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Fintech and green investment : Transforming challenges into opportunities
No full textFintech and Green Investment: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities is a comprehensive resource that provides insight into the difficulties and future potential of the transition to green investments through the fintech revolution.
This book focuses on how the intersection of fintech and green investment can be used to overcome challenges and create new opportunities. It discusses how fintech is rapidly transforming the financial sector landscape and blurring the boundaries of financial firms and the sector more widely, resulting in a paradigm shift that has various policy implications. The importance of broadening monitoring horizons and reassessing the role of financial regulation in this new landscape is also considered.
Covering a wide range of areas in finance, this book is a collection of scientific articles and case studies from a variety of countries. It is suitable for anyone interested in understanding the impact of fintech on green investment, offering valuable insights into how the transformative power of fintech can be harnessed to create a sustainable future
An examination of the quality of sustainability reports in the GCC : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
No full textThe growing global sustainability challenges and rising stakeholder demand for companies to be accountable for their actions have led to an increase in sustainability reporting. Given this increase, it is important to examine the quality of sustainability reports to determine whether they provide incremental information which facilitates informed decision making by stakeholders. However, studies examining the quality of sustainability reports have typically focused on content quality, with few studies investigating textual quality, visual quality and/or balanced reporting. The quality of sustainability reports published by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) listed companies is examined in this research. This research focuses on readability, graphs, and negative information to examine textual quality, visual quality and balanced reporting, respectively. In Phase 1, a quantitative analysis is conducted to investigate textual quality by measuring the level of language difficulty (readability) of sustainability reports. In Phase 2, visual quality is examined by conducting a quantitative analysis of graphs used in sustainability reports. In Phase 3, quantitative and qualitative analyses are used to investigate balanced reporting in sustainability reports. The research findings are examined and interpreted through the lens of impression management and legitimacy theory. This research finds that overall, sustainability reports published by the GCC listed companies include complex language that makes the reports difficult to read. Report readers would require at least a post-graduate level of education to efficiently read and understand the sustainability reports. Considerable evidence of impression management elements is found in the graphs included in the sustainability reports. The findings of the balanced reporting analysis reveal that generally companies are reluctant to report on the challenges and setbacks faced during business operations. When companies report negative information, they mostly adopt legitimation strategies that reinforce corporate commitment towards sustainable business practices. Companies are also found to symbolically portray commitment towards sustainability when reporting negative information. The findings indicate various impression management elements that lower the textual quality, visual quality and impede balanced reporting in sustainability reports. By being the first research that examines textual quality, visual quality and balanced reporting in a single study, this research provides insights into the role of impression management and its potential to affect the quality of sustainability reports and corporate legitimacy. In doing so, this research adds to the limited literature on impression management in sustainability reports and contributes to the debate in academic literature of whether sustainability reports are used to communicate incremental information or as tools for impression management. This research provides guidance to companies on the use of language, graphs and negative information to enable them to communicate information in an accurate, balanced, and clear manner. This research will benefit companies, standard-setters and legislators by highlighting the textual and visual features of best practice and the significance of balanced reporting for publishing good quality sustainability reports
Prevalence and abundance of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with corn (Zea mays L.) in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Get PDFThe prevalence and abundance of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) associated with corn (Zea mays; Poaceae) in the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka are poorly understood. This study investigated the occurrence and population densities of major PPN genera associated with corn. Over 92% of the corn fields were positive for PPNs in all the sampled fields. Major PPN genera identified were Pratylenchus spp. (71.4%), Helicotylenchus spp. (28.6%), Meloidogyne spp. (21.4%), Criconemella spp. (21.4%), and Hoplolaimus spp. (35.7%). The mean population density of Pratylenchus spp. was 2020 nematodes kg‾¹ of soil, in the Anuradhapura corn fields. During the cropping season from November (2021) to February (2022), all PPN genera except Meloidogyne spp. were observed. Pratylenchus spp. were detected at levels below 1000 nematodes kg‾¹ of soil at the seedling stage, except in Kelenikawewa where the initial population was 1865 nematodes kg‾¹. At the time of harvest, Pratylenchus spp. increased by 2 to 10 folds. These findings suggest a potential impact of Pratylenchus spp. on corn yield in Anuradhapura, highlighting the need for further research to assess damage levels and the overall effect of PPNs on corn production in Sri Lanka
Effect of hemp protein hydrolysates on physicochemical properties and digestibility of starch : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science at Lincoln University
Get PDFStarch is the main constituent of the human diet and is included in foods either in the gelatinized or retrograded form. This carbohydrate, produced by plants, contains amylose and amylopectin chains. Depending on the plant source, the proportion of these two glycan chains can vary within the granule, which influences the physicochemical behavior of starch in foods, impacting the textural and nutritional properties of the final food product. Over the past decades, researchers have investigated the impact of the presence and/or complexation of various biomolecules (proteins and polyphenols) with starch on its physical, chemical, and nutritional properties. There is limited research on the development of hemp protein and its hydrolysates in combination with various starch molecules, which could be a promising strategy for enhancing the nutritional and health benefits of foods. Exploring the interaction between hemp protein and different starches could lead to novel functional food ingredients with improved nutritional profiles, offering potential for increased health benefits.
Firstly, this study compared the functional and nutritional properties of hemp protein hydrolysates (HPH) prepared with 0.5% Bacillus licheniformis (1 minute) and 2% pepsin protease (60 minutes). Hemp protein hydrolyzed by bacterial protease (HPHB) showed enhanced emulsifying capacity of 47.83 mL/g, compared to 45.83 mL/g for hemp protein hydrolyzed by pepsin (HPHP). On the other hand, HPHP exhibited superior oil absorption capacity of 5.46 g/g, compared to 5.18 g/g for HPHB, as well as higher foaming capacity at 31.2%, relative to 28% for HPHB. The amino acid composition, which affects the overall amino acid profile, was determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), a precise technique for separating and quantifying individual amino acids. Secondly, when the effects of HPH on the textural, particle size distribution, structural, and rheological properties of normal corn starch (NCS), waxy corn starch (WCS), and high amylose corn starch (HACS), alongside their impact on antioxidant activity and starch digestibility were examined, this study showed the addition of the HPH to the starch significantly modified the textural properties of starch gels, particularly enhancing elasticity and hardness in WCS and NCS and increasing adhesiveness in NCS and HACS. Notable effects were observed with 20% HPHP on WCS elasticity (0.09 N.s), 10% HPHB on WCS hardness (0.57 N), and 20% HPHB on WCS adhesiveness (-0.15 N) (p<0.05). Particle size distribution indicated substantial granule size increases, especially in HACS (e.g., Dx90 increased from 39.19 μm to 771 μm). FT-IR analysis revealed shifts in absorption peaks, suggesting altered hydrogen bonding interactions without new functional groups. Rheological properties varied, with increased storage (G') and loss (G") moduli in NCS-HPH mixtures and general decreases in WCS-HPH and HACS-HPH. Additionally, a significant reduction in rapidly digestible starch (RDS) was observed with 20% HPHP in HACS, while resistant starch (RS) increased by about 10% with 10% HPHB in WCS (p<0.05). Among the starches, 20% HPHP exhibited the highest antioxidant activity with 232.36 μmol TE/g for HACS, 231.60 μmol TE/g for WCS and 210.42 μmol TE/g for NCS, respectively (p<0.05)
Understanding factors determining Chinese consumer’s willingness to eat cultured meat, insect, and plant-based proteins
No full textAlternative protein consumption is gaining importance in consumer markets around the world. The purpose of the present study is to examine the key factors driving Chinese consumers’ willingness to consume cultured meat, insects and plant-based protein. The factors under investigation were health importance, environmental concerns, food neophobia, food technology neophobia, emotional response to and rational assessments of the protein types. The methodology of this consumer attitudes research is survey-based, administered twice in a five-year period. A sample of 571 and 600 consumers respectively was derived from an online survey distributed via email and social media in 2017 and again in 2022. Partial least square structural equation modelling was employed to analyse relationships and changes over time. Consumer studies are highly valued, but this study is especially valuable as it examines a comprehensive consumer model across three emerging food products over a 5-year period. The findings indicate that for both periods, willingness to consume all three alternative proteins were driven by rational assessments and emotional responses, while being hindered by food neophobia. There were some interesting changes between the two years, notably food healthiness a signifcant driver for plant-based protein consumption in 2017, but a driver for insect-based protein in 2022. Also, food technology neophobia only signifcantly hindered cultured muscle and plant-based protein consumption in 2022. The implications of these findings are that the drivers and inhibitors of alternative proteins in the Chinese market are experiencing subtle changes that cannot be ignored by producers and marketers
BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Influence of the ‘SLICK’ allele of the prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) on the growth and behaviour of dairy heifers during winter
Get PDFThis study investigated the effects of the SLICK allele on the responses of dairy heifers in cold conditions in New Zealand. Three groups (n=9/group), control, non-SLICK and SLICK progeny of bulls heterozygous for the SLICK allele were investigated. These heifers were grazed together to identify their responses to winter conditions under adequate, followed by restricted feed allocation. The control group had an 87% lower growth rate during the restricted period compared to the SLICK group (0.064 vs 0.484 kg/d, P = 0.035). During restricted feeding conditions, the SLICK heifers showed improved pasture harvesting efficiency, by maintaining growth rate while having a lower eating time, compared to the control heifers (277 vs 317 ± 10.9 mins/day respectively, P = 0.017). The SLICK group were also less active than the control group. These differences indicate more research is needed to understand the wider role of the prolactin axis on the physiological responses of SLICK cattle
Determining the likelihood and cost of detecting reductions of nitrate‑nitrogen concentrations in groundwater across New Zealand
No full textNitrate‑nitrogen (NO₃-N) is a contaminant of concern in groundwater worldwide. Stakeholders need information on the ability to detect changes in NO3-N concentrations to prove that land management practices are meeting water quality aims. We created a database of quarterly to monthly NO₃-N measurements in 948 sites across New Zealand; 186 of those sites had mean residence time (MRT) data. New Zealand has set a target of sufficient land use mitigations in the next 30 years to ensure steady state surface water concentrations do not exceed 2.4 mg L⁻¹. Here we assess whether the current monitoring network could identify the impacts of these mitigations, assuming that the mitigations are successfully implemented at the source. Only 41 % of the network could detect statistically significant reductions with the current standard quarterly sampling after 30 years of monitoring. The percentage of sites increased to 60 % with increased monitoring frequency (often weekly) but this required a 100–300 % increase in monitoring costs. However, policy makers and stakeholders typically require information on policy and mitigation effectiveness within 5–10 years. Detection within 5–10 years was very unlikely (0–20 % of sites) regardless of the sampling frequency. Importantly, these analyses include the impacts of groundwater lag and temporal dispersion on the likelihood of detecting change, ignoring these impacts, incorrectly, yields a much higher likelihood of detecting reductions. We conclude that the current monitoring network is unlikely to be fit for the purpose of detecting NO₃-N reductions within practical timeframes or budgets. Furthermore, we conclude that lag and temporal dispersion effects must be included in detection power calculations; we therefore recommend that MRT data is regularly collected. We also provide a python package to enable easy detection power calculations with lag and temporal dispersion impacts, thereby supporting the development of robust change-detection monitoring networks
The inhibitory effect of copper, zinc and manganese on Legionella longbeachae in potting mix leachate
No full textLegionella longbeachae is the leading cause of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) in Australasia and has been linked to exposure to compost and potting soils. Adding antimicrobial metal ions such as copper (Cu²⁺), zinc (Zn²⁺) and manganese (Mn²⁺) to potting soils may reduce the load of L. longbeachae bacteria and infection risk. Baseline concentrations of metal ions in leachate from peat, bark dust, bagging base and an all-purpose potting soil were: iron 0.40 µg/mL to 0.99 µg/mL, Cu of 0.003 µg/mL to 0.03 µg/mL, Zn 0.01 µg/mL to 0.06 µg/mL and Mn 0.11 µg/mL to 0.29 µg/mL. Addition of Cu²⁺ ions to leachate reduced L. longbeachae viability in a concentration dependent manner. A similar effect was seen in potting soil with Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ but ten-fold higher concentrations were needed. These metal ions have potential to reduce the load of L. longbeachae in potting soils but toxicity in plants needs to be determined
Mandatory climate disclosures: Impacts on energy and agriculture markets
No full textPurpose
With the rise of mandating climate-related disclosures (CRD), this paper aims to investigate how energy and agriculture markets are exposed to climate disclosure risk.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the multivariable simultaneous quantile regression and data from 1 January 2017 to 29 February 2024, the authors examine daily and monthly responses of energy and agriculture markets to climate disclosure risk, energy risk, market sentiment, geopolitical risk and economic policy risk. The sample covers the global market, Australia, Canada, European Union (EU), Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK and the USA.
Findings
The results show that climate disclosure risk creates both positive and negative shocks in the energy and agriculture markets, and the impacts are asymmetric across quantiles in different economies. The higher the climate disclosure risk, the greater impact of crude oil future on the energy sector in North America (Canada and the USA) and Europe (EU and the UK), but no greater effects in Asia Pacific (Australia, New Zealand and Singapore). The agriculture sector can hedge against economic policy and geopolitical risks, but it is highly exposed to climate disclosure and energy risks.
Originality/value
This study timely contributes to the modest literature on the asymmetric effects of climate disclosure risk on the energy and agriculture markets at the global and national levels. The findings offer practical implications for policymakers and investment practitioners in understanding financial effects of mandating CRD to diversify risks depending upon market conditions and policy uncertainty
A framework for supporting early career researcher/academic’s in business
No full textFor decades, academics and academia split public opinions, especially across social media platforms and discussion groups. Academia has been a flexible and supportive career platform where thought leaders can work to strive to make changes in their disciplines. For some academics, academia has left them feeling overworked, undervalued, and lacking in support, whilst others perceived academia as a mix of both, which fluctuates across the academic year. Reflecting on our experience, from being a doctoral candidate to being a full-time academic, we understand the need to support the thought leaders of tomorrow throughout this process. We argue that ECR/Ss, including doctoral students, must be subject to the same progression and retention ethos that Universities afford their students.
This paper aims to present our preliminary findings and ongoing research, which seeks to understand the experiences of Early Career Researchers and Academics [ECR/A] in the contemporary context of academia. The findings of this study will provide insight into the ecosystem surrounding ECR/As and inform a framework to aid institutions and conference organisations in facilitating effective support to early career business academics globally to best support research leaders of tomorrow