Technological Change Research Articles

Discourse analysis of knowledge-based live streaming: a case study of East Buy streamer Dong Yuhui

Abstract Live streaming e-commerce is not only an important part of China’s digital economy but also the preferred way of purchase for many Chinese, especially the young. Since 2022, a new model initiated by East Buy has emerged, quickly becoming known as knowledge-based live streaming. The most famous streamer from this novel type of live streaming is Dong Yuhui, a former English teacher of the New Oriental School. As a top Internet influencer with millions of followers, Dong Yuhui has become a conspicuous social sign of the rising China that is undergoing fast technological, economic, and cultural changes. This study thus takes Dong Yuhui as an example to examine the typical discourses of the knowledge-based live streaming. Through a triangulation of case study, discourse analysis, and sentiment analysis, it finds that Dong Yuhui mainly employs the strategies of disseminating encyclopedic knowledge, telling intriguing stories, and using poetic language in his live streaming discourse. This unique discourse has the main function of fulfilling customers’ intellectual, emotional, and psychological needs. As such, it is warmly received by customers, whose comments are centered on the talents of the streamer rather than the attributes of the commodity.

The potential correlation between the succession of microflora and volatile flavor compounds during the production of Zhenba bacon

Microbial composition plays an important role in the quality and flavor of bacon. The aims of this study were to detect bacterial community succession using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and volatile flavor compound changes using gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) during the production of Zhenba bacon. The results showed that a total of 70 volatile compounds were detected. Among them, ketones, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, esters and alcohols were the main substances in the curing and smoking stages. In addition, the fungal abundance was greater than the bacterial abundance, and there was obvious succession of the microbial community with changes in fermentation time and processing technology. The main functional bacterial genera in the curing and smoking stages were Staphylococcus, Psychrobacter and Latilactobacillus, and the main fungal genera were Fusarium and Debaryomyces. Through correlation analysis, we found that pyrrole, 2-pentanol, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and ethyl acetate (EA) were significantly correlated with Staphylococcus, Psychrobacter, Pseudomonas and Myroides (p < 0.01), and it is speculated that they contribute significantly to flavor formation. The results of this study are helpful for understanding the microbial dynamics and characteristic volatile flavor compounds in Zhenba bacon, and provide new insights into the relationship between microorganisms and flavor through potential correlations.

Fiscal Federalism in the Twenty-First Century

Fiscal federalism concerns the division of policy responsibilities among different levels of government. Many current economic and policy developments, such as globalization, environmental crises, and rising inequality, may not appear to be favorable to fiscal federalism, yet countries are further decentralizing their fiscal systems. We summarize the efficiency and equity aspects of fiscal decentralization, fiscal competition, fiscal externalities, and intergovernmental grants. The review introduces readers to theoretical reasons for/against a federalist structure. We discuss how federalism relates to classic problems in economics: externalities, inequality, spillovers, information, and aspects of political economy. Our review integrates both theory and empirics, while also focusing on the variety of federal systems in different countries, both developing and developed. We conclude by discussing how fiscal federalism is being shaped by economic, technological, and environmental changes, while discussing the effects of globalization, polarization, and global crises on the future of federal systems.

Merits and Demerits of English Language Coursebooks Designs: A Scoping Review

The evaluation process of English coursebooks in Saudi schools began long back when the English curriculum was updated in the 1980s. This paper reviews the works that have surveyed the Saudi English syllabi from the 1990s to the present. It aims to explore the timeline of the most prominent evaluation endeavors. The findings reveal that the common components of evaluations include content, form, learning tasks, and instruction methods. The majority of these attempts were executed using standardized checklists but implemented on a relatively small number of respondents. However, one study was conducted as part of a project launched by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for the development of the English curriculum. The distinctive satisfaction themes of merits among all evaluations were the visuals, syllabi appearance, and overall content. While teaching methods and the difficulty of tasks were highlighted as demerits. From a cultural perspective, syllabi tend to be contextualized in a Western way, based on the local Saudi culture. This paper recommends conducting a more comprehensive evaluation process online to cover more participants, developing a well-tailored checklist that suits the content and culture of Saudi Arabia, and considering the new technological changes in coursebooks.

DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE OF FAMILY BUSINESSES IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

Dynamic capabilities analyze the sources and methods of better performance and wealth creation and capture by firms operating in environments of rapid technological changes. Based on this, The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between absorptive, adaptive, and innovation capabilities on financial and non-financial performance of family businesses was analyzed in the context of emerging economies, a relationship that has not been analyzed in this context. Through the application of structural equation modeling in a sample of 235 family businesses of agricultural supplies and machinery, located in the G46 and G47 categories of the International Standard Industrial Classification – ISIC, the results allowed us to identify that absorptive capability has a positive influence on financial performance, while innovation capability has a positive influence on no-financial performance. No evidence was found that other capabilities were related to the performance of the organizations analyzed. In addition, it was shown that the size of the companies does not generate any moderating effect in the relationship between these variables. This study contributes to dynamic capabilities theory by exploring how absorptive and innovative capabilities influence financial and non-financial performance in a specific and underexplored context: family businesses in emerging economies. Furthermore, the importance of developing and enhancing absorptive and innovation capabilities is highlighted. This could lead to the implementation of training programs, investment in R&amp;D, and adoption of knowledge management practices.

Problems of the transition of the Ukrainian economy to a “green economy” based on sustainable technological change

The article reveals the problems of the transition to a “green” economy based on sustainable technological changes, which are caused by global ecological pollution of the ecosystem, which leads to warming and ecological changes and the insufficiency of the natural resource potential to meet the needs of the population of the planet, which does not contribute to development. The essence of the study is to determine the impact of a green economy on economic growth and development, in which natural assets continue to provide resources and environmental services. It is shown that the green economy provides a practical and flexible approach to achieving concrete, measurable progress in all its economic and environmental principles, while at the same time fully taking into account the social consequences of greening the dynamics of economic growth. Green economy strategies aim to ensure that natural assets can fully realize their economic potential in a sustainable manner. This potential includes the provision of vital life support services—clean air and water, as well as the sustainable biodiversity needed to support food production and human health. Natural assets cannot be replaced indefinitely, so the policy of the green economy should take this into account. It is characterized that the green economy provides a practical and flexible approach to achieving concrete, measurable progress in all its economic and environmental principles, while at the same time fully taking into account the social consequences of greening the dynamics of economic growth. The problems of the post-war revival of Ukraine’s economy are systematized and proposals for their solution are substantiated, which is the scientific contribution of the authors to the coverage of this problem. The global problems of the transition to a green economy, which are closely related to Ukrainian realities, are revealed. The practical content is determined by the fact that the theoretical and methodological provisions, conclusions and scientific and practical recommendations constitute the scientific basis for the development of a new holistic concept of the development of the green economy of Ukraine. The conclusions that it is the “green” economy that is able to most closely link the ecological and economic aspects of the national economy, acting as a key direction for ensuring the sustainable “green” development of the region and the state as a whole, actualize the prospects of creating a green economy in Ukraine and become necessary and quite achievable in the post-war period.

Mekong Multi-Cooperation Frameworks: States, Regional Institutions, Private Sectors and Elites

Conflict and cooperation are key governance challenges in transboundary river basin governance. Hydropower has been at the center of conflict and cooperation in the transboundary river basin governance. Over time, hydropower produces a sort of material geopolitics within regions. Technological changes and the changing regional geopolitics create different power relations over hydropower. One of the gaps in current research seems to be about how technological and material transformations of hydropower have affected the transboundary river cooperation in the post-Cold War era.The paper uses a literature review and a case study of the Lower Sasan 2 (LS2) Dam to to study the changing political dimensions of the Mekong region from a confronting platform to multi-regional cooperation frameworks; and how powerful actors such as states, regional institutions, private sectors, and elites shape regional cooperations and produce competing programs and projects in the Mekong region.. It concludes that hydropower has been politicized and technologically manipulated by powerful actors in the last five decades of the Mekong River Cooperation. Cambodia has positioned itself strategically in its relationships with these hydro-hegemons to compete for hydropower dam projects and protect its interests but runs a significant risk of increased social and environmental impacts along with local resistances.

Does Copyright Imitation Impact Purchase Behaviour in the Entertainment Industry: A PLS-SEM Analysis of Gen Z’s Brand Recognition in Africa?

The entertainment industry has experienced remarkable growth, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, with revenue soaring to $31.23 billion in 2023 and anticipated growth at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.64% through 2027. However, the industry’s significant sustainability issue is the widespread practice of copyright imitation, with Africa’s accommodated 2.5 billion unauthorised image imitations daily representing 1.48% global imitation index, causing substantial damages, notably affecting Gen Z with estimated losses of €532.5 billion, with Egypt experiencing the highest incidence of cases in Africa. This research delves into how copyright infringement impacts brand recognition, as a construct of purchase behaviour, among Gen Z in the African entertainment industry. By relying on post-positivism paradigm and planned behaviour theory, the research used questionnaire and collected 352 responses (92% sample rate) from tech-savvy Gen Z respondents, derived using Borden sampling model. The PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling) model reveals that copyright infringement substantially affects brand recognition, explaining 64.7% of the variance in consumer behaviour. Specifically, imitated corporate names, product ideas, and promotional tactics impact brand recognition by 11.1%, 9%, and 6.2% respectively, which refutes the initial assumption. Research recommendations include implementing stricter management protocols within the industry, fostering deeper community engagement, and differentiating products by using unique, high-quality materials. The study acknowledges potential biases in data collection due to unequal online access among Gen Z music enthusiasts in Africa, by possibly not fully reflecting the broader diversity of Gen Z behaviour across the continent in the world, considering the varying cultural, economic, and social dynamics that influence purchasing behaviours.

Impact of technology driven change on individuals’ readiness in higher education: grounded in micro-foundations

Purpose The intricate and unpredictable nature arising in higher education institutions (HEIs) implementing technology-driven change for e-learning environments demands a much closer examination of individuals’ interpretations and interactions as they undergo these changes. Through a micro-foundational lens, this study aims to examine the micro-level inhibitors and supporting factors of individual’s readiness for change by investigating technology-driven change in HEIs. Design/methodology/approach A two-phased research design using grounded theory methodology was used to collect and analyse data incorporated within a single-case study in an HEI. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with 22 participants, followed by a focus group with eight participants centered on factors affecting their readiness for change during technology-driven change in e-learning environments. The data analysis followed an iterative constant comparative approach and its three-phased coding process: open, axial and selective coding. Findings This study revealed that staff with little awareness of the organisations expectations towards a technology-driven change or who are poorly communicated with can exhibit higher resistance and lower individual readiness for change. While macro-level factors of organisational structure can contribute to the success or failure of technology-driven change, the fundamental features related to individuals’ readiness for change are integral to understanding the micro-level causal behaviours underlying these macro-level phenomena. Originality/value The dominant model of change is often focused on drivers that are centered on examining macro-level constructs rather than individuals who are facing the change. This study presents theories on readiness for change and offers a micro-foundational view to bring new perspectives into the current literature on how individual-level micro-foundations enhance understanding of technological change in HEIs.

The genesis of human rights

The article examines the influence of different generations on the formation and development of human rights in contemporary society. The author systematically analyzes the evolution of the concept of human rights in the context of changing needs and values of different epochs. Through the prism of historical events and cultural changes, the article explores the impact of generations on the formation of legal norms and their interpretation. The author explores how contemporary technological and social changes affect the understanding and protection of human rights. Specifically, the article analyzes the influence of the digital revolution, globalization, and internet development on the concept of human rights. It also considers the importance of intergenerational role shifting in shaping legal norms and their impact on societal development. The study in the article reveals a wide range of aspects related to the perception and protection of human rights in various cultural, political, and historical contexts. The author meticulously analyzes different epochs in the history of human rights and their influence on the modern world, demonstrating how these values transform and adapt from generation to generation. Overall, the article provides a deep understanding of the process of formation and development of human rights, taking into account the diverse factors that influence this process in the modern world. It opens a discussion on the necessity of considering the specificity of different generations in formulating legal norms and strategies for protecting human rights in the future.

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of artificial intelligence adoption in nursing care

The primary objective of this commentary was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of AI technologies, uncover opportunities for improvement, and recognize potential threats that could impede their successful implementation in nursing care. This commentary involved constructing a SWOT matrix to analyze AI adoption, identifying internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats. The analysis revealed several strengths of AI adoption in nursing care, including enhanced data analysis capabilities, improved patient monitoring, and increased efficiency in routine tasks. However, weaknesses such as the high initial costs of implementation and concerns about data security were identified. Opportunities included the potential for AI to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. Nonetheless, threats such as resistance to technological change and ethical dilemmas related to AI decision-making processes were recognized as potential barriers to successful adoption. This article sheds light on the intricate landscape of AI adoption in nursing care. While AI brings forth substantial strengths, it simultaneously poses challenges that healthcare systems should confront. To fully harness AI's potential, healthcare organizations should thoughtfully deliberate on the identified weaknesses and threats, actively seeking avenues for seamless integration. In this concerted effort, the healthcare industry is poised to unlock the transformative capabilities of AI, elevating nursing care standards, and ultimately, advancing patient outcomes.

Negotiating Technological Change: How Media Unions Navigate Artificial Intelligence in Journalism

Negotiating Technological Change: How Media Unions Navigate Artificial Intelligence in Journalism

An exploration of generativity in faculty group processes in post-secondary.

Like most organizations, a university needs to plan for its success. The environment in which universities operate continues to shift and change consequent to economic realities, changing demographics, changes in technology, and most recently a global pandemic. Planning in higher education must be creative and responsive to address multifaceted demands. To sustain post-secondary education, institutional leaders need to develop skill sets that promote effective dialogue, group work, and generativity within internal organizations. Concepts of leadership for the 21st century shift focus away from the previous approaches of making incremental improvements to already existing processes toward discovering possibilities, exploring potential innovations, and generating actions (Burgess &amp; Newton, 2015; Webber, 2016). Building on existing frameworks for understanding generativity in group work and planning, this study sought to understand generative processes and conversations that compel people to act upon thoughts and feelings arising from social interactions. A descriptive study design was utilized to explore and summarize the experiences of faculty involved in three different group planning processes: brainstorming (Osborn 1953, 1957, 1963), a force field analysis (Lewin, 1947), and a variation of an appreciative inquiry process (Cooperrider &amp; Srivastva, 1987). The development of a generative conversations survey tool focused on how the faculty participants perceived the qualities of their experiences. A key outcome of the research was the creation of a set of recommendations for thinking about the design of group sessions and meetings that can transmethodologically enhance chances for generative results.

Impact of next-generation Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) on international relations

The new generation of artificial intelligence technologies occurrence represented by ChatGPT is the beginning of the Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) era. In contrast to the impact of weak AI technologies on international relations discussed in the previous era, AGI is no longer just a tool in the traditional sense. The human-computer integration facilitated by AGI technology will rapidly and deeply penetrate into all areas of social policy and economy. It also may change the mode of social production and economic development, influence international relations and geopolitics by transforming the comprehensive state capacity, and simultaneously force new challenges in global governance. The acknowledgement of a new generation of AGI technological qualitative changes’ impact on future changes in international relations is no longer the fantasy; the underlying AGI changes in labour productivity will certainly lead to a disruptive reconfiguration of future international relations.

Skills and employment transitions in Brazil

This article introduces two methods to derive internationally comparable skill and occupational distance measures based on machine learning and natural language processing techniques. We apply these measures to produce descriptive facts about employment transitions and workers’ wage distribution in Brazil using all formal labour contracts registered in the period 2003‐18. Our findings indicate that workers who use non‐routine cognitive skills intensively are better off in terms of employment, wages and switching occupation. Overall, we observe signs of routine‐biased technological change and employment polarization following the Brazilian economic crisis of 2014.

Converging Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies: Accelerated Growth Effects in Technological Evolution

One of the fundamental problems in the field of technological studies is to clarify the drivers and dynamics of technological evolution for sustaining industrial and economic change. This study confronts the problem by analyzing the converging technologies to explain effects on the evolutionary dynamics over time. This paper focuses on technological interaction between artificial intelligence and quantum technologies using a technometric model of technological evolution based on scientific and technological information (publications and patents). Findings show that quantum technology has a growth rate of 1.07, artificial intelligence technology has a rate of growth of 1.37, whereas the technological interaction of converging quantum and artificial intelligence technologies has an accelerated rate of growth of 1.58, higher than trends of these technologies taken individually. These findings suggest that technological interaction is one of the fundamental determinants in the rapid evolution of path-breaking technologies and disruptive innovations. The deductive implications of results about the effects of converging technologies are: (a) accelerated evolutionary growth; (b) a disproportionate (allometric) growth of patents driven by publications supporting a fast technological evolution. Our results support policy and managerial implications for the decision making of policymakers, technology analysts, and R&amp;D managers that can direct R&amp;D investments towards fruitful inter-relationships between radical technologies to foster scientific and technological change with positive societal and economic impcats.

How to improve fishery eco-efficiency by building marine ranch in China

Based on the panel data of the province and municipality in 2010–2021, this paper measures the fishery eco-efficiency by using the SBM-DEA model and empirically analyses how China’s marine ranch construction improves the fishery eco-efficiency by using the double-difference fixed-effect model. The results show that, firstly, China’s marine ranch construction can improve the fishery eco-efficiency. Secondly, China’s marine ranch construction promotes fisheries eco-efficiency by improving the input efficiency of labor, fish species, fishing vessel, fishery technology extension, aquaculture area and by reducing pollutant outputs. Thirdly, the fishery eco-efficiency of the marine ranch construction region has increased annually since 2015, and technological changes, scale efficiency changes and technical efficiency changes can all contribute to the fishery eco-efficiency improvement, and increase in order. Based on the results of the empirical analyses, this paper proposes policy recommendations to improve the fishery eco-efficiency in the conjunction with the construction of marine ranch in China.

A Company Analysis and Risk Assessment of Nike

This paper offers a detailed examination of Nike's current strategic initiatives, both internal and external, aimed at addressing potential challenges and ensuring sustained market leadership in the dynamic sportswear industry. Internally, the company's commitment to innovation, effective marketing, and product differentiation reflects a proactive approach to maintaining competitiveness. Collaborative efforts with athletes and influencers contribute to increased brand awareness and market share. Additionally, Nike's research and development data guide the brand in understanding consumer preferences, reinforcing its market leadership. Externally, Nike adeptly navigates economic fluctuations, global competition, and technological changes through a diversified supply chain, strategic financial instruments, and an openness to technological advancements. The company's social responsibility objectives further bolster its brand reputation, mitigating potential threats from labor and environmental concerns. This paper suggests that Nike can enhance its risk management by prioritizing sustainable practices and ethical sourcing, aligning with the rising demand for environmentally conscious products. Strengthening collaborations with regulatory bodies, embracing emerging technologies, and closely monitoring consumer trends will be crucial for maintaining agility in adapting to market shifts and securing continued success and growth.

Professional regulation in the digital era: A qualitative case study of three professions in Ontario, Canada.

Technology is transforming service delivery and practice in many regulated professions, altering required skills, scopes of practice, and the organization of professional work. Professional regulators face considerable pressure to facilitate technology-enabled work while adapting to digital changes in their practices and procedures. However, our understanding of how regulators are responding to technology-driven risks and the impact of technology on regulatory policy is limited. To examine the impact of technology and digitalization on regulation, we conducted an exploratory case study of the regulatory bodies for nursing, law, and social work in Ontario, Canada. Data were collected over two phases. First, we collected documents from the regulators' websites and regulatory consortiums. Second, we conducted key informant interviews with two representatives from each regulator. Data were thematically analyzed to explore the impact of technological change on regulatory activities and policies and to compare how regulatory structure and field shape this impact. Five themes were identified in our analysis: balancing efficiency potential with risks of certain technological advances; the potential for improving regulation through data analytics; considering how to regulate a technologically competent workforce; recalibrating pandemic emergency measures involving technology; and contemplating the future of technology on regulatory policy and practice. Regulators face ongoing challenges with providing equity-based approaches to regulating virtual practice, ensuring practitioners are technologically competent, and leveraging regulatory data to inform decision-making. Policymakers and regulators across Canada and internationally should prioritize risk-balanced policies, guidelines, and practice standards to support professional practice in the digital era.

A multiple criteria decision analysis to establish the use cases and candidate point of care tests to enter into a platform trial of multiple in vitro diagnostic point of care tests in the prehospital environment

Background There are increasing demands on Emergency Medical Services. More efficient treatment pathways are required to support conveyance decision making and patient referral in prehospital care. Point of Care testing is increasingly available and utilised across the NHS to support optimal ways of working. We aimed to design and conduct a Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis to prioritise in vitro point of care tests and use cases for inclusion in a platform trial of in vitro point of care testing in UK Emergency Medical Services. Methods We designed a Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis that included systematic scoping reviews stakeholder recruitment, two stakeholder surveys and two stakeholder workshops to scope the use cases, explore criteria and map use cases, evaluate the criteria and measure the use cases against the criteria. Results We recruited 32 stakeholders. We developed a scoring matrix with 4 criteria for scoring the use cases and 8 criteria for scoring the point of care tests and applied weighting determined from survey results. Use cases were scored by the stakeholders against 4 criteria. The 3 highest scoring use cases were point of care troponin testing in: possible Acute Myocardial Infarction, lactate testing in suspected sepsis and in trauma. We developed the process for scoring the point of care tests to be completed close to a proposed trial to allow for a changes in technology. Conclusions We successfully designed a Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis to identify use cases and candidate tests for inclusion in a future platform trial of in vitro point of care testing in UK Emergency Medical Services. We identified 3 use cases for evaluation in a platform trial of in vitro point of care testing: troponin testing in possible acute myocardial infarction, lactate testing in suspected sepsis and lactate testing to identify occult haemorrhage in trauma.