Market Barriers Research Articles

Purpose: This article explores the internal drivers of eco-entrepreneurial success in Poland through the lens of Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS). It aims to fill the research gap concerning how eco-entrepreneurs not only overcome market barriers but also generate innovation and positive social and environmental impact by mobilizing values, resilience, and authentic leadership. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with 40 purposively selected Polish eco-entrepreneurs from diverse sectors. Thematic analysis was conducted using an inductive coding approach, with interpretation grounded in the POS framework. Findings: Results indicate that eco-entrepreneurs integrate personal ecological values into business models, driving generativity and innovation. High organizational resilience enables adaptation to crises, while authentic, value-driven leadership fosters trust and engagement. Building positive relationships with customers and partners further strengthens social capital and organizational effectiveness. These internal dynamics are central to sustaining eco-enterprises in challenging environments. Implications/limitations: The findings offer practical recommendations for managers: reinforce positive deviance, foster resilience and authentic leadership, and build value-based organizational cultures. Limitations include the qualitative, cross-sectional design and focus on Poland. Future research should use mixed methods, expand to other contexts, and examine long-term effects of POS-based strategies. Originality/value: This study apply the POS framework to Polish eco-entrepreneurship, providing novel insights into the generative processes and internal capabilities that underpin sustainable business practices. It advances theory and practice by highlighting the centrality of positive organizational dynamics in driving innovation and resilience in green enterprises.

Solid-state batteries are expected to provide holistic solutions to overcome major growth barriers in the EV market, with its higher energy density, faster charging rate, intrinsic safety, and potentially better affordability. Sulfide-based electrolyte is attracting extensive interest among other solid electrolyte chemistries, owing to its outstanding conductivity and processibility at ambient temperature. According to multiple announcements from battery manufacturers and OEMs, the sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries are believed to be only a few years away from its start of production for EV applications.As demonstrated in literature, the sulfide solid electrolyte is not stable with lithium metal. To be competitive with other technologies, the sulfide solid electrolyte could be combined with lithium metal, and the obtained all-solid-state batteries demonstrate comparable performances at high c-rate. But the dendrite formation or cracks are observed, even if high pressure is applied.This presentation will address the remaining challenges of sulfide-electrolyte film and interfaces with lithium metal. The development of new “binders” for sulfide film electrolyte will be presented with the demonstration of relationship of solid electrolyte ceramic film composition, binder, density, flexibility to offer high conductivity and easily manipulation. With stabilized lithium metal interface and specific properties of solid electrolyte film by binder development, more than 700 cycles under industry-relevant pressure conditions at moderate temperature under pouch-cell configuration were obtained. The complementarity between binder properties, mixing, preparation and electrochemical measurements will be explained with technical and economical issues to bring the technology closer to the market.

Africa-born migrants in Australia, particularly those who are racialised Black, face significant challenges in securing employment that aligns with their qualifications and experience, leading to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment compared to other population groups. This study explores the employment-seeking experiences of Black Africa-born migrants in South Australia, focusing on how coloniality – understood as the enduring power dynamics established during colonialism – shapes recruitment and selection processes. Drawing on focus group data from 32 participants, we examine how coloniality manifests through the devaluation of qualifications, racialized assumptions, and systemic barriers in the labour market. We argue that these processes reinforce a coloniality of employment selection, where Black Africa-born migrants are marginalised and relegated to lower-status roles. This research bridges macro-theorizing on coloniality with the micro-level experiences of job seekers, highlighting the need for coloniality-cognizant approaches to address these inequities in employment practices. The study contributes to a growing body of work that seeks to expose and challenge the ongoing reproduction of colonial power structures in contemporary labour markets.

Abstract Drawing on signaling theory, this study examines whether postsecondary correctional education (PSCE) credentials—particularly vocational certificates that comprise the majority of PSCE credentials conferred—improve postrelease employment outcomes. Despite renewed bipartisan policy interest in PSCE as a pathway to reduce labor market barriers, existing research has shown mixed and inconsistent economic returns to credentialing, with limited attention to how PSCE credentials interact with persistent racial discrimination to shape job prospects. Through a correspondence audit study of 1502 employers seeking heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) workers, this article advances our understanding of the signaling value of PSCE in skilled trade labor markets. Results indicate that HVAC credentials improved callback chances for applicants with and without prison records, yet this advantage was not adequate for completely overcoming prison record stigma. Although HVAC credentials earned during incarceration operated similarly for Black and White men, the additive effects of racial discrimination and prison record stigma created compounded disadvantages. These findings demonstrate the promise and limitations of PSCE credentials for improving job opportunities and highlight the need for integrated policy solutions that address both prison record stigma and racism in skilled labor markets.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to economic growth. To contribute effectively to economic growth, SMEs need adequate resources. Social media is an essential yet often underestimated resource for entrepreneurs, especially in developing countries. Social media has particularly created broader opportunities for younger entrepreneurs to engage in global markets. This research examines how youth entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka use social media to create and grow their ventures. Our findings reveal that social media significantly alters traditional enterprises’ creation and growth processes. Youth entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka use SM to identify and seize business opportunities. These platforms draw venture capital in resource-limited environments and enhance marketing by enabling the creation of engaging content that fosters brand loyalty. This research illustrates how entrepreneurs effectively leverage SM for strategic marketing, targeting specific market segments to generate excitement for new products and maintain a competitive edge. We explore how technology, particularly SM, could be a vital resource in developing contexts. Our findings highlight key skills and strategies, such as internationalization and innovative use of SM, that empower youth entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and succeed. This study provides valuable insights into the interaction between technology and entrepreneurship in emerging markets.

ABSTRACTWorkers who experience structural barriers in the labour market are overrepresented in the gig economy. There is limited research on how the broader context of labour markets and welfare systems shapes workers' motivations for, and subjective understandings of, ride‐share work. Using established concepts of ‘constrained agency’, ‘labour market objectives’ and ‘life stories’ from labour geography, this study develops a conceptual framework to advance subjective understandings of job quality. Drawing upon 59 interviews with workers from three distinct but overlapping disadvantaged groups (workers with disability, caring responsibilities and/or aged 45 and over), we focus on the experiences of and motivations for the work on a market‐leading platform in Australia. Our findings highlight that subjective job quality perceptions are a complex mesh of individual circumstances and multi‐layered social structures. Our framework helps to better understand why the work organisation and technology of the platform are valued by some yet loathed by others.

In recent years, China's new energy vehicle industry has been booming, the export volume has been rising, the market scale has been expanding, and the competitiveness of various enterprises has been continuously enhanced, but it is also facing increasingly severe trade barriers in the international market. This research aims to analyze the existing state of Chinas new energy vehicle exports, the principal trade barriers in play, and their resultant impacts. It specifically discusses the detailed effects of such trade barriers on the sales dynamics of Chinas new energy automotive products. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis, this paper analyzes customs data, industry annual reports, and other data to find that trade barriers have harmed China's new energy vehicle sales, especially in major markets such as the European Union. However, China's new energy vehicle industry has maintained certain competitiveness and development potential in the global market through a series of coping strategies, such as technological innovation and market diversification.

Small-scale tree growers (SSTGs) are critical in sustainably managing forests and rural livelihoods in Tanzania. Grounded in the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, this study characterises determinants and outcomes of livelihood diversifications among SSTGs in the Kilolo District of Tanzania. Data were collected cross-sectionally using questionnaire surveys administered to 101 households, key informant interviews (KII), and focus groups. T-test analysis reveals that socio-economic characteristics significantly influence the diversification of livelihood strategies. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index of 0.346 indicates considerable diversification in sources of income. The multinomial logistic regression model classifies 97% of all cases, indicating an excellent fit to the data. The model analysis identifies total mean annual income, entrepreneurship, and Tree Grower Associations (TGAs) membership to be determinants of livelihood diversification among SSTGs. The study recommends that policy, institutional, market, and credit access barriers be identified and addressed to enable SSTGs to improve their highly diversified livelihood status

This paper examines the application of China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) in Africa, analyzing its current status, challenges, and future prospects. As a global navigation satellite system, BDS has achieved global coverage and offers high-precision positioning, navigation, and timing services. Africa, with its rapid urbanization and infrastructural expansion, presents a strategic market for BDS deployment. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China and African nations have deepened technological collaborations, with BDS playing a pivotal role in sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and public safety. However, BDS adoption in Africa faces hurdles including infrastructural gaps, competition from Western systems like GPS, and technical and market barriers. This paper highlights successful application cases of BDS in Africa, such as in road transport, railway industry, precision agriculture, and international search and rescue. It also identifies key challenges, including the first-mover advantage of European and American navigation companies, political and economic instability in Africa, technical and infrastructure bottlenecks, and difficulties in integrating new technology fields with local industries. The paper proposes strategies to enhance BDS adoption in Africa, such as strengthening policy support, promoting technical training and talent development, and supporting infrastructure development. Future opportunities for BDS in Africa are discussed, particularly in smart agriculture, infrastructure construction, public safety, and emerging industries like smart cities and autonomous driving. The paper concludes that BDS has broad application prospects in Africa and can significantly contribute to Africa’s economic and social development through continuous technological innovation and international cooperation.

Achieving high-quality employment for the labor force is a key area of national concern. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) presents both opportunities and challenges in promoting high-quality employment. This paper explores the impact of GenAI from both macro and micro perspectives. At the macro level, it examines changes in employment structures and the social security system. At the micro level, it analyzes effects on income, job stability, working conditions, and career development. The paper identifies key challenges posed by GenAI in promoting high-quality employment, including labor skill mismatches, structural adjustments in employment, and institutional barriers in the labor market. To address these issues, the study proposes strategies at four levels: government, universities, enterprises, and university students themselves. The goal is to support the labor force in adapting to changes brought by GenAI and to ultimately achieve high-quality employment.

Abstract The gap between the employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people in the UK was 33 percentage points (pp) in 2019. This is partly explained by the fact that disabled people have lower levels of education. To assess the role of education in the disability employment gap (DEG), we decompose this DEG into characteristics and structural components using Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition methods. If the average education levels of disabled people were raised to those of non-disabled people, the DEG could be reduced by 4 pp (12 per cent). This would leave a remaining gap of 11 pp (33 per cent) explained by other characteristics and 18 pp (55 per cent) attributable to structural barriers in the labour market. These results are consistent with other findings in the literature, showing educational inequalities to be an important explanation of the DEG. However, the results also highlight the continued relevance of structural barriers that are disproportionately hindering the employment prospects of disabled people.

Energy efficiency (EE) remains an underexploited opportunity in many developing economies, where a complex interplay of policy, institutional, and market-related challenges limit its implementation at scale. This study explores the structural, economic, and policy-related constraints affecting the EE market in Jordan, a country with a high dependence on imported energy. Using a multi-framework approach, we apply the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) framework to categorize these barriers, complemented by Brown’s business model (BM) typology to enhance the analytical depth. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key market actors. The findings highlight issues such as economic volatility, regulatory fragmentation, and the structural biases associated with donor-driven interventions, which contribute to an uneven and loosely regulated market environment in which businesses face significant scaling challenges. This study reflects on international experience to explore how strategies from other contexts might inform markets’ adaptation in emerging economies. This study concludes with targeted policy recommendations aimed at clarifying regulatory pathways and supporting more effective market delivery. This research contributes to ongoing policy discourse by highlighting how context-specific BM innovations might help address systemic barriers, while potentially supporting national energy goals.

Livestock remains a cornerstone of rural livelihoods worldwide, contributing significantly to food security, economic growth, and poverty reduction. Globally, over 1.3 billion people rely on livestock, which contributes around 40% to agricultural GDP (FAO, 2018). In developing economies, livestock development is a critical pathway for improving rural well-being. In East Africa, livestock supports rural development by providing employment, export income, and nutrition (Thornton, Herrero, & Ericksen, 2020). For example, Kenya’s East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) project increased milk production by 80% through private-sector partnerships and milk collection hubs. In Rwanda, where 72% of the population depends on agriculture, small livestock programs like Girinka have enhanced rural livelihoods by increasing milk production and household income. Despite its importance, the sector faces significant global challenges, including climate change, zoonotic diseases, and market instability. Uganda experienced a 60% livestock mortality rate in 2021, with 40% of poultry losses due to Newcastle disease. Rwanda faces 30% post-harvest losses due to market barriers, and Somalia’s pastoralists have lost up to 60% of their herds during droughts. Rural areas in Rwanda, including Burera District, continue to experience malnutrition, poverty, and limited market access. To address these gaps, the PRISM project was introduced to distribute livestock, improve markets, provide training, and empower farmers through self-help groups (Heifer International, 2023). However, the project’s localized impact had not been fully assessed. This study evaluated PRISM’s effectiveness in Burera District using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data from 314 beneficiaries were analyzed with SPSS, while qualitative insights came from focus groups and interviews. Results showed a strong uptake of core interventions: livestock distribution (86.6%), training (92.9%), income diversification (92%), and access to animal-source foods (99.4%). Yet, challenges remained in gender equity training (40.8%), veterinary services (59.6%), and market linkage (19.4%). The findings underscore the need for integrated policies that combine grassroots empowerment with private-sector partnerships and subsidized services. This study informs Rwanda’s agricultural policies and offers scalable lessons for similar contexts in Africa.

Purpose – the purpose of this study is to find the barriers that Indian EV industry is facing for last 10 years. The purpose of this study is also to analyse the EV problems and how to overcome through this study in future. The design used in this paper is the literature review papers previously published. We used secondary data for this paper. This study found many EVs issues and barriers that Electric Vehicle industry is facing for the last 10 years in India. Some findings in EV industry are manufacturing of EV, sales, customer perception, EV range, EV dealer point of view and age factors. Through this study the barriers can be overcome in the upcoming years in India. Electric vehicles can be more adoptable by customers after these barriers reduced in India. This study was limited to the literature review of secondary data but on primary data. We only took last 10 years research papers in this study. This is a study to elaborate the customers with EV industry to overcome these barriers in Indian market for a greener and Eco-friendly car for consumers.

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of weather anomalies, demand for effective risk mitigation tools grows. Weather derivatives offer a mechanism for managing weather-induced volatility, yet their adoption remains limited due to high transaction costs, pricing opacity and structural market barriers, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper proposes a digitally enhanced approach for weather risk hedging that integrates recent advances in climate modeling, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain infrastructure, and regulatory-aligned reporting tools into a unified analytical system. The structure spans the entire hedging process: from weather modeling and risk exposure estimation to smart contract execution and performance evaluation. It is designed to serve a dual purpose: supporting internal financial flexibility through more effective hedging strategies, while also enabling external alignment with sustainability disclosure frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), which are increasingly influencing companies of all sizes, directly or indirectly. While challenges remain in implementation and regulatory integration, the proposed methodology links advanced digital tools with sustainable weather risk management, supporting both financial resilience and regulatory alignment.

A substantial share of the global population continues to face barriers to accessing essential medicines. While the pharmaceutical industry's business model has successfully facilitated the development of innovative medications, efforts to promote universal access to medicines (UAM) remain ineffective. This paper critically assesses the existing barriers to global access to medicines, including the role of unsuitable governance, the protection of intellectual property rights, and other market barriers such as shortages, quality shortcomings, and high prices. Furthermore, we explore a number of promising potential strategies that can help towards achieving the UAM. Specifically, we evaluate the evidence from various initiatives, including alternative models of innovation, manufacturing, procurement, intellectual property management, and structural/organisational operations. We argue that the effective realisation of UAM requires a robust framework to implement these initiatives. This framework must strike a delicate balance between addressing public health needs, incentivising research and development, and ensuring affordability. Achieving such a balance encompasses a careful oversight and collaboration between national and international regulatory bodies.

The energy market in the European Union is dominated by large energy companies. However, the liberalization of this market, the removal of market barriers, and the encouragement of small companies to enter the market are creating new conditions and changing the structure of companies. In addition to large energy companies, a significant number of small entities are also emerging. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between the size of energy companies and their technical efficiency. This analysis was carried out for the period 2019–2023. In order to assess the efficiency of the researched energy companies, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method was employed. The analyzed enterprises were divided into three groups: small (IA), medium (IB), and large (II). The following economic categories were adopted as the division criteria: 1. net sales revenue; 2. operating costs; 3. fixed assets. The findings of our study suggest that small and medium-sized energy companies can exhibit levels of efficiency that are comparable to those of larger enterprises. This result suggests that companies of different sizes can coexist in the energy market. The results obtained are not completely conclusive, as statistically significant differences in technical efficiency (TE) were recorded in 2021 and 2022 but only between small enterprises (IA) and medium-sized enterprises (IB). This study highlights the potential of small energy companies to contribute effectively to Poland’s energy sector and suggests that supporting their development could enhance energy security and market competition. However, many energy companies—regardless of size—exhibited low levels of efficiency, underlining the need for deeper investigation into the sources of inefficiency.

This study explores the challenges and current state of irrigated agriculture in the Fogera Plain, Ethiopia, which is vital for food security and economic stability. Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ethiopia, faces growing challenges due to climate change, population growth, and the degradation of natural resources. In Ethiopia, the heavy reliance on rainfed agriculture, compounded by climate variability, water scarcity, and inefficient practices, hampers agricultural productivity. This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data to offer a comprehensive understanding of irrigation practices and their socio-economic impacts. Primary data were gathered through household surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, and field observations, focusing on smallholder farmers, irrigation managers, and local stakeholders. Secondary data from government reports and academic studies further complemented the findings. A stratified random sampling method ensured the inclusion of various irrigation systems and geographic locations. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS statistical methods, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically to identify key themes such as technical challenges, institutional weaknesses, and environmental impacts. In Fogera, about 20% of the arable land is irrigated, with small-scale practices like furrow and canal irrigation predominating. The region primarily relies on surface water from the Gumara and Ribb rivers, although seasonal flow fluctuations present challenges. Groundwater is also a supplementary resource but is at risk due to over-extraction and seasonal changes. Irrigated farming supports the cultivation of staple crops such as maize, wheat, and teff, as well as high-value vegetables like onions and tomatoes, contributing to the shift from subsistence to market-oriented farming. Despite its importance, irrigated agriculture in Fogera faces significant challenges, including water scarcity, poor resource management, inefficient irrigation systems, and inadequate infrastructure. The over-extraction of groundwater and seasonal river flow fluctuations threaten crop yields and ecological balance. Fuel shortages limit the operation of diesel-powered pumps, further reducing agricultural output. Poor infrastructure, characterized by inadequate design and lack of maintenance, exacerbates productivity issues. Market barriers such as poor transportation and price volatility also restrict farmers' access to profitable markets. The study recommends improvements in water management, infrastructure maintenance, alternative energy solutions, and better market access to ensure sustainable agricultural development and food security.

Non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) is a promising and cost-effective approach incorporating techniques that infer individual applications' energy consumption from aggregated consumption providing insights and transparency on energy consumption data. The largest potential of NILM lies in industrial applications facilitating key benefits like energy monitoring and anomaly detection without excessive submetering. However, besides the lack of feasible industrial time series data, the key challenge of NILM in industrial applications is the scarcity of labeled data, leading to costly and time-consuming workflows. To overcome this issue, we develop an active learning model using real-world data to intelligently select the most informative data for expert labeling. We compare three disaggregation algorithms with a benchmark model by efficiently selecting a subset of training data through three query strategies that identify the data requiring labeling. We show that the active learning model achieves satisfactory accuracy with minimal user input. Our results indicate that our model reduces the user input, i.e., the labeled data, by up to 99% while achieving between 62 and 80% of the prediction accuracy compared to the benchmark with 100% labeled training data. The active learning model is expected to serve as a foundation for expanding NILM adoption in industrial applications by addressing key market barriers, notably reducing implementation costs through minimized worker-intensive data labeling. In this vein, our work lays the foundation for further optimizations regarding the architecture of an active learning model or serves as the first benchmark for active learning in NILM for industrial applications.

Abstract - In the evolving landscape of urbanization, smart cities aim to enhance the quality of life through the integration of advanced technologies. One critical challenge faced by urban environments is the inefficiency of traditional parking systems, which contribute to traffic congestion, increased fuel consumption, and environmental pollution. In this project a Smart Parking System designed to optimize parking space usage and reduce the time spent searching for available spots. Leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, real-time data analytics, and mobile applications, the system provides drivers with live updates on parking availability, automated reservations, and seamless payment solutions. The integration with city-wide traffic and infrastructure data allows for adaptive control and efficient resource allocation. The proposed system not only enhances urban mobility but also supports sustainability goals, making it a vital component in the development of smarter, more connected cities. Parking is important for mobility, access, and the economic development of cities. Evolving technology, new business opportunities, and a growing awareness are expanding the role of smart parking in sustainable city-scale mobility. The benefits from smart parking can get amplified many folds as part of a cohesive, collaborative ecosystem. In this article, we present our vision of Parking as a digital re-imagination of the end-to- end value parking chain as part of a collaborative eco-system. We discuss the key market drivers and barriers in smart parking; assess the current readiness levels; and outline a path to Parking while identifying opportunities and open research challenges. Key Words: Smart Parking, Urban, population, traffic, vehicles