Theoretical Perspectives Research Articles

Cyber resilience in organisations and supply chains: from perceptions to actions

PurposeThis empirical study investigates the direct and indirect effects on managers’ perceptions of cyber risks, the implementation of cyber resilience strategies and the perceived effectiveness of these strategies for supply chains. Cyber risks pose significant threats to organisations and supply chains. Yet they remain insufficiently addressed and managed.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected from a sample of Italian organisations using a survey. The structural equation modelling methodology was employed to empirically investigate cyber resilience strategies in supply chains.FindingsResults indicate that effective cyber resilience is linked to awareness of the negative impacts of cyber risks, particularly supply chain disruptions. This awareness leads to the adoption of various cyber resilience strategies. According to managers' perceptions, several strategies are identified in the study as the most effective in enhancing the cyber resilience supply chains. The findings offer insights for managers regarding the relationship between cyber risk perceptions, supply chain cyber resilience strategies and their effectiveness. These relationships are studied using the theory of perceived risk and the dynamic capabilities theory.Originality/valueThis study advances knowledge for academics and practitioners in the fields of supply chain resilience and supply chain risk management. It contributes to the development of a risk-based thinking model in organisations and supply chains by drawing upon a dual theoretical perspective.

White Christian nationalism in Black education: Breaking bread at the kitchen table

This kitchen table dialogue brings together two scholars, one Black woman assistant professor and one white male doctoral student, unified in our research interests in the history of Black education and our faith as Christians. We gathered on the Zoom video conferencing platform to “break bread,” engaging in a cultural and spiritual tradition to share and commune with each other. The purpose of the kitchen table talk was to discuss the current state of white Christian nationalism (WCN) and how it has been foundational to the structure and establishment of U.S. schools. We explicitly explore its implications on Black education across time and offer critical theoretical perspectives and liberatory theological insights. We are hopeful that this discourse furthers critical conversations, teaching, and scholarship at the intersections of education, race, and religion that move U.S. education toward constructing educational structures that recognize the sacred nature of our work and care for the spirit and souls of all students.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SPENDING IN BRAZIL'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (2000 TO 2023)

Public expenditure can influence economic development by increasing public investment. This study seeks to analyze the importance of public investments in education, health, infrastructure and human capital in the process of economic development. The objective of the article is to address, from a theoretical perspective, the relevance of public spending in Brazilian economic development. The research showed that an efficient allocation of public spending in different strategic, innovative areas with potential disseminators can influence and influence the country's economic development.

Necessary and sufficient conditions for open-loop equilibrium portfolio for a DC pension plan with piecewise linear state-dependent risk tolerance

Wang, Chen, and Yang (2023) investigated the equilibrium behavioral strategy for a defined contribution (DC) pension plan during the accumulation phase and obtained the explicit expressions for the suboptimal equilibrium behavioral strategy. However, the authors failed to obtain the optimal solution and did not completely solve the pension investment problem with piecewise linear state-dependent risk tolerance. The primary objective of this article is to solve an improved version of the above DC pension plan problem thoroughly. We investigate the open-loop equilibrium portfolio for a DC pension plan and derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the open-loop equilibrium portfolio through coupled forward-backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDEs). The uniqueness of an equilibrium portfolio is obtained by decoupling FBSDEs. Finally, the economic significance and implications of the obtained open-loop equilibrium portfolio are illustrated from the theoretical perspective.

Self-presentational concerns and lurking among users on social networking sites: an empirical study based on a moderated mediation model

PurposeThe phenomenon of nonposting behavior, known as lurking, has become increasingly prevalent on social networking sites (SNS). This study aims to understand why certain users are inclined to lurk on SNS by proposing a theoretical framework that integrates self-presentational concerns, SNS fatigue and social presence.Design/methodology/approachBuilding upon the theoretical framework, a moderated mediation model is established to illustrate the mechanisms of lurking on SNS. Survey data were collected from 616 SNS users through an online survey and analyzed using the SPSS macro PROCESS.FindingsThe findings show that self-presentational concerns have positive and direct effects on lurking. Moreover, the relationship between self-presentational concerns and lurking is partially mediated by SNS fatigue. Furthermore, both the direct effect and the mediating effect are moderated by social presence.Originality/valueThis study offers a novel theoretical perspective on lurking behavior by introducing a moderated mediation model. The findings reveal intricate mechanisms underlying this specific SNS usage behavior and its connections to both self-presentational concerns and SNS fatigue, thereby enriching the existing literature on user engagement and inactivity on SNS. Furthermore, this research highlights the pivotal role of social presence in moderating the effects of self-presentational concerns, offering new insights into the dynamics of online social interactions.

New Perspectives on Collective Collaboration Within and Between Change Laboratory Sessions

This article contributes new knowledge on collaboration within and between Change Laboratory sessions and how it offers the potential to support the zone of proximal development and the expansive learning of participants. The Change Laboratory is a formative intervention method that helps participants transform their practices. This qualitative study examines how six educators participating in a Change Laboratory intervention dealt with problems that arise when implementing digital artifacts in teaching mathematics. We collected data through participant observation between sessions and video recordings during sessions. We conducted the data analysis abductively, using the seven expansive learning actions as an analytical framework. The findings highlight how collaboration between the researcher and the participants, both during and between Change Laboratory sessions, helped support the participants’ zone of proximal development and expansive learning. This close collaboration enabled the educators to collectively reflect on and transform their teaching practices, specifically by incorporating digital artifacts into their educational routines. The study provides important insights into how digital artifacts can be successfully implemented in practice using Change Laboratories, emphasizing the importance of supporting educators in their zone of proximal development. Using a theoretical perspective grounded in cultural-historical activity theory, the study contributes to understanding how change occurs in the educational field.

ChatGPT in language education: Centering learner voices

Within educational linguistics and applied language studies, the debut of ChatGPT has spurred significant scholarship analyzing its potential benefits and consequences in language teaching and learning. However, limited empirical research on factors influencing language learners’ use or non-use of ChatGPT exists. From an ecological theoretical perspective, an understanding of this (non)usage is nevertheless essential: a nuanced understanding of if, how, and why language learners use these tools is necessary to craft meaningful approaches to ChatGPT and other similar generative AI tools in the language classroom. To address this gap, the current article reports on an online survey of 173 learners of non-English languages at a large public university in the United States. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and iterative qualitative coding (e.g., thematic analysis). Analysis revealed a large majority of participants (74%) elected not to use ChatGPT in their language learning. The article subsequently explores the factors that influenced this non-use, namely policies; concerns about ethics both inside and outside the language classroom (e.g., concerns about cheating, intellectual theft, and questions of fairness); beliefs about tool limitations; considerations of the potential negative impacts on language learning; and reflections on education more broadly. We discuss the implications of these findings in relation to the role of digital literacies in language education; the production of knowledge in education; and the meaning of language study, including actionable items in the language classroom.

Explaining the changes in the green technology innovation efficiency of construction enterprises

Based on the objective of global carbon emission reduction, the green technology innovation efficiencies of construction enterprises (GTIE–CE) have attracted attention in various countries and regions worldwide. However, researchers have not yet assessed GTIE–CE from the perspectives of asymmetric innovation theory, resource orchestration theory and eco-innovation theory. To reveal the changes in GTIE–CE, an index system is constructed to measure this efficiency based on resource orchestration theory and eco-innovation theory. In addition, based on the asymmetric innovation theory, this study uses the spatial variance function and PVAR model to reveal the evolution mechanism of GTIE–CE with respect to market, government and technology dimensions. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) Regional heterogeneity is present in GTIE–CE in China, and the appearance of high efficiency spreads from the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta to the surrounding areas. (2) The market dimension positively affects the green technology innovation efficiency of construction enterprises, but this effect is delayed. (3) The government dimension significantly promotes the improvement in GTIE–CE, but this effect is delayed. This study provides an integrated theoretical perspective that reveals the mechanism of GTIE–CE, helps to broaden the research in the field of GTIE–CE, in addition to insights from China to further promote the green transformation of these enterprises.

Long-term relationships between users and smart voice assistants: the roles of experience and love

PurposeThis study examines why long-term relationships between expert users and smart voice assistants (SVAs) develop. It postulates that the five dimensions of experience (i.e. sensory, affective, intellectual, behavioural and relational) generate feelings of love for SVAs. The formation of love is examined considering three components: passion, intimacy and commitment. These feelings encourage users to continue employing and to generate long-term relationships with SVAs.Design/methodology/approachData from a survey of 403 USA expert users of SVAs provide the input for structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results show that three dimensions of experience influence users’ passion towards SVAs: affective, intellectual and behavioural. Moreover, passion can convert the effect of users’ experiences into intimacy and commitment. Finally, intimacy and commitment increase users’ intentions to continue using SVAs.Originality/valueThe findings obtained make three original contributions. First, this study is the first to analyse expert users of SVAs and the post-technology adoption stage. Therefore, it introduces a new case of relational marketing in smart technologies. Second, this study contributes by applying a new theoretical perspective that evaluates the importance of users’ experiences with SVAs. Third, it takes an interpersonal approach to explore user-SVA interactions, revealing that users can develop human-like love feelings for SVAs.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-10-2022-0570

Comprehensive investigation of novel synthesized thiophenytoin derivative (antiepileptic drug) as an environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl: Theoretical, electrochemical, and surface analysis perspectives

This study evaluates the potential of N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-(5-oxo-4,4-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)thio)acetamide (AM16), a novel thiophenytoin derivative used as an antiepileptic drug, as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1.0 M HCl. The research focuses on AM16’s adsorption behavior and corrosion inhibition efficiency. Electrochemical techniques, including potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM), were employed to assess the inhibitor’s effectiveness. The results demonstrate that AM16 achieved a corrosion inhibition efficiency of 95.7 %, with its performance improving with increasing concentration. Polarization studies reveal that AM16 acts as a mixed-type inhibitor. The adsorption of AM16 on the steel surface was modeled using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Surface analysis via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the formation of a protective layer. Experimental findings were complemented by density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations. The combined theoretical, experimental, and analytical approaches affirm the efficacy of this molecule as a corrosion inhibitor, achieving a 95.7 % inhibition rate. Polarization studies reveal that the inhibitor acts as a mixed-type inhibitor. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the molecule chemically adsorbs onto the steel surface, following the Langmuir isotherm.

Higher gauge theory and integrability

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the study of integrable systems from a gauge theoretic perspective. This development originated with the introduction of four-dimensional Chern-Simons theory with defects, which provided a systematic framework for constructing two-dimensional integrable systems. In this article, we propose a novel approach to studying higher-dimensional integrable models employing techniques from higher category theory. Starting with higher Chern-Simons theory on the 4-manifold R×Y, we complexify and compactify the real line to CP1 and introduce the disorder defect ω=z−1dz. This procedure defines a holomorphic five-dimensional variant of higher Chern-Simons theory, which, when endowed with suitable boundary conditions, allows for the localization to a three-dimensional theory on Y. The equations of motion of the resulting model are equivalent to the flatness of a 2-connection (L,H), that we then use to construct the corresponding higher holonomies. We prove that these are invariants of homotopies relative boundary, which enables the construction of conserved quantities. The latter are labeled by both the categorical characters of a Lie crossed module and the infinite number of homotopy classes of surfaces relative boundary in Y. Moreover, we also demonstrate that the three-dimensional theory has left and right acting symmetries whose current algebra is given by an infinite-dimensional centrally extended affine Lie 2-algebra. Both of these conditions are direct higher homotopy analogs of the properties satisfied by the two-dimensional Wess-Zumino-Witten conformal field theory, which we therefore interpret as facets of integrable structures. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Microbial necromass in soil profiles increases less efficiently than root biomass in long-term fenced grassland: Effects of microbial nitrogen limitation and soil depth

Grassland fencing is acknowledged as a crucial initiative to enhance biodiversity and to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) content in ecologically fragile regions or barren systems. Theoretical perspectives propose that fencing induced an increase in root biomass, and its penetration into the soil profile introduced organic matter that facilitated SOC formation through microbial necromass and root residues. It is hypothesized that long-term grassland fencing increases root biomass, thereby enhancing SOC formation within the soil profile through microbial residues in badland ecosystems. To test this hypothesis, we selected grasslands subjected to varying durations of fencing post-grazing (i.e., 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 y). Our investigation aimed to clarify microbial necromass dynamics in 0–100 cm soil profiles after fencing and to identify the influencing factors. Long-term grassland fencing (i.e., >30 y) increased root biomass by 160 %, SOC by 69 %, and necromass by 41 % compared to grazed grassland within the 0–40 cm horizon; in contrast, increased root biomass by 870 %, SOC by 111 %, and necromass by 46 % in the 40–100 cm horizon. Necromass in deep soil (40–100 cm) accounted for about 50 % of total residues in the 0–100 cm profile. Increased root and living microbial biomass stimulated the necromass accumulation, with a more pronounced increase in fungal residues compared with bacterial residues. Nonetheless, microbial nutrient limitation increases C or N-acquisition enzyme coefficients, which subsequently reduced fungal and bacterial residues and stimulated their recycling. Despite substantial increases in root biomass within the soil profile after fencing, limitation of microbial N and depth reduced the effectiveness of enhancing SOC and necromass. In conclusion, although microbial residues were the important source of SOC in grasslands of the Loess Plateau, microbial N limitation impeded necromass accumulation, and the interplay of root biomass, soil depth, and nutrient limitation regulated the dynamics of necromass following grassland fencing.

Transport in cellular aggregates described by fluctuating hydrodynamics

Biological functionality of cellular aggregates is largely influenced by the activity and displacements of individual constituent cells. From a theoretical perspective this activity can be characterized by hydrodynamic transport coefficients of diffusivity and conductivity. Motivated by the clustering dynamics of bacterial microcolonies we propose a model of active multicellular aggregates and use recently developed macroscopic fluctuation theory to derive a fluctuating hydrodynamics for this model system. Both semianalytic theory and microscopic simulations show that the hydrodynamic transport coefficients are affected by nonequilibrium microscopic parameters and significantly decrease inside of the clusters. We further find that the Einstein relation connecting the transport coefficients and fluctuations breaks down in the parameter regime where the detailed balance is not satisfied. This study offers valuable tools for experimental investigation of hydrodynamic transport in other systems of cellular aggregates such as tumor spheroids and organoids. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Researching into Preventing Harmful Rent-Seeking Practices: Strategic Policy Interventions Required and Lessons Learnt for Asian Countries

The author of this work argues that rent-seeking occurs in a situation wherein a company or individual seeks special privileges from another party, often the government, but does not reciprocate back. Its examples are (a) license requirements for professions; (b) creating barriers to entry for new businesses, and (c) grants, subsidies, or tariff protection. In the language of economics, rent is defined as “wealth gained via questionable, often manipulative means”.A closer look at the theoretical perspective and review of related literature is indicative of the fact that identification (and practice) of policy-induced harmful rents have been resorted to in many firms and for various purposes. More specifically, the practice of rent-seeking model has been found to be resulting in both economic ‘gains’, and ‘losses’. The bottom-line is that there is a lack of scientific research evidence and published data on how national governments and donor agencies (from across the regions of the globe) have formulated and adopted rent-seeking approaches. The author of this research essay argues that in view of these contradictions and controversies, it is important for the academic and research community to seek answers to pertinent questions on potential advantages of rent-seeking approach. The questions that need to be debated and researched into are:a) what are the approaches to identify policy-induced harmful rent-seeking practices? b) what are their respective strengths and weaknesses? c) how governments and donors have used them in different perspectives? The author, in this paper, aims to seek answer to the above prominent and key questions in the context of countries in the Asian region. In terms of research methodology, secondary data (that are largely ‘quantitative’ in nature) have been used and method of data analysis is descriptive (involving “desk-based research” approach). Data sources have been quoted in the text (including under references). The paper briefly concludes that the rent-seeking activity might be negative, but it might preserve a “growth-enhancing rent”. Even if the rent-seeking activity has a positive value, the “outcome-rent” might be negative. Governments, thus, need to be more transparent in adopting rent-seeking practices; people know how laws and regulations are produced. This renewed critical and multidisciplinary approach has important policy implications for the debates over institutional reform in rent-seeking practices for economies in Asia and the Pacific.In conclusion, the author says that the analysis of rents and rent-seeking practices has been primarily dominated by an economic point of view. This perspective places emphasis on assessing rents in accordance with their impact on “efficiency and economic growth”. As against political approach to rent-seeking (which assumes the negative impact of rents and their potential to derive from corrupt activities), monetary policy experts and economists classify rents as “growth-retarding” (or “growth-enhancing”).In terms of implications of harmful rent-seeking practices for monetary policy, the author of this work argues that the rent-seeking framework has to be extended by incorporating policy insights and strategies developed by stakeholders in the governmental sector and institutional economists if it is to explain the anomalous role played by rent-seeking in Asian countries. This mechanism includes detailed analysis of economy in the broader context in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia (including the Indian sub-continent).

An Analysis of Digital Finance in Promoting the Development of New Quality Productivity

As a product of the deep integration of financial technology and the digital economy, digital finance plays a significant role in promoting the development of new quality productivity. This paper first elaborates on the connotations of new quality productivity and digital finance and analyzes the mechanisms by which digital finance promotes the development of new quality productivity from both theoretical and practical perspectives. The aim is to explore the value digital finance brings to the development of new quality productivity, along with the challenges it faces, in order to propose corresponding policy recommendations.

Analysis and evaluation of suitability of high-pressure dynamic constitutive model for concrete under blast and impact loading

Concrete demonstrates complex dynamic mechanical behaviors under the influence of blast or impact loads, and there are inherent limitations in experimental and theoretical methods when dealing with highly nonlinear problems. As computational technologies and mechanics continue to evolve, it is possible to conduct high-fidelity simulations of the transient response of concrete structures subjected to intense dynamic loads. Such simulations play a crucial role in revealing the propagation laws of stress waves, the progression of damage, the mechanisms of structural failure, and in conducting protective engineering design. An accurate concrete material model is essential for conducting numerical studies. This article reviews the development of high-pressure dynamic constitutive models for concrete in recent years from both experimental research and theoretical modeling perspectives, focusing on the analysis and evaluation of the modeling methods and main shortcomings of the equation of state(EOS), strength model, and damage model. Using single-element numerical simulations under a single loading path and numerical calculations of engineering cases under complex loading paths, a systematic analysis and comparison were conducted on the predictive capabilities of the HJC, RHT, KCC, and CSC models, as well as the newly developed Kong-Fang and Yan-Chen models. It pointed out the impact of high-pressure mechanical behavior of concrete and the cumulative effect of damage under hydrostatic pressure on the calculation results. Finally, a discussion was conducted on the inherent flaws, applicability, and research difficulties of local constitutive models of concrete in the finite element method. This provides a reference for the selection and research of constitutive models when conducting numerical analysis of the blast and impact resistance of concrete structures.

Comparative didactics today: Introducing a special issue

This special issue aims to advance and disseminate research in the field of comparative didactics, offering a comprehensive overview of its current state. Featuring contributions from leading scholars across diverse continents and disciplines, the publication seeks to foster the growth and internationalization of comparative didactics, promote cross-disciplinary methodology transfer between school subjects, and support scholars in identifying and sharing theoretical perspectives across different contexts. While each paper presents unique findings, they collectively enable deeper comparisons of the meaning and impact of comparative didactics worldwide.

Music-specialized teachers’ reasoning on music practice in preschool: Music knowledge, courage, and visions

According to the Swedish curriculum (SKOLFS 2018, p. 50), preschool teachers bear the responsibility for teaching and incorporating music into preschool practice. However, due to limited time dedicated to music in preschool teacher education, teachers specialized in music play a critical role as valuable resources in practice. Existing music education research has focused predominantly on music in preschool from the perspectives of preschool teachers and students, rather than specifically examining a group of teachers specialized in music. Hence, this study aims to explore and discuss how teachers specialized in music approach music practice within preschool settings. The study adopts an educational philosophy and music didaktik perspective in analyzing focus group discussions with teachers specialized in music. The results reveal that music knowledge focuses on craftsmanship, courage, and visions for the music specialist. Alternative combinations of theoretical perspectives shed light on a complex and intertwined practice with shifting emphases.

Students With LD and Decision Making for After High School: Emotions and Basic Psychological Needs

Little is known about how grade 12 students with learning disabilities (LD) face the complex and emotional task of deciding what to do after high school. To expand on current research, we explored the experiences, emotions, and support of students with LD from the theoretical perspective of basic psychological needs (BPNs). We conducted a triangulation mixed-method study that included survey data and interviews. Participants were asked to identify their emotions, and if their BPNs of autonomy (e.g., feeling in control), competence (e.g., feeling capable), and relatedness (e.g., feeling connected to others) were satisfied or frustrated. Based on survey questions, participants indicated high satisfaction with their BPNs during decision-making and low levels of negative emotions. We used a deductive analysis to link participant interviews to BPNs and found greater satisfaction with these needs than frustration. Moreover, the mixed-method analysis integrating the results in a joint display uncovered that participants identified more positive emotions when their BPNs of autonomy and relatedness were satisfied, and more negative emotions when their BPNs of relatedness and competence were frustrated. We discuss the emotional experience of making decisions after high school. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.

‘Home is just a feeling’: Essentialist and anti-essentialist views on home among Ukrainian war refugees

The notion of home, understood as a distinct and meaningful place is frequently explored in migration studies. It emerges as an especially significant point of reference, though it is often marked by ambiguity and ambivalence, especially in the narratives of war refugees. This article examines how Ukrainian refugees in Poland define and experience home, exploring the evolving meanings of home in the context of displacement and resettlement. We conducted semi-structured interviews with thirteen refugees and forced migrants who left Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24th, 2022. Using a theoretical framework of essentialist and constructivist (anti-essentialist) notions of place, we identified three major themes in the way refugees perceive home. The first theme highlights attachment to home, where refugees express feelings of security, stability, and rootedness. The second reveals a profound sense of ‘non-home’, where home is lost or unattainable. The third theme explores how refugees attempt to reconcile a fixed sense of home with their experiences of mobility, reshaping home through multiple, meaningful sites. By integrating these theoretical perspectives this study offers a nuanced understanding of how displacement and migration reshape the concept of home for refugees.