Emerald Publishing Limited

The First Sourcebook on Nordic Research in Mathematics Education: Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark and contributions from Finland provides the first comprehensive and unified treatment of historical and contemporary research trends in mathematics education in the Nordic world.

The book is organized in sections co-ordinated by active researchers in mathematics education in Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, and Finland. The purpose of this sourcebook is to synthesize and survey the established body of research in these countries with findings that have influenced ongoing research agendas, informed practice, framed curricula and policy. The sections for each country also include historical articles in addition to exemplary examples of recently conducted research oriented towards the future. The book will serve as a standard reference for mathematics education researchers, policy makers, practitioners and students both in and outside the Nordic countries.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the field of Knowledge Management (KM); as AI technologies rapidly evolve and permeate organisational processes, there is an urgent need for a fresh, critical examination of their impact on knowledge creation, sharing, and utilisation. At its core, this work addresses critical questions: How does AI reshape what we define as knowledge? What are the risks, biases, and ethical dilemmas of relying on machine-generated insights? How can organisations balance the benefits of AI automation with the irreplaceable value of human expertise? By weaving together these themes, the book goes beyond existing KM texts that treat AI merely as a supporting tool—it positions AI as a paradigm-shifting force redefining the entire knowledge ecosystem. The research presented here bridges theoretical foundations with practical insights to guide scholars, practitioners, and leaders navigating this profound shift. While many works focus separately on AI or KM, few comprehensively explore their intersection with attention to ethical, strategic, and organisational dimensions. This book fills that gap, providing an essential roadmap for academics researching AI’s role in knowledge processes and practitioners tasked with integrating AI into their organisational knowledge strategies. Managing Innovation in Business Strategy, Marketing and Finance has a goal of contributing to understanding the role of business innovation from the perspective of three key functional areas: strategy marketing and finance.

Sustainable and Resilient Cities: Insights into Urban Planning in US Cities and Communities offers an in-depth analysis of sustainability, climate change and resilience planning across 200 US population centers. Drawing on an analysis of over 600 urban plans, the book evaluates the progress and effectiveness of sustainable urban planning practices in the US, and provides actionable policy recommendations to enhance urban sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.

Coverage includes:

• the extent to which US cities design and implement strategies to become more sustainable
• whether these plans include criteria and indicators to measure progress
• how closely these plans follow established guidelines like ISO standards
• the relationship between a city's climate, proximity to water, population size, and the elements included in their sustainability plans
• an overall preparedness score to assess how well cities and communities are equipped to face current sustainability, climate change, and resilience challenge
• broader conclusions, including common characteristics and performance patterns of the 200 population centers, and policy recommendations to enhance urban sustainability and resilience.

Sustainable and Resilient Cities addresses the rapidly growing academic and professional interest in urban sustainability, resilience and climate adaptation. With insights spanning multiple fields, it is an essential resource for researchers, practitioners and policymakers.

Drop-out, Push-out, or Walk-out?: (Re)imagining Education for Young Mothers and Pregnant Adolescents delves into the pressing issues of social justice and equity for pregnant learners and school-aged mothers within international contexts. Based on an award-winning dissertation, this book centers on the experiences of pregnant learners and student mothers in southern Malawi, situating in-school pregnancy as a global phenomenon affecting both the 'Global North' and the 'Global South.' Despite re-admission and continuation policies, many young mothers still drop out of primary and secondary schools after pregnancy. Existing research confirms that school climates are often hostile and intolerant towards pregnant learners and student mothers. This book challenges the assumption that these young women are simply dropping out, arguing instead that they are being pushed out by structural forces within schools and society.

To address the existential threats to schooling post-pregnancy and reimagine inclusive, continuation-oriented education for pregnant learners and student mothers, this book amplifies the voices of mothering and pregnant adolescents. Employing a novel methodological approach rooted in Ubuntu, the book challenges conventional paradigms about who belongs in schooling spaces and what education looks like for pregnant and mothering students. It also provides insights into the socio-economic, historical, cultural, and political contexts for schooling and pregnancy, as well as its global implications for women’s and girls’ education.

Key arguments include

• Systemic "push-out": The departure of pregnant and mothering students is both institutionally influenced and a personal decision due to structural inequalities
• Inside-outside schooling supports: Support for schooling post-pregnancy goes beyond the curriculum, drawing connections between home-based and school-based support systems
• Southern-based indigenous knowledges: The book centers on young women's stories, showcasing non-normative ways of navigating schooling post-pregnancy by offering the “Critical Afro-Feminist Education” (CAFE) framework as a unique form of theorizing through African indigenous perspectives
• Continuation-oriented alternative education: Challenging normative approaches to education and utilizing communal structures for alternative education options, such as night schools, to create transformative spaces
• Reconstructing studenthood and belongingness: Redefining what it means to be a student and challenging deficit constructions of student motherhood.

Drop-out, Push-out, or Walk-out?: (Re)imagining Education for Young Mothers and Pregnant Adolescents is a significant contribution to the field of comparative and international education, offering new knowledge and practical recommendations for researchers, educators, policymakers, and advocates supporting pregnant and mothering students.

In an era of unprecedented challenges for educational leadership, Problems of Practice: Case Studies of the Superintendency emerges as an indispensable guide for navigating the complex realities of school administration. This vital volume delves into the multifaceted issues superintendents confront daily, from critical topics like school finance and personnel management to conflict resolution and intricate superintendent-board relations, all identified as paramount by the AASA Decennial Study (2020). Beyond these core areas, the book expands its scope to pressing post-pandemic problems of practice that define the contemporary educational landscape.

Through a collection of insightful, real-world case studies, each chapter offers a detailed examination of specific challenges faced by superintendents, alongside the practical policies, processes, and procedures employed to address them. Readers will gain profound understanding from the lived experiences of leaders who have successfully navigated complex district problems, fiscal crises, and diverse stakeholder relationships. Whether you are an aspiring superintendent seeking to build a robust foundation, a current leader refining your approach, or an academic researcher exploring the nuances of educational leadership, this book provides invaluable lessons, actionable recommendations, and crucial reflective opportunities.

Authored by experienced practitioners and scholars, Problems of Practice bridges theory and practice, offering a holistic view that empowers leaders to foster deeper understanding, make informed decisions, and drive proactive change within their educational communities. Prepare to engage with compelling narratives that will equip you with the knowledge and strategies essential for an effective and impactful superintendency.

NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract: Frequently Asked Questions is a valuable resource that provides a solid foundation for understanding and using the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC). It offers a concise, accessible overview, answering many of the common queries that arise when encountering the ECC for the first time and helping readers navigate the contract with confidence.

Logically structured to follow the layout of the ECC, the book is designed for easy navigation and quick referencing of specific sections. It includes chapters on each of the core clauses, main option and secondary option clauses, equipping readers with a comprehensive understanding of the NEC4 framework. Authored by a seasoned expert with over 30 years’ experience in this area, the book draws on real industry questions and scenarios. It will support better decision making and assist users in pro-actively following ECC processes and procedures.

NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract: Frequently Asked Questions is ideal for a diverse audience, including contractors, subcontractors, clients, ECC Project Managers, and construction solicitors, and particularly beneficial for those with limited contract knowledge or experience.

Trade Dynamics in the 21st Century: The African Perspective explores the complex interplay between international trade, sustainable development, and socio-economic transformation in Africa. Grounded in contemporary discourse, the book critically examines how trade activities by governments, private sector actors, and non-state institutions influence poverty alleviation, wealth creation, and environmental sustainability. With a particular focus on Southern Africa, it investigates the promises and pitfalls of trade as a tool for inclusive development, highlighting the urgent need for responsible governance and strategic oversight in trade policy and practice.

Drawing on multidisciplinary insights from economics, politics, history, and development studies, this volume offers a comprehensive analysis of key themes such as foreign direct investment, industrialisation, remittances, and the export of natural resources. Through its emphasis on sustainable trade practices, the authors provide a timely contribution to the global conversation on equitable growth and regional integration. It is an essential resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to understand and shape Africa’s evolving role in the international trade system.

Neurodiversity in the workplace is an increasingly important topic with critical implications for the workforce. However, organizations still struggle to support neurodivergent employees. The following chapters explore the challenges and opportunities associated with neurodiversity at work by presenting different perspectives on neurodiversity in organizations.

The authors provide an overview of how organizations can better support neurodivergent employees, particularly those with Autism and ADHD. These chapters address structural barriers, recruitment and hiring practices, and disclosure for neurodiverse employees. The chapters also offer practical recommendations for workplace accommodations and emphasize the need for organizational changes to support a more inclusive workplace culture. Ultimately, the insights presented in these chapters look to bridge the gap between science and practice, providing a roadmap for creating workplaces that not only value, but empower neurodiverse talent.

The collective insights from these chapters highlight interventions for organizations to consider for developing a career-long inclusive culture and improving person-organization fit for neurodiverse employees. From recruitment and hiring processes that accommodate different communication styles, to leadership development programs that foster neurodiverse workers, the authors provide clear evidence that workplaces are able to move beyond awareness of neurodiversity (i.e.., the “fitting in” form of person-organization fit) to taking meaningful steps towards an inclusive culture for neurodiverse employees across a career (i.e., the “doing well” form of person-organization fit).

The goal of this volume, Neurodiversity in the Workplace, is not only to call attention to the experience of neurodivergent individuals at work, but also to highlight methods for organizations and employees seeking to support neurodivergent individuals at work to use.

In social science research, scholars can be challenged when those involved are vested in keeping their activities, experiences, or realities hidden. In the case of prostitution, while well-designed quantitative studies adopting encompassing data are scarce, recent scholarship has made great strides. Addressing the need to inform the predominant value debates with evidence-based analyses, Sex Work by Numbers provides an overview of knowns and unknowns of sex for sale based on cutting-edge science with an economic approach.

Offering an insight into a hotly debated topic where preconceived ideas dominate the public discussion, author Stef Adriaenssens cuts through the academic contributions on sex markets across several disciplines, including economics, public health and epidemiology, criminology, and sociology. Starting a conversation between different disciplinary contributions from the perspective of the economic contribution – often isolated from mainstream social science approaches – Adriaenssens discusses the econometric and economic scholarship applied to this pressing social issue. Harnessing the power of quantifying research for scientific progress, this important study provides a review of the state-of-the-art research for addressing the challenges that sex work may pose for participants, public health, and social life.

Delivering a much-needed view on how to escape the factors that prevent us from tackling problems with the necessary evidence available from the economics discipline and connected contributions, this is an evidence-based approach to advancing our understanding of the (dis)functioning of prostitution markets and the important role of quantitative analysis.

In the latest volume of Advances in Taxation, the editor John Hasseldine includes studies from expert contributors to explore topics such as: tax avoidance; tax management, and tax compliance. In addition, two studies focus on tax education. Reporting peer-reviewed research contributions from the U.S., France, and Indonesia, this volume is essential reading for those looking to keep abreast of the most recent research, including empirical studies using a variety of research methods from different institutional settings and contexts. Advances in Taxation publishes relevant quality manuscripts from around the world on any aspect of federal, state, local or international taxation including tax compliance, tax planning, tax policy issues and current issues in tax.

Telling the story of a library through assessment has always been an essential aspect of library administration and management, but doing this work effectively can be challenging. Academic libraries are increasingly being asked to demonstrate impact and value to their institution. Even for experienced library leaders, sustaining awareness of varying audiences and changing priorities, as well as keeping up with best practices for assessment and reporting, requires ongoing consideration and adaptation. This is particularly true if the goal is to enhance perception and build support among stakeholders while securing essential funding and resources.,

Figuring It Out examines the concepts, challenges, and successes of assessment and storytelling in libraries. It shares perspectives and strategies from ten different institutions, representing libraries with dedicated assessment librarians, libraries with committees or task forces, and libraries working with limited resources.

Chapters provide insights and takeaways to support and inform library leaders, institutions, and researchers, illuminating the vital importance libraries play within the academic community.

Emotions in organizations continues to be a topic of intense interest among organizational behavior scholars worldwide. This 20th volume of Research on Emotion in Organizations collects together chapters presented at the Fourteenth International Conference on Emotions and Worklife, August 2024, the University of Illinois Chicago, USA.

Emotional Regulation at Work reflects the diverse nature of emotions in organizational settings through various theoretical and empirical lenses. Contributions explore the critical role of emotion regulation in workplace dynamics, and the increasingly diverse emotional challenges faced by organizations – from managing interpersonal relationships to addressing cultural differences in emotional expression – making the understanding of emotion regulation processes particularly vital. Encompassing key themes in organizational emotion research, exploring emotional labor, emotional intelligence, team dynamics, and psychological capital, emotion regulation emerges as a crucial mechanism through which individuals and groups navigate workplace experiences. The research examines these phenomena across various contexts, from educational institutions to entertainment settings.

Contributing authors from various countries and offering cross-cultural perspectives, enriching our understanding of how cultural contexts influence emotional experiences and regulation in organizations, Emotional Regulation at Work employs diverse methodological approaches, including quantitative analysis, literature reviews, diary studies, and qualitative investigations.

When some of our most vulnerable members of society go missing, they are exposed to different risks and possible harms while unsupervised in the community posing a significant demand on police forces, social services, youth worker teams, education and health providers. This important text looks at how different agencies manage and investigating missing children to give them a safe space, ensure they thrive, and that they do not suffer unnecessary harm or exposure to the criminal justice system.

Examining the breadth of missing children’s investigations, from when the call is first made to the police to when the case is disposed of through diversion to other, multi-agency agencies, author Kirsty Bennett provides practical scenarios and examples to help develop critical thinking while working within the field of missing children. With key takeaways and reflective questions included at the end of each chapter to indicate practices that can incorporated into daily working, this is a dedicated, contemporary resource on different elements of the management and investigation of missing children. While focused on the UK, there is scope to apply the principles and approaches of best practice more widely to international practitioners involved in the management and investigation of missing children.

Designed as an accessible and comprehensive resource for numerous practitioners in policing, youth and social work, education, this is also appealing reading for student and teachers of policing and criminology in higher education.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Emerging out of the collaborative work conducted within the Working Group “Mechanisms to activate and support the collaborative economy” of the COST Action “From Sharing to Caring: Examining Socio-Technical Aspects of the Collaborative Economy”, the book questions the varied set of organizational forms collected under the label of “collaborative” or “sharing” economy —ranging from grassroots peer-to-peer solidarity initiatives to corporate owned platforms— from the perspective of what is known as the European social values: respect for human dignity and human rights (including those of minorities), freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law. Therefore, the edited collection focuses on the governance of such economic activities, and how they organize labour, cooperation and social life. From individual motivations to participating, to platform use by local groups, until platform design in its political as well as technological dimensions, the book provides a comparative overview and critical discussion on the processes, narratives and organizational models at play in the collaborative economy. On such a basis, the volume offers tools, suggestions and visions for the future that may inform the designing of policies, technologies, and business models in Europe.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Globally, poor hygiene and sanitation contribute to more than 1,000 daily deaths from diarrhoeal diseases among children under the age of 5, while two thirds of urban wastewaters are discharged without treatment into lakes, rivers and coastal waters. Across Europe the percentage of the population connected to wastewater treatment plants varies from 14% to >99% with many reliant on unsuitable decentralised sanitation systems or no wastewater treatment at all. With less than a decade left to achieve the 2030 sanitation targets as set out in the Sustainable Development Goals, there is an urgent need to develop new treatment solutions that can be rapidly deployed to meet the needs of growing urban and peri-urban populations, together with under-served rural communities.

This book discusses decentralised wastewater treatment and the role of nature-based solutions within the context of the twenty-partner international INNOQUA project. INNOQUA set out to develop and demonstrate a suite of modular, low cost, decentralised solutions that use the combined capabilities of earthworms, bacteria, Cladocera and micro-algae to deliver nature-based primary, secondary and tertiary treatment – followed by UV disinfection. Design and operation principles are outlined, together with performance data and practical feedback from pilot and demonstration facilities situated in eleven countries from Ecuador to Scotland and India.

Barriers and drivers towards more widespread uptake of these technologies are also examined, alongside an exploration of existing markets for nature-based sanitation in the Global South.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

In this second part of the INFINITECH book series, which is a series of three books, the basic concepts for Fintech referring to the diversity in the use of technology to underpin the delivery of financial services are reviewed. The demand and the supply side in the financial sector are demonstrated, and further discussed is why Fintech is the focus of industry nowadays and the meaning for waves of digitization. Financial technology (FinTech) and insurance technology (InsuranceTech) are rapidly transforming the financial and insurance services industry. An overview of Reference Architecture (RA) for BigData, IoT and AI applications in the financial and insurance sectors (INFINITECH-RA) is also provided. Moreover, the book reviews the concept of innovation and its application in INFINITECH, and innovative technologies provided by the project for financial sector practical examples.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Being an inter-disciplinary subject, Signal Processing has application in almost all scientific fields. Applied Signal Processing tries to link between the analog and digital signal processing domains. Since the digital signal processing techniques have evolved from its analog counterpart, this book begins by explaining the fundamental concepts in analog signal processing and then progresses towards the digital signal processing. This will help the reader to gain a general overview of the whole subject and establish links between the various fundamental concepts.

While the focus of this book is on the fundamentals of signal processing, the understanding of these topics greatly enhances the confident use as well as further development of the design and analysis of digital systems for various engineering and medical applications. Applied Signal Processing also prepares readers to further their knowledge in advanced topics within the field of signal processing.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

This book covers an introduction to convex optimization, one of the powerful and tractable optimization problems that can be efficiently solved on a computer. The goal of the book is to help develop a sense of what convex optimization is, and how it can be used in a widening array of practical contexts with a particular emphasis on machine learning.

The first part of the book covers core concepts of convex sets, convex functions, and related basic definitions that serve understanding convex optimization and its corresponding models. The second part deals with one very useful theory, called duality, which enables us to: (1) gain algorithmic insights; and (2) obtain an approximate solution to non-convex optimization problems which are often difficult to solve. The last part focuses on modern applications in machine learning and deep learning.

A defining feature of this book is that it succinctly relates the “story” of how convex optimization plays a role, via historical examples and trending machine learning applications. Another key feature is that it includes programming implementation of a variety of machine learning algorithms inspired by optimization fundamentals, together with a brief tutorial of the used programming tools. The implementation is based on Python, CVXPY, and TensorFlow.

This book does not follow a traditional textbook-style organization, but is streamlined via a series of lecture notes that are intimately related, centered around coherent themes and concepts. It serves as a textbook mainly for a senior-level undergraduate course, yet is also suitable for a first-year graduate course. Readers benefit from having a good background in linear algebra, some exposure to probability, and basic familiarity with Python.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Modern critical infrastructures comprise of many interconnected cyber and physical assets, and as such are large scale cyber-physical systems. Hence, the conventional approach of securing these infrastructures by addressing cyber security and physical security separately is no longer effective. Rather more integrated approaches that address the security of cyber and physical assets at the same time are required. This book presents integrated (i.e. cyber and physical) security approaches and technologies for the critical infrastructures that underpin our societies. Specifically, it introduces advanced techniques for threat detection, risk assessment and security information sharing, based on leading edge technologies like machine learning, security knowledge modelling, IoT security and distributed ledger infrastructures. Likewise, it presets how established security technologies like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), pen-testing, vulnerability assessment and security data analytics can be used in the context of integrated Critical Infrastructure Protection.

The novel methods and techniques of the book are exemplified in case studies involving critical infrastructures in four industrial sectors, namely finance, healthcare, energy and communications. The peculiarities of critical infrastructure protection in each one of these sectors is discussed and addressed based on sector-specific solutions.

The advent of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) is expected to increase the cyber-physical nature of critical infrastructures as well as their interconnection in the scope of sectorial and cross-sector value chains. Therefore, the demand for solutions that foster the interplay between cyber and physical security, and enable Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence is likely to explode. In this book, we have shed light on the structure of such integrated security systems, as well as on the technologies that will underpin their operation. We hope that Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection stakeholders will find the book useful when planning their future security strategies.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Differential Privacy in Artificial Intelligence: From Theory to Practice is a comprehensive resource designed to review the principles and applications of differential privacy in a world increasingly driven by data. This book delves into the theoretical underpinnings of differential privacy, its use in machine learning systems, practical implementation details, and its broader social and legal ramifications. Intended as a primer and a deep dive, it lays a solid foundation by introducing essential concepts and mechanisms critical to understanding differential privacy.

From theoretical foundations to practical application, the book is organized into five distinct parts. Part I reviews the foundational notions of differential privacy in the central and local models, delving into composition and privacy amplification. The discussion extends to practical strategies for data release and the creation of synthetic data, which is essential for real-world applications. Part II focuses on the application of differential privacy in optimization and learning, examining the integration of privacy measures in machine learning, including private optimization methods and private federated learning.

Beyond technical applications, the book highlights the use of differential privacy in critical sectors such as healthcare and energy, and discusses its implications in image and video analysis in Part III. Part IV provides a thorough look at the tools and challenges in deploying privacy-preserving models, including insights into programming frameworks and machine learning tools. Finally, Part V addresses the societal impact of differential privacy, discussing its intersection with public policy, law, fairness, and bias.

Targeted at researchers, practitioners, and policymakers; Differential Privacy in Artificial Intelligence: From Theory to Practice aims to be an essential guide for anyone committed to advancing privacy in the digital age, providing the knowledge needed to develop and deploy effective and ethical privacy solutions across various domains.

Market Driven Supply Chains shows how supply chain management directly impacts the competitiveness and financial performance of a company. The premise is that a company needs to be responsive to enable the supply chain to adapt from one niche to another. The basic framework is discussed at length in Chapter 1 and it outlines how the fit between market drivers and supply chain processes can be assessed in the context of a product or service. Chapter 2 discusses demand and revenue management for shaping demand. Various concepts of capacity allocation, dynamic pricing, demand allocation, and mass customization are explored. In Chapter 3, the theme is managing capacity for market volatility and includes issues such as building flexibility, demand allocation between stable and agile suppliers, outsourcing, demand decoupling, capacity trading, and capacity network are explored at length. Chapter 4 reviews new product and process configuration for demand volatility, attribute mapping techniques such as the house of quality, fit between supply chains and products, product modules, facility configuration, and re-sequencing, and redesigning processes. Chapter 5 covers procurement and the choice of supply network including network design, supplier relationship, and contracts. Finally, Chapter 6 examines the modalities of response in a supply chain disruption including proactive and reactive approaches. Market Driven Supply Chains should be of interest to both the academics and industrial practitioners, and would be of great value to graduate students in business and engineering. Modeling approaches for new problems are suggested along with discussion of case studies and other examples.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Artificial intelligence (AI) depends on data. In sensitive domains – such as healthcare, security, finance, and many more – there is therefore tension between unleashing the power of AI and maintaining the confidentiality and security of the relevant data.

This book – intended for researchers in academia and R&D engineers in industry – explains how advances in three areas—AI, privacy-preserving techniques, and acceleration—allow us to achieve the dream of high performance privacy-preserving AI. It also discusses applications enabled by this emerging interplay.

The book covers techniques, specifically secure multi-party computation and homomorphic encryption, that provide complexity theoretic security guarantees even with a single data point. These techniques have traditionally been too slow for real-world usage, and the challenge is heightened with the large sizes of today's state-of-the-art neural networks, including large language models (LLMs). This book does not cover techniques like differential privacy that only concern statistical anonymization of data points.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Healthcare systems around the world are grappling with several major challenges such as the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising healthcare costs, and a shortage of healthcare workers. Without action, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has estimated that the average public spending on healthcare costs will increase to 10% of GDP. The shortage of healthcare workers has been a long-standing issue in Europe, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2018 report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, there was a shortage of over 1 million healthcare workers across the European Union. Such shortages have resulted in longer waiting times for patients, increased workload and stress for healthcare workers, and lower quality of care for patients. The pandemic has further underscored the importance of addressing this issue and ensuring that healthcare systems have adequate capacity to meet the needs of patients, both now and in the future.

It is clear that the healthcare sector needs to undergo radical changes to ensure that future generations have easy access to quality care that is also affordable. One way to achieve this is by leveraging the increasing use of digitization in the sector. According to a 2019 report by the European Commission, the volume of healthcare data in the EU could reach 2.8 zettabytes by 2020, with an annual growth rate of 36%. The question then is, how can we leverage the insights that lie within this vast amount of data to transform the healthcare sector and address its most pressing issues, namely cost, quality, and accessibility of care.

This book captures the learnings from the BigMedilytics project, funded by the EC from 2018 to 2021. The project aimed to transform Europe’s healthcare sector by using state-of-the-art Big Data technologies to achieve breakthrough productivity in the sector by reducing cost, improving patient outcomes, and delivering better access to healthcare facilities, covering the entire Healthcare Continuum. The project executed 12 real-life, in-hospital, big data pilots across three different themes: (i) Population health and chronic disease management, (ii) Oncology, and (iii) Industrialization of healthcare. The pilots spanned 8 European countries, the health data of 11 million patients, involved 35 consortium partners, and incorporated diverse data sets originating from the public health sector, insurance companies, IoT devices, pharmaceutical industry, and public data sets.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly transforming our world, connecting billions of devices and enabling unprecedented levels of automation, data exchange, and convenience. From smart homes and wearable fitness trackers to industrial sensors and connected cars, IoT devices are permeating every aspect of our lives. However, this widespread adoption has also introduced significant security challenges that must be addressed to ensure the safety and privacy of individuals and organizations.

The ERATOSTHENES project, funded by the European Commission, rises to meet these challenges by developing a novel Trust and Identity Management Framework for IoT devices. This framework takes a holistic approach to IoT security, considering the entire lifecycle of devices from initial deployment to decommissioning. Designed to be distributed, automated, auditable, and privacy-respectful, the ERATOSTHENES framework empowers users with control over their data and strengthens trust and resilience within the IoT ecosystem. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like blockchain, advanced cryptography, and machine learning, ERATOSTHENES provides a comprehensive suite of security mechanisms to address the evolving threats and vulnerabilities in the IoT landscape.

This book dives into the territory of the ERATOSTHENES project, providing a detailed exploration of its technical architecture, implementation, and real-world applications. It examines the key challenges addressed by the project, including the heterogeneity of IoT devices, the management of device identities, and the protection of user privacy. The book also highlights the innovative solutions developed within ERATOSTHENES, such as the Trust Manager & Broker, the Self-Sovereign Identity system, and the Advanced Data Protector. Furthermore, it showcases the practical implementation of these and other research solutions and outcomes through pilot projects in diverse domains, including connected vehicles, remote patient monitoring, and industrial network security.

This book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to understand and address the complex security challenges of the IoT. It offers insights into the latest advancements in IoT security technologies and provides a roadmap for building a more secure and trustworthy IoT ecosystem.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

In recent years, the rising complexity of Internet of Things (IoT) systems has increased their potential vulnerabilities and introduced new cybersecurity challenges. In this context, state of the art methods and technologies for security risk assessment have prominent limitations when it comes to large scale, cyber-physical and interconnected IoT systems. Risk assessments for modern IoT systems must be frequent, dynamic and driven by knowledge about both cyber and physical assets. Furthermore, they should be more proactive, more automated, and able to leverage information shared across IoT value chains.

This book introduces a set of novel risk assessment techniques and their role in the IoT Security risk management process. Specifically, it presents architectures and platforms for end-to-end security, including their implementation based on the edge/fog computing paradigm. It also highlights machine learning techniques that boost the automation and proactiveness of IoT security risk assessments. Furthermore, blockchain solutions for open and transparent sharing of IoT security information across the supply chain are introduced. Frameworks for privacy awareness, along with technical measures that enable privacy risk assessment and boost GDPR compliance are also presented. Likewise, the book illustrates novel solutions for security certification of IoT systems, along with techniques for IoT security interoperability.

In the coming years, IoT security will be a challenging, yet very exciting journey for IoT stakeholders, including security experts, consultants, security research organizations and IoT solution providers. The book provides knowledge and insights about where we stand on this journey. It also attempts to develop a vision for the future and to help readers start their IoT Security efforts on the right foot.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

The method of sparsity has been attracting a lot of attention in the fields related not only to signal processing, machine learning, and statistics, but also systems and control. The method is known as compressed sensing, compressive sampling, sparse representation, or sparse modeling. More recently, the sparsity method has been applied to systems and control to design resource-aware control systems. This book gives a comprehensive guide to sparsity methods for systems and control, from standard sparsity methods in finite-dimensional vector spaces (Part I) to optimal control methods in infinite-dimensional function spaces (Part II).

The primary objective of this book is to show how to use sparsity methods for several engineering problems. For this, the author provides MATLAB programs by which the reader can try sparsity methods for themselves. Readers will obtain a deep understanding of sparsity methods by running these MATLAB programs.

Sparsity Methods for Systems and Control is suitable for graduate level university courses, though it should also be comprehendible to undergraduate students who have a basic knowledge of linear algebra and elementary calculus. Also, especially part II of the book should appeal to professional researchers and engineers who are interested in applying sparsity methods to systems and control.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

In this first part of the INFINITECH book series, which is a series of three books, the principles of the modern economy that make the modern financial sector and FinTech the most disruptive areas in today’s global economy are discussed. INFINITECH envision many opportunities emerging for activating new channels of innovation on the local and global scale while at the same time catapulting opportunities for more disruptive user-centric services. At the same time, INFINITECH is the result of a shared vision from a representative global group of experts, providing a common vision and identifying impacts in the financial and insurance sectors.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

The successful deployment of AI solutions in manufacturing environments hinges on their security, safety and reliability which becomes more challenging in settings where multiple AI systems (e.g., industrial robots, robotic cells, Deep Neural Networks (DNNs)) interact as atomic systems and with humans. To guarantee the safe and reliable operation of AI systems in the shopfloor, there is a need to address many challenges in the scope of complex, heterogeneous, dynamic and unpredictable environments. Specifically, data reliability, human machine interaction, security, transparency and explainability challenges need to be addressed at the same time. Recent advances in AI research (e.g., in deep neural networks security and explainable AI (XAI) systems), coupled with novel research outcomes in the formal specification and verification of AI systems provide a sound basis for safe and reliable AI deployments in production lines. Moreover, the legal and regulatory dimension of safe and reliable AI solutions in production lines must be considered as well.

To address some of the above listed challenges, fifteen European Organizations collaborate in the scope of the STAR project, a research initiative funded by the European Commission in the scope of its H2020 program (Grant Agreement Number: 956573). STAR researches, develops, and validates novel technologies that enable AI systems to acquire knowledge in order to take timely and safe decisions in dynamic and unpredictable environments. Moreover, the project researches and delivers approaches that enable AI systems to confront sophisticated adversaries and to remain robust against security attacks.

This book is co-authored by the STAR consortium members and provides a review of technologies, techniques and systems for trusted, ethical, and secure AI in manufacturing. The different chapters of the book cover systems and technologies for industrial data reliability, responsible and transparent artificial intelligence systems, human centered manufacturing systems such as human-centred digital twins, cyber-defence in AI systems, simulated reality systems, human robot collaboration systems, as well as automated mobile robots for manufacturing environments. A variety of cutting-edge AI technologies are employed by these systems including deep neural networks, reinforcement learning systems, and explainable artificial intelligence systems. Furthermore, relevant standards and applicable regulations are discussed. Beyond reviewing state of the art standards and technologies, the book illustrates how the STAR research goes beyond the state of the art, towards enabling and showcasing human-centred technologies in production lines. Emphasis is put on dynamic human in the loop scenarios, where ethical, transparent, and trusted AI systems co-exist with human workers. The book is made available as an open access publication, which could make it broadly and freely available to the AI and smart manufacturing communities.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Europe has paid a high price for asbestos, with over 100 000 related deaths. First in line in the fight to free buildings from asbestos contamination, workers in the construction sector could soon find a helping hand in the form of an AI-piloted robotic system. The constant and multifaceted evolution of society has left very few industries unchanged. For most sectors, this has meant moving towards increased automation. Most, but not all. One unyielding sector has largely stayed true to its old ways: the construction sector. For the past 200 years, the same repetitive, standardised and physically challenging construction tasks have been performed by workers with their own two hands. But this could change soon, as emerging voices – some of which decided to stand together under the Bots2ReC (Robots to Re-Construction) project – have been calling for the sector to embrace automation. The reasoning behind Bots2ReC is simple: some tasks are simply too hazardous for humans to perform, and machines could easily replace them. Besides the exposure, some processes or the materials handled in those processes generate health hazards in the form of dust, vibration, noise or toxic substances. It is precisely for these tasks that we could expect great benefits from – and also show the massive potential of – automation to achieve sustainable socio-ecological improvements.

With its focus on asbestos, the EU H2020 Bots2ReC project is focusing on reducing the future health burden on workers. There is little doubt that the cost of the technology will easily be counterbalanced by its high social benefit and economic efficiency. This books presents the findings and results of the Bots2ReC project, and should be useful for Construction and Robotics Engineers, as well as graduate level students and researchers active in these fields.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

This third and final part of the INFINITECH book series begins by providing a definition for Fintech, namely: the use of technology to underpin the delivery of financial services. The book further discusses why Fintech is the focus of industry nowadays as the waves of digitization and the way financial technology (FinTech) and insurance technology (InsuranceTech) are rapidly transforming the financial and insurance services industry.

The book also introduces technology assets that follow the Reference Architecture (RA) for BigData, IoT and AI applications. Moreover, the series of assets includes the domain area where applications from the INFINITECH innovation project and the concept of innovation for the financial sector are described. Further described is the INFINITECH Marketplace and its components including details of available assets, as well as a description of solutions developed in INFINITECH.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

The damaging effects of cyberattacks to an industry like the Cooperative Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) can be tremendous. From the least important to the worst ones, one can mention for example the damage in the reputation of vehicle manufacturers, the increased denial of customers to adopt CCAM, the loss of working hours (having direct impact on the European GDP), material damages, increased environmental pollution due e.g., to traffic jams or malicious modifications in sensors’ firmware, and ultimately, the great danger for human lives, either they are drivers, passengers or pedestrians.

Connected vehicles will soon become a reality on our roads, bringing along new services and capabilities, but also technical challenges and security threats. To overcome these risks, the CARAMEL project has developed several anti-hacking solutions for the new generation of vehicles.

CARAMEL (Artificial Intelligence-based Cybersecurity for Connected and Automated Vehicles), a research project co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 framework programme, is a project consortium with 15 organizations from 8 European countries together with 3 Korean partners. The project applies a proactive approach based on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques to detect and prevent potential cybersecurity threats to autonomous and connected vehicles. This approach has been addressed based on four fundamental pillars, namely: Autonomous Mobility, Connected Mobility, Electromobility, and Remote Control Vehicle. This book presents theory and results from each of these technical directions.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

The rapid growth of the Internet interconnectivity and complexity of communication systems has led us to a significant growth of cyberattacks globally often with severe and disastrous consequences. The swift development of more innovative and effective (cyber)security solutions and approaches are vital which can detect, mitigate and prevent from these serious consequences. Cybersecurity is gaining momentum and is scaling up in very many areas. This book builds on the experience of the Cyber-Trust EU project’s methods, use cases, technology development, testing and validation and extends into a broader science, lead IT industry market and applied research with practical cases. It offers new perspectives on advanced (cyber) security innovation (eco) systems covering key different perspectives. The book provides insights on new security technologies and methods for advanced cyber threat intelligence, detection and mitigation. We cover topics such as cyber-security and AI, cyber-threat intelligence, digital forensics, moving target defense, intrusion detection systems, post-quantum security, privacy and data protection, security visualization, smart contracts security, software security, blockchain, security architectures, system and data integrity, trust management systems, distributed systems security, dynamic risk management, privacy and ethics.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Information theory deals with mathematical laws that govern the flow, representation and transmission of information. The most significant achievement of the field is the invention of digital communication which forms the basis of our daily-life digital products such as smart phones, laptops and any IoT devices. Recently it has also found important roles in a spotlight field that has been revolutionized during the past decades: data science.

This book aims at demonstrating modern roles of information theory in a widening array of data science applications. The first and second parts of the book covers the core concepts of information theory: basic concepts on several key notions; and celebrated source and channel coding theorems which concern the fundamental limits of communication. The last part focuses on applications that arise in data science, including social networks, ranking, and machine learning.

The book is written as a text for senior undergraduate and graduate students working on Information Theory and Communications, and it should also prove to be a valuable reference for professionals and engineers from these fields.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Modern critical infrastructures can be considered as large scale Cyber Physical Systems (CPS). Therefore, when designing, implementing, and operating systems for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), the boundaries between physical security and cybersecurity are blurred. Emerging systems for Critical Infrastructures Security and Protection must therefore consider integrated approaches that emphasize the interplay between cybersecurity and physical security techniques. Hence, there is a need for a new type of integrated security intelligence i.e., Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence (CPTI).

This book presents novel solutions for integrated Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for infrastructures in various sectors, such as Industrial Sites and Plants, Air Transport, Gas, Healthcare, and Finance. The solutions rely on novel methods and technologies, such as integrated modelling for cyber-physical systems, novel reliance indicators, and data driven approaches including BigData analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some of the presented approaches are sector agnostic i.e., applicable to different sectors with a fair customization effort. Nevertheless, the book presents also peculiar challenges of specific sectors and how they can be addressed.

The presented solutions consider the European policy context for Security, Cyber security, and Critical Infrastructure protection, as laid out by the European Commission (EC) to support its Member States to protect and ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructures. Most of the co-authors and contributors are from European Research and Technology Organizations, as well as from European Critical Infrastructure Operators. Hence, the presented solutions respect the European approach to CIP, as reflected in the pillars of the European policy framework. The latter includes for example the Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS Directive), the Directive on protecting European Critical Infrastructures, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Cybersecurity Act Regulation. The sector specific solutions that are described in the book have been developed and validated in the scope of several European Commission (EC) co-funded projects on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), which focus on the listed sectors.

Overall, the book illustrates a rich set of systems, technologies, and applications that critical infrastructure operators could consult to shape their future strategies. It also provides a catalogue of CPTI case studies in different sectors, which could be useful for security consultants and practitioners as well.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Compressed sensing, also known as sparse representation or sparse modeling, has experienced substantial growth in research fields such as signal processing, machine learning, and statistics. In recent years, this powerful tool has been successfully applied to the design of control systems.

This book provides a comprehensive guide to compressed sensing-based techniques, focusing primarily on their application to systems and control. This book is intended for graduate students and researchers who already have a foundational understanding of basic calculus and linear algebra. Its primary objective is to equip readers with the practical skills to apply compressed sensing techniques to a range of engineering problems, with a particular emphasis on systems and control. It presents a comprehensive collection of efficient algorithms for addressing the problems discussed in the text. Moreover, the book includes accompanying Python programs, which enable readers to actively experiment with these algorithms first-hand. By engaging with these practical examples, readers will develop a deeper understanding of compressed sensing techniques and their applications to systems and control.

This book is the second edition of the author’s previous work, Sparsity Methods for Systems and Control, published by Now Publishers in 2020. This edition incorporates significant updates to reflect the latest advancements in the field. Notably, it includes new chapters and sections covering the following key topics: Distributed optimization, Sparse system identification, Sparse controller design, and Distributed hands-off control.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Systems Entrepreneurship is based on the author’s experience as a technology entrepreneur as well as from 50 years on a business-school faculty. The entrepreneurial framework presented here is robust and driven by a desire to find an organized and scalable model for students and researchers to work with partners in fostering innovation to advance sustainable solutions to a myriad of current challenges including mitigating climate risks, building the new-energy future, addressing the crisis in the American workforce, redressing social and environmental injustice, and enabling large-scale systems change. This robust framework, based on his training and teaching experience in systems entrepreneurship and product management, fosters coalition building in firms. Cooper’s experience in business and marketing makes his views and advice on current problems authoritative and worth sharing. This book contains both the author’s personal journey as well as valuable lessons for anyone studying or working in the field of business and entrepreneurship.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

While the 5th Generation (5G) system is being widely deployed across the globe, the research and consensus building for the 6th generation (6G) are already well underway with high expectations toward the merger of digital, physical and human worlds. The main goal of this book is to introduce the upcoming 6G technologies and outline the foreseen challenges, enablers, and architectural design trends that will be instrumental in realizing a Sustainable and Trustworthy 6G system in the coming years.

The envisioned 6G system promises to offer a more advanced and comprehensive user experience not only by achieving higher speeds, larger capacity, and lower latency, but also much more improved reliability, greater energy efficiency, and an enhanced security framework while natively integrating intelligence end-to-end (E2E). Achieving these goals will require innovative technological solutions and a holistic system design that considers the needs of various stakeholders and future 6G use cases.

Capitalizing on the 5G Public-Private-Partnership (5G PPP) Phase 3 projects and the join efforts between the Architecture Working Group and the flagship Hexa-X project, this book delves into the critical challenges and enablers of the 6G system, including new network architectures and novel enhancements as well as the role of regulators, network operators, industry players, application developers, and end-users. Accordingly, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the current research activities on 6G and sets a solid cornerstone towards a more connected, intelligent, and sustainable world.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

The U.S. Monetary Policy Forum (USMPF) is an annual conference that brings academics, market economists, and policymakers together to discuss U.S. monetary policy. A standing group of academic and private sector economists (the USMPF panelists) has rotating responsibility for producing a report on a critical medium-term issue confronting the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). The 2014 USMPF panel includes private-sector members Michael Feroli (JP Morgan Chase), David Greenlaw (Morgan Stanley), Jan Hatzius (Goldman Sachs), Ethan Harris (Bank of America Merrill Lynch), Peter Hooper (Deutsche Bank), as well as academic panelists Stephen Cecchetti (Brandeis), James Hamilton (UC San Diego), Anil Kashyap (Chicago Booth), Frederic Mishkin (Columbia), Hyun Song Shin (Princeton), Kermit Schoenholtz (New York University) and Kenneth West (Wisconsin). This volume reports the results of the eighth USMPF conference, held on February 28, 2014 in New York, N.Y.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Wireless communication is the backbone of the digitized society, where everything is connected and intelligent. Access points and devices are nowadays equipped with multiple antennas to achieve higher data rates, better reliability, and support more users than in the past. This book gives a gentle introduction to multiple antenna communications with a focus on system modeling, channel capacity theory, algorithms, and practical implications. The basics of wireless localization, radar sensing, and controllable reflection through reconfigurable surfaces are also covered. The goal is to provide the reader with a solid understanding of this transformative technology that changes how wireless networks are designed and operated, today and in the future.

The first three chapters cover the fundamentals of wireless channels, and the main benefits of using multiple antennas are identified: beamforming, diversity, and spatial multiplexing. The theory and signal processing algorithms for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications with antenna arrays at the transmitter and receiver are progressively developed. The next two chapters utilize these results to study point-to-point MIMO channels under line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS conditions, covering the shape of signal beams, impact of array geometry, polarization, and ways to achieve reliable communication over fading channels. The book then shifts focus to multi-user MIMO channels, where interference between devices is managed by spatial processing. The next chapter extends the theory to multicarrier channels and explains practical digital, analog, and hybrid hardware implementations. The last two chapters cover the role of multiple antennas in localization and sensing, and how reconfigurable surfaces can improve both communication and sensing systems.

The text was developed as the textbook for a university course and builds on the reader's previous knowledge of signals and systems, linear algebra, probability theory, and digital communications. Each chapter contains numerous examples, exercises, and simulation results that can be reproduced using accompanying code.

Complex cognitive systems, such as social networks, robotic swarms, or biological networks, are composed of individual entities (the agents) whose actions typically arise from some sophisticated form of “social” interaction with other agents. For example, consider the way humans form their individual opinions about a certain phenomenon. The opinions take shape via repeated interactions with other individuals, whether through physical contact or virtually. A diffusion mechanism emerges through which opinions, information, or even fake news propagate.

Social learning also arises over man-made systems in the form of decision-making strategies by multiple agents interacting over a network. Consider a robotic swarm deployed over a hazardous area, where some robots operating under disadvantageous conditions (e.g., with limited visibility or partial information) would only be able to perform their task (such as saving a life during a rescue operation) by leveraging significant cooperation from other robots that have better access to critical information. Nature itself provides many other excellent examples of cooperative learning in the form of biological networks.

The main topic of this book relates to mechanisms for information diffusion and decision-making over graphs, and the study of how agents’ decisions evolve dynamically through interactions with neighbors and the environment.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

The Internet's exponential growth is driven by the development and emergence of advanced technologies, attended by a flood of new services. The maturity of these technologies is a decisive factor in the progress of the entire telecom industry, leading to a profound transformation of computer networks from traditional, hardware-centric functions to flexible, software-based solutions. Network function virtualization (NFV), together with software-defined networking (SDN) and cloud computing, are not just key enablers, but they are the basis of more programmable networks that are able to adapt to the evolving requirements of diverse customers, ensuring a promising future for the Internet. This future implies the efficient collaboration of different software components, with the aim of improving flexibility, scalability, and the overall agility of the network. Numerous researchers and professionals today focus their research on finding solutions for the resource, service, security, and other orchestration types and further automation of the processes.

The monograph focuses on the following contents:

• Shortcomings in traditional networks and the primary motives and benefits of NFV implementation in network infrastructure
• Fundamentals and the key components of the ETSI NFV framework
• The virtualization techniques and their application in modern computing environments, with an accent on the characteristics and functionality of virtual entities (virtual machines and containers)
• Containerization technology - creation, characteristics of various containers, and their orchestration and usage of the Kubernetes platform for the management of containerized workloads and services
• The basic principles of NFV-based network design and the path for migration from traditional to NFV-based architecture
• SDN technology, including architecture, protocols, use cases, and integration with NFV in modern networks
• The role of virtualization in the clouds' architectures, types, and delivery models
• Key service chaining strategies and standardized architecture for SFC deployment and SDN/NFV-based architecture for SFC deployment
• The key principles of network slicing in networks with implemented NFV and SDN

The monograph offers a practical blend of theoretical considerations and practical NFV implementation in modern computer environments. It is a valuable resource for students, engineers, and researchers looking for a comprehensive guide to further network softwarization and building a highly programmable, scalable, and software-based network infrastructure.

Optimization should be the science of making the best possible decisions. Making decisions is a virtually universal human activity encountered by professionals (in any field) or people in their everyday lives. You would think, then, that the study of making good decisions is a subject that should be taught broadly to students throughout engineering, the physical and social sciences, business, and policy. Yet today, “optimization” is widely taught as a mathematically sophisticated subject, often limited to graduate students in specialized fields. In operations research (or industrial engineering), “optimization” is equivalent to deterministic math programming, starting with linear programs (and the simplex algorithm), and then transitioning through integer linear programs and nonlinear programs. If you are in departments like electrical or mechanical engineering, optimization means teaching optimal control. And if you are in computer science, optimization today could be interpreted in the context of machine learning (such as fitting models to data) or as reinforcement learning.

This book claims that the traditional style of teaching optimization is misguided and out of date. First, while the simplex algorithm is a powerful strategy for solving linear programs, the details of the simplex algorithm are completely inappropriate in an introductory course in optimization. Second, while linear programs are appropriate for solving many problems, they are only applicable to a tiny fraction of all decisions. Third, linear programs (along with integer and nonlinear programs) are static models for problems with (typically) vector-valued decisions. By contrast, most decisions are sequential since they are made periodically over time as new information is arriving. In addition, the vast majority of these decisions are scalar (possibly continuous or discrete).

This book is designed for instructors (or potential instructors) looking to introduce the science of making good decisions to the broadest possible audience. It should also be of interest to anyone who has already had a traditional course in optimization of any type. The presentation is organized around a series of topics that suggest a fundamentally different approach to teaching “optimization” spanning both sequential decision problems (which offer the simplest problem settings) before transitioning to more complex vector-valued decisions. It also makes the case that most problems which are modeled as linear (or integer, or nonlinear programs) are actually methods for making decisions in a sequential setting. For this reason, these topics are introduced with much less emphasis on algorithms than is traditionally used, both in static and sequential settings.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

ENACT is a research project funded by the European Commission under its H2020 program. The project consortium consists of twelve industry and research member organisations spread across the whole EU.

The overall goal of the ENACT project was to provide a novel set of solutions to enable DevOps in the realm of trustworthy Smart IoT Systems. Smart IoT Systems (SIS) are complex systems involving not only sensors but also actuators with control loops distributed all across the IoT, Edge and Cloud infrastructure. Since smart IoT systems typically operate in a changing and often unpredictable environment, the ability of these systems to continuously evolve and adapt to their new environment is decisive to ensure and increase their trustworthiness, quality and user experience. DevOps has established itself as a software development life-cycle model that encourages developers to continuously bring new features to the system under operation without sacrificing quality.

This book reports on the ENACT work to empower the development and operation as well as the continuous and agile evolution of SIS, which is necessary to adapt the system to changes in its environment, such as newly appearing trustworthiness threats.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Human operations, whether in business, at home, or otherwise, cause a transgression of the boundaries of a safe and just operating space for planet Earth and humankind. Developments in operations that have steadily grown over the long course of history, and which have especially gained momentum since the uptake of fossil fuel powered machines in the recent and on-going industrial revolutions, now threaten to cause irreversible damage to ecosystems and society. The present situation calls for new perspectives and understanding of operations and operations management that enable to change the course of development and for operations to provide sustainable solutions for the planet and humankind.

In pursuit of sustainable operations, this book analyses the past, present, and future of operations. It first examines the history of operations while explicitly reflecting on its environmental and social sustainability and on the corresponding development of operations management practices. Chapters 2 and 3 provide corresponding theoretical foundations and start studying the operations on planet Earth prior to the appearance of humankind. Chapters 4 to 9 cover the history of human operations until now, from stone tool manufacturing to lights out manufacturing, and from clay tokens to service robots. Chapter 10 synthesizes extant unsustainable operations and operations management practices and the present 4th industrial revolution. Chapter 11 identifies the transition in operations and operations management needed towards a future safe and just operating space, and how the 4th industrial revolution can contribute to this transition.

The book is firstly written for all practitioners, scientists, and students of operations management and operations research. It offers extensive and historical insight into the relationship between operations and sustainability that has not yet appeared in the operations management literature. The final two chapters help the operations community to understand current problems, to find directions towards sustainable operations, and to contribute to the necessary transition. The book may also serve as a valuable resource for policy makers, business strategists, technology managers, and others devoting themselves to creating a sustainable future, as it may build the necessary understanding of the present operations that cause transgressions of the safe and just operating space, and of the transition towards sustainable operations.

Infrastructures are ageing and have become a subject of profound concern, awakening our collective consciousness to the imperatives of civil and structural integrity. This concern, compounded by the unrelenting impact of climate change and the burgeoning demand on transport networks and infrastructures, underscores the critical necessity of preserving infrastructural functionality, safety, and alignment with their original design objectives. In doing so, we strive to mitigate health, financial, societal, and environmental risks that these infrastructures may pose. Presently, the imperative is to maintain a vigilant and continuous watch over these critical assets, employing factual, real-time data to support efficient maintenance strategies.

This book embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the contemporary industrial challenges surrounding critical infrastructure inspection and maintenance. It offers a detailed examination of current inspection methodologies, manual intervention practices, and the intricate challenges involved in the sustained, systematic evaluation of structural integrity. Subsequently, it delivers an exhaustive analysis and technical elucidation of recent research breakthroughs across various infrastructures and industrial domains. These innovations, deeply rooted in robotics, automation, and digital technologies, augment, support, streamline, and often redefine established paradigms in the realms of inspection and maintenance. Among these innovations are the outcomes of research endeavours co-funded by the European Commission, addressing a spectrum of research priorities and thematic areas.

The solutions delineated in this book encompass an array of cutting-edge technologies, from robotic ground vehicles to unmanned aerial systems, digital platforms, advanced sensing solutions, and state-of-the-art visualization and 3D imaging technologies. These technologies foster enhanced data acquisition, precise reporting, and ultimately, more efficient inspection and maintenance approaches. As we navigate through the years ahead, the inevitability of ageing infrastructures looms large, while the tangible value of modern technologies is already manifesting in numerous industrial applications. Though the journey may be arduous, the assimilation of digital technologies into existing infrastructure inspection and maintenance frameworks is gaining traction and acceptance, aligning with the overarching vision articulated within this book.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

This book is a general introduction to the statistical analysis of networks, and can serve both as a research monograph and as a textbook. Numerous fundamental tools and concepts needed for the analysis of networks are presented, such as network modeling, community detection, graph-based semi-supervised learning and sampling in networks. The description of these concepts is self-contained, with both theoretical justifications and applications provided for the presented algorithms. Researchers, including postgraduate students, working in the area of network science, complex network analysis, or social network analysis, will find up-to-date statistical methods relevant to their research tasks. This book can also serve as textbook material for courses related to the statistical approach to the analysis of complex networks.

In general, the chapters are fairly independent and self-supporting, and the book could be used for course composition “à la carte”. Nevertheless, Chapter 2 is needed to a certain degree for all parts of the book. It is also recommended to read Chapter 4 before reading Chapters 5 and 6, but this is not absolutely necessary. Reading Chapter 3 can also be helpful before reading Chapters 5 and 7. As prerequisites for reading this book, a basic knowledge in probability, linear algebra and elementary notions of graph theory is advised. Appendices describing required notions from the above mentioned disciplines have been added to help readers gain further understanding.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

20 years in conception and 15 in construction, the SpiNNaker project has delivered the world’s largest neuromorphic computing platform incorporating over a million ARM mobile phone processors and capable of modelling spiking neural networks of the scale of a mouse brain in biological real time. This machine, hosted at the University of Manchester in the UK, is freely available under the auspices of the EU Flagship Human Brain Project. This book tells the story of the origins of the machine, its development and its deployment, and the immense software development effort that has gone into making it openly available and accessible to researchers and students the world over. It also presents exemplar applications from ‘Talk’, a SpiNNaker-controlled robotic exhibit at the Manchester Art Gallery as part of ‘The Imitation Game’, a set of works commissioned in 2016 in honour of Alan Turing, through to a way to solve hard computing problems using stochastic neural networks. The book concludes with a look to the future, and the SpiNNaker-2 machine which is yet to come.

Starting a business or ensuring a small business continues to operate successfully often requires taking out business loans, but are there systemic barriers to ethnic minority business owners in obtaining a loan? Focusing specifically on Scotland, the author draws on original research, including in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, the book highlights the systemic barriers such as education, language proficiency, interest rates, trust issues, and residency requirements that hinder access to finance. The research also examines institutional factors like credit ratings, information asymmetry, and strict loan processes that disproportionately affect ethnic minority entrepreneurs.

The book offers readers a comprehensive overview of the difficulties faced by this demographic but also offers practical recommendations for policymakers, financial institutions, and community organizations to foster a more inclusive lending environment. In addressing both the micro-level challenges and macro-level systemic issues, this text aims to contribute to the broader discourse on financial inclusion, economic equity, and the role of small businesses in sustainable development.

The International Studies in Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research Series opens a new chapter, as it seeks to advance discussions that consolidate conventional knowledge. The purpose of this initiative is to invite new reflections on the nature of entrepreneurship and small business across contexts. The collections in this series aim to improve the theoretical rigour and practical relevance of the field. The emphasis is to advance contemporary contributions that matter for small business and entrepreneurship, by directing us to underexplored and under-theorised contexts.

Design for Lean Six Sigma (DFLSS) is a powerful methodology adopted by many world-class companies today. It aims to build quality into products or services at the very early stages of the product development process. Ten Commandments of Design for Lean Six Sigma brings together the experience of six authors with more than 50 years of cumulative DFLSS deployment in the field.

The book covers key topics such as alignment of DFLSS with organizational strategy; top management support and involvement; listening to the voice of the customers (VOC); effective training programme for right project teams; project selection and prioritization; linking DFLSS with ISO international standards; effective use of DFLSS methodology and the integrated tools within the methodology and reward and recognition schemes.

The practical nature of the book makes this ideal reading for senior executives in all organizations with an interest in developing, implementing, and deploying DFLSS. It will be a great asset to many trainers and consultants who would like to deliver executive courses for senior managers in any organisation.

Beyond the Spectrum: Navigating the Mental Health Landscape of LGBTQ+ Youths delves into the multifaceted experiences of LGBTQ+ youths, unraveling the intricate interplay between mental health and identity within this diverse community. As societal attitudes shift, and acceptance grows, this book provides a comprehensive and empathetic exploration of the unique mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youths.

This book encompasses an in-depth examination of the intersectionality within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, acknowledging that mental health struggles are shaped by various factors, including sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and socioeconomic status. Through personal narratives, scholarly insights, and mental health professionals' perspectives, the book aims to shed light on the diverse stories and struggles faced by LGBTQ+ youths, recognizing both resilience and vulnerability.

Beyond the Spectrum also seeks to contribute to the ongoing dialogue around LGBTQ+ mental health, fostering understanding, compassion, and actionable insights for mental health professionals, educators, parents, and the LGBTQ+ community at large. By navigating the complex and often overlooked mental health landscape of LGBTQ+ youths, this book aims to empower individuals, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for a more inclusive and affirming mental health paradigm.

Beyond the Spectrum: Navigating the Mental Health Landscape of LGBTQ+ Youths delves into the multifaceted experiences of LGBTQ+ youths, unraveling the intricate interplay between mental health and identity within this diverse community. As societal attitudes shift, and acceptance grows, this book provides a comprehensive and empathetic exploration of the unique mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youths.

This book encompasses an in-depth examination of the intersectionality within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, acknowledging that mental health struggles are shaped by various factors, including sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and socioeconomic status. Through personal narratives, scholarly insights, and mental health professionals' perspectives, the book aims to shed light on the diverse stories and struggles faced by LGBTQ+ youths, recognizing both resilience and vulnerability.

Beyond the Spectrum also seeks to contribute to the ongoing dialogue around LGBTQ+ mental health, fostering understanding, compassion, and actionable insights for mental health professionals, educators, parents, and the LGBTQ+ community at large. By navigating the complex and often overlooked mental health landscape of LGBTQ+ youths, this book aims to empower individuals, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for a more inclusive and affirming mental health paradigm.

Storied Advice for Aspiring Latinas in Educational Leadership is a powerful anthology of lived wisdom, resilience, and cultural pride. Co-edited by Latina practitioners and researchers in K–12 and higher education, this collection offers deeply personal and transformative guidance for the next generation of Latina leaders.

Each chapter is a heartfelt consejo—a culturally rooted piece of advice—passed down with love, intention, and the hope of lighting the path for others. In Latino/a culture, consejos are more than words; they are teaching tools, vessels of shared knowledge, and acts of resistance against erasure. Through these stories, readers gain insight into the non-traditional and often challenging journeys of Latina educators who have carved out space in leadership despite systemic barriers.

This book speaks directly to every Latina who has ever been told, “Calladita te miras más bonita”—you look prettier when you're quiet. The authors respond in one unified voice, rejecting silence and embracing the power of truth-telling. Their experiences confront the realities of the glass ceiling, cultural stereotypes, and the lack of representation in leadership roles, while offering hope, strategy, and solidarity.

Whether you're an aspiring educator, a seasoned leader, or someone seeking to understand the Latina experience in education, this book is a call to action, a celebration of identity, and a roadmap for change.

Leadership Learning as a Way to Thrive explores the dynamic connection between personal thriving and leadership learning. This timely and thought-provoking book invites students to reimagine leadership learning as a catalyst for well-being.

Rooted in the idea that thriving means evolving energetically, the book integrates key leadership theories with well-being science and positive psychology to support both leader and follower growth. Drawing on the work of scholars, the authors highlight essential elements of thriving, such as environmental mastery, adaptive leadership, growth mindset, emotional intelligence, meaning and purpose, relationships, accomplishments, innovation, engagement, resilience, and self-efficacy.

Through a blend of research, reflection, and practical insight, this book offers a compelling framework for how leadership learning can foster holistic development. It also serves as a call to action for professionals seeking to create environments where students don’t just succeed - they thrive.

Whether you're on your own leadership learning journey, designing leadership programs for peers, mentoring students, or shaping institutional strategy, Leadership Learning as a Way to Thrive will inspire you to spark new conversations, ignite fresh ideas, and champion well-being through leadership education.

Life Course of Trauma and Resilience offers a profound exploration into the cultural psychology of resilience throughout the human life course. Drawing from the publicly available autobiography of Danish author Lisbeth Zornig, this book delves into the resilience that emerges from a series of psychologically dramatic and traumatic life events. By analyzing full life courses through idiographic science, this work leverages autobiographies where all original materials are in the public domain.

The chapters provide an in-depth examination of the construction of the self in relation to others, the pivotal role of education, and the value of imagination as both a developmental tool and a coping mechanism. Additionally, the book explores the intricate connection between mind, body, and trauma. This innovative approach to the cultural psychology of life course analysis introduces new methodological tools that combine macrogenetic analysis with the study of how semiotic mediators help individuals develop new personal strengths to navigate their lives.

Whether you are a scholar, practitioner, or someone interested in the dynamics of resilience, Life Course of Trauma and Resilience presents a comprehensive and insightful perspective on how individuals can overcome adversity and build resilience through their life journeys.

The BERA Guide to Environmental and Sustainability Education aims to engage and inspire educators and education researchers to (re)engage with environmental and sustainability education and reflect on the intersections between their own areas of expertise and practice. This BERA Guide has been developed through the collaboration of eleven authors, working together to bring varied experiences, ideas and approaches to explore a diverse and vibrant field of environmental and sustainability education and research. Each chapter offers insight into a broad range of theories and methodological approaches which pay particular attention to themes of justice and futures in environmental and sustainability education research and practice.

These chapters draw on research from across a range of geographical and educational contexts and through reflective questions, provide opportunities for readers to consider these ideas individually and/or collaboratively, as part of varied communities of practice. In these ways, The BERA Guide to Environmental and Sustainability Education aims to support and foster the development of environmental and sustainability education which is orientated towards action, to achieve a just future for all.

Published in partnership between the British Educational Research Association (BERA) and Emerald Publishing, The BERA Guides are short, research-informed yet accessible introductions to key, interdisciplinary topics impacting education research and practice for a broad academic audience.

Artificial Intelligence in Hospitality and Tourism in Africa offers a timely and comprehensive exploration of AI’s transformative role in tourism and hospitality across Africa, and other emerging regions. As global industries rapidly adopt AI technologies, this timely volume addresses the critical gap in literature concerning AI integration in tourism sectors where infrastructural and technological limitations persist. Through regionally grounded case studies and empirical research, the book investigates how AI can enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and promote sustainable tourism practices, while also confronting challenges such as digital infrastructure, ethical concerns, and workforce readiness. Bringing together diverse perspectives from scholars and practitioners, this edited volume presents a balanced blend of conceptual frameworks and practical insights. Chapters examine fintech’s role in the visitor economy; AI-driven service personalisation; and industry preparedness for robotics and automation. It is an essential resource for academics, policymakers, and industry professionals seeking to understand and harness AI’s potential within the unique socio-economic contexts of emerging markets.

Storied Advice for Aspiring Latinas in Educational Leadership is a powerful anthology of lived wisdom, resilience, and cultural pride. Co-edited by Latina practitioners and researchers in K–12 and higher education, this collection offers deeply personal and transformative guidance for the next generation of Latina leaders.

Each chapter is a heartfelt consejo—a culturally rooted piece of advice—passed down with love, intention, and the hope of lighting the path for others. In Latino/a culture, consejos are more than words; they are teaching tools, vessels of shared knowledge, and acts of resistance against erasure. Through these stories, readers gain insight into the non-traditional and often challenging journeys of Latina educators who have carved out space in leadership despite systemic barriers.

This book speaks directly to every Latina who has ever been told, “Calladita te miras más bonita”—you look prettier when you're quiet. The authors respond in one unified voice, rejecting silence and embracing the power of truth-telling. Their experiences confront the realities of the glass ceiling, cultural stereotypes, and the lack of representation in leadership roles, while offering hope, strategy, and solidarity.

Whether you're an aspiring educator, a seasoned leader, or someone seeking to understand the Latina experience in education, this book is a call to action, a celebration of identity, and a roadmap for change.

Walk With Me: Lessons in Transcendent Leadership is a powerful exploration of leadership beyond position and performance—offering a visionary model rooted in spiritual intelligence, ethical courage, and communal elevation. Authored by Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, a transcendent higher education leader, this book reimagines what it means to lead in institutions facing complexity, constraint, and change—especially in the context of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), faith-based organizations, and social-impact institutions.

Transcendent leadership, as defined in this work, is not hierarchical but relational. It is not driven by ego or authority, but by authenticity, resilience, and divine purpose. Through deeply reflective storytelling, institutional case studies, and African fables, Dr. Lucas offers a leadership framework that values transparency over perfection, process over position, and people over politics.

More than a personal memoir or leadership manual, Walk With Me is an invitation: for presidents, provosts, pastors, and changemakers to lead with soul, serve with integrity, and walk with those they lead—not ahead or above, but beside. In a time when higher education, especially at mission-driven institutions, requires bold vision and prophetic imagination, this book is a guide for becoming the kind of leader who not only transforms—but transcends. This is not just leadership. This is a walk of purpose.

Mathematics Outreach: Examples and Impact From Across the Globe focuses on mathematics outreach, which involves people sharing their passion for and knowledge of mathematics with the goal of broadening access to and engagement in mathematics learning experiences.  

Chapters contain rich descriptions and examples of mathematics outreach, together with reports of impact and effectiveness. Examples come from Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. Authors describe outreach that engages people in a variety of mathematical experiences such as math circles, museum activities, mathematics festivals, problem-based puzzle environments, and math walks in the community.

All chapter authors report on parameters of their mathematics outreach, including duration of activities, funding, facilitating the activities, and sustaining the outreach over time. Authors of two chapters describe surveys of the literature about mathematics outreach. We expect Mathematics Outreach may be of value to readers interested in developing and considering the impact of mathematics outreach in their own contexts. 

Leadership Learning as a Way to Thrive explores the dynamic connection between personal thriving and leadership learning. This timely and thought-provoking book invites students to reimagine leadership learning as a catalyst for well-being.

Rooted in the idea that thriving means evolving energetically, the book integrates key leadership theories with well-being science and positive psychology to support both leader and follower growth. Drawing on the work of scholars, the authors highlight essential elements of thriving, such as environmental mastery, adaptive leadership, growth mindset, emotional intelligence, meaning and purpose, relationships, accomplishments, innovation, engagement, resilience, and self-efficacy.

Through a blend of research, reflection, and practical insight, this book offers a compelling framework for how leadership learning can foster holistic development. It also serves as a call to action for professionals seeking to create environments where students don’t just succeed - they thrive.

Whether you're on your own leadership learning journey, designing leadership programs for peers, mentoring students, or shaping institutional strategy, Leadership Learning as a Way to Thrive will inspire you to spark new conversations, ignite fresh ideas, and champion well-being through leadership education.

Mathematics Outreach: Examples and Impact From Across the Globe focuses on mathematics outreach, which involves people sharing their passion for and knowledge of mathematics with the goal of broadening access to and engagement in mathematics learning experiences.  

Chapters contain rich descriptions and examples of mathematics outreach, together with reports of impact and effectiveness. Examples come from Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. Authors describe outreach that engages people in a variety of mathematical experiences such as math circles, museum activities, mathematics festivals, problem-based puzzle environments, and math walks in the community.

All chapter authors report on parameters of their mathematics outreach, including duration of activities, funding, facilitating the activities, and sustaining the outreach over time. Authors of two chapters describe surveys of the literature about mathematics outreach. We expect Mathematics Outreach may be of value to readers interested in developing and considering the impact of mathematics outreach in their own contexts. 

Walk With Me: Lessons in Transcendent Leadership is a powerful exploration of leadership beyond position and performance—offering a visionary model rooted in spiritual intelligence, ethical courage, and communal elevation. Authored by Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, a transcendent higher education leader, this book reimagines what it means to lead in institutions facing complexity, constraint, and change—especially in the context of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), faith-based organizations, and social-impact institutions.

Transcendent leadership, as defined in this work, is not hierarchical but relational. It is not driven by ego or authority, but by authenticity, resilience, and divine purpose. Through deeply reflective storytelling, institutional case studies, and African fables, Dr. Lucas offers a leadership framework that values transparency over perfection, process over position, and people over politics.

More than a personal memoir or leadership manual, Walk With Me is an invitation: for presidents, provosts, pastors, and changemakers to lead with soul, serve with integrity, and walk with those they lead—not ahead or above, but beside. In a time when higher education, especially at mission-driven institutions, requires bold vision and prophetic imagination, this book is a guide for becoming the kind of leader who not only transforms—but transcends. This is not just leadership. This is a walk of purpose.

In an era of recurring financial crises, rising inequality, and environmental stress, Islamic Finance as an Ethical and Responsible Finance by Professor Dr. Muhammad Ayub offers a transformative vision for global finance. It critiques the excesses of interest-based, speculative, and profit-driven systems and advocates a shift toward finance rooted in justice, equity, risk-sharing, and sustainability.

Grounded in the prohibitions of ribā (interest), gharar (contractual uncertainty), and maysir (gambling), and supported by the social institutions of zakāt and waqf, this work shows how asset-backed and transparent financing can align with the UN SDGs. Blending rigorous theory with practical insights, it positions Islamic ethical finance as a universal model for advancing shared prosperity and promoting moral and social good. This work is an essential resource for academics, policymakers, and practitioners committed to building a just and sustainable financial order.

Emerald Studies in Islamic Economy and Finance (ESIEF) is a groundbreaking series published by Emerald Publishing dedicated to advancing the knowledge and understanding of Islamic economics and finance. In an era where the global economic landscape is constantly evolving, this series seeks to contribute significantly to the academic discourse surrounding Islamic economy and finance. It builds on the rich heritage of Islamic economic thought while embracing contemporary perspectives and challenges. The series is also committed to fostering rigorous academic inquiry promoting scholarly collaboration and ultimately enriching the understanding of Islamic economics and finance in the global context.

This book is dedicated to the memory of the departed descendants of John Glasse of Taunton, Somerset, England, who braved the dangers of a transatlantic crossing in the early 1600s in search of religious liberty and a safer more prosperous life, who wrested an existence from the forests and rocky hills of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont, who traveled the Great Lakes region in search of arable land to sustain growing families, who fought in the Civil War for the Union, who followed the expansion of the transcontinental railroad that opened the West, and who labored in the emerging trades of the early 20th Century, so that we, the living descendants of John Glasse can enjoy the safety, comforts, and peace of the 21st Century. May we, the living, do as well by our descendants.

In an era marked by political polarization, institutional strain, and global uncertainty, Is Democracy Doomed? confronts one of the most urgent questions of our time. This provocative volume gathers leading scholars from law, political science, and sociology to dissect the fragility and resilience of democratic systems in the 21st century.

From Beau Breslin and Ashley Wilkerson’s defense of republicanism as a safeguard against democratic collapse, to Paul Schiff Berman’s exploration of dialogue as democracy’s lifeblood, each chapter offers a distinct lens on the forces reshaping governance. Peter Levine applies systems theory to diagnose democracy’s ailments, while Laura Beth Nielsen reimagines democracy as a relational practice rooted in trust and reciprocity. The volume also probes the legal architecture of democracy: H. Chris Tecklenburg examines the constitutional implications of nationwide injunctions, Jamie Rowen highlights the civic role of lawyers and veterans, and Laura A. Dickinson warns of the democratic risks posed by privatized national security. David Mednicoff critiques the international rule of law’s paradoxes, and Jeremy Paul closes with a sobering reflection on the cultural drift toward expedience over principle.

Is Democracy Doomed? invites readers into a rigorous conversation about democracy’s future, and whether its foundations can withstand the pressures of our time.

There is a growing public and scholarly attention to the environmental footprint of digital technologies, and to the climate responsibility of technology corporations and social media platforms specifically. Developing a critical understanding of the environmental responsibility and accountability of digital platforms, Platforms and the Planet focuses on the environmental responsibility of the so-called Big Tech, their digital media platforms and their role in the sustainability transition as a discursive, material, and ethical question.

Written from a much-needed critical and cross-disciplinary perspective, challenging the prevailing perspective on digital platforms as “green” and non-material entities, the chapters unpack their non-sustainable, material essence. Bridging critical platform studies with environmental studies and environmental communication studies, the chapters explore three broad themes. First, the chapters unpack what environmental sustainability means in relation to platforms. The second theme scrutinises the material and infrastructural dimensions of the digital platform society from the perspective of sustainability and global justice. Third, the chapters dive into the discourses of accountability by both digital platforms and actors criticizing them.

This edited collection is compelling reading for a wide range of researchers and students both in the fields of media and communication studies, digital sociology, and other fields of critical technology studies and environmental studies. The book will also be useful for those interested in global platform companies from the perspective of management and organization studies or more broadly as societal actors.

The integration of technology, sustainability, and education is crucial for the future in the era of digitalization; policymakers, industry leaders, and educators must adopt innovative and intentional transformation strategies to meet the opportunities and challenges of the digital age.

This volume provides expert insights into the intersection of technology and sustainability within the context of learning and business environments. Unlike existing literature that often explores these two fields separately, this proposed book offers a comprehensive perspective on how technology can facilitate sustainability across educational, corporate, and other sectors. The research also includes actionable frameworks and practical use cases that illustrate how theoretical concepts can be translated into practice. These examples serve as a blueprint for educational institutions, businesses, and government entities seeking to embed sustainable practices within their respective domains.

Technological Innovation and Sustainability for Business Competitive Advantage emphasizes the scientific exploration of business challenges faced by organizations while offering practical solutions. By contributing to the development and enhancement of business theories and practices and by promoting scientific research in technological innovation and sustainability the volumes facilitate meaningful dialogues among academics, practitioners and individuals.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the European International Business Academy (EIBA), the 2024 Annual Conference in Finland was more than a celebration—it was a call to action. This volume captures the spirit of that milestone gathering, where scholars from around the world came together to reimagine the future of international business (IB) research. As the field enters a new era, contributors to this collection explore how we can challenge established thinking, reshape theoretical foundations, and pursue bold, impactful research that addresses the pressing needs of our time. Book B of this volume expands current knowledge on governance models, and introduces novel applications of research methods and frameworks that can help push the boundaries of IB.

In a world marked by deepening societal polarisation, mounting global challenges, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, international business must evolve. This volume advocates for a more transdisciplinary approach—one where academics, practitioners, policymakers, and creatives collaborate to produce knowledge that bridges disciplines and sectors. By rethinking what we study, how we study it, and why it matters, this volume offers a visionary roadmap for the next 50 years of IB scholarship—grounded in relevance, responsibility, and the pursuit of societal impact.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the European International Business Academy (EIBA), the 2024 Annual Conference in Finland was more than a celebration—it was a call to action. This volume captures the spirit of that milestone gathering, where scholars from around the world came together to reimagine the future of international business (IB) research. As the field enters a new era, contributors to this collection explore how we can challenge established thinking, reshape theoretical foundations, and pursue bold, impactful research that addresses the pressing needs of our time. Book A of this volume addresses new perspectives on agency and the role of governments, knowledge creation and novel technologies in uncertain conditions, and sustainable transnational collaboration in global value chains.

In a world marked by deepening societal polarisation, mounting global challenges, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, international business must evolve. This volume advocates for a more transdisciplinary approach—one where academics, practitioners, policymakers, and creatives collaborate to produce knowledge that bridges disciplines and sectors. By rethinking what we study, how we study it, and why it matters, this volume offers a visionary roadmap for the next 50 years of IB scholarship—grounded in relevance, responsibility, and the pursuit of societal impact. 

Nonviolence as Educational Praxis, offers an international perspective on integrating nonviolence into educational practices. Featuring contributions from scholars in the USA, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, England, Estonia, and beyond, this volume emphasizes the urgency of practicing nonviolence in the international educational landscape.

It centers nonviolence in the educational field within and beyond schools in terms of nonviolent communication, autobiography, storytelling, psychoanalytical implications, relational dynamics and ecological perspectives, and much more. This book illustrates how educators can create spaces that encourage empathy, interconnection, and growth.

Nonviolence as Educational Praxis serves as an important resource for educators and practitioners dedicated to enacting meaningful change in their classrooms and communities, reinforcing the urgent need for a worldwide commitment to nonviolence in education in today’s chaotic and violent world.

In contemporary educational discourse, the language of holism and whole person learning has become increasingly prevalent. Yet the deeper philosophical and pedagogical foundations of holistic teaching and learning are often overlooked. Holistic Education Part 1: Enduring Principles and Practices returns to these origins, engaging with the theoretical and practical dimensions that have shaped the field.

Building upon Carol Flake’s seminal 1993 collection, Holistic Education: Principles, Perspectives, and Practices, revisits the original vision of holistic education as articulated by its early advocates, educators committed to integrating intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions of human development. Contributors examine the evolution of holistic principles in relation to spirituality, embodied and earth-based learning, ecological awareness, and global citizenship.

By situating holistic education within enduring philosophical traditions and emerging global challenges, this volume affirms the continued relevance of holistic approaches for education and the professions. It invites scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to consider education not merely as a means of instruction, but as a transformative process aimed at cultivating wholeness in persons, communities, and the wider world.

Nonviolence as Educational Praxis, offers an international perspective on integrating nonviolence into educational practices. Featuring contributions from scholars in the USA, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, England, Estonia, and beyond, this volume emphasizes the urgency of practicing nonviolence in the international educational landscape.

It centers nonviolence in the educational field within and beyond schools in terms of nonviolent communication, autobiography, storytelling, psychoanalytical implications, relational dynamics and ecological perspectives, and much more. This book illustrates how educators can create spaces that encourage empathy, interconnection, and growth.

Nonviolence as Educational Praxis serves as an important resource for educators and practitioners dedicated to enacting meaningful change in their classrooms and communities, reinforcing the urgent need for a worldwide commitment to nonviolence in education in today’s chaotic and violent world.

Corporate Marketing Strategy: A Contemporary Curation of Branding, Identity, Image and Reputation Studies offers a comprehensive treatment of the nature of relationships between companies, brands, and stakeholders in different regions of the world. The timely collection will serve as an important resource for international marketing and brand practitioners, who require more than anecdotal evidence, on important aspects relating to companies’ strategy, brands, identity, stakeholders, and reputation. The authors have blended an interesting mix of theory, primary research findings, and practice that will appeal to students, academics, and practitioners of international branding, identity, marketing alike.

In contemporary educational discourse, the language of holism and whole person learning has become increasingly prevalent. Yet the deeper philosophical and pedagogical foundations of holistic teaching and learning are often overlooked. Holistic Education Part 1: Enduring Principles and Practices returns to these origins, engaging with the theoretical and practical dimensions that have shaped the field.

Building upon Carol Flake’s seminal 1993 collection, Holistic Education: Principles, Perspectives, and Practices, revisits the original vision of holistic education as articulated by its early advocates, educators committed to integrating intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions of human development. Contributors examine the evolution of holistic principles in relation to spirituality, embodied and earth-based learning, ecological awareness, and global citizenship.

By situating holistic education within enduring philosophical traditions and emerging global challenges, this volume affirms the continued relevance of holistic approaches for education and the professions. It invites scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to consider education not merely as a means of instruction, but as a transformative process aimed at cultivating wholeness in persons, communities, and the wider world.

There is much research published on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); what it means, what it looks like, how to do it and the benefits for an organization. There is a lot less research on Corporate Social Irresponsibility (CSI) although people have experienced this facet more frequently.

This book offers a timely, interdisciplinary exploration of how corporate executives navigate the moral ambiguity between CSR and CSI. While CSR is often idealized as ethical and strategic, and CSI dismissed as aberrant or deviant, this work challenges that binary by showing how both can co-exist within the same organizations, leadership decisions, and legitimacy strategies.

Drawing from executive psychology and behavioral ethics the book advances a new conceptual framework: corporate social behavior is shaped not by fixed moral commitments but by the dynamic interplay between psychological characteristics, contextual pressures and the strategic management of legitimacy. The research offers a realistic, behaviorally grounded lens for scholars, practitioners, and educators seeking to understand the contradictions of modern corporate leadership. It is especially relevant in today’s climate of increasing scrutiny of corporate virtue signalling, reputational risk, and executive accountability.

Recent years have seen varying workplace trends, changes in approaches to work, from both employers and employees, changes in the nature of work and types of employment; and a particular phenomenon that has altered is workplace loyalty and commitment.

This topic is examined by offering insights on the macro (context), meso (organizational) levels and micro level (individuals) factors that drive public employees to engage differently within the public sector. There are unique factors of the public sector that are examined here in detail related to workplace loyalty and commitment. The chapters provide a closer look to the different macro-areas/dimensions, contexts, or institutional factors affecting employee loyalties in the public sector. Specifically, the following lenses will be used: institutional; public policy domain; public professions; and organization type.

The authors conclude with a reflection on the future of employee loyalty at work. This in a context of technological evolutions (AI), gig work, and agile organizational structures. It offers key implications for theory, practice, and policy-making accounting for public employees' multiple loyalties.

Halal Tourism and Artificial Intelligence: New Approaches for a New Generation explores the rapid growth of halal tourism and its intersection with artificial intelligence (AI), offering fresh insights into a dynamic and evolving market. As of 2023, Muslims comprise 23.4% of the global population, with projections indicating this will rise to 26.4% by 2030, translating to approximately 2.51 billion people. This demographic shift, particularly in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, and South Asia, is driving an increase in demand for tourism that aligns with religious principles.

This edited volume addresses the expanding scope of halal tourism and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in meeting the needs of this growing market. With the increasing purchasing power of pious tourists, destinations catering to Muslim-friendly travel are ramping up efforts to attract this important demographic. Targeting professionals in the halal tourism industry, researchers, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and cultural tourism, this timely work fills a crucial gap in the literature by offering a forward-looking perspective on a market poised for continued growth.

AI and Business: Mapping the Present for Harnessing the Future addresses the growing need for businesses to not only understand but effectively implement artificial intelligence (AI) as a core component of their operational strategies. AI has quickly evolved from an experimental technology to a transformative tool reshaping the business landscape. While many organisations recognise its potential, numerous others struggle to integrate AI into their existing frameworks and align it with their strategic goals. This contributed work offers a comprehensive, practical guide for businesses seeking to implement AI across various functions, including marketing, finance, operations, and human resources, while highlighting the critical steps to bridge the gap between technology and effective business use.

Through a blend of fundamental AI concepts such as machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks, alongside real-world case studies from industry leaders like Amazon, Google, IBM, and BOSH, the authors offer insights into how AI has catalysed transformation within these companies. By providing a balanced view of both the opportunities and challenges AI presents, it equips business professionals, leaders, and students with the tools and knowledge necessary to leverage AI for tangible, future-driven success.

The digital generation is working its way through the education system and into the workforce, the question for businesses, organizations and managers is how to successfully integrate this generation into the multigenerational workforce?

The main topic of this work has been developed following the concerns of organizations, who are facing the emergence of those born in an entirely digital world, these new individuals have a different paradigm, a unique culture, and their own perspectives about how to live their life and what to prioritize. Taking that into account the role of the new generations in organizations the following question arises: what does an organization have to do to make the most of the capabilities of this generation? The group of experts that participate in this book propose many actions that could lead to better organizational performance, along with the use of technological and digital tools to optimize processes, promote autonomy and empowerment to improve teamwork, and ways to reduce the issues of the generational gap.

Drawing on industry and academic research the thirteen chapters presented here allow for readers to discover methods and tools to better improve intergenerational ways of working.

This book has undergone external single anonymous peer reviewed before being accepted for publication.

Life Course of Trauma and Resilience offers a profound exploration into the cultural psychology of resilience throughout the human life course. Drawing from the publicly available autobiography of Danish author Lisbeth Zornig, this book delves into the resilience that emerges from a series of psychologically dramatic and traumatic life events. By analyzing full life courses through idiographic science, this work leverages autobiographies where all original materials are in the public domain.

The chapters provide an in-depth examination of the construction of the self in relation to others, the pivotal role of education, and the value of imagination as both a developmental tool and a coping mechanism. Additionally, the book explores the intricate connection between mind, body, and trauma. This innovative approach to the cultural psychology of life course analysis introduces new methodological tools that combine macrogenetic analysis with the study of how semiotic mediators help individuals develop new personal strengths to navigate their lives.

Whether you are a scholar, practitioner, or someone interested in the dynamics of resilience, Life Course of Trauma and Resilience presents a comprehensive and insightful perspective on how individuals can overcome adversity and build resilience through their life journeys.

Crowdsourcing and Value Co-creation in Human Resource Management explores the transformative role of crowdsourcing in human resources, highlighting how it enables value co-creation within organisations. Through practical insights, case studies, and best practices, the book offers actionable strategies for leveraging crowdsourcing to optimise talent management, foster innovation, and improve organisational performance.

This comprehensive guide provides HR professionals, researchers, and organisational leaders with the tools to integrate crowdsourcing across various HR functions—from talent acquisition to diversity and inclusion. By offering real-world examples and strategies, this contributed work empowers readers to address HR challenges, drive innovation, and enhance organisational success using the power of crowdsourcing.

The COVID-19 pandemic upended education systems across the globe, forcing an unprecedented shift from traditional classrooms to emergency remote learning. As students and educators navigated this new terrain, their motivation was tested like never before.

This volume explores how motivation and achievement were shaped by the pandemic’s disruptions. Drawing on research from nine countries, it presents a rich tapestry of theoretical and empirical insights into how learners and teachers adapted, coped, and sometimes thrived under extraordinary circumstances. With 12 chapters spanning diverse educational systems and perspectives, the book offers perspectives about a rare “natural experiment” in understanding motivation during uncertainty, stress, and change.

Essential reading for researchers, educators, and policymakers, Motivation and Achievement During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic not only documents a pivotal moment in educational history but also offers guidance for building more resilient, equitable, and motivating learning environments in the post-pandemic world.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

Listed Family Companies are a focal point of family business research on the management side. This is hardly surprising, as the data situation here is much better than for private family businesses. At the same time, one can ask how representative the listed family business is of the much more common form of private family business. The listed family business inevitably has non-family shareholders and is subject to more intensive regulation, particularly in terms of transparency. This specific legal framework is what makes the interdisciplinary perspective of law and management on the listed family business so useful.

The book addresses topics such as the status quo of, and gaps in, the management literature about Listed Family Companies; how family companies communicate with the capital market and how capital market participants view family companies; a stewardship perspective on the listed family company; an in-depth look at listed family companies in Turkey; and general and country-specific legal chapters on France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The book concludes with a chapter on future research opportunities that emerged from the discussions at the conference.

The pioneering Law and Management of Family Firms series publishes volumes following the annual Hamburg Conference: Law and Management of Family Firms, the international and interdisciplinary forum for family business research. The conference is organized by the Max Planck Institute and the Institute for Mittelstand and Family Firms (HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration). It brings together two distinct and previously disconnected disciplines of law and management, benefiting scholars, lawyers, consultants, and family office practitioners.

Developing Conscious Gratitude in Schools transforms how educators address systemic inequality in American education. Jerell Hill presents a comprehensive blueprint for creating inclusive, empowering learning environments that shift students from burdens to brilliance, particularly those from low-income and marginalized backgrounds.
This book explores how neighborhood conditions, public health, housing policy, and segregation profoundly impact educational opportunities. Through compelling research, case studies, and practical strategies, Hill provides concrete approaches educators and administrators can implement immediately. Unlike theoretical works that merely describe problems, this offers actionable transformation.
Conscious gratitude is not about avoiding hardship, but transforming it into purpose, resilience, and meaningful connection while honoring the sacred practice of teaching.

Developing Conscious Gratitude in Schools transforms how educators address systemic inequality in American education. Jerell Hill presents a comprehensive blueprint for creating inclusive, empowering learning environments that shift students from burdens to brilliance, particularly those from low-income and marginalized backgrounds.
This book explores how neighborhood conditions, public health, housing policy, and segregation profoundly impact educational opportunities. Through compelling research, case studies, and practical strategies, Hill provides concrete approaches educators and administrators can implement immediately. Unlike theoretical works that merely describe problems, this offers actionable transformation.
Conscious gratitude is not about avoiding hardship, but transforming it into purpose, resilience, and meaningful connection while honoring the sacred practice of teaching.

Enhancing the Dining Experience through Augmented and Virtual Reality Technology: An Indian Perspective explores the transformative impact of immersive technologies on food and beverage service operations. With a focus on the Indian hospitality sector, this book examines how augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are reshaping the dining experience by creating engaging, multisensory environments. It offers foundational knowledge in food and beverage service, departmental organization, and beverage management while contextualizing these elements within India’s diverse culinary landscape.

By integrating advanced technologies into traditional hospitality practices, the book highlights innovative strategies for enhancing guest satisfaction and competitiveness in a post-pandemic world. Drawing on recent research and industry trends, it provides practical insights for hospitality professionals, educators, and students. Topics include the cultural significance of food in India, the structure of service operations, and the adoption of AR/VR to enrich customer engagement. This timely resource equips readers to navigate and contribute to the evolving hospitality industry with a forward-thinking, tech-enabled approach.

Learning, Identity, and Difference: Mary Darmanin’s Inspiration brings together important contributions to the large area of Sociology of Education and around themes of social and ecological difference. It also foregrounds identity issues in an intersectional manner, covering social class, gender (including sexual orientation and women’s studies), race/ethnicity, and the politics of enablement. Featuring chapters on topics such as promoting gender equality, challenging classist discourse through critical pedagogies, and transforming education through neuroscience, as well as a contribution by Mary Darmanin herself, this important volume champions and highlights the importance of approaching identity issues in a sensitive way that supports and nurtures students in their learning.

Learning, Identity, and Difference: Mary Darmanin’s Inspiration brings together important contributions to the large area of Sociology of Education and around themes of social and ecological difference. It also foregrounds identity issues in an intersectional manner, covering social class, gender (including sexual orientation and women’s studies), race/ethnicity, and the politics of enablement. Featuring chapters on topics such as promoting gender equality, challenging classist discourse through critical pedagogies, and transforming education through neuroscience, as well as a contribution by Mary Darmanin herself, this important volume champions and highlights the importance of approaching identity issues in a sensitive way that supports and nurtures students in their learning.

The United Nations Agenda 2030 recognizes gender equality as a fundamental human right, with SDG 5 dedicated solely to this crucial issue. Achieving gender equality and empowering women is essential for the success of all Sustainable Development Goals. Gender Mainstreaming and Development delves into the integral role of gender sensitivity in policy and program design, highlighting the importance of transforming discriminatory social institutions across political, economic, legal, and social spheres.

This comprehensive volume brings together gender mainstreaming experiences from diverse sectors and regions, aiming to develop a shared understanding of current approaches and challenges. By adopting a nuanced analytical approach, it seeks to provide valuable insights and design a blueprint for truly inclusive and transformative gender mainstreaming policy and practice. Essential reading for academic researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students in economics, development, and gender studies, this book offers a fresh perspective on gender and development issues.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online.

As Africa stands at the threshold of rapid global and technological change, Transforming Africa offers a timely, agenda-setting response to the urgent call for bold, future-oriented innovation across the continent.

This edited volume explores how African countries can reshape their innovation ecosystems to meet contemporary challenges and opportunities. It brings together diverse perspectives on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, fintech, and smart agriculture, alongside critical socio-economic themes including food systems, health, education, culture, fashion, and peacebuilding. Transforming Africa is a call to action: to reimagine Africa’s innovation agenda with greater urgency, creativity, and contextual relevance. It highlights the rise of alternative paradigms and local approaches to innovation that challenge dominant models and offer more inclusive and sustainable pathways forward.

Rich in insight and grounded in practice, this volume is essential reading for policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students interested in Africa’s development and innovation futures. It is the third in a series produced by the Africa Innovation Summit Foundation and is supported by ICESCO.

This volume contains an Open Access chapter.

While the domains of organizational theory, grand challenges, and environmental sociology have developed via relatively distinct fields in sociology and management, they speak to a common set of social change phenomena at the intersection of the state, non-profits, and businesses. Organizations and Climate Change brings together new empirical papers that bridge these domains and sets an agenda for a more holistic theory of organizations and climate change, a theory that examines how various kinds of organizations respond to what is considered as one of the most important challenges for humanity during the 21st century.

Each of papers included in this volume focus on the way in which organizations shape or respond to the climate change challenge. Three papers examine how business organizations address the climate change problem, including corporate communication of climate change mitigation actions, corporate strategies that undermine decarbonization, and corporate marketing of low-carbon technologies. Three papers investigate how non-profit organizations form networks that shape climate change negotiations, incorporate climate change into their missions, and justify not incorporating climate change into their mission. Finally, three papers explore how universities, boundary organizations, and organizational fields engage in climate change mitigation or attempt to influence other organizations to engage in these actions. The afterword summarizes research on both enablers and blockers of climate action and identifies several promising directions for future work.

Organizations and Climate Change distils insights and highlights opportunities for future research on organizations and the climate change grand challenge.

Completely revised and updated to match current needs, especially after COVID, Strategic Marketing Management in Asia was written with the special purpose of creating a unique marketing management offering that would be contextually relevant, adding value for Asian students interested in understanding the basics of marketing. Asia comprises more than 60 percent of the global population, living in 51 sovereign nations. According to the World Bank’s financial forecasts, Asia is the fastest growing economic region, and the largest continental economy in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), in the world. The continent is currently undergoing rapid growth and industrialization spearheaded by China and India, the two fastest growing major economies in the world.

With a view to continue the current growth momentum, excel in all phases of business, and create future leadership in Asia and across the globe, there is a need to develop a deep understanding of the Asian business environment, and how to create effective marketing strategies that will help growing their businesses. Featuring top academics and practitioners, this book helps academics and students understand key issues, especially in the context of changing economic and related challenges in the Asian markets. Multi-industry case studies address how market opportunities need to be created, how to leverage constrained capabilities, and how to create sustainable, competitive advantage to pursue profitable growth in Asia. The case studies are drawn from across Asia, including Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Vietnam and Singapore.

Modern Trends in Islamic Economy: Philanthropy, Finance and Marketing Innovations explores the dynamic evolution of Islamic economy, highlighting its adaptability in addressing global challenges through the convergence of traditional values and modern innovations. The book provides comprehensive insights into how Islamic principles inform philanthropy, finance, and marketing, emphasizing their transformative potential as tools for ethical innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive business practices.

The book examines the pivotal role of Islamic philanthropy, particularly waqf (endowments) and zakat (charitable giving), as mechanisms for addressing socio-economic inequalities and fostering community resilience. Innovations like cash waqf and sukuk (Islamic bonds) are analyzed, showcasing their capacity to create sustainable funding models for addressing issues such as disaster relief, education, and poverty alleviation. Practical case studies offer real-world examples of how these tools are effectively utilized in various regions, including South Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Emerald Studies in Islamic Economy and Finance (ESIEF) is dedicated to advancing the knowledge and understanding of Islamic economics and finance. In an era where the global economic landscape is constantly evolving this will series seeks to contribute significantly to the academic discourse surrounding Islamic economy and finance building on the rich heritage of Islamic economic thought while embracing contemporary perspectives and challenges. The series is also committed to fostering rigorous academic inquiry promoting scholarly collaboration and ultimately enriching the understanding of Islamic economics and finance in the global context.

The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by the transformative forces of the Integrated Industrial revolution (4^th-5^th Industrial Revolutions)—a new era where data, connectivity, and human-machine interaction define progress. For libraries, this revolution presents both challenges and opportunities, demanding innovation in services, technologies, and strategies.

Both Volume 1 and 2 of Innovating in Libraries explore how academic libraries can harness emerging technologies, integrate Human-Tech synergistic and reciprocal solutions, and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on education, industry innovation, and reducing inequality. Contributions from leading experts and practitioners—many drawn from across the globe and selections from the Zimbabwe University Library Consortium’s 5th Biennial International Conference—offer global insights into spatial design for digital libraries, platform capitalism, open science, ethics, change management, and more.

With an international perspective and forward-thinking approach, Innovating in Libraries is essential for library professionals, educators, and policymakers navigating the future of information access in an era of rapid change.

The global economic environment is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with technological advancements, geopolitical shifts, and climate change reshaping the way economies function. Islamic countries, rich in natural resources and cultural heritage, are uniquely positioned to navigate these changes. However, many of these nations face challenges such as political instability, economic diversification, and infrastructural deficits.

The Economic Potential of Islamic Countries delves into the multifaceted economic landscape of Islamic nations, providing a comprehensive analysis of their strengths, opportunities, and challenges. In an era of rapid globalization and shifting economic paradigms, this book arrives at a crucial juncture, offering fresh insights and strategic recommendations for leveraging the collective potential of these countries. The data-driven analysis also provides case studies from countries such as Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and others, offering a comparative analysis of economic policies and outcomes in various Islamic countries, drawing lessons from both successes and failures.

Readers will benefit from the interdisciplinary insights, providing a holistic view that addresses the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in Islamic economies. In addition it provides practical policy recommendations grounded in empirical research, guiding policymakers, business leaders, and academics towards effective strategies for sustainable economic development.

Bridges and Sustainability: Best practice for design, maintenance, and replacement provides a comprehensive evaluation of sustainability topics related to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of bridges. It addresses critical challenges of achieving sustainability in bridge engineering, offering valuable insights and practical guidance.
Given their longevity, achieving sustainability for bridges involves tackling climate change, ensuring resilience, and cutting carbon emissions to meet net zero goals. This book offers targeted advice on resilience and sustainability for bridges, including:

• risk and resilience assessments at both global and local scales, with examples for various bridge sizes, types, and locations
• methods to measure and improve circularity, including updates to standard specifications and lifetime data for different materials and bridge types
• green bridges that support nature and enhance biodiversity
• the social value of bridges, their contribution to community well-being, and how designers can incorporate social value into their projects
• integrating sustainability themes, demonstrating how links between carbon and circularity, carbon and nature, and circularity and service life can inform better material choices and bridge designs.

Bridges and Sustainability: Best Practice for Design, Maintenance, and Replacement is an essential guide for students, practitioners, and researchers dedicated to building a sustainable future.

At the turn of the 20th century, Barcelona's industrialist bourgeoisie showcased their wealth commissioning family residences from renowned architects embracing the modernist style. Within these families, a chocolatier emerged, expressing opulence through the iconic Casa Amatller, now a symbol of the city. How did a manufacturer of staple foodstuffs ascend to prominence alongside the foremost industrial figures of the nation?

This research unravels a success story in family business history, while engaging with debates in business and management research through the application of corporate strategy tool frameworks. The methodology incorporates a longitudinal approach of a company’s practices, departing from traditional cross-sectional business analyses, transforming static models into dynamic ones. This case study focuses on the creation of competitive advantages within a business dynasty spanning from 1797 to 1936 across four generations. The analysis of competitive advantage adheres to Michael Porter's model within the Value Chain (1985), meticulously examining the emergence and sustaining of advantages through a detailed assessment of each corporate activity.

Frontiers of Management History combines the craft of the business historian with the methodology of the social scientist to offer interdisciplinary perspectives on the management history field alongside theories frameworks critiques and applications for practice. The main aim of the series is to create a new space in which to engage a new generation of historians and social scientists in order to contribute to the future direction of business organizational and management history.

Childhood obesity is a global health concern, with food advertising one of its most intensively debated potential causes. Critically examining children’s exposure to unhealthy food and drink marketing, on television and on various online platforms including social media, and how they evaluate and comprehend this content, Nipa Saha reviews the effectiveness of the industry’s self-regulatory system in Australia.

Providing an overview of current government initiatives to enhance children’s media literacy skills and evaluating the effectiveness of these programs, Saha recommends broad actions to be taken at federal, state or local levels that focus on developing these skills and increasing self-regulation.

The first book to explore the research concerned with the Australian context of food advertising to children, Food Advertising to Children in Australia equips policymakers, parents, educators and researchers to better shape and consider potential interventions with life-saving implications for children’s health.