Market Space Research Articles

Assessing the resilience of public markets amidst the pandemic: a study on social sustainability through legibility and imageability

ABSTRACT Public markets have long been the heart of cities, promoting community life and economic exchange. Yet, their resilience and role in social sustainability remain understudied. This research examines how Al Ain City’s public market in the UAE adapted during COVID-19, using a comprehensive framework integrating three physical (Legibility) and four non-physical (Imageability) factors across 16 indicators. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach was applied, combining qualitative tools (observation, land use mapping, aerial imagery, interviews) and quantitative tools (surveys, spatial analysis). Findings show that four of the seven developed factors significantly enhance social sustainability, highlighting the market’s adaptability and role in promoting social connections. These results underscore the market’s contribution to urban resilience during and after the pandemic, emphasizing the market’s flexibility and its role as a social anchor. This study offers micro-level insights into social sustainability, providing design guidelines to enhance public market spaces and strengthen urban resilience.

Consumption Solidarity: Healing Cultural Trauma Following Marketplace Violence

Abstract Targeted acts of violence in the marketplace disrupt the status quo and unravel the very fabric of community and consumption spaces. Despite the growing frequency of these shocking events, they remain underexplored in consumer research, particularly regarding their impact on consumer well-being and collective welfare. This research explores how individual reactions and choices in the face of incomprehensible violence can pave the way for consumer healing and collective regeneration through the re-establishment of community ties and marketplace exchanges. Our ethnographic inquiry ground these findings in the consumer response and solidarity that occurred in one community directly affected by the November 2015 Paris terrorist attacks. Our findings highlight how market spaces provide the scaffolding for communities to develop and foster interdependence through exchanges and shared moments. We also delineate cultural trauma as a subset of collective trauma. While both occur when a community one identifies with faces an existential threat, cultural trauma goes further by irrevocably altering the collective identity and transforming the community's members. Furthermore, we investigate cultural violence in a marketplace setting, when violent acts target culturally significant consumption practices and communal spaces.

Audit quality and earnings management: evidence from rural and community banks in an emerging economy

PurposeThis paper provides insights into the impact of audit quality on restraining earnings management of rural and community banks (RCBs) in an emerging economy.Design/methodology/approachA two-step generalised method of moments, absolute discretionary accruals using the modified Jones model, and multivariate regression are used to test 215 firm-year observations of 43 RCBs in Ghana.FindingsThe findings suggest a positive association between audit quality, proxied by audit firm ranking, in restraining earnings management. Specifically, the association is significant for B1-ranked audit firms and higher than B-ranked audit firms, whose observed discretionary accruals to total assets ratio is 36.6% higher than B1. Also, a negative statistically significant relationship is found between auditor specialization and earnings management, as RCBs that engage specialized auditors are found to have a lower ratio of discretionary accruals to total assets than RCBs that engage unspecialized auditors.Research limitations/implicationsRCB’s annual reports data for the research was from 2014 to 2018. The 2019 and beyond annual reports data could not be added because the study was conducted during 2019 first quarter, by which time the year had not ended, and that constrained the sample size.Practical implicationsEvidence from this study has policy implications for regulators and audit monitors in their efforts to improve AQ and minimise financial misreporting through the ranking of audit firms. As RCBs are encouraged by the findings to engage the services of higher-ranked audit firms, lower ranks will eventually be encouraged to improve quality performance in a bid to improve their ranking, which will consequently help in the minimisation of financial manipulations in RCBs financial reporting. The contemporary approach of ranking audit firms into A1, A, B1, B, C and D increases competition in the audit market space in improving quality audits more than the traditional approach of dividing audit firms into only big-4 and non-big-4. There is also a need for regulators to encourage RCBs to engage auditors who have specialized in the RCB sector so that their experience can be leveraged in minimizing EM.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no academic study that explores the impact of audit quality proxied by audit firm ranking and auditor specialisation, on earnings management using hand-collected data sets from non-listed rural banks in an emerging economy. The paper, therefore, fills a research gap in rural financial institution auditing literature.

Study on the Influence of Singleness on The Preference of Self-Improvement Products

As China's economy shifts from high-speed development to high-quality development, people pay more and more attention to their own improvement in all aspects. Judging from the current consumption trend of China's people compared with the consumption development process of developed countries, self-improvement products have a broad market space in China. At the same time, with the continuous development of China's economy and the continuous improvement of people's living standards, demographic problems such as late marriage and late childbearing, unmarried and infertile have gradually become prominent, resulting in an increasing number of single groups. Therefore, in recent years, merchants have begun to focus on markets such as healthy eating, kitchen furniture, and single packages for single groups. In contrast, self-improvement products can increase the single group to change their self-identity and obtain substantial and long-term benefits. However, there are few studies that have explored the impact of singles on self-improvement products. Therefore, this paper studies the influencing mechanism of single groups on self-improvement product preferences from an empirical perspective, collects data from young people in Chongqing by combining online and offline methods, analyzes the influencing factors and consumer group characteristics by using relevant models, and puts forward corresponding suggestions for the marketing strategies of government, enterprises and self-improvement products.

Spatial Configuration of Market Spaces: Accessibility and Management Challenges in Bamenda City, Cameroon

Market spaces are fundamental to urban life in Cameroon, serving as key centers for commerce, social interaction, and cultural exchange. However, rapid urbanization has intensified challenges related to the spatial placement and organization of markets, particularly in Bamenda. Poor infrastructure, congestion, spatial disorganization, and inadequate parking facilities hinder accessibility and affect the efficiency of market operations. These challenges not only limit economic activities but also create difficulties for vendors, customers, and other stakeholders who rely on these markets for daily sustenance and business. The research problem centers on the inefficient spatial arrangement and poor management of market spaces in Bamenda, which contribute to accessibility constraints, safety concerns, and overall dissatisfaction among market participants. This study, therefore, aims to examine the spatial location, layout, and design of major markets in Bamenda, including Bamenda Main Market, Nkwen Market, Food Market, and Ntarikon Market. It seeks to analyze how these spatial characteristics impact accessibility and functionality, as well as to identify the major challenges faced by market participants. To achieve these objectives, the study employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, including informant interviews and the administration of 324 questionnaires to vendors, customers, and shop owners. Spatial analysis mapping is utilized to assess market locations, layouts, and proximities, providing a comprehensive understanding of their spatial organization. The findings indicate that congestion, narrow pathways, inadequate infrastructure, and unregulated market expansion significantly impede accessibility and market efficiency. Given these challenges, the study strongly advocates for the effective implementation of Bamenda’s proposed Master Plan to regulate urban spaces, particularly market infrastructure. Additionally, the proper execution of the Plan of Soil Occupation (POS) is recommended to address the haphazard arrangement of market stalls and control illegal market operations.

Merger control as a tool for protecting economic competition

The reform of Ukraine’s competition law is an important step towards integration into the European economic space, contributing to the development of transparent and fair market relations. A key direction of this reform is the improvement of merger control and the harmonization of national norms with EU legislation, particularly Regulation No. 139/2004. This document defines the basic principles and mechanisms for regulating mergers, including a multi-level assessment of transactions, structural commitments, and the evaluation of their impact on markets. The article explores legislative innovations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of merger control in Ukraine, as well as the theoretical foundations and practical aspects of applying merger regulation. Special attention is given to key aspects of the reform, such as clarifying responsibility for violations of merger rules, setting new thresholds for evaluating transactions, implementing a multi-tier system for analyzing mergers, and strengthening the institutional capacity of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMC). These changes are crucial for ensuring a competitive environment and protecting consumer interests. Merger control is one of the main tools for ensuring economic competition, preventing monopolization, and fostering transparency in market relations. Given Ukraine’s integration into the European economic space, harmonizing national legislation with European norms has become especially relevant. EU Regulation No. 139/2004 establishes detailed mechanisms for regulating mergers, including a multi-level transaction assessment, structural commitments, and methods for evaluating their impact on markets. The article analyzes Ukraine’s current legislation on mergers, its compliance with European standards, and the challenges arising from unclear merger evaluation criteria, the lengthy process of reviewing applications, and the insufficient resources of the AMC. Special attention is given to international experiences in merger regulation, considering cases such as Dow/DuPont, Google/Fitbit, AT&T/Time Warner. These examples illustrate various approaches to addressing competitive challenges and demonstrate potential regulatory models that could be applied in Ukraine. Based on this analysis, several innovations for improving Ukrainian legislation are proposed: raising financial thresholds for evaluating transactions, harmonizing analysis criteria with EU norms, using post-merger monitoring, and implementing structural commitments. The study’s results confirm that reforming the merger control system will reduce the level of market monopolization, improve the investment climate, and create equal conditions for all market participants. Harmonizing Ukraine’s competition law with EU norms will not only improve market regulation efficiency but also contribute to Ukraine’s integration into the unified European market space, marking an important step toward stable economic development and the well-being of citizens.

Unlocking the Blue Ocean Advantage in HR and People Operations

In today's competitive business landscape, organizations must continuously seek new avenues for growth and differentiation. The principles of Blue Ocean Strategy offer a compelling approach to transforming HR and people operations practices. This research brief explores how HR leaders can leverage the key tenets of Blue Ocean Strategy to create uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant. By redefining the boundaries of the talent management ecosystem, focusing on value innovation, and aligning the entire organization, HR can unlock a sustainable human capital advantage. Drawing on academic insights and real-world examples, this brief outlines strategies to expand talent pools, enhance the employee value proposition, and integrate people operations with broader business objectives. The findings highlight how a Blue Ocean mindset can enable HR to cultivate a thriving, distinctive workforce and position the organization for long-term success. This practitioner-oriented brief provides a roadmap for HR leaders to innovate and differentiate their people practices.

Reworking Spaces: A New Market in a New Town

This article explores a local market in a new smart city. It recognises the agency of diverse players like the government that constructed and still maintains the market, or the customers, primarily the affluent residents of the city. But the case in point here is the vendors. The market is a programmed place of everyday exchange and consumption for the local residents. Research reveals the continuous recodification and reworking of market space by the vendors, driven by their everyday business and other necessities. By reinventing the structure/s and purpose/s, the vendors add new meanings to the market as a space of cordiality and collaboration, of contention and conflict and of discontent and fear. This may be taken as the assertion of vendors’ right to the market. This assertion is definitely political.

Temporalities of Arrival: Burundian Barbershops as an Arrival Infrastructure in a South African Township

Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa have contributed to the diversity of the informal economy in urban South Africa. However, they have faced xenophobic violence and discrimination in urban spaces such as townships, which were previously designated only for Black people during apartheid. This article explores how arrival infrastructures in the township informal economy have enabled or hindered economic opportunities for those who have newly come to South Africa. Based on qualitative research on practices of solidarity and conviviality with migrant informal traders from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi in the township of Umlazi in Durban, South Africa, in 2023, the article specifically focuses on Burundian migrants’ barber businesses as a node in the arrival infrastructure. These barbershops act as informal social spaces that provide access to “connectors” who help with networks to acquire labour, social, and material resources. These include local knowledge and information about new locations to construct a barber business or introductions to property owners. This article argues, however, that informal market and business spaces are often temporary for migrants who are always on the move, continually arriving and re-negotiating their belonging due to multiple waves and threats of xenophobic violence. Therefore, the barber business represents a temporary structure for futuring in uncertain times.

How Do Repeat Domestic Tourists Cope with Evolving Railway Stationscapes? A Marketing-Based Exploration Using Servicescape and Onboarding Concepts

This article examines repeat domestic tourists frequently using the same railway station for leisure or workcation activities. Railway stations are continuously being revamped and shifted from the public to the market space due to the incorporation of retail and non-retail options. These changes oblige repeat domestic tourists to constantly adapt their journey and activities when waiting for their trains. Framed by servicescape and onboarding marketing concepts, and based on observations and interviews with repeat domestic tourists from two busy evolving Parisian railway stations, we first outline the notion of railway stationscape. Second, we reveal the three onboarding strategies—interaction, escape, and routine—repeat domestic tourists deploy in evolving stationscapes. The results emphasize the central smartphone role and the need for practitioners to reassure travelers and to provide them with free-of-charge and restorative cues when they onboard in an evolving stationscape.

Development of Waqf through the Blue Ocean Strategy for Prosperity in Malaysia

Waqf is a significant tool in Islamic philanthropy, designed to enhance societal welfare. This Islamic wealth mechanism has proven its strength in the past, particularly in fortifying Islamic communities’ economic and social fabric while also functioning as a driver for economic advancement. However, in modern days, there are challenges in effectively managing and utilising waqf assets for maximum benefit. The Blue Ocean Strategy is a revolutionary business strategy and a global method initiative that combines creativity and innovation in business planning and operations to charter undiscovered markets. This notion provides a systematic and imaginative way to deliver significant value while keeping costs low. The initiative is applicable for implementing waqf development financing methods as part of the government’s strategy to tackle the shortage of funds for waqf land development. This strategy is also known for its innovative approach to creating non-competitive market spaces, providing opportunities to revitalise the waqf sector by identifying new avenues for development and sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how waqf development through the Blue Ocean Strategy for prosperity in Malaysia can be implemented. Experts’ views on the potential implementation of this strategy in waqf development for prosperity in Malaysia were identified. Data was collected through interviews with experts identified as informants who are actively engaged in waqf management and directly accountable for waqf matters. The content analysis method was used to analyse the data obtained. This study found that waqf and the Blue Ocean Strategy can be combined to maximise benefits to society and the country. Integrating both strategies facilitates the development of waqf assets, resulting in multiple benefits that assist in the nation’s sustainable development and the realisation of shared prosperity.

Public Management of Education and Science: Tendencies for Globalization, Digitalization, and Ukrainization

Globalization have a strong impact on education and science, being a catalyst for progressive changes. This research aims to analyze a new paradigm of public management as a unique symbiosis of cosmopolitan and Ukraine-centric thinking. The research methodology combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to analyze the impact of globalization on education and science in Ukraine. Key components include a review of recent literature on governance, digitalization, and national identity, alongside a comparative analysis of digitalization strategies in different countries to identify best practices for Ukraine. This multidisciplinary approach forms a basis for developing effective policies in the management of education and science in the face of globalization and digitalization. Thus, the analysis of globalization and digitalization impact on the development of education and science in 2003-2022 demonstrated the lack of clear patterns against the background of increased turbulence of the market space, which complicates designing the universal public management model. On the basis of differential calculus, the public management optimization model of digitalization in education and science is developed. This optimization model can be applied as an element of the national public management strategy for digitalization in education and science. Finally, it was established that there are significant direct links between digitalization expenditures, global partnership, Ukrainization level, digital competences, and socio-economic gains of digitalization.

The rise of Chinese animation: policy evolution and industry development since the 1990s

ABSTRACT This paper examines the evolution of China’s animation industry policies from 1990 to the present and their substantial impact on industry development. The study identifies four main stages: the exploratory phase in the 1990s, the boom period from 2000 to 2011, the transition period from 2012 to 2016, and the rational phase from 2017 onwards. Each stage had distinct policy focuses, collectively driving a shift in Chinese animation from simple quantity growth to a more sustainable, quality-oriented development. Various supportive measures, including market access management, fiscal and tax incentives, and industry fund support, provided critical market space and financial resources, fostering technological innovation, talent cultivation, and broadening international collaborations. Despite notable achievements, the industry still grapples with challenges like an incomplete industrial chain, dependence on government support, and gaps in original content creation. This paper provides essential references for optimizing future policies, offering valuable insights for the animation industry’s development in other countries as well.

Unlocking Blue Ocean Growth Powered by Artificial Intelligence

The core of this research lies in the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in facilitating strategic decision-making processes to transition from the Red Ocean to the Blue Ocean strategy. The Red Ocean signifies existing market spaces characterized by intense competition, while the Blue Ocean represents untapped market spaces with uncontested marketplaces. By employing AI techniques such as market analysis market analysis, competitive intelligence, customer segmentation, innovation, risk assessment, and decision support, organizations can identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and develop strategies to navigate this transition successfully. The paper introduces an AI-powered approach called Isolation Forest, which supports executives in making well-informed strategic decisions to move from the Red Ocean to the Blue Ocean. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated through a case study. The findings indicate that the suggested methodology holds promise for the future of business.

Application Research of AIGC Enabling Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Music Creation in Wisdom Teaching

With the rapid development of society, people's understanding of traditional culture and music and art is becoming more and more diversified, the depth of the growing demand for cultural experience, the current development of science and technology, the integration of culture and tourism industry, the status quo of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and the policy background and other factors interacting with each other, not only for the integration of culture and tourism to provide new opportunities, but also for the inheritance of tourism and ICH and the development of a new challenge, more AIGC technology in the application of AIGC technology in the field of music creation and culture and tourism provides a broad market space. Based on the current situation of music creation and ICH culture, this paper will deeply analyses the significance and effect of AIGC technology empowering ICH music creation in wisdom teaching, and provide a new application path for the creative transformation and innovative development of ICH culture.

CHALLENGES AND DYNAMICS OF THE MERDEKA FISH MARKET IN TANJUNG TIRAM, BATUBARA REGENCY

This study aims to analyze the challenges and dynamics faced by the Merdeka Fish Market in Tanjung Tiram, Batubara Regency, with a focus on the problems of street vendors who sell on the shoulder of the road. Ethnographic methods are used to deeply understand the social, economic, and environmental conditions of the market. The results of the study show that the existence of street vendors causes congestion, conflicts with official traders, and poor waste management. In addition, the lack of access to technology and information is an obstacle to increasing the competitiveness of traders. The study also found that efforts to control traders by local governments are often ineffective due to the lack of adequate alternative solutions. Therefore, better market space arrangement, infrastructure improvement, and collaboration between the government and stakeholders are needed. Recommendations include empowering traders through skills training, sustainable market management, and improving the quality of service for consumers. By implementing these suggestions, the Merdeka Fish Market is expected to function more optimally, provide benefits for all parties, and improve the economic welfare of the surrounding community. This research contributes to the development of informal economic theory and traditional market management, as well as a reference for further research on market dynamics in other regions.

Future of nicotine pouches – users’ perspective

Abstract Background Nicotine pouches (NPs) are gaining popularity. They are a rapidly developing category with little research or regulatory oversight. Studies have shown that the descriptor ‘tobacco-free’ may impact risk perceptions and the appeal of nicotine pouches among young adults and thus shape their position on the market. The aim of the study was to broaden the knowledge on NP users’ perspective about the future of this products. Methods Qualitative approach was utilized. In December 2022 there were seventeen structured In-depth Interviews (IDIs) conducted. The sample included of adults aged 18-22, both male and female. The respondents were asked how they see NPs in the context of aim group and competition with other nicotine products. Results We found that from NPs users’ perspective, these products are aimed at those who want give up smoking, do not want to play with electronic devices (such us e-cigarettes of heated tobacco products) or just seek for discretion (such as office workers who do want to go outside for a smoke or vape). Special aim group are children who want to hide their nicotine product use. Respondents believe that they will not force traditional cigarettes out of the market but will be a popular alternative for young people. Some suggest they need popularization to help exclude products that produce smelly smoke or vape. Conclusions Nicotine pouches as smokeless products will probably fill the market space with product aimed at young people who seek discretion of their nicotine addiction as well as those who do not want to inhale smoke. Key messages • Nicotine pouches users see value of these products. • Nicotine pouches future seems to be bright unless regulations disrupt their market development.

Making the match: How Chinese food‐movement organizations develop consumers in the alternative market

AbstractMany social movement organizations promote their agendas in market spaces. As such they need to attract consumers to their cause. This article used longitudinal qualitative data collected between 2018 and 2023 in Chinese alternative food markets to explore their consumer recruitment and ongoing efforts to match movement ideologies with consumers' values, particularly regarding what makes “good food.” I argue that an iterative, two‐way learning process between organizations and consumers helped facilitate good matching and establish a stable consumer base. Organizations educated consumers about the production process and producers' stories, aligning their missions with consumers' pursuit of safety and taste and distinguishing them from mainstream markets. Consumers resonated with this cultural work but required responsible producers and market organizers. Some organizations fostered self‐affirming discussions to redirect consumer demands, while others interacted with and learned from the dynamic culture within consumer groups to co‐create their new definition of good food. This mutual learning motivated organizers to adjust their visions of ideal consumers to align movement ideologies with consumers' desires, creating the right amount of differentiation in alternative markets. This paper advances the literature on social movement organizations' market activities by revealing the interactive learning process and the diversity of alignment strategies.

OS ASPECTOS DO PROCESSO DE EXPANSÃO INTERNACIONAL DAS EMPRESAS

The main purpose of this article is to show how Brazilian companies are expanding internationally, the main characteristics of international business expansion models, the challenges faced during the process and the benefits that companies achieve, it was understood that they are the most varied therefore, for a national company to gain space in the global market, it must be aware of the management of activities and investments, and of the importance of strategic planning for growth to be continuous and that efforts are convenient with the desired results and those achieved .

Deal Value Threshold and M&A: A Competition Law Analysis

In 2023, the Indian Parliament introduced amendments to the Competition Act, 2002. The primary focus of these amendments is to provide regulatory certainty, ensure faster market correction, and provide a trust-based business environment in India. These amendments also aim to give the Competition Commission of India (CCI) adequate power to ensure that no anti-competitive practices are undertaken in India. A plethora of amendments have been enacted, and one of the key amendments impacting M&A is the introduction of the Deal Value Threshold (DVT) while retaining the asset and turnover test. The rationale for this amendment is to ensure digital markets are covered within the ambit of DVT and to ensure that no anti-competitive M&A deals are undertaken in the digital market space. The impact of the new additional threshold in India has been analyzed, and the loopholes in the DVT framework have been highlighted. The impact of DVT on M&A deals undertaken in India has been showcased. In addition, solutions have been provided that can be adopted by the CCI in order to plug the loopholes in this new framework to make it comprehensive.