Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth (3378)

Background: Vietnam is undergoing a rapid nutrition transition, yet evidence on nutrient intake and inadequacy among adolescents and young adults remains limited. This study aimed to assess nutrient intakes and patterns of inadequacy among Vietnamese youth aged 16–25 years across population groups and regions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1005 participants from five provinces in northern, central, and southern Vietnam. Dietary intake was assessed using a two-stage 24 h recall, and nutrient inadequacy was evaluated using Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR), and Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) reference standards. Results: Energy and macronutrient intakes differed across groups. University students had the lowest energy intake, while young workers consumed the highest proportion of carbohydrates. Calcium inadequacy exceeded 95% in all subgroups. Regional disparities were observed, with lower intakes of several micronutrients in the South. Compared with high school students, university students showed higher risks of inadequate protein and vitamin A intake, whereas young workers exhibited lower risks of inadequate carbohydrate and folate intake but a higher risk of vitamin A inadequacy. Conclusions: Vietnamese youth exhibited substantial micronutrient inadequacies with marked variation across groups and regions. These findings underscore the need for targeted nutrition interventions tailored to specific youth contexts. Full article

In the context of sustainable development and the growing emphasis on decent work and productivity, understanding the human factors that shape employee performance has become a central concern for organizations and policymakers. While intelligence has long been linked to work outcomes, existing research remains fragmented and predominantly focused on single dimensions, offering limited insight into how different forms of intelligence interact across employees’ career life cycles. Addressing this gap, the present study advances a multi-dimensional perspective on intelligence and examines its relevance for sustainable employee productivity, thereby contributing to the human resource management literature and to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The study assesses the impact of five types of intelligence (cognitive—IQ, emotional—EQ, physical—PQ, vitality—VQ, and social—SQ) on employee productivity across distinct career life cycle stages. The research was conducted in two phases: (1) measurement of intelligence dimensions and employee productivity using standardized psychometric instruments, including MSCEIT V2.0, the Guilford–O’Sullivan test, the Eysenck test, the Chekhov vitality method, and biological age indicators; (2) statistical analysis of the relationships between intelligence, productivity, and career stages using open-source Python tools. Empirical data were collected from enterprises in the Ukrainian construction industry. The findings demonstrate that the influence of intelligence on productivity varies across career stages. Emotional intelligence emerges as a consistently significant factor throughout the employee life cycle, while other intelligence dimensions exhibit stage-specific effects. These results confirm the dynamic and non-uniform nature of intelligence–productivity relationships. The study provides practical insights for sustainable human resource management by highlighting the need for stage-sensitive development strategies that align intelligence profiles with career phases. Implementing such targeted approaches can enhance employee productivity, organizational effectiveness, and long-term economic sustainability, thereby supporting progress toward SDG 8. Full article

This study examines the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth in Romania during 2003–2023, by distinguishing the effects of FDI stock and FDI flow, with a focus on sustainable development. Because the variables have different integration orders, we used the ARDL model and the bounds test to check the long-run relationship between real GDP per capita and FDI stock, FDI inflows, exports, and labor productivity growth. The refined ARDL model (adjusted for multicollinearity) confirms a stable long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables, with all coefficients statistically significant at the 5% level. Long-run elasticities indicate that economic growth is primarily driven by FDI stock (0.23) and exports (0.24), validating the “export–investment nexus” hypothesis. Also, FDI inflows contribute positively (0.09), while labor productivity remains a critical internal determinant (0.03). Short-run dynamics, captured through the ARDL-ECM specification, reveal that only labor productivity exerts an immediate effect, whereas foreign capital plays a structural stabilizing role. The error correction term (–0.279) suggests an adjustment speed of approximately 27.9% annually, reflecting strong economic resilience across EU ascension (2007), financial crisis (2008–2009), and COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021). Our study contributes to the literature regarding the effects of FDI in Romania, by simultaneously including FDI stock and flow and considering the pandemic period. Also, our study employs dynamic productivity specification and provides transparent model selection procedures within a sustainable framework. The results in this study are of interest for policymakers, emphasizing the need to focus on attracting quality FDI (green and high-tech investments, investor retention, and human capital development) which can facilitate sustainability-oriented strategies that could lead to sustainable economic growth. Full article

Objectives: The present study examined the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders among patients visiting primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and explored demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic determinants associated with these conditions. Methods: The study analyzed regional-level data from PHC patients diagnosed with mental health illnesses. The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders were calculated and associated risk factors were assessed using binary variables. Results: The study found that 40% of the population was diagnosed with depression, 25% with anxiety, and 35% with other mental disorders. Depression was most prevalent among patients aged 50–64 years, while anxiety was highest among those aged 19–34 years. The lowest rates were observed in patients aged 65 years or older. Females exhibited higher rates of depression and anxiety than males. Saudi nationals accounted for most cases, with unemployment having the highest prevalence. Single individuals reported the highest prevalence of depression and anxiety. Conclusions: The research indicates a significant prevalence of depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders among primary healthcare patients in Makkah, with females, the unemployed, and younger individuals at elevated risk. Low follow-up rates suggest barriers to ongoing mental health care and highlight the need for targeted interventions. Full article

Proof of sequential work (PoSW), as an emerging cryptographic primitive, is designed to provide a verifiable method for proving that a computational process has incurred a real and continuous expenditure of time. This characteristic demonstrates its significant application potential in decentralized systems, time-stamping services, and trusted computing. This paper systematically reviews and discusses the developmental trajectory, typical variants, potential attacks, and diverse applications of PoSW. Concurrently, it places a special emphasis on analyzing the evolutionary path and application scenarios of its important special case—the verifiable delay function (VDF) aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for research and practice in related fields. Full article

Forest carbon sinks (FCS)—referring specifically to ecosystem-based carbon sequestration provided by forest ecosystems—are being increasingly recognized as a strategic form of natural capital under China’s “dual carbon” goals. While the ecological value of FCS is being translated into economic benefits through carbon markets, eco-compensation, and green finance, the extent to which ecosystem carbon sinks can continuously drive regional economic growth—and how such effects differ across regions—remains insufficiently understood. Using panel data for 294 Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2010 to 2022, this study employs dynamic panel methods to examine the dynamic, nonlinear, and heterogeneous impacts of ecosystem-based FCS on economic growth. The results show that (1) FCS significantly promote economic growth but follow an inverted U-shaped pattern, indicating diminishing marginal returns; (2) notable regional heterogeneity exists, with the strongest effects in central and western regions, while eastern cities exhibit weaker responses due to structural and spatial constraints; and (3) clear threshold effects are present, suggesting that industrial upgrading, urbanization, and moderate government intervention can amplify the economic contribution of FCS. These findings clarify the mechanism through which FCS transitions from ecological assets to economic capital, providing theoretical and empirical support for sustainable forest management, ecological-industrial integration, and carbon market optimization in the pursuit of carbon neutrality. Full article

This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesise spatially relevant environmental, demographic, and socio-economic factors associated with vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), a region particularly vulnerable due to its ecological and climate diversity. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted in March 2025 with no time restrictions, yielding 3008 records. After applying the inclusion criteria, 21 studies were selected for analysis. Environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and land cover were consistently associated with increased burden of malaria, dengue, and lymphatic filariasis, while associations with elevation and flooding were mixed or inconclusive. Demographic factors, including population density and household composition, were found to be associated with disease occurrence, although the direction and the strength of these associations varied. Three studies reported a negative association between population density and disease outcomes, including lymphatic filariasis in American Samoa and dengue in New Caledonia. Spatial socioeconomic factors such as low income, unemployment, and limited education were positively correlated with disease burden, particularly lymphatic filariasis and dengue. These findings underscore the importance of spatial determinants in shaping VBD transmission across PICTs and highlight the utility of spatial risk mapping to inform geographically targeted vector control strategies. Notably, infrastructure, health care access, and intra-island mobility remain underexplored in the literature, representing critical gaps for future research. Strengthening surveillance through spatially informed public health planning is essential to mitigate disease burden in this climate-sensitive and geographically dispersed region. Full article

In an era where economies increasingly rely on knowledge and innovation, sustaining long-term growth depends on understanding how education drives productivity beyond conventional measures. Yet, existing studies on the education–growth nexus remain fragmented, often focusing narrowly on schooling attainment while overlooking the complementary roles of lifelong learning and public investment in human capital. Addressing this critical gap, the present study adopts a multidimensional approach to evaluate how educational attainment, adult learning participation, and government expenditure on education collectively shape economic performance across the 27 European Union (EU) member states. Drawing on an unbalanced Eurostat panel dataset (2013–2022), the study employs a fixed-effects regression model with White cross-section robust standard errors to account for heteroskedasticity and serial correlation. The empirical results reveal that all three educational dimensions exert positive and statistically significant effects on GDP, with government educational expenditure emerging as the most influential driver, followed by adult learning participation, underscoring the transformative role of continuous skill renewal in dynamic labor markets. These findings advance Human Capital Theory by framing education not merely as an individual asset but as an interactive, systemic driver of national productivity and resilience. The study offers actionable insights for policymakers, calling for integrated strategies that align formal education, lifelong learning systems, and sustained public investment to foster inclusive, knowledge-driven, and sustainable economic growth across the EU. Full article

Background: Prehospital emergency professionals are exposed to high psychosocial demands that may impact their mental health, but pre-COVID-19 baseline data from Spanish services are scarce. This study aimed to assess the general health and psychosocial risk factors in a regional prehospital emergency service before the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study (September–December 2019) including 51 physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians working at the 061 Health Emergency Center in Granada (Andalusia, Spain). General health and chronic problems were assessed with the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28/CGHQ-28), and work-related psychosocial risks were evaluated using the COPSOQ-ISTAS21 questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and exploratory Spearman correlations between health indicators and psychosocial dimensions were performed. Results: Most participants reported good self-perceived general health, but the chronic coding of the GHQ (CGHQ-28) indicated long-term difficulties mainly related to social dysfunction, somatic symptoms, and anxiety/insomnia. Exposure to unfavorable psychosocial risk was frequent, particularly in psychological demands, double presence (work–family conflict), and low esteem, with intermediate–unfavorable patterns in active job/development, insecurity, and social support/leadership. Exploratory correlations suggested that double presence was the psychosocial factor most consistently associated with chronic distress. Conclusions: In this pre-COVID-19 cohort of prehospital emergency professionals, good perceived general health coexisted with chronic psychological strain and high exposure to adverse psychosocial work factors. These findings support the need for organizational measures to reduce psychological demands and work–family conflict and to strengthen social support and leadership in prehospital emergency teams. Full article

This study analyses the progress and persistent challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8—Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)—in the province of Alto Amazonas, Loreto, Peru, a territory characterized by structural informality exceeding 80%. A mixed-methods design was employed, integrating a survey of 500 economically active residents, semi-structured interviews with local authorities and business representatives, and a documentary review of official data from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). Quantitative results reveal uneven economic growth driven mainly by low-value primary sectors, with 41.2% of workers lacking social protection and 51.4% reporting discriminatory practices. Although 70% expressed interest in entrepreneurship, only 37.8% achieved business formalization. Qualitative findings highlight a strong dependence on public investment, limited private-sector diversification, and an entrepreneurial ecosystem with high motivation but insufficient institutional support. The study concludes that structural constraints—informality, credit restrictions, territorial inequality, and weak institutional coordination—continue to hinder SDG 8 achievement. It recommends integrated policies that promote labor formalization, financial inclusion, productive diversification, and sustainable micro-enterprise development to align economic dynamism with social protection and territorial cohesion. Full article

Rural-to-urban migration is most prevalent in developing countries and has been a key driver of urban growth since the onset of industrialization. Initially beneficial, this migration trend has become unsustainable due to its rapid and uncontrolled rise, posing challenges for both rural and urban development. As a result, attention has shifted toward reducing rural–urban migration and encouraging reverse migration to achieve sustainable development. This study investigates the factors influencing rural-to-urban migration in Türkiye, aiming to contribute to rural development policies in similar economies. Using the Arellano–Froot–Rogers estimator, the study analyzes data from 81 Türkiye provinces over a 12-year period, focusing on variables such as population, human development index, agricultural and industrial income, terrorism, agricultural subsidies, and unemployment. The findings reveal that population, agricultural GDP, terrorism, and human development index significantly impact migration trends. These results suggest that rural outmigration is driven not only by economic factors but also by social and political dynamics. Effective rural development strategies, especially those aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), must therefore adopt integrated and collaborative approaches to reduce migration pressure and potentially reverse the trend in the long term. Full article

Sustainable business model innovation in social enterprises (SEs) is a crucial means of enhancing social welfare, yet its mechanisms remain underexplored. This paper aims to reveal how different institutional logics drive the sustainable business model innovation in SEs at various stages of their lifecycle. In order to achieve this goal, an exploratory longitudinal single-case study approach was employed to systematically analyze the development trajectory of a typical Chinese SE. Our findings indicate that SEs are influenced by different institutional logics over time and achieve sustainable business model innovation through differentiated resource orchestration strategies. During the founding stage, driven by public welfare logic, SEs establish the service-oriented business model through resource building. During the growth stage, by introducing market logic, SEs develop the platform-based business model through resource bundling. During the integration stage, SEs further embed government logic and build the ecosystem-based business model through resource leveraging. In doing so, we are able to expand on the understandings of sustainable business model innovation in SEs and the impact of institutional logic on such innovation. Full article

This study examines the influence of agricultural labor policies on the sustainability and productivity of farming enterprises in Türkiye, with a particular focus on the sector’s increasing reliance on foreign labor. Using primary data collected through face-to-face surveys with 73 agricultural enterprises in the Çumra District of Konya Province during the 2023–2024 production year, supplemented by secondary data from national and international institutions, the research explores how workforce composition, policy regulations, and socio-economic factors affect farm performance. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS to evaluate demographic characteristics, employment patterns, wage structures, and satisfaction levels among local and foreign workers. The findings indicate that as farm size expands, the use of foreign labor—mainly from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan—significantly increases, generating cost and productivity advantages but also raising concerns related to social integration and legal employment barriers. Local labor demonstrates greater competence in mechanization but remains insufficient in quantity, deepening the existing labor shortage. A substantial majority (91%) of producers consider current labor regulations restrictive and emphasize the need for government incentives, vocational training programs, and simplified permit procedures for foreign workers. The results highlight the importance of inclusive and adaptive labor policies that harmonize economic efficiency with social cohesion, supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2, 8, and 11—Zero Hunger, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Sustainable Cities and Communities. Full article

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an integral part of organizational operations, collaboration between humans and AI is transforming employees’ work experiences and behavioral patterns. This study examines the psychological challenges and coping responses associated with such collaboration. Drawing on Cognitive Appraisal Theory, we construct and test a theoretical framework that connects employee–AI collaboration to knowledge hiding via job insecurity, while considering AI trust as a moderating variable. Data were collected through a three-wave time-lagged survey of 348 employees working in knowledge-intensive enterprises in China. The empirical results demonstrate that (1) employee–AI collaboration elevates perceptions of job insecurity; (2) job insecurity fosters knowledge-hiding behavior; (3) job insecurity mediates the link between collaboration and knowledge hiding; and (4) AI trust buffers the positive effect of collaboration on job insecurity, thereby reducing its indirect impact on knowledge hiding. These findings reveal the paradoxical role of AI collaboration: although it enhances efficiency, it may also provoke defensive reactions that inhibit knowledge exchange. By highlighting the role of AI trust in shaping employees’ cognitive appraisals, this study advances understanding of how cognitive appraisals influence human adaptation to intelligent technologies. Practical insights are offered for managers aiming to cultivate trust-based and psychologically secure environments that promote effective human–AI collaboration and organizational innovation. Full article

Gender-based violence (GBV) in urban contexts is a complex, multifactorial phenomenon shaped by socioeconomic, territorial, and contextual factors. This study aims to develop a predictive model for GBV-related crimes in Valencia (Spain), using open geospatial data and advanced machine learning techniques to support the identification of high-risk areas and guide targeted interventions. A 25 m grid was generated to homogenize crime data and independent variables, including socioeconomic indicators, urban services, real estate information, and traffic intensity. Multiple models were tested—Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Decision Tree (DT), and Random Forest (RF). Linear models were found to be insufficient for explaining GBV patterns (R² ≈ 0.45), while RF and DT achieved high predictive accuracy (R² ≈ 0.97 and 0.95, respectively. The variables with the greatest influence were traffic intensity, average monthly income, unemployment rate, and proximity to nightlife venues. To enhance the interpretability of the most accurate models, we applied SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) to quantify the contribution of each predictor and elucidate the direction and magnitude of their effects on model predictions. These findings demonstrate the utility of geospatial ML techniques in understanding the spatial dynamics of GBV and in supporting urban safety policies. While the current model focuses on static spatial predictors and does not explicitly model temporal dynamics or spatial autocorrelation, future research will integrate these aspects, along with participatory data, and test the model’s applicability in other cities to enhance its robustness and generalizability. Full article

The New Jersey Safe Schools Program (NJSS) provides required training for secondary school career–technical education work-based learning (WBL) supervision, allowing certified teachers to supervise students in school-sponsored work placements. During each training’s virtual live session day, a new activity for teachers to use to connect the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) “Eight Dimensions of Wellness” model (8DW) to individual young workers was conducted. NJSS implemented an optional “Eight Dimensions of Young Worker Wellness” activity with 67 volunteer participants (44% response rate) in February–November 2024. Using Mentimeter, teachers were given a student worker scenario and asked how aspects of the scenario pertained to each of the 8DW (emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, spiritual). A qualitative, inductive content analysis of open responses collected via Mentimeter was conducted. Most teachers selected emotional and social dimensions of 8DW when asked to select the two most important for young workers to incorporate into their work lives. This new NJSS activity encouraged teachers to examine different aspects of their own health, and potentially they could then apply it to the health, safety, and wellness of their students and co-workers, as a proactive approach to promote comprehensive wellness. Full article

Historically, singlehood is a growing demographic trend shaped by economic, social, and personal factors. This study examines the key influences associated with this phenomenon across diverse global contexts based on empirical evidence provided by WVS (World Values Survey), which covers over 100 countries and spans four decades. A multi-technique analytical approach is applied to identify the most robust predictors of singlehood. This approach involves feature selection, cross-validation, robustness checks, and statistical modeling (parsimonious models with near-excellent or excellent classification accuracy as AUCROC > 0.9). The results indicate that age and parental status are negatively associated with singlehood, while precarious employment status is positively linked. Co-residence with parents also appears closely related to singlehood. Other factors, including education level, social class, and settlement size, also correlate with singlehood patterns, as resulting from supplemental analyses. Moreover, gender and regional analyses reveal some variations in these associations, highlighting the interplay between personal, cultural, and economic contexts. These findings also align with social and economic theories of marriage, emphasizing the impact of life course factors, financial stability, and cultural norms. They contribute to a deeper understanding of demographic shifts. They also provide meaningful and well-founded insights as well as strategic guidance for policy in areas such as youth employment, social welfare, urban planning, and demographic adaptation. Full article

In the framework of the European bioeconomy, liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) represents a promising crop for sustainable agriculture due to its ecological adaptability, nitrogen-fixing capacity, and wide industrial applications. This study aims to identify suitable areas for liquorice cultivation across Spanish municipalities by integrating Geographic Information System (GIS)-based spatial analysis with a multi-criteria evaluation approach. Agronomic factors, annual mean temperature, soil pH, and water availability were combined with socioeconomic indicators including population decline, rural classification, and unemployment rate. Each municipality received a composite suitability score from 0 to 12 based on six criteria, with agronomic variables scored from 0 to 3 and socioeconomic factors assessed through binary classification. Results reveal that southern and southwestern regions, particularly Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Extremadura, exhibit the most favourable conditions for liquorice cultivation, offering both optimal environmental parameters and potential socioeconomic benefits. The study concludes that liquorice could serve as a regenerative and climate-resilient crop contributing to rural revitalization in Spain. A pilot case in Aragón illustrates its potential to promote social inclusion, repurpose historical assets, and stimulate local economies in depopulated, flood-prone areas. Full article

Temporary agency work (TAW) has expanded globally as organizations seek flexibility amid skill shortages and demand volatility. In 2015 the United Nations recognized ‘decent work’ as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 8), emphasizing sustainable economic growth, fair employment opportunities accessible to all without discrimination, environmental responsibility, and social inclusiveness. This study examines why user organizations (clients) adopt TAW and how these drivers materialize in stakeholder practices that align—or fail to align—with SDG-8 dimensions of decent work. Within a qualitative-dominant, explanatory sequential mixed-methods case study, documentary and statistical analyses were combined with 19 semi-structured interviews across agencies, clients, agency workers, trade unions, and relevant authorities. Inductive thematic analysis identified seven demand-side driver categories and assessed their effects using the SDG-8 pillars as an analytical lens (employment creation, rights at work, social protection, social dialogue). Findings indicate that TAW is primarily deployed to buffer volatility and labour shortages, accelerate hiring, and shift HR administration and parts of risk to agencies, with limited integration of SDG-8–consistent practices. Three cross-cutting gaps emerged: (i) social dialogue is narrow and compliance-oriented, with little strategic focus on decent-work outcomes; (ii) agency-worker voice and representation are weak, and agencies are not consistently recognised as social partners; and (iii) social-sustainability efforts are sparse and ad hoc, with few structured measures for skill development, equal treatment, or clear conversion pathways, while environmentally friendly initiatives are almost completely absent. In Slovenia, TAW fills systemic labour gaps but remains weakly integrated with SDG-8 practices. The study links demand-side drivers to specific decent-work shortfalls and proposes a multi-level policy roadmap—regulatory, industry, TAW agency, and social-dialogue platforms—to advance progress toward social sustainability and environmental responsibility. Full article

Stock return prediction in emerging markets remains difficult due to the gap between theoretical efficiency and empirical irregularities. This study assesses the statistical and economic performance of Linear Regression, Ridge Regression, Random Forest, and XGBoost in forecasting 5-day and 21-day returns for six LQ45 stocks (2016–2025). Momentum, volatility, trend, and volume indicators are used as predictors, while model performance is evaluated using MAE, RMSE, R², and backtested trading metrics that include transaction costs. All models yield near-zero or negative R², directional accuracy of 49–54%, and AUC around 0.50–0.53, indicating weak signals overshadowed by noise. XGBoost offers the lowest statistical errors, but Ridge Regression achieves slightly better risk-adjusted outcomes (Sharpe 0.1232), although every strategy underperforms Buy & Hold. SHAP results show volatility and volume features as most influential, but with minimal absolute impact. Overall, the LQ45 market exhibits semi-efficiency: patterns exist but fail to translate into profitable trading once real-world frictions are considered, underscoring the gap between statistical predictability and economic viability in algorithmic trading. This research was conducted in order to support the achievement of various goals through SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Full article

Environmentally friendly (green) stock investment has evolved into a global trend over the past few decades, including in the Indonesian capital market. However, the process of selecting sustainability-oriented stocks involves various complex criteria that are often qualitative, subjective, and uncertain. Therefore, an analytical tool is needed to support the decision-making process more adaptively and objectively. This study proposes the Criteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation–Weighted Fuzzy Soft Set (CRITIC-WFSS) integration model, a decision-making method that combines WFSS with the objective, data-driven weighting mechanism of the CRITIC method. In the proposed model, parameter weights are determined by considering data variation (standard deviation) and inter-criteria correlation, ensuring that more discriminative and informative parameters receive higher weights. The model was applied to data on environmentally friendly stocks in the SRI-KEHATI Index, obtained from the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) official website, to evaluate and identify stocks with optimal performance. The model’s performance is evaluated through a comparative study with the AHP-WFSS and Entropy–WFSS methods, complemented by a sensitivity analysis. The results show that UNVR ranked highest with a perfect score of 1, indicating an optimal balance between financial performance and sustainability. Furthermore, a comparative study demonstrated that CRITIC-WFSS can generate rankings that are more reliable, appropriate, and logical than those generated by two comparison methods. Meanwhile, the results of the sensitivity analysis indicate that the CRITIC-WFSS model demonstrates strong robustness to variations in input parameters, ensuring stable rankings. The model shows significant potential to support more accurate and transparent investment decision-making by generating consistent stock rankings based on a balanced integration of financial, and sustainability (environmental, social, and governance (ESG)) aspects. This research was conducted in order to support the achievement of various goals through SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Full article

This study investigates whether information and communication technology (ICT) constitutes a sustained driver of economic growth in four Central Asian economies—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—over the period 2000–2022. Using an extended endogenous growth framework, this study employs the following long-run growth model: economic growth is specified as a function of ICT development, gross capital formation, trade openness, human capital, government effectiveness, and inflation. A composite ICT index is constructed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Long-run relationships are examined using a panel cointegration approach, and long-run elasticities are estimated using FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR techniques. The results reveal that ICT development exerts a negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth in the long run, indicating limited technological absorptive capacity and insufficient institutional readiness in the region. In contrast, capital formation, trade openness, human capital, and government effectiveness positively and significantly promote growth, while inflation hampers economic performance. The findings suggest that ICT investment alone is insufficient for sustainable growth without complementary institutional strengthening, human capital development, digital skills enhancement, improved broadband quality, and governance reforms to increase the productive use of ICT. Full article

Purpose: This paper draws on the Upper Echelon Theory and the Agency Theory to explore a special aspect of managers’ behavioral characteristics—managerial myopia—as a driving factor in firms’ ESG performance, a key metric for sustainable development. This study utilizes a sample of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2010 to 2021. It integrates data from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR) database, the Wind database for corporate ESG performance, a managerial myopia index constructed through text analysis, machine learning, and dictionary methods, internal control data from the DIB Internal Control Database, and the Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) index. The study examines the relationship between managerial myopia and ESG performance and explores the moderating effects of internal control, corporate transparency, and EPU. This study finds that managerial myopia significantly impedes corporate sustainability by significantly negatively impacting ESG performance. This finding underscores a critical challenge to sustainable development: short-term managerial orientation can compromise long-term environmental and social goals. However, robust internal governance mechanisms, such as effective internal control and high corporate transparency can mitigate this negative impact, while higher EPU exacerbates it. Additionally, the detrimental effect of managerial myopia is more pronounced in firms with higher business complexity, smaller firm size, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This paper suggests that, in addition to demographic characteristics and management experience, corporate governance and hiring practices should consider managers’ temporal orientation to foster sustainable business practices. Firms should focus on establishing a robust internal control environment and increasing corporate transparency to safeguard long-term sustainability objectives from short-sighted managerial behavior, especially in situations of high economic policy uncertainty and in organizations with higher business complexity, smaller firm size, and SOEs. The main limitations of this study include the lack of analysis on the influencing mechanisms and not fully addressing the endogenous problem, and the international generalizability of the finding should be further expanded in future. This paper contributes to sustainability science by extending the current literature focusing on the behavioral drivers of firms’ ESG performance, emphasizing the under-explored role of managerial myopia. This provides meaningful insight into the role of executive characteristics in shaping corporate sustainability, particularly in emerging market contexts. It also adds value by identifying how internal governance and external environmental factors condition this relationship, offering insights for policymakers and corporate leaders aiming to advance sustainable development. Full article

This mixed-methods study examines how cultural heritage identity and co-creation value influence the tourist heritage experience in Prenggan Tourism Village, Yogyakarta, particularly focusing on local wisdom’s role as a mediator of these effects. This study was conducted in two sequential phases: the qualitative phase explored community narratives, cultural practices, and co-creation activities through interviews and observations, while the quantitative phase validated these insights using survey data collected over the past year from 208 domestic tourists. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the reliability and validity of the results and evaluate the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that both cultural heritage identity and co-creation value significantly strengthen local wisdom, which in turn enhances the depth and authenticity of the tourist heritage experience. This study demonstrates that local wisdom serves as a bridge between cultural identity and visitor engagement, promoting immersive and meaningful experiences. This research aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): it contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by supporting local livelihoods through tourism, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by preserving cultural heritage and empowering local communities, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by fostering sustainable and culturally respectful tourism practices. The findings contribute theoretical insights to the heritage-based experiential co-creation literature and offer practical implications for policymakers and destination managers aiming to enhance community-based tourism sustainability. Full article

This study examines the determinants of tolerance among higher education students in Montenegro and their implications for educational and societal sustainability. Guided by the framework of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), it investigates how socio-demographic factors, economic insecurity, political orientations, and digital media use shape attitudes toward ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 469 students in 2021 and analysed using binary logistic regression. Results show that education is the strongest predictor of tolerant attitudes (p < 0.01), highlighting the transformative role of higher education in fostering inclusive and sustainability-relevant competencies. Economic insecurity, particularly unemployment, was associated with more exclusionary views, linking social equity to sustainability outcomes. Gender (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.07), and engagement with human-rights content online (p < 0.01) also emerged as significant predictors. Religiosity showed a modest negative association with tolerance (p = 0.01). The final model explained 37% of the variance in tolerant attitudes (Nagelkerke R² = 0.37). Digital media played an ambivalent role: while it increased exposure to diverse perspectives, it also contributed to polarization, underscoring the need for critical digital literacy within ESD-aligned curricula. Overall, the findings demonstrate that inclusive education, digital competence, and participatory learning environments are central to building tolerant, cohesive, and sustainability-oriented societies. The study contributes to ESD scholarship by linking social inclusion, sustainability competencies, and the role of higher education in post-transition contexts. Full article

This paper examines the impact of natural resource rents on the economic growth of Tunisia between 1990 and 2023, emphasizing the aspect of resource diversification. The annual time-series data extracted from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators were analyzed using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model to outline both the short- and long-run dynamics. The results confirm the existence of a long-term relationship between economic growth and oil, natural gas, mineral, and forest rents. Among them, oil and forest rents have strong positive long-term impacts, whereas natural gas and mineral rents contribute relatively moderately due to the structural inefficiencies and absence of value-added activities in these sectors. It was also found that the labor force participation has been affecting growth adversely with continuous impacts, which are driven by skill mismatches, low productivity, and high unemployment, hence indicating structural labor market imbalance that weakens the growth effect of labor. On the other hand, capital formation is still one of the key drivers of long-term growth. The findings highlight the rationale for diversification of the economy, governance reforms, and sustainable management of resources. However, the study suffers from some limitations due to data availability and excluded institutional variables, apart from being narrowed to a single-country case study, which might affect the generalizability of the results. Future works could consider incorporating the indicators of governance, examining nonlinear effects, or expanding the analysis into a multi-country framework. Full article

This paper introduces a novel framework for designing fair and sustainable unemployment benefits, grounded in cooperative game theory and real-time fiscal policy. The labor market is modeled as a coalitional game, where a random subset of participants is employed, generating stochastic economic output. To ensure fairness, we adopt equal employment opportunity as a normative benchmark and propose a dichotomous valuation rule that assigns value to both employed and unemployed participants. Within a continuous-time, balanced budget framework, we derive a closed-form payroll tax rate that is fair, debt-free, and asymptotically risk-free. This tax rule is robust across alternative objectives and promotes employment, productivity, and equality of outcome. The framework naturally extends to other domains involving random bipartitions and shared payoffs, such as voting rights, health insurance, road tolling, and feature selection in machine learning. Our approach offers a transparent, theoretically grounded policy tool for reducing poverty and economic inequality while maintaining fiscal discipline. Full article

Higher education (HE) funding mechanisms in the European Union (EU) are undergoing substantial reform, with universities facing increasing pressure to improve performance outcomes under constrained public budgets. This study analyses how the design of HE funding mechanisms—specifically, the logic of resource allocation and the principles of performance evaluation, together with the volume of public investment, macroeconomic conditions, and demographic factors—affect graduation rates in the EU. The study uses panel data from 27 EU Member States for the period 2013–2023 and applies multiple regression models with one- to four-year lags to assess the delayed effects of funding and economic factors. The results showed that a larger share of young people in the population and public expenditure per student are positively and statistically significantly associated with higher graduation rates (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the overall level of funding (HE expenditure as a share of GDP) and performance-based funding (PBF) mechanisms are associated with lower graduation rates (p < 0.01). GDP per capita has a negative effect (p < 0.01), indicating that stronger labour market opportunities may reduce the motivation to complete studies. Youth unemployment and inflation proved to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The most substantial effect was found after two years, confirming the delayed but weakening impact of funding and macroeconomic factors on study graduation rates. The study extends previous work by integrating an analysis of funding design and time dimensions at the EU level. The results emphasise that it is not so much the amount of funding that is important for higher education outcomes, but instead how it is funded—therefore, targeted, student-oriented investments and long-term policy consistency are necessary to achieve higher graduation rates. Full article

The construction sector is traditionally known for a harsh working culture characterized by uncertainty, frequent crises, and long working hours, which increase stress among employees at all organizational levels. The primary objective of the present research is to examine the extent to which workplace stress factors grouped under organisational/interpersonal, task and physical stressor categories influence professionals within the construction industry. A cross-sectional online survey of 185 construction professionals in Turkey was conducted between October 2024 and February 2025. Findings reveal that the task stressors category associated with increased workload exerts the most significant adverse effect on employees, while organisational/interpersonal stressors are the least impactful. The analysis also shows significant variations in perceptions across different demographic and workplace contexts. An overwhelming majority of significant differences between male and female employees occur within the “Organizational/Interpersonal Stressors”, with six out of the eight significant factors falling under this category. In particular, the most pronounced gender-based differences are observed in specific areas such as gender and age discrimination in promotion and development opportunities at work, fear of failure at the job/job insecurity and insufficient encouragement/support from managers. In addition, young professionals and employees of medium sized firms are found to be more severely influenced by task stressors. By highlighting the differing perceptions of stress factors among employees based on their demographic profiles, these findings provide insights for managers in formulating effective organizational policies. Establishing goals about streamlining tasks, reviewing hiring policies to reduce workloads, providing guidance and training for employees’ task prioritization skills, and implementing workload redistribution strategies are some of the strategies that may be considered by organisations in the construction industry. Full article

Young people in developing countries play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable practices; however, little is known about whether the psychological determinants behind their pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) differ across developmental stages This study integrates the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) with environmental information exposure to explain young people’s PEBs and to examine their developmental heterogeneity, an aspect often overlooked in prior research. Using survey data from young people in Hue City, Vietnam (n = 995), we applied multigroup structural equation modeling to compare high school students, university students, and young workers. The integrated model explains 43.1% of the variance in PEBs. Intention is positively predicted by self-efficacy, subjective norm, attitude, and perceived vulnerability, and negatively predicted by reward and cost orientation. PEBs are directly predicted by intention, self-efficacy, and environmental information exposure. Subgroup contrasts reveal that response cost is negligible for high school students but a strong deterrent for older groups; self-efficacy directly predicts behavior only among university students and young workers; and environmental information exposure directly predicts behavior only among high school students. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing developmental heterogeneity among young people and suggest tailoring interventions to developmental stages, particularly in climate-vulnerable developing and emerging Asian contexts. Full article

As a core driver of high-quality and sustainable economic development, the deep integration of the digital economy with foreign trade has emerged as a critical pathway to enhance the resilience of China’s foreign trade while advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly those related to decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, and partnerships. This study employs panel data from 30 Chinese provinces spanning 2012–2021, combined with a two-way fixed effects model, mediating effect model, and threshold panel model, to empirically explore how the digital economy shapes foreign trade resilience and its implications for sustainable development. The findings demonstrate that the digital economy significantly empowers the enhancement of foreign trade resilience, with industrial structure advancement serving as a key mediating channel. This mechanism aligns with sustainable development principles by promoting resource allocation efficiency, reducing environmental footprints through optimized trade processes, and fostering inclusive industrial upgrading. To advance sustainable foreign trade development, policy implications include strengthening digital infrastructure, promoting the integration of digital economy and green industries, and optimizing institutional frameworks for inclusive digital trade. Full article

Poverty is a complex global issue, closely linked to economic and social inequalities. It encompasses not only a lack of financial resources but also disparities in access to education, healthcare, employment, and social participation. In alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)—this study investigates the relationship between poverty and a set of socioeconomic indicators across Italy’s 20 regions. To explore how poverty levels respond to different predictors, we apply an identity spline transformation to simulate controlled changes in the poverty indicator. The resulting scenarios are analyzed using partial least squares regression, enabling the identification of the most influential variables. The findings offer insights into regional disparities and contribute to evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing poverty and promoting inclusive, sustainable development. Full article

Background: Patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use can exhibit a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild agitation to life-threatening dysrhythmias. Early identification of patients at risk for more severe medical complications after ATS use is a key challenge in emergency care. Objective: To identify clinical and demographic predictors associated with a medical condition among patients presenting to the ED after ATS use. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients who presented to the ED with suspected ATS use at a large academic community hospital in Ontario from 1 September 2016 to 31 August 2017. Patients were screened using ICD-10 codes and included if they had a positive drug screen and clinical suspicion for ATS use. Our primary outcome was a composite of recognized complications of ATS toxicity. Predictor variables included age, sex, employment status, mental illness or substance use history, ED administration of benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, or physical restraints. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations. Results: Of 1591 charts reviewed, 128 (8%) met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 29.5 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 23–36), and 50.8% were female. In adjusted analyses, benzodiazepine administration was significantly associated with a medical condition (Odds Ratio [OR] 3.33; 95% CI: 1.31–8.45; p = 0.011) as was employment status (OR 9.30; 95% CI: 1.00–86.03; p = 0.019). Conclusions: Benzodiazepine administration and unemployment were strong predictors of a medical condition among patients presenting to the ED after ATS use. These patients should undergo thorough physical examination and diagnostic testing to identify and manage potentially life-threatening conditions. Full article

This study explores the complex psychological mechanisms linking career adaptability to work engagement under AI-driven workplaces. We examine the mediating role of job satisfaction and investigate a key hypothesis: that the adaptive benefits of AI self-efficacy are dampened by the emotional costs associated with AI anxiety. A dual-analytical approach was employed on a sample of 311 young Chinese workers. First, we conducted conditional process analysis using PROCESS Model 11 with 5000 bootstrapped samples to test for conditional indirect effects. Second, we utilized latent variable structural equation modeling for robust validation at the structural level. Analyses were adjusted for demographic and occupational covariates. As a result, the initial PROCESS analysis revealed that the key triple interaction (career adaptability × AI self-efficacy × AI anxiety) was statistically significant in all three test models (e.g., Model 1: b = −0.3509, p = 0.0075). Further analysis showed that the positive moderating effect of AI self-efficacy was contingent on AI anxiety; it was strongest at low AI anxiety and weakest (but still significant) at high AI anxiety. However, the more robust latent variable SEM (CMIN/DF = 1.569, CFI = 0.939, RMSEA = 0.043) revealed a critical separation of effects. The indirect effect operates exclusively through intrinsic job satisfaction, which was significantly predicted by the unified second-order career adaptability factor (b = 1.361, BCa 95% CI [1.023, 1.967]). The path from extrinsic satisfaction to WE was non-significant (b = 0.107, BCa 95% CI [−0.030, 0.250]). Furthermore, the SEM isolated a significant direct positive effect from the unified career adaptability factor to work engagement (b = 0.715, BCa 95% CI [0.385, 1.396]). This study highlights that the adaptability–engagement link operates via two distinct mechanisms: an indirect pathway from a unified career adaptability construct through intrinsic job satisfaction, and a direct pathway from career adaptability to work engagement. While PROCESS analysis suggests that anxiety dampens confidence, our SEM results clarify that this should be interpreted cautiously, as the mediation pathway via extrinsic satisfaction is not robust to measurement error. These findings underscore a multi-faceted mandate for organizations: leaders must not only manage AI anxiety but also foster holistic career adaptability to enhance intrinsic job quality and build direct engagement. Full article

Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this is the first study that integrates Entrepreneurial Policy (EPL) and Entrepreneurial Network Relations (ENR) to examine the direct and indirect effects on entrepreneurial intention (INT) in Thailand. The quantitative method employs a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze 420 valid samples from eight universities. Model fix with χ2 = 183.31, df = 224 p = 0.98 GFI = 0.97 AGFI = 0.95 RMR = 0.031 RMSEA = 0.000. The results showed EPL has the most direct influence on (INT) β = 0.38, like ENR, which indirectly shapes (INT) through attitude and self-efficacy. The model’s R² of 0.69 highlights the significance of policy support and social networks in (INT). The findings provide theoretical contributions and practical implications. Theoretically, expanding TPB by incorporating policy and social network dimensions offers a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurial behavior. Universities integrate entrepreneurship education and innovation into engineering curricula and implement these concepts in other faculties or institutions. Government agencies support startup policy funds, tax incentives, and innovation hubs. Industries can establish a mentorship network to promote entrepreneurial intention and reduce graduate unemployment. Support both the ecosystem and innovative commercialization. Full article

Introduction/Objectives: In the context of Spain’s persistently high job insecurity and evolving labor market, understanding how individuals sustain career engagement is critical. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Career Commitment Scale (CCS) for use in the Spanish population and examine its relationship with career adaptability, mental health, and stress across different age groups. Methods: Using a sample of 418 participants, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the CCS’s original three-factor structure, career identity, planning, and resilience, with satisfactory fit indices and strong reliability. Criterion-related validity was supported through significant positive correlations with career adaptability and negative associations with depression, anxiety, and stress. Test–retest analysis over a three-month interval showed moderate-to-strong temporal stability. Result: CFA confirmed the factor structure. A moderation analysis revealed that stress moderated the relationship between age and career resilience: older individuals demonstrated higher resilience under low stress conditions, but this benefit diminished under high stress exposure. Conclusions: These findings highlight the relevance of career commitment as a multidimensional construct closely linked to mental well-being and adaptive functioning in uncertain labor markets. The validated CCS provides a reliable tool for research and practice, offering new insights into how career motivation interacts with age and psychological stress across the lifespan. This validation has meaningful implications for organizational practices, career counseling, and public policy, as career commitment can buffer against Spain’s chronic unemployment and job precarity—particularly for younger workers and those in non-standard employment. Full article

This study assesses the comparative adequacy the suitability of two types of territorial units—administrative provinces and Local Labor Markets (LLMs)—for socioeconomic analysis and public policy formulation in Chile. Using two labor market indicators (employment and unemployment) and two educational indicators, statistical tests and connectivity matrices are applied to examine the internal and external coherence of these units and determine their spatial autocorrelation. The results show considerable spatial autocorrelation in both types of units, with patterns slightly more pronounced in the LLMs. Furthermore, there is evidence of independence between provinces and LLMs, supporting external coherence and better targeting of policies to specific local characteristics. In conclusion, socioeconomic characteristics show uniform clustering trends throughout the Chilean territory, regardless of the regional scale employed. Full article

Background: Despite evidence of potential benefits, variability in exercise types, psychological outcomes, and methods hinders comprehensive cost-effectiveness evaluation, framed through Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) theory. In this context, Workplace Physical Activity-Based Programs (WPABPs) serve as environmental stimulation that influences employees’ emotional states, which in turn shape mental health outcomes and behavioral responses. Research Purpose: This systematic review examines WPABPs through the social dimension of the Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG-S) framework, with a focus on their impact on employees’ mental health. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, eligibility was assessed via the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework. The ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases were searched using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) aligned keywords and Boolean operators. Results: Of the 961 articles identified, 15 studies (2021–2025) met the inclusion criteria. WPABPs were found to improve employee mental health, reduce stress, and enhance well-being. Individualized interventions supported targeted psychological benefits, while group formats promoted social cohesion and engagement. Variations in type, duration, and delivery, as well as accessibility barriers for underrepresented employees, were noted. WPABPs enhance employee well-being and organizational outcomes, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Conclusions: Hybrid models combining individual and group approaches with managerial and digital support are recommended. Integrating WPABPs within ESG-S and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks can institutionalize sustainable workplace health promotion, while future research should focus on standardized, inclusive, and long-term evaluations. Full article

This study examines the combined impact of fintech and financial inclusion on achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Previous research has emphasized the role of financial inclusion in reducing poverty, strengthening resilience, and promoting economic stability; however, its interaction with fintech in advancing sustainability remains less examined. Using four composite indices incorporating updated variables, expanded country coverage, and a broader temporal scope, this analysis evaluates digital financial channels, including formal access, mobile money, digital credit, transfers, and rural finance, across SDGs 3, 4, 8, and 9. The findings indicate that formal access is associated with lower maternal mortality (SDG 3) and contributes positively to decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), as well as industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9). Digital credit and transfers help ease liquidity constraints in high-inequality regions, while mobile money enhances education outcomes (SDG 4) under robust governance, supporting informal labor markets. Rural finance strengthens innovation and infrastructure development in underserved areas, reinforcing SDG 9. A simultaneous equation model provides evidence of bidirectional relationships among financial inclusion, fintech adoption, and sustainable development, underscoring their mutual reinforcement rather than strict causality. Overall, the study highlights the systemic interconnection between finance and sustainability and emphasizes the importance of governance, infrastructure, and regulation in maximizing developmental benefits. Full article

The disparity in labour productivity between agriculture and non-agricultural sectors is a widespread and persistent phenomenon, and its effects are detrimental to all three pillars of sustainable development. Efforts to reduce this disparity require the establishment of a benchmark. Therefore, the paper proposes a new measure of the economic dimension of sustainable development—the unproductive employment rate (UER)—which could be included in Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8). ‘Decent work and economic growth’, under target 8.5 ‘Full and productive employment and decent work with equal pay’, as SDG indicator 8.5.3. Based on cross-sectoral differences in labour productivity, this indicator measures the percentage of employment in agriculture that would need to be transferred out of the agricultural sector to achieve a balance between value added per employee in agriculture and value added per employee in the industrial and service sectors. The examples presented use World Bank data from 1995 and 2019 and show that higher levels of development and prosperity help to reduce the share of employment in agriculture and lower the UER indicator. A widening labour productivity gap has been observed between rich, developed groups of countries and groups of poor and least developed countries. Full article

Street food vending is a crucial part of South Mumbai’s urban informal economy, but is often precarious, unrecognized and unprotected. This study explores the livelihood strategies of South Mumbai’s street food vendors and their complex pathways toward seeking to survive and gain dignity through engaging in decent work. Through a mixed-methods approach, we selected vendors (N = 120) through a systematic random sampling process who participated in semi-structured interviews and a focus group (one) discussion. Descriptive statistics and linear regression methods were applied to analyze the quantitative data, alongside qualitative narratives describing these vendors lived realities. Using the dualism, legalism, and structuralism perspectives of the informal economy, our findings revealed structural inequalities, financial insecurities, and regulatory barriers that mitigate stability. However, the use of social networks, informal credit, and collective strategies for coping under stress illustrates resilience. The urgency of reformed policies to support vendors, including licensing reforms, social protections, and progressive/engaged city planning, is highlighted in our findings, which provide support toward the change in street food vending from survival to dignity, in support of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. Full article

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with South Africa among the highest-burden countries. The Eastern Cape is particularly affected due to poverty, HIV co-infection, and weak health systems. Understanding treatment outcomes and their determinants is required to achieve the WHO End TB Strategy targets. The objective of this study was to examine treatment outcomes for tuberculosis (TB) in both rural and urban clinics within the Eastern Cape Province. We aimed to identify the socio-demographic, clinical, and geographic factors that influence treatment success or failure. We included simple geographic visualisations comparing treatment outcomes between the two participating clinics to inform the development of targeted interventions aimed at enhancing TB control efforts. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 385 TB patients treated at two public clinics in the Eastern Cape (2020–2024) was conducted. Socio-demographic, clinical, and geographical data were extracted from records. Outcomes were classified using WHO and South African National TB Programme guidelines. Logistic regression identified predictors of success, and spatial analysis mapped treatment outcomes. Results: The mean patient age was 40.6 years; 69.1% were HIV-positive, and 89.9% had pulmonary TB. The overall treatment success rate was 63.8%, below the WHO target of ≥85%. Pulmonary TB was independently associated with greater odds of success (aOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.23–6.65), while older age predicted poorer outcomes (aOR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.963–0.998). HIV status and socioeconomic variables were not independently associated after adjustment, although poverty and unemployment were widespread. Spatial mapping showed clustering of poor outcomes in specific clinics, highlighting geographic and health system disparities. Conclusions: TB treatment outcomes in the Eastern Cape remain unsatisfactory. Older patients and those with extrapulmonary TB face higher risks of unfavourable outcomes, underscoring the need for closer monitoring and adherence support. Integrated TB/HIV care, social protection, and geographically targeted interventions are essential to strengthen health systems and reduce inequalities. Full article

In recent years, responsible consumption has emerged as a central practice in organizational transformation towards more sustainable and socially committed models; however, the real impact of these initiatives in terms of social equity has not yet been sufficiently systematized in the scientific literature. This systematic review analyzed organizational responsible consumption initiatives and their contribution to social equity by searching Scopus and Web of Science, applying the PRISMA 2020 protocol to identify, select, and analyze empirical studies published between 2010 and 2025 globally. From 228 documents initially identified, 47 studies that met the eligibility criteria were included after a rigorous selection process. The results revealed a taxonomy of eleven thematic clusters of organizational initiatives that address multiple dimensions of equity: access, distributive, recognition, participatory, contextual, environmental, social, temporal, technological, and relational. Public and social organizations are leading initiatives for equitable access and democratic participation, while the private sector focuses on sustainable business models and technological innovation. The most effective initiatives integrate multiple dimensions of equity and prevent the reproduction of existing inequalities. However, significant limitations were identified, such as greenwashing risks, scalability challenges, and unequal benefit sharing. Evidence suggests that the transformative potential of responsible consumption critically depends on systemic approaches, cross-sector partnerships, and institutional frameworks that ensure long-term, sustainable, equitable impacts. Full article

Against the backdrop of the rapid development of digital technologies, such as mobile internet, big data, and cloud computing, the geographical agglomeration of industries is gradually shifting toward virtual agglomeration. In this paper, we examine the effect of both geographical and virtual agglomeration of the agricultural industry on farmers’ agricultural income, and we focus on the transmission mechanism of technological innovation in this process. In the empirical section, using the citrus industry as an example, we employed a moderated mediation effect model for verification and derived the following conclusions: (1) Both geographical and virtual agglomeration of the agricultural industry promote an increase in farmers’ agricultural income by enhancing technological innovation, respectively. (2) Virtual agglomeration of the agricultural industry has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between geographical agglomeration and farmers’ agricultural income, that is, virtual agglomeration alleviates the “crowding effect” and to some extent substitutes for geographical agglomeration. (3) In the mechanism where geographical agglomeration in the agricultural industry increases farmers’ agricultural income through technological innovation, virtual agglomeration has a positive moderating effect. This paper is important for enabling farmers to share the benefits of the digital economy and achieve continuous growth in agricultural income. It is also important for the sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations, such as eliminating poverty (SDG1), eliminating hunger (SDG2), promoting sustainable economic growth and full employment (SDG8), and promoting innovation (SDG9). Full article

Digital Transformation (DTN) and Social Media Use (SMU) are reshaping how firms pursue competitiveness and sustainability. Yet, their combined effects on Sustainable Business Performance (SBP)—particularly in emerging-market retail contexts—remain insufficiently explored. This study contributes to closing this gap by exploring how DTN and SMU jointly enhance SBP through interrelated organizational capabilities: Collaboration Networks (CNS), Service Innovation (SIN), Customer Experience (CEX), Organizational Resilience (ORE), and Competitive Advantage (CAE). A dual-method design was adopted. In Phase 1, twenty-three experts participated in a three-round electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) process, during which Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering was used to refine forty-seven indicators and validate expert consensus. The integration of e-Delphi and FCM clustering introduces a novel approach to consensus validation, enhancing methodological rigor. In Phase 2, survey data from 982 Thai retail executives were evaluated employing Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results revealed that DTN and SMU significantly improve SBP when mediated by SIN, CEX, and ORE. Specifically, SMU fosters CNS and SIN, whereas DTN strengthens CEX and CAE. Theoretically, this study integrates the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT); empirically, it provides rare large-scale evidence from Thailand’s retail industry; and practically, it positions DTN as a driving force behind innovation, resilience, and inclusive development consistent aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

By triangulating sentiment trends, topic models, and ideological variance, this study shows how digital publics respond to significant shifts in US foreign policy. We analyze Reddit discussions of the 20 January 2025 90-day freeze on US foreign assistance, with a focus on USAID, across partisan (r/Democrats and r/Republican) and neutral (r/fednews) subreddits. Using Structural Topic Modeling and sentiment analysis on posts and comments collected via ArcticShift, we find clear polarization in framing and tone. Overall sentiment was predominantly negative, but sources of negativity diverged: Republican forums emphasized fiscal responsibility, government waste, and national sovereignty; Democratic forums emphasized humanitarian harm and institutional erosion; r/fednews foregrounded institutional, legal, and administrative concerns. Topic-prevalence estimates reveal that themes such as executive overreach and aid justification were prominent but framed differently by the community. The findings highlight Reddit’s role as an arena for contesting and reframing policy debates. Full article

Global economic developments are currently facing economic fluctuations and the climate change crisis, which demand a development approach that integrates growth with environmental sustainability. Although participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs) has become the backbone of the global economy, many countries, including Indonesia and most ASEAN countries, are still in upstream positions with high carbon intensity and low added value. This condition hinders sustainable economic growth and contributes to increased global emissions. This study aims to analyze how the position of the industrial sector in the GVCs can drive sustainable green economic growth. Using data from five ASEAN countries for the 2010–2023 period, this study employed the Generalized Method of Moments (GMMs) dynamic panel model to address the issues of endogeneity and individual heterogeneity. The results show that movements to upstream positions in GVCs, FDI, and political stability have a significant and positive impact on green economic growth. These findings highlight the need for tailored policies to encourage the development of green industries and improve global competitiveness. Full article

This paper examines how air pollution affects the distribution of labor income within firms. We build a within-firm incentive model and show that air pollution, treated as an exogenous shock, reduces production efficiency and increases operating uncertainty. In response, firms compress both employee and executive compensation. Because executive pay carries a larger weight on performance- and equity-based components and is therefore more sensitive to profit volatility, it declines by more, mechanically narrowing within-firm pay dispersion. At the same time, rank-and-file wages display downward rigidity. The result is a “synchronized decline with sharper cuts at the top,” a form of spurious equality. Using 2014–2022 data on non-financial A-share listed firms in China, we find that a 1% increase in air pollution is associated with a 0.37% average decline in labor income. Effects are stronger in labor-intensive firms and in firms with weaker unions. Two-stage least squares estimates indicate real consequences: talent outflows and reduced innovation. By linking air quality to wage setting, human capital, and innovation, our results reveal a sustainability channel through which pollution undermines decent work and inclusive growth—issues of global relevance for urban economies. The mechanisms we document are likely to generalize beyond China and inform integrated policies that combine environmental regulation with labor-market and innovation policy to support a just and sustainable transition. Full article

Background: Social inequalities and vulnerability associated with ethnic and social minority status are risk factors for health inequities. Objective: To assess associations between psychosocial health, social discrimination, perceived social support, and resilience among people living in Portugal based on ethnic origin. Method: This is an observational and cross-sectional study carried out with 756 individuals aged between 18 and 84 (Mean = 39.3; Standard deviation = 13.79). The sample was probabilistic, and participants were recruited through convenience sampling, on online platforms. Participants responded to the Brief Symptom Inventory, Everyday Discrimination Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Participants were divided into two groups, the first consisting of white Portuguese of European origin (majority group, n = 609, 80.56%) and the second consisting of black individuals, Afro-descendants, Roma, and Portuguese-Roma (minority group, n = 147, 19.44%). Results: Compared to the majority group, the minority group experienced greater structural disadvantages, including lower educational attainment, higher unemployment, and lower income, as well as significantly higher scores for psychological distress, social discrimination, perceived social support, and resilience. Regression analyses revealed that belonging to an ethnic minority predicts psychological distress, even when controlling for other variables. Social discrimination was found to be an important risk factor for psychological distress, while perceived social support and resilience were found to be protective factors. Conclusions: Our results provide preliminary evidence for developing public social policies to care for ethnic minority groups living in Portugal. Further, findings highlight the high frequency of discrimination reported by this group and its associated mental health problems, which underscore the importance of investing in anti-discrimination campaigns, establishing formal and informal social support mechanisms, and developing social strategies to empower and increase the resilience of these minority groups in Portugal. Full article