Showing papers in "Technological Forecasting and Social Change in 2019"

Abstract: This study investigates the role of information and communication technology (ICT) on income inequality through financial development dynamics of depth (money supply and liquid liabilities), efficiency (at banking and financial system levels), activity (from banking and financial system perspectives) and size, in 48 African countries for the period 1996 to 2014. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments. While both financial depth and size are established to reduce inequality contingent on ICT, only the effect of financial depth in reducing inequality is robust to the inclusion of time invariant variables to the set of strictly exogenous variables. We extend the analysis by decomposing financial depth into its components, namely: formal, informal, semi-formal and non-formal financial sectors. The findings based on this extension show that ICT reduces income inequality through formal financial sector development and financial sector formalization as opposed to informal financial sector development and financial sector informalization. The study contributes at the same time to the macroeconomic literature on measuring financial development and responds to the growing field of addressing post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) inequality challenges by means of ICT and financial access.

Abstract: Servitization and Industry 4.0 are considered two of the most recent trends transforming industrial companies. Servitization is mainly focused on adding value to the customer (demand-pull) while Industry 4.0 is frequently related to adding value to manufacturing process (technology-push). Although some scholars address them as complementary concepts, the literature lacks evidences about what are the interfaces and connection between the two trends. Thus, we aim to develop a conceptual framework that connects Servitization and Industry 4.0 concepts from a business model innovation (BMI) perspective. Our framework is based on three Servitization levels (i.e. smoothing, adapting and substituting) and three levels of digitization (i.e. low, moderate and high levels). We show that matching these levels results in nine possible configurations classified in manual, digital and industry 4.0-related services, which can focus on smoothing, adapting or substituting services. We use reported cases from the literature to support and illustrate these configurations. We also discuss different levels of complexity for the implementation of these configurations. The study hence provides a foundation for the growing research on the interface between Servitization and Industry 4.0.

Abstract: The Fourth Industrial Revolution poses significant challenges to manufacturing companies from the technological, organizational and management points of view. This paper aims to explore how top executives interpret the concept of Industry 4.0, the driving forces for introducing new technologies and the main barriers to Industry 4.0. The authors applied a qualitative case study design involving 26 semi-structured interviews with leading members of firms, including chief digital officers and chief executive officers. Company websites and annual reports were also examined to increase the reliability and validity of the results. The authors found that management desire to increase control and enable real-time performance measurement is a significant driving force behind Industry 4.0, alongside production factors. Organizational resistance at both employee and middle management levels can significantly hinder the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies, though these technologies can also transform management functions. Multinational enterprises have higher driving forces and lower barriers to industry 4.0 than small and medium-sized companies, but these smaller companies have good opportunities, too.

Abstract: A smart home is a residence equipped with smart technologies aimed at providing tailored services for users. Smart technologies make it possible to monitor, control and support residents, which can enhance the quality life and promote independent living. To facilitate the implementation and adoption of smart home technology it is important to examine the user's perspective and the current state of smart homes. Given the fast pace with which the literature has been developing in this area, there is a strong need to revisit the literature. The aim of this paper is to systematically review the smart home literature and survey the current state of play from the users' perspective. After discussing the systematic methodology, the review presents a comprehensive view of smart home definitions and characteristics. Then the study turns towards a discussion of the smart home types, related services and benefits. After outlining the current state of smart home benefits, the review discusses the challenges and barriers to smart home implementation. This review concludes by providing suggestions for future research.

Abstract: Smart Cities initiatives are spreading all around the globe at a phenomenal pace. Their bold ambition is to increase the competitiveness of local communities through innovation while increasing the quality of life for its citizens through better public services and a cleaner environment. Prior research has shown contrasting views and a multitude of dimensions and approaches to look at this phenomenon. In spite of the fact that this can stimulate the debate, it lacks a systematic assessment and an integrative view. The papers in the special issue on “Understanding Smart Cities: Innovation Ecosystems, Technological Advancements, and Societal Challenges” take stock of past work and provide new insights through the lenses of a hybrid framework. Moving from these premises, we offer an overview of the topic by featuring possible linkages and thematic clusters. Then, we sketch a novel research agenda for scholars, practitioners, and policy makers who wish to engage in – and build – a critical, constructive, and conducive discourse on Smart Cities.

Abstract: The emergence of blockchain technology has created a number of potential innovations in handling business activities across various industries. However, few studies discuss the potential influence of blockchain technology from a business process re-engineering perspective. This study focuses on the feasibility and inceptive application of supply chain processes. We proposed a blockchain-based framework along with the use of an affiliated technology, i.e., smart contracts, to derive the feasible benefits of the supply chain process design. Through the illustrative design of an integrated process, we provide an achievable use case of the disintermediation of business processes via a conceptual, shared information ledger. This ledger not only facilitates the sharing of tracking information but also promotes a network for multilateral collaboration among supply chain members. The pursuit of transparency and accountability across supply chain processes can potentially influence decentralization and automation. A comparative analysis of the current and proposed frameworks is conducted to support the core reasoning of this study. Additionally, future implications on managerial practice and academic research are explored to provide pervasive suggestions for similar attempts in different sectors. We conclude with an evaluation of the potential influence of blockchain technology on supply chain management.

Abstract: Smart City policies have attracted relevant attention and funding over the last few years. While the time seems now ripe to conclude that such policies have a positive impact on urban economic growth, the picture is much less clear when looking at the microfoundations of this effect. In this paper we look at the urban innovation impact of Smart City policies. In fact, typical Smart City projects imply the involvement not only of major multinational corporations, along with local public authorities, but also of local companies, typically with the aim to translate general technological solutions to the local needs. A new data set collected for these analyses comprises data on Smart City features for 309 European metropolitan areas, Smart City policy intensity, and urban innovation outputs. The latter are proxied by calculating total patent applications to the European Patent Office between 2008 and 2013. Patent counts also include technologically narrower classes, namely high-tech, ICT, and specific Smart City technologies patent applications. Propensity Score Matching estimates suggest that cities engaging in Smart City policies above the EU average also tend to patent more intensively. This effect is stronger for high-tech patents, while decreases for more narrowly defined technological classes. This last result suggests possible technological spillovers from technologies directly involved in Smart City policies.

Abstract: Elections are among the most critical events in a national calendar During elections, candidates increasingly use social media platforms to engage voters Using the 2016 US presidential election as a case study, we looked at the use of Twitter by political campaigns and examined how the drivers of voter behaviour were reflected in Twitter Social media analytics have been used to derive insights related to theoretical frameworks within political science Using social media analytics, we investigated whether the nature of social media discussions have an impact on voting behaviour during an election, through acculturation of ideologies and polarization of voter preferences Our findings indicate that discussions on Twitter could have polarized users significantly Reasons behind such polarization were explored using Newman and Sheth's model of voter's choice behaviour Geographical analysis of tweets, users, and campaigns suggests acculturation of ideologies among voting groups Finally, network analysis among voters indicates that polarization may have occurred due to differences between the respective online campaigns This study thus provides important and highly relevant insights into voter behaviour for the future management and governance of successful political campaigns

Abstract: This Special Volume (SV) focuses on finding effective ways to achieve sustainable development. This introductory article contains an overview of the articles, divided into four topics: (a) sustainable natural resource management based on large scale data (b) environmental pollution and prevention through large scale data, (c) technological challenges involving green innovation, and (d) big data modeling and mining involving green growth. Taking into account the seriousness of environmental pollution, sustainable development papers based on big data are clearly the most important contributions of this SV. Some authors reported on the relationship between environmental pollution and influencing factors, such as shelling, traffic density, e-commerce environmental regulation, technological innovation and green supply chain behavior. Some authors investigated sustainable natural resource management based on large scale data, including energy, generation and agricultural land. Some authors studied green innovation from various perspectives, and built different models to analyze green growth problems. The findings and recommendations are positive and encouraging. However, it is clear that many additional challenges must be solved in order to establish and support systems which will guide and monitor transformations into sustainable, livable, and low pollution. Much work remains, but the wisdom in the articles in this SV will help societies transition.

Abstract: Knowledge management (KM) is a field of research that has gained wide acceptance in the scientific community and management literature. This article presents a bibliometric overview of the academic research on KM in the business and management areas. Various bibliometric methods are used to perform this overview, including performance analysis and science mapping of the KM field. The performance analysis uses a series of bibliometric indicators, such as the h-index, productivity and citations. In addition, the VOSviewer software is used to map the bibliographic material. Science mapping uses co-citations and the concurrency of keywords. References were obtained from the Web of Science database. We identified and classified the most relevant research in the field according to journals, articles, authors, institutions and countries. The results show that research in this field has increased significantly in the last ten years and that the USA is the most influential country in all aspects in this field. It is important to consider, however, that science continues to advance in this and in all fields and that data rapidly change over time. Therefore, this paper fulfills an informational role that shows that most of the fundamental research of KM is in business and management areas.

Abstract: Recent studies reveal a deep-rooted division in research on smart cities, which surfaces as a set of dichotomies that question whether smart city development should be based on a: (1) technology-led or holistic strategy; (2) double or quadruple-helix model of collaboration; (3) top-down or bottom-up approach; (4) mono-dimensional or integrated intervention logic. These dichotomies generate a critical knowledge gap because they suggest divergent hypotheses on what principles need to be considered when implementing strategies for enabling smart city development. This paper starts filling such a gap by reporting on the findings of a multiple case study analysis which is conducted into European best practices. In meeting this aim, four European cities considered to be leaders in the field of smart city development are analyzed to test the validity of the hypotheses emerging from each dichotomy. These cities are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Helsinki and Vienna. The results of this best practice analysis offer a series of critical insights into what strategic principles drive smart city development in Europe and generate scientific knowledge which helps to overcome the dichotomous nature of smart city research.

Abstract: This study compares the factors that determine consumer acceptance SMS (Short Message Service), NFC (Near Field Communication) and QR (Quick Response) mobile payment systems, in addition to determining the principal factors which influence the adoption of these mobile payment systems as means payment. A comprehensive review of the scientific literature has justified the development of a behavioral model that explains intention to use of mobile payments. The results and novelty of this research lies in the formulation of a different behavior according to the use given by users to each of the proposed payment tools. The conclusions and implications for management provide alternatives for companies.

Abstract: Limitations of the research on the various leadership and strategic issues facing universities seeking to become more entrepreneurial has led this special issue to focus on the management, development, and implementation of this vision. We have solicited original research on the strategic challenges that these universities currently encounter. Researchers in management and related disciplines have contributed to this field of inquiry, which is having growing implications for our universities and stakeholders in the social and economic spheres. We begin by tracing an overarching framework, to which we add brief descriptions of the contributing papers in this special issue. To conclude, we outline future research goals and discuss how, around the world, academic actors involved in university development - such as university managers and policy makers - could view the ideas presented here.

Abstract: Local urban identity, culture and knowledge ecosystems continue to shape innovative capacity and technological acceptance despite global exchange in talent, trade and technology. This has important implications for the development and implementation of future smart cities. The last two decades of smart city research has presented smart cities as a generic, universal aspiration without taking into consideration such local cultural differences. Future smart cities have several tasks ahead of them. The first is selecting culturally appropriate technologies from the vast array of global technologies now on offer. The second task is adapting such technology and the third task is in managing the acceptance of such technology. The above process is not linear but must be iterative, with technology acceptance considered simultaneously alongside the selection and adoption of such technologies. This study integrates the substantial literature on Technology Acceptance Modelling into the smart city discourse to begin to address this need. It also further develops our understanding of technology acceptance using the Structural Equation Modelling Method. A new synthetic model is proposed consisting of twelve factors, which have been selected based on a targeted literature review. A survey-based method was used to develop and cross-validate the model sampling a diverse population from various Iranian cities. The result of the above process is a new model named the Urban Services Technology Acceptance Model (USTAM). The validated model includes key factors related to technology such as Self-Efficacy, Operation, Work Facilitation, Relative Advantage and Compatibility. The USTAM is a useful tool for the prediction of technology acceptance in the implementation of smart cities. The final model is significant for various reasons. Firstly, it is significant for ensuring that selected technology is appropriate to local cultural contexts. Secondly it is significant to ensure that integration of technologies at metropolitan scales is managed effectively. The final significant reason is that it is well-suited to helping developing economies participate in the smart city boom in a resource efficient manner. The proposed model can potentially help cities achieve this by guiding them in the selection of appropriate technologies. The proposed model is developed with specific reference to Iran and Bangladesh. The authors suggest that the model is useful for cities of different cultural identities and characteristics, who wish to initiate their own distinctive smart city strategies.

Abstract: The United Nations aspirational agenda for sustainable development calls for the shared efforts of governments, business sector, society and stakeholders to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. In the business perspective, the joint pursuit of both durable competitive advantages and long-term benefits for society are not just the result of companies' reactions to goals of institutions or demands of stakeholders. Rather, they depend on a holistic integration of sustainability in companies' strategic decision-making. This paper proposes an application of the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method for selecting those sustainability issues that are most relevant for creating shared value for both business and society, and that should be the focus of strategic planning and management. The integration of the ISO 26000 framework with the method permits a holistic treatment of all areas of sustainability. The paper also illustrates to managers how the method should be applied in practice through a step-by-step application to a medium-sized company operating in the water technology sector. Finally, its usefulness as a managerial tool for strategic decision-makers is discussed.

Abstract: The business concept of the circular economy (CE) has gained significant momentum among practitioners and researchers alike. However, successful adoption and implementation of this paradigm of managing business remains a challenge. In this article, we build a case for utilizing big data analytics (BDA) as a fundamental basis for informed and data driven decision making in supply chain networks supporting CE. We view this from a stakeholder perspective and argue that a collaborative association among all supply chain members can positively affect CE implementation. We propose a model highlighting the facilitating role of big data analytics for achieving shared sustainability goals. The model is based on integrating thematic categories coming out of 10 semi-structured interviews with key position holders in industry. We argue that mutual support and coordination driven by a stakeholder perspective coupled with holistic information processing and sharing along the entire supply chain network can effectively create a basis for achieving the triple bottom line of economic, ecological and social benefits. The proposed model is useful for managers in that it provides a reference point for aligning activities with the circular economy paradigm. The conceptual model provides a theoretical basis for future empirical research in this domain.

Abstract: In an era of increased stakeholder pressure for sustainable environmental management practices at workplace, organization should adopt and implement environmental ethics for seamless synergy amongst the needs of the business, the society, and the planet. Our study used resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities (DC) theoretical lenses to examine hypotheses derived from extant literature on the linkages amongst environmental ethics, environmental training, environmental performance and competitive advantage. Using survey questionnaire, we employed structural equation modeling (SEM) on 364 valid responses from managers to examine the hypotheses. The findings of our study will stir up researcher's curiosity to unravel the human side of environmental management and that will surely steer future researches in significant directions. Results suggest that environmental ethics influences environmental training, environmental performance and competitive advantage. We also found that environmental training to employees mediates the influence of environmental ethics on firm's environmental performance and competitive advantage. The findings of the study implies that organizational approach towards environmental ethical practices at workplace should be not be reactive but proactive with intentions to create and sustain synergy amongst the triads namely, profits, the society, and the environment. Environmental training should not be one-off event but a continuous process to beat competitions and improve environmental performance in the organization.

Abstract: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face the inherent tension of depending on external partners to complement their internal innovation activities while having limited resources to manage such open innovation processes. Given the importance of collaborative efforts between multiple stakeholders, we address the open innovation challenges from the SME perspective at the business-ecosystem level. We present an inductive case study of a particular regional ecosystem and focus on the inter-organizational collaboration between SMEs and other stakeholders in the ecosystem. With this focus, we explore how SMEs perceive, organize, and manage open innovation through strong collaborative ties with other ecosystem members. We identify a particular set of challenges for the SMEs due to the misalignment between their business model and that of their ecosystem. Specific findings include the link between innovation type expressed by diverging understandings of the notion of innovation across the ecosystem and the innovation form (here, open innovation), which should be organized and managed on multiple levels of analysis (SME, inter-organizational, and ecosystem). These findings highlight specific attention points for managing and developing open innovation in a regional business ecosystem, and they contribute both to the business-ecosystem literature as well as open innovation literature.

Abstract: Social media are privileged vehicles to generate rich data created with unprecedented multi-faceted insights to drive faster ideation and commercialisation of client-centric innovations. The essence of data generated through social media is rooted in the connections and relationships it enables between firms and their stakeholders, and represents one of the greatest assets for data-driven innovation. As most of the firms are still experiencing and trailblazing in this matter, the current challenge is therefore to learn how to benefit from social media's potential for innovation purposes. In the last decade, research interest has increased towards understanding social media – innovation interactions. The reliance on the wisdom of the crowd in driving major business decisions and shaping society's way of life is now well acknowledged in academic and business literature. Social media is increasingly used as a tool to manage knowledge flows within and across organisation boundaries in the process of innovation. Yet, conceptualisation of social media and innovation interaction and a systematic review of how far the field has come remains providential. Therefore, through a systematic literature review we aim to identify research trends and gaps in the field, conceptualise current paradigmatic views and therein provide clear propositions to guide future research. Based on a systematic review, 111 articles published in peer-reviewed journals and found in EBSCO Host® and Scopus® databases are descriptively analysed, with results synthesized across current research trends. Findings suggest social media is seen as enabler and driver of innovation, with behavioural and resource based perspectives being the most popular theoretical lens used by researchers. The originality of the paper is rooted in the comprehensive search and systematic review of studies in the discourse, which have not been unified to date. Implications for advancement of knowledge are embedded in the purposefully proposed theoretical, contextual and methodological perspectives, providing future research directions for exploring social media capability in innovation management.

Abstract: With the prevalence of Internet, social media has become an important means for online marketing events. Individuals and companies both create fan pages on online platforms and develop business opportunities using social media. While many past studies have investigated social media, few have mentioned the effects of social media marketing activities. This study proposed the effects of social media marketing activities on continuance intention, participation intention and purchase intention via the mediation of social identification, perceived value, and satisfaction. To empirically test the effects of social media marketing activities, this study conducted an online survey on 502 social media users for data analysis. The analytical results indicated that social media marketing activities indirectly affect satisfaction through social identification and perceived value. At the same time, social identification and perceived value directly affect satisfaction that then influences continuance intention, participation intention and purchase intention. Finally, the academic and management implications based on the empirical results of this study are provided as references for the improvement of social media marketing.

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of green technology innovations on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions based on a data panel covering 71 economies from 1996 to 2012. Specifically, we examine whether the level of income matters for the effect of green technology innovations. It is found that the impact of green technology innovations exists a single threshold effect regarding the income level. Specifically, green technology innovations do not significantly contribute to reducing CO2 emissions for the economies whose income levels are below the threshold while the mitigation effect becomes significant for those whose income levels surpass the threshold. But the transition of regime occurs at an extremely high-income level. In addition, we find that the relationship between per capita CO2 emissions and per capita GDP is inverted U-shaped, and urbanization level, industrial structure, trade openness, and energy consumption structure also significantly affect CO2 emissions. Finally, this paper suggests that mechanism innovations should be implemented to reduce the diffusion cost of green technology in undeveloped economies.

Abstract: Existing studies on the relationship between sustainability and crowdfunding are focused on campaigns that provide rewards for backers. Equity crowdfunding is substantially different in terms of motivations to invest as well as in size, horizon, and expectations of the investment. For the first time – using a sample of 345 initial equity offerings in United Kingdom platforms Crowdcube and Seedrs in the period 2014–2015 – this study provides evidence of the attractiveness of sustainability-oriented ventures in equity crowdfunding. Results show that, although sustainability orientation does not increase the chances of success or of engaging professional investors, it attracts a higher number of restricted investors. This evidence is interpreted considering institutional logic, whereas professionals follow a market logic, and restricted investors consider also a community logic.

Abstract: This paper investigates whether advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) can modify the patterns of upgrading in manufacturing subsidiaries operating in FDI hosting factory economies. Does the digital transformation of local manufacturing engender the accumulation of local technological and R&D capabilities, or the beneficial impact of AMT remains confined to production capability? Analysis is based on primary data collected through in-depth interviews with a sample of high-flying manufacturing subsidiaries in Hungary, complemented with interviews with AMT providers. We find that AMT have spectacularly improved all components of production capability. AMT redefined the boundaries of production activities and incited a fusion of selected technological activities in production activities. AMT deployment has automated selected tacit knowledge-intensive technological activities, making the related subsidiary-level capabilities obsolete. Conversely, other local technological activities have become more knowledge-intensive than before. AMT propelled the upgrading of subsidiary-level R&D capabilities by supporting specific R&D activities and by acting as enabler of innovation collaboration. AMT created an integrated development environment and thus reduced the risks related to the decentralisation of R&D. Altogether, AMT adoption contributed to subsidiary R&D capability becoming ‘revealed’ and further upgraded through learning by doing.

Abstract: While scholars critique the first-generation of the corporate smart city for failing to tackle people-oriented agendas and authentically respond to the needs of residents, many point to a potential to move beyond narrow environmental and economic objectives and tackle social issues. But concrete empirical evidence of this potential is visibly lacking. In parallel, researchers have brought attention to the emergence of the so-called ‘smart city 2.0’. This is framed as a decentralised, people-centric approach where smart technologies are employed as tools to tackle social problems, address resident needs and foster collaborative participation. This contrasts to the techno-economic and centralised approach of the dominating ‘smart city 1.0’ or first-generation paradigm, which is primarily focused on diffusing smart technologies for corporate and economic interests. Utilising this dichotomy as an analytical framework, this paper examines Aizuwakamatsu Smart City in Fukushima, Japan to demonstrate how a smart city can be framed and implemented as a tool for tackling endogenous social challenges. Findings unearth a myriad of novel approaches to utilising data and ICT to respond to resident needs, improve livelihoods and widely share smart city benefits. Yet they also point to a need to transcend polarised discourses around alternative models of smart cities and appreciate the messy reality of hybrid, on-the-ground smart urbanisation and the co-existence of contrasting yet complementary visions and approaches.

Abstract: Green innovation has attracted worldwide attention in the past decades. In this paper, we develop series of game models to address the effects of green loans and government subsidies on green innovation activities of enterprises. We derive a threshold value for loaning interest rate. If the interest rate of the green loan is lower than this threshold value, then the enterprises are willing to accept the loan from the bank and implement green innovation. By defining a measure for environmental effect of productive activities, we obtain a threshold value for the loaning scale. If the loaning scale is larger than this threshold value, then it meets the purpose of green loan to improve the environmental quality. We prove the effectiveness of government subsidies as an intervention way in supporting green innovation and environmental protection.

Abstract: Today's digital technologies, such as social media, business analytics, the Internet of Things, big data, advanced manufacturing, 3D printing, cloud and cyber-solutions and MOOCs, permeate every private and public organization However, even if this phenomenon has been analyzed for entrepreneurship in general, to the best of our knowledge, the impact of digital technologies on academic entrepreneurship remains not only slightly addressed With the aim of filling this gap, this paper proposes a novel contribution regarding the emerging concept of Digital Academic Entrepreneurship Based on a qualitative literature review, an interpretative framework for Digital Academic Entrepreneurship is deductively proposed that is composed of the following components: the rationale for the adoption of digital technologies for academic entrepreneurship (why), the emerging forms of digital academic entrepreneurship (what), the stakeholders involved through the digital technologies to achieve the academic entrepreneurship goal (who), and the processes of academic entrepreneurship supported by digital technologies (how) The discussion section provides a conceptualization of Digital Academic Entrepreneurship The paper closes with the identification of a research agenda for this promising and under-researched field

Abstract: Public perceptions play a crucial role in wider adoption of autonomous vehicles (AVs). This paper aims to make two contributions to the understanding of public attitudes toward AVs. First, we explore opinions regarding the perceived benefits and challenges of AVs among vulnerable road users – in particular, pedestrians and bicyclists. Second, the paper evaluated whether interaction experiences with AVs influence perceptions among vulnerable road users. To explore this, we examined survey data collected by Bike PGH, a Pittsburgh based organization involved in programs to promote safe mobility options for road users. Analysis of the data revealed that respondents with direct experience interacting with AVs reported significantly higher expectations of the safety benefits of the transition to AVs than respondents with no AV interaction experience. This finding did not differ across pedestrian and bicyclist respondents. The results of this study indicate that as the public increasingly interacts with AVs, their attitudes toward the technology are more likely to be positive. Thus, this study recommends that policy makers should provide the opportunities for the public to have interaction experience with AVs. The opportunities can be provided through legislation that allows auto manufacturers and technology industries to operate and test AVs on public roads. This interactive experience will positively affect people's perceptions and help in wider adoption of AV technology.

Abstract: Big data analytics (BDA) have the power to revolutionize traditional ways of doing business. Nevertheless, the impact of BDA capabilities on a firm's performance is still not fully understood. These capabilities relate to the flexibility of the BDA infrastructure and the skills of the management and the firm's personnel. Most scholars explored the phenomenon from either a theoretical standpoint or neglected intermediate factors, such as organizational traits. This article builds on the dynamic capabilities view to propose and empirically test a model exploring whether organizational ambidexterity and agility mediate the relationship between BDA capabilities and organizational performance. Using data from surveys of 259 managers of large European organizations, we tested a proposed model using bootstrapped moderated mediation analysis. We found that organizational BDA capabilities affect a firm's ambidexterity and agility, which, in turn, affect its performance. These results establish ambidexterity and agility as positive mediators in the relationship between organizational BDA capabilities and a firm's performance. Furthermore, the organizational resistance to the implementation of information management systems and the fit between the organization and these systems also moderated this relationship. Practical implications for managers are also discussed.

Abstract: Using the Computable General Equilibrium of Land Use Change (CGELUC) and Dynamics of Land System (DLS) models, we simulated land-use structures and patterns in Shandong Province in 2025 under three scenarios: baseline, resource consumption, and green development. Compared with the situation in 2015, a slight decrease in grassland, cultivated, and unused land was evident under the green development scenario. Forest land cover remained basically unchanged, whereas water bodies and construction land increased slightly. Under the baseline and resource consumption scenarios, all of the above land-use types showed a decreasing trend apart from construction land, which rapidly increased. Changes in the land-use allocation pattern demonstrated overall consistency and local differences under these scenarios. Among them, most changes in construction and cultivated land occurred around cities, with changes in forests and grassland mainly distributed in the central and northeastern regions. Changes in water bodies and unused land mainly occurred in the northern Yellow River basin and in northeastern coastal areas. Local differences were evident under the green development scenario, with conversion of a small amount of cultivated land in the central region into forests and grassland, and transformation of a small area of cultivated land in the northeastern coastal area into water bodies. The study's findings provide a scientific projection of competitive land-use relations in Shandong Province over the next decade under different land expropriation price and regulation scenarios, which can guide policy formulation and the selection of pathways for achieving sustainable regional development.

Abstract: The “industry 4.0” phenomenon is expected to influence almost every aspect of business value chains, and hence it has been increasingly analyzed by management scholars. However, the overarching intellectual structure emerging from this new stream of literature has not yet been synthesized in a framework nor critically discussed. Furthermore, despite being part of the rhetoric in several recent industrial governmental plans, industry 4.0 in service sectors has not been systematically reviewed to date. By leveraging a systematic quantitative literature review, a data-driven approach and a quantitative methodology—embedding both bibliographic coupling and network analysis techniques—this study provides a clear visualization of the emerging intellectual structure of industry 4.0 in management studies. We also develop a framework based on the most recurrent themes emerging from the results of bibliometric and network analyses—the latter could be used by management scholars to understand studies surrounding industry 4.0. As service businesses can create and capture value generated through the 4th Industrial Revolution as well as manufacturing firms, we suggest that scholarly attention should also be directed toward the service industries and provide a research agenda.