Sebastián Leavy , Gabriela Allegretti , Elen Presotto , Marco Antonio Montoya , Edson Talamini
{"title":"Towards digitalization for comprehensive measurement of the bioeconomy: exploring the convergence between elements of the cyber-physical social system","authors":"Sebastián Leavy , Gabriela Allegretti , Elen Presotto , Marco Antonio Montoya , Edson Talamini","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103101","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103101","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The bioeconomy is an evolving concept that faces measurement challenges due to the scarcity of up-to-date, structured, and comprehensive data. We argue that digital technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), automation, sensors and biosensors, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT)—can enhance the bioeconomy measurement. However, there is currently no clear evidence linking the elements of the cyber-physical social system (CPSS) within the conceptual scopes of the bioeconomy. So, this study explores the convergence between digital technologies and the conceptual elements of bioeconomy. Firstly, independent literature reviews were conducted using Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, QDA Miner and WordStat to (i) define the core terms in the scope of bioeconomy concepts and (ii) map the digital technologies. Secondly, we coded and analyzed the literature content with QDA Miner and WordStat to examine the co-occurrence of digital technologies and the conceptual elements of the bioeconomy. The results indicate that the Biomass-Based Bioeconomy (BmBB), Biotechnology-Based Bioeconomy (BtBB), and Biosphere-Based Bioeconomy (BsBB) possess distinct clusters of conceptual elements but also integrative domains, like metabolism. Our findings reveal that digital technologies within categories of data science and analytics, computing and software, and imaging and sensing have been the most prevalent in the bioeconomy context. Evidence has surfaced regarding the interactions between the bioeconomy concepts and digital technologies, illustrating the role of digitization in enhancing data collection, storage, processing and communication across various aspects of the bioeconomy. This evidence underscores the potential of digitalization for a comprehensive measure of the bioeconomy. Ultimately, this research provides valuable insights for improving bioeconomy assessment and supports sustainability goals by integrating emerging digital technologies with the bioeconomy development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103101"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Anthropomorphism’s impact on chatbot adoption: A meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach","authors":"Fengyang Zhang , Dongfang Sheng","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Customers’ attitudes toward chatbots become crucial in the context of customer service frontlines transitioning from human-human interaction to human-robot interaction. However, there is still significant inconsistency regarding the impact of chatbot anthropomorphism on the user adoption process, which poses challenges for designers and managers. This meta-analysis examines 32 studies involving 12,502 participants and 196 effect sizes through the lens of the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theory, categorizing anthropomorphism in chatbots into linguistic and visual types. It investigates their influence on chatbot adoption through the mediating effect of cognitive and affective states. Using a meta-analytic structural equation model (MASEM), our study finds that the impact of anthropomorphism on adoption is fully mediated by cognitive and affective states, while the mediating effect of the affective states is greater than that of the cognitive states. Within the cognitive states, anthropomorphism shows significant positive correlations with cognitive attitude, cognitive trust, cognitive satisfaction, and perceived value, while exhibiting no significant relationship with risk. In the affective states, both forms of anthropomorphism have substantial positive influences on affective attitude, affective trust, social presence, and perceived warmth. Notably, only linguistic anthropomorphism enhances affective satisfaction. Furthermore, this study reveals how different sample features, chatbot characteristics, and usage industries moderate the effect of anthropomorphism on chatbot adoption. The findings provide a crucial foundation for future research and offer guidance for designing and deploying chatbots across various service settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103099"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Heterogeneous impact of innovation on economic development: Evidence from EU regions","authors":"Mehmet Pinar , Burhan Can Karahasan","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper investigates the heterogeneous impact of innovation on economic development across European Union (EU) regions, with a focus on regional competitiveness driven by innovation-based capabilities. While innovation is a key driver of economic growth, its effects are not uniformly distributed. Using the Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression models, the study examines how different dimensions of innovation (technological readiness, business sophistication, and overall innovation capacity) affect regional GDP per capita. The results show that regions with higher innovation-based competitiveness generally achieve higher income levels. However, the impact of innovation is spatially uneven. While core EU regions (particularly, in Northern and Western Europe) benefit more strongly from innovation, peripheral regions (in Southern and Eastern Europe) often experience weaker and in some cases even negative, effects. These results highlight the importance of accounting for spatial variation when designing innovation and cohesion policies. The paper calls for tailored, place-based strategies to address regional disparities in innovation-driven development and suggests that current EU policies should be adjusted to better support lagging regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103100"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"External dependence on digital technology: How does it affect R&D models?","authors":"Yiming Tong , Zhaoxi Han","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of digital technology brings new opportunities for firms’ R&D. However, how technology dependence caused by unbalanced digital technology distribution affects R&D innovation is still not clear. Using the data from listed high-tech manufacturing firms in China from 2012 to 2020, this study explores how external dependence on digital technology influences firm’s R&D models. The findings indicate that external dependence on digital technology restricts independent R&D but promotes external collaborative R&D. It also has an inverted U-shaped effect on intra-group collaborative R&D. Based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the results reveals that technology diversification, cross-boundary experience, team scale, and knowledge integration capability can strengthen the relationship between external dependence on digital technology and R&D models. Further analysis shows that this relationship is more pronounced in regions with fierce industry competition and strong policy support. This study improves the understanding of how external dependence on digital technology affects firm’s R&D models, and expands the literature on digital innovation and R&D management. The findings also highlight the role of TOE factors in managing digital technology dependence and offer valuable insights for improving inter-organizational digital collaboration and facilitating digital transformation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103097"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haydar Yalcin , Dilek Demirhan , Burcu Aracioglu , Tugrul U. Daim , Zeyu Xing , Dirk Meissner
{"title":"FinTech and the green transition: Exploring pathways to ignite innovation for carbon neutrality in global supply chains","authors":"Haydar Yalcin , Dilek Demirhan , Burcu Aracioglu , Tugrul U. Daim , Zeyu Xing , Dirk Meissner","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103094","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article comprehensively evaluates the critical role of FinTech in promoting carbon neutrality and green logistics practices in global supply chains. In our study, using bibliometric analysis, social network analysis and natural language processing (NLP) methods, we evaluate the potential of FinTech innovations to increase traceability, transparency and efficiency in supply chain processes. In this study, in which we examined the ability of FinTech to finance green investments and low-carbon projects, it was investigated how technologies can develop more effective strategies in projects aimed at carbon neutrality. While the analyses reveal the potential of FinTech to reduce the use of paper and thus the demand for resources by increasing the spread of digital transactions, it also emphasizes that the environmental impacts of increasing energy consumption should be considered. The study highlights the importance of the energy mix that secures FinTech operations and the potential of the renewable energy balance in some countries. Social network analyses have identified countries, institutions and researchers that play central cooperation roles in the field of FinTech and green logistics, providing strategic data on information flow and innovation centers. These analyses show that countries that have adopted the Green Deal such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands have demonstrated strong cooperation in the fields of energy transformation, sustainable agriculture and clean industry, while important partnerships with major emitters such as China, the USA and India and Turkey's strategic cooperation with EU countries, the USA, Brazil, South Korea and Russia reveal the value of advancing global sustainability. In terms of key findings, it shows that carbon neutrality processes are centered around concepts such as 'Impact' and 'Performance' and that these factors play a key role in determining the success of carbon neutrality in global supply chains. The study provides a roadmap in key areas such as financial strategy, governance, innovation, and cost management, guiding companies to develop strategies that can contribute to reducing global carbon emissions by balancing their environmental responsibilities with economic sustainability. In this context, it is stated that the integration of FinTech into supply chain financing processes can help businesses achieve these goals. This study, which analyzes the role of FinTech in green logistics, highlights innovative solutions and collaboration opportunities in achieving sustainability and carbon neutrality goals in global supply chains, and provides an important basis for future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103094"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Francesca Iandolo , Antonio La Sala , Giuliano Maielli , Pietro Vito
{"title":"The (Un)sustainability of the Metaverse: A topic modeling analysis of social, economic, and environmental impacts","authors":"Francesca Iandolo , Antonio La Sala , Giuliano Maielli , Pietro Vito","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article investigates the multifaceted interplay between sustainability and the Metaverse within the wider academic literature. Drawing on a corpus of 236 peer-reviewed publications retrieved from a leading scientific database, we employ an unsupervised topic modeling technique to identify the latent thematic architecture of current research. Our analysis reveals nine distinct yet overlapping clusters, encompassing domains such as technological adoption, digital transformation, ethics and governance, privacy, and cultural immersion. Across these thematic areas, sustainability often emerges as a secondary or derivative concern, frequently subordinated to questions of functionality, adoption, or user experience, rather than being treated as a structural or systemic imperative. To address this conceptual fragmentation, we introduce an integrated theoretical framework that synthesizes the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) on socio-technical transitions, the relational-material lens of Digital Ecologies, and the normative triad of the Technology–Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability Theory (T-EESST). This framework is further enriched by a transversal engagement with the temporal dynamics of time compression, a phenomenon that remains largely absent in the literature despite its far-reaching implications for organizational viability, psychological well-being, and socio-economic equity. Our findings suggest that the Metaverse must be reconceptualized not merely as a technological platform or experiential interface, but as a complex, socio-technical regime embedded within evolving temporal, institutional, and ecological structures. We contend that a sustainable Metaverse requires more than technical optimization or ethical design; it demands interdisciplinary inquiry capable of integrating spatial, social, and temporal dimensions of digital life. The study concludes by outlining a future research agenda aimed at bridging current epistemic silos and promoting the emergence of a truly systemic understanding of the (un)sustainability of the Metaverse.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103095"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"AI can be cyberbullying perpetrators: Investigating individuals’ perceptions and attitudes towards AI-generated cyberbullying","authors":"Weiping Pei , Fangzhou Wang , Yi Ting Chua","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103089","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103089","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cyberbullying is a critical social problem that can cause significant psychological harm, particularly to vulnerable individuals. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly leveraged to combat cyberbullying, its misuse to generate harmful content raises new concerns. This study examines human perception of AI-generated cyberbullying messages and their potential psychological impact. Using large language models (LLMs), we generated cyberbullying messages across three categories (sexism, racism, and abuse) and conducted a user study (n = 363), where participants engaged with hypothetical social media scenarios. Findings reveal that AI-generated messages can be just as or even more harmful than human-written ones in terms of participants’ comfort levels, perceived harm, and severity. Additionally, AI-generated messages were almost indistinguishable from human-written ones, with many participants misidentifying AI-generated messages as human-written. Furthermore, participants with prior experience using AI tools consistently demonstrated higher accuracy in identification, while their attitudes towards online harm significantly influenced their comfort levels. This study emphasizes the urgent need for robust mitigation strategies to counter AI-generated harmful content, ensuring that AI technologies are deployed responsibly and do not exacerbate online harm.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103089"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145222695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juwon Hong , Eunseong Song , Jinwoo Choi , Sangkil Song , Hakpyeong Kim , Hyuna Kang , Taehoon Hong
{"title":"Integrating blockchain with virtual power plants: Two-level future roadmaps for enhanced performance","authors":"Juwon Hong , Eunseong Song , Jinwoo Choi , Sangkil Song , Hakpyeong Kim , Hyuna Kang , Taehoon Hong","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103093","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103093","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Blockchain is emerging as a major advanced technology to facilitate virtual power plants (VPPs), a means to address global environmental challenges through achieving zero carbon. As the blockchain market in the energy sector grows, the integration of blockchain into VPPs will continue to expand. To this end, this study comprehensively reviewed 129 previous studies integrating blockchain into VPPs to propose ways to enhance the performance of VPPs through blockchain. Based on the quantitative analysis of research trends and interests, it was found that while research trends were on the rise, they were still in the early stages, and research interests were somewhat concentrated on energy trading via smart contracts. In other words, the need to propose comprehensive future roadmaps to revitalize early-stage research in a limited field. Based on the qualitative analysis of research status by VPP components, research limitations that provide direction for future roadmaps were identified. As a result, two-level future roadmaps were proposed, consisting of function-level and integration-level roadmaps. Implementing blockchain in VPPs according to the proposed future roadmaps is expected to result in innovative performance enhancement for VPPs and significantly advance the goal of achieving zero carbon.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103093"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145222696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
João Varela da Costa , Silvia Bogea Gomes , Miguel Mira da Silva
{"title":"Corporate fake news impacts: A reference model","authors":"João Varela da Costa , Silvia Bogea Gomes , Miguel Mira da Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103091","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103091","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The proliferation of fake news in digital ecosystems poses a growing threat to politics, society, and corporations, yet its multidimensional impact on organisations remains underexplored. Modelling tools such as ArchiMate are widely used to represent enterprise architectures, but the specific phenomenon of corporate fake news lacks a structured reference model. To address this gap, we developed an ArchiMate-based corporate fake news reference model using a Design Science Research approach informed by a systematic literature review. The model captures six corporate fake news impact domains: public perception, customer trust, governance level, organisational resilience, equity, and stock prices.</div><div>We validated the model through an in-depth case study of false claims alleging that McDonald's products contained human meat—a widely circulated hoax spread via social media, which triggered significant reputational risk and public concern. This case demonstrated the model's ability to capture the cascading effects of reputational damage, including potential operational and financial impacts. Each impact domain is linked to relevant drivers, threatened goals, and assessment mechanisms, illustrating both its descriptive capacity to characterise corporate fake news effects and its prescriptive utility in structuring coordinated organisational responses.</div><div>While the current model effectively structures retrospective understanding of corporate fake news impacts, its scope remains limited in proactive detection and real-time use. Future research will focus on integrating early detection tools, dynamic escalation indicators, and interdisciplinary insights from cybersecurity and communications. The study provides both a conceptual foundation and a practical decision-support tool to inform risk-aware organisational strategies against corporate fake news.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103091"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Óscar Vásquez , Francesco D. Sandulli , Jorge Gallego
{"title":"Technological agglomerations and the emergence of artificial intelligence start-up ecosystems in Europe","authors":"Óscar Vásquez , Francesco D. Sandulli , Jorge Gallego","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103092","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103092","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The emergence of new industries is shaped by intricate geographical dynamics influenced by multiple factors. Yet, the rationales underpinning the locational choices of AI-based startups remain insufficiently understood. Traditional explanations have largely emphasized agglomeration economies, but their applicability to the AI industry requires further examination. This study investigates the growth of the AI industry across seven major European regions, uncovering two distinct locational patterns associated with different stages of industry evolution. In the nascent phase, the industry benefits primarily from intra-industry co-location effects and knowledge spillovers, which help mitigate technological risks. As the industry advances, however, cross-industry linkages become increasingly important, playing a pivotal role in addressing commercial risks and sustaining development. Overall, the findings highlight the dynamic interplay between technological and commercial risks, offering new insights into the shifting rationales and spatial dynamics that shape the emergence of the AI industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103092"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145222697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}