Innovative Resource Research Articles

Does green innovation promote the status of supply chain? Evidence from listed Chinese companies

At the enterprise level, green innovation capability plays a crucial role in enhancing competitiveness within the supply chain. Enterprises leverage their green innovation resources to gain a stronger foothold in production competition. Drawing on data from listed enterprises in China, the findings support the notion that green innovation ability can enhance supply chain positioning, while also highlighting heterogeneity among different green innovation resources. Furthermore, we elucidate the mechanism through which value co-creation contributes to supply chain performance and how collaborative green innovation within the supply chain promotes its competitiveness. Additionally, our research reveals a lag effect associated with green innovation capability and demonstrates that the positive impact of green innovation capability is significantly regulated by asset-liability ratios. Consequently, this study suggests that enterprises should allocate more resources towards cultivating talent for driving both establishing partnerships within the supply chain and improving their position within the supply chain.

Proposing Machine Learning Models Suitable for Predicting Open Data Utilization

As the digital transformation accelerates in our society, open data are being increasingly recognized as a key resource for digital innovation in the public sector. This study explores the following two research questions: (1) Can a machine learning approach be appropriately used for measuring and evaluating open data utilization? (2) Should different machine learning models be applied for measuring open data utilization depending on open data attributes (field and usage type)? This study used single-model (random forest, XGBoost, LightGBM, CatBoost) and multi-model (stacking ensemble) machine learning methods. A key finding is that the best-performing models differed depending on open data attributes (field and type of use). The applicability of the machine learning approach for measuring and evaluating open data utilization in advance was also confirmed. This study contributes to open data utilization and to the application of its intrinsic value to society.

Evaluation of Innovation Capacity and its Impact on Sales in Ecuador's Manufacturing Sector: An Econometric Analysis

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the capacity for innovation and its impact on sales in manufacturing companies in Ecuador. This study used data from the Survey of Science, Technology, and Innovation Activities in Ecuador. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were also performed. These results align with economic theories and indicate a positive association between certain innovation and sales indicators. Insufficient R&D investment negatively affects the innovation status of companies of various sizes in Ecuador. This study suggests that businesses ought to foster a culture of innovation, facilitate collaboration and strategic partnerships, and increase their financial resources for innovation and sales to achieve growth, survival, and sustainability in the current market. Received: 20 March 2024 / Accepted: 19 June 2024 / Published: 02 July 2024

Stem-and-leaf of new hydroponically-cultured ginseng cultivar K-1: A sustainable and innovative resource of ginsenosides for anti-inflammatory agents

BackgroundKorean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer), a traditional medicine plant cultivated in eastern Asia, has recently captured attention for its potential advancements in hydroponic cultivation, offering a sustainable and innovative resource. Additionally, in the typical processing of ginseng, stem-and-leaf are commonly discarded, leading to resource wastage and overlooking their economically valuable potential as an alternative to the conventionally prioritized roots. MethodsInitially, we investigated the phenotype of five Korean hydroponically cultivated ginseng cultivars, namely Kumpoong (KP), Chunpoong (CP), Honkaejong (HKJ), Yunpoong (YP), and K-1. Subsequently, we focused on evaluating aerial extracts to identify the most suitable cultivar for reliable resources. This involved phytochemical compositions and anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and LPS-induced mice, employing quantitative real-time PCR, ELISA, and western blotting. ResultsThe K-1 cultivar exhibited superior phenotypic traits and pathogen resistance. HPLC results revealed that aerial extracts contained four times higher ginsenoside content and exhibited a considerable abundance of ginsenoside Rd compared to root extracts. K-1 aerial extract exhibited the highest phytochemical content. The aerial extract of CP and K-1 exhibited greater efficacy in attenuating ROS production, mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction, and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS) through the NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways, which were corroborated in vivo at a 50 mg/kg dose. ConclusionsOur findings propose the stem-and-leaf of hydroponically cultivated ginseng cultivar K-1 presents an economical alternative to the traditionally valued ginseng root, given its superior stem-and-leaf phenotype and phytochemical content in the aerial extract coupled with promising potential for anti-inflammatory agents in dietary interventions.

YOUTH TOURISM AS AN INNOVATIVE METHOD OF ATTRACTING TOURISTS

In an era, full of challenges for the tourism industry, tourism for young people is a very important market segment, being a resource for change and innovation. Young travelers increased level in decades since they first began to travel and the populations of countries that are developing. These trips are often made of raw relatively wealthy youth. Nowadays the sphere of youth tourism seems to be a very promising and relevant type of tourism, which includes a variety of directions and forms that contribute to the implementation of tourist services.

5G Resource Allocation for Efficient Usage of Bandwidth using Machine Learning

Abstract: The rapid evolution of telecommunications technology has ushered in the era of 5G networks, offering unparalleled speed, minimal latency, and enhanced connectivity. This study comprehensively analyzes the performance of 5G networks, focusing on critical Quality of Service (QoS) metrics and innovative resource allocation strategies. Through meticulous examination and real-world simulations, our research reveals that 5G networks typically achieve a tenfold increase in data transfer rates compared to their 4G counterparts. Moreover, our findings demonstrate a substantial 30% reduction in latency, underscoring the efficiency and responsiveness of 5G technology. Additionally, our investigation delves into advanced resource allocation strategies, introducing a novel approach that optimizes network resources and leads to a 15% enhancement in overall network efficiency. These conclusions are substantiated by empirical data obtained from extensive field tests and simulations, providing compelling evidence of the project's impact on 5G network performance. As global adoption of 5G accelerates, the insights gleaned from this study are poised to shape the future of telecommunications, offering valuable guidance to network operators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders as they navigate towards a more efficient and reliable 5G ecosystem..

Research on the impact of virtual agglomeration of the Chinese manufacturing on the efficiency of enterprise technological innovation

ABSTRACT The virtual agglomeration of manufacturing realises the ubiquitous connection and efficient allocation of technological innovation resources, and becomes a new driving force for improving the technological innovation efficiency of enterprises and building a strong manufacturing country. This paper constructs a theoretical framework to investigate the impact of the specialised and diversified virtual agglomeration of manufacturing on the efficiency of enterprise technological innovation. This paper uses the adjusted location entropy and the Herfindahl-Hirschman index to measure the level of specialised and diversified virtual agglomeration of manufacturing. Using Chinese manufacturing data (2008–2021), empirical tests confirm that the specialised and diversified virtual agglomeration of manufacturing can improve the efficiency of enterprise technological innovation. Additionally, the mechanism test results show that the specialised virtual agglomeration of manufacturing improves the technological innovation efficiency of enterprises through competition and knowledge spillover, and the diversified virtual agglomeration improves the technological innovation efficiency of enterprises through knowledge spillover. However, the effect of specialised virtual agglomeration of manufacturing on the efficiency of enterprises` technological innovation will be adjusted by the age of enterprises. These results are pivotal for understanding the realistic path of virtual agglomeration of manufacturing to improve the technological innovation efficiency of enterprises.

Complex thinking and robotics: a proposal for sexual and gender diversity and inclusion training

PurposeThe objective of this proposal was to propose an educational innovation resource for the delivery of workshops with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA) themes aimed at students in high school and middle school to promote complex thinking as a necessary competency for understanding their continuously changing environment.Design/methodology/approachTraining for sexual and gender diversity challenges higher education institutions, some of which have bet on developing complex thinking to meet this need. Although not all universities have sufficient resources to create activities that foster relevant and diversity-sensitive competencies, some have implemented strategies ranging from modifying their curricula to designing specific classroom tasks that support student inclusion. In response to the challenges faced by higher education institutions (HEIs) to promote the acquisition of thinking skills for complexity, this paper proposes deploying a humanoid robot as an educational innovation tool in training initiatives that promote issues of sexual and gender diversity. The deployment model is described, considering design, delivery and evaluation. The value of this proposal lies in using humanoid robotics as a classroom resource within the framework of social robotics, considering its implications in the educational context to develop complex thinking competency and training for diversity in higher education students.FindingsThe data presented here highlight the importance of educational institutions integrating content into their plans, programs and activities (both curricular and extracurricular) that promote inclusion and sexual and gender diversity and attractive teaching strategies to reinforce this perspective. So, this proposal offers a support tool for implementing this content in everyday educational contexts where the objectives focus on triggering complex reasoning competencies.Research limitations/implicationsThe varied responses and perceptions of students towards robotics and sexual diversity, as well as the lack of clear methods to assess educational outcomes, may compromise the effectiveness of the intervention.Practical implicationsThe workshop proposed in this paper is configured as a series of iterations and repetitions in different educational fields, whether disciplinary (e.g. design or engineering) or transversal (e.g. entrepreneurship). The goal is to achieve educational strategies that generate a more significant impact at the institutional level. In this sense, the present proposal joins the actions implemented by other higher education institutions to make sexual and gender diversity visible to university students.Social implicationsThe overall aim is to bring awareness, understanding and education to students with an inclusive, respectful and equitable perspective.Originality/valueSocial robotics is an innovative and attractive tool for young people at the higher education level. We consider our study a pioneer in the area.

Research on collaborative innovation behavior of enterprise innovation ecosystem under evolutionary game

Establishing an innovation ecosystem revitalizes enterprises by fostering collaboration with other entities within the system. This collaboration results in increased resources for innovation and development, further strengthening participants' innovation and survival capacities. As the existing literature on collaborative innovation behavior within innovation ecosystems is relatively limited, the primary objective of this study is to investigate the evolutionary process and impact factors of players' collaborative innovation behavior in the enterprise innovation ecosystem (EIE). This study establishes an evolutionary game (EG) model that includes three players in an EIE to analyze their collaborative innovation behaviors in scenarios where their initial strategic probabilities are low, medium, and high. The simulation results indicate the existence of six potential evolutionary stable strategies (ESSs) within the system. The ideal ESS identified in this three-party evolutionary game model is characterized by “active collaboration, active collaboration, participation”. Furthermore, the player's behaviors in different states are affected by initial probability, synergy sensitivity, transformation efficiency, output elasticity, subsidy, punishment, and public impact. The results of this study reveal the mechanism of collaborative innovation behavior among different players in the EIE, providing beneficial references for its sustainable development.

The Impact of Digital Trade Barriers on Technological Innovation Efficiency and Sustainable Development

The global digitization trend provides a favorable development environment for the efficient acquisition of knowledge and technology. However, restrictions imposed by countries on digital trade have hindered this trend. This study is based on 60 sample countries to study the impact of the digital trade barrier (DTB) on the technology innovation efficiency (TIE) of each country and the pathways from 2014 to 2020. Research finds that DTB significantly inhibits TIE. Among the five different policy fields that form DTB, Infrastructure and Connecting DTB and Other DTB have the greatest negative impact on TIE. A mechanism analysis found that DTB increases the difficulty of acquiring knowledge spillover and the high cost of research and development, leading to the mismatch and low efficiency of innovation resources, ultimately leading to a reduction in technological innovation efficiency in various countries. Participating in international technological innovation networks and improving technological innovation capabilities have a moderating effect on the aforementioned negative impacts that is beneficial for the sustainable development of national technological innovation. Heterogeneity tests indicate that countries with weaker innovation capabilities, low- and middle-income countries, and countries that have not joined the OECD have a more significant negative impact. This study serves as an important reference for the government to adjust digital trade policies and guide the effective use of external resources for sustainable and efficient technological innovation.

"Four New and Three High" Mathematical Modeling Course Construction

After years of inheritance, innovation and integration, the mathematical modeling curriculum has been reformed from the aspects of education concept, training goal, teaching system, teaching material system, course content, teaching method and learning mode. Teaching "four new" design is to organically integrate the ideological and political elements with professional characteristics into the course teaching, innovate the course content, teaching methods and evaluation methods, enhance the students' independent learning ability, and realize the integration of teaching and ideological and political education. The transformation of "three high" innovation resources into teaching: high-level design, high-quality requirements, high-level implementation, relying on high-level scientific research and innovation resources, timely transformation into teaching resources through classroom teaching, extracurricular science and innovation, school-enterprise exchanges and other ways, and focusing on cultivating students' practical ability and innovation ability.

Local search resource allocation algorithm for space-based backbone network in Deep Reinforcement Learning method

With the evolution of Space-based backbone networks, the demand for enhanced efficiency and stability in network resource allocation has become increasingly critical, presenting a substantial challenge to conventional allocation methods. In response, we introduce an innovative resource allocation algorithm for space-based backbone networks. This algorithm represents a synergistic fusion of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and Local Search (LS) methodologies. It is specifically designed to reduce the extensive training duration associated with traditional policy networks, a crucial aspect in assuring optimal service quality. Our algorithm is structured within a two-stage framework that seamlessly integrates DRL and LS. A distinctive feature of our approach is the incorporation of link reliability into the algorithmic design. This element is meticulously tailored to address the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of space-based networks, ensuring effective resource management. The effectiveness of our approach is substantiated through extensive simulation results. These results demonstrate that the integration of DRL with LS not only enhances training efficiency but also exhibits significant improvements in resource allocation outcomes. Our work represents a noteworthy contribution to the development of practical optimization strategies in space-based networks, merging DRL with traditional methodologies for improved performance.

Dynamic analysis and optimal control of knowledge diffusion model in regional innovation ecosystem under digitalization

Knowledge diffusion in regional innovation ecosystems is an important factor that influences the regional innovation efficiency. In regional innovation ecosystems under digital empowerment, the knowledge diffusion enables the optimal allocation of innovation resources and promotes the sustainable development and ecological evolution of regional innovation ecosystems. In this paper, a SEIR (Susceptible–Exposed–Infected–Recovered) model is proposed for knowledge diffusion in regional innovation ecosystems under digitization. The basic reproduction number of the proposed model is calculated and its stability is validated. Finally, the expressions for the optimal control system and the optimal control parameters are presented. According to the research conclusions of this paper, the knowledge-diffusion ability of innovation agents in an innovation ecosystem affects the knowledge diffusion in a system; the contact rate between innovation agents affects the efficiency of knowledge diffusion in the system and the structure of the system; the digital transmission ability of innovation agents affects the breadth of knowledge diffusion in the system; and the self-learning ability of innovation agents affects the efficiency of knowledge diffusion in the system.The digital technologies help heterogeneous innovation agents in regional innovation ecosystems to break down the knowledge silos. At the same time, the digital technologies enhance the ability of innovation agents to absorb and learn knowledge in regional innovation ecosystems under digitization, thereby increasing the infection rate of knowledge diffusion in such systems.These conclusions extend the theoretical boundaries of innovation ecosystems and knowledge diffusion and offer management implications for enterprises and governments in decision-making.

Mystery of special government subsidies: How does digital transformation promote enterprise innovation and development?

The digital transformation of enterprises has become an important driving force in promoting the high-quality development of China's economy and in-depth implementation of an innovation-driven development strategy. To this end, this study uses the panel data of China's A-share listed enterprises from 2010 to 2019 to explore the relationship among enterprise digital transformation, government subsidies, and innovation. Results indicated that digital transformation can significantly stimulate enterprise innovation. The impact mechanism test shows that the digital transformation of enterprises can increase their R&D expenditure and alleviate their financing constraints, thereby jointly promoting enterprise innovation in terms of innovation resources and financing resources. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis indicates that digital transformation has a greater incentive effect on private enterprises, non-technology enterprises, service industries, and growth stage enterprises. By introducing special financial subsidies for digital transformation, special financial subsidies for digital transformation are shown to have a positive impact on the sensitivity of digital transformation and enterprise innovation. This effect is also played out through innovation spending and corporate finance, and the role of long-term financing is greater than that of short-term financing. Therefore, the role of digital transformation in promoting enterprise innovation must be actively played to achieve a high-quality development of the regional economy.

The synergy between workforce, students, and lecturers in collaborative learning

This research focuses on applying technology in collaborative learning, specifically through online platforms that connect students and the workforce. It is objective is to enhance synergy among the workforce, students, and educators to improve learning quality. The case study methodology follows Creswell’s qualitative approach with five key steps: planning the case study; data collection; analysis; result interpretation; and reporting. The research explores innovative online platforms to create a comprehensive and diverse learning experience. Technology enables access to materials, virtual classrooms, e-books, mobile learning, and internship programs, fostering flexible and engaging education. Collaborative learning with workforce participation enhances effectiveness and skills. Students gain work experience related to their fields through active interaction with practitioners. At the same time, educators refine teaching methods and understand workforce demands-the synergy among the workforce, students, and educators’ mutually beneficial relationships. The workforce leverages student resources for problem-solving and innovation, while students enhance their networks. Educators gain input for curriculum improvement. The research enhances education quality, prepares students for the dynamic workforce, and aligns educational programs with industry demands. It emphasizes the importance of collaborative learning, integrating online platforms to increase skill development.

The future is fermented: Microbial biodiversity of fermented foods is a critical resource for food innovation and human health

BackgroundFermented foods and beverages have been a key component of the human diet for thousands of years, and play an important nutritional, cultural, and economic role in most human societies. Differences in ingredients, local practices, and environmental conditions can impact microbial communities in fermented foods resulting in distinct flavors, textures, and nutritional properties. Despite their ancient roots, omnipresence, potential health benefits, recent hype, and the plethora of tools to study microbial diversity, the microbial and functional diversity of most fermented foods currently remain unknown, while changing lifestyle practices threaten the loss of some fermented foods, with dire implications for gastrointestinal health. Scope and approachIn this commentary we discuss the nutritional, cultural, and economic values of fermented foods and (i) introduce FermDB, the largest interoperable database and map of fermented foods to date (https://bokulich-lab.github.io/FermDB/), intended as an extensible community resource for documenting and studying food fermentations; (ii) provide a consistent fermented food ontology for classification of these foods; and (iii) estimate global production values and biomass of some of the most common fermented foods to contextualize the social and economic importance of microorganisms for human food production. Key findings and conclusionsWe provide a new perspective on global diversity of fermented foods and associated microbial communities as a resource for sustainable food production. Additionally, the introduced database and ontology can act as a roadmap to the path toward conserving microbial biodiversity of traditional foods and studying their associated health benefits.

The Effect of Market-Based Environmental Regulations on Green Technology Innovation—The Regulatory Effect Based on Corporate Social Responsibility

This study explores the impact of market-based environmental regulations on green technological innovation and the differential regulatory effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on different levels of green technological innovation. By analyzing data from 746 Chinese A-share listed companies from the period of 2008–2021, this paper examines the effect of market-based environmental regulations on corporate green technology innovation. The research findings are as follows: (1) Market-based environmental regulations have a significant promoting effect on green technology innovation in enterprises. (2) CSR amplifies the positive influence of market-based environmental on green technological innovation, but it has a greater impact on strategic innovations, like utility model patents, rather than substantial ones, like invention patents. Corporate may use CSR to superficially meet regulatory pressures and stakeholder expectations, focusing more on short-term compliance than on long-term sustainable innovation. Companies might utilize CSR as a superficial means to appease regulatory demands, concentrating on immediate compliance rather than fostering enduring innovation. (3) Market-based environmental regulations facilitate green technological innovation by alleviating enterprise financing constraints and improving the efficiency of innovation resource allocation. (4) The promotion effect of market-based environmental regulations on green technological innovation is particularly evident in state-owned enterprises, heavily polluted industries, and regions with high regulatory levels. The research contribution is to provide valuable insights into the implementation of market-based environmental regulations and firms’ green technological innovation. Specifically, it elucidates the nuanced regulatory effects of corporate social responsibility, presenting a fresh lens through which to reconsider the intricate mechanism of CSR’s role as a conduit between environmental policy and innovative practices.

Managerial Matters for Classroom Management: A Systematic Analysis

Elementary school education plays a vital role for the enhancement of literacy rate of the country which is considered the major contribution for the socio-economic growth of the country. However, elementary school teachers face several challenges and issues during their job while performing the classroom activities. The main purpose of this research was to evaluate the problem in classroom for teachers. The population was elementary teachers from Bahawalnagar and 219 (public=113, private=106) respondents were administered as sample by applying simple random sampling technique. A Self-administered questionnaire was made for data collection based on survey method. SPSS was processed to evaluate the research objectives. The results indicated the significant difference between public and secondary school teachers about the factors classroom management and lack of facilities. There was also a significant difference shown among the teaching experience of respondents about issues related to management in classroom. The findings are useful for upgrading the learning process by adopting innovative resources.

How does supply chain digitization affect green innovation? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China

Digital technology will profoundly impact green innovation by enabling deep supply chain transformation through cost reduction and efficiency gains. Based on a quasi-natural experiment of China's supply chain innovation and application pilot policy, this paper investigates the impact of supply chain digitization on green innovation using data from 1836 listed companies from 2013 to 2021. The results find that: (1) Supply chain digitization significantly promotes firms' green innovation level, a finding that still holds under placebo and other tests. (2) Mechanism tests indicate that supply chain digitization enhances firms' green innovation level mainly through optimizing innovation resource effect, enhancing internal control effect and expanding external demand effect. (3) The green innovation effect of supply chain digitization is greater in regions with low supply chain concentration, capital-intensive, non-polluting industries, and higher digitization degree. (4) Supply chain digitization significantly improves environmental performance through the green innovation effect.

Heading towards sustainability: An exploration of circular economy teaching methodologies through games, online platforms, and digital innovations

The Agenda 2030 of the United Nations (UN) calls upon the education sector to develop educational processes that contribute to students acquiring the necessary competencies for sustainable development. However, this education must be adapted to the demands of current generations to make learning meaningful, as exemplified by the use of innovative resources such as serious games and simulations. In order to identify innovative teaching methodologies for sustainability and circular economy education, a systematic literature review was conducted based on documents published from 2008 onwards in the Scopus and Web of Science. As a result, 99 innovative games and digital resources were mapped. It was observed that the literature often mentions them superficially and focuses on higher education levels. Information regarding the availability of tutorials, the complexity level of the game, the time required for the activity, and the instructional level demanded is lacking. By mapping these gaps that should be considered in future research and in the use and development of innovative games and resources, this study provides interdisciplinary contributions that may be of interest to educators, corporate training professionals, and game developers.The conclusions highlight the need for integrated, holistic and longitudinal approaches in education for sustainability and circular economy.