Lancaster University Management School - 54 Degrees Issue 15

FIFTY FOUR DEGREES | 3 4 In this issue... 40 An interesting conundrum for Islamic banking InWesternbanking, thepayment of interest onborrowingand investment transactions is standardpractice. But, as GerrySteeleexplains, this isnot thecase in Islamicbanking–with interestingeffects onhow financial transactionsoccur. 44 Opening up newhorizons Professors James Faulconbridge and Martin Spring look at the challenges and misconceptions facing professional services firms as they look to adopt Artificial Intelligence into their processes, and how it might help them expand to new horizons. Growing up green A study fromProfessor Margaret Hogg and colleagues in France investigates the factors that play a role in children’s interest and participation in environmental activities, and found a supportive extended family network is essential if they are to actively engage. 16 Majormacroeconomic issues in the spotlight Professor Lorenza Rossi andDrs Stefano Fasani andGiorgioMotta exploremacroeconomic issues and policies that have found themselves under scrutinymore than ever before. 6 Creating a female space in an antifeminist realm Dr Judith Fathallah investigates how users can successful adopt female identities and become part of the 4chan community. 10 Let us tell you a story… Dr BingbingGe and Professor AlfredoDe Massis show just how firms can use the past to their benefit – even if previous generations had no involvement in the present-day companies. What can we learn about credit risk from accounting numbers? DrArgyroPanaretouexplainshowa switch inmeasurement basis canprovide abetter insight intoa firm’s credit risk. 32 24 Crossing theDigital Divide TheWork Foundation’s TrinleyWalker explains new research that shows what can be done to help rural communities become better connected. 28 20 36 Foreword Executive Dean Professor Claire Leitch praises the high standards of research in LUMS, reflected in recent REF results. The hidden resilience of family firms Research centre leaders Professor Jan Bebbington, Dr Allan Discua Cruz, Ben Harrison and Professor Valerie Stead collaborated to reflect on themany issues affecting family businesses. Driven to International Expansion There has been a rise in international expansionby firms based inSub-Saharan Africa. Dr DavidOludotun Fasanya interviewed senior executives to explore why these firms are exploring new horizons.

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