Abstract
Healthcare agents, in particular in the oncology field, are currently collecting vast amounts of diverse patient data. In this context, some decision-support systems, mostly based on deep learning techniques, have already been approved for clinical purposes. Despite all the efforts in introducing artificial intelligence methods in the workflow of clinicians, its lack of interpretability - understand how the methods make decisions - still inhibits their dissemination in clinical practice. The aim of this article is to present an easy guide for oncologists explaining how these methods make decisions and illustrating the strategies to explain them. Theoretical concepts were illustrated based on oncological examples and a literature review of research works was performed from PubMed between January 2014 to September 2020, using deep learning techniques, interpretability and oncology as keywords. Overall, more than 60% are related to breast, skin or brain cancers and the majority focused on explaining the importance of tumor characteristics (e.g. dimension, shape) in the predictions. The most used computational methods are multilayer perceptrons and convolutional neural networks. Nevertheless, despite being successfully applied in different cancers scenarios, endowing deep learning techniques with interpretability, while maintaining their performance, continues to be one of the greatest challenges of artificial intelligence.

Abstract

Abstract
PurposeThis study analyzes the impact of packaging-free practices in food retail stores, particularly supermarkets, on customer loyalty.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature on the impacts of sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies on consumer behavior, this study defined a set of seven hypotheses that were tested using data collected from 447 consumers that regularly buy food products at supermarkets. The data were subjected to structural equation modeling using SmartPLS.FindingsThis study confirmed that packaging-free practices positively influence brand image, brand trust, satisfaction and customer loyalty. The expected positive impacts of brand image and satisfaction on customer loyalty were also confirmed. However, the expected impact of brand trust on customer loyalty was not confirmed.Practical implicationsThis article demonstrates how a competitive sector can reap benefits from implementing sustainable practices in the operational domain, particularly by offering packaging-free products at the point of purchase. Thus, as recommended, general retail stores (e.g. supermarkets) gradually increase the stores' offering of packaging-free food products, as this practice has been shown to have positive impacts not only on brand image, but also on customer satisfaction and loyalty.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature on the effects of sustainable practices on customer loyalty, by focusing on a specific practice. Furthermore, this study contributes to the advancement of research on packaging-free practices in retail by developing a research framework and providing evidence on the direct and indirect effects of this specific practice on customer loyalty.

Abstract
Blockchain technology has been the focus of much attention and discussion recently. Its unique characteristics, such as immutability, transparency, and decentralization, create a great potential solution for many industries. Especially the automotive sector, which is known for its complex supply chains, large amounts of data, and wide-reaching infrastructure, can profit in many aspects by incorporating blockchain technology. To illustrate the advantages and potential of blockchain in supply chain management, this chapter includes a case study of one of the leading corporations in the automotive industry that has been increasingly committed to adopting this technology. The analysis uses a set of strategic analysis tools frequently used by managers for strategic planning to highlight the benefits and challenges of this approach. Besides contributing to the literature on blockchain and supply chain management, this chapter offers valuable insights for managers, namely in the automotive sector, who are considering adopting blockchain technology in their operations and processes. © 2023, IGI Global. All rights reserved.

Abstract
Th chapter presents an empirical study on a Brazilian cyber-activism movement on Instagram associated with the hashtag #CorpoLivre (#FreeBody in Portuguese). This movement, which was established in 2018, has published more than 3,000 posts and has over 400,000 followers, disseminates anti-fatphobia and real body discourses, and promotes a positive relationship between women and their bodies beyond traditional beauty standards. The study analyses the posts made by the feminist movement on Instagram in December 2022, with a sample size of 101 posts. The study adopted the framework developed by Khurana and Knight for the analysis, which enables the classification of the sample posts in terms of message appeal, orientation, engagement, popularity, and image characteristics. This framework was used to examine the relationship between content characteristics and engagement. Additionally, the study includes a content analysis of the posts' comments, specifically evaluating the valence (positive, negative, or neutral) to assess the effectiveness of the characteristics of the posts. © 2023, IGI Global. All rights reserved.

Abstract
Virtual influencers are rapidly gaining significance in the digital marketing realm. This study offers an overview of the fragmented landscape of virtual influencer research, addressing key contributions, themes, methodologies, and future directions. Employing a bibliometric analysis approach, the research examined 52 articles from the Scopus database, shedding light on the evolving field. Findings underscore a dispersed literature landscape that began in 2020, spanning 44 distinct outlets and involving 138 authors. The prevailing research primarily centers on general social media users' perceptions of virtual influencers, leaving substantial gaps in the study of actual followers. Many pieces of research exhibit a lack of methodological rigor and theoretical framework. As the discipline progresses, there is an emergent need for enhanced methodologies that focus on genuine followers and encompass broader managerial objectives. The prospects for subsequent research in this domain are vast and promising. © 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved.