Journal of Resilient Economies (ISSN: 2653-1917)

Digital Shift in Construction in Australia

2024-12-30T10:08:50+10:00

For any country, the construction industry forms the backbone of economic growth and development. In recent times, Australian construction sector has been struggling to keep up with the increasing demands of economic growth. Being one of the least digitalised industries, the construction industry is facing myriad of challenges including inaccurate cost efficiencies, labour shortages and poor quality management and limited visibility to all the stakeholders. The advancement of digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain has proven to be transformational in other sectors such as finance and banking. This research paper examines the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain throughout the different phases of the construction project lifecycle. The adoption of AI is met with resistance from leadership and sceptic approach from users. The role of leadership becomes pivotal in widespread adoption of AI and thus changing the attitude of users from “resistance to change” to “receptiveness to change.” Furthermore, various management strategies and recommendations have been discussed in detail to help the leadership teams to accelerate the digital transformation in the Australian construction industry.

Collaborative Problem-Solving for the ‘Polycrisis’

2024-12-30T10:09:27+10:00

The paper focuses on the “Polycrisis,” which is first defined and then positioned as the context for a subsequent discussion about both the formal and social conditions for effective collaborative problem-solving. It then highlights the potential for diagrammatic reasoning to contribute to solving what some commentators choose to call ‘wicked-problems’ including those associated natural, economic, and social forms of fragility. This discussion is informed by pertinent advances in applied category theory, which has a wide range of application-domains including cyber-physical systems, scientific systems, dynamical systems, software engineering, and machine learning. The formal constructs and techniques to be surveyed include optics and parametric lenses, as well as David Spivak’s organisational categories. Optics and lenses have not only been applied to software engineering but also to the modelling of dynamical systems and machine learning. They possess a diagrammatic representation (as string diagrams), which serves as an aid in their deployment (e.g. AlgebraicJulia, Symbolica AI, Haskell applications). The paper argues that these developments should assist users in their collaborative modelling of the Polycrisis by: (i) integrating machine learning, differential programming, and calibration and simulation of dynamical systems; (ii) accounting for subsystem interactions within a larger system that features different stock-flow rates; (iii) accommodating non-linear mappings and weight-sharing; (iv) formally supporting a variety of stochastic influences over the systems that are being modelled; and, (iv) imposing on the whole, the internal logic associated with a topos.

Can generative artificial intelligence help or hinder sustainable marketing?

2024-12-30T10:08:54+10:00

The consumption and production of household goods and services is a significant contributor to climate change, which has led to the rise of more sustainable brands. The aim of this paper is to offer an analysis of the advantages, practical applications, limitations and ethical risks of GenAI within the realm of sustainable marketing. The paper contributes to the literature since there is a scarcity of scholarly research that explores what GenAI could mean for sustainable marketing. The findings show that GenAI is a double-edged sword: it has the potential to foster creativity, support brand activism, increase public support for ‘green’ policies, and improve efficiencies, however the potential for ‘ethics-washing’ could harm sustainable brands. Many countries have developed voluntary principles and frameworks to ensure that AI is practiced in a safe and responsible manner. A comprehensive classification of these principles is provided. Five key ethical principles are summarised such as benefiting society, avoiding harm, autonomy, justice, and explainability. The paper concludes with recommendations for bridging the gap between ethical principles and practices in the context of sustainable marketing, including selective disclosure, design of inclusive chatbots, use of visualizations to achieve sustainability goals, third party certification schemes, training and education. Recommendations for future research are outlined.

AI for Creating Safer School in Indonesia

2024-12-30T10:08:52+10:00

While Indonesia's access to education has improved, its quality remains a concern, particularly in addressing widespread social issues like bullying. Schools need innovative solutions that provide real-time insights and enable timely interventions, and AI offers promising advancements in this area. However, the implementation of AI-based monitoring systems faces challenges, not only due to technological limitations but also significant ethical concerns. This study examines the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI video analytics in detecting and preventing bullying in schools. By applying the ethical frameworks of Utilitarianism, Deontology, and Virtue Ethics, the research provides a comprehensive evaluation of whether AI can be ethically integrated into school surveillance systems. The findings suggest that while AI video analytics can enhance student safety and well-being by reducing harm, there are significant ethical concerns related to privacy, potential biases, and the risk of undermining the role of teachers. The study concludes that AI systems can be ethically justified if implemented with transparent privacy safeguards, continuous refinement to avoid bias, and careful integration to support teachers. These findings offer practical recommendations for policymakers and educators on the responsible implementation of AI in educational environments.

“The Vision Splendid"

2024-12-30T10:08:57+10:00

This paper takes its lead from the Federal Government publication ‘Future Made in Australia’ (2024), and critiques Government plans to make Australia ‘an indispensable part of global supply chains’. In view of the Government objective of making Australia a ‘Renewable Energy Superpower’ from a manufacturing base of clean energy technologies, renewable hydrogen, green metals, and low-carbon liquid fuels, the paper reviews some of the comparative advantages Australia possesses that might make this vision a reality. It also highlights from a historical perspective, some of the disadvantages that might inhibit fulfillment of the Government plans.

Following a narrative literature review methodology, the paper finds that any revival of manufacturing in Australia to engage global supply chains would face a steep challenge due to Australia’s high wage structure. On a brighter note, possibilities in clean energy domestic manufacturing appear promising. Government plans to achieve 82% renewable energy in electricity grids by 2030 look to be achievable if the present Government retains office, and appropriate public support is forthcoming. Green hydrogen/ammonia power generation looks almost certain to replace aging coal plants, again provided support is appropriate in the critical development stages.

On present analysis, this paper finds that Government support and financial assistance to industry towards eventual Renewable Energy Superpower status appears to be substantially less than required for a home-grown industry to develop. International investment partnerships would appear to be the only avenue forward if Australia is to realise its comparative advantage of wide open spaces and abundant wind and sun.

Economic Development in Tropical Queensland & Net Zero

2024-12-30T10:09:26+10:00

The Paper reviews the realities of the economy of the Tropical Queensland region and the pathways to achieving further economic development. It identifies the need to continue developing industries based on the region’s mineral and biological resources and locational advantages that earn income from outside the region while pursuing opportunities to develop higher order manufacturing and services as population and the economy grows to replace goods and services currently imported into the area.
Satellite mapping of carbon absorption as indicated by plant growth indicates that tropical Australia’s absorption is roughly equivalent to southern Australia. But with only 5% of Australia’s population living in the area, CO2 emissions generated in the area will be very much lower.
However, the Paper provides evidence that the structure of the economy of the Tropical Queensland region results in it being very energy dependent on a per capita basis and the overwhelming majority of the energy consumed is currently from fossil fuels. On top of this, the economies of the Mackay and Central regions are heavily dependent on exports of fossil fuels overseas.
Against this background, the Paper canvasses a number of major challenges net zero poses to future growth and development including the threat of higher energy costs to the competitiveness of the region’s agricultural, fishing, mining and tourism industries’ ability to compete in international markets, the threat that restrictions on tree clearing pose to the further realisation of the area’s large underdeveloped agricultural potential, and the potential demise of fossil fuel exports.
However, the Paper also explores some opportunities, pointing to the region’s strong solar generation potential, the high potential role of tropical agriculture in biofuels and potential in hydro electricity generation.

Harvesting Intelligence

2024-12-30T10:08:49+10:00

This study examines the pervasive artificial intelligence skill shortages in regional, remote, and rural Australia, highlighting the unique challenges these areas face in effectively utilising artificial intelligence technologies. These non-urban regions are experiencing a digital divide, characterised by reduced access to key infrastructure and limited post-secondary educational opportunities. Utilising the Australian Skills Classification system, this research delineates the current skill sets required for artificial intelligence implementation, revealing pronounced deficiencies in these communities. The study finds that the lack of accessible training opportunities further exacerbates this skill gap. The research employs visual mapping analysis to illustrate the distribution of artificial intelligence-related educational opportunities and industry impacts across non-metropolitan areas. Findings indicate a significant disparity in artificial intelligence training availability, with qualifications predominantly concentrated in urban areas. The study also identifies specific skill shortages in artificial intelligence-related professions both nationally and regionally, particularly in industries such as pharmacology, social work, psychology, and transport analysis. This research underscores the urgency of bridging the digital divide to ensure equitable skill development across Australia, providing a foundation for future policy development and educational initiatives in non-urban areas.

Detection of DDOS Attack in Cloud Computing Environment using Artificial Neural Network

2024-12-30T10:08:21+10:00

One of the most severe threats against cloud systems is Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. DDoS attacks create a type of resource crippling by flooding the system with abnormal traffic, hence overwhelming all the resources like memory, CPU, and network bandwidth, bringing the services out of reach to legitimate users. It becomes quite difficult to detect such attacks when the requests originate from hundreds of geographically dispersed sources. As such, we propose an ANN-based DDoS attack detection approach that leans on machine learning to enhance the accuracy and efficiency in detecting attacks. The ANN model is designed to pick out underlying patterns in the network traffic and distinguish between legitimate and malicious activities that might originate from either side, thus reducing false positives and false negatives. A particular advantage of cloud computing is its scalability, through which changing demands can be catered to, but it needs robust security against DDoS attacks in order to maintain the service. This ANN-based approach especially focuses on ethical AI principles and sustainability, while being non-discriminatory in access to services. For it reduces errors to ensure fairness in detection, fine-tuning for energy efficiency also turns out to lead to a smaller ecological footprint.

The Impact of AI on Self-learning Capabilities of Employees in SMEs

2024-12-30T10:08:16+10:00

This study investigates the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on self-directed learning and critical thinking among employees in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A mixed-methods research approach was employed, combining a quantitative survey of 305 employees across various industries and qualitative data from 15 in-depth interviews with managers and staff. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between AI access, employee attitudes, organizational support, digital literacy, and self-learning outcomes. Qualitative analysis provided additional insights into contextual factors influencing AI adoption. The findings highlight that AI significantly enhances self-directed learning when SMEs offer structured training programs and technological resources. Employees with strong critical thinking skills effectively utilize AI tools for evidence-based decision-making and analytical tasks. However, barriers such as disparities in digital literacy, inconsistent AI adoption strategies, and insufficient organizational support hinder optimal outcomes. Organizational support emerged as a key enabler, with employees receiving adequate training reporting improved learning and skill development. This study extends the Self-Directed Learning Theory (SDL) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by identifying mediating roles of organizational and individual factors. Practical recommendations include fostering digital literacy, critical thinking, and AI-supportive organizational cultures to optimize workforce development.

The Benefits and Challenges of Employee Reskilling Using Agile Approach

2024-12-30T10:08:18+10:00

Facing strong industry pressures, an Indonesian telecommunications company formulates a transformation strategy. The company aims to perform business refocusing to exploit the growing business-to-business (B2B) market. Consequently, the employees need a reskilling program from business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing to B2B marketing. However, there are complexities and uncertainties in managing the reskilling program. From the information and technology field, agile approaches offer methodologies for managing a project amidst high uncertainties and external changes. Currently, research on how agile approaches benefit non-information technology projects such as reskilling is few. This research aims to explore the key benefits and challenges in implementing a reskilling program with an agile framework. Methodology applied in this study includes secondary data analysis, interviews and thematic analysis to gain insight from qualitative data collection. The interview results indicate that an agile approach benefits participants by vast learning opportunities, strengthening their understanding of new target markets, and gaining confidence and a new mindset in conducting B2B sales. Moreover, the challenges that must be addressed are that the generalized journey design does not effectively cater to the diverse needs of all participants, as well as difficulties in managing time to balance initial assignments and mastering product knowledge within a short timeframe.

A Study on the Role of AI in Transforming HR Practices in Pune's IT Industry

2024-12-30T10:08:14+10:00

This research study examines the evolving role of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in human resources, aiming on how IT employees perceive and engage with AI Automation at their workplace. It highlights the impact of AI technologies on employee identity, job security, and job satisfaction, while noting significant research gaps in understanding AI's influence on workforce dynamics. The literature classifies AI into categories like general AI tools, machine learning, and robotics, each affecting workplace interactions differently. A major concern is the "dark side" of AI, which may reduce employee autonomy and transparency, impacting their identity and sense of purpose. The research emphasizes AI's transformative potential in HR functions such as recruitment, training & development, performance evaluation and compliance management but also highlights challenges like resistance to change and ethical concerns about AI tools. It advocates for longitudinal studies to better understand AI's long-term effects and suggests that demographic factors may shape employee responses to AI. In conclusion, while AI could enhance HR operations, many questions remain about effective implementation of AI tools in HR functions. Future research should address these gaps to enable organizations to leverage AI for a more innovative and adaptable workforce.

The Role of Destination Attributes in Shaping Memorable Tourism Experiences (MTE)

2024-12-30T10:08:12+10:00

Destination attributes play a significant role in shaping Memorable Tourism Experiences (MTE), which are defined as memorable and easily recalled tourism experiences. However, despite the importance of destination attributes in shaping MTE, studies on hospitality as an antecedent of MTE are still rare. The purpose of this paper is to investigate tourists’ experiences of hospitality from four dimensions: hospitableness, non-human hospitality, atmosphere, and meaningfulness, which can create memorable and psychologically satisfying tourism experiences for tourists. Friendly behavior, meaningful connections, and the tourism atmosphere are based on the perspective of international tourists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with tourists visiting Bali. The interview transcripts were content analyzed and coded under different themes characterizing hospitality. The findings of this study are that hospitable behaviors, infrastructure and tourism atmosphere reflect the principles of Pawongan, Palemahan, and Parahyangan of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy. International tourists’ experiences of hospitality in Bali are greatly influenced by the application of the principles of Pawongan, Palemahan, and Parahyangan in daily life. The government can use these findings to formulate policies that support sustainable tourism development, focusing on enhancing tourist experiences through adequate hospitality. Emphasizing the Tri Hita Karana principles can help in preserving Bali’s culture and environment, ensuring that tourism development does not undermine traditional values and natural beauty.