Making music in groups, even among people with no musical background, can give the team a boost, according to research in the International Journal of Applied Management Science. The findings suggest that making music together can improve one's sense of effectiveness as well as satisfaction in subsequent teamwork. The findings add to a growing body of research that is exploring unconventional methods for team development, a field that has typically been dominated by training programmes, coaching, and workplace simulations.

In the musical experiments, people were asked to create music collectively. Each group performed a simple rhythm and then improvised a melody together. None of the participants had prior training, and before starting, they were introduced to only the most basic of musical concepts. Despite such minimal preparation, the act of making music together had measurable effects, the research found.

Those participants who had actively performed music together subsequently reported higher levels of team effectiveness, the belief that their group could work well together. They also reported greater team satisfaction, compared with peers who were merely audience to the music-making. Among performers, the sense of gaining insights through the music-making proved the strongest predictor of how effective they judged their team to be. Audience members, in contrast, showed weaker and less consistent links between the musical task and their evaluation of teamwork.

In professional settings, team-building exercises have often been based on structured activities, such as problem-solving and role-play, designed to enhance collaboration. This research suggests that unconventional approaches to team-building, such as making music together, may provide a power alternative.

Music requires coordination: players must stay in rhythm, adjust to one another, and listen carefully to shifts in pace or tone. It can involve improvisation, the ability to respond flexibly when the pattern changes or when mistakes occur. These qualities have direct parallels in modern workplaces, where teams succeed not only through technical knowledge but also through adaptability, communication, and trust. The researchers argue that group music-making offers a natural rehearsal for these skills.

Tal-Shmotkin, M. (2025) 'An innovative tool for team development: the use of musical activity', Int. J. Applied Management Science, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp.237–251.
DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2025.148096

A study in the International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business has shown that how effective an advertising campaign is depends not only on the content of the campaign, but also on who is receiving it. Demographic factors, such as age, education, location, and employment status, are most important in shaping consumer responses to advertising by family-run businesses, particularly in a country such as Kosovo where family businesses form a large part of the economy.

The researchers survey more than 400 consumers and analysed advertising data from 24 family-owned brands. They identified clear differences in how various groups interpret and act upon marketing messages. For instance, younger, urban, and highly educated consumers are more likely to recognise brands, while older, rural, and less-educated individuals are more inclined to make choices based on trust perceptions based on advertising.

The research highlights the Elaboration Likelihood Model, a framework from consumer psychology which distinguishes between two modes of processing advertising messages: the central route, in which individuals engage deeply with content, and the peripheral route, where decisions are made based on cues such as aesthetics or familiarity. The research suggests that younger and better-educated individuals are more likely to take the central route, scrutinising message content, while others may respond more intuitively, guided by trust and emotional resonance.

A second model was also considered, the Psychological Reactance Theory. This, the researchers say, helps explain the resistance of some urban and educated consumers to overtly persuasive or emotionally manipulative advertising. These groups, they found, tend to prefer subtlety and authenticity over high-pressure tactics. The findings have implications for advertisers seeking to build credibility among such initially sceptical audiences. The findings might have wider implications, but within Kosovo, tight-knit community structures and collective cultural norms continue to shape perceptions of business credibility, especially in rural areas.

Pllana, D.Z., Gërguri-Rashiti, S. and Limani, E. (2025) 'Exploring the moderating role of demographics in consumer responses to advertising: evidence from family business brands in Kosovo', Int. J. Globalisation and Small Business, Vol. 15, No. 5, pp.1–28.
DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2025.148049

As environmental responsibility and social ethics become increasingly important, a question might arise in the boardroom: does the company's sustainability efforts materially affect the financial information on which investors rely? Research in the International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets sets about answering that question. It does so by examining data from European firms over the course of a decade and providing empirical evidence that voluntary disclosure and strong performance in sustainability metrics improve the value relevance of financial statements.

The researchers focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. This is a set of standards measuring a company's impact and management of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and internal governance practices. ESG performance has grown in prominence as investors and regulators seek to understand how these non-financial factors influence long-term corporate viability. The value relevance of financial statements refers to the extent to which their information correlates with a company's market valuation and so helps stakeholders in investment decisions. Ultimately, the research found, firms voluntarily reporting ESG information tended to present financial statements more aligned with market perceptions of their value.

Moreover, firms with higher ESG performance scores, indicating better sustainability practices, demonstrate even stronger correlations between their financial disclosures and market value. This suggests that sustainability efforts are not merely reputational or regulatory compliance exercises but contribute meaningfully to the transparency of financial reporting.

The findings are rather timely. Europe's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are already mandating for more consistent and comprehensive sustainability disclosures. They aim to standardize how ESG data is presented to improve comparability across companies and sectors. Moreover, globally, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation and its International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) are developing analogous reporting standards to harmonize sustainability information worldwide, reducing duplication and improving clarity for investors.

Christofi, K., Kythreotis, A., Chourides, P., Soltani, M. and Di, Z. (2025) 'The impact of sustainability disclosure on financial statement value relevance: evidence from Europe', Int. J. Business and Emerging Markets, Vol. 17, No. 5, pp.1–22.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBEM.2025.147883

A new research-led recommendation model could make vocational education more effective in guiding students towards suitable employment after graduation, according to research in the International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering. The approach has developed in response to increasing concerns in China and globally regarding youth unemployment and the efficacy of vocational training systems. As such, the algorithm reflects a more subtle approach to matching students with career paths that align better with their individual strengths and preferences.

The researchers explain that the core of their approach is based on an improved form of collaborative filtering. This is an algorithmic technique often used by streaming services and e-commerce platforms to suggest content or products based on a user's past behaviour and preferences. The new approach overcomes various shortcomings of such systems when used in career recommendation by integrating two additional computational methods into the process: K-means clustering and the Kruskal algorithm. K-means clustering is a statistical technique that groups individuals based on shared characteristics, such as similar training choices or job applications. The Kruskal algorithm optimises how those groupings are connected and interpreted within a broader system.

The resulting model, K-means and Kruskal-enhanced Collaborative Filtering, was trained on three years of employment data from vocational school graduates. Ultimately, it was able to achieve a recommendation accuracy of more than 94 percent, significantly outperforming more conventional systems. According to the researchers, the model also excelled in standard performance metrics.

These various technical improvements represent improvements in real-world recommendations. For students, the new algorithm is more accurate in offering personalised career suggestions. And, for vocational institutions, it offers a more responsive tool to support their students in their transition from studies into the workforce. There is a third benefit and that is to employers who will gain access to candidates whose training and preferences more closely match the needs they ask for on their specific roles.

Wang, J. (2025) 'Vocational college employment training and career planning model design based on improved collaborative filtering', Int. J. Computational Systems Engineering, Vol. 9, No. 13, pp.1–10.
DOI: 10.1504/IJCSYSE.2025.148029

A novel algorithmic system that works subtly in the background to mutual benefit, and adapts quickly to local conditions, could be useful in data processing where noise terms can be replaced with useful estimates of their values.

In the unpredictable world of data-driven modelling, some algorithms charge through problems like rhinos, others blend in and adapt like chameleons. A new approach to a long-standing challenge in system identification, how to work with missing and noisy data, falls firmly into the latter camp and is discussed in the International Journal of Modelling, Identification and Control.

The method is designed for Controlled Autoregressive Moving Average (CARMA) models, mathematical structures widely used to capture and forecast the behaviour of dynamic systems in fields as diverse as control engineering, economics, and climate science.

These models work best when both input and output data are complete and reliable. In reality, such an ideal is rarely achieved, if ever. Network interruptions, faulty sensors, and environmental disruptions frequently leave gaps in the record, while background noise, often with patterns of its own, can distort what remains. Conventional algorithms might falter under such conditions, producing biased results or unstable models that bear little resemblance to the real system. The new research takes a niftier approach, quietly adjusting to the data landscape and turning potential setbacks into advantages.

Its ingenuity lies in the combination of three distinct techniques. An auxiliary model estimates the unmeasured components of the system, extracting useful signals from what would otherwise be statistical clutter, an almost karmic reversal of bad data into good. An interpolation method then fills in the missing inputs by inferring plausible values from surrounding measurements. Finally, the process is quickened using Nesterov Accelerated Gradient optimisation, a mathematically elegant way of anticipating the best next step rather than taking each one blindly.

Together, these steps form the Interpolation-based Nesterov Accelerated Gradient (INAG) algorithm, a system that not only produces more accurate parameter estimates but does so faster than comparable methods, even in the presence of "coloured noise", random fluctuations with structure and memory.

For engineers, better system identification means better control, whether in regulating industrial processes, stabilising power grids, or fine-tuning autonomous vehicles. For economists and climate scientists, it offers a way to make more reliable forecasts from incomplete or noisy data, potentially improving policy and planning.

Lu, H., Chen, J., Xu, F. and Mao, Y. (2025) 'The Nesterov accelerated gradient algorithm for CARMA models with lost input data based on interpolation method', Int. J. Modelling, Identification and Control, Vol. 46, No. 1, pp.38–46.
DOI: 10.1504/IJMIC.2025.147954

Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology discusses a new framework that could be used to define how news and information are delivered. The approach could help us overcome some of the associated problems of media saturation and information overload. The approach allows for real-time, adaptive decisions about the flow of information in an age of media convergence as traditional journalism, digital platforms, and interactive technologies become increasingly intertwined.

The new approach side-steps the static, off-the-shelf distribution methods of conventional media and develops a system that can adjust output based on audience behaviour dynamically, tailoring content presented as user one's interests change.

The approach integrates multimodal perception, the ability to interpret data from multiple sources such as text, images, and user interaction patterns, with reinforcement learning, a branch of artificial intelligence in which systems learn by trial-and-error guided by feedback. This combination allows the system to detect and respond to the gradual change in what an individual finds engaging over time, a concept known in psychology interest drift.

The researchers explain that their system works on three interconnected levels. First, it uses temporal attention mechanisms, which monitor how an individual's focus changes over time, along with deep feature extraction to identify subtle behavioural patterns. This allows the system to anticipate shifts in audience engagement and adjust accordingly.

Second, it employs a hierarchical reinforcement learning architecture. In this design, complex decision-making is broken into layers, making it easier to balance competing objectives. Using a blend of deep learning methods and evolutionary algorithms, which mimic natural selection to find optimal solutions, the system maximises audience reach, ensures timely delivery, and minimises computational and network resource use.

The third layer introduces an adaptive regulation process using mathematical optimisation techniques. This component fine-tunes the balance between performance and resource consumption in real time, enabling the system to remain efficient even under fluctuating conditions.

The implications for journalism in areas where timeliness and accuracy are essential, such as public health, politics, and in emergencies and crises could be enormous. An adaptive, responsive delivery model should improve audience engagement and comprehension, the work suggests.

Zhang, Y., Liu, Y. and Guo, Z. (2025) 'Optimising news dissemination pathways in the media convergence era: an interactive digital media technology approach', Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 26, No. 29, pp.110–126.
DOI: 10.1504/IJICT.2025.147882

Forests play a far more important role in global climate regulation and ecosystem stability than previously understood, according to authors of an Industry Note in the International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation.

Almost one third of the Earth’s land surface is forested, and we have recognised for many decades that forests act not only as sinks for atmospheric carbon dioxide, but they also act as components of the planet’s climate system, they affect temperatures, rainfall, and atmospheric composition through a complex mix of biological and physical processes. The Industry Note emphasise how we are increasing our understanding of these complex processes and finally acknowledging how non-linear, dynamic, and deeply interconnected they are.

The authors point out that while forests help mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, when they are degraded or destroyed, they can accelerate warming. Beyond climate regulation, forests support biodiversity, purify water, protect soil, and provide resources and livelihoods to millions of people.

The article looks at the three main types of forest: tropical, temperate, and boreal, and considers the distinct climate and economic roles of each. Tropical forests, of the three, hold the largest share of biodiversity and sequestered carbon. However, they are the most threatened, largely due to deforestation and agricultural expansion. Temperate forests, common in mid-latitude regions, are valuable both as carbon sinks and for their timber production. Boreal forests, found in northern regions such as Canada and Russia, store immense amounts of carbon in soil and permafrost, making them important for long-term climate stability.

The Note points out that since 2000, global forest cover has declined by almost one eighth. We have lost an area about twice the size of Texas or more than the area of Germany, Italy, and Spain combined. In tropical regions, deforestation is mainly driven by land clearing for agriculture. In temperate and boreal areas, wildfires and large-scale logging are more common causes. Climate change further increases risks, making forests more vulnerable to droughts, pests, and fire. These pressures reduce the forests’ ability to absorb carbon and alter their structure and function, with consequences for biodiversity and environmental stability. The Industry Note emphasises that sustainable forest management is now a matter of urgency if we are not to see continued harms from the loss of this natural resource.

An, Z. and Chang, S. X. (2024) 'Industry note: Forests are key to climate change mitigation and sustainable development', Int. J. Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, Vol.4, No.4 pp.423-428.
Industry Note

Research in the International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics has looked at the problems of transporting hazardous materials where accidental and deliberate threats might cause serious problems, particularly in terms of potential terrorist activity.

Risk models for hazardous materials, hazmat, transport have usually focused on accidents caused by mechanical failure, human error, or environmental conditions. These models have been used to decide which routes transportation, whether road, rail, or marine, should take. The aim being to minimise the risks to life and the environment associated with accidental spills, fires, or explosions. However, since the early 2000s, intentional attacks on hazmat-transport has been of growing concern. Such terrorist activity has the potential for mass casualties, widespread environmental harm, and severe economic disruption.

The method discussed in IJSTL takes us a step further on by acknowledging the ubiquitous threat of terrorism and incorporating worst-case scenarios into the risk assessment from the first stages of planning onwards. The strategy takes into account tactical factors such as whether vehicles travel alone or in convoys, the spacing between them, the types of roads used, how quickly vehicles can travel under attack, and the likely weapons or tactics an attacker might employ.

The researchers explain that the model can be built into a Geographic Information System (GIS), a mapping tool that allows complex layers of data, such as road conditions, population density, and known security risks, to be analysed together. This level of information integration should allow route planners to identify transport routes that strike a balance between minimising for both accident and terrorism, rather than simply accounting for only one.

The team undertook a case study in one particularly troubled part of the world and demonstrated that their analysis would lead to different routing decisions. Routes that were considered optimal under traditional accident-only models were often very different when terrorism risk was taken into account. The terrorism-aware model favoured wider, well-maintained, multi-lane roads that allow higher travel speeds, reducing the time vehicles spend in potentially dangerous areas.

Yilmaz, Z. and Verter, V. (2025) 'Simultaneous consideration of the accident and terror risks for hazardous materials transportation', Int. J. Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp.1–38.
DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2025.147886

Research in the International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics has examined outpatient prescribing and found that overworked pharmacists as well as systemic workplace flaws can lead to dispensing errors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such errors remain a major and preventable cause of patient harm worldwide.

The researchers conducted their study in a large outpatient medical centre. They combined situational analysis, in-depth interviews, and detailed surveys to build a human-centred picture of medication and prescribing safety. Instead of framing mistakes as individual failings, the study focused on the environmental, cognitive, and systemic pressures shaping how well pharmacists performed in their roles.

Pharmacists commonly reported greater workloads than other healthcare professionals, with high time pressure and prolonged periods of standing, bending, and repetitive motion being problems they raised. Indeed, half of pharmacists reported persistent musculoskeletal discomfort over the past year, most commonly in the neck, shoulders, and knees. Notably, these symptoms did not vary significantly with years of experience nor specific job role. This, the researchers suggest, means that physical strain is an inherent feature of the current work environment for pharmacists rather than a temporary issue.

The study identified several key risk factors for dispensing errors: tiredness, frequent interruptions during work and pharmaceutical names and packaging that are very similar. These factors reflect both human vulnerabilities, such as cognitive overload, and systemic weaknesses such as inefficient workflow and poor packaging design.

The WHO has warned that medication-related harm is one of the top preventable causes of injury and death, and if counted as a disease, it would rank among the leading causes of mortality. Dispensing errors are thus part of a wider global challenge. Many such mistakes might be avoided by better working conditions for pharmacists and improved systems from the manufacturer's production and packaging plant to the pharmacy shelves.

Su, K-W., Tsai, Y-T. and Feng, Q-K. (2025) 'The multidimensional determinants of outpatient pharmacy dispensing errors: a mixed approach', Int. J. Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp.20–40.
DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2025.147892

As laptops, notebook computers, become outdated as operating systems and software advance, and the hardware needed to support their myriad features becomes more demanding. As such, there is a growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste) from this particular sector as consumers replace effectively redundant devices with new ones. Millions of devices are discarded annually, so finding effective strategies to manage their environmental and social impact has become a global priority.

Research in the International Journal of Operational Research has focused on remanufacturing, the process of disassembling used devices, restoring or replacing, and even upgrading components, and rebuilding them to near-new condition. This approach not only reduces waste and conserves raw materials but also offers wider benefits such as creating jobs and making technology more accessible to lower-income users, given that a refurbished laptop may well be a lot cheaper than the latest model, but should in many cases be perfectly capable of running those advanced operating systems and software.

One of the big challenges in remanufacturing is deciding what to do with individual laptop components at end-of-life. These components vary widely in quality, and their potential for reuse is far from straightforward. High-quality parts are typically worth the cost of repair, but lower-quality ones present more difficult economic decisions. Yet, discarding them outright leads to the loss of materials that could otherwise be salvaged.

There is a lot of uncertainty in the various processes. So, the team has developed a sophisticated decision-making framework using a multi-period nonlinear integer programming model. This is a mathematical model designed to determine, over several time periods, the most cost-effective and resource-efficient use for each component, whether through reuse, conditional repair, or disposal. The approach uses advanced approximation techniques, metaheuristics, essentially a sophisticated form of trial-and-error to reduce the computing resources needed for the assessment. Metaheuristics can test, virtually, possible solutions and identify high-quality outcomes without having to examine every possibility in full detail.

Two such trial-and-error algorithms were auditioned for the job: Discrete Particle Swarm Optimisation (DPSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). DPSO is inspired by the behaviour of birds, fish, or insect flocks, shoals, and swarms. GA is based on natural selection and allows improved solutions to evolve over successive generations. Both were integrated into a decision support tool built in Microsoft Excel using Visual Basic. This choice should enable usability for business practitioners without expertise in complex mathematics.

The team found that on smaller problems, the algorithms produced answers that were close to the mathematically proven optimal ones. For larger-scale cases, GA proved more reliable, while DPSO occasionally settled on less effective outcomes. An important finding from the tests was that repair costs are a major factor in profitability of remanufactured laptops. This highlights the need for systems that can respond flexibly to changing economic conditions.

Anandh, G., PrasannaVenkatesan, S., Goh, M. and Kushwaha, G.C. (2025) 'Optimising end-of-life laptop remanufacturing decisions using meta-heuristics', Int. J. Operational Research, Vol. 53, No. 4, pp.525-555.
DOI: 10.1504/IJOR.2025.147789