Research in the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business suggests that universities have a bigger role to play in shaping what students go on to do after graduation, particularly in the growing field of social entrepreneurship.

Social entrepreneurship refers to commercial ventures that seek both financial sustainability and social or environmental impact. They are often driven by the urge to address issues such as inequality, poverty, pollution, and climate change. While business schools have expanded their entrepreneurship offerings in recent years, much of that teaching remains focused on conventional, profit-driven models. This study looks at how international experiences can influence students who go on to build organisations with wider social aims.

The research focuses on inspiration theory. This is a framework that distinguishes between being inspired by an experience and being inspired to act on it. This distinction is important as many students may encounter new ideas or problems, but far fewer translate that experience into a new venture. The study looked at 36 student entrepreneurs who launched socially oriented initiatives after periods of study abroad. The results could help explain how the transition from commercial to social occurs finding, as it does, that students consistently described their time abroad as a catalyst, though not a direct cause, of entrepreneurial action.

Many explained how exposure to unfamiliar social and environmental challenges, from obvious inequality to sustainability issues, prompted the students to think about their personal values and priorities. In many cases, this led to what the researchers describe as an entrepreneurial identity. This was a shift in self-perception in terms of who might see themselves as capable of initiating social change, rather than simply reflecting on the problems.

The findings come at a time when universities and policymakers are examining once again how best to prepare students for a globalised economy. If international experiences help bridge the gap between entrepreneurial intention and action, the role of educators may extend beyond cultural exchange into the realm of innovation policy. Traditionally, study abroad may have been perceived as a peripheral enrichment activity but today it might be better integrated fully and deliberately into entrepreneurship education.

A solar-powered drying system that combines greenhouse design with active air circulation could offer coffee producers a more reliable and lower-emission way to process beans after harvest, according to research in the International Journal of Exergy. The conclusion comes from a smooth blend of laboratory modelling and field trials.

Drying is a critical step in coffee production. Freshly harvested coffee beans typically contain more than 50% moisture. That level must be reduced to about 10% to mould growth and spoilage. Beans that are unevenly dried produce poorer-quality coffee if any coffee at all.

The system looked at the benefits of drying beans in a greenhouse-type structure that traps solar radiation. Such greenhouses can get hotter than conventional drying areas, leading to faster evaporation from the beans. The use of solar-powered fans is needed to move air through the drying chamber, reducing humidity and giving even drying, the researchers suggest.

Trials of this approach demonstrated that beans could be dried from about 50% moisture to close to the requisite 10% in just four days. This meets industry standards for safe storage and transport, the report explains. Key to success is consistent temperature control. Too hot and the flavour compounds in the beans can degrade. If the system is not hot enough then slow moisture loss leads to spoilage.

The study showed that a drying temperature of 52.5 Celsius is optimal, just right for consistent moisture removal without flavour compound compromise. Energy and exergy measures of the process showed an efficiency of 33% and 40%, respectively. The energy efficiency is less representative than the exergy measure. Exergy shows how much useful work is done in the process rather than dissipated as waste heat. A higher exergy efficiency means the system is making better use of the available resources. This is an important consideration in renewable energy applications and environmental audits.

Universities redesigning engineering courses are being forced to reconsider a long-standing assumption: that learning happens best in a physical laboratory, according to work in the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning. The research suggests that virtual environments may now offer the strongest overall case, though there are important limitations.

The study examined laboratory design within the so-called CDIO framework, the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate framework. This structures engineering education around the full lifecycle of a product or system. In this approach, laboratories are vital to the teaching process rather than being supplementary, as students are expected to apply theory in practical, project-based settings.

Institutions now have a wider range of options to offer than before, from traditional in-person labs to fully virtual platforms as well as hybrid formats and remote labs. Each approach has its pros and cons. Physical labs allow direct interaction with equipment but are expensive and limited in capacity. Virtual labs are more flexible and accessible but depend on stable technology and may reduce face-to-face engagement as well as being by definition anything but hands-on.

To compare the different approaches, the researchers used a structured method known as fuzzy TOPSIS, part of a class of tools designed to evaluate decisions involving multiple, competing criteria. The criteria they considered in their assessment included student participation, academic performance, satisfaction, exposure to technical problems, and the risk of unequal access to technology. The fuzzy element allows them to include subjective judgements, such as levels of engagement, which can be converted into numerical data for analysis. The work also used bootstrap resampling, a statistical technique that tests how stable results remain when inputs vary slightly, this gives them a way to check that the analysis is reliable.

Based on expert assessments, virtual laboratories ranked highest overall, largely due to their flexibility and scalability. Students can access them at any time, while universities can expand provision without the constraints of physical space. The shift reflects changes that have occurred in education since the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread adoption of online learning.

The work does not suggest abandoning physical laboratories, they remain important for learning hands-on skills and collaboration. Instead, the work suggests that a blended approach can be the most beneficial.

A language-correction system tailored to the specific challenges faced by Chinese learners of English is described in the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning. The system combines advanced Pinyin detection and hierarchical data augmentation strategies to address long-standing issues in the accuracy and efficiency of language correction tools used by non-native English speakers.

Chinese learners of English frequently encounter issues influenced by the structure and phonetics of their native language. One of the most pressing obstacles is the misidentification of Pinyin, the romanised phonetic representation of Chinese characters. When Chinese proper nouns such as "Zhangsan" or "Beijing" are written in English, they can be erroneously flagged as spelling mistakes by existing checkers. These misclassifications disrupt the flow of writing and can mislead learners into thinking their use of these names is incorrect. Research indicates that almost two-thirds of Chinese learners encounter these kinds of errors.

The new system resolves this issue by integrating a dual-strategy Pinyin detection algorithm. It pairs syllable tree matching with linguistic rule-based methods to identify and correctly treat Pinyin terms as legitimate parts of the text. It achieves 99.95% accuracy and can process more than 5000 words per second. Such speed makes it viable for real-time use in education and the workplace.

By using hierarchical data augmentation, the same system can also highlight genuine errors in article usage, subject-verb agreement, and verb tense, aspects that are not always accounted for in the current systems. This grammar correction model uses a transformer-based architecture to treat grammar correction as a sequence-to-sequence task. It demonstrated high accuracy on datasets focused on common errors made by Chinese learners, around 85-90% for article misuse, subject-verb agreement, and verb tense issues.

English remains the lingua franca of the modern world. For millions of learners, mastering its complexities can be a daunting task. Traditional grammar checkers are often unable to account for the specific errors that arise from the structural and phonetic differences between English and the learner's native language. This new system seeks to address that problem.

Song, L. (2026) 'Optimisation of intelligent English grammar error correction based on multi-strategy Pinyin detection and hierarchical enhancement', Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 36, No. 8, pp.21–48.
DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2026.153060

A study into the use of deepfake technology in advertising has found that public acceptance of synthetic media generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is closely tied to how familiar someone is with technology and the way such content is framed. The research, published in the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Governance and Human Rights, raises questions for regulators and advertisers alike regarding transparency and trust.

Deepfakes are images, videos or audio recordings created or altered using AI to make someone appear to say or do things they never actually did or to fabricate a happening. In terms of deepfaking a person and what they might say, the technology uses neural networks and autoencoders to alter facial features and to map expressions, voice, and movements to spoken words that may have been generated by an AI trained on the person's voice. The technology is advancing rapidly and outstrips conventional CGI, audio and image editing tools.

In the age of scrollable social media and split-second soundbites, deepfakes that are near-perfect have the potential to distort reality and alter public opinion in ways that old-school propaganda and smear campaigns never could.

The research highlights both commercial potential and ethical risks. In advertising, synthetic media could enable personalised campaigns, virtual brand ambassadors, and faster content production. But researchers warn that the same capabilities challenge assumptions that video and audio content reflect reality. In fast-moving online environments, such material can be widely shared before its authenticity is questioned, increasing the risk of deception and reputational harm.

The survey results discussed in this paper suggest that younger respondents and those with greater tech savvy were more open to deepfake advertising, although most still expressed ethical concerns. Men were generally more receptive than women, but concerns over manipulation and consent were seen across demographics.

One key finding was the effect of language. Participants responded more positively to the term "artificial media" than "deepfake", suggesting that terminology can shape perceived legitimacy and ethical acceptability even when the underlying technology is identical.

Research in the International Journal of Business Environment has looked at how Generation Z consumers in Mexico are trying to reduce their use of single-use plastic water bottles. The work found that their habits are driven by perceived responsibility rather than an awareness of the actual environmental harm caused by the accumulation of such waste.

Generation Z refers to people born in the mid-to-late 1990s into the early 2010s. This generation is often referred to as the digital native generation, although that also covers some of the younger millennials. The research thus looks at environmental psychology and consumer behaviour in the context of people who did not know the world before the ubiquity of the web, social media, smart phones, and 24/7 access to information and news.

The focus is on bottled water, one of the most persistent contributors to consumer-driven plastic waste around the world. The research shows that while Gen Z consumers know about the environmental damage caused by disposable plastic bottles, that understanding does not always lead to changes in their behaviour. However, it does trigger them, making them feel environmental guilt and shame and putting the onus on their personal responsibility. Ultimately, perceived personal responsibility and environmental guilt lead to a more positive attitude towards reducing bottled water use.

In Mexico, concerns about public water quality have contributed to high reliance on bottled alternatives, reinforcing a steady stream of plastic waste. The study describes this as part of a wider paradox: environmental awareness is increasing, but consumption patterns remain largely unchanged, perhaps inevitably.

Cavazos-Arroyo, J. and Máynez-Guaderrama, A. (2026) 'Background on the intention to reduce the consumption of bottled water in disposable plastic bottles', Int. J. Business Environment, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp.191–213.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2026.152819

Online food delivery platforms have changed our eating habits considerably. Research in the International Journal of Knowledge Management in Tourism and Hospitality has looked at how everyday choices are made and suggests that the characteristics of the platforms have a major effect on consumer behaviour beyond simply offering kitchen-free food.

The researchers found that three factors guide decision-making: rationality, emotion, and attractiveness. Rationality refers to the practical considerations, the cost of the food, whether there are discounts or loyalty bonuses, delivery time, and convenience. These are the most obvious drivers for using online food delivery platforms, and consumers tend to show consistent preferences for minimising cost and effort. This broadly explains the repeat success of promotional offers and time-limited deals across platforms.

Rationality does not explain everything, though. The team also found that emotional factors, such as feelings of comfort, satisfaction, or even mild prestige, play a part. The very act of ordering food online can evoke these feelings, especially when the whole process is seamless. The team suggests that emotional responses are often boosted by specific design elements on the site or in the app.

That latter point also feeds into the third factor: attractiveness. If a platform, whether website or app is visually and functionally appealing, then it will be better received. In practical terms, a logical, practical, and attractive interface will bring users to the table. Also, high-quality food photos and ease of use in terms of menus and transactions will also improve the diner's experience.

A fourth factor, social influence, also had a part to play. The ratings, reviews, and recommendations made by other users will shape one's own decision to use a particular service. A lack of impact of age, gender, or profession seems also to suggest that digital consumption patterns in this sector, and perhaps others, are converging across different demographics.

The various factors discussed all feed into consumer decisions, but one factor that seemed not to play much of a role, despite its incessant focus in sales and marketing, was 'brand loyalty'. In this sector there seems almost to be an absence of brand loyalty. Consumers, the team reports, frequently switch between platforms and services. Competition, they explain, is driven largely by price and promotions, especially among the time-poor younger generation.

Krishnan, H. and Kumar, R. (2026) 'An empirical study on buying behaviour of diners through online food delivery platforms', Int. J. Knowledge Management in Tourism and Hospitality, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp.47–61.
DOI: 10.1504/IJKMTH.2026.152864

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China are, like SMEs around the world, benefiting from cloud-based accounting systems. However, while in many parts of the world adoption has been rapid, it is lagging behind in China. Research in the International Journal of Internet Technology and Secured Transactions has looked at the reasons behind this.

Cloud-based accounting refers to financial software hosted on remote servers and accessed via the internet, rather than installed on a company's own computers. This model allows firms to store financial data securely online, scale their usage as they grow, and collaborate in real time across different locations and devices. For SMEs, which typically operate with constrained budgets and limited in-house technical expertise, cloud flexibility can be a critical component to their day-to-day practices.

However, there is a gap between cloud potential and actual uptake. The team has used the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework to explain how users come to accept and use new technologies. TAM centres on two perceptions: perceived usefulness, meaning the extent to which a technology is believed to improve performance, and perceived ease of use, or how simple it is to learn and operate. These factors have been quoted widely in countless studies of cloud uptake across different countries. In the present study, though, these two factors alone were found not to account fully for the rate of uptake among SMEs in China.

The team found that there are other variables such as perceived security, cost-benefit evaluation, and government policy support. Perceived security explains how confident firms feel about storing their sensitive financial data in the cloud, particularly in a regulatory environment marked by strict cybersecurity and data protection rules. Cost-benefit evaluation reflects the sensitivity of an SME to financial constraints and their preference for investments that yield quick, tangible returns. The third factor, government policy support, refers to the role of subsidies, training programmes, and regulatory signals in encouraging digital adoption and may well be the most important factor of all in explaining the uptake of financial cloud computing among SMEs in China.

In China, where state involvement in the economy is more pronounced than it is in many other countries, policy frameworks and regulatory compliance play a central role in shaping business behaviour. This suggests that theories of technology adoption must be adapted to reflect regional institutional dynamics rather than treated as global one-size-fits-all explanations.

A study of the 2019 Alpine and Biathlon World Championships in Jämtland, Sweden, published in the International Journal of Tourism Policy, is raising questions about how governments justify the substantial public investment required to host major sporting events, arguing that the widely invoked promise of "event legacy" remains too vague to deliver consistent, measurable results.

The research examines "legacy" as it is commonly used in policy and planning. In this context, legacy refers to the long-term benefits, such as the economic, social, and environmental impact, that host regions are expected to gain after an event concludes. These benefits might include increased tourism, improved infrastructure, stronger local businesses, enhanced community cohesion, and of course, increased awareness and participation in the activities associated with the event.

However, despite legacy often being an essential part of the application to host a major event, the IJTP study found that the term is often poorly defined and inconsistently applied. This makes it difficult to evaluate whether any of the purported benefits materialise or to put policies in place to ensure they do.

Using the World Championships initiative, known as WCR2019, as a case study, researchers analysed policy documents and interviewed stakeholders. The initiative was formally presented as a legacy programme intended to extend benefits beyond the immediate spectator and media attention. The event did foster collaboration, particularly between sporting organisations and the private sector; the study suggests that it fell short of delivering broader regional development outcomes. The research suggests that the main problem was a lack of clearly defined objectives, which makes measuring success difficult.

The researchers explain that the various issues they highlight are not unique to their case study but point to a broader structural problem with the concept of legacy itself. Legacy is often treated as something that will emerge organically after an event, but it doesn't. There has to be a strategy in place to make it happen, and the researchers offer a framework that might help future planners ensure that there is more legacy than lip service in major sporting events.

Research in the International Journal of Public Sector Performance Management suggests that governments hoping to maintain or even improve public trust in an increasingly digital society must move away from conventional one-way communication, such as leafleting and the party political broadcast, and adopt more effectively modern forms of engagement, such as social media.

The study finds an important issue that stymies effective modern government: accountability is vital to democracy, but standard communication models do not allow citizens to easily participate. Given the advent of social media over the last two decades, there is an increasing need for governments to adopt this two-way form of communication. In doing so, citizens will be able to respond directly to official messages, ask questions, raise concerns, and in turn expect a timely response from public authorities. Given time, this approach to communication between government and governed might improve public sentiment, especially in turbulent times and in times of political upheaval.

Social media, the researchers suggest, could enhance transparency, making government actions and decisions more open to public scrutiny. This, in turn should reduce corruption, favouritism, and nepotism by exposing public services. This openness would, hopefully, improve the public perception of service quality and boost trust where it is due. Conversely, it should allow the public to more readily call to account unscrupulous politicians and, indeed, anyone in governmental office.

Unfortunately, social media works with social rules that are very different from the traditional public communication rules, as one might expect. There is an expectation of immediacy, responsiveness, and ongoing dialogue. As such, governments would be obliged to familiarise themselves fully with those rules of the online world and to ensure that interactions are monitored in real time and responses are timely and relevant.

Alafwan, B., Siallagan. M. and Putro, U.S. (2026) 'A FAIR measurement of governments' social media', Int. J. Public Sector Performance Management, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp.311-332.
DOI: 10.1504/IJPSPM.2026.152786