Search Results (643)

Driven by the rapid evolution of AI technology, compatible management mechanisms have become a systematic project involving the participation of multiple stakeholders. However, constrained by the rigidity and lag of traditional laws, the “one-size-fits-all” regulatory model will exacerbate the vulnerability of the complex system of AI governance, hinder the sustainable evolution of the AI ecosystem that relies on the dynamic balance between innovation and responsibility, and ultimately fall into the dilemma of “chaos when laissez-faire, stagnation when over-regulated”. To address this challenge, this study takes the multi-stakeholder collaborative mechanism co-established by governments, enterprises, and third-party technical audit institutions as its research object and centers on the issue of “strategic fluctuations” caused by key factor disturbances. From the perspective of the full life cycle of technological development, the study integrates the historical compliance performance of stakeholders and develops a nonlinear dynamic reward and punishment mechanism based on Credit Entropy. Through evolutionary game simulation, it further examines this mechanism as a realization path to promote the transformation from passive campaign-style AI supervision to agile governance of AI, which is characterized by rapid response and minimal intervention, thereby laying a foundation for the sustainable development of AI technology that aligns with long-term social well-being, resource efficiency, and inclusive growth. Finally, the study puts forward specific governance suggestions, such as setting access thresholds for third-party institutions and strengthening their independence and professionalism, to ensure that the iterative development of AI makes positive contributions to the sustainability of socio-technical systems. Full article

University social incubators have been emerging as relevant instruments within the Third Mission of higher education institutions, as they contribute not only to entrepreneurship and innovation but also to the promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). While the literature on technological and business incubators is extensive, limited attention has been devoted to university social incubators and their role in strengthening SSE initiatives. This article presents partial results of a broader international research project, focusing specifically on the survey data collected in Argentina and Brazil. The comparative analysis highlights that, in both countries, university social incubators are more numerous than in many European contexts. In Brazil, the institutionalization of public programs such as PRONINC and ITCP has enabled universities to consolidate their engagement with SSE, while in Argentina experiences are more fragmented and less supported by stable policy frameworks. The findings show that university social incubators play a distinctive role in supporting cooperative projects, social enterprises, and community-based initiatives. They act as bridges between universities and local territories, fostering inclusive and sustainable development. Finally, the article discusses the managerial implications for incubator managers, universities, and SSE actors, as well as policy recommendations for decision-makers seeking to integrate SSE into innovation and development strategies. In doing so, the study contributes to the international debate on university incubators by moving beyond technology-oriented models and emphasizing their social transformative potential. Full article

The success of civil infrastructure projects hinges on effective project management. Building on the PMBOK^® Guide framework, this study investigates how project management knowledge areas are used in practice and how their use relates to the integration of sustainability and risk-management principles. 272 construction professionals in Türkiye were surveyed and their responses were analyzed using reliability testing, normality checks, and a combination of non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis) and ANOVA. There were found significant differences in perceived use of knowledge areas by education level, project role, project profile, and prior project-management training; in applied practice, company profile explains variation, whereas project type does not. The results indicate that wider, more systematic adoption—particularly in integration, schedule/time, quality, and risk—supports transparent, traceable processes aligned with sustainability objectives. These behavioral determinants were interpreted as enablers of life-cycle sustainability assessment and risk-informed decision making across civil-infrastructure contexts. There were discussed managerial and policy implications for asset owners and contractors, identifying leverage points for training and capability building, and outlining how standardized use of PMBOK knowledge areas can accelerate sustainability assessment and risk analysis in practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells used in treating blood and immune disorders. Despite its potential and the availability of public banking systems in Italy, donation rates remain low due to patient misinformation, emotional barriers, and organizational inefficiencies. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of integrating Narrative Medicine (NM) and Lean Management (LM) on UCB donation rates and operational effectiveness at the University Hospital of Alessandria. Methods: This prospective, single-center pre-post study ran from July 2022 to December 2024. Two interventions were introduced: NM training for healthcare staff to enhance empathetic communication, and LM-based reorganization of workflows to improve process efficiency. Outcomes included changes in UCB donation and adherence rates, transplant-eligible unit percentages, and patient satisfaction, assessed through institutional and project-specific surveys (PERLA–SIMeN). Results: Post-intervention, donation rates increased from 0% in early 2022 to 30.8% (2022), 25.8% (2023), and 30.6% (2024), with adherence rates near 40%, far exceeding the national average of ~3%. Patient satisfaction improved, resulting in PERLA certification in February 2025. Conclusions: The integration of NM and LM significantly improved both patient engagement and organizational efficiency. Empathetic communication fostered trust and reduced emotional barriers, while LM optimized workflows and resource use. These results suggest the model is applicable in other hospitals to enhance UCB donation outcomes and overall quality of maternal care. Full article

The Watershed Sustainability Index (WSI) is a widely used parameter that provides an integrated assessment of the baseline state of watershed management, considering hydrology, environment, life, and policy. The impacts of climate change on sustainability are becoming increasingly evident. These impacts are discussed in the 6th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This study refines the Watershed Sustainability Index (WSI) by embedding climate discontinuities from the IPCC AR6, applying dual climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), and incorporating comprehensive sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. The approach provides a transferable basis for basin-scale management tools that integrate climate stressors, explore alternative futures, and support adaptive water governance. The impacts of climate change on watershed sustainability have been developed from hydrological, environmental, life, and policy perspectives with an innovative approach. The new WSI assessment methodology is implemented for the Central North Aegean Basin, Türkiye. The WSI was applied to two periods, including five years of baseline condition (2016–2020) and ten years of projected future condition (2021–2030). The future condition was assessed with climate change impacts. The study shows how WSI assessment under climate change considerations may support coordination among all relevant institutions and stakeholders responsible for natural resource management. This approach can be a valuable resource for decision-makers and provide an effective management tool for the basin, considering future conditions. Full article

Mountain regions are increasingly affected by the interplay of climate change, infrastructure stress, and evolving socio-ecological systems, intensifying pressure on both water and energy systems. This systematic review investigates how recent scientific literature addresses the management and integration of water and energy systems in mountainous contexts. Following PRISMA guidelines, 88 peer-reviewed studies from 2022 to 2025 were selected through structured database queries and thematic screening. Two key imbalances emerge. First, a geographical imbalance is evident: while the majority of studies come from Asia, Europe shows a strong record of applied efforts, the Americas are moderately represented, and research from Africa remains scarce. Second, a thematic imbalance: water management research is conceptually and methodologically mature, while energy-focused studies remain limited in number and scope. Efforts toward integrated water–energy management are emerging but are mostly confined to pilot projects or modelling exercises, often lacking systemic framing and institutional support. From these findings, three priority directions are identified: advancing adaptive co-design approaches that link water supply, energy storage, ecological flows, and human demand; harmonizing methods, metrics and cross-regional benchmarks to enhance comparability and transferability; strengthening social and institutional pathways to foster resilient, adaptive water–energy systems in mountain environments. Full article

Community-Based Tourism (CBT) refers to forms of tourism owned and managed by local communities, designed to enhance participation, empowerment, and equitable benefit-sharing. This study investigates how climate-induced migration and donor investment disparities shape the uneven development of CBT across Vietnam. The research pursues three aims: (1) to evaluate how macro- and micro-level funding structures influence CBT readiness; (2) to analyze how spatial justice and post-development critique illuminate structural inequalities in tourism investment; and (3) to assess the implications for climate-vulnerable and ethnic minority communities, including their underrepresentation in CBT research and policy discourse. Methodologically, the study undertakes a systematic review of CBT literature (2014–2025), a thematic analysis of donor and government reports (World Bank, ADB, IFAD), and an estimation of regional funding flows using narrative coding and text-based pattern analysis. Findings reveal a persistent geographic and institutional bias toward the Southern Mekong Delta, which benefits from climate-resilience projects and tourism-specific investments, while Northern Highlands regions remain marginalized, receiving only poverty-focused funding. The paper contributes by integrating spatial justice and post-development critique into tourism studies, demonstrating how donor-led “resilience” agendas can inadvertently reinforce spatial inequalities, and offering policy recommendations for more equitable CBT planning, funding, and scholarly attention across Vietnam’s diverse regions. Full article

In the face of environmental degradation, social inequality, and technological change—acknowledged as defining challenges of the 21st century—Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) lead educational innovation, integrate sustainability as a transformative axis, and act as key actors in global responses. This study develops and validates a conceptual model that advances the goals of Society 5.0 through the integration of sustainability-oriented STEAM education and AI ethics as strategic drivers of a human-centered, socially inclusive, and technologically relevant learning ecosystem. The model rests on multidisciplinary and project-based learning and active engagement with society and industry. Its validation followed a Design Science Research approach supported by expert interviews, the Sustainable Classroom implementation, and international benchmarking with higher education cases from Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Uruguay, and the European Union. The combination of the constant comparison method of grounded theory with abductive reasoning ensured theoretical coherence and practical consistency. Triangulation across interviews, classroom implementation, and international cases reinforced robustness, while theoretical saturation, cross-validation, and reflexive safeguards strengthened credibility, controlled bias, and secured data management. Findings confirm that the ethical integration of advanced technologies strengthens citizenship, ecological literacy, and institutional innovation, and establishes a replicable and scalable framework that reorients higher education toward sustainability, ethics, and digital equity, positioning it as a cornerstone of education for Society 5.0 and as a global benchmark for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

Culture-led urban regeneration represents a potent strategy for revitalizing post-industrial cities but necessitates navigating complex property rights fragmentation and competing stakeholder interests. This research interrogates how different institutional arrangements mediate this process, balancing economic development with cultural preservation and social sustainability. Through a comparative case study of two seminal projects in Xi’an, China—the Yisu Opera Society and the Old Food Market—this paper examines the divergent outcomes of two property rights reconfiguration strategies: land assembly and rights subdivision. Findings reveal a fundamental trade-off: while the land assembly model facilitates efficient, large-scale redevelopment and economic revitalization, it often precipitates gentrification and the erosion of socio-cultural fabric. Conversely, the rights subdivision approach, though incurring higher ongoing transaction costs, fosters more equitable and embedded regeneration by preserving community networks and authentic character. Grounded in Property Rights and Transaction Cost theories, this study con-structs an analytical framework to evaluate how governance structures, stakeholder dynamics, and contextual factors shape project outcomes. The research concludes that there is no universal solution; the optimal pathway depends on the specific heritage context and social embeddedness of a site. It contributes to urban scholarship by highlighting the critical role of flexible, hybrid governance models in managing urban complexity and offers practical policy insights for designing regeneration frameworks that can more equitably distribute the benefits of urban development. Full article

The Work-Unit Compound (WUC) is a common neighborhood type that became prevalent during China’s socialist era, typically offering communal spaces that serve as vital spatial carriers for communal life. Following the shift in public housing provision from the work-unit (state-owned enterprise) through the social welfare system to a market-oriented system, the decline of work-unit systems and the privatization of housing led to the distribution of responsibility for communal spaces in WUC neighborhoods becoming more intricate. Issues related to these spaces, such as underutilization and poor management, were exacerbated as the built environment deteriorated. By the 2010s, these challenges had become central targets of various participatory regeneration initiatives. However, current discourse on participatory regeneration predominantly focuses on social outcomes, paying limited attention to post-regeneration governance modes. In response, this study develops a framework to examine the continuity and heterogeneity of communal space governance during and after regeneration projects in WUC neighborhoods. It offers a nuanced investigation of context-specific facilitating mechanisms, with the goal of supporting more effective and sustainable communal space governance in the future. Using a case study approach, the research draws on in-depth interviews that were systematically analyzed. The findings indicate that daily communal space governance in the sampled projects continues to rely on internal problem-solving methods inherited from the work-unit system (e.g., the collective sense of honor and a persistent reliance on state actors). Additionally, governance is driven by economic initiatives repurposing underutilized spaces—for instance, vegetable cultivation in enclosed areas is employed for self-sufficiency (Case A), and small-scale business that benefits the neighborhood is performed (Case B). This study also identifies a blend of formal and informal institutional arrangements linked to participatory regeneration, including the coproduction of space management between residents and grassroots government (Case A), and the government-funded purchase of community services (Case B). Moreover, extra-local networks—such as gaining mutual support from Community Garden Networks (Case A) and Community Economic Cooperatives (Case B)—play a significant role. In conclusion, this study highlights the role of facilitating mechanisms associated with participatory regeneration in shaping daily communal space governance and explores the potential of participatory strategies within contemporary neighborhood governance, particularly under recent Chinese policies targeting dilapidated urban neighborhoods. Practically, this study offers recommendations for planners and practitioners regarding incorporating facilitating mechanisms into participatory regeneration to enhance community engagement in communal space governance, especially in other post-socialist cities experiencing similar challenges. Full article

This qualitative study investigates how local project managers interpret the concept of participation when implementing participatory processes under the Emilia-Romagna (Italy) regional framework. Drawing on 41 in-depth interviews with project managers and key personnel from participatory initiatives funded between 2020 and 2024, the research examines how these actors interpret the concept of participation and how their views align with regional objectives. Thematic analysis reveals that participation is widely viewed as a process of shared responsibility, co-decision, empowerment, and active citizenship. Participants described participation as both a political and relational act, involving co-responsibility, information exchange, and commitment to the common good. While many embraced a transformative vision of participation, others highlighted institutional constraints and the risk of participation being reduced to rhetoric. Additionally, gendered differences emerged in the way participants framed participation, with women emphasizing relational and care-based dimensions, and men focusing more on agency and power. The findings suggest that participation, when meaningfully enacted, is seen as a driver of democratic engagement and institutional trust, but it requires a sustained effort to go beyond procedures and enable genuine collaboration between institutions and citizens. Full article

This paper presents a flexible approach to a multipurpose, heterogeneous archive and data management system model that merges the robustness of legacy grid-based technologies with modern cloud and edge computing paradigms. It leverages innovations driven by big data, IoT, AI, and machine learning to create an adaptive data storage and processing framework. In today’s digital age, where data are the new intangible gold, the “gold rush” lies in managing and storing massive datasets effectively—especially when these data serve governmental or commercial purposes, raising concerns about privacy and data misuse by third-party aggregators. Astronomical data, in particular, require this same thoughtful approach. Scientific discovery increasingly depends on efficient extraction and processing of large datasets. Distributed archival models, unlike centralized warehouses, offer scalability by allowing data to be accessed and processed across locations via cloud services. Incorporating edge computing further enables real-time access with reduced latency. Major astronomical projects must also avoid common single points of failure (SPOFs), often resulting from suboptimal technological choices driven by collaboration politics or In-Kind Contributions (IKCs). These missteps can hinder innovation and long-term project success. The principal goal of this work is to outline best practices in archival and data management projects—from policy development and task planning to use-case definition and implementation. Only after these steps can a coherent selection of hardware, software, or virtual environments be made. The proposed model—CTAARCHS (Cloud-based Technologies for Astronomical Archiving Research Contents and Handling Systems)—is an open-source, multidisciplinary platform supporting big data needs in astronomy. It promotes broad institutional collaboration, offering code repositories and sample data for immediate use. Full article

Rapid urbanization in developing countries has widened the gap between urban and rural development, due to inefficient land markets and weak institutional systems in rural areas. China’s innovative “Urban–rural Construction Land Linkage” policy was designed to address this imbalance by encouraging rural land consolidation and creating a transferable development rights mechanism. While this approach has shown potential in improving the utilization efficiency of existing construction land and continuously supplying urban development space, concerns remain about its actual benefits to villagers and rural development, with some arguing it disrupts traditional livelihoods and favors government interests over rural needs. To respond to this debate, this study investigates two core questions: first, does China’s transferable land development rights (TDR) program genuinely improve rural welfare as intended; second, why does the theoretically preferred self-organized governance model sometimes fail in practice? To address these research questions, this paper develops a new analytical framework combining the IAD framework of Ostrom with the hierarchical institutional framework of Williamson to examine three implementation approaches in China’s TDR implementation: government-dominated, market-invested, and self-organized models. Based on case studies, surveys, and interviews across multiple regions, this study reveals distinct strengths and weaknesses in each approach in improving villagers’ lives. Government-dominated projects demonstrate strong resource mobilization but limited community participation. Market-based models show efficiency gains but often compromise equity. While self-organized initiatives promise greater local empowerment, they frequently face practical challenges including limited management capacity and institutional barriers. Furthermore, this study identifies the preconditional institutional environment necessary for successful self-organized implementation, including clear land property rights, financial support, and technical assistance. These findings advance global understanding of how to combine efficiency with fair outcomes for all stakeholders in land governance, which is particularly relevant for developing countries seeking to manage urban expansion while protecting rural interests. Full article

Barriers to cancer care, including transportation and Internet insecurity, are of special concern in low-resource communities. A patient-centered, telehealth-based, barrier-focused lay navigator program may mitigate such barriers. We share insights from a quality improvement project wherein we developed and delivered a lay navigator program in a low-resource community in the Mojave Desert. We identified 68 patients scheduled for lung cancer detection/management at our institution, 55 of whom completed a barrier assessment, enrolled in the program, and could be evaluated. Participants were predominantly older (76%), White (84%), had a cancer diagnosis at enrollment (69%), and lived in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Thirty-three (60%) patients had ≥1 barrier, the most common being transportation (31%), Internet (24%), and financial (24%) concerns. These barriers were more frequent among patients with a lung cancer diagnosis at enrollment. Crisis-focused and after-hours encounters were more frequently initiated by older and advanced cancer patients. Transportation and Internet concerns were significantly associated with missed appointment rates. While the scope of our findings is limited, the delivery of a telehealth-based, barrier-focused lay lung navigator program in this low-resource setting was feasible. Neighborhood context and barrier resource planning are important for the implementation of similar programs within our institution’s clinical practice network. Full article

The aim of this research is to understand the events and experiences that contribute to the development of top leaders who are capable of thinking of their organization pedagogically and strategically to respond to present-day challenges. The uniqueness of the objective itself justified the choice of narrative research based on the interdependent relationship between leaders and institutions. Methodologically, the autobiographical narrative was used as the method and data collection technique. We studied the life stories of two headmasters from two school clusters in Portugal, as well as the dynamics of their leadership. The analysis of the life stories was complemented by a chronotopography, documentary analysis, focus groups with middle managers and interviews with members of the Portuguese Ministry of Education. The analysis of the data collected through the life narratives enabled a series of milestones to be identified that, due to their authors’ ability to reflect, were decisive in their professional development, namely, further education; initial training; experience in management bodies and lifelong learning; the participation in the Educational Territories of Priority Intervention programme, the Pedagogical Innovation Pilot Project and school networks. Full article