Traditional Channels Research Articles

Disinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War: Two sides of the same coin?

Recently, Europe has been embroiled in serious disinformation crises. In 2020, the WHO declared the term “infodemic” due to the massive increase in hoaxes about the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was dubbed the first digital world war. In this context, this research aims to establish similarities and differences between disinformation disseminated in Europe related to the pandemic during 2020–2021 and the war between Russia and Ukraine throughout 2022–2023. The methodology is based on triangulation, combining quantitative content analysis of fact-checking publications (N = 812) from eight fact-checkers representing four European countries (Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland) and qualitative interviews with specialized agents (N = 8). Regarding the main findings, the frequency and nature of verified hoaxes during critical events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict, are closely intertwined with peaks in current events. Initially, both crises saw a surge in hoax verifications, but this trend gradually declined, particularly in the case of the Ukraine conflict. Hoaxes related to the pandemic were primarily disseminated in written form, whereas the complexities of the Russian-Ukraine war hindered widespread hoax dissemination in an audiovisual way. The typology of hoaxes correlated with their format, with fabricated content predominant in pandemic hoaxes and out-of-context images prevalent in those related to the conflict. Social media, notably Facebook and X (Twitter), emerged as the primary platforms for hoax dissemination, overshadowing traditional media channels. In both events, disinformation aimed to provoke emotional responses and polarize audiences, emphasizing the role of social networks in amplifying disinformation during crises.

Falling Interest Rates and Credit Reallocation: Lessons from General Equilibrium

Abstract We show that in a canonical model with heterogeneous entrepreneurs, financial frictions, and an imperfectly elastic supply of capital, a fall in the interest rate has an ambiguous effect on aggregate economic activity. In partial equilibrium, a lower interest rate raises aggregate investment both by relaxing financial constraints and by prompting relatively less productive entrepreneurs to invest. In general equilibrium, however, this higher demand for capital raises its price and crowds out investment by more productive entrepreneurs. When this reallocation is strong enough, a fall in the interest rate reduces aggregate output. A numerical exploration of the model suggests that this reallocation effect is quantitatively significant and—in response to persistent changes in the interest rate—stronger than the traditional balance-sheet channel. We provide evidence of the reallocation effect using U.S. firm-level data.

Polarized framing of scientific uncertainty during COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco

ABSTRACT Examining the representation of COVID-19-related scientific uncertainty in Moroccan media, this paper investigated how legacy and social media’s framing of scientific uncertainty contributed to shaping public opinion regarding public decision-making orientations. For this aim, Al Ouala TV and 2 M TV were selected among traditional media channels for their wide viewership and governmental stance. Additionally, various social media platforms were selected based on their active role in COVID-19 discourse. Using a purposive sampling method, a qualitative analysis was conducted on media coverage of COVID-19, focusing on the framing of uncertainties surrounding virus transmission, face mask usage, and vaccination between March 1, 2020 and July 30, 2022. Drawing on framing theory-based content analysis, the study found that the media framing did not allow for resolving the complexities involved in communicating scientific uncertainty and corresponding public decisions. The active use of social media has actually fostered affective polarization in the related context of fear, worry, and distrust, increasing resistance to public decision-making orientations and negatively impacting perceptions and motivations to respond to COVID-19 measures. Implications for public health communication and policy are discussed.

“We rely on each other”: A qualitative exploration of rural Eastern Region Native American experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundNative American communities suffered disproportionately negative effects during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet no research has explored the experiences of rural Eastern Region Native Americans. MethodsInformed by the Native Reliance Model and Indigenous Standpoint Theory, we conducted a qualitative descriptive project in the Spring and Summer of 2022; data included semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 24 individuals representing five South Carolina tribal groups. FindingsThematic analysis yielded four emergent themes: 1) “Let's just finish the Indians off”: Pandemic distrust rooted in historical and contemporary Native American experiences; 2) “We have been misled”: Making sense of conflicting public health information; 3) “I'm not giving it to some innocent person”: COVID-19 mitigation behaviors as Native American cultural practice; and 4) “We put the plan in place”: Self-advocacy and action as a source of Native American pride and responsibility. InterpretationThese participants demonstrated resiliency grounded in family and tribal ties, even in the face of personal losses, economic struggles, and healthcare barriers. To strike a balance between cultural traditions and public health recommendations, public health practitioners should 1) build partnerships with community leaders, elders, and tribal health authorities to facilitate the development of culturally respectful interventions that address specific health concerns in the context of historical traumas; and 2) implement alternative methods of communication and engagement to ensure equitable access to healthcare services in rural locations, such as collaborating with community organizations, deploying mobile health units, and utilizing traditional channels of communication within these communities.

AI Companion: Revolutionizing Sales and Services During Product Advisor and Consumer Interaction

In today's fast-paced consumer electronics industry, staying ahead of the competition and satisfying customers are top priorities. This research investigates the use of AI-powered tools, particularly conversational AI and chatbots, to improve customer interaction and boost sales in electronic retail. As digital platforms become more dominant over traditional sales channels, these AI tools offer significant benefits by delivering personalized, efficient, and timely customer service. The analysis examines various AI technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and retrieval- augmented generation, which enhance consumer interaction. The study also explores the practical implications and challenges of implementing these technologies, with a focus on how they can streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and drive sales. Different models like DialoGPT, Flan-T5, and Mistral 7B are evaluated for their effectiveness in real- time consumer interactions, highlighting the importance of continuous adaptation and learning within AI systems to meet consumer demands and keep up with technological advancements.

Financing Challenges and Strategies for Small and Medium Enterprises in China

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) financing in China, highlighting their critical role in the national economy by contributing significantly to GDP, tax revenue, job creation, and exports. Despite their importance, SMEs face substantial financing challenges due to traditional banking systems' risk assessments, leading to a significant financing gap. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, threatening the survival of many SMEs. This research explores both traditional and innovative financing channels, including bank loans, equity financing, and digital platforms like Microconnect and Meituan. The difficulties SMEs face are also discussed, such as high loan rejection rates and the limitations of collateral-based financing which often push these enterprises towards high-cost alternatives or limit their access to necessary funds which hinder SMEs’ daily operation. It assesses the role of government policy and inclusive finance in supporting SME financing and examines the effectiveness of current financial support mechanisms while identifying ongoing gaps and challenges. It argues that while digital platforms like Microconnect and Meituan offer valuable insights and solutions, the complexity of China's financing ecosystem and regional disparities present ongoing challenges. The study ends by highlighting the importance of SMEs to China’s economy and the appeal for continued innovation and policy support to improve SMEs financing.

თანამედროვე მიდგომები საბანკო რეგულირებისადმი ციფრული ტექნოლოგიების განვითარების პირობებში

The development of digital technologies has a great impact on traditional channels for providing banking services. The speed of introduction of innovative products and services, technological changes require great flexibility from banking regulators. Also, the active participation of the government in the development of digital technologies is one of the main factors of successful digitalization. In modern conditions, in order to ensure the development of innovation in the banking sector, new mechanisms and instruments for regulating innovative financial technologies, products and services are being created. The article specifies that the effective, safe operation and development of the digital financial space requires coordinated actions from all its participants, as well as the establishment of requirements for the assessment and monitoring of potential risks caused by innovations, timely improvement and refinement of regulatory requirements. This allows to maintain the stability of the financial system and protect the rights of consumers, and to promote the development and introduction of innovative financial products and services.

Constraints and barriers on industrial customer performance in an omnichannel ecosystem

One of the business models in the digital field that has proliferated the most lately is the omnichannel model. Its objective is to provide services adapted to the specific demand of each particular client, regardless of the channel at any given time. To carry it out, the firm must have exact knowledge of the client. Manufacturing companies that have incorporated technology to learn more about their industrial customers and predict which proposal is the most appropriate for each customer-context have the basis to go further and get to know the final consumer. This knowledge of the consumer is a pillar for innovation in a company and especially for product innovation. Usually, the manufacturer does not want to bypass the traditional distribution channel, so it is proposed to create an ecosystem for the provision of services. That is, manufacturers enable digital communication channels with the final consumer, to collect information, while providing the service or supply through the traditional channel. In this way, omnichannel ecosystems arise. This article aims to clarify the barriers that hinder customer performance, either directly as an industrial buyer of a good, or as an intermediary, in an omnichannel ecosystem.

Investigation of novel type of cylindrical lithium-ion battery heat exchangers based on topology optimization

The in-depth research on the heat exchanger for lithium-ion batteries is of significant importance due to its crucial role in ensuring the safe operation of electric vehicle (EV) power systems. To enhance the thermal and flow characteristic of the heat exchangers, the novel heat exchangers for 18650-cylinderical lithium-ion batteries have been proposed by topology optimization with the minimization of pressure drop and the lowest average temperature (∏1) and the minimization of pressure drop and the lowest temperature difference (∏2) as two different optimal goals. The topology optimization based on the variable density method is utilized to get two-dimensional (2D) optimal channels, and then the optimized results are extended to three-dimensional (3D) heat exchangers. The 3D heat exchangers are named TOHE-1 which is gotten by stretching the topology channels with ∏1 as optimal goal and TOHE-2 which is gotten by that with ∏2 as optimal goal. Subsequently, a detailed thermodynamic analysis is performed to assess the effect of the type of heat exchangers, channel heights, weight factor of topology optimization function, mass flow rates and discharge rates on the cooling effect of the batteries. The results show that compared with the traditional channel heat exchangers, the heat transfer coefficient of topological heat exchangers have increased by 49.92%, while reducing pressure drop by 27.81%. Meanwhile, compared to TOHE-1, heat transfer coefficient of TOHE-2 is increased by 9.70%, while pressure drop is saved by 4.70%. Other studies have indicated that for a 4 C discharge of the battery, a topological heat exchanger with a channel height of 1.5 mm, a thermal performance weight factor of 0.1, and a mass flow with 3.3 × 10−3 kg s−1 is the optimum heat dissipation scheme. Finally, the numerical studies are verified by conducting the convective heat transfer experimental tests.

The adoption of live streaming channel considering impulse buying and product returns

Live streaming commerce has experienced rapid development in the past several years. One of the prominent advantages of live streaming is that streamers can stimulate impulse buying. However, impulse buyers may return the product when they calm down, leading to a high loss for the retailer. In this research, considering impulse buying and product returns, we explore the retailer's channel strategy within three channel structures: single traditional channel, single live streaming channel, and dual channel. We find that dual channel strategy dominates single live streaming channel strategy, and adopting live streaming may not always benefit the retailer. When there is a large proportion of impulsive customers and the product has a low marginal loss of return, it is better to adopt the dual channel strategy. Interestingly, the retailer will be more inclined to add a live streaming channel when there are more loyal consumers in the traditional channel. Moreover, considering the influence of product returns will make the retailer less likely to adopt live streaming e-commerce. Additionally, our analysis shows that consumer returns will significantly affect live streaming price. Under the single live streaming channel strategy, as the streamer possesses superior sales ability or there are more impulsive consumers, it is better to reduce the price. If the retailer neglects product returns, he will raise the price. Under the dual channel strategy, the retailer considering product returns will announce a low price in the live streaming channel and a high price in the traditional channel. However, if the retailer neglects product returns, he will announce a high price in the live streaming channel and a low price in the traditional channel.

Improving the cooling effect of proton exchange membrane fuel cells by using biomimetic capillary cooling channels based on topology optimization method

Proton exchange membrane hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising energy conversion devices, capable of directly converting chemical energy into electrical energy. However, the ideal operating temperature range for PEMFCs is narrow, and the intense exothermic reactions can easily lead to internal temperatures exceeding optimal levels. Thus, carefully designed cooling channels are crucial to maintain proper operating temperatures. Drawing inspiration from the heat dissipation characteristics of human capillaries on the skin, this study develops three biomimetic capillary cooling channels using a two-objective topology optimization approach. The heat transfer performance of these biomimetic cooling channels is compared against traditional parallel channels (TPC). Additionally, two new flow channel designs with varying inlet and outlet configurations are analyzed. The study examines the impact of different weight factors on the biomimetic cooling channels and uses Pareto frontiers to compare the results from varying weight factors. Findings indicate that topology-optimized biomimetic cooling channels can significantly enhance overall performance. Using a PEC = 1 for TPC as a benchmark, the biomimetic channels achieve average PECs of 1.72, 3.03, and 3.77, indicating superior performance over TPC. Furthermore, the ratio of weight factors also plays a role in the formation of cooling channels. The model with a weight factor ratio of w1:w2 = 0.6:0.4 for double inlets and double outlets arranged in opposite directions shows improved performance. Lastly, this study outlines a design guideline for PEMFC cooling channels based on biomimetic capillary structures and the appropriate ratio of the double objective functions to enhance heat dissipation performance.

Feedback Forge A Tool to Evaluate Your Answer Using AI

Feedback Forge is an innovative online platform designed to enhance users' writing skills through personalized feedback. Traditional feedback mechanisms often struggle to provide timely and relevant guidance, hindering skill development. In response, Feedback Forge leverages advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to deliver tailored feedback at scale. This paper explores the landscape of feedback mechanisms, highlighting the limitations of traditional methods and the potential of technology-driven solutions. Key themes include the importance of feedback in skill development, challenges faced by traditional mechanisms, and the promise of technology-driven approaches. Moreover, Feedback Forge addresses a critical need in education and professional development by democratizing access to high-quality feedback. It offers a solution to individuals seeking to refine their writing skills independently, without the constraints of traditional feedback channels. By providing personalized feedback, Feedback Forge empowers users to identify areas for improvement, refine their writing techniques, and achieve their learning objectives effectively. In conclusion, Feedback Forge represents a significant advancement in feedback provision, bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern technology. Its implementation underscores the importance of leveraging AI-driven analysis to optimize learning outcomes in the digital age. This paper advocates for continued exploration and evaluation of technology-driven feedback mechanisms to promote skill development and lifelong learning in diverse contexts.

WOMEN SAFETY APP

The Women Safety App operates on a multifaceted approach, incorporating real-time assistance, precise location tracking, and immediate access to emergency services. By capitalizing on the ubiquity of smartphones, this project strives to provide a swift and effective response to potential threats that women may encounter in various situations. The core features of the app include a panic button for instant distress signals, live location sharing to facilitate timely assistance, and a streamlined communication channel with emergency services. These elements collectively contribute to fostering a safer environment for women, instilling a sense of confidence and security as they navigate their daily lives. The Women Safety App project addresses the critical issue of women's safety by leveraging technology to provide a reliable and accessible solution. In today's society, incidents of gender-based violence, harassment, and discrimination underscore the urgent need for effective measures to protect women's well-being and security. Existing safety mechanisms often fall short, relying on manual interventions and traditional communication channels that may not provide immediate assistance during emergencies. The Women Safety App aims to bridge this gap by offering real-time assistance, location tracking, and emergency services through a mobile application. Its key advantage lies in delivering instant distress signals, enabling quick alerts to trusted contacts and emergency responders in threatening situations. Additionally, live location tracking allows users to share their whereabouts for added safety.

Fast semantic segmentation for remote sensing images with an improved Short-Term Dense-Connection (STDC) network

ABSTRACT It is hard to accomplish fast semantic segmentation on large remote sensing images, since current neural networks with numerous parameters often rely on significant computational resources. Our team proposes an improved fast semantic segmentation model based on short-term dense-connection network (RepSTDC). We introduce a structure reparameterization and coordinate attention into STDC networks. By structure reparameterization, we transform the multi-branch structure into a comparable single-branch configuration during the inference process. By replacing the traditional channel attention with a coordinate attention mechanism, we enhance the attention mechanism with considering channel relationships and long-distance position information, and then it saves the memory usages. We conducted thorough experiments to assess the efficacy of network components of RepSTDC on the several benchmark datasets. Additionally, we compared our proposed approach with state-of-the-art methods. Our RepSTDC model can well balance the accuracy performances, computing speed, and memory usage in most cases. It achieves fast segmentation by significantly reducing parameters but without obviously compromising performances compared to other methods.

Central Bank Digital Currency in an Emerging Market Economy: Case of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye

Central banks have historically been using traditional channels for communication and physical money for transactions, fulfilling the needs of previous millennia, while the evolution of technology, electronic devices, and needs in transactions necessitate the use of modern communication channels, such as X (formerly known as Twitter), as well as modern payment systems, such as central bank digital currencies (CBDC). Hence, this paper aims to unfold where the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT), as an example of emerging markets, stands in informing the public about CBDC. To this end, it conducts an event study on the official X account of CBRT in English over 10.2020-12.2022 by utilizing Nvivo. The findings of the quantitative analysis of the tweets show that CBRT does not regard X as a primary communication channel and mainly shares links to publications from the official websites in X. Also, CBRT tends to adopt a ‘cold-turkey’ informative approach about CBDC with the public rather than ‘gradualism’. Consequently, CBRT should rigorously design a communication strategy that fulfills the needs of the modern economy and start addressing CBDC to raise awareness if a quick transition to digital currency is targeted.

Impact of Economic Sanctions on Diplomatic Relations: A Comparative Analysis in United States

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of economic sanctions on diplomatic relations: a comparative analysis Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Economic sanctions wielded by the United States impact diplomatic relations in multifaceted ways. While they can isolate adversaries economically, they often strain diplomatic ties, escalating tensions. Success hinges on factors like target country resilience and international support. Unilateral actions may undermine US diplomatic credibility. Diplomatic efforts, like negotiations and exemptions, are vital for mitigating consequences and fostering conflict resolution. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Theory of economic coercion, theory of reciprocity and tit-for-tat & theory of economic interdependence may be used to anchor future studies on impact of economic sanctions on diplomatic relations: a comparative analysis. Diplomatic practitioners should prioritize sustained engagement and dialogue as essential tools for managing the diplomatic fallout of economic sanctions, leveraging both traditional and non-traditional diplomatic channels. Policymakers should adopt flexible and context-specific approaches to economic sanctions, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach may not effectively achieve diplomatic objectives.

Determinants of Institutionalized Political Participation in Elderly Women

This study explores the factors affecting elderly women's institutional political participation. The inverse relationship between economic status and participation may be attributed to poverty constraining the political engagement capabilities of elderly women, while traditional media, especially television, enhances it by providing easily accessible information resources. In contrast, new media shows minimal influence, hinting at a generational digital divide or preference for traditional information channels. Surprisingly, close social circles, notably neighbors and friends, deter participation, possibly reflecting deep-rooted norms or localized echo chambers. These findings highlight the complex interplay of factors shaping political engagement among elderly women and suggest a need for tailored strategies to promote their active involvement in institutional politics.

Urban Tourism Appeal: The Effectiveness of Communication Channels and Multimedia Formats in Creating Tourists’ Expectations

Tourists’ expectations related to urban tourist destinations, which often derive from wider concept of destinations’ images, encompass a wide range of needs, desires and anticipations that tourists develop prior to visiting a particular destination. They are formed under the influence of different factors, one of which is traditional and digital communication channels. The objective of this research is to determine whether different communication channels and multimedia formats, used by tourists in the pre-travelling phase, could shape their expectations related to tangible and intangible characteristics of urban tourist destinations. The data gathering was conducted by applying Computer-Aided Web Interviewing (CAWI) on a representative sample of 312 adult citizens residing in Belgrade, the capital of the Republic of Serbia. The findings indicate that both traditional and digital communication channels, alongside personal recommendations used prior to the trip, significantly contribute to shaping respondents’ expectations concerning tangible characteristics of urban tourist destinations. Digital communication channels and personal recommendations appeared to be more important in shaping expectations related to the intangible characteristics of urban tourist destinations. Also, different formats of online media content exhibited positive associations with expectations concerning the tangible and intangible characteristics of urban tourist destinations. The obtained results provide recommendations for tourist organizations and local government entities, valuable for developing effective communication strategies for targeting potential tourists.

Impact of COVID-19 on China Railway Express: A More State-led Approach to Develop Freight Train

The China Railway Express (CR Express) is an international railway freight train organised by China Railway Corporation, which has been travelling between China and Europe since 2011. Since its inception, the volume of the CR Express train has increased year by year and the variety of foreign trade goods has been enriched. During the COVID-19, traditional transport channels such as sea and air transport were severely hit, while the volume and product range of the CR Express grew against the trend. Under the impact of the epidemic, the booming development of the CR Express trains could not have been achieved without the guidance and support of the state, i.e. the CR Express trains moved towards a more state-led development model.

Digital vs. Traditional Advertising and the Recognition of Brand Intangible Assets

This paper examines how different advertising categories are associated with attributes of brand asset recognition arising in the context of acquisitions. Prior research documents that aggregate advertising is positively associated with firm sales and brand values, but it fails to consider major recent shifts in advertising from traditional channels (such as TV) to digital advertising (such as paid search and online display). Using proprietary data, I decompose advertising expenditures into the categories of traditional, online display, and paid search. Consistent with expectations, results confirm that target firms’ traditional and online display advertising exhibit a higher likelihood of brand asset recognition and higher recognized brand values as compared with paid search advertising. Confirming the economic substance of the recognized brands, additional results reveal positive investor equity market reactions to brand value, which are driven by firms investing more in traditional and online display advertising. Overall, these results confirm that certain advertising channels exhibit stronger associations with the recognition and characteristics of the underlying brand asset, consistent with their heterogeneous properties. This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting. Funding: I acknowledge the financial support from my advisor, Eddie Riedl, as well as from the UNH Paul College of Business and Economics Summer Research Support Award. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.00387 .