Research Agenda Research Articles

The evolution of customer engagement in the digital era for business: A review and future research agenda

ABSTRACT This study explores the evolution of customer engagement in the digital era for businesses, a crucial concept in today’s interconnected marketplace facilitated by a variety of digital platforms. The study identifies a gap in the comprehensive understanding and conceptualisation of digital customer engagement across various social media platforms and mediums. By using a bibliometric analysis approach, this study reviews 547 articles published between 2010 and 2021, offering a holistic view of the existing research landscape. The analysis uncovers four distinct bibliometric clusters representing unique facets of customer engagement: brand engagement, behavioural insights, loyalty dynamics, and relationship dynamics. These clusters provide insights into the multifaceted nature of customer relationships and engagements facilitated by digital platforms. The study concludes by proposing seven future research directions, aiming to guide scholars in exploring uncharted territories in digital customer engagement and its implications for businesses in the digital age.

Is It Possible to Decolonize the Field of Physical Activity and Health?

Is it possible to decolonize the field of physical activity and health? Decoloniality presupposes a body-geopolitical location, such as in the Brazilian and Latin American context, where it is crucial to use social identity lenses related to race, gender, sexuality, and other social markers that affect the body. Understanding health and physical activity from a decolonial perspective would bring the oppressions that connect capitalism, patriarchy, and racism to the center of the discussion. For a "physical activity other," we challenged the general recommendation of physical activity in the 4 domains. Physical activity should be understood as an end in itself, as a right, and as human development. Approaches that advocate physical activity at work, at home, and while commuting use other human activities to relate these domains to health without considering the inequalities and oppressions that constitute them in most parts of the world. Is it fair to apply "global recommendations" for physical activity to scenarios such as Brazil and Latin America, using models that are inappropriate to the context and history of these places, people, and cultures? Perhaps it is time to socially reorient and reposition physical activity from a decolonial perspective. We need Black, Indigenous, Latino, African, and other people from the Global South to move the research agenda, recommendations, and policies on physical activity from "any" health to a fair health.

Guest Editorial: Special Issue on “Sustainable urban energy systems – Governance and citizen involvement”

Cities are responsible for over 75% of the total amount of global greenhouse gas emissions. They are also home to the majority of the Earth's population. Ambitious climate mitigation goals can only be realized by transforming fossil based urban energy systems into sustainable, low-carbon ones. This is a multidisciplinary challenge that goes way beyond the technological dimension. In the Special Issue to which this Guest Editorial contributes, a multi-disciplinary perspective is used, exploring governance, institutional, ethical and other aspects, pertaining to citizen involvement in sustainable urban energy systems. The main research questions are, “How can we address key challenges to the analysis and design of sustainable urban energy systems, as regards their governance and institutions, values, social acceptance, and citizen involvement?”, and “How can this contribute to shaping a multi-disciplinary academic research agenda?” Based on the main findings from the ten contributions to the Special Issue key challenges to sustainable urban energy system design, planning, and implementation are presented, including suggestions for future research.

Ageing and wellbeing co-creation: systematic literature review and future avenues for Transformative Service Researchers

Ageing and wellbeing co-creation: systematic literature review and future avenues for Transformative Service Researchers

Knowledge gaps in existing research exploring sexual fluidity and mental health among young adults

While there is a large body of evidence indicating that sexual minority youth experience inequitably high rates of mental health problems (eg, depression, suicidality), we know little about how temporal...

Luso-brazilian emotional geographies

In the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of journal articles, events and research projects dedicated to the topics of emotions, affect, and spatial experiences in Brazil and Portugal. In this context, collaboration between Brazilian and Portuguese geographers is also increasing, despite the different epistemological traditions of the two geographic communities. With this in mind, in this paper, we reflect about the originality of Luso-Brazilian emotional geographies by looking at three dimensions: epistemologies, research agendas, and collaboration. We focus on how the epistemological perspectives and the social concerns of Brazilian and Portuguese geographers have shaped Portuguese-speaking emotional geographies, leading to the emergence of a research area for the study of the relations between emotions and space. We conclude this paper by calling for more attention to the constraints that Luso-Brazilian emotional geographies are facing.

Social network research and meat reduction – An overview of research directions and results from a study in Denmark

Reducing the current level of meat consumption would reap significant environmental benefits. However, a consumer transition towards more plant-rich eating is lagging, and the social sciences have had limited success in understanding behavioural change in this area. Here, we advocate a research agenda focussing on the role social networks could play in encouraging consumers to eat less meat. We present main research directions in social network theory and highlight the distinction between simple and complex behavioural domains of which food and eating practices are an example of the latter. To illustrate one way in which social network insights can contribute to meat reduction research, we then present results from a questionnaire-based study of Danish consumers. We examine the association between an individual's personal network and reduced meat consumption. In line with assumptions, we show that, for a complex domain such as food and eating practices, exposure from multiple network sources is central to behavioural adoption. However, multiple network exposure is predominantly important for the initial decision to eat less meat. A narrower network of personal contacts become more central during the implementation stage. We end by outlining future research directions for social network research regarding meat reduction.

Co-creating a global shared research agenda on violence against women in low- and middle-income countries

BackgroundDespite a large growth in evidence on violence against women (VAW) over the last 25 years, VAW persists, as do gaps in the field’s knowledge of how to prevent and respond to it. To ensure that research on VAW in low- and middle-income countries (LIMCs) is addressing the most significant gaps in knowledge, and to prioritise evidence needs to reduce VAW and better support victims/survivors, the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) and Equality Institute (EQI) led a process of developing a global shared research agenda (GSRA) on VAW in LMICs.MethodsThe GSRA was developed through a six-stage adaptation of the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) method, which draws on the principle of the ‘wisdom of the crowd’. These steps included: a review of the literature on VAW in LMICs and development of domains; the generation of research questions within four domains by an Advisory Group; the consolidation of research questions; scoring of research questions by a Global Expert Group and the Advisory Group according to three criteria (applicability, effectiveness and equity); consultation and validation of the findings with the Advisory Group; and wide dissemination of the findings.ResultsThe highest ranked research questions in the GSRA pertain to the domain of Intervention research, with some highly ranked questions also pertaining to the domain of Understanding VAW in its multiple forms. Questions under the other two domains, Improving existing interventions, and Methodological and measurement gaps, were not prioritised as highly by experts. There was strong consistency in top ranked research questions according to experts’ characteristics, albeit with some important differences according to experts’ gender, occupation and geographical location.ConclusionsThe GSRA findings suggest that currently the VAW field is shifting towards intervention research after several decades of building evidence on understanding VAW, including prevalence, drivers and impacts of violence. The findings also suggest a strong emphasis on under-served populations, and under-researched forms of VAW. Future priority setting exercises in LMICs that seek to decolonise knowledge should ensure that methodologies, and modalities of engagement, put diverse voices at the centre of engagement.Trial registration Not applicable

Will the metaverse be out of control? Addressing the ethical and governance implications of a developing virtual society

The development of the metaverse presents novel ethical challenges to society. There is a lack of knowledge of the potential metaverse and its effects on society. In this paper, several ethical challenges of the future metaverse are discussed to responsibly prepare for the metaverse. A systematic literature review was conducted that showed the void of literature, meta-information of the state of the field, and level of maturity of the research. After defining the metaverse concept and reviewing its constructs, we present an overview of ethical challenges for the metaverse which ask for governance awareness and responsible action in the future. These ethical challenges have been clustered in the following pairs: Privacy & Freedom, Duplicate & False identities, Abuse & Manipulation, Trade & Ownership, Censorship & Surveillance, Democracy & Participation, and Regulation & Control. Related to these pairs we also show some potential governance topics as a research agenda for the metaverse.

The architecture and archaeology of war office records

ABSTRACT This article explores ways of understanding archival material through collection-based research. Using War Office records held in the UK’s National Archives, particularly those relating to Army officers in the period 1790-1820, it provides a methodological framework through worked examples that draws upon documentary analysis and archival material culture, as well as offering a new approach of archival experimental archaeology to reconstruct processes and practices that led to the creation of records. This research shows that the history of documents is critical — though often under appreciated — to historical knowledge. Our approach stresses the importance of examining historically the creation, form, and storage of archival material. Additionally, it demonstrates the value of archivists and historians reconnecting for good practice and research insights and agendas.

For Malaria Elimination, India Needs to Integrate Its Research and Control Arms.

India has targeted malaria elimination by 2030. The national malaria control program has positioned its strategies in this direction. Substantial support in the form of dynamic research inputs leading to policy formulation and change is needed to steer the country towards malaria elimination. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India's nodal research body, has been generating evidence and helping to frame several policies ranging from malaria management to vector control operations. Since the country is preparing for malaria elimination, the connection between the programmatic needs and the research agenda needs further strengthening. Typically, the national malaria control program handles the implementation of programmatic activities, while the national research body, ICMR, conducts research studies to generate evidence. We propose a virtual integration of the activities conducted by these two entities to maximize the potential for translating research findings into programmatic policies. Joint monitoring of drug and insecticide resistance, codevelopment and utilization of more innovative surveillance systems, data-backed mitigation responses, and overcoming last-mile challenges are reasons for the virtual amalgamation of the two bodies. Timely translation of research outputs into policy, co-opting of workforce and material resources, joint capacity building, and synergistic advocacy are benefits of the proposed new alliance for more efficient operations. The close functioning will provide impetus to narrow down current gaps and disrupt traditional barriers, galvanizing the country toward malaria elimination.

Measuring Reputational Signals Regarding Public Sector Professions: Validation of a Scale and a Research Agenda

Public administration scholars are devoting increasing attention to the concept of reputation. The emphasis reflects a long-standing concern in the field with the sources of power and influence on administrative processes. This study extends the investigation of reputation from organizational reputation to reputational signals regarding public sector professions. We begin with a definition of reputational signals. We then develop a survey instrument that measures reputational signals from two signalers: elected officials and people close to respondents. Results are presented for internal consistency, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, convergent and discriminant validity, and average variance extracted. Next, we conduct a path analysis to test the effects of reputational signals regarding public school teachers on two outcomes using two staggered survey instruments with 588 US adults. We find that reputational signals from both types of signalers are positively and significantly associated with the perceived prestige of the teaching profession. Furthermore, reputational signals from people close to respondents are directly and positively associated with support for teacher autonomy. In contrast, reputational signals from elected officials do not have a statistically significant association with support for teacher autonomy. We conclude by discussing avenues for future research.

Bourdieu on love: A latent capital, a primary field and a new research agenda

This article offers an elaboration and reconstruction of Pierre Bourdieu’s brief account of interpersonal love in Masculine Domination. Although Bourdieu presented love as a possibility of escape from relations of domination, he also understood that love was a product of labour, inserted within an economy of exchanges, and liable to become infused with domination. I build on these remarks to make the case that it is possible to conceive of love becoming a form of ‘capital’ operative within fields of intimate relations. Two substantial consequences flow from this move. First, it gives specificity to a species of field that has a threefold primacy over all others. Second, it throws into sharp relief the fact that what a person does in one field is contextualised by their location in many fields. Both moves widen the scope of Bourdieusian research considerably by pushing it into new intellectual territory and deepening its explanatory capacity.

Development of a Theoretical Model for Digital Risks Arising from the Implementation of Industry 4.0 (TMR-I4.0)

This study aims to develop a theoretical model for digital risks arising from implementing Industry 4.0 (represented by the acronym TMR-I4.0). A systematic literature review was initially conducted using the Methodi Ordinatio methodology to map the principal dimensions and digital risks associated with Industry 4.0 in order to achieve this objective. After completing the nine steps of Methodi, a bibliographic portfolio with 118 articles was obtained. These articles were then subjected to content analysis using QSR Nvivo® version 10 software to categorize digital risks. The analysis resulted in the identification of 9 dimensions and 43 digital risks. The categorization of these risks allowed the construction of maps showing the digital risks and their impacts resulting from the implementation of Industry 4.0. This study advances the literature by proposing a comprehensive categorization of digital risks associated with Industry 4.0, which resulted from an exhaustive literature review. At the conclusion of the study, based on the proposed Theoretical Risk Model for Digital Risks arising from the implementation of Industry 4.0, a research agenda for future studies will be proposed, enabling other researchers to further explore the landscape of digital risks in Industry 4.0.

Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: a state of the science review.

SUMMARYThis narrative review and meta-analysis summarizes a broad evidence base on the benefits-and also the practicalities, disbenefits, harms and personal, sociocultural and environmental impacts-of masks and masking. Our synthesis of evidence from over 100 published reviews and selected primary studies, including re-analyzing contested meta-analyses of key clinical trials, produced seven key findings. First, there is strong and consistent evidence for airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory pathogens. Second, masks are, if correctly and consistently worn, effective in reducing transmission of respiratory diseases and show a dose-response effect. Third, respirators are significantly more effective than medical or cloth masks. Fourth, mask mandates are, overall, effective in reducing community transmission of respiratory pathogens. Fifth, masks are important sociocultural symbols; non-adherence to masking is sometimes linked to political and ideological beliefs and to widely circulated mis- or disinformation. Sixth, while there is much evidence that masks are not generally harmful to the general population, masking may be relatively contraindicated in individuals with certain medical conditions, who may require exemption. Furthermore, certain groups (notably D/deaf people) are disadvantaged when others are masked. Finally, there are risks to the environment from single-use masks and respirators. We propose an agenda for future research, including improved characterization of the situations in which masking should be recommended or mandated; attention to comfort and acceptability; generalized and disability-focused communication support in settings where masks are worn; and development and testing of novel materials and designs for improved filtration, breathability, and environmental impact.

Project management logics for agile public strategic management: Propositions from the literature and a research agenda

In this paper, we call for an integration of project management logics within the now mature field of public strategic management, to analyze the potential contribution of projects in terms of increased strategic agility, in a context where traditional strategic planning and management tools and approaches are increasingly seen at risk of not being responsive enough to rapidly changing external conditions. To pursue this objective, we carry out a problematizing literature review on the two streams, by incorporating journal and book contributions from the last 30 years on Web of Science Database. 509 contributions have been quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed to answer two interconnected research questions: What is the state of the art in the literature on the interactions between project management and public strategic management? And, how can project management logics be integrated within traditional strategic planning and management processes in the public sector in order to achieve strategic agility? We find that, until today, public management literature has only sporadically dealt with the potential influence of project management logics on strategic management and, more in detail, strategy implementation. Furthermore, the review enables a discussion of five organizational drivers fostering an agile approach in public strategy implementation. Using a narrative approach, they then lead to the formulation of five researchable propositions. We conclude by proposing an updated model of the strategic planning and management cycle in the public sector, factoring in potential agile practices and feedback mechanisms induced by incorporating project logics in the implementation of strategy.

Corporate social innovation: a systematic literature review and research agenda

Corporate social innovation: a systematic literature review and research agenda

Industrial doctorates: a systematic literature review and future research agenda

ABSTRACT The aim of this systematic literature review was to understand the features, and the evolution, of industrial doctorates by analysing 54 papers published between 2002 and 2023. Two aspects were considered (i) the state of the art of the literature has been clarified through synthesis and discussion of six key themes: the main features and evolution of industrial doctorates; the design and implementation of industrial PhD programmes; the perspective of PhD candidates; the standpoint of university; the standpoint of industry; and industrial doctorates as policy tools for fostering innovation processes. There was a surge in publications after 2015, but these have mainly focused on the European context. Industrial doctorates are reshaping the doctoral education landscape as they are considered as educational tools for building bridges between academia and industry. However, there are still institutional and cultural barriers to legitimising industrial doctorates which are often considered as alternatives or even as the antithesis of ‘traditional’ PhDs; (ii) we suggest an agenda for future research to assess whether industrial doctorates do offer an effective response, or an optimal approach to meeting the demands of both the knowledge society and of doctoral candidates. Future research should seek to gather quantitative evidence in a wider variety of geographical areas, taking into account the distinctive features of both institutional contexts, and of the diverse scientific fields and industrial sectors involved. Studies of the long-term impacts of industrial doctorates on students’ research outcomes, their career trajectories and, on the performance of local ecosystems are needed.

Perceived brand transparency: A conceptualization and measurement scale

AbstractAmid product scandals, corporate malpractices, and the proliferation of misinformation, consumers are becoming increasingly more skeptical about the brands they purchase. Transparency is often hailed as a strategic imperative to reassure consumers and increase brand trust; however, its deployment can be complex. With additional transparency, consumers may become overloaded with information, and the brand may be exposed to unwanted external scrutiny. Consequently, before disclosing strategically sensitive information, brands need more insight into how increasing transparency might translate into strategically desirable consumers' brand evaluations. Addressing this need, we examine how transparency initiatives translate into consumers' evaluation of brands by delineating the dimensions of the perceived brand transparency construct, namely, observability, comprehensibility, and intentionality. Next, we use this conceptualization to develop and validate a scale to measure perceived brand transparency. We close with a brand transparency research agenda, as well as practical guidance for managers considering investing in strategic transparency initiatives.

Towards accessible robot-assisted physical play for children with physical disabilities

Abstract MyJay is an open-source robot designed to facilitate play between children with and without physical disabilities. The robot acts as a proxy for children with upper limb challenges, allowing them to participate in physical games with their peers. Our design was inspired by the FIRST Robotics Competition, which involves teleoperating robots to manipulate objects. Taking a user-centred perspective, we consulted therapists and conducted remote interviews with children with disabilities and their guardians at various stages of the design process. We then conducted an in-person feasibility study with 18 typically developing children in a school setting. The study involved children teleoperating the robot to pick up and throw balls into a designated goal, and the interaction was evaluated using the user experience questionnaire and the Robotic Social Attributes Scale. The results of the study show great potential for MyJay to act as a play mediator in various scenarios, and the response from the children was positive. The ultimate aim of our research agenda is to pave the way towards creating more inclusive play environments through robot-mediated interactions, breaking barriers posed by physical limitations.