Entry Barriers Research Articles

Low/no-code and traditional code integration in digital banking

This paper seeks to combine the merits of low/no-code programming (LNCP) with traditional programming (TP) systems for increased agility in digital banking software development. While it is easy to fall prey to shiny object syndrome in today’s dynamic banking technology landscape, it is not easy to select the right technology to suit the current and future needs of the financial industry. Instead, LNCP makes it possible to lower the technical entry barriers to technology development. Integrating TP with LNCP, when needed, compensates for the shortcomings related to LNCP and provides digital banks with a more comprehensive software development approach. The adoption of this approach improves time-to-market of new innovative financial solutions. There has been little progress in this direction, academically or in practice. This paper includes an empirical study, interviews with banking professionals, on the merits of LNCP and TP, as well as an experimental project implementation that integrates LNCP and TP in the development of a retail Internet banking application. In the context of digital banking solution development, the result of the experiment reveals the merits of LNCP/TP hybrid systems in terms of agility, scalability, change management and cost-effectiveness.

Quantum Computing for All: Online Courses Built Around an Interactive Visual Quantum Circuit Simulator.

Quantum computing is a highly abstract scientific discipline, which, however, is expected to have great practical relevance in future information technology. This forces educators to seek new methods to teach quantum computing for students with diverse backgrounds and with no prior knowledge of quantum physics. We have developed an online course built around an interactive quantum circuit simulator designed to enable easy creation and maintenance of course material with ranging difficulty. The immediate feedback and automatically evaluated tasks lower the entry barrier to quantum computing for all students, regardless of their background.

소상공인의 성공적인 경영활동을 위한 교육과정 개발 및 활용의 정책 방향성에 관한 연구

This study aims to systematically provide learning opportunities for small enterprises through the development of educational policies targeted at small enterprises. Additionally, it seeks to establish a policy framework that supports the business activities of small enterprises through the systematic operation of educational programs. Given the low entry barriers, many people may consider transitioning to small enterprises. However, frequent occurrences of business startups and closures are observed, especially when insufficient time is dedicated to preparation. Even with thorough consideration and market entry, only a few businesses grow into small businesses, necessitating preemptive planning for exit strategies alongside startup efforts. By providing systematic education, this study aims to deliver detailed knowledge about the current status to both small enterprise and those considering entering the small enterpris sector, thereby contributing to the success of their business activities. To this end, the study examines the characteristics of current small enterprise policies and the current status of educational policy implementation, with the goal of determining whether these policies are effectively applicable to both small enterprises and general adult learners. A basic framework for the curriculum was proposed by setting the educational goals and contents according to each period of start-up-growth-rehabilitation for small enterprises and presenting the contents by level of basic-in-depth-application. As a result, the study seeks to establish a foundation for the successful business activities of small enterprises.

Barriers to Entry in China’s Consumer Goods E-Commerce Market

ABSTRACT Purpose Although economists and strategy theorists have extensively researched market entry barriers in the Western industrial market and post-entry barriers in the e-commerce market, few studies have focused on entry barriers in the context of the unique challenges in China’s business landscape. In this study, a survey was conducted with 139 Chinese marketing executives of consumer goods e-commerce firms to elucidate the dimensions and relative importance of market entry barriers in China. Specifically, this study aims to explore the barriers to entry that exist in the Chinese consumer goods e-commerce market, determine their importance, and identify potential dimensions through factor analysis. Methodology/approach This study employed an in-depth interview with nine marketing executives from China consumer goods e-commerce firms, and the instrument was revised accordingly. Then questionnaire adopted a simple random sampling method to select 300 enterprises as survey respondents. In total, 195 firms completed and returned the questionnaires by the deadline, resulting in 139 valid responses being collected. Findings This study explores 33 entry barriers and reveals seven dimensions of China’s consumer goods e-commerce market, highlighting incumbents with an absolute cost advantage barrier as the most significant barrier, and the cost of establishing a branch office as the least significant barrier, as perceived by Chinese business executives. Research implications Extant literature has mostly confirmed the value and practical significance of market entry barriers in Western markets or industrial markets. However, there are few studies on entry barriers in China’s e-commerce market, particularly in the consumer goods e-commerce market. Our research attempts to provide a theoretical basis for China’s consumer goods e-commerce market entry barriers. Practical implications Studying market entry barriers can help firms better adapt to market changes, optimize their operational modes according to market demands and norms, and enhance their competitiveness. The exploration of this research could be utilized by e-commerce businesses to become more successful or avoid failure. Originality/value/contribution This study complements the existing research on market entry barriers in China and the West. It complements barriers to entry into the consumer e-commerce market based on the Chinese economic context.

ANALYSIS OF THE RUSSIAN ACCOUNTING LABOR MARKET FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE THEORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINISM

The aim of the paper is to show the failure of the institutional environment of the accounting system in Russia. For this purpose, we analyze the accounting labor market, where the existing disproportions are a symptom of the problem. The research is based on the theory of environmental determinism, which requires to consider the accounting system in the context of factors (institutions) that form it. This approach allowed us to identify a number of problems, among which the key ones are the following: the obsolescence of the profession due to the fact that young specialists no longer enter the labor market; entry barriers work inadequately; low wages are one of the reasons for the development of shadow economy in the country, etc. The study is based on the theory of ecological determinism. With the help of traditional statistical analysis and standard techniques of econometric analysis, two samples (on the example of Moscow) characterizing the «supply» (applicants) of accounting workforce and «demand» (vacancies) for it were studied. The analysis showed: 1) for job seekers: key factors (work experience, age, education, availability of certificates) do not explain the amount of wages they claim; 2) for vacancies: the «minimum» amount of wages (the left boundary of the price interval) is primarily influenced by the applicant's education and competencies, while the «maximum» amount of wages (the right boundary of the price interval) is explained to a greater extent by the applicant's competencies, and work experience may not matter. Work experience may indeed be irrelevant, as the labor market is 90% female accountants with more than six years of work experience, thus employers emphasize the competencies of job seekers. The paper confirms that the remuneration of accountants is extremely underpaid across the country, including in relation to the 'business and administration' group. A gender pay gap is also found, but due to the fact that the profession is predominantly represented by women, a conclusion is made about the industry specificity of the analyzed sphere of activity. It is argued that Russia in the foreseeable future will face a similar problem to that of the US in terms of the shortage of accountants. Future research should continue to analyze the institutional environment of the accounting system in Russia from the perspective of other factors (education, attestation, government regulation, etc.), and only as this is done will it be possible to develop a plan to address the existing imbalances.

From 30- to 5-minute settlement rule in the NEM: An early evaluation

Australia’s National Electricity Market has shifted from 30- to 5-minute settlement (5MS)— a major regulatory reform since its inception. Using a Bayesian structural time-series model over the period 1 October 2021 to 31 May 2022, we demonstrate that despite having no immediate impact on price dynamics, 5MS eventually exerts upward pressure on spot prices over time. Price volatility remains essentially unchanged. Moreover, dispatch-weighted prices (DWPs) for flexible battery generators increase. DWPs for aggregated gas generators barely change, while DWPs for incumbent black coal-fired generators unexpectedly increase. These findings support the notion that the market is gradually adapting to 5MS. For a more effective adaptation, energy policies must be in place to lower entry barriers for flexible, dispatchable generation capacity and reduce market concentrations.

Motivating factors affecting formalization of small informal enterprises: Evidence from an emerging economy

AbstractThis study investigates the motivating factors behind the formalization of small informal enterprises in Bangladesh, an emerging economy, employing the lens of institutional theory. It emphasizes how regulatory structures, normative pressures, and cognitive understandings shape the decisions of SME owners in emerging economies like Bangladesh. A significant portion of small enterprises in Bangladesh remain informal, leading to concerns over economic development, productivity, and efficiency. Informal enterprises often face challenges such as limited access to finance, market entry barriers, and regulatory hurdles. Recognizing the need for formalization, this research aims to understand the drivers behind this transition. A questionnaire survey of 304 informal enterprises reveals that streamlined regulatory systems, particularly one‐stop solutions and simplified registration processes, are primary motivators for formalization. Additionally, flexible collateral requirements for financing and lower levels of technological adoption also significantly influence this transition. These findings contribute to the academic discourse on informal businesses in emerging economies and provide key policy implications for fostering formalization through targeted strategies and policies.

A Model-Driven Framework for Composition-Based Quantum Circuit Design

Quantum programming languages support the design of quantum applications. However, to create such programs, one needs to understand the fundamental characteristics of quantum computing and quantum information theory. Furthermore, quantum algorithms frequently make use of abstract operations with a hidden low-level realization (e.g., Quantum Fourier Transform). Thus, turning from elementary quantum operations to a higher-level view of quantum circuit design not only reduces the development effort but also lowers the entry barriers for non-quantum computing experts. To this end, this paper proposes a modeling language and design framework for quantum circuits. This allows the definition of composite operators to advocate a higher-level quantum algorithm design, together with automated code generation for the circuit execution. To demonstrate the benefits of the proposed approach, coined Composition-Based Quantum Circuit Designer , we applied it for realizing the Quantum Counting algorithm and the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm. Our evaluation results show that, compared to an existing state-of-the-art editor, the proposed approach allows for the realization of both quantum algorithms on a high level with a substantially reduced development effort. In particular, the proposed approach shows constant scaling when increasing the size of the investigated quantum circuits and a lower change criticality when evolving existing quantum circuits.

Benefits and Practices of Social Media Marketing on Small-Medium Enterprises (SMES) in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority

In the 21st century, e-commerce technology has garnered significant interest from researchers and management, driven by the internet’s rapid growth. This has enabled customers to personalize websites according to their preferences. This study aimed to identify the benefits that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can gain from using social media to interact with customers, focusing on social media marketing tactics and their advantages. It provided insights into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in prominent urban areas within the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the managerial requirements for ensuring consumer satisfaction. The study concentrated on six key areas: profiling SMEs based on specific elements, identifying primary social media platforms used by SMEs in Subic Bay, evaluating potential benefits for SMEs, assessing the extent of social media engagement by SMEs, gathering input on ethical standards in social media marketing, and developing “RJM 24-points Proposed Guidelines for Social Media Practices.” Employing a descriptive methodology, data were collected from 51 respondents via structured questionnaires and supplemented by random interviews with proprietors, IT personnel, and managers. Statistical techniques such as percentage, weighted mean, Likert scale, and ranking were used for data analysis. Key findings revealed that increased brand visibility and feedback were the most probable benefits, while accessibility and advertising were the most commonly used social media practices. Ethical practices emphasize maintaining honesty, transparency, and authenticity in marketing efforts. The study provided several recommendations for improving social media marketing approaches for SMEs. These included encouraging financial businesses to diversify their products or focus on niche markets, motivating entrepreneurs to start micro or small firms to leverage low entry barriers and market adaptability, and prioritizing support for early-stage companies to enhance their chances of long-term success and profitability. Keywords: Electronic Shopping, Small Medium Enterprises (SME’s), Social Media Marketing Practices, Special Economic Zones

Analysis of the Pet Companion Robot Market

Pet robot is a kind of intelligent device with artificial intelligence and mechanical technology. These robots provide a solution to the challenges of balancing work responsibilities and caring for pets, while also enhancing the interaction between owners and pets to ensure the health of pets. The pet robot market is a new technology market, through the in-depth study of the pet robot market, it can fill the research gap in this field and provide new research opportunities for the academic circle. Through the research methods of questionnaire survey and literature review, we compared the global market strategies of large, small and medium-sized technology pet robot companies, combined with the quantitative literature review and questionnaire quantitative analysis, and drew the conclusion that the pet robot market has great potential, but the entry barrier is high, and the differentiation strategy is needed.

Analysis of the Pet Companion Robot Market

Pet robot is a kind of intelligent device with artificial intelligence and mechanical technology. These robots provide a solution to the challenges of balancing work responsibilities and caring for pets, while also enhancing the interaction between owners and pets to ensure the health of pets. The pet robot market is a new technology market, through the in-depth study of the pet robot market, it can fill the research gap in this field and provide new research opportunities for the academic circle. Through the research methods of questionnaire survey and literature review, we compared the global market strategies of large, small and medium-sized technology pet robot companies, combined with the quantitative literature review and questionnaire quantitative analysis, and drew the conclusion that the pet robot market has great potential, but the entry barrier is high, and the differentiation strategy is needed.

The role of trademark rights expansion in the formation and abuse of market power

Trademarks play a critical role in the creation and abuse of market power, in the sense that when expansively protected, trademark rights yield legal advantages that can be leveraged to lock in consumers and raise entry barriers. But this role has long been underestimated or even overlooked. Based on empirical research and qualitative case analysis, we find that the legal advantages created by the expansion of trademark rights are a key factor in the formation of firms’ market power in product domains with a high degree of information asymmetry. In situations where firms have market power, the geographical and cross-category expansion of trademark rights can enable and rationalize the implementation of abusive practices such as price discrimination and tying. Limiting the anti-competitive effects of the expansion of trademark rights requires the combined efforts of ex post antitrust and ex ante regulation.

Mothers with low incomes view both individual and structural interventions as potentially helpful for supporting early child development

Many developmental psychologists aspire to conduct research that informs interventions and policies to prevent income-related disparities in child development. Among growing researcher discussion about the value of interventions that target “structural” and resource-related correlates of income inequality and child development (e.g., housing, food, material goods, cash), rather than individual, person-centered correlates (e.g., parenting behaviors), the perspectives of mothers with low incomes may provide important context. 281 mothers with young children and low incomes rated various structural and individual interventions, framed as having minimal costs and entry barriers, for their perceived helpfulness. Analyses were pre-registered. Overall, mothers rated all interventions very highly, though they rated structural interventions as slightly more helpful than individual interventions. Mothers rated interventions they used in the past as less helpful than those they hadn’t previously used. An exploratory qualitative analysis revealed mothers’ desires for supports in other intervention domains beyond those addressed in our survey. Together, mothers’ responses indicated that they did not see individual interventions as inherently unhelpful due to a focus on individual states, knowledge, and skills. Implications for developmental psychology and intervention science are discussed.

Business model innovations in high-velocity environments

High-velocity environments trigger Schumpeterian changes in industry structure, consumer preferences, and technological paths. The ensuing uncertainties lower entry barriers and diminish the efficacy of technological innovations in sustaining the competitive advantage. Further, lower entry barriers encourage forays by new entrants that may use existing technologies with business model innovations (BMI), posing a significant challenge for incumbents. Against this backdrop, our paper investigates the relatively unexplored role of BMI in high-velocity environments by studying three innovating firms from the global consumer devices industry. We propose that high-velocity environments not only necessitate but also facilitate BMI by enabling new and unexplored possibilities for value creation and appropriation. Our results underscore the role of BMI as a critical response strategy, particularly in high-velocity environments.

Self-preferencing: Practices and Characteristics of Abuse of Dominant Position in Digital Markets

Self-preferencing is a new form of anti-competitive practice used to maintain a dominant position in the digital market. Platforms are suspected of playing a dual role as service providers while competing with third parties. This is manifested through preferential treatment towards their goods and services, potentially erecting entry barriers and impeding consumer substitution rights. The research method used is normative research with a statutory and case approach. The results show that the practices and characteristics of self-preferencing in several countries have certain behavioural similarities with those in Indonesia: providing discounts, market coverage, or limited facilities. This practice forms an entry barrier while eliminating consumers' rights to choose and compare with substitute products. The regulation that is used as a reference for the existence of prohibited behaviour as an abuse of dominant position is regulated in Article 25. The absence of explicit regulations addressing these behaviours creates challenges for competition authorities, particularly in AI-driven markets. Advanced economies have already begun enacting specialized laws and enforcement actions against platforms engaging in self-preferencing and other digital market transgressions. Indonesia's regulatory landscape must evolve to encompass these developments and technological advancements in the digital sphere.

The Economic Efficiencies of Investment in Biogas Plants—A Case Study of a Biogas Plant Using Waste from a Dairy Farm in Poland

High investments and low economic efficiency of agricultural biogas plants operating on farms are two of the main barriers to the development of the biogas plant sector. Identification of economic and financial problems related to the operation of such facilities allows for the reduction of entry barriers for private investors, especially farmers. The aim of this research was to analyze the economic efficiency of investing in an agricultural biogas plant operating at a dairy farm. For the analysis, the case study method was applied. The economic efficiency of investment in a biogas plant was assessed using six different cash flow options. The NPV (net present value) and IRR (internal rate of return) methods were applied to assess the economic efficiency of the investment. It was found that the investment project for an agricultural biogas plant with a capacity of 0.499 MW located at a dairy farm required a subsidy of approximately 40–60% of the value of to ensure satisfactory economic efficiency. It has been shown that a particularly important aspect in assessing the economic efficiency of an investment in an agricultural biogas plant is the use of an economic calculation that takes into account the valuation and quantification of all positive external effects of such projects.

Design, calibration and performance evaluation of a small-scale 3D printer for accelerating research in additive manufacturing in construction

3D printing in construction presents numerous advantages, such as geometric flexibility, potential cost and time savings, the incorporation of recycled and sustainable materials, and reduced waste, thereby reducing the construction sector's environmental impact. Despite these advantages, the widespread adoption of AM in construction faces hurdles, primarily due to the prohibitive costs of large-scale concrete printers — typically ranging from $180,000 to over $1 million — and technological constraints that impede research and development efforts within the construction sector. To address these challenges, our study focuses on designing, developing, calibrating and evaluating an affordable lab-scale 3D printer specifically tailored for cement-based materials, aiming to lower the entry barrier for AM research in construction. This paper presents a proof-of-concept for a simple, yet functional printing technology that meet the requirements for research studies. The study details the development process, from the conceptual design to the calibration of printing parameters. The development process included the assessment of preliminary extrusion system designs integrated with the motion systems of a fused deposition modeling 3D printer. Subsequently, material studies were carried out to determine optimal material mix compositions and ratios. A comprehensive calibration of printing parameters using statistical analysis was proposed to ensure consistent and quality printing. The printability and applicability of the proposed small-scale 3D printer were assessed by printing samples and testing their thermal properties. Cost analysis showed that the proposed 3D printer, costing $273, offers benefits compared to existing market alternatives. The study illustrates the potential of small-scale 3D printers to facilitate construction research and practices, thereby promoting the development of sustainable construction methods.

Competition concerns with foundation models: a new feast for big tech?

ABSTRACT The paper explores how Generative AI intersects with Competition Law, focusing on Foundation Models (FMs) and Large Language Models (LLMs). It examines industry dynamics and identifies key competition issues like entry barriers, tying, leveraging, and acquisitions. It highlights the supply chain's importance and looks at how FMs are integrated into search software, chatbots, and productivity tools, particularly noting entry barriers such as computing power and data collection. It suggests that FMs might require new approaches to market delineation, possibly creating a separate relevant market for data. The paper also discusses various cases pertaining to tying and leveraging and highlights the difficulty in proving tying due to the blurred lines between traditional search engines and AI chatbots. It illustrates how competition assessments for acquisitions may require changes due to data being a highly flexible commodity for the industry. The paper concludes by calling for increased scrutiny and regulation for the industry.

Design and Construction of Automatic Facemask and Body Temperature Scanning Entry Barrier Machine

In the context of the global pandemic, public health screening has become paramount as the whole world including developed countries is going through a health crisis. A face mask prevents transpiration and protects against airborne transmitted bacteria or viruses. In the previous scenario of coronavirus, it was critical to eradicate this sickness and preserve our lives. Hence, prevention is better than cure becomes true. Accordingly, many precautionary measures were taken to reduce the spread of the virus. One such method of prevention is wearing a mask and regular monitoring of body temperature. This research dealt with the design and construction of an automatic entry barrier machine that integrates both facemask detection and scanning of individuals exhibiting elevated body temperature functionalities without any human interference. This was accomplished by simulating and synergizing a microprocessor (Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+), a Pi camera, an Infrared Non-contact Temperature sensor, a servo motor, and other components. The barrier arm opens and allows entrance at normal temperature by indicating a green light, displaying ‘allow’ on the LCD, and signaling once or preventing entrance at an elevated unacceptable temperature by indicating a red light, displaying ‘not allowed’ on the LCD, and signaling five (5) times.

Evaluating the Spatial Heterogeneity and Driving Factors of Sustainable Development Level in Chengdu with Point of Interest Data and Geographic Detector Model

Over the past few decades, China has undergone the largest and fastest urbanization process in world history. By 2023, Chengdu’s urbanization rate had reached 80.5%, significantly higher than the national average of 66.16%. Studying the urbanization experience of Chengdu is of great significance for optimizing urban planning policies in Chengdu and other cities in China. Although much literature has explored the urbanization process from macro and micro perspectives, studies using a top-down approach to examine urban fringe expansion are relatively scarce. This study first applies the entropy weight method to analyze the spatial-temporal evolution trends of urban development, identifying areas of imbalanced development and prominent issues. Secondly, the K-means machine learning algorithm and nightlight data are used to reconstruct and classify urban regions, and a comparative analysis is conducted with administrative divisions to further identify unreasonable areas in urban spatial distribution and structure. Finally, POI data and the geographical detector method are used to analyze the micro-driving forces in areas of imbalanced development, identifying major limiting factors and solutions. The study found that the gap between urban and rural development in Chengdu is narrowing during the urbanization process, but there is severe differentiation in the second circle of Chengdu, where economic development is accelerating but residents’ happiness is declining. Moreover, analysis based on urban nightlight data and land-use data reveals that the expansion areas on the urban-rural fringe are mainly concentrated in the second circle of Chengdu. Micro-level driving factor analysis found that the western region of the second circle has many but small urban settlements, with a dense road network but scattered functional areas. The eastern region has inefficient and extensive use of construction land. Additionally, the mismatch between student status and household registration has resulted in relatively lagging educational resource development, and high entry barriers have hindered the progress of urbanization, leading to low per capita welfare expenditure. These reasons are the main factors causing the decline in residents’ happiness, and this impact shows significant differences at different temporal and spatial scales. Encouraging innovation in research and development or education can serve as a long-term and effective driving force for promoting sustainable urbanization. This study provides valuable insights for scientifically planning sustainable urban development and promoting the urbanization process.