Estonian Business School

Muon Scattering Tomography (MST) is a non-invasive method that produces three-dimensional voxel grids of scattering density by Points of Closest Approach (POCA) reconstruction. Previous research [1] concentrated on CNN-based denoising; nevertheless, operational threat identification necessitates automatic 3D object segmentation and material quantification. We introduce a resilient multi-stage deterministic pipeline for object separation and boundary delineation in noisy POCA reconstructions, which does not necessitate machine learning training. Our pipeline integrates threshold-based segmentation with connected component labeling (CCL), employs watershed segmentation for the delineation of nearby objects, and utilizes morphological opening for boundary refinement. This training-free method effectively isolates individual components within the low-resolution MST environment, providing stable segmentation that facilitates volumetric estimation and density characterization for operational MST systems.

Purpose Business schools aim to prepare students to work in multicultural, cross-border virtual teams. However, the impact of students’ readiness on skill acquisition remains underexplored. This study aims to examine how openness to intercultural collaboration shapes learning outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Students participated in the global online X-Culture project as part of their international business courses. They were assigned to international virtual teams to solve real business challenges proposed by companies, gaining experience in remote collaboration with culturally diverse peers. A survey of 200 Estonian Business School students measured their attitudes and knowledge before and after the project. In addition, students provided written reflections on lessons learned, project strengths and weaknesses and success factors in international online teamwork. Findings Statistical analysis of the pre- and post-project surveys, combined with thematic analysis of reflections, shows that course-based international online projects enhance multicultural teamwork skills. Skill acquisition depends on students’ readiness for intercultural communication, interest in virtual collaboration and ability to share tasks within self-organizing teams. Effective time management, handling free riding and managing cultural differences were key factors. Students emphasized the value of structured onboarding, peer accountability and adaptive tools to support online learning and collaboration. Originality/value By identifying readiness factors that shape learning outcomes in multicultural virtual teamwork, this study fills a gap in international business education research and supports universities in designing pedagogies that better prepare students for global, collaborative careers.

The organizations of Ukraine are faced with different issues under wartime. The bigest problem of 19000 organizations was related to relocations. Managers of these organizations tried to react fast during decision making process in time constraint. The main challenge was understanding of employees’ fears in order to launch key first steps change successfully. The described situation can arise in different countries close to country aggressor. This situation inspired us to analyse fears which were identified by learners from business and universities. The results of the analyses have become the basis of developed Fears Mitigation of Change Management Methodology. The proposed methodology is novel and shows the algorithm of textual data analyses based on similarity approach and the data collection tool in change management sphere. Also proposed methodology can be the foundation for developing applied artificial tool for decision makers in order to receive information to solve issues. The authors clear identified steps for decision making process, and presented the main results of the investigation. The authors proposed the approach for creating AAI tool of fears similarity calculus that can be the basis for decision-makers during crises or wartime. Also, these results are the basis for solving data classification, that still paramount the main issue of large language models.

Social trust is a key component of the social fabric behind institutions and economic outcomes. We contribute to this literature by looking at the role of social trust vis-a-vis corporate innovation performance across Chinese provinces. China, though very likely the most extraordinary emerging economy of the XXI century, is an insightful context, a vast territory with a remarkable socio-economic and institutional heterogeneity, particularly across its provinces. Using multiple data sources covering the period 2012–2017 our baseline model shows an increase in patents (applications and granted) in provinces with higher level of social trust. These results remain consistent to several sensitivity analyses including controlling for annual and industry fixed effects, and to a specific identification strategy using 2SLS estimation. Further model extensions also suggest that social trust is more impactful in provinces with lower quality of formal institutions, among non-state owned rather than state-owned firms, and among firms exhibiting more financial constraints. We argue that this work enriches the current debate regarding the role of cultural traits within different institutional frameworks. It also supports the perspective that policies formulated around the mobility of knowledgeable individuals across regions and institutions, along with collaborative research initiatives, can play a pivotal role.