Business environments that foster innovative work behaviour can become more competitive. If employees can introduce new ideas, processes, and solutions, then the company can thrive. An intriguing, yet little explored, factor that can significantly influence this is discussed in the International Journal of Work Innovation – workplace humour.

A. Rajeswari and Pulidindi Venugopal of the Vellore Institute of Technology in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, discuss how workplace humour, often seen as merely a source of entertainment, can have a greater significance in terms of employee attitudes, motivation, and overall work dynamics. The team has looked at the relationship between positive humour and innovative work behaviour, having surveyed 236 information technology (IT) employees. They found a positive association using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling to analyse the results of their survey. The work suggests that a workplace culture encouraging humour might improve innovative behaviour among employees and ultimately improve the company's bottom line.

Humour as a way to tighten social bonds among employees, reduce stress, and even improve overall well-being has been noted in earlier studies. The benefits lead to greater job satisfaction, improved communication among colleagues, and better performance. There are additional benefits in terms of improved group cohesion, higher employee engagement, and reduced numbers of employees suffering burnout.

It is important that any company hoping to harness the power of humour should ensure it promotes positive, constructive humour that enhances well-being and creativity. There are various strategies that a company might use such as encouraging light-hearted interactions, celebrating successes with humour, and creating opportunities for employees to share amusing experiences.

Leadership thus plays an important role in setting the tone for humour in the workplace. Managers who are role models for positive humour can create an environment where employees feel safe to express themselves creatively and engage more deeply with their work. This top-down approach can ensure that humour is part of the organizational ethos and so cultivate an environment where a cohesive and happy workforce can grow and innovate to the benefit of both employee and employer.

Rajeswari, A. and Venugopal, P. (2024) 'Examining the role of workplace humour in stimulating innovative work behaviour – an empirical investigation using structural equation modelling', Int. J. Work Innovation, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp.226–243.
DOI: 10.1504/IJWI.2024.139443

Education and financial support are critical to whether or not women become entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, according to research in the International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets. The same study, which surveyed more than 350 female entrepreneurs, also suggests that government, social support, and national culture do not substantially influence a woman's decision to pursue entrepreneurship.

Md. Shahadat Hossain of the Universiti Putra Malaysia, Weng Marc Lim of Sunway University both in Selangor, Malaysia, and Md Asadul Islam of BRAC University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, discuss how the global rise of female entrepreneurship is an important trend. It has been driven by technological advancements that have democratized access to business opportunities. Digital platforms have made it easier and safer for women to engage in entrepreneurial activities, facilitating online sales and other business operations. This is particularly apparent in developing nations. However, despite the progress, women entrepreneurs continue to face significant challenges associated with caregiving responsibilities, a lack of family support, and barriers across society.

The team suggests that understanding the motivations of female entrepreneurs is important to improving access to business and support. It will help in increasing the number of women entering the entrepreneurial space, provide support for those already engaged in entrepreneurial activities, and boost the potential of female entrepreneurship.

Education equips women with the knowledge and skills for starting and running their own businesses. An improved understanding of the impact of education can help fill knowledge gaps and guide both educators and policymakers. Financial support, which includes access to funding for business start-up and growth, is also a critical factor in whether women choose to start a business. There is perhaps now a need for better financial interventions to foster female entrepreneurship.

The researchers suggest that the work could have far-reaching implications, particularly in developing nations and in collectivist societies, such as Bangladesh, where traditional support mechanisms may be less effective. There is a need to empower women through education and financial resources more effectively and to move away from relying on somewhat lacking government support structures as well as surmounting social barriers.

Hossain, M.S., Lim, W.M. and Islam, M.A. (2024) 'Women entrepreneurship: the role of education, national culture, and various supports', Int. J. Business and Emerging Markets, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp.429–452.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBEM.2024.139473

Aligning curricula with industry need has long been recognized as an important factor in making academic courses relevant to the job market. One effective approach involves educators collaborating with industry stakeholders to help shape the academic programs offered. Such collaboration leads to knowledge exchange and potentially an improved social impact of the education system in areas relevant to industry. Such an approach can help equip students with practical skills and knowledge that will be valued by potential employers

Research in the International Journal of Business Performance Management looks at one method of aligning higher education curricula with industry requirements through an industry-driven curriculum framework. Tamilselvan Mahalingam of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men's Campus in Dubai International Academic City, UAE, has worked with subject-matter experts from various sectors to review syllabuses in order to identify gaps. The research shows the benefits of the approach in a specific institutional setting, which may well be more widely applicable. The results show the value of integrating an industry-driven curriculum framework into curriculum design and delivery to bridge the gap between academic offerings and industry needs.

Of course, the concept of co-creating curricula is not new, and many educational institutions worldwide have adopted it with varying success. The research literature shows the benefits of such collaborations, including better graduate employability and curricula that better reflect industry requirements. However, the approaches to engaging industry partners differ significantly among institutions, and clear governance structures for these collaborations have proven advantageous.

Mahalingam's approach fits the mould in this regard. Instead of focusing on developing generic frameworks and best practices and overlooking specific recommendations for co-creating curricula, the new work offers a dedicated framework. This framework can be integrated with the institution's existing governance system in order to improve collaboration and course content. Mahalingam demonstrates how valuable this framework approach could be and adds that continuous evaluation and adaptation would be important to maintaining its effectiveness in an ever-changing industry landscape.

Mahalingam, T. (2024) 'Bridging the gap between academia and industry: a case study of collaborative curriculum development', Int. J. Business Performance Management, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp.589–603.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2024.139482

Research in the International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development has found that our feelings and attitudes during times of crises affect our behaviour and that during a globally testing times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, governments should make themselves fully aware of this prior to communicating with the public on the policy matters associated with addressing such a crisis.

Kirti Dutta of Rishihood University in Haryana, India, Guillaume P. Fernandez of the Academy of Marketing and Communications SAWI in Geneva, Bart F. Norré and Joaquin Fernandez of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland in Marly, Switzerland, Dorota Reykowska of NEUROHM and Rafal Ohme of WSB University in Warsaw, Poland, Dunia Harajli of the Lebanese American University in Beirut, Lebanon, used the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in their study. They focused on declared behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany and Sweden. Their findings offer useful insight for policymakers hoping to improve the government response to such a health crisis.

TPB, originally developed by social psychologist Icek Ajzen, extended the theory of reasoned action and suggests that our behaviour has three main drivers: personal attitudes and views towards that behaviour, subjective norms, such as perceived social pressures to perform or not perform said behaviour, and perceived behavioural control, the ease or difficulty faced in performing the behaviour.

Dutta and colleagues used this framework to look at the complex way in which people responded to the pandemic. Fundamentally, they found that people's perceived threats from the pandemic significantly affected their behaviour, as one might expect. But, the effect was both direct and indirect, and attitude then played an important part in how people responded to the different ways in which governments attempted to handle the pandemic. The team notes that in Australia and New Zealand, where the speed with which COVID-19 spread was lower than elsewhere, there were higher levels of social cooperation and positive public attitudes towards the health measures implemented by government. In contrast, the USA, India, and Brazil encountered challenges because of a lower level of public compliance.

The research suggests that policymakers must prioritize understanding and shaping public attitudes through better strategic communication. This would allow them to improve the positive impact of any health measures needed during a future pandemic. Of course, public compliance during such a crisis may well pivot markedly depending on the behaviour and compliance of those policymakers themselves.

In the broader context of the COVID-19 pandemic, these findings emphasize the importance of public attitudes in shaping behaviour. Governments worldwide will have to face global crises again. The study offers useful pointers on enhancing public health strategies and fostering greater social cooperation.

Dutta, K., Fernandez, G.P., Norré, B.F., Reykowska, D., Ohme, R., Harajli, D. and Fernandez, J. (2024) 'Knowledge of declared behaviour: effect of attitude and intention', Int. J. Knowledge-Based Development, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp.133–161.
DOI: 10.1504/IJKBD.2024.139361

Research in the International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing has investigated the effect of celebrity endorsements on consumer attitudes and purchasing decisions. The work focused on particular well-known brands and the influence of fan identification.

Eduardo Fons, Maria-José Miquel-Romero, Manuel Cuadrado-García, and Juan D. Montoro-Pons of the University of Valencia in Valencia, Spain, surveyed 324 Spanish football league fans. They asked questions to find out about brand recall, brand attitudes, and purchase intentions related to celebrity-endorsed sports brands. The team's findings challenge the received wisdom that prominent brands significantly benefit from celebrity endorsements. Indeed, the implication is that the glamour has faded somewhat and that fans in this niche are perhaps experiencing celebrity fatigue when it comes to these kinds of so-called influencers.

Since the 1960s, sport has evolved into a major form of mass entertainment. Athletes in many sporting areas, particularly football (soccer) leading players at the big teams have become celebrities. As such, these people can attract not only enormous fees from their clubs but command significant sponsorship from brands hoping to exploit their fame.

Billions of dollars are invested in sponsorships each year, with some two-thirds of that being directed toward sports. Celebrity endorsement as a marketing strategy has for many years been a big part of this especially in attempting to influence younger people with disposable income.

However, the present study suggests that the effectiveness of celebrity endorsements depends on the attributes of both the celebrity and the brand. Celebrities and brands bring unique characteristics to an endorsement relationship, and their compatibility can significantly impact the campaign's success. The team adds that until this work there was something of a gap in the research literature regarding the differential effects of celebrities and brands in endorsement campaigns, especially when both are already well-known.

The most important finding from the work is that a fan's identification with a celebrity plays a crucial role in their perception of endorsements. Fans who strongly identify with a celebrity are more likely to recall the endorsed brand and exhibit positive attitudes and purchase intentions towards it. However, for prominent brands, celebrity endorsement does not change this significantly. In other words, celebrity endorsement does not necessarily boost sales of a previously strong and prominent brand. Marketing departments for such brands might save their money and side-step the sports stars.

Fons, E., Miquel-Romero, M-J., Cuadrado-García, M. and Montoro-Pons, J.D. (2024) 'I like you, but I don't need you: the diminishing returns of celebrity endorsement for popular brands', Int. J. Sport Management and Marketing, Vol. 24, Nos. 3/4, pp.244–261.
DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2024.138985

The relationship between running experience, running mechanics, and the risk of injury, particularly to the knees is discussed in the International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology. The research looks at the differences in joint loading and muscle forces between novice and experienced runners.

Zhihui Kang of Ningbo University of Finance and Economics in Ningbo, China, and Xinyan Jiang of Obuda University in Budapest, Hungary, carried out a 3D running analysis of fifteen novice and fifteen experienced runners and used OpenSim software to model the behaviour of the musculoskeletal system, estimating lower limb muscle forces and knee joint loading.

The team found that there were notable differences in running mechanics between each group. Novice runners exhibited significantly higher knee loading and muscle forces during most of the stance phase of running compared to their experienced counterparts. This increased loading would coincide with a higher susceptibility to lower extremity injuries, such as sprains, strains and ruptures of the knee join, among novice runners. Understanding the biomechanics and neuromuscular control of running movements is crucial for developing coaching and training strategies to prevent such injuries and enhance running performance. However, the research did not record direct evidence linking novice status to an increased risk of knee injury when running. The current work will be useful to those working in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and athletic training.

By identifying biomechanical differences between novice and experienced runners, targeted interventions might be developed to reduce injury risk and improve running techniques. This could involve tailored training programs that gradually increase the tolerance of novice runners to running loads, thereby enhancing their musculoskeletal adaptations over time.

Future research could focus on longitudinal studies to determine whether specific knee joint variables can reliably predict running-related injuries. Such studies would help refine injury prevention strategies and contribute to safer and more effective running practices for athletes at all levels.

Kang, Z. and Jiang, X. (2024) 'The effect of running experience on muscle forces and knee joint reaction forces during running', Int. J. Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp.183–197.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2024.138969

It's no small affair. In the 1960s, Spain was transformed into one of Europe's leading tourist destinations. Visitors who might otherwise have travelled and done their sightseeing in their own country, were attracted to the region by the promise of sun, sea, and sand. As the tourist industry of the "Costas" and the "Balearics" evolved, the hordes of visitors sparked the growth of a vibrant nightlife industry, especially on the island of Ibiza, anything but a saddening bore. While the beach and the Mediterranean Sea were the usual daytime haunt of countless tourists, bars and nightclubs became their nocturnal destination.

Research in the International Journal of Tourism Anthropology has looked at how Ibiza's nightclubs evolved through advertising, revealing the preferences and behaviour of the tourists who flocked to this "holiday island".

Joan Carles Cirer-Costa of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Eivissa, Spain explains that the influx of post-war European tourists to Spain began in the early 1950s as society bounced back into the sunshine from darker days. These early adventurers navigated a challenging transportation landscape, often travelling by personal car or early charter flights to reach their destinations. By the mid-1960s, mass tourism had firmly established itself, driven by this collective yearning for sun, sea, and sand and the creation of the package holiday. Mediterranean tourism continues to grow to this day.

The evolution of the nightlife of Ibiza over the decades all but eschewed local culture. Indeed, cultural authenticity was not generally what the hedonistic tourists sought. Nevertheless, it was the early tourists that have guided us to the modern Mediterranean holiday format and as more and more Europeans recognised their own desire for this summer experience, so the tourist industry has pandered to their whims.

Cirer-Costa's work could also have implications beyond historical curiosity. It offers those studying modern tourism lessons in the dynamics of the industry. It might help contemporary tourism professionals and policymakers create more sustainable and appealing tourist experiences that balance leisure with cultural appreciation.

Cirer-Costa, J.C (2024) 'Sun, beach … and nightclubs: a study on the nightlife and tourism in Ibiza (1950–1971)', Int. J. Tourism Anthropology, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp.218–236.
DOI: 10.1504/IJTA.2024.138908

Risk has always been a part of life. But, the modern world is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Organisations cannot rely on conventional approaches to risk management (RM) and mitigation strategies they must now move towards integrated risk management (IRM). This shift acknowledges the limitations of conventional approaches in addressing new and emergent risks stemming from rapid changes in climate, social dynamics, geopolitics, and technology. A team in Canada discusses the issues in the International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management.

Traditional approaches to risk management usually focus on an analysis of possible failure scenarios. They use mathematical models to work out how best to safeguard physical infrastructure. However, Luciano Morabito and Benoît Robert of the Polytechnique Montréal in Québec, Canada, suggest that these methods are out-dated and cannot keep pace with the emerging risks we see today where the so-called butterfly effect can see a seemingly insignificant and unchecked risk in one part of the world unleash worldwide upheaval. The COVID-19 pandemic is perhaps a case in point.

According to Morabito and Robert, integrated risk management offers a more complete approach to addressing various interconnected issues. As the term suggests, it integrates the principles of risk governance and social constructivism. There is an emphasis on understanding an organisation's assets, operations, and external environment so that it can improve resilience and adaptability in the face of emerging risks. The approach rests on good communication, collaboration, and coordination across an organisation at all levels as well as with external stakeholders. Without these "three-Cs", effective mitigation strategies may not be possible and organisations will succumb to the detrimental effects of the crises as they emerge.

The work suggests that there is a need for organisations and stakeholders to recognise that we need more than technological tools to manage risks well. Integrated risk management must use those tools but also consider the social and organizational dimensions. Collaboration is key to this where stakeholders share risk knowledge and establish common frameworks, all the while avoiding disruption to the organisation's daily operations. Organisations that cope well with integrated risk management will position themselves to be proactive in their response to the risky business of an increasingly uncertain world.

Morabito, L. and Robert, B. (2023) 'Challenges related to emerging risk management', Int. J. Risk Assessment and Management, Vol. 26, No. 2, pp.175–195.
DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2023.139015

In a demonstration of what is plausible in the developing world, Nigeria's Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) is changing from error-prone paper-based patient records to an advanced Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This move will streamline patient information management and enhance the overall quality of care provided to patients.

EHRs are the digital counterparts of conventional medical charts and records kept by healthcare providers. They can include a wide array of patient information, including medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergy information, radiology images, and laboratory test results. The digital nature of EHRs means that can offer the healthcare provider much more information at a given time than conventional paper records. Indeed, they can ensure that critical information is accessible to the healthcare provider whenever it is needed allowing them to make informed decisions so improve patient outcomes.

A study published in the International Journal of Electronic Healthcare surveyed healthcare information management professionals to assess their readiness for the adoption of EHR systems. The findings revealed strong support for the transition, with these professionals recognizing the availability of necessary infrastructure and training. Respondents to the survey undertaken by Oluwatoyin Rhoda Akinyemi, Maureen Nokuthula Sibiya of Mangosuthu University of Technology in Durban and O. Oladimeji of the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in Pretoria, South Africa, demonstrated a high level of proficiency with basic computer applications. However, despite their enthusiasm, the research shows that barriers remain.

The team writes that these barriers include a shortage of staff, a high patient volume, and limited digital navigation skills among some employees. There are also concerns about patient privacy and confidentiality. Nevertheless, obstacles were not insurmountable and given the positive sentiment overall, the implementation of EHRs will outweigh any problems significantly. Overcoming the various barriers will involve continuous staff training and organizational support, as well as ensuring the availability of the requisite hardware.

Akinyemi, O.R., Sibiya, M.N. and Oladimeji, O. (2024) 'Using electronic health records to improve healthcare information management', Int. J. Electronic Healthcare, Vol. 14, No. 5, pp.1–12.
DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2024.139193

The increasing frequency of environmental fires is a serious issue around the world and one that is being exacerbated by climate change. Millions of hectares and thousands of homes are at risk. Recovery times will, for much of the devastation, in Australia, Greece, California, India, and elsewhere will run to decades. New approaches to reducing the risk of fires are now needs, ones that do not simply involve political grandstanding and the purchase of glamorous but largely ineffective solutions.

Writing in the International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, a research team from India point out that one of the main contributors to the ease with which fires can spread is the accumulation of biomass, such as dry pine needles, on the forest floor. Pankaj Verma of the TR Abhilashi Memorial Institute of Engineering and Technology in Tanda Mandi, and colleagues have explored the potential for reducing the biomass risk. They suggest that it is worth engaging at-risk communities to see this "waste" material as a valuable energy resource for power production. This would have many other environmental and economic benefits, as well as clearing the forest floor and reducing a highly inflammable fuel source for fires.

Forests play an integral role in the ecological cycle, offering habitat and food for various species and hosting diverse vegetation. The team note that in Himachal Pradesh, India, forest cover has increased, but the predominant species is the Chir Pine or Longleaf Indian Pine (Pinus roxburghii), which sheds a large volume of dry needles particularly from January to April. The number of forest fires in the region seems to have risen with the ascent of this tree species.

Despite their availability, dry pine needles are seldom used as fuel due to their low energy density and heating value. The researchers propose that with appropriate technology, it should be feasible to convert this low energy density biomass into high energy density fuel, such as briquettes. As India's energy demands rise, such a waste-to-energy approach could help address this issue, providing a renewable energy source and simultaneously reducing forest fire risk.

This concept also promotes the sustainable use of forest resources, encourages environmental conservation, and offers social and financial benefits to local communities.

Verma, P., Sharma, K., Mahajan, A. and Sharma, R. (2024) 'Forest fire mitigation by social economic development of local communities using pine needle as potential fuel', Int. J. Environment and Waste Management, Vol. 34, No. 1, pp.57–67.
DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.138887