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Chapter 8 IoT cloud security in digital transformation
No full textThe convergence of IoT with cloud computing has catalyzed a paradigm shift across various industries, propelling businesses towards a future rich with intelligent, interconnected devices. However, this transformative journey is intertwined with the challenge of ensuring robust security, a task that becomes increasingly complex given the expanded attack surface and the intricate nature of data governance in IoT-cloud integrations. This chapter offers insightful lessons on the vulnerabilities prevalent in the IoT-cloud landscape. Some real-world incidents are illustrated to underscore the diverse threats, ranging from data breaches and service disruptions to physical and reputational damages. The foundational elements of information security in IoT-cloud systems are presented, covering vulnerabilities, threats, cyber attacks, and risk evaluation. The significance of regular vulnerability assessments as necessities of comprehensive threat modeling are emphasized. The chapter also discusses the importance of IoT device software and firmware maintenance, particularly highlighting Over-the-air (OTA) updates as key in addressing security concerns. Similarly, the paramount importance of adhering to regulatory compliance and security standards is stressed. The discussion extends to best practices for IoT-cloud security, including risk evaluation, the implementation of security protocols, and the need for continuous monitoring and updating to adapt to emerging threats. Proactive mitigation strategies, which highlight preemptive measures to safeguard interconnected IoT and cloud environments, are also discussed. Finally, a series of case studies that showcase real-world instances where organizations have successfully implemented those mitigation strategies are illustrated
Designing AI to foster acceptance: do freedom to choose and social proof impact AI attitudes among British and Arab populations?
Get PDFThis study examines the impact of two key AI modalities–freedom of choice (FoC) and social proof (SP)–on public attitudes toward AI, focusing on cultural differences between UK and Arab participants. FoC refers to the option of selecting a non-AI, possibly human, alternative, while SP means knowing that others have used AI without issues. Four scenarios were designed, combining the presence or absence of these modalities. The context was a customer service chatbot for a telecommunications company, familiar to all participants. A total of 639 participants (316 British and 323 Arab) were introduced to the modalities and then the scenarios in randomised order, then asked about their reactions. Factor analysis grouped their responses into two categories: personal and social good, and risks and ethical concerns. Results indicate that both modalities positively influence perceptions of personal and social benefits of AI while reducing perceived risks and ethical concerns. When one modality was present, FoC had a stronger effect on improving positive perceptions and reducing concerns than SP. Cultural differences were minor but present, suggesting both groups generally respond similarly. Findings highlight the importance of providing a human alternative and avoiding reliance solely on SP or similar strategies to build trust in AI
Comparative Analysis of Western Design Principles and Visual Structure in GCC Advertising
No full textThe Research paper explores the influence of globalization on international visual communication practices in advertising design. It investigates the reciprocal interaction between design principles and structures in the field of advertising, focusing on the impact of Western visual communication practices on advertising in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The study contributes to understanding of the effects of globalization on visual communication, specifically advertising design, and the role of culture in shaping advertising design. It examines the extent to which advertisers in the GCC countries adopt Western visual communication advertising design and how advertising is created or adapted to local cultural, social, and religious values
Effects of apigenin on the function of human α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes
No full textThe effects of apigenin, a plant flavonoid, were investigated using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique on the function of the cloned α7 subunit of the human nicotinic acetylcholine (α7-nACh) receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Currents induced by ACh (100 μM) were reversibly potentiated by apigenin with an EC50 value of 5.4 µM in a voltage-independent manner. In addition, potentiation by apigenin was significantly diminished by increasing ACh concentrations. Furthermore, apigenin (30 µM) did not alter the specific binding of [125I] α-bungarotoxin in oocyte membranes. Moreover, 30 µM apigenin also potentiated [3H] norepinephrine release evoked by nicotine (30 µM) in rat hippocampal slices. Finally, our docking studies carried out for apigenin on nicotinic α7-nACh receptors suggest that apigenin binds to the transmembrane region of the receptor as an allosteric modulator. Taken together, our results indicate that apigenin allosterically potentiates the function of the human α7-nACh receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes and hippocampal slices
AI adoption, ESG disclosure quality and sustainability committee heterogeneity: evidence from Chinese companies
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of adopting artificial intelligence (AI) on the quality of corporate sustainability reporting. The role of sustainability committees, including specialist environmental, social and governance (ESG) committees, in moderating this dynamic is also examined. Design/methodology/approach: Regression analysis is used to analyze the quality of ESG/sustainability disclosures of listed Chinese companies from 2015 to 2022. Robustness is ensured through fixed effects analysis, while endogeneity concerns are addressed using one-year lagged measures and the three-stage least squares (3SLS) approach. Sustainability committees are categorized based on their ESG specific focus areas, and aligned with the corresponding ESG disclosure pillars. In addition, for the governance pillar, the analysis is extended by segmenting the sample based on state ownership status. Stakeholder theory and the dynamic capability view are used to frame the analysis. Findings: The results reveal that AI adoption enhances overall sustainability reporting quality and pillar-specific ESG disclosure quality. This positive effect is amplified by the presence of sustainability committees. Examining the heterogeneous impact of these committees revealed stronger associations between sustainability committee specialization and relevant ESG pillar disclosure quality (except for governance), suggesting that use of specialist committees can improve disclosure outcomes. Notably, within non-state-owned enterprises, governance-focused committees positively moderate the AI−disclosure relationship, highlighting a nuanced effect based on ownership structure. Practical implications: The findings offer empirical support for companies to leverage AI in sustainability reporting. This study finds evidence to support the creation of sustainability committees, as a key corporate governance mechanism to drive corporate sustainability reporting. The use of specialist sustainability committees can drive improvements in disclosure quality relating to specific ESG pillars. The research indicates that disclosure over governance remains poor and will require additional regulatory effort to encourage entities to provide higher quality governance-related disclosures. In terms of ownership structure, the study found that non-state-owned enterprises are more efficient in using specialist sustainability committees to improve disclosure quality. Social implications: The findings highlight the potential of AI in supporting high-quality sustainability reporting and the strategic role of sustainability committees in this dynamic. The publication of high-quality sustainability reports is critical in meeting stakeholder demands for transparency and corporate accountability on sustainability. Originality/value: The findings offer insights into AI’s role in supporting high-quality sustainability reporting. By examining the moderating effects of sustainability committees, the research goes beyond examining a general impact to exploring how corporate governance mechanisms impact this relationship. In addition, the unique data on Chinese companies highlights differences between state-owned and non-state-owned enterprises, with the latter exhibiting greater potential to leverage specialist sustainability committees for improving sustainability reporting
Exploring trust and social cognition in the adoption of Metaverse-based museums
No full textPurpose: This study examines the factors influencing users\u27 intentions to adopt virtual reality (VR) technologies in museums, emphasizing the role of social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs and trust dimensions (ability, integrity and benevolence). Design/methodology/approach: A survey of 413 university students from the UAE, KSA and Kuwait was conducted, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to analyze the relationships between SCT constructs, trust and behavioral intention. Findings: SCT constructs significantly impact trust and intention to use VR in museums. Trust is a key mediator whose dimensions play pivotal roles in shaping behavioral intentions. Gender moderates these relationships, while cultural and age differences have minimal effects. Originality/value: This study advances understanding of the psychological and trust-based factors driving VR adoption in cultural contexts. It provides actionable insights for enhancing users’ adoption of Metaverse-based museums, supporting practitioners and policymakers in leveraging VR technologies within the Metaverse
Beyond aesthetics: courtyards as vital components of educational infrastructure in Al Ain, UAE
No full textPurpose: This study aims to investigate the role of courtyards in enhancing educational infrastructure at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). It aims to address the gap in knowledge regarding courtyard design and utilization in university settings, particularly in the UAE, and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 4, “Quality Education,” and Goal 11, “Sustainable Cities” and Communities. Design/methodology/approach: The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing ethnographic methods, systematic observations and interviews. The study focuses on three selected courtyards within the UAEU female campus to understand their utilization patterns, assess their physical environment, examine their impact on academic and social activities and explore user satisfaction. Findings: The findings reveal that well-designed courtyards play a significant role in fostering vibrant and inclusive learning environments. Specifically, the integration of well-being into the educational experience enhances student engagement, motivation and academic performance. Insights from the study emphasize how thoughtful design and effective management can optimize courtyard use in educational institutions. Originality/value: This research provides a novel contribution by examining the intersection of courtyard design, sustainability and educational outcomes in the UAE context. It highlights the importance of inclusive and sustainable infrastructure in higher education, offering actionable insights for architects, educators and policymakers
A False Positive Resilient Distributed Trust Management Framework for Collaborative Intrusion Detection Systems
No full textCollaborative Intrusion Detection System (CIDS) protect large networks against distributed attacks. However, a CIDS is vulnerable to insider attacks that decrease the mutual trust among the CIDS nodes. Most existing trust management approaches rely on a central authority, trusted third parties or network peers for managing trust. The current techniques are prone to high false positives and vulnerable to various reputation attacks. For instance, device attestation manages trust among CIDS nodes by verifying the integrity of a node’s hardware and software configuration. However, it lacks real-time monitoring of the dynamic state, limiting its effectiveness against ongoing attacks and malware. Therefore, incorporating the system’s dynamic state in the trust framework is crucial, but it causes false positives requiring corrective mechanisms. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a blockchain-based integrated trust management framework for CIDS, incorporating the device’s genome attestation, the system’s dynamic parameters, and a false positive resilient reputation mechanism. By storing the reputation scores on the blockchain, the framework alleviates the need for a third party for trust management and thus mitigates attacks applicable to reputation-based systems. The paper performs a comprehensive security and performance analysis of the proposed framework to gauge its efficiency and study the effects of a penalty on a node’s reputation during the recovery and rally phases. We also study the impact of false positives on the reputation of a node. The results show that Hyperledger Fabric offers lower transaction latency and low CPU utilization compared to Ethereum Blockchain
Global Professional Service Networks and their Members: Global Interactions and Cooperation or Lone Wolves for Autonomy?
No full textSynopsis The research problem Many diversified multinational professional service firms utilize a global professional service network (GPS network or network) to deliver assurance and other types of consulting services worldwide. This research investigates and analyzes the complex interactions between members of such GPS networks and their management in the execution of an international consulting/advisory engagement. Motivation Few studies have discussed the nature and characteristics of GPS networks, including the relationships among their members and the management of the network when providing assurance, tax, or consulting services. Also, limited studies have provided insights into the nature, complexity, and challenges associated with referral engagements for such GPS networks’ members. Even though networks serve as a coordinating platform in implementing the network’s policies, member firms who are legally independent may have incentives to deviate from these policies. Thus, evidence is needed on how such GPS networks monitor and ensure appropriate compliance and interpretation of the operating methodologies by disparate member firms, and the effectiveness of such practices to achieve the networks’ global strategies and objectives. Scope This study focuses specifically on consulting engagements in GPS networks. It is not intended to describe or research multinational assurance engagements, which are often referred to as group audits. Research questions RQ1: To what extent and how do member firms in a GPS network interact to provide their services for international consulting engagement, without giving up their autonomous management of their firms and related decision-making? RQ2: To what extent and how do member firms and senior global leadership of a GPS network use power to influence member firms’ decisions in the provision of international consulting engagements? RQ3: To what extent can senior global leadership sacrifice the membership ties in a GPS network to protect and safeguard the network’s interest? Target population Stakeholders include the academic community, practitioners, company managers, regulatory authorities, Forum of Firms, audit networks, and investors at large. Adopted methodology An interpretive real-life case study was conducted using a triangulation of theories to analyze and assess an actual referral engagement undertaken by member firms in one of the top 10 global professional service firms (with an assurance product offering). Analyses The data were composed of narratives from email correspondences and semistructured interviews with local partners, managers, and the regional director of the network. Findings The findings illustrate the disagreement and miscommunication among members of the GPS network, a lack of trust, and excessive use of power and authority from the lead partner and the regional director of the network. One member lost a vital consulting engagement when he insisted on asserting and maintaining autonomous management of elements of an engagement referred to him by an affiliated firm. Senior global leadership of the GPS network failed to appropriately intervene between the network and disregarded the autonomous status and welfare of the member firm when it conflicted with the financial benefits of the network
Advancing Population Dynamics Analysis: Leveraging AI-Enhanced Mathematical Techniques
No full textIn this study, we blend advanced mathematical methods with AI to investigate structured population dynamics. Focusing on the 3rd generation AI techniques, especially numerical simulation, we aim to gain deep insights into population models and their behaviors. By transforming partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations, we conduct practical explorations with illustrative examples to showcase our discoveries. We particularly emphasize exploring the model\u27s link with size-structured population models, enhancing our understanding of population dynamics. Our methodology seamlessly integrates the tight frame representation method with collocation, enabling resolution of complex partial differential equations and facilitating more precise simulations through AI-driven analysis of numerical solutions