22 October 2026

New Open Access article available: "The development of disaster management governance in Indonesia: a legal and regulatory review"

The following International Journal of Public Law and Policy article, "The development of disaster management governance in Indonesia: a legal and regulatory review", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

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

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Analysis of tourism flow network based on digital footprints
  • Music preference prediction and personalised track recommendation via machine learning
  • Measuring non-stationary semantic correlation in the dissemination effectiveness of mainstream ideology
  • A temporal word embedding framework for matching degree computation between digital economy and green policies
  • Product styling design generation using an improved generative adversarial network

21 October 2026

New Open Access article available: "Mapping the nexus: a bibliometric review of psychological distress and leadership research"

The following Journal of Business and Management article, "Mapping the nexus: a bibliometric review of psychological distress and leadership research", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Big data, small change? - "Data-driven retail service operations: big data analytics capability, market orientation, innovation and marketing capabilities in Thailand’s retail sector"

A study of 500 Thai retailers has found that businesses with stronger big data analytics capabilities tend to be better at identifying market needs, innovating, and executing effective marketing strategies. Moreover, large retailers report higher capability levels than smaller firms, according to research in the International Journal of Services and Operations Management.

The research looked at how some 500 retailers turned customer, transaction, and sales-channel data into practical business capabilities. The findings suggest that the adoption of digital technology is not sufficient to improve outcomes, companies need big data analytics capability to make the most of that technology. Indeed, the research shows that having the ability to process and interpret large volumes of information to make better decisions was closely tied to market orientation, customer needs, and changing market conditions.

The team explains that their findings highlight the importance of integrating data analysis into everyday operations. This is particularly important as companies have to coordinate bricks-and-mortar outlets with their online presence. Better integration, the team suggests, could help businesses adapt services and respond more consistently to changing demand.

The gap between large and smaller retailers, however, raises questions about unequal access to digital expertise, technology investment, and managerial resources. Smaller and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) perhaps need targeted support to develop the skills and organisational routines required to turn data into useful decisions.

Supapon, S. and Sukhawatthanakun, K. (2026) ‘Data-driven retail service operations: big data analytics capability, market orientation, innovation and marketing capabilities in Thailand’s retail sector’, Int. J. Services and Operations Management, Vol. 55, No. 5, pp.1–23.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

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

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Deep learning-based deformation monitoring of transmission towers using SAR time-series data
  • Affective dynamics rendering and simulation for musical theatre arias via diffusion models
  • Predicting chronic care needs based on a reinforcement learning model
  • A hierarchical semantic network and contrastive reinforcement algorithm for automatic English essay grading
  • Hierarchical aggregation with weighted fusion for digital art virtual reconstruction

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

The International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • The construction of an English smart classroom oral interaction model by multimodal feature fusion, coupled coordination, and adaptive recommendation
  • Application of stele restoration based on multibranch adversarial network and spatiotemporal attention algorithm
  • Big data measurement and optimisation of data element allocation efficiency in the digital economy
  • Evaluation of the optimal start-up scheme of pumped storage units based on actual machine test-entropy weight method
  • Blockchain technology-based institutional framework and optimisation path for emergency rescue management

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business are now available here for free:
  • Unveiling the evolution of early internationalisation research: a bibliometric-systematic literature review
  • Exploring the dynamics of resource interaction in international coopetitive relationships during global crises: a case study between European SMEs and Chinese larger firms of the automotive industry
  • Exploring the destination support of SME exporters by export associations in Ghana's non-traditional export sector
  • Institutional entrepreneurship: territorial intervention strategies in the development of low-density cross-border territories through a Triple Helix lens
  • Navigating the digital age: how Colombian tourism SMEs leverage digitalisation for strategic planning and decision-making

20 October 2026

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

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Data mining for English learning pattern analysis: insights into student behaviour on digital platforms
  • Causal inference and traceable reasoning for ESG performance in digital supply chains
  • Expressive music performance generation from symbolic scores via conditional variational autoencoders and performance context embeddings
  • A data mining-based early warning system for identifying at-risk students in higher vocational education
  • An intelligent tutoring system for the implementation and evaluation of adaptive vocational education

Research pick: Hunting down the fake news - "Automatic fake news detection using an optimised transformer with deer hunting optimisation algorithm"

Researchers have developed an automated system for detecting fake news that achieved accuracy rates above 98% in tests on two datasets; in other words missing just one or two fake news items in every 100. They provide details of their approach in the International Journal of Information and Computer Security.

The new system uses a transformer encoder, an artificial intelligence (AI) model that identifies relationships between words and their context. This is combined with a deer-hunting optimisation algorithm (DHOA), a computational technique for finding effective model settings, based on modelling the way in which human hunters track and pursue prey. The researchers removed web addresses, punctuation, and common, or “stop”, words before applying their analysis to the text. The DHOA component automatically fine-tunes the model's settings rather it requiring manual selection and calibration.

Automated detection could accelerate manual fact-checking, which is often expensive and time-consuming, allowing social media platforms to screen out misleading claims quickly to avoid their rapid spread.

The next step will be to test the system on real-world social media content to see whether it can distinguish between deceptive material closely resembling legitimate reporting. As it stands, the approach is limited to text, rather than checking for the manipulation of images, deepfake videos or inconsistencies between text and visual evidence. Future work might explore how those different media types might be processed and analysed as well as looking for relationships between content and the users who post it as important clues as to whether a given item is fake news or not.

Jonnala, Y.D. and Devi, J.S. (2026) ‘Automatic fake news detection using an optimised transformer with deer hunting optimisation algorithm’, Int. J. Information and Computer Security, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp.24–48.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

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

The International Journal of Economics and Business Research has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • The effect of e-tax adoption on tax payment: unravelling the moderating role of taxpayer demographics
  • External debt, broad money growth and macroeconomic performance in the GCC economies: a panel regression approach
  • Managing consumer trust in e-commerce: evidence from a central European economy during digital transformation

New Open Access article available: "Study on detection method for harmful chemical residues in regenerated cellulose food packaging materials"

The following International Journal of Environment and Pollution article, "Study on detection method for harmful chemical residues in regenerated cellulose food packaging materials", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

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

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • AI-assisted learning environments: a mixed-methods study of student performance and metacognitive development for chemistry
  • Research on multimodal information visualisation framework in augmented reality-based cultural experience applications
  • Intelligent customer service system in digital trade platforms: application of large language models based on retrieval-augmented generation
  • Collaborative filtering for personalised learning experience development using higher education assessment data
  • Research on dynamic optimisation of grammatical structures in Chinese-English translation of financial texts based on the Fama factor model

19 October 2026

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

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Distribution characteristics and key influencing factors of transmission line galloping in Hubei Province
  • The research on the drowning personnel detection based on the improved Yolov8
  • A user preference evaluation system for traditional elements in games by AHP and a weighted model
  • Hydraulic physics-guided contrastive temporal change-point learning for early friction transition detection in Kaplan turbine SCADA systems
  • Computational affective modelling for dynamic music genre preference generation in streaming recommender systems

Research pick: You can bank on it - "Cyber-savvy or cyber-sloppy? Exploring Indian e-banking users’ security behaviour"

A study of electronic banking users has found that cybersecurity depends not only on knowledge of digital threats but also on attitudes, memory, and the user’s relationship with technology. Details are published in the International Journal of Information and Computer Security. The researchers looked at how customers translate cybersecurity knowledge into behaviour. The work addresses a gap in this area of research, which has previously focused largely on employees rather than customers.

The team used structural equation modelling, a statistical technique for testing relationships between variables, to analyse survey data from 772 electronic banking users in India. The survey asked questions about the users’s extended knowledge, attitude, and behaviour. The resulting framework shows what people know and what they believe influences their actions.

Perhaps obviously, the team found that a bank’s efforts to educate customers with regard to cybersecurity as well as the initiatives of customers themselves, help build overall knowledge. Customers with a positive attitude towards security, who can recall relevant information and have greater knowledge of the risks and how to avoid them, were like to exhibit safer online behaviour.

However, the more technically minded a customer, the more likely there were to have a positive attitude towards their banking security, but the more likely they were to take risks, assuming their familiarity and confidence would protect them from scams and malicious third parties.

Prasanna, S., Mariappan, V., Pradeepa, S.P.N., Mani, R. and Saravanan, S. (2026) ‘Cyber-savvy or cyber-sloppy? Exploring Indian e-banking users’ security behaviour’, Int. J. Information and Computer Security, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp.1–23.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

Free sample articles newly available from Latin American Journal of Management for Sustainable Development

The following sample articles from the Latin American Journal of Management for Sustainable Development are now available here for free:
  • Increasing the validity of organisational researches: proposal for a fuzzy system that replicates the summative aggregation of the Likert-type scale
  • Analysis of factors associated with ESG performance of Brazilian cities
  • Sustainability reports in the automotive industry: a comparative analysis of the Argentinean sector
  • Reverse logistic of rejected plastic: the circularity and resilience of waste pickers in the supply chain
  • Optimising contract types for infrastructure projects in emerging economies: a fuzzy logic approach for sustainable development

New Open Access article available: "Creative implementation and technology orientation: associations with perceived performance in Saudi dental practices"

The following International Journal of Applied Management Science article, "Creative implementation and technology orientation: associations with perceived performance in Saudi dental practices", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

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

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Construction and teaching application of knowledge graph of historical figures based on machine learning
  • Construction of an English smart teaching platform integrating fuzzy systems and improved CF algorithm
  • Transformer models in English vocabulary learning path planning
  • Contextual communication modelling in WeChat networks: analysing symbolic imbalance and language inflation using media context theory
  • Modelling the acceptance of AIGC technology in information literacy education: an empirical study based on the UTAUT framework

16 October 2026

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Learning and Change

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Learning and Change are now available here for free:
  • Value and main opportunities in hospital operations management
  • Bridging two languages: an investigation into Taiwan's English learning dynamics, attitude, and outcomes
  • Teaching effectiveness in Islamic higher education context: the case of students' perceptions
  • A comparative analysis of Web 3.0, Web 2.0, and Web 1.0: evolution and implications

New Open Access article available: "Criteria for success in end-of-life tire recycling supply chains"

The following International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management article, "Criteria for success in end-of-life tire recycling supply chains", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Automated essay assessment - "Intelligent English composition scoring method based on transfer paragraph segmentation and Pearson detection"

An artificial intelligence (AI) model can score English essays with improved accuracy across different writing topics, according to work published in the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning. The tool could help schools assess student work more efficiently while reducing inconsistencies in marking.

The system, known as DTS-Score, combines several machine-learning techniques to analyse the meaning and structure of essays, including their paragraph organisation. In tests, it achieved a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.866. This is a measure of agreement between scoring outcomes, where 1.000 would represent a perfect output. A further development might allow the accuracy of the system to be compared with marking undertaken by teachers themselves.

The researchers developed the model to address a common problem in automated essay assessment. That is, systems trained on one essay topic may perform less reliably when evaluating writing on another subject. Their approach uses transfer learning, a technique that allows a model to apply knowledge acquired from one task to a different but related one. In large educational establishments, such a system could help process substantial volumes of student essays, flagging those that appear to stray from the assigned topic and allowing teachers to focus their attention on writing that may require closer scrutiny.

Chen, H. (2026) ‘Intelligent English composition scoring method based on transfer paragraph segmentation and Pearson detection’, Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 36, No. 13, pp.1–25.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

Free Open Access special issue on "Transdisciplinary Engineering for Agility in a Sustainable and Better World" published by International Journal of Agile Systems and Management

The International Journal of Agile Systems and Management has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Architectural strategies for agentic AI in circular ecosystem formation and orchestration
  • Boundary objects for transversal digitalisation in higher education
  • Enhancing agility in manufacturing warehouses: a multi-criteria assessment of dedicated vs. randomised and forward vs. backward storage policies

New Open Access article available: "Operational risk management and the credibility of ESG disclosures: a critical analysis"

The following Global Business and Economics Review article, "Operational risk management and the credibility of ESG disclosures: a critical analysis", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

15 October 2026

Research pick: Shop till you drop - "The evolution of retail scholarship: Looking back to move forward"

Retail research has changed during the last couple of decades, according to an analysis of almost 5200 papers covering business practices, consumer behaviour, and technology. The study, published in the International Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing, considered papers from the four leading specialist journals in this area.

The team used thematic analysis, a method for identifying recurring patterns in written material, alongside manual coding to discern the changes in research topics, theories, and methods that have taken place over the years. They identified five major phases that saw change in the research done: operations, digital and experiential retail; consumer behaviour and sector specialisation; optimisation and service integration; and social media. What emerges from their analysis shows how changing external stimuli, such as store environments or digital interfaces, affect consumers psychologically and influence their buying behaviour, and how research has tracked those changes.

The findings highlight the growing influence of e-commerce, data analytics, and social media on retail scholarship itself. They reveal a persistent issue in this research sector concerning how studies are dispersed across disciplines including marketing, economics, geography and management, despite the economic importance of retail and the development of specialist academic programmes to study it.

The authors argue that a clearer understanding of the field’s development could help educational establishments shape their curricula and executive training in this field. It would also help researchers and businesses to understand and respond to emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence and changing patterns of consumer engagement.

Hamam, M., Fares, O.H. and Jacobson, J. (2026) ‘The evolution of retail scholarship: Looking back to move forward’, Int. J. Electronic Marketing and Retailing, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp.1–26.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Critical Infrastructures

The International Journal of Critical Infrastructures has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • An accurate multi-task short-term regional power grid load forecasting based on improved incidence matrix
  • Time delay compensation method for energy storage AGC response in high-proportion renewable energy scenarios

New Open Access article available: "Design and implementation of an experimental big data management platform architecture integrating LSH and columnar storage optimisation"

The following International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering article, "Design and implementation of an experimental big data management platform architecture integrating LSH and columnar storage optimisation", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

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

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Research on dynamic adaptation and fine-tuning algorithm of multi-modal large model for heterogeneous computing power
  • A multi-time-scale zone-and-layer coordinated control strategy for virtual power plants
  • Adaptive temporal and heterogeneous graph attention networks for academic performance deviation detection in higher education
  • Time-series analysis-driven prediction and intervention of online learning performance
  • Bid-rigging risk identification in government procurement audits based on multi-source knowledge graphs

New Open Access article available: "The evolution of retail scholarship: looking back to move forward"

The following International Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing article, "The evolution of retail scholarship: looking back to move forward", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

14 October 2026

Research pick: Drones on the line - "Multi-UAV path planning methodology for dual-task power inspection scenarios based on genetic algorithm"

Researchers have developed two algorithms to help fleets of drones inspect electricity infrastructure more efficiently, potentially cutting costs and reducing risks to human workers. They provide details in the International Journal of Systems, Control and Communications.

The work offers solutions to two inspection tasks. First, the checking of individual components on electricity pylons, such as insulators, and secondly, surveying transmission lines for hazards. If unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, are to be used for these two tasks, then multiple drones operating from a single base to cover routes would be optimal, but there is a need to minimise total flight distance.

For component inspections, the researchers developed an improved genetic algorithm. This is a computational method inspired by natural selection that progressively refines possible solutions. It combines a technique called 2-opt, which improves routes by reversing sections of a flight path, with an adaptive mutation rate. Mutations introduce changes into the possible solutions, which helps the algorithm to avoid poor routes.

For transmission-line inspections, the team developed a separate adaptive genetic algorithm to allocate line segments among drones and minimise unnecessary travel.

Tests on maps of different sizes compared its performance with a conventional genetic algorithm. These showed improvements in solution quality and efficiency over earlier approaches. Indeed, the new methods also produced more stable results for component inspections and reduced flight distances while optimising the number of drones deployed for line surveys.

Li, H., Che, C., Duan, C., Zhang, X. and Sun, L. (2026) ‘Multi-UAV path planning methodology for dual-task power inspection scenarios based on genetic algorithm’, Int. J. Systems, Control and Communications, Vol. 17, No. 9, pp.1–27.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

13 October 2026

Research pick: Won't you scroll away the scorn? - "Does using short video apps reduce people’s satisfaction with life quality? Evidence from China"

Frequent use of short video apps is associated with lower satisfaction with one’s quality of life, particularly over perceptions of the wealth gap, according to research in the International Journal of Mobile Communications, which examined the effects of digital media consumption.

The researchers analysed data from 7257 participants aged 16 to 69 in the China Family Panel Studies. They found that satisfaction with wealth inequality was more affected than other aspects of life quality. They also showed that the strongest association was among urban residents, people under 45, and those with at least a high school education.

Two possible explanations emerge. First, declining social trust and secondly, increased negative emotions. The findings have implications for public understanding in China, and perhaps elsewhere, where short video apps are a major source of information and entertainment. In China, 95.5 per cent of internet users use such apps, according to data from the National Radio and Television Administration Development Research Centre.

It is worth noting that short video apps do facilitate wider discussion of social issues. However, it is also well-known that their recommendation algorithms tailor content to one’s viewing habits and can lead to what is known as the bubble, or echo chamber, effect. This may reinforce existing beliefs, and with repetition or unreliable material, distort perceptions of economic and social reality.

The researchers highlight the need to understand how digital media consumption shapes public attitudes towards inequality and living conditions. Moreover, they suggest that there is a need for greater attention to be paid to content quality and information sources.

Tian, W. and Wang, X. (2026) ‘Does using short video apps reduce people’s satisfaction with life quality? Evidence from China’, Int. J. Mobile Communications, Vol. 28, No. 4, pp.400–418.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

12 October 2026

Research pick: Concentrating on cricket, right? - "Performance evaluation of cricket players in Indian Premier League using DEA"

An analytical method could help high-level cricket franchises make more informed decisions about player recruitment, retention, and team selection, according to research in the International Journal of Services and Operations Management. The approach uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to compare efficiency using multiple inputs and outputs. In the world of cricket, this means assessing players against their peers rather than relying on individual statistics.

The research used publicly available data to evaluate the playing of batters and bowlers, with a separate model applied to each group. Metrics included balls faced, runs scored, runs conceded, and wickets taken. The approach offers an effective assessment of players compared to baseline performance in the sport. Moreover, it can identify high performers whose value might be overlooked by conventional assessments.

While the instincts of coaches, managers, and others involved in selecting players will always play the biggest part in the process, having the statistics to back a controversial decision could improve the process while giving those making the decisions a factual basis to defend their decision.

Ultimately, such an approach could be used more broadly in cricket and other sports, helping organisations distinguish measurable productivity from reputation. This should bring greater transparency to decisions about investment, performance improvement, and the allocation of resources.

Bordoloi, S. and Sirigiri, V.S.P. (2026) 'Performance evaluation of cricket players in Indian Premier League using DEA', Int. J. Services and Operations Management, Vol. 55, No. 6, pp.1-36.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

9 October 2026

Research pick: Moral machines - "AI-powered precision training pathways for engineering ethics and professional competence in Industry 4.0"

Research in the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly stepping beyond technical automation to train engineers in ethical decision-making. This, the work implies, could address a critical gap in the Industry 4.0 era.

According to new research, an AI-driven framework utilising natural language processing (NLP), knowledge graphs, and deep reinforcement learning can tailor ethics and professional competence training for individual engineers. By analysing engineering case studies against ethical guidelines and tracking user progress through dynamic learner profiles, the system might deliver personalised, adaptive teaching.

The researchers' tests on public datasets showed that their system worked better than traditional lecture-based methods and could predict professional competence and increase interactive training substantially.

Engineering education has in the past involved conventional lectures. That approach to teaching struggles to adapt to individual professional contexts or to incorporate ethical reasoning. Educational technology courses do exist online, but even they are typically optimised for simple performance metrics rather than measuring the true multifaceted value of what is taught and ultimately learned.

The work has implications for corporate compliance but also goes further. Automated and digitalised manufacturing systems are changing industries around the world. As such, the decisions engineers make have international societal and safety risks associated with them. By demonstrating that computers can model complex educational principles and foster a unity of knowledge and action, the team has shown that these computational tools are evolving from passive delivery platforms into what we might think of as active partners in professional development, especially when it comes to ethical and moral considerations.

Cai, S. and Lei, Y. (2026) ‘AI-powered precision training pathways for engineering ethics and professional competence in Industry 4.0’, Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 36, No. 12, pp.4–28.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

8 October 2026

Research pick: Making the most of minerals - "Innovation for societal transformation in Africa: a strategic framework for inclusive growth"

Research in the International Journal of Business Innovation and Research suggests that African economies need to move beyond fragmented development strategies. This might be done by uniting digital technology, start-up networks, resource processing, and cross-sector partnerships into a single societal innovation ecosystem, the researchers explain.

The team proposes a conceptual framework designed to tackle persistent structural hurdles, including youth unemployment, energy poverty, and educational deficits. Such a framework might work by extending traditional innovation theories beyond corporate profits by putting more emphasis on broad social progress and inclusive growth.

Historically, innovation frameworks have been tailored to advanced Western economies. These prioritise company-level profits over poverty reduction. In contrast, the new framework discussed in IJBIR brings together various concepts and approaches, including digital technologies, entrepreneurial networks, and public-private collaboration, to help in the development of the domestic processing of raw critical minerals into higher-value products such as batteries prior to export. The approach circumvents the problems that arise when isolated initiatives, such as localized technology hubs or raw extraction projects, fail to generate widespread prosperity despite the potential for profits.

Demand for Africa's minerals is on the rise, partly thanks to the ongoing green energy transition. This new framework offers a strategic blueprint for resource-rich developing nations. Rather than remaining exporters of raw materials, such countries can build high-value domestic supply chains, boost employment, and leapfrog outdated industrial models.

Boikanyo, D.H. (2026) ‘Innovation for societal transformation in Africa: a strategic framework for inclusive growth’, Int. J. Business Innovation and Research, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp.1–26.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

7 October 2026

Research pick: What makes money go round? - "The evolution of the digital finance literature on financial behaviour and market risk"

A study of almost 1000 research papers in the field of digital finance has mapped out how technology, investor behaviour, and financial-market risk are connected. The work identified three distinct foundations rather than a single framework with implications for understanding how psychological factors influence financial decisions as well as how to develop viable algorithms that provide automated investment guidance.

The team used standard bibliometric analysis to find patterns and relationships across the literature published in this niche from 1991 to 2025. They carried out co-citation analysis to identify research that is frequently cited together, as well as keyword analysis to trace connections between research areas. Details are reported in the International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets.

Four main research streams were found: FinTech (financial technology) and investor behaviour, artificial-intelligence-driven investment decisions, market prediction, and automated trading and risk management. FinTech, market volatility and machine learning were identified as established “motor themes”, meaning areas that are both prominent and strongly connected to other research.

The researchers argue that their mapping of the literature has practical implications for developers, financial institutions, and regulators. Automated investment services may require clearer risk information and greater transparency about how recommendations are produced. Regulators could also pay closer attention to model risk and common signals used in automated trading.

Van Nguyen, N., Phan, H.T. and Tran, L.T. (2026) ‘The evolution of the digital finance literature on financial behaviour and market risk’, Int. J. Business and Emerging Markets, Vol. 18, No. 10, pp.1–32.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

6 October 2026

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

The International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Aesthetic evaluation system of artificial intelligence generated graphic design based on convolutional neural network and expert scoring
  • The informationisation and precise management mechanism of physical education teaching by introducing VGG19 network
  • Automated audit report generation and risk insight based on large language models
  • A computational framework for large-scale tail-risk assessment of CSI 300 constituents: algorithmic EVT-POT estimation, cross-sectional diagnostics and automated stress testing
  • Athletes' physical fitness assessment and load regulation system based on TimesNet and short-term memory network

New Open Access article available: "Real-time logistics route planning and energy consumption simulation modelling from a green computing perspective"

The following International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling article, "Real-time logistics route planning and energy consumption simulation modelling from a green computing perspective", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Free Open Access special issue on "Intelligent Learning Ecosystems: AI, Metaverse and Emerging Technologies for Continuing Engineering Education – Part 2" published by International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning

The International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Intelligent English composition scoring method based on transfer paragraph segmentation and Pearson detection
  • Construction of an English academic writing teaching algorithm integrating LLM and move segmentation
  • ITGAM: a co-attention and multi scale attention tandem convolutional network for multimodal sentiment analysis in English speech
  • English essay topic analysis using conceptual prior knowledge and Bi-GRU
  • English machine translation based on parallel corpus mining and transfer learning

All quiet in the firing line

A study of the oil, gas and petroleum industry has found that “quiet firing” by employers is associated with higher levels of “quiet quitting” among employees, while strong workplace relationships can weaken that effect. The research appears in the International Journal of Business Information Systems.

Quiet quitting, a term that has gained prominence in recent years, describes employees limiting their work to their formal responsibilities rather than taking on additional effort. Quiet firing refers to employers indirectly encouraging workers to leave by creating an undesirable working environment or withholding opportunities and support.

The research showed that there is a positive relationship between the two practices: as quiet firing increased, so did quiet quitting. But the relationship was weaker where workplaces had greater social capital, the networks, trust, shared norms and relationships that enable people to cooperate and communicate with each other more effectively.

The findings have implications for human resource management as attention might move from the disengagement of individuals and the impact on turnover to overarching organisational behaviour. Rather than treating quiet quitting solely as a problem of employee motivation, the research suggests that management practices can contribute to withdrawal and should be considered too.

Rajabpour, E., Mohammadi, H., Amoozegar, A., Falahat, M., Shakib, S. and Omar, M.M. (2026) ‘Silent strategies: navigating the complex web of quiet firing and quiet quitting with social capital mediation’, Int. J. Business Information Systems, Vol. 53, No. 5, pp.1–25.

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New Open Access article available: "Multimodal simulation for diagnosing microstrabismus integrating electrooculogram and electroencephalographic signals"

The following International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling article, "Multimodal simulation for diagnosing microstrabismus integrating electrooculogram and electroencephalographic signals", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

5 October 2026

New Open Access article available: "Performance evaluation of cricket players in Indian Premier League using DEA"

The following International Journal of Services and Operations Management article, "Performance evaluation of cricket players in Indian Premier League using DEA", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Research pick: Can you steel the force? - "Negative stiffness-enhanced elastic metamaterials for extreme-environment low-frequency vibration damping"

A new form of steel could be used to reduce low-frequency vibration in machinery operating in harsh environments, where conventional damping materials can degrade, and quickly lead to failure.

The new steel is a type of metamaterial. Metamaterials are materials that get their properties not only from the substances from which they are made but from how the material is structured. A natural example might be honeycomb. Bees use beeswax to create a honeycomb in their hive. Honeycomb is thus a metamaterial that has strength and structure that are very different from unstructured beeswax.

Writing in the International Journal of Hydromechatronics, the team describes how they have taken a type of steel known as 316L and incorporated cellular structures within the steel that have “negative stiffness. A structure with negative stiffness can bend or deform, but the amount of force needed to cause the deformation falls the more the material bends. Rubber and viscoelastic materials can absorb and dissipate vibrational energy through such deformation, but they can perish in harsh environments. The metamaterial based on structured steel 316L can behave a little like rubber and so absorb and dissipate energy but can survive harsh conditions much longer.

316L stainless steel is a particularly corrosion-resistant alloy with good mechanical strength and high-temperature stability. This makes it a good choice for vibration damping in equipment where exposure to seawater, heat or oil contamination, including ships, aircraft and industrial machinery, is common.

Song, Z., Rui, S., Yang, S., Zhou, Z and Wu, J.H. (2026) ‘Negative stiffness-enhanced elastic metamaterials for extreme-environment low-frequency vibration damping’, Int. J. Hydromechatronics, Vol. 9, No. 6, pp.1–28.

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

The International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • An intelligent training platform for traditional Chinese opera integrating spatio-temporal graph convolution and reinforcement learning
  • Regional industrial skill demand forecasting and adult education specialty setting based on LSTM-XGBoost
  • Quantitative study on the characteristics of visual narrative composition of traditional cultural picture books based on graph-volume network
  • Anti-cavitation morphology optimisation of hydraulic pump impeller based on deep neural network
  • Multidimensional evaluation of rural revitalisation performance using entropy-weighted fuzzy assessment and machine-learning-assisted diagnostics

New Open Access article available: "Data-driven retail service operations: big data analytics capability, market orientation, innovation and marketing capabilities in Thailand's retail sector"

The following International Journal of Services and Operations Management article, "Data-driven retail service operations: big data analytics capability, market orientation, innovation and marketing capabilities in Thailand's retail sector", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

New Open Access article available: "Multi-UAV path planning methodology for dual-task power inspection scenarios based on genetic algorithm"

The following International Journal of Systems, Control and Communications article, "Multi-UAV path planning methodology for dual-task power inspection scenarios based on genetic algorithm", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

2 October 2026

Free Open Access special issue on "Big Data Industrial Application and Computing Innovation – Part 3" published by International Journal of Data Mining and Bioinformatics

The International Journal of Data Mining and Bioinformatics has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • End-to-end learning algorithm for intelligent annotation and knowledge extraction of cross-modal scientific big data
  • Standardised storage model for exercise physiological data from wearable devices and mobile terminals
  • AI-driven optimisation of sustainable packaging design using deep learning models
  • Application of wearable sensors based on deep learning algorithms in real-time monitoring and early warning of sports injury

Research pick: Power from the people - "Operator perspectives and attitudes to evolving tasks and tools in power grid operations"

The shift towards distributed electricity systems is changing the work of operators responsible for keeping high-voltage grids stable, according to a study in the International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics. The researchers looked at the concerns of employees at 15 Nordic grid operators.

As renewable generation becomes more common, operators report undertaking more active balancing work to allow for the intermittent nature of power production from wind, solar, and other sources. Automation is regarded as essential, but the team says that respondents raised concerns about reliability, stress, and changing skill requirements. The team also found that attitudes towards new technology were shaped partly by previous experience. However, a reliance on overloaded tools and outdated systems used in conventional energy production contributed to problems.

The researchers argue that the challenge is not simply to introduce more sophisticated software. Transmission system operators (TSOs), which operate high-voltage electricity networks, must also adapt training, work design, and organisational structures to cope better with the new demands.

The findings also point to a changing definition of expertise. Traditional manual skills may become less central as operators monitor automated processes, interpret outputs and troubleshoot system behaviour. Some respondents questioned whether emerging skills, including understanding algorithms and debugging, fit their conception of the operator role.

However, the researchers argue that technology, responsibilities and organisational support should develop together, with operators involved in designing future control-room systems.

Svensson, S., Borell, J. and Osvalder, A-L. (2026) ‘Operator perspectives and attitudes to evolving tasks and tools in power grid operations’, Int. J. Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 13, No. 5, pp.1–27.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

New Open Access article available: "Silent strategies: navigating the complex web of quiet firing and quiet quitting with social capital mediation"

The following International Journal of Business Information Systems article, "Silent strategies: navigating the complex web of quiet firing and quiet quitting with social capital mediation", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

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

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • Optimisation model of AI adaptive teaching strategy integrating reinforcement learning and cognitive diagnosis
  • Fracture distribution characteristics modelling in geotechnical engineering via deep morphological transformations
  • Federated self-distillation graph neural network-driven internet of things edge abnormal event perception
  • Cross-attention diffusion model for high-fidelity vocal melody synthesis
  • Effects of image tracking and spatial depth of field on paper-shadow interaction experience in augmented reality

New Open Access article available: "The evolution of the digital finance literature on financial behaviour and market risk"

The following International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets article, "The evolution of the digital finance literature on financial behaviour and market risk", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

1 October 2026

New Open Access article available: "Trust as a mechanism linking AI recommendation accuracy and investment performance among young investors in Indonesia"

The following International Journal of Electronic Finance article, "Trust as a mechanism linking AI recommendation accuracy and investment performance among young investors in Indonesia", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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

Free Open Access special issue on "AI and Digital Technology-Driven Innovation in Continuing Engineering Education and Lifelong Learning – Part 1" published by International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning

The International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.
  • AI-powered precision training pathways for engineering ethics and professional competence in Industry 4.0
  • Generative content synthesis with controllable output for engineering continuing education incorporating copyright rules
  • Personalised generation of physical literacy curricula for engineering talent cultivation
  • Precision-targeted provision of ideological education in construction engineering vocational education courses in the big data era
  • Generative neural network for AI engineering education courses based on knowledge evolution

Research pick: Closing a quantum security loophole - "Enhancing IoT security in the post-quantum era: a hybrid approach to protection from impersonation attacks"

An approach to closing a security vulnerability in an emerging hybrid cryptographic protocol for Internet of Things (IoT) devices is described in the International Journal of Internet Technology and Secured Transactions. The flaw in such protocols, which are in transition between conventional and quantum computing, can allow third parties with some level of trust to impersonate legitimate devices and gain higher-level access illicitly. The new approach precludes such access without adding much to performance costs.

The researchers looked at a framework combining elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), a widely used public-key system, with post-quantum cryptography (PQC). These algorithms are designed to withstand attacks from future quantum computers. They demonstrated that this framework is vulnerable to semi-trusted third parties who might reconstruct authentication material derived from a device's identifying hardware characteristics and subsequently spoof the device.

With this in mind, the researchers modified the protocol by adding a post-quantum digital-signature scheme and isolating device key derivation from the third party. In their tests, they found that the revised protocol offered mutual authentication, protected session keys, resisted replay attacks, and prevented malicious third parties from accessing the necessary authentication material that would allow them illicit access.

Hassan, A., Ishaq, I. and Munilla, J. (2026) ‘Enhancing IoT security in the post-quantum era: a hybrid approach to protection from impersonation attacks’, Int. J. Internet Technology and Secured Transactions, Vol. 13, No. 9, pp.1–42.

News media may use this press release as source material, in whole or in part, provided the content is not materially misrepresented. A link back to the original article is appreciated.

New Open Access article available: "Scaffolding GenAI-assisted peer feedback provision through metacognitive activities in nursing clinical training"

The following International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation article, "Scaffolding GenAI-assisted peer feedback provision through metacognitive activities in nursing clinical training", is freely available for download as an open access article.

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