Geographical Focus Research Articles

The SROI puzzle: exploring barriers and strategies for effective social value measurement

Purpose The study aims to explore the complexities and challenges of measuring social impact, with a particular emphasis on the practical application of the social return on investment (SROI) methodology. By investigating social enterprises in Georgia, the study seeks to understand how social value is quantified and the implications of such measurements for policy and practice. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a mixed-methods approach, centered on the SROI methodology, to measure the social impact of 11 social enterprises in the Republic of Georgia. It incorporates qualitative interviews and quantitative financial analysis, engaging stakeholders from enterprises, beneficiaries and local authorities. The methodology adapts SROI to the Georgian context, addressing challenges such as data scarcity and cultural sensitivity. Findings Findings reveal significant challenges in social impact measurement, including the complexity of quantifying diverse impacts, lack of standardized methodologies and resource constraints. The application of SROI in Georgia demonstrates its flexibility and the critical role of stakeholder engagement, yet underscores the need for context-specific adaptations and rigorous data collection. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by its geographic focus on Georgia, which may affect the generalizability of findings. In addition, the reliance on stakeholder-reported data introduces potential biases. These limitations highlight the necessity for broader, cross-cultural studies and methodological advancements in social impact measurement. Practical implications The study offers practical insights for organizations implementing SROI, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement, cultural sensitivity and adapting methodologies to local contexts. It suggests strategies for overcoming data limitations and enhancing the credibility of social impact assessments. Social implications The research underscores the transformative potential of social enterprises in addressing societal challenges. By quantifying social impact, organizations can better articulate their contributions to societal well-being, informing policy decisions and fostering a culture that values social over mere economic returns. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on social impact measurement by detailing the application of SROI in a novel context – Georgia. It addresses a significant gap in understanding how social impact can be measured in transitional economies and offers valuable insights into the methodological and practical challenges involved.

A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCES: THE CASE OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2023 MARAŞ EARTHQUAKE

This study investigates the experiences of individuals who survived the Maraş earthquake on February 6, 2023, employing a phenomenological approach to examine the multifaceted effects of the disaster. Structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (eight women and eight men) who relocated to Bolu temporarily or permanently following the earthquake. As one of Turkey's most catastrophic seismic events, it has resulted in significant physical destruction and profound psychological and social ramifications. The majority of survivors perceived the earthquake as a form of "punishment" or "warning," interpreting it through scientific, religious, and conspiratorial frameworks. They experienced intense fear, helplessness, guilt, and a sense of victimization, recounting the event as a combination of intense auditory stimuli, darkness, cold, and mortality. The earthquake significantly altered their perspective on life, leading to increased maturity, religiosity, and heightened awareness regarding the transience of existence. Social relationships were also affected by the earthquake, with some survivors withdrawing from relatives and close acquaintances, while others formed stronger interpersonal bonds. This study underscores the complex nature of the earthquake experience, emphasizing that survivors' needs extend beyond physical reconstruction to encompass psychological, social, and economic support. Limitations include the small sample size and the geographic focus on the province of Bolu. Future research should expand to larger, more diverse populations, and consider the long-term effects of such traumatic events. These findings are critical for developing effective post-earthquake interventions and support strategies that address the comprehensive needs of survivors.

Evaluating the effects of social media influencers on consumer behavior in Sweden

The study investigates the effects of social media influencers on consumer behavior in Sweden. The country is characterized by high internet usage and extensive social media engagement which makes it appropriate for this research. A qualitative study was used to examine how influencers impact consumer decision-making, product discovery, and brand loyalty. Influencers would also put more emphasis on authenticity, trust, and demographic factors. The research applies established theories which include the Theory of Reasoned Action and Social Cognitive Theory. These theories explore the dynamics of influencer-consumer relationships and their effects on purchasing intentions. Key findings reveal that Swedish consumers prioritize authenticity and ethical values in influencer endorsements. Consumers usually favor influencers who are perceived as genuine and responsive to advocating for sustainability. Demographic differences influence consumer receptivity to influencer content, with younger consumers showing more engagement compared to older consumers. The research study shows the need for brands to adapt their influencer marketing strategies to align with Sweden’s ethical and sustainable consumer preferences. Some of the study limitations include sample size and geographic focus, suggesting further research across different cultural settings to deepen understanding of influencers' global impact. The research study provided valuable information for businesses and consumers to effectively capitalize on influencer marketing as a business strategy.

Fueling the future: unveiling what drives gig worker motivation and engagement in Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape

PurposeThe gig economy has rapidly grown due to economic trends supporting flexible work and digital platforms, leading to increased demand for corporate gig workers. Although numerous studies have explored various aspects of the gig economy, research on the motivational and engagement factors of gig workers remains relatively rare. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence corporate gig workers’ motivation and engagement in the geographical context of Sri Lanka. Specifically, job autonomy, remuneration, social connection and technology and investigated here.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative study, employing a deductive research approach, was conducted with data gathered through a survey designed using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Respondents were conveniently selected from Sri Lankan corporate gig workers. A total of 397 responses were obtained through a snowball sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling, providing a robust framework for evaluating the hypothesized relationships.FindingsThe findings revealed that job autonomy, remuneration, social connection and technology significantly influence corporate gig worker motivation, whereas motivation significantly influences the engagement of corporate gig workers in Sri Lanka.Research limitations/implicationsThis study faced common limitations. Due to challenges in identifying the framework for the population, a snowball sampling technique was employed. One key limitation is the study’s narrow focus on motivation factors within the Sri Lankan context, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the geographic focus and uneven sample distribution could limit the broader applicability of the conclusions. Future research should adopt a cross-cultural approach to explore the influence of social commerce adoption, enhancing the generalizability of the results.Practical implicationsA comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the corporate gig worker motivation and engagement is provided, facilitating, the decision-makers to gain insight to enhance worker motivation and engagement by adapting strategies. This can lead to higher productivity and job satisfaction among gig workers.Originality/valueExamination of the motivational and engagement factors specific to corporate gig workers in Sri Lanka, a context that has received limited attention in previous research. Also, it contributes to the existing literature by providing a deeper understanding of the gig economy and gig work, particularly in a non-Western setting.

The benefits of Indigenous-led social science: a mindset for Arctic sustainability

The Peoples of the Arctic and Arctic health and sustainability are highly interconnected and essentially one and the same. An appropriate path to a sustainable Arctic involves a shift away from individual learning and achieving toward community leadership and the betterment of society. This article draws upon mindset theory from Western psychology and Indigenous relational accountability to propose and outline a model for achieving sustainability in the Arctic. The geographic focus is the North American Arctic. The principles of the argument and the foundations of the model may apply across the Circumpolar North. The paper is a call to action for social scientists and policy makers in the Arctic to implement an Indigenous-led and self-determined social science. Empowering and supporting Indigenous leaders and scholars to direct and conduct autonomous social science research would inherently produce well-being and sustainability for Indigenous communities and regions. The arguments are supported by an inductive analysis of peer-reviewed literature, and the model is organized and illustrated using a schematic of concentric circles. The foundational elements of the model include: Indigenous sovereignty, Indigenous ontology, Indigenous models of sustainability, and Indigenous scholarship. Environmental scientists, resource managers, and policy makers are directed to better understand, accept, and support Indigenous science as a comprehensive and valid knowledge system; change how they use key terminology in research; rethink research roles; and amend processes and timelines for research development and funding. To achieve the desired outcomes for community well-being and Arctic sustainability, Arctic social scientists should seriously consider centering Indigenous science, especially in Indigenous communities.

The Utilization of Maps in Geographic Citizen Science: A Preliminary Analysis of Usability and User Experience Issues and Opportunities

The rapid proliferation of geospatial technologies and the widespread utilization of Web and mobile maps by nonexpert audiences spurred new perspectives and research paradigms within geography. One area affected by this transformation is citizen science, where geospatial technologies facilitated its more widespread use and revolutionized the way scientific knowledge is coproduced, especially in the environmental context. Geographic citizen science is widely used to support the collection and analysis of geolocated scientific data, extend existing geographic data coverage, and enable communities to address local issues. The inherent complexity of geospatial interfaces and data is widely recognized and there is a wealth of geographic research focusing on improving human–map interactions, with less emphasis, nevertheless, given to citizen science. Not only do these applications have their unique characteristics, but inclusiveness is paramount, which further adds to these complexities. Through an investigation of 229 geographic citizen science applications, we provide an overview of how geographic interfaces are currently employed in citizen science. We then evaluate a selection of applications to identify critical usability barriers, which might have a detrimental impact on the overall user experience and the success of these projects. Among others, we found that geographic citizen science applications need to better support visual thinking and leverage participants’ geographic knowledge. We subsequently provide a set of recommendations for map design and functionality and identify opportunities for future geovisualization research.

Sustainable Development Strategies and Good Agricultural Practices for Enhancing Agricultural Productivity: Insights and Applicability in Developing Contexts—The Case of Angola

In general, agricultural productivity in Angola is low due to the limited awareness among stakeholders regarding sustainable development strategies (DSs) and good agricultural practices (GAPs) that could be adjusted to local crops, soil types, and climatic conditions. A structured approach was followed to develop a systematic literature review (SLR) that can address this gap by examining how DSs and GAPs may be adapted for Angola’s context to encourage sustainable agricultural development. Key steps included the selection and exclusion of literature from primary scientific databases based on specific screening indicators such as the publication date, language, relevance to DSs and GAPs, and geographic focus on developing or developed nations with comparable agricultural challenges. The initial search resulted in 11,392 articles, of which 4257 met the primary selection criteria. After further screening for relevance and availability, 98 articles were shortlisted, and 15 studies were ultimately included for in-depth analysis. This strict screening process ensured the inclusion of studies most applicable to Angola’s agricultural context. The key research findings indicate that certain DSs and GAPs have high adaptability potential for Angola. The findings emphasise practices such as drip irrigation and inorganic fertilisation, which are widely implemented in both developed and developing countries due to their efficiency in resource-limited environments. Additional strategies, such as water management systems, organic composting, and agroforestry practices, demonstrate significant potential to enhance soil fertility, water efficiency, and crop resilience against climate variability. By identifying these practices and strategies, this study provides a basic framework for policymakers in Angola to develop targeted implementation guidelines, fostering sustainable agricultural growth and resilience in the face of climatic challenges. Thus, this review contributes to the scientific and practical understanding of sustainable agriculture in developing countries, offering critical insights that support Angola’s efforts to achieve greater self-sufficiency and economic stability through sustainable agricultural practices.

Gender and Authoritarian Politics: Citizens and Elites’ Responses to Gender Reforms

Scholarship investigating autocrats’ motivations to adopt gender equality reforms has proliferated. Yet, many questions remain unanswered: Who supports these gender reforms? Do citizens support gender quota policies? What is the role of political elites? Under what conditions do women’s increased presence in politics lead to positive outcomes for women? Answering these questions is crucial for both practical and empirical reasons. On the one hand, the number of ‘partly free’ and ‘not free’ countries is increasing, making up the majority of world countries (79%). On the other hand, women’s access to political power has exponentially grown over the past two decades. Women in autocracies are participating in politics more than ever before. This special issue presents cutting-edge research on gender and authoritarian politics relying on diverse methodological approaches and geographical foci. The introduction of this SI identifies the remaining knowledge gaps and provides future directions for more scholarship on the intersection of gender and authoritarian politics.

Evaluating Educational Patterns and Methods in Infant Sleep Care: Trends, Effectiveness, and Impact in Home Settings-A Systematic Review.

Sleep care is crucial for the health and development of infants, with proper sleep patterns reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related incidents. Educational interventions targeting caregivers are essential in promoting safe sleep practices. This systematic review adhered to PRISMA guidelines, searching databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving home-based interventions for infants aged 0-12 months, including parental education and behavioral interventions. Exclusion criteria included studies in clinical settings and non-peer-reviewed articles. Data extraction and synthesis were performed by two independent reviewers, using a narrative approach to categorize interventions and outcomes. Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Key findings indicate that home-based educational interventions, including hospital-based programs, home visits, and mobile health technologies, significantly improve parental knowledge and adherence to safe sleep practices. These interventions also enhance parental satisfaction and contribute positively to infant health outcomes. Educational interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in promoting safe sleep practices among caregivers, particularly in home settings. These interventions, including hospital-based programs, home visits, and digital tools, improve parental knowledge, adherence to guidelines, and overall satisfaction. The impact is evident in the reduction of unsafe sleep behaviors and enhanced infant health outcomes. However, variability in the intervention methods and delivery, cultural contexts, and geographic focus suggest a need for more tailored, long-term, and comprehensive studies. Future research should standardize outcome measures and assess the sustained impact of these educational strategies on infant sleep patterns and caregiver practices over time. This will provide deeper insights into the trends and long-term effectiveness of educational patterns and methods in diverse home environments.

Sustainability of Small-Scale Capture Fisheries Based on Coastal Vulnerability in Pangpang Bay, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia

Graphical Abstract Highlight Research Climate change impacts on coastal vulnerability. Low coastal vulnerability in Pangpang Bay, Banyuwangi Regency. Sustainability of small-scale capture fisheries based on vulnerability. Sustainable small-scale fisheries management. Abstract Teluk Pangpang is one of the water areas that has considerable capture fisheries potential in Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. On the other hand, climate change impacts the vulnerability of coastal areas and coastal communities, especially small-scale fishers. This study aims to analyse the coastal vulnerability of Pangpang Bay and formulate a sustainable development of small-scale capture fisheries in Pangpang Bay. The research method used a descriptive method with a quantitative approach. Data collection techniques used geographic information systems and focus group discussions (FGDs). The data analysis used was Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) analysis with spatial approach and Participatory Prospective Analysis (PPA). From the CVI analysis, through the assessment of geomorphological parameters, erosion/accretion, coastal slope, distance of plants from the beach, wave height, and average tide range, the level of coastal vulnerability of Teluk Pangpang is included in the low category. Meanwhile, the PPA analysis resulted in seven variables that most influence the sustainability of small-scale capture fisheries, namely climate change, coastal vulnerability, coral reef area and density, number of small-scale fishers, catches, human resources of small-scale fishers, and management of small-scale fisheries resources. Furthermore, for the formulation of the sustainability scenario of small-scale capture fisheries in Pangpang Bay, is to minimise the impact of climate change and conduct disaster mitigation, improve the human resources of small-scale fishers, and equalise perceptions as outlined in the commitment between all interested parties and small-scale fishing communities.

A scoping review on barriers and facilitators to harm reduction care among youth in British Columbia, Canada

BackgroundProgressive harm reduction policies have been implemented in British Columbia, Canada. However, youth who use drugs face barriers to receiving harm reduction care, resulting in increasing opioid-related hospitalizations and drug toxicity deaths. This scoping review collates peer-reviewed evidence to understand the barriers and facilitators faced by youth who use drugs when accessing harm reduction programming in British Columbia, Canada.MethodsThis scoping review entailed conducting a systematic search of relevant databases to identify relevant articles. Articles were included if they: (i) contained youth falling between the ages of 12 and 26 years old; (ii) explored accessibility, barriers, and/or facilitators to harm reduction care or related topics; (iii) were empirical research articles using primary data (i.e., reviews, grey literature, theoretical or conceptual papers, books, etc. were excluded); and (iv) were available in the English language, given the geographic focus on British Columbia.ResultsA total of 398 sources were identified and ultimately, data from 13 sources were charted and extracted. When investigating barriers to harm reduction care among youth, four themes emerged: self-stigma, service navigation, service delivery, and negative provider interactions. Furthermore, in exploring factors that facilitate harm reduction care for youth, four themes surfaced: ability to meet basic needs, positive provider interactions, social networks, and risk mitigation guidance.ConclusionsThe expansion of harm reduction services in 2016 did not fully address accessibility challenges faced by youth who use drugs. Barriers continue to hinder harm reduction engagement, while supportive networks, positive provider interactions, and the ability to meet basic needs facilitated sustained access. Tailored policy interventions rooted in equity are crucial to improving access to harm reduction services for youth who use drugs.

Green Behaviour Engagement Towards the Achievement of Sustainable Health: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Background The short-term actions generated by the proposed SDGs by the United Nations promote sustainability and raise the probability of finding the best global crisis solution. This research builds on previous studies that demonstrate the interconnectedness and reciprocal support of Goals 3 and 12 in their pursuit of societal transformation by altering production and consumption patterns. Focus of the Article This study set out to fill a knowledge need by examining the current state of the literature on the topic of how SDGs interact with one another. The paper primarily addressed SDGs 3 and 12. Research Question (a) How could green behaviour promote sustainable health, and what is the present status of research in this field across nations, research communities, academic journals, and professional organizations? (b) How, with research topic as the key domain, can we make progress towards Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 12 through the social marketing?. Importance to the Social Marketing Field The purpose of this paper is to provide a plan for bringing about societal transformation by means of sustained, short-term efforts in the realms of production and consumption, undertaken with the backing of the nation’s stakeholders. Doing so makes long-term success in altering health-related behaviours (prevention, protection, and persistence in the face of health hazards) more likely. Despite their best efforts to enhance the well-being of societies through social transformation, the authors believe that social marketers may be steering communities in an unsustainable direction. Method Thus, a systematic review and bibliometric analysis were conducted to ascertain the breadth of the research underlying the title by analyzing 135 Scopus publications from 74 journals from 2011–2022 and graphically presented and tabulated the trends, important authors, nations, research papers, and keyword co-occurrences. Biblioshiny, a Bibliometrix R-tool used for the purpose of scientific mapping. In addition, the alignment of study of keywords by taking social marketing discipline into account was justified through systematic review. Results Research on the interplay between SDGs and other factors is required, as 27% of the data remains unexplained. Short-term sustainable behaviours that may enhance health outcomes are combined in this study to better inform policymakers and marketers about consumers’ long-term commitment to sustainable green consumption. Recommendations for Research According to the study’s results, government agencies should create social marketing initiatives to influence the public’s behaviour and promote the health and well-being benefits associated with sustainable production and consumption. Additionally, they should provide incentives to businesses to expand their range of sustainable commodities. Businesses have a shared responsibility to develop, communicate and supply customers with the advantages of sustainable offerings, and enhance the demand for these products through a green marketing approach while reducing their prices. The ecosystem as a whole will reap the benefits of everyone’s efforts, as well as the health and happiness that comes with it. Limitations From 2011 through 2022, the Scopus database’s articles and review papers were used in the study. Additional knowledge in this area might be gained from a comparison of databases like Web of Science, Dimensions, Google Scholar, etc. The study had no geographic focus. Therefore, future research should assess this field’s national and regional potential.

Appraising the Determinants and Outcomes of Islamic Financial Literacy through the Lens of a Systematic Literature Review

This research illuminates the determinants and outcomes of Islamic financial literacy as scrutinized in prior investigations. A systematic literature review unfolded across the Scopus database from 2016 to 2023. This investigation encompasses 22 articles from the 40 scholarly works extracted from the Scopus database. The Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research emerges as the most prolific disseminator of insights into the determinants and outcomes of Islamic financial literacy, credited to its robust publication frequency throughout the year. The autonomous and reliant facets of Islamic financial literacy were predominantly studied, with emphasis not only on individual dynamics but also on business perspectives. The determinants instigating Islamic financial literacy congregate within the affective, conative, family influence, self-controlled, and demographic predictors. Conversely, the ramifications stemming from Islamic financial literacy manifest in cognitive, affective, and conative dimensions, leaving an indelible imprint on the business realm. Geographic focus reveals a concentration of prior investigation within Muslim-majority nations, predominantly Indonesia. Furthermore, the investigation discovers that past studies were mainly conducted in the context of Islamic banking. The evidence from the present study provides input to researchers in conducting further research on Islamic financial literacy.

Integrating digitalization opportunities into innovative public organizations’ management process

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on public institutions management system which imposed a digital transformation of all processes. This study explores how integrating digitalization improves management processes within Romanian public organizations. It is based on a survey approach and on “snowball” sampling technique for collecting answers from 377 employees. The analysis was developed with structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), prediction-oriented segmentation (PLS-POS), and multigroup analysis (PLS-MGA). The obtained results show that the digitalization of public institutions has a positive effect on all five managerial functions, namely on planning, organizing, coordinating, motivating, and controlling. The findings revealed three distinct homogenous groups of respondents using a posteriori segmentation, presenting variations in tool usage and function execution. There are multi-faceted contributions of this study: (1) in terms of theory, as it contributes to the literature by reinforcing existing knowledge; (2) in terms of methodology as it employs triangulation, and (3) in terms of practical implications by offering insights for decision-makers aiming to enhance institutional dynamics in public administration, albeit within the limitations of its geographic focus. In the last part of the paper, future research directions for integrating digitalization within public institutions are presented.

Speech targeting and constituency representation in open-list electoral systems

This study investigates the localistic behavior of legislators elected under open-list proportional representation (OLPR), focusing on the impacts of district magnitude, intra-party competition, electorate size, and the presence of a national tier. We examine the Ecuadorian case, where institutional reformers implemented a national tier to offset the parochial tendencies of lower-tier provincial legislators yet retained OLPR for both tiers. Our study, which analyzes a 12-year dataset of congressional speeches, challenges the expectation that national-tier members are less localistic than their provincial counterparts and shows that electoral incentives drive legislators’ geographical focus. Contrary to conventional expectations, we find no evidence that increased intra-party competition is associated with more localistic behavior. However, there is consistent support for the hypothesis that smaller electoral constituencies amplify localistic behavior.

Enhancing the accuracy of wind power projections under climate change using geospatial machine learning models

This paper presents a geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) approach for generating wind power projection maps employing various Machine Learning (ML) models. These models include Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Decision Tree (DT), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), and Support Vector Regression (SVR), which collectively aim to provide insightful wind power forecasts under the effects of climate change. The framework considers different influential parameters affecting wind speed, including pressure gradient, temperature gradient, humidity, and topography. The study’s geographic focus is Cork City, Ireland. The investigation covers a historical period from 2000 to 2014 and extends to encompass two future climate scenarios, between 2015 and 2050. A comprehensive set of statistical skill scores is computed to gauge the models’ performance. The study’s findings underscore the efficacy of the ML models in generating dependable estimates of wind power fluctuations. Notably, the SVR model emerges as the frontrunner in performance across most pixels examined. Despite the inherent complexity of wind power dynamics, this research highlights that the SVR model can produce accurate wind power maps, even when operating with limited input data. The results emphasize the importance of considering influential factors in wind speed projections. This approach opens up promising avenues for improving the management of renewable energy resources.

Development and Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in "Penggerak" Kindergartens: A Case Study of Semarang City

Implementing the Independent Curriculum in early childhood education presents challenges and opportunities, particularly in aligning curriculum design with local needs and ensuring stakeholder collaboration. This research examines the development and implementation of the Independent Curriculum in three "Penggerak" Kindergartens in Semarang City: TK ABA 54, TK Talenta, and TK Pertiwi 31. The study employs a descriptive qualitative method involving principals, teachers, supervisors, and parents and focuses on institutional readiness and stakeholder collaboration. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis. Findings reveal that each kindergarten developed a curriculum tailored to its unique institutional characteristics and student needs, with an emphasis on integrating national standards, local values, and religious principles. TK Talenta prioritized inclusive education for special needs children, while TK Pertiwi 31 focused on contextual learning approaches. Collaborative curriculum planning involving key stakeholders was a central strategy in all three institutions. Despite the successes, challenges emerged, particularly in teachers’ comprehension of the Independent Curriculum, which necessitated additional support through professional development. The study concludes that a flexible and contextually grounded curriculum fosters inclusivity and adapts to local needs in early childhood education. However, the limited geographic focus and short observation period challenge generalizing the findings. Future research should adopt longitudinal approaches to evaluate the curriculum's long-term impacts and explore interdisciplinary strategies in curriculum design.

The Role of Strategic Human Resources Management in Developing Competitive Advantage: a Systematic Literature Review, synthesis and framework for Future Research

Purpose - Research examining the role of Strategic Human Resources Management (SHRM) in increasing Competitive Advantage (CA). There are many studies of SHRM and CA, but the role of SHRM is still in doubt and there are various modifications of research variations that test mediating variables and or moderating variables that affect CA, and there are differences in the theoretical basis used in various studies. To address this gap, a literature review of the role of SHRM on CA is presented. Design/methodology/approach – Systematic review protocols and content analysis was used to analyze and synthesize insights from 50 empirical studies obtained from two academic databases: Scopus, Google Scholar. Findings – Significant diversity in previous research on the role of SHRM on CA is summarized in several themes. There are significant limitations in the conceptualization of the influence of SHRM on CA, including along with a narrow focus on geographic, methodological and contextual foci of prior studies. The authors propose a comprehensive framework and extensive gap-specific research directions to aid future research. Research limitations/implications – The SLR is limited in its consideration of empirical studies published in academic journal articles obtained from Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Social implications – The authors reveal the foundation variables, theories that can be used in future research on the influence of SHRM on SCA. Originality/value – This study enhances and extends the research on SHRM's influence on CA by utilizing the perspectives of various modal and multidisciplinary variables for further investigation. The use of perspectives can further ascertain the role of SHRM on CA.

Productive Competitiveness and Regional Development: A Systematic Literature Review

This article aims to, essentially, analyse the perspective of different scientific works on the influence of productive competitiveness on the development of regions in their different scales. This systematic literature review study was based on around 103 works published on themes about the competitiveness and productivity of the regions present in the Scopus database. <i>Zotero</i> and <i>VOSViewer</i> software were used to manage the database of this investigation, allowing not only the qualitative organization of key contents, but also the mapping of existing authors and linkages in terms of co-occurrences. The methodology used allowed exploring the different conceptual establishments that seek to relate productivity with the competitiveness of the regions and vice versa. As a criterion for the inclusion of works and consequent analysis, conceptual review studies on territorial competitiveness with a geographic economic focus were chosen, extracted from the Scopus database. This review also made it possible to extract the main accessible meanings in the keywords of seminal authors in studies of this nature, research trends in terms of interests in the development of studies that seek to explore competitive capacity of regions in recent years, as well as studies on the capabilities of regions tending to specialization, innovation, valuation of intellectual (human) and territorial capital and sustainability.

Usability, Reliability, Security, and Status: Unpacking the Factors Shaping User Choice between iOS and Android in Saudi Arabia

This investigation delves into user perceptions of iOS and Android operating systems within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 594 participants was recruited to explore their preferences concerning usability, reliability, security, social influence, and prior experiences with both systems. The study reveals a modest predilection for iOS in terms of user-friendliness and perceived information security. Interestingly, a counterintuitive finding emerged: Android users, particularly females, exhibited high confidence in information security despite encountering a greater number of cyberattacks. Additionally, the research highlights the influence of sociodemographic factors, such as age, education level, and gender, on system selection. A pronounced desire to utilize iOS was observed among younger users, females, and individuals with higher educational attainment. While the study provides a robust foundation for understanding user preferences within the Saudi Arabian context, limitations such as sample size and geographic focus necessitate further research efforts across more heterogeneous populations to achieve a more generalizable depiction.