S02-E19 - "Advanced digital technology adoption under risk and uncertainty: A multi-method study of retail firms"

The 20th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates whether financial inclusion fosters green economic growth across twenty high-income economies between 2005 and 2021. Utilizing principal component analysis alongside a dynamic fixed-effects panel model and kernel regularised least squares, the research disaggregates financial inclusion into distinct accessibility and availability dimensions. The findings reveal that use and accessibility are negatively associated with sustainable development due to energy-intensive consumption, whereas globalisation consistently promotes green growth. Additionally, factors like renewable energy consumption and green innovation exhibit initial negative associations driven by the rebound effect and technological immaturity. Ultimately, the authors emphasize that standalone financial expansion is insufficient for sustainability without strict environmental regulation, green financing, and targeted energy-efficiency policies.https://doi.org/10.3390/su18199752podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 19th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how risk and uncertainty shape the adoption of advanced digital technologies among retail firms across European Union member states. Utilizing a multi-method research design combining regression analysis, machine learning models, and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, the research distinguishes between identifiable adoption barriers and market unpredictability. The findings reveal that while known risks negatively affect digital adoption, market uncertainty can act as a positive stimulus for implementation. Furthermore, the interaction between these factors demonstrates that known barriers weaken the positive association between uncertainty and technology integration. Ultimately, the sources highlight that successful digital transformation depends on balancing perceived unpredictability with organizational capabilities, financial access, and external ecosystem support.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2026.103557podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 18th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE examines the necessary conditions for driving high performance in university entrepreneurial ecosystems (UEEs) across the United Kingdom, focusing on patent grants and university spin-off turnover. Utilizing Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) alongside longitudinal data from the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction survey, the researchers evaluate whether certain institutional elements act as absolute prerequisites rather than mere compensatory factors. The findings reveal that the total number of academics and patent stock operate as essential "must-have" constraints with large effect sizes, indicating that institutional scale and accumulated intellectual property are critical for maximizing commercial outcomes. Furthermore, contract research income emerges as a vital medium-effect bottleneck, whereas other variables like consultancy and facility leasing play a comparatively minor role. Ultimately, this research demonstrates that ecosystem requirements vary depending on strategic performance ambitions, offering valuable insights for higher education managers and policymakers seeking to remove systemic bottlenecks. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-026-10373-4podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 17th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that develops a composite index designed to measure tourism sustainability across 27 countries from 2011 to 2022. Using Principal Component Analysis, the authors evaluate performance across four key pillars: economic, environmental, social, and cultural dimensions. The research identifies that resource productivity and innovation investment significantly improve sustainability scores, while high air emissions cause measurable damage. Additionally, the text examines the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing that the crisis harmed the economic sector but yielded unexpected benefits for social metrics. Ultimately, the source serves as a tool for policymakers to foster long-term resilience through balanced environmental and technological strategies.https://doi.org/10.1080/19407963.2026.2709575 podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 16th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how quantified sustainability data influences fashion purchases by combining a choice-based conjoint experiment with eye-tracking technology. The authors demonstrate that numerical claims, such as specific counts of recycled bottles, significantly increase consumer preference and willingness to pay compared to vague, non-numerical messages. Eye-tracking data reveals that these precise figures act as stronger marketplace signals by capturing more visual attention and encouraging a broader evaluation of product attributes. Interestingly, the effectiveness of these numerical signals remains consistent regardless of a shopper's level of environmental awareness. Ultimately, the study suggests that specific metrics help bridge the gap between sustainability communication and final choice by facilitating a more thorough construction of product value.https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.70243 podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.