Sustainability

20 pages, 851 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Path of Industrial Transformation for Resource-Based Regions in China: A Three-Dimensional Analytical Framework from Cross-Regional Perspectives

by Donghui Li, Luyin Qiao and Zhenfang Zhang

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5232; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115232 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Industrial transformation in resource-based regions (RBRs) is a global challenge. Shanxi is a typical resource-based province in China. The long-term exploitation of coal resources has posed huge challenges to its ecological protection and high-quality development. Breaking away from the single-city perspective, this study [...] Read more.

Industrial transformation in resource-based regions (RBRs) is a global challenge. Shanxi is a typical resource-based province in China. The long-term exploitation of coal resources has posed huge challenges to its ecological protection and high-quality development. Breaking away from the single-city perspective, this study focuses on the regional scale and comparative analysis and attempts to construct a novel three-dimensional analytical framework, namely, “industrial characteristics, industrial layout, and industrial policies”, to explore the industrial transformation path of typical RBRs. The results indicate the following: (1) Shanxi does not have obvious advantages in terms of resource endowment, with a severely heavy industrial structure and strategic emerging industries still in the initial stage of development. At the national strategic level, it is still necessary to strengthen the application of the “pioneer and pilot” policies and mechanisms for innovation. (2) In the context of high-quality development, Shanxi needs to clarify the industrial transformation orientation. For agriculture, the focus should be placed on characteristic and efficient development. For industrial development, priority should be given to upgrading advantageous industries and cultivating emerging industries. For the tertiary industry, it is necessary to form a development pattern of “new producer services + characteristic tourism”. In terms of regional development layout, Shanxi should establish a macro-pattern to promote inter-regional coordinated development. (3) In the new period, Shanxi should accelerate the construction of transportation systems to improve the convenience of inter-regional cooperation. It is essential to increase investment in education and scientific research so as to enhance the overall social innovation capacity. Meanwhile, differentiated regional development policies should be adequately supplied to drive the high-quality evolution of local industries. Focusing on the regional scale, the new logical analysis paradigm can provide theoretical references for RBRs to clarify the direction of industrial transformation and formulate transformation policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Balancing Efficiency, Sustainability, and Economic Development in Operations Management)

31 pages, 511 KB

Open AccessArticle

Gen Z Characteristics and Sustainable Consumption: Bridging the Intention–Behavior Gap

by Dimitrios Theocharis, Georgios Tsekouropoulos, Greta Hoxha and Ioanna Simeli

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5231; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115231 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Generation Z, a cohort defined by digital connectivity, sensitivity to social influence, and environmental awareness, has attracted considerable scholarly attention in sustainable consumption research. Yet a persistent gap between their expressed pro-sustainability attitudes and actual purchasing decisions remains well-documented. This study examines whether [...] Read more.

Generation Z, a cohort defined by digital connectivity, sensitivity to social influence, and environmental awareness, has attracted considerable scholarly attention in sustainable consumption research. Yet a persistent gap between their expressed pro-sustainability attitudes and actual purchasing decisions remains well-documented. This study examines whether Gen Z characteristics help bridge that gap by directly influencing sustainable purchase behavior and by moderating the role of purchase intention in that process. A quantitative design was employed using survey responses from 302 Gen Z consumers. The findings suggest that while Gen Z characteristics significantly predicted actual sustainable purchasing and purchase intention exerted a positive direct effect, the interaction between the two was negative and statistically significant. Conditional effects analysis further revealed that the influence of generational characteristics on purchasing behavior is stronger at lower levels of purchase intention and progressively weaker as intention increases. These results suggest that traits such as digital responsiveness, social embeddedness, and environmental orientation do not merely reinforce existing intentions but appear to compensate for their absence, activating sustainability-aligned behavior even when motivational commitment is limited. The study repositions the intention–behavior gap among Gen Z as something modulated by generational characteristics that drive purchasing behavior when intention alone falls short. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

25 pages, 834 KB

Open AccessArticle

Social Insurance Contribution Enforcement and Corporate Tax Avoidance: Evidence from China’s Tax Collection Reform

by Weichen Xu, Igor A. Mayburov and Tianyou Li

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5228; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115228 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

This study examines whether stricter enforcement of mandatory social insurance contributions affects corporate income tax behavior in China. In the Chinese institutional context, mandatory social insurance refers to payroll-based employer and employee contributions to five statutory programs: basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance, [...] Read more.

This study examines whether stricter enforcement of mandatory social insurance contributions affects corporate income tax behavior in China. In the Chinese institutional context, mandatory social insurance refers to payroll-based employer and employee contributions to five statutory programs: basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance, work-injury insurance, unemployment insurance, and maternity insurance. These programs are directly related to social sustainability because they finance old-age income security, medical protection, workplace injury compensation, unemployment support, maternity protection, and labor-market stability. Using China’s 2018 social insurance collection reform as a quasi-natural experiment, we analyze A-share listed companies from 2014 to 2024 through a difference-in-differences design based on differential exposure between private firms and state-owned enterprises. To assess the reliability of the identification strategy, we employ firm and year fixed effects, event-study analysis, placebo tests, alternative measures of tax avoidance, and propensity score matching difference-in-differences robustness checks. The findings show a tax-fee seesaw effect: private firms subject to extensive regulatory scrutiny respond to more rigorous enforcement of social insurance contributions by increasing corporate income tax avoidance. Analysis of the mechanisms shows that the Whited-Wu index of financial constraints partially explains this phenomenon. The effect is more pronounced in firms with higher labor costs and greater administrative expense intensity, indicating that the increased response is driven by labor cost exposure and organizational discretion. By contrast, the effect is weaker among firms audited by the Big Four accounting networks—Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and KPMG—indicating that high-quality external audits constrain aggressive tax planning. Regionally, the effect is most pronounced in eastern China, where markets, labor costs, and tax-planning services are more developed. The findings contribute to the sustainable development literature by demonstrating that reforms designed to strengthen social insurance sustainability can unintentionally weaken tax compliance if payroll contributions, tax administration, and corporate financial pressures are not coordinated. The study highlights the importance of integrated fiscal governance for achieving socially sustainable and fiscally balanced development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Economy-Environment-Society: Interconnection, Power Relations and Measures)

36 pages, 1230 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Application of Ethnic Group Ecological Protection Customary Laws and Their Derivative Models in Global Biodiversity Conservation—Taking the Cases of the Miao, Tao, and Maasai Ethnic Groups as Examples

by Teng-Fei Ma, Tseng-Wei Chao and Chang-Wei Chai

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5227; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115227 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Biodiversity, as the foundation of life on Earth, sustains the balance of ecosystems and supports human sustainable development. However, the current accelerated decline in biodiversity poses ecological threats that require urgent attention. This research based on the perspective of ethnic ecological wisdom, explores [...] Read more.

Biodiversity, as the foundation of life on Earth, sustains the balance of ecosystems and supports human sustainable development. However, the current accelerated decline in biodiversity poses ecological threats that require urgent attention. This research based on the perspective of ethnic ecological wisdom, explores the customary practices of biological conservation among the Miao ethnic group in Southwest China, the Tao ethnic group on Orchid Island (Lanyu), Taiwan, and the Maasai ethnic group on the East African Plateau. By conducting in-depth case studies, combined with literature review and data validation, it investigates their practical value and implementation pathways in biodiversity conservation. By analyzing the ecological conservation wisdom models of the Miao, Tao and Maasai ethnic groups, it is found that the core species populations in each region have shown a positive growth trend since the gradual integration of traditional ethnic customary laws with modern ecological protection systems and practices. Drawing on the extensive experience accumulated in integrating customary law into ecological governance across the three cases, this study proposes a three-dimensional optimization pathway: at the policy level, construct a mechanism integrating customary law and diversified ecological compensation; at the community level, implement a model featuring benefit sharing, patrol mediation and digital management; and at the cultural level, strengthen the development and dissemination of ethnic ecological conservation wisdom through multidisciplinary talent training and IP-based communication of exemplary customary law outcomes. We aspire to slow the rate of global biodiversity loss and achieve a bright future of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation)

22 pages, 1743 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sub-National SDG Progress and Spatial Inequality: A Composite Index Framework for Multi-Level Governance

by Hasan Tutar and Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5226; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115226 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Despite extensive global progress monitoring under the 2030 Agenda, existing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) assessment frameworks remain structurally blind to within-country distributional disparities. This study addresses this gap by developing a methodologically transparent composite SDG index for multi-level governance assessment, applying it to [...] Read more.

Despite extensive global progress monitoring under the 2030 Agenda, existing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) assessment frameworks remain structurally blind to within-country distributional disparities. This study addresses this gap by developing a methodologically transparent composite SDG index for multi-level governance assessment, applying it to 218 Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS 2) regions across the European Union over the period 2015–2022 (1744 region-year observations). In this context, the term “region-year observations” refers strictly to the balanced panel data structure, which is calculated by observing 218 distinct sub-national regions continuously over an 8-year period (218 regions × 8 years The index aggregates four dimensions—social, economic, educational, and institutional—using min-max normalization. The analysis yields three main results: (1) Spatial econometric analysis reveals strong, persistent positive spatial autocorrelation, with high-performing clusters concentrated in Northern and Western Europe and lagging clusters in Eastern and Southern peripheries. (2) A spatial error model identifies institutional governance quality as a consistent statistical predictor of sub-national SDG performance. The significance of the spatial error parameter (λ = 0.497) suggests that unobservable institutional and geographical common shocks systematically link neighboring regions. (3) Cluster analysis further distinguishes four regional archetypes: Disadvantaged, Leaders, Educated, and Transitional. These findings underscore the need for spatially aware SDG monitoring infrastructure and investment in institutional capacity as prerequisites for equitable governance, as integrating spatial dependencies is crucial to prevent national averages from masking severe regional developmental traps. Full article

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30 pages, 834 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Perceived Value to Advocacy: How Customer Experience, Loyalty, and Trust Shape Sustainable Mobile Payment Consumption

by Rayan Al Haress and Asieh AkhlaghiMofrad

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115225 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Mobile payment services are increasingly embedded in everyday digital consumption, yet their sustainability relevance should not be assumed solely from technological adoption. This study conceptualizes sustainable mobile payment consumption as a relational and digital sustainability issue, reflected in the continuity, trust, diffusion, and [...] Read more.

Mobile payment services are increasingly embedded in everyday digital consumption, yet their sustainability relevance should not be assumed solely from technological adoption. This study conceptualizes sustainable mobile payment consumption as a relational and digital sustainability issue, reflected in the continuity, trust, diffusion, and resilience of mobile payment ecosystems rather than as a direct measure of environmental sustainability. Drawing on perceived value theory, relationship marketing, social exchange theory, and trust-based consumption logic, this study examines how mobile payment perceived value (MPPV) is associated with customer advocacy through customer experience and customer loyalty, while considering customer trust as a boundary condition. Survey data collected from 382 mobile payment users in Lebanon were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings suggest that MPPV is positively associated with customer experience, customer loyalty, and customer advocacy. Customer experience is positively associated with loyalty while loyalty is positively associated with advocacy. The sequential mediation results are consistent with the proposed relational pathway in which holistic perceived value is linked to advocacy through experience and loyalty rather than through transactional evaluations alone. Customer trust strengthens the associations between MPPV and both loyalty and advocacy, suggesting that trust amplifies value-based relational outcomes in high-uncertainty financial environments. The central finding is that holistic perceived value becomes sustainability-relevant when channeled through accumulated experience and loyalty into advocacy, and that this relational pathway is contingent on trust, a mechanism particularly consequential in Lebanon’s high-uncertainty financial environment. By positioning advocacy as a sustainability-relevant relational outcome, this study clarifies how perceived value, experience, loyalty, and trust jointly contribute to sustainable digital consumption in an emerging economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Consumption in the Digital Age: Marketing Strategies and Consumer Behavior)

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27 pages, 5694 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a Small-Scale Desalination System Using Humidification–Dehumidification Fed by Linear Fresnel Concentration

by Brayan Eduardo Tarazona-Romero, Álvaro Campos-Celador, Yecid Muñoz-Maldonado, Omar Lengerke-Perez and Javier Ascanio-Villabona

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5224; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115224 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Access to freshwater is one of the major global challenges, driven by population growth, industrial development, climate change, and increasing water stress, particularly in economically constrained regions. In this context, this study designs, builds, and experimentally and numerically evaluates an indirect solar concentration [...] Read more.

Access to freshwater is one of the major global challenges, driven by population growth, industrial development, climate change, and increasing water stress, particularly in economically constrained regions. In this context, this study designs, builds, and experimentally and numerically evaluates an indirect solar concentration desalination system (ICST) composed of a humidification–dehumidification (HDH) subsystem thermally powered by a Linear Fresnel Concentrator (LFC) under the appropriate technology paradigm. The methodology integrates an experimental campaign conducted under real climatic conditions in Bucaramanga, Colombia, mathematical modeling based on mass and energy balances, and the implementation of a TRNSYS simulation model validated through qualitative and quantitative analyses using absolute and relative errors. Results showed close agreement between experimental and simulated data, with daily freshwater production deviations of 0.53 and 0.65 L/day in tests 04 and 05, respectively, while mean relative errors remained below 5% for the main thermal and productivity variables. Experimentally, an average freshwater production of 1.13 L/h was achieved, with a production gain ratio (GOR) of 0.32 and a recovery ratio (RR) of 0.021, while maintaining total dissolved solids below 500 mg/L. Economic assessment estimated a production cost of $0.065/L, demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of the system for decentralized small-scale applications in regions with high solar irradiance throughout the year. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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36 pages, 11109 KB

Open AccessArticle

OnlinePlan: A Sustainable Computational Framework for Automated Cost Estimation and Decision Support in Highway Maintenance Planning

by Suphawut Malaikrisanachalee, Ruttanawadee Phukham, Wittaya Srisomboon and Narongrit Wongwai

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5223; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115223 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

The digital transformation of construction processes has highlighted the need for integrated and sustainable automation frameworks, particularly in public-sector infrastructure planning where cost estimation, documentation, and approval workflows remain fragmented. This study proposes OnlinePlan, a computational and system-level framework that operationalizes a regulation-compliant [...] Read more.

The digital transformation of construction processes has highlighted the need for integrated and sustainable automation frameworks, particularly in public-sector infrastructure planning where cost estimation, documentation, and approval workflows remain fragmented. This study proposes OnlinePlan, a computational and system-level framework that operationalizes a regulation-compliant cost estimation process within an integrated digital platform. The framework integrates heterogeneous data sources, category-specific engineering models, and regulatory transformations into a structured workflow that combines the Standard Construction Cost Estimation System, the Construction Planning and Budget Documentation System, and the Highway Maintenance Budget Planning Information System, with interoperability to PlanNET. A real-world dataset of 74 projects is used to evaluate system performance against traditional workflows. The results demonstrate zero computational deviation (0.00%) and significant efficiency improvements, with total processing time reduced by approximately 75.7%. Statistical validation confirms strong significance (t = 35.09, p < 0.001) and an exceptionally large effect size (Cohen’s d = 7.85), indicating substantial practical impact. The findings reveal that the primary contribution of construction automation lies not only in computational acceleration but in the integration of estimation, documentation, and approval processes into a workflow-governed digital system. This study contributes a scalable and interpretable framework for sustainable construction automation, advancing ICT-enabled decision-making, resource efficiency, and institutional transparency in infrastructure management. These dimensions are explicitly interpreted as measurable indicators of sustainability in public-sector infrastructure management. The primary contribution lies in the integration of estimation, documentation, and approval workflows into a unified system, rather than in the formulation of new cost equations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Civil Engineering: Sustainable Performance Evaluation of Construction Automation Process)

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24 pages, 2863 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Environmental Flow Reliability Through Reservoirs Under Climate Change and Population Growth

by Mahdi Sedighkia and Bithin Datta

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5222; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115222 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Assessing environmental flows downstream of reservoirs under changing climate and increasing water demand remains a critical challenge in catchment management. This study presents an integrated framework for optimizing environmental flow releases by explicitly linking reservoir operation with climate change and population growth. The [...] Read more.

Assessing environmental flows downstream of reservoirs under changing climate and increasing water demand remains a critical challenge in catchment management. This study presents an integrated framework for optimizing environmental flow releases by explicitly linking reservoir operation with climate change and population growth. The key novelty lies in the development of a modified objective function that incorporates environmental flow requirements alongside evolving hydrological and demand conditions. Reservoir inflows were simulated using an artificial intelligence-based rainfall–runoff model, employing a neuro-fuzzy inference system to capture nonlinear relationships between climate variables and runoff. Future rainfall projections were derived from four general circulation models (ACCESS1.0, CanESM2, MIROC5, and NorESM-M1) across four-time horizons (2021–2040, 2041–2060, 2061–2080, and 2081–2100). The simulated inflows were coupled with a reservoir operation model to optimize environmental flow releases, with system performance evaluated using reliability and vulnerability metrics. Results show that climate change alone has a limited impact on environmental flow supply; however, when combined with population-driven increases in water demand, significant reductions in system performance occur. In the worst-case scenario, the reliability of meeting environmental flow requirements drops below 20%, accompanied by a marked increase in system vulnerability. These findings demonstrate that water demand pressures play a dominant role in shaping future environmental flow availability. The proposed framework provides a robust and adaptable approach for integrating hydrological variability and socio-economic drivers into reservoir management, supporting more informed decision-making for balancing water supply and ecosystem sustainability under future uncertainty. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Modelling/Assessment Approaches in the Sustainable Management of River/Lake Ecosystems)

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22 pages, 4131 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nursery Resource Efficiency Drives Seedling Quality and Field Establishment of Pinus devoniana for Forest Restoration

by Rosario Marilu Bernaola-Paucar, Bayron Alexander Ruiz-Blandon, Efrén Hernández-Alvarez, Vincenzo Bertolini, René Alejandro Flores-Estrella, Luis Armando Nieto Ramos, Carlos Emérico Nieto Ramos, Julian Leonardo Mantari Mallqui and Kenyi Paul Hinostroza Mendoza

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5221; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115221 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Forest restoration depends on producing seedlings able to convert nursery inputs into functional traits that persist after outplanting. This study evaluated whether contrasting nursery resource-management profiles, derived from container volume, fertilization, and irrigation, shaped seedling quality and field establishment of Pinus devoniana. [...] Read more.

Forest restoration depends on producing seedlings able to convert nursery inputs into functional traits that persist after outplanting. This study evaluated whether contrasting nursery resource-management profiles, derived from container volume, fertilization, and irrigation, shaped seedling quality and field establishment of Pinus devoniana. Seedlings were conditioned for six months under eight profiles and validated during one year under field conditions. Nursery evaluation included morphology, biomass allocation, Dickson Quality Index (DQI), nutrient status, and proline; field validation included survival, growth, ectomycorrhization, stomatal density, and lignification. Profiles differed significantly in root collar diameter, height, root biomass, total biomass, root–shoot ratio, and DQI. The 5 L fertilized and irrigated profile produced the highest integrated quality, with 140.9% more root biomass than the weakest root profile and 144.3% higher DQI than the lowest-quality profile. Nitrogen- and proline-separated nutrient and stress responses showed that higher nutrient status did not always imply lower stress. Field survival reached its highest value under the 5 L fertilized and irrigated profile, exceeding several 1 L profiles by 74.8%. DQI was positively associated with field survival (r = 0.71, p = 0.048), supporting a nursery-to-field carry-over effect. The findings highlight rooting space as a leverage point for improving reforestation outcomes. Full article

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18 pages, 2724 KB

Open AccessArticle

Root Reinforcement by Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) for Sustainable Slope Stabilization in Two Andean Soil Types: Evidence from Laboratory Testing and Numerical Modeling

by Camila Nickole Fernandez-Morocho, Jose Luis Chavez-Torres and Kunyong Zhang

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5220; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115220 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Landslides are a recurrent geohazard in Andean urban environments, where weak soils, intense seasonal rainfall, and unplanned urban expansion combine to increase slope vulnerability. In such settings, sustainable hillside management requires stabilization strategies that are both technically effective and environmentally compatible. This study [...] Read more.

Landslides are a recurrent geohazard in Andean urban environments, where weak soils, intense seasonal rainfall, and unplanned urban expansion combine to increase slope vulnerability. In such settings, sustainable hillside management requires stabilization strategies that are both technically effective and environmentally compatible. This study evaluates the effect of root reinforcement by vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) on slope stability in two representative soils from Loja, Ecuador: sandy silt (SM) and sandy clay (SC). A reduced-scale physical model with 30 days of root development was established, and consolidated–drained direct shear tests (ASTM D3080/D3080M-23) were performed to determine the shear strength parameters under bare and vetiver-reinforced conditions. These parameters were then incorporated into numerical slope stability analyses using Slide and PLAXIS 2D, considering three slope angles (30°, 45°, and 50°), six root-positioning configurations, and hydraulic conditions with and without a water table. Vetiver increased effective cohesion by 22.7% in sandy silt and 19.0% in sandy clay, while the internal friction angle increased by 21.8% and 12.2%, respectively. Across all modeled scenarios, vetiver produced a consistent improvement in the factor of safety. The most critical case, corresponding to sandy silt at 45° with a water table, increased from FS = 0.841 in the control condition to FS = 1.309 under the full-coverage configuration. Parametric sensitivity analysis yielded coefficients of variation between 4.97% and 7.03%, indicating a stable model response under controlled parameter perturbations. These findings support vetiver as an experimentally grounded and environmentally sustainable Nature-based Solution for slope stabilization and provide relevant evidence for sustainable management of hazard-prone urban hillsides in vulnerable Andean settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Ecological Restoration Materials and Technologies)

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23 pages, 1909 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating and Enhancing Comprehensive Disaster Reduction in Mining Cities in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration, China

by Chunyu Wei and Xiaobing Zhou

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5219; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115219 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

This study focuses on 28 mining cities with the aim of promoting their sustainable development, particularly with regard to disaster resilience. The entropy-weight Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) model is adopted to measure comprehensive disaster reduction capacity, [...] Read more.

This study focuses on 28 mining cities with the aim of promoting their sustainable development, particularly with regard to disaster resilience. The entropy-weight Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) model is adopted to measure comprehensive disaster reduction capacity, and spatial analysis/econometric models are used to reveal its spatial distribution pattern, correlation characteristics, and driving mechanism. The region’s comprehensive disaster reduction capacity is generally higher in the west and north and lower in the east and south. Significant differences are observed among cities with obvious spatial agglomeration characteristics, and both high- and low-value areas show a contiguous spatial structure. Economic development and disaster prevention infrastructure construction are the main factors driving the spatial differentiation of disaster reduction capacity. Geological disaster risk exerts a significant negative effect, and various regions exhibit stable positive spatial spillover. These results provide a scientific basis for formulating differentiated disaster reduction strategies and will facilitate the sustainable development of disaster-prone regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability in Geographic Science)

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19 pages, 607 KB

Open AccessArticle

Driving Digital Adoption in Rural Tajikistan: An Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Analysis of Institutional and Psychological Barriers

by Azizakhon Salieva, Jiafeng Zhang, Miao Wan and Erpeng Wang

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115218 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

The digital transformation of agriculture is a critical pathway for promoting sustainable rural livelihoods in transition economies. This study examines the determinants of mobile agricultural application adoption among 327 smallholder farmers in Tajikistan, integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with New Institutional Economics [...] Read more.

The digital transformation of agriculture is a critical pathway for promoting sustainable rural livelihoods in transition economies. This study examines the determinants of mobile agricultural application adoption among 327 smallholder farmers in Tajikistan, integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with New Institutional Economics (NIE). We develop a formative Institutional Support Index (ISI) comprising cooperative membership, extension access, and regulatory familiarity. Using binary logistic regression and multi-model robustness checks (probit, LPM, IV-probit), we identify three core findings. First, perceived usefulness (PU) is the dominant positive driver (AME = +12.2 pp; p < 0.001). Second, perceived risk (PR) constitutes a significant psychological barrier (AME = −7.6 pp; p < 0.01), while perceived trust (PT) partially offsets this deterrent effect (AME = +6.4 pp; p < 0.01). Third, we document a “land ownership puzzle,” where land ownership exerts a robust negative conditional effect on adoption (AME = −14.2 pp; p < 0.01). This finding suggests a property-rights-based “conservatism bias” unique to transition contexts, where asset-protection motives increase the adoption threshold for landowners compared to tenants. Exploratory analysis indicates a tentative “Sensitization Effect,” in which institutional support may increase risk awareness in the absence of financial risk-sharing mechanisms. These results broaden the applicability of the TAM to post-Soviet transition environments and suggest that digital extension initiatives must incorporate risk-management tools to effectively assist smallholder farmers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adoption of New Technologies and Practices for Sustainable and Smart Agriculture: 2nd Edition)

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23 pages, 385 KB

Open AccessArticle

Balancing Growth: Tourist-Flow Dynamics and Transport Infrastructure Adequacy in Regions Containing Russia’s Largest Urban Agglomerations

by Anna Tanina, Evgenii Tanin, Andrey Zaytsev and Dmitriy Rodionov

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5217; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115217 - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Tourism development can both support and strain regional sustainability. Sustainable tourism matters especially in highly urbanized metropolitan areas, where resident mobility and tourist demand jointly use transport systems. This study evaluates transport infrastructure adequacy and quality under tourism pressure in regions containing Russia’s [...] Read more.

Tourism development can both support and strain regional sustainability. Sustainable tourism matters especially in highly urbanized metropolitan areas, where resident mobility and tourist demand jointly use transport systems. This study evaluates transport infrastructure adequacy and quality under tourism pressure in regions containing Russia’s largest urban agglomerations. Because official tourist-flow statistics are available at the regional rather than agglomeration level, the analysis uses an exploratory regional proxy approach. The methods combine comparative analysis, correlation and regression analysis, index analysis, and sensitivity checks. Tourist flows show the strongest statistical associations with absolute indicators of bus infrastructure. Rail transport, especially commuter rail, also shows a stable positive association, which matters for large metropolitan areas and regions with intensive intermunicipal mobility. Overall, tourist flows in the studied regions correlate primarily with the scale of the existing passenger transport system. Therefore, the results represent diagnostic associations rather than causal estimates of tourist transport behavior. The study proposes a comparative index of tourism transport infrastructure adequacy that characterizes how well the selected territories’ transport systems can absorb tourist traffic under data limitations. The index reveals pronounced differentiation among the Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Kaliningrad cases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating the Concept of Sustainability into Tourism Practice—Destination Perspectives: 2nd Edition)

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40 pages, 25840 KB

Open AccessReview

Economic, Social, and Environmental Contributions of Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Production to the Sustainable Development Goals: A Review

by Luis A. de la Cruz-Cruz, Patricia Roldán-Santiago, Cristian Larrondo, Héctor Orozco-Gregorio, Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime, Milagros González-Hernández, René Rodríguez-Florentino and Ariadna Yáñez-Pizaña

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5216; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115216 - 22 May 2026

Abstract

This review analyzes the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) production and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted using the Web of Science (2020–2026), resulting in 225 [...] Read more.

This review analyzes the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) production and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted using the Web of Science (2020–2026), resulting in 225 included studies. Buffalo production is a multipurpose system that generates value through milk, meat, hides, manure, draft power, and animal-assisted services, with greater longevity than most livestock species. Economically, it supports income diversification, resource efficiency, and functions as a financial asset that can be sold to cover unexpected expenses. Socially, it enhances food security by providing nutrient-dense products, particularly milk with bioactive compounds associated with potential health benefits, and promotes women’s participation in livestock management and household economies. Environmentally, buffalo systems efficiently utilize low-quality forages, are adapted to marginal conditions, contribute to wetland conservation, and provide ecosystem services. These contributions align with several SDGs (1, 2, 5, 8, 12, 13, and 15). However, sector expansion is constrained by limitations in nutrition, management, veterinary services, and reproductive efficiency, as well as environmental challenges related to methane emissions and life cycle impacts. While global methane emissions from buffalo are lower due to their smaller population, emission intensity remains system-dependent and represents a critical challenge. In conclusion, water buffalo production represents a multifunctional and context-dependent system with significant potential to support sustainable development, although targeted innovations are required to improve productivity and address environmental challenges. Future research should integrate One Health and One Welfare approaches, develop long-term studies, and expand research under diverse experimental and field conditions to better characterize the potential health implications of buffalo-derived products. In addition, strengthening circular economy strategies, including region-specific diets to reduce emissions, remains a priority. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Animal Production and Livestock Practices)

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19 pages, 13307 KB

Open AccessArticle

Time-Varying Characteristics and Reliability of Urban Travel Impedance Based on High-Frequency Navigation OD Data

by Runsen He, Muzi Li and Li Peng

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5215; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115215 - 22 May 2026

Abstract

With the advancement of urbanization and motorization, urban traffic conditions increasingly affect both travel efficiency and system stability, yet existing studies based on high-frequency OD data mainly focus on single aspects such as congestion patterns or travel time variability, lacking a unified analytical [...] Read more.

With the advancement of urbanization and motorization, urban traffic conditions increasingly affect both travel efficiency and system stability, yet existing studies based on high-frequency OD data mainly focus on single aspects such as congestion patterns or travel time variability, lacking a unified analytical framework that jointly captures time-varying travel impedance, reliability, and anomaly risks under comparable conditions, especially in cross-city contexts. This study constructs a standardized analytical framework with a novel integration based on a “city × weekday × 5 min interval” structure, using high-frequency navigation OD data from eight major cities in China over four consecutive weeks, totaling approximately 560,000 valid samples. Travel Time per Unit Distance (TTUD) is employed as the core metric, and a distance-stratified weighting approach is adopted to improve cross-city comparability. Reliability is characterized by variability, dispersion, and tail risk, and anomalous events are identified using a dynamic baseline. The results reveal clear intra-week temporal regularity and significant inter-city heterogeneity, with weekday evening peaks generally lasting longer than those on weekends, reflecting sustained commuting pressure and slower dissipation of travel demand. A total of 249 anomaly events are detected, with higher frequency and persistence on weekdays, highlighting the increased vulnerability of traffic systems during peak commuting periods and indicating that commuting periods are more prone to sustained deviations due to higher system load and demand instability. Overall, the proposed framework provides a unified and comparable basis for cross-city traffic performance evaluation and supports practical applications such as peak-period traffic management, congestion mitigation, and traffic risk monitoring. Full article

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25 pages, 2727 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Exploratory Circular Economy Management Framework for Plastic Recycling SMEs: A Process Reengineering Approach for Sustainability

by Oscar Gildardo Hernández Alomía and Alicia Cristina Silva Calpa

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5214; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115214 - 22 May 2026

Abstract

The transition toward a circular economy (CE) in the plastic recycling sector requires integrated management frameworks that align technical performance with organizational governance. This study proposes an exploratory diagnostic framework for formalized recycling SMEs, integrating Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and Random Forest (RF) [...] Read more.

The transition toward a circular economy (CE) in the plastic recycling sector requires integrated management frameworks that align technical performance with organizational governance. This study proposes an exploratory diagnostic framework for formalized recycling SMEs, integrating Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms. Given the specialized nature of the sector, a purposive sample of 16 ‘pioneer’ SMEs in Bogotá was analyzed. Data were standardized through a 5-point ordinal scale, and the Spearman rank correlation analysis (

ρ \geq 0.85)

revealed high internal consistency and structural synchronization. This high correlation reflects the operational homogeneity of the analyzed vanguard rather than a universal statistical claim. The findings suggest that, for these leading firms, circularity is driven by social impact, collaborative networks, and systemic process reengineering. Consequently, the proposed framework is presented as an exploratory diagnostic tool tailored to the specific structural characteristics of formalized recycling SMEs, providing a methodological basis for understanding circularity within this specialized niche. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Circular Economy)

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19 pages, 797 KB

Open AccessArticle

Designing Like an Institution: Systems Thinking, Design Thinking, and Visual Grammars in Sustainability Education

by Michael Carolan

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5213; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115213 - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Sustainability education increasingly centers on systems and design thinking to address complex socio-environmental challenges. While these approaches enhance reflexivity, interdisciplinarity, and problem-solving capacity, this paper argues that they also translate complex problems into forms that institutions can recognize, act on, and bring to [...] Read more.

Sustainability education increasingly centers on systems and design thinking to address complex socio-environmental challenges. While these approaches enhance reflexivity, interdisciplinarity, and problem-solving capacity, this paper argues that they also translate complex problems into forms that institutions can recognize, act on, and bring to closure. Drawing on institutional theory and visual semiotics, this paper uses grammar in a structural sense to examine how sustainability education organizes perception, responsibility, and action. The analysis focuses on recurring pedagogical images—including the iceberg model, feedback loops, empathy maps, and the double diamond—and is informed by prior analyses of visual representations. Rather than treating these images as representations, this paper analyzes them as pedagogical infrastructures that stabilize recurring grammars of actionability in the sustainability field. These grammars translate disagreement, complexity, uncertainty, causality, and moral distance into forms that are legible, actionable, and provisionally closable within institutional contexts. While this alignment enables coordination and responsiveness, it also narrows the scope of responsibility by privileging synthesis, adaptation, and iteration over redistribution, obligation, and structural transformation. For educators, this framework offers a way to teach students not only to use systems and design tools but also to reflect on what it means to be an agent of change while institutionally embedded. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Education and Approaches)

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32 pages, 4136 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Preliminary Data-Driven Competency Mapping Study for Modular Construction Designers: Exploratory Korean Validation Using Bayesian BWM and Fuzzy DEMATEL

by Woojae Kim, Hyojae Kim, Yonghan Ahn, Seokhyeon Moon and Nahyun Kwon

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 5212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18105212 - 21 May 2026

Abstract

Modular construction advances sustainability and is reshaping designer competencies, making workforce development critical to industry transition. Existing competency models rely mainly on expert interviews and Delphi methods, offering limited quantitative evidence on role-specific labor-market demands, causal relationships among competencies, or experience-based perceptual differences. [...] Read more.

Modular construction advances sustainability and is reshaping designer competencies, making workforce development critical to industry transition. Existing competency models rely mainly on expert interviews and Delphi methods, offering limited quantitative evidence on role-specific labor-market demands, causal relationships among competencies, or experience-based perceptual differences. This study presents a preliminary, data-driven competency-mapping study for modular construction designers by integrating BERTopic, Ward clustering, CVR, Bayesian BWM, and Fuzzy DEMATEL. Applied to 243 job postings from six countries, the text-mining stage identifies a candidate competency structure of 3 domains, 9 categories, and 36 performance statements. This candidate structure was then examined through an exploratory survey of 30 Korean respondents. The results suggest that Codes and Compliance represents the most clearly recognized high-consensus competency area within this local validation sample, whereas Modular Construction shows an indicative experience-related divergence in perceived causal position. Given the small and uneven subgroup sample and the formative state of Korea’s modular construction industry, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence rather than as a validated competency framework or a confirmed expert–novice model. The study contributes a reproducible mixed-method workflow, a candidate competency map, and an illustrative maturity prototype for future validation and refinement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Green Building)

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