Synthetic Lies: Understanding AI-Generated Misinformation and Evaluating Algorithmic and Human Solutions

Large language models have abilities in creating high-volume human-like texts and can be used to generate persuasive misinformation. However, the risks remain under-explored. To address the gap, this work first examined characteristics of AI-generated misinformation (AI-misinfo) compared with human creations, and then evaluated the applicability of existing solutions. We compiled human-created COVID-19 misinformation and ed it into narrative prompts for a language model to output AI-misinfo. We found significant linguistic differences within human-AI pairs, and patterns of AI-misinfo in enhancing details, communicating uncertainties, drawing conclusions, and simulating personal tones. While existing models remained capable of classifying AI-misinfo, a significant performance drop compared to human-misinfo was observed. Results suggested that existing information assessment guidelines had questionable applicability, as AI-misinfo tended to meet criteria in evidence credibility, source transparency, and limitation acknowledgment. We discuss implications for practitioners, researchers, and journalists, as AI can create new challenges to the societal problem of misinformation. © 2023 Owner/Author.

Does Esg Rating Affect Stock Performance of Indian Companies? An Empirical Study

Purpose: The study tries to investigate the influence of the ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings on the stock performance of Indian companies. It further compares the stock performance of those companies that are ESG leaders with Design/Methodology/Approach: The current paper is retrieving the ESG data from a third party to look at the impact of the ESG ratings on the performance of Indian stocks. This is the first study to use a calendar-time approach to assess the impact of 621 ESG rating changes on the stock returns of Indian companies from 2017 to 2022. Findings: The study finds that while an improvement in ESG rating has resulted in statistically significant but unpredictably positive abnormal returns of approximately 0.7% per month, a decline in rating is detrimental to stock performance, resulting in statistically significant monthly risk-adjusted returns of nearly -1.7% on average. Originality/Value: This is one of the primary studies that has investigated the outcome of specialized ESG ratings (improved and declining) on the stock return performance of companies in India.

Transformative service research approaches for visitor experiences in major sporting events

PurposeThis research conceptualises the hallmark event, Melbourne Cup in Australia, as a major sporting brand experience. While numerous studies have explored consumer engagement and experiences in major sporting events, few research studies highlight the negative issues, such as alcoholism, gambling and violence, that may affect consumer engagement and experience. This article addresses the challenges and opportunities of providing immersive and transformative experiences through transformative service research (TSR) approaches when such negative issues are swirling around.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is conceptual. It uses the example of Melbourne Cup to illuminate aspects of the conceptual framework.FindingsThe article unpacks a myriad of positive and negative immersive brand experiences and contributes a conceptual framework to understand the sporting brand experience phenomenon and shows how authentically responsible marketing approaches can improve the sport spectator experience.Research limitations/implicationsInsights from the extended TSR framework presents implications for various organisations that are involved with strategic destination marketing approaches. It guides key stakeholders to engage in dialogue and collaborate in order to improve the attendee transformative experience. Inviting collaborators will facilitate the exchange of ideas that will improve event organisation. Consistent approaches among hospitality service providers would improve alcohol service and create a safe environment for attendees. The TSR framework guides players of the experience to engage in meaningful dialogue with a common goal to improve consumer wellbeing. Education and training therefore are key elements in the consumer sporting brand experience.Practical implicationsThe adapted TSR framework offers insights to destination marketers such as sporting agencies, tour operators and sporting organisations/clubs. Marketers may promote bigger sporting events and organise tours via travel agencies and ignore key elements that may influence attendee decision. Destination marketing organisations (DMOs) can use the framework to promote effective planning and the key initiatives that the iconic event is involved with. The framework can be used as a guide to manage similar international events. Events of major or mega size and international reputation need specific frameworks that address crowd behaviours of similar sizes.Originality/valueAn extended transformative service approach is being conceptualised for major sporting brand experiences. Practical implications are also highlighted for DMOs when raising the profile of city brands.

The Relationship between Marine Sports Tourist Destinations, Social Responsibility, and Environmentally Responsible Behavior

This study investigated the structural relationship between tourist destination identification and environmental responsibility practices based on the social responsibility activities for visitors of marine sports tourist destinations where domestic travel has been active since COVID-19. Furthermore, we aimed to provide academic and practical implications by investigating the relationship between DSR, a major variable in sustainable marine sports tourism, and ERB. Data from a survey of tourists who participated in marine sports (n = 392) were analyzed using structural equation modeling and Hayes PROCESS macro with bootstrapping procedures. According to the analysis results, it was found that marine sports tourist DSR positively affected destination identification and ERB, and that tourist destination identification positively influenced ERB. Second, it was shown that the effect of the social responsibility of a marine sports tourist destination on ERB is mediated via the influence of tourist destination identification.

Characterizing food systems to better understand their vulnerabilities: a case study in Québec and São Paulo

Characterizing food systems, i.e., describing their organizational features, can help to generate a better understanding of the structural vulnerabilities that constrain transitions towards sustainable food security. However, their characterization across different economic contexts remains challenging. In this paper, by linking key concepts from research on food regimes, food system vulnerabilities and responsible innovation, we aim to characterize food systems in a developing and a developed economy to identify their shared vulnerabilities. We applied a case study design to characterize food production, processing and distribution in the province of Québec (Canada) and in the state of São Paulo (Brazil). In both cases, the processing and distribution stages have higher economic predominance when compared to the agricultural production stage. Furthermore, we observed concentration in a few activities in both food systems, with a shared focus on export-oriented supply chains. Vulnerabilities in both food systems include: (1) increased interdependence because some supply chains are export-oriented or depend on foreign labor and are, therefore, exposed to external risks;(2) concentration in a few activities, which threatens present and future local food diversity and (3) unequal power relations, making small and medium players vulnerable to decisions made by big players. The characterization developed in this study shows that the two food systems are mainly pursuing economic goals, following the institutional logics of the neoliberal food regime, which are not necessarily aligned with food security goals. It also exposes the presence of characteristics of ‘responsibility' that may eventually help overcome food systems' vulnerabilities and support transitions toward sustainability.

Geo-Economy of the Future: Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Energy: Volume II

This book presents an international review of the modern geo-economy and a scientific take on the geo-economy of the future. It identifies the challenges of climate change and their impact on the modern geo-economy. Prospects for the geo-economy of the future are outlined based on sustainable agriculture and alternative energy. Policy implications are put forward to develop a geo-economy of the future in response to the challenges of climate change. The book presents management implications for the development of the geo-economy of the future in response to the challenges of climate change at the regional and global scale. It presents the lessons-learned through the COVID-19 pandemic, and applies experiences of countries with different environmental conditions for agriculture and the development of the energy sector. Based on these results, advanced practical recommendations and ready-made frameworks at the national, regional, and enterprise level are provided. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

The impact of coronavirus on business: Developing service research agenda for a post-coronavirus world

Purpose: The coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a tremendous impact on companies worldwide. However, researchers have no clear idea of the key issues requiring their attention. This paper aims to close this gap by analysing all business-related posts on a coronavirus subreddit ("r/coronavirus") and identifying the main research streams that are guiding the research agenda for a post-coronavirus world. Design/methodology/approach: We use data from reddit, particularly the subreddit "r/coronavirus" to identify posts that reveal the impact of coronavirus on business. Our dataset has more than 200,000 posts. We used an artificial intelligence-based algorithm to scrape the data with business-related search terms, clean it and analyse the discussion topics. Findings: We show the key topics that address the impact of coronavirus on business, combining them into four themes: essential service provision, bricolage service innovation, responsible shopping practices and market shaping amid crisis. We discuss these themes and use them to develop a service research agenda. The results are reported against the backdrop of service research priorities. Originality/value: The study identifies four key themes that have emerged from the impact of coronavirus on business and that require scholarly attention. Our findings can guide service research with unique insights provided immediately after the coronavirus outbreak to conduct research that matters to business and helps people in vulnerable positions in a post-coronavirus world. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Current Trends in the ESG Bond Market

The relevance of the research topic is confirmed by the statistics of increasing volumes of responsible investment, the annual improvement of the regulatory framework within the concept of sustainable development, and the reports of the World Economic Forum on critical global risks. In this paper, the author puts forward hypotheses on the interrelation of inflation rates, military expenditures, and dynamics of COVID-19 pandemic diseases with the volume of ESG bonds issue, examining their attractiveness at present, when the leaders of most countries give preference to short-term stability. The research aims to analyze the dynamics of the ESG bond market. The scientific novelty of this research is that the author reveals the correlation of dependence and statistical significance between indicators of green investments and inflationary pressure, military expenditures of countries, and COVID-19 incidence. Moreover, global trends of ESG bonds market development are determined. The research methods include conceptual and empirical research methods, a set of methods of economic and statistical analysis, and the analysis of literary and electronic sources. The research shows a direct rather than inverse correlation between green bonds and military spending. This means that governments are indeed concerned about the environment and the consequences of military action, which offers hope for further positive trends in ESG bond issuance. Additionally, it is found that COVID-19 disease rates have no influence on the dynamics of ESG bond issuance in 2022. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Structural Relationship between Ecotourism Motivation, Satisfaction, Place Attachment, and Environmentally Responsible Behavior Intention in Nature-Based Camping

This study aims to make an investigation on the relationship between ecotourism motivation (EM), satisfaction (SA), place attachment (PA), and environmentally responsible behavior intention (ER) based on the analysis of camping tourism andstudy the mediating roles of SA and PA in the relationship between EM and ER. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 400 camping tourists who visited the Yunnan Province of China within the last year. The distribution of survey questionnaires range from 12 February 2023–24 February 2023. The results reveal that EM positively influences SA, PA, and ER, whereas, although SA positively impacts PA, it does not significantly affect ER. In contrast, PA positively affects ER. Furthermore, PA has a positive mediating impact on the relationship between EM and ER, whereas, SA does not significantly mediate this relationship. Finally, SA and PA act as chain mediators between EM and ER. The findings contribute to the tourism literature by shedding light on the complex relationships between EM, SA, PA, and ER in the context of camping tourism, thereby, enhancing tourist satisfaction and promoting environmentally responsible behavior, thus, contributing to the growth of a sustainable camping industry.

Perception of Green Product Consumption in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic in an Emerging Economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes in consumer behavior and has created new opportunities and challenges for the provisioning of green products in emerging economies. The objective of this study was to identify how perceptions on COVID-19 affected the variables of planned behavior and responsible purchase intention during the pandemic in Colombia. A total of 320 consumers participated in an online survey, and the responses were analyzed using a structural equation model (SEM) and AMOS 24 statistical software. The results were positive regarding the development of better environmental awareness, indicating that COVID-19 (COV) influenced the attitude (ATT) of individuals and contributed to subjective norms (SNs) and perceived behavioral control (PBC), and that SNs and ATT influence eco-friendly purchase intention (EFPI). However, PBC does not contribute to EFPI. Colombian consumers have become aware of the importance to society of buying eco-friendly products, and planned behavior is an opportunity for organizations to formulate new portfolios relevant to the needs of the market. This is an important opportunity to sensitize consumers to the purchase of environmentally friendly products and for the identification of commercial strategies by companies that bet on the formulation and commercialization of eco-friendly portfolios that generate value for society.

Features of Corporate Social Responsibility in Russia Within the Framework of Sustainable Development

Transforming business for sustainable development is the most important challenge facing companies around the world today. The study and dissemination of best practices allow all economic agents from different industries to implement a strategic approach to the management of corporate social activities, as well as to integrate the principles of responsible business management into the system of basic management functions. The technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are rapidly changing the structure of markets and the strategies of companies, but they cannot be considered outside the context of the interaction of business, society, and nature. To implement more sustainable business models and address the main issues of the current decade related to social and environmental risks, an open dialogue between the state, science, and business is necessary. The article shows the features of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Russia at the present stage, identifies the problems, and prospects for its development. The analysis of trends in the adaptation of Russian realities to the UN concept of sustainable development is carried out. The methodology used in the study contained a set of methods and approaches. In addition to general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, system, situational, process, and dynamic approaches were used. As a result of the research, several conclusions were drawn and practical recommendations were proposed to the state and the private sector for organizing and improving the effectiveness of the CSR system following current global trends. Also, the reaction of Russian companies to the Covid-19 pandemic is shown. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Portfolio performance implications of investment in renewable energy equities: Green versus gray

The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nation and interest by investors in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment strategies have caused a rapid shift to the green or renewable energy sector, from traditional or gray (oil, gas, and coal) energy companies. In this study, we examine whether and to what extent, financially speaking, there is a price to pay for investing in renewable energy sector equity. Moreover, we seek to determine whether green investments can be considered a hedge during times of financial stress. We find that alphas from investments in a portfolio of gray (overall energy sector) stocks and versus a portfolio of renewable energy equities during an exogenous, non-financial shock-the COVID-19 pandemic-and during non-crisis periods did not differ statistically. However, the renewable energy index showed higher idiosyncratic volatility than the energy index, as expected. The results are robust to alternative model specifications. From a practical perspective, our results are informative in that they provide insights into the tradeoffs associated with renewable energy investments. In particular, risk-adjusted returns to a renewable energy portfolio may be affected by greater idiosyncratic risk.

The Ultimate Owner of Environmental, Social, and Governance Investment

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected society in immeasurable ways, including investment. As the pandemic has impacted society's values, it has proven to be a major turning point for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment. This investment approach, which evaluates a company's ESG ratings alongside traditional financial metrics, was already "coming off a banner year,” and its reach continues to expand. Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of ESG scores on financial returns and the trend in ESG investment strategies, only a limited number of studies have attempted to capture the key players in ESG investment. Therefore, to determine the most influential investors in the ESG investment field, the cumulative impacts are calculated based on the ESG scores of invested companies, the total market price of invested companies, and the investor history portfolio report. We perform an iteration of calculation to convey the impacts that the invested companies have on the ultimate investors, and we identify the major players in the field and differences in the trend by type of investor and country. Copyright © 2022 Keeley, Li, Takeda, Gloria and Managi.

Determinants of supplier payment times before and during the pandemic: Empirical evidence from UK firms

Timely, compliant payment to suppliers is a significant issue in purchasing and supply management (PSM) but research into its determinants is limited. Here we draw on social responsibility, fintech and digital purchasing literatures, and institutional and stakeholder theories to explain variations in supplier payment times. A sample of 509 firms spanning 2018–2021 is used for panel regression analysis. Contrary to expectations, the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to longer payment times or reduced compliance with payment terms, which we attribute to state-funded business supports and corporate decisions to accelerate payment to vulnerable suppliers. Institutional pressure in the form of payment codes was associated with shorter payment times and improved compliance during the pandemic. Supply chain finance (SCF) was associated with longer payment times during the pandemic while e-invoicing had no effect. Overall, institutional pressure seems to contribute to faster payment but stakeholder-centred fintech and digitalisation does not.

Doing good or looking good: how socially responsible human resource management practices influence employees' CSR-specific performance

PurposeThis study examines whether, how and when socially responsible human resource management (SRHRM) practices increase employees' in-role and extra-role corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses data from 422 employees of 68 companies.FindingsSRHRM improves employees' in-role CSR-specific performance via impression management motivation and enhance extra-role CSR-specific performance via prosocial motivation. Moral identity symbolization strengthens the relationship between SRHRM and impression management motivation, and moral identity internalization reinforces the relationship between SRHRM and prosocial motivation. The authors also propose mediated moderation models.Practical implicationsThis study indicates that company can adopt SRHRM practices to improve employees' in-role and extra-role CSR-specific performance.Originality/valueThis study reveals how and when SRHRM practices influence employees' CSR-specific performance and sheds light on the social impacts of SRHRM.

Otimização do processo de picking em supermercados: um modelo matemático para roteamento de coleta de pedidos em comércio eletrônico

O comércio eletrônico tem sido uma oportunidade para as empresas acessarem um dos canais de venda mais rentáveis, a internet. A estratégia Omnichannel se consolidou no mercado, integrando os canais físicos e online para oferecer uma experiência de compra mais completa e personalizada aos clientes. No entanto, o segmento de alimentos online não se desenvolveu tão rapidamente quanto inicialmente esperado, o que levou a um certo ceticismo em relação a esse negócio. A pandemia da COVID-19 em 2020 causou uma mudança inesperada nesse cenário, forçando os supermercados a acelerar sua digitalização para encontrar novas maneiras de atender aos clientes em suas casas. O processo de separação, empacotamento e expedição de pedidos em uma loja online é conduzido por um responsável que atribui as atividades aos separadores levando em consideração a experiência do indivíduo. Embora os separadores mais experientes usem a topologia da loja para determinar o caminho mais eficiente, frequentemente os pedidos são atribuídos a trabalhadores com tempo parcial e sem vínculo empregatício, prejudicando o desempenho. Depois de coletados os itens, os pedidos são entregues a colaboradores responsáveis pelo empacotamento e expedição, sendo que o fluxo do processo é alterado de acordo com o tipo de serviço solicitado pelo cliente. Este trabalho apresenta e discute um modelo de programação linear inteira mista para solucionar o problema de roteamento de coleta com restrições específicas de um supermercado. Os testes realizados mostraram que a utilização de uma variação do modelo matemático do Problema do Caixeiro Viajante pode ser uma ferramenta útil para a tomada de decisões gerenciais na otimização do processo de picking em supermercados. Desta forma, os gestores podem definir estratégias específicas para melhorar a eficiência das entregas, reduzindo custos e tempo de espera dos clientes.Alternate :E-commerce has been an opportunity for companies to access one of the most profitable sales channels, the internet. The Omnichannel strategy has consolidated in the market, integrating physical and online channels to offer a more complete and personalized shopping experience to customers. However, the online food segment has not developed as quickly as initially expected, leading to some skepticism about this business. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused an unexpected shift in this scenario, forcing supermarkets to accelerate their digitalization to find new ways to serve customers in their homes. The process of picking, packing, and shipping orders in an online store is conducted by a responsible person who assigns activities to pickers, taking into account the individual's experience. Although more experienced pickers use the store's topology to determine the most efficient path, orders are often assigned to part-time workers without an employment relationship, which hampers performance. After items are collected, orders are delivered to employees responsible for packing and shipping, and the process flow is changed according to the type of service requested by the customer. This paper presents and discusses an integer linear programming model to solve the collection routing problem with specific constraints of a supermarket. The tests carried out showed that the use of the mathematical model of the Traveling Salesman Problem can be a useful tool for managerial decision-making in optimizing the picking process in supermarkets. Managers can define specific strategies to improve delivery efficiency, reducing costs and waiting time for customers.

The Rise of AI-powered companies

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a game-changer in the business world, with impacts across all sectors. AI allows business to process massive amounts of data instantaneously, and to scale solutions at almost zero marginal cost, forcing companies to adapt and reimagine their business and operations. The Rise of AI-Powered Companies examines some of the most successful examples of companies using artificial intelligence to their advantage. From AI-enabled countries across the globe that stayed resilient and strong in the face of COVID-19, to Business-to-Consumer businesses that transformed their product development processes thanks to unprecedented amounts of consumer data, increasing their revenues manifold along the way. The book then delves into the critical enablers to becoming AI-powered and the critical steps to activate and integrate them within business organizations. Starting with data strategy, it examines new forms of data sharing and how companies should think about governance and privacy risks. It then focuses on human-AI collaboration and its role in building a stronger team culture. Finally, "Responsible AI" is discussed as well as the impact of AI-powered businesses on society at large. AI-powered companies will become the norm in the years to come. By unpacking and showcasing the major steps of a successful AI transformation, this book will help guide organizations in making the critical leap to become AI-powered-essential to survive and remain competitive in the near future. © 2022 The BCG Henderson Institute. All rights reserved.

Responsible innovation in synthetic biology in response to COVID-19: the role of data positionality.

Synthetic biology, as an engineering approach to biological systems, has the potential to disruptively innovate the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Data accessibility and differences in data-usage capabilities are important factors in shaping this innovation landscape. In this paper, the data that underpin synthetic biology responses to the COVID-19 pandemic are analyzed as positional information goods-goods whose value depends on exclusivity. The positionality of biological data impacts the ability to guide innovations toward societally preferred goals. From both an ethical and economic point of view, positionality can lead to suboptimal as well as beneficial situations. When aiming for responsible innovation (i.e. embedding societal deliberation in the innovation process), it is important to consider hurdles and facilitators in data access and use. Central governance and knowledge commons provide routes to mitigate the negative effects of data positionality.

Consumption in University Students, Is There a Greater Awareness of Csr after Covid-19?

Corporate social responsibility and sustainable development goals have experienced a boom in recent years in various fields (companies, governments, consumers, education...). Some concepts that were not given so much attention before have become the alarm voice that aims to raise awareness of the need for a change in the production and consumption model that is being carried out so that the planet and the society do not continue to suffer and the serious problems derived from the currently prevailing economic and consumerist model can be eradicated (social inequalities, poverty, hunger, global warming, depletion of resources, extreme weather events...). Currently there are already many training centers that provide specific training in this area and more and more people and companies are trying to educate themselves and modify their habits to contribute to common well-being, but do responsible consumption behaviors guarantee the acquisition of this knowledge? Has the pandemic generated greater awareness of the current problem, and has it led to a change in consumption habits? Is there a big difference in notable behavior between students who have specific academic training in this field and those who do not? The work will begin with a brief introduction so that, later, after analyzing the results obtained through a survey answered by the sample population, the questions formulated previously can be answered.

A literature review on overtourism to guide the transition to responsible tourism

Although the pre-pandemic tourism debate was led by Overtourism, when the pandemic erupted, the increasing literature on this topic was still in an initial stage. The mobility restrictions derived from Covid-19 stopped Overtourism, but the problem is still far from being eradicated. There is an increasingly need for a solid body of knowledge on which to build recovery to avoid making past mistakes. A comprehensive pre-pandemic literature review is carried out, by proposing an overtourism conceptual framework that integrates its causes and consequences. How the pandemic could become an opportunity to transition to a responsible tourism model is discussed.