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Moving diversity, equity and inclusion research forward with(in) international business : addressing blind spots through critical and reflexive management scholarship
Full text linkPURPOSE :
The purpose of this paper is to provide a scene-setting viewpoint that critically examines various diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) blind spots within the field of international business (IB). These include issues such as social justice, intersectionality, de-colonization, the co-creation of inclusive research practices in indigenous spaces, social dialogue and the gap between DEI rhetoric and reality. An additional aim of the viewpoint is also to contextualise the discussion of DEI blind spots in terms of the six papers which make up the first part of a two-part special issue on DEI in IB".
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH :
The authors build on existing DEI overview works and comment on specific DEI blind spots. The authors also discuss the role of positionality as critical reflexive scholarship practice, which they see as an essential step in problematizing structural inequalities. The authors then discuss six specific areas where DEI blindspots persist within the IB literature and link their discussion to the six papers included in the first part of their DEI special issue.
FINDINGS :
Addressing the contradictions between the business and social justice cases for DEI requires addressing the ontological contradictions between the two perspectives through problematizing structural inequalities. A key contribution of the paper is also the discussion around positionality in DEI research and the relevance of positionality statements as part of critical reflexive scholarship in support of a socially just DEI research agenda.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The authors discuss the role DEI research plays and can play within the evolution of the IB discipline. The authors apply a critical management studies perspective to pervasive DEI issues, as well as engage with the topics in the special issue through a unique critical reflexive epistemology which includes their own positionality statements as guest editors and researchers. Their critical discussion and recommendations for future research serve as a kind of whetstone to sharpen IB’s DEI research tools and in turn for IB to help sharpen DEI research’s tools, supporting it to become more socially just.https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/1742-2043hj2024Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)SDG-08:Decent work and economic growt
Individuals' attitudes and their adoption intentions of central bank digital currency : combining theories and analytics for deeper insights
No full textDATA AVAILABILITY :
The data that has been used is confidential.Leveraging a multi-theoretical and multi-method approach, this study investigated the factors influencing individuals' attitudes and intentions towards adopting central bank digital currency (CBDC). Data from Nigeria, a pioneering CBDC nation, were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling, which revealed that affordance-based positive valences, including seamless transactions, time convenience, and the societal positive valence of financial inclusion, are the strongest predictors of positive attitudes and, subsequently, usage intentions. Perceived financial cost emerged as the most significant barrier. Lifestyle compatibility demonstrated a moderate positive association with attitude. Further, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis identified four necessary conditions for high usage intentions: seamless transactions, trust in the central bank, positive attitude, and the societal positive valence of financial inclusion. Additionally, six alternative configurations sufficient for high usage intentions were also revealed. These findings offer valuable insights for both theoretical research and policymakers, informing strategies to facilitate early CBDC adoption.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/techfore2026-11-05hj2024Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)SDG-01:No povert
Between eco-anxiety and solastalgia : aspirational and exiled astronaut eco-imaginaries
Full text linkAlthough space travel is not often discussed in relation to the
environmental crisis, it is proposed here that how the core agent of
space travel, namely the astronaut, is imagined is of cardinal importance
to environmental issues. Two astronaut types are identified in the
analysis: the aspirational astronaut planning to escape Earth out of a
looming sense of eco-anxiety amidst increasing signs of ecological
disaster; and the exiled astronaut who experiences overwhelming
environmental distress or solastalgia as home becomes stranger every
day. The selected images of astronauts are interpreted as eco-imaginaries
that embody a particular disposition in terms of their geo-locality and
climate changes. The aspirational astronaut is explored by a brief slice
into two film depictions, namely Approaching the Unknown (Mark Elijah
Rosenburg, 2016) and Ad Astra (James Gray, 2019). The exiled astronaut
originates from sub-Saharan Africa through the filmed performance work
of the Kinshasha-based duo Michel Ekeba and Eléonore Hellio, working
as the Kongo Astronauts (2021–2022), and an eco-film by Maisha Maene,
entitled Mulika (2022). It is proposed that the diverging eco-imaginaries
are products of where one places Earth in climate debates.https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/RENCVisual ArtsSDG-13:Climate actionSDG-15:Life on lan
Dan Wylie’s poetry and a new default discourse for the earth
No full textIn the face of global warming, human over-population, the catastrophic consequences of being who and what we are, of what our languages have defined us to be, we need to rediscover nature’s own voice. Far from imposing a human ‘voice’ or language upon nature, we must find a way to echo, reflect and respect the many natural voices that already exist everywhere. Ironically, to get this vital message across we are obliged to use the vocabularies, syntaxes and linguistic expressions already taken for granted in a predominantly corporate, capitalist global society. But we can rearrange and adapt these into poetry. This article reflects on how the growing academic field of ecopoetics lends itself to establishing a new ‘default discourse,’ questioning the current orthodoxy to ask: how does the poetry of Dan Wylie offer an alternative construction of the world to dominant discourses? Using a selection from Wylie’s several published collections, the article shows how the work of this major South African poet employs such an ecopoetic language. The selected poems demonstrate a profound commitment to the importance of the natural environment and of ecopoetry as the best way to give it expression. Ultimately, and despite the bleak prospects currently facing Earth in the form of accelerating climate change, this article finds reasons for optimism, but it requires our adapting to changing realities. The first essential step towards such adaptation is to accept the pressing need for a revised default discourse expressed through ecopoetry.http://www.tandfonline.comtoc/reia202026-05-29hj2024Unit for Creative WritingSDG-01:No povert
Adsorption of hexavalent chromium from wastewater using magnetic biochar derived from peanut hulls
Full text linkDATA AVAILABILITY :
Data will be made available on request.In this study, the utilization of peanut hulls as a precursor for the preparation of magnetic biochar through pyrolysis was investigated. To enhance the magnetic and adsorption properties of the biochar, the peanut hulls biomass was modified using ferric chloride hexahydrate and magnesium chloride hexahydrate. Response surface methodology was employed to evaluate the influence of biomass metal concentration, pyrolysis temperature, pyrolysis period and flow of nitrogen on the yield and Cr (VI) adsorption efficiency of the synthesized biochar. A 17-run experimental matrix was generated using Optimal Design to investigate the interactions among four input parameters. The results led to the development of a quadratic model, which demonstrated a high degree of predictability in accordance with the experimental data. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed that the models for yield and Cr (VI) adsorption efficiency were highly significant (p < 0.05), with coefficients of determination (R2) values of 0.891 and 0.988, respectively. The optimal synthesis conditions for producing biochar with superior physicochemical properties were identified as a pyrolysis temperature of 300 °C, a pyrolysis duration of 2 h, a metal-to-biomass ratio of 0.5, and a constant flow of nitrogen. A desirability of 85% was achieved through numerical optimization, corresponding to a yield of 63% and complete Cr (VI) removal. Further optimization of Cr (VI) adsorption efficiency, considering the effects of pH (3–12), adsorbent loading (1–15 g/L), and initial Cr (VI) concentration (5–20 mg/L), was performed using a 19-run experimental matrix. ANOVA for Cr (VI) adsorption efficiency model revealed high significance (p < 0.05) with an R2 value of 0.916.
The magnetic biochar demonstrated a remarkable adsorption efficiency of 98% under the experimental conditions of solution pH 3, adsorbent dosage of 5 g/L, and an initial Cr (VI) concentration of 20 mg/L. The desirability of 100% was obtained by a numerical optimization method representing Cr (VI) removal of 98%. The adsorption behaviour was adequately described by the Freundlich isotherm model, suggesting multilayer adsorption, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 12 mg/g. Biochar also proved to have strong magnetic properties which enhanced solid-liquid separation post adsorption experiments.The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/pcehj2024Chemical EngineeringSDG-06:Clean water and sanitatio
Experimental investigation of heat transfer, thermal efficiency, pressure drop, and flow characteristics of Fe3O4-MgO magnetic hybrid nanofluid in transitional flow regimes
Full text linkDATA AVAILABILITY :
Data will be made available on request.Please read abstract in the article.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijtshj2024Mechanical and Aeronautical EngineeringSDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur
Enhancing polysulfide conversion in lithium–sulfur batteries through the synergistic effect of 2,6-Dihydroxyanthraquinone and Co atoms
No full textSUPPORTING INFORMATION : Comprehensive description of the experimental procedures; methods for characterization; analysis of material structures; data on lithium sulfide deposition; sulfur content assessment; and comparative performance analysis.Currently, lithium–sulfur batteries for wider applications are challenged by both the shuttle effect in the cathodes as well as the slow kinetics of the sulfur redox reactions. Although metal compounds have been reported to suppress the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) by chemically adsorbing LiPSs and catalyzing their conversion, current methods for sulfur fixation on cathode materials remain insufficient. In this work, 2,6-dihydroxyanthraquinone (DHAQ) is tightly adsorbed on a Co-doped porous carbon (Co–C) substrate through π–π stacking. The abundant oxygen-containing functional groups in DHAQ form Li–O bonds with lithium in the LiPSs and enable in situ covalent fixation. Meanwhile, cobalt in Co–C forms Co–S bonds with sulfur in LiPSs, providing an efficient pathway for electron transfer and promoting LiPS conversion. Thus, the DHAQ/Co–C composite provides dual chemical adsorption capabilities that mitigate the “shuttle effect” of LiPSs. Additionally, the conductive merits of the DHAQ and Co–C networks accelerate electron transfer, enhance LiPS redox kinetics, and increase the battery’s specific capacity. In the end, the optimized S@DHAQ/Co–C composite demonstrates an initial discharge capacity (1385 mAh g–1) at 0.1C. After 600 cycles, the electrode displays a capacity decay rate of 0.062% at 1C. Compared with metal-based materials that rely solely on chemical sulfur fixation, the synergistic effect of organic oxygen atoms and metals in sulfur fixation offers significant improvements.The Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China.https://pubs.acs.org/journal/ascecg2026-01-27hj2024Chemical EngineeringSDG-07:Affordable and clean energ
Determining optimal SAR parameters for quantifying above-ground grass carbon stock in savannah ecosystems using a tree-based algorithm
Full text linkDATA AVAILABILITY : The remote sensing data supporting the results reported in our paper can be accessed at https://scihub.copernicus.eu/dhus/. The original data generated in our research is available upon reasonable request.Please read abstract in the artice.The Agricultural Research Council-Natural Resources and Engineering project: ISC012403000027 and the National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Chair in Land Use Planning and Management. Open access funding provided by Agricultural Research Council.https://link.springer.com/journal/41976hj2024Geography, Geoinformatics and MeteorologySDG-13:Climate actionSDG-15:Life on lan
Disclosure, outing and family reactions : experiences of gender and sexuality diverse individuals in Harare, Zimbabwe
No full textExtensive research on the process of ‘coming out’ underscores the significance of disclosing one’s sexual orientation and gender identity for personal development and self-expression. However, sharing this information with family members can be difficult, particularly in Zimbabwe where broader social and cultural forces pose significant challenges to ‘coming out’, and gender and/or sexuality diversity is strongly reacted against. This paper explores the experiences of gender and sexuality diverse persons in Harare as they came out to their families, or were ‘outed’ by others. The study involved semi-structured interviews, informal conversations, and focus group discussions with 31 gender and sexuality diverse individuals aged between 18-31 years. The participants revealed the different ways in which their families became aware of their sexual orientation. These pathways included planned disclosure, outing through extortion, blackmail, and other incidents. The narratives shared by participants varied significantly, encompassing a spectrum from overtly negative or positive responses to more complex reactions from families regarding their child or siblings’ gender and sexuality diversity.The Reimagining Reproduction: Making babies, making kin and citizens in Africa project, funded by Welcome Trust.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tchs202026-01-20hj2024Centre for the Advancement of ScholarshipSDG-05:Gender equalitySDG-10:Reduces inequalitie
A conceptual framework for national dialogues : applied theories and concepts
No full textNational dialogues are increasingly recognised as vital tools for resolving political
con9icts, fostering state- and nation-building, enhancing social cohesion, and
facilitating peaceful socio-economic and political transformation. Despite a
growing body of literature examining national dialogues and their outcomes, there
remains a gap in understanding their theoretical underpinnings and
conceptualisations. This article addresses this gap by conducting a discursive
analysis offering an alternative theoretical framework for national dialogues,
drawing on three theories: social contract, consociationalism, and con9ict
transformation. Using secondary data from scholarly journals, reports, political
agreements, and documented policies and strategies, this article assesses the
theories’ applicability in developing a robust conceptual framework for national
dialogues. An analysis of each theory demonstrates that, while they approach
peacebuilding from different angles, they share unique and common themes such
as participatory governance, addressing root causes, and building trust and
cooperation, which are essential in designing and implementing successful
national dialogues. Leveraging the unique elements of each theory, the observed
insights provide a more comprehensive approach to planning and implementing
national dialogues, even in diverse socio-economic and political contexts. fe
1ndings’ implications are pertinent to scholars in the 1eld of peace studies,
governments, political entities, civil society organisations, and international
stakeholders engaged in national dialogue processes.https://www.accord.org.za/ajcr/Centre for Academic DevelopmentSDG-16:Peace,justice and strong institutionsSDG-17:Partnerships for the goal