Biotechnology revolution from academic entrepreneurship to industrial: chemo-entrepreneurship

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Digital transformation and SME internationalisation:unravelling the moderated-mediation role of digital capabilities, digital resilience and digital maturity

PurposeThis study has two main objectives. First, to examine the indirect effects of digital platform capability and digital resilience on digital transformation (DT) outcomes for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and second, to investigate how digital business model maturity influences these indirect effects.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a quantitative design and collects data through a self-reporting survey from individuals in the technological industries. The Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and PLS multi-group analysis examine the measurement and structural models and the significance of differences in indirect paths based on the digital business model maturity level, serving as a moderator.FindingsThe findings of this study provide valuable insights into the internationalisation of digital SMEs. They indicate that digital platform capability and resilience fully mediate, connecting digital resources to SME growth. The study also confirms the digital business model maturity’s positive and significant moderating effect on these indirect relationships.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the existing literature by focusing on the international outcomes of platform ecosystems in developing markets. It explores how digital platform capability and resilience support the digital transformation of SMEs, considering their vulnerability due to their small size. The study also fills a research gap by investigating the relationship between big data, digital leadership and the international growth of digital platforms. Lastly, it explores the role of digital maturity in the relationships between antecedents, determinants and outcomes of digitalisation.<br/

An easy synthesis for preparing bio-based hybrid adsorbent useful for fast adsorption of polar pollutants

For the first time, &#947;-Al2O3 and Bio-Based Substances (BBS) hybrids (A-BBS) were prepared through a simple electrostatic interaction occurring between alumina, used as a support, and BBS (Bio-Based Substance from composted biowastes) carrying positive and negative charges, respectively. We evaluated the optimal amount of BBS to be immobilized on the support and the stability of the resulting A-BBS in order to use this novel hybrid material as an adsorbent for the removal of polar pollutants. Characterization was carried out by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) for evaluating the crystal structure of the support, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to evidence the presence of BBS on the hybrid material, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to measure the thermal stability of the hybrid materials and quantify the BBS amount immobilized on the support, N2 adsorption at 77 K for the evaluation of the surface area and porosity of the systems, Zeta potential measurements to evaluate the effect of BBS immobilization on the surface charge of the particles and choose the substrates possibly interacting with them. Firstly, we tested the adsorption capability of three samples differently coated with BBS toward cationic species considering various adsorbate/adsorbent ratio. Crystal Violet (CV) was chosen as model pollutant to compare the performance of the hybrid materials with those of other materials described in the literature. The adsorption data were modeled by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. Then, we studied the adsorption capability of the developed material towards molecules with different structures; for this purpose, two contaminants of emerging concerns (carbamazepine and atenolol) were tested. The results indicate that A-BBS could be applied in wastewater treatment for the removal of a significant amount of polar species. In addition, a comparison with literature data concerning CV adsorption was carried out in order to evaluate the environmental impact of synthetic routes used to prepare different adsorbents

A bibliometric analysis of obesity in marketing research

Purpose: In spite of wide civic and academic interest in obesity, there are no bibliometric records of this issue in the marketing corpus. Thus, this inquiry is conceived to address this shortcoming with a bibliometric analysis of Scopus indexed articles published on the subject. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis followed a five-step science mapping approach of study design, data collection, data analysis, data visualisation and data interpretation. R programming software was used to review 88 peer reviewed journals published between 1987 and 2021. Findings: A sizable stream of literature exploring obesity has accrued in the marketing area as authors have drawn parallels between the influence of persuasive communication and advertising on human wellbeing and child health. The United States of America is found to be by far the country with the highest number of publications on obesity, followed by Australia and the United Kingdom. The topic dendrogram indicates two strands of obesity discourse: (1) social and policy intervention opportunities and (2) the effects on social groups in the population. Research limitations/implications: This review will shape future enquiries investigating obesity. Beyond the focus on children, males and females, an emerging focus on cola, ethics, food waste, milk, policy-making and students is highlighted. Originality/value: This is the first bibliometric review of obesity in the marketing literature. This is especially timely for weighing up the utility of research aimed at understanding and reporting the trends, influences and role of stakeholders in addressing obesity

Knowledge is of no value unless to be shared. A synthesis of knowledge-sharing drivers in born-globals

In recent years, technological advancements have enabled born-global firms to build on their knowledge-based resources and more effectively contribute to the international economy. Hence, knowledge management practices have become crucial capabilities of born-global firms. Therefore, this paper strives to develop and validate drivers and indicators that impact such firms’ knowledge sharing. In doing so, we focus on the born-globals originating from the context of Australia and take advantage of exploratory analysis in two complementary studies. Accordingly, using a Delphi analysis, we first employ a panel of experts consisting of founders and owners of born-global firms to explore key knowledge-sharing (KS) drivers. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) will validate the identified drivers. In this regard, the results of the three-round Delphi analysis led to the identification of the 12 KS drivers in three categories of individual, technological and organisational dimensions. Also, the validation phase (CFA synthesis) ended with the retention of 36 items for the 12 drivers. Accordingly, this research reveals significant findings that contribute to enriching the prior KS studies in born-global firms. For instance, we highlight that in born-global firms, individuals are more likely to share their knowledge with those who are more reliable and trustworthy. Overall, we highlight how effective KS drivers can influence born globals features

How to increase sustainable production in the food sector? Mapping industrial and business strategies and providing future research agenda

Food waste is a tremendous systemic challenge, mainly at all stages of consumption and the supply chain process. In recent years, the global food supply challenge has called for new methods to decrease food waste or recover them to more valuable materials. Indeed, understanding the techniques for reducing and recovering food waste provides insights into exploring the impact of waste food recovery on the environment. This paper aims to review the literature on food waste in production processes. Hence, we employ a bibliometric and thematic analysis to explore a total number of 163 scientific articles published between 2000 and 2021. The present research uses the theoretical model of circular economy to analyse the literature on the topic both thematically and with cluster analysis. The results provide significant implications for academics and practitioners, drawing attention to a closer relationship between people and food waste, increasing the culture of the value of waste in all processes from agricultural production to distribution and consumption. Finally, it reiterates the need to emphasise the pollution caused by food production

Metaverse meets digital entrepreneurship: a practitioner-based qualitative synthesis

Purpose Considering the pervasiveness of technology, this article offers an understanding of how the metaverse can impact digital entrepreneurship. The objective will be to gather professional evidence on how the revival of this new technology can bring entrepreneurial development. Design/methodology/approach Through a qualitative study approach based on applying the metaverse in digital business contexts and analysing 533 practitioner sources from the Nexis Uni database, it will be possible to identify the concepts and application techniques of this emerging technology. The research adopts a qualitative methodology based on a mixed thematic and content review using tools such as ATLAS.ti and Leximancer. Findings This study finds three relevant macro-topics for metaverse and digital entrepreneurship (technology, immersive and design) and eight concepts (private solutions, digital twins, gamification, public solutions, new business worlds, co-design, collaborative spaces and stakeholders' participation). The uncovered elements demonstrate professionals' interest in a new mode of digital entrepreneurship using the metaverse. This interest highlights the commitment of companies and entrepreneurs toward discovering new services delivered in virtual and parallel worlds that find the creation of digital twins as their essence. Therefore, the study explores ongoing relationships for developing increasingly technically complex metaverse platforms and customer service offerings. Research limitations/implications The study has some limitations as the selection of the database and the way the cases are focused on, which may be a stimulus for future studies. The analysis has innumerable theoretical and practical implications. In the first case, this research will shed light on an empirical case concerning the conceptual difference between innovation or greater transformation of business models through the metaverse. This work will directly contribute to the global discussion by identifying a model for applying emerging technology to digital entrepreneurs. Finally, from a practical point of view, the authors will provide new insights to digital entrepreneurs by showing them applications, best practices, and platforms they can use for their businesses. Practical implications On a practical level, the authors show practical opportunities coming from the metaverse for digital entrepreneurs. This study may inspire CEOs, managers, and future entrepreneurs to use the metaverse to expand their businesses by diversifying their services into numerous sectors. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study represents one of the first efforts to study the metaverse by framing it from theoretical and practical perspectives of digital entrepreneurship. Additionally, future research implications may guide researchers in this brilliant research field

Surface functionalization of handleable silica-based mesoporous materials for CO₂ sequestration : synthesis, characterization and performance

Two different types of silica monolith based on commercial hydrophobic Aerosil200 and hydrophilic Sipernat320 (Evonik) were successfully covalently functionalized with different amines as CO2 sequestrants. 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (AMPS) was used for a first functionalization and applied as it is or as linker to extend the chain length with diglycine (diGly) and triglycine (triGly). The physico-chemical characterization of the samples comprehends nitrogen adsorption at -196°C to determine surface area and porosity and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to evaluate the thermal stability of the materials and quantify the extent of functionalization. CO2 and N2 adsorption microcalorimetry, coupled with FTIR spectroscopy, was used to evaluate the ability of the materials to selectively sequestrate CO2 against N2 in post-combustion procedures and the reversibility of the process. The comparison with a powdery commercial activated carbon, taken as reference, evidences the good adsorption capacity (comparable to that of the carbon reference) of monoliths from Sipernat 320 bringing a short aliphatic chain and terminal -NH2 groups (more than 700 μmol/g of CO2 sequestrated at 30°C), and the advantages in term of easy storage and recoverability, with respect to powdery adsorbents