Journals Published by Vilnius Tech
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The antecedents and consequences of sustainable involvement towards fair trade products: moderating effect of perceived consumer effectiveness
Get PDFThis research focuses on the role of personal values and consumer social responsibility in shaping enduring involvement and purchase intention of fair trade products, taking into account the moderating effect of perceived consumer effectiveness. This study aims to examine how these psychological and behavioral factors interact to influence consumer decisions regarding fair trade, and to identify under which conditions involvement translates into actual purchase intention. A study was conducted with 593 Tunisian consumers. The results of this study highlight the complexity of the relationship between enduring involvement and purchase behavior, revealing the influence of factors such as personal values and perceived consumer effectiveness. The study also shows that altruistic values are crucial for enduring involvement but are not sufficient to trigger purchase behavior. Furthermore, stimulation, as an individualistic value, positively impacts purchase intention. It was also found that fair trade consumers prioritize international solidarity over the geographical origin of the products. This research contributes, among other things, to addressing the gap in research concerning fair trade
Systematic review and mapping of governments’ sustainable initiatives and entrepreneurial expectations
Get PDFThis systematic literature review aimed to map existing governmental practices aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and comparing them with entrepreneurial expectations. The primary objective was to identify gaps in existing policies concerning sustainability initiatives. The review employed a systematic search strategy in one of the primary scientific publication databases over the last three years, focusing on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Inclusion criteria involved studies addressing “sustainability” and “state interventions”, and synonyms. The assessment methodology incorporated PICO criteria and content analysis, with rigorous double-check controls. A total of 367 studies on sustainability interventions were included, with in-depth analysis of 185 articles. The review highlighted that those governmental measures primarily concentrated on pivotal factors crucial to entrepreneurs, such as robust policies, investments, and effective communication strategies. The synthesis of findings from this systematic review emphasizes the importance of bridging gaps between governmental sustainability initiatives and entrepreneurial expectations. It illuminates key areas where policy alignment could be optimized, offering insights into additional factors pivotal for a more comprehensive and effective approach towards achieving SDGs. Using the PICO methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of applied interventions, authors concluded that while this methodology can improve research question formulation and evidence identification in social science, our review found that studies often lack a clear statement of the problem, rarely report intervention failures, and seldom present alternative approaches
Intentions to consume dietary supplements among Gen Y: extended planned behaviour model
Get PDFThe attention drawn by COVID-19 in terms of health improvement has included usage of dietary supplements; it is viewed as a means of boosting immune systems and hence supporting a better overall physical condition, The research intends to establish the determining aspects of the intention to consume dietary supplements among those of Gen Y. Extended theory of planned behavior was adopted to develop the framework for this study. The empirical study used primary data generated from Gen Y individuals aware of their consumption. A total of 449 respondents were collected and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicated five positive and significant influences on the consumption of dietary supplements by Gen Y: the perceived behavioral control over the use of supplements; need for supplement consumption; health information-seeking behavior; perceived social pressure; and trust in the supplement brand. It is evident that attitude toward dietary supplements significantly mediates the relationship between the social media subjective norm and health information seeking and the intention to consume the dietary supplements. Despite increasing studies on dietary supplement consumption, not much has been done on the aspects influencing intention to consume dietary supplements on the part of Gen Y
Approximation of a system of nonlinear Carrier wave equations by approximating the Carrier terms with their integral sums
Get PDFThis paper is concerned with the approximation of a system of nonlinear Carrier wave equations (CEs) by approximating the Carrier terms with their integral sums. At first, under suitable conditions, the linear approximate method, the Galerkin method, and compactness arguments provide the unique existence of a weak solution (un,vn) of the problem (Pn), for each n ∈ N, for a system of nonlinear wave equations related to Maxwell fluid between two infinite coaxial circular cylinders. Next, we prove that {(un,vn)}n converges to the weak solution (u,v)of the problem for a system of CEs in a suitable function space. This proof is done by using the compactness lemma of Aubin-Lions and the method of continuity with a priori estimates. We end the paper with a remark related to open problems
A regression-based model for parametric cost estimation of industrial steel structures
Get PDFConstruction industry is considered one of the most versatile industries characterized by uncertainties and risk. Estimating the steel structure cost of industrial buildings is a challenging task compared with traditional buildings due to the uniqueness of this class of projects. This paper aims to introduce an effective and accurate parametric model for construction cost estimation of industrial steel structures. The paper proposes a regression-based model for estimating the cost of a critical construction component: the industrial steel structure where the is not enough historical data is available. The factors that affect the construction cost of industrial steel structures are initially identified based on the literature and interviews with local experts. The correlation between input factors and model’s output is then investigated. In addition, sensitivity analysis is performed to examine the relative importance of the regression model’s inputs. The model is validated using actual data on industrial steel structure costs in Saudi Arabia. The model adequately predicted the construction costs of actual projects with an accuracy of more than 88%. This indicates that the model is capable of accurately predicting the cost of such structures. The proposed model can be of great assistance to investors and decision-makers looking to invest in the industrial sector.
First published online 10 December 202
Achieving sustainable urban mobility with a modified VIKOR method to improve the selection of a park and ride system
Get PDFIn many European cities, municipal authorities have placed restrictions on private transport in city centres to comply with national and European regulations aimed at reducing traffic congestion, air pollution levels, polluting gases emission from transport and the consequences on climate change that have affected the quality of life of the inhabitants. Park and ride (P&R) facilities are key elements to introduce restrictions on private transport in city centres to reduce congestion. In this paper, a methodology is proposed, through multi-criteria decision methods, to determine a sustainable P&R rating and classification. The optimal solution or set of solutions, for P&R facilities is determined by taking into account sustainability criteria: environmental, economic, functional and social. A modified VIKOR multi-criteria decision method was developed and applied by using the Mahalanobis distance by taking into account the correlation between variables. The proposed methodology provides the most sustainable alternatives of P&R and allows local authorities to prioritize necessary actions to achieve more sustainable urban mobility. The method developed was applied to study the P&R system designed for the city of Madrid
Systemic risk and contagion in the commodity market: identifying volatility transmission during crisis periods
Get PDFThe commodity market is a key element of the global economy. It is influenced by the political and economic situation of the major participants on the supply and demand side, as exemplified by the geopolitical and economic situation related to the conflict in Ukraine. Another aspect of this influence is the close relationship between commodity markets and financial markets. Both factors contribute to the possibility of the commodity market becoming subject to contagion, resulting in the transfer of supply and demand shocks and volatility. The aim of this article is to identify the commodities that are the source of contagion (volatility) during the transmission of shocks and the increase of systematic risk in selected periods. Combining traditional network theory with vector autoregression (VAR) model, we aim to estimate systemic linkages as a measure of systemic risk and the contagion process underlying it. We used time series of commodity returns from the Refinitiv Eikon database to observe the relationships between commodities during crisis periods, starting from 2006. The results suggest that the commodities with the largest increase in volatility transmission compared to the pre-crisis period acted as a transmission gate for market shocks.
First published online 12 December 202
Nexus between financial development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). European Union perspective
Get PDFIn environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risk conditions, implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) becomes a key priority. This involves not only direct financing but also establishing a support system through sustainable financial products and services, supported by the development of financial markets, especially in terms of sustainability. Financial development varies across countries, prompting an examination of the relationship between the SDGs and financial development in the European Union countries. 27 countries were studied from 2008 to 2021 using the Financial Development Index (FDI) and 55 indicators from the SDGs database. Panel data analysis was conducted, utilizing geostatistics and econometrics, including the cartogram method, descriptive statistics, dynamics, relative growth indicators, and panel unit root tests. The analysis revealed that financial development expressed by the immediate and delayed FDI is the Granger cause of shaping the SDGs. The most robust relationships were diagnosed for FDI and SDG2, SDG5, SDG8, SDG11, SDG12, and SDG16. The article makes an original contribution to research because, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no similar research on FDI and SDGs has been conducted so far, and the research results may constitute a basis for authorities influencing FDI and SDGs.
First published online 02 April 202
Robot adoption: evidence from perceived benefits and industry adoption pressure
Get PDFRecent research suggests that many firms have begun to adopt robots to take over tasks that were previously carried out by humans. However, current study still does not seem to explain the possible reasons and behavioral intentions for this robot adoption preference, and some scholars attribute them only to rising hiring costs, which may lead to a misleading impression, as firms adopting robots do not appear to reduce the wages of their workers. In this paper, we conduct examinations using robot data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs and a range of firm characteristics. The result shows that robot adoption willingness of firms depends more on their perceived benefits from robots and the pressure they feel from their peers than on rising employment costs, and that higher-skilled sectors tend to approach robots proactively, whereas lower-skilled sectors tend to be reactive in the robot adoption process. In addition, firms exhibit different behavioral choices when deciding whether to adopt robots, with those that have advantages in terms of firm size and employee capacity more likely to translate their perceived benefits of robots and industry adoption pressures into robot adoption behavior. This work offers a new explanation for the current phenomenon of robot substitution for human labor in Chinese firms and provide new evidence for technology adoption theory.
First published online 19 February 202
Assessing the risks of fintech development: the case of online illegal capital raising
Get PDFThis study examines the impact of financial technology (FinTech) on online illegal capital raising (ICR) in China. Using a large dataset of court judgments from China Judgment Online from 2014 to 2019, we observe a steady increase in the number and proportion of defendants involved in online ICR cases. Our empirical analysis shows that FinTech contributes significantly to the increase in online ICR, particularly in regions with low opportunity costs of crime and limited access to traditional financial services. The findings remain robust to different FinTech proxies, sample adjustments, and considerations of potential endogeneity. Weak regulatory oversight and higher potential criminal returns are key channels through which FinTech promotes online ICR. These findings highlight the need for stronger financial regulation, especially in high-risk regions, alongside efforts to improve public awareness of online investment risks. Strengthening regulation while promoting the positive role of FinTech in financial development is critical to mitigating emerging financial risks.
First published online 15 April 202