Strategic Efforts Research Articles

Driving Digital Transformation: The Impact of SME Digitalization on Technology Acceptance and Usage in Small and Medium Enterprises of Yemen

This research investigates the relationships between digitalization, perceived usefulness, attitudes toward using technology, and actual system use of technologies within the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Yemen. Using a two-step structural equation modelling approach, the research investigates both direct and mediating effects. Data were gathered from 392 SMEs in Yemen by employing a survey research design. The measurement model was estimated to evaluate the constructs' accuracy, while the structural model was analyzed to investigate the proposed relationships. Findings reveal that SME digitalization significantly enhances perceived usefulness, which positively influences users' attitudes toward technology adoption and subsequently drives actual system use. Specifically, the analysis shows that improvements in digitalization practices lead to heightened perceptions of usefulness and favorable attitudes, ultimately resulting in increased actual system use. Moreover, the results indicate that perceived usefulness and attitudes serve as significant mediators between digitalization and system use. This research contributes to understanding how enhancing perceived usefulness and fostering positive attitudes can facilitate technology adoption in SMEs, providing important implications for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers focused on digital transformation. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of strategic digitalization efforts to improve operational efficiency and promote successful technology acceptance in small and medium enterprises.

Regulating and emerging: Extrinsic affect improvement and the emergence of leadership.

Emotions are powerful tools through which formal leaders influence their followers, whether by overt emotional displays or deliberate attempts to regulate their own and others' emotions. This raises the following question: Can the strategic effort to regulate others' emotions help team members emerge as informal leaders? This work demonstrates that extrinsic emotion regulation-a goal-directed action aimed at regulating team members' emotions-can enable individuals to rise to informal leadership positions. We hypothesize that team members who improve group emotions emerge as informal leaders. This was tested in two studies. In Study 1 (a lab study on 25 ad hoc groups; n = 100), individuals recognized for improving group affect were chosen as informal leaders. In Study 2 (a field study of 43 student groups that worked together for 6 weeks; n = 141), individuals who self-reported engaging in extrinsic affect-improving were recognized by their peers as fostering positive group affect and subsequently were chosen as the informal leaders of the group. Notably, our findings show that the impact of extrinsic affect-improving was above and beyond that of intrinsic affect-improving. These results underscore the pivotal role of interpersonal emotion regulation, specifically extrinsic affect-improving, in the emergence of informal leadership and highlight its unique contribution to leadership dynamics within teams. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mortality Prediction Modeling for Patients with Breast Cancer Based on Explainable Machine Learning

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, requiring strategic efforts to reduce its mortality. This study aimed to develop a predictive classification model for breast cancer mortality using real-world data, including various clinical features. Methods: A total of 11,286 patients with breast cancer from the National Cancer Center were included in this study. The mortality rate of the total sample was approximately 6.2%. Propensity score matching was used to reduce bias. Several machine learning models, including extreme gradient boosting, were applied to 31 clinical features. To enhance model interpretability, we used the SHapley Additive exPlanations method. ML analyses were also performed on the samples, excluding patients who developed other cancers after breast cancer. Results: Among the ML models, the XGB model exhibited the highest discriminatory power, with an area under the curve of 0.8722 and a specificity of 0.9472. Key predictors of the mortality classification model included occurrence in other organs, age at diagnosis, N stage, T stage, curative radiation treatment, and Ki-67(%). Even after excluding patients who developed other cancers after breast cancer, the XGB model remained the best-performing, with an AUC of 0.8518 and a specificity of 0.9766. Additionally, the top predictors from SHAP were similar to the results for the overall sample. Conclusions: Our models provided excellent predictions of breast cancer mortality using real-world data from South Korea. Explainable artificial intelligence, such as SHAP, validated the clinical applicability and interpretability of these models.

Strategic Approaches to Managing and Rebuilding Organisational Reputation: Insights and Case Studies of South East Nigeria

Enterprises in Eastern Nigeria had substantial difficulties in effectively handling and restoring their reputation, especially in the aftermath of events that undermined public trust. Efficient reputation management requires the use of both immediate and long-term tactics to minimise harm and facilitate restoration. Timely reactions were to be cleared and understood, immediately tackling the issue and involving relevant parties, as shown by KFC’s use of wit and honesty in its marketing to maintain consumer loyalty during a supply chain difficulty. Established regular and reliable communication, actively involving the community, and closely monitoring one’s online presence were essential long-term approaches to regain trust. Having an internal culture that mirrors the intended outward image was crucial. This was shown by Starbucks’ decision to shut down more than 8,000 stores for bias training after a racial profiling incident. Additionally, Online Reputation Management services provide essential knowledge and skills in handling crises, monitoring reputation, and creating good content, hence improving an organisation’s online presence. To successfully restore one’s image in the challenging economic environment of Eastern Nigeria, it was necessary to combine prompt measures with long-term strategic efforts. These efforts were based on practical illustrations and online reputation management services. keywords: Reputation Management, Eastern Nigeria, Public Trust, Immediate and Long-Term Tactics, Timely Reactions.

Digital Marketing Strategies and Brand Awareness of Afrinnovators Group Ltd

Purpose: In today's digital age, the significance of digital marketing strategies in enhancing brand awareness among businesses was emphasized. This research aimed to assess the influence of digital marketing strategies on brand awareness in Rwanda, focusing on Afrinnovators Group Ltd. The study had three objectives: to evaluate the impact of different digital marketing channels, the effect of digital marketing expenditure, and the role of social networking platforms on brand awareness. Methodology: The theoretical framework reviewed Bandura's Social Learning Theory, Howard's Consumer Behavior Theory, and Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory. A mixed-method approach was employed, involving quantitative and qualitative research designs. The target population included 102 individuals, with a sample size of 81 respondents determined using Slovin's formula. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Findings: Regression analysis highlighted digital marketing expenditure as the most significant predictor of brand awareness, with an unstandardized coefficient of 0.096 (p = 0.022). Other predictors included social media marketing with a coefficient of 0.085 (p = 0.035) and search engine marketing with a coefficient of 0.078 (p = 0.041). The study concluded that strategic digital marketing efforts profoundly impacted brand awareness for Afrinnovators Group Ltd. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Recommendations included prioritizing social media marketing, enhancing email and search engine campaigns, and investing in online ads and videos. Future research was suggested to explore long-term effects, emerging technologies, and comparative studies to optimize digital marketing strategies. This study contributed to academic knowledge, offered practical implications for businesses, and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals by promoting economic growth.

Transnational corporate counterinsurgency in the Colombian conflict and its legacies today

ABSTRACT This study challenges common-sense thinking on internal violent conflicts in two ways: that they are merely domestic, with limited influence from external actors; and that doing business in conflict-ridden places is detrimental to profits. Drawing on empirical research and theoretical lenses from critical security studies and the political ecology of counterinsurgency, the paper explores the transnational dimensions of Colombia’s violent conflict in relation to the extractive sector. Conceptualising two overall generations of counterinsurgency, the article shows how, during the conflict, several transnational corporations, especially those in the extractive and agro-industrial sector, not only established themselves in Colombia and expanded, they also developed their corporate security schemes. Given that energy projects were strategic targets in the guerrilla war, the protection of corporate infrastructure by the state was justified. The paper argues that the internal conflict not only facilitated corporate extractivism, it also provided innovative ways of ensuring corporate security. This ‘social warfare’ approach includes strategic efforts to win hearts and minds, which continue to be pursued today through practices known as ‘corporate social responsibility’ (CSR). The paper relates this to the current challenges to hold economic actors accountable in transitional justice.

Digital Marketing Assistance as a Business Development Effort in the Home Industry in Kalidawir Tanggulangin Sidoarjo Village

Digital marketing assistance is one of the strategic efforts of business actors to expand market reach and develop their product businesses. This service aims to provide digital marketing assistance to develop businesses in the home industry of Kalidawir Village, Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo. This service method uses Participatory Action Research (PAR). The PAR method has work steps that provide an active role for all parties in designing, implementing, and evaluating changes to the business they are engaged in. This assistance was carried out in Kalidawir Village, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency. The results of this assistance service obtained knowledge and skills for home industry actors that are in line with the current digital era. The assisted subjects also shared the results and lessons learned with the surrounding community, such as PKK mothers and Asman toga administrators. This sharing can ultimately result in an exchange of knowledge and inspiration between business actors in the village so that Kalidawir Village can become one of the important economic centers in Tanggulangin District.

IMPLEMENTASI FUZZY TSUKAMOTO DALAM SISTEM PREDIKSI PANEN PADI DI KABUPATEN INDRAMAYU

Strategic efforts to maintain rice production, which is the staple food of the Indonesian people, must continue to be carried out, one of which is maintaining production in rice-producing areas such as Indramayu Regency is a step that must be prioritized. Knowing the prediction of the upcoming rice harvest is the right effort to make. Fuzzy Tsukamoto logic is a method that can be used as a calculation to make predictions, the selection of fuzzy Tsukamoto is due to its ability to predict with factors that have uncertainty such as rainfall, in addition, land area and harvest yields can also be used as variables to obtain predictions through fuzzy Tsukamoto. This study was conducted to implement fuzzy Tsukamoto for predicting rice harvest yields, where the results of the fuzzy Tsukamoto logic process that have been carried out produce six rules at the inference stage in the category of increasing or decreasing harvests, which are used as the basis for the defuzzification process to find the output value of the harvest. The calculation results are then applied in a website-based system using the Laravel framework and MySql DBMS so that they can be used to predict rice harvest yields. Based on the prediction process carried out through a system based on the fuzzy Tsukamoto method, out of 31 sub-districts, 16 sub-districts have the potential to experience a decline, and 15 sub-districts have experienced an increase in rice harvest production in Indramayu Regency.

Board diversity and firm performance in Chinese manufacturing firms: Moderating role of CEO duality

This study explores the relationship between board diversity and firm performance, with a focus on the moderating role of CEO duality in Chinese manufacturing firms. This study applies panel fixed-effect regression models for the period 2008–2022, and findings show that board diversity is positively associated with firm performance, and CEO duality negatively moderates the relationship. However, the findings also show that a highly diversified board can minimize the negative effect of CEO duality and increase the firm’s performance. Furthermore, the findings broaden the understanding of board attributes, showing that the education index is more evident among other board attributes for firm performance. This study verifies its results using the two-step system generalized method of moments approach and different board attributes in robust tests. The findings suggest that strategic efforts to promote board diversity may increase the board’s monitoring function and control managerial opportunism, ultimately improving firm performance in the Chinese business landscape. JEL CLASSIFICATIONS: G30; G34; L25

Determinants of Tax Avoidance Intentions in Tourism SMEs: The Mediating Role of Coercive Power, Digital Transformation, and the Moderating Effect of CSR

Tax compliance and avoidance are critical issues for governments and businesses worldwide, especially as businesses often use legal methods to minimize taxes, which can impact public revenue and equity within the tax system. This study focuses on understanding the factors influencing tax avoidance behaviors among SMEs in Greece’s tourism sector, a sector that has received limited research attention. To this end, a quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, using a structured questionnaire to explore potential factors influencing tax avoidance behavior. Data were collected from 534 SME managers and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to assess the impact of key factors and their interrelationships, including coercive power, digital transformation, tax knowledge, firm performance, and perceived fairness, on tax avoidance. In addition, corporate social responsibility (CSR) was included as a moderator variable, while coercive power and digital transformation were assessed as mediators. Furthermore, Multi-Group Analysis (MGA) was conducted to explore the differences between small and medium enterprises, as well as different ownership structures. The results indicate that all key determinants, except perceived fairness, are significantly and positively related to tax avoidance intention. Additionally, it was revealed that coercive power increases tax avoidance through firm performance and tax knowledge, while digital transformation mediates the influence of firm performance on tax avoidance by curtailing avoidance intentions. While CSR mitigates the negative influence of coercive power, digital transformation has a dual role: that of promoting transparency and strategic efforts to reduce the tax burden. These findings have important policy implications, as policymakers seek to promote digital adoption and enhance CSR engagement while formulating specific regulatory strategies to reduce tax avoidance among SMEs.

Embrace or leave social media? On the viability of public service media organizations’ strategies facing platform power

This article addresses the question of whether a withdrawal from social media platforms represents a viable strategy in the ongoing relational power negotiations between public service media and platforms, and if so, under what conditions. Recent diverging strategic efforts from public service broadcasters in two European countries – Germany and Norway – serve as illustrations of how existing organizations attempt to manoeuvre the current online realm dominated by platforms. I discuss findings from qualitative studies of news use in Norway and draw on comparative survey data on news use. I propose that high levels of trust in public service media, and widespread use of the public service broadcaster's own sites and offers, are key prerequisites to consider when assessing the viability of a withdrawal from third-party platforms in different countries. By zooming in on one type of media organization (public service broadcasters), and looking at different such organizations’ characteristics and context, and the dynamics of their relations to online platforms, the paper contributes to our understanding of platform power.

Small War as Global War: Paul Von Lettow-Vorbeck’s Campaign in German East Africa, 1914-1918

This article discusses Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, who commanded the Schutztruppe for German East Africa between 1914 and 1918, as a strategic thinker who clearly perceived the rupture that the First World War implied for colonial governance and the use of military violence. While local resistance to colonisation had been the predominant security concern before 1914, the globalisation of the First World War meant that many colonies became recruiting grounds for loyalist soldiers as well as battlefields in the clash of arms between colonial powers. Conversely, the possibility of anti-colonial rebellions presented a vulnerability for colonial powers that could have a global impact. Based on new archival material, this article shows how Lettow-Vorbeck recognised that small war had the potential to tip the scales in a global war and linked his efforts in German East Africa to the Imperial German strategic efforts to instigate global jihad against Entente colonial powers.

TRAILBLAZING AI IMPLEMENTATION: OVERCOMING REGULATORY HURDLES AND BRIDGING TALENT GAPS TO TURN RESISTANCE INTO RESILIENCE AT RHB BANK HEADQUARTERS, MALAYSIA

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the banking sector offers both transformative opportunities and significant challenges. This study investigates the impact of resistance to change, talent and skills gaps, and regulatory compliance on the successful implementation of AI technologies at RHB Bank Headquarters in Malaysia. Using a quantitative research methodology, data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 370 employees across various departments and hierarchical levels. Respondents were selected using a simple random sampling method. The study aimed to evaluate the relationships between these critical factors and AI implementation. Findings indicate that all three factors significantly influence AI implementation at RHB Bank, with regulatory compliance emerging as the strongest predictor, followed by resistance to change and the talent and skills gap. These results suggest that addressing employee resistance, bridging workforce skill deficiencies, and ensuring regulatory adherence are crucial for overcoming barriers to AI implementation. The study concludes that for RHB Bank to fully harness the advantages of AI, strategic efforts must focus on fostering a culture of adaptability, investing in talent development, and maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks. Such efforts are essential for enhancing the bank's operational efficiency and securing a competitive edge in the digital banking era.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0762/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Data-Driven Innovations and Sustainability of Food Security: Can Asymmetric Information Be Blamed for Food Insecurity in Africa?

Africa still struggles to end hunger, partly because not all Africans have access to nutritious food. Although studies have established the connection between digital technologies and food security, the reality in Africa is that, despite the laudable feat in the use of digital technologies, the accessibility and utilization of food still face challenges. Digital agriculture, or technology, is a data-driven innovation that predicts agricultural outcomes and guides food producers throughout the different phases of operations on the farm. The literature documents the efficacy of digital agriculture in food production and availability well, but it has hardly examined how it enhances food accessibility and utilization. And even though studies that have examined food accessibility and utilization have merely assessed income as a tool that guarantees food accessibility and utilization, not much attention has been paid to how digital resources can aid in the access to and utilization of food. Drawing on information asymmetry theory and the systematic qualitative method, this article investigates how digital agriculture, through the internet and mobile phones, enhances efforts towards the accessibility and utilization of food as prerequisites for the attainment of SDG 2 in Africa. The findings provide an understanding of the potential of digital technologies in promoting the accessibility and utilization of food. It advocates strategies through which stakeholders in the agricultural sector can utilize technology in ways that aid Africa’s strategic efforts to attain food security and zero hunger.

Taiwan’s scientific collaboration under the New Southbound Policy: Trends, effects, mechanisms, and implications

My dissertation explores the evolving trends and patterns in Taiwan’s scientific collaboration under the New Southbound Policy (NSP), with a focus on research co-authorship with NSP target countries across Southeast and South Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Launched in 2016, the NSP represents Taiwan’s strategic effort to reintegrate into the Indo-Pacific region amidst shifting geopolitical realities. This study investigates the underexplored dynamics of scientific collaboration and the seldom-tested policy effects in a non-Western, non-colonial context, exemplifying science diplomacy in action. Specifically, this research addresses three key questions: (1) What are the long-term trends in research collaboration with NSP target countries from the mid-2000s to 2021? (2) How do co-authorship patterns and dynamics manifest in cross-specialization profiles and authorship orders among these countries? (3) What impact has the NSP had on the volume of co-authored research? Methodologically, this study combines bibliometric, network, and modeling approaches. It employs established bibliometric indicators for measuring attractiveness and preferences among partnered countries, multilayer network analysis, and piecewise models of change. The primary data sources are drawn from Clarivate’s Web of Science, accessed in both aggregated forms via the Observatoire des sciences et des technologies and as raw JSON data retrieved through the Web of Science Expanded API. By analyzing the patterns, effects, and mechanisms of Taiwan’s scientific collaboration with NSP target countries, this dissertation contributes to broadening theories and methodologies of international scientific collaboration. It also sheds light on South–South collaboration and offers policy implications for nations navigating similar geopolitical challenges.

The Role of the Education Office in Increasing Public Interest in Public Schools

The focus of this research is to analyze using literature studies on the strategies and policies of the Education Office in increasing public interest in entering public schools so that it is expected to have a positive impact so that the Education Office in the regions, especially areas that experience a decrease in the number of students and are constrained to increase students in the process of accepting new students. The method used in this study is the literature study method. The literature study method, also known as literature study, is a technique for collecting data and information by examining written sources such as scientific journals, reference books, encyclopedias, and other reliable sources either in written form or in digital formats that are relevant and related to the object being researched. Increasing public interest in attending public schools is a challenge that the Education Office must face as a government agency responsible for the implementation of education in the regions. Through a comprehensive strategy, including improving the quality of education, increasing access and equity in education, as well as improving the image and reputation of public schools, the Education Office can play a strategic role in encouraging community participation to take advantage of public education services. This effort will impact the quality of education and the development of superior and competitive human resources in the future. The Education Office's policy of increasing public interest in attending public schools is an important and strategic effort. Through various comprehensive policies, such as improving the quality of public schools, expanding access and capacity, as well as socialization and providing incentives, the Education Office can realize the goal of equitable distribution and improvement of the quality of education at all levels of society.

Implementasi Program Peningkatan Edukasi di bidang Lingkungan Hidup

The implementation of the Education Improvement Program in the field of Environment is a strategic effort to increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues. The program is designed to meet increasingly complex environmental challenges by providing an effective and sustainable education. This study evaluates the effectiveness of various environmental education methods, including seminars, workshops, and media campaigns. Through a data-based approach, the analysis was carried out to measure the impact of the program on changes in participants' attitudes and behaviors towards environmental issues. The results show that interactive and participatory methods are more successful in increasing community understanding and engagement. This finding is expected to be a reference for the development of better environmental education programs in the future.

A Community Informatics Research Network Vision Statement

Community Informatics (CI) became known in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a response to community needs. Within the field, community advocates and scholars utilize evolving technologies to foster community engagement and empowerment. Ideas for CI have been created, disseminated, and promoted in large part because of the Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN). This paper investigates the evolution of CI and the essential role played by CIRN in shaping the field’s trajectory. Collaborator interaction and complex socio-technical linkages are emphasized throughout the text, which highlights the worldwide, interdisciplinary nature of CI. Further, the paper investigates the accomplishments and shortcomings of the CIRN community and ultimately underscores the need for a comprehensive vision statement as we enter our next 20 years. The development process of this vision statement, along with CIRN values, mission, strategies, key literature, conference themes, and a CI declaration, are outlined. Through examining the historical roots of CI and CIRN, the paper provides insights into the ongoing dedication and development of global, inclusive, ethical, and culturally sensitive practices. The proposed vision and mission reflect the aspirations of the CI community, providing a roadmap for navigating the complexities of society, technology, and global collaboration. The strategic efforts are intended to improve research, practice, teaching, accessibility, and inclusion in the field of CI. This comprehensive vision aims to empower communities globally via the wise use of information and communications technology.

Creating Solvability With Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs): Impacts on Homicide and Shooting Investigations

Amidst recent increases in homicides and shootings in the United States, clearances rates for homicides have declined and nonfatal shooting cases remain notoriously difficult to solve. Considerable research indicates that the outcomes of homicide and shooting investigations are likely influenced by a range of factors, including inherited case characteristics, investigative actions, forensic testing, and agency resources. Recent advancements in technologies available to law enforcement may help fill persistent gaps in solvability, but research remains limited on their effectiveness. RTCCs integrate a variety of technological innovations and software programs to rapidly receive and distribute information to support police operations, and they harness the strong potential to powerfully impact investigative outcomes and offer an additional pathway through which police agencies can increase case clearance. The current study explores the impact of strategic efforts in the Hartford Police Department (HPD) to increase investigative effectiveness through RTCC processes and technologies. Our findings indicate that RTCC activities significantly increase the likelihood that a case is solved, and this effect is primarily due to RTCC analysts’ ability to locate and analyze video associated with the case. When associated video was located, cases were 442% more likely to be solved when controlling for other covariates. The HPD’s RTCC operations, institutionalized technology, and organizational culture also play a crucial role, with a commitment to technology and information-sharing enhancing investigative capabilities. This study emphasizes the effectiveness of real-time crime centers in locating digital evidence, facilitating rapid information dissemination, and fostering agencywide collaboration, ultimately improving investigative outcomes.

The recipe to sweet success: competitive advantages for a Spanish chocolatier, 1874–1910

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to unravel the success story of a family business, while engaging with debates in business and management research through the application of corporate strategy frameworks. Implement a structured methodology to evaluate a company’s strategic efforts and explore how businesses historically achieved competitive advantages over time. Design/methodology/approach This company analysis adopts a longitudinal approach on competitive advantages, moving beyond traditional cross-sectional business to transform static models into dynamic ones. It adheres to Michael Porter’s Value Chain model (1985) and his subsequent revisions (1996, 2001) to explore how competitive advantages emerge and are sustained. Data exploration leverages an extensive archival corporate collection comprising approximately 100,000 documents, enabling a thorough examination of value chain activities through primary and secondary sources. Findings Chocolates Amatller effectively channelled its competitive advantages through strategic operational areas, including purchasing cocoa at prices below market value, using strong marketing tools such as illustrative collectible cards and posters and implementing skilful financial strategies. Originality/value Examine why, when and how a Spanish chocolatier achieved a position of prominence among Spain’s foremost industrial figures by constructing Barcelona’s iconic Casa Amatller.