big effect on the efficiency and sustainability of pig-farming operations.
Teele points out that Southern African indigenous pig breeds have not generally undergone the same genetic selection processes as other more widely held porcine stock. As such, they have unique reproductive characteristics. Moreover, they are commonly adaptable and have resistance to troublesome diseases. Given that pork is a significant source of relatively low-cost protein, these breeds could have an even more important role to play in the market for pork. However, attention needs to be paid to their reproductive capacity and breeding.
Efficient breeding systems are important for meeting demand, keeping costs down, and ensuring breeders and farmers make a sustainable living from their livestock. Teele explains that conventional breeding programmes tend to focus on growth rate and carcass quality, reproductive factors, particularly boar libido, deserve closer attention for facile ways to improve yields.
Porcine libido can be measured in terms of reaction time (the interval from mounting to ejaculation). It can have a direct impact on sow fertility, not least because boars with a higher libido can through their behaviour and pheromone release stimulate earlier maturity in gilts, young female pigs, and trigger the development of larger litters.
The work argues for the inclusion of libido-focused estimated breeding values as a statistical tool for predicting genetic potential in breeding strategies. By doing so, farmers can build on the natural strengths of their pigs to improve yields.
Reproductive traits in pigs are inherited at quite a low rate. However, dietary supplements such as zinc and selenium are known to boost testosterone levels, which may improve boar libido. Given the correlation between boar libido and sow fertility, there are obvious practical interventions that could complement any breeding efforts to boost reproductive outcomes.
Teele, T. (2024) ‘Analysis of the reproduction components trait litter size in sows and interaction with boar libido in indigenous pigs’, Int. J. Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp.217–226.
Free Open Access article available: "SynthBendText3D: a framework for generating scene text data in arbitrary orientations using a 3D graphics engine"
The following paper, "SynthBendText3D: a framework for generating scene text data in arbitrary orientations using a 3D graphics engine" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(1) 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: "Motion control of 3-DoF delta robot using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system"
The following paper, "Motion control of 3-DoF delta robot using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system" (International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics 15(7) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
23 January 2025
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Power Electronics
- Less-rare-earth permanent magnet synchronous motor: a novel structure and its vibration analysis
- A study on attraction type electromagnetic levitation systems for four different shaped objects
- Controller optimisation under different drive cycles for induction motor driven electric vehicle fed through multilevel inverter
- An approach for commutation current ripple alleviation in BLDCM drive using novel DC-DC converter
- Single switch high voltage gain DC-DC converter for renewable energy applications
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Critical Infrastructures
- Social and economic risk analysis of natural gas distribution networks
- Land value capture as breakthrough of financing scheme in urban railway development in Indonesia
- Seismic economic loss assessment of highway girder bridges using Wenchuan earthquake as a sample
- Utilising the fuzzy analytic network process technique to prioritise safety challenges in construction projects
- Critical success factors of composite LPG cylinders in India
Research pick: Cutting it fine in dealing with pest - "Internet of things technology applied in monitoring and warning of Spodoptera litura Fabricius (tobacco cutworm) occurrences"
The Tobacco Cutworm, or Cotton Cutworm, is a moth species native to Asia, it is considered a serious agricultural pest. The larvae of Spodoptera litura, to give the species its scientific binomial, are responsible for significant damage to economically vital crops such as vegetables, grains, and cotton, particularly. It can adapt easily to different environments and has developed resistance to conventional pesticides. These and other factors have made it a persistent and costly problem for farmers worldwide.
Research in the International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation introduces a new system based on the Internet of Things (IoT) that might be able to address this agricultural threat by improving monitoring and allowing more targeted response to the species.
Jheng-Hong Hu, Ming-Yao Chiang, Jenn-Kuo Tsai, and Chiling Chen of the Ministry of Agriculture in Taichung City and Chau-Chin Lin of the Society of Subtropical Ecology in Taipei City, have suggested that by using an IoT system that brings together infrared automatic counting devices, low-power LoRa (Long Range) wireless data transmission and mobile platforms, it should be possible to monitor Tobacco Cutworm infestations in real time. Such an automated approach would provide timely alerts, allowing farmers to act quickly and prevent widespread crop damage.
The team has conducted field trials in partnership with the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute and local farmers and demonstrated the system’s effectiveness when compared with manual monitoring as well as its adaptability for practical use. Fundamentally, the approach allows for a more timely response that avoids the use of blanket pesticide spraying and uses more focused treatment with effective materials. It will be effective in a wide range of agricultural settings, from small farms to large commercial enterprises.
Hu, J-H., Chiang, M-Y., Tsai, J-K., Lin, C-C. and Chen, C. (2024) ‘Internet of things technology applied in monitoring and warning of Spodoptera litura Fabricius (tobacco cutworm) occurrences’, Int. J. Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp.257–272.
Free Open Access article available: "An end-to-end radar emitter denoising and recognition method using batch norm removal"
The following paper, "An end-to-end radar emitter denoising and recognition method using batch norm removal" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(1) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
International Journal of Data Mining and Bioinformatics is now an open access-only journal
22 January 2025
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Business Innovation and Research
- The innovation ambidexterity enabled through business process performance and information systems strategy: an empirical study by strategy-as-practice perspective
- Recovering from a crisis: designing and implementing a positive change intervention
- One marketing metric to rule them all? An examination of the emergence and rise of net promoter score as a marketing fashion
- Innovation systems performance drivers and outputs: a systematic literature review and directions for future research
- Foundations, the status quo, and future trends of the business model innovation process knowledge base
- Adoption intention and usage behaviour of mobile travel apps: integration of trust, and technology acceptance model with social cognitive theory
Free Open Access article available: "PointNet++ model based on directional attention for insulators segmentation"
The following paper, "PointNet++ model based on directional attention for insulators segmentation" (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology 26(1) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
Research pick: Evolving capitalism in the Anthropic Park - "How capitalism could be the new market in the Anthropocene era: a review"
The Anthropocene is a relatively recent term, coined to define the epoch in which human activity is increasingly dictating environmental and biological change on earth as previous periods driven by natural occurrences did in pre-history; during the Pleistocene, for instance. Technically, the current epoch is the Holocene, but human activity has altered the world so significantly, that, with our usual species-centric perspective, we have shunned hubris and given the current epoch this new name in a fit of unaccustomed self-awareness.
Writing in the Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, Miti Mallick of Bankura University in Purandarpur, West Bengal, India, discusses how the concept of the Anthropocene plays out across the economic landscape too. While the Anthropocene has brought major improvements in living conditions for the wealthier nations, it is becoming ever clearer that the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation will demand more drastic measures from these same nations in terms of sustaining their own living standards and improving those of the majority that live in poverty.
At the heart of any such discourse is the concept of capitalism. This is the dominant global economic force that organizes production, labour, and the distribution of wealth. Capitalism is driven by the principles of private ownership and the pursuit of profit. It has been instrumental in driving what we consider economic growth but has also contributed to social inequality, environmental destruction, and a growing sense of disconnection between the economy and the planet’s ecological limits.
Capitalism functions in liberal market economies, which emphasize decentralized markets, as well as in state-coordinated models, where government plays a more prominent role.
The consequences of capitalism have become increasingly difficult to ignore as historically the maximization of profits has been at the long-term cost of environmental and social considerations, the research argues. The rise of oligarchic capitalism, which benefits a select few and see multibillionaires in powerful positions within society, and the focus on technological innovation, have further worsened the social and environmental toll.
In the context of the Anthropocene, this economic model is coming under increasing scrutiny. It seems that capitalism as we know it may be at a pivot point. Given that scholars, activists, and policymakers are beginning to challenge the assumption that economic growth and ecological sustainability are inherently incompatible, there is a need for a new capitalism. One that redefines value in terms that extend beyond profit margins. This reimagined model of capitalism might centre on the well-being of individuals, communities, and the environment. Investments would no longer solely be evaluated on their financial returns but also on their potential to reduce inequality and promote sustainable development.
This putatively idyllic world may not be to everyone’s taste especially some of those multibillionaires. While entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers are increasingly being called to task, there is not necessarily the political will nor the motivation for egocentric oligarchs to imagine such a world. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
Mallick, M. (2025) ‘How capitalism could be the new market in the Anthropocene era: a review’, Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp.1–15.
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Business Intelligence and Data Mining
- Machine learning models for predicting customer churn: a case study in a software-as-a-service inventory management company
- Machine learning approach for data analysis and predicting coronavirus using COVID-19 India dataset
- An efficient missing value imputation and evaluation using GK-KH means and HTR-RNN
- Landslide susceptibility assessment along the major transport corridor using decision tree model: a case study of Kullu-Rohtang Pass
21 January 2025
Free Open Access article available: "The road to commercialisation: expanding digital therapeutics across international markets"
The following paper, "The road to commercialisation: expanding digital therapeutics across international markets" (International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation 21(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 new twist for delta robots - "Motion control of 3-DoF delta robot using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system"
Research in the International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics could lead to faster and more accurate robots for high-precision tasks in factories.
Delta robots are parallel computer-controlled machines that have a fixed base and a set of three arms connected to a platform. They are typically used for pick-and-place applications in industries like packaging, assembly, electronics fabrication, pharmaceutical production, and food processing. They can work very quickly, making precise movements for even delicate tasks. Unlike serial robots, the parallel kinematics of delta robots means arms and actuators work together to move the platform.
Riyadh A. Sarhan, Zaid H. Rashid, and Mohammed S. Hassan of the Technical University in Babylon, Iraq, are working to make delta robots even more reliable and have developed a novel control system that boosts their ability to make swift, precise movements. In their paper, they integrate fuzzy logic with an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). This hybrid technology combines the best aspects of artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic to manage the complex kinematics, the mathematical description of the robot’s movements, in order to improve performance significantly.
The improvement in control of precision delta robots should allow manufacturers to increase speed, quality, and overall efficiency on their production lines. Moreover, there is the potential in this hybrid control approach to allow delta robots to be more responsive to and to compensate for changes in their environment.
As industries continue to look for ways to improve automation, the research offers step towards faster, more accurate robotic systems.
Sarhan, R.A., Rashid, Z.H. and Hassan, M.S. (2025) ‘Motion control of 3-DoF delta robot using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system’, Int. J. Computational Vision and Robotics, Vol. 15, No. 7, pp.1–16.
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Sensor Networks
- NASA space station rolling bearings anomaly detection based on PARA-LSTM model
- Assessing deep learning performance in power demand forecasting for smart grid
- An enhanced energy efficiency scheme for secure computing in UAV-MEC networks
- Node WSN localisation based on adaptive crossover-mutation differential evolution
Free Open Access article available: "Harmony amidst division: leveraging genetic algorithms to counteract polarisation in online platforms"
The following paper, "Harmony amidst division: leveraging genetic algorithms to counteract polarisation in online platforms" (International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering 28(7) 2025), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
20 January 2025
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management
- Agri-fresh food supply chain quality and organisational sustainability: an empirical investigation
- Being green as an instrument for increasing firm value: case of US transport and logistics companies
- A hybrid approach to examine the potential of additive manufacturing to cope with supply chain disruptions during COVID-19 pandemic
- Planning the fuel distribution in urban centres using multi-compartment trucks under restrictions on the delivery period and the model of the truck
- Distribution in the large-scale retail trade industry: requirements for vehicle routing problems
- Distribution system and logistics centres planning for agricultural products
Free Open Access article available: "Evaluating ERAIVA - a software for video-based awkward posture identification"
The following paper, "Evaluating ERAIVA - a software for video-based awkward posture identification" (International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics 11(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: Heal the world with born-digital therapeutics - "The road to commercialisation: expanding digital therapeutics across international markets"
Digital therapeutics allow healthcare workers and patients use software is in the management and treatment of disease. The idea spans various healthcare areas, including mental health, chronic disease management, neurological disorders, addiction treatment, and rehabilitation.
Software-based interventions often offer personalized therapies through apps or digital platforms, using techniques like cognitive behavioural therapy, symptom tracking, and virtual exercises to help manage conditions such as mental health problems, diabetes, substance use, and recovery from physical injuries.
Research in the International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, suggests that digital therapeutics have changed the healthcare landscape Of course, the rapid commercialisation of these products has continued apace but equally important is the challenge of the internationalisation of such systems allowing them to be expanded into foreign markets. Amy Lee and Grigorij Ljubownikow of The University of Auckland, New Zealand, have highlighted how these processes commercialisation and internationalisation, traditionally seen as separate, are deeply interconnected for companies that start out as born-digital enterprises.
These companies all operate in highly regulated environments. What sets them apart from conventional healthcare companies is their use of wholly digital solutions. The shift from conventional to digital was happening steadily up to around 2020 but was accelerated enormously by the pandemic and the urgent need for remote, or virtual, care.
The researchers point out that while traditional companies might commercialise their product domestically first and then branch out internationally, digital therapeutics firms have had to rethink this linear path because in the digital world global is essentially just as immediate and local a market as the domestic one. The research reveals that for these companies, international expansion is not a separate concern to be tackled later, but has to be a key factor in the broader strategy from the outset.
The research emphasises how collaboration, networking, and continuous learning within these companies can help them address the additional challenges of regulatory and reimbursement hurdles across international markets. While global may be perceived as the new local, there are still enormous differences in the socio-political and economic environments between countries. Navigating the diverse institutional and international frameworks requires not only innovation in product development but also flexibility in business models. Lee and Ljubownikow’s findings thus offer insights into how firms can refine their strategies for global growth.
Lee, A. and Ljubownikow, G. (2024) ‘The road to commercialisation: expanding digital therapeutics across international markets’, Int. J. Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, Vol. 21, No. 5, pp.1–25.
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Global Warming
- Performance and CO2 emission evaluation of a grid-connected photovoltaic system at two different climates
- Wavelets and hybrid optimised SVM with random forest-based pollution forecasting
- Appraising the role of energy subsidy on the environmental sustainability in Arab Nations - is it compatible or confronting?
- Detection of annual rainfall trends using innovative trend analysis method in Benin
- Bibliometric analyses of climate change study in Central Asia between 1990-2022
- Chaotic time series analysis of acid rain in Türkiye
17 January 2025
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Grid and Utility Computing
- Complex networks applied to the analysis of the dynamics of social systems
- Performance comparison of various machine learning classifiers using fusion of LBP, intensity and GLCM feature extraction techniques for thyroid nodules classification
- A page weight-based replacement algorithm to enhance the performance of buffer management in flash memory
- Detection of crop disorder using deep learning
- Optimisation of the hybrid grey wolf method in cluster-based wireless sensor network using edge computing
- Developing software predictive model for examining the software bugs using machine learning
- Target imaging technology of wireless orbital communication radar
- Performance evaluation using throughput and latency of a blockchain-enabled patient centric secure and privacy preserve EHR based on IPFS
- A deep learning-inspired IoT-enabled hybrid model for predicting structural changes in CNC machines based on thermal behaviour
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development
- The mediation role of top management support in the adoption of cloud computing in Malaysian SMEs
- Growth management of digital service startups in the Brazilian context
- Bridging the gap: the mediating effect of cloud-based ERP adoption intention on entrepreneurial orientation and marketing performance in South Indian SMEs
- Acceptance and effectiveness of Industry 4.0 internal and external organisational initiatives in Malaysian firms
Research pick: Come together, online - "Harmony amidst division: leveraging genetic algorithms to counteract polarisation in online platforms"
Research in the International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering has developed a new approach to addressing ideological polarisation on social media. The problem of users generally encountering only like-minded perspectives and so reinforcing their own beliefs even in the face of conflicting evidence is highly divisive.
The phenomenon, known as the “echo chamber” effect or referred to as “filter bubbles”, arises in part because the algorithms driving the position of content in one’s social media apps. This, in turn, is driven largely by the need to keep users active and engaged on a particular platform. Too many contrary updates might drive users away, and that will ultimately reflect negatively on the advertising and other revenue streams for the companies that operate the platforms. By contrast, an echo chamber effect that reinforces their viewpoints will, for many people, be more attractive than one that doesn’t.
Zaka Ul Mustafa and Muhammad Amir of the International Islamic University Islamabad, Manal Mustafa of Zaman Technologies Pvt Limited, Pakistan, and Muhammad Adnan Anwar of Ulisboa, Portugal, suggest that the social media platforms could benefit from the use of genetic algorithms (GAs). Such computational techniques inspired by the principles of evolutionary natural selection could reduce polarisation and the echo chamber effect but still respect the organic nature of online interactions, and so keep users engaged without being so divisive.
The team explains that current strategies to counter polarisation often involve connecting disparate groups (edge addition) or altering expressed views (opinion flipping). These methods are not only static, but also raise ethical concerns about the platforms interfering with user autonomy. A GA-based approach instead identifies influential nodes in the online social network and only subtly adjusts their highlighted connections to reduce polarisation. The critical contribution of the work lies in identifying network elements that disproportionately contribute to ideological divides, and then encouraging more diversity of interaction with minimal disruption to the organic nature of social media.
The team has tested their approach on real-world datasets that focus on polarised US political discourse. The datasets have communities clustered around distinct ideological groups, and so can provide a useful test for how well the method precludes polarisation and division. The results showed that the GA approach could foster connections between disparate groups, and this led to a measurable decrease in polarisation without fundamentally altering the network’s overall structure.
Ul Mustafa, Z., Amir, M., Mustafa, M. and Anwar, M.A. (2025) ‘Harmony amidst division: leveraging genetic algorithms to counteract polarisation in online platforms’, Int. J. Computational Science and Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 7, pp.1–17.
Free Open Access article available: "The development of a product-layer perceived value scale for the online experience products of young Chinese consumers: take online apparel as an example"
The following paper, "The development of a product-layer perceived value scale for the online experience products of young Chinese consumers: take online apparel as an example" (International Journal of Data Science 10(5) 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 Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning
- Sustaining college students' continuance intention toward online learning in the post-COVID-19 era
- Study on abnormal behaviour recognition of MOOC online English learning based on multi-dimensional data mining
- An intelligent statistical method of real-time status of English teaching assistance resources from the perspective of MOOCs
- An intelligent integration method of AI English teaching resources information under multi-agent cooperation
- Mining method of students' learning behaviour characteristics in online classroom of colleges and universities based on dense clustering method
- A balanced allocation of network teaching resources in higher vocational colleges based on demand prediction
- English information teaching resource sharing based on deep reinforcement learning
- Study on multimedia network aided English teaching resource integration system based on cloud storage
- Optimisation of regional higher education resources search method based on attribute description matching
- Evaluation method of English flipped classroom teaching effect based on entropy weight method
- A construction of online teaching quality evaluation model based on big data mining
16 January 2025
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Exergy
- Comprehensive exergy analysis of dandelion root during physical pre-treatment by convective solar drying
- Experimental investigation and energy-exergy analysis of indirect liquid jaggery-making system based on parabolic dish concentrator
- Energy and exergy analysis of two solar-geothermal assisted biomass-driven hybrid cycles to produce power, heat, and distilled water
- Analysis of Kalina cycle for recovering waste heat from flue gas exhaust in pressurised pulverised combined cycle
- Energy and exergy analysis of a steam power plant to replace the boiler with a heat recovery steam generator
Free sample articles newly available from Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal
- Investigation of kinetics of thin layer drying of fruits using computational fluid dynamics
- Numerical analysis of superoleophilic-superhydrophobic filtration system for emulsions separation using lattice Boltzmann method
- Investigation of the flow topology evolution between two tandem cylinders using a discontinuous Galerkin method
- The dynamics of supersonic flow past a new cusped leading edge airfoil
Research pick: No longer banking on the shipping forecast: AI on the horizon - "Research on a ship target detection method in remote sensing images at sea"
As international trade and global security become more reliant on marine resources, the demand for advanced maritime surveillance and port management has never been greater. One of the big challenges in this area is the detection of ships in complex environments, a task that has traditionally relied on manual techniques. These methods, while functional, are often inadequate in dynamic, cluttered marine conditions, where varying sea states, weather patterns, and ship sizes can easily confound detection efforts.
Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has introduced a new approach to ship target detection. The research combines several cutting-edge deep learning techniques, “You Only Look Once” version 4 (YOLOv4), the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM), and the transformer mechanism. The team of Weiping Zhou, Shuai Huang, and Qinjun Luo of Jiangxi Polytechnic University in JiuJiang, and Lisha Yu of Shanghai Cric information Technology Co. Ltd. In Shanghai, China, have combined these into a single algorithmic program that is both accurate and reliable in the identification of vessels in challenging conditions.
Modern, fast deep-learning models such as YOLOv4 out-class traditional methods by cutting out the multiple steps needed to process an image. YOLOv4 can scan and classify objects in a single pass, making it ideal for real-time surveillance over large expanses.
CBAM is a feature-enhancing technique that works by focusing the model’s attention on the most important elements within a given image. This allows the hybrid system to identify ships even if they are surrounded by other vessels, docks, flotsam, and even rough seas. Conventional techniques often failed in distinguishing vessel from background in such images. The transformer mechanism is a powerful system that further improves the capacity of the model to process features at different levels, ensuring that important detail are not missed.
The team explains that this combined effort allows their system to outperform earlier models, particularly in the detection of smaller vessels and ships in complex maritime environments. They tested the approach on the Ship Sea Detection Dataset (SSDD), which includes remote sensing images of various marine conditions. Their results demonstrated superior speed and precision, especially when identifying minor or obscured targets. Given the critical importance of timely and accurate detection in maritime security, the implications of this improvement are significant.
Zhou, W., Huang, S., Luo, Q. and Yu, L. (2024) ‘Research on a ship target detection method in remote sensing images at sea’, Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 25, No. 12, pp.29–45.
Free Open Access article available: "Characteristics and models for energy improvements of cyclic transport operations in mining"
The following paper, "Characteristics and models for energy improvements of cyclic transport operations in mining" (International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering 15(5) 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 Reliability and Safety
- Growth model for detection and removal of faults having different severity with single change point and imperfect debugging
- Recent advances in structural health monitoring: techniques, applications and future directions
- Performance analysis of client-server distributed system using Gumbel-Hougaard family Copula
- A study on step stress partially accelerated life test under adaptive type-II progressive hybrid censoring for inverse Lomax distribution
15 January 2025
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Internet Protocol Technology
- Improved network performance in CPS communication with distributed IPC mechanisms of recursive internetworking architecture (RINA)
- Research on personalised privacy-preserving model of multi-sensitive attributes
- RAD: reinforcement authentication model based on DYMO protocol for MANET
- Secure and verifiable outsourcing of Euclidean distance and closest pair of points with single untrusted cloud server
- Practical and scalable access control mechanism for wireless sensor networks
- A cross encryption scheme for data security storage in cloud computing environment
Prof. Junfeng Xia appointed as new Editor in Chief of International Journal of Computational Biology and Drug Design
Research pick: Wheels within wheels - "Mapping the practice of circular design: a survey study with industrial designers and architects in the Netherlands and Sweden"
Architects and industrial designers play an important part in what we might term the circular economy (CE). This is a sustainability framework that aims to minimize waste by reusing and regenerating resources. Research in the Journal of Design Research has surveyed practitioners in The Netherlands and Sweden to see whether there is growing enthusiasm for circular design strategies and what significant challenges remain to be overcome.
Giliam Dokter, Jonathan Edgardo Cohen, Sofie Hagejärd, Oskar Rexfelt, and Liane Thuvander of Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, surveyed 114 professionals. They found that almost two-thirds of them engaged with CE-related projects, while a similar proportion reported that there were shifts within their organizations to support such initiatives.
The team reports that techniques such as “design for disassembly”, the crafting products or buildings for easy dismantling and reuse, are all part of this move towards greater sustainability. They point out that circular business models, emphasize regeneration over consumption and the associated principles are commonly applied in CE-focused projects undertaken by the survey participants.
It was found that architects tend to prioritize material reuse at the building level, while industrial designers have more of a focus on making it possible to disassemble products. Both groups are advancing creative solutions that reflect the principles of CE, however, even if their approaches are different and the substantial barriers they face are apparent.
The survey revealed that a lack of reliable knowledge about materials and the tools needed to evaluate environmental and economic impacts during design is one of the biggest barriers to adopting the principles of the CE in both architecture and industrial design. The research points out that choosing sustainable materials requires precise data about the lifecycle of these materials and their potential reuse. However, such information is often scarce or fragmented.
In addition to this dearth of relevant information there are also factors such as regulatory and market challenges that are beyond the immediate control of those working to CE principles and such barriers might hamper their efforts towards sustainability regardless of their efforts and focus.
Dokter, G., Cohen, J.E., Hagejärd, S., Rexfelt, O. and Thuvander, L. (2024) ‘Mapping the practice of circular design: a survey study with industrial designers and architects in the Netherlands and Sweden’, J. Design Research, Vol. 21, Nos. 3/4, pp.177–209.
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Embedded Systems
- Automatic detection of contextual defects based on machine learning
- A physically unclonable function architecture with multiple responses on FPGA
- A hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm with fuzzy clustering method for IoT smart electronic applications
- A new reinforcement learning approach for improving energy trading management for smart microgrids in the internet of things
- Embedded elbow vein blood collection robot system based on artificial intelligence technology
- A rock classification system based on embedded platform
- Reliability enhancement algorithm based on budget level in cloud-edge environments
- Imbalanced COVID-19 dataset classification with bidirectional sampling based on sample correlation
Prof. Renato Pereira appointed as new Editor in Chief of International Journal of Intellectual Property Management
14 January 2025
Free Open Access article available: "Use of JACK modelling software to quantify the reachability of ISO 6682"
The following paper, "Use of JACK modelling software to quantify the reachability of ISO 6682" (International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation 8(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: "Hybrid development of physical products based on systems engineering and design thinking: towards a new process model"
The following paper, "Hybrid development of physical products based on systems engineering and design thinking: towards a new process model" (Journal of Design Research 21(3/4) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
Research pick: Click the habit - "The development of a product-layer perceived value scale for the online experience products of young Chinese consumers: take online apparel as an example"
Online shopping in China, particularly among young people, is a vast enterprise. Online retail sales amounted to about 16 trillion yuan in 2024, approximately 2 trillion US dollars. Indeed, online shopping has transformed the way youngsters approach buying everything from clothing to gadgets, especially in the post-pandemic era where old shopping habits have been abandoned by many people.
Much of the research into online consumer behaviour has focused on the after-sales experience. Now, a study in the International Journal of Data Science, turns the research lens to look more closely at the pre-purchase stage. In so doing, Nanhua Duan and Jingwen Zhang of Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shaanxi, China, hoped to understand how young Chinese consumers perceive value before they hit the all-important “buy now” button when shopping online.
The team explains that the concept of Customer Perceived Value (CPV) is at the core of their research. CPV refers to the overall worth a consumer assigns to a product based on the benefits they expect in relation to the cost. For experiential products, this perception is even more complex because the product’s value is influenced by a variety of factors that may not be immediately obvious. The same is true for clothing when one cannot touch or try on an item before making a buying decision.
To home in on the factors involved, the team has proposed a new framework, which identifies six key dimensions that influence CPV when young Chinese consumers shop online for clothing and similar items. These are: word-of-mouth value, service value, aesthetic value, cost value, quality value, and brand value. Each of these, they found, plays a critical role in shaping the consumer’s expectations prior to purchase.
The findings are particularly relevant to China’s booming apparel market, which has seen rapid growth among digitally consumers. The research emphasizes that young buyers are not just concerned with the price tag or material quality alone. Indeed, they also consider factors like the reputation of the brand, the service experience, and how well a product aligns with their personal style or social status. This is where the online shopping environment differs from traditional brick-and-mortar shops, where the tactile nature of the shopping experience provides more immediate and obvious feedback and the potential for impulse buys or purchases prompted by an enthusiastic sales assistant.
For retailers and brands looking to tap into the ever-growing online market, understanding the six dimensions of CPV could offer insight into how to develop a more compelling online experience. It is, the research suggests, no longer sufficient to highlight the physical attributes of a product, companies must also now showcase the brand and its reputation as well as the quality of service.
In practical terms, the findings could mean that companies could benefit from focusing on positive reviews, clear and appealing product images, and smooth, customer-friendly websites. There might even be potential for developing innovative ways to display the products that might involve interactive elements, such as changing viewing angles, product colours and styles, and perhaps even offering options to see different models wearing the items. There is huge potential for the marketers that learn how to persuade people to click that “buy now” button.
Duan, N. and Zhang, J. (2025) ‘The development of a product-layer perceived value scale for the online experience products of young Chinese consumers: take online apparel as an example’, Int. J. Data Science, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp.1–21.
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Biometrics
- Exemplar-based facial attribute manipulation: a review
- A secure finger vein recognition system using WS-progressive GAN and C4 classifier
- Recent trends and challenges in human computer interaction using automatic emotion recognition: a review
- Arabic offline writer identification on a new version of AHTID/MW database
Prof. Andry Sedelnikov appointed as new Editor in Chief of International Journal of Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Optimisation
Newly announced journal: International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Governance and Human Rights
The International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Governance and Human Rights proposes and fosters discussion on the issues, challenges and governance of artificial intelligence within the context of human rights and the welfare of human beings at large. The journal explores privacy, equality and non-discrimination in relation to artificial intelligence, as well as the protection and strengthening of human rights as a socio-economic and institutional process.
13 January 2025
Research pick: Ergonomic for the people - "Evaluating ERAIVA – a software for video-based awkward posture identification"
Many work-related activities come with a risk of musculoskeletal problems, not least working at a desk. They are perhaps more commonly seen in the industrial or manual labour settings where repetitive movements, awkward postures, considerable muscular force and vibration, and lifting heavy objects are problematic.
A new study in the International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics introduces a tool that could be used by employers to assess the risk of such problems to their workers. The tool, the Ergonomist Assistant for Evaluation (ERAIVA), could streamline the process of identifying risky postures, which might lead to chronic pain and issues such as repetitive strain injury over time.
Where workers perform tasks that involve awkward body positions, repetitive movements, and heavy lifting there is an increased risk of debilitating conditions such as back pain and injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendinitis. Previously, assessing such risks was done only on an ad hoc basis and not necessarily systematically, to the detriment of workers moreover the assessment itself was labour and time intensive, requiring experts to visually monitor workers or examine video footage of their activities.
Veeresh Elango, Lars Hanson, and Anna Syberfeldt of the University of Skövde, Staffan Hedelin and Johan Sandblad of Scania CV AB in Södertälje, and Mikael Forsman of the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, explain that ERAIVA addresses these shortcomings by offering an automated way to analyse and annotate video recordings of industrial tasks. The technology could avoid human error in assessing work tasks and the posture and activity of individuals carrying out those tasks. Such a system could allow posture and other problems to be corrected and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems.
The system is easy to use and so reduces the need for expert assessment and remediation. Engineers and operators, as well as risk assessors, can all work together with the results it provides to identify and mitigate risks in the workplace.
Elango, V., Hedelin, S., Hanson, L., Sandblad, J., Syberfeldt, A. and Forsman, M. (2024) ‘Evaluating ERAIVA – a software for video-based awkward posture identification’, Int. J. Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 11, No. 6, pp.1–16.
10 January 2025
Research pick: Lessons in empathy - "Big data-driven deep mining of online teaching assessment data under affective factor conditions"
Online education is now ubiquitous and in recent years has changed fundamentally the way many people learn. Various platforms have opened up access to knowledge for millions of people. However, there remains an ongoing challenge: how to accurately measure and enhance the quality of teaching in these digital spaces.
Conventional evaluation tools focus on test scores and student satisfaction surveys. However, these often overlook the students’ emotional experience of the course. Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology, proposes a new solution that could change the way online teaching is assessed, getting closer to the heart of emotional matters.
The new work by Ruiting Bai of Puyang Medical College in Puyang, China, introduces the EduSent-Dig model, which can carry out advanced sentiment analysis and use big data techniques to evaluate teaching quality. By analysing the student emotional response given in their course feedback, the model can extract the nuances of online teaching that work most effectively. Rather than flagging the feedback as simply “positive” or “negative”, EduSent-Dig identifies specific emotional undercurrents such as joy, frustration, or surprise. It does so by using analytical tools such as Bi-LSTM, a deep learning framework, and Word2Vec, which converts words into numerical representations for computational analysis.
The study reveals that emotional experiences are not just peripheral to learning; they are central to it. How students feel about their coursework directly affects their motivation, engagement, and whether they complete a course. As such, the new model in identifying and interpreting sentiment accurately, can provide educators and course designers with insights into how to improve their educational offering. Moreover, real-time sentiment analysis undertaken as a course progresses might even allow teachers to fine tune their teaching dynamically, tailoring lessons to student needs on an ad hoc basis. This could transform the way courses are designed and how they are developed as the students progress through them. All in, the insights could foster a more empathetic and effective learning environment.
Bai, R. (2024) ‘Big data-driven deep mining of online teaching assessment data under affective factor conditions’, Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 25, No. 11, pp.35–51.
9 January 2025
Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Business Performance Management
- Evaluating of suppliers selection in auto parts manufacturing company using DEMATEL and TOPSIS
- Contribution of management practices to the success of innovation projects
- ERP adoption prediction using machine learning techniques and ERP selection among SMEs
- Entrepreneurs' dynamic managerial capabilities as a source of sustained competitive advantage for small and medium enterprises
- Does intellectual capital enhance firm efficiency? Evidence from Vietnam's banking sector
Research pick: Hybridising physical product development - "Hybrid development of physical products based on systems engineering and design thinking: towards a new process model"
Increasing complexity, evolving consumer expectations, and tightened development timelines means that physical product development increasingly comes unstuck when conventional methodologies are used. The predominant systems engineering frameworks have structure and predictability, but often falter when innovation is needed to fill the gap in modern markets. Companies have turned to agile approaches to help them transform their approach to software development, for instance. But, there are major obstacles to the adoption of that kind of approach for the development of physical products, where material constraints, prototyping costs, and supply chain integration are always critical factors.
A new hybrid framework is discussed in the Journal of Design Research that might address some of the issues. Frank Koppenhagen, Tobias Held, of Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg, Tim Blümel of Porsche AG in Weissach, Paul D. Kollmer of the University of Hamburg, Germany, and Christoph H. Wecht of the New Design University in St. Pölten, Austria, describe a new model, Systematic Engineering-Design-Thinking (SEDT). In this approach, the strengths of systems engineering is combined with the user-centric, principles of design thinking to create a more adaptive and innovative product development pathway. SEDT builds on the Stanford University ME310 process, which has proven itself to some degree in academia and industry, but an expansion was always needed.
By integrating systematic exploration techniques from systems engineering, SEDT refines the ME310 framework to better support the development of solutions to problems. The result is a process capable of accommodating greater degrees of uncertainty and complexity, enabling teams to pursue transformative innovation rather than simply incremental improvement. The approach reimagines project structures to emphasize collaboration, fluidity, and cross-disciplinary interaction.
The next step is to test SEDT in both academic and industrial environments to determining its usefulness as a comprehensive framework for physical product innovation.
Koppenhagen, F., Blümel, T., Held, T., Wecht, C.H. and Kollmer, P.D. (2024) ‘Hybrid development of physical products based on systems engineering and design thinking: towards a new process model’, J. Design Research, Vol. 21, Nos. 3/4, pp.210–261.
Free Open Access article available: "Mapping the practice of circular design: a survey study with industrial designers and architects in the Netherlands and Sweden"
The following paper, "Mapping the practice of circular design: a survey study with industrial designers and architects in the Netherlands and Sweden" (Journal of Design Research 21(3/4) 2024), is freely available for download as an open access article.
It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.
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