Researchers have developed a method to speed up privacy-preserving computations, allowing multiple parties to jointly perform calculations on sensitive data without revealing their individual inputs—and without any third party being able to reconstruct the original data from the results. Details are reported in the International Journal of Applied Cryptography.

The team has focused on a key technical challenge in the field of cryptography. How to perform floating-point arithmetic securely and at scale. Floating-point arithmetic is used by computers to handle real numbers, whether very large or very small, using a codified version of scientific notation so that long strings of zeroes to make a number very small or very large are not needed. This latest advance has the potential to accelerate research and development in privacy-sensitive domains such as health data analysis, financial modelling, and machine learning, without compromising confidentiality.

Secure multi-party computation (MPC) and homomorphic encryption are techniques designed to address the problem. They allow computations to be carried out on encrypted or distributed data, so that no party learns anything about the inputs from the other parties beyond the final result. However, MPC systems struggle with floating-point numbers in terms of performance. They could use fixed-point numbers instead, but that would compromise the precision of the data through rounding errors.

The new research directly addresses the problem by introducing a more efficient way to perform secure floating-point addition, one of the most fundamental operations in numerical computing. The key innovation lies in a protocol that allows many additions to be carried out simultaneously, rather than one at a time. In tests, the approach is 13 times faster than state-of-the-art techniques. Moreover, it uses existing MPC frameworks. The protocol preserves the privacy of all intermediate values and requires no specialised hardware or novel cryptographic assumptions.

Veugen, T., Wezeman, R., Amadori, A., Bootsma, S. and Kamphorst, B. (2025) 'Secure addition of floating points', Int. J. Applied Cryptography, Vol. 5, No. 5, pp.1–11.
DOI: 10.1504/IJACT.2025.145709

Research in the International Journal of Economics and Business Research has looked at how workers in socially stigmatized or emotionally taxing occupations, colloquially referred to as "dirty work", cope with the psychological burden of their roles. The research also considers the factors that might help such workers stay in such careers.

Xiao Xiao and Sze-Ting Chen of the Chinese International College at Dhurakij Pundit University in Bangkok, Thailand, surveyed a thousand or so employees across a variety of industries. They identified the psychological mechanisms that connect feelings of stigma to intentions to leave a job, and importantly, what can disrupt that pattern.

The term "dirty work" refers to jobs that society often views as unpleasant, morally ambiguous, or low-status. This includes roles in sanitation, care work, adult entertainment, and other professions marked by social disapproval or discomfort. These occupations, though often essential, are frequently associated with low wages, limited upward mobility, and entrenched negative stereotypes.

The team found that employees who perceive their work as dirty are more likely to consider leaving their profession. Central to this is the concept of "learned helplessness". This is a known psychological state in which individuals, after repeated negative experiences, begin to feel powerless to change their circumstances. This feeling of futility acts as a psychological bridge between the perception of one's job as degrading and the desire to abandon it.

However, the team also found two powerful counterpoints to this effect, what they refer to as "career calling" and "job crafting". Career calling refers to an individual's deep-seated belief that their work serves a meaningful purpose or contributes to the greater good, despite the perception of it as "dirty work". Workers who see their roles in this light, such as viewing care work as vital to community wellbeing, are more resistant to the emotional toll of societal stigma and more inclined to stay.

That other factor, job crafting, refers to how employees might take steps to reshape aspects of their work environment. This might include altering the nature of their tasks, reframing their job narratives, or seeking more meaningful relationships with colleagues or clients. A hospital caretaker might come to see their role as foundational to public health, while a worker in the adult entertainment industry may emphasize their artistic expression or emotional labour. By tailoring their work experience, individuals can reduce any feelings of helplessness and strengthen their professional identity.

From an organizational standpoint, the implications of understanding the psychological costs of stigmatized work could be crucial for employee morale and retention. Employers can intervene by offering greater autonomy, encouraging task redesign, and reinforcing the social importance of such roles.

Xiao, X. and Chen, S-T. (2025) 'Unique insights: the mediating role of learned helplessness on the influence of perceived dirty work on career transition intentions, and the moderating role of job crafting and career calling', Int. J. Economics and Business Research, Vol. 29, No. 11, pp.1–30.
DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2025.145705

A newly developed framework could reshape the way scholars and professionals understand the complex processes behind human decision-making. Developed through a multidisciplinary effort and validated with data from German professionals across sectors, the RIDMS (Rational and Intuitive Decision-Making Styles) model offers a comprehensive, evidence-based structure for assessing both analytical and instinctive aspects of how people make choices. The new framework is discussed in detail in the International Journal of Economics and Business Research.

Markus A. Launer of the Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Ostfalia, Suderburg, Germany, and Fatih Çetin of the Universite Caddesi in Ankara, Turkey introduce RIDMS as having ten distinct dimensions. Together, these characteristics map out the range of rational and intuitive strategies people might use when making decisions. These dimensions are designed to be applied across disparate areas of decision-making, from healthcare and education to emergency response and organizational leadership. As such, they provide researchers and practitioners with a more nuanced, adaptable tool than has previously been available.

Intuitive decision-making has remained little studied. While individuals frequently rely on gut feelings, emotional cues, or accumulated experience, especially in high-pressure or uncertain environments, many existing models of decision-making have only vaguely defined such intuitive decision-making. RIDMS could change that by breaking down intuition into its components and recognising how each is influenced by context and experience.

Among its ten dimensions, RIDMS includes not only the typical logical-planning methods, but also less linear processes, such as the phenomenon of incubation, where decisions seem to crystallise gradually over time. It also accounts for socially distributed decision-making, in which individuals draw heavily on trusted peers or mentors. In doing so, the model recognises that decision-making is often embedded in a social context, rather than occurring in isolation.

The RIDMS model incorporates insights from a broad spectrum of disciplines, including cognitive psychology, neuroscience, management theory, and behavioural science. The team thus explains that it is empirically grounded and has been validated statistically.

Launer, M.A. and Çetin, F. (2025) 'A new instrument for the rational and intuitive decision-making styles – RIDMS', Int. J. Economics and Business Research, Vol. 29, No. 11, pp.31–51.
DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2025.145706

A review in the International Journal of Business Innovation and Research has looked at the recent literature to see how large companies can become more resilient by using digital tools and technology. The researchers found that being flexible, making decisions based on data, and involving all stakeholders are the main ways to boost resilience. They add that the use of good knowledge-sharing systems also makes a big difference, rather than simply using advanced technology.

Large companies face a paradox: while digital transformation holds enormous promise for strengthening their resilience, many, nevertheless, fail to achieve their intended outcomes. To find out why this might be, Moris Krismas Tarigan, Togar Mangihut Simatupang, and Yuni Ros Bangun of the Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, have carried out a comprehensive review of research published between 2020 and 2024. The team used the digital maturity model, the Industry 4.0 framework, and dynamic capabilities theory to help them reveal the various factors affecting organisational resilience.

Organisational resilience refers to a company's ability to anticipate, adapt to, and recover from disruptions, whether triggered by economic shocks, global pandemics, supply chain breakdowns, or rapid technological changes. Digital transformation involves a fundamental rethinking of business operations through the adoption and integration of digital technologies. Digital transformation can have powerful effects, but this review shows that the true value lies not in technical capabilities alone, but in how effectively they are embedded within an organisation's culture, strategy, and decision-making systems.

The researchers found that there are three important mechanisms through which digital transformation boosts organisational resilience in large companies. The first is a marked improvement in operational flexibility, meaning companies can adjust processes, production, and service delivery more rapidly in response to changing conditions. The second is that data-driven decision-making is improved, allowing companies to make faster, more informed, and adaptive choices during times of uncertainty. The third is that stakeholder engagement is increased, which strengthens collaboration and communication with partners, suppliers, and customers. Overall, these factors help companies respond more effectively to disruption and foster long-term adaptability.

In addition, the review also found that organisational learning has an important role. Companies that invest in knowledge management system, tools and practices that enable the capture, sharing, and application of knowledge, can enhance the positive effects of digital transformation. In other words, technological sophistication alone is not enough to build resilience, but rather an organisation needs to have the capacity to learn from experience.

Tarigan, M.K., Simatupang, T.M. and Bangun, Y.R. (2025) 'Building resilience through digital transformation: a systematic literature review and comprehensive framework for large enterprises', Int. J. Business Innovation and Research, Vol. 36, No. 5, pp.1–28.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2025.145665

Research in the International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering has implications for how advanced technology is integrated into the modern classroom. The work shows how education is moving way beyond the traditional lecture-based teaching model and touches on how the "smart" classroom environment might make use of many of the much-hyped tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, virtual reality (VR), and cloud computing to enhance student-centred, independent learning.

According to the work from Qingping Luo of Changsha Social Work College in ChangSha, China, smart classrooms might be described as technology-enhanced learning spaces designed to adapt to the individual needs of students. These environments encourage learners to explore, research, and engage with content at their own pace using digital platforms that offer interactive media, online assessments, and live collaboration tools. The flexibility offered by the smart classroom not only sits well with current educational theory but also reflects a broader shift in teaching towards active and personalized learning.

At the heart of the digital transformation of education is the integration of internet-connected equipment such as tablets and laptops into the educational milieu. This connectivity allows students to carry out real-time research, collaborate between different locations, and access learning resources that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

The research emphasizes that these changes are not merely a matter of convenience. In fact, it demonstrates measurable improvements in learning outcomes. For instance, subject-specific platforms are being developed to enhance instruction in areas such as music education, using AI-driven systems that support interactive learning. These systems not only present information but also analyse student responses through tools such as classification, keyword retrieval, and visual mapping. These are all techniques that can help reinforce comprehension and encourage critical analysis.

Importantly, the research also introduces a framework that might allow the impact on education of these new approaches to be evaluated. Indeed, controlled experiments comparing students in smart classrooms with peers receiving traditional instruction suggest that those using the technology-enhanced methods do perform better, especially where self-guided exploration and inquiry are encouraged and facilitated by the technology.

Luo, Q. (2025) 'Methodological strategies for control experiments in independent teaching and learning environment', Int. J. Computational Systems Engineering, Vol. 9, No. 7, pp.1–10.
DOI: 10.1504/IJCSYSE.2025.145623

Mobile marketing is having an increasing influence on the purchasing decisions of Generation Z in Poland, according to International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies. Gen Z, or Generation Z, is the demographic born between 1997 and 2012 and usually considered the offspring of Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1980 and themselves generally speaking the children of the Baby Boomer generation (born 1946 to 1964).

Bogdan Mróz of Warsaw School of Economics SGH and Barbara Grabiwoda of Publicis Commerce Poland in Warszawa, Poland, explain that Gen Z represents a group of young consumers whose lives are deeply integrated with digital technology. Their research, which combines an extensive review of existing literature with empirical statistical analysis, provides insights into how mobile devices are shaping the way in which this demographic interacts with brands and makes choices about what products and services on which it wishes to spend its money.

For Gen Z, typically smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices are not just tools for communication but an essential part of daily life. Those tools are essential for other generations too, but Gen Z has never known a time without them, broadly speaking.

According to the current study, more than half of this demographic actively engages with mobile marketing communications, and a large proportion has a positive attitude toward brands that connect with them through the various digital platforms and social media. Indeed, the study reveals a clear trend: the more branded content Gen Z encounters on mobile devices, the more positive is their view of the companies involved.

For Gen Z, this great affinity for mobile technology has blurred the lines between the physical and digital worlds. Unlike previous generations, mobile devices seem intrinsically wired into their lives and even identity, playing a central role not only in social interactions but also in their shopping habits. For many, mobile platforms and social media represent essential spaces for discovering new products and brands. As such, the various platforms are pivotal for marketers seeking to engage with Gen Z.

The research suggests that conventional advertising on old-school media, such as print, TV, and radio, are becoming less effective at reaching this audience and many Gen Z individuals may never see or hear anything from the traditional media. For businesses, this shift in consumer behaviour means they need to adapt to the ongoing changes if they are to survive. Companies must be proactive in rethinking their marketing strategies to cater to the preferences and expectations of Gen Z.

Mróz, B. and Grabiwoda, B. (2025) 'Generation Z: the new mobile consumers. Empirical evidence from Poland', Int. J. Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp.1–20.
DOI: 10.1504/IJEPEE.2025.145412

Research from Kuwait, published in the International Journal of Public Sector Performance Management, has looked at the financial challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) there. Economic disruption and the post-pandemic environment have increased the risk of financial default among such businesses. Kuwait is among the richest nations, but its dependence on oil exports has made its economy highly vulnerable to global shifts, and SMEs have had to bear much of the burden.

Financial default, a situation in which businesses are unable to meet their debt obligations, is a growing concern for SMEs in Kuwait. The research, based on interviews with numerous SME managers, has identified several factors that have contributed to the financial instability of these businesses. The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions to daily operations, and changes in consumer behaviour were among the most significant factors, the researchers found.

In the wake of these crises, many SMEs found it difficult to access funding from traditional sources such as banks, which typically offer loans to support business operations. This lack of access to funding has left many companies with limited resources to adapt or recover. The researchers suggest that their findings point to a need for SMEs to adopt better financial management practices in order to mitigate the risk of default in future crises. SMEs in Kuwait, the research suggests, need to place greater emphasis on sound financial practices like budgeting, cost management, and cash flow forecasting. They say that by improving these areas, businesses may be better equipped to handle unexpected challenges.

Additionally, there is a need for businesses to explore alternative funding methods such as crowdfunding and angel investments rather than relying on bank loans. Of course, those approaches may not be appropriate for every kind of SME.

These findings also point to a need for increased government support and regulatory reform. The research suggests that greater transparency, regulatory simplification, and stronger public-private partnerships could help create a more stable financial environment for SMEs in Kuwait.

Alhaimer, R., Alshami, A., Alkhaldi, A., Alsadeeqi, A., Aloumi, D. and Malik, S. (2025) 'Evaluating public policy interventions in mitigating financial default risk among SMEs', Int. J. Public Sector Performance Management, Vol. 15, No. 5, pp.1-18.
DOI: 10.1504/IJPSPM.2025.145590

Research in the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business has identified the ingredients that lead to financial success among women-owned small-scale culinary businesses in Riau, Indonesia. The research used a combination of theoretical frameworks to shed light on how women entrepreneurs in this sector can overcome significant challenges to achieve greater financial stability and growth.

Okta Karneli, Harlen, and Yusni Maulida of the Universitas Riau, and Muammar Revnu Ohara of the Universitas Lancang Kuning, also in Riau, and Pratiwi Dwi Suhartanti of the Institut Bisnis dan Teknologi Kalimantan in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, explain that women are playing an increasingly important role in Indonesia's local economy. Understanding the recipe for their success is important to understanding the sector and how others might grow their businesses within it.

Women entrepreneurs in Indonesia's culinary sector face various many barriers, such as limited access to financial resources, insufficient education in financial management skills, and difficulties scaling operations. The researchers surveyed 355 women running business in the sector in Riau to understand how entrepreneurial orientation, adaptive capacity, and social networks might improve the bottom line for such businesses.

One of the key findings of the study is the strong link between entrepreneurial orientation and financial success. Innovative women willing to take risks and working proactivity within the sector proved to the be most successful, as one might expect. The entrepreneurs displaying these characteristics were better positioned to seize new opportunities, expand their market reach, and improve financial performance. The finding suggests that cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset is important to success for business operating in this dynamic sector.

The research also revealed that adaptive capacity is important. Businesses that could adjust to changing market conditions were generally more successful and could sustain long-term profitability. In the face of changing consumer tastes and economic uncertainties, being adaptable is critical to success. Finally, the team found that social networks – connections with suppliers, customers, and other entrepreneurs – helps provide the underlying support, resources, and information need to help businesses thrive.

Karneli, O., Harlen, Maulida, Y., Ohara, M.R. and Suhartanti, P.D. (2025) 'Women entrepreneurs in Indonesia's culinary sector: a study on entrepreneurial orientation and financial capability', Int. J. Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 55, No. 5, pp.1–28.
DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2025.145581

In Lisbon's busy streets, tuk tuk companies have been slow to adapt to the digital age. Many rely on what researchers consider outdated and error-prone manual processes for managing their fleets of tourist transport vehicles. Research in the International Journal of Business Information Systems could help them navigate their way to a more efficient and effective future.

Eduarda Perdigão and Bráulio Alturas of the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, in Lisbon, Portugal, have focused on how a tailored information system that could transform the daily management of companies such as Citytuk, one of the popular guided tour services in Lisbon.

Previously, tuk tuk companies relied on drivers to fill out daily service sheets by hand. This data was then transcribed manually into a central system by managers. Such an approach is inherently slow and prone to mistakes. For a growing business in the competitive tourism sector, such inefficiencies are not sustainable, the team suggests. The researchers have now identified an opportunity to enhance productivity and improve decision-making by replacing the manual process with a more streamlined, automated system.

The result of this research is Tuksy, a new application designed to simplify and modernize tuk tuk operations. Tuksy consists of two components: a mobile app for drivers to input service data directly, and a desktop app for managers to track and analyse that data in real-time. This digital solution eliminates the need for paper records, so reduces errors and frees up valuable time for both drivers and managers.

The system represents more than just a solution for one company's operational challenges, it represents a model for how other small businesses in the tourism sector might embrace technology and boost their efficiency.

Perdigão, E. and Alturas, B. (2025) 'Developing an app proposal for tuk tuk service management', Int. J. Business Information Systems, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp.433–451.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2025.145549

Virtual reality (VR) has steadily become a key tool in sports training, offering immersive environments that simulate real-world physical exercises. However, its application in aerobics training has faced significant challenges, particularly in accurately capturing and recognizing complex body movements. A study in the International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering has overcome some of these barriers obstacles by improving the precision of motion capture and the recognition of different actions during aerobics exercises.

Conventional VR motion capture systems rely on algorithms that align 3D representations of physical objects, so-called point cloud data, to track body movements. However, these systems often struggle with two critical issues: noise and incomplete data. Noise refers to unwanted interference that can distort the data collected by sensors, while incomplete data arises when certain body movements are not fully captured. In aerobics, where precision in movement is key to safe and effective exercising, these issues compromise the effectiveness of VR-based training systems.

Hui Wang of the School of Physical Education at Yan'an University in Yan'an, China, has addressed these challenges by developing two new models. The first focuses on enhancing the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm, which is used to align point cloud data. ICP is a well-established method, but it is prone to inefficiencies, particularly when faced with noisy or incomplete data. By optimizing the algorithm, Wang has improved accuracy and speed of capture.

The second model focuses on refining action recognition. A neural network is used to analyse the complex relationships between body joints over time by tracking the interactions between different body parts. Wang improved the neural network used by incorporating a perturbation mechanism to deal with noise, which further improved its ability to capture subtle movements and interdependencies between non-adjacent joints during aerobics.

Accuracy up to 99 percent was achieved, indicating a remarkable ability to recognize and classify aerobics movements with minimal error. Moreover, the experimental group using these advanced models outperformed the control group in various performance metrics, particularly in terms of the standardization of movements, the work explains. This enhanced motion recognition technology could significantly improve both the learning experience for students and the ability of instructors to offer targeted feedback, leading to more efficient and personalized training in aerobics.

Wang, H. (2025) 'The application of VR-based fine motion capture algorithm in college aerobics training', Int. J. Computational Systems Engineering, Vol. 9, No. 6, pp.1–10.
DOI: 10.1504/IJCSYSE.2025.145446