Interests Of Stakeholders Research Articles

Research on the Role of Platform Economy in Credit for Small and Micro Enterprises - A Case Study of Alibaba

In the financial market, the financing needs of the micro-economy are concentrated at the long tail, and its development has always been a focus of social attention. In recent years, China has made significant efforts to address the financing challenges faced by small and micro enterprises. Despite these efforts, the financial support allocated to these enterprises remains disproportionate to their economic contributions. Unlike large and medium-sized enterprises, small and micro enterprises (SMEs) still struggle to obtain adequate financial resources, highlighting the incomplete coverage of the current Chinese financial system. As a result, these enterprises continue to encounter difficulties in securing necessary funding. Fintech can help these enterprises choose financing platforms and methods that match their development, enrich their financing channels, improve the loan issuance efficiency of financial institutions, precisely support their development, and ensure that the interests of stakeholders are realized. The report from the 20th National Congress emphasized the importance of establishing a supportive environment for the advancement of technology-driven SMEs. It also advocated for fostering the growth of specialized and innovative companies. This initiative sends a clear signal encouraging SMEs to innovate independently, which will undoubtedly have an important and far-reaching positive impact. However, SMEs are financially fragile, with prominent contradictions between their financing needs and the financial supply side. The integration of finance and technology has changed the operational mechanism of the financial industry. Fintech companies, through the application of emerging technologies, have expanded their business scope to long-tail small and micro clients, bringing new platforms for financing to these enterprises. This paper studies the case of Alibaba’s “Digital Hybrid Trade Show” initiative to further explore how fintech can be more effectively applied to the financing of SMEs, thereby aiding their stable and healthy development.

Acceptance of hyperloop: Developing a model for hyperloop acceptance based on an empirical study in the Netherlands

Increasing urbanization is causing many challenges for mobility today, such as traffic jams and high carbon dioxide emissions. Hyperloop is a radical mobility innovation that could offer a potential solution for these issues. Since hyperloop is currently under development, overcoming technical and economic challenges and increasing its acceptance in society will decide the success of this innovative mode of transport. Currently, research on hyperloop user acceptance is limited. This study aims to identify users’ willingness to use the system and factors that determine support or rejection for hyperloop. Therefore, an acceptance model was proposed and then tested in an empirical study based on a sample consisting of N = 387 participants in the Netherlands. The results indicate that performance expectations (e.g., high speed, comfort, environmental advantages) support the acceptance of hyperloop. At the same time, safety concerns (e.g., technology failure, low-pressure environment) were identified as a rejection factor. Based on the results, interested stakeholders should consider the benefits, possible fears, and concerns regarding hyperloop in their communication. Future research should include experience opportunities with hyperloop to obtain more valid results.

Identifying the essential elements to inform the development of a research agenda for Paramedicine in Ireland: a Delphi Study

BackgroundParamedicine is a dynamic profession which has evolved from a “treat and transport” service into a complex network of health professionals working in a diverse range of clinical roles. Research is challenging in the paramedicine context, and internationally, research capacity and culture has developed slowly. International examples of research agendas and strategies in paramedicine exist, however, research priorities have not previously been identified in Ireland.MethodsThis study was a three round electronic modified Delphi design which aimed to establish the key aspects of the research priorities via end-user consensus. Participants included interested stakeholders involved in prehospital care or research in Ireland. The first round questionnaire consisted of open-ended questions with results coded and developed into themes for the closed-ended questions used in the second and third round questionnaires. A consensus level of 70% was set a priori for second and third rounds.ResultsResearch Priorities that reached consensus included Staff Wellbeing, Education and Professionalism and Acute Medical Conditions. Respondents indicated that these three areas should be a priority in the next 2 years. Education, Staffing and Leadership were imperative Key Resources that required change. Education was a Key Processes change deemed imperative to allow the future research to occur. Outcomes that should be included in the future research strategy were Patient Outcomes, Practitioner Development, Practitioner Wellbeing, Alternate Pathways, Evidence-based Practice and Staff Satisfaction.ConclusionThe results of this study are similar to previously published international studies, with some key differences. There was a greater emphasis on Education and Practitioner Wellbeing with the latter possibly attributed to the timing of the research in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The disseminated findings of this study should inform sustainable funding models to aid the development of paramedicine research in Ireland.

Ensuring Transparency of ESG Transformation of Corporations (Using the Example of Retail Companies)

In recent years, companies in the retail sector have begun to introduce and incorporate the principles of sustainable development into their strategies and began to publish reports on sustainable development. ESG transformation of companies in the retail industry has its own characteristics. The purpose of the work is to determine the directions of ESG transformation in retail companies, as well as tools for ensuring transparency of activities in the field of sustainable development. The methodological basis of the study was the concept of sustainable development and ESG, methods of statistical analysis, a systematic approach, scientific works of leading domestic and foreign scientists in the field of sustainable development, ESG transformation of retail companies. In the course of the work the author has identified 6 areas of ESG transformation that are most relevant and consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals and the industry specifics of the retail sector. It was revealed that there is a problem of comparability of ESG ratings and rankings from various agencies, insufficient prevalence of the practice of publishing non-financial reporting by organisations from this segment.The set of non-financial indicators proposed by the author for retail companies are grouped by areas of ESG transformation, as well as by Sustainable Development Goals. The publication of the proposed indicators in the annual report or sustainability report is intended to help management and interested stakeholders evaluate the results of ESG transformation of retail companies in more depth and detail.

Stimulating awareness of Precision Farming through gamification: The Farming Simulator case

Precision Farming (PF) provides different solutions to assist the decision-making process on farms. Current PF technologies such as variable rate site-specific applications can bring financial benefits to farmers as well as environmental advantages. Increasing scientific research and an expanding number of PF products are supporting a growing interest in PF applications. However, the actual implementation of these technologies on farms in many cases remains low. Therefore, there is a need to disseminate and transfer knowledge about the positive aspects of PF. One of the ways to facilitate the adoption process of PF technologies is education and training among farmers and other interested stakeholders. This paper presents a case study using the computer game Farming Simulator as an educational tool for raising awareness about the topic in an engaging and enjoyable way. Two distinct downloadable content (DLC) versions were developed and implemented in the versions 2019 and 2022 of the game, respectively, each with a range of PF functionalities (automatic steering, variable rate applications, yield mapping among others). The PF DLCs have received positive feedback from students and scientists but also the general public. The growing number of downloads (3,661,069 in total for both DLC versions as of 15th November 2023) demonstrates the effectiveness of computer games as an educational tool to educate and inform stakeholders (farmers, scientists, students, and the general public) about agricultural challenges and the potential of PF as a solution.

The interplay of CSR, stakeholder interest management, capital budgeting, and firm performance

This study examines the perspectives of corporate managers regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR), stakeholder interest management, firm performance, and their preferences in capital budgeting. It uses structural equation modelling (SEM) to test hypotheses. The analysis shows that capital budgeting serves as a mediator, diminishing the direct relationship between CSR and firm performance, and between the management of stakeholder interests and firm performance. The findings indicate that instrumental motives guide corporate managers in their capital budgeting decisions. The paper challenges perspectives that disproportionately emphasize the benevolent and moral dimensions of CSR, highlighting the significance of stakeholder interest management as a credible and essential business practice.

Identifying the interests of stakeholders in large construction projects: Based on Justification theory of Boltanski and Thévenot

In large construction projects, many stakeholders are involved, often with different interests. They look at the interests through the lenses of their conflicting worldviews, leading to the formation of different worlds that often have tensions among them. For example, to be viable, the projects must find a compromise between competition and collaboration. Hence, success in developing and implementing large construction projects requires analyzing the justifications of the world of stakeholders, identifying conflicts and creating agreements among them. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to use Boltanski and Thévenot's theory to review the justifications of stakeholders’ various and understand the tensions and compromises in large construction projects. The research approach is exploratory qualitative, realized using a multiple case study. In this process, five cases were selected as five large construction projects from the four countries of Iran, Turkey, India and Ethiopia and were analyzed based on the data extracted from written, visual, and audio sources. The results indicate that while six stakeholder groups are identified in the sources, content analysis and clear evidence reveal that the industry, construction, and market groups dominate in large construction projects. In other words, the stakeholders often justify their benefits and losses through the lens of these three worlds. In addition, the research discusses tensions and possible compromises in large construction projects. The results of this research improve the insight and knowledge of project managers and contribute to the success of large construction projects. However, it faces limitations in terms of methodology and data adequacy.

The Influence of Stakeholder Interests on Safety Outcome Reporting in Psychedelic Research and Implications for Science Communication.

Psychedelics are a group of psychoactive substances which produce complex and subjective changes to consciousness and carry unique safety considerations. There is a growing body of work investigating the use of psychedelics for mental health treatment alongside increasing socio-cultural and political acceptance. This rapid evolution has prompted corporations to fund psychedelic clinical trials, leading to a potential rise in conflicts of interest in relevant studies and publications. However, the body of evidence for the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for psychiatric illnesses is early. There is concern regarding the introduction of bias in psychedelic clinical trials and the selective reporting of results amidst and beyond corporate involvement. At a crucial time in psychedelic drug reform, this paper explores the safety concerns associated with psychedelics, the potential influences of financial stakeholders on safety outcome reporting and the importance of balanced science communication in maintaining public health and safety.

Understanding the Tensions of Conflicting Stakeholder Interests in Sustainability

Understanding the Tensions of Conflicting Stakeholder Interests in Sustainability

Materiality and stakeholder engagement in sustainability reporting: does it matter?

Materiality analysis and stakeholder engagement are crucial processes in sustainability reports which aim to identify material issues and prioritize them based on stakeholder interests. Subjectivity in the process of determining materiality and stakeholder engagement can affect the quality of sustainability reports because management can determine the information to be published and eliminate negative information related to sustainability. This research aims to investigate the influence of board of directors’ activity, presence of independence commissioners, company financial performance, and size on materiality disclosure and stakeholder engagement in mining companies in Indonesia. Content analysis and multiple regression analysis were carried out on 70 sustainability reports. The research results show that the involvement of the board of directors and the quantity of board members have a positive and significant effect, while the presence of independence commissioners and company size do not have a significant effect on materiality and stakeholder disclosure. It is noteworthy that disclosing materiality in sustainability reports is a crucial aspect of business practices, irrespective of the company’s financial status or size. This research contributes to the disclosure of materiality and stakeholder involvement in the reporting of companies operating in Indonesia from the perspective of stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory.

US Military Posture in the Asia-Pacific and its Impact on Regional Stability

The geopolitics of Asia-Pacific are witnessing a transition. The regional powers calculate their bets as China rises as a key player and challenges the traditional dominance of the United States. The region hosts various flashpoints – in the wake of rising tensions, the US and China may redefine the power equilibrium, resulting in increased militarization and altering the region’s security environment. The evolving geopolitical dynamics thus characterize a power rivalry between these two powers. In pursuit of influence and supremacy, the US generates far-reaching consequences for regional stability. The involvement of the US in the region and the interests of regional stakeholders are closely connected with the US-China competition. This research paper analyzes this environment in a comprehensive manner, taking into account the multifaceted drivers shaping regional security dynamics. In addition, it highlights the complex network of alliances and military modernization efforts that are exacerbating the strategic equilibrium within the region. It also explores the complex maritime disputes in the South and East China Seas, highlighting the direct territorial and strategic stakes for both the US and China.

Are female directors more employee-friendly? Board gender diversity and employee benefits: evidence from China.

The imperative of gender diversity in corporate governance and the adoption of a human-centric governance paradigm are intensifying globally. The structure of board directors, key influencers to corporate decisions, notably shape policies, crucially in emerging markets like China where gender issues are still evolving. Therefore, employing a penal dataset comprising 8,973 firm-year observations from publicly A-share-listed Chinese firms spanning 2006 to 2021, this study empirically examines the impact of board gender diversity on the responsiveness to both employee monetary incentives and non-monetary rewards. The findings unveil a positive correlation, indicating an augmentation in per-employee compensation and an increased likelihood of implementing non-monetary programs, including stock-ownership plans, retirement benefits, and occupational safety certification, in the presence of higher board gender diversity. Notably, these positive associations are more accentuated in state-owned firms, as well as those with lower executive compensation and diminished institutional ownership. Our results remain consistent after considering robustness as well as endogeneity. This empirical evidence not only contributes robust statistical support to the ongoing global initiatives advocating for gender diversity in corporate governance but also underscores the efficacy of boards of directors in effectively managing stakeholder interests, particularly in fostering employee-friendly practices within emerging markets like China.

Water neutrality: Concept, challenges, policies, and recommendations

Agriculture, urbanisation, and industrial growth have significantly increased water demand, leading to water pollution, necessitating the protection of rivers, wetlands, and ecosystems. Hence, a strategy is needed that is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which includes ensuring safe and affordable drinking water (SDG 6.1), implementing integrated water resources management (SDG 6.5), and protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems (SDG 6.6). This review article introduces the concept of water neutrality (WN), a planning approach for new urban developments aimed at minimising impacts on water security. The peer-reviewed articles and governmental reports published between 2014 and 2024 provide an overview of the current water situation. It also explores the potential benefits of WN, evaluates existing policies and case studies, and offers actionable recommendations. The study reveals that implementing water-related policies often faces challenges, such as political commitment, insufficient funding, and weak monitoring systems, particularly in developing countries. In India, water policies primarily focus on irrigation, drinking water supply, and pollution control. However, these policies struggle due to weak enforcement and conflicting stakeholder interests. The study recommends significant policy reforms and the adoption of new approaches to achieve WN, which promote integrated water resource management, strengthen governance, pricing mechanisms, advanced pollution control technologies, climate-resilient infrastructure, and public awareness, all while aligning with SDG 6. Innovative solutions, such as smart irrigation systems and water recycling programs, offer promising paths to address water scarcity. Additionally, international collaborations can further support these goals. Integrating WN into SDG 6 has the potential to significantly enhance global water security and sustainability.

The effect of shareholder pressure on stakeholder interests: Evidence from corporate tax avoidance

AbstractResearch on how shareholder pressure influences the interests of stakeholders has recently witnessed a sharp increase, but yields mixed findings. We revisit this question by investigating the impact of managers' attempts to meet or beat earnings expectations on corporate tax avoidance. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms during 2005–2022, we find that firms with earnings pressure are more tax‐aggressive. Furthermore, such a higher level of tax avoidance due to earnings pressure is associated with higher real activity management. Cross‐sectional analysis shows that the effect of earnings pressure on tax avoidance is weaker among firms with better environment, society, and governance performance, but becomes more salient for state‐owned enterprises, firms with higher financial constraints, and during periods when local officials are devoid of incentives for career advancement. Taken together, our study sheds light on the consequences of shareholder pressure stemming from capital markets on corporate tax policies, and provides implications for enterprises and policymakers concerning taxation in emerging markets.

Factors associated with health CEO turnover - a scoping review

BackgroundChief Executive Officer’s (CEO) are integral leaders of health care organisation. Over the last two decades in United States (US) hospitals, it has been noted that CEO turnover rates are increasing, and it was reported that the CEO turnover rates have augmented from 14% in 2008 to 18% in 2017 in the private sector. In Australia, it was discovered that during two years, 41 executives had 18 distinct positions. It has been highlighted that the increasing CEO turnover is a major issue for Australian and international health care organisations. Some of the negative consequences of CEO turnover include organisational instability, high financial costs, loss of human capital and adverse effects on staff morale and patient care.ObjectiveOur scoping review aimed to map and summarise the evidence associated with CEO turnovers in both health and non-health setting, and answer the following questions: 1. What are the reasons for CEO departure?, 2. What are the strategies to minimise CEO turnover?ResultsA protocol explaining the objectives, inclusion criteria and methods for this scoping review were specified in advance and published. This scoping review included 17 studies (13 health and 4 non-health setting) published over a 31-year period that investigated and described the increasing CEO turnover rates. All 17 studies identified causes of CEO turnover along with certain studies identifying facilitators of CEO retention. We classified CEO’s departure reasons into three major themes: organizational, performance, and personal. Organisational factors include CEO departures due to issues within the organisation, performance factors include issues with CEO’s work and personal factors captures personal reasons for CEO’s leaving their job.ConclusionCEOs are under immense pressure to deliver good results and drive growth while satisfying the interests of internal and external stakeholders. There are various reasons for CEO’s departure however the most common factor identified is organisational.

INVESTORS' INTEREST IN THE REGULATORY EFFECT OF CASH FLOWS ON EXTREME CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Today, information users are interested in disclosing non-financial information regarding activities carried out within the scope of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In this context, the reflection of CSR activities, which can increase company reputation and stakeholder interest, on financial performance is important. The research aims to determine the relationship of cash flows with firm value at optimal and extreme CSR levels. The research uses data on companies with ESG scores in Turkey to determine the impact of CSR activities on firm value. The research applies panel data analysis to determine the impact of optimal and extreme CSR activities on firm value. The research points out that optimal CSR levels have a negative effect on firm value, while extreme CSR levels have a positive and significant effect. Additionally, the results reveal that cash flows positively moderate the relationship between extreme CSR levels and firm value. The research findings support that cash flows positively moderate the relationship between firm value and CSR at extreme levels. The research emphasizes the mediating role of cash flows by distinguishing between extreme and optimal CSR activities, in line with the literature on the relationship between CSR levels and firm value.

Influence of Participatory Stakeholders Involvement Interventions on Performance of Commercial State Corporations in Kenya

Organizations worldwide face obstacles that hinder their ability to achieve long-term goals in change management in an optimal and sustainable manner. Failing to embrace change renders managers irrelevant in the competitive market. The success of any organization relies on the support of stakeholders. By considering the interests of various stakeholders, organizations can improve their performance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between engaging stakeholders in the decision-making process and the success of state-owned businesses in Kenya. The researchers used a cross-sectional survey methodology and selected a sample of forty-eight commercial state enterprises through stratified random sampling. The study involved a total of one hundred and forty-four participants, including CEOs, Finance Managers, and HR Managers from each company. Survey forms were distributed to the participants in their respective institutions with the assistance of research aides to collect data. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 24 and Microsoft Excel. Regression models were used, and standard F and t tests were conducted for hypothesis testing. The research examined stakeholder involvement and support in three aspects: involvement in the change process, fostering positive relationships between different groups, and support from stakeholders. Factor analysis was applied to five factors. The majority of respondents agreed that involvement in the change process and support from stakeholders have a significant impact on participatory stakeholder involvement interventions. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between involvement in the change process and performance, as well as between support from stakeholders and performance. The correlation coefficients were 0.502 and 0.580 respectively, with p-values of 0.000. The regression coefficients for participatory stakeholder involvement interventions were statistically significant at a 5% level of significance, with a coefficient of 0.632 and a p-value of 0.000. This indicates that the null hypothesis was rejected, supporting the alternative hypothesis that participatory stakeholder involvement interventions have an impact on the performance of commercial state corporations in Kenya. The research concluded that engaging stakeholders in decision-making, especially involving them in the change process and receiving their support, is closely linked to the performance of commercial state-owned companies in Kenya. Involvement in the change process showed a beneficial and direct connection with performance, while support from stakeholders also indicated a favorable association with performance. This research highlights the importance of stakeholder involvement interventions in implementing change initiatives in commercial state corporations in Kenya. It is crucial for these corporations to seek support from stakeholders when involving them in their operations, as the study revealed that stakeholder support significantly enhances organizational performance.

Development and Assessment of a Sustainable PhD Internship Program Supporting Diverse Biomedical Career Outcomes.

A doctoral-level internship program was developed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with the intent to create customizable experiential learning opportunities for biomedical trainees to support career exploration, preparation, and transition into their post-graduate professional roles. We report the outcomes of this program over a five-year period. During that 5-year period, 123 internships took place at over 70 partner sites, representing at least 20 academic, for-profit, and non-profit career paths in the life sciences. A major goal of the program was to enhance trainees' skill development and expertise in careers of interest. The benefits of the internship program for interns, host/employer, and supervisor/principal investigator were assessed using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys with closed- and open-ended responses as well as focus group interviews. Balancing stakeholder interests is key to creating a sustainable program with widespread support; hence, the level of support from internship hosts and faculty members were key metrics analyzed throughout. We hypothesized that once a successful internship program was implemented, faculty culture might shift to be more accepting of internships; indeed, the data quantifying faculty attitudes support this. Furthermore, host motivation and performance expectations of interns were compared with results achieved, and this data revealed both expected and surprising benefits to hosts. Data suggests a myriad of benefits for each stakeholder group, and themes are cataloged and discussed. Program outcomes, evaluation data, policies, resources, and best practices developed through the implementation of this program are shared to provide resources that facilitate the creation of similar internship programs at other institutions. Program development was initially spurred by National Institutes of Health pilot funding, thereafter, successfully transitioning from a grant-supported model, to an institutionally supported funding model to achieve long-term programmatic sustainability.

Enabling role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in local environmental management in the Philippines: A systematic review

ABSTRACT How enabled is civil society in the Philippines’ local environmental management scene? A systematic review with predetermined criteria identified 21 studies that describe the contributing roles of civil society organizations (CSOs) in their environmental initiatives. The review reveals that CSOs in the Philippines take roles as Advocate, Giver, Mediator, and Partner. Key enabling indicators influencing their effectiveness include their ability in providing mutual benefits, engaging operationally, resolving conflicts proactively, adapting to dynamic settings, incorporating local knowledge, building social trust, and harmonizing stakeholder knowledge. Despite their strong potential, CSOs in the country face challenges such as divergent stakeholder interests, bureaucratic weaknesses, community unacceptability, weak local tourism control, biodiversity blind spots, and legal resistance. Understanding the dynamics of CSO engagement leverages their strengths while addressing their barriers to realize their full potential as actors in local environmental management. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance CSO engagement in the Philippines and within the broader discourse of sustainable development in the Global South.

Stakeholder engagement and influence: Strategies for successful energy projects

In the energy sector, stakeholder engagement is a critical factor for the successful planning, execution, and operation of projects. Effective stakeholder engagement involves identifying, understanding, and addressing the interests and concerns of various stakeholders, including governments, communities, investors, and environmental groups. This paper explores the strategies for successful stakeholder engagement and influence in energy projects, highlighting their significance in ensuring project sustainability, compliance, and community support. Energy projects, ranging from renewable energy installations to fossil fuel extraction, impact a broad array of stakeholders. Each group has distinct interests and concerns that can significantly influence project outcomes. Proactive stakeholder engagement helps in building trust, gaining necessary approvals, and minimizing conflicts. It involves continuous communication, transparent processes, and active participation of stakeholders in decision-making. One effective strategy is the use of stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify all relevant parties and understand their influence and interests. This process helps in prioritizing stakeholders and tailoring engagement approaches accordingly. Early and ongoing dialogue with stakeholders is crucial for addressing concerns and incorporating feedback into project planning and implementation. Another key strategy is developing robust communication plans that include regular updates, public consultations, and information sessions. These activities ensure transparency and help build a positive relationship with the community and other stakeholders. Utilizing digital platforms and social media can enhance outreach and facilitate real-time communication. Collaborative approaches, such as forming advisory committees or partnerships with local organizations, can also strengthen stakeholder relationships. These partnerships can provide valuable insights and resources, fostering a sense of ownership and support among stakeholders. Additionally, implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that address local community needs can enhance project acceptance and create long-term benefits. Conflict resolution mechanisms are essential for addressing disputes that may arise during project execution. Establishing clear procedures for grievance redressal and involving neutral mediators can help resolve conflicts efficiently and maintain stakeholder trust. In conclusion, successful stakeholder engagement and influence in energy projects require a comprehensive and strategic approach. By identifying stakeholder interests, maintaining transparent communication, fostering collaboration, and addressing conflicts proactively, energy companies can enhance project sustainability, ensure compliance, and secure community support. These strategies not only facilitate project success but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development and social responsibility in the energy sector. Keywords: Stakeholder; Engagement; Influence; Strategies; Energy Projects.