Empirical Research Research Articles

The Digital Economy and Real Economy: The Dynamic Interaction Effect and the Coupling Coordination Degree

This article aims to analyze the interplay between the digital economy (DE) and the real economy (RE), examining how they impact each other in terms of empowerment and supply effects. The study object is China from 2011 to 2021. This study applies the panel vector autoregressive model (PVAR). The study’s findings underscore a delayed empowerment effect within the DE. While DE growth has the potential to substantially enhance the future overall expansion of the tangible economy, it might concurrently dampen the short-term structural balance of the latter. However, the supply effect in the RE mode exhibits a similar delay. The time-lagged factors relating to the tangible economy’s total growth and structural fine-tuning play a pivotal role in fostering the progress of DE. Self-enhancement mechanisms significantly influence the overall growth of the tangible economy. However, this mechanism does not have the same significance in regard to enhancing structural coordination. Although the tangible economy’s expansion can catalyze structural refinement, the inverse relationship—where structural enhancement profoundly fuels tangible economic growth—does not hold true to a substantial extent. By assessing the overall degree of coupling and coordination between the DE and the tangible economy, it becomes apparent that these two domains are not tightly integrated. Instead, they exist in a fundamentally coordinated state, with a year-on-year upwards trend in their alignment, albeit at a modest pace. Furthermore, this coupling coordination degree displays a progressively diminishing trend from the southeastern coastal regions to the western interior, revealing a pronounced spatial imbalance. The contribution of this paper lies in its comprehensive enhancement of the theoretical framework and empirical research in the integration of energy and digital economy, addressing sustainable development, regional economic disparities, and practical policy implications to support future strategies for blending digital advancement with renewable energy utilization.

Green rewards vs. non-green rewards? The impact of hotel marketing incentives on guests’ green consumption intentions

This study explores the impact of hotels’ green rewards and non-green rewards on guests’ green consumption intentions (GCIs) to drive guests to implement green consumption through hotel marketing incentives. In this study, green rewards are understood as incentives related to green products, while non-green rewards are related to non-green products. Three scenario-based experiments were conducted based on social identity theory and attribution theory. The results indicate that hotel marketing incentives can effectively enhance guests’ GCIs and that green rewards are more effective than non-green rewards in improving guests’ GCIs. Perceived value fit mediates the influence of hotel marketing incentives on guests’ GCIs. When guests make motive attributions that hotels benefit others before themselves through marketing incentives, green rewards have a more substantial effect on perceived value fit than non-green rewards. This study expands the theoretical and empirical research on marketing incentives in the field of GCIs in hotels and provides decision-making guidance for hoteliers seeking to motivate guests to engage in green consumption effectively.

Implementasi Awig-Awig Terhadap Krama Tamiu dan Tamiu dalam Hukum Adat Bali

This study aims to analyze the implementation and inhibiting factors in the implementation of awig-awig towards krama tamiu and tamiu. This study uses descriptive empirical legal research methods. Awig-awig in the Pedungan Traditional Village has been applied to krama tamiu and tamiu. The application of awig-awig to krama tamiu and tamiu is contained in Pawos 6 Awig-Awig of Pedungan Traditional Village which explains the recognition of krama tamiu and tamiu as part of the traditional village population which must comply with all applicable regulations. Inhibiting factors in the implementation of awig-awig towards krama tamiu and tamiu include the low level of understanding of krama tamiu and tamiu towards traditional village awig-awig, lack of socialization of awig-awig to the community, as well as village officials' lack of understanding of awig-awig which causes discrepancies in the implementation of village regulations.

A geographic information system and analytic hierarchy process drought risk analysis approach in arid south-western Zimbabwe: Prospects for informed resilience building

Climate change is increasing the vulnerability of communities to drought, with rural communities in developing countries being affected the most. The study assessed drought vulnerability in south western Zimbabwe based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) supported by Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. An empirical research design based on verifiable evidence of drought vulnerability was adopted. GIS and remote sensing data were used to execute the multi-criteria AHP for the determination of drought vulnerability. ArcMap 10.8 software was used for the analysis of drought influencing factors and carrying out the weighted overlay. Results indicate that almost the whole of south western Zimbabwe is prone to droughts with only 0.6 % of the area being comparatively better. It was also noted that the majority of the population are exposed to high and extreme risk of droughts as they are settled in extreme and high drought risk zones. The study recommends implementation of resilience building interventions from an informed dimension where specific resilience building initiatives are implemented in appropriate environments for high returns. This can sustain the communities in the face of increasing drought risk due to climate change in line with the aspirations of the universal sustainable development goals and the country's vision of attaining an upper middle-income society by 2030. A framework for creating drought resilience was developed to ensure that development stakeholders cooperate to build drought resilient communities in tropical regions with drought challenges like Zimbabwe and the rest of Southern Africa.

Educational Approaches with ΑΙ in Primary School Settings: A Systematic Review of the Literature Available in Scopus

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prevalent, it has become a topic of interest in education. The use of AI in education poses complex issues, not only in terms of its impact on teaching and learning outcomes but also in terms of the ethical considerations regarding personal data and the individual needs of each student. Our study systematically analyzed empirical research on the use of AI in primary education, specifically for children aged 4–12 years old. We reviewed 35 articles indexed in SCOPUS, filtered them according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, analyzed them, and categorized the findings. The research focused on the studies’ objectives, learning content, learning outcomes, learning activities, and the pedagogy of activities or the AI tools. Our categorization resulted in three main categories of research objectives regarding the creation, implementation, and evaluation of AI tools and five categories for learning content: AI and ML (machine learning) concepts in STEM and STEAM, language learning, mathematics, arts, and various other subjects. The learning activities were split into four categories: apply, engage, interact, use; project-based learning with multiple activities; experience and practice; and students as tutors. The learning outcomes were split into three levels: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. The pedagogy of AI tools falls into four categories: constructivism, experiential learning, AI-assisted learning, and project-based learning. The implications for teacher professional development are discussed.

Do global innovation networks influence the status of global value chains? Based on a patent cooperation network perspective

Under the impact of economic globalization, the internationalization of production and trade has given rise to global value chains (GVCs) and global innovation networks (GINs); however, few studies have explored the link between these two networks. This paper constructs a global innovation cooperation network based on patent cooperation data and then analyzes the impact of different network characteristics on improving global value chain status. Empirical research shows that the characteristics of GINs significantly affect GVC status; the higher the eigenvector centrality and network connectivity, the higher the country’s GVC status. Moreover, a higher degree of constraint is associated with a lower GVC status for the country concerned. The heterogeneity analysis further reveals apparent differences in the impact of GINs on different countries, manifesting as a catalytic effect in developed countries and as a disincentive in emerging economies; the effect is less apparent in developing countries. This paper provides theoretical support for the development of technological innovation activities and provides a reference for government departments to formulate policies on cross-border technological innovation cooperation.

People centric governance model for smart cities development: A systematic review, thematic analysis, and findings

In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, comprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, advanced urban planning and cutting-edge projects signify a dedication to modernity and prosperity. These nations, renowned for substantial energy reserves, are crucial players in the global energy landscape, contributing 45% of proven oil reserves, 25% of oil exports, and 18% of proven natural gas reserves. Significant investments in planned cities showcase the GCC region’s commitment to renewable energy with megaprojects serving as key promoters of a nationalist vision for modernization and sustainability. Criticism has been directed at ambitious designs and sustainability rhetoric, as seen in projects like Masdar City, originally envisioned as carbon-neutral but encountering challenges in realization.The implementation of Smart Cities in Oman is in its early stages, marked by a lack of comprehensive industry-level studies and an absence of an established frameworkbased approach. Limited industry-level studies address citizen-centric Smart governance thereby impacting Quality of Life. Current research emphasizes technology and innovation rather than the cultural sentiments of the local community resulting in gaps in people-centric approach. Moreover, there’s no empirical research to validate the influence of People on Public-Private Partnership enterprises in Smart City development, necessitating the development of a conceptual framework or model to highlight the influence of people on Smart Cities. This deficiency is resulting in a stagnation of innovation and an insufficient quality of life. The goal is to measure the effectiveness of the participatory governance model in improving the quality of life for residents within the smart city. By addressing the identified deficiencies through the application of participatory governance, the research aims to pave the way for a more effective and people-centric approach to smart city development, ultimately fostering innovation, enhancing the quality of life, and promoting sustainable and inclusive outcomes.

Educational Approaches with ΑΙ in Primary School Settings: A Systematic Review of the Literature Available in Scopus

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prevalent, it has become a topic of interest in education. The use of AI in education poses complex issues, not only in terms of its impact on teaching and learning outcomes but also in terms of the ethical considerations regarding personal data and the individual needs of each student. Our study systematically analyzed empirical research on the use of AI in primary education, specifically for children aged 4–12 years old. We reviewed 35 articles indexed in SCOPUS, filtered them according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, analyzed them, and categorized the findings. The research focused on the studies’ objectives, learning content, learning outcomes, learning activities, and the pedagogy of activities or the AI tools. Our categorization resulted in three main categories of research objectives regarding the creation, implementation, and evaluation of AI tools and five categories for learning content: AI and ML (machine learning) concepts in STEM and STEAM, language learning, mathematics, arts, and various other subjects. The learning activities were split into four categories: apply, engage, interact, use; project-based learning with multiple activities; experience and practice; and students as tutors. The learning outcomes were split into three levels: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. The pedagogy of AI tools falls into four categories: constructivism, experiential learning, AI-assisted learning, and project-based learning. The implications for teacher professional development are discussed.

What drives the adoption of digital technology in the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector in a developing economy?

Purpose This study aims to explore the determinants of digital technology adoption within micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in a developing economy. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of fit-viability and task-technology fit models, this study investigates the impact of environmental fit, task-technology fit and viability on the intention to adopt digital technologies among MSMEs. Design/methodology/approach This study validates the theoretical model using structural equation modeling, using data collected from 280 experienced respondents employed in the MSMEs in India. Findings The results indicate that both functional and symbolic benefits positively impact managers’ intention to adopt digital technology. However, subgroup analysis reveals that in the case of service enterprises, only functional benefits have a positive influence on managers’ intention to adopt digital technology. In addition, the findings underscore the crucial role of viability in shaping the intention to adopt digital technologies among MSMEs. This study highlights how functional and symbolic benefits motivate digital technology adoption in MSMEs. Originality/value There is a dearth of empirical studies investigating the factors influencing the adoption of digital technology by MSME firms, especially within the context of developing economies and specifically within the MSME domain. This study contributes to the theoretical discussion surrounding digital technology adoption among MSMEs in India. Through empirical research, it expands on the fit-viability model and formulates a technology adoption model within the MSME context.

Leisure studies and occupational therapy in Latin America: a scoping review

ABSTRACT This study explores the role of leisure in occupational therapy within Latin America, recognising its importance for health, well-being, and participation. Despite its significance, investment in this area is limited in the region. Using various databases and sources like Web of Science, PubMed, and others, alongside theses, dissertations, and books, a scoping review was conducted without time constraints. Employing Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR checklist, 30 eligible references were identified out of 2,276 retrieved. Primarily qualitative and mostly from Brazil, these studies revealed four conceptions of leisure: sociocultural, self-motivated occupation during free time, attitude, and subjectivity with “life production.” The findings indicate a promising but emerging body of research. Emphasis is placed on fostering research agendas through establishing networks and scholarly events dedicated to this theme. It is suggested that occupational therapy researchers create consistent dialogues with leisure studies; commit to the theoretical development of leisure based on the findings of theoretical and empirical research; diversify the analytical scale, including collective and structural processes related to leisure; and invest in creating networks of researchers and scientific events around the theme.

Strategic ignorance and procedural fairness preferences

This paper shows that procedural fairness concerns might be a possible explanation for strategic ignorance, that is, that some people avoid information on how their behavior might hurt others. Decision makers with procedural fairness preferences suffer disutility from inequality in ex-ante expected payoffs. Such preferences lead to strategic ignorance if decision makers are in some sense focused on extremes: they generally dislike inequality in expected payoffs, but care little about changes in intermediate inequality. Importantly, this property does not imply a particular curvature of the loss function measuring the suffering from inequality. The theoretical possibility result suggests that more empirical research on strategic ignorance might be warranted.

A Lifecourse Perspective on Singlehood

A growing number of adults are spending more of their lifetime as single. Nevertheless, existing relationship research still generally positions singlehood as something to avoid, limiting our understanding of the rapidly evolving position of singlehood within the lifecourse. This special issue includes four articles that collectively offer theoretical and empirical inquiries of developmental and historical trends in singlehood and relationship histories. We hope that the papers in this special issue will encourage scholars to revise and expand their perspective on relationships to include singlehood alongside committed relationships as a potentially viable and healthy status as well as a vallid point of destination.

Uncovering post-adoption usage of AI-based voice assistants: a technology affordance lens using a mixed-methods approach

ABSTRACT Despite the growing proliferation of AI-based voice assistants in our daily lives, how different functions of AI-based voice assistants affect users’ post-adoption usage behaviours remains an under-investigated research question. This study explores the nature and causation of post-adoption usage behaviours (effective utilisation after initial adoption or diffusion) within the context of AI-based voice assistants. Using a sequential mixed-methods research design, we first identify the post-adoption usage behaviours of AI-based voice assistants as a multidimensional concept comprised of routine use and extended use, then develop a contextualised model by revealing technology-specific antecedents, cognitive beliefs, and boundary conditions. By integrating results from the quantitative study and qualitative study, we find that three technology affordances (i.e., anthropomorphism affordance, interactivity affordance, and personalisation affordance) are salient antecedents of two cognitive beliefs, which further affect users’ routine use and extended use of AI-based voice assistants. Additionally, we uncover use frequency as a boundary condition and obtain a complementary view of post-adoption usage of AI-based voice assistants. The empirical research findings can extend the post-adoption IS usage literature and provide practical implications for crafting user-centred functionalities to facilitate effective human-AI interactions.

The impact of simulation-based training in medical education: A review.

Simulation-based training (SBT) has emerged as a transformative approach in medical education, significantly enhancing healthcare professionals' learning experience and clinical competency. This article explores the impact of SBT, tracing its historical development and examining the various types of simulations utilized today, including high-fidelity mannequins, virtual reality environments, standardized patients, and hybrid simulations. These methods offer a safe and controlled environment for students to practice and hone technical and non-technical skills, ultimately improving patient safety and clinical outcomes. The benefits of SBT are manifold, including enhanced skill acquisition, error reduction, and the opportunity for repeated practice without risk to actual patients. Immediate feedback and structured debriefing further solidify learning, making Simulation an invaluable tool in medical education. However, the implementation of SBT is challenging. It requires substantial financial investment, specialized equipment, and trained faculty. Additionally, there are concerns about the realism of simulations and the transferability of skills to real-world clinical settings. Despite these challenges, numerous case studies and empirical research underscore the effectiveness of SBT compared to traditional methods. Looking ahead, advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence and improved virtual reality applications, promise to enhance the efficacy and accessibility of simulation training. The integration of Simulation with other training modalities and its adoption in diverse global contexts highlight its potential to revolutionize medical education worldwide. This article affirms the crucial role of SBT in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and its ongoing evolution driven by technological innovations.

Are natural resources, sustainable growth and entrepreneurship matter endogenous growth theory? The strategic role of technical progress

The increasing environmental degradation is a major obstacle, despite the fact that the world has done a good job of dealing with sustainable development recently. This research sets out to fill that gap by examining 38 Asian economies from 2000 to 2021 in an effort to identify the novel factors that will determine sustainable growth. Progress in technology, availability of raw materials, technological advancement, and entrepreneurship are some of the factors that determine this. Similar to previous empirical research, this study's aims are investigated using the following tests: system GMM, quantile GMM, GMM, two-stage system, and one-step system GMM. Nonetheless, the results of the study show that technological innovation, gross capital creation, and the domestic labor force all contribute positively to economic development. In a similar vein, the endogenous growth hypothesis predicts that when economies develop rapidly, their use of natural resources would decrease. Additionally, some economies see a rise in growth when they engage in entrepreneurial activity and use renewable energy sources. This report also recommends some viable approaches for Asian countries to achieve fast development through the management of natural resources.

ChatGPT adoption and its influence on faculty well-being: An empirical research in higher education

ChatGPT adoption and its influence on faculty well-being: An empirical research in higher education

Financialization and innovation activity of Russian companies: Empirical research

Financialization and innovation activity of Russian companies: Empirical research

Travel footprint, or how responsibly and sustainably do professionals creating and providing travel experiences behave?

In the 21st century, sustainability has become a prominent issue in the tourism sector. While conscious and responsible consumer decisions are increasingly prioritized in our daily lives, the question arises whether similar scrutiny is applied during leisure and business travel. In this recent empirical research, these questions are examined in detail in the light of the travel habits of tourism experts. The findings indicate that tourism professionals make more conscious consumer decisions in their daily activities compared to when they engage in leisure or business travel, where economic considerations tend to take precedence amidst today's macro-environmental changes, alongside a preference for compressed experiences. We further investigated the extent to which tourism professionals attending a professional conference on sustainability behaved consciously and responsibly when choosing their mode of transportation to attend the event. In this regard, we calculated their travel footprint, which is consumption-based and solely based on the use of transportation modes. We introduced this indicator on a pilot basis, with plans to apply it more extensively and over longer timeframes in the future, and to compare it across different target groups. Our main findings that tourism professionals surveyed in the research consider sustainability to be important and even prominent in their daily activities, and less so in their business activities, only 11% of them consciously choose the means of transport.

Natural resources utilization, digital technology, and green development expenditures can reduce environmental stress: A case study of emerging economies

The current study focuses on describing global environmental issues and the initiatives of higher authorities to resolve them. Therefore, the current research considers emerging economies to demonstrate the vital environmental factors from 2005 to 2022. However, the second-generation estimation strategy was utilized to investigate the long-run impact of natural resources, information & communication technology (ICT), research & development expenditures (R&D), human capital, openness, and financial development on carbon emissions. This empirical research utilizes a series of novel estimators to investigate the study objectives. In light of the study's findings, ICT, R&D, and human capital are all important factors contributing to environmental quality. However, natural resources, openness, and financial development increase emissions. Under the investigated outcomes, this study proposes some green policies to attain a sustainable environment shortly.

Towards Sustainable Architecture: Energy Storing Bricks and Photovoltaic Systems for Self-Sufficient Residential Housing

This paper addresses the urgent global challenge of climate change by proposing a novel approach to residential architecture that combines passive design with active energy systems. Current studies show that buildings contribute 30% of the global energy consumption and is expected to increase with worldwide rising energy demands including in Indonesia. Studies have shown the abundance of solar exposure in Indonesia. This calls for the maximisation of photovoltaic system an electricity generation system that produces the least amount of CO2. The existing public preference of bricks as residential building materials for its structural integrity and passive design qualities highlights the potential of implementing energy storing bricks technology findings from Washington University. This paper presents a concept that combines photovoltaic (PV) systems with energy-storing bricks to create a self-sufficient home that can produce and store its own electricity. Our goal is to optimize both passive and active design approaches in order to maintain or enhance the standard of living that exists today while simultaneously move toward a sustainable future at the same time. Further empirical research is required to confirm the viability and efficiency of this innovative architectural approach.