Search Results (134)

Ocular diseases can significantly affect vision and overall quality of life, with diagnosis often being time-consuming and dependent on expert interpretation. While previous computer-aided diagnostic systems have focused primarily on medical imaging, this paper proposes VisionTrack, a multi-modal AI system for predicting multiple retinal diseases, including Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), drusen, Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR), and Macular Hole (MH), as well as normal cases. The proposed framework integrates a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for image-based feature extraction, a Graph Neural Network (GNN) to model complex relationships among clinical risk factors, and a Large Language Model (LLM) to process patient medical reports. By leveraging diverse data sources, VisionTrack improves prediction accuracy and offers a more comprehensive assessment of retinal health. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of this hybrid system, highlighting its potential for early detection, risk assessment, and personalized ophthalmic care. Experiments were conducted using two publicly available datasets, RetinalOCT and RFMID, which provide diverse retinal imaging modalities: OCT images and fundus images, respectively. The proposed multi-modal AI system demonstrated strong performance in multi-label disease prediction. On the RetinalOCT dataset, the model achieved an accuracy of 0.980, F1-score of 0.979, recall of 0.978, and precision of 0.979. Similarly, on the RFMID dataset, it reached an accuracy of 0.989, F1-score of 0.881, recall of 0.866, and precision of 0.897. These results confirm the robustness, reliability, and generalization capability of the proposed approach across different imaging modalities. Full article

As Chinese firms play pivotal roles in global supply chains, multinational corporations face increasing pressure to ensure ESG accountability across their sourcing networks. Current ESG rating systems lack transparency in incorporating China’s unique industrial, economic, and cultural factors, creating reliability concerns for stakeholders managing supply chain sustainability risks. This study develops an explainable artificial intelligence framework using SHAP and permutation feature importance (PFI) methods to predict the ESG performance of Chinese firms. We analyze comprehensive ESG data of 1608 Chinese listed companies over 13 years (2009–2021), integrating financial and non-financial determinants traditionally examined in isolation. Empirical findings demonstrate that random forest algorithms significantly outperform multivariate linear regression in capturing nonlinear ESG relationships. Key non-financial determinants include patent portfolios, CSR training initiatives, pollutant emissions, and charitable donations, while financial factors such as current assets and gearing ratios prove influential. Sectoral analysis reveals that manufacturing firms are evaluated through pollutant emissions and technical capabilities, whereas non-manufacturing firms are assessed on business taxes and intangible assets. These insights provide essential tools for multinational corporations to anticipate supply chain sustainability conditions. Full article

As freshwater scarcity becomes increasingly severe under climate change, physical water risk has emerged as a critical financial concern for firms in water-intensive industries. This study explores whether and how physical water risk influences firms’ cost of equity, and whether corporate social responsibility (CSR)—both its overall level and structural differentiation—modulates this relationship. Using panel data from 849 Chinese listed companies in water-intensive sectors between 2011 and 2022, we find that physical water risk significantly elevates equity capital costs. While a strong CSR performance buffers this effect, CSR differentiation—reflected in uneven CSR engagement across different domains—undermines or even reverses this moderating role. Additional heterogeneity analyses show that these patterns are more pronounced in large and non-state-owned enterprises. These findings deepen our understanding of how environmental risks are priced in capital markets and offer strategic insights for firms seeking to manage sustainability-related financial exposures. Full article

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), particularly Cheyne–Stokes respiration (CSR), is highly prevalent among patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have demonstrated cardiorenal benefits in heart failure, but their effects on nocturnal respiratory parameters remain underexplored. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the impact of SGLT2i therapy on key respiratory and cardiac indices including CSR burden, oxygenation, and right heart function in patients with ADHF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Methods: In this single-center prospective cohort study, 60 patients with ADHF, LVEF < 40%, and a baseline apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) > 5 were assessed before and three months after the initiation of SGLT2i therapy. Sleep respiratory parameters were measured using home polygraphy (ApneaLink^TM), while cardiac and renal indices were evaluated by echocardiography, NT-proBNP, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Structural and functional echocardiographic changes were analyzed both at baseline and following the 3-month treatment period. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Results: After 3 months of SGLT2i therapy, significant improvements were observed in daytime sleepiness (ESS: −2.68 points; p < 0.001), CSR index (−5.63 events/h; p < 0.001), AHI (−3.07 events/h; p < 0.001), ODI (−6.11 events/h; p < 0.001), and mean nocturnal SpO₂ (+1.95%; p < 0.001). KCCQ scores increased by 9.16 points (p < 0.001), indicating improved quality of life. Cardiac assessments revealed reductions in NT-proBNP (−329.6 pg/mL; p < 0.001) and E/e′ ratio (−1.08; p < 0.001), with no significant change in LVEF or chamber dimensions. Right ventricular function improved, as evidenced by the increased TAPSE/sPAP ratio (+0.018; p < 0.001). Renal function remained stable, with a non-significant upward trend in eGFR. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors may be associated with the attenuation of Cheyne–Stokes respiration and an improvement in right heart function in patients with ADHF, warranting further investigation in controlled trials. These findings highlight the potential of SGLT2is to address overlapping cardio-respiratory dysfunction in this high-risk population. Full article

Categorization of enterprises by size provides a fundamental understanding of the composition of the business environment. Small, medium-sized, and large enterprises play a significant role in the national economy through the execution of specific business activities. In their pursuit of enhancing the efficiency of individual business processes and mitigating the risks associated with these activities, enterprises may implement various ISO standards, including quality management, environmental management, occupational health and safety (OSH), or corporate social responsibility (CSR) systems. The sources published to date do not clearly explain the mutual relationship that arises when implementing multiple ISO standards that prioritize different activities within a single enterprise. This gap is particularly evident in the context of small enterprises, which often do not have the obligation or capacity to implement ISO standards. This study addresses this research gap by identifying the relationship between implemented ISO standards, priority activities in the risk management process, and the person responsible for these activities. The objective of this article is to examine the relationship of dependency between specific ISO standards and the priority activity in risk management. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine whether the degree of implementation of ISO standards influences the selection of the person responsible for risk management. Additionally, it examines whether dependence exists between the priority activity in risk management and the specific person responsible for risk management. The authors provide statistical hypothesis testing based on data from a nationwide survey conducted across all enterprise size categories. The results obtained from this study confirm the presence of a dependency between the degree of ISO standards implementation and the priority activity in risk management across all enterprise size categories. However, a statistically significant dependency between the degree of implementation of ISO standards and the person responsible for risk management was not confirmed in large companies. The dependency between the selection of the person responsible for risk management and the priority activity in risk management was confirmed only in small enterprises. Full article

Multinational corporations (MNCs) face significant reputational and performance risks from product recalls, yet the severity of these consequences varies across national markets. While prior research suggests that corporate social responsibility (CSR) can buffer against such crises, limited attention has been paid to how country-level institutions shape this effect. This study examines whether—and under what institutional conditions—CSR reputation mitigates the negative market consequences of product recalls. We focus on how the insurance-like effect of CSR varies with the level of corruption in a country’s institutional environment. Using panel regression analysis and hand-collected data from 14 global automotive manufacturers across eight countries (2007–2015), we find that firms with stronger CSR reputations experience significantly smaller declines in market share after recall announcements. Furthermore, this buffering effect is amplified in countries with higher corruption levels, suggesting that when formal institutional trust is weak, CSR signals play a greater role in stakeholder perceptions. These findings advance CSR literature by showing that its reputational benefits are contingent on institutional context and contribute to international business scholarship by revealing how national-level corruption interacts with firm-level reputational assets during crises. Full article

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of the intersection between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community health, aiming to identify research trends, key contributors, and thematic developments in the field. Using data from Scopus, this study maps the evolution of CSR literature with a focus on public health and sustainability. The findings indicate a marked increase in publications over the past decade, with significant contributions from institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. Key themes identified include workplace health promotion, ethical concerns in corporate practices, and the role of CSR in mitigating public health risks, particularly during global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study highlights gaps in the literature and suggests directions for future research, including the need for interdisciplinary approaches and policy-driven CSR strategies. The results provide a valuable reference for academics and policymakers seeking to align corporate responsibility efforts with global health objectives. Full article

This study explores the evolution of mine planning, with particular emphasis on the integration of environmental and social factors in alignment with the sustainable development. Traditionally, mine planning emphasized technical and economic variables, often overlooking environmental and social impacts. However, the increasing need to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has prompted a shift toward broader definitions that incorporate these factors into resource planning. This paradigm change is crucial for managing risks related to project profitability, which now include environmental considerations. The article also examines how government policies and corporate strategies, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks have evolved to address these impacts. A review of the literature published over the last 25 years identifies four main thematic areas: (1) inclusion of environmental costs in mine planning, (2) quantitative models for calculating environmental and closure costs, (3) legal frameworks in mining, and (4) innovations in public policies. This study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach in mine planning that balances economic, social, and environmental considerations to ensure sustainability and mitigate risks associated with mine closure and environmental remediation. Full article

Background: While the safety and feasibility of robotic thymectomy have been well documented through several studies, the surgical and long-term neurological outcomes in patients with thymomatous myasthenia gravis (MG), particularly in advanced stages, remain scarce. This study aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes in patients undergoing robotic-assisted thymectomy (RATS) for thymoma and to analyze neurological outcomes in patients with myasthenia. Material and Methods: Out of 128 robotic thymectomies performed at our institution between October 2013 and January 2022, clinical and pathological data from 55 patients diagnosed with thymoma were reviewed. Of these, thirty (54.5%) patients had concomitant acetylcholine-receptor-antibody-associated MG. Neurological outcomes were assessed using the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America post-intervention score (MGFA-PIS). Results: Thirty-nine (70.9%) procedures were performed using the left-sided approach. The mean operative time was 196.9 ± 79.9 min in patients with MG compared to 175.8 ± 61.6 min in non-MG patients (p = 0.285). Additionally, patients with MG had a longer in-hospital stay (4.8 ± 2.6 vs. 3.3 ± 2.2 days, p = 0.01) and a significantly higher need for intensive care unit admission (p < 0.01). No deaths were reported. The rates of conversions (3.3% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.895) and complications (p = 0.813) were comparable between the myasthenic and non-myasthenic thymomas. A multivariable analysis identified lung involvement (p = 0.023), vascular involvement (p = 0.04), and extended resection (p = 0.019) as significant risk factors for conversion and complications. The mean age of surgery for patients with MG was 54.5 ± 15.9 years. After a mean follow-up period of 35.6 ± 25.7 months, 18 (60%) patients with myasthenia showed clinical improvement of their condition. Specifically, 2 patients (6.6%) achieved complete stable remission (CSR), 2 (6.6%) experienced pharmacological remission (PR), 12 (40.0%) demonstrated minimal manifestation (MM), and 4 (13.3%) exhibited a combination of PR and MM. Twelve patients (40%) exhibited no changes, maintaining a stable clinical condition. No clinical worsening was observed. The overall improvement rates at 2 years and 5 years were 38% and 83%, respectively. Conclusions: RATS thymectomy is a safe and feasible approach for patients with thymoma. Patients with coexisting MG may benefit through a good rate of neurological improvement. Full article

In this study, we focus on managerial incentives provided by debt-like compensation and further investigate whether and to what extent such managerial incentives may affect CEOs’ decisions on risk management. Building on cumulative prospect theory and instrumental stakeholder theory, we propose that CEOs tend to have risk-reduction incentives if they are paid with debt in their own firms, and that firm engagement in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities can mediate the relationship between debt-like compensation and firm risk taking. In addition, we posit that the mediated relationship between CEO debt-like compensation and firm risk taking is contingent, and we propose environmental dynamism and munificence as two such contingencies that moderate the mediated process. Using a large longitudinal dataset of nonfinancial U.S. firms, we document strong supportive evidence for these hypotheses. Full article

This study examines how corporate sustainability reporting affects the corporate risk-taking of Chinese firms based on a sample size of 5356 companies for the period 2011–2023. We examined the overall impact of CSR on CRT, as well as the individual impact of CSR subcomponents such as environmental (CESR), social (CSSR), and governance (CGSR). We further examined how this relationship is affected by moderating variables such as employees’ education and financial flexibility. We used the PCSE technique for cross-sectional dependence and heteroscedasticity in our analysis. But to ensure robustness and address the potential endogeneity, we used the 2SLS and two-step system GMM dynamic panel methods. This study also checks the mechanism analysis and heterogeneity analysis based on revenue growth and firm sizes, respectively. The results states that CSR and its subcomponents (CESR, CSSR, and CGSR) reduce the CRT of the Chinese companies, and this reducing impact becomes stronger when moderated by the employees’ education and financial flexibility of the firms. These results show why sustainability reporting and practices are important for reducing CRT. This research underscores the need for firms to adopt sustainable corporate governance frameworks and highlights the pivotal role of organizational factors in reinforcing the risk-reducing benefits of sustainability initiatives. Full article

This research determines the contribution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to reducing financial risks and, consequently, to the sustainable development of companies in different sectors of the economy and at different phases of the economic cycle (using Russia as an example). The informational and empirical base comprises data on the dynamics of stock prices of sectoral indices of the Moscow Exchange’s total return “gross” (in Russian rubles): oil and gas, electricity, telecommunications, metals and mining, finance, consumer sector (retail trade), chemicals and petrochemicals, and transportation, as well as the “Responsibility and Openness” index in 2019 (before the crises), in 2020 (COVID-19 crisis), 2022 (sanction crisis), and 2024 (Russia’s economic growth). Economic–mathematical models, compiled through regression analysis, showed that the contribution of CSR to reducing the financial risks of companies is highly differentiated among economic sectors and phases of the economic cycle. The research presents a new sectoral perspective on counter-cyclical management of the financial risks of companies through CSR, enabling a deeper study of the cause-and-effect relationships of such management for the sustainable development of companies from different economic sectors. This is the theoretical significance of this research, its novelty, and its contribution to the literature. The research has practical significance, revealing previously unknown best practices for the sustainable development of companies from different economic sectors of Russia across different phases of the economic cycle. The systematized experience will be useful for forecasting the financial risks of companies during future economic crises in Russia and improving the practice of planning and organizing the financial risk management of Russian companies through CSR. The authors’ conclusions have managerial significance because they will help enhance the flexibility and efficiency of corporate financial risk management by considering the sectoral specifics and cyclical nature of the economy when implementing CSR. Full article

Banks have faced increasing attention regarding their ability to balance Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, operational efficiency, and credit risk management, particularly in the wake of global financial challenges. This study examines the interplay between CSR, efficiency, and credit risk in 131 US banks from 2010 to 2018. Using the Choquet integral, two-step Data Envelopment Analysis, and a dynamic panel with the Generalized Method of Moments, the findings reveal a virtuous circle between CSR and credit risk, where CSR enhances credit risk profiles. Similarly, efficiency and risk exhibit mutual reinforcement. However, a vicious circle is identified between CSR and efficiency, indicating trade-offs between CSR objectives and operational efficiency. These insights guide policymakers and bank managers in optimizing this balance. Full article

The motivation for this research was the desire to disclose the social nature of the financial risks of global companies: the authors attempted a scientific explanation of the influence of corporate social responsibility, which is manifested through the preservation and creation of additional jobs, on the financial risks of global companies. The research aims to establish the interdependence between financial risks and sustainable employment in global companies. This goal is achieved using the SEM (structural equation modeling) method based on corporate statistics from the Fortune “Global 500” rankings for 2021–2023. As a result, the consequences of global companies’ CSR (corporate social responsibility) practices in personnel management and financial risk management are modeled and described through quantitative and qualitative patterns. The established regularities proved that for developed and developing countries, the larger the number of employees, the lower the financial risks of global companies—the risk of a decrease in profitability, the risk of loss of profit, and the risk of depreciation of assets. The main conclusion is that there is a close systemic relationship between the financial risks of global companies and their workforce size, suggesting that CSR is key to highly effective financial risk management. A clear distinction between the practices of financial risk management through CSR in developed and developing countries forms the basis of the theoretical significance of the research results. The authors provide recommendations to improve the current practice of financial risk management in global companies by integrating it more closely with personnel management practices, highlighting their managerial relevance. It is proposed that corporate strategies for global companies in developed countries should focus on reducing the risk of declining profitability, as CSR has the most pronounced and consistent impact on this particular financial risk. In developing countries, corporate strategies are recommended to be structured by diversifying the areas of CSR application, with the most promising in financial risk management being the reduction in asset depreciation risk and the reduction in profitability risk. The findings of this research have practical significance because they enhance the predictability of CSR activities of global companies and open up opportunities for highly accurate forecasting of the financial risk implications of ensuring sustainable employment by global companies, considering the specificities of developed and developing countries. Full article

Construction industry enterprises involve many stakeholders and are highly vulnerable to systemic risk. Whether managers can pay attention to the implementation of social responsibility in construction enterprises and achieve the synergistic development of stakeholders and organizational resilience is crucial to the future of their enterprises. However, how construction companies can achieve a resilient organization by fulfilling social responsibility is still a “black box problem”. Based on a fixed effects model that eliminates time trends from influencing the results, this study explores the role of the mechanism in the relationships among CSR performance, disclosure, and organizational resilience in the construction industry. This study finds that the disclosure of CSR reports enhances organizational resilience in the construction industry, making companies more resistant and resilient. Subdividing the different dimensions of CSR reveals that the fulfillment of social responsibility to shareholders, society, and employees has a significant effect on the organizational resilience of construction firms. This study deepens the understanding of the relationship between CSR activities and the organizational resilience of construction firms, contributing to the theoretical foundations and managerial references for achieving sustainable corporate development. Full article