Search Results (117)

Building a causal-loop diagram (CLD) is central to system-dynamics modeling but demands domain insight, the mastery of CLD notation, and the ability to juggle AI, mathematical, and execution tools. Pipeline Algebra (PA) reduces that burden by treating each step—LLM prompting, symbolic or numeric computation, algorithmic transforms, and cloud execution—as a typed, idempotent operator in one algebraic expression. Operators are intrinsically idempotent (implemented through memoization), so every intermediate result is re-used verbatim, yielding bit-level reproducibility even when individual components are stochastic. Unlike DAG (directed acyclic graph) frameworks such as Airflow or Snakemake, which force analysts to wire heterogeneous APIs together with glue code, PA’s compact notation lets them think in the problem space, rather than in workflow plumbing—echoing Iverson’s dictum that “notation is a tool of thought.” We demonstrated PA on a peer-reviewed study of novel-energy commercialization. Starting only from the article’s abstract, an AI-extracted problem statement, and an AI-assisted web search, PA produced an initial CLD. A senior system-dynamics practitioner identified two shortcomings: missing best-practice patterns and lingering dependence on the problem statement. A one-hour rewrite that embedded best-practice rules, used iterative prompting, and removed the problem statement yielded a diagram that conformed to accepted conventions and better captured the system. The results suggest that earlier gaps were implementation artifacts, not flaws in PA’s design; quantitative validation will be the subject of future work. Full article

Macro policy regulation centered on carbon emissions profoundly influences the path for enterprises to achieve low-carbon transformation. Using panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies over the period from 2014 to 2023, this study adopts the methods of panel regression, moderating effect and mediating effect. The empirical research finds that: (1) Policy uncertainty from carbon emission constraints significantly incentivizes industrial enterprises to adopt greener governance strategies. (2) The mechanism analysis indicates that the uncertainty posed by carbon emission constraints influences corporate green governance by enhancing regional green finance development, intensifying corporate financing constraints, and improving the quality of corporate green innovation. (3) Enterprises with substantial environmental protection investments and stronger reputations are less susceptible to changes in their green governance strategies triggered by carbon emission constraint policies. (4) The effects of carbon constraint policy uncertainty on green governance strategies of industrial enterprises exhibit heterogeneity. Specifically, these effects are relatively weaker for non-heavy-polluting enterprises located in carbon emission trading pilot cities, enterprises with higher information disclosure quality, and enterprises whose senior executives have backgrounds in environmental protection. Ultimately, to promote the sustainable development of industrial enterprises, this study provides three recommendations. Full article

This study introduces and evaluates an innovative methodology for assessing constructability in the maintenance of university buildings, aiming to improve the quality of academic infrastructure. The proposed approach is based on four key criteria: functionality, usage, investment, and curricular planning. These criteria are derived from the principles established by the Chilean Construction Industry Council (CCI Chile, 2024) and were applied in a case study at Ricardo Palma University. A quasi-experimental research design was implemented in two physical spaces within the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, one of which underwent a maintenance intervention while the other remained unaltered. Data was collected through expert-validated instruments, administered to senior students and technical staff before and after the intervention. The results revealed significant improvements, with satisfaction levels increasing from 44% to 56% among students and a 10% rise in positive technical evaluations (p < 0.005) which reflected an improvement in the perceived quality of the academic environment, especially in areas related to maintenance planning, execution, control, safety, and user comfort. This study concludes that integrating constructability criteria into the maintenance phase can optimize infrastructure management, enhancing sustainability, operational efficiency, and user satisfaction. The developed methodology offers a practical and replicable tool for other academic units and universities, supporting continuous improvement and promoting evidence-based decision-making in the management of educational facilities. Full article

As sustainable development gains importance, corporate ESG performance has become a key factor in investment decisions and long-term business growth. Drawing on upper echelon theory and stakeholder theory, this study examines the impact of executives with overseas backgrounds on ESG performance using data from A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2010 to 2022. The findings show that: (1) Executives with overseas backgrounds significantly enhance ESG performance; (2) this effect operates through three main channels—promoting corporate green technology innovation, improving the quality of corporate internal control, and enhancing the level of corporate risk-taking—while digital transformation positively moderates the relationship; (3) the effect is more pronounced in non-polluting, manufacturing, capital-intensive, and technology-intensive firms. This study clarifies the internal mechanisms by which executive backgrounds influence ESG outcomes and offers insights into enhancing ESG practices to support China’s “dual carbon” goals. Full article

Frequent disruptions to global supply chains, driven by factors such as trade restrictions and geopolitical conflicts, brought supply chain resilience to the forefront of both academic research and industry practice. Concurrently, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in supply chain management in recent years offers new perspectives for researching resilience. Based on the Organizational Information Processing Theory (OIPT), this study explores the direct and indirect mechanisms through which AI usage impacts supply chain resilience from an information processing perspective. Within the OIPT framework, we develop a theoretical model incorporating AI usage, supply chain resilience, supply chain efficiency, supply chain collaboration, and digital information technology capability. We empirically test the model using survey data collected from 231 Chinese manufacturing senior executives and supply chain managers, employing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that AI usage has a significant direct positive effect on supply chain resilience. Additionally, supply chain efficiency and collaboration act as mediators in this relationship. Furthermore, we examined the moderating role of a firm’s digital information technology capability and found that it positively moderates the impact of AI usage on supply chain resilience. Full article

In the face of accelerating digital transformation and AI-driven innovations in the post-COVID-19 era, the effectiveness of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) is critical to organizational resilience and sustainable digital transformation in highly regulated sectors. This study examines how information quality, executive innovativeness, and staff IT capabilities influence HRIS effectiveness and evaluates the mediating role of Information System (IS) Ambidexterity, defined as an organization’s ability to explore and exploit its IS resources concurrently. By confirming the impact of organizational enablers on HRIS effectiveness, the study provides theoretical grounding for digital transformation strategies rooted in Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS was employed for its strength in modeling complex relationships and validating latent constructs in organizational contexts. Empirical data were gathered from 157 HR leaders across financial institutions in Pakistan. The results confirm that the identified enablers significantly impact both IS Ambidexterity and HRIS effectiveness and also emerge as strategic levers for building resilient, data-driven HRIS frameworks. IS Ambidexterity, a relatively underexplored construct in information systems research, enhances the strategic contribution of HRIS by serving as a dynamic capability that enables organizations to adapt and create sustained value in evolving digital environments. HRIS effectiveness contributes to efficiency, agility, strategic responsiveness, and cost optimization in financial institutions. The findings contribute to theory by integrating IS enablers with dynamic capability mediation, enriching the RBV-DCT interplay. This study provides evidence-based insights for developing economies pursuing sustainable digital transformations. Full article

This research examines the link between business models and entrepreneurial capabilities among social assistance program participants who are aging adults in an emerging economic environment. The research targets the insufficient use of entrepreneurial abilities in seniors to advance their active aging potential while enhancing their life quality. This study collected data from selected participants by using Osterwalder and Pigneur’s business model framework as a basis for their structured questionnaire, which followed a quantitative–qualitative method. Researchers applied Spearman’s Rho statistical methods to measure relations between business elements and skills in self-confidence, creativity, initiative, perseverance, and teamwork demonstrated by entrepreneurs. The study results clearly showed that properly executed business models create substantial growth in entrepreneurial abilities among people of advanced age. This study contributes novel empirical evidence from a rural Peruvian context, confirming that structured business model training is positively associated with entrepreneurial outcomes among elderly populations. The findings (r = 0.755, p < 0.001) support the urgency of integrating capability-building into social assistance schemes. These results emphasize how targeted training programs should empower this population since this initiative supports Sustainable Development Goals like “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (SDG 8) and “Reduced Inequalities” (SDG 10). The analysis demonstrates that teaching entrepreneurial abilities to mature individuals leads to better social entrepreneurship sustainability together with superior economic involvement and social connections. Full article

This study investigates the interplay between budget planning and budgeting evaluation functions in relation to company budget management performance, specifically focusing on the phenomenon of budgetary slack among manufacturing companies in China. A total of 589 employees, including senior executives and finance managers, participated in this study to answer structured questionnaires. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed research hypotheses; furthermore, Hayes’ mediation analysis was applied to assess the direct and indirect effects of budgetary slack in mediating the relationship between the predictor variable (e.g., budget planning and budgeting evaluation) and the outcome variable (budgeting performance). The findings reveal that both budget planning and evaluation significantly mitigate budgetary slack while enhancing the overall budget management performance. The results suggest that effective budgeting performance is positively influenced by the quality of budget planning and evaluation functions, which directly and indirectly reduce budgetary slack. Such evidence underscores the critical role of the budgeting management process in achieving optimal budgeting performance, with budgeting evaluation serving as a catalyst for constructive feedback to prevent slack. This study advocates for companies to strengthen the alignment between their budgeting processes and budgeting strategies. Furthermore, this research provides a comprehensive strategy that integrates technology, strategic budget management, and financial governance, equipping business entities to navigate and thrive in a dynamic economic landscape. Full article

The rapidly growing proliferation of digital technology presents unprecedented opportunities to address sustainability challenges in today’s manufacturing sector. This research examines the effects of digital transformation on sustainable corporate performance, focusing on the mediating roles of green knowledge acquisition and innovative performance. Grounded in new institutional theory, this research targets the Turkish manufacturing industry, employing a quantitative methodology. Data were collected via structured surveys from 332 middle and senior managers, representing diverse sectors, using purposive sampling. Statistical analyses, including regression and moderated multiple regression, were executed using AMOS and Hayes’ PROCESS macro. Findings demonstrate that digital transformation positively influences sustainable corporate performance. Green knowledge acquisition and innovation performance serve as significant mediators. Moreover, digital transformational leadership was found to enhance the relations between digital transformation and its mediators. However, limited leadership capabilities weakened these connections. This result highlights the significance of digital tactics with sustainable goals to achieve competitiveness with eco-friendly corporate practices. These findings significantly enhance sustainable performance by facilitating the acquisition of green knowledge and fostering innovation performance. The implications emphasize the necessity for policymakers and business leaders to foster digital leadership, enhance innovation capabilities, and promote green knowledge management as part of their organizational strategies. The research study investigating organizations can leverage digital technologies to achieve sustainable performance by actively acquiring green knowledge and driving innovation. This research introduces a novel distinction into the mechanism through digital transformation that can drive sustainability, thus contributing to a duality of academic literature and practical implementation in a period of rising ecological and economic difficulties. Full article

China’s manufacturing industry is characterized by high energy consumption and high pollution, which urgently requires resolution through green technological innovation. This study focuses on China’s A-share listed manufacturing enterprises to explore their development path for green technological innovation. The study primarily employs statistical regression analysis to uncover the causal link between digitalization and green technology innovation. The study’s conclusion indicates that the digitalization of manufacturing enterprises has significantly promoted green technological innovation. This conclusion remains robust after a series of tests, including alternative variable measurements, instrumental variable (IV) estimation, and counterfactual analysis. Mechanism analysis reveals that digitalization can enhance green technological innovation by improving human capital and innovating business models. The results of the heterogeneity analysis show that the effect of digitalization on promoting green technological innovation is more pronounced in enterprises with higher green awareness among senior executives, high green credit, non-heavy pollution industries, a higher level of existing green technological innovation, and larger enterprise scale. The government should increase support for the digital transformation of enterprises and promote green technological innovation by enhancing the green awareness of enterprise senior executives, optimizing green credit policies, formulating transformation policies for heavily polluting enterprises, implementing differentiated policies based on enterprise scale, and promoting digital transformation. Full article

Since the effectiveness of hospital management is influenced by financial management, healthcare professionals’ financial literacy has drawn the attention of researchers and policymakers. Previous research on medical students and healthcare professionals indicated that medical professionals frequently lack financial literacy; however, the evidence on the long-term status of financial literacy among healthcare providers throughout their careers is limited. In the current systematic review, we aim to examine the current evidence regarding financial literacy among healthcare providers throughout their career development. From the initial 1668 studies that were identified, 38 studies met the inclusion criteria and, thus, were included in the review. Twenty-eight studies evaluated financial literacy among either medical students or junior medical professionals, and ten studies were conducted on senior healthcare personnel. The body of evidence suggests that financial literacy is suboptimal in medical students and healthcare professionals, although it is of utmost importance for leading healthcare providers. Although senior healthcare providers or executive nurse leaders might be modestly financially literate, they are urged to cultivate skills and knowledge beyond their clinical expertise. Financial literacy depends on several factors, such as age, gender, qualification, or overall income. As the role of healthcare leaders is extended to their efficiency and participation in activities related to financial management, there is an urge for financial planning, financial monitoring, financial decision making, and financial control, while further studies are warranted to longitudinally explore the competencies of healthcare leaders in financial literacy. Full article

This research aims to determine the state of Industry 4.0 readiness and to identify the best practices, challenges, and barriers to implementing Industry 4.0 technology in a medical device manufacturer, thus aiding in improving sustainability. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 12 senior executives representing a wide array of functions in a single large medical device manufacturer. Convenience sampling was used to analyse the interview transcripts to draw out themes that were then discussed and analysed with findings from the literature review. This research determined the state of Industry 4.0 readiness in the case study of medical device manufacturers. This research identified several best practices, challenges, and barriers to implementing Industry 4.0 technology. Currently, there are few case studies in the literature that have a medical device manufacturer as the case study for Industry 4.0 readiness. There are even fewer articles that tackle Industry 4.0 implementation across the entire medical device industry. There is currently no published literature that analyses the best practices for implementing Industry 4.0 in a medical device manufacturer. The best practices for Industry 4.0 implementation identified in this study can be beneficial to stakeholders in the medical device industry and within the healthcare sector, help them plan current and future Industry 4.0 programmes, improve sustainability in their companies, as well as optimise patient treatment and approaches. Full article

This study investigates how the different dimensions of a firm’s network position influence executives’ preference for imitation over innovation in new venture development, thus reflecting their preference for uncertainty. Through a scenario-based experimental approach involving 1024 responses from 64 senior executives, we examine how network centrality, structural equivalence, and structural autonomy shape these strategic preferences. The findings reveal that firms with higher network centrality tend to favor innovation over imitation more strongly. At the same time, those in structurally equivalent positions show a greater preference for imitation. Structural autonomy does not significantly affect these preferences. This study contributes to the literature by revealing how different network structures uniquely influence strategic decision-making in uncertain environments, offering valuable insights for scholars and practitioners. The scenario-based experimental method enhances the precision of the findings and provides actionable implications for real-world decision-making in venture development. Full article

Therapeutic hospital gardens (THGs) need to be purposefully designed for hospital users and well-integrated into the clinical hospital treatment plan to be effective. Healthcare decision-makers are critically important in establishing therapeutic gardens in hospitals and healthcare facilities because they have the ultimate decision-making power to include such gardens for the holistic care of their patients, staff, and visitors. This study aims to establish how THGs can be successfully created by investigating the professional experiences of 12 global healthcare decision-makers in hospital administration, executive government, and senior consultancy to government on the role of THGs in creating a healthy and sustainable hospital environment. This article shows how these decision-makers, who have already worked with healthcare designers and clinical practitioners to design and establish THGs, have been selected and interviewed. The qualitative analysis of these semi-structured interviews uncovered why and how these healthcare decision-makers made THGs a reality in their hospitals. This analysis informed the development of the THG Healthcare Decision-maker Guidelines, which were designed to guide all hospital CEOs, government executives, and senior consultants to the government to both design and then establish THGs successfully. These guidelines include five systematic steps: 1. design for hospital cohorts; 2. purposefully design and integrate THGs well; 3. facilitate inclusive and defined stakeholder engagement; 4. evaluate the garden visitor experience; and 5. understand the benefits and values of THGs. These five systematic steps can be used immediately by healthcare decision-makers to work with healthcare designers and clinical experts to implement such gardens in hospitals successfully. When the three sectors, healthcare governance, healthcare design, and clinical health, work together, more THGs can be established in hospitals for better patient care, visitor well-being, and a healthy and sustainable hospital environment. Full article

This study examines the impact of military cultural atmosphere on corporate innovation risk-taking within the unique institutional context of China. Leveraging an unbalanced panel dataset of 3506 Chinese A-share listed companies, comprising 15,381 observations from 2010 to 2022, this empirical analysis captures dynamic firm-level changes over time. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to assess the effects of military cultural atmosphere and two-stage least squares (2SLS) to address potential endogeneity concerns, this study ensures robust results. The findings reveal that military cultural atmosphere, characterized by discipline, hierarchy, and collective responsibility, significantly enhances firms’ propensity for innovation risk-taking. Additionally, political connections emerge as a key mediating factor in this relationship, while perceived power within the organization moderates the mediation effect, exhibiting a negative moderation. These results underscore the critical role of military backgrounds among senior executives in shaping corporate culture and strategic decision-making, particularly in China’s policy-driven market environment. This study offers valuable insights for fostering long-term corporate resilience and strategic innovation, while also contributing to a deeper understanding of the interaction between corporate culture and innovation across different institutional settings. Full article