Search Results (2,269)

Recent studies in the Romanian Western Carpathians have revealed increasing socio-demographic fragility in rural areas and small towns, driven by depopulation, population aging, and declining living standards. These trends stem from the legacy of forced collectivization and industrialization (1950–1990) and the post-1990 transition, which triggered extensive out-migration and the erosion of local socio-economic structures. This study examines the fragility of human communities in the Trascău Mountains in order to evaluate spatial, demographic, and economic recovery dynamics and to assess settlement vulnerability as a major obstacle to sustainable regional development. Fragility was measured using indicators of population density and change, age structure, accessibility, and socio-demographic dynamics, based on comparative data for the interval of 1977–2021. These variables were integrated into a composite development index (Id), derived from twelve indicators covering demography, economy, infrastructure, and living standards, enabling the hierarchical classification of settlements by degree of vulnerability. The methodological framework combines empirical and analytical methods, statistical, cartographic, bibliographic, and field-based analyses within evolutionary, structural–functional, and typological perspectives. The results identify the main drivers of decline, quantify their impacts, and outline development prospects and policy directions for reducing territorial disparities. Overall, fragile settlements emerge as critical pressure points that undermine sustainability, intensify regional instability, and increase risks related to migration and social cohesion. Full article

Sustainable entrepreneurship is essential for promoting the integrated development of economic, environmental, and social systems, particularly in emerging economies such as China. Drawing on social identity theory and resource bricolage theory, this study examines how founder identity influences sustainable entrepreneurial behavior and also explores the mediating role of entrepreneurial bricolage and the moderating effect of perceived uncertainty. Using survey data from 210 Chinese new ventures, the hypotheses were tested by structural equation modeling and moderated mediation analysis. The empirical results indicate that founder identity positively influences sustainable entrepreneurship, with entrepreneurial bricolage partially mediating this relationship. Moreover, perceived uncertainty weakens the positive relationship between founder identity and bricolage. It also reduces the indirect effect of bricolage on sustainable entrepreneurship, indicating that higher uncertain environments constrain entrepreneurs’ willingness to rely on bricolage as a resource acquisition strategy. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions through which founder identity influences sustainable entrepreneurial behavior, this study enriches micro-level research on sustainable entrepreneurship. It also provides practical insights for entrepreneurs and policymakers in strengthening strategic resilience and fostering the development of sustainable entrepreneurship. Full article

Compared to traditional marine productivity, marine new-quality productivity (MNQP) is composed of advanced productive forces driven by the deepening application of new technologies, is characterized by the rapid emergence of new industries, new business models, and new modes of operation, and is marked by a substantial increase in total factor productivity in the marine economy. It has, therefore, become a new engine and pathway for China’s development into a maritime power. The main research approaches and conclusions of this paper are as follows: ① Using a combined order relation analysis method–Entropy Weight Method (G1-EWM) weighting method that integrates subjective and objective factors, we measured the development level of China’s MNQP from 2006 to 2021 across two dimensions: “factor structure” and “quality and efficiency”. The findings indicate that China’s MNQP is developing robustly and still holds considerable potential for improvement. ② Utilizing Gaussian Kernel Density Estimation and Spatial Markov Chain analysis to examine the dynamic evolution of China’s MNQP, the study identifies breaking the low-end lock-in of MNQP as crucial for accelerating balanced development. Spatial imbalances in China’s MNQP may exist both at the national level and within the three major marine economic zones. ③ To further examine potential spatial imbalances, Dagum Gini decomposition was employed to assess regional disparities in China’s MNQP. The DER polarization index and EGR polarization index were used to analyze spatial polarization levels, revealing an intensifying spatial imbalance in China’s MNQP. ④ Finally, geographic detectors were employed to identify the factors influencing spatial imbalances in China’s MNQP. Results indicate that these imbalances result from the combined effects of multiple factors, with marine economic development emerging as the core determinant exerting a dominant influence. The core conclusions of this study provide theoretical support and practical evidence for advancing the enhancement of China’s MNQP, thereby contributing to the realization of the goal of building a maritime power. Full article

This study investigates whether national innovation systems contribute to sustainable well-being in emerging EU Member States by examining the long-run relationship between innovation performance and a multidimensional Quality of Life Index (QoLI). Using a balanced panel covering 2013–2024 for ten countries, the analysis integrates the Global Innovation Index, economic development dynamics, and demographic pressure to assess whether innovation-led progress translates into broad societal benefits. Panel cointegration tests confirm a stable long-run equilibrium among variables, while FMOLS estimation reveals three key results: (i) While the bivariate Pearson correlation indicates a positive association between innovation capacity and quality of life, the multivariate FMOLS estimation reveals a statistically significant negative long-run effect of innovation performance on QoLI, once economic development and demographic pressures are jointly controlled for. (ii) Economic development contributes positively to sustainable well-being, reinforcing the role of income-driven improvements in living conditions, and (iii) population size exerts a strong negative effect, reflecting demographic stress and unequal access to essential services. The findings indicate an innovation–well-being gap in which technological progress advances faster than the institutional and social mechanisms needed to ensure equitable diffusion. These results underscore the need to reorient innovation strategies toward inclusive growth, social accessibility, and environmental resilience so that innovation systems can effectively support sustainable well-being in emerging European economies. Full article

With the ongoing advancement of urbanization, the renewal of old urban areas has emerged as a central front in enhancing urban quality, with street space improvement playing a pivotal role in advancing sustainable urban development. This study focuses on Chengdu, a highly urbanized megacity, employing a combination of multi-point continuous street view photography, spatial mapping, and landscape design interventions to systematically examine human activity patterns, commercial dynamics, and pathways for spatial optimization along the street-facing interfaces of old residential neighborhoods and their adjacent urban streets. The findings reveal that: (1) commercializing the street-facing façades enhances local employment opportunities; (2) window-type fences demonstrate superior adaptability by effectively balancing commercial accessibility with resident safety; and (3) a diverse mix of commercial types sustains the vitality of street-level economies in these areas. These results not only offer actionable spatial strategies for the renovation of old residential zones in Chengdu but also contribute transferable insights for urban regeneration efforts globally. Full article

The natural gas sector, as a pivotal transition fuel, is fundamentally constrained by the “Energy Trilemma”—the intertwined and often competing goals of energy security, affordability, and sustainability. Current research predominantly focuses on the demand side, leaving a significant gap in understanding the synergistic dynamics within production regions, which are critical to resolving this trilemma at its source. To address this gap, this study constructs a “Safety–Economy–Green” (S-E-G) evaluation framework aligned with the trilemma’s dimensions. Utilizing panel data (2011–2021) from four major Chinese natural gas production regions (Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, and Shanxi). By integrating the Entropy Weight Method, a Coupling Coordination Model, and Kernel Density Estimation, it delineates the system’s synergistic dynamics from both temporal and regional perspectives. The key findings are as follows: (1) Significant disparities and polarization are observed in the S and G dimensions, while the E dimension shows a narrowing gap, with its peak height increasing by 177.8% and bandwidth shrinking by 64.2%. G has emerged as a constraint on overall system coupling coordination. The persistently high coupling degree—rising from 0.87 in 2011 to 0.97 in 2021 while consistently exceeding the coordination degree, which increased from 0.45 to 0.62—underscores the continued need for improvement in synergistic development. (2) The coupling coordination degree of the S-E-G system underwent a three-stage evolution: rapid improvement (2011–2013, from 0.36 to 0.58 at 7.3% annually), fluctuating adjustment (2014–2017, between 0.58 and 0.66), and finally high-level stability (2018–2021, stabilizing at 0.76–0.80). (3) Obvious regional differentiation exists: Sichuan achieved a moderate level of 0.76 by 2021, Shaanxi maintained primary coupling coordination (0.6–0.7), while Chongqing and Shanxi remained marginal, fluctuating between 0.4 and 0.6. Enhancing subsystem coordination and implementing differentiated pathways are therefore essential for these regions’ sustainable development. The study suggests promoting the sustainable development of natural gas production regions by enhancing subsystem coordination and exploring differentiated pathways, thereby providing practical guidance for the energy transition of resource-based regions. Full article

This study aimed to analyze the impact of the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) on GDP growth in 10 developed and developing countries during the period 2010–2024. It was based on the hypothesis that increased digitalization and AI investments promote sustainable economic growth by improving national productivity and efficiency, in accordance with modern technological growth theory, which links digital innovation to economic development. The study used tablet data comprising 150 observations, which were analyzed using fixed- and random-effects models, controlling for traditional variables such as employment, human capital, and investment. The results showed that the Digitalization Indicators (DIGI) had a significant positive impact on growth (fixed: 0.003479, p < 0.01; random: 0.003325, p < 0.01), and that investment in AI also had a significant positive impact (fixed: 0.063695, p < 0.05; random: 0.066548, p < 0.05). In contrast, workforce size had a limited impact, while education and human capital emerged as key drivers of sustainable growth (Constant: 0.003257, p < 0.01; Random: 0.003264, p < 0.01). The inclusion of dummy variables further differentiated between developed and developing countries in the random-effects model, reinforcing the economic interpretation of the findings. The study suggests that integrating digitalization, education, and investment in artificial intelligence is an effective strategy for promoting sustainable economic growth, while emphasizing the importance of workforce skills development to maximize its impact. Full article

In the context of environmental challenges and digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a key role in promoting sustainable development within Industry 4.0 and the emerging paradigm of Industry 5.0. This study systematically reviewed the literature (2015–2025) from Scopus and Web of Science on the connections between AI, circular economy, industrial paradigms, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on supply chains and SDG 12—responsible consumption and production. The majority of research emphasizes managerial aspects, the application of machine learning and robotics, as well as waste reduction, resource optimization, and circular economy practices within supply chain and production–consumption systems. Geographical analysis shows that larger economies serve as central research hubs, while some countries that are not among the most populous often achieve the highest average citations per document. Temporal keyword trends indicate a shift in research focus from operational efficiency in traditional supply chains (optimization) toward supply chain digitalization (artificial intelligence) and sustainability (circular economy). Keyword trends reveal four thematic clusters: supply chain digitalization, agritech, smart industry, and sustainability. The study highlights future research directions, including integrating circular economy with managerial and technical approaches, linking Industry 5.0 with SDG 12, and applying advanced AI in sustainable industrial practices. The increasing attention to ethical and social dimensions underscores the need for AI solutions that are both technologically advanced and sustainability oriented. Full article

Post-disaster reconstruction remains largely excluded from circular-economy approaches. This gap is particularly evident in earthquake-affected inner territories, where reconstruction is constrained by severe logistical challenges—especially in relation to rubble management—and where debris is often composed of materials closely tied to local building cultures and community identities. In these contexts, rebuilding still predominantly follows linear, emergency-driven models that treat rubble primarily as waste. This study introduces Rubble as a Material Bank (RMB), a digital–material framework that reconceptualises earthquake rubble as a traceable and programmable resource for circular reconstruction. RMB defines a rubble-to-component chain that integrates material characterisation, data-driven management, robotic fabrication, and reversible architectural design. Selected downstream segments of this chain are experimentally validated through the TRAP project, developed within the European TARGET-X programme. The experimentation focuses on extrusion-based fabrication of dry-assembled wall components using rubble-derived aggregates. The results indicate that digitally governed workflows can enable material reuse, while also revealing technical and regulatory constraints that currently limit large-scale implementation. Full article

The entrepreneurial ecosystem theory posits that regional development emerges from synergistic interactions among entrepreneurs, institutions, and markets. This study positions entrepreneurial vitality as the core catalyst synchronizing digital inclusive finance (DIF) with rural revitalization—two systems often advancing in isolation, leading to unbalanced rural development. Using a coupling coordination degree model and provincial panel data from China (2011–2020), we demonstrate that entrepreneurial vitality significantly strengthens DIF–rural revitalization coupling coordination, following a nonlinear threshold pattern. Coordination gains accelerate only after vitality passes empirically identified critical levels, explaining persistent regional disparities in coupling coordination. Furthermore, the vitality–coordination link is moderated by technological infrastructure, organizational electronic commerce (e-commerce) engagement, and regional economic development, as outlined by the Technology–Organization–Environment framework. Framing DIF as an e-commerce-related ICT input, this paper advances the entrepreneurial ecosystem, e-commerce, and ICT-for-development (ICT4D) literature by revealing the threshold-driven nature of resource coordination in rural contexts. The findings offer a contextualized framework for catalyzing balanced and inclusive rural development in emerging economies. Full article

This study analyzes the socio-cultural and behavioral determinants of FinTech adoption and access to credit among Ecuadorian SMEs. A probabilistic sample of 600 firms, operating in the services, commerce, information and communication technologies (ICT), and industry sectors, was surveyed to ensure representation of the country’s productive structure. The model integrates financial literacy, institutional trust, and perceived accessibility as key independent variables, with FinTech adoption as a digital behavioral factor and access to credit and credit conditions as the primary dependent outcomes. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), complemented by multi-group invariance tests and cluster analysis, the study evaluates seven hypotheses linking cognitive, perceptual, and digital mechanisms to financing behavior and firm performance. Results show that financial literacy and institutional trust significantly improve access to formal credit, with perceived accessibility acting as a partial mediator. FinTech adoption enhances credit conditions but remains limited among micro and small firms. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening financial education programs, simplifying credit procedures to reduce perceived barriers, and developing trust-building regulatory frameworks for digital finance. The results highlight the importance of socio-cultural and behavioral factors in shaping SME financing decisions and contribute to the understanding of financial inclusion dynamics in emerging economies. Full article

Maple syrup production has the potential to promote sustainable rural economic development in regions with suitable forest and climate conditions. Kentucky emerges as a promising candidate due to its extensive maple tree inventory and favorable seasonal patterns. However, the broader economy-wide implications of developing a maple syrup industry in the state remain underexplored. To fill this knowledge gap, this study employs a customized static single-region computable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling approach for Kentucky under nine scenarios based on production capacities and potential levels. The results consistently show positive impacts on net household income, social welfare (measured by equivalent variation), government revenues, and state GDP across all scenarios. Medium production capacities generate the most balanced and efficient outcomes, while high-potential scenarios, especially under small and large scales produce the largest absolute gains. These results underscore the viability of maple syrup production as an economic development strategy and highlight the role of production scale in maximizing benefits. Furthermore, expanding maple syrup production can enhance rural livelihoods by diversifying forest-based income and promoting long-term stewardship. As a non-timber forest product, maple syrup tapping provides economic incentives to maintain healthy forests, strengthening rural sustainability and resilience. Our findings indicate that developing this industry beyond traditional regions can generate meaningful economic benefits while encouraging sustainable resource use when appropriately scaled and managed. Full article

Employer-funded education and training (EFET) has gained increasing attention as a strategic human resource practice for developing human capital and enhancing organizational performance. However, empirical evidence on its effectiveness remains limited in emerging economies, particularly within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where workforce localization and human capital development are central to Vision 2030. This study examines the associations between EFET participation and three key employee outcomes: motivation, retention intention, and productivity. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 200 employees and managers across multiple sectors in KSA through a structured questionnaire. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationships while controlling for gender, age, sector, and years of experience. The results indicate that EFET participation is positively and significantly associated with employee motivation, retention intention, and self-reported productivity, with the strongest association observed for retention intention. Model fit indices demonstrate an excellent overall fit, supporting the proposed model’s robustness. By integrating Human Capital Theory with empirical evidence from the Saudi context, this study contributes to the literature by extending understanding of how employer-funded education functions within a non-Western labor market. The findings offer practical implications for organizations and policymakers seeking to optimize education and training investments in support of sustainable workforce development and Vision 2030 objectives. Full article

This study examines how Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) is linked to sustainable organizational performance, encompassing environmental, economic, and social outcomes through the capability-building mechanisms of green innovation (GI) and green organizational culture (GOCL) in emerging manufacturing systems. Drawing on the Resource-Based View and capability-based sustainability perspectives, GHRM is conceptualized as a strategic organizational capability that enables firms in developing economies to beyond short-term regulatory compliance toward measurable and integrated sustainability performance outcomes. Survey data were collected from 446 managerial and technical respondents in Ethiopia’s garment and textile industrial parks, one of Africa’s fastest-growing industrial sectors facing significant sustainability challenges. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with bootstrapping-based mediation analysis, the results show that GHRM is positively associated with sustainable organizational performance, with GI and GOCL operating as key mediating mechanisms that translate HR-related practices into measurable sustainability outcomes. The findings highlight the role of GHRM in strengthening firms’ adaptive and developmental sustainability capabilities by fostering pro-sustainability mindsets and innovation-oriented behaviors, which are particularly critical in resource-constrained and weak-institutional contexts. The study contributes to sustainability and management literature by explicitly linking Green HRM to triple-bottom-line performance through a capability-building framework and by providing rare firm-level empirical evidence from a low-income emerging economy. Practically, the results provide guidance for managers and policy makers to design, monitor, and evaluate HRM systems that intentionally cultivate human, cultural, and innovative capabilities to support long-term organizational sustainability transitions. Full article

3D-printed food (3DPF) is on the rise, enabling the development of new food products. Current applications in this domain led to the replication of meat analogs, protein-enriched products, and dietary solutions tailored to address nuanced health necessities. Central to the functional versatility of 3DPF is its capacity for post-printing textural manipulation, which facilitates diverse food applications. Integrating bioactive compounds sourced from biodiversity, vegetables, algae, and agricultural residues is not merely an exercise in culinary refinement but an outstanding contribution to the circular economy. Strategic incorporation of these bioactive compounds into foodinks enhances the antioxidant potential of consumables and contributes to physiological benefits for human health, as evidenced by extant literature, which underscores their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless, critical gaps emerge upon a meticulous examination of the recent literature, notably regarding the viability of bioactive compounds within foodink matrices for 3DPF and their bioaccessibility after simulated digestion. Thus, the objective of this review is to evaluate the current state of the art in 3DPF, with a focus on biodiversity as a source of innovative ingredients and matrices and on the bioaccessibility of associated bioactive compounds, while outlining future research directions in this field. Full article