Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has examined the relationship between local government debt and economic growth. Lian Pan of Hunan International Economics University in Hunan, China, used the Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model to analyse data in combination with a federated learning data enhancement algorithm. Pan could thus explore how different economic structures influence the effects of borrowing. The findings suggest that while local government debt can support growth, its impact depends on the structure of the local economy. This raises important questions for policymakers.

One of the findings from the research is that industrial composition can shape the outcomes of government borrowing. In areas with well-established industries, debt-financed investment can contribute to economic expansion. However, in less diversified economies, the benefits are less obvious. Indeed, debt may place additional strain on financial resources. The research indicates that simply managing the level of debt is not enough, it is equally as important to define clearly the allocation of borrowed funds.

The findings come at a time when many local governments are facing increasing financial pressures. Economic shifts, rising borrowing costs, and "changing revenue structures" have made fiscal planning even more complex than it was ever before. Some authorities, facing shortfalls, turn to less sustainable sources of revenue, such as land sales or off-budget financing. The study highlights the risks associated with such approaches and stresses the need for greater transparency and more structured debt management practices.

It is worth noting, that the use of federated learning, a machine learning method, has allowed for more precise analysis while maintaining data privacy. By integrating this approach with the PSTR model, Pan's work has enhanced our ability to assess financial relationships without exposing sensitive information. The method could be further refined through vertical federated learning. This would account for variations in the data distribution across different regions. Addressing these differences could improve the accuracy of economic models and their application to policymaking.

Pan, L. (2024) 'Correlation analysis between local government debt and economic growth combined with PSTR model', Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 25, No. 9, pp.22–42.
DOI: 10.1504/IJICT.2024.143319

Facial emotion recognition could have broad applications across healthcare, education, marketing, transportation, and entertainment. It might be used to help monitor patients remotely or in over-stretched hospitals or emergency response settings, or patients unable to communicate well for any number of reasons. It could be used to personalize learning, allowing a computerised training system to respond more appropriately to the user. Similarly, such a system could improve customer service and might even be used to create immersive entertainment experiences.

Computer systems that can identify emotions from our facial expressions are in development, but still face man challenges. The earliest systems relied on a single method, such as mapping a person's face and matching it to a database of annotated expressions. Some approaches based on this simplified method are more accurate than others, but none yet captures all the nuance of human emotion as it is expressed in our faces.

Research in the International Journal of Biometrics introduces a new approach based on machine learning that could address this problem and make an emotion detector viable for a wide range of applications. The biggest issue that is addressed by the new work is that it can extract a complex emotion from real-world situations where environmental factors, incomplete data, or complex emotions might affect the accuracy of the results. However, the new approach brings together facial expression recognition and uses the person's speech and tone of voice or even what they might be writing to give a more accurate result.

In their experiments, researchers Jian Xie and Dan Chu of Fuyang Normal University in Anhui, China, achieved a recognition accuracy of 98.6% with their approach. The system was particularly adept at identifying happiness or a neutral emotional state when compared with earlier systems. The system could not cope quite as well with the identification of disgust and surprise, however.

Xie, J. and Chu, D. (2025) 'Character emotion recognition algorithm in small sample video based on multimodal feature fusion', Int. J. Biometrics, Vol. 17, Nos. 1/2, pp.1–14.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBM.2025.143720

In an evolving job market shaped by technological disruption and changing industry demands, there is a pressing demands to ensure that higher education aligns with workforce needs. Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology introduces a predictive model designed to address this issue. It offers an adaptable approach to talent demand forecasting and job matching. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with structured data analysis, the work of Xiaoli Mei of Jiangxi University of Technology in Jiangxi, China, offers an approach that could help educators, employers, and policymakers respond to labour market trends.

Mei's work builds a knowledge graph, a structured representation of information, to organize and integrate vast amounts of data from online recruitment platforms. The new approach uses graph neural networks to spot relationships between various factors in the job market. This should improve understanding of the relationships between job requirements, candidate qualifications, and industry trends. This new model can process complex employment patterns with greater precision than earlier manual methods. Those earlier methods were limited to relying on rigid keyword-based systems that might overlook the broader context of job descriptions and skill requirements.

The new model is armed with high fault tolerance, which means it is effective even when dealing with incomplete or inconsistent data. This will be invaluable in real-world applications, where missing or ambiguous information is common. By maintaining strong performance despite data gaps, the system offers a more reliable tool for workforce planning, recruitment, and career guidance.

Ultimately, the research could help close the gap between higher education supply and employment demand. There is thus the potential to train undergraduates, particularly on more vocational courses, who might then be better prepared for industry roles. Policymakers will benefit from the research, as it will allow them to spot emerging skill demands and workforce trends, governments might then develop targeted labour market policies to address shortages in specific sectors. Additionally, jobseekers themselves might gain from more intelligent job recommendations, which will hopefully lead to better employment outcomes and reduced mismatches between their qualifications and the available jobs.

Mei, X. (2024) 'Prediction of talent demand and job matching based on knowledge graph and attention mechanisms', Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 25, No. 9, pp.76–87.
DOI: 10.1504/IJICT.2024.143327

A study in the International Journal of Business Performance Management has looked closely at how digital marketing strategies have influenced business performance in Laos, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The research focuses on tools such as online advertising, social media marketing, content marketing, and mobile marketing.

Viengsavang Thipphavong and Xayphone Kongmanila of the National University of Laos in Vientiane, Laos, used a structural equation model (Smart PLS4) to analyse their data and found that online advertising has a clear impact on both financial and operational performance. Social media marketing, on the other hand, had an broader influence as it positively affects financial performance, operational efficiency, and a company's IT capabilities.

The study showed that content marketing was linked primarily to improvements in the companies' IT infrastructure, while mobile marketing, while beneficial to operational and IT performance, did not directly impact financial outcomes. This has implications for smaller companies that might do better to not invest too heavily in the kind of digital tools that will not help them generate greater profits.

The researchers suggest that businesses in Laos, SMEs in particular, should focus on using online advertising and digital marketing tools to improve their financial and operational performance. They add that government might play a role too by improving digital infrastructure, supporting online marketing education, and encouraging the growth of e-commerce. Such steps would, the team suggests, create a more favourable environment for businesses to adopt digital marketing strategies and enhance their overall performance.

As digital tools become more accessible, companies in emerging markets such as Laos are increasingly able to reach wider audiences and streamline operations without incurring significant marketing costs. For Laos, where internet penetration and digital adoption are yet to mature, this presents a clear opportunity. As more people access the mobile internet, businesses have the potential to expand their customer base and improve operational efficiency with relatively modest investment.

Thipphavong, V. and Kongmanila, X. (2025) 'The impact of digital marketing on the business performance of firms In Laos', Int. J. Business Performance Management, Vol. 26, No. 7, pp.1–22.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2025.144089

An examination of Vietnam's financial sector for the period 1990 to 2022 provides empirical evidence of the relationship between banking development, trade openness, inflation, and economic growth. The findings, published in the International Journal of Economics and Business Research, suggest that a well-functioning banking system plays an important role in supporting economic activity. They also highlight some of the challenges facing developing nations associated with financial sector expansion in a globalized economy.

Thao Huong Phan and Thao Viet Tran of Thuongmai University and Trang Mai Tran of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, in Ha Noi, Vietnam, discuss how Vietnam's banking sector remains the dominant channel for capital allocation, given the relatively underdeveloped nature of its financial markets. Banks provide credit to businesses and individuals, facilitating investment and economic activity. Their research found a positive relationship between banking sector growth and economic expansion, both in the short and long term.

Trade openness, defined as the extent to which an economy engages in international trade, has previously been linked to economic growth. By participating in global markets, businesses gain access to new customers, technologies, and competitive pressures that can improve their overall productivity and their bottom line.

Of course, this kind of international exposure also comes with risks, particularly if domestic financial institutions are not well-equipped to manage the inevitable external shocks. The researchers suggest that Vietnam's banking sector needs to strengthen its ability to address such problems through improved risk management and regulatory oversight.

Inflation, another key factor in economic stability, also plays a role in financial sector performance. While moderate inflation can signal a growing economy, excessive inflation undermines purchasing power and creates uncertainty for investors. The study suggests that sound monetary policy, including responsible credit expansion and liquidity management, will also be important in ensuring financial stability.

As Vietnam continues to integrate into the global economy, its financial sector will need to adapt to new demands. Strengthening banking regulations, enhancing risk management practices, and ensuring adequate liquidity controls will be important in maintaining financial stability, the work suggests.

Phan, T.H., Tran, T.V. and Tran, T.M. (2025) 'Banking development contributes to economic growth and inflation control in Vietnam', Int. J. Economics and Business Research, Vol. 29, No. 7, pp.1-16.
DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2025.144102

Research in the International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management has looked at digital transformation in the German and Japanese automotive industries. The study highlights key differences in how companies in each country have adopted digital technology.

Martin Schröder of Ritsumeikan University in Osaka, Takefumi Mokudai of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, and Hajo Holst of the University of Osnabrück, Germany, explain how digital transformation in the automotive industry is an ongoing process. It is encompassing a range of technological developments, including automation, smart manufacturing, mobility-as-a-service (MaaS), and the broader shift towards new business models.

One might talk of "Industry 4.0" as being the state-of-the-art where the emphasis is on automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It is this that has been particularly influential in shaping how companies innovate and adapt and how they make the most of new opportunities.

The researchers found some notable distinctions between German and Japanese companies and their approach digitalization. German companies tend to adopt top-down, systematic approaches, implementing digital technologies across entire production lines. This, the team explains, is done in order to optimize manufacturing processes. In contrast, Japanese firms take a bottom-up approach, integrating digital tools incrementally into existing systems. This, the research suggests has led to "island solutions," or individual digital enhancements that are not necessarily integrated fully.

Nevertheless, firms in Germany and Japan are both evolving. Japanese firms are adopting more comprehensive and systematic digitalization models. While their German counterparts are increasingly focusing more on operational flexibility, reducing downtime, and improving product quality, rather than simply pursuing extensive automation. The changes reflect a broader shift in the automotive sector, as companies in both countries adapt to the challenges posed by digital technologies, the transition to electric vehicles, for instance.

Schröder, M., Mokudai, T. and Holst, H. (2024) 'Industry 4.0 and lean augmentation? Digital transformation in the German and Japanese automotive industry', Int. J. Automotive Technology and Management, Vol. 24, No. 6, pp.1–27.
DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2024.144148

A lot has been said about the tragic, and ongoing outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. There has also been much discussion about the economic impact and how the pandemic led to a dramatic shift in work culture for many people. Remote working and working-from-home, while having been part of many people's day-to-day routines for decades, emerged more obviously for others from the emergency measures such as lockdowns and quarantines.

Research in the International Journal of Business Performance Management discusses how what began as a response to health and safety concerns for many people has since become the norm and an essential component of modern work structures for many organisations. Simanchala Das, Sanam Jaswanth, Nethi Sandhya, Ponnada Satya Sumanth, and Pattem Gayathri of the KL Business School at the Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation in Andhra Pradesh, India, point out that while remote work and working-from-home offer many advantages for lots of workers they also present challenges that organisations must address to maintain both productivity and employee well-being.

For many workers, the benefits of working-from-home are obvious. The flexibility to manage one's own schedule and work environment has contributed to an improved work-life balance for so many people. Moreover, without the need to commute, employees can save time and reduce stress, factors which have been linked to increased job satisfaction. Remote work offers autonomy, allowing employees to structure their day around personal priorities within limits, and this has led to greater perceived control over their work.

Employers have recognized many advantages, including reduced overheads associated with reduced facilities and utilities needs. Remote work also opens up the possibility of hiring talent beyond the local area, increasing access to a more diverse pool of candidates.

However, the widespread adoption of working-from-home has given rise to several challenges, particularly concerning employee well-being. Isolation is a recurring issue, with many remote workers reporting feelings of loneliness and a lack of connection to their colleagues. The absence of casual, in-person interactions, can make it harder to maintain team cohesion and effective communication. This lack of face-to-face contact can hinder collaboration and may reduce creativity and innovation, which thrive in environments where ideas can be shared informally. Additionally, there are suspicions among employers and industry leaders that staff working-from-home might in some ways lead to lower productivity without the pressure of one's boss keeping a weather eye on an employee's work in the office, for instance.

In response to challenges associated with well-being and mental health, many organisations are recognizing the importance of creating a supportive work culture in a remote setting. This includes not only providing the necessary digital tools to facilitate communication and productivity but also fostering an environment where employees feel connected and valued. Regular virtual check-ins, team-building exercises, and informal conversations are some of the strategies that can help mitigate the sense of isolation many remote workers experience.

However, if there is a shift in emphasis to outcomes rather than hours worked, then employee and employer can benefit greatly, it seems. A results-oriented approach allows businesses to strike a balance between offering flexibility to employees while ensuring that the goals of the organisation are still being met.

Das, S., Jaswanth, S., Sandhya, N., Sumanth, P.S. and Gayathri, P. (2025) 'Active and passive links between work from home and employee well-being: a post-COVID performance perspective', Int. J. Business Performance Management, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp.46–58.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2025.143644

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