Purpose This study aims to comprehensively assess the performance and impact of 15 government-funded climate change research consortia. Design/methodology/approach This research investigates how consortia convert scientific discoveries into beneficial uses using qualitative techniques with thematic analysis. A partnership aspect is added to the three-stage technology–product–market (TPM) model, which serves as a conceptual framework, to enhance the process of translating technological innovation into market adoption. Findings The findings show how partnerships and strategic planning help consortia create a pathway for research translation, which assures the successful implementation of climate change solutions. Best practices and procedural challenges are highlighted in the study. Originality/value By involving a partnership component into the three-stage TPM model, this study presents a novel way to improve the research translation process for climate change innovation. Through the periodic evaluation of 15 government-funded consortia, the study offers factual insights into how strategic collaboration ensures the effective market adoption of technological advancements by accelerating downstream innovation paths. The study’s conclusions add to the conversation around sustainable innovation by pointing out best practices and procedural difficulties in transferring research between institutions and fields.
Purpose This study aims to map the intellectual landscape of research on the barriers and drivers influencing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) adoption. By combining bibliometric and systematic review methods, it identifies the main contributors, research clusters and thematic trends shaping this rapidly evolving field. The goal is to uncover knowledge gaps, evaluate global collaboration patterns and clarify how technological, organizational and contextual factors affect the successful implementation of I4.0 across industries and countries. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive bibliometric and systematic review was conducted using 291 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2016 and 2025, retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocol guided data selection and Bibliometrix (R) software was used for quantitative analysis. The study examined publication trends, citation patterns, co-authorship networks and thematic clusters through co-word analysis to map the structure and evolution of the research field on I4.0 adoption barriers and drivers. Findings Results reveal a fast-growing research field with an annual growth rate of 61.78%, yet characterized by fragmented collaboration networks and isolated research clusters. Six categories of barriers and five of drivers were identified, covering financial, infrastructural, organizational, human and external dimensions. Thematic analysis yielded four research clusters – foundations of industrial transition, enabling technologies, management and digital transformation and adoption behavior – positioned across motor, basic, niche and emerging themes. A shift from theoretical to applied studies was also observed. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, possibly omitting relevant conference papers, reports or non-English studies. While bibliometric analysis enables large-scale mapping, it lacks qualitative depth into specific contexts. Future research should integrate additional databases, explore small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and emerging economies and investigate behavioral and socio-technical factors to strengthen theoretical integration and foster international collaboration in the I4.0 adoption discourse. Practical implications The findings provide decision-makers and policymakers with a structured overview of the critical barriers and enablers of I4.0 adoption. Understanding financial, organizational and human-capital challenges helps firms design targeted digital transformation strategies. The identified drivers guide management toward leveraging technological readiness, collaborative networks and supportive regulatory environments. Policymakers can use these insights to develop more coherent industrial policies and capacity-building initiatives to facilitate the diffusion and integration of Industry 4.0 technologies. Social implications Industry 4.0 adoption influences employment structures, skill requirements and national competitiveness. Addressing human-capital gaps and promoting digital education can mitigate risks of workforce exclusion. Strengthening collaboration networks and ethical governance frameworks fosters inclusive, sustainable industrial transformation. The study highlights how aligning technological innovation with social and environmental objectives can ensure that digitalization supports long-term societal resilience and equitable economic growth in both developed and emerging contexts. Originality/value This paper provides the first integrated bibliometric and systematic mapping of barriers and drivers to I4.0 adoption, offering a comprehensive synthesis of ten years of research. By categorizing 52 barriers and 42 drivers, it bridges fragmented knowledge and identifies key thematic areas, leading contributors and research gaps. The four-cluster thematic framework advances theoretical and empirical understanding of digital transformation and offers a valuable foundation for future studies aiming to enhance global Industry 4.0 readiness and collaboration.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the evolution of UPI performance in India. The investigation addresses three major components, firstly, to study the impact of COVID-19 on UPI ecosystem; secondly, to assess performance of major UPI apps; and finally, to conduct a comparative analysis between UPI, POS and ATM performance in India. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on secondary data ranging from July 2016 to December 2023. For the analysis paired sample t-test, ANOVA, Games–Howell Post Hoc, Levene’s test, independent sample t-tests and a log-linear econometric model to control for structural factors influencing UPI performance have been used. Findings The results of this study indicate that pandemic had a positive association with long-term UPI performance. Additionally, the econometric analysis suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic alone did not represent a causal driver of behavioural shift of UPI adoption but rather acted as an accelerator. Furthermore, following the pandemic, there has been a remarkable growth of UPI adoption as compared to ATM and POS with PhonePe UPI app emerging as the leader. Research limitations/implications This study relies on secondary data focusing on a specific time period which may restrict the generalizability of findings of this study. Practical implications To expand the growth of UPI, the policymakers and industry should focus on UPI adoption amongst rural population; additionally, the policymakers from other countries should try to replicate the UPI system of India to strengthen their digital financial infrastructure. Originality/value This study enriches UTAUT2 theory and offers novelty by studying long-term performance of UPI along with examining performance of major UPI apps which has been mostly overlooked.
Purpose Construction 4.0 integrates advanced digital technologies into the construction sector to enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability. The construction sector faces persistent challenges in adopting advanced digital technologies, making it necessary to explore structured frameworks for adoption and sustainability, and Degree of Acceptability (DoA) assessment. This study aims to identify the barriers to adopting Construction 4.0 and explore strategies based on literature and expert input. These strategies are connected to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on technology and safety and ranked by their feasibility and impact to offer practical recommendations. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies through three interrelated phases: fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), strategy selection and mathematical modeling. Informed by a systematic literature review and expert insights, the study begins with identifying barriers to Construction 4.0 adoption through comprehensive analysis and discussions with industry professionals. The study engaged 14 experts for DEMATEL analysis and five managers for the DoA assessment. A direct relation fuzzy matrix (DRM) is developed to analyze interdependencies among these barriers. Strategies addressing these barriers are then mapped to SDGs, refined through expert feedback and prioritized based on feasibility and impact. The final phase involves mathematical modeling to evaluate the degree of acceptability of these strategies, enabling practical decision-making for industry managers. This integrated framework combines expert judgment, fuzzy logic and strategic mapping to provide actionable solutions for overcoming constraints in Construction 4.0 adoption. Findings The research identifies “Lack of Standards and Regulations” as the most significant barrier to adopting Construction 4.0 technologies. From a sustainability perspective, “Establishing a Vision for Digital Integration ” emerged as the most critical strategy for overcoming these barriers. Research limitations/implications This research is limited to the barriers and strategies explored in the Indian construction industry. Future studies may expand the scope to other regions and include additional data sets to improve generalizability. Practical implications The findings provide actionable insights for construction managers, enabling them to prioritize and implement strategies that address skill gaps, promote technological integration and ensure safety compliance for the smooth adoption of Construction 4.0. Originality/value This research contributes to the growing knowledge of Construction 4.0 by identifying and ranking critical barriers and proposing a decision-making framework that emphasizes sustainability, collaboration and skill development. The novelty of this study lies in introducing the DoA matrix, which extends existing prioritization tools in sustainability research by integrating expert consensus with interdependency analysis.
Purpose This study aims to integrate information richness and user innovativeness into the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to examine their influence on financial technology (FinTech) adoption. It also included the mediating effect of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-driven pro-social behavior and the moderating role of Robo-Advisors in the developed framework.Design/methodology/approach This quantitative study was conducted in Pakistan using a structured survey administered to individuals with prior exposure to FinTech services. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from a purposively selected sample of 384 respondents and analyzed through structural equation modeling.Findings The findings reveal that effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, performance expectancy and social influence significantly drive FinTech adoption, whereas information richness and user innovativeness show no direct effect. Furthermore, SDGs-driven pro-social behavior mediates the relationships between all UTAUT determinants and FinTech adoption. These results suggest that ethical and socially responsible attitudes enhance users' willingness to adopt digital financial solutions. Notably, Robo-Advisors moderate the effects of information richness, facilitating conditions and social influence on FinTech adoption.Originality/value This study extends the UTAUT framework by incorporating pro-social behavior as a psychological mechanism linking technology acceptance to sustainable user values - an area largely overlooked in prior FinTech research. The moderating role of Robo-Advisors offers new insights into how artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled financial tools reshape the dynamics of user adoption. Practically, the findings guide policymakers, FinTech developers and financial institutions in designing AI-driven platforms that not only enhance user convenience but also foster responsible, trust-based and sustainability-oriented financial behavior.
Purpose This study aims to explore the transformative role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in fostering sustainable smart city (SSC) development, emphasizing recent trends and identifying future research directions. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA protocol and bibliometric techniques to analyze 158 publications from the Web of Science published between 2019 and 2024. The literature was clustered, and a keyword cooccurrence network was generated utilizing VOSviewer and R-studio software. Findings The findings illustrate the theoretical evolution of SSC, elucidate the chronological structure of IoT-based literature and provide demographic insights into research trends. The study uncovers critical factors propelling the sustainable development of smart cities and examines the interplay between IoT technologies and urban environments. It also highlights the vulnerabilities associated with IoT applications and proposes strategies to mitigate these risks. Research limitations/implications This research contributes to the discourse on eco-friendly urban development, offering practical insights for policymakers and urban planners on leveraging IoT for sustainable outcomes. By highlighting challenges and future research avenues, the study serves as a valuable resource for advancing the discourse on sustainable smart cities. Originality/value This bibliometric review not only consolidates current knowledge on IoT applications in SSC but also charts a path for future research, focusing on interoperability, data security and advanced analytics. It underscores the necessity of integrating sustainability into urban planning, ensuring that the development of smart cities enhances residents’ quality of life while safeguarding the environment.
Purpose This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of research on patent valuation. Specifically, it identifies trends in publications and citations, research performance, collaboration, themes and gaps that will be useful for future research. Design/methodology/approach Two types of bibliometric analysis – performance analysis and science mapping analysis – were conducted on 273 relevant journal articles in the Scopus database published until March 2024. The R Bibliometrix application and VOSviewer were used for the analysis. Findings The analysis of scientific publications on patent valuation shows an increasing trend in the number of publications but a decreasing trend in the average number of citations per article per year. Lee Changyong is the most productive researcher, with China, the USA and South Korea leading in the number of publications. The most cited papers are by Kogan et al. (2017) and Harhoff et al. (2003). The science mapping analysis identified five major author collaboration networks, five main international collaboration clusters and four primary bibliographic coupling clusters. Prominent research themes include “decision making,” “biotechnology” and “neural network,” with machine learning/artificial intelligence-based patent valuation emerging as a trending topic. This study suggests that future research should focus on developing new methodologies and tools for patent valuation, conducting research in developing countries and promoting regional and global collaboration. Research limitations/implications The article search was limited to journal articles on patent valuation indexed by Scopus and written in English. Consequently, research published in other forms and languages, or not indexed by Scopus, was not analyzed. Originality/value This research is believed to be the first comprehensive overview of research conducted on patent valuation and the first to conduct a bibliometric analysis of scientific articles published until March 2024.
Purpose The role of innovation and technology in national development strategy is a spotlight topic not only in academic but also in policy making. This study aims to identify the impact of innovation and technological development on national competitiveness with a study sample of 76 countries from 2007 to 2021. Design/methodology/approach Porter’s Diamond Model is used to establish the analytical framework. In addition, aspects representing national competitiveness are included into the empirical models for filling current research gaps. The generalized method of moments is used to address potential endogeneity and dynamic effects. For further analysis, the total sample is divided into three sub-samples: 33 developed countries in the organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD) group, 23 upper-middle-income countries, and 20 lower-middle-income countries, to explore differences in the estimated results across the models. Findings The findings reveal that innovation and technological development have positive impacts on national competitiveness by supporting economic growth, productivity, trade balance as well as budget balance. These effects are robust and statistically significant in both the total sample and the sub-samples. In addition, improvements in human capital and the efficiency of public administration are critical to enhancing national competitiveness. Practical implications The results suggest that policymakers should implement policies that encourage innovation activities and investment in new technologies to achieve higher levels of national competitiveness. Besides, countries need to allocate more resources to infrastructure, the public administration system and education networks. Increasing gross national income is necessary for gaining a competitive advantage. Originality/value The link between innovation, technological development and countries’ competitiveness is unclear and weak, especially at the international level. Unlike previous studies, four critical macroeconomic variables are used as dependent variables: productivity, economic growth, trade balance and budget balance. Therefore, countries’ competitiveness can be analyzed more deeply, yielding more comprehensive results. Besides, this study significantly expands the current literature on national competitiveness by employing various empirical models across global as well as sub-samples by continent and income. The results robustly assert that innovation and technological development are the primary drivers of increased national competitiveness.
Purpose This paper aims to examine the advancement of the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) as a unified cashless payment system in Indonesia. The analysis focuses on its business model, digital ecosystem, challenges within Indonesia's cashless payment landscape and strategies for fostering cohesion and expansion. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a two-sided market ecosystem framework to analyze the advancement of QRIS in two stages. In the first stage, a two-sided business market model for QRIS and its ecosystem is constructed using the value exchange network (VEN) framework. In the second stage, the analysis focuses on the two-sided market model as a basis for discussing QRIS's business model, sustainability and expansion strategies. Additionally, the business ecosystem model is used to examine the roles of each stakeholder, system sustainability and potential growth strategies. Findings QRIS was introduced to streamline digital payments by allowing merchants to accept all payment methods through a single, unified quick response (QR) code. This innovation represents a significant milestone in advancing cashless transactions across Indonesia. While cash remains the dominant payment method for most Indonesians, QRIS has experienced rapid adoption due to its efficiency, simplicity and interoperability across different payment platforms. Practical implications This paper proposes a methodological approach for analyzing the evolution of digital payment systems using the VEN framework, offering a structured lens to examine business ecosystem dynamics. Originality/value This study examines the development of QRIS through the framework of the digital business ecosystem, evaluating its transformative impact on Indonesia's digital payment landscape. The paper investigates key strategies for expanding the QRIS ecosystem while critically analyzing the challenges hindering its widespread adoption. Additionally, the research discusses theoretical and practical implications, along with limitations that provide avenues for future studies in digital payment ecosystems.
PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the government's financial and non-financial support and the combination of the two supports on firms' innovation performance (i.e. new product introduction).Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on data from 423 manufacturing firms in Thailand collected through the authors' administered survey. The authors use propensity score matching to control for selection bias that may arise when financial or non-financial support is likely to be given to firms with particular characteristics. Then the authors use the negative binomial regression to estimate the treatment effects.FindingsKey findings of this study are as follows. First, the effect of financial support is positive and significant, suggesting that firms receiving financial support are likely to introduce more product innovations. Second, non-financial support is also significant for innovation performance. Firms receiving this type of support are expected to introduce more new products than those without support. Finally, the authors find that firms that receive both types of support tend to introduce more product innovations than those without support, suggesting the crucial effects of combined support on firms' innovation.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature by analyzing financial and non-financial types of support separately and comparing their effects on firms' innovations, which differs from previous studies that focus on either type of support. Moreover, while most studies on government support and firms' innovation focus on developed economies, this study examines a developing country (Thailand) with relatively less technological progress.
PurposeThis study aims to explore how constructs of quantum ethics, including responsible innovation and technology readiness, and quantum sustainability, such as corporate digital responsibility and green scaling interoperability, influence and integrate with digital governance frameworks.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses structural equation modelling using SmartPLS, based on data collected from an online survey of 196 practitioners and researchers across multiple industries and geographies.FindingsThe findings present a novel, and potentially the first, ethical, sustainable and governance-oriented quantum research model. This model addresses emerging risks and uncertainties within quantum technology ecosystems.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the study provides early empirical insights, further longitudinal and sector-specific studies are required to validate and extend the model's applicability across evolving quantum contexts.Practical implicationsThe model serves as a foundational tool for organisations and policymakers to assess quantum technology readiness and embed responsible, human-centric practices into their innovation strategies.Social implicationsThis study contributes to ensuring that the growth of quantum technologies aligns with ethical norms and sustainability goals, supporting inclusive and trustworthy technological advancement.Originality/valueThis research offers a pioneering contribution by proposing a governance-oriented quantum readiness framework, combining ethics and sustainability constructs within a single empirically validated model.
PurposeKnowledge production is an essential component of economic growth, giving rise to the literature on research productivity, particularly within universities. Recent studies have highlighted the impact of institutional factors on knowledge production, and their complexities are particularly pronounced in developing economies, such as the Philippines, which has performed poorly in the region over recent decades. Responding to the call to leapfrog in research productivity, the designated policymaking body introduces a new graduate education policy that centers on graduate training. This study aims to present a policy analysis of the potential of this new measure and identifies the institutional frictions that arise during its implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe new graduate education policy is positioned within emerging and established institutions, which would shape organizational arrangements to facilitate transactions supportive of the policy. Thus, along this frame, this study adopts the lens of New Institutional Economics to examine how the new policy navigates through institutions and the anticipated frictions in its implementation. This study critically examines these institutions, their incentive structures, underlying transaction costs, the social norms that shape these structures and transaction costs and the enforcement of the new policy.FindingsThe critical analysis identifies the following frictions: (1) misalignments between institutional rules and capacities of agents, (2) limited incentives for interdisciplinary programs and (3) weak alignment of tenure policies with the desired outcomes of the new policy. Several transaction costs have been identified, and the difficulty of allocating these costs to various agents is becoming increasingly apparent. Finally, social norms may hinder its implementation, such as prioritizing teaching over research, part-time student enrollment, the unpopularity of joint supervision and the path dependency of most institutional university frameworks.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this work is the first to critically examine the new Philippine graduate education policy through the lens of New Institutional Economics, offering policymakers strategic foresight to make the reform more context-sensitive, align formal rules with actual behavior and adjust incentive structures and organizational capacities.
Purpose Blockchain technology (BCT) has attracted considerable attention for its many potential advantages, but has not yet been widely adopted. Iran is a representative case illustrating issues in an emerging economy, where applications are in the early stages of development. This study aims to position current managerial considerations within a framework of technology hype cycles. Design/methodology/approach BCT is quite new in emerging economies, so the most important issues are identified using a fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) among a panel of experts. The Bayesian best–worst method (BWM) assigns weights to these issues, organized in the technology, organization and environment framework: technology (characteristics of BCT), organization (ability to use BCT) and environment (public policy and competitive situation). Findings Consideration of BCT is beyond early inflated expectations in the technology hype cycle, and Iranian banks seem focused on adapting BCT to their capabilities and the regulatory and competitive environment. This corresponds to the disillusionment phase of the hype cycle. Banks realize that early inflated expectations were rarely realistic, but nevertheless, see BCT potential after working out how to use it well. Originality/value This study expands knowledge about BCT adoption in emerging economy banks, where the competitive and technological environment is different from advanced developed countries. FDM/BWM work well to identify key factors under current consideration.
PurposeThe adoption of technology within construction firms has been improving globally over the past few years. However, the growth rate has not been encouraging compared to other sectors, even in developed countries. This study aims to examine the challenges of adopting modern technology among Irish Quantity Surveying firms. Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research methodology using the positivist paradigm. Data were collected from 52 quantity surveying firms through structured questionnaires using a purposive sampling method. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with findings presented in table format. FindingsThe results revealed that quantity surveying firms acknowledge the benefits of technology adoption, including improved measurement accuracy and efficiency, enhanced cost estimation, effective risk management and effective cost control and management. However, several barriers inhibit their ability to adopt technology in their work, including implementation costs, a lack of expertise, resistance to change and insufficient digital skills, among others. Practical implicationsThe results suggest that Quantity Surveyors need to overcome these adoption barriers to enhance their competencies in innovation and adaptability. These will help them achieve the benefits associated with technology, bring efficiency to the work process and reduce their operational costs. Originality/valueThe value of the paper lies in its emphasis on the importance of fostering adaptability and innovation, as well as the nature of challenges hindering their adoption that must be overcome by quantity surveying firms to enhance their competitiveness.
PurposeSmall- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly adopting technologies and transforming businesses in the digital landscape. Hence, understanding the roles of digital literacy and technology adoption in digital transformation and SME performance is essential for sustainable growth and competitiveness; however, this study explores and presents insights into this matter, particularly for SMEs. Henceforth, grounding resource-based view theory, this study aims to examine the interaction among digital literacy, technologies, transformation and SME performance, including mediating roles of digital technology usage and digital transformation.Design/methodology/approachThis study collects data from managers or owners of SMEs using a structured questionnaire. To examine the complex interaction between digital literacy, digital technologies, digital transformation and SME performance, this study used structural equation modeling approaches using the PLS-SEM software.FindingsThe results reveal that while digital transformation positively impacts SME performance, the mere use of digital technologies does not have a significant direct effect. Furthermore, digital literacy significantly drives both digital technology use and digital transformation, despite having no direct impact on SME performance. Mediation analyses indicate that digital technology use bridges the gap between digital literacy and digital transformation. However, it does not independently mediate the link between digital literacy and firm performance. Instead, digital transformation acts as a crucial mediator, positively linking digital literacy and technology use to SME outcomes. Finally, this study confirms a significant serial mediation pathway in which digital literacy sequentially enhances SME performance, first through the adoption of digital technologies, which subsequently drives comprehensive digital transformation.Practical implicationsThis study has significant implications for SMEs that want to develop competitive capabilities with businesses by performing digital transformation, so that business activities develop in accordance with changes in the existing environment, thus increasing SME performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by expanding our understanding of how digital literacy, technology utilization and digital transformation collectively influence SME performance. In a rapidly evolving business environment, comprehensive digital transformation is imperative for SMEs. However, successful transformation relies on robust digital literacy to effectively leverage these technologies and drive positive outcomes. Consequently, this study advances current knowledge by empirically validating the sequential pathway from foundational digital skills to tangible firm performance.
