World

This study uses a nationally representative longitudinal dataset in the US to examine the long-term association of volunteering for environmental, recycling, and conservation groups with a person’s (a) willingness to continue to volunteer later in life and (b) several measures of their mental and physical well-being including perceived social status, optimism, psychological stress, suicidal thoughts and attempts, depressive symptoms and general self-reported physical health. By using Add Health data, we match responses to an environmental volunteerism question in Wave III (2002) with subjective well-being responses in Wave V (2016–2018) to examine the long-term association between these variables. After excluding missing responses, the analysis sample consists of 9800 individuals. After using linear survey regression analyses and several techniques based on propensity scores (stratification, weighting, matching) two key results emerged: first, being involved in environmental groups and organizations early in life showed a significant positive association with more hours spent on volunteering or community service work later in life; and second, people who volunteer in early adulthood are more optimistic, more sociable, have a higher perceived social status, display less stress and depressive symptoms. Full article

The forestry industry, both primary (sawn wood production) and secondary (output of reels, pallets, boxes, cooperage, and tool handles), is growing in importance in Honduras. In 2023, exports from this industry were mainly destined for Central America (58.19%), followed by North America (22.92%) and the Caribbean region (17.20%), with hardly any Honduran wood reaching Asia or Europe. Objective: The goal of this paper is to analyze the current situation of the Honduran timber industry, which is defined by its environmental deterioration caused by the overexploitation of timber resources. Methodology: Using secondary data from official national and international sources regarding the forestry industry in Honduras, we conducted a Welch’s ANOVA analysis added to two post hoc tests (Tukey and Bonferroni), complemented by a linear regression analysis using JASP software, version 0.19.3.0. to carry on our analysis. Findings: The results of our analysis underscore the urgent need to implement a series of public policies in both the medium and short term to strengthen the forestry industry in Honduras. One of Honduras’ greatest strengths is its civil society, particularly its indigenous communities, which are actively working to protect their land from deforestation and soil degradation. If public policies are not implemented in collaboration with private firms to foster the Honduran forest industry cluster, it could lead to significant socioeconomic and environmental consequences. These may include increased pressure on natural forests, rising unemployment, and the loss of an essential income source for forest owners, ultimately exacerbating poverty. Full article

This study investigates voluntary compliance with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework in 64 financial, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports from six Spanish IBEX-35 energy firms (2020–2023) and explores the implications for intangible assets and corporate reputation, employing empirical quantitative text mining and Natural Language Processing (NLP) in Python. A validated scale-based taxonomy within the TCFD framework applies query-driven rules to extract relevant text. This enables an evaluation of aspects of the reports, facilitating the development of a compliance index measuring each company’s adherence to TCFD recommendations. All companies showed year-on-year improvements (2023 was the most comprehensive), yet none fully adhered due to information gaps. Disparities in the disclosures of Scope 1,2 and 3, persisted, suggesting reputational risks. A replicable methodological model generating a compliance index that assesses the ‘being’ (‘true performance’) versus ‘seeming’ (‘external perception’) dichotomy within sustainability reports and acts as a potential reputational barometer for stakeholders. By providing unprecedented evidence of TCFD reporting in the Spanish energy sector, this study closes a significant academic gap. Future research may analyze ESG reports using AI agents, study the impact of ESG on energy-intensive companies from AI data centers, supporting services like Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and extend this methodology to other industrial sectors. Full article

Having the proper infrastructure is crucial because it fosters prosperous enterprise and a skilled labor force capable of solving environmental issues. There are worries about the potential negative effects of human capital centered on innovation, despite studies showing benefits. This study examines how contextual factors such as business environment, infrastructure, and human capital, influence South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Multiple Regression Technique was used for analysis. Findings showed that each of the three factors has a remarkable impact, with business environment showing the highest positive relationship to the Ecosystem Index. The results highlight the significance of focusing on sustainable activities when developing human capital. To promote a more sustainable entrepreneurship environment, the study suggests that policymakers should implement incentives, allocate finances for infrastructure, and establish educational and knowledge-sharing initiatives to encourage the sustainability of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Future research directions will focus on investigating how additional contextual factors affect ecosystems in various regions and industries. The study also suggests the evaluation of gender equality in access to financial and business assistance. Full article

Escalating environmental challenges severely impede global sustainable development, prompting countries worldwide to innovate environmental governance approaches. As the world’s largest developing country, China’s paradigm shifts in environmental governance from “pollution control” to “ecological conservation” embody many inherent complexities. To investigate the evolution and underlying logic of such paradigm shifts, this study introduces a nested asynchrony framework. Employing a mixed-methods approach that integrates qualitative content analysis, Social Network Analysis, and machine learning, this study analyzes China’s environmental planning documents since the 11th Five-Year Plan to clarify the process of the paradigm shifts and their driving mechanisms. The principal conclusions derived from this study are as follows: (1) Environmental planning is uniquely valued as an analytical lens for identifying paradigm shifts in environmental governance. (2) The paradigm shifts in environmental governance are temporally distinct, wherein transformations in value norms precede structural reforms, while shifts in action logic and disciplinary foundations exhibit path-dependent inertia. (3) Inconsistencies within the planning authority framework spanning central and local governments impede the effective allocation and implementation of resources. This study reconstructs the transformation pathway of environmental governance paradigms, validates computational methods in policy analysis, and presents a longitudinal framework for tracking governance evolution. Applicable to other countries or sectors undergoing similar sustainable development transitions, the framework can provide broader utility. Full article

In this study, we extend the UTAUT2 model to explore the determinants of green purchase intention in Taiwan. By incorporating environmental concern, government support, and green trust, the model highlights how contextual and trust-based factors shape sustainable consumption. Based on 590 valid survey responses, analysis using covariance-based structural equation modeling reveals that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, price value, environmental concern, government support, and green trust all positively influence green purchase intention. Notably, green trust also mediates the relationship between the core UTAUT2 constructs and green purchase intention. In contrast, hedonic motivation and habit show no significant effects, suggesting that sustainable consumption has not become habitual or emotionally driven behavior in Taiwan. These findings emphasize the importance of rational evaluation, social context, and policy support in driving green behavior and offer practical implications for promoting sustainable consumption. Full article

Promoting environmental stewardship among youths is crucial for inspiring collaborative, multi-generational actions to tackle long-term environmental challenges. This research study explores the impact of an environmental education (EE) field trip, which highlighted wastewater management and renewable energy technology, on high school students using the revised new ecological paradigm (NEP) scale as a key metric in a pre-post survey, which uses traditionally pro (NEP) and anti (dominant social paradigm, DSP) conservationist statements to measure beliefs towards the environment. When applying the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (null hypothesis t = 0, no change) to the series of environmental stewardship action questions “___ is an extremely important part of protecting the environment”, we identified ten out of the thirteen scale questions to show significant change, all of which were positive. Additionally, the overall impact score was positive and significant (p ≤ 0.05). This finding demonstrates that respondents felt more strongly that these variables played a role in protecting the environment after experiencing the field trip. This suggests that exposure to environmental management intervention strategies utilizing man-made infrastructure and technology may enhance human capability to positively influence the environment and mitigate environmental threats, potentially alleviating concerns about environmental issues. These results suggest that environmental stewardship in youth needs to be reconceptualized in an increasingly STEM-focused world, and a new metric should be developed to assess environmental beliefs. Full article

This article examines how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and intensified global inequalities, particularly through the lens of vaccine distribution, thereby challenging the ideals of global citizenship. While the pandemic highlighted humanity’s interconnectedness and shared vulnerability, the unequal access to vaccines and resources revealed enduring structural disparities between nations. Drawing on a review of the existing literature from three national contexts, this study critiques the limitations of global citizenship as a framework for addressing such inequalities. In response, it proposes “glo-ubuntu citizenship”—a reimagined concept rooted in African philosophy and the idea of shared humanity—as a more culturally grounded and ethically responsive approach. This model blends the global and local dimensions of citizenship while emphasizing solidarity and mutual care. The article argues that while glo-ubuntu citizenship is not without its challenges, it holds greater potential than conventional models for fostering equity in global health governance and guiding more inclusive responses to future crises. Full article

This systematic literature review explores how conflict management strategies (CMS) impact supply chain performance (SCP), focusing on the mediating roles of supply chain operational processes (SCOP) and customer-centric green supply chain management (CCGSCM) within Jordan’s food manufacturing sector. Framed within smart city initiatives and sustainable development goals (SDGs 9, 11, and 12), this study addresses critical gaps identified in the literature, particularly the lack of integrated examination of CMS impacts in emerging markets like Jordan. Utilizing thematic analysis, this review consolidates key findings across relevant studies from 2010 to 2025 sourced from top-tier databases. The results reveal that collaboration emerges as the most effective CMS strategy, enhancing stakeholder interactions, operational coordination, and resilience. SCOP significantly mediate CMS–SCP relationships, with logistics and inventory management notably vital in mitigating disruptions. Additionally, CCGSCM is highlighted as pivotal for sustainability and operational efficiency in post-COVID market conditions. The findings offer valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers, providing strategic recommendations for integrating technology-driven and relationship-focused CMS tailored to Jordan’s unique socio-economic context, thereby aligning operational practices with global sustainability goals (SDGs 9, 11, and 12). Full article

This study explores the drivers and evolution of the shadow economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina—a transitional, post-conflict country facing persistent institutional fragility. Using the Multiple Indicators and Multiple Causes (MIMIC) model, an extension of Structural Equation Modeling, the paper estimates the size and dynamics of the shadow economy from 1996 to 2022. The model integrates macroeconomic indicators (employment rate, GDP per capita, tax revenues) and institutional variables (rule of law, control of corruption), with data primarily sourced from the World Bank. The results show that institutional quality, tax burden, and labor market conditions are significant determinants of the informal sector. The model demonstrates strong statistical validity (CFI = 0.986, RMSEA = 0.05), supported by robustness checks including unit root tests, structural break analysis, and the exclusion of controversial benchmarking methods. The shadow economy responds markedly to major shocks such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2014 floods. Findings provide valuable policy insights: strengthening institutions, simplifying tax systems, and encouraging formal labor market participation can significantly reduce informality. The study supports evidence-based reforms to enhance transparency, resilience, and sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Full article

This research examines the link between business models and entrepreneurial capabilities among social assistance program participants who are aging adults in an emerging economic environment. The research targets the insufficient use of entrepreneurial abilities in seniors to advance their active aging potential while enhancing their life quality. This study collected data from selected participants by using Osterwalder and Pigneur’s business model framework as a basis for their structured questionnaire, which followed a quantitative–qualitative method. Researchers applied Spearman’s Rho statistical methods to measure relations between business elements and skills in self-confidence, creativity, initiative, perseverance, and teamwork demonstrated by entrepreneurs. The study results clearly showed that properly executed business models create substantial growth in entrepreneurial abilities among people of advanced age. This study contributes novel empirical evidence from a rural Peruvian context, confirming that structured business model training is positively associated with entrepreneurial outcomes among elderly populations. The findings (r = 0.755, p < 0.001) support the urgency of integrating capability-building into social assistance schemes. These results emphasize how targeted training programs should empower this population since this initiative supports Sustainable Development Goals like “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (SDG 8) and “Reduced Inequalities” (SDG 10). The analysis demonstrates that teaching entrepreneurial abilities to mature individuals leads to better social entrepreneurship sustainability together with superior economic involvement and social connections. Full article

This study examines how Generation Z’s values align with entrepreneurial orientation in the Fourth Sector (FS), which merges public, private, and non-profit dynamics to balance financial sustainability with socio-environmental impact. Using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), we analyze the influence of economic–financial, biospheric, and altruistic values of the university students’ inclination toward entrepreneurship in the FS. The study draws on a convenience sample of 139 undergraduate students from the School of Economics and Business Sciences at the University of Extremadura, located in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, Spain. Our findings reveal that economic–financial values are the strongest predictor, underscoring the enduring importance of financial viability in shaping entrepreneurial intent. Biospheric values also play a significant role, highlighting sustainability and environmental awareness as key motivators. While altruistic values exhibit a positive relationship with FS entrepreneurship, this effect is not statistically significant, indicating that Generation Z prioritizes economic and environmental considerations over pure altruism when engaging in this sector. These insights contribute to the understanding of how a group of university students from Generation Z approaches sustainable business models and provide strategic guidance for fostering entrepreneurship that effectively integrates financial sustainability with environmental responsibility. Specifically, Generation Z is expected to be particularly receptive to entrepreneurship initiatives focused on biodiversity conservation. Full article

The objective of this study is to analyze the current situation of out-of-home catering (OHC) in Germany concerning the use of regional organic food using a case study; we also aim to determine the potential and challenges that exist in increasing the proportion of regional organic food in OHC. The food purchasing data from three canteens of the company were analyzed concerning regionality, seasonality, and organic share. The companies’ employees were asked about their willingness to pay and their attitude towards regional organic food using an online questionnaire. A price comparison between organically and conventionally grown food was carried out with food wholesalers’ product price lists. The study confirms the potential to increase the share of regional organic food in OHC. With their private purchasing behavior, eating habits and willingness to pay a surcharge for organic quality in the company restaurants, the consumers confirm that they support an increase in the regional organic share. Regional organic food could be purchased from (organic) wholesalers. However, the study also shows that the cost of sourcing organic food is on average 50% higher than that of conventional food and that this price markup is the main reason for consumers not buying organic food. Full article

The emergence of generative AI has caused a major dilemma—as higher education institutions prepare students for the workforce, the development of digital skills must become a normative aim, while simultaneously preserving academic integrity and credibility. The challenge they face is not simply a matter of using AI responsibly but typically of reconciling two opposing duties: (A) preparing students for the future of work, and (B) maintaining the traditional role of developing personal academic skills, such as critical thinking, the ability to acquire knowledge, and the capacity to produce original work. Higher education institutions must typically balance these objectives while addressing financial considerations, creating value for students and employers, and meeting accreditation requirements. Against this need, this multiple-case study of fifty universities across eight countries examined institutional response to generative AI. The content analysis revealed apparent confusion and a lack of established best practices, as proposed actions varied widely, from complete bans on generated content to the development of custom AI assistants for students and faculty. Oftentimes, the onus fell on individual faculty to exercise discretion in the use of AI, suggesting an inconsistent application of academic policy. We conclude by recognizing that time and innovation will be required for the apparent confusion of higher education institutions in responding to this challenge to be resolved and suggest some possible approaches to that. Our results, however, suggest that their top concern now is the potential for irresponsible use of AI by students to cheat on assessments. We, therefore, recommend that, in the short term, and likely in the long term, the credibility of awards is urgently safeguarded and argue that this could be achieved by ensuring at least some human-proctored assessments are integrated into courses, e.g., in the form of real-location examinations and viva voces. Full article

Knowledge-based regional development policies have become increasingly popular in recent decades and have been widely disseminated and applied. The regional scale and regional policy have been no exception to this general trend, resulting in the coining of new terms, such as the knowledge region (KR). The use of this term has, however, suffered the consequences of a lack of consensus over its meaning. This has proven problematic and resulted in the term being applied in different ways according to the territorial context. To address this problem, the present study offers a definition of the term that identifies the main components of these different regional realities and provides examples of its appropriate use based on good practices. This new contribution has been based on the PRISMA methodology. The results highlight the existence of key components and the need for a governance framework that serves as a fundamental pillar of knowledge-based regional development. This study concludes with a proposal for a definition of the knowledge region that could be used as a model and basis for future research in this field. Full article

Background: The global space economy has grown remarkably, witnessing a 10-fold increase in active satellites during the last 15 years. This growth was accompanied by both the increase in geopolitical tensions feeding huge investments (the New Space Race), on the one hand, and the transformation, shifting from a domain historically dominated by government-led programs to one partially energized by commercial players and innovative business models (“New Space”), on the other hand. Objective: To assess the space economy’s current state and future prospects by considering its economic and social dimensions. Methods: Over 120 scholarly articles and “grey” literature positions (e.g., industry reports) were reviewed. The review was structured by a modified Structure–Conduct–Performance framework originally developed by industrial organization (IO) scholars. Findings: Outer space creates extremely harsh conditions for placing and operating objects in orbits, which results in high launching costs, steep reliability standards, capital intensity, and risks that are unmatched in most terrestrial industries. One of the main motivations to venture into this harsh domain was, and still is, the desire to dominate or the fear of being subjugated by others. This “original sin”, born of geopolitical rivalries, continues to cast a shadow over the space economy, channeling the majority of public space budgets into military-related programs. Moreover, many space technologies have a dual-use feature. Not surprisingly, governments are still the major source of demand, dominating midstream in the space value chain. This triad—harsh physics, great power rivalry, and a state-centric midstream—produces a specificity of the sector. In the recent two decades, new entrants (called “New Space”) have begun altering market structure, resulting in new conduct patterns focused on pursuits towards serial production, reusability, and lowering costs. Performance outcomes are mixed. While some efficiency gains are unprecedented, some doubts about market power and negative externalities arise. The assessment of the space economy’s performance is a challenge, as such, due to the blurred boundary between political objectives (supplying public goods, mitigating negative externalities) and economic optimization. Such trade-offs are becoming even more complicated considering the potential conflict between national and global perspectives. The paper offers a preliminary, descriptive study of the space economy through the lens of the modified S-C-P framework, laying basic foundations for the future, possibly more rigorous research of the increasingly important space economy. Full article

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) is growing exponentially in public entities, contributing to the improvement of the design and provision of services, as well as to the internal management and efficiency of public institutions. However, the potential of artificial intelligence systems for the public sector also entails a set of risks related, among other areas, to privacy, confidentiality, security, transparency or bias and discrimination. The Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), when auditing public services and policies, must adapt their human and technological resources to this new scenario. This paper analyses the implications of AI penetration in the public sector, as well as the challenges that these technological developments pose to SAIs to improve effectiveness and efficiency in their auditing tasks. This paper presents a conceptual and exploratory analysis, informed by documentary evidence and case illustrations. Given the dynamic evolution of AI research, the findings should be interpreted as a contribution to ongoing debates, rather than definitive conclusions. It also reviews the status of the audits of systems based on algorithms carried out by some SAIs. Full article

Wine markets have deeply changed in recent decades in many regards. In particular, wine trade patterns have been deeply reshaped, and this also affects traditional EU exporters, who operate in a more competitive environment, with new players challenging their position and forcing them to readjust their strategies. This study analyzes recent trends in the wine exports of major EU producers. Its goal is to contribute to assessing to what extent their positioning in the international wine markets differs, and to understand the kind of competition they engage in within destination markets, with a focus on the role of their export quality as a major competitive advantage. This analysis only looks at bottled wines, both still and sparkling. It combines the use of traditional trade indicators—such as export quotas, penetration rates, and the average unit value of exports (AUV) with an innovative indicator, called C-Consy, aimed at measuring the sophistication levels of the destination markets. The results show that EU competitors behave in different ways and move along different paths. Some of them show an increasing ability to sell their products in higher segments of sophisticated markets. Others are also quite well positioned in the global arena, but they are fighting to fully catch up with the increasing demand for more sophisticated products from their clients. Some have managed to improve quality and hence advance to higher market segments, while others have shown greater weakness in facing global competition. Looking at typologies, exporters do not always show the same positioning and trends for still and sparkling wines. Full article

Understanding agricultural production dynamics is vital for addressing global food security in the least developed countries. In Senegal, the issues of rural development and enhancing agricultural productivity are still less understood. Using survey data (n = 600) from the Thiès region, this study aims to explore factors that influence agricultural productivity in Senegal. The multinomial probit model is estimated using maximum simulated likelihood (MSL) methods. This approach is necessary due to the presence of multiple-choice categories. The results highlight that young farmers aged 18–30 are less likely to achieve high production (>10 tons) compared to their older counterparts (p < 0.01). In contrast, older farmers (31–60) report higher income stability (p < 0.05). Education levels also impact production, with farmers having lower or upper secondary education being less likely to attain high production than illiterate farmers (p < 0.05). Receiving subsidies reduces the likelihood of high production (p < 0.01). Larger landholdings (>1 ha) correlate with lower production odds (p < 0.01), suggesting diminishing returns. Gender disparities are evident, with male farmers being 45.6% more likely to report income declines (p < 0.1). Marginal effects show that acquiring land through rental or purchase significantly boosts income (p < 0.01), while traditional ploughing increases the sown area (p < 0.01). Policymakers should enhance training in agriculture, improve subsidies, secure land tenure, and promote certified seeds to boost productivity. This study highlights the need for targeted policies on training, subsidies, land tenure, and sustainable practices to enhance Senegal’s agricultural productivity. Full article