Industrial Strategy Research Articles

Trends in the environmental impacts of the Australian pork industry

Context Over the past four decades, major changes have occurred in Australia’s pork industry, affecting productivity and environmental performance. Aims This study determined long-term changes in greenhouse gas and key resource use efficiency indicators. Methods Life cycle assessment was used to determine impacts at decadal intervals between 1980 and 2010, and are presented alongside results for 2020 and 2022. Key results Over 42 years since 1980, greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and direct land use change (dLUC), fell by 74% from 11.7 to 3.0 kg CO2-e/kg liveweight. Land use and dLUC emissions declined by 92%. Fossil energy use decreased from 35 to 13 MJ/kg liveweight between 1980 and 2022. Freshwater consumption and water stress fell from 506 L and 671 L H2O-e in 1980 to 52 L and 43 L H2O-e/kg liveweight in 2022, respectively. Land occupation decreased by 42% from 22 m2/kg liveweight in 1980 to 13 m2/kg liveweight in 2022. Over the analysis period, emissions per kilogram of liveweight fell by an average of 1.8% per year, land use and dLUC emissions by 2.2%, greenhouse gas including land use and dLUC emissions by 1.9%, fossil energy use by 1.5%, and freshwater consumption, stress, and land occupation by 2.1%, 2.2%, and 1%, respectively. Between 2010 and 2020, uptake of covered anaerobic ponds resulted in an annual rate of improvement in emissions (excl. land use and dLUC) of 2.9%, however, the rate of improvement fell to 1.4% between 2020 and 2022. Conclusions Long-term improvements were principally driven by improved herd productivity and feed production systems, and changes in housing and manure management. Herd and system efficiencies led to better feed conversion ratio, resulting in lower feed requirements, reduced manure production and lower feed wastage, which reduced manure greenhouse gas emissions. Concurrently, reduced tillage, higher yields, and a decrease in the proportion of irrigation water used for grain production resulted in lower impacts of feed grains. Implications Ongoing changes and improvements in production efficiency have resulted in large gains in environmental performance in the Australian pork industry but new strategies will also be needed to maintain these trends into the future.

Enhancing supply chain performance by integrating knowledge management and lean, agile, resilient, and green paradigms

Due to global market competition, there is an increasing emphasis on utilizing lean, agile, resilient, and green (LARG) paradigms to improve Supply Chain (SC) performance. Furthermore, as technology advances, Knowledge Management (KM) is essential in improving SC performance through information sharing, improving processes, and increasing coordination and collaboration. Thus, this research proposes a novel approach to integrating KM with LARG paradigms to enhance SC performance. Also, the decision framework is presented using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approaches, including the Grey Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA-G) and Grey Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution (MARCOS-G) method. The presented approach is implemented in an automobile enterprise to improve SC performance. The findings indicated that building coordination and collaboration to improve efficiency, facilitate operations, and reduce communication and exchange costs was introduced as the most critical strategy in the automotive industry.

Supply Chain Channel Strategy and Marketing Performance of Agricultural Products Firms in Nigeria

Even with the expansion of the vendor network supply chain channel strategy research and the development of the nation's agricultural industry, there seems to be no empirical research on supply chain channel strategy as it relates to marketing performance of agricultural products’ firms. Particularly, it appears that there have not been studies on the relationship between supply chain channel strategy formulation within the agricultural industry in Nigeria. The lack of literature by scholars with respect to supply chain channel strategy in the agricultural industry to trigger innovations in channel techniques and strategies could properly be the root cause of ineffective marketing performance of agricultural products’ firms in terms of customer’s service, profitability and product availability. The researchers therefore sought to discuss this limitation, thereby bridging the acknowledged gap. Based on the objective of the study, a systematic survey was utilized to obtain information from 376 management staff of agricultural product enterprises, and three hypotheses were developed. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The results demonstrated a favorable and significant association between marketing success of agricultural product companies and channel management. It was concluded that if supply chain channel strategy is well implemented, there would be an increase in marketing performance as measured by client fulfillment, profitability and product availability. Considering the results, it was recommended that sales, supply chain and marketing managers should manage their supply chain channels by placing more emphasis on channel strategy.

Heterogeneous strategy and performance decomposition of regional industries in China: From the perspective of resource misallocation

AbstractThe rapid expansion of China's industrial sector has been accompanied by energy consumption and environmental pollution. Accurately identifying the sources of inefficiency of industrial sector is crucial for achieving sustainable development. To address this issue, this study develops a novel decomposition approach that combines the concepts of natural and managerial disposability with an aggregate directional distance function approach to measure the performance of regional industries in China from 2006 to 2019. In the proposed approach, the overall inefficiency is decomposed into technical inefficiency and structural inefficiency. The latter component, which captures inefficiency associated with resource misallocation within a country, is further divided into mix and scale elements. The results show that there remains much room for potential improvement in both the operational and environmental performance of China's industrial system, particularly in the central area. Furthermore, structural inefficiency is the primary contributor to the overall inefficiency of Chinese industry under natural disposability, whereas technical inefficiency appears as the main source of the inefficiency under managerial disposability. The results also reveal great disparities in terms of the overall inefficiency and the sources of inefficiency of Chinese industrial sector among regions between different mitigation strategies. Given the substantial structural effect on the performance of Chinese industries across regions, it is necessary to accelerate the establishment of market mechanisms to promote efficient allocation of resources.

Fluorescence visualization dynamics of carbonated water injection processes in homogeneous glass micromodels

Understanding the flow behavior of oil–water phases in porous media is crucial for revealing the kinetic mechanisms underlying oil–water movement. In this study, we designed and constructed a fluorescence visualization experimental platform for carbonated water injection (CWI). We evaluated the effects of nine distinct injection rates on oil production and CO2 sequestration capabilities using three types of homogeneous porous structure micromodels. The microscale oil–water seepage behavior at the pore scale was also explored. The experimental results indicate that optimally increasing the injection rate can improve displacement efficiency, whereas excessively high rates may lead to viscous and capillary fingering. The geometry of the micromodels, particularly the hexagonal matrix, demonstrates potential advantages in enhancing oil displacement due to its uniform flow paths. The capillary number (Ca) significantly influences oil droplet capture behavior within micromodels. For instance, micromodel A captures the largest ganglion area at low Ca values, with a noticeable reduction in average ganglion area as Ca increases. Conversely, micromodels B and C exhibit similar trends in ganglion size variation at high Ca values, suggesting a more uniform impact of pore structure on oil droplet capture behavior. At elevated Ca values, capillary forces exert a more uniform and controlled effect on oil droplet capture and release, minimizing size variability. Additionally, the injection rate plays a critical role in CO2 sequestration, with higher rates promoting convective mixing between CO2 and reservoir fluids, thereby enhancing dissolution and storage efficiency. The complexity of the pore structure, characterized by the presence of micropores and macropores, affects the dissolution kinetics and mobility of CO2, influencing sequestration efficiency. These experimental findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of oil–water motion and the potential for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and CO2 storage, offering essential guidance for optimizing CWI strategies in the petroleum industry.

The Impact of Air Pollution Risk on the Sustainability of Crop Insurance Losses

Climate change poses significant risks to natural and economic environments, particularly through its interaction with air pollution. As agriculture is vital for national production, and crop insurance supports social security, it is crucial to examine how air pollution affects crop insurance. Here, we quantify the impact of air quality on crop insurance claims from an actuarial perspective and evaluate the implications for the industry. Utilizing claims data from the U.S., we explore the potential of particulate matter (PM2.5) as a predictor of insurance claims, building on literature that highlights its economic damage to crops. Through the application of a generalized additive model (GAM) and extreme gradient boosting, we found that PM2.5 is indeed a factor influencing crop insurance indemnity in both models, with the GAM demonstrating superior predictive performance. Furthermore, we employed Bai and Perron breakpoint analysis to elucidate the relationship between PM2.5 levels and crop insurance claims over time, alongside two-way fixed effects models to investigate its correlation with various crop types. Our findings highlight the need for crop insurance managers to integrate air quality considerations into their risk processes to ensure sustainability of the industry and pricing strategy in the face of evolving environmental challenges.

Webtoons, Desperately Seeking Viewers: Interactive Creativity in Social Media Platforms and Cultural Appropriation of Global Media Production

Webtoons optimize interactivity and participation of media users in the world of digital media by consolidating a unique digital culture. This article examines the role of users in interactive media by exploring the case of webtoons in the context of a changing global political economy and cultural dominance. Korean platform monopolies have established a new business model for webtoons and developed it as a center of Korean creative power. While webtoons have increasingly expanded and attracted the global market and the global audience, some persistent social issues remain, including the precarious labor structure, monopolistic power in the industry, and ideological dominance in content. Although webtoon viewers are often recognized as cultural intermediaries and powerful agents for their contributions to interactive creativity, their role has fluctuated according to changing political-economic structures and industrial strategies. In the course of expanding to the global market and to new business areas such as intellectual property (IP), webtoons have evolved in new fashions while disclosing the ambivalent nature of participatory media and digital interactivity. This article elucidates the double faces of interactive creativity focusing on viewers’ participation in webtoon production in the context of changing webtoon industry and growing partnership with global media.

New image, same tactics: global tobacco and vaping industry strategies to promote youth vaping.

E-cigarette use (or vaping) is widespread in young people and is a rapidly growing public health problem. While the tobacco and vaping industry has promoted vaping as a smoking cessation aid for adults, the industry has strategically targeted young people through marketing and appealing designs to orientate a new generation of consumers to use their products. These strategies are not new and replicate what we have previously seen employed by the tobacco industry in past decades to maintain and grow their tobacco profits. We review the evidence on tobacco and vaping industry interference, highlighting the calculated and strategic use of interference tactics as a discourse to curb tobacco control efforts. We demonstrate how these tried and tested strategies are now being purposefully re-used in the context of vaping. As Australia is currently undergoing significant policy reforms for the access and retail of vaping products, we also provide a case study of the industry response played out in this contemporary landscape. Government and public health advocates are in a key position to be one step ahead in proactively tackling the vaping crisis. We recommend that continued monitoring of industry activities and strategies, achieving political transparency and tightening loopholes in current regulations are all needed to identify and eliminate the tobacco and vaping industry's influence on policymaking. Given their previous track record, we emphasize the need to counter industry interference tactics with urgency to prevent a new generation of nicotine dependence and to support and protect future action in tobacco control.

Industrial Policy and Democratic Corporate Governance: Perspectives from the BNDES Case

In the early twenty-first century, Brazil underwent a remarkable economic boom, primarily driven by the Brazilian National Bank of Economic and Social Development (BNDES). This state-owned financial institution spearheaded a new industrial strategy, sponsoring domestic companies, such as Odebrecht and JBS, to their internationalisation. Nevertheless, this initial successful story took a dramatic turn. Over the years, the Brazilian national champions found themselves involved in corruption scandals, human rights violations and environmental damage, with BNDES indirectly funding these activities. This article seeks to discuss this crony capitalism arrangement, examining the role of corporate governance in safeguarding industrial policy from capture. We conclude by exploring how a democratic model of corporate governance could provide some insights for addressing this issue.

Temperature-induced pathogen Vibrio fortis NH-2 triggers bleaching and rough-shell disease in Porphyra sensu lato

Neoporphyra haitanensis and Neopyropia yezoensis are two critically important cultivated species of Porphyra sensu lato in China. Recently, outbreaks of bleaching and rough-shell diseases in Jiangsu Province have led to the death of shell-borne conchocelis (SBC), severely affecting the healthy supply of SBC. In this study, through culture-dependent methods and infection assays, we confirmed that bacterial strain NH-2 was responsible for inducing disease symptoms identical to those observed in the bleaching and rough-shell-diseased samples from the nurseries. Strain NH-2 was also found to induce cell pyknosis in free-living conchocelis (FLC), and thallus cells of Porphyra, leading to degradation of chloroplasts and eventual cell death. By integrating morphological observations, physiological assessments, biochemical characterization, and whole-genome sequencing, strain NH-2 was identified as Vibrio fortis NH-2. This strain demonstrated a mortality rate exceeding 54.0 % at temperatures above 25 °C (p < 0.01), with disease severity increasing at higher temperatures, establishing V. fortis NH-2 as a temperature-induced pathogen. In conclusion, the findings of this study provided critical insights into the etiology of Porphyra diseases and offered valuable guidance for disease prevention strategies in the aquaculture industry.

Establishment of a multiplex qPCR method for sensitive detection of proteolytic psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk

Initial microbiological species and quantity of raw milk significantly affect dairy product quality. In particular, some psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk can produce heat-stable hydrolases that reduce the stability of dairy products during their shelf life. The purpose of this study was to establish a multiplex real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) rapid detection method for Pseudomonas fluorescens and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, which generally produce protease in raw milk. The primers and probes with good specificity, universality and high sensitivity to the target bacteria were screened by ordinary PCR and qPCR experiments. The quantitative linear relationship and sensitivity of the method for detecting pure DNA and artificially contaminated simulated milk samples were verified. The results showed that the limit of detection (LOD) of this method for pure DNA could reach 3.16×10-5 ng/μL. The detection of artificially contaminated samples showed that the LOD for P. fluorescens and L. lactis subsp. lactis could reach 250 and 22 CFU/mL, respectively. The multiplex qPCR method established in this study has good specificity and high sensitivity, which can be used to rapidly detect psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk. It provides an effective reference strategy for the dairy industry to ensure the microbiological quality of raw milk from the source.

Разноуровневые стратегии развития: арктический нефтегазовый вектор

The balanced development of the hydrocarbon potential in the Arctic is currently a strategic priority for Russia. Given the present conditions of the global energy sector, alongside new geopolitical challenges and trends towards low-carbon and ecologically balanced development, there is a need for a system of coordinated strategies across the industry, regional, and corporate levels. To effectively develop Arctic oil and gas resources, it is necessary to ensure technological sovereignty, which involves equipping oil and gas companies with domestically produced equipment and software. Strategies should also focus on the development of industries that produce high value-added products, particularly in the petrochemical sector. Public administrators and corporate managers responsible for key decisions must have a clear, long-term vision for the development of the Arctic oil and gas sector and employ established methodological approaches in strategy design. The goal of this study is to substantiate the specific characteristics of multilevel strategies and assess the feasibility of using a matrix approach when designing strategic alternatives relevant to the current economic environment. The research methodology is based on the approaches, methods, and tools of strategic management and planning, with a particular focus on methods for designing strategic alternatives. The novelty of the research lies in the development of a system of criteria for comparing strategies and their target priorities at the industry, regional, and corporate levels. The study identifies current trends and challenges arising from the energy transition, stringent sanctions policies, and growing technological capabilities. It proposes an approach to designing alternative strategies of related and unrelated diversification for oil and gas companies. Developing a holistic concept of coordinated industry and corporate strategies is identified as a promising area for further research.

Understanding the kinetics of waste plastic catalytic pyrolysis under microwave irradiation for enhanced resource valorization

The increasing accumulation of ABS plastic waste poses significant environmental challenges, necessitating efficient methods for its disposal and recycling. The pyrolysis of the ABS plastic waste was performed under various heating programs including constant heating rate (27.5, 42.2 and 65 K min−1), and sample-controlled reaction rate (0.01 min−1) to obtain the TG curves using the in-house developed microwave assisted thermogravimetric analyzer. Fe-impregnated SiC was used as thermal and chemical catalyst, while neat SiC played only thermal catalyst role. The modified Sestak-Bergren equation used to model the TG data by Pearson’s linear correlation and associated parameters n = 1.129 and m = 0.27 was achieved. The comparison of normalized form of the conversion function (f (α)/f (0.5)) with the most common models of solid-state reactions showed that random scission model (L2) was the most suitable approach to physically explain the pyrolysis of ABS plastic waste. Furthermore, by applying isoconversional kinetic analysis, the variation of activation energy (Eα) with conversion value was approximately constant. The Eα obtained was 140.5 and 63.7 kJ/mol with SiC and Fe/SiC, respectively. These findings hold practical implications for industrial applications or waste management strategies, particularly when considering the developed microwave-assisted real-time TGA-pyrolysis, which can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of plastic waste recycling processes.

Application of the Fuzzy Mamdani Method to Predict the Number of Customers Based on the Weather and Holidays in a Simple Restaurant on Abdul Hakim Street

This research aims to optimize marketing strategies in the food industry byapplying the Fuzzy Mamdani method. This approach considers factors such as thenumber of customers, weather conditions, and holidays to forecast the number ofcustomers who will come to a simple restaurant. By using the Fuzzy Mamdanimodel, this research seeks to generate more effective marketing strategies bytaking into account variability in consumer behavior. The results of this researchare expected to help food business owners to optimize their raw material inventorymore precisely, so as to improve operational efficiency and increase customersatisfaction.

Evaluating the impact of AI and blockchain on credit risk mitigation: A predictive analytic approach using machine learning

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, and machine learning has transformed credit risk mitigation strategies in the financial industry. This paper explores the practical applications of these technologies in identifying, assessing, and managing credit risk, with a specific focus on predictive analytics and decentralized frameworks. Through a comprehensive literature review and case studies, the research demonstrates how AI-driven algorithms, blockchain's transparent and immutable ledger systems, and machine learning models have enhanced the precision and efficiency of credit risk evaluations. Additionally, the study investigates how these innovations are being adopted by financial institutions to create more accurate credit scoring systems, reduce fraud, and optimize operational risk management. While these technologies hold great promise, challenges such as data privacy, regulatory compliance, and implementation costs remain significant barriers. The paper concludes with recommendations for overcoming these challenges and maximizing the potential of AI, blockchain, and machine learning in credit risk mitigation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Banking Industry: A Review of Service Areas and Customer Service Journeys in Emerging Economies

The banking industry's shift towards digitalization, particularly Web 2.0 banking, signifies a profound change in the bank-client relationship. This transformation integrates digital elements into consumers' lives, digitising everyday activities and highlighting the importance of online social platforms and digital business operations. AI's growing interest in academia and commerce underscores its significant role in customer service. The study examines AI strategies in the banking industry, focusing on service areas and adaptation to the evolving technological landscape, particularly in customer service in developing economies. By adopting an interpretivist philosophy emphasising practicality, a qualitative approach was employed through a systematic literature review of 90 articles using thematic analysis. The research highlights AI's growing use in process automation, customer experience, stock market trend prediction, credit risk management, online banking, marketing management, and auditing. It concludes AI's positive impact on banking operational efficiency and customer service by recommending ethical AI usage, stakeholder collaboration, trust in data handling, and robust internal control systems. Additionally, it suggests exploring the association between organisational culture, leadership, and AI integration in developing economies. The research contributes to the theoretical and empirical frameworks that explain how AI is optimally integrated into banking operations, guiding policymakers and practitioners in leveraging AI to foster financial inclusion and economic growth. Future researchers should include non-profit institutions and non-financial performance metrics to gain insights into AI’s sustainability implications in banks beyond financial metrics.

Intelligent and Secure Cloud–Edge Collaborative Industrial Information Encryption Strategy Based on Credibility Assessment

As industries develop and informatization accelerates, enterprise collaboration is increasing. However, current architectures face malicious attacks, data tampering, privacy issues, and security and efficiency problems in information exchange and enterprise credibility. Additionally, the complexity of cyber threats requires integrating intelligent security measures to proactively defend against sophisticated attacks. To address these challenges, this paper introduces an intelligent and secure cloud–edge collaborative industrial information encryption strategy based on credibility assessment. The proposed strategy incorporates adaptive encryption specifically designed for cloud–edge and edge–edge architectures and utilizes attribute encryption to control access to user-downloaded data, ensuring secure information exchange. A mechanism for assessing enterprise credibility over a defined period helps maintain a trusted collaborative environment, crucial for identifying and mitigating risks from potentially malicious or unreliable entities. Furthermore, integrating intelligent threat detection and response systems enhances overall security by continuously monitoring and analyzing network traffic for anomalies. Experimental analysis evaluates the security of communication paths and examines how enterprise integrity influences collaboration outcomes. Simulation results show that this approach enhances enterprise integrity, reduces losses caused by harmful actors, and promotes efficient collaboration without compromising security. This intelligent and secure strategy not only safeguards sensitive data but also ensures the resilience and trustworthiness of the collaborative network.

Carbon emission accounting and decarbonization strategies in museum industry

Carbon peaking and achieving carbon neutrality have emerged as pivotal strategic imperatives in China. These objectives not only drive a shift in production, lifestyle, and consumption patterns but also illuminate a path towards a comprehensive green metamorphosis in China’s economic and social development landscape. The distinctive nature of museums as quintessential public edifices, requiring sustained regulation of temperature and humidity alongside attracting substantial foot traffic, positions them as crucial pioneers in the pursuit of carbon peaking and neutrality. It is essential for museums to leverage their leadership and advocacy roles to catalyze low-carbon construction practices across society. This study delves into the energy dynamics specific to the museum sector, delving into the recycling of exhibition materials, methodologies for carbon footprint assessments of visitors and museum staff, and the establishment of a standardized carbon emission accounting framework tailored to the museum industry. Through meticulous examination of representative cases and subsequent analysis, this research delineates decarbonization strategies, offering indispensable technical scaffolding for carbon assessment and emission reduction efforts within the museum realm.

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Tapio Decoupling Analysis of Energy-Related Carbon Emissions Using Nighttime Light Data: A Quantitative Case Study at the City Scale in Northeast China

As the world’s second-largest economy, China has experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization, resulting in high energy consumption and significant carbon emissions. This development has intensified conflicts between human-land relations and environmental conservation, contributing to global warming and urban air pollution, both of which pose serious health risks. This study uses nighttime light (NTL) data from 2005 to 2019, along with scaling techniques and statistical analysis, to estimate city-scale energy carbon emissions over a 15-year period. Focusing on Northeast China, a traditional industrial region comprising 36 cities across three provinces, we examine spatial patterns of energy carbon emissions and assess spatiotemporal evolution through spatial autocorrelation and dynamic changes. These changes are further evaluated using standard deviation ellipse (SDE) parameters and SLOPE values. Additionally, the Tapio decoupling index is applied to explore the relationship between city-scale emissions and economic growth. Our findings for the 36 cities over 15 years are: (1) Heilongjiang shows low, declining emissions; Jilin improves; Liaoning has high, steadily increasing emissions. (2) The global spatial autocorrelation of energy carbon emissions is significant, with a positive Moran’s I, while significant local Moran’s I clusters are concentrated in Heilongjiang and Liaoning. (3) The greatest emission changes occurred in 2015, followed by 2019, 2005, and 2010. (4) Emission growth is fastest in Heilongjiang, followed by Liaoning and Jilin. (5) Tapio analysis shows positive decoupling in Heilongjiang, declining decoupling in Jilin, and no change in Liaoning. This study provides a quantitative basis for dual carbon goals and offers emission reduction strategies for government, industry, and residents, supporting energy transition and sustainable urban planning.

New Pipeline for Analysing Fruit Proteolytic Products Used as Digestive Health Nutraceuticals

Proteolytic products are extensively used in the nutraceutical sector to improve protein digestion and muscle quality in target populations (e.g., athletes or elderly). These products are processed using techniques that often lead to low purity but competitive pricing. Despite their widespread use and well-established production methods, the industry lacks standardized analytical methods for assessing these products and detecting potential fraud. This study proposes a comprehensive and harmonized pipeline for their analysis, which includes quantifying total soluble protein and proteolytic activity, as well as the determination of product stability and protein profile using SDS-PAGE and proteomic techniques. Despite the fact that protease extracts from pineapple had the highest protein content, most of the bromelain remained inactive, unlike in kiwi and papaya. SDS-PAGE revealed partial protein degradation of pineapple extracts, whereas kiwi extracts reflected a lower purification level but a higher protein integrity. The application of proteomic approaches strengthened the identification and origin tracing of the proteases. This study contributes to the development of a robust framework for analyzing proteolytic extracts, spanning from soluble protein quantification to protein profiling and activity determination. It may also ensure reliable supplier selection, high-quality manufacturing practices, and the implementation of optimal storage and formulation strategies in the nutraceutical industry.