Purpose Against the background of the I50 paradigm, this paper queries in what ways blockchain and blockchain-based applications deployed in the smart city context facilitate the integration of the I50 paradigm in smart urban contexts. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods approach is applied. First, by means of desk research and thematic literature review, a conceptual model integrating the I50 paradigm, smart city and blockchain-based solutions is built. Second, science mapping bibliometric analysis (SciMat) based on keywords’ co-occurrence is applied to a sample of 491 research articles to identify key domains of blockchain-based applications’ use in smart city. Third, a semi-systematic literature review complements insights gained through SciMat. Fourth, the findings are interpreted through the precepts of the conceptual model devised earlier. Findings The key blockchain-based applications in smart cities pertain to two domains, i.e. the foundational, service facilitation-oriented domain, including security (and safety), networks, computing, resource management and the service delivery-oriented domain, including mobility, energy and healthcare. Blockchain serves as the key building block for applications developed to deliver functions specific to each of the thus identified domains. A substantial layering of blockchain-based tools and applications is necessary to advance from the less to the more complex functional domains of the smart city. Originality/value At the conceptual level, the intricacies of the (making of the) I50 paradigm are discussed and a case for I50 – smart city – blockchain nexus is made. Easton’s input–output model as well as constructivism is referenced. At the empirical level, the key major domains of blockchain-based applications are discussed; those that bear the prospect of integrating the I50 paradigm in the smart city are highlighted. At the methodological level, a strategic move is made aimed at restoring the literature review’s role as subservient to the key line of exploration, to justify and ultimately support it, rather than to showcase the literature review as the ultimate purpose for itself.

This research investigates the impacts of financial technology (Fintech) on traditionalfinancial services and the emergence of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) companies withinthe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fintech signifies a paradigmatic shift in the financial land-scape, utilizing technology to transform banking, payment systems, investment strate-gies, and lending practices. The BNPL model, recognized for its disruptive nature, ena-bles consumers to divide purchases into interest-free installments, thereby reshapingglobal consumer spending patterns. Thisstudy concentrates specifically on the SaudiArabian context, where Fintech adoption is experiencing rapid growth. It scrutinizes thefactors that influence BNPL adoption behavior among Saudi consumers, addressing aresearch void in localized studies. A sample of 100 consumer participants responded toan online survey. The statistical analysis underscores the strength, significance, andcorrelation between financial elements and the factors crucial to the decision-makingprocess for BNPL adoption. The descriptive analysis of Independent Variables (IVs) en-compassing Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Social Influence (SI),and Facilitating Conditions (FC) has provided significant insights into the perceptions ofconsumers regarding the adoption of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services. The analysishas revealed noteworthy patterns in the data. Performance Expectancy (PE) demon-strates moderate perceptions (Mean = 2.98), indicating a measured belief in the use-fulness of BNPL. Furthermore, Facilitating Conditions (FC) registered moderate scores(Mean = 3.04), underscoring the significance of favorable external factors. Collectively,these findings depict a moderate inclination and a generally positive outlook amongrespondents towards BNPL adoption,providing insights into the factors influencing theiradoption behaviors. The research findings contribute to academic comprehension, pro-vide insights for industry stakeholders, and inform the development of policies and reg-ulations within Saudi Arabia's dynamic Fintech ecosystem. Future studies may utilizelongitudinal studies, conduct cross-cultural comparisons, and explore technological in-tegration in exploring the BNPL consumer behavior studies

Building an ethical culture is challenging and a basic requirement of the companies to embed transparency in their systems, creating a positive image; serving the internal and external communities. Twelve family owned businesses participated in qualitative research. Interviews were conducted from employees of these businesses to explore the moral dynamics in their business. The paper significantly adds knowledge to the literature by exploring the ethics role in particular contexts. It explores how these companies build the ethical culture, identifying the ethical culture sustainability triggers, challenges and role of religion. Values, culture, community and social norms are identified as major ingredients of a sustainable principled culture development and implementation of ethical policies and procedures require institutional and structural mechanisms for effectiveness in family owned businesses. Numerous findings are in contrast to the literature, whereas, in other instances these are similar. Religion, society, family image, the entrepreneurs themselves and their family members play a vital role. Non-interference in private matters of the employees, whistle blowing, code of ethics, training and awareness creation and a number of other factors play a leading role in ethical culture development in family businesses.

The purpose of this paper is to help understand the correlation of work experience on entrepreneurs. Discussed in this paper is the background of entrepreneurship and the different factors that build entrepreneurs. A quantitative survey was used as an example to assist in the findings and discussion of this paper. Moreover, a qualitative interview method was conducted to further support the relationship between work experience on entrepreneurs. This paper reveals important factors and strategies that can be considered for entrepreneurs to assist in understanding how work experience can reinforce their business journey

Family businesses form an important component of both private and public sector of business. It is highly strategic move to set up corporate governance so that the businesses can function effectively and efficiently in the market. It will help in improving the performance of the business by giving right amount of control to the family members as well as the non – family business members to avoid different types of conflict especially the one that is common between the owners and the managers. It also adds definite structure to the business thereby making it more successful. Saudi Arabia is home to many large firms that are run by families. Not only this, SMEs are also family businesses in both sectors. With the emergence of COvid-19 global pandemic the entire business industries across the world have been impacted. This impact was also faced by the family businesses in Saudi Arabia as well. The aim of the research was to assess the impact of Covid-19 on family business and corporate governance, and to find the link between the family business and corporate governance in the KSA. The methodology used was qualitative in nature due to the use of interviews from 2 – 3 family businesses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia that provided with insights of how family business works with corporate governance and its impact on its performance respectively. The results of the research finally concluded that the family businesses.

Many companies are facing challenges in forecast uncertainty and how to deal with market fluctuations specially in crises. In this thesis, different kinds of Saudi companies were selected from Tadawul to evaluate their forecast accuracy of Earning Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) with two regressors from (firm specific variables) such as Operating Cost and Firm Size, and two regressors from (macro-economic variables) such as Growth and Inflation rate. Any corporate entity can create opportunity to look to enhance their operation and performance along with customers forecasting range to improve full cycle of supply chain profitability. This research aims to find the optimum forecast efficiency based on two kinds of quantitative models which are Panel Linear Regression method and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). In order to assess the reliability of the results, Descriptive Statistical Analysis and Unit Root Test were conducted. So, after conducting both models, it shows that both models reflect high efficiency of forecast accuracy for EBIT because of the close to actual result for the in-sample data. The data provided was as panel data for around 10 years of quarter base for most effective 18 companies in 4 varied sectors.

Developing countries like Pakistan face challenges of payment of sufficient benefits at the superannuation to their government employees. Anticipating this the employees resort to unfair practices in an endeavour to safeguard own and family’s future post retirement. This paper identifies the problem and proposes a solution whereby the government has minimal resource investment and yet their employees and families can generate revenues on continual basis through productive family concept. The model is proposed for Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa (KPK) province police department initially and can be replicated for other government departments and countries. The concept can generate a number of jobs and raise the economic conditions at micro levels thus contributing nationally.