Research Research Articles

Whistleblowing academic research: historical perspective

Purpose For more than four decades, scholars from diverse disciplines and countries have been interested in the act of whistleblowing. To battle financial fraud, financial regulators have been developing whistleblowing programs to motivate and protect whistleblowers, i.e. those who sound the alarm after witnessing an illegal act in their organization. The purpose of this article is to review five historical phases of whistleblowing research. The authors analyze the themes covered by whistleblowing studies conducted over the past 50 years and draw a snapshot of the evolution of whistleblowing research. Design/methodology/approach The authors examine academic papers published between 1970 and 2022 and inventory the disciplines involved in the literature and changes in the definition of whistleblowing. Findings The findings show the progress made in academic research (especially for the accounting discipline) regarding whistleblowing. The themes covered by academic studies became progressively diverse. However, this broader scope limited the depth of analysis and the level of self-criticism in the academic research. All but a few articles fail to view whistleblowing in light of its actual level of complexity, and the rationale behind limiting the definition of whistleblowing can only increase this myopia. Although most academic studies have adopted Near and Miceli (1985) definition of whistleblowing, the literature has yet to reach a consensus. Indeed, the analysis shows that Near and Miceli’s (1985) definition of whistleblowing is incomplete and narrow by today’s standards, not to mention out of step with regulators’ needs. Originality/value The main contributions are offering a big picture of whistleblowing academic research's evolution and proposing a more complete and updated view of this act.

Crafting an Inclusive Procurement Policy: Strategies for Embracing Supplier Diversity

Purpose: In today's global marketplace, diversity and inclusion have transitioned from mere buzzwords to indispensable elements of successful business practices. A robust procurement policy that embraces supplier diversity not only cultivates a more inclusive supply chain but also drives economic growth and social progress. Methodology: This article examines key strategies for integrating supplier diversity into procurement policies, drawing insights from existing literature and best practices in the field of supply chain management and diversity initiatives. Findings: The article outlines strategies such as incorporating diverse suppliers into Requests for Proposals (RFPs), setting thresholds for diverse supplier consideration, addressing risk acceptance and deviations, and emphasizing genuine efforts over token gestures. It highlights the importance of striking a balance between excellence and diversity while prioritizing active engagement with diverse suppliers. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: By synthesizing insights from academic research and real-world case studies, this article offers actionable recommendations for organizations seeking to enhance their supplier diversity initiatives. It underscores the necessity of genuine efforts in supplier diversity initiatives, advocating for the integration of diversity considerations into procurement policies to foster economic empowerment, social equity, and long-term sustainability in supply chain operations.

Governance dynamics and the human capital disclosure-engagement paradox: a Japanese perspective

Purpose This paper aims to delve into the nuanced relationship between corporate governance dynamics, human capital disclosure and their impact on the competitive positioning of Japanese listed companies. The study primarily examines how these factors influence employee engagement, a critical determinant of overall business competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach Panel data for Japanese listed companies for FY 2019 to FY 2021 were analysed using multiple regression analyses with two models. Findings The results indicate that the presence of independent and female board members has a positive impact on human capital disclosure. Surprisingly, employee engagement was found to be negatively related with human capital disclosure, signifying a potential trade-off between transparency and engagement. Originality/value Amidst the escalating emphasis on non-financial information and corporate social responsibility, this paper unveils a previously underexplored aspect of Japanese corporate competitiveness. Specifically, this study offers a fresh empirical perspective on the relationship between corporate governance, human capital disclosure and employee engagement in Japanese listed companies, a topic with limited academic research and no legal regulations in Japan. The findings have significant implications for companies seeking to enhance their human capital disclosure and employee engagement practices, especially in light of the growing focus on non-financial information and social responsibility.

Olympism and Chinese humanism: a critical analysis of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine China’s discourse on uniting all ethnic groups internally and conveying the human community to the world in the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics (BWO), reflecting the different Olympism of the East and the West and the intersection of Chinese humanism discourse to form the core concept of this study. In terms of research methods, this study took the opening ceremony of the BWO as the research object, collected the content of the opening ceremony of the 2022 BWO, media reports, and related academic research, and analyzed the discussion of the 2022 BWO at the opening ceremony. The results have shown that the BWO opening ceremony continues the Chinese humanism concept of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showing the connotation of people-oriented patriotism and emphasizing the ideal of a community with a shared future for humanity in the world. This study concludes that the BWO opening ceremony emphasizes Chinese tradition, culture, and patriotism. At the same time, the opening ceremony’s theme is set as the concept of “One World, One Family.” This discourse has formed a contrast between cosmopolitanism and patriotism, which not only shows the contradiction in the internal discourse of Chinese humanism but also shows the dialogue’s dilemma between the Asian value thinking advocated by Chinese humanism and the universal values of individualism and human rights emphasized by Western concepts.

ENHANCING DEEPFAKE DETECTION: LEVERAGING MTCNN AND INCEPTION RESNET

In response to the escalating threat posed by manipulated facial imagery in the digital age, our research project is dedicated to developing an advanced framework for the detection and classification of such content, augmented by a proactive user reporting mechanism. Leveraging state-of-the-art deep learning models like Multi-Task Cascaded Convolutional Networks (MTCNN) and InceptionResnetV1, our framework achieves an impressive accuracy rate of 92% in distinguishing between genuine and manipulated faces. The integration of explainability methods such as Grad-CAM enhances model interpretability, empowering users to understand model predictions. Additionally, our user-centric reporting interface enables active user participation in identifying and flagging potentially manipulated content, fostering transparency and accountability in digital media platforms. With the continued proliferation of deepfake technology, our research endeavors not only advance facial image analysis techniques but also uphold principles of trust and integrity in the digital realm, aiming to safeguard the credibility of information dissemination through vigilance, innovation, and collaborative action. Keywords: Deepfake detection, Facial image manipulation, Deep learning models, User reporting mechanism, Model interpretability, Transparency in digital media, Trust and integrity, Information dissemination, Vigilance, Collaborative action.

DEVELOPMENT OF NETWORK SIMULATION MODEL FOR EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY OF DISTRIBUTED CONSENSUS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE INSTABILITY OF NETWORK CONNECTIONS

The dynamic and unpredictable nature of network environments poses a significant challenge for distributed systems, particularly those relying on consensus algorithms for state management and fault tolerance. To address this challenge, this article introduces a novel simulation model designed to study the impact of unstable network connections on clusters running consensus algorithms. The model is engineered to mimic varying degrees of network instability, including latency fluctuations and connection disruptions, which are characteristic of real-world distributed systems. Our proposed model represents a significant advancement in the simulation of distributed networks. It employs a sophisticated network emulation layer capable of generating a wide spectrum of unstable network conditions. The core of the model is a highly configurable consensus mechanism simulator that allows for the adjustment of key parameters such as heartbeat intervals, election timeouts, and message loss rates. This level of configurability enables a comprehensive analysis of consensus behaviors under different network scenarios. The article focuses on the methodology behind the development of the model, detailing the theoretical underpinnings and the implementation strategies used to ensure a realistic representation of network instability. We also discuss the potential applications of the model, which extend beyond academic research into practical domains where distributed ledger technologies and distributed databases are prevalent. Through the deployment of this model, researchers and system architects can gain deeper insights into the resilience and adaptability of consensus algorithms. The model serves as a tool for preemptively identifying and addressing potential issues in distributed systems, facilitating the development of more robust and reliable technologies. In summary, the article showcases the design and capabilities of a new model that enables an in-depth understanding of the delicate interplay between network instability and consensus efficiency. By focusing on the model itself, the article aims to lay a foundation for future studies and improvements in the field of distributed systems.

Evaluating the sustainability of tablet devices in blended learning

Blended approaches to teaching and learning and higher education often demand the provision of substantial investments in professional development, curriculum change and technological resources. Given the intense effort required for successful courses, focus has turned increasingly on the sustainability of blended learning in higher education. In this study, we adopt an argument based approach to the sustainable use of tablet computers in a university pathway course. After mapping out the argument with key stakeholders, we conduct a participatory action research project that takes into account observations, interviews and personal reflections. Results of the evaluation point to a ‘weak argument’ for the continued use of tablet computers that demonstrates their use is not sustainable. We conclude with suggestions to turn to issues of curricular alignment and further adoption of argument based evaluation for educational technology.

“It Feels Like Temporary accommodation”: The Impact of Antisocial Behaviour Interventions on Alleged Perpetrators” Feelings of Ontological Security in Social Housing

ABSTRACT ASB interventions have been framed as a necessity to allow residents to feel safe and secure within their own homes by intervening with those who act in a way that causes nuisance or annoyance, however, little research has been conducted into how the ontological security of alleged perpetrators of ASB is impacted by ASB interventions. This research situates ontological security within the theoretical framework of vulnerability, suggesting that a lack of ontological security can heighten vulnerability among arguably already vulnerable ASB perpetrators living within social housing. Reporting from a wider, qualitative longitudinal research project conducted with alleged perpetrators of ASB, this article explores how ASB interventions impact ontological security, finding negative impacts on tenants’ feelings of safety and being “at home”, feelings of insecurity, feelings of being watched and ability to be themselves.

Mobile learning and speech technology for language teachers’ professional development

This study aims to investigate the use of mobile learning to provide pronunciation training for lecturers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) from Vietnamese provincial universities. Mobile learning offers a potential solution for the delivery of professional development to lecturers based outside major cities thanks to its capacity to enable learning anytime, anywhere. Mobile learning and speech technology are expected to facilitate lecturers’ self-direct learning to fulfil their professional development needs using their own devices. This paper reports results from a pilot study which serves as the first phase of an ongoing design-based research project. The pilot study was carried out to explore the feasibility of an online pronunciation course and identify potential problems for future course iterations in the context of participants living outside major cities in a developing country. The objectives of the project are to establish and test a set of fundamental principles for mobile learning to be an effective way of providing online professional development for lecturers based outside major cities and to shed light on the necessary adjustments in course design to make it a scalable model for future education planning. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected during two iterations of an online pronunciation professional development course for EFL lecturers from Vietnamese provincial universities.

The power of Us:

The power of community – of Us – has long been assumed to be important in adult learning. Student interactions on discussion forums are encouraged, and it has been claimed that they foster a learning community which makes a difference to student outcomes through collaboration and joint construction of knowledge. This paper reports on interim results of a research project to establish, firstly, if there is a correlation between student participation in forums and their overall course outcomes, and secondly, shares a matrix designed to code both social and cognitive forum activity, to support an investigation into the existence of a learning community in student forum conversations – the power of Us.

Bibliometric Analysis of Fintech Trends

The significant significance that the fast growth of financial technology (Fintech) has had in the creation of numerous academic research is clear. The patterns, impacts, and prospective future directions of this phenomenon that is changing the industry have been the focus of several studies. To gain a better understanding of the current developments in the financial technology industry, we conduct a survey of the academic publications that correspond to them as part of our comprehensive bibliometric study. Our research in the area of financial technology (Fintech) makes use of bibliometric techniques to examine trends in publication, citation networks, and subject clusters. Our major focus is a massive dataset that spans many years and includes data from economics, computer science, and finance. Notable authors, major publications, and new categories are illuminated by the most significant findings in the field of financial technology research. When we set out to conduct this research, we hoped to fill knowledge gaps, paint a full picture of the ever-changing fintech industry, and increase our familiarity with this extraordinary sector. Keywords: Fintech, bibliometric analysis, trends, financial technology, citation networks, scholarly literature, research themes, interdisciplinary, systematic approach.

Socio Economic Study of Toukoudi Millet Technology in Niger, Africa

Background: The study was carried out at the level of the municipalities of intervention of the REDSAACC (Research and Development Project for Food Security and Adaptation to Climate Change) project in the Zinder region. Materials and Methods: The data was collected on a restructured questionnaire including socio-cultural, technological and economic questions. The study took place in the form of an interview based on a questionnaire and observation of the actors at work. The study was carried out at the level of the municipalities of intervention of the REDSAACC (Research and Development Project for Food Security and Adaptation to Climate Change) project in the Zinder region.

Blue Lead‐Free Perovskite Derivatives: Structural Diversity, Luminescence Properties and Light‐Emitting Diode Applications

AbstractHalide perovskite light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) have made remarkable advancements in both efficiency and stability. However, when compared to green and red LEDs, blue perovskite LEDs still lag behind in terms of efficiency and stability. Presently, efficient blue LEDs primarily rely on lead‐based perovskites, which goes against the environmentally friendly practices and restricts potential industrial applications. Consequently, there has been a surge of interest in academic research toward developing blue LEDs using lead‐free perovskites. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the structural diversity of lead‐free perovskite derivatives used for blue emission, encompassing Sn‐, Zr‐, Bi‐, Sb‐, Cu‐, Zn‐based halides as well as double perovskites. Various material synthesis techniques are discussed, such as nanocrystal preparation and film preparation. Additionally, the photoluminescence properties for different energy band structures are outlined, along with the luminescence mechanism involving energy transfer and strategies for enhancing luminous efficiency. The advancement in efficiency and stability of lead‐free perovskite LEDs is also examined in this review. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities in advancing research on blue lead‐free perovskite derivatives and their potential application in LED technology is emphasized.

Students’ Perspective on Undergraduate Research Experiences in Indonesian Dental Schools

Undergraduate (UG) research is considered as an essential part of dental education. Numerous dental schools have included required course-based undergraduate research in their curricula. However, the implementation of UG research courses in the curriculum may vary between dental schools. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate student perspectives on UG research in the curriculum of Indonesian dental schools. A total of 203 participants from 10 dental schools returned the questionnaire. The participants were clinical students of the dentistry profession program who completed their undergraduate dentistry program from 2017 to 2022. The majority of study participants favored UG research in the curriculum of the undergraduate dentistry study program. Less than 20% participants perceived UG research experiments were not important in dental education. Factors that influenced these perceptions included the availability of adequate time to complete the course and sufficient support from research supervisors. Recommendations for improvement included providing an adequate time to complete UG research and adequate supervision to guide students to understand the conceptual background information of the research topics, designs, and scientific communication of data interpretation. Regular monitoring of students’ performance and progress would ensure completion of UG research courses in a timely manner. In conclusion, although UG research as a compulsory course in the Indonesian dental curriculum was well received by the students, overcoming the challenges is essential for the improvement of the research environment for undergraduate dental students.

Goat Q: A distributed message broker

goat Q, a distributed message broker explores the design and implementation of a robust message broker system. Utilizing advanced distributed concepts of network and synchronization the project aims to enhance efficiency and reliability of message delivery which fits in an event driven system. It also ensures fault tolerance and scalability. It also considers the integration with containerization and on premise and cloud deployment models to use goatQ as a message broker solution in production. The project seeks to unravel the intricate design of message brokers, illuminating the functionality of publishers, subscribers, and message queues. A key focus lies in a rigorous performance analysis, evaluating metrics such as throughput, latency, and resource use across wide variety message broker implementations. Scalability and fault tolerance, critical considerations in the realm of distributed systems, are addressed through an exploration of how message brokers adapt to dynamic scaling requirements and recover from failures. By synthesizing findings from diverse dimensions of message broker technology, this research project aims to equip technology professionals with valuable insights, aiding informed decision-making in the selection, optimization, and integration of message brokers within their ecosystems. Keyword: About four key words or phrases in alphabetical order, separated by commas. Keywords are used to retrieve documents in an information system such as an online journal or a search engine. (Mention 4-5 keywords)

Integrating clinical research into electronic health record (EHR) workflows to support a learning health system

Abstract Objective Integrating clinical research into routine clinical care workflows within electronic health record systems (EHRs) can be challenging, expensive, and labor-intensive. This case study presents a large-scale clinical research project conducted entirely within a commercial EHR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Case Report The UCSD and UCSDH COVID-19 NeutraliZing Antibody Project (ZAP) aimed to evaluate antibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 virus in a large population at an academic medical center and examine the association between antibody levels and subsequent infection diagnosis. Results The project rapidly and successfully enrolled and consented over two thousand participants, integrating the research trial with standing COVID-19 testing operations, staff, lab, and mobile applications. EHR-integration increased enrollment, ease of scheduling, survey distribution and return of research results at a low cost by utilizing existing resources. Conclusion The case study highlights the potential benefits of EHR-integrated clinical research, expanding their reach across multiple health systems and facilitating rapid learning during a global health crisis.

Exploring over a decade of systems engineering research center: A community detection and text analytics approach

AbstractThe Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC) is a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) of the US Department of Defense (DoD) formed in 2008 with more than 20 collaborator universities in the United States. Over the last decade, SERC has conducted research with Principal Investigators from universities within the SERC network, as reflected in technical reports (TR). These reports describe detailed information and analysis of the conducted research for every project under SERC support, such as written records of experiments or results of a scientific project. We analyzed the TRs from 2009 to early 2023 to identify research streams, topics, and evolution in systems engineering (SE) research using text mining and network analysis techniques, such as Louvain Community Detection and word similarity. As a result, we identified four major research streams over a decade of research projects, along with insights about topics and the evolution of SE within this time frame. Finally, we distinguished most profile authors and their most significant collaborations and networks.

Action research as professional learning in and through practice

ABSTRACT It is widely accepted that professional learning is a crucial aspect of the ongoing professional practice of educators. But how should this professional learning take place, and what arrangements enable and constrain practices associated with educator learning? In this article, we explore two case studies of action research projects: one undertaken with Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) teachers, and the other undertaken with Swedish principals. Using the theory of practice architectures and the Professional Learning Framework (see text), we consider what action research team members identified that they learnt through the action research projects, and what enabled and constrained that learning. The findings highlight five key themes that enabled and constrained educator professional learning and supported educators in making positive changes in their professional practice: power and solidarity, trust, recognition, agency and time. Further, reflection and collaboration were also highlighted as important factors in supporting educator professional learning. We conclude that action research can enable educator professional learning, can support the contextualised understanding of what works, how it works and for whom it works, and can enable educators to make positive changes in their professional practices.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Performance of Mount Kenya University.

Assuring the success of their organizations is every manager's most important responsibility. It is feasible for an enterprise to hastily achieve its objectives and gain a competitive edge by integrating a sustainable CSR. This research project aimed to determine how corporate social responsibility affects an organization's performance. The following clear goals served as its guide: to ascertain how CSR's economic, environmental, social, and humanistic cultural dimensions affected the performance of Mt. Kenya University. A descriptive research design was employed in the study. The study's target audience was the management team entrusted with conceptualizing and operationalizing the adoption of corporate social responsibility. The university administrative structure served as a guide for the study area selection, explicitly targeting employees of all management offices. The study made the best use of the primary data, which was gathered using semi-structured questionnaires with open-ended and closed-ended questions. The questionnaires were distributed using the drop-and-pick technique. The data gathered from the questionnaire findings underwent both quantitative and qualitative cross examination. Descriptive statistical methods were used in quantitative analysis. The usage of frequencies, means, and percentages that were aggregated and displayed using tables, graphs, and charts were complemented by descriptive statistics. The linear regression model was incorporated to facilitate data analysis analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Notably, the research reveals that increasing the economic dimension by one unit increases organizational performance by 0.158 points, the environmental dimension by 0.227 points, the social dimension by 0.590 points, and the humanistic cultural dimension by 0.442 points. The descriptive and correlational analyses indicate that CSR positively impacts all aspects of performance at MKU. In future studies, it is recommended that researchers examine the impact of CSR initiatives on the satisfaction of consumers as a dependent variable.

‘A Return, a Mirror, a Photograph’: Return Journeys, Material Culture and Intergenerational Transmission in a Greek Cypriot Refugee Family

During times of war, displaced families carry various material items that later serve as means for preserving the memories of lost homes and maintaining a sense of identity. In divided Cyprus, the use of material objects by people displaced before and during the 1974 Turkish invasion has been influenced by the opening of checkpoints between the two sides in 2003. This paper explores how different generations in my family reacted to and interpreted the rediscovery of a lost material item—a handmade mirror piece—during the return journey. It discusses how my mother located the item, photographed it, and placed its photograph in the family’s photographic archive. During the research project upon which this paper follows from, both items re-emerged through my mother’s storytelling about her experience of return, transforming the project into a form of intergenerational transmission. The paper portrays how the storytelling about the mirror piece and its photograph was interpreted differently by me and my mother, influenced by the different politics of memory. The paper also showcases the resourcefulness of refugee families in maintaining the memory of their lost homes, which simultaneously reveals their views and hopes regarding the political future of the island.