Research in Thailand has looked into the marketing dynamics of banana flour and how more consumers might be persuaded to use this healthy product as an alternative source of dietary fibre. Work in the International Journal of Business and Globalisation highlights the challenges and opportunities in promoting this healthy, gluten-free, alternative to wheat flour. Banana flour has been widely used in Africa and Jamaica, and more recently South America.

Adisak Suvittawat of Suranaree University of Technology in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, explains that banana flour, also known as banana starch, is derived from unripe, green bananas. It is high in resistant starch, colloquially known as fibre, or roughage, which passes through our gastrointestinal tract undigested. Fibre is key to gut health but has additional benefits in terms of reducing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer. However, despite the obvious benefits of banana flour in this regard, efforts to penetrate the Thai food market may have been half-baked so far with little awareness of the product among potential consumers.

In the present study, some 400 grocery shop customers were surveyed. They were generally found to be unfamiliar with the health benefits of banana flour, although were often aware of the product itself. Those shoppers who were well-informed about the benefits tended to have a positive perception of the product. The marketing challenge thus seems to lie in bridging the knowledge gap and overcoming consumer scepticism.

An additional barrier to more widespread use in cookery and baking is price. Banana flour is more expensive than other commonly used starch sources, such as tapioca or corn starch, and even all-purpose wheat flour. In a market where consumers are price-sensitive, this price discrepancy is a big obstacle.

When it comes to promotional strategies, the research indicates that online advertising has proven more effective than traditional print media in reaching consumers. Additionally, personal selling by sales teams, which allows for direct consumer education, was also found to be an effective method. Given the unfamiliarity many consumers have with banana flour, this hands-on approach is essential for persuading them of the product's merits.

Suvittawat, A. (2025) 'Banana flour goes to market: the marketing mix to introduce banana flour to the consumer market', Int. J. Business and Globalisation, Vol. 39, Nos. 3/4, pp.442–456.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2025.144854

Social media has become a very useful tool for companies hoping to boost brand awareness, engagement, and loyalty among consumers. A study in the International Journal of Business Performance Management has looked at its role in detail and found that many companies are directly interacting with consumers, building stronger brand connections, and gaining a competitive edge.

Radhika Madan, a Soft Skills Trainer, in Gurgaon, Haryana and Manmohan Rahul of Sharda University in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, surveyed 350 internet users to help them establish a reliable scale for measuring the effectiveness of brand communication via social media. They used Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to analyse their survey results and found that social media offers a more direct, cost-effective, and rapid means of reaching a wider customer base when compared with conventional media, such as television, papers and magazines, and even email.

The researchers emphasize that social media platforms allow businesses to undertake ongoing dialogues with consumers, which in turn boosts both brand visibility and loyalty. This is particularly important in hospitality, air travel, banking, telecommunications, and e-commerce.

One aspect of social media's power is the potential to "go viral" when users share information about a brand or product with their networks, and the reach of that message expands quickly across the platform. Going viral can spread a brand message far wider and far more quickly than conventional advertising in many cases.

Of course, the concept of branding itself has evolved alongside the rise of social media. Traditionally, branding referred to creating a distinct identity for a company, highlighting its core values and differentiating it from competitors. Branding is no longer one-way traffic, the consumers themselves are part of the message and can have two-way, real-time conversations with businesses. This allows consumers to offer instantaneous feedback about products and services and gives businesses the means to respond to that feedback, whether positive or negative, just as quickly and to change their "offering" accordingly, if appropriate.

Madan, R. and Rahul, M. (2025) 'The role of social media as a brand communication tool: an exploratory work', Int. J. Business Performance Management, Vol. 26, No. 2, pp.228–249.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2025.144689

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into manufacturing processes has huge potential for improving productivity, efficiency, and safety. Machine learning models are already used to monitor equipment health and others predict supply-chain issues and consumer demand. However, research in the International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems suggests that there remain barriers to the more widespread adoption of AI in production environments. In particular, there are obstacles to incorporating AI in the early design phase.

Yuji Yamamoto and Kristian Sandström of Mälardalen University in Eskilstuna, and Aranda Muñoz Álvaro of the Research Institutes of Sweden in Västerås, Sweden, explain how the early design phase is fundamental in determining how AI might ultimately be embedded into the manufacturing workflow. They point out that it is during this period that engineers, data scientists, production staff, and other stakeholders have to align their goals with functionality and outcomes. However, this process can be stymied if there is a misalignment between the technical expertise of the data scientists and the practical knowledge of the manufacturing professionals. Poor communication and unrealistic expectations then lead to the installation of an AI system that does not meet the operational needs of the factory floor.

One of the biggest problems the researchers found is that of cognitive overload, where those involved are overwhelmed by the complexity of the tasks at hand. The technical jargon of machine learning and AI, for example, is often inaccessible to those with expertise in production management but not in data science.

Conversely, data scientists may struggle to understand the intricacies of manufacturing operations, such as workflow design and the real-time adjustments needed to address unpredicted challenges. This knowledge gap between the two groups can lead to failure especially if the AI system does not take into account the very dynamic nature of manufacturing.

Yamamoto, Y., Álvaro, A.M. and Sandström, K. (2024) 'Challenges in designing a humancentred AI system in manufacturing', Int. J. Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, Vol. 17, No. 4, pp.351–369.
DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2024.144289

New insights into the design and performance of combined weir-gate hydraulic structures, a crucial component of modern water-management systems, are discussed in the International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology. Weir-gate hybrid structures merge the functions of a traditional weir and a sluice gate and are now being widely used to regulate water flow, control flood risks, and aid in flow measurement.

Noor I. Khattab, Azza N. Altalib, and Arwa A. Mullah of the University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq, have now looked at a novel design for such structures, which incorporates a triangular shape with interior angles that can range from 60 to 180 degrees. Their findings explain how the configuration of these structures impacts their efficiency in managing water flow.

A weir is typically used to direct water over a barrier to control flow, while a sluice gate is designed to regulate flow beyond the barrier. By combining both functions into a single hybrid structure, engineers can maximize the benefits of each. The new work demonstrates how varying the angle within a triangular opening affects the flow of water and the efficiency of discharge measurement. The team used a key performance indicator, the discharge coefficient, is used to quantify the efficiency of the structure in controlling and measuring flow.

The researchers found that as the interior angle of the hybrid structure decreases, so the discharge coefficient increases. Under constant upstream head values, the discharge coefficient showed an average increase of 27% to 54% as the interior angle became more acute. The study also found that the shape and configuration of the structure, including the length of the crest and the specific type of flow, whether it flows over, under, or through the structure, affect overall performance. One of the important applications of these hybrid structures is the reduction of sediment accumulation beneath gates. The weir pushes materials out while the gate controls flow.

Weir-gate structures play a role in managing water: flood control, irrigation, water supply, and energy generation. If the design of these structures can be improved and optimized for specific purposes, then efficient and cost-effective infrastructure might be developed that is better equipped to handle fluctuating water conditions.

Khattab, N.I., Altalib, A.N. and Mullah, A.A. (2025) 'Hydraulic characteristics of combined weir-gate structure', Int. J. Hydrology Science and Technology, Vol. 19, No. 5, pp.1–17.
DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2025.144936

Research in the International Journal of Management in Education has looked at the various factors that affect a teacher's behaviour in terms of innovation. Innovation, the research explains, is an important part of improving educational performance in an increasingly competitive environment.

Jimmy Ellya Kurniawan, Kuncoro Dewi Rahmawati, and Evan Tanuwijaya of the Universitas Ciputra Surabaya in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, carried out research across private schools there and their findings offer a clearer understanding of how the attitudes of teachers as well as their motivation and the organizational culture within which they work can shape their willingness to engage in innovative practices.

Educational innovation can drive teaching quality and student outcomes, the team adds. However, the factors that lead to what drives teachers to be innovative has not been researched in detail until now. The current work focuses on two key elements: learning orientation culture and self-determination. The researchers used the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), a psychological framework that links behaviour to one's attitudes, social pressures, and perceived control, to show how these elements influence teachers.

TPB shows that our behaviour is affected not only by personal beliefs but also by societal norms and how much we feel in control of our actions. In the context of education, the researchers showed that the organizational culture of a school can help foster innovation. A learning orientation culture, where continuous learning and knowledge application are prioritized, encourages teachers to embrace this. Moreover, when coupled with self-determination or a sense of autonomy there is an even greater likelihood of engaging in innovative practices.

From a practical perspective, the study offers valuable insights for school administrators. It suggests that if they can create a positive environment that emphasizes a learning-oriented culture and support the autonomy of their teachers, they might significantly enhance innovative behaviour and so student outcomes as well as the job satisfaction of their teachers.

Kurniawan, J.E., Rahmawati, K.D. and Tanuwijaya, E. (2025) 'School teacher's innovative work behaviour model', Int. J. Management in Education, Vol. 19, No. 7, pp.1–36.
DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2025.144925

Digital tools continue to redefine much of modern student life and learning. Educational administrators could better serve their student communities if they had a clearer view of the emotions and opinions those students are expressing online. Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology, describes a deep learning-based method to analyse and categorize student sentiment in online content. The tools could offer invaluable insights for managing campus dynamics and enhancing the academic environment.

Dan Wang and Li Wang of the Gingko College of Hospitality Management in Chengdu, China, explain how deep learning techniques can be though of a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with a focus on understanding human language. By analysing content from different online platforms, such as social media, discussion forums, and website comment sections, the team suggests that it is possible to extract a clearer picture of the emotional and ideological landscape of student population.

The approach uses Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. CNNs can identify patterns and extract key features from textual data, while LSTMs are used to understand the relationships between words in long passages of text. By combining the strengths of these tools, it is possible to extract the nuance of ideas and emotions being shared online in the wider student discourse.

A key aspect of the new analytical model is the introduction of an "attention mechanism". This improves the model's ability to accurately interpret complex emotional expressions. In online communication, students often use irony, sarcasm, or metaphor to convey sentiments, as do we all. This is difficult to grasp with a simple analytical tool. The attention mechanism allows the system to focus on the most critical words or phrases in a given piece of text and this improves its ability to detect and decode these subtle emotional cues. For instance, the phrase "yeah, right" is familiar American vernacular and is commonly used as a sarcastic riposte to an apparently unbelievable comment. Taken literally, however, it would simply be interpreted as confirmation of the person reading the unbelievable and confirming their acceptance of it.

In addition to the nuances of the model and the AI tools on which it is built, the team has also created a large-scale, annotated dataset of student-generated content. This dataset, drawn from a wide range of platforms, allowed the team to train and validate their model with real data. The same data and model might be used off campus too, to analyse public online sentiment or perhaps within the corporate environment.

Wang, D. and Wang, L. (2024) 'Deep learning semantic understanding and classification of student online public opinion for new media', Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 25, No. 10, pp.62–76.
DOI: 10.1504/IJICT.2024.143335

A new approach to gear skiving, a specialized machining technique for producing internal gears, could improve the speed and accuracy with which gear teeth are formed. The work, described in the International Journal of Abrasive Technology, could be useful to industries reliant on high-precision gears, such as automotive and aerospace engineering.

Traditionally, manufacturing internal gears, whether spur gears, which have straight teeth, or helical gears, which have angled teeth, has been a complex, time-consuming process. Gear skiving, an advanced technique that uses a specialized cutting tool called a skiving cutter, has emerged as an effective solution.

Hiroki Yonezawa, Jun'ichi Kaneko, and Takeyuki Abe of Saitama University, and Naruhiro Irino, Yuta Shinba, and Yasuhiro Imabeppu of DMG MORI Co, Ltd., Japan, explain that unlike conventional machining methods, which often struggle with the precise geometry of gear teeth, gear skiving synchronizes the rotation of the workpiece with the motion of the cutter. This allows for a continuous and efficient cutting action. However, predicting the exact geometry of the tooth flanks, the surfaces that form the teeth of the gear, has long been a major challenge.

The new research introduces an innovative method for predicting the tooth profile after the skiving process is complete. The team analyses the shape of the material removed during machining, projecting the removal area from the perspective of the workpiece's "tooth lead" direction. The term "tooth lead" refers to the angle at which the teeth of the gear are shaped. This projection-based approach simplifies the analytical process, significantly reducing the computational resources needed to do the calculations when compared to conventional methods. The new approach focuses on the projection of the removal area, factoring in the rotation of the workpiece around its axis to estimate the final tooth profile more quickly and accurately than was previously possible.

The team explains that by providing more accurate and faster predictions of how gear teeth will form after the skiving process, manufacturers can improve the design of specialized tools such as profile crowning tools and chamfering tools. These tools are critical in ensuring the final gear has the desired geometry and performance characteristics for high-tech engineering applications. In addition, the same method can be used to assess the effects of tool wear or mounting errors on the gear's final tooth profile, allowing for better control over the production process.

Yonezawa, H., Kaneko, J., Abe, T., Irino, N., Shinba, Y. and Imabeppu, Y. (2024) 'Development of precision analysis method of tooth profile in gear skiving process with shape projection of removal area', Int. J. Abrasive Technology, Vol. 12, No. 5, pp.1–14.
DOI: 10.1504/IJAT.2024.144424

As we endeavour to address climate change issues, businesses must play an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A study in the International Journal of Business Performance Management, has looked at the net-zero emissions target and identified the difficulties businesses are encountering and suggests a tailored approach to solving the problems different sectors face.

Net-zero emissions mean balancing the amount of greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide and other compounds – a business releases with those it removes or offsets. Achieving a balance is part of a broader effort to curb climate change and lead us into a sustainable future. The study, by Luisa Huaccho Huatuco and Juan Ramon Candia of the University of York, Ruby Christine Mathew of York St John's University, and Graciela Zevallos Porles of the University of East Anglia, UK, included interviews with senior managers from various industries. The team found that while many organizations are taking steps towards net-zero, there are many obstacles in their way that are stymieing efforts in many instances.

The team found that businesses rely heavily on technological improvements and management changes as part of their strategy to reduce emissions. However, infrastructure limitations, a lack of government guidance, and insufficient funding are holding back the transition to a greener future. As such, targets are not being hit.

The team points out that classifying businesses according to their efforts can help identify the problems and perhaps help them in their greening efforts. For instance, most of the organizations referenced in the study were classified as 'opportunity-seeking,' meaning they view the transition to net-zero emissions as a chance to innovate and grow. By contrast, businesses in the agricultural sector were seen to be taking a 'conformance' approach. In other words, they were focused on meeting regulatory requirements rather than pursuing new opportunities through the transition. Fortunately, it seems that no businesses were actively resisting or delaying their net-zero efforts.

The bottom line seems to be that there is no off-the shelf approach to suit all types of business. In other words, the study suggests that businesses might benefit from more tailored support systems, with policies designed to address the unique needs of different industries.

Huaccho Huatuco, L., Candia, J.R., Mathew, R.C. and Zevallos Porles, G. (2025) 'Unravelling net zero practices, strategies and barriers among businesses in a UK region', Int. J. Business Performance Management, Vol. 26, No. 8, pp.1–22.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2025.144423

A study in the International Journal of Economics and Business Research has looked at the challenges facing one post-communist nation, Albania, in terms of its business start-up culture. The research investigates the role played by the country's business ecosystems but shows that while globally, start-ups are perceived as engines of economic growth, innovation, and job creation, Albania is lagging behind its European counterparts, particularly Estonia and Lithuania, in nurturing this part of its economy.

Valbona Mehmeti, Bajram Korsita, and Erisa Musabelli of the Aleksander Moisiu University of Durres in Albania, have compared the business environments of Albania, Estonia, and Lithuania, and specifically the relationship between each country's business ecosystem and the number of active start-ups. The researchers used time-series data, to rank ecosystem quality and innovation capacity, as well as the total number of active start-ups in each country. The findings reveal a strong, and perhaps not surprising, positive correlation between how conducive a country's business environment is to start-ups and the number of such active businesses.

Other post-communist nations such as Estonia and Lithuania have 1100 and 500 active startup companies per one million population. For Albania, the number is rather sobering. Albania hosts just 88 startups per million inhabitants. This enormous gap could be of great concern given the increasing importance of start-ups in driving economic growth globally. Indeed, the research suggests that this low level of startup activity is stifling economic development in Albania.

The researchers suggest that development could be nurtured by a more favourable business ecosystem, but this will take a lot of effort from government, policymakers, the extant businesses, and other stakeholder, perhaps even international partners. The point is that it is not simply about the raw data, but about the quality of start-ups. The study suggests that public institutions, the private sector, and society at large must now collaborate to create the right conditions for start-ups to flourish in Albania. Funding, supportive regulatory frameworks, and strong collaboration between universities, industry, and government are needed.

Mehmeti, V., Korsita, B. and Musabelli, E. (2025) 'Business ecosystems and development of start-ups in Albania: a correlational analysis', Int. J. Economics and Business Research, Vol. 29, No. 9, pp.1–12.
DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2025.144738

Family-run micro-enterprises in India rely on more than just business acumen for financial success, according to a study in the International Journal of Social and Humanistic Computing. Researchers have explored the key factors contributing to the success of such businesses and have found that social networks, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial ambition play important roles in driving financial performance.

S. Bharathithasan and K. Sakthi Srinivasan of VIT University in Tamil Nadu, India, looked at the interactions between these factors and found that entrepreneurs with the strongest social networks, including connections with family, friends, and their local community, were more likely to achieve financial stability. Financial stability in this context being represented by a steady income, manageable debt, and overall financial security. Such stability then allowed those business owners to make better decisions to drive their company's long-term growth.

The researchers suggest that the importance of social networks in this context cannot be overstated. In environments such as those in which many Indian micro-enterprises find themselves, resources are limited and competition is fierce. Social capital, an essentially intangible asset drawn from one's personal and business relationships, plays a vital role in allowing business owners to face the many challenges. Strong connections within the community provide entrepreneurs with access to financial resources, business advice, and emotional support. Moreover, family and community ties offer micro-business owners a distinct advantage, helping them to mitigate risks, adopt new technologies, and respond more readily to market changes.

While social networks are clearly important, the researchers also showed that financial intelligence plays an important part in the success of micro-businesses. Financial intelligence refers to the ability to manage money effectively in terms of budgeting, investing, and making informed financial decisions. That said, the study found that the importance of financial literacy was not in terms of greater long-term financial success directly but rather in working synergistically with social capital.

The team adds that entrepreneurs with obvious ambition are more likely to take calculated risks and make decisions that contribute to sustainable growth. However, it is the foundational support of family and community that sets them up to realise their ambitions.

Bharathithasan, S. and Srinivasan, K.S. (2024) 'Building your network, building your wealth', Int. J. Social and Humanistic Computing, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp.253–276.
DOI: 10.1504/IJSHC.2024.143669