Energy Sector Research Articles

Impacts of Effective Communication on Managing Rumour During Change in Higher Institutions in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Rumour management is an essential aspect of organisational change. Previous studies have focused on rumour management in corporate organisations in the energy, banking and health sectors with little attention on educational institutions. This study, therefore, is designed to identify the causes and channels of rumour and also investigate the strategies of managing them during times of change in higher institutions in Ekiti State. Uncertainty Reduction Theory is adopted. The study employs survey research design, and two Ekiti State owned universities – Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU), and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere (BOUESTI) are selected. 350 respondents are selected from both institutions; the two universities’ Public Relations Officers and six union leaders are interviewed. Cases of rumours identified include non-payment of salary, staff disengagement and overstaffing. The causes of rumours found out are lack of regular communication, change in administrative heads and uncertainty. The study further finds out that 104 respondents representing 30.1% of its respondents agree that social media are the channels through which rumour starts and spreads during change, and 113, 32.7% of the respondents agree that effective communication by management during change process is a strategy that can reduce anxiety and uncertainty that may lead to rumour in higher institutions in times of change. The study recommends that management of higher institutions should learn how to be transparent and maintain good relationship with employees through regular and effective communication especially during times of change.

Analysis of the Projected Climate Impacts on the Interlinkages of Water, Energy, and Food Nexus Resources in Narok County, Kenya, and Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa

The current changing climate requires the development of water–energy–food (WEF) nexus-oriented systems capable of mainstreaming climate-smart innovations into resource management. This study demonstrates the cross-sectoral impacts of climate change on interlinked sectors of water, energy, and food in Narok County, Kenya, and Vhembe District, South Africa. This study used projected hydroclimatic extremes across past, present, and future scenarios to examine potential effects on the availability and accessibility of these essential resources. The projected temperature and rainfall are based on nine dynamically downscaled Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP 5) of the Global Climate Models (GCMs). The model outputs were derived from two IPCC “Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)’’, the RCP 4.5 “moderate scenario”, and RCP 8.5 “business as usual scenario”, also defined as the addition of 4.5 W/m2 and 8.5 W/m2 radiative forcing in the atmosphere, respectively, by the year 2100. For the climate change projections, outputs from the historical period (1976–2005) and projected time intervals spanning the near future, defined as the period starting from 2036 to 2065, and the far future, spanning from 2066 to 2095, were considered. An ensemble model to increase the skill, reliability, and consistency of output was formulated from the nine models. The statistical bias correction based on quantile mapping using seven ground-based observation data from the South African Weather Services (SAWS) for Limpopo province and nine ground-based observation data acquired from the Trans-African Hydro-Meteorological Observatory (TAHMO) for Narok were used to correct the systematic biases. Results indicate downscaled climate change scenarios and integrate a modelling framework designed to depict the perceptions of future climate change impacts on communities based on questionnaires and first-hand accounts. Furthermore, the analysis points to concerted efforts of multi-stakeholder engagement, the access and use of technology, understanding the changing business environment, integrated government and private sector partnerships, and the co-development of community resilience options, including climate change adaptation and mitigation in the changing climate. The conceptual climate and WEF resource modelling framework confirmed that future climate change will have noticeable interlinked impacts on WEF resources that will impact the livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Building the resilience of communities can be achieved through transformative WEF nexus solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, equitable, and balance adaptation and mitigation goals to ensure a just and sustainable future for all.

Zero carbon agriculture: Sustainable practices and technologies for carbon-neutral food production

Since the Industrial Revolution, global expansion has primarily depended on the extraction of natural resources. Anthropogenic activities, such as the widespread use of fossil fuels, deforestation and other types of land-use change, have increased levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change. The most essential task in the world is to become carbon neutral by 2050 to counteract the deteriorating global climate change. To achieve this goal, it is required and challenging to modify present industrial processes to minimise GHG emissions and enhance CO2 removal from the atmosphere. The study suggested technologies to accelerate our race to C neutrality in a variety of areas, including renewable energy, sustainable food systems (increasing soil C sequestration and lowering C emissions), preserving the health of earth's largest C stores (restoring and protecting marine and forest ecosystems) and C-neutral chemical industrial production. The wealth of information offered in this study has the potential to enthral the global population and encourage the creation of innovative solutions to avert climate change while also supporting human activities. It also includes carbon sequestration solutions to facilitate the energy sector's net zero.

Road Performance and Multi-Objective Optimization Study of rWTB—Salt-Retaining Asphalt Mixture

With the intensification of global climate change, the issue of snow and ice accumulation on roads during winter has become increasingly severe, prompting the widespread application of salt-storage asphalt mixtures in highway construction of alpine regions due to their ability to sustainably release salts for snowmelt. The incorporation of salt-storage fillers significantly compromises the road performance of asphalt mixtures, particularly exacerbating deterioration in low-temperature crack resistance and moisture stability while accelerating pavement distress. Although fiber reinforcement technology has been validated for enhancing asphalt mixture performance, conventional fibers suffer from high production costs and inadequate environmental sustainability. The rapid expansion of the wind energy sector in recent years has generated substantial quantities of retired wind turbine blades (rWTB), posing a global challenge for recycling. This study proposes utilizing rWTB in salt-storage asphalt mixtures and investigates their road performance and underlying mechanisms through experimental analysis. The results demonstrate that rWTB fiber addition markedly improves the mechanical properties of salt-storage asphalt mixtures, yet excessive fiber dosages (>0.3%) induce localized fiber agglomeration, thereby slowing or reversing optimization trends. Given the multi-objective optimization challenge of rWTB fiber incorporation, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) algorithm was employed as an optimization tool. In-depth analysis yielded four distinct optimal fiber dosage schemes with performance-oriented priorities: 0.2848%, 0.2903%, 0.2881%, and 0.2882%. These findings provide novel insights for rWTB resource recycling and scientific evidence for enhancing the performance of salt-storage asphalt mixtures.

Importance of policy for Energy System Policy Making Transformation using the WSM Method

The process of developing policies and laws that apply to energy the manufacturing, distribution, and consumption phases systems is known as energy system policy-making. Energy policies are important in directing the growth and evolution of energy systems, providing security of supply, promoting sustainability, and helping to mitigate climate change. Energy sector development is critical for societal advancement, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. It incorporates a wide range of potential energy sources such as nuclear power, energy from renewable sources, along with fossil fuels (including sunlight, breeze, water, as well as natural gas). To cut greenhouse gas emissions, battle climate change, and achieve an environmentally friendly and less costly energy future, the world must prioritize the transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy system. The formulation of energy system policy involves a variety of stakeholders, including governments, regulatory bodies, energy companies, industry groups, environmental protection organizations, and the general public. These stakeholders collaborate to establish the objectives of energy policy, develop strategies, and implement the plans. energy system policy is critical in combating climate change due to how it encourages the use all energy produced from renewable sources, efforts to improve energy efficiency, and low-carbon technology. in order to attain aggressive emission reduction targets, research in this sector can give knowledge on effective policy formulation, implementation tactics, and evaluation frameworks. as the world progresses approaching an economy with fewer greenhouse gases, it is critical to understand the causes, impediments, and consequences of the shift to cleaner energy. research can assist identify the optimum governance structures, market mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks for facilitating the changeover to renewable energy sources while achieving carbon reduction goals. access to affordable, dependable energy services is essential for socioeconomic development and the eradication of poverty. research has the potential to shed light on the financial plans and legislative frameworks that might increase access to energy, especially in neglected areas, while addressing concerns of poverty and inequality. In order for the energy system to keep up with technological advancement, policy makers must encourage the use of cutting-edge energy technology. research may give decision-makers knowledge about emerging technologies, prospective implications, and the regulatory frameworks necessary to promote their acceptance and integration into the energy system. In this research we will be using weighted sum method. Clean fossil fuel power generation, natural gas combined cycles (ngcc), integrated gasifier combined cycles (igcc), improved transmission and distribution systems, decentralized power-fuel cells, decentralized power-micro-turbines. Evaluation parameters: impact on energy and carbon intensity, impact on security, impact on energy security, status and technological potential, barriers to commercial use. Result: the WSM method of Ranking Energy System Policy Making in Natural Gas Combined Cycles (NGCC) is got the first rank whereas is the Decentralised Power-fuel Cells is having the Lowest rank. The WSM method of Ranking Energy System Policy Making in Natural Gas Combined Cycles (NGCC) is got the first rank whereas is the Decentralised Power-fuel Cells is having the Lowest rank.

Innovative Bibliometric Methodology: A New Big Data-Based Framework for Scientific Research

The accelerated growth of scientific publications in renowned databases such as Scopus (Elsevier) and Web of Science (Clarivate) has made the identification of unresolved research problems increasingly complex. This challenge is exacerbated by the vast amount of information that must be analyzed, highlighting the imminent need for the application of big data techniques to extract relevant information for researchers, stakeholders in innovation and development, and regulatory policymakers. To address this challenge, this article presents an innovative, structured, and systematic methodology for conducting bibliometric analyses of scientific publications. The proposed approach is designed for researchers who only have an initial research idea, a broad problem context, or a general study area and require methodological tools to precisely define their research problem. The methodology follows a recommended flowchart-guided process, leveraging open-source tools such as Bibliometrix (R), spreadsheets, and text processing techniques to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric study. This enables the analysis of the intellectual, conceptual, and social structures of a research field, facilitating the identification of research gaps and emerging trends. As a practical application, the proposed methodology was implemented for the 2004–2024 period, within the framework of an applied research project in engineering. This case study aimed to answer key research questions formulated during the study design phase, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach in systematically analyzing scientific production. Beyond the energy sector and energy systems, this methodology has proven to be adaptable to diverse disciplines, such as health sciences, industrial management, construction, and urban development, provided that relevant databases are accessible. Through this structured approach, researchers can better define their research problems and identify future challenges in various areas of knowledge.

Towards a Sustainable and Decarbonized Grid: Zimbabwe’s Readiness in Adopting Nuclear and Green Hydrogen Energies

Abstract A shift towards a sustainable and decarbonized power grid is one of Zimbabwe's main goals in the energy sector. This study comprehensively analyzes the country's readiness to implement green hydrogen and nuclear energy generation. Despite the extensive energy studies available in literature, the question of whether the country is ready to adopt these two technologies remains unanswered. The literature lacks information on how well the country is prepared for green hydrogen production for its industrial applications. Therefore, this paper begins with a synopsis of current electricity generation and consumption trends, followed by overviews of nuclear energy and green hydrogen generation, respectively. The country's readiness to adopt the technologies under study is then examined by considering the available infrastructure, economic status of the country, supporting policies, regulatory frameworks already in place, social acceptance and the potential positive and negative impacts. An analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis is implemented, emphasizing the critical factors that must be considered. Recommendations are outlined to enable a strategic and seamless adoption of green hydrogen and nuclear energy, specifically small modular reactors. The main findings indicate that Zimbabwe currently relies on thermal and hydroelectric energies, with an increasing demand for electricity, particularly in the mining sector. In addition, adopting green hydrogen and nuclear energy primarily results in improved grid resilience, reduced electricity supply-demand gap, economic growth through increased investments, and mitigation of poverty. However, insufficient policies and regulatory frameworks, as well as increased safety concerns, can hinder the implementation of these projects. However, these limitations can be effectively minimized by technological advances or international and regional collaborations. Hence, comprehensive economic reforms, supporting policies, and regulations are required, along with capacity-building investments. The study provides policymakers, investors, and stakeholders with insights into the substantial benefits of considering these energy sources for a decarbonized and sustainable energy future.

From Wind to Power: Unlocking Latvia's Renewable Energy Potential for Climate Neutrality

The European Union has set an ambitious goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. To meet this target, it is essential to significantly increase renewable energy production. However, electricity generation from renewable energy sources is intermittent, meaning energy can only be produced when the respective resources (e.g., sun, wind, favorable hydrological conditions) are available. This often does not align with the electricity consumption demand curve and to meet the demand, electricity must be generated from fossil energy sources. In Latvia, according to 2024 data, the largest share of electricity is generated by hydropower plants (53 %), followed by thermal generation (29 %), with natural gas accounting for most of this share. Meanwhile, only 4 % of total electricity production comes from wind energy, which is a low figure considering Latvia's geographical conditions and wind energy potential. However, several large-scale wind power projects with a combined capacity of 700 MW are currently in the planning stages. The implementation of all planned projects could make a significant contribution to achieving the EU's climate goals. In the energy sector, meteorological data plays a crucial role in calculating and forecasting the availability of renewable energy resources and energy production potential. To assess electricity generation from planned wind farms, calculations were carried out to determine the potential wind energy available. To estimate wind speed at a height of 185 meters, available wind speed data from ground measurement stations were adjusted using the logarithmic function most frequently employed in literature. The calculations provided an estimate of the potential electricity generation from wind farms, with results visually represented by calendar months. The findings indicate that the total electricity output from wind farms could increase by 2383 GWh/year, allowing decreased use of natural gas during spring and consequently reducing GHG emissions. The data shows that during winter and spring months, the available electricity exceeds the electricity demand. Consequently, it is essential to find solutions to balance electricity consumption and production loads, ensuring the efficient use of valuable renewable electricity. Such solutions include energy storage, for example, battery energy storage systems or converting electricity into other energy carriers, such as hydrogen. Results can further be used to identify the most suitable methods for electricity storage.

Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Infrastructure Development

Objectives: To analyze the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) in sustainable infrastructure development. To examine the effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities of PPPs in realizing long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits. To assess global trends, best practices, and policy recommendations for enhancing PPP models aligned with sustainability goals. To explore the role of PPPs in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in energy, transportation, and urban development. Methods: Analyzing global trends and best practices in the use of PPPs for infrastructure development. Reviewing policy recommendations aimed at strengthening PPP models. Investigating how PPPs can align with the SDGs and contribute to sustainability in key sectors like energy, transportation, and urban development. Results: PPPs provide a viable strategy for financing and managing infrastructure, leveraging private sector investment, expertise, and innovation. Successful PPPs are governed by strong frameworks, transparent contracts, and fair risk-sharing arrangements. PPPs can contribute to long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits when effectively managed. PPPs have a significant role in achieving the SDGs, particularly in energy, transportation, and urban development sectors. Conclusion: PPPs are essential for addressing infrastructure deficits and driving sustainable development. To maximize their potential, PPPs must be governed by strong frameworks with clear contracts and equitable risk-sharing. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and stakeholders seeking to enhance infrastructure resilience, enable green growth, and advance sustainable development goals globally.

STATE REGULATION AS A TOOL FOR MINIMIZING INVESTMENT RISKS IN UKRAINE'S RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

The article aims to comprehensively analyze the crucial role of state regulation and policy in mitigating investment risks within Ukraine's renewable energy sources (RES) sector. The topicality is underscored by Ukraine's strategic goals of achieving energy independence, fulfilling its commitments under the European Green Deal and EU integration path, and the urgent need for massive investment to reconstruct its energy infrastructure, heavily damaged by the full-scale Russian invasion, ensuring a transition towards a greener and more resilient system. Attracting the necessary private capital amidst heightened geopolitical tensions and specific war-related threats presents a significant challenge, making the effectiveness of state de-risking policies critically important. The research methodology involves a systematic analysis of Ukrainian energy legislation, regulations, and strategic policy documents pertinent to the RES sector. It includes a critical evaluation of the historical evolution and practical implementation of support mechanisms, such as the feed-in tariff system and renewable energy auctions, analyzing their impact on market development and investor confidence. A qualitative assessment identifies and categorizes the diverse spectrum of investment risks – regulatory, market, financial, infrastructural, and particularly, war-related risks dominating the current landscape. The study synthesizes information to evaluate the coherence and effectiveness of state interventions in addressing these risks, especially in the context of the ongoing war and post-war recovery planning. The obtained results indicate that while Ukraine possesses significant RES potential, attracting sufficient investment has been hampered by persistent regulatory instability, including retroactive policy changes and significant payment arrears under the previous feed-in tariff scheme, which severely eroded investor trust even before 2022. Bureaucratic hurdles and grid connection bottlenecks remain substantial operational risks. The full-scale war introduced overwhelming physical security risks and market disruptions, demanding novel policy responses beyond traditional support schemes. The analysis reveals that existing regulatory frameworks are often insufficient to address the magnitude of current challenges, particularly regarding war risk mitigation. Effective state policy must simultaneously address legacy regulatory deficiencies and implement robust mechanisms, potentially involving international partnerships, to cover war-related risks and facilitate reconstruction efforts. The practical value of this research lies in providing evidence-based insights for Ukrainian policymakers, regulatory bodies, and government agencies involved in shaping the energy sector's future. It offers a structured understanding of the complex risk environment, informing the design of more predictable, stable, and effective regulatory frameworks and support schemes tailored to current realities. Furthermore, the findings can guide potential domestic and international investors in assessing opportunities and risks within Ukraine's RES market. The article contributes to the strategic discourse on Ukraine's sustainable energy transition and green recovery, highlighting the indispensable role of sound state regulation in leveraging private investment for rebuilding a secure and modern energy system aligned with European standards.

Investigating the Influence of Renewable Energy Use and Innovative Investments in the Transportation Sector on Environmental Sustainability—A Nonlinear Assessment

Ecologically sustainable economic development is increasingly recognized as essential to global efforts to improve and protect environmental and socio-economic conditions. The transportation sector is also important regarding the movement of human beings and goods. Fossil fuels are primarily used in transport vehicles and emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Hence, innovative investments in the transportation system and the use of renewable energy play a key role in overcoming this lingering problem. This study utilizes nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) methods to uncover key drivers influencing innovative investments in the transportation sector and the impact of renewable energy use on environmental sustainability in France between 1995 and 2020. The results indicate that renewable energy use and transport infrastructure innovations positively and negatively impact environmental sustainability. Both variables have different influences on the dependent variable depending on the economic shock period. Based on the outcomes, this study offers the following significant policy insights: (i) France could invest in innovations in renewable energy sourcing and incentivize switching from combustion engine-based transport systems. (ii) France should commit to the Europe 2020 strategy for green growth to ensure resource efficiency and promote environmental sustainability, which requires a coordinated effort to invest in smart transport systems that leverage technologies like the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics. (iii) Given that two-thirds of France’s electricity is produced from nuclear sources, the government needs to implement policies in the renewable energy sector to reduce over-reliance on nuclear energy sourcing.

Design Strategy and Optimization of a Renewable-Based Energy Mix in Latvia Region

The global increase in energy consumption is forcing the energy sector to evaluate the energy transition from fossil-based systems to renewable energy sources. Unfortunately, the impact of non-dispatchable generation affects grid stability and the ability to meet night time loads. In addition, a shift from summer to winter is required to increase the penetration of renewables. The introduction of storage technologies and the energy mix could overcome some of the problems associated with the green revolution. The aim of the work is to assess the best combination of generation systems and storage to meet the electricity needs of a 100 MW peak load city in the Latvian region with an annual energy load of 700 GWh. The energy hub considered, shown in the figure, represents a valuable evolution of a traditional gas-fired power plant coupled with the most cost-effective renewable resource generators: photovoltaic and wind turbines. To exploit the renewable surplus, part of the electricity is converted into hydrogen, which drives a fuel cell and a methanation system linked to the gas turbine. The method used is Trnsys-based numerical modelling coupled with multivariable particle swarm optimization to minimise the levelized cost of electricity under different renewable penetration scenarios. The LCOE is 0.96 EUR/kWh for a 50 % RES production and doubles for a fully renewable system. The optimised energy mix includes an electrolyser with a capacity equivalent to 24 % of the renewable capacity. The results of the analysis show the crucial role of the H2 system, which is 20 times larger than the CH4 system.

Transforming Energy Use in Agriculture: Pathways to Sustainability and Climate Neutrality in Latvia

The agricultural sector plays an essential role in shifting to a low-carbon economy and climate neutrality. The modernization of the agriculture sector is closely linked to improvements in efficiency and productivity while maintaining sustainability. As one of the main sectors contributing to climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions, the agriculture sector is a crucial player in striving towards more sustainable agricultural systems. A critical challenge in agriculture is the sector's entrenched reliance on fossil fuels, which hinders its progress and prolongs the timeline for achieving climate neutrality. Sustainable agriculture should be implemented in common agricultural policies and payment schemes. The aim of this research is to analyze the potential of transforming energy use in Latvia's agricultural sector towards climate neutrality and energy sustainability. EnergyPRO modelling for the assessment of the energy sector and the possibilities of implementing an energy-sustainable approach were applied, and twenty-five scenarios were analyzed to assess the emissions generated and resources consumed to produce 10 MWh of heat and electricity in both individual and cogeneration systems. The results indicated that hydrogen from wind energy is the most energyefficient resource for thermal or combined heat and power production; hydrogen from wind or solar energy has emerged as the most efficient for electricity production.

Economic Performance Disclosure Practices as per Gri-G4 Guidelines -A Case Study of Indian Oil Corporation

Objective: To examine the disclosure practices of economic performance by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and evaluate its alignment with global reporting standards, particularly the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines. Methodology: The study employs a case study approach, using secondary data from IOC's reports and publicly available documents. to assess the extent and quality of economic performance disclosures in alignment with GRI guideline content analysis techniques were applied. Findings: The analysis reveals that the Indian Oil Corporation has progressively improved its economic performance reporting practices, adhering to GRI standards. However, gaps remain, indicating scope for further adoption and compliance with integrated reporting frameworks. Practical Implications: The findings underscore the need for organizations in environmentally sensitive sectors, such as oil and gas, to enhance transparency in both financial and non-financial disclosures. This can enable stakeholders to better evaluate the organization’s socioeconomic and sustainability contributions, fostering accountability and informed decision-making. Originality/value: This study contributes to the limited literature on integrated reporting practices in emerging economies, particularly within the Indian energy sector. It offers pragmatic understanding into how a major public-sector enterprise navigates evolving stakeholder expectations, emphasising the growing relevance of non-financial disclosures alongside traditional financial metrics. Paper type: Case Study

Recovering Rare-Earth Magnets from Wind Turbines—A Potential Analysis for Germany

Wind power forms the major contributor to Germany’s goal of transforming the energy sector and becoming climate-neutral until 2045. The increasing installation of wind turbines comes with an increasing demand for rare-earth elements, especially neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium, to produce high-performing magnets. However, these elements are considered to be critical raw materials because of their supply risk and economic importance. The European Commission aims to ensure supply chain resilience by improving the circularity of these critical raw materials. After an average of 20 years, wind turbines transition into their End-of-Life phase. This work aims to map the present and future potential of NdFeB magnets used in wind turbines in Germany to be introduced into a circular economy resulting in material amounts of potentially recycled magnets and secondary rare-earth elements considering different potential End-of-Life pathways.

Artificial Intelligence and Integrated Optimization in the Energy Sector: Advances in Photovoltaic System

The integration of artificial intelligence and digital twins in the energy sector is revolutionizing the industry, especially how solar plants are monitored and managed. Digital twins create virtual representations of physical systems, enabling early fault detection, performance optimization, and predictive simulations of operational scenarios. AI enhances these capabilities by leveraging machine learning algorithms that analyze real-time data to improve fault prediction and preventive maintenance. This article reviews both Machine-Learning and physics-based approaches for implementing digital twins in photovoltaic systems, highlighting their calibration using machine learning techniques. Furthermore, it explores current AI applications in system optimization, fault diagnosis, and predictive maintenance for photovoltaic plants. Finally, emerging trends are discussed, particularly the convergence of these technologies with the Internet of Things and intelligent automation, aiming to enhance the efficiency and reliability of solar energy generation.

Examining Diverse Investors in the Clean Energy and Environmental Technology Sector: A Network Analysis from Japan

Startups in the clean energy and environmental technology (CEET) sector can develop sustainable innovations, but mobilizing private finance has been difficult. As the venture capital (VC) investment model was found to be not well-suited for the CEET startups, diverse types of investors have received more attention. However, since previous studies have been dominated by a VC-centric perspective in the US and have overlooked collaborative relationships, the roles of various CEET investors have not been systematically analyzed. This study aims to analyze the diverse investors in the CEET investor network formed through co-investment syndication, using Japan as an underexplored regional context. Based on Japan’s comprehensive data from 2008 to 2022, this study examines the evolution, structure, and communities of the network. The analysis identified the development stages of the investor network: the formation stage (2008–2012), the expansion and diversification stage (2013–2017), and the stable growth stage (2018–2022). The results confirmed the strong influence of VCs, while a community analysis suggested the bridging role of governmental venture capital. The findings based on the CEET investor network contribute to expanding both the theoretical understanding and practical implications for overcoming the financing difficulties of CEET startups to address the climate change crisis.

Reshaping roles and value logics among distributed system operators for future electricity systems

BackgroundThis paper seeks to explore the roles of distribution system operators (DSOs) in future energy systems. Measures to combat climate change have led to a transition in the energy sector, where old system fundamentals are becoming obsolete, which results in changing rules for incumbent actors, such as DSOs. These actors must uphold heavily regulated operations within their distribution networks, while landscape trends are changing with a growing number of prosumers and distributed energy resources. To understand these future roles and increase the preparedness for future scenarios and facilitate thinking beyond current lock-ins, action-oriented workshops were held with two Swedish DSOs, departing from pre-developed future imaginaries, structured through transition theory. Researchers were actively involved in the workshops, to guide the participants in the discussions and to provide additional knowledge from transition processes. This was structured through transition theory, mainly in terms of linking transition management fundamentals to the topics in the workshops and basing the workshop discussions on an imagined future socio-technical system-wide approach using four focus areas.ResultsResults included descriptions of roles within future energy systems and their connection to specified value logics from different target groups which would, from the DSO perspective, create value in a future energy system. Roles included sustainable developer, facilitator for increased collaboration, balancing actor, and communicator. In addition, competence requirements were outlined concerning the described roles. The future logic was also described in a conceptual value model for an active DSO in a prosumer-oriented energy system, creating value in all different value logics. Moreover, it provided the steps necessary to develop a pathway aimed at the transformation of DSOs.ConclusionsThe study provided a constructive approach for DSOs to prepare for a future, more prosumer-oriented and flexible energy system, avoiding being locked in current system thinking and focusing on necessary roles and competencies suitable for a DSO. In addition, the utilization of the value logics approach helped place the prosumers in a differentiated manner, which can have implications for strategies among DSOs to create the necessary relations and collaborations for an efficient and value-creating future energy system.

The Effect of Financial Distress, Audit Delay, and Audit Quality on Auditor Switching in Energy Sector Companies in Indonesia

This research is motivated by the Endron scandal that has occurred, which is an energy company based in Houston, Texas, United States. The Endron scandal modified and displayed incorrect financial data which resulted in KAP having to participate in accounting for the company's financial statements. This problem has an impact on Indonesia so that there is a regulation on the replacement of auditors or KAP in auditing the company's financial statements. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of financial distress, audit delay, and audit quality on auditor switching. This study uses a quantitative method with an associative approach and the characteristics of the problem including comparative causal research. The research population of energy sector companies listed on the IDX for the 2018-2022 period is 75 companies. The sample used was 8 companies, so that the audited financial statement data was used as many as 40 data. However, there are outliers to produce better data, so the sample is processed as many as 38 data. The results stated that financial distress had no effect on switching auditors, audit delay variables had an effect on switching auditors and audit quality had no effect on switching auditors. Meanwhile, tests conducted simultaneously showed that all variables of financial distress, audit delay, and audit quality had a significant effect on auditor switching. Finally, the author suggests that all interested parties can see information through the official website provided, so it is important to publish

Flexibility Value of Reshoring Capacity Under Policy Uncertainty and Domestic Competition

Problem definition: Companies operating global supply chains face growing policy uncertainties that affect the costs of importing raw materials (RM) and finished goods (FG) from low-cost to developed countries, as well as the relative profitability of production in different countries. This has prompted the need for diversified global supply chains often involving the addition of onshore production alongside existing offshore facilities. Motivated by recent developments in the U.S. clean energy sector, this paper adopts a game-theoretic model to analyze a global firm’s reshoring capacity decision and output quantity competition with a domestic manufacturer under policy uncertainty. We examine the effects of these policies on operational decisions and profitability for both firms. Methodology/results: We show that the impact of FG tariffs depends on two opposite effects: an output quantity effect that leads to reduction of reshoring investment as the expected unit cost in serving the market increases and an overflow demand effect that encourages more reshoring investment to minimize the overflow of unsatisfied production to offshore locations. RM tariffs do not affect overflow production, and the output quantity effect will always dampen reshoring investment. Because consumer tax credits directly influence market demand, when firms’ output decisions are made after demand and therefore policy realization, the output quantity effect is absent. The overflow demand effect and stimulated higher demand will incentivize higher reshoring investment. Furthermore, we show that higher tariffs hurt the global firm’s profit as tariffs increase its average output cost, whereas tax credits can benefit the firm. Although both policies are intended to protect domestic firms, they may negatively affect their profit when the global firm’s reshoring capacity is high, intensifying competition between them. Finally, the existence of domestic competition will reduce reshoring investment when domestic manufacturing is efficient. However, when global firms have significant cost advantage, the presence of domestic competition may encourage aggressive reshoring investment. Managerial implications: For global firms, investing in reshoring capacity creates a “real option” in production allocation in serving the market, and the provided operational flexibility enhances competitiveness in an uncertain environment. For policymakers, it is crucial to carefully consider the tariff level, which stage of a supply chain to execute trade restrictions on, and tax credit amounts to be used. Very high tariffs on moderate size markets may have unexpected effect on reshoring. Trade and industrial policies should be carefully analyzed for their effectiveness, accounting for cost disadvantages of domestic competitors and market demand strength. Funding: X. Tan was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [Grant JKN02242202]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2023.0387 .