Bex O'Higgins

Written from an equitable data perspective, Questioning Technology: Addressing Divisive Data in Research and Practice translates the pressing challenges within data collection, data categorization and data commercialisation to enable researchers, SMEs, and practitioners to better question why and how they use data. Offering an alternative that diverges from the current narrative of subjective ethics, this guide affords authentic perspective and confidence to respectively question the function of technology and the intensity of data collection, the ethics of data use, data collection risks and mitigation, data commercialisation, and the impact this has on digital policy. Split into three parts, the first part of the guide introduces the concepts surrounding digital inclusion, data dignity, technical language and the way in which humans are part of the digital ecosystem. The second part discusses and elaborates on the challenges within data collection, data categorization and commercialisation. The third part of the guide focuses on existing and recent policy progression around data and AI and to what degree this knowledge can be applied in the digital and physical realm. Through a shared and accurate technological language informed by clear and equitable digital terminology and characteristics, O’Higgins and Halliday call for a step-change that can be used in industry and academia to bridge the language and knowledge gap for aligned collaboration through accessibility towards true digital equity.

The FinTech industry has revolutionized traditional financial services by leveraging technology to offer innovative solutions for consumers and businesses alike. However, startups entering the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) market face significant challenges, including regulatory compliance, securing product-market fit, and building customer trust in a competitive landscape. This paper explores these challenges through a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews to gather insights from FinTech professionals, consumers, and a case study of a UK-based startup, ‘Company A’. The findings highlight the critical importance of regulatory adherence, particularly in securing Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approval and addressing consumer concerns around data security and digital payment reliability. The study also examines strategies for product-market fit and market positioning in the growing FinTech sector, offering practical recommendations for startups to overcome barriers to entry. Key recommendations include the adoption of value-added services (VAS), transitioning from B2C to B2B models for scalability, and leveraging regional FinTech hubs for support. The study contributes to the understanding of FinTech startup challenges and offers a strategic roadmap for achieving long-term success in the B2C financial services market.

This study examines the scalability challenges faced by artisan vinegar producers and evaluates whether outsourcing can support growth without compromising product authenticity. Drawing on Transaction Cost Economics (TCE), the research investigates how asset specificity, uncertainty and governance choices shape outsourcing decisions in craft-based food production. Empirically, the study uses a structured survey of 152 consumers, measuring perceptions of product quality, authenticity, health benefits, willingness to pay and preferences for handmade versus mass-produced goods. Quantitative analysis, including chi-square tests, cross-tabulations and correlation analysis, is complemented by thematic coding of open-ended responses. The findings show that consumers strongly prioritise quality and craftsmanship, and that preferences for handmade production significantly influence willingness to pay, thereby reinforcing the high asset specificity associated with artisanal methods. While outsourcing non-core, low-specificity activities appears acceptable to consumers, outsourcing core fermentation or handcrafted processes increases perceived behavioural uncertainty and risks weakening authenticity signals. The study contributes to TCE by demonstrating the presence of consumer-driven relational transaction costs–arising from authenticity concerns–that constrain outsourcing options in artisanal markets. These insights refine theoretical assumptions about efficiency-seeking behaviour in small-scale food production and provide an empirical basis for understanding how craft producers balance quality preservation with operational scalability.