Dependent Theory Research Articles

Riding the Dragon’s Rails: Unpacking the Impacts of Chinese-Built Railway in Nigeria

This research investigates the impacts of China’s development assistance on African development through Nigeria’s Abuja–Kaduna railway, West Africa’s first modern railway constructed with Chinese aid. Grounded in urbanization and dependency theories and utilizing interviews, focused group discussions (FGDs), and a comprehensive literature review, this study evaluates both positive and negative impacts. Findings reveal socio-economic benefits for Nigeria, including employment generation, improved connectivity, and infrastructure renewal, while also identifying challenges such as community displacement and limited technology transfer. This analysis sheds light on China’s role in African railway development, China–Nigeria relations, and the broader implications of Chinese involvement. By enriching empirical knowledge and presenting a balanced view, this study fosters a nuanced understanding of infrastructure development’s role in Africa’s progress.

Are AI tools better than traditional tools in literature searching? Evidence from E-commerce research

This article examines the potential implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for literature search, comparing AI-based tools to conventional research methods. It also addresses the scarcity of academic literature on specific AI tools for research writing, posing four critical questions regarding accuracy, quality, uniqueness, and qualified uniqueness. Employing Algorithmic Theory and Data Dependency Theory, this project scrutinizes AI performance in algorithms, machine learning models, and data quality. Testing nine e-commerce topics using Scopus, Web of Science, Elicit, and SciSpace, the authors conclude that while conventional methods excel in accuracy and quality, AI tools show promise in uniqueness, complementing literature reviews. The findings also emphasize the judicious integration of AI tools and advocate for further research into new applications and diverse fields. Ultimately, this research offers highly relevant insights into leveraging AI tools to enhance conventional literature search practices in research and professional domains.

From ink to influence: analyzing the impact of media translations in late Qing China through media system dependency theory

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of periodicals in late Qing China through Media System Dependency theory. It emphasizes the synergy between media and translation studies, exploring how this combination influenced public discourse and catalyzed social reforms. It also focuses on how periodicals – as exclusive access to foreign knowledge – created a dependency among readers. This exclusivity and dependency empowered these publications to shape the intellectual and cultural milieu through strategically embedded translations. After analyzing cognitive, affective, and behavioral effects, this study demonstrates how media messages, particularly translations, introduced progressive concepts and advocated for social reforms, ultimately driving social and cultural shifts. By applying Media System Dependency theory, this study underlines the role of media as an agent of social change, extending insights beyond the historical context of late Qing China to contemporary media dynamics. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to a deeper appreciation of how media and translations collectively function as catalysts for cultural exchange and social transformation.

Unpacking the presence of women as HR directors: organisational factors from MNCs subsidiaries operating in Canada

Purpose This paper aims to examine the organisational factors responsible for the inclusion of women as Human Resource (HR) directors in Canadian-based subsidiaries of multinational companies (MNCs). Design/methodology/approach Based on the resource dependence theory, this study outlines the features of subsidiaries that appoint a woman HR director. Hypotheses were developed and assessed through analysis of a database obtained from a quantitative investigation. Analyses are based on 100 multinational subsidiaries operating in Canada. Findings Three primary findings arise from this study. Firstly, the larger the subsidiary, the less likely it is for a woman to hold the position of HR director. Secondly, there is a positive and significant correlation between the percentage of women employed in an MNC subsidiary and the presence of women in the HR director position. Finally, MNC subsidiaries with high executive career progression autonomy are more likely to have a woman HR director than those lacking in such autonomy. Practical implications This study proposes improving the representation of women in HR director positions by increasing the percentage of women employed in organisations and by granting greater decision-making autonomy to subsidiaries of MNCs. Originality/value This paper contributes to broader research on gender inequality in leadership. This paper responds specifically to the dearth of research into gender inequality in HR directorships, despite HR as a profession being female dominated. This study focuses upon HR in multinational corporations – again, an under-researched area.

The Competition Between Taxi Services and On-Demand Ride-Sharing Services: A Service Quality Perspective

On-demand ride-sharing services change our travel behavior, which threatens the survival of taxi services. Motivated by this, this paper examines the impact of on-demand ride-sharing services on taxi services and how to achieve the coexistence of two services from a service quality perspective. This paper analyzes the coexistence condition of two services considering the network effect. First, the profit target for taxi drivers is nonnegative. A Stackelberg model is built in which the taxi service is the leader and the on-demand ride-sharing service is the follower. Then, the reference dependency theory is introduced to modify the profit target of taxi drivers. And the new coexistence condition is compared with the benchmark status. The results find that the coexistence of the two services depends on the type of riders and the quality difference in both cases. When two services and riders are highly heterogenous, two services are more likely to coexist. Services with different qualities could better satisfy the diverse preferences of riders. Considering taxi profit without competition as the profit reference point, the requirement of service quality difference and the diversity of rider composition is increased. In terms of the network effect, the negative network effect is more beneficial to the coexistence of two services.

From policy to practice: How NATO joined forces with NGOs for the protection of civilians

North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO’s) active cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the protection of civilians (PoC) challenges the academic assumption that NATO’s decision-making structures are generally closed to civil society participation. What explains the decision of NATO officials to work with NGOs when developing a Policy for the PoC, and how did this cooperation take place? Combining insights from resource dependency and organisational learning theories, we explore whether and how concerns about public legitimacy and operational effectiveness can explain that NATO engaged with NGOs during its learning process on PoC. Methodologically, we combine data from 26 interviews with NATO officials and NGO representatives with a document analysis of 648 NATO publications. Our analysis shows that NATO’s collaboration with NGOs in the adoption of a PoC policy was very much a bottom-up process. Military commanders began engaging with NGOs on the ground during NATO’s International Security Assistance Force operation in Afghanistan (2001–2014). NGOs then gradually gained access to the formulation and institutionalisation of the PoC policy. While legitimacy concerns triggered NATO’s initial cooperation with NGOs, effectiveness concerns related to policy implementation facilitated stronger cooperation once the process was underway.

The Concept of Development: From Dependency Theory to Diversity of Capitalisms

This article will analyze the three most significant theoretical standpoints that have attempted to study Latin America’s development: the dependency theory, the neo-institutionalist school, and the Varieties of Capitalism perspective. In order to differentiate diverse forms of development in the continent, the final part develops the argument. It proposes a view based on the dependency theory and the French regulation school.

Influence of symmetry breaking on the absorption spectrum of crystal violet: from isolated cations at 5 K to room temperature solutions.

We report the resolution of a long-standing puzzle in molecular spectroscopy: the origin of the shoulder in the room temperature solution absorption spectrum of crystal violet (CV) - an archetypal cationic triphenylmethane dye. This was achieved by comparing experimental and theoretical results for CV in solution at room temperature and as an isolated cation in gas-phase at 5 K. The two lowest energy electronically excited states involved in the visible region absorption are degenerate and coupled via a Jahn-Teller (JT) mechanism involving phenyl torsions, making CV particularly sensitive to environmental perturbations. The shoulder is absent in the low-temperature isolated cation spectrum, and vibronic simulations based on time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) indicate negligible JT effects under these conditions. Combining vibronic simulations with molecular dynamics, demonstrates that in water and toluene solution at room temperature the shoulder arises mainly from an intermolecular, Jahn-Teller-like symmetry-breaking effect induced by the fluctuating electrostatic potential of the disordered solvent environment, rather than from molecular distortions.

Smooth and proper maps with respect to a fibration

Abstract This paper explain how the geometric notions of local contractibility and properness are related to the $\Sigma$ -types and $\Pi$ -types constructors of dependent type theory. We shall see how every Grothendieck fibration comes canonically with such a pair of notions—called smooth and proper maps—and how this recovers the previous examples and many more. This paper uses category theory to reveal a common structure between geometry and logic, with the hope that the parallel will be beneficial to both fields. The style is mostly expository, and the main results are proved in external references.

Consequences of Technology Path-Dependence and Lock-In for Latecomers in Economic Development

Economic development is generally understood to reflect an expansion of technological capability. Technological change is path dependent. Technology systems lock in on standards. These factors impose constraints on latecoming developing countries, where agents have to master processes that are compatible with established standards in order to integrate into a global technology system. Their integration, furthermore, tends to happen under a specific socio-economic umbrella, to wit the business, economic, and political power structures of the global north. The constraints on latecomers that path dependence and lock-in suggest in this context impose potential obstacles for an instrumental use of the potential that economic development offers for general human development. An integration into global production structures can result in a perpetuation of disadvantaged positions unless specific, for instance geopolitical, factors counter technological and institutional dynamics. This analysis of economic development processes complements results formulated under dependency theory and financialization frameworks.

Enhancing ambidextrous green innovation: the role of green supply chain integration, knowledge capabilities and technology dynamism in manufacturing

PurposeIn the context of the environmental degradation challenge in manufacturing firms, greening the supply chain (SC) is the most widely endorsed method to mitigate the adverse repercussions of climate change. Based on organizational learning and resource dependence theories, the aim of this research is to know how green supply chain external integration (GSCEI) and green supply chain internal integration (GSCII) influence ambidextrous green innovation (AGI). It also examines the mediating roles of green absorptive capacity (GAC) and green knowledge integration capability (GKIC), as well as the moderating role of green technology dynamism (GTD).Design/methodology/approachTo assess the hypothesized model, data were obtained with 386 questionnaires from managers employed in manufacturing firms in Pakistan applying a cross-sectional approach. A partial least square structural equation modeling technique was implemented to evaluate the data.FindingsThe results revealed that GSCEI and GSCII substantially impact AGI. Moreover, GAC and GKIC serve as mediators between GSCEI and AGI. GAC and GKIC also intervene in the relationship between GSCII and AGI. GTD was significant as a moderator for the correlation between GSCEI and AGI. However, it does not moderate the relationship between GSCII and AGI.Practical implicationsThis research offers significant comprehension and an innovative approach for manufacturing organizations to curb environmental corrosion by stimulating AGI through green SC integration. It suggests to practitioners that integrating internal knowledge with external partners expands communication and collaboration to ensure that resources connected with environmental preservation flow smoothly.Originality/valueThis research is a valuable addition to the field, as it explores for the first time the missing link among the studied constructs. It opened the black box of how knowledge-related capabilities facilitate knowledge resources to elicit AGI, an area that has not yet been explored.

The Mediating Effects of Board Role Performance in the Relationship Between Board Capital and Survival of Financial Cooperatives in Uganda

Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) in Uganda face persistent survival challenges, often associated with governance limitations and board effectiveness issues. This study investigates the association between board capital, which encompasses both human and social capital, and SACCO survival—measured through liquidity and gearing—with board role performance as a potential mediator. Data were collected from 311 participants across 60 SACCOs in a cross-sectional survey. Structural equation modeling analysis indicates that although board capital does not directly influence SACCO survival, it positively correlates with board role performance, which in turn is significantly associated with SACCO survival outcomes of liquidity and gearing. These findings underscore the importance of board engagement in translating board members’ collective expertise, knowledge, and external connections into enhanced liquidity and balanced gearing for SACCOs. Practical implications suggest that SACCOs could benefit from initiatives to strengthen board members' skills and networking capabilities through targeted training, mentorship, and structured networking opportunities. Establishing clear board roles, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and implementing regular performance evaluations are essential practices to bolster SACCO survival. This study contributes a novel perspective by integrating Role Theory with Agency and Resource Dependency Theories, providing a multi-theoretical framework to better understand SACCO survival in a developing economy context. This integration enriches the theoretical landscape and provides actionable insights for strengthening SACCO survival in Uganda’s challenging economic context.

Prediction of residual stresses in additively manufactured parts using lumped capacitance and classical lamination theory

Several industries are interested in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) Additively Manufactured (AM) metal parts because their designs can be made arbitrarily complex while retaining bulk-type material properties. However, the residual stresses (RS) and distortions caused by the heat gradients inherent to L-PBF processes are detrimental to the structural integrity of the parts and must be taken into consideration during the part design cycle. Predicting the state of stresses in as-built 3D printed parts is a difficult problem that is typically approached with the use of transient thermomechanical Finite Element Models (FEMs). However, the nonlinearities associated with AM processes are difficult to capture in these FEMs without increasing the computational cost of the simulation, limiting their ability to be incorporated into practical design cycles. This work presents a novel analytical framework that combines lumped capacitance nonlinear heat transfer with time dependent classical lamination theory to efficiently and accurately predict RS in as-built L-PBF parts without the need of FEMs. The simulation was compared to Neutron Diffraction (ND) residual strain measurements taken at Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL) as well as Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction (XRD) strain data published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The simulation predictions and the experimental data showed excellent agreement for the in-plane strain directions, and general agreement for the out of plane strain component, highlighting an area where further development can be implemented.

The Buddleja globosa (Matico) as natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cell: An experimental and theoretical studies based in TD-DFT/ periodic-DFT

The dye sensitizers coming from Buddleja Globosa, a Chilean regional flora, were analyzed and evaluated as a natural dye for the assembly of DSSC. The behavior toward the photoexcitation and electron injection steps was analyzed using time dependent functional theory (TD-DFT) and periodic (Periodic-DFT) calculations using a dye@(TiO2)48 model. The molecules analyzed present in the leaves were verbascoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, luteolin and gallic acid. The photoexcitation is driven by a π−π* transition localized in the frontier orbitals. These exhibit a ΔEHOMO−LUMO of approximately 4.0 eV which is very broad to facilitate an efficient photoexcitation process even though the LUMO density is localized in the acceptors group. In the adsorption and electron injection was found that the gallic acid and verbascoside facilitate a greater electron transport toward the metallic surface than the other dyes (ΔGinj = -1.52 and -1.03 eV, respectively). This was explained due to a low electron and hole reorganization energy in the gallic acid and verbacoside, respectively. Therefore, the greatest electron injection is originated due to a fast electron-hole transfer. Experimentally, a low overall conversion efficiency (η) was found. Thus, based in the computational discussion, this low efficiency is governed by the behaviour of the photoexcitation and not by the electron injection response.

Digital transformation in public-private collaborations: The success of humanitarian supply chain operations

Recent years have seen the extensive use of big data analytics, related technological infrastructure, and machine learning applications for digital transformation. The resource dependency related to data-driven applications elicits public-private collaborations (PPCs) between governments and private or non-government organizations (NGOs) for value creation. Such collaborations are effective for the success of humanitarian supply chain operations (HSCOs), particularly in the event of large-scale disasters. By building on resource dependence theory (RDT), our study explores the links between digital transformation, PPCs, and HSCO success. Using structural equation modeling on data collected from 224 key decision-makers and experts, we found that digital transformation mediates the relationship between private-NGO collaborations and HSCO success while host government support moderates it. Our study thus makes an original contribution to RDT and the emerging domains of contemporary digital and data-driven applications in HSCO. The implications and future research directions arising from this study are also discussed in this research paper.

Gig Economy: Is It a Trap or Stepping Stone for the Informal Sector?

The informal sector and technology have complex interactions, shaping economic activity, job trends, and social outcomes, especially with the rise of the “gig economy”, in which individuals work on an as-needed basis through online platforms. This article explores several theoretical frameworks, such as modernization theory, dependence theory, structuralist approaches, and post-structuralist viewpoints, and investigates how different frameworks explain the effects of technology on informal economic activity. This article also reviews for comprehending the correlation between the informal sector and technology. Besides that, this article explores the dual nature of the gig economy, examining whether it serves as a trap that perpetuates the vulnerabilities of the informal sector or as a stepping stone toward more excellent economic stability and mobility. Although the gig economy provides opportunities for income generation, skill development, and flexible working conditions, it also presents substantial challenges, such as job insecurity, a lack of benefits, and potential exploitation. This paper also addresses the implications for policy and future research directions by the sustainable development goal (SDG) of fostering sustainable, inclusive, and long-term economic growth, as well as full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Communist Ideals to Capitalist Realities: Uncovering Kerala Model’s Struggle with Foreign Aid(ed) Dependency and Disempowerment of the Marginalized

This article analyses Kerala’s development model through dependency theory, highlighting its reliance on foreign aid and consequent policy constraints. It examines how tied loans eroded Kerala’s policy autonomy and social model, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. The state’s financial crisis and strained central relations led to accepting loans with neoliberal conditionalities, undermining welfare policies. Using the World Bank-funded Jalanidhi project as a case study, it contextualizes Kerala’s aid dependence within global capitalism, where aid often acts as “euphemized domination.” It reveals the model’s vulnerabilities, interlinked with exploitative global relations, and advocates for economic restructuring fostering self-reliance and people-centered development.

Can digital transformation promote hospitality and tourism firms’ investment? Moderating effect of financing constraints and economic policy uncertainty

ABSTRACT Research on corporate investment is widely acknowledged as essential in the realm of financial management within the hospitality and tourism sector. Drawing on information asymmetry and resource dependency theories, this study examines the effect of digital transformation on hospitality and tourism firm investment and explores how financing constraints and economic policy uncertainty moderate these effects. We utilized firms engaged in tourism, hotel, catering, and transportation, listed on the A-share market of China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2009 to 2022, as our research sample. Our findings indicate that digital transformation enhances investment in hospitality and tourism companies. Furthermore, this positive effect was more pronounced for firms with reduced financing constraints and heightened economic policy uncertainty. These findings reveal ignored tourism and hospitality investment antecedents and enrich academic understanding by expanding firm-specific boundaries. This study provides practical insight into how hospitality and tourism firms can boost investment through digital transformation.

The impact of female board membership and firm performance on the environmental management system

This paper examines the effect of gender diversity on the Environmental Management Systems (EMS) measured as ISO 14001 adoption among Saudi-listed companies. In this study, we propose that female board members significantly influence EMS adoption by employing agency theory, stakeholder theory and resource dependency theory to predict the relationship. The final sample of this study consists of 44 firm-year observations for non-financial companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange with ISO 14001 certification from 2016 to 2019. The logistic regression results show that higher representation of women on boards is associated with more extensive use of EMS indicating the importance of gender diversity in enhancing corporate environmental responsibility. Moreover, companies with better financial performance are less likely to adopt comprehensive ecological management practices. This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by revealing how board diversity is related to financial performance and environment management systems among firms operating in emerging markets. These findings have policy implications for policymakers, business leaders and researchers engaged in sustainable development initiatives to enhance governance mechanisms.

Effect of Green Supply Chain Innovation Alliance on Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Nairobi County

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to determine influence of green supply chain innovation alliances on performance of manufacturing firms, in Nairobi County Kenya. Methodology: The study was informed by Social Exchange Theory, Transaction Cost Theory, Resource-Based view and Resource Dependency Theory. The research design for this study was an explanatory survey research design; this is primarily a positivism approach. The population for the study will constitute manufacturing firms in Kenya. Thus, the unit of observation was 516 procurement managements from 516 manufacturing firms. The research employed stratified and simple random to select a sample of 225. This study used structured questionnaires to collect data relevant to the study. Descriptive analysis such as means, standard deviation and variance. Findings: linear regression models showed that green supply chain innovation alliances have a positive and statistically significant influence on firm performance, highlighting their essential role in enhancing success for manufacturing firms. A strong partnership with suppliers and specialized expertise in green supply chain management are crucial for this improvement. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Therefore, the study recommends that organizations actively strengthen their green supply chain innovation alliances by establishing joint sustainability initiatives and creating regular collaboration forums with suppliers to share best practices and innovative solutions.