Search Results (389)

Kazakhstan’s 2025 Water Code aims to institutionalize Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), but its success is threatened by a persistent “implementation gap” between policy requirements and the workforce’s practical competencies. This study provides empirical evidence of a persistent misalignment between water-related higher education and emerging governance demands in Kazakhstan by conceptualizing the implementation gap as a human-capital deficit. We conducted a repeated two-wave survey of students enrolled in “Water Resources” programs (n₁ = 39, n₂ = 82) to empirically diagnose this gap and examine changes in educational preferences over time. The findings reveal an overwhelming demand for dual education (97.6%), alongside a statistically significant shift (χ²(1) = 33.53, p < 0.001) from theory-oriented learning (56.4% to 4.9%) toward practice-oriented formats (30.8% to 62.2%). Key reported constraints include limited access to modern laboratories (47.6%) and insufficient real-world professional experience (28%). Taken together, these results indicate a structural misalignment between academic training and the competency requirements implied by ongoing water-sector reforms. The study concludes that dual education may function as an institutional mechanism for narrowing the policy-to-competence gap, supporting efforts to operationalize the 2025 Water Code and advance Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 6. Full article

This paper investigates credit risk management as a dynamic system. Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR) is employed to model interrelationships among four key components: Non-Performing Loans (NPLs), Loan Loss Provision (LLP), loan charge-off (LCO) and capital. The Cost-to-Income ratio (CIR) and Size and Net Profit-to-Equity ratio (ROE) are used as control variables. The panel dataset comprises 1461 conventional rural banks in Indonesia with a quarterly frequency from June 2010 to March 2024. There are several key findings of this study. First, credit risk management practices in rural banks predominantly follow an incurred loss approach, although the expected loss model appears to be more commonly adopted by larger institutions. Second, capital serves a critical function as a buffer against credit losses. Third, subsample investigation reveals a significant role of accounting discretionary. This study offers significant implications for both policy development and academic research in microfinance. Full article

Within the context of China’s green economy aimed at sustainable development, research on the linkage between water resources and industry has garnered considerable attention in the academic community. However, the impact of total body water (TBW) transfer and allocation embodied in the labor force—the primary economic actors—has not been addressed in the economic sector. On methodology, the “EEIO-SDA-SPD-II” (ISSI) model employed in this study encompasses measurements methods, such as an environmentally extended input–output model (EEIO), structural decomposition analysis (SDA), structural path decomposition (SPD), and the imbalance index (II), to explore the crucial paths, driving factors, and distribution of water transfer in TWB spanning 15 Chinese industries between 2007 and 2022. The findings indicate that the shifts in TBW in the manufacturing sector are more discernible when viewed through the lens of social driving factors. The construction business exhibits the most significant increase in male total body water (MTBW), whereas the education sector reflects the rapid growth in female total body water (FTBW). Pertaining to final demand, domestic consumption constitutes the primary contributor category to the increase in TWB, followed by fixed capital formation and exports. According to the SPD results, the construction sector exerts the greatest influence on the transfer of MTBW, while the education sector is characterized by the highest path coefficient value for FTBW. In contrast, the manufacturing sector shows the most pronounced initial path. Based on the imbalance index analysis, agriculture derives the greatest economic gains from TBW input, whereas the education sector yields the lowest. Full article

Background: Schools play a central role in child development and socialization and can function as protective environments that mitigate the effects of adversity. Building on the Social Ecological Model and Community School Transformation, we propose a “Schools-as-Neighborhoods” framework that conceptualizes schools as intentionally designed microenvironments capable of generating social capital, promoting positive childhood experiences, and buffering harmful neighborhood exposures through trauma-informed programming. Methods: We conducted a convergent mixed-methods study across four public and charter schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serving grades five through nine. STRYV365’s peak team and Brain Agents gamified intervention were implemented between 2022–2024. Quantitative surveys and qualitative data assessed students’ lived experiences, exposure to adversity, emotional awareness, coping skills, and school connectedness/climate across multiple waves. Results: Across the four schools (n = 1626 students), baseline academic proficiency was low, and exposure to adversity was high among surveyed participants (n = 321), including bereavement (74%) and family incarceration (56%). Despite these challenges, qualitative findings revealed strengthened emotional regulation, empathy, motivation, and goal setting among students engaged in trauma-informed programming. Teachers reported improved peer interaction and community building during sustained implementation. Conclusion: The Schools-as-Neighborhoods framework highlights the value of trauma-informed, relationship-centered school environments in promoting student well-being. By positioning schools as cohesive ecosystems that foster belonging and cultivate social capital, this approach offers educators and policymakers a pathway for mitigating the effects of hostile lived environments and supporting students’ mental health, social development, and engagement in learning. Full article

The quality of human capital is pivotal to the promotion of economic growth and development. In this regard, the quality of education and of academic, practice-based research systems plays a crucial role. The authors conducted an analysis of the systemic framework for financing higher education and science in Poland, with a particular focus on the economic and financial situation of the 21 largest Polish universities from 2019 to 2024. In order to assess whether the current financial basis of these entities facilitates conducting research, bridges the gap between academia and industry, and thus supports their sustainable development, a taxonomic composite indicator and cluster analysis were employed. The results obtained indicated unfavourable trends in the domain of higher education and research and development (R&D) activity among Polish universities. These include, in particular, the exceeding of operating costs over operating revenues, the deterioration of financial results, insufficient funding from the state budget in relation to the scale of operations, and relatively high volatility of the economic and financial situation in subsequent years. Full article

A robust literature focused on social capital created in the family has emphasized the efficacy of parental involvement in child, adolescent, and young adult development. Social capital created with and derived from parents has strong and consistent connections to academic achievement and attainments and pro-social behavior, as well as protective effects against delinquent behavior and mental health difficulties. Other forms of family social capital, however, are less well understood. In this paper, we explore the association between social capital built with and derived from siblings and self-confidence during emerging adulthood, including examining how sibling social capital built at different times might contribute to the development of self-confidence. We use restricted-use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), with information on 3630 respondents who had siblings who were also study participants, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models with robust standard errors to test our hypothesis that greater sibling social capital would be associated with greater self-confidence in adolescents and emerging adulthood, net of other forms of social capital and demographic characteristics. Our findings support that hypothesis, suggesting that social capital derived from siblings is another significant potential source of key resources during important developmental stages. In particular, sibling social capital has a significant correlation to the self-confidence of individuals transitioning to adulthood. Full article

Many studies have shown that flow, psychological capital (PsyCap), anxiety, and academic efficacy play significant roles in EFL learning, yet little attention has been paid to how these positive and negative states jointly shape learners’ PsyCap. Grounded in the broaden-and-build theory, this study investigated how flow, a state of deep engagement and enjoyment in learning, affected EFL learners’ PsyCap. A total of 1611 EFL learners at the CEFR B1–B2 levels from six universities in China participated in the study. Data were collected using validated questionnaires developed for this study that measured flow, foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA), academic efficacy, and PsyCap, and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS. The results revealed that flow had a significant direct positive effect on PsyCap (β = 0.648, p < 0.001). Academic efficacy significantly mediated this relationship (β = 0.059, p < 0.001), and a significant chain-mediated path was observed through FLCA and academic efficacy (β = 0.023, p < 0.001). The total effect of flow on PsyCap was 0.729 (p < 0.001). These findings provide new insights into educational practices that can effectively enhance EFL learners’ PsyCap and academic achievement by facilitating flow and reducing anxiety. Full article

While extensive research has explored the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign portfolio investment (FPI) in BRICS nations, there remains a notable gap in understanding the influence of intangible factors, particularly soft power and nation branding. Historically, academic discourse has underemphasized the role of nation branding as a crucial emotional and perceptual component in investment decision-making processes. Consequently, governments in BRICS countries must enhance their national branding efforts to attract both capital and portfolio investment flows. The principal aim of this study was to jointly analyse the tangible and intangible determinants influencing FDI and FPI in BRICS from 1994 to 2024. Employing advanced econometric techniques, specifically the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach for cointegration and Vector Error Correction Models (VECM) for estimation. This study makes a unique contribution to existing literature by examining the nexus between nation branding, FDI and FPI, thereby introducing a novel perspective on the factors driving investment in the BRICS context with an emphasis on non-tangible determinants. The findings indicate that nation branding, along with exchange rate stability, property rights, and financial market development, are significant positive determinants of FPI in these countries. Conversely, capital openness demonstrated a negative relationship with FPI. Moreover, the positive impact of nation branding on FDI within BRICS nations was reaffirmed. This study substantiates the critical role of nation branding as a pivotal driver for both FDI and FPI, emphasising its strategic importance in the economic landscape of BRICS countries. Full article

Unlocking SDG-relevant capital depends on coherent and robust impact performance metrics that enable ex ante decision-making across investment options and ex post assessment of both forecasted and realized impact. This study proposes a “synthetic” approach for measuring the impact performance of investments that can be adopted by impact investors and that complements standard impact reporting. We identify five criteria relevant for impact performance measurement—intentionality, measurability, feasibility, incrementality, and comparability—and use them to benchmark a sample of 84 metrics developed by academics and practitioners in the credit finance sector, which attracts the largest volume of impact investments. While over half of the metrics satisfy the criteria of intentionality, measurability, and feasibility—necessary for impact reporting—none meet all five, which are required for robust impact performance measurement. This highlights a significant gap between current practices and what is required to assess impact performance. Based on our findings, we propose a limited set of impact performance metrics suited to credit finance, underlined by a sector-specific theory of change. These metrics, and those that we plan to develop for other sectors, as well as for SDG themes like employment, gender, and climate, are essential to scale up the capital needed to meet the SDGs. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the psychological vulnerability of university students, making it essential to identify personal resources that can support well-being and career readiness. This study investigates the role of soft skills in predicting psychological outcomes like optimism, resilience, and self-management. A total of 1067 Italian university students completed validated self-report questionnaires. Structural equation modeling showed that soft skills significantly predicted all three psychological resources. Although no significant gender differences emerged, slight variations suggest the adoption of different coping styles. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating soft skill development into university programs to strengthen students’ psychological capital and prepare them for the challenges of work and life in the post-COVID-19 era. Promoting inclusive and flexible interventions can support students with diverse characteristics and contribute to the creation of healthier and more equitable academic and occupational environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oman Vision 2040, the national blueprint for socio-economic transformation, aims to elevate the Sultanate to developed nation status, with the “Health” priority committed to building a “Leading Healthcare System with International Standards” via a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. This paper critically reviews Oman’s strategic health directions and implementation frameworks under Vision 2040, assessing their alignment with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serving as a case model for health system transformation. Methods: This study employs a critical narrative synthesis based on a comprehensive literature search that included academic, official government reports, and international organization sources. The analysis is guided by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Systems Framework, providing a structured interpretation of progress across its six building blocks. Results: Key interventions implemented include integrated governance (e.g., Committee for Managing and Regulating Healthcare), diversified health financing (e.g., public private partnership (PPPs), Health Endowment Foundation), and strategic digital transformation (e.g., Al-Shifa system, AI diagnostics). Performance metrics show progress, with a rise in the Legatum Prosperity Index ranking and an increase in the Community Satisfaction Rate. However, critical challenges persist, including resistance to change during governance restructuring, cybersecurity risks from digital adoption, and system fragmentation that complicates a unified Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) response. Conclusions: Oman’s integrated approach, emphasizing decentralization, quality improvement, and investment in preventive health and human capital, positions it for sustained progress. The transformation offers generalizable insights. Successfully realizing Vision 2040 demands rigorous, evidence-informed policymaking to effectively address equity implications and optimize resource allocation. Full article

Planned capitals across the Global South frequently experience unplanned land use transitions that contradict their founding visions. Despite six decades of planning and academic inquiry, Islamabad’s research remains fragmented. Environmental studies have documented land use and land cover changes through remote sensing, while governance-oriented analyses have highlighted institutional weaknesses and policy failures. However, these domains rarely intersect, and few studies systematically link spatial transformations with the underlying governance structures and political–economic processes that drive them. Consequently, the existing literature provides valuable but partial explanations for why Islamabad’s planned order unraveled. This study examines Islamabad, conceived in 1960 as a model of order and green balance, where the built-up area expanded by 377 km² (from 88 to 465 km²; +426%) and forest cover declined by 83 km² (−40%) between 1979 and 2019. Using a PRISMA-guided systematic review integrating spatial, governance, and policy data, we synthesized 39 peer-reviewed and gray literature sources to explain why Islamabad’s planned order unraveled. The findings reveal that governance fragmentation between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), combined with elite capture and weak enforcement of the 2020–2040 Master Plan, has produced enduring contradictions between policy intent and urban reality. These conditions mirror those of other planned capitals, such as Brasília and Abuja. Grounded in Pakistan’s institutional context, the study proposes four actionable reforms: (1) regularization frameworks for informal settlements, (2) cross-agency spatial and fiscal coordination, (3) ecological thresholds within zoning by-laws, and (4) participatory master-plan reviews. Islamabad’s experience illustrates how planned capitals can evolve toward inclusive and ecologically resilient futures through governance reform and adaptive planning. Full article

The rapid integration of emerging technologies into organizational processes has fundamentally redefined the role of strategic human resource management (SHRM). This paper explores how digital innovations—such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), blockchain, and immersive technologies—are reshaping the workforce and transforming the way organizations attract, develop, and retain talent. In the context of the digital era, human capital is no longer a passive input but a strategic enabler of sustainable competitive advantage. The purpose of the study is to analyze how SHRM practices must evolve to align with technology-driven organizational models, combining insights from a systematic literature review, institutional reports, and illustrative corporate cases. Findings indicate that agility, continuous reskilling, ethical AI governance, and employee well-being are critical levers for sustainable advantage. Comparative tables highlight differences between traditional HRM and SHRM in the digital era, while case studies (IBM, Walmart, Unilever, and UiPath) demonstrate the strategic value of predictive analytics, diversity and inclusion programs, virtual training, and people analytics. By proposing a conceptual model that links emerging technologies, SHRM, and competitiveness, the paper contributes to current debates on the transformation of work and organizational resilience. The study offers practical implications for HR leaders, policymakers, and academics navigating digital transformation while reinforcing human-centric performance and sustainability. Full article

This study explores how family background shapes children’s cognitive and logical thinking abilities within the context of contemporary China, using nationally representative data from the 2013–2015 China Education Panel Survey (CEPS). Recognizing the increasing stratification of educational outcomes, this research examines the dual roles of economic and cultural capital in influencing children’s development. Employing multivariate regression models and mediation analysis, we assess both direct effects of family background—measured by household economic status and parental education—and indirect effects through educational investments, including school choice, tutoring participation, academic support, and parental literacy habits. The results reveal that both economic and cultural capital have significant positive effects on students’ cognitive and logical thinking outcomes. However, cultural investment, particularly parental reading and engagement in children’s education, shows a more enduring and pronounced influence. Notably, children from the wealthiest families do not consistently perform better, suggesting that excessive reliance on material resources may crowd out effective parental engagement. In contrast, even the poorest families demonstrate strong educational aspirations, though constrained by limited resources and inadequate guidance. These findings highlight the critical role of cultural capital in mitigating intergenerational inequality and call for policies that support educational involvement across all socioeconomic groups to foster more equitable learning opportunities. Full article

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) play a central role in university students’ social and academic lives by facilitating relationship maintenance, emotional support, and the exchange of information, especially for those studying away from home. However, it remains unclear how different patterns of SNS use influence academic outcomes and psychosocial well-being. Grounded in social capital and self-determination theory, the present study adopted a person-centered approach using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify distinct profiles of SNS engagement, academic outcomes and well-being. A sample of 275 Greek undergraduate students completed anonymous self-report questionnaires [SNSs use intensity, bonding and bridging social capital, perceived social support via SNSs, fear of missing out (FoMO), phubbing, nomophobia (NoMo), academic outcomes and well-being]. LPA revealed four user profiles: (1) Low Use-Low Support (poorest well-being, moderate academic outcomes); (2) Active and Supported (high well-being and academic outcomes); (3) At-Risk Heavy Users (intermediate academic outcomes and moderate well-being, comparable to Profile 2) and (4) Low Use-High Support (highest well-being, poorest academic outcomes). These findings indicate that SNS engagement may be associated with both benefits and risks for students, depending on how and why they are used. Adopting a person-centered perspective allowed the identification of meaningful usage patterns, providing critical insights for developing targeted interventions to support student adjustment. Full article