Search Results (626)

Compared to commuting, grocery shopping trips, despite their profound implications for mixed land use and transportation planning, have received limited attention in travel behavior research. Drawing upon a travel diary survey conducted in a fast-growing metropolitan region of the United States, i.e., Salt Lake County, UT, this research investigated a variety of influential factors affecting mode choices associated with grocery shopping. We analyze how built environment (BE) characteristics, measured at seven spatial scales or different ways of aggregating spatial data—including straight-line buffers, network buffers, and census units—affect travel mode decisions. Key predictors of choosing walking, biking, or transit over driving include age, household size, vehicle ownership, income, land use mix, street density, and distance to the central business district (CBD). Notably, the influence of BE factors on mode choice is sensitive to different spatial aggregation methods and locations of origins and destinations. The straight-line buffer was a good indicator for the influence of store sales amount on mode choices; the network buffer was more suitable for the household built environment factors, whereas the measurement at the census block and block group levels was more effective for store-area characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of considering both the spatial analysis method and the location (home vs. store) when modeling non-work travel. A multi-scalar approach can enhance the accuracy of travel demand models and inform more effective land use and transportation planning strategies. Full article

With the arrival of an aging society and the continuous extension of the human lifespan, the quality of life has not improved in a corresponding manner. People’s demand for happiness and health is increasing. As a result, a model emerged that integrates tourism and medical services, which is health tourism. This growing demand has prompted many service providers to see it as a business opportunity and enter the market. Tourism can help travelers release work stress and restore physical and mental balance; meanwhile, health check-ups and disease treatment can help them regain health. Consumers have long favored health and medical tourism because it helps relieve stress and promotes overall well-being. As people age, some consumers experience a gradual decline in physical functions, making it difficult for them to participate in regular travel services provided by traditional travel agencies. Therefore, this study aims to explore the service needs of health and medical tourism customers (tourists/patients) and the interrelationships among these service needs, so that health and medical tourism service providers can develop more customized and diversified services. This study identifies four key drivers of medical tourism services: medical services, medical facilities, tour planning, and hospitality facilities. This study uses the APA (attention and performance analysis) method to assess each dimension and criterion and utilizes the DEMATEL method with the NRM (network relationship map) to identify network relationships. By combining APA and NRM techniques, this study develops the APA-NRM technique to evaluate adoption strategies and identify suitable paths for health tourism services, providing tailored development strategies and recommendations for service providers to enhance the service experience. Full article

The age of entrepreneurship calls for the evolving of learning and development (L&D) models to meet the dynamic demands of innovation, sustainability, and technology innovation. This study examines the trends and issues of L&D models for entrepreneurs, more so focusing on how these models influence business success in a rapidly changing global landscape. The research employs bibliometric analysis, VOSviewer cluster analysis, and co-citation analysis to explore the literature from 1994 to 2024. Data collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database reflect significant trends in entrepreneurial L&D, with particular emphasis on the use of digital tools, sustainability processes, and governance systems. Findings emphasize the imperative role of L&D in fostering entrepreneurship, more so in areas such as digital transformation and the adoption of new technologies. The study also identifies central regions propelling this field, such as UK and USA. Future studies will be centered on the role of digital technologies, innovation, and green business models within entrepreneurial L&D frameworks. This study provides useful insight into the future of L&D within the entrepreneurial domain, guiding academia and companies alike in the planning of effective learning strategies to foster innovation and sustainable business growth. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aging is often accompanied by physical and cognitive decline, affecting older adults’ mobility. Virtual reality (VR) offers innovative opportunities to safely practice everyday tasks, such as street crossing. This study was designed as a feasibility and pilot study to explore acceptance, usability, and preliminary effects of a VR-based road-crossing intervention for older adults. It investigates the use of virtual reality (VR) as an innovative training tool to support senior citizens in safely navigating everyday challenges such as crossing roads. By providing an immersive environment with realistic traffic scenarios, VR enables participants to practice in a safe and controlled setting, minimizing the risks associated with real-world road traffic. Methods: A VR training application called “Wegfest” was developed to facilitate targeted road-crossing practice. The application simulates various scenarios commonly encountered by older adults, such as crossing busy streets or waiting at traffic lights. The study applied a single-group pre-post design. Outcomes included the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results: The development process of “Wegfest” demonstrates how a highly realistic street environment can be created for VR-based road-crossing training. Significant improvements were found in the Timed Up and Go test (p = 0.002, d = 0.784) and fall-related self-efficacy (FES-I, p = 0.005). No change was observed in cognitive function (MoCA, p = 0.56). Participants reported increased subjective safety (p < 0.001). Discussion: The development of the VR training application “Wegfest” highlights the feasibility of creating realistic virtual environments for skill development. By leveraging immersive technology, both physical and cognitive skills required for road-crossing can be effectively trained. The findings suggest that “Wegfest” has the potential to enhance the mobility and safety of older adults in road traffic through immersive experiences and targeted training interventions. Conclusions: As an innovative training tool, the VR application not only provides an engaging and enjoyable learning environment but also fosters self-confidence and independence among older adults in traffic settings. Regular training within the virtual world enables senior citizens to continuously refine their skills, ultimately improving their quality of life. Full article

Background/Objectives: Weight loss and its subsequent regain pose significant challenges for those dealing with overweight and obesity. This study explores weight loss strategies among adults in Saudi Arabia and evaluates factors linked to weight regain. Methods: This cross-sectional study focused on adults residing in Jazan, located in southwest Saudi Arabia. Data collection was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire that assessed participants’ demographics, medical history, perceptions of body weight, weight loss methods, and the incidence of weight regain. Logistic regression was used to determine whether there were statistically significant differences related to the occurrence of weight regain. Results: A total of 368 participants reported efforts to lose weight over the past 3 years. The average age of these participants was 32.7 years (standard deviation: 11.3), and the gender distribution was almost equal. The majority of the sample (65%) voiced dissatisfaction with their body weight. Some participants employed a combination of weight loss methods, with exercise, reduced food intake, and intermittent fasting being the most frequently mentioned. The findings also indicate that a minority sought professional help, whether from a physician or a nutritionist. Over 90% claimed to have successfully lost weight at least once during their attempts, but more than half (139 individuals) experienced weight regain following their weight loss efforts. Within the univariate logistic regression, higher odds ratios of weight regain were detected among men, older participants, those living in rural areas, individuals with higher levels of education, employed persons or business owners, those with higher monthly incomes, smokers, khat chewers, and those diagnosed with a chronic condition (p values < 0.05). However, the multivariate logistic regression revealed that only residence, monthly income, smoking status, and being diagnosed with a chronic disease remained statistically significant as predictors of weight regain after adjusting for other variables (p values < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the significance of incorporating weight regain prevention into body weight management for individuals dealing with overweight and obesity. Further research is needed to evaluate specific dietary, physical activity, and psychological factors that may increase the risk of weight regain in certain participants. Full article

Social media platforms have become essential tools for businesses aiming to engage audiences through innovative communication, particularly in the food and beverage industry. This study explores the impact of three core digital marketing strategies, namely, social media advertisements, electronic word of mouth, and digital influencers, on customer responsiveness in the Lebanese food and beverage sector. Based on a cross-sectional survey of 400 participants, the findings reveal that social media advertisements significantly and positively influence customer responsiveness (β = 0.227, p < 0.001). Likewise, electronic word of mouth strongly predicts customer responsiveness (β = 0.453, p < 0.001), affirming the power of customer-generated content in shaping brand perceptions. Furthermore, the presence of digital influencers emerged as a significant predictor of consumer reaction (β = 0.236, p < 0.001), suggesting that consumers regard influencers as credible sources when making food-related decisions. Among all predictors, electronic word of mouth demonstrated the strongest effect. Control variables such as gender, age, and social media usage intensity showed no significant effect on customer responsiveness. These findings underscore the strategic value of rich media content and peer influence in shaping consumer behavior in the food and beverage industry. The study offers practical insights for marketers seeking to enhance customer engagement and brand responsiveness in digital spaces. Full article

Prior research has focused on the technical and institutional challenges of blockchain adoption. However, little is known about how blockchain ventures claim categorical space in the market and how such domain positioning influences their visibility and evaluation. This study investigates the relationship between strategic domain positioning and market recognition among blockchain-based ventures, with a particular focus on applications relevant to e-commerce, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi). Drawing on research on categorization, legitimacy, and the technology lifecycle, we propose a domain lifecycle perspective that accounts for the evolving expectations and legitimacy criteria across blockchain domains. Using BERTopic, a transformer-based topic modeling method, we classify 9665 blockchain ventures based on their textual business descriptions. We then test the impact of domain positioning on market recognition—proxied by Crunchbase rank—while examining the moderating effects of external validation signals such as funding events, media attention, and organizational age. Our findings reveal that clear domain positioning significantly enhances market recognition, but the strength and direction of this effect vary by domain. Specifically, NFT ventures experience stronger recognition when young and less institutionally validated, suggesting a novelty premium, while DeFi ventures benefit more from conventional legitimacy signals. These results advance our understanding of how categorical dynamics operate in emerging digital ecosystems and offer practical insights for e-commerce platforms, investors, and entrepreneurs navigating blockchain-enabled innovation. Full article

Purpose: This study aims to provide a comprehensive and objective view to investigate whether the motives of strong financial managers to adopt an accounting conservatism strategy have significant effects on improving financial growth opportunities in the context of banks listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange, while knowing how this relationship is affected by litigation risks. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using data from Saudi financial databases, this study examines how litigation risk moderates the relationship between accounting conservatism and financial growth in Saudi listed banks. Basu’s (1997) model and accrual-based metrics measure conservatism, whereas assets, liabilities, and business age are used to measure financial growth. Litigation risk factors included previous lawsuits. Validity was ensured using fixed-effects regression and robustness tests. Findings: The study found that accounting conservatism has a mixed impact on financial growth, litigation risk moderates the relationship between conservatism and financial growth, and litigation risk has a positive impact on accounting conservatism. Practical Implications: Use a balanced strategy to maintain accounting conservatism, lower litigation risk while maintaining the accuracy of financial statements, take legal risk into account when evaluating the quality of financial reporting, increase transparency without impeding growth, create guidelines tailored to a particular bank, and fortify governance to reduce lawsuits while permitting long-term financial growth. Originality/Value: In order to bridge the gap between conservatism strategies and long-term financial stability in emerging economies, this study examines how managerial decisions in accounting conservatism affect the financial growth of Saudi banks, incorporating litigation risk as a moderating factor. It also contributes to financial policies, risk management, and regulations. Full article

Return migration is frequently associated with failure, particularly in the context of women returnees from the global south. This research challenges this notion, focusing on women returnees from Italy to North Africa. It aims to analyze return migration by focusing on women who returned to Morocco and Tunisia in the last 15 years, and the aftermath of the Arab uprisings, emphasizing the transformative potential of migration experiences for themselves and the local community. Women returnees not only redefine their roles in society but also foster socio-economic development, community building, and political changes in the countries of return. The study employs thematic analysis to examine 25 semi-structured interviews conducted with returnees aged 25–60, where women shared insights into their migration, re-adaptation experiences, and challenges upon return. Returnees utilized skills gained abroad to achieve economic empowerment, often starting businesses or finding new jobs. However, they faced cultural challenges, particularly societal expectations of traditional gender roles. Nonetheless, migration empowered many returnees to question these policies and norms, and contribute to societal change. Full article

The Draw-A-Person Intellectual Ability test for children, adolescents, and adults is a widely used tool in psychology for assessing intellectual ability. This test relies on human drawings for initial raw scoring, with the subsequent conversion of data into IQ ranges through manual procedures. However, this manual scoring and IQ assessment process can be time-consuming, particularly for busy psychologists dealing with a high caseload of children and adolescents. Presently, DAP-IQ screening continues to be a manual endeavor conducted by psychologists. The primary objective of our research is to streamline the IQ screening process for psychologists by leveraging deep learning algorithms. In this study, we utilized the DAP-IQ manual to derive IQ measurements and categorized the entire dataset into seven distinct classes: Very Superior, Superior, High Average, Average, Below Average, Significantly Impaired, and Mildly Impaired. The dataset for IQ screening was sourced from primary to high school students aged from 8 to 17, comprising over 1100 sketches, which were subsequently manually classified under the DAP-IQ manual. Subsequently, the manual classified dataset was converted into digital images. To develop the artificial intelligence-based models, various deep learning algorithms were employed, including Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and state-of-the-art CNN (Transfer Learning) models such as Mobile-Net, Xception, InceptionResNetV2, and InceptionV3. The Mobile-Net model demonstrated remarkable performance, achieving a classification accuracy of 98.68%, surpassing the capabilities of existing methodologies. This research represents a significant step towards expediting and enhancing the IQ screening for psychologists working with diverse age groups. Full article

This study examined the effects of information literacy (IL) on entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial skills among business students in Sargodha, Pakistan. A quantitative research design was employed along with a survey method. The data were gathered using a structured and self-administered questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 277 students, recruited through a convenient sampling process. Data analysis involved the application of descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS (Version 21). The results suggested that the business students’ IL levels were not optimal, with no significant differences noted based on age, gender, semester, and academic disciplines. However, IL skills showed a positive correlation with students’ CGPA. The results also showed that IL had a positive effect on entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurial skills. In essence, students with higher levels of IL tended to exhibit better entrepreneurial intention and skills compared to those with lower IL levels. These results inform educators and policymakers in shaping policies and practices for business education in general and entrepreneurial education in particular. This research would be a valuable addition to the existing body of knowledge on IL research in the context of academia in general and business and entrepreneurial education in particular, as a limited number of studies have appeared in the existing literature. Full article

This study investigates how pandemic-induced emotional disruption has reshaped sustainable consumer behavior in the digital age, with a focus on the continued influence of safety measures in the restaurant industry. As societies transition beyond COVID-19 restrictions, health-related anxieties persist, driving consumers to prioritize hygiene and risk reduction in their decision-making. Drawing on large-scale data from TripAdvisor and OpenTable, we analyze the effects of digitally communicated safety protocols on restaurant booking behavior across major U.S. cities. Our findings reveal that safety communication remains a salient factor in consumer choice, even after the acute phase of the pandemic. This effect is particularly pronounced in lower-tier restaurants, where visible digital safety signals help build trust and compensate for weaker brand equity. Conversely, in upscale establishments, where baseline hygiene standards are presumed, the marginal benefit of safety signaling is reduced. The study also identifies enduring patterns of emotional expression and anxiety in online reviews, indicating the long-term psychological imprint of the pandemic on consumer sentiment. By situating safety communication as both a psychological reassurance mechanism and a strategic digital marketing tool, this research contributes to the emerging discourse on sustainable marketing in post-crisis contexts. The results offer theoretical and managerial insights into how businesses can integrate health assurance into long-term brand strategies, reinforcing trust and resilience in digitally mediated, post-pandemic consumption environments. Full article

While digital transformation in e-commerce receives the most publicity, applications in energy and water utilities have been ongoing for decades. Using a methodology based on a systematic review, the paper offers a model of how it occurs in water utilities, reviews experiences from the field, and derives lessons learned to create a road map for future research and implementation. Innovation in water utilities occurs more in the field than through organized research, and utilities share their experiences globally through networks such as water associations, focus groups, and media outlets. Their digital transformation journeys are evident in business practices, operations, and asset management, including methods like decision support systems, SCADA systems, digital twins, and process optimization. Meanwhile, they operate traditional regulated services while being challenged by issues like aging infrastructure and workforce capacity. They operate complex and expensive distribution systems that require grafting of new controls onto older systems with vulnerable components. Digital transformation in utilities is driven by return on investment and regulatory and workforce constraints and leads to cautious adoption of innovative methods unless required by external pressures. Utility adoption occurs gradually as digital tools help utilities to leverage system data for maintenance management, system renewal, and water loss control. Digital twins offer the advantages of enterprise data, decision support, and simulation models and can support distribution system optimization by integrating advanced metering infrastructure devices and water loss control through more granular pressure control. Models to anticipate water main breaks can also be included. With such advances, concerns about cyber security will grow. The lessons learned from the review indicate that research and development for new digital tools will continue, but utility adoption will continue to evolve slowly, even as many utilities globally are too stressed with difficult issues to adopt them. Rather than rely on government and academics for research support, utilities will need help from their support community of regulators, consultants, vendors, and all researchers to navigate the pathways that lie ahead. Full article

Enterprise digital transformation has emerged as a key strategy for enhancing innovation capacity in the age of the digital economy. This article aims to analyze the influence mechanism of digital transformation on corporate innovation and evaluate the mediating function of corporate innovation and cooperative cultures between digital transformation and corporate innovation capability. This work builds a panel data model based on data from Chinese A-share listed businesses from 2012 to 2021, empirically analyzes it using the Tobit model and the fixed effects model with instrumental variables technique, and uses the mediation effect test to uncover the course of action. According to the report, digital transformation significantly enhances creativity capability; second, corporate collaborative and innovation cultures mediate the relationship between digital transformation and innovation outcomes, and cultural capital becomes a crucial link; and third, the influence of digital transformation on corporate innovation capability is greater in state-owned enterprises, non-monopoly industries, and high-tech industries. According to the study, businesses should work to realize the dual-wheel drive of “technological investment + cultural cultivation” and establish an open and collaborative innovation ecosystem, while the government should intensify the development of digital infrastructure, enhance the supporting system, encourage cultural construction and talent supply, and create an environment that supports the synergistic development of digitization and innovation. 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