BSL Academic Research Updates

Abstract

RE-BD AR2024, the 2024 Assessment Report on Renewable Energy and Biodiversity, addresses the critical balance between expanding renewable energy (RE) and better protecting biodiversity in Switzerland, with a special focus on the Alpine regions. It is the result of the project “Towards new renewable energy developments in Switzerland that preserve biodiversity”, supported by CLIMACT, the Center for Climate Impact and Action of UNIL & EPFL, conducted between June 2023 and September 2024. The project reviewed published scientific literature in order to define the conditions needed to reach three key societal goals: climate action, energy security, and ecological integrity. It unites experts in RE, climate, and biodiversity from diverse scientific bodies and universities across Switzerland, aiming to foster mutual understanding and collaboration to achieve the outlined societal goals.

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between organizational capital (OC) and stock performance during the two recent crisis periods, namely the GFC and COVID-19. Economic crises highlight the sustainable competitiveness of firms, providing an opportunity to identify the role of OC. OC is intangible capital that encompasses intrinsic business processes and expertise, facilitating more efficient resource utilization than competitors. Results show that a greater OC is significantly associated with higher stock returns during both crisis periods. The association is robust to the models with firm-fixed effects and instrumental variables. In addition, we find evidence that generalist CEOs strengthen this relationship while specialist CEOs do not. This study emphasizes the pivotal role of OC as a protective buffer against external shocks, particularly during periods when the market pays more attention to corporate sustainability.

The full article can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1062940824001992?via%3Dihub

Abstract

The digital advancement of “as a service” models has led to the rapid emergence of mobility as a service (MaaS) in transportation. This study aims to identify the motivational factors used among users of integrated mobility application services and empirically determine their attitudes regarding use and customer loyalty over the long term. To do this, four motivations for using integrated mobility mobile application services—social, habit-congruence, economic, and innovation acceptance—were identified. A total of 311 actual users of integrated mobility app services in South Korea were sampled and analyzed. Social motivation was found to have the greatest impact on positive attitudes and behavioral intentions to use integrated mobility apps. This is followed by habit-congruence motivation, which users perceived as essential for use determination. It was found that active users of integrated mobility apps, who have used them for years, have a positive attitude about them, viewing them as part of a regular transportation system of daily life rather than an innovative service. This study suggests practical implications for integrated mobility applications and service strategies for transportation-related governments and businesses.

DOI: 10.3390/info15090536

Abstract

Het midden- en kleinbedrijf (mkb) vormt de ruggengraat van de economie, maar veel mkb-ondernemingen kampen met uitdagingen op het gebied van de verkoopactiviteiten. Promotieonderzoek van Maurik de Groot wijst uit dat de rol van de ondernemer als verkoper cruciaal is voor de levensvatbaarheid van kleine en middelgrote bedrijven.

Abstract

The rapid rise of the entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem since the early 2000s led to the development of various start-up development organizations (SDOs) designed to assist founders at various stages. With a growing number of SDO options and limited resources and time, founders may have difficulty selecting an appropriate SDO with which to engage. Similarly, the complex nature of this space makes it difficult for investors to assess the role of SDOs concerning start-up risk factors and odds of success. Both science and practice have yet to identify factors of SDOs that contribute to their performance. Two issues that serve as barriers to identifying success factors are that scientific studies are limited and terminology is inconsistent. Therefore, it remains unclear whether engagement with an SDO increases start-ups’ success and, in turn, a positive return on investment to the investor. This chapter contributes to the literature by identifying differentiating features of SDOs and outlining current evaluation and comparison methods. The chapter concludes with future research topics that will further our understanding of factors critical to SDO performance.

Abstract

This study explores the expanding phenomenon of unique venues in multicultural spaces as locations for business events, focusing on a grounded theory approach to identify factors and strategies that enhance the competitiveness of unique venues within these spaces. 23 venue managers related to the unique venue businesses in South Korean multicultural spaces were interviewed, and the collected interview results were analyzed. The analysis revealed that multicultural spaces are engaging in unique venue businesses for brand promotion and creating new revenue opportunities. Additionally, they employ interaction strategies based on their intrinsic competitiveness to enhance cometitiveness among various companies. This study, based on grounded theory in South Korea, shows limitations in generalization, and future research should verify the models derived from this study through global venue perspectives and actual case studies. Meanwhile, excellent managerial capabilities of venues can strengthen professional services, the uniqueness of local and natural environments can contribute to the development of package products utilizing external environmental resources, and the excellence of internal resources can lead to the development of customer experience programs using these resources, thereby further enhancing competitiveness. As a result, it provides mplications that marketing capabilities are improved and regional networks are expanded, ultimately leading to increased business events.

Link to Journal of Creativity and Innovation.