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Let us talk about something: the evolution of e-WOM from the past to the future
Get PDFBecause e-WOM is one of the useful digital marketing elements for any organization, a better understanding of its process will help individuals take more advantage of this concept. e-WOM enables individuals to form relationships with firms, brands, and other customers, which leads to benefits for both consumers and companies. It plays a significant role in a firm’s performance. The present study implements a different approach to reviewing by combining two bibliometric methods, multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), via Bibexcel software to have a deeper investigation of the process. Considering the 468 journal papers on e-WOM allowed us to study the intellectual streams and significant perceptions underpinning e-WOM. By dividing the study timeframe into three periods, we realized that there have always been three main concepts in this field: consumer behavior, sales, and the tourism and hotel industry. Further, by proposing a framework, we have expanded these concepts accompanied by the role of artificial intelligence and robots in the process of e-WOM. Consequently, new concepts “r-WOM”, “automated user engagement”, and “smart selling” are introduced and demonstrated as a consequence of using technology-based tools in the process of e-WOM. Finally, the future scope of this field has been designed. We contribute to the literature by offering theoretical and managerial implications
Anchors matter: eliciting maternal expectations on educational outcomes
No full textSubjective expectation data on education has been increasingly used by social scientists to better understand current investments in human capital. Despite its recognised value by scholars, there is little evidence about how the elicitation of such data might be sensitive to questionnaire design. Using a 2x2 between-subjects experimental design, we analyse how sensitive the elicitation of subjective expectation data on educational outcomes is to anchors. Our study provides causal evidence on whether collecting data on parental education before the elicitation of parental expectations on their children’s educational outcomes anchors the elicitation of the latter; and whether parental expectations on their older offsprings anchors their expectations on their younger children. We find that mothers (main respondents) who have been exposed to the anchored treatments report more pessimistic parental expectations. When splitting our sample into low and high educated mothers, we find that low educated mothers who have been allocated to anchored treatments are more likely to report lower levels of education than those in the non-anchored treatment. Anchored treatments also increase non-response in both high and low educated mothers, however, the effect is larger on the former. When assessing the accuracy of expectations to predict educational outcomes, we observe that anchored expectations have higher predictive power. Our findings inform to what extent the collection of subjective expectations data is subject to anchoring and which type of elicitation (anchored or non-anchored) should be considered according to the main purpose of the elicitation (i.e., item response vs prediction)
Green bonds in the Gulf
No full textBackground & Aims: This paper aims to highlight the benefits of corporate and government entities in the Gulf states to issue unsecured and covered green, social and sustainable bonds, which appear well suited to promote environmental and social investment in these resource-rich economies. These benefits have already been illustrated in European countries, and Islamic finance lends itself to the structuring and issuance of these instruments. Green bonds represent an effective and accessible way for the environmental and social agenda to be advanced throughout the Gulf, and to raise the region’s standing globally in addressing climate change and social issues, through strengthening of environmental, social and governance (ESG) structures.
Design/methodology/approach: The study examines the evolution of covered and uncovered green bonds and their application in the Middle East, where they meld with shariah principles, as in the form of sukuk (Obaidullah, 2017; Liu, 2021). Different characteristics of green bonds are explored, including issuance process, use of proceeds, eligible assets for covered bonds, disclosure standards, project evaluation and selection, and reporting. The approach contrasts European and North American experience with what Middle Eastern economies can expect going forward, in an effort to deliver some recommendations in view of future prospects.
Findings: Green, social and sustainable (GSS) covered bonds only account for 3% of total GSS bonds, issued globally in the debt markets, suggesting substantial growth potential (Caron and Munoz, 2021). There is observed to be mounting interest in green bonds in Europe, Asia and North America, where they are proven to be efficacious in helping to meet financing and environmental targets. While social or green classifications are not always directly credit relevant, if they support demand leading to narrower spreads, this can be positive for credit ratings, other things being equal (Pagani et al., 2021; Zerbib, 2019). The ESG relevance scores assigned by credit rating agencies may have a credit impact mostly in the social and governance categories (Dow and Kopiec, 2021). The social and environmental challenges of the Middle East’s developing economies require substantial funding in a resource-driven and cultural context. The increasing use of green bonds, already under way in the Gulf states, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia, is found to be an effective solution to help meet these challenges, while propelling the agenda of responsibility forward (Tang and Zhang, 2018). They are governed under standard International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) guidelines and principles, in combination with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) template.
Contributions/Implications: This focused overview of green bonds reveals them to be effective instruments for promoting an agenda of environmental and social responsibility, for government entities and for corporations, including those involved in the energy industry (Valavina et al., 2021). They ought to form an integral and increasing component of funding plans going forward
COVID‑19, the rule of law and democracy. Analysis of legal responses to a global health crisis
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic caused a severe strain on health systems globally, while simultaneously presenting a social, economic, legal, political, and regulatory challenge. Where the efficacy of pandemic laws adopted by governments are a matter of life and death, the urgency with which action needs to be taken during a pandemic creates a law-making environment which incentivises rapid action without scrutiny and the use of power without restraint. Under such conditions, adherence to the foundational values of democracy and the rule of law come under increased pressure if not threat. The demands of emergency provide a convenient guise and means of justification for the use of power which only serves to consolidate power within the executive to the detriment of the separation of powers and weakening of the institutions of liberal democracy. This article provides a preliminary analysis on how the global health crisis has affected the state of democracy and the rule of law. While the specific examples are drawn from across the globe to highlight common trends and concerns, specific highlight is given to the EU and its Member States. It offers an outlook on how to prepare for future emergencies by building on the lessons of the current one
Removal of microcystin (MC-LR) in constructed wetlands integrated with microbial fuel cells: Efficiency, bioelectricity generation and microbial response
No full textMicrocystins (MCs) pollution caused by cyanobacteria harmful blooms (CHBs) has posed short- and long-term risks to aquatic ecosystems and public health. Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been verified as an effective technology for eutrophication but the removal performance for MCs did not achieve an acceptable level. CWs integrated with microbial fuel cell (MFC-CWs) were developed to intensify the nutrient and Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) removal efficiencies in this study. The results indicated that closed-circuit MFC-CWs (T1) exhibited a better NO -N, NH -N, TP and MC-LR removal efficiency compared to that of open-circuit MFC-CWs (CK, i.e., traditional CWs). Therein, a MC-LR removal efficiency of greater than 95% was observed in both trials in T1. The addition of sponge iron to the anode layer of MFC-CWs (T2) improved only the NO -N removal and efficiency bioelectricity generation performance compared to T1, and the average effluent MC-LR concentration of T2 (1.14 μg/L) was still higher than the provisional limit concentration (1.0 μg/L). The microbial community diversity of T1 and T2 was simplified compared to CK. The relative abundance of Sphingomonadaceae possessing the degradation capability for MCs increased in T1, which contributed to the higher MC-LR removal efficiency compared to CK and T2. While the relative abundance of electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) (i.e., Desulfuromonadaceae and Desulfomicrobiaceae) in the anode of T2 was promoted by the addition of sponge iron. Overall, this study suggests that integrating MFC into CWs provides a feasible intensification strategy for eutrophication and MCs pollution control. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Towards a national strategy for the provision of spiritual care during major health disasters: a qualitative study
Get PDFBackground
Spirituality is beneficial to health. Evidence around the benefits of Spiritual care (SC) is advancing, and training is becoming part of healthcare professional development. As the COVID-19 crisis showed, during major health disasters (MHDs), the demand for SC grows exponentially, while the burden of care and focus on preserving life often hamper its provision. Nonetheless, existing health emergency strategic frameworks lack preparedness for the provision of SC.
Aim
The aim of this study was to identify the components for a National Strategy (NS) for the provision of SC during MHDs.
Methods
Descriptive, cross-sectional, qualitative phenomenological design based on individual, semi-structured e-interviews with nursing managers and National Health Service/volunteer chaplains based in England. Thematic analysis of 25 e-interview data was performed based on a dialogic collaborative process.
Results and Discussion
Eleven themes were identified as components of the proposed NS. From these components, specific recommendations for practical actions are provided. An integrated framework approach and smart investments in resources, staff training and technologies should be led by the paradigm of culturally competent and compassionate care.
Conclusion
The need to have strategic frameworks, both national and local, that better equip a country healthcare sector to prevent, face, and recover from MHDs is paramount. Catering for the spiritual needs of the affected population should be a key aspect of any health emergency strategy to ensure the preservation of quality care
The role of debriefing in enhancing learning and development in professional boxing
Get PDFThe use of debriefing by 6 elite coaches (9–16 years’ experience coaching professional boxers) and 6 professional boxers (minimum 3 professional bouts) was explored via interviews (25–40 minutes). Boxers represented the featherweight, welterweight, and heavyweight divisions. Interview questions were framed around, 1) the use of video and data analysis, 2) coach-athlete interaction, and 3) learning and development. The importance of data, video, and the effective integration of performance analysis to facilitate comprehensive feedback to maximise learning opportunities was identified. The coach-athlete relationship, and engagement of the athlete within the debriefing process emerged as an aspect needing continual micro-management to ensure ongoing effectiveness. The development of an “open and honest” relationship and a “safe space” to air thoughts and opinions was greatly encouraged. The length of debriefing session did not appear to impact overall engagement. The use of video debriefing to facilitate a coach’s ability to develop the athletes mentally, in addition to their physical boxing capabilities, was a key and standout aspect that should be appropriately considered. The findings add to the limited investigation within boxing, providing insight into the debriefing processes within professional boxing by those on both sides, i.e. the coach and the athlete
Social innovation for biodiversity: A literature review and research challenges
Get PDFThere are calls for social innovation to help with the effort to halt biodiversity loss. However, research on social innovation and biodiversity is dispersed and covers a multitude of disciplines. A systematic overview of research on social innovation and biodiversity is missing and this paper contributes by focusing on social innovation to tackle the drivers of biodiversity loss and unsustainability. The paper reviews research on social innovation in changing land use (agriculture, forestry, aquatic ecosystems and cities), in tackling exploitation of organisms (fishing, hunting, harvesting), and in addressing threats of climate change, pollution and invasive species. Across these drivers, we find a) a strong emphasis on social innovation as civic action for changing practices in addressing unsustainability, b) that social innovation research tends to focus on local experimentation although there are bodies of literature on policy-driven innovations and consumer/producer-driven innovations, and c) that there is very little research taking a critical perspective to explore negative or unintended consequences of social innovation. Drawing on the review, we propose three cross cutting issues that can be a focus for future research, practice and supportive policy: social innovation for nature-based solutions, social innovation for participatory governance, and social innovation for technology that tackles biodiversity loss
Typology of art produced by travelling artists: art-led regeneration of a historic urban environment
Get PDFTaking as a case the art-led regeneration of the derelict district of Lakkos in Heraklion town (Crete), the purpose of this exploratory study is to add to the knowledge of travelling artists’ typology by offering a rich contextual analysis of the mural images they produced and giving priority to their views. It adopts three data collection methods, photographic documentation (25 mural images), observations, and asynchronous email interviews with 21 traveling artists. By applying a typology in the main theme of each mural and by using travelling artists’ narratives three main groups of traveling artists emerged, namely heritage-engaged, place-engaged and social-engaged artists. The data collected are discussed in relation to the problems accrued from the gentrification of Lakkos through mural-based development
BIM for landscape design improving climate adaptation planning: the evaluation of software tools based on the ISO 25010 standard
Get PDFThis paper investigates the capabilities and limitations of different software tools simulating landscape design adaptability. The evaluation of tools is based on the ISO 25010 framework, which investigates software functionality, reliability, performance efficiency, usability, compatibility, and information quality. These quality characteristics of software are analysed during objective experiments where five software tools are used for a case study project at the conceptual design phase. These experiments reveal that the existing software tools for climate adaptation planning are focused on different aspects of climate adaptability, generating different types of information. Moreover, all tools deal with some limitations in terms of compatibility, performance efficiency, and functional operations. The ISO 25010 quality model provides a comprehensive framework to compare the capabilities of different software tools for climate adaptation planning. This paper is part of a wider study including an analysis of the needs of project stakeholders regarding climate adaptation software tools. However, this article focuses on technical capabilities of current climate adaptation software tools