The COVID-19 pandemic left few facets of life untouched tragically in so many cases. It also had a major impact on economics and shopping habits in particular. While e-commerce emerged at a time when the children of the Baby Boomer generation, Gen X, were first logging on, before the Millennials ever had a bank card and before Gen Z was even born, perhaps even before silver surfers were to be minted, it became the domain of the younger tech-savvy users. See footnote for generational definitions.

As the pandemic hit, Gen X and the Baby Boomers, many of whom had opted out after the dot-com bubble burst, found themselves opting back in out of necessity especially as online pharmaceutical platforms became de rigueur for dealing with the aches and ailments of the ageing internet players.

A study in the International Journal of Business Information Systems has looked closely at specific elements that inspire trust among older consumers, especially when purchasing medicines online. After all, this is an area of e-commerce fraught with safety concerns. Trust in this sector is more than just a buzzword. It does not matter so much if the latest gadget or fashion accessory does not live up to expectations, but when your life-saving pills and potions fall short…well, it could be game over.

It has to be emphasised that for consumers who spent decades relying on face-to-face interactions at local pharmacies, for many making the digital leap to online transactions requires overcoming a lifetime of ingrained habits. The researchers conducted a detailed analysis of survey data from 314 respondents. They used structural equation modelling, a sophisticated statistical method, to identify relationships between variables emerging from the survey answers.

The team has found that three factors are associated with reliably building trust among older e-commerce users: brand image, monetary value, and offline presence.

Brand image emerges as a powerful influence. A vendor with a strong, positive reputation can reassure wary customers by reducing perceived risks, a critical concern for individuals used to assessing products in person. Whether through word-of-mouth, advertising, or long-standing credibility, a trusted brand becomes a dead cert, if you'll pardon the allusion.

Equally important, the team found, was value for money. Competitive pricing and well-crafted discounts are not mere enticements. For older consumers, often living on fixed incomes, such financial incentives can make online shopping more appealing and more accessible.

Finally, the existence of a physical shop, somewhere in town or a not-too-distant location, offers additional reassurance. An offline location tethers the online operation to the real world. This makes it tangible and legitimate, almost suggesting that if one really had to, one could drive to the shop and discuss any concerns face to face with the manager. Ultimately, this notion bridges any gap in the trust might one have in a virtual as opposed to a physical shop.

What began as a necessary adjustment during the pandemic, is evolving into a permanent shift, with many older shoppers who may well not have had a prior digital life, proving that it can be, for them just as with any Gen Z, all about the clicks.

Maddodi, B., Shetty, D.K., Tatkar, N.S., Parthasarathy, K., Shridutt, B., Prasad, S.K., Pavithra, S., Naik, N., Mahdaviamiri, D. and Patil, V. (2025) 'Factors influencing online purchase decisions of pharmaceutical products by baby boomers: mediating effect of consumer behaviour and attitude on trust development', Int. J. Business Information Systems, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp.118–135.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2025.144077

The term artificial intelligence (AI) has perhaps been much misused, not least in hyperbolic reports in the media of its potential to destroy the creative industries and to wreak havoc on the job market. However, AI encompasses so many disparate tools not just the generative software that magics up images, music, video, and text from user prompts but also the analytical tools that can spot latent patterns in data whether that's financial reports or medical scans.

Despite the hyperbole, it can be said that AI and related tools are changing the way many processes across industries and academia are carried out. Sometimes the transformation is certainly for the better when the AI tools can detect patterns that would normally be missed by human or even conventional software analysis. Research in the International Journal of Behavioural Accounting and Finance has looked at how AI might benefit corporate operations in terms of financial reporting, decision-making, and stakeholder engagement.

Adel Almasarwah of Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, Assyad Al-Wreikat of Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland, USA, Yahya Marei of Seneca College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Nizar Alsharari of Jackson State University in Jackson, Missouri, USA, point out that conventional labour-intensive tasks can be automated using machine-learning tools, neural networks, algorithms. These could allow businesses to handle data, make decisions, and communicate transparency more readily than previously.

The shift reflects the ability of AI tools to process enormous quantities of data quickly and accurately. Given that financial reporting is usually an arduous task prone to human error, the refinements offered by AI's capacity to identify trends and anomalies could ensure greater accuracy in corporate disclosures. This should allow companies to meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and the expectations of investors and other stakeholders more effectively.

Accurate and timely financial reporting, supported by AI, has the potential to foster trust among stakeholders and strengthen corporate governance practices. For investors, in particular, the ability to rely on clear, data-driven insights should enhance confidence in a company's management and operations.

Almasarwah, A., Al-Wreikat, A., Marei, Y. and Alsharari, N. (2024) 'AI's influence on corporate transparency and financial performance: a new era', Int. J. Behavioural Accounting and Finance, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp.233-253.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBAF.2024.143833

A study in the International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation looks at a little-researched factor in pig farming: the libido of boars and the impact this has on sow fertility. Tshepo Teele of the Center of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the University of South Africa, has looked at indigenous pig breeds in South Africa and identified the sex drive of the boar as having a big impact on litter size. Obviously, litter size has a big effect on the efficiency and sustainability of pig-farming operations.

Teele points out that Southern African indigenous pig breeds have not generally undergone the same genetic selection processes as other more widely held porcine stock. As such, they have unique reproductive characteristics. Moreover, they are commonly adaptable and have resistance to troublesome diseases. Given that pork is a significant source of relatively low-cost protein, these breeds could have an even more important role to play in the market for pork. However, attention needs to be paid to their reproductive capacity and breeding.

Efficient breeding systems are important for meeting demand, keeping costs down, and ensuring breeders and farmers make a sustainable living from their livestock. Teele explains that conventional breeding programmes tend to focus on growth rate and carcass quality, reproductive factors, particularly boar libido, deserve closer attention for facile ways to improve yields.

Porcine libido can be measured in terms of reaction time (the interval from mounting to ejaculation). It can have a direct impact on sow fertility, not least because boars with a higher libido can through their behaviour and pheromone release stimulate earlier maturity in gilts, young female pigs, and trigger the development of larger litters.

The work argues for the inclusion of libido-focused estimated breeding values as a statistical tool for predicting genetic potential in breeding strategies. By doing so, farmers can build on the natural strengths of their pigs to improve yields.

Reproductive traits in pigs are inherited at quite a low rate. However, dietary supplements such as zinc and selenium are known to boost testosterone levels, which may improve boar libido. Given the correlation between boar libido and sow fertility, there are obvious practical interventions that could complement any breeding efforts to boost reproductive outcomes.

Teele, T. (2024) 'Analysis of the reproduction components trait litter size in sows and interaction with boar libido in indigenous pigs', Int. J. Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp.217–226.
DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2024.143902

The Tobacco Cutworm, or Cotton Cutworm, is a moth species native to Asia, it is considered a serious agricultural pest. The larvae of Spodoptera litura, to give the species its scientific binomial, are responsible for significant damage to economically vital crops such as vegetables, grains, and cotton, particularly. It can adapt easily to different environments and has developed resistance to conventional pesticides. These and other factors have made it a persistent and costly problem for farmers worldwide.

Research in the International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation introduces a new system based on the Internet of Things (IoT) that might be able to address this agricultural threat by improving monitoring and allowing more targeted response to the species.

Jheng-Hong Hu, Ming-Yao Chiang, Jenn-Kuo Tsai, and Chiling Chen of the Ministry of Agriculture in Taichung City and Chau-Chin Lin of the Society of Subtropical Ecology in Taipei City, have suggested that by using an IoT system that brings together infrared automatic counting devices, low-power LoRa (Long Range) wireless data transmission and mobile platforms, it should be possible to monitor Tobacco Cutworm infestations in real time. Such an automated approach would provide timely alerts, allowing farmers to act quickly and prevent widespread crop damage.

The team has conducted field trials in partnership with the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute and local farmers and demonstrated the system's effectiveness when compared with manual monitoring as well as its adaptability for practical use. Fundamentally, the approach allows for a more timely response that avoids the use of blanket pesticide spraying and uses more focused treatment with effective materials. It will be effective in a wide range of agricultural settings, from small farms to large commercial enterprises.

Hu, J-H., Chiang, M-Y., Tsai, J-K., Lin, C-C. and Chen, C. (2024) 'Internet of things technology applied in monitoring and warning of Spodoptera litura Fabricius (tobacco cutworm) occurrences', Int. J. Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp.257–272.
DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2024.143907

The Anthropocene is a relatively recent term, coined to define the epoch in which human activity is increasingly dictating environmental and biological change on earth as previous periods driven by natural occurrences did in pre-history; during the Pleistocene, for instance. Technically, the current epoch is the Holocene, but human activity has altered the world so significantly, that, with our usual species-centric perspective, we have shunned hubris and given the current epoch this new name in a fit of unaccustomed self-awareness.

Writing in the Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, Miti Mallick of Bankura University in Purandarpur, West Bengal, India, discusses how the concept of the Anthropocene plays out across the economic landscape too. While the Anthropocene has brought major improvements in living conditions for the wealthier nations, it is becoming ever clearer that the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation will demand more drastic measures from these same nations in terms of sustaining their own living standards and improving those of the majority that live in poverty.

At the heart of any such discourse is the concept of capitalism. This is the dominant global economic force that organizes production, labour, and the distribution of wealth. Capitalism is driven by the principles of private ownership and the pursuit of profit. It has been instrumental in driving what we consider economic growth but has also contributed to social inequality, environmental destruction, and a growing sense of disconnection between the economy and the planet's ecological limits.

Capitalism functions in liberal market economies, which emphasize decentralized markets, as well as in state-coordinated models, where government plays a more prominent role.

The consequences of capitalism have become increasingly difficult to ignore as historically the maximization of profits has been at the long-term cost of environmental and social considerations, the research argues. The rise of oligarchic capitalism, which benefits a select few and see multibillionaires in powerful positions within society, and the focus on technological innovation, have further worsened the social and environmental toll.

In the context of the Anthropocene, this economic model is coming under increasing scrutiny. It seems that capitalism as we know it may be at a pivot point. Given that scholars, activists, and policymakers are beginning to challenge the assumption that economic growth and ecological sustainability are inherently incompatible, there is a need for a new capitalism. One that redefines value in terms that extend beyond profit margins. This reimagined model of capitalism might centre on the well-being of individuals, communities, and the environment. Investments would no longer solely be evaluated on their financial returns but also on their potential to reduce inequality and promote sustainable development.

This putatively idyllic world may not be to everyone's taste especially some of those multibillionaires. While entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers are increasingly being called to task, there is not necessarily the political will nor the motivation for egocentric oligarchs to imagine such a world. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

Mallick, M. (2025) 'How capitalism could be the new market in the Anthropocene era: a review', Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp.1–15.
DOI: 10.1504/IER.2025.143620

Research in the International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics could lead to faster and more accurate robots for high-precision tasks in factories.

Delta robots are parallel computer-controlled machines that have a fixed base and a set of three arms connected to a platform. They are typically used for pick-and-place applications in industries like packaging, assembly, electronics fabrication, pharmaceutical production, and food processing. They can work very quickly, making precise movements for even delicate tasks. Unlike serial robots, the parallel kinematics of delta robots means arms and actuators work together to move the platform.

Riyadh A. Sarhan, Zaid H. Rashid, and Mohammed S. Hassan of the Technical University in Babylon, Iraq, are working to make delta robots even more reliable and have developed a novel control system that boosts their ability to make swift, precise movements. In their paper, they integrate fuzzy logic with an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). This hybrid technology combines the best aspects of artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic to manage the complex kinematics, the mathematical description of the robot's movements, in order to improve performance significantly.

The improvement in control of precision delta robots should allow manufacturers to increase speed, quality, and overall efficiency on their production lines. Moreover, there is the potential in this hybrid control approach to allow delta robots to be more responsive to and to compensate for changes in their environment.

As industries continue to look for ways to improve automation, the research offers step towards faster, more accurate robotic systems.

Sarhan, R.A., Rashid, Z.H. and Hassan, M.S. (2025) 'Motion control of 3-DoF delta robot using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system', Int. J. Computational Vision and Robotics, Vol. 15, No. 7, pp.1–16.
DOI: 10.1504/IJCVR.2025.143990

Digital therapeutics allow healthcare workers and patients use software is in the management and treatment of disease. The idea spans various healthcare areas, including mental health, chronic disease management, neurological disorders, addiction treatment, and rehabilitation.

Software-based interventions often offer personalized therapies through apps or digital platforms, using techniques like cognitive behavioural therapy, symptom tracking, and virtual exercises to help manage conditions such as mental health problems, diabetes, substance use, and recovery from physical injuries.

Research in the International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, suggests that digital therapeutics have changed the healthcare landscape Of course, the rapid commercialisation of these products has continued apace but equally important is the challenge of the internationalisation of such systems allowing them to be expanded into foreign markets. Amy Lee and Grigorij Ljubownikow of The University of Auckland, New Zealand, have highlighted how these processes commercialisation and internationalisation, traditionally seen as separate, are deeply interconnected for companies that start out as born-digital enterprises.

These companies all operate in highly regulated environments. What sets them apart from conventional healthcare companies is their use of wholly digital solutions. The shift from conventional to digital was happening steadily up to around 2020 but was accelerated enormously by the pandemic and the urgent need for remote, or virtual, care.

The researchers point out that while traditional companies might commercialise their product domestically first and then branch out internationally, digital therapeutics firms have had to rethink this linear path because in the digital world global is essentially just as immediate and local a market as the domestic one. The research reveals that for these companies, international expansion is not a separate concern to be tackled later, but has to be a key factor in the broader strategy from the outset.

The research emphasises how collaboration, networking, and continuous learning within these companies can help them address the additional challenges of regulatory and reimbursement hurdles across international markets. While global may be perceived as the new local, there are still enormous differences in the socio-political and economic environments between countries. Navigating the diverse institutional and international frameworks requires not only innovation in product development but also flexibility in business models. Lee and Ljubownikow's findings thus offer insights into how firms can refine their strategies for global growth.

Lee, A. and Ljubownikow, G. (2024) 'The road to commercialisation: expanding digital therapeutics across international markets', Int. J. Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, Vol. 21, No. 5, pp.1–25.
DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2024.143991

Research in the International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering has developed a new approach to addressing ideological polarisation on social media. The problem of users generally encountering only like-minded perspectives and so reinforcing their own beliefs even in the face of conflicting evidence is highly divisive.

The phenomenon, known as the "echo chamber" effect or referred to as "filter bubbles", arises in part because the algorithms driving the position of content in one's social media apps. This, in turn, is driven largely by the need to keep users active and engaged on a particular platform. Too many contrary updates might drive users away, and that will ultimately reflect negatively on the advertising and other revenue streams for the companies that operate the platforms. By contrast, an echo chamber effect that reinforces their viewpoints will, for many people, be more attractive than one that doesn't.

Zaka Ul Mustafa and Muhammad Amir of the International Islamic University Islamabad, Manal Mustafa of Zaman Technologies Pvt Limited, Pakistan, and Muhammad Adnan Anwar of Ulisboa, Portugal, suggest that the social media platforms could benefit from the use of genetic algorithms (GAs). Such computational techniques inspired by the principles of evolutionary natural selection could reduce polarisation and the echo chamber effect but still respect the organic nature of online interactions, and so keep users engaged without being so divisive.

The team explains that current strategies to counter polarisation often involve connecting disparate groups (edge addition) or altering expressed views (opinion flipping). These methods are not only static, but also raise ethical concerns about the platforms interfering with user autonomy. A GA-based approach instead identifies influential nodes in the online social network and only subtly adjusts their highlighted connections to reduce polarisation. The critical contribution of the work lies in identifying network elements that disproportionately contribute to ideological divides, and then encouraging more diversity of interaction with minimal disruption to the organic nature of social media.

The team has tested their approach on real-world datasets that focus on polarised US political discourse. The datasets have communities clustered around distinct ideological groups, and so can provide a useful test for how well the method precludes polarisation and division. The results showed that the GA approach could foster connections between disparate groups, and this led to a measurable decrease in polarisation without fundamentally altering the network's overall structure.

Ul Mustafa, Z., Amir, M., Mustafa, M. and Anwar, M.A. (2025) 'Harmony amidst division: leveraging genetic algorithms to counteract polarisation in online platforms', Int. J. Computational Science and Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 7, pp.1–17.
DOI: 10.1504/IJCSE.2025.143956

As international trade and global security become more reliant on marine resources, the demand for advanced maritime surveillance and port management has never been greater. One of the big challenges in this area is the detection of ships in complex environments, a task that has traditionally relied on manual techniques. These methods, while functional, are often inadequate in dynamic, cluttered marine conditions, where varying sea states, weather patterns, and ship sizes can easily confound detection efforts.

Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has introduced a new approach to ship target detection. The research combines several cutting-edge deep learning techniques, "You Only Look Once" version 4 (YOLOv4), the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM), and the transformer mechanism. The team of Weiping Zhou, Shuai Huang, and Qinjun Luo of Jiangxi Polytechnic University in JiuJiang, and Lisha Yu of Shanghai Cric information Technology Co. Ltd. In Shanghai, China, have combined these into a single algorithmic program that is both accurate and reliable in the identification of vessels in challenging conditions.

Modern, fast deep-learning models such as YOLOv4 out-class traditional methods by cutting out the multiple steps needed to process an image. YOLOv4 can scan and classify objects in a single pass, making it ideal for real-time surveillance over large expanses.

CBAM is a feature-enhancing technique that works by focusing the model's attention on the most important elements within a given image. This allows the hybrid system to identify ships even if they are surrounded by other vessels, docks, flotsam, and even rough seas. Conventional techniques often failed in distinguishing vessel from background in such images. The transformer mechanism is a powerful system that further improves the capacity of the model to process features at different levels, ensuring that important detail are not missed.

The team explains that this combined effort allows their system to outperform earlier models, particularly in the detection of smaller vessels and ships in complex maritime environments. They tested the approach on the Ship Sea Detection Dataset (SSDD), which includes remote sensing images of various marine conditions. Their results demonstrated superior speed and precision, especially when identifying minor or obscured targets. Given the critical importance of timely and accurate detection in maritime security, the implications of this improvement are significant.

Zhou, W., Huang, S., Luo, Q. and Yu, L. (2024) 'Research on a ship target detection method in remote sensing images at sea', Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 25, No. 12, pp.29–45.
DOI: 10.1504/IJICT.2024.143631

Architects and industrial designers play an important part in what we might term the circular economy (CE). This is a sustainability framework that aims to minimize waste by reusing and regenerating resources. Research in the Journal of Design Research has surveyed practitioners in The Netherlands and Sweden to see whether there is growing enthusiasm for circular design strategies and what significant challenges remain to be overcome.

Giliam Dokter, Jonathan Edgardo Cohen, Sofie Hagejärd, Oskar Rexfelt, and Liane Thuvander of Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, surveyed 114 professionals. They found that almost two-thirds of them engaged with CE-related projects, while a similar proportion reported that there were shifts within their organizations to support such initiatives.

The team reports that techniques such as "design for disassembly", the crafting products or buildings for easy dismantling and reuse, are all part of this move towards greater sustainability. They point out that circular business models, emphasize regeneration over consumption and the associated principles are commonly applied in CE-focused projects undertaken by the survey participants.

It was found that architects tend to prioritize material reuse at the building level, while industrial designers have more of a focus on making it possible to disassemble products. Both groups are advancing creative solutions that reflect the principles of CE, however, even if their approaches are different and the substantial barriers they face are apparent.

The survey revealed that a lack of reliable knowledge about materials and the tools needed to evaluate environmental and economic impacts during design is one of the biggest barriers to adopting the principles of the CE in both architecture and industrial design. The research points out that choosing sustainable materials requires precise data about the lifecycle of these materials and their potential reuse. However, such information is often scarce or fragmented.

In addition to this dearth of relevant information there are also factors such as regulatory and market challenges that are beyond the immediate control of those working to CE principles and such barriers might hamper their efforts towards sustainability regardless of their efforts and focus.

Dokter, G., Cohen, J.E., Hagejärd, S., Rexfelt, O. and Thuvander, L. (2024) 'Mapping the practice of circular design: a survey study with industrial designers and architects in the Netherlands and Sweden', J. Design Research, Vol. 21, Nos. 3/4, pp.177–209.
DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2024.143685