Beyond rural rewilding: why rewilding is right for cities too

In this chapter, Siân Moxon argues that rewilding shouldn’t be something for the countryside alone, and that the principles of rewilding are especially valid in urban environments

Impact of digital assistant attributes on millennials' purchasing intentions: a multi-group analysis using PLS-SEM, artificial neural network and fsQCA

The rising population of millennials, coupled with Digital Assistants (DA) and online purchasing trends among consumers have gained increasing attention by global marketers. The study evaluates the influence of DA attributes on the purchasing intention (PUI) of millennials. A combined approach of PLS-SEM, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) is used to predict the PUI of 345 millennials. Also, multi-group analysis is employed to uncover the influence of gender on the relationship between PUI and DA attributes. The findings suggest that DA attributes may amplify purchasing intention among millennials, especially through perceived interactivity and anthropomorphism. Further, the moderating role of gender was found significant on the inter-relationship of perceived interactivity and PUI. This research is a pioneer study in the area of artificial intelligence, conversational commerce, DA and AI-powered chatbots. This study will help marketers and practitioners to predict millennial purchasing intentions. An evaluation of this paper may help them to foster immersive and effective engagement through DA

Futurism: performance and performativity of a movement

There is no question that performance played an important role in Futurism. Performance interventions span across the history of this movement (Goldberg, 2011): from the notorious 'serate' instigated by Marinetti, in which the audience would be purposefully scandalised, provoked and offended, to the futurist music concerts that provided an ancestral root for the aesthetics of synthesised sound in contemporary music (Rodney, 1976), not to mention the Russian counterpart of this movement, which embraced, on stage, such wide a field as to encompass theatre, opera, dance, music and scenic design. What is less talked about is the overall performativity (Van Hantelmann, 2014) of Futurism, beyond the confines of literal performances to a theatre-going audience: such performativity manifests itself in a wide range of futurist expressions, not least their notorious manifestos. In this contribution, originally developed to support the exhibition 'Futurismi Contemporanei' at Villa Valmarana and Palazzo Donà delle Rose in Venice curated by Michele Citro and Andrea Guastella (2024), Dr Jacek Ludwig Scarso draws on the performance and performative strategies employed by Futurism in subverting the cultural status quo and promoting the concept of a 'total artwork'. (Translated to English by the author (Italian original)

How appraisals of an in-group's collective history shape collective identity and action: evidence in relation to African identity

This research tested the impact of how group members appraise their collective history on in-group identification and group-based action in the African context. Across three experiments (Ns = 950; 270; and 259) with Nigerian participants, we tested whether the effect of historical representations–specifically the valence of the in-group’s collective history–on in-group engagement, in turn, depends on whether that history is also appraised as subjectively important. In Study 1, findings from exploratory moderated-mediation analyses indicated that the appraised negative valence of African history was associated with an increase in identification and group-based action when African history was appraised as unimportant (history-as-contrast). Conversely, the appraised positive valence of African history was also associated with an increase in identification and group-based action when African history was also appraised as important (history-as-inspiration). Studies 2a and 2b then orthogonally manipulated the valence and subjective importance of African history. However, findings from Studies 2a and 2b did not replicate those of Study 1. Altogether, our findings suggest that the relationship between historical representations of groups and in-group identification and group-based action in the present is more complex than previously acknowledged

Circular value creation through environmental entrepreneurship initiatives: a case-based exploration

The present study builds on the domain of circular economy and its subdomain circular value creation to explore the entrepreneurial process of a small business in India. It aims to find how circular entrepreneurship as a process may unfold and how it may lead to value creation at different levels. The case study method is used to address the research objectives and a case study of a small entrepreneur based in India is selected for the same purpose. The analysis of the case and within case patterns (three subcases) illustrates circular entrepreneurship as a process with motivation, action and value creation as three main stages. The motivation of the entrepreneur leads to several actions related to business processes that are aimed at circular value creation. Subsequently, this leads to value creation at multiple levels such as the economy, business and society. Hence, the findings support the circular economy concept and its role in the creation of value at the small business level. The findings support the theoretical tenets of circular value creation and circular entrepreneurship using an interpretive approach

South African real estate investment trusts prefer Tuesdays

This study examines the day-of-the-week effect on the returns of different classifications of South African REITs. Ordinary least squares regression (OLS), generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) (1,1) (2,1), and Kruskal–Wallis (KW) tests were performed on data obtained from the IRESS Expert database from 2013 to 2021. We found statistical differences in the day-of-the-week effects for SAREITs; the best day to invest in office REITs is Friday, for diversified REITs Thursday, and for industrial REITs Friday. Generally, Wednesday was found to be the least profitable day to invest in all REIT classifications because it had the least average daily return. Tuesdays were the most profitable days for all REIT classifications, with the highest average daily return. REITs traded the most on Fridays, while REITs traded the least on Mondays. Returns were the most volatile on Monday, while volume was the least volatile on Thursday. The KW test revealed a statistically significant difference between the median returns across days of the week. Based on the above, profitability is expressed on Tuesdays in South African REITs. By recognizing the day-of-the-week effect, investors can buy and sell South African REITs more effectively. This study, apart from being the first in the context of South African REITs, provides updated evidence of the contested calendar anomaly issues

Patriarchy and gender stereotypes in the contemporary world

Patriarchy and Gender Stereotypes in the Contemporary World offers a thorough analysis of the stereotyping of women, particularly in organisations and higher education. The book considers both theoretical and empirical evidence and articulates the potential for transforming perceptions of women at work and in society, emphasising the importance of understanding the pictures created in our heads by gender stereotypes and their impact both positively and negatively on the status of women. In addition, the authors consider gender stereotypes from different countries and generations, providing a uniquely detailed description of how patriarchy operates across cultures and time. The book is a key textbook and research reference for students, researchers, policymakers, academicians, and activists working on gender studies

Contradictions, dilemmas, views and motivations of volunteers in two community food support schemes in two London boroughs

The voluntary and charitable sector is responsible for much food support in the UK, in the absence of direct government action. A rise in food insecurity (FI) places additional importance on the work of unpaid volunteers, instrumental in food support schemes. Their perceptions, views and experiences are essential contributors to maintaining and enhancing such provision. Semi-structured interviews were held with 51 volunteers at two food support schemes in neighbouring London boroughs. Most volunteers were white and middle-aged and almost half were in paid work. Generally high levels of empathy towards clients were expressed, although some were concerned about possible abuse of the support. Contradictory views were expressed in relation to both personal responsibility for FI and the pay-as-you-feel model; training on both is needed. Major motivators for involvement in volunteering were the perceived value of the work and alignment of projects with personal interests, skills and beliefs. Benefits were viewed as wider than solely nutritional. Ethical difficulties described included the appropriateness of using surplus food to address FI, allowing supermarkets to effectively ‘greenwash’ and failing to address underlying drivers of both FI and food overproduction. Volunteers were also concerned that their involvement allowed the government to abdicate responsibility

Human nature: why ‘urban rewilding’ is good for us

Since our very evolution in the forests, humans have had an innate need for nature. In cities, immersion in natural spaces and encounters with other species can be hard to come by, yet these experiences are especially crucial for city residents to counter their stressful lives. Increasing urban nature would benefit the quality of life of many people, given that in England 80% of us live in cities. Urban rewilding has been defined by the author as ‘reinstating vegetation, water, and other wildlife habitat in towns and cities to enhance biodiversity, climate-change resilience, and human wellbeing’. Rewilding principles can be applied to most buildings in cities, including homes, hospitals, schools, offices, and public outdoor spaces. And there are plenty of tools and inspiring case studies we can use to drive change

The influence of AI on the accounting and finance sector and its implications

This research investigates into the potential benefits and obstacles associated with integrating AI, specifically ChatGPT, into the realm of accounting and finance professionals. The article is based on the literature review. The results shows that just as technology has transfigured various industries, it has similarly impacted accounting and finance. ChatGPT, an advanced language model created by OpenAI, has the capability to transform the working methods of accountants, offering enhanced efficiency, heightened productivity, and valuable insights. Ethical dilemmas extend to the prospect of generative AI supplanting human creativity and labour, as well as the potential infringement upon intellectual property rights. This study offers an exhaustive investigation of the advantages and challenges posed by AI, particularly ChatGPT, robotic process automation (RPA) in the area of accounting and finance professionals. It imparts valuable insights and suggestions for the effective integration of this technology into the domains of accounting and finance