Search Results (627)

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are becoming increasingly important for sustainable rural development through the smart village concept. This study aims to model ICT’s potential for public services management in European rural areas. It identifies ICT applications across rural service domains, analyzes how these technologies address specific rural challenges, and evaluates their benefits, implementation barriers, and future prospects for sustainable rural development. A qualitative content analysis method was applied using purposive sampling to analyze 79 peer-reviewed articles from EBSCO and Elsevier databases (2000–2024). A deductive approach employed predefined categories to systematically classify ICT applications across rural public service domains, with data coded according to technology scope, problems addressed, and implementation challenges. The analysis identified 15 ICT application domains (agriculture, healthcare, education, governance, energy, transport, etc.) and 42 key technology categories (Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, digital platforms, mobile applications, etc.). These technologies address four fundamental rural challenges: limited service accessibility, inefficient resource management, demographic pressures, and social exclusion. This study provides the first comprehensive systematic categorization of ICT applications in smart villages, establishing a theoretical framework connecting technology deployment with sustainable development dimensions. Findings demonstrate that successful ICT implementation requires integrated urban–rural cooperation, community-centered approaches, and balanced attention to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The research identifies persistent challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited digital competencies, and high implementation costs, providing actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners developing ICT-enabled rural development strategies. Full article

Global resource depletion has intensified scrutiny on Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12), where consumption-based material footprint serves as a critical sustainability metric. Despite its transformative potential, the paradoxical role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in resource conservation remains underexplored. This study adopts an extended STIRPAT model as the analytical framework. It employs the Method of Moments Quantile Regression to evaluate the non-linear effects of digitalization-related indicators and other influencing factors on material footprint. The analysis is conducted across different quantiles for G20 countries from 2000 to 2020. The results show that (1) ICT exhibits a substantial positive effect on consumption-based material footprint under all quantiles. This leads to an increase in the material footprint, hindering the G20’s progress toward achieving SDG12. (2) The impact of ICT varies notably, with a more pronounced adverse effect on SDG12 in countries with higher resource consumption. (3) ICT goods export trade, technological innovation, and globalization significantly mitigate ICT’s adverse impact on resource consumption. This study provides targeted recommendations for G20 countries on how to leverage ICT to achieve SDG12 more effectively. Full article

This study explores a strategic framework for the sustainable development of Northern and Central Euboea (Evia), Greece, through the preservation and promotion of cultural and environmental assets. This research aims to redirect tourism flows from overdeveloped coastal zones to underutilized inland areas by leveraging local heritage and natural resources. The methodology was developed within the context of the AEI research project and combines bibliographic research, stakeholder consultation, GIS analysis, and socioeconomic assessment. Based on this framework, a series of thematic cultural routes and agritourism initiatives were designed to enhance regional attractiveness and resilience. The study proposes the utilization of ICT tools such as GIS-based mapping, a digital development platform, and an online tourism portal to document, manage, and promote key assets. The socioeconomic impact of the proposed interventions was evaluated using an input–output model, revealing that each EUR 1 million invested in the region is expected to generate EUR 650,000 in local GDP and create 14 new jobs. The results underscore the potential of alternative tourism to stimulate inclusive and sustainable growth, particularly in post-disaster rural regions. This integrated approach can serve as a model for other territories facing similar environmental, economic, and demographic challenges. Full article

Sustainable development has emerged as a critical priority for the global community, influencing all aspects of development worldwide. Within this context, the role of education and training in advancing sustainable development can contribute to this. This research aims to explore whether the integration of Information and Communication Technology educational tools into the curricula of engineering technicians helps trainees better understand the concepts of climate change and resource management, which are directly linked to the green transition and the green economy, compared to traditional educational methods. The study was conducted with trainees from Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEKs) in the wider Athens area, Greece. According to the results, using educational technology to teach engineering courses aids students in developing the competencies needed to change production processes and business models in the direction of a greener future. This is especially crucial as future technicians will be able to use cutting-edge methods to lower emissions and boost resource use efficiency. The findings of the study could provide important information for all those involved in the design of educational curricula of engineering technicians. Concerns and thoughts on the effective use of educational technology in the educational process are also expressed. Full article

The increasing number of natural and man-made disasters registered at the global level is causing a significant amount of damage. This represents one of the main sustainability challenges at the global level. The collapse of the Twin Towers, Hurricane Katrina, and the nuclear accident at the Fukushima power plant are some of the most representative disaster events that occurred at the beginning of the third millennium. These relevant disasters need an enhanced level of preparedness to reduce the gaps between the plan and its implementation. Among these actions, training and exercises play a relevant role because they increase the capability of planners, managers, and the people involved. By focusing on the exposure risk component, the general objective of the research is to obtain quantitative evaluations of the exercise’s contribution to risk reduction through evacuation. The paper aims to analyze serious games using a set of methods and models that simulate an urban risk reduction plan. In particular, the paper proposes a transparent framework that merges transport risk analysis (TRA) and transport system models (TSMs), developing serious game activities with the support of emerging information and communication technologies (e-ICT). Transparency is possible through the explicitation of reproducible analytical formulations and linked parameters. The core framework of serious games is constituted by a set of models that reproduce the effects of players’ choices, including planned actions of decisionmakers and travel users’ choices. The framework constitutes the prototype of a digital platform in a “non-stressful” context aimed at providing more insights about the effects of planned actions. The proposed framework is characterized by transparency, a feature that allows other analysts and planners to reproduce each risk scenario, by applying TRA and relative effects simulations in territorial contexts by means of TSMs and parameters updated by e-ICT. A basic experimentation is performed by using a game, presenting the main results of a prototype test based on a reproducible exercise. The prototype experiment demonstrates the efficacy of increasing preparedness levels and reducing exposure by designing and implementing a serious game. The paper’s methodology and results are useful for policymakers, emergency managers, and the community for increasing the preparedness level. Full article

In the context of increasing digitization, integrating ICT technologies, artificial intelligence, and remote working is altering residential mobility patterns and housing preferences. This study examines the housing market’s impact, focusing on how residential affordability affects residential choices, using a case study of the Metropolitan City of Florence. The analysis employs a methodology centered on the Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI), which cross-references real estate market values (source: Agenzia delle Entrate and leading real estate portals) with household income brackets to identify affordable areas. The results reveal a clear divide: households with incomes below EUR 26,000 per year (representing about 69% of the population) are excluded from the central urban property market. This evidence confirms regional and national trends, emphasizing a growing mismatch between housing costs and disposable incomes. The study concludes that affordability is a technical–financial parameter and a valuable tool for supporting inclusive urban planning. Its application facilitates the orientation of effective public policies and the identification of socially sustainable housing solutions. Full article

The demographic shift toward an aging population calls for innovative strategies to ensure independence, health, and quality of life in later years. In this context, Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) solutions, supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), offer promising advances for non-invasive and continuous support. Commonly, ICTs are evaluated only from the perspectives related to key performance indicators (KPIs); nevertheless, the design and implementation of such technologies must account for important psychological, social, and ethical dimensions. Radar-based sensing systems are emerging as an option due to their unobtrusive nature and capacity to operate without direct user interaction. This work explores how radar technologies, particularly those operating in the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum, can provide core key value indicators (KVIs) essential to aging societies, such as human dignity, trustworthiness, fairness, and sustainability. Through a review of key application domains, the paper illustrates the practical contributions of mmWave radar in Ambient Assisting Living (AAL) contexts, underlining how its technical attributes align with the complex needs of elderly care environments and produce value for society. This work uniquely integrates key value indicator (KVI) frameworks with mmWave radar capabilities to address unmet ethical needs in the AAL domain. It advances existing literature by proposing a value-driven design approach that directly informs technical specifications, enabling the alignment of engineering choices with socially relevant values and supporting the development of technologies for a more inclusive and ethical society. Full article

This paper explores the concept of evolutionary urban resilience by framing cities as complex, open, and adaptive Social-Ecological-Technological Systems (SETS), shaped by multi-scalar dynamics, systemic uncertainty, and interdependent crises. It challenges the reductionist view of resilience as a fixed capacity or linear sequence of risk management phases, and instead proposes a process-based paradigm rooted in learning, creativity, and the ability to navigate disequilibrium. The framework defines urban resilience as a continuous and iterative transformation process, supported by: (i) a combination of tangible and intangible qualities activated according to problem typology; (ii) cross-domain processes involving infrastructures, flows, governance, networks, and community dynamics; and (iii) the engagement of diverse agents in shared decision-making and coordinated action. These dimensions unfold across three incremental and interdependent scenarios—baseline, critical, and chronic crisis—forming a ladder of resilience that guides communities through escalating challenges. Special emphasis is placed on the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as relational and adaptive tools enabling distributed intelligence and inclusive governance. The framework also outlines concrete operational and policy implications for cities aiming to build anticipatory and transformative resilience capacities. Applied to the case of Taranto, the approach offers insights into how structurally fragile communities facing conflicting adaptive trajectories can unlock transformative potential. Ultimately, the paper calls for a shift from government to governance, from control to co-creation, and from reactive adaptation to chaos generativity, recasting urban resilience as an evolving project of collective agency, systemic reconfiguration, and co-production of emergent urban futures. Full article

The empowerment of rural women through sustainable entrepreneurship is pivotal for fostering economic development and social transformation in developing communities. This study examines the impact of university social responsibility (USR) programs on strengthening sustainable entrepreneurship among rural women, emphasizing the mediating role of economic empowerment. Utilizing a structural equation model (SEM), we explore causal pathways between USR interventions, entrepreneurial capacities, and the sustainability of rural businesses. Key dimensions analyzed include economic resources, social networks, and psychological self-efficacy, as well as their interrelation with community development. The findings demonstrate that multidimensional USR programs integrating technical training, social support, and economic resources significantly enhance entrepreneurial resilience and value chain integration. Notably, the analysis reveals that economic empowerment mediates the relationship between USR programs and business sustainability, with improvements in community participation and ICT quality identified as critical drivers. Furthermore, the post-intervention results highlight a shift from technology access challenges to a focus on ICT content quality and psychosocial development, reflecting maturity in community adaptation and resource utilization. This research provides empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of USR programs in catalyzing sustainable transformations in rural contexts. The results offer actionable insights for designing targeted interventions that integrate technical, social, and economic dimensions, contributing to the advancement of sustainable entrepreneurship and rural development theory. Full article

This study examines the effects of supply chain disruptions and ICT product exports on natural resource rents in European countries between 2004 and 2022. The findings show that strong supply chains increase natural resource rents, while ICT product exports support environmental sustainability and reduce natural resource rents. Patents reduce natural resource rents, while investments made by financial institutions in resource-intensive sectors increase natural resource rents. In addition, urban population growth was found to put pressure on natural resources, leading to a decrease in natural resource rents. Importantly, economic growth has no significant effect on natural resource rents in EU countries. Full article

Rapid digital transformation demands educational approaches that effectively equip students with competencies crucial for addressing real-world sustainability challenges. This study introduces and evaluates a Living Lab-based collaborative problem-solving educational model explicitly designed to enhance collaborative problem-solving (CPS), computational thinking (CT), and collaborative communication (CC) within elementary informatics education. Aligned with South Korea’s 2022 revised curriculum, this quasi-experimental research involved 196 elementary students, divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups participated in pre- and post-tests measuring CPS, CC, and CT competencies. The experimental group actively engaged in structured, community-based tasks integrating informatics concepts with authentic, real-world problems, whereas the control group experienced traditional instruction methods. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant improvements in the experimental group’s CPS and CT competencies (e.g., applying problem-solving strategies increased from 3.44 to 3.93, p < 0.001; ICT usage from 3.40 to 3.82, p = 0.002). However, advancements in CC were comparatively modest (creative communication increased from 3.31 to 3.81, p = 0.006), highlighting the necessity for explicit and structured communication interventions within collaborative frameworks. This study confirms the effectiveness of the Living Lab-based collaborative problem-solving educational model in cultivating comprehensive competencies essential for sustainable development, while underscoring the need for further integration of targeted communication strategies to maximize educational impact. Future implementations should prioritize structured communication training to fully leverage the model’s interdisciplinary potential. Full article

This study validates a Spanish-language instrument designed to assess self-efficacy, digital competence, and anxiety in data-driven decision-making (DDDM) among pre-service teachers. Based on the 3D-MEA and the Beliefs about Basic ICT Competencies scale, the instrument was culturally adapted for Chile and Spain. A sample of 512 participants underwent exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Given the ordinal nature of the data and the assumption of non-normality, appropriate estimation methods were utilized. Results supported a well-defined four-factor structure: Interpretation and Application, Technology, Identification, and Anxiety. Factor loadings ranged from 0.678 to 0.869, and internal consistency was strong (α = 0.802–0.888). The CFA confirmed good model fit (χ² (129) = 189.25, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.985; TLI = 0.981; RMSEA = 0.041; SRMR = 0.061). Measurement invariance was established across gender and nationality, reinforcing the validity of cross-group comparisons. The study is framed within an educational context aligned with socioformative principles and sustainable education goals, which support reflective and ethical data use. This validated tool addresses the lack of culturally adapted and psychometrically validated instruments for assessing DDDM competencies in Spanish-speaking contexts, offering a culturally and linguistically relevant instrument with strong internal consistency and a well-supported factor structure. It supports the design of formative strategies in teacher education, enabling the identification of training needs and promoting evidence-based pedagogical decision-making in diverse Hispanic contexts. Future studies should test factorial invariance across additional contexts and explore longitudinal applications. Full article

This study examines the impact of technological innovation, digitalization, and information and communication technologies (ICTs) on trade-related carbon emissions (TAEs) and the role of economic growth in this relationship. Using data from the 15 countries with the highest carbon emissions in the world for the period 1997–2022, analyses were conducted with Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSEs), Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR), and Driscoll–Kraay (D-K) estimators. TAEs provide a more comprehensive environmental assessment than traditional emission calculations by taking into account the impact of international trade on carbon emissions. The findings show that technological innovation, digitalization, and ICTs use increased trade-related carbon emissions, and economic growth further strengthens this effect. These results reveal that sustainable production models and green energy policies should be emphasized more in order to minimize the environmental impacts of technological developments and economic growth. The findings of this study provide important strategic information for policymakers, environmental regulators, and international trade institutions in developing sustainable technology and trade policies to reduce carbon emissions. Full article

This study aims to identify the factors that influence the behavior of Costa Rican tourists visiting rural destinations after the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby contributing to sustainable rural tourism development. The study applies data analysis using the partial least squares (PLS) regression technique to evaluate a reflective measurement model, based on data collected via a questionnaire. The evidence indicates that for the analyzed destination, the most significant factors influencing the behavior of Costa Rican tourists visiting rural destinations after the COVID-19 pandemic are learning, ICTs, and, in particular, relaxation. Although biosecurity and social influence do not affect the intention to return, these findings highlight the crucial role of learning and ICTs in the tourist experience and loyalty to the destination. This study contributes novel empirical insights to the still limited post-pandemic research on rural tourism, by providing current information on changes in tourist behavior in a specific post-pandemic context. Additionally, it focuses on a popular rural tourist destination in Costa Rica, offering a deeper understanding of a less explored tourism segment, as most previous studies have examined urban or international tourism. Specifically, this research addresses the gap regarding domestic tourist behavior in rural areas using a quantitative approach (PLS), revealing key drivers of return intention. The findings may also be relevant for rural destinations facing similar post-pandemic challenges in other countries. Full article

This article presents a systematic literature review on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) applied to precision agriculture, focusing on their relevance to Colombia. It identifies key technical and administrative needs for digital transformation in the sector and proposes a conceptual roadmap for implementation. Findings highlight the potential of early warning systems (EWSs), the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve productivity, sustainability, and climate resilience. The study outlines current adoption barriers and proposes future empirical validation through field experiments. Full article