Paradigm Change in Financing Sources

Paradigm changes also change the sources of corporate finance. The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate how the sociological changes that will be created by technological developments transform the sources of finance within the framework of “sustainability” and “financial inclusion.” At this point, the basic elements of the financial system in the transition from traditional financing to alternative financing and to platform-based financing, albeit a new one, are examined. For this purpose, first of all, traditional financing sources and alternative financing sources are briefly mentioned, and then platform-ecosystem-based financing sources, which are the main subject of the study, are shed light on. The sources of financing provided through FinTechs are examined within the framework of digital finance-digital inclusion and online finance models (especially crowdfunding). The changes that the COVID-19 process may create in financial resources and the digital technologies it may bring are also assessed.

The Role of Libraries, Archives, and Museums for Metaliteracy in Smart Cities

The concept of smart cities is gaining popularity within academic, practice, and policy circles. Smart cities are intended to be self-sufficient via cutting-edge technologies, purposive innovations, and inventions. However, while technology is growing at an unexpectedly fast pace, one of the essential components of smart cities ‘humans' is lagging behind. The need for and scope of literacies to survive in smart cities pose challenges for their citizens. This study aims to identify the range of literacies required in smart cities and the roles of libraries, archives, and museums (LAM) in supporting citizen literacies for social and digital inclusion. The LAM sector is one of the major stakeholders in the digital transformation sphere. Therefore, the LAM sector must identify the nature of required literacies, the roles and strengths of other stakeholders, and the opportunities to increase its presence in the process. This study systematically identifies and addresses these issues through a conceptual framework process and proposes future research directions for the LAM sector.

Special Issue Editorial:

The global pandemic has brought about fundamental changes in education. The abrupt closing of schools has disrupted the teaching and learning processes and presented challenges for schools worldwide. This Special Issue explores “digital inclusion” through the use of technology-facilitated learning platforms and modalities within the multicultural environment of schooling. It especially gives attention to cases that highlight the responses of parents, teachers, administrators, and students in countries that have the digital infrastructure and technological advancement and in those that do not in order to question the “digital divide” and the challenges and implications that this disparity brings to education.