Search Results (5,660)

As China advances its green transition, digital finance broadens firms’ access to external financing; however, whether improved access enhances financial allocation efficiency or drives green technology innovation remains unclear. This study addresses this through a dual-layer framework examining financing mechanisms and governance conditions. Using panel data from 2165 Chinese A-share firms (2011–2022) with two-way fixed-effects models, the analysis yields three key findings: First, digital finance significantly enhances green technology innovation. Second, financial mismatch partially mediates this relationship. Third, governance moderates these effects. Equity incentives exhibit threshold effects, where positive impacts emerge only above certain levels. Cash incentives, however, vary by period: they are positive in 2011–2018 and negative in 2019–2022. These results underscore that financial reform must accompany governance improvements, especially equity incentives. The Chinese experience also provides insights for emerging economies navigating digital finance expansion and green transition. Full article

The Australian built environment is pivotal to achieving national net-zero targets, yet progress remains slow due to fragmented policy frameworks, low retrofit adoption, and uneven integration of emerging technologies. Despite these challenges, little research has applied a foresight perspective that both defines reproducible scenario thresholds and provides semi-quantitative comparisons tailored to Australia. This study integrates strategic foresight with international benchmarking to develop four scenarios for 2050: Business as Usual, Accelerated Sustainability, Technological Transformation, and Climate Resilience. Each scenario is underpinned by measurable thresholds for renovation rates, electrification, digital penetration, and low-carbon material uptake, and is evaluated through a scorecard spanning five outcome domains, with sensitivity and stress testing of high-leverage parameters. Findings indicate that an Accelerated Sustainability pathway, driven by deep retrofits of ≥3% annually, whole-life carbon policies, and renewable penetration of at least 70%, delivers the strongest combined performance across emissions reduction, liveability, and resilience. Technological Transformation offers adaptability and service quality but raises concerns over equity and cyber-dependence, while Climate Resilience maximises adaptation capacity yet risks under-delivering on mitigation. The study contributes a reproducible framework and transparent assumptions table to inform policy and industry road mapping, suggesting that a policy-led pathway coupling retrofits, electrification, and digital enablement provides the most balanced route towards a net zero and climate-resilient built environment by 2050. Full article

The conversion of ecological product value is vital for reconciling economic growth with environmental sustainability. As a financial innovation that combines digital technology with inclusive finance, digital finance has emerged as a key driver of this process. Drawing on Chinese provincial panel data from 2011 to 2020, this study shows that digital finance significantly enhances the conversion efficiency of ecological product value (CEEPV), and the results remain robust after addressing endogeneity and sensitivity concerns. The analysis reveals that the depth of use and the level of digitalization of digital finance strongly promote CEEPV, while coverage breadth has no significant effect. Mechanism tests indicate that digital finance improves CEEPV mainly through alleviating rural financing constraints, fostering entrepreneurship, encouraging green innovation, enhancing agricultural social services, and supporting rural e-commerce. In addition, traditional finance and financial regulation complement digital finance in strengthening CEEPV. Heterogeneity analysis further shows that the positive effect of digital finance is concentrated in provinces with higher levels of marketization and urbanization. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of accelerating digital finance development and implementing region-specific policies to maximize its potential in advancing ecological product value realization. Full article

Against the backdrop of global agricultural transformation, rural China faces the critical challenge of reconciling economic development with environmental conservation and social well-being. This study, grounded in the rural revitalization strategy, investigates the internal mechanisms, level measurement, and sustainable development paths of rural industrial integration based on the “Triple Integration of Production, Livelihood and Ecology” (PLE) philosophy. Firstly, we discussed the suitability and the mechanisms of this philosophy on China’s rural industrial integration. Secondly, based on a textual corpus extracted from academic journals and policy documents, we employed an LDA topic model to cluster the themes and construct an evaluation indicator system comprising 29 indicators. Then, utilizing data from the China Statistical Yearbook and the China Rural Statistical Yearbook (2013–2022), we measured the level of China’s rural industrial integration using the entropy method. The composite integration index displays a continuous upward trend over 2013–2022, accelerating markedly after the 2015 stimulus policy, yet a temporary erosion of “production–livelihood–ecology” synergy occurred in 2020 owing to an exogenous shock. Lastly, combining the system dynamics model, we simulated over the period 2023–2030 the three sustainable development scenarios: green ecological development priority, livelihood standard development priority and production level development priority. Research has shown that (1) the “Triple Synergy of Production, Livelihood and Ecology” philosophy and China’s rural industrial integration are endogenously unified, and they form a two-way mutual mechanism with the common goal of sustainable development. (2) China’s rural industrial integration under this philosophy is characterized by production-dominated development and driven mainly by processing innovation and service investment, but can be constrained by ecological fragility and external shocks. (3) System dynamics simulations reveal that the production-development priority scenario (Scenario 3) is the most effective pathway, suggesting that the production system is a vital engine driving the sustainable development of China’s rural industrial integration, with digitalization and technological innovation significantly improving integration efficiency. In the future, efforts should focus on transitioning towards a people-centered model by restructuring cooperative equity for farmer ownership, building community-based digital commons to bridge capability gaps, and creating market mechanisms to monetize and reward conservation practices. Full article

Energy poverty is one of the major challenges to global sustainable development, while digital development, as a significant trend of the current era, is considered a key pathway to transcend traditional energy governance frameworks. Anchored in provincial panel data spanning 30 regions across China from 2003 to 2023, this study systematically examines the impact and heterogeneity of digital development on energy poverty and further explores the underlying mechanisms and nonlinear characteristics. The findings show that digital development can significantly alleviate energy poverty, and this conclusion remains valid after addressing endogeneity issues and conducting a series of robustness tests. However, the poverty reduction effect of digital development exhibits significant regional heterogeneity: the mitigation effect in central and western regions is significantly stronger than that in eastern regions, the effect in northern regions is higher than that in southern regions, and the effect in energy-disadvantaged regions is better than that in advantageous regions. Additionally, digital development alleviates energy poverty through mediating pathways such as promoting non-agricultural employment, improving human capital levels, and driving technological innovation. Notably, digital development demonstrates threshold effects and quantile heterogeneity in relation to energy poverty, characterized by diminishing marginal returns as digital development progresses; regions with higher levels of energy poverty experience more significant poverty reduction effects from digital development. This research provides a theoretical basis for energy poverty governance under the global energy crisis and offers empirical references for other countries to achieve energy sustainability goals (SDG7) through context-specific digital transformations. Full article

The demands of modern society regarding academic training have placed the focus of education on active methodologies. Their proven success also presents challenges for the innovation they entail. In this regard, methodological strategies such as gamification are currently focusing their analyses on design to ensure the effectiveness of their outcomes. With this in mind, we aim to analyse a gamification experience in higher education from the perspective of the various stakeholders involved. Using a qualitative methodology, data from an open-ended survey and the learning journals of 73 students were triangulated with the teaching journals of four lecturers. The category-based data analysis indicates that escape room-type games and digital boards are the most highly valued as innovative educational tools that promote active learning. Conflict resolution, cooperative work, and understanding of theoretical knowledge stood out as achieved objectives. The overall positive view, the classroom atmosphere of excitement and fun, and the impact on learning due to increased motivation were highlighted in participants’ opinions. From the lecturers’ perspective, the outcome is shown to be worthwhile in terms of effort and benefit. Full article

As an emerging innovation paradigm in the digital economy era, digital innovation has become an important means for manufacturing firms to build supply chain resilience for sustainable development, but its intrinsic mechanism requires clarification. This research explores the impact of digital innovation (digital organizational innovation and digital product innovation) on supply chain resilience (supply chain readiness, supply chain responsiveness, and supply chain recovery) and sustainable performance via structural equation modeling involving data from 226 Chinese manufacturing firms. The results show that digital organizational innovation can promote digital product innovation. Digital organizational innovation and digital product innovation contribute to supply chain readiness, supply chain responsiveness, and supply chain recovery. Supply chain readiness, supply chain responsiveness, and supply chain recovery enhance sustainable performance. Finally, supply chain resilience mediates the relationship between digital innovation and sustainable performance. These findings reveal the role of digital innovation in improving sustainable performance through supply chain resilience and provide practical guidance for manufacturing companies to better conduct digital innovation to build supply chain resilience and thus realize sustainable development. Full article

The construction industry faces persistent productivity challenges despite the widespread adoption of advanced digital technologies. This systematic review examines how digital technologies contribute to improving on-site labor productivity within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECOs) sector. Following the PRISMA methodology, 431 records were initially identified, with 28 high-quality articles ultimately selected for analysis through rigorous screening and snowballing techniques. The reviewed technologies include Building Information Modeling (BIM), photogrammetry, LiDAR, augmented reality (AR), global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs), radio frequency identification (RFID), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which were categorized into three key areas: factors affecting productivity, modeling and evaluation, and productivity improvement methods. Findings highlight that these technologies collectively enhance resource allocation, reduce labor costs, and improve project scheduling through better coordination. Whilst digital technologies demonstrate substantial impact on construction productivity, further research is needed to quantify long-term benefits and address scalability challenges across different project contexts and organizational structures. Ultimately, the review concludes that digital technologies play a crucial role in enhancing construction productivity, highlighting the need for further research to assess long-term advantages and scalability across diverse construction environments. These technological advancements are essential for modernizing the industry and supporting sustainable growth in the digital transition era. Full article

Cultural organizations have traditionally been viewed as resistant to change, often bound by legacy structures, public dependency, and non-commercial missions. However, recent advances in digital technologies—ranging from AI and VR to IoT and big data—are reshaping the operational and strategic landscape of these institutions. Despite this shift, academic literature has yet to comprehensively map how technological innovation transforms cultural organizations into practice. This paper addresses this gap by introducing the concept of the Cultural Organizational System (COS)—a holistic framework that captures the multi-component structure of cultural entities, including space, tools, performance, management, and networks. Using a PRISMA-based scoping review methodology, we analyze over 90 sources to identify the types, functions, and strategic roles of technological innovations across COS components. The findings reveal a taxonomy of innovation use cases, a mapping to Oslo innovation categories, and a quadrant model of enablers and barriers unique to the cultural sector. By offering an integrated view of digital transformation in cultural settings, this study advances innovation theory and provides practical guidance for cultural leaders and policymakers seeking to balance mission-driven goals with sustainability and modernization imperatives. Full article

Introduction: Despite global improvements in immunization, major gaps persist. By 2024, an estimated 14.3 million infants, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), remained zero-dose (ZD), never having received even the first DTP vaccine. In 2022, 33 million children missed their measles vaccination (22 million missed the first dose, 11 million missed the second dose), highlighting entrenched structural, behavioral, and systemic barriers that continue to exclude marginalized populations. Addressing these inequities requires innovative, context-adapted approaches that strengthen primary health care (PHC) and extend services to the hardest-to-reach populations. Objectives: This study aims to document and synthesize implementation research (IR) projects on immunization programs in LMICs, identifying key enablers and effective strategies that reduce inequities, improve outcomes, and support efforts to reach ZD children. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multiple-case study of 36 IR projects across 13 LMICs, embedded within an evidence review framework and complemented by policy analysis. Data were drawn from systematic document reviews and validation discussions with project leads. A total of 326 strategies were extracted, coded using a structured codebook, and mapped to the WHO–UNICEF PHC Levers for Action. Descriptive analysis synthesized patterns across service delivery and policy outcomes, including coverage gains, improved microplanning, community engagement, and system integration. Results: Of the 326 immunization strategies identified, most (76.1%) aligned with operational PHC levers, particularly monitoring and evaluation (19.3%), workforce development (18.7%), and models of care (12%). Digital technologies (11.7%) were increasingly deployed for real-time tracking and oversight. Core strategic levers comprised 23.9% of strategies, with community engagement (8.9%) and governance frameworks (7.7%) emerging as critical enablers, though sustainable financing (4%) and private-sector engagement (0.9%) were rarely addressed. While the majority of projects focused on routine immunization (n = 32), only a few directly targeted ZD children (n = 3). Interventions yielded improvements in both service delivery and policy outcomes. Improvements in microplanning and data systems (23.5%) reflected the increased uptake of digital dashboards, GIS-enabled tools, and electronic registries. Community engagement (16.2%) emphasized the influence of local leaders and volunteers in building trust, while health system strengthening (15.7%) invested in cold chain, supervision, and workforce capacity. Coverage gains (10.6%) were achieved through delivery innovations, though sustainable financing remained a critical problem (3.4%). Conclusions: Reaching ZD children requires equity-driven strategies that combine digital innovations, community engagement, and resilient system planning. Sustained progress depends on strengthening governance, financing, and research. Embedding IR in immunization programs generates actionable evidence, supports context-specific strategies, and reduces equity gaps, offering practical insights that complement health system research and advance the Immunization Agenda 2030. Full article

This paper examines the evolving trajectory of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), tracing their development from early observational studies to contemporary, interdisciplinary frameworks that emphasize structural inequities and relational dynamics. It explores foundational milestones such as the Whitehall studies, the Heckler Report, and the World Health Organization’s conceptual models, which positioned SDOH as key drivers of population health. The paper highlights how upstream determinants—such as governance, policy, and socioeconomic systems—influence downstream health outcomes through mechanisms of social stratification and unequal access to resources. While SDOH are increasingly applied in clinical and educational settings, significant challenges persist, including underinvestment in community systems, fragmented care models, and political rollbacks of equity-centered policies. The paper critiques deterministic and deficit-focused framings of SDOH and underscores a shift toward more relational, context-sensitive, and agency-oriented approaches, reflected in the emerging concept of “social dynamics of health.” It highlights the importance of experiential education, competency-based curricula, and digital innovations in driving systemic transformation. Emphasis is placed on reimagining SDOH pedagogy and expanding interdisciplinary, data-driven research to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. Amid shifting political landscapes, sustaining health equity efforts requires embracing adaptive, participatory models that acknowledge power, community agency, and structural change. Full article

The NewEcoSmart project addresses the need to foster inclusive green and digital transitions in rural habitat sectors by systematically assessing local socio-technical readiness and tailoring capacity-building interventions. We adapted the validated SCIROCCO Exchange Maturity Self-Assessment Tool—selecting eight dimensions relevant to environmental, technological and social innovation—and conducted a two-phase evaluation across three pilot sites in Italy, Portugal and Spain. Phase 1 mapped stakeholder evidence against predefined criteria; Phase 2 engaged local actors (45+ adults, SMEs and micro-firms) in a self-assessment to determine digital, green and entrepreneurial skill gaps. For each domain of the SCIROCCO Tool, local actors can assign a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 5. The final score of the SCIROCCO tool can be a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 40. Quantitative maturity scores revealed heterogeneous profiles (Pacentro and Majella Madre = 5; Yecla = 10; Adelo Area = 23), underscoring diverse ecosystem strengths and limitations. A qualitative analysis, framed by Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments (SHAFE) domains, identified emergent training needs that are clustered at three levels: MACRO (community-wide awareness and engagement), MESO (decision-maker capacity for strategic planning and governance) and MICRO (industry-specific practical skills). The adapted SCIROCCO tool effectively proposes the assessment of socio-technical maturity in rural contexts and guides the design of a modular, multi-layered training framework. These findings support the need for scalable deployment of interventions that are targeted to the maturity of the local ecosystems to accelerate innovations through equitable green and digital transformations in complex socio-cultural settings. Full article

Achieving decarbonization targets in the aviation sector requires transformative approaches to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. In this pursuit, feedstock innovation has emerged as a critical challenge. This research uses the U.S. SAF Grand Challenge as a case study, focusing on its feedstock innovation workstream, to investigate how Industry 4.0 technologies can fulfill that workstream’s objectives. An integrative literature review, drawing on academic, industry, and policy sources, is used to evaluate the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) of Industry 4.0 technology applications across the SAF biomass supply chain. The analysis identifies several key technologies as essential for improving yield prediction, optimizing resource allocation, and linking stochastic models to techno-economic analyses (TEAs): IoT-enabled sensor networks, probabilistic/precision forecasting, and automated quality monitoring. Results reveal an uneven maturity landscape, with some applications demonstrating near-commercial readiness, while others remain in early research or pilot stages, particularly in areas such as logistics, interoperability, and forecasting. The study contributes a structured TRL-based assessment that not only maps maturity but also highlights critical gaps and corresponding policy implications, including data governance, standardization frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration. By aligning digital innovation pathways with SAF deployment priorities, the findings offer both theoretical insights and practical guidance for advancing sustainable aviation fuel adoption and accelerating progress toward net-zero aviation. Full article

This study investigates the utilisation of AI tools, including Grammarly Free, QuillBot Free, Canva Free Individual, and others, to enhance learning outcomes for 180 s-year telecommunications engineering students at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. This research incorporates teaching methods like problem-based learning, experiential learning, task-based learning, and content–language integrated learning, with English as the medium of instruction. These tools were strategically used to enhance language skills, foster computational thinking, and promote critical problem-solving. A control group comprising 120 students who did not receive AI support was included in the study for comparative analysis. The control group’s role was essential in evaluating the impact of AI tools on learning outcomes by providing a baseline for comparison. The results indicated that the pilot group, utilising AI tools, demonstrated superior performance compared to the control group in listening comprehension (98.79% vs. 90.22%) and conceptual understanding (95.82% vs. 84.23%). These findings underscore the significance of these skills in enhancing communication and problem-solving abilities within the field of engineering. The assessment of the pilot course’s forum revealed a progression from initially error-prone and brief responses to refined, evidence-based reflections in participants. This evolution in responses significantly contributed to the high success rate of 87% in conducting complex contextual analyses by pilot course participants. Subsequent to these results, a project for educational innovation aims to implement the AI-PBL-CLIL model at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid from 2025 to 2026. Future research should look into adaptive AI systems for personalised learning and study the long-term effects of AI integration in higher education. Furthermore, collaborating with industry partners can significantly enhance the practical application of AI-based methods in engineering education. These strategies facilitate benchmarking against international standards, provide structured support for skill development, and ensure the sustained retention of professional competencies, ultimately elevating the international recognition of Spain’s engineering education. Full article

This study presents a novel integrative review of 329 review articles on sustainable buildings from 2015 to 2025, combining quantitative bibliometrics with qualitative insights to map the field’s evolution and pinpoint critical future pathways. Seven core research themes were identified in this study: (1) material and advanced construction technologies, (2) energy efficiency and renewable energy systems, (3) digitalization and smart technologies, (4) policy, standards, and certification, (5) sustainable design and optimization, (6) stakeholder and socio-economic factors, (7) other (cross-cutting) topics. Key findings reveal a surge in publications post-2020, driven by global net-zero commitments, with China, Australia, and Hong Kong leading research output. Innovations in low-carbon materials (e.g., hemp concrete, geopolymers), artificial intelligent (AI)-driven energy optimization, and digital tools (e.g., building information modeling (BIM), internet of things (IoT)) dominate recent advancements. However, challenges persist, including policy fragmentation, scalability barriers for sustainable materials, and socio-economic disparities in green building adoption. The study proposes a unique future research framework emphasizing nanotechnology-enhanced materials, interpretable AI models, harmonized global standards, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. This review provides actionable recommendations to bridge gaps between technological innovation, policy frameworks, and practical implementation in sustainable construction. Full article