Power from the people

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 However, a reliance on overloaded tools and outdated systems used in conventional energy production contributed to problems.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.

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Research pick: Teach the world to give - "Understanding inspiration for social entrepreneurship – putting the social back in society"

Research in the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business suggests that universities have a bigger role to play in shaping what students go on to do after graduation, particularly in the growing field of social entrepreneurship.

Social entrepreneurship refers to commercial ventures that seek both financial sustainability and social or environmental impact. They are often driven by the urge to address issues such as inequality, poverty, pollution, and climate change. While business schools have expanded their entrepreneurship offerings in recent years, much of that teaching remains focused on conventional, profit-driven models. This study looks at how international experiences can influence students who go on to build organisations with wider social aims.

The research focuses on inspiration theory. This is a framework that distinguishes between being inspired by an experience and being inspired to act on it. This distinction is important as many students may encounter new ideas or problems, but far fewer translate that experience into a new venture. The study looked at 36 student entrepreneurs who launched socially oriented initiatives after periods of study abroad. The results could help explain how the transition from commercial to social occurs finding, as it does, that students consistently described their time abroad as a catalyst, though not a direct cause, of entrepreneurial action.

Many explained how exposure to unfamiliar social and environmental challenges, from obvious inequality to sustainability issues, prompted the students to think about their personal values and priorities. In many cases, this led to what the researchers describe as an entrepreneurial identity. This was a shift in self-perception in terms of who might see themselves as capable of initiating social change, rather than simply reflecting on the problems.

The findings come at a time when universities and policymakers are examining once again how best to prepare students for a globalised economy. If international experiences help bridge the gap between entrepreneurial intention and action, the role of educators may extend beyond cultural exchange into the realm of innovation policy. Traditionally, study abroad may have been perceived as a peripheral enrichment activity but today it might be better integrated fully and deliberately into entrepreneurship education.

Lichy, J. (2026) ‘Understanding inspiration for social entrepreneurship – putting the social back in society’, Int. J. Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 58, No. 1, pp.110–131.

Research pick: First the drying then the java jive - "Performance evaluation of a solar greenhouse dryer for coffee drying in the Peruvian high Andes: an energy, exergy, economic, and environmental approach"

A solar-powered drying system that combines greenhouse design with active air circulation could offer coffee producers a more reliable and lower-emission way to process beans after harvest, according to research in the International Journal of Exergy. The conclusion comes from a smooth blend of laboratory modelling and field trials.

Drying is a critical step in coffee production. Freshly harvested coffee beans typically contain more than 50% moisture. That level must be reduced to about 10% to mould growth and spoilage. Beans that are unevenly dried produce poorer-quality coffee if any coffee at all.

The system looked at the benefits of drying beans in a greenhouse-type structure that traps solar radiation. Such greenhouses can get hotter than conventional drying areas, leading to faster evaporation from the beans. The use of solar-powered fans is needed to move air through the drying chamber, reducing humidity and giving even drying, the researchers suggest.

Trials of this approach demonstrated that beans could be dried from about 50% moisture to close to the requisite 10% in just four days. This meets industry standards for safe storage and transport, the report explains. Key to success is consistent temperature control. Too hot and the flavour compounds in the beans can degrade. If the system is not hot enough then slow moisture loss leads to spoilage.

The study showed that a drying temperature of 52.5 Celsius is optimal, just right for consistent moisture removal without flavour compound compromise. Energy and exergy measures of the process showed an efficiency of 33% and 40%, respectively. The energy efficiency is less representative than the exergy measure. Exergy shows how much useful work is done in the process rather than dissipated as waste heat. A higher exergy efficiency means the system is making better use of the available resources. This is an important consideration in renewable energy applications and environmental audits.

Ayala Gonzáles, J.R., Marcelo-Aldana, D. and La Madrid Olivares, R. (2026) ‘Performance evaluation of a solar greenhouse dryer for coffee drying in the Peruvian high Andes: an energy, exergy, economic, and environmental approach’, Int. J. Exergy, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp.318–333.

Research pick: Engineering education, does it blend? - "Assessing laboratory designs in CDIO implementation for technology and engineering education via fuzzy TOPSIS approach: evidence in the Philippines"

Universities redesigning engineering courses are being forced to reconsider a long-standing assumption: that learning happens best in a physical laboratory, according to work in the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning. The research suggests that virtual environments may now offer the strongest overall case, though there are important limitations.

The study examined laboratory design within the so-called CDIO framework, the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate framework. This structures engineering education around the full lifecycle of a product or system. In this approach, laboratories are vital to the teaching process rather than being supplementary, as students are expected to apply theory in practical, project-based settings.

Institutions now have a wider range of options to offer than before, from traditional in-person labs to fully virtual platforms as well as hybrid formats and remote labs. Each approach has its pros and cons. Physical labs allow direct interaction with equipment but are expensive and limited in capacity. Virtual labs are more flexible and accessible but depend on stable technology and may reduce face-to-face engagement as well as being by definition anything but hands-on.

To compare the different approaches, the researchers used a structured method known as fuzzy TOPSIS, part of a class of tools designed to evaluate decisions involving multiple, competing criteria. The criteria they considered in their assessment included student participation, academic performance, satisfaction, exposure to technical problems, and the risk of unequal access to technology. The fuzzy element allows them to include subjective judgements, such as levels of engagement, which can be converted into numerical data for analysis. The work also used bootstrap resampling, a statistical technique that tests how stable results remain when inputs vary slightly, this gives them a way to check that the analysis is reliable.

Based on expert assessments, virtual laboratories ranked highest overall, largely due to their flexibility and scalability. Students can access them at any time, while universities can expand provision without the constraints of physical space. The shift reflects changes that have occurred in education since the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread adoption of online learning.

The work does not suggest abandoning physical laboratories, they remain important for learning hands-on skills and collaboration. Instead, the work suggests that a blended approach can be the most beneficial.

Teo, R.H., Sardual, R.M., Pangandoyon, H.F., Arranguez Jr., M.D., Lim, J.H.P., Villamor, F.E., Burgos, N.P. and Himang, M.M. (2026) ‘Assessing laboratory designs in CDIO implementation for technology and engineering education via fuzzy TOPSIS approach: evidence in the Philippines’, Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 36, No. 8, pp.1–20.

Research pick: Word up! - "Optimisation of intelligent English grammar error correction based on multi-strategy Pinyin detection and hierarchical enhancement"

A language-correction system tailored to the specific challenges faced by Chinese learners of English is described in the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning. The system combines advanced Pinyin detection and hierarchical data augmentation strategies to address long-standing issues in the accuracy and efficiency of language correction tools used by non-native English speakers.

Chinese learners of English frequently encounter issues influenced by the structure and phonetics of their native language. One of the most pressing obstacles is the misidentification of Pinyin, the romanised phonetic representation of Chinese characters. When Chinese proper nouns such as “Zhangsan” or “Beijing” are written in English, they can be erroneously flagged as spelling mistakes by existing checkers. These misclassifications disrupt the flow of writing and can mislead learners into thinking their use of these names is incorrect. Research indicates that almost two-thirds of Chinese learners encounter these kinds of errors.

The new system resolves this issue by integrating a dual-strategy Pinyin detection algorithm. It pairs syllable tree matching with linguistic rule-based methods to identify and correctly treat Pinyin terms as legitimate parts of the text. It achieves 99.95% accuracy and can process more than 5000 words per second. Such speed makes it viable for real-time use in education and the workplace.

By using hierarchical data augmentation, the same system can also highlight genuine errors in article usage, subject-verb agreement, and verb tense, aspects that are not always accounted for in the current systems. This grammar correction model uses a transformer-based architecture to treat grammar correction as a sequence-to-sequence task. It demonstrated high accuracy on datasets focused on common errors made by Chinese learners, around 85-90% for article misuse, subject-verb agreement, and verb tense issues.

English remains the lingua franca of the modern world. For millions of learners, mastering its complexities can be a daunting task. Traditional grammar checkers are often unable to account for the specific errors that arise from the structural and phonetic differences between English and the learner’s native language. This new system seeks to address that problem.

Song, L. (2026) ‘Optimisation of intelligent English grammar error correction based on multi-strategy Pinyin detection and hierarchical enhancement’, Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 36, No. 8, pp.21–48.

Research pick: Transparency and trust in the age of deepfake ads - "Navigating ethical dilemmas: the role of deepfake technology in modern advertising campaigns"

A study into the use of deepfake technology in advertising has found that public acceptance of synthetic media generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is closely tied to how familiar someone is with technology and the way such content is framed. The research, published in the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Governance and Human Rights, raises questions for regulators and advertisers alike regarding transparency and trust.

Deepfakes are images, videos or audio recordings created or altered using AI to make someone appear to say or do things they never actually did or to fabricate a happening. In terms of deepfaking a person and what they might say, the technology uses neural networks and autoencoders to alter facial features and to map expressions, voice, and movements to spoken words that may have been generated by an AI trained on the person’s voice. The technology is advancing rapidly and outstrips conventional CGI, audio and image editing tools.

In the age of scrollable social media and split-second soundbites, deepfakes that are near-perfect have the potential to distort reality and alter public opinion in ways that old-school propaganda and smear campaigns never could.

The research highlights both commercial potential and ethical risks. In advertising, synthetic media could enable personalised campaigns, virtual brand ambassadors, and faster content production. But researchers warn that the same capabilities challenge assumptions that video and audio content reflect reality. In fast-moving online environments, such material can be widely shared before its authenticity is questioned, increasing the risk of deception and reputational harm.

The survey results discussed in this paper suggest that younger respondents and those with greater tech savvy were more open to deepfake advertising, although most still expressed ethical concerns. Men were generally more receptive than women, but concerns over manipulation and consent were seen across demographics.

One key finding was the effect of language. Participants responded more positively to the term “artificial media” than “deepfake”, suggesting that terminology can shape perceived legitimacy and ethical acceptability even when the underlying technology is identical.

Verma, S., Mourya, P. and Rastogi, P. (2026) ‘Navigating ethical dilemmas: the role of deepfake technology in modern advertising campaigns’, Int. J. Artificial Intelligence Governance and Human Rights, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp.92–108.

Research pick: Water, water bottles everywhere - "Background on the intention to reduce the consumption of bottled water in disposable plastic bottles"

Research in the International Journal of Business Environment has looked at how Generation Z consumers in Mexico are trying to reduce their use of single-use plastic water bottles. The work found that their habits are driven by perceived responsibility rather than an awareness of the actual environmental harm caused by the accumulation of such waste.

Generation Z refers to people born in the mid-to-late 1990s into the early 2010s. This generation is often referred to as the digital native generation, although that also covers some of the younger millennials. The research thus looks at environmental psychology and consumer behaviour in the context of people who did not know the world before the ubiquity of the web, social media, smart phones, and 24/7 access to information and news.

The focus is on bottled water, one of the most persistent contributors to consumer-driven plastic waste around the world. The research shows that while Gen Z consumers know about the environmental damage caused by disposable plastic bottles, that understanding does not always lead to changes in their behaviour. However, it does trigger them, making them feel environmental guilt and shame and putting the onus on their personal responsibility. Ultimately, perceived personal responsibility and environmental guilt lead to a more positive attitude towards reducing bottled water use.

In Mexico, concerns about public water quality have contributed to high reliance on bottled alternatives, reinforcing a steady stream of plastic waste. The study describes this as part of a wider paradox: environmental awareness is increasing, but consumption patterns remain largely unchanged, perhaps inevitably.

Cavazos-Arroyo, J. and Máynez-Guaderrama, A. (2026) ‘Background on the intention to reduce the consumption of bottled water in disposable plastic bottles’, Int. J. Business Environment, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp.191–213.

Research pick: Cheap as chips - "An empirical study on buying behaviour of diners through online food delivery platforms"

Online food delivery platforms have changed our eating habits considerably. Research in the International Journal of Knowledge Management in Tourism and Hospitality has looked at how everyday choices are made and suggests that the characteristics of the platforms have a major effect on consumer behaviour beyond simply offering kitchen-free food.

The researchers found that three factors guide decision-making: rationality, emotion, and attractiveness. Rationality refers to the practical considerations, the cost of the food, whether there are discounts or loyalty bonuses, delivery time, and convenience. These are the most obvious drivers for using online food delivery platforms, and consumers tend to show consistent preferences for minimising cost and effort. This broadly explains the repeat success of promotional offers and time-limited deals across platforms.

Rationality does not explain everything, though. The team also found that emotional factors, such as feelings of comfort, satisfaction, or even mild prestige, play a part. The very act of ordering food online can evoke these feelings, especially when the whole process is seamless. The team suggests that emotional responses are often boosted by specific design elements on the site or in the app.

That latter point also feeds into the third factor: attractiveness. If a platform, whether website or app is visually and functionally appealing, then it will be better received. In practical terms, a logical, practical, and attractive interface will bring users to the table. Also, high-quality food photos and ease of use in terms of menus and transactions will also improve the diner’s experience.

A fourth factor, social influence, also had a part to play. The ratings, reviews, and recommendations made by other users will shape one’s own decision to use a particular service. A lack of impact of age, gender, or profession seems also to suggest that digital consumption patterns in this sector, and perhaps others, are converging across different demographics.

The various factors discussed all feed into consumer decisions, but one factor that seemed not to play much of a role, despite its incessant focus in sales and marketing, was ‘brand loyalty’. In this sector there seems almost to be an absence of brand loyalty. Consumers, the team reports, frequently switch between platforms and services. Competition, they explain, is driven largely by price and promotions, especially among the time-poor younger generation.

Krishnan, H. and Kumar, R. (2026) ‘An empirical study on buying behaviour of diners through online food delivery platforms’, Int. J. Knowledge Management in Tourism and Hospitality, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp.47–61.

Research pick: Chinese cloudbusting SMEs - "The adoption of accounting system based on cloud computing in Chinese SMEs: a research based on the technology acceptance model framework"

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China are, like SMEs around the world, benefiting from cloud-based accounting systems. However, while in many parts of the world adoption has been rapid, it is lagging behind in China. Research in the International Journal of Internet Technology and Secured Transactions has looked at the reasons behind this.

Cloud-based accounting refers to financial software hosted on remote servers and accessed via the internet, rather than installed on a company’s own computers. This model allows firms to store financial data securely online, scale their usage as they grow, and collaborate in real time across different locations and devices. For SMEs, which typically operate with constrained budgets and limited in-house technical expertise, cloud flexibility can be a critical component to their day-to-day practices.

However, there is a gap between cloud potential and actual uptake. The team has used the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework to explain how users come to accept and use new technologies. TAM centres on two perceptions: perceived usefulness, meaning the extent to which a technology is believed to improve performance, and perceived ease of use, or how simple it is to learn and operate. These factors have been quoted widely in countless studies of cloud uptake across different countries. In the present study, though, these two factors alone were found not to account fully for the rate of uptake among SMEs in China.

The team found that there are other variables such as perceived security, cost-benefit evaluation, and government policy support. Perceived security explains how confident firms feel about storing their sensitive financial data in the cloud, particularly in a regulatory environment marked by strict cybersecurity and data protection rules. Cost-benefit evaluation reflects the sensitivity of an SME to financial constraints and their preference for investments that yield quick, tangible returns. The third factor, government policy support, refers to the role of subsidies, training programmes, and regulatory signals in encouraging digital adoption and may well be the most important factor of all in explaining the uptake of financial cloud computing among SMEs in China.

In China, where state involvement in the economy is more pronounced than it is in many other countries, policy frameworks and regulatory compliance play a central role in shaping business behaviour. This suggests that theories of technology adoption must be adapted to reflect regional institutional dynamics rather than treated as global one-size-fits-all explanations.

Feng, S., Roni, M. and Arham, A.F. (2026) ‘The adoption of accounting system based on cloud computing in Chinese SMEs: a research based on the technology acceptance model framework’, Int. J. Internet Technology and Secured Transactions, Vol. 13, No. 8, pp.1–30.

Research pick: Legacy over lip-service - "Negotiating the legacy-leverage nexus: the contribution of major sports events to regional development"

A study of the 2019 Alpine and Biathlon World Championships in Jämtland, Sweden, published in the International Journal of Tourism Policy, is raising questions about how governments justify the substantial public investment required to host major sporting events, arguing that the widely invoked promise of “event legacy” remains too vague to deliver consistent, measurable results.

The research examines “legacy” as it is commonly used in policy and planning. In this context, legacy refers to the long-term benefits, such as the economic, social, and environmental impact, that host regions are expected to gain after an event concludes. These benefits might include increased tourism, improved infrastructure, stronger local businesses, enhanced community cohesion, and of course, increased awareness and participation in the activities associated with the event.

However, despite legacy often being an essential part of the application to host a major event, the IJTP study found that the term is often poorly defined and inconsistently applied. This makes it difficult to evaluate whether any of the purported benefits materialise or to put policies in place to ensure they do.

Using the World Championships initiative, known as WCR2019, as a case study, researchers analysed policy documents and interviewed stakeholders. The initiative was formally presented as a legacy programme intended to extend benefits beyond the immediate spectator and media attention. The event did foster collaboration, particularly between sporting organisations and the private sector; the study suggests that it fell short of delivering broader regional development outcomes. The research suggests that the main problem was a lack of clearly defined objectives, which makes measuring success difficult.

The researchers explain that the various issues they highlight are not unique to their case study but point to a broader structural problem with the concept of legacy itself. Legacy is often treated as something that will emerge organically after an event, but it doesn’t. There has to be a strategy in place to make it happen, and the researchers offer a framework that might help future planners ensure that there is more legacy than lip service in major sporting events.

Wallstam, M., Pettersson, R. and Ioannides, D. (2026) ‘Negotiating the legacy-leverage nexus: the contribution of major sports events to regional development’, Int. J. Tourism Policy, Vol. 16, No. 7, pp.1–16.

Research pick: Socialising governance - "A FAIR measurement of governments’ social media"

Research in the International Journal of Public Sector Performance Management suggests that governments hoping to maintain or even improve public trust in an increasingly digital society must move away from conventional one-way communication, such as leafleting and the party political broadcast, and adopt more effectively modern forms of engagement, such as social media.

The study finds an important issue that stymies effective modern government: accountability is vital to democracy, but standard communication models do not allow citizens to easily participate. Given the advent of social media over the last two decades, there is an increasing need for governments to adopt this two-way form of communication. In doing so, citizens will be able to respond directly to official messages, ask questions, raise concerns, and in turn expect a timely response from public authorities. Given time, this approach to communication between government and governed might improve public sentiment, especially in turbulent times and in times of political upheaval.

Social media, the researchers suggest, could enhance transparency, making government actions and decisions more open to public scrutiny. This, in turn should reduce corruption, favouritism, and nepotism by exposing public services. This openness would, hopefully, improve the public perception of service quality and boost trust where it is due. Conversely, it should allow the public to more readily call to account unscrupulous politicians and, indeed, anyone in governmental office.

Unfortunately, social media works with social rules that are very different from the traditional public communication rules, as one might expect. There is an expectation of immediacy, responsiveness, and ongoing dialogue. As such, governments would be obliged to familiarise themselves fully with those rules of the online world and to ensure that interactions are monitored in real time and responses are timely and relevant.

Alafwan, B., Siallagan. M. and Putro, U.S. (2026) ‘A FAIR measurement of governments’ social media’, Int. J. Public Sector Performance Management, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp.311-332.

Research pick: Food, sustainable food! - "Utilising the potential of circularity: novel strategies for minimising food loss and waste in the circular economy"

Policy reform and improved demand forecasting could be used to reduce global food loss and waste in a circular economy approach to the sector, according to findings in the International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics. The paper is rather timely given how governments and industry are facing increasing pressure to reduce food waste and feed a growing world population sustainably.

It is estimated that about one-third of the food we produce is never consumed. This not only represents a significant waste of resources and a tragedy for those living with serious hunger, but it also amounts to an environmental catastrophe, as the resources to produce the food have been wasted in their production, and then the waste itself is a major environmental concern that will lead to increased carbon emissions if the waste is simply landfilled or burnt.

There are two main categories in this area: food loss, which occurs before products even reach consumers, damage during harvesting, transport, and processing and spoilage en route, and food waste, which refers to food discarded by food outlets and households. The IJSAMI study looks at how we might adopt a circular economy approach to food production to address these problems. In a circular economy, the conventional take-make-dispose model of production is turned around.

In this approach, the lifecycle of resources is extended, and maximum value is extracted. In addition a circular economy involves the recovery and regeneration of materials. In the food sector, this might involve reusing agricultural byproducts, recycling water, integrating renewable energy, and designing packaging to reduce environmental impact. It might also involve creating reverse flows in supply chains, whereby surplus or waste products are redirected into productive uses rather than simply being discarded.

The research discusses the various factors that might allow a circular economy to be used in various areas of the food sector. It highlights the need for new technological and operational measures to be put into place to improve water recycling in agriculture, the adoption of renewable energy sources, and the development of sustainable packaging materials that extend shelf life while minimising waste.

Agrawal, SK., Singh, S., Shukla, A. and Kandpal, B. (2026) ‘Utilising the potential of circularity: novel strategies for minimising food loss and waste in the circular economy’, Int. J. Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp.135–163.

Research pick: Carbon myopia - "Managerial myopia and low-carbon transition development: evidence from listed companies"

The transition to a low-carbon economy is being impeded not only by technology and regulation but also by the mindset of corporate leaders, according to research in the International Journal of Sustainable Development. The study looks at companies in China and finds a degree of managerial myopia, where short-term financial gains are prioritised over efforts to reduce emissions and adopt more sustainable practices. The same lack of foresight is likely to be seen the world over.

Managerial myopia is a decision-making bias whereby executives prioritise immediate gains over long-term value creation. While this bias can improve short-term performance, this study shows that it commonly leads to underinvestment in areas essential for future growth, particularly environmental innovation.

The research focuses on what the team refers to as low-carbon total factor productivity. This is a measure of how efficiently a company uses inputs, such as labour, capital, and energy, while reducing its carbon footprint. In practical terms, it determines whether or not a firm can produce more with fewer resources and less environmental harm. The findings indicate that companies led by short-termism perform consistently worse on this metric.

Several mechanisms explain this relationship. Managers focused on near-term profits tend to cut spending on research and development, which is vital for developing cleaner technologies. They also scale back investment in environmental protection measures, such as pollution controls or energy-efficient systems. The team also notes that this mindset compromises human capital, which includes the skills, knowledge, and experience of employees. Training and development programmes, which support innovation and adaptability, are often reduced or even removed under short-term pressure. Such behaviour ultimately weakens a company’s capacity to transition to low-carbon operations.

Ma, F. and Li, H. (2026) ‘Managerial myopia and low-carbon transition development: evidence from listed companies’, Int. J. Sustainable Development, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 209–219.

Research pick: Getting down to business - "Critical success factors in exports: evidence from technical consultants in a Brazilian export support program"

A study in the International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets has looked at the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and found that there are several factors that determine whether they succeed in international markets. The findings move the attention away from the firms themselves to the consultants who advise them.

The research draws on the experiences of export consultants working within a Brazilian public support programme. Unlike individual firms or policymakers, these consultants observe multiple businesses across industries and over extended periods, which gives them a unique perspective. Their insights can show the patterns in how SMEs approach exporting and where they tend to encounter difficulties.

The work focuses on critical success factors, the essential areas that a business must manage effectively to achieve its objectives. In the area in question, exporting is not treated as a single decision but as a process requiring different capabilities and conditions to work together for success.

Among the most prominent of these factors is accumulated knowledge of international markets. This means knowing what foreign customers like, what the rules are, and how to deal with competition. Such knowledge is built over time and is linked to long-term commitment. Firms that treat exporting as a long-term strategic activity, rather than a short-term opportunity, are more likely to establish a stable presence abroad, the research suggests.

The team also found that having a clear export strategy was also a decisive factor. SMEs with structured planning regarding which markets to target, how products should be positioned, and how resources are allocated were generally more successful than those pursuing sporadic opportunities. In addition, management capability and product quality, as well as external factors, had an effect on success.

Critically, the work showed that no single factor alone guaranteed success. Rather, export performance depends on how well an SME coordinates all of these elements by taking a resource-based view.

Dorneles, C.P., Vieira, G.B.B., Lazzari, F., Salvador, C.K. and Ceballos-Ramírez, S.L. (2026) ‘Critical success factors in exports: evidence from technical consultants in a Brazilian export support program’, Int. J. Business and Emerging Markets, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp.1–28.

Research pick: It’s bitter-sweet, citrusy - "Socio-technical transformations in citrus supply chains: a literature review based on bibliometric analysis"

A review spanning a decade of the scientific literature has looked at the growing food waste crisis in which about a third of the food we produce is wasted. The work, published in the International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, has focused specifically on citrus crops grown across subtropical belts from Spain to Brazil to China and found that the waste is closer to half in this sector. The researchers suggest that we need a fundamental rethink on how food is grown and processed and how we can ensure that it reaches the people who need it.

The team used a systematic, quantitative approach to analyse 871 scientific papers published between 2010 and 2023. Of these, 111 met the criteria for examining sustainability in agricultural supply chains. Food supply chains account for about 70 per cent of all freshwater used by humans and use nearly a third of the world’s energy and are the second biggest source of carbon emissions.

Citrus was chosen as the case focus because fruit in this sector is the most widely produced and represents vast environmental costs at every stage. Citrus fruits are highly perishable, which makes them particularly vulnerable to waste. The researchers point out, however, that citrus represents an opportunity in the form of the “pomace” waste generated when the fruit is juiced. This is the peel and pulp that remain after extraction and represents half the weight of the fruit.

The researchers suggest that pomace may have economic and environmental value. Until now it has been treated as waste or, at best, low-grade animal feed. But it might be converted through anaerobic digestion into biogas, for instance. It can also be composted or processed into a soil improver. It also has the potential to become the raw material for bioplastics. A more surprising application might be in its use as a bio-adsorbent in wastewater treatment to remove pollutants from water.

Supply chain management theory has not kept pace with this kind of circular development in the food industry as it has historically focused only on the flow of goods, information, and capital, rather than considering the biological nature of the materials in the supply chain. The researchers suggest that this needs to change if environmental and sustainability problems are to be addressed.

Alzubi, E., Kassem, A., Melkonyan-Gottschalk, A., Gruchmann, T. and Noche, B. (2026) ‘Socio-technical transformations in citrus supply chains: a literature review based on bibliometric analysis’, Int. J. Integrated Supply Management, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp.1–45.

Research pick: Work till your mental bound - "Technophobia and ICT device adaptability in financial services workers"

Information and communication technology (ICT) has reshaped our lives, how we live, how we work, how we entertain ourselves. That much is true, at least for the developed and developing world.

ICT refers to everything from smartphones and laptops to software and cloud-based platforms and increasingly to the so-called Internet of Things (IoT), smart devices in the workplace our homes and places of entertainment and recreation. ICT has enabled constant connectivity and more flexible working arrangements, fundamentally altering the structure of the modern workplace.

But that connectivity may have come at a cost. One of the problems with the ubiquitous nature of ICT in our lives is that many people now have no boundary between their professional obligations and their personal lives. ICT has put many people in 24/7 contact with their work colleagues and their boss and conversely, they are always able to connect and access work-related information wherever and whenever. Research in the International Journal of Electronic Finance has now examined the social and psychological consequences of digital work environments.

The study highlights a tension that has become familiar across many sectors. On one side, digital tools have improved efficiency and expanded flexibility. Remote working arrangements, such as telecommuting and telework, allow people to integrate professional tasks into periods that were previously unproductive. Time spent commuting or waiting in public spaces can now be repurposed for work, offering workers greater autonomy over their schedules.

Yet this same flexibility introduces new pressures. The expectation that employees remain reachable anytime, anywhere has led to the rise of so-called techno-stress. Techno-stress encompasses several experiences, such as diminished control over one’s personal time, anxiety about keeping pace with technological change, and frustration when systems fail.

It is this latter issue that is highlighted in the study. Systems failure is a particularly acute trigger of techno-stress. When the very tools on which people now rely for so much malfunction, the inability to resolve the issue independently create a sense of helplessness that can affect both emotional well-being and job performance. In such cases, technology becomes less an enabler of productivity and more a source of disruption.

While digital technologies are usually adopted with the expectation of improved productivity, this research suggests that they introduce hidden costs, particularly in the form of mental health challenges. These effects can accumulate at a societal level, influencing healthcare demands, workforce sustainability, and overall economic performance.

For employers and policymakers, there is, therefore, a need for a broader understanding of technical well-being. Measures to improve system reliability, provide training, and set clearer work-life boundaries are now needed across sectors.

Dhas, H.M., Ancy, R.J., Sreejith, S. and Rani, R.K. (2026) ‘Technophobia and ICT device adaptability in financial services workers’, Int. J. Electronic Finance, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp.170–188.

Research pick: Addressing age concerns - "Upgrading path of aging friendly functional layout in residential spaces based on biology and computer software engineering"

As China’s population ages at an unprecedented pace, research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology suggests that homes increasingly fail to meet the needs of older citizens. By 2050, almost one-third of China’s population will be over 60, meaning the government and policymakers need to focus on safety, independence, and the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people.

The researchers propose a biologically informed approach to housing design. This would take into account the predictable physical, sensory, and cognitive changes associated with aging. Conventional residential designs often fail to accommodate the realities of physical and mental changes as people age. Small, cramped bathrooms, insufficiently separated functional areas, poor lighting, and excessive noise can combine to create environments that affect comfort and safety. According to the research, a more responsive design framework must consider not only structural changes but also daily behaviour and psychological needs.

The team offers a three-pronged strategy for adapting living spaces. The first part considers spatial layout and emphasises barrier-free access and the clear separation of dynamic zones, such as kitchens and corridors, from static areas like bedrooms and lounges, to improve accessibility and reduce the risk of falls. Secondly, furniture and facility design should be optimised for ergonomics, incorporating features such as adjustable seating, well-lit bathrooms, and sanitary fixtures suitable for those with reduced strength or flexibility. The third consideration is the integration of intelligent systems. This could include health-monitoring devices, environmental controls for lighting and temperature, and security technologies, all of which are meant to help older residents without making them feel like they have too much technology.

The team argues that such design improvements have benefits that extend beyond individual households. Age-adapted housing has the potential to improve public health, reduce medical and long-term care expenditures, and sustain social cohesion by promoting autonomy and dignity among the elderly.

Zhou, Y. and Fu, S. (2026) ‘Upgrading path of aging friendly functional layout in residential spaces based on biology and computer software engineering’, Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 27, No. 28, pp.60–72.

Research pick: A borrower and a lender be - "Unveiling the dynamics of peer-to-peer lending: a bibliometric analysis"

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, a form of finance that allows individuals and small businesses to borrow directly from each other through online platforms, has attracted growing academic and policy attention in recent years, especially as it reshapes traditional credit markets. An analysis in the International Journal of Accounting and Finance has looked at more than three decades of research in this area. The results suggest that while the field has expanded rapidly, there are many gaps in our understanding of P2P lending that could have implications for international financial systems.

The researchers examined more than 500 hundred scholarly articles published between 1990 and 2023. The analysis charts how interest in P2P lending has changed as financial technology, or FinTech, itself has developed over that period. By removing conventional intermediaries such as banks, these platforms not only reduce costs and accelerate loan processing but also broaden access to credit. P2P lending now serves borrowers globally who lack access to conventional financial systems. This opens up opportunities for many previously disenfranchised parts of society worldwide.

There has been a marked increase in research into P2P lending in recent years. This suggests that it is growing in complexity and economic relevance. Most of the research focuses on loan default risk and on investor behaviour, looking at the psychological factors influencing financial decisions and trust on both sides.

The emphasis on trust is central to the P2P lending model. Unlike traditional banking, where institutions act as gatekeepers and risk assessors, P2P lending relies almost entirely on digital signals of reliability and user-generated information. There are, however, geographical imbalances in the research, with most of it having been conducted in Europe and the USA, despite rapid growth of P2P lending in emerging markets. This issue suggests that our current understanding may not fully explain how these platforms operate in different regulatory environments or cultural contexts, where financial behaviour and institutional trust can be very different.

The gaps in the research limit the ability of policymakers and practitioners to design effective frameworks. The absence of regulation can expose participants to fraud or default. Nevertheless, in emerging economies, where access to traditional banking is often limited, P2P lending has the potential to expand financial inclusion by offering credit to small businesses and individuals without established credit histories.

Ritika and Khanna, A. (2025) ‘Unveiling the dynamics of peer-to-peer lending: a bibliometric analysis’, Int. J. Accounting and Finance, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp.145–184.

Research pick: Recommend-a-course - "Research on integrating naive Bayes and collaborative filtering into an online-course recommendation model for universities"

Research in the International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering introduces a hybrid recommendation model that could help with one of the common challenges facing universities offering online courses. How to recommend the most appropriate course for prospective students.

The approach uses Naive Bayes classification and collaborative filtering to improve accuracy and personalised course suggestions. This, the researchers suggest, could ultimately enhance the learning experience for students.

Online course recommendation systems have long struggled with issues such as the “cold start” problem, data sparsity, and inadequate personalisation. The “cold start” problem occurs when a recommendation system lacks sufficient historical data about new users or courses, making it difficult to provide relevant suggestions. Data sparsity, on the other hand, refers to the limited amount of data available for each course, which can hinder the system’s ability to capture students’ preferences. Additionally, inadequate personalisation leads to generalised recommendations that may not match the unique needs of individual students, resulting in a less effective user experience.

The hybrid model discussed in IJCSE could resolve these issues. By using Naive Bayes classification, it can predict the likelihood that a particular course aligns with the interests of a given student based on course features. Collaborative filtering then examines patterns in student character and identifies similar users to recommend courses based on what others with similar learning habits have chosen.

The system also adds a dynamic weight adjustment feature that adjusts the model’s recommendations depending on whether a student is a new user or an experienced one. This mechanism improves the precision and diversity of the suggestions, ensuring that the system remains useful for all types of students.

The team tested the system with data from 25,000 students and 1,000 courses. Compared to traditional methods, it demonstrated a 12% improvement in Precision@10 (the percentage of relevant courses within the top 10 recommendations) and a 10.5% improvement in Recall@10 (the percentage of relevant courses among the top 10 recommendations). Most notably, in cold start scenarios, the hybrid model significantly outperformed deep neural networks. Even with a data sparsity of 98%, the hybrid model’s accuracy fell at half the rate of traditional algorithms.

Chen, Z. and He, M. (2026) ‘Research on integrating naive Bayes and collaborative filtering into an online-course recommendation model for universities’, Int. J. Computational Systems Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 6, pp.12–21.

Research pick: Teach your children well - "Business perspectives on value cocreation as a mediator for entrepreneurial performance in educational contexts"

A study of junior high schools in Indonesia has found that educational leadership influences how well they cultivate entrepreneurial skills in their students. Indeed, these kind be improved by encouraging innovation from the top and by fostering collaborative environments in which students, teachers, and communities all work together to shape educational outcomes. The details are reported in the International Journal of Business Innovation and Research.

The research surveyed 350 schools and examined the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership and entrepreneurial performance. Entrepreneurial leadership refers to a style of management that prioritises vision, innovation, and the mobilisation of others. In schools, this translates into principals and senior staff who support experimentation in teaching, promote creative problem-solving, and encourage initiative among both students and educators.

Entrepreneurial performance, on the other hand, is defined more broadly than business creation. It includes the ability of a school to generate innovative activities, equip students with problem-solving and adaptive skills, and contribute to longer-term socio-economic objectives such as employability and resilience in changing labour markets.

The study’s main finding is that leadership alone is not the sole driver of such outcomes in educations. Rather, its effects are mediated by what researchers describe as value co-creation. This term derives from service management theory and refers to a process in which value is produced through interaction, rather than being delivered unilaterally by an organisation to passive recipients. In the educational context, this implies a shift away from viewing teaching as a one-way transfer of knowledge, towards a model in which students, teachers, school leaders, and other stakeholders work together to design appropriate learning experiences and solve problems.

In countries where entrepreneurship plays a significant role in economic development, schools are increasingly seen as a foundation for developing the entrepreneurial mindset in students. The research indicates that policy initiatives which focus solely on embedding entrepreneurship in the curriculum may not work as well as those that also improve and guide leadership practices and institutional culture.

Indira, S.S., Sasmoko S., Bandur, A. and Pradipto, Y.D. (2026) ‘Business perspectives on value cocreation as a mediator for entrepreneurial performance in educational contexts’, Int. J. Business Innovation and Research, Vol. 39, No. 8, pp.1–24.