Technology Companies Research Articles

Development Digital Maturity Attributes Based on Higher Education Business Processes

Transformation in the digital aspect is a crucial part of the higher education development in digital age transformation. The oject of this study is to identify the transformation of digital maturity requirements in universities as higher education institutions from Indonesia, which will later be used as criteria for forming a digital maturity model. The research method is mixed, involving both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The type of research applied is the Exploratory Sequential Design, where the data is collected and analyzed with the qualitative method, then follows up the results with a quantitative one to explore a phenomenon. The content validity index applied in this study is used to validate digital maturity requirements. It has been applied to various digital technology companies, government policies in higher education systems, and management applied to multiple universities. The results can guide universities in navigating digital transformation in their institutions. This study highlights that previously proposed digital maturity models need to sufficiently consider the business processes of higher education and the need for security and privacy dimensions, which have not been extensively discussed in the literature.

Digital recognition: cybersecurity and internet infrastructure in UAE–Israel diplomacy

Abstract The 2020 Israel–UAE Abraham Accords normalized these states' relations, with heavy emphasis on digital technologies. International Relations theories of recognition, however, hardly consider the role digital technologies play in establishing recognition between states. What role, then, did digital technologies play in this landmark shift in UAE–Israel recognition? This article uses three aspects of digital technologies in the UAE–Israel case—cybersecurity cooperation, cloud computing, and subsea cables—to inductively develop three propositions regarding the role of digital technologies in state recognition. First, states use digital technologies—and private sector companies that own and operate them—as diplomatic lubrication: a means to navigate around and overcome difficult diplomatic relationships, building momentum towards recognition. Second, digital competition between states leads them to conform their national economic structures towards global technology companies in similar ways, thereby recognizing each other as equal participants in a global market—which we term market-oriented homogenization. Third, states involved in transnational internet infrastructure projects together develop technical working practices, interests, and dependencies that facilitate diplomatic recognition—which we term infrastructural integration. Building on these three propositions, we put forward an overall concept of ‘digital recognition’ to capture their common theme: the influence of digital technologies, their owners or their operators on state recognition.

Walking and talking for well‐being: Exploring the effectiveness of walk and talk therapy

AbstractDespite the rising trend of integrating nature and movement into talking therapy, the extent of empirical support remains limited. This study explored the effects of a walk and talk intervention on adult mood and well‐being using a multiple baseline design with pre, post and follow‐up assessments. Five adults (3 males and 2 females) from a technology company took part in a walk and talk intervention lasting approximately 6–8 sessions. They completed self‐report measures at baseline, post‐intervention and follow‐up, with semi‐structured interviews conducted at follow‐up. Results showed a reduction in psychological distress and an increase in well‐being for all participants from baseline to follow‐up. Qualitative data from a thematic analysis supported these findings: participants found the natural, calming effect of the outdoors, combined with the movement of walking, facilitated a sense of freedom to express themselves and, in doing so, maximise the benefits of the therapeutic space. These included gaining a broader perspective, heightened self‐awareness and greater acceptance of oneself, others and life's challenges. This study offers real‐world evidence supporting walk and talk therapy as an effective intervention for adult well‐being and mood.

Pendapatan dalam Hubungannya dengan Perencanaan Ekonomi Kabupaten Muaro Jambi dilihat dari Sisi Perkembangan Indeks Gini Kabupaten Muaro Jambi

Analysis of the Gini index based on education level shows significant inequality in the distribution of education in society. Higher levels of education tend to be accessed by groups with higher incomes, while groups with lower incomes often face barriers to obtaining quality education. This is reflected in the Gini index, which shows that the gap between groups with good and limited access to education is widening. This inequality has an impact on economic opportunities and social mobility, suggesting that improvements in a more inclusive education system and equal access to education across all levels of society are essential to reducing inequality and achieving greater social justice. The secondary sector in Muaro Jambi also shows significant levels of inequality. In the manufacturing and processing industries, large companies that produce goods on a large scale often make substantial profits, while small and medium enterprises struggle to compete. Inequality is also reflected in the construction sector, where the income gap between skilled and unskilled construction workers, and between large and small contractors, is quite striking. This contributes to the high Gini index in this sector, reflecting income inequality among workers and employers. In the tertiary sector, which includes services, retail, finance, and insurance, income inequality tends to be higher. In the service sector, the difference in income between workers in customer service and managers or professionals is very large. In the finance and insurance sector, income inequality is also significant because wages in this sector are often very high compared to other sectors, creating a large gap between workers in these fields and those in lower-wage sectors. This unequal distribution of income leads to a high Gini index in the tertiary sector. The quaternary sector in Muaro Jambi, which includes technology, information, and research and development, shows high levels of inequality. This inequality is caused by the large differences in wages between technology professionals and workers in non-technology sectors, as well as between workers in large technology companies and small businesses. Specialized skills and high levels of education in this sector are often directly related to high incomes, while those in less skilled or educated positions earn much lower wages. This creates a clear inequality in the distribution of income in this sector.

Boosting Competitiveness Through the Alignment of Corporate Social Responsibility, Strategic Management and Compensation Systems in Technology Companies: A Case Study

Boosting Competitiveness Through the Alignment of Corporate Social Responsibility, Strategic Management and Compensation Systems in Technology Companies: A Case Study

A leadership and policy development model for driving operational success in tech companies

In the fast-evolving landscape of technology companies, leadership plays a critical role in shaping operational policies that align with long-term business goals. This review introduces a leadership and policy development model designed to drive operational success in technology-driven organizations. The model emphasizes the importance of visionary, collaborative, and data-driven leadership in developing and implementing operational policies that not only enhance day-to-day efficiency but also support sustainable growth and innovation. The framework is built around key leadership pillars, including visionary leadership that sets a clear operational direction, collaborative leadership that fosters cross-functional engagement, and data-driven leadership that leverages analytics to inform policy decisions. It highlights the process of policy creation and implementation, beginning with an assessment of existing operational challenges, followed by the development of scalable policies that align with business strategies. The model also incorporates agile leadership, which promotes adaptability in response to rapid technological advancements and market shifts, ensuring that policies remain relevant and effective. Moreover, the model focuses on promoting operational innovation by embedding policies that encourage research and development, cross-department collaboration, and continuous improvement. Leaders are encouraged to integrate Lean and Agile methodologies within policies to streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, and improve overall operational performance. Through real-world case studies and applications, this review demonstrates how technology companies can benefit from leadership that actively shapes policies to foster operational excellence. The proposed model serves as a strategic tool for tech leaders, helping them align operational policies with long-term objectives, drive innovation, and maintain competitive advantage in the global market. By adopting this leadership-driven policy approach, tech companies can enhance their ability to scale effectively and sustain operational success in an ever-changing environment.

Technology Empowers Finance: Boundaries and Risks

BigTech credit has enhanced financial inclusion, but it also poses concerns with its boundaries. This article uses theoretical frameworks and numerical simulations to examine the risks and inclusiveness of technology-empowered credit services for “long-tail” clients. This research discovered that the discrepancy between the commercial boundaries of BigTech credit and the technical limitations of risk management poses a risk in BigTech credit. The expanding boundaries of BigTech’s credit business may mitigate the representativeness of the data, resulting in a systematic deviation of unclear characteristics from the training sample data, which reduces the risk-control model’s ability to identify long-tail customers and raises the risk of credit defaults. Further computer simulations validate these results and demonstrate that competition among various companies would expedite the market’s transition over the boundary in case of a capital shortage. Finally, this article proposes setting up a joint-stock social unified credit technology company with data assets as an investment to facilitate the healthy and orderly development of financial technology institutions.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION

This paper aims to describe, based on an analysis of what is contained in the literature, the introduction and evolution of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education, thus constructing a historical record of these technologies. The project is justified by the relevance of the topic and the importance that ICT represented during the pandemic period, practically saving education from two years of social isolation, leaving millions of students out of school, enabling, even with some difficulties encountered by teachers and students, the continuity of pedagogical activities, minimizing the educational losses of a period never seen before in the history of education. It is clear that these ICT should be incorporated into the pedagogical projects of the courses, since Ifes has an academic environment Moodle (Modular Dynamic Object-Oriented Learning Environment) available that enables pedagogical activities for teachers and students. Given the many new digital technologies that have emerged in recent times, it is possible to see that digital communication and information technologies have become a fertile field for technology companies, developers, and researchers in the area of ​​technology and education, since they have seen technologies as a tool capable of providing a transformation of teaching-learning methods and practices that are important for achieving pedagogical objectives, thus not diminishing the role of educators, nor even replacing them, but allowing some tasks and functions to be expanded and diversified. It is also worth noting that TDCI encompasses other sectors, becoming multidimensional with roots spread throughout society. The legislation that governs the introduction and use of technological equipment in the classroom has advanced and encouraged its use in everyday school activities.

Present and Future Actions of CETYS University to Mitigate Climate Action

The strategic location of CETYS University, in Baja California state in the northwest of Mexico, gives it exceptional conditions for the use of renewable energies. With an installed photovoltaic solar energy capacity of 1.37 MW, it is the academic institution with the greatest generation potential in Latin America. The importance that CETYS University gives to the subject has stimulated the institution since 2015 to offer a degree and master's degree in renewable energy to have greater and better collaboration with solar and wind energy technology companies located in the state. With a vision of the future, in 2023 the CETYS Institute for Sustainability Studies (ISS) was created to promote and coordinate, among other actions, those related to energy and climate change. With a planning horizon until 2036, the ISS, looking forward, has proposed the following actions: a) an internal audit to increase the energy efficiency of their buildings and classrooms; b) support for research projects to build on-campus operational small-scale wind energy systems; c) the deployment of the 300 x 500 program, which seeks to plant at least 300 native trees in the region with low water consumption each year, to offset the atmospheric emissions of 500 vehicles; d) a policy to achieve 80% carbon neutrality, and e) the incorporation of CETYS to the network of Mexican universities for climate action. Among many others, these actions position CETYS as a leading institution in sustainable development at the regional level.

The Relationship Between EBIT/Total Revenue and Annual Returns: A Study of Leading Technology Companies

This study examines the relationship between Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT)/Total Revenue and annual returns for four leading technology companies: Amazon (AMZN), Alibaba (BABA), Google (GOOG), and Baidu (BIDU). Using data from Yahoo Finance from 2018 to 2022 and applying regression analysis, the study finds a significant positive relationship between EBIT/Total Revenue ratios and annual returns. This suggests that higher EBIT/Total Revenue ratios may be associated with better annual returns. However, limitations include a narrow sample size and time frame, which may affect the generalizability of the results. Future research should consider a broader sample and longer time periods.

PRESUMED CREDIT: CASE OF A TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY IN SANTA CATARINA

This study aims to analyze the impact of the presumed credit of Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS) on a technology company located in the State of Santa Catarina, focusing on the year 2023. The presumed credit, granted by the state government according to RICMS/SC, aims to reduce the tax burden of companies in the sector, promoting technological and commercial development. This is a qualitative and descriptive approach, based on a case study of the company, analyzing financial documents such as balance sheets, ICMS declarations (DIME), and other accounting reports. The results show that, in 2023, the company obtained significant tax savings. Of the total recoverable ICMS on incoming goods, 13.61% were reversed, while 86.39% were used, resulting in a recovered credit of R$ 1,085,242.39. Regarding ICMS on outgoing goods, the presumed credit reduced the amount payable by 75.45%, generating savings of 92.12% in the total ICMS due to the state government. This allowed the company to allocate more resources to Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) activities and market expansion. From this, it was possible to conclude that the presumed credit brought clear financial benefits to the company in the short term, encouraging innovation and expansion. However, the study highlights that, for more consistent and lasting results, tax incentives need to be complemented by other policies.

AAL for independent aging: Practical guidelines for smart living environment development

Abstract Background Active Assisted Living (AAL) refers to the use of IoT devices to support quality of life, independence, and healthier living for care recipients. AAL-enabled smart homes have particular potential to help older adults reach their health and independent living goals, but there is a dearth of guidance on practical implementation. Additionally, different technology companies have each developed their own practices, leading to confusion and inconsistency. The objective of this work is to explore requirements for use of AAL in smart living environments for older adults, providing suggestions for best practice for AAL use considering their unique circumstances. Methods A review of academic and grey literature was performed to identify existing best practices and gaps for development of AAL-enabled environments. A technology review was also performed on 156 unique devices to understand the AAL tech ecosystem. Results Little guidance exists regarding designing smart living environments for older adults, though it exists for the two elements separately. The distinguishing elements are how AAL may connect the older adult to their care network, how the home may accommodate changing health needs, and older adults’ unique vulnerability. Furthermore, a large issue is a lack of interoperability and communication, which must be addressed in order to make AAL systems as low-effort and aligned with older adults’ preferences as possible. Conclusions As both tech and older adults’ needs evolve, key requirements of AAL-enabled smart living environments are robust data sharing pathways, planning for modifiability, and protecting the privacy of residents. The findings of this work will be used to identify opportunities for AAL standards development. Key messages • AAL-enabled smart homes must be able to accommodate an older adults’ shifting care needs and preferences over time. • It is necessary to establish how AAL smart home data may be shared with and used by care partners and providers.

A Financial Analysis and Valuation of Apple Inc.

In 2024, Apple Inc., a globally recognized technology company, faced a series of challenges in China, resulting in a poor share price performance compared to the broader market. Despite strong financial indicators elsewhere, the company's latest quarterly report, released in February, revealed disappointing results in China. While Apple achieved sales growth in all regions except Greater China, where sales fell by nearly 13% from the same period last year. The impact of these events on Apple cannot be ignored. Apple's weaker-than-expected performance in China may suggest that the company's competitiveness in this key market is being challenged. This article provides an in-depth analysis of Apple's financial performance over the past three years, comparing it to its peers to draw conclusions about the risks associated with the company's growth. Through this examination, it aims to shed light on the potential implications of Apple's struggles in the Chinese market for its overall trajectory and competitiveness.

COUNTERING DISINFORMATION POLICY: CHALLENGES FOR UKRAINE’S NATIONAL SECURITY

he article examines the problems of combating disinformation in the conditions of a modern full-scale war and overcoming the challenges facing the national security of Ukraine. The concept of disinformation, its impact on public consciousness and the key mechanisms of the spread of false information are outlined. The main directions of the policy of combating disinformation aimed at ensuring information security and resistance to information attacks have been studied. The importance of the development of media literacy among the population as one of the main tools for countering disinformation campaigns through educational programs and social interaction is revealed. The experience of combating disinformation in the developed countries of the world, the USA and the countries of the European Union, is analyzed. The role of state and international initiatives, the cooperation of governments with technology companies, as well as the implementation of legislative mechanisms are highlighted. The main tools aimed at regulating the spread of false information in the information space are revealed. The study emphasizes the importance of active cooperation with international partners to ensure an effective fight against disinformation at the global level. Special attention is paid to the role of international organizations in the formation of a unified strategy for countering disinformation attacks. Prospects for attracting international support for the development of national information protection systems and Ukraine's participation in global information security initiatives are being considered. Proposed means of an effective policy of combating disinformation, which combine legislative, technical and educational measures. The methods of ensuring resistance to external information threats are characterized. Particular attention is paid to media literacy programs, which have become important elements of national strategies in the fight against fakes and disinformation attacks. The article considers the possibilities of implementing international experience in Ukraine with the aim of strengthening national information security. The expediency of developing complex programs, including the strengthening of modern means of monitoring the information space and raising the level of critical thinking among the population, is analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the need to create a national security strategy for combating disinformation, which will allow effective response to new threats and ensure information security in the conditions of modern warfare.

SOCIAL MEDIA SENTIMENT AND STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY: EVIDENCE FROM THE US HI-TECH COMPANIES

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of social media sentiment, measured by Twitter-based uncertainty index, on the stock market volatility of the US technology companies. Design/methodology/approach: Methodologically, we employ the quantile regression model. Our findings reveal that the volatility of Amazon, Apple, Google and IBM stocks are sensitive to the variations in twitter-based economic and market uncertainties (i.e., TEU and TMU indexes). Findings: We observe significant influences at both lower and upper quantiles. Thus, for both high and low volatility regimes, the information on twitter-based uncertainty indexes can be used to predict the market volatility of these leading hi-tech companies. Moreover, TEU and TMU indexes exert positive effects on the stock price implied volatility implying that the variance of these technology firms experiences an upward trend as the social media uncertainty rises. Originality/value: While numerous studies have focused on the influence of social media (e.g., Facebook, twitter etc.) on investment strategies, the impact of twitter sentiments on the risk linked to hi-tech firms remains understudied. Hence, investors participating in the technology sectors could use our findings for managing portfolio risk.

Moving Diabetes Prevention Programs to the Workplace: A Qualitative Exploration of Barriers and Facilitators to Participant Engagement When Implemented by an Employer-Based Clinic.

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), an effective evidence-based strategy to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes, has been widely implemented in various locations, including workplaces. However, most people do not remain engaged in the program for the recommended full year. Limited qualitative research exists around participant engagement in the workplace DPP. Our study aimed to explore participant engagement in the DPP delivered through the employer-based clinic (EBC) at a large technology company. The DPP was implemented through the EBC at a large technology company in Southern California, beginning in September 2019 by using in-person and virtual synchronous group classes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual focus groups with DPP participants from 2 inaugural cohorts were conducted via Zoom from October 2020 to February 2021. Data were analyzed by using inductive thematic analysis. Five focus groups with 2 to 3 participants in each (total n = 12) were conducted, 2 focus groups per cohort and 1 focus group with the group instructors. Barriers and facilitators to engagement in the DPP were grouped into thematic domains: Individual Drivers, Small Group Community, Workplace Setting, Integrated EBC, and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Results showed that prepandemic workplace demands (ie, meetings, travel) affected DPP participation, yet the group setting provided social support in the workplace to engage in and maintain healthy habits. With the move to a virtual synchronous offering during the pandemic, participants valued the group setting but expressed a preference for in-person meetings. Collectively, participant engagement was bolstered by shared buy-in and collaboration between the employer and the EBC. Our findings suggest that engagement in a workplace DPP can be supported by addressing workplace-specific barriers and gaining buy-in from employers. Delivering the DPP, in person and virtually, through an EBC has the potential to engage employees who have prediabetes.

A Study on Employee Engagement at Smart-Q

This study examines the level of employee engagement at SmartQ - Bottle Lab Technologies, a food and beverage company in Bangalore. A survey-based research approach was employed, collecting primary data from 100 employees. Descriptive statistics, corelation, and ANOVA were used to analyze the impact of factors such as job satisfaction, leadership, and recognition on employee engagement. The results indicate a significant positive correlation between job satisfaction, and employee engagement. Additionally, the study revealed that recognition and rewards significantly influence employee motivation and retention

Digital Marketing and Its Impact on Organizational Attraction: An Analytical Study of the Opinions of a Sample of Administrative Leaders in the Public Telecommunications and Information Technology Company

The main purpose of this research is to understand the role of digital marketing in the Public Telecommunications and Information Company by exploring its four dimensions (communication channels, social media, digital relations, and digital technologies) in enhancing its organizational attractiveness. The problem of the research, the company is struggling how to cover all consumer needs and preferences, comprehend their behavior, and set specific objectives to improve organizational attraction, whether to increase subscribers or enhance interactions with other companies. Digital marketing requires sustained time and effort for long-term success, which is why this research aims to provide a set of marketing mechanisms to address the problem, potentially through electronic platforms or social media. To achieve objective of the research, the descriptive-analytical approach was used. A questionnaire was the main tool used to collect data and information was distributed to a sample of the company's middle management leaders (119) in the Public Telecommunications and Information Company. the researchers employed a series of descriptive statistical techniques that included the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and simple regression coefficient by using the statistical program (SPSS. V.26). The results confirmed the significant impact of digital marketing on enhancing the leaders' ability to increase organizational attractiveness, enabling them to execute their assigned activities and tasks more effectively. Paper type: Research paper.

Enhancing Broccoli growth by bacillus rhizosphere bacteria

This study examines the enhancement of broccoli growth by Bacillus Rhizosphere. Bacteria Broccoli is a nutrient-rich vegetable known for its high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and low calorie count, making it a recommended daily food. Tropical regions grow broccoli in mountainous areas. Sustainable agriculture emphasizes minimizing chemical fertilizers, and biofertilizers like Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), such as Bacillus, can reduce their use. Bacillus improves plant growth by fixing nitrogen, solubilizing phosphate and potassium, and producing phytohormones. Understanding Bacillus growth dynamics is vital for optimizing its agricultural application. This study aimed to analyze growth curves of different Bacillus species and investigate their potential role in promoting broccoli growth. This study was carried out in January–April 2024 at the Soil Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, and Bumi Agro Technology Company, Lembang. The research was divided into 3 stages: growth curve determination, Bacillus liquid inoculant preparation, and application of treatment to plants. The findings showed that isolates of B. safensis strain MDL5, B. altitudinis strain RPW2, B. subtilis strain YPS4, and Bacillus sp. strain SZ057 reached the highest point in their growth curves after 4 and 5 days of incubation. After that, the curves slowly went down. Inoculating Bacillus into broccoli plants resulted in an increase in plant height by 43.28–58.75% compared to the control.

States' lawsuits against TikTok speak to addiction‐like effects

Language in a new series of state government lawsuits against the owners of social media app TikTok strongly resembles recent warnings from federal leaders about the dangers of social media, from addiction‐like changes in the brains of young users to a lack of transparency from technology companies that has impeded a greater understanding of social media's impact.