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Abstract: The 2000 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography is considered one of the most widely ratified international treaties, promulgating the incrimination of customers and intermediaries in cases of sexual and other forms of exploitation of children. This chapter highlights its strengths and limitations. Special emphasis is placed on provisions prohibiting and criminalising practices covered under the Protocol, particularly concerning topical and divisive issues such as commercial surrogacy, virtual pornography and the maximum age of protection under the Optional Protocol. Moreover, topics such as sanctions and other substantive issues, jurisdiction, freezing and confiscation of assets, extradition and further instruments of mutual legal assistance, rights of child victims and preventive measures are briefly addressed. Where applicable, the contrast between the Convention and the Optional Protocol is emphasised, as the drafters of the latter opted for a more welfarist approach. This implies that the Optional Protocol drastically limits children’s agency to, for example, using explicit sexual materials in the context of sexting as a part of their sexual development. Recognising this issue, the authors argue against an unreasonably extensive interpretation of the Protocol’s provisions which concern practices that far exceed the exploitation or abuse of children.
Keywords: trafficking, illicit trade, cybercrime, exploitation, commercial adoption, commercial surrogacy, international law
Published in DKUM: 29.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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Abstract: Background and Methods: A primary survey of a multi-national sample of higher institutional educators has been conducted to investigate the determinants of the adoption of management simulation games. The research model is developed based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and technology–organisation–environment (TOE). Structural equation modelling has been used to test the research model. The paper focuses on the use of management simulation games among educators in higher educational institutions (HEIs). Its purpose is to determine the factors influencing educators’ use of these games from both individual and institutional perspectives. The TAM captures the individual perspective, while the TOE framework addresses the institutional perspective. The structural equation model confirmed most of the TAM hypotheses. Results: However, the model does not support the hypotheses regarding the relationship between perceived ease of use and attitude toward usage or between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The technological factors within the TOE framework did not significantly impact perceived usefulness, only perceived ease of use. Conclusion: The combined TAMTOE model has demonstrated valid representativeness. Previous research on the usage of management simulation games has primarily focused on students, neglecting the broader perspective of educators in HEIs in business and economics within both the TAM and TOE frameworks.
Keywords: management simulation games, TAM, TOE structural equation modelling, intention to use, adoption
Published in DKUM: 26.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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Abstract: With the emergence of social media, customer relationship management has undergone noticeable changes and gained a great deal of attention from researchers and practitioners in recent years. In this paper, we provide additional insights into how intensively business-to-customer micro, small and medium-sized enterprises adopt social customer relationship management. Based on the literature review and insights from interviews with six micro, small and medium-sized enterprise owners/managers, we developed a conceptual research model that integrates the antecedents, intensity of social customer relationship management adoption, and performance outcomes. For the intensity of social customer relationship management adoption, we applied process-based conceptualization consisting of the customer engagement process and customer data management process. Then we empirically tested a conceptual research model by using data collected in a survey of 119 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Slovenia. We found that not all antecedents are equally relevant to both processes of the intensity of social customer relationship management adoption. Additionally, we found that the intensity of social customer relationship management adoption has a positive effect on customer relationship performance. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for further research and offer practical implications for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises considering social customer relationship management adoption.
Keywords: social customer relationship management adoption, adoption intensity, antecedent, performance, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
Published in DKUM: 11.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 11
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Abstract: Even though autonomous cars have not yet crossed into the mainstream car market, their adoption seems inevitable, but not much is known about the purchasing intention of ACs and potential influences on it. To better understand the influences of various factors on purchasing intentions of autonomous cars, research using bibliometrics, an online survey and SEM modelling was performed. Based on an analysis of previous research work and the unified theory of acceptance of technology, an empirical model was produced and tested using data obtained from an online survey involving 266 individuals. The goal was to analyse which characteristics of autonomous cars, socio-demographic variables of potential buyers, and buyers' personal and social characteristics could potentially influence the adoption of autonomous cars. The results show that factors of car safety, buyer age and level of education, perceived social influence, anxiety and performance expectancy are significantly correlated to purchasing intention of ACs, while correlations with other factors to purchasing intentions have not been proven.
Keywords: autonomous cars, purchase intention, autonomous car adoption, SEM modelling, road transport, logistics
Published in DKUM: 24.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 7
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Abstract: In recent years, aquaponics has been receiving increased interest globally as a commercial food production technology and aquaponics start up companies have been formed in most European countries. Between 2014 and 2018, the European-funded COST Action FA1305 “The EU Aquaponics Hub Realising Sustainable Integrated Fish and Vegetable Production for the EU” created a strong network of researchers and entrepreneurs. However, surveys show that the aquaponic production in Europe is still very limited, and very few companies are economically viable. In order to obtain insights into the barriers to early development of commercial aquaponics, two surveys were carried out—one in Europe, which included France, and one in France alone, with a different protocol. Henceforth, for simplicity, the former will be referred to as Europe and the latter as France. The results reveal that the development of commercial aquaponics has hit the level of “disillusionment”, caused by numerous challenges facing commercial food production. As the understanding of the processes involved in aquaponics is increasing, it will be very interesting to follow the developments in the field over the coming years in order to ascertain whether aquaponics will follow the phases outlined by the “Gartner’s Hype Cycle” and thus proceed to become an established technology, or whether it will remain an “one hit wonder” and disappear in the “Trough of Disillusionment”.
Keywords: aquaponics, innovation adoption, Gartnerʹs Hype Cycle, Europe
Published in DKUM: 29.01.2024; Views: 281; Downloads: 39
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