International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management (14 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Exploring Key Machine Learning Technologies and Developments in Photonics from the Perspective of Patent Examiners  
  by Shu-Hao Chang, Chin-Yuan Fan 
  Abstract: As smart applications mature, the application of machine learning technologies in photonics has become a prospective research area. Thus, the present study investigated various patents identified and cited by examiners, and a technology network model was employed to identify key technologies. Several major technologies were identified, namely those pertaining to electric digital data processing, graphical data reading, signaling and calling systems, vehicles, vehicle fittings, and vehicle parts. Various differences between the technologies cited by applicants and examiners were discovered. The technologies most frequently cited by applicants pertained to diagnoses, surgeries, and identification, whereas those most often cited by examiners pertained to electric digital data processing; notably, examiners used the technologies in this field to approve, reject, or limit the scope of patent rights. The results of the present study can serve as a reference for researching and improving resource allocation.
  Keywords: machine learning; photonics; patent examiner; patent analysis; network analysis; examiner citations.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10061545
   
  
• Agricultural Waste Management: A Policy Perspective from India  
  by Divya Siwach, Anu Gupta 
  Abstract: Agricultural waste falls in different categories and each category requires their unique management technique. Some of these techniques can be implemented at the local level, while some have larger policy implication. Governments have been updating their policies and regulations regularly to manage agro-waste. However, there are many challenges in implementation of these policies. Present work presents a comprehensive review of the present waste management scenario. Need of policies and regulations has been discussed w.r.t the challenges associated with agro-waste management. The regulation and policies for agriculture waste management have been presented from Indian perspective. The work is helpful not only for the careful implementation of the policies, but also to delineate the need for new policies. Agro-waste can be beneficial for society in the form of energy, bio-fuel production, bio-fertilizer, compost, biogas, paper etc. if properly managed. This can serve as a new eco-friendly materials towards sustainability.
  Keywords: agriculture waste management policies waste management techniques policy implications.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10062091
   
  
• Digital Currencies: The Technology Adoption vs Policy Implications  
  by Gabriel A. Ogunmola, Amir Zia, Vikas Kumar 
  Abstract: The study examines the evolving terrain of digital currencies, delving into the factors contributing to expansion and the diverse regulatory approaches across different geographical regions. The rapid growth of the digital currency industry can be attributed to the technology advancements, increased financial inclusivity, rising investor enthusiasm, globalisation, economic instability and the growing applications of blockchain technology. Whereas, the policymakers are confronted with a range of challenges, encompassing the necessity for synchronised regulatory frameworks, safeguarding the consumer interests as well as the acceptability of digital currencies in global trade. The proposition of cross-border collaboration has been put forth as a strategy to effectively tackle the difficulties of international trade. This paper thoroughly examines the factors driving digital currencies towards widespread adoption in the financial sector, as well as the changing regulatory environment surrounding Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Policy recommendations and implications have been drawn from the perspective of different stakeholders.
  Keywords: Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) Regulatory frameworks Digital currency Blockchain applications.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10062151
   
  
• The impact of climate change on the entry of newly registered enterprises  
  by Yanyun Chen, XiangYu Liu, Jingting Tu, Kun Liao 
  Abstract: Climate change is one of the most pressing issues confronting the economy and society today. This research explores the mechanism of climate change on firm entry behaviour based on Chinese municipal equilibrium panel data from 2009 to 2019. The empirical results are as follows: 1) The climate change significantly limits firm entry behaviour, i.e., the more extreme temperature days, the lower the firm entrance; 2) labour supply, human capital, or consumer demand are significant mediators of how climate change influences firm entrance; and 3) at the regional level, there are significant disparities in the entry of firms on the east and west sides of the Hu Line as a result of climate change, indicating that climate change promotes the entry of enterprises on the west side of the Hu Line while negatively inhibiting the entry of enterprises on the east side of the Hu Line.
  Keywords: Climate Change; Firm Entry; the Hu Line; Micro-breakthrough.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10062168
   
  
• Identifying emerging technologies to foresee the future of intelligent ships: A machine learning approach to patent data  
  by Weiwei Liu, Jingyi Yao, Kexin Bi 
  Abstract: The development of emerging technologies for intelligent ships is related to the transformation and modernisation of the shipping industry. However, identifying and predicting emerging technologies in the field of intelligent ships is an imminent yet overlooked task. In this paper, we propose a machine learning-based framework for identifying and predicting emerging technologies based on the patent data. The LDA model is used to identify technology topics within the field of intelligent ships, we then construct an indicator system to recognise emerging technology topics. Ultimately, the LSTM network is adopted to predict the development trends of these emerging technologies. The results show that intelligent control systems, lane design and optimisation, and ship equipment intelligence are emerging technology topics for intelligent ships. The research not only provides insights for sustainable development and innovation of intelligent ships, but also offers research avenues for accurately identifying emerging technology topics and forecasting their development trends.
  Keywords: Emerging technology topics; Machine learning approach; Intelligent ship; LSTM network; LDA model.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10062998
   
  
• An Inventory of Leader Behaviours for Nurturing Team Flow in Research & Development Project Teams  
  by Kiran Govind V, Sumati Sidharth 
  Abstract: R&D project teams create a competitive advantage for organizations by advancing technological knowledge and delivering innovative services and solutions. These projects comprise experts in diverse fields, who must be transformed into cohesive teams working towards realising project objectives. Team flow, an emerging topic in team science, can significantly improve team effectiveness and performance with positive outcomes. The onus is on the R&D team leader to nurture a state of team flow by instilling the right team processes and fostering team emergent states. 5R-framework (Resonant, Reflection, Response, Resultant and Reinforcing), a new model to foster team flow in R&D project teams, is the basis for the present study. Based on 5R-framework, in-depth interviews with R&D team leaders and an exhaustive literature search were conducted to create an inventory of twelve leader behaviours. The proposed leader behaviours can likely influence the 5R team processes and nurture team flow in R&D project teams.
  Keywords: Team flow; R&D project teams; Leader behaviours; Team effectiveness; 5R framework; Team performance; Team processes; Team emergent states.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2025.10063268
   
  
• Managing the spillover effects of digitalisation  
  by Zhanna Aksenova, Natalia N. Gubernatorova, Amira Anvarovna Daudova, Zarema N. Stash, Larisa A. Kargina 
  Abstract: The article is devoted to the study of the spillover effects of digitalisation. The assessment of the spillover effects of digitalization forms a methodological basis for the implementation of the state policy of digital development. The authors systematised the positive and negative spillover effects of digitalisation for the economy. The expediency of using statistical methods of variance and standard deviation to evaluate the spillover effects is substantiated. It is proved that the spillover effects of digitalisation are subject to management by the state. This will ensure that developing economies accelerate digital development and expand their opportunities to achieve global leadership.
  Keywords: spillover effects of digitalization; digital economy; labor market; deformation; unemployment; digital inequality; cyber risks; asymmetry; management; state policy.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2025.10063348
   
  
• An Analysis of Export of Software Services in India since 2010: a Systematic Literature Review with Future Agenda  
  by Pradeep Kumar, Syed Shahid Mazhar, Anis Ur Rehman, Farhina Sardar Khan 
  Abstract: Software services in India have emerged as major contributors to service exports. Despite the need for a better understanding of the export of software and related services, there is a scarcity of scholarly studies on this topic. This study attempts to fill this gap. This study reviewed literature related to export of software services and analysed 65 papers that are classified under different heads. Research shows that software services export strength has been frequently studied (38%), followed by opportunities (26%) and challenges (15%). Weaknesses (9%), threats (5%), and SWOT analysis (6%) have also been covered in this study. The paper contributes to services export research by providing theoretical, contextual and methodological insights into the field of software export. The study provides strategic insights for software exporting as well as outsourcing firms. Additionally, we identify research issues related to policymaking, governance, as well as broader societal impacts that need to be addressed in the future.
  Keywords: Export; Software Services; Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES); systematic literature review; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2025.10063421
   
  
• The condition of science, technology and innovation policy in Iran: a historical evolutionary perspective based on network governance  
  by Mehdi Mohammadi, Mohammad Mehdi Zolfagharzadeh, Ali Zackery, Zohreh Karimmian 
  Abstract: This paper analyses Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy making in Iran between 1990 and 2022 using the network governance approach. Four phases of STI policy are identified: human resources and publication boom, agencification era, comprehensiveness quest, and innovation turn. The analysis shows a low degree of decentralisation, good coordination, and successful interdisciplinary collaboration. However, challenges such as the pipeline model of innovation, performance measurement politics, and controversial government and university roles hinder policy reform. To create a national innovation system, a normative turn toward a broader societal definition of innovation is recommended, and the government should shift its role to facilitator rather than interventionist.
  Keywords: STI Policy; Network Governance; Iran’ STI policy. Historical analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2025.10063483
   
  
• The impacts of strategic adaptation capability, goal achievement excellence, and stakeholder expectation fulfilment on dynamic corporate competitiveness: empirical evidence from the Thai economy  
  by Wasin Phetphongphan, Atthaphon Mumi 
  Abstract: The literature emphasises the importance of a firm's dynamic capabilities in responding to rapid changes in the environment. However, research on the antecedents of firms becoming dynamic is limited. This study thus focuses on dynamic corporate competitiveness (DCC) to demonstrate a firm's ability to adapt in order to gain a competitive advantage in an uncertain environment. In addition, we propose three influential factors that would lead to improved DCC: strategic adaptation capability (SAC), goal achievement excellence (GAE), and Stakeholder expectation fulfilment (SEF). We employed structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the proposed relationships using a sample of 156 companies from Thailand. The results found that GAE and SEF have positive and significant effects on DCC. Interestingly, we found no empirical evidence of the impact of SAC, which led to a discussion of context-specific results. This study contributes to the literature regarding dynamic capability as well as triggers further discussion of adaptation capability and dynamic capabilities for firms.
  Keywords: SAC; strategic adaptation capability; GAE; goal achievement excellence; SEF; stakeholder expectation fulfilment; DCC; dynamic corporate competitiveness; dynamic capabilities.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10058696
   
  
• Corporate social responsibility and pay ratio: why do socially responsible firms pay their employees more?  
  by KwangJoo Koo 
  Abstract: We examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance in firms influences pay inequality, as measured by the proportion of CEO pay relative to average employee pay. Social comparison theory suggests that CSR performance will lead to lower pay inequality as CEOs seek to avoid potential undesirable employee performance associated with negative perceptions of pay fairness. Tournament theory, however, suggests that both firms and the most talented employees benefit from maintaining higher levels of pay inequality, stating that extraordinary efforts lead to rewards for strong performance. Our findings provide evidence in support of the predictions of social comparison theory, with firms exhibiting lower levels of pay inequality when their CSR performance is relatively strong. We also find that a negative association between CSR and pay inequality is stronger after the introduction of disclosure pressure designed to mitigate opportunistic behaviour in top management. Overall, our evidence highlights the positive impact of CSR performance on pay inequality.
  Keywords: CSR; corporate social responsibility; pay ratio; financial regulation; social comparison; tournament.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10059507
   
  
• A human-centric technological innovation system based on knowledge processes and human capital  
  by Aymen A. Kayal 
  Abstract: Technological innovation systems (TIS) focus on understanding the emergence of an innovation system around new technologies to support the development and diffusion of these technologies. People are crucial to the invention, dissemination, and application of knowledge. The key dynamics and interactions of human capital in the context of the demand for, development of, and dissemination of knowledge and innovations within TIS are still missing from the literature. This study created a macro-level human-centric TIS model based on three fundamental and interconnected knowledge processes: knowledge creation, knowledge diffusion, and knowledge demand. It then goes on to provide a qualitative literature-based description of the dynamic interactions of technology human capital (THC) within TIS's three knowledge processes. The study provides logical arguments for policymakers and practitioners to devote more effort, attention, and resources to THC development in an effort to advance a healthy and sustainable TIS that supports the notions of Society 5.0 and Industry 5.0.
  Keywords: technological innovation system; technology human capital; knowledge processes; qualitative system dynamics.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10058998
   
  
• Assessing the digital divide in OECD and BRICS countries: implications for public policy  
  by Natalia I. Lavrikova, Leyla R. Magomaeva, Gayane A. Kochyan, Sergey V. Ponomarev, Elena P. Borshchevskaya 
  Abstract: The study aims to identify the digital divide in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) countries as a policy outcome and justify government regulation priority areas to ensure digital alignment in the global economy. The paper reveals the content of the concept of the "digital divide" and identifies the sources of its deepening in the current environment. The authors analysed available development indicators for developed OECD countries and developing BRICS countries to identify existing forms of digital inequality resulting from implemented government policies. The paper substantiates priority areas of state regulation to strengthen the position of developing countries and achieve digital equalisation in the global economy.
  Keywords: policy; technology; digitalisation; digital divide; digital inequality; OECD; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; BRICS; Brazil; Russia; India; China; South Africa; management.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10060350
   
  
• Risk assessment on floating water photovoltaic power generation projects in China using the HFLTS-cloud model method  
  by Xiaokun Sun 
  Abstract: The risk assessment of floating water photovoltaic (PV) power generation is an important component of its project feasibility study. In order to assess the risk of low-carbon development of floating water PV plant projects, this paper firstly identifies 18 key criteria in economic, technical, environmental and management aspects; secondly, considering the uncertainty of the evaluation language and the fuzziness of the decision-making environment, this paper uses hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets (HFLTS) to collect information, and uses analytic network process (ANP) to determine the weight of indicators, combined with fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method to build a risk assessment framework; thirdly, this paper conducts an empirical study on China, and verifies the effectiveness and applicability of the assessment model through comparative analysis. The results indicate that the risk level of floating water PV power projects in China is slightly high. Finally, corresponding risk response measures were proposed.
  Keywords: risk assessment; floating water PV power generation projects; hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets; cloud model; ANP; analytic network process; fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2024.10060415