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The security of applications, systems and networks has always been the source of great concern for both enterprises and common users. Different security tools like intrusion detection system/intrusion prevention system and firewalls are available that provide preventive security to the enterprise networks. However, security information and event management (SIEM) systems use these tools in combination to collect events from diverse data sources across the network. SIEM is a proactive tool that processes the events to present a unified security view of the whole network at one location. SIEM system has, therefore, become an essential component of an enterprise network security architecture. However, from various options available, the selection of a suitable and cost-effective open source SIEM solution that can effectively meet most of the security requirements of small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is not simple because of the lack of strong analysis.

In this work, the authors first review the security challenges faced by different SME sectors and then consider a comprehensive comparative analysis of the capabilities of well-known open source SIEM solutions. Based on this, the authors provide requirements based recommendations of open source SIEM solutions for SMEs. This paper aims to provide a valuable resource that can be referred to by SMEs for the selection of a SIEM system best suited to their organization’s security posture.

Security requirements of SMEs vary according to their network infrastructure; therefore, every open source SIEM solution would not be suitable for an SME. Selection of a SIEM solution from available open source solutions based upon the security requirements of an SME network is a critical task. Therefore, in this work, a meaningful insight for the selection of an appropriate SIEM solution for SMEs is provided.

Major contribution of this work is the mapping of the security requirements of the SME sectors under consideration, against the open source SIEM options to provide meaningful insight for SMEs in the selection of an appropriate solution.

This study highlights the influence of non-financial sustainability reporting and firm reputation (FR) on the China Stock Exchange. The study is based on the components of sustainability reporting that influence FR.

A simple ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model is initially run to test the hypotheses. Advanced econometric methods are used to detect the presence of heteroskedasticity. The study utilizes fixed-effect, two-stage least squares (2SLS) and two-step generalized method of moments (GMM) regression models to address endogeneity issues.

Findings suggest that NFSR has a negative influence on FR. Conversely, environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability reporting exhibited positive associations with a FR in fixed-effect, 2SLS and GMM results.

This study has limitations, and data collection is restricted to the period from January 2018 to June 2023, limiting the scope of findings due to data constraints. Brand equity measurement is considered only one aspect of a company's activities, and other methods can also be considered for measuring brand equity. Another limitation is a standardized method for measuring NFSR. While this study used the Arianpoor and Salehi (2021) model to measure sustainability reporting in the Chinese market, future research could explore different methods.

The findings of this study have important practical implications for corporate management, highlighting reputation challenges and the strategic importance of sustainability. Managers are encouraged to use NFSR strategically to enhance their reputation and corporate strategy.

The social implications highlight ownership and regulatory structures, promoting enhanced sustainability reporting in China's business culture. This insight informs policymakers, businesses and stakeholders regarding the importance of sustainability reporting, guiding decisions on corporate reputation and sustainability regulations.

The research indicates the importance of context-specific sustainability reporting for enhancing reputation. It provides insights into sustainability's impact on a company's reputation, promoting responsible practices for a sustainable global economy. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first research that utilizes the NFSR frameworks and a sample of firms in China to discuss sustainability reporting with different guidelines.

This paper aims to empirically assess the performance of Islamic banks (IBs) and conventional banks (CBs) in Qatar before and after the imposition of the economic blockade on Qatar and the significance of the blockade’s subsequent impact.

This study focuses only on the domestic commercial banks comprising four IBs and five CBs operating in Qatar. The banks’ financial reports are used as a secondary source to generate data. A study period from 2015 to 2019, separated into pre-blockade and post-blockade periods and comprising data on a semi-annual basis, was examined. Financial ratios and t-tests are used to compare bank performance and test the significance level of the blockade, respectively.

Generally, the findings show that IBs slightly outperformed CBs. Solvency ratios show strong capitalization (measured by capital adequacy ratio, CAR) and external fund (measured by equity multiplier ratio, EMR) reliance of the banks, despite minor fluctuations. Yet, only the CAR of CBs has been significantly affected by the blockade. Profitability (measured by return on assets, ROA and return on equity, ROE) of both bank groups grew unsteadily over the period, but IBs remained more efficient (measured by operating efficiency, OEOI) than CBs. Liquidity ratios indicate almost similar depositor fund utilization (measured by loans to deposit ratio, LDR) and credit offering (measured by loans to assets ratio, LAR) by the banks. All three metrics were weakly impacted. In terms of asset quality, bad loans (measured by non-performing loans ratio, NPL) and provisions (measured by loan loss provisions, LLP) surged moderately post-blockade. The blockade affected both groups’ asset quality.

To the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to comparatively examine the performance of Qatari IBs and CBs during the latest economic embargo and their exposure to the crisis.

The provision of private health-care services by public hospitals is common in Iran. Examining factors associated with patients’ preferences to use private health services and using this knowledge in health planning and policymaking can help expand the use of such services. Thus, this study aims to investigate patients’ preferences for private health services delivered in public hospitals.

Based on a discrete choice experiment from a sample of 375 patients in a public training hospital in Qazvin, northwest city of Iran, the authors evaluated participants’ preference over the health-care attributes affecting their choice to use private health-care services delivered in the hospital. The authors also estimated the marginal willingness to pay to determine the maximum amount a patient was willing to pay for the improvement in the level of each health-care attributes.

The findings revealed that patients were 2.7 times more likely to choose private hospital services when the waiting time was reduced to less than a week. Furthermore, as patients had complimentary insurance coverage, they were over 60% more likely to receive such services from training hospitals. Finally, continuity of care and reduced health-care tariffs were significant factors that increased patients’ preference to choose private services by 52 and 37%, respectively.

Examining factors associated with patients’ preferences to use private health services and using this knowledge in policymaking can help expand such services. The findings affirmed that various incentives, including service quality factors, are required to increase the likelihood of patients choosing private services.