Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) has become a subject of increased interest among both researchers and practitioners, owing both to its recent inclusion in the DSM-5-TR and the growing evidence of widespread complications of bereavement in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. From a set of 467 studies obtained from the Scopus database during the period 2009 to 2022, the present research provides bibliographic data on the most influential authors on the subject, most relevant journals based on the number of documents published, a keyword analysis of the focus of this work, and an overall characterization of the scientific literature on PGD. The Biblioshiny application along with VOSviewer software was used for the analysis and visual depiction of the results. Both the scientific and applied implications of this analysis are discussed.

This study examines the efficacy of a novel form of consumer-generated content (CGC) digital advertising, termed “directed” consumer-generated content (DCGC), in comparison to traditional brand-created social media advertisements. The analysis focuses on performance metrics and return on ad spend (ROAS). Data were gathered from social media campaigns incorporating both DCGC and non-CGC through a field experiment, followed by a rigorous statistical analysis to identify the most effective advertising strategies. Findings indicate that DCGC typically results in significantly higher conversion rates, increased conversions, and superior ROAS. Overall, DCGC advertisements demonstrate enhanced performance relative to non-CGC campaigns, suggesting that they represent a more strategic allocation of a brand’s marketing resources, particularly when the primary objective is to drive sales and achieve elevated conversion rates. This research contributes to the academic discourse and practical implementation of social media advertising by highlighting the advantages of DCGC as a cost-effective and efficient advertising approach for brands.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence have led changes to the operation, the capabilities, and the performance of a number of industries. Provision of mental health services is expected to experience a paradigm shift, with the introduction of artificial intelligence-based virtual conversational agents (VCAs). In this conceptual chapter, the authors introduce the term Personalised Anthropomorphic VCAs (PAVCAs). The chapter proposes the use of PAVCAs to support people suffering from Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), following the loss of a beloved person, aiming to offer solace and companion. To drive meaningful change for the users and to deliver economic value and utility, the chapter argues for PAVCAs to be configured to characteristics of each user's beloved deceased one. Using two models, the authors suggest that the use of these platforms can comprise a reactive approach to the diagnosis of PGD; as well as a proactive approach, dealing with grief before PDG is manifested.

Digital technologies nowadays provide essential support for companies, making them a priority for businesses and a prominent area of study for researchers. In response to the increasing emphasis on sustainability and resilience, new information systems are developing to meet evolving business needs, namely circular and resilient information systems (CRISs). These systems integrate with traditional ones to optimise key performance indicators (KPIs) related to circularity and resiliency. Despite extensive methodologies for evaluating traditional information systems, systems designed for circularity and resiliency need to be assessed in parallel and in depth. Existing evaluations focus on efficiency and user satisfaction but often neglect the unique demands of circularity and resiliency. This study introduces a novel evaluation methodology for CRISs. Through a case study of an innovative system and the established literature, we address real-life needs and challenges in manufacturing. In particular, the system serves the needs of three distinct case studies: Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) waste utilisation in drone manufacturing, recovery of magnets from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), and the repurposing of citrus processing waste into juice by-products. Our methodology is built on the 5W1H method to make our approach context-specific and aligned with each case’s unique requirements, making it also replicable for other industries. Our findings offer insights and a tool for practitioners and researchers to evaluate CRIS performance. The research highlights the importance of a two-fold evaluation approach for CRISs, evaluating both pilot-specific KPIs and the system’s technical performance. Policy implications suggest the need for regulatory frameworks and incentives to support the adoption, as well as evaluation, of CRISs and promote sustainable and resilient industrial practices.