Technological Change Research Articles

Feminist media makers in the San Francisco Bay area

ABSTRACT This article documents two long-standing media projects in the San Francisco Bay area. ‘Voices of the Native Nations’, a community radio program, and the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (QWOCMAP), training program and film festival, both were based in feminist and decolonial social movements and arose during key media historic moments. I argue that media-in-transition goes beyond a simple consideration of technological changes, and instead includes the complex processes by which emerging groups of social actors claim a specific medium or media assemblage within the space constituted by residual and dominant political and media formations. Media-in-transition includes two different time periods – a group’s emergence within a specific media historic moment or conjuncture of changing movements, residual and dominant political and media ecologies, and media technologies; and the always-in-process ways that these contending groups constitute new subjectivities, media practices and social relations. I conclude by reviewing the legacies of these two projects for contemporary feminist media.

Change in Alloy Composition and Manufacturing Technology of Bronze Vessels Excavated from Archaeological Site

The purpose of this study is to analyze the components and observe the microstructure of 98 bronze vessels excavated from the Korean Peninsula, where such vessels were widely used, to identify the alloy composition and manufacturing process of bronze artifacts by period. In addition, we attempted to confirm the changing processes of bronze manufacturing technology by reviewing previous studies. The analysis results showed that the bronzeware of the Unified Silla period was mainly produced using a Cu-Sn binary alloy containing 20-26 wt% Sn, which was cast and slowly cooled. Also, most bronze vessels from the Goryeo dynasty were made of a Cu-Sn binary alloy, with an Sn content of 20–24 wt%. In the microstructure, a twinned α phase and β(M) phase were observed, indicating that the container was manufactured using the casting–hot forging–quenching process. Bronze vessels from the Joseon dynasty were made using a binary alloy of Cu-Sn and a ternary alloy of Cu-Sn-Pb. In order to confirm the changes in bronze manufacturing technology over time, we investigated the alloy composition and microstructure of a total of 295 vessels, including previous studies, and were able to confirm the dominant production technology for each period. During the Unified Silla period, the shape of the container was made by casting using a Cu-Sn binary alloy, and the process was completed through slow cooling or quenching. During the Goryeo Dynasty, vessels were made using a Cu-Sn binary alloy through a process of casting, hot forging, and quenching, or by casting a Cu-Sn-Pb ternary alloy into a vessel shape and then slowly cooling it. And in the Joseon Dynasty, the use of ternary alloys of Cu-Sn-Pb increased.

Perspektif Akuntansi dalam Ekonomi Islam

In several ways, the sharia accounting system is different from conventional accounting. However, there are axiomatic technical similarities between the two. By using descriptive qualitative methods, this research aims to provide the author with an understanding of accounting theory and practice in Islamic economics. The research results show that the perspective of accounting science in Islamic economic practice focuses on the use of an accounting system that is in accordance with sharia principles, which prioritizes truth, accuracy and fairness. Surah Al-Baqarah verse 282 emphasizes clear and accurate transaction recording, the use of honest writers, financial accountability, zakat, and transparency and fairness in accounting. The results of this research conclude that there are many ways to see the economic implications of Islam today. First, Islamic economics must adapt to technological changes because they have influenced the way people think and act. Second, the history of Islamic economics has changed in the modern era, and third, Islamic economics is now real and relevant with the development of digital technology. Fourth, the concept of Islamic economics is based on the Koran and Sunnah. Compared to Conventional Accounting: Sharia accounting systems differ from conventional accounting in several key aspects. However, there are axiomatic technical similarities between the two.

Assessing the relationship between organizational culture and strategic decision-making through the mediating effect of the dynamic environment in the Jordanian ICT industry

The need for organizations to remain flexible is crucial. This study aims to assess the way organizational culture, dynamic environments, and strategic choices can be related in the case of the Jordanian ICT industry with emphasis on the mediating effect of the dynamic environment. The paper employed a questionnaire sent to 256 employees from several ICT companies involved in strategic decision-making and planning. The analyses showed that organizational culture significantly affects strategic decision-making, with the dynamic environment serving as an important mediator. More precisely, it explained 50.6% of the variance in decision-making (R² = 0.506) and 52.2% of the variance in perceptions about the dynamic environment (R² = 0.522). Thus, consistency (p = 0.007) and adaptability (p = 0.006) emerged as critical cultural dimensions that enhance effective strategic decision-making. Additionally, the prominent effect of the dynamic environment on decision-making was identified (p = 0.000). Therefore, Jordan’s ICT companies can enhance their strategic decision-making and gain a competitive advantage in a sustainable manner by focusing on organizational culture with priorities on consistency and adaptability. This kind of culture ensures better alignment with strategies and quick responses to market or technological changes, contributing to long-term business sustainability. Acknowledgment Acknowledgments are expressed to Middle East University, Amman, Jordan, for the financial support to cover this article’s publishing fee.

Revitalizing EU-Brazil Renewable Energy Cooperation

Global leaders in renewable energy, the European Union (EU) and Brazil have repeatedly referred to energy cooperation as fundamental to their relations. Through the EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership, they established the Energy Policy Sectoral Dialogue (Dialogue) in 2007 to foster cooperation on this mutual interest. Yet cooperation has been limited. Other scholars have investigated the hindering factors, and this article contributes to that research by identifying additional ones. Since the Dialogue’s last meeting, there have been changes in technology, climate change, and the global environment. This article explores whether there are new opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, analysing biofuels, hydropower, wind, nuclear, and solar. It concludes that solar energy cooperation is a shared priority, would meet the Strategic Partnership’s objectives, and has growth potential – and therefore could revitalize the Dialogue and EU-Brazil renewable energy relations.

Decision Support Framework for Sustainable and Fire Resilient Buildings (SAFR-B)

AbstractBuildings of all types are increasingly becoming complex ‘systems of systems.’ They are subject to evolving societal objectives, new and innovative materials, and in many countries, regulatory ecosystems are having difficulty keeping pace with rapidly changing societal, environmental and technological changes. Two evolving objectives that are stimulating changes to buildings and communities are the desire for a more environmentally sustainable built environment and the need to become more resilient to the many increasingly hazardous impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, in some building designs these objectives are in conflict. As a first step toward a more integrated, holistic tool to aid in the design of sustainable and fire resilient buildings (SAFR-B), this paper develops and applies a first-order decision framework for a midrise apartment building. The SAFR-B framework is built on an analysis of design and regulatory objectives for fire safety and sustainability for buildings, and of risk and decision methods that can support design decisions. It makes use of risk indexing and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), with initial scoring and weighting of attributes and strategies derived from international experts in the field of fire safety and sustainability through a Delphi process.

The Importance Of Accounting Transparency In Public Management For The Strengthening Of Social Control

Background: Transparency in public accounting is essential to promote trust in institutions, ensure the efficient management of resources, and allow society to participate in social control. In Brazil, regulations such as the Fiscal Responsibility Law (LRF) and the Access to Information Law (LAI) have sought to strengthen accountability in public administration. However, challenges such as cultural resistance and low popular participation still hinder the effectiveness of these initiatives. Materials and Methods: This study is characterized as a bibliographic review, with consultation of academic publications and legal regulations available on the Google Scholar platform. Search terms such as "transparency in public accounting", "governance", "accountability" and "social control" were used. In addition, normative documents were analyzed, such as the Federal Constitution of 1988 (art. 37), the LRF and the LAI, with the objective of understanding how these norms contribute to promoting a more transparent public administration. The content analysis technique was used to organize the data into thematic categories: governance and accountability, transparency and ICTs, and social control. Results: The results indicate that, although transparency in Brazilian public administration has advanced, cultural resistance within public organizations limits the full adoption of accountability practices. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), such as the Managerial Treasury (TG) and SIAFI, have facilitated access to financial information, but insufficient training of public servants compromises their effectiveness. In addition, factors such as civic education and social engagement were identified as determinants for transparency to translate into effective social control. Conclusion: It is concluded that transparency and accountability are fundamental to strengthen public governance. However, a joint effort is needed involving cultural transformation, continuous training of civil servants and civic education, to encourage the active participation of society and ensure the effective use of digital tools. The integration between regulations, technology, and cultural change is essential to consolidate

Companies’ future visions for circularity: A frame analysis based on Finnish front-runner CE companies

Despite increasing calls for circularity in business, the trending Circular Economy (CE) is not converting into action and the global usage of secondary material is declining. Addressing this gap is vital for our future well-being. Hence, more research is needed on whether and how companies translate broader CE discourses into their future visions. This study employed frame analysis to investigate how the CE’s meaning and goals are being envisioned and shaped in companies’ external communication to advance their future goals. Drawing empirical insights from documents focused on 41 Finnish self-declared front-runner CE companies from various industries, the paper contributes to current CE literature in two ways. First, five distinct future vision frames were identified – technological utopia, outsourcing circularity, business-as-usual, market leader, and systemic change – that demonstrate how self-described front-runner companies communicated circularity to their stakeholders. Second, the study demonstrates how company-level future visions align with or differ from macro-level CE visions. The study found that even self-described frontrunner CE companies were reluctant to align with strong sustainability in their framing, limiting the transformative potential of CE in business context. The findings have implications for managers regarding how they can assess their future visions from the perspective of weak or strong sustainability.

Accelerating the deployment of SMRs in Canada: The importance of intermediaries

Much of the research on technological innovation, especially in the context of sustainability transitions, has focused on the early stages of innovation. Much less work has been done on successful acceleration of technological change after pre-development and take-off. Filling this gap is important for improving the chances of successful deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs). Recent work on sustainability transitions has focused on the importance of "intermediaries". These are actors and platforms that sustain the momentum of transitions by linking actors, activities, and resources. Their role in the acceleration phase is less well understood and SMRs provide a compelling case study of the challenges. This paper uses document, web, and interview data to analyze the role of intermediaries in Canadian SMR deployment, focusing particularly on the intermediaries needed for successful social innovation; identifies gaps; and evaluates the role of public policy in supporting the development of these critical relationships.

An Integrated Assessment of Technological Pathways and Socioeconomic Impacts for Sustainable Power System Transition in Indonesia

The energy transition has unique and profound socioeconomic impacts for the developing and coal-producing countries, due to the distinctive country’s characteristics. The overall development context and challenges comprising technological pathways, investment, value added, employment and inequality must be considered. For the case of Indonesia, as one of the world's largest coal-producing, the archipelagic nature with various island topography, sociocultural diversity as well as very high population really needs a comprehensive energy transition research considering the above aspects, which is so far still lacking. Therefore, this current study presents an integrated assessment of technological change and socioeconomics impact for power transition pathways in Indonesia using the Integrated MARKAL-EFOM System (TIMES) and their socioeconomics implications using the Miyazawa Input–Output Model (MIOM). Four scenarios were applied namely business-as-usual (BAU), 100% renewable energy (100%RE), Paris Agreement 1.5 °C without coal phase-out (PA1.5), and that of with coal phase-out (PA1.5PO). The results show that by 2060, 100%RE without applying carbon capture and storage (CCS) creates an extreme power flexibility which requires ample energy storage but does not attain net-zero. To meet the 1.5 °C carbon budget, PA1.5 and PA1.5PO require substantial renewable energy deployment, particularly in utility-scale solar PV, energy storage, and low-carbon technologies. These two scenarios exhibit a notable increase in total installed capacity, ranging 3.37–3.83 times higher than the BAU scenario. PA1.5PO, plays an increasing role natural gas as bridge fuel in advanced gas power from 2035 to its peak in 2050. PA scenarios require a higher installed capacity compared to BAU, corresponding to a substantial total investment cost of almost 2.5 times in 2060. The MIOM results show that these scenarios have a stronger impact on household income and employment compared to BAU. However, the impact on value added (VA) only surpasses BAU until 2045, specifically in the PA1.5PO scenario. In the long term, PA1.5PO generates the highest value added and household income, whereas 100%RE scenario has the highest employment and the highest value added in the electricity sector. In contrast, non-energy sectors related to conventional energy supply chains may face challenges. However, PA1.5PO can better mitigate adverse effects. The key findings could provide an insight for policymakers better understand transition pathway and its socioeconomic impacts to ensure a fair transition towards a carbon-neutral economy.

Enhancing business security through fraud detection in financial transactions

Today the threat of fraud is a real issue in security threats for business, due to complexity and volume of financial transactions, especially with the rapid changes of technology. This research paper focuses on the major role that needs to be implemented for the prevention of fraudulent activities regarding monetary issues. The paper also explores different approaches that are currently used in the identification of frauds such as the artificial neural networks, statistical analysis, rules based systems and others. From the existing literature review and case studies, the paper gives an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches as well as the implementation of the best practices. The methodology entails a literature review of the current fraud detection systems, then using the identified techniques on a sample dataset to test them. In this paper research data shows that combining several detection measures improves efficiency and minimizes the number of false alarms, which contributes to the improvement of business protection. The discussion also underlined the necessity for the constant appropriateness of technologies dedicated to fraud detection to correspond to new fraud schemes. Finally, recommendations regarding occurrence of effective anti-fraud measures for firms are given in order to promote effective financial transactions and safeguard organizational resources.

Innovative Work Behavior in Response to Technology Readiness: The Role of Career Adaptability in the Ghanaian Public Sector

Background: In an era where technological advancements are reshaping the global workforce, understanding the dynamics of technology adoption within the public sector becomes paramount. This study examines how employees in the Ghanaian public sector respond to technology readiness (TR) in terms of their career adaptability (CA) and innovative work behavior (IWB). The uniqueness of this research lies in its empirical investigation of how TR’s motivational and inhibitory dimensions influence CA and, subsequently, IWB, within a context marked by rapid digital transformation. This study is essential due to the key role of Ghana’s public sector employees in national development, especially with ongoing digitization. It fills a research gap by assessing how these employees’ psychological readiness for technology affects their careers and innovation. Method: The study used a cross-sectional survey design and collected data from 484 public sector employees and their supervisors. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. Results: Findings reveal that optimism, insecurity, and discomfort — components of TR — exert a significant influence on CA, which in turn fosters IWB. Interestingly, innovativeness did not predict CA, suggesting a nuanced interplay between TR dimensions and adaptability. Implications: By elucidating the factors that drive CA and IWB in response to TR, this study offers valuable insights for policymakers and organizational leaders seeking to enhance employee adaptability and innovation amidst technological changes. It underscores the importance of nurturing an optimistic and secure technological environment to cultivate a resilient and forward-thinking public sector workforce. Originality/Value: This study pioneers the exploration of TR’s impact on CA and IWB, utilizing the career construction model of adaptation as a theoretical lens. The findings provide actionable strategies for bolstering the public sector’s technological and innovative capacity, informed by the empirical evidence from the surveyed sample.

واقع ممارسة العلاقات العامة في الجهات الحكومية في المنطقة الشرقية في المملكة العربية السعودية

This research deals with a comprehensive view of the reality of practicing public relations in government agencies in the Eastern Province, by addressing the concepts of public relations and its role in shaping the image of the agency, as a human communication activity, and in light of the radical transformations witnessed by the world and the field of communication due to rapid technological developments and changing public behavior, with the emergence of social media and the increase in public interaction, public relations have become more interactive and transparent. Also, the increasing competition between institutions imposes on public relations practitioners to devise new and innovative strategies to reach the target audience. In light of the fact that public relations is a fundamental pillar in the work of any system, this research deals with part of the reality of public relations in government organizations in the Eastern Province, considering the public relations function an important pillar in building perceptions and relationships with the public. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after the launch of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, communication activities have re-emerged in the government work arena, and witnessed a transformation in work methods and mechanisms. These activities focused on reflecting the true image of the achievements of the entities working in the field, and for these activities to stem from a deep understanding of the public and its aspirations, with a focus on new media, as they are the closest to the target group.

Innovation and Tqm Performance of Selected Automobile Parts Manufacturing Industry in Guangdong China: Inputs for A Strategic Roadmap for Continuous Improvement

The automotive industry is in the wave of technological change, and the rise of new energy vehicles requires continuous innovation of traditional automotive parts. TQM practice affects innovation, and in order to improve innovation, it is necessary to correctly identify the areas that perform well or need improvement. One way to identify these areas is through surveys of satisfaction with TQM practice and innovation. Few studies analysis TQM impact on innovation focus on automotive parts manufacturing industry. This study takes automotive parts manufacturing industry of Guangdong Province as the research object, explores the relationship between TQM practice and innovation, and fills the gaps in the literature mentioned above. By analyzing TQM practice's extend and innovation's level, explore the influence of different elements TQM practice on each dimension of innovation, and study the significance of TQM practice on each dimension of innovation. Finally, according to the research results, continuous improvement strategic roadmap of automotive parts manufacturing industry is put forward. The roadmap enables company to improve operational performance, enhance product quality, and build a sustainable competitive advantage in the global automotive supply chain. The quantitative data were collected from 342 respondents who participated in the survey of automotive parts manufacturing managers in Guangdong Province. The quantitative data were analyzed by mean value, variance and regression analysis, supplemented by SPSS 26.0 software. The quantitative results show that there is a complex relationship between TQM practice and innovation in automotive parts manufacturing industry. The conclusion and influence are discussed.

The impact of foreign direct investment on innovation in China's forest products industry

The forestry industry, with its high resource dependence, long production cycles, and extensive development modes, lags behind other industries in terms of innovation. This study examines the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on product innovation in China's forest products industry. We use data from 146,526 forest products enterprises spanning the years 1998 to 2013, merged with patent application records from the China National Patent Database, and employ a two-way fixed effects model. Our estimates show that a 10 % increase in FDI is associated with a 0.86 % increase in patent applications, a smaller effect than in other industries. In particular, we examine how this positive effect of FDI on innovation is affected by the specific production and layout features of the forest products industry. We find that this effect is greater in regions rich in forest resources and non-coastal areas. Additionally, enterprises in this industry often focus on strategic innovations, such as product design, rather than substantial technological change, with innovation priorities differing across sub-sectors. Mechanism analyses reveal that FDI promotes innovation in forest products enterprises by increasing R&D investments, optimizing the marketing environment, and alleviating financial constraints. Extended analyses indicate significant spillover effects of FDI-driven innovation across the industry, especially between the upstream and downstream segments of the supply chain. We advise the global forest products industry to consider these unique production and layout features in their development strategies, and suggest a reorientation of government innovation policies toward long-term goals.

Mind the gap: re-thinking digital skills in journalism education in Germany

ABSTRACT This study explores the intersection of technological advancements in the media industry and the realities of journalism education, aiming to align discussions on digital transformation in journalism with educational practices. An online survey of 228 young journalists from Germany was conducted to assess their editorial tasks, perceptions of technological change, and digital skills acquired during their journalism studies in the higher education sector. The findings indicate that content creation and writing are considered highly important by the majority of young professionals, with significant emphasis placed on integrating social media into their work. There is a broad acknowledgment of growing technical requirements, including mobile journalism, data journalism, and new content channels like blogs, newsletters, or podcasts, which reflects a shift towards a multi-skilled profile for journalists. However, the study also highlights that many journalists reporting insufficient exposure to critical digital skills such as search engine optimization, user metrics, data journalism, and coding. This indicates a need for journalism education programs in Germany to better address these emerging trends and prepare students for the demands of the digital media landscape.

The fourth industrial revolution: Implications for the global economy and for the strategic competition between the United States and China

During the First Industrial Revolution, industrialization led to incompatibilities between the economic sphere and a political sphere based on rule by monarchs and land-owning nobles. These incompatibilities led to poor economic outcomes for workers and, ultimately, to deep changes in the political system. In the Second and Third Industrial Revolutions, compatibility emerged between new technologies and political systems based on representative democracy, leading to favorable outcomes. The changes in technology brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution may lead to a growing incompatibility between the productive and political spheres, marked by polarization and conflict both within and among counties. A key aspect of this conflict is the rivalry between the United States and China. We evaluate the strengths of the respective countries and analyze which of them is likely to win the competition for dominance during the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Navigating the Challenges Faced By Employees In The Medical Transcription Industry: A Review Of Current Issues

Medical transcription (MT) is a crucial component of healthcare documentation, translating physician dictations into written records. Despite its importance, employees in the medical transcription industry face numerous challenges that can impact their job performance, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. This review explores the primary challenges encountered by employees in the medical transcription industry, including technological changes, workload pressures, quality assurance, and the evolving nature of healthcare documentation. The discussion is supported by relevant literature and provides insights into potential strategies for improvement.

Digitalization Of The Industrial Revolution 4.0 Towards Improving Human Resource Management: Systematic Literature Review And Bibliometric Analysis

This study provides an overview of the impact of Industry 4.0 digitalization on Human Resource Management (HRM) through a Systematic Literature Review. It highlights the paradigm shift induced by Industry 4.0, including the integration of technology in HRM, ethical challenges, and the role of humans in industrial digitalization. The findings indicate that industrial digitalization affects HRM and transforms organizational structures. The bibliometric analysis reveals a growing interest in this topic, with significant contributions from countries like Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Italy. The articles were published in various journal databases, with most ranked in Q1. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of organizational adaptation to technological changes for success in a digitally connected era. This transformation presents challenges, such as changes in competency and skill demands, as well as opportunities for increased efficiency and productivity. Keywords: Digitalization, Industrial Revolution 4.0, Human Resource Management, Systematic Literature Review

Factor Analysis of Future Work Skills of Open University Support Staff

The future of work is rapidly evolving owing to the swift developments in technology and societal changes. While failure to adapt signifies being disrupted, those who do adapt become the disruptors, impacting economies, societies, environments, and education. Traditional work skills may no longer suffice in the current world of work, necessitating the rapid adaptation and development of previously unknown skills. Due to the underdevelopment and debatable methodological framework for the skills necessary to work in the future, the problem of linking future work skills of support staff. This study aimed to conduct a factor analysis to identify the skills necessary to work in the future and survive the onslaught of rapid technological advancements and digital disruption seen over the years.