Search Results (109)

China’s carbon peak and neutrality transition is critically constrained by the severe talent shortage and structural inefficiencies in higher education. This study systematically investigates the current status of “dual-carbon” talent cultivation and demand in China, leveraging annual “dual-carbon” talent cultivation data from universities nationwide. By applying the GM(1,1)-ARIMA hybrid forecasting model, it projects future national “dual-carbon” talent demand. Key findings reveal significant regional disparities in talent cultivation, with a pronounced mismatch between industrial demands and academic supply, particularly in interdisciplinary roles pivotal to decarbonization processes. Forecast results indicate an exponential growth in postgraduate talent demand, outpacing undergraduate demand, thereby underscoring the urgency of advancing high-end technological research and development. Through empirical analysis and innovative modeling, this study uncovers the structural contradictions between “dual-carbon” talent cultivation and market demands in China, providing critical decision-making insights to address the bottleneck of carbon-neutral talent development. Full article

Tennis is a demanding sport that requires physical abilities and optimal body composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and somatotype development of young Slovenian tennis players (754 boys and 514 girls aged 12 to 18 years) over the last two decades. Using standardised anthropometric measurements and the Heath-Carter method, somatotypes were calculated and analysed by age and gender. The results showed clear age- and gender-specific trends and differences in both somatotype profiles and detailed anthropometric characteristics. Significant differences were found in height, body mass, BMI, skinfolds, girths, and limb lengths, with gender differences becoming more pronounced in the older age groups. In boys, mesomorphy increased with age, reflecting an increase in musculature, while in girls, a shift from ectomorphic to endomorphic profiles was observed during adolescence, probably influenced by pubertal and hormonal changes. Significant sex-specific differences were observed in all three somatotype components in most age groups, especially in fat mass and muscle. The longitudinal design provides valuable data and insights into the evolving physical profiles of adolescent tennis players that support more effective talent identification and training. Despite the changes that have taken place in tennis over time, standardised measurement protocols ensured comparability, making the results relevant for practitioners working with adolescents in tennis development. Full article

This study, based on engineering education accreditation standards, addresses the supply–demand imbalance in China’s cybersecurity talent cultivation by constructing a sustainable “education-industry-society” collaborative model. Through case studies at Huaihua University and other institutions, employing methods such as literature analysis, field research, and empirical investigation, we systematically explore reform pathways for an innovative cybersecurity talent development system. The research proposes a “three-platform, four-module” practical teaching framework, where the coordinated operation of the basic skills training platform, comprehensive ability development platform, and innovation enhancement platform significantly improves students’ engineering competencies (practical courses account for 41.6% of the curriculum). Findings demonstrate that eight industry-academia practice bases established through deep collaboration effectively align teaching content with industry needs, substantially enhancing students’ innovative and practical abilities (172 national awards, 649 provincial awards). Additionally, the multi-dimensional evaluation mechanism developed in this study enables a comprehensive assessment of students’ professional skills, practical capabilities, and innovative thinking. These reforms have increased the employment rate of cybersecurity graduates to over 90%, providing a replicable solution to China’s talent shortage. The research outcomes offer valuable insights for discipline development under engineering education accreditation and contribute to implementing sustainable development concepts in higher education. Full article

How to promote sustainable development and deal with the actual development demands in economic transformation through land-use planning is crucial for local governments. The urban sustainable development mainly relies on creativity and talents in the digital era, and talents are increasingly attracted by local people-oriented land use. However, the current planning ideology remains at meeting corporate and people’s basic needs rather than specific needs of talents, especially the increasingly emerging digital creatives. To promote the talent agglomeration and sustainable development through land planning, this paper uses micro-celebrities on Bilibili, an influential creative content creation platform among young people in China, as an example to study the geographical distribution of digital creative talents and its relationship with urban amenities by constructing an index system of urban amenities, comprising natural, leisure, infrastructure, and social and institutional amenities. The concept of borrowed amenities is introduced to examine the effects of amenities of surrounding cities. This study demonstrates that micro-celebrities show a stronger preference for amenities compared with other skilled talents. Meanwhile, social and institutional amenities are most crucial. Furthermore, urban leisure represented by green spaces and consumption spaces is also attractive. At the regional scale, with prefecture-level cities as units, the local talents agglomeration is also influenced by the borrowed amenities in the context of regional integration. It indicates that the local land use should consider the characteristics of the surrounding cities. This study provides strategic inspiration that a happy and sustainable city should first be people-oriented and provide sufficient space for consumption, entertainment, and interaction. Full article

Upgrading the industrial structure is an essential step for economic growth and the transformation of old and new development drivers. Counties situated at the rural–urban interface hold a comparative advantage in industrial upgrading compared to cities, converting agricultural resource dividends into economic value. However, whether agricultural innovation talent can facilitate this process requires further investigation. Based on a sample of 1771 Chinese counties, this study employs a quasi-natural experiment using China’s “World-Class Disciplines” construction program in agriculture and establishes a difference-in-differences (DID) model to examine the impact of agricultural innovation talent on county-level industrial structure upgrading. The results show that agricultural innovation talent significantly promotes industrial upgrading, with this effect being more pronounced in counties with smaller urban–rural income gaps, greater household savings, and higher levels of industrial sophistication. Spatial spillover effects are also evident, indicating regional knowledge diffusion. Knowledge empowerment emerges as the core mechanism: agricultural innovation talent drives industrial convergence, responds to supply–demand dynamics, and integrates digital and intelligent elements through knowledge creation, dissemination, and application, thereby supporting county-level industrial upgrading. The findings highlight the necessity of establishing world-class agricultural research and talent incubation platforms, particularly emphasizing the supportive role of universities and the knowledge-driven contributions of agricultural innovation talents to county development. Full article

Against the backdrop of the energy crisis and a rapidly advancing digital economy, electricity–computing synergy has become a strategic pathway to resolve energy constraints in computing power center and overcome renewable energy consumption challenges. This study breaks through the existing single-factor fragmented analysis method and systematically constructs a vertically progressive and horizontally coupled electricity–computing synergy planning model to deconstruct the core elements of computing power center construction and reconstruct the path of electricity–computing value co-creation. It proposes a multi-objective site selection decision-making method for computing power center based on linear weighting and the principle of reusability and universality, effectively avoiding the problem of overall system efficiency loss caused by single-objective optimization. Based on the empirical results from data from 31 provinces in China, this study classifies the endowments for computing power center construction, conducts targeted analyses of each province’s situation, and finds three major contradictions facing China’s computing power center: a spatial mismatch between green energy resources and service demand, a dynamic imbalance between electricity price advantages and comprehensive costs, and structural contradictions between talent reserves and sustainable development. Finally, a multi-dimensional integrated strategy was systematically constructed, encompassing demand-driven initiatives, electricity price adjustments, talent innovation, natural cold-source activation, and network upgrades, to provide guidance and policy toolkits for the government planning of computing power infrastructure development. Full article

In the context of macroeconomic recovery and accelerating digital transformation in the post-pandemic era, the hotel industry in China is undergoing profound structural changes. This research investigates the core competencies required for hotel managers to navigate these challenges. Data was collected via a quantitative survey involving a structured questionnaire, was conducted among hotel managers in Shanghai, China, resulting in 404 valid responses. Employing exploratory factor analysis using SPSS, this study identifies seven key competency dimensions encompassing 36 ranked items, including interpersonal communication, leadership, operational knowledge, human resource management, financial analysis, technology, and administrative management. The results show that economic recovery has brought new opportunities but also challenges to the hotel industry, and that managers must possess a diverse set of core competencies to adapt to the demanding new market changes. The novelty of this research lies in its empirical grounding and its focus on the intersection of digitalization and economic recovery within China’s hotel industry. It pioneers a dynamic strategic competency framework tailored to the evolving demands of the hotel industry during a period of economic volatility, providing empirical evidence and advice for optimizing the industry’s talent training systems. Simultaneously, it brings a new perspective for dealing with the recovery path for the hotel enterprises in other urban and travel destinations, aiming to promote industry sustainability and competitive advantages. Future research could extend the proposed framework by exploring its applicability across different cultural and economic contexts. Full article

Aim: This article explores the contributing factors to the decline in the number of auditors globally and aims to provide the consequences and possible recommendations. Auditors play a critical role in ensuring transparency, trust, and credibility of financial statements. However, the profession is experiencing a decline across the globe. The decrease in the number of registered auditors has become a pressing issue, raising concerns about the future of the assurance industry’s ability to maintain the number of registered auditors and continue providing assurance services to public and private entities or companies. Methodology: A scoping-review methodology was adopted to analyse the existing literature on the global decline in the number of auditors. This approach utilises research evidence to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities within the audit profession. Relevant studies were sourced from databases such as ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate, as well as the grey literature. Main findings: This study identifies a combination of factors driving the decline of auditors globally. Economic pressures, such as cost reduction initiatives and outsourcing, have impacted the demand for traditional auditing services. Complex regulatory requirements have increased barriers to entry, while technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, are disrupting traditional auditing roles. Additionally, the profession suffers from negative perceptions regarding workload, remuneration, and work–life balance, discouraging new entrants. Practical implications: The findings emphasise the urgent need for the auditing profession to adapt to evolving challenges. Stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and professional organisations, must address issues such as technological integration, career development pathways, and regulatory simplification. Enhanced public awareness campaigns and training initiatives are critical to attracting and retaining professional talent. Contribution: This study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on the global decline of auditors by creating a broad spectrum of evidence. It highlights actionable strategies to address the profession’s challenges and provides a foundation for future research on sustaining the relevance of auditors in a dynamic global economy. Full article

Urgency and severity of climate change impacts have become increasingly prominent, making the enhancement of corporate climate risk disclosure (CCRD) a shared demand among regulators, investors, and the general public. From the perspective of irrational behavioral traits, this paper utilizes a sample of A-share-listed companies in China from 2008 to 2022 to empirically examine the impact of executives’ overseas experiences on CCRD and its underlying mechanisms. To measure firm-level climate risk disclosure, we employ machine learning-based textual analysis techniques and match the constructed disclosure indicators with firms’ financial data. The results demonstrate that executives with overseas experience significantly enhance the level of CCRD, and this effect remains consistent after a series of robustness tests. This effect operates through the dual paths of “climate attention allocation enhancement” and “management myopia mitigation”. Moreover, the positive impact of overseas experience is more pronounced among firms in climate-sensitive industries and regions with lower climate awareness. A further analysis of executive overseas experience characteristics shows that executives with experience in developed economies and those with international educational backgrounds exhibit a stronger influence in promoting CCRD. Additionally, an investigation into the economic consequences demonstrates that executives with overseas experiences not only improve firms’ ESG performances but also help reduce ESG rating discrepancies, reinforcing the beneficial role of overseas exposure in corporate governance. The findings not only provided micro-level empirical evidence for the effectiveness of talent recruitment policies in emerging economies but also yielded critical policy implications for regulatory bodies to refine climate disclosure frameworks and enable enterprises to leverage opportunities in low-carbon transition. Full article

(1) Background: Research examining the combined influence of anthropometric characteristics, chronological age, and training age on motor performance in handball is limited. Given the sport’s demands and the participation of both adolescent and adult athletes, understanding these relationships is essential for talent identification, personalized training, and long-term athlete development. This study aimed to explore how these variables affect motor performance indicators such as speed, agility, and explosive power. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 29 male handball players. Anthropometric data (height and body weight), chronological age, and training age were collected. Motor performance was assessed using a 30 m sprint, a vertical jump test, and an agility test. (3) Results: Chronological age showed a strong positive correlation with training age (r = 0.819), and moderate correlations with height, body weight, vertical jump, agility, and sprint time. Training age was moderately correlated with vertical jump (r = 0.465) and agility (r = 0.439). Height and body weight were positively associated with sprint time. BMI exhibited low but consistent correlations with all motor tests. Regression analysis revealed that height significantly predicted sprint performance (β = 0.401, p = 0.033), while BMI was not a significant predictor. No significant regression models were found for agility or vertical jump performance. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that both chronological and training age influence certain aspects of motor performance in handball players. Height may serve as a useful predictor of sprint ability, but anthropometric indicators such as BMI appear insufficient for explaining performance in agility or explosive power tasks. These findings support the use of multidimensional and individualized approaches in athletic assessment and training design. Full article

In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, the need to cultivate innovation-ready, globally competent talent has become a strategic imperative. This study critically investigates how sustainable open innovation strategies—particularly within non-profit organizations and university alliances—can serve as a catalyst for global talent development. Responding to the growing demand for interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral collaboration, the research employs a robust mixed-methods approach, integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to evaluate and prioritize key strategic factors. The findings reveal that initiatives such as international internship programs, operational funding mechanisms, joint research ventures, and technology transfer are essential drivers in creating environments that nurture and scale global talent. Building on these insights, this study introduces a structured, sustainable innovation model that categorizes strategies into three tiers—collaborative, interactive, and foundational service-oriented actions—providing a practical roadmap for resource optimization and strategic planning. More than a theoretical exercise, this research offers actionable guidance for non-profit leaders, academic administrators, and corporate partners. It highlights the reciprocal value of multi-sector collaboration and contributes to a broader understanding of how mission-driven innovation ecosystems can foster resilient, future-ready workforces. By positioning non-profit–academic partnerships at the center of global talent strategies, the study sets a foundation for rethinking how institutions can co-create value in addressing pressing global challenges. Full article

With the advancement of global economic restructuring and China’s economic transformation, structural employment contradictions have intensified amid increasingly competitive labor markets. The frequent occurrences of “degree devaluation” and talent “downskilling” have made perceived overqualification increasingly prevalent in organizations. This study, based on the Cognitive–Affective Personality System theory, investigates the differential mechanisms through which perceived overqualification drives approach and avoidance job crafting via cognitive and affective pathways. Data from a two-wave survey of 556 Chinese employees produced several key findings: (1) Perceived overqualification significantly enhances approach job crafting while suppressing avoidance job crafting by elevating role breadth self-efficacy (cognitive pathway), demonstrating a proactive breakthrough effect. (2) Perceived overqualification inhibits approach job crafting and exacerbates avoidance job crafting through triggering emotional exhaustion (affective pathway), revealing a passive exhaustion trap. (3) Perceived overqualification exerts a positive and significant overall indirect effect on approach job crafting through the combined mechanisms of cognitive gains from role breadth self-efficacy and affective costs from emotional exhaustion, whereas the overall indirect effect on avoidance job crafting is non-significant. (4) Idiosyncratic deals (i-deals) function as a dynamic boundary mechanism that amplifies the positive impact of role breadth self-efficacy and mitigates the negative effects of emotional exhaustion, while moderating the mediating roles of both pathways. This research develops a dual-path integrated model of perceived overqualification and job crafting by classifying job crafting categories, incorporating cognitive–affective pathways, and introducing i-deals as a contextual element. These findings respond to scholarly demands for elucidating the intricate connections between perceived overqualification and job crafting through integrative perspectives; in addition, they offer theoretical and practical insights for organizations to leverage the potential of overqualified individuals appropriately. Full article

Amid growing sustainability demands, limited research explores how green organizational practices influence employee retention through personal norms. In the Chinese manufacturing sector, where talent retention is increasingly critical amid environmental challenges, this study examined the relationships between green shared vision, green corporate social responsibility (CSR), green psychological climate, and green human resource management (HRM) with employee retention, mediated by personal norms. A quantitative research design was adopted, collecting survey data from 263 employees working in the Chinese manufacturing sector. Structural equation modeling (SEM) using Smart PLS tested the direct and mediating effects of personal norms on the relationship between green organizational practices and employee retention. The results reveal that green shared vision and green CSR significantly enhance personal norms, which positively impact employee retention. Personal norms mediate the relationships between these two practices and retention. However, green psychological climate and green HRM show no significant direct or mediated effects on personal norms and retention, suggesting the need for additional contextual alignment to enhance their effectiveness. Organizations should integrate sustainability into their strategic vision and CSR activities to foster personal norms that drive retention. Efforts such as green communication campaigns, community-centered CSR programs, and targeted green HRM policies can strengthen employees’ alignment with organizational goals and reduce turnover. This study extends the theory of planned behavior (TPB) by demonstrating the role of personal norms as a mediator, providing fresh insights into the psychological mechanisms linking green practices to employee retention within China’s manufacturing context. Full article

The role of the digital business environment (DBE) in the sustainable development of enterprises (SDE) has received extensive attention. This study aims to discover what factors of DBE affect SDE. The empirical results based on China’s inter-provincial panel data from 2011 to 2021 show that DBE has a dual impact on the quantity and quality of enterprises from five dimensions, digital infrastructure, digital industrial environment, digital R&D support, digital talent supply, and digital market demand, among which the digital industrial environment, digital R&D support, and digital talent supply are more conducive to enterprise sustainability. The digital industry environment, digital R&D support and digital talent supply are more conducive to improving enterprise development quality. The results of the heterogeneity analysis further show that there is a significant difference in the regional effect of DBE on SDE. Enterprises in eastern, central, and western China show a tendency to differentiate the demand for different factor conditions, such as technology, industry, and talent, in the process of development. The research in this study provides new theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence for optimising the business environment and achieving SDE. Full article

This study examines the Chemical Engineering and Technology major at Nanjing Forestry University as a case study to explore a sustainable improvement and development model for the major, grounded in the principles of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) framework. In the context of new engineering education and integrating the core concepts of engineering professional education accreditation, this research merges the OBE concept with the PDCA model to promote the sustainable enhancement of the Chemical Engineering and Technology major. The objective is to assess the effectiveness of this professional construction model based on the OBE and PDCA framework in fostering the sustainable development of students. The findings indicate that by establishing a cultivation system aligned with the new economy, restructuring the interdisciplinary curriculum, and implementing a diversified evaluation system, it is feasible to nurture high-quality technical engineering talents equipped with social responsibility, teamwork skills, innovative thinking, and an awareness of sustainable development. This study demonstrates that this professional construction mechanism and model significantly contribute to developing sustainable education, enhancing engineering practice and innovative awareness, and cultivating applied innovative talents among students. Furthermore, this study not only offers new insights for specialty construction but also serves as a practical reference for improving teaching quality and meeting societal demands. Full article