Blockchain will enhance efficiency in energy markets

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Data Security ◽  
Energy Markets ◽  
Operating Costs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Enhance Efficiency ◽  
Reducing Costs ◽  
Back Office ◽  
Electricity Intensity

Subject Blockchain in energy markets. Significance Emerging blockchain technologies will reduce operating costs and alter how energy markets function. Impacts Blockchain technology threatens to reduce or eradicate the role of intermediaries within energy markets. It facilitates power market disaggregation, especially renewables, although its electricity intensity challenges its ‘green’ credentials. The efficiency gains will deliver significant back-office savings, reducing costs and errors and improving compliance and data security.

Online outsourcing and the future of work

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-238
Author(s):  
Korok Ray ◽  
Tessa A. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Government Policies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Foreign Labor ◽  
The Future ◽  
Human Decision ◽  
Internet Availability ◽  
Reducing Costs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an argument supporting the growth of online outsourcing, which will exponentially increase in the coming years with the spread of internet availability to the less-developed regions of the world. In addition, this paper stresses the role of human decision-making in fostering this growth, rather than promoting inhibitory policies because of nationalism or fear of change. Design/methodology/approach First, globalization and the three “waves” of outsourcing are discussed. Next, the economic principles guiding online outsourcing (disintermediation, the rise of global internet connectivity and the benefits of output-based pay over input-based pay) are discussed. After explaining how artificial intelligence will complement rather than replace human laborers, a case study and evidence are provided. Then, suggestions for government policies going forward, including skill development and education are provided. Finally, the debate that will inevitably emerge regarding online worker benefits is introduced. Findings Evidence points toward the growth of online outsourcing and the resulting increased efficiency and gains through this type of trade. The increase in freelance workers and their earnings, the investments of Google and Facebook to develop internet capabilities in less-developed regions and the reducing costs of technology (such as laptops) provide support for this argument (Elance, 2013; Forbes, 2014; Pofeldt, 2015). Finally, a case study provides evidence illustrating how individuals may gain from these advances. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature by providing a compelling argument for the upcoming transition to increased efficiency in work through online outsourcing. Technological advances will allow the modern worker to delegate his/her mundane tasks so that he/she is free to focus on more pressing issues. This shift will multiply the domestic and foreign labor markets, creating opportunities that have not been available to this point. As this transition is not inevitable, this paper further outlines suggestions for policymakers to ensure maximized gains in the future.

Protecting a new Achilles heel: the role of auditors within the practice of data protection

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo La Torre ◽  
Vida Lucia Botes ◽  
John Dumay ◽  
Elza Odendaal
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Data Protection ◽  
Data Security ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Legal Responsibility ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Digital Ecosystem

Purpose Privacy concerns and data security are changing the risks for businesses and organisations. This indicates that the accountability of all governance participants changes. This paper aims to investigate the role of external auditors within data protection practices and how their role is evolving due to the current digital ecosystem. Design/methodology/approach By surveying the literature, the authors embrace a practice-oriented perspective to explain how data protection practices emerge, exist and occur and examine the auditors’ position within data protection. Findings Auditors need to align their tasks to the purpose of data protection practices. Accordingly, in accessing and using data, auditors are required to engage moral judgements and follow ethical principles that go beyond their legal responsibility. Simultaneously, their accountability extends to data protection ends for instilling confidence that security risks are properly managed. Due to the changing technological conditions under, which auditors operate, the traditional auditors’ task of hearing and verifying extend to new phenomena that create risks for businesses. Thus, within data protection practices, auditors have the accountability to keep interested parties informed about data security and privacy risks, continue to transmit signals to users and instill confidence in businesses. Research limitations/implications The normative level of the study is a research limitation, which calls for future empirical research on how Big Data and data protection is reshaping accounting and auditing practices. Practical implications This paper provides auditing standard setters and practitioners with insights into the redefinitions of auditing practices in the era of Big Data. Social implications Recent privacy concerns at Facebook have sent warning signals across the world about the risks posed by in Big Data systems in terms of privacy, to those charged with governance of organisations. Auditors need to understand these privacy issues to better serve their clients. Originality/value This paper contributes to triggering discussions and future research on data protection and privacy in accounting and auditing research, which is an emerging, yet unresearched topic.

Effective use of blockchain technology for facilities management procurement process

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasni Gayathma Gunasekara ◽  
Pournima Sridarran ◽  
Dilakshan Rajaratnam
Keyword(s):  
Data Security ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Procurement Process ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Template Analysis ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
Procurement System ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Security Communication

Purpose Facilities management (FM) has become a revolutionary profession, which adds value to the built environment. Compared to other industries, the development of the FM industry is at a preliminary stage owing to poor adaptation of digitalisation. Although FM procurement process has improved over time, it is still complex, inefficient and challenging with the lack of digital innovations. Blockchain technology has emerged as a revolutionary digital technology under “Procurement 4.0”. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that enables the effective use of blockchain technology for FM procurement process. Design/methodology/approach Data collection using interviews was performed in two stages adopting a mono method qualitative methodological choice using case studies and survey strategies. Template analysis and content analysis techniques were used to analyse the collected data. Findings Through the findings, main steps in the current FM process were identified. It was revealed, manual procurement has issues related to, efficiency, data security, communication and transparency. Similarly, e-procurement systems also have issues related to data security, poor integration and transparency. FM industry has identified the requirement of transforming into an advanced digitalised technology-based procurement system. This study revealed, blockchain features to overcome these issues and the application of blockchain technology in different steps of the procurement process through the developed framework. Originality/value The developed framework offers a solution for the future technological transformation of FM procurement using blockchain technology.

From conventional to digital leadership: exploring digitalization of leadership and innovative work behavior

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuğba Erhan ◽  
Hasan Huseyin Uzunbacak ◽  
Erhan Aydin
Keyword(s):  
Textile Industry ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
Work Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Work Behavior ◽  
Innovative Work ◽  
Reducing Costs ◽  
Leadership Research ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The leadership shift from conventional to digital comes from the compulsory digitalization of the workplace because the technological progress provides the opportunity of doing work remotely, and this is a great advantage of reducing costs that stem from the offline workplace. Thus, this research aims at demonstrating the relationship between digitalization of leadership and innovative work behavior. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 320 Turkish department managers in the Textile Industry through digital leadership and innovate work behavior scales. The hypotheses were tested using path analysis. The analyses were conducted by using SPSS and AMOS package programs. Findings The results show that the employees’ perceptions of digital leadership have a positive and significant effect on all dimensions of an employee innovative work behavior. Also, the leaders with high digital skills were perceived positively by the employees and the employees tend to adapt innovative behaviors when they have the digitally skilled leaders. Originality/value This study contributes to leadership research by providing evidence for the role of leadership shift in innovative work behavior. Extending the verification of leadership shift in innovative work behavior that can be adopted in Turkey has also been considered.

Potential of blockchain technology in supply chain management: a literature review

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 881-900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amulya Gurtu ◽  
Jestin Johny
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
The World ◽  
Innovation And Technology ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on blockchain technology, present some trends and consider its potential value in supply chain management (SCM). Design/methodology/approach Papers that contained the word “blockchain” in their titles, keywords or abstracts were selected for conducting trend analyses. Findings The blockchain technology is rapidly making inroads in many industries and there is tremendous potential to eliminate intermediaries and to make SCM more efficient. Research limitations/implications This analysis is limited to 299 papers from the EBSCO database through December 2018. Practical implications This paper highlights the imperative role of blockchain technology that has created a discourse in the world of innovation and technology. This work will help academics to further the understanding of blockchain technology. Social implications Blockchain technology will provide transparency to consumers. Originality/value This paper presents the first review of blockchain technology and delves into its value in SCM. This work will help researchers in identifying the areas where blockchain is the most desirable and can be implemented.

scholarly journals Immutable Ubiquitous Digital Certificate Authentication Using Blockchain Protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 308-321
Author(s):  
Untung Rahardja ◽  
Achmad Nizar Hidayanto ◽  
Panca Oktavia Hadi Putra ◽  
Marviola Hardini
Keyword(s):  
Data Security ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Trust Network ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Operational Costs ◽  
The World

A new paradigm regarding a significant technological development has been introduced, each individual gets full trust in controlling an asset and can see the level of authenticity of a particular asset. Through qualitative methods, it is possible to have structured results as the first step to the perfection of the digitalisation era, in which the current revolutionary technology called blockchain has come into play. One of the main innovations found through this research is the role of blockchain in enhancing e-certificate data security, it is proven that administration can be well distributed and reduce operational costs for every field in the world. It is clear that blockchain, especially in the world of education certification, has a big impact, because it can create a global trust network, immutable, authenticated ubiquitous, and can shape a better world for Indonesia as a superpower. With good execution using the SHA-256 hash, e-certificate blockchain technology can be of high value and have an impact on the quality of potential human resources in educational institutions.

scholarly journals Building crisis capacity with data breaches: the role of stakeholder relationship management and strategic communication

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Audra Diers-Lawson ◽  
Amelia Symons ◽  
Cheng Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Data Security ◽  
Crisis Communication ◽  
Relationship Management ◽  
Crisis Response ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Typical Response ◽  
Data Breaches ◽  
Security Breaches

PurposeData security breaches are an increasingly common and costly problem for organizations, yet there are critical gaps in our understanding of the role of stakeholder relationship management and crisis communication in relation to data breaches. In fact, though there have been some studies focusing on data breaches, little is known about what might constitute a “typical” response to data breaches whether those responses are effective at maintaining the stakeholders' relationship with the organization, their commitment to use the organization after the crisis, or the reputational threat of the crisis. Further, even less is known about the factors most influencing response and outcome evaluation during data breaches.Design/methodology/approachWe identify a “typical” response strategy to data breaches and then evaluate the role of this response in comparison to situation, stakeholder demographics and relationships between stakeholders, the issue and the organization using an experimental design. This experiment focuses on a 2 (type of organization) × 2 (prior knowledge of breach risk) with a control group design.FindingsFindings suggest that rather than employing reactive crisis response messaging the role of public relations should focus on proactive relationship building between organizations and key stakeholders.Originality/valueFor the last several decades much of the field of crisis communication has assumed that in the context of a crisis the response strategy itself would materially help the organization. These data suggest that the field crisis communication may have been making the wrong assumption. In fact, these data suggest that reactive crisis response has little-to-no effect once we consider the relationships between organizations, the issue and stakeholders. The findings show that an ongoing program of crisis capacity building is to an organization's strategic advantage when data security breaches occur.

Blockchain technology: uninvestigated issues emerging from an integrated view within accounting and auditing practices

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 462-476
Author(s):  
Marco Maffei ◽  
Raffaela Casciello ◽  
Fiorenza Meucci
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Operating System ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Previous Literature ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Revolution ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
And Diffusion

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the effects of adopting and implementing blockchain technology (BT) in accounting and auditing practices in terms of benefits and threats, thus discovering new and upcoming risks and issues.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a critical perspective to investigate how the implementation of BT could affect accounting and auditing practices, providing a reflection on the role of accountants and auditors during such a technological revolution.FindingsThis paper highlights the importance of the unreplaceable professional conscience and experience of accountants and auditors compared to the impersonal and standardised operating system of artificial intelligence provided by BT. The development and diffusion of BT are leading professionals to acquaint themselves with new accounting and auditing systems, such as reinventing old practices and finding new ways of taking advantage of blockchain instead of being overwhelmed.Originality/valueDifferent from the majority of previous literature contributions, this study looks beyond the potential and undeniable benefits that BT can offer to accounting and auditing environments by focussing especially on the threats and risks caused by its implementation.

Ascribing responsibility for online security and data breaches

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Rose Carre ◽  
Shelby R. Curtis ◽  
Daniel Nelson Jones
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Data Security ◽  
Corporate Responsibility ◽  
Psychological Contract Breach ◽  
Data Breach ◽  
Contract Breach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Private Data ◽  
A Company

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand consumer reactions to security breaches and the best approach for companies to minimize the reputational damage that is done. Design/methodology/approach The authors assessed trust in a company following a data breach as well as perceptions of individual and corporate responsibility for data security and also measured individual personality. Findings The authors found that individuals held companies more responsible for protecting private data and held companies even more responsible following a data breach. Further, perception of responsibility for a data breach significantly affected individuals’ response to a company’s attempt to rebuild trust. Finally, participant personality impacted perceptions of responsibility and trust in a company after a data breach. Research limitations/implications Companies are held more responsible for protecting private data than are individuals. Thus, violation of this expectation insofar as a data breach may result in a psychological contract breach which explains reductions in trust in a company which has experienced a data breach. Further, the effect of company’s responses to a data breach depends on individuals’ perception of responsibility and personality. Thus, the best course of action following a data breach may vary across customers. Practical implications Companies should consider differences in customer perceptions when responding to a data breach. Social implications Individuals differ in how responsible they feel a company is for data security. Further, those differences impact reactions to data breach responses from companies. Originality/value This paper explored personality as it impacts perceptions of corporate responsibility in data security. Further, the authors explore the role of perception of responsibility to determine the role of psychological contract breach in reduced trust after data breach.

scholarly journals Ṣukūk on blockchain: a legal, regulatory and Sharī’ah review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherin Kunhibava ◽  
Zakariya Mustapha ◽  
Aishath Muneeza ◽  
Auwal Adam Sa'ad ◽  
Mohammad Ershadul Karim
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Reducing Costs ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore issues arising from ṣukūk (Islamic bonds) on blockchain, including Sharīʾah (Islamic law) and legal matters. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology is used in conducting this research where relevant literature on ṣukūk was reviewed. Through a doctrinal approach, the paper presents analyses on the practice of ṣukūk and ṣukūk on blockchain by discussing its legal, Sharīʾah and regulatory issues. This culminates in a conceptual analysis of blockchain ṣukūk and its peculiar challenges. Findings This paper reveals that digitizing ṣukūk issuance through blockchain remedies certain inefficiencies associated with ṣukūk transactions. Indeed, structuring ṣukūk on a blockchain platform can increase transparency of underlying ṣukūk assets and cash flows in addition to reducing costs and the number of intermediaries in ṣukūk transactions. The paper likewise brings to light legal, regulatory, Sharīʾah and cyber risks associated with ṣukūk on blockchain that confront investors, practitioners and regulators. This calls for deeper collaboration in research among Sharīʾah scholars, lawyers, regulators and information technology experts. Research limitations/implications As a pioneering subject, the paper notes the prospects of blockchain ṣukūk and the current dearth of literature on it. The paper would assist relevant Islamic capital market entities and authorities to determine the potential and impact of blockchain ṣukūk in their respective businesses and the financial system. Practical implications Blockchain ṣukūk will assist in addressing issues inherent in classical ṣukūk and in paving the way to innovative solutions that will facilitate and enhance the quality of ṣukūk transactions. For that, ṣukūk would require appropriate regulatory technology to address its governance and regulation peculiarities. Originality/value Integrating ṣukūk with blockchain technology will add value to it. The paper advances the idea that blockchain ṣukūk revolutionises ṣukūk and enhances its practice against known inadequacies.

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