Search Results (287)

This study aims to map the scientific knowledge of bank profitability and its determinants. It identifies trends and gaps in existing research through a bibliometric analysis. To this end, 634 documents published in the Web of Science database over the last 54 years were analyzed using the bibliometric package. The results indicate an increase in the volume of publications following the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on analyzing the factors influencing bank profitability and economic growth. The Journal of Banking and Finance is the preeminent publication in this field. The literature reviewed shows that bank profitability depends on internal factors (size, credit risk, liquidity, efficiency, and management) and external factors (such as GDP, inflation, interest rates, and unemployment). In addition to the traditional determinants, the recent literature highlights the importance of innovation and technological factors such as digitalization, mobile banking, and electronic payments as relevant to bank profitability. ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and governance indicators, which are still emerging but have been extensively researched in companies, indicate a need for evidence in this area. This paper also provides relevant insights for the formulation of monetary policy and the strategic formulation of banks, helping managers and owners to improve bank performance. It also provides directions for future empirical studies and research collaborations in this field. Full article

Global biodiversity is in crisis, with wildlife populations declining 69% since 1970 (WWF). Preserving and restoring ecosystems is essential for sustaining life on Earth. However, many countries rely on market-based instruments like biodiversity offsets, despite little evidence of their effectiveness. This study critically examines biodiversity offsets, identifying institutional, data, ecological, economic, and social failures that undermine their success. Using Indonesia, a global biodiversity hotspot, as a case study, we develop an econometric model to analyze key drivers of deforestation. The findings reveal that biodiversity offset schemes are fundamentally flawed: they lack scientific credibility, rely on arbitrary ratios, lack auditing and transparency, create value conflicts, and fail to achieve “No Net Loss” even over a 100-year timeframe. Offsets do not compensate for lost biodiversity, especially for affected communities, and are rarely supported by ecosystem mapping or robust valuation metrics. Without major reforms, they cannot halt or reverse biodiversity loss. A stronger, evidence-based approach is urgently needed. Rather than relying on ineffective offset schemes, the global community must prioritize genuine ecosystem restoration and sustainable conservation strategies to protect biodiversity for future generations. Full article

This paper investigates the spillover effects and transmission networks of systemic risk within China’s national economic sectors under extreme conditions from both time and frequency domain perspectives, building upon the spillover index methodology and calculating the ∆CoVaR index for Chinese industries. The findings indicate the following: (1) Extreme-risk spillovers synchronize across industries but exhibit pronounced time-varying peaks during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, the 2015 crash, and the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Long-term spillovers dominate overall connectedness, highlighting the lasting impact of fundamentals and structural linkages. (3) In terms of risk volatility, Energy, Materials, Consumer Discretionary, and Financials are most sensitive to systemic market shocks. (4) On the risk spillover effect, Consumer Discretionary, Industrials, Healthcare, and Information Technology consistently act as net transmitters of extreme risk, while Energy, Materials, Consumer Staples, Financials, Telecom Services, Utilities, and Real Estate primarily serve as net receivers. Based on these findings, the paper suggests deepening the regulatory mechanisms for systemic risk, strengthening the synergistic effect of systemic risk measurement and early warning indicators, and coordinating risk monitoring, early warning, and risk prevention and mitigation. It further emphasizes the importance of avoiding fragmented regulation by establishing a joint risk prevention mechanism across sectors and departments, strengthening the supervision of inter-industry capital flows. Finally, it highlights the need to closely monitor the formation mechanisms and transmission paths of new financial risks under the influence of the pandemic to prevent the accumulation and eruption of risks in the post-pandemic era. Authorities must conduct annual “Industry Transmission Reviews” to map emerging risk nodes and supply-chain vulnerabilities, refine policy tools, and stabilize market expectations so as to forestall the build-up and sudden release of new systemic shocks. Full article

In today’s hyperconnected world, disaster announcements—regardless of actual impact—can significantly shape consumer behaviour and brand perception in the hospitality sector. This study investigates how customers respond online to disaster-related signals, focusing on digital marketing activities by luxury hotels in Santorini, Greece. Drawing on a case study of the Santorini Earthquake in February 2025—during which the Greek government declared a state of emergency—we use big data analytics, including web traffic metrics, social media interaction and fuzzy cognitive mapping, to analyse behavioural shifts across platforms. The findings indicate that disaster signals trigger increased engagement, altered sentiment and changes in advertising efficiency. This study provides actionable recommendations for tourism destinations and hospitality brands on how to adapt digital strategies during crisis periods. Full article

Geographic Information Systems and the use of thematic maps have become well-established tools in archaeology. However, not all the sectors of archaeology still take advantage of these technologies. One such sector is numismatics, where there are still relatively few works on the implementation of coin spatial databases and the related maps. This can be verified both in academic journals indexed in major scientific databases (such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science) and in broader platforms like Google Scholar. In this paper, in an attempt to begin filling the gap, the methodology and results of the creation of the GIS and the Atlas of Antoniniani in Sicily are presented. The second half of the third century ASD is an interesting period because of the socioeconomic crisis that characterized it. The Atlas serves as a useful tool for providing a fresh new insight into the economy and coin circulation during this time. Full article

In the context of the prevailing environmental crisis, one innovative approach with the potential to promote inclusive conservation is payment for environmental services (PES). While numerous studies have documented the efficacy of PES in terrestrial ecosystems, mechanisms tailored to marine ecosystems remain relatively unexplored. The objective of this article is to conduct a systematic literature review to identify the essential components of a PES mechanism for fisheries and to map the lessons, challenges, and opportunities associated with it. Three databases were explored: Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Using Boolean operators, we searched for articles containing the following terms in the title, abstract, and/or keywords: “payment for ecosystem services” AND “fish*” and “payment for environmental services” AND “fish*”. Twenty-six articles focusing in depth on PES in the context of fisheries were identified. The results indicate that PES is a tool that can reconcile conservation and social objectives while offering numerous benefits for fisheries management. Nevertheless, it is imperative to meticulously evaluate the circumstances under which PES can meaningfully contribute to the inclusive conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems rather than assuming that it is a universal policy panacea. Full article

Transboundary water governance faces persistent challenges due to mismatches between natural hydrological boundaries and political administrative boundaries. This study examines the evolution and mechanisms of intergovernmental cooperation in the Taihu Basin (1987–2024), addressing how cooperation forms, evolves, and sustains amid conflicting priorities. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed 106 policy documents, government reports, and stakeholder interviews to map governance stages, cooperation networks, and policy themes. Results reveal three phases in transboundary water governance in Taihu Basin: (1) a centralized hierarchy (1987–2007) dominated by vertical mandates; (2) a hybrid stage (2008–2018) with rising horizontal cooperation driven by crisis responses like the 2007 cyanobacteria outbreak; and (3) a networked stage (2019–2024) integrating diagonal mechanisms that bridged hierarchical gaps and scaled grassroots innovations. Key findings show diagonal relations reduced bureaucratic delays, enabling bottom-up practices like joint river chief systems to become regional policies. While grounded in the Taihu Basin context, this study provides a compelling case of institutional coupling that may inform governance in other transboundary basins, where vertical authority, horizontal reciprocity, and diagonal experimentation coexist dynamically. This study offers a model for balancing administrative fragmentation and ecological integrity, emphasizing adaptive networks over rigid hierarchies. These insights provide a feasible solution approach for addressing transboundary water resource governance challenges in similar institutional environments. Full article

This study examines housing affordability trends in Central Europe, focusing on the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Poland, in the wake of recent global disruptions including the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021–2022 energy crisis, and the war in Ukraine. These events have intensified housing affordability challenges by driving up property prices, rental costs, and energy expenses. Using data from December 2022 to March 2023, the paper analyzes wage levels relative to housing costs in major cities—Prague, Brno, Bratislava, Vienna, Graz, Warsaw, and Kraków—through price-to-income and rent-to-income ratios. The findings reveal that affordability is most strained in Czech cities, particularly Prague, where property prices outpace wages, while Vienna demonstrates better affordability due to higher average incomes. The study integrates real estate platform data with official statistics and employs spatial mapping and exploratory econometric testing to identify affordability patterns and disparities. It concludes that affordability outcomes are shaped by wage dynamics, housing supply constraints, migration pressures, and policy responses. The study underscores the importance of targeted housing policies and wage interventions to address these challenges and highlights the need for cross-country policy learning and regional coordination to improve housing affordability and market resilience across Central Europe. Full article

Deforestation in Colombia, driven by armed conflict and illicit crops, triggered an environmental crisis, particularly in the Caribbean region, where forest loss in areas such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta degraded ecosystems, reduced carbon sequestration, and increased soil erosion, threatening biodiversity and local food security. In response, the Arhuaco Indigenous community implemented an ethnic territorial management system to restore degraded lands and safeguard their ancestral territory. This study evaluates the effectiveness of their efforts, supporting their call for territorial expansion by analyzing forest cover changes (1973–2023) in the Tucurinca and Aracataca river basins. Using Landsat imagery, remote sensing, and a maximum likelihood algorithm, we generated thematic maps and statistical vegetation change data, validated by a 91.4% accuracy rate (kappa coefficient and confusion matrices). Results demonstrate significant forest recovery, highlighting collective reforestation and Indigenous sustainable management as pivotal strategies for reversing deforestation in post-conflict scenarios. Full article

This study investigates the cross-cultural experiences and evolving sense of belonging among international students during the COVID-19 pandemic at a large Midwestern U.S. university. Using a mixed-methods approach, we collected quantitative data through a Qualtrics survey and qualitative insights from in-depth interviews. Findings reveal that while students generally adapted to academic and social disruptions, they faced intensified challenges related to cultural isolation, mental health struggles, and immigration uncertainties. Resilience, individualized coping strategies, and shifts in their sense of belonging emerged as key themes. The study contributes practical and theoretical insights by identifying institutional strategies to strengthen cultural inclusion, mental health support, and student engagement during global crises. These findings inform future research, university policies, and support systems aimed at enhancing international students’ wellbeing and fostering more inclusive educational environments during times of uncertainty. Full article

The concept of a “water governance crisis” manifests distinctly across different regions. In the Global South, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities, innovative governance models that incorporate community participation are critically needed to address unique challenges such as informal settlements and less stringent pollution controls. This paper presents a theoretical and methodological approach, emphasizing citizen science and community engagement in urban water management. It explores how engaging communities in the assessment and management of water bodies not only enhances the identification of priority areas but also strengthens local capacities to address environmental challenges. An analytical framework highlighting the interdependence between valuation languages and citizen science supports the development of management models for degraded hydro-social territories. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research develops social indicators and applies participatory methodologies, such as Participatory Mapping, demonstrated through a study of four urban rivers in Sangolquí, Ecuador: Santa Clara, San Pedro, Pita, and San Nicolás. Our findings reveal that participatory models are more effective than traditional technocratic hierarchies and underscore a new paradigm for water governance that prioritizes local knowledge and community practices. This study not only reveals the ecological, social, and spatial configurations of urban river landscapes in Sangolquí but also suggests the framework’s applicability to other Latin American cities facing similar challenges. Full article

Silicon-based storage technologies are increasingly failing to meet the explosively growing data storage demands of the information age. DNA-based data storage offers a promising solution due to its unparalleled storage density, long lifespan, low energy consumption, and high parallel accessibility. In this study, we propose a novel True Quadratic Codec System (ETQ) that directly encodes data into nucleotide sequences using a quaternary encoding approach. By treating A, T, C, and G as direct encoding symbols (0, 1, 2, 3), an ETQ eliminates the intermediate binary-to-ATCG conversion step, thus surpassing the theoretical storage density limit of 2 bits/nt. An ETQ is built on these three key components: (1) dividing image data into B, G, and R color channels for separate encoding and storage, (2) employing quaternary Huffman encoding to map image information directly into nucleotide sequences, and (3) integrating Reed–Solomon error correction codes to enhance data reliability and system extensibility. The ETQ framework demonstrates significant improvements in storage density and efficiency compared to conventional methods. By leveraging the inherent properties of DNA, this system offers a scalable and cost-effective solution that addresses the growing global data storage crisis. Full article

The Zaatari Camp in Jordan exemplifies how Syrian refugees transform a planned grid settlement into an organic urban environment through socio-spatial adaptation, reflecting their cultural identity and territorial practices. This study investigates the camp’s morphological evolution, analyzing how refugees reconfigure public and private spaces to prioritize privacy, security, and community cohesion. Using qualitative methods—including archival maps, photographs, and field observations—the research reveals how formal public areas are repurposed into private shelter extensions, creating zones of influence that mirror traditional Arab-Islamic urban patterns. Key elements such as mosques, markets, and hierarchical street networks emerge as cultural anchors, shaped by refugees’ prior urban experiences. However, this organic growth introduces challenges, such as blocked streets and undefined spaces, which hinder safety and service delivery, underscoring tensions between informal urbanization and structured planning. The findings advocate urban resilience and participatory planning frameworks that integrate socio-cultural values, emphasizing defensible boundaries, interdependence, and adaptable design. Refugees’ territorial behaviors—such as creating diagonal streets and expanding shelters—highlight their agency in reshaping urban systems, challenging conventional top-down approaches. This research focuses on land-use dynamics, sustainable cities, and adaptive urban systems in crisis contexts. By bridging gaps between displacement studies and urban theory, the study offers insights into fostering social inclusion and equitable infrastructure in transient settlements. Future research directions, including comparative analyses of refugee camps and cognitive mapping, aim to deepen understanding of socio-spatial resilience. Ultimately, this work contributes to global dialogues on informal urbanization and culturally responsive design, advocating for policies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals to rebuild cohesive, resilient urban environments in displacement settings. Full article

Social media has become an indispensable resource in disaster response, providing real-time crowdsourced data on public experiences, needs, and conditions during crises. This user-generated content enables government agencies and emergency responders to identify emerging threats, prioritize resource allocation, and optimize relief operations through data-driven insights. We present an AI-powered framework that combines natural language processing with geospatial visualization to analyze disaster-related social media content. Our solution features a text analysis model that achieved an 81.4% F1 score in classifying Twitter/X posts, integrated with an interactive web platform that maps emotional trends and crisis situations across geographic regions. The system’s dynamic visualization capabilities allow authorities to monitor situational developments through an interactive map, facilitating targeted response coordination. The experimental results show the model’s effectiveness in extracting actionable intelligence from Twitter/X posts during natural disasters. Full article

Media platforms provide an effective way to gauge public perceptions, especially during mass disruption events. This research explores public responses to the 2023 Ohio train derailment event through Twitter, currently known as X, and Google Trends. It aims to unveil public sentiments and attitudes by employing sentiment analysis using the Valence Aware Dictionary and Sentiment Reasoner (VADER) and topic modeling using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) on geotagged tweets across three phases of the event: impact and immediate response, investigation, and recovery. Additionally, the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) model is employed to conduct time-series clustering analysis of Google search patterns, offering a deeper understanding into the event’s spatial and temporal impact on society. The results reveal that public perceptions related to pollution in communities exhibited an inverted U-shaped curve during the initial two phases on both the Twitter and Google Search platforms. However, in the third phase, the trends diverged. While public awareness declined on Google Search, it experienced an uptick on Twitter, a shift that can be attributed to governmental responses. Furthermore, the topics of Twitter discussions underwent a transition across three phases, changing from a focus on the causes of fires and evacuation strategies in Phase 1, to river pollution and trusteeship issues in Phase 2, and finally converging on government actions and community safety in Phase 3. Overall, this study advances a multi-platform and multi-method framework to uncover the spatiotemporal dynamics of public perception during disasters, offering actionable insights for real-time, region-specific crisis management. Full article