Search Results (1,863)

This study delves into how the literature conceptualizes banking efficiency as a capability shaping sustainability-oriented pathways under conditions of systemic uncertainty, including recurrent economic–financial disruptions and geopolitical shocks. Using records indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, the study combines bibliometric mapping with conceptual structuring to examine publication dynamics, collaboration networks, and the thematic evolution of research linking bank efficiency, green finance intermediation, sustainable digital innovation, and risk governance. The study reveals a multidimensional knowledge base organized around two converging streams: (i) research on efficiency, stability, and crisis transmission emphasizing intermediation quality, performance under stress, and prudential responses; and (ii) sustainability and innovation scholarship focusing on how financial systems enable eco-innovation diffusion and low-carbon transition through capital allocation, governance mechanisms, and digitally enabled transformation. Across these streams, banking efficiency is increasingly discussed not merely as a performance ratio, but as a strategic capability that becomes particularly salient in crisis environments: it can reduce intermediation frictions when funding conditions tighten, strengthen screening and monitoring of green projects amid elevated uncertainty, and support the continuity and scaling of eco-innovations by improving decision speed and resource allocation through digital tools. Collaboration patterns indicate growing interdisciplinary engagement—especially among European and Asian institutions—where crisis, sustainability, and innovation perspectives are integrated into systems-based approaches to green finance. Building on these insights, the article outlines a research agenda oriented toward innovation outcomes in turbulent contexts, emphasizing (a) measurement strategies that connect efficiency to eco-innovation diffusion and adoption rates during stress periods; (b) comparative analyses of how policy incentives and green market signals interact with bank efficiency across crisis episodes; and (c) hybrid methodological designs combining econometric identification, network analytics, scenario-based stress framing, and AI-enabled analytical tools to capture nonlinear dynamics in efficiency–innovation linkages. Overall, the study clarifies how banking efficiency may condition the capacity of financial institutions to sustain green investment intermediation and advance eco-innovation pathways when uncertainty is systemic rather than episodic. Full article

Product waste in grocery supply chains remains a major concern for multiple stakeholders, particularly retailers, due to the direct financial losses it generates and the potential risks it poses to customer health and safety. In this context, digital technologies—especially artificial intelligence (AI)—offer promising opportunities to improve retail performance and reduce waste. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the factors influencing retailers’ intentions to adopt AI-based solutions for product waste reduction. To achieve this objective, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was extended by incorporating three additional constructs (i.e., perceived ethical responsibility, product waste reduction-related knowledge, and perceived economic utility of AI for product waste reduction). Data were collected from a purposive sample of 214 grocery retailers operating in major cities in northern Algeria. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the proposed research model and hypotheses. The results indicate that retailers’ behavioral intentions to use AI for product waste reduction are significantly influenced by perceived economic utility of AI, AI for product waste reduction-related knowledge, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. In contrast, perceived ethical responsibility for product waste reduction did not exhibit a statistically significant effect, although its relationship with behavioral intention was positive. This study contributes to the growing literature on AI adoption for waste reduction in the retail sector, particularly within developing country contexts, and offers practical insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to promote the adoption of digital technologies for sustainable supply chain management. Full article

Investment in risky financial assets plays a crucial role in individual wealth accumulation and broader financial market development. However, existing research has primarily emphasized financial literacy while giving limited attention to behavioral mechanisms that may weaken its influence on investment behavior. In particular, hyperbolic discounting, reflecting time-inconsistent preferences that favor immediate rewards over long-term gains, may constrain the effective translation of financial knowledge into forward-looking financial decisions. Against this background, this study examines whether hyperbolic discounting mediates the association between financial literacy and investment in risky assets using large-scale survey data from Japan’s Money and Life survey. Employing regression-based mediation analysis within a cross-sectional framework, the results indicate that financial literacy is strongly and positively associated with risky asset investment, while hyperbolic discounting exerts a statistically significant but economically small mediating effect that slightly attenuates this relationship. The findings suggest that cognitive financial capability remains the dominant driver of participation in risky financial markets, whereas present-biased preferences play a secondary behavioral role. These results provide important implications for investors, educators, and policymakers by highlighting that policies aimed at improving financial literacy are likely to yield substantial investment benefits, while complementary interventions addressing behavioral biases may offer additional, though more modest, gains in promoting long-term, forward-looking financial decision-making. Full article

Financial support from urban residents represents a potentially important resource for sustaining and expanding public parks, particularly tree-planting initiatives that contribute to biodiversity and human well-being. This study applies the Granular Interaction Thinking Theory (GITT) and Bayesian inference to examine how residents’ perceptions of the consequences of biodiversity loss and their park-visit frequency relate to willingness to donate to tree-planting projects in public parks. Based on survey data from 535 Vietnamese residents, the results indicate that perceived loss of ecological knowledge and more frequent park visitation are associated with higher willingness to donate, whereas perceived health-related losses receive moderate posterior support for a positive association. Perceived reductions in economic growth are positively related to park visitation frequency, which, in turn, is associated with greater willingness to donate. In contrast, perceived losses from nature-based recreation are linked to lower visitation frequency and subsequently weaker willingness to make indirect donations. These findings suggest that communication and engagement strategies that emphasize personally and community-relevant benefits may be associated with stronger financial support intentions for urban tree-planting initiatives. As the study focuses on stated willingness rather than observed financial behavior, the implications pertain to intention-based support rather than realized contributions. Full article

This paper examines the relation between transversal skills, economic education, and financial literacy in modern education. A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2022 methodology, resulting in the selection and analysis of 49 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science. The paper explores theoretical considerations, pedagogical strategies, and the possibility of integrating these fields into educational practice. It identifies three specific points of research interest: firstly, to identify trends in the integration of transversal competencies into economic education; secondly, to assess how transversal skills impact the development of financial literacy; and thirdly, to create recommendations for educational programs and teaching methods. The results highlight that transversal skills—particularly critical thinking, collaboration, being digitally literate, and problem-solving—play an indispensable role in both learning economics and building financial literacy. While students of economic education gain insight into issues such as resource management, market mechanisms, and labor economics, financial literacy provides them with knowledge on personal finance issues, sustainability, and informed decision-making. An original aspect of the research is the attempt to merge transversal skills with economic education and financial literacy within a single framework. The results also indicate future directions of educational reform and point to ways to enhance students’ financial well-being and entrepreneurial capacity. Full article

Biochar presents an opportunity for soil productivity enhancement and carbon sequestration, yet its adoption in Neotropics remains limited. This study assessed biochar production feasibility, chemical composition, and structural constraints influencing adoption among farmers in Costa Rica. Biochar was produced using a Kon-Tiki kiln from Vochysia guatemalensis and Vochysia ferruginea, achieving carbon stability levels of 85.3% and 82.5%, respectively. A survey of 39 farmers examined biochar knowledge, farm characteristics, and perceived barriers to adoption. Logistic regression was used to identify key predictors of adoption, and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) examined relationships among categorical survey responses. Results showed that 68.4% of farmers lacked prior biochar knowledge, education levels varied, and farm sizes were predominantly small (64.1% < 10 ha). Logistic regression revealed significant associations between farm size and woody residues as a primary waste product (p = 0.017) and between education level and biochar awareness (p = 0.048). MCA explained 55% of the total variance, with adoption potential and structural barriers represented along separate dimensions. Interest in biochar, particularly for fertilizer use and carbon sequestration, aligned with adoption potential. These findings highlight the need for training, cooperative equipment-sharing models, and financial incentives to support biochar adoption and Costa Rica’s carbon neutrality objectives. Full article

This study examines the relationship between financial risk tolerance and organizational resilience among small business managers in the Brazilian Northeast, a region strongly affected by economic fragility and intensified uncertainty during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a positivist, quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 218 managers through validated scales of financial risk tolerance and organizational resilience and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, cluster analysis, ANOVA, and correlation techniques. Results indicate that most managers exhibit medium to high financial risk tolerance and that higher tolerance is positively associated with greater organizational adaptability, especially in dimensions related to teamwork, knowledge sharing, and leadership. In contrast, no significant association was found between financial risk tolerance and organizational planning capacity, suggesting that planning routines operate independently of individual risk attitudes. The findings underscore the role of behavioral characteristics in shaping resilience and highlight innovation, internal resources, and leadership as critical factors supporting organizational adaptation in resource-constrained environments. This study contributes to the limited empirical literature connecting behavioral finance and organizational resilience in emerging economies and offers practical implications for strengthening entrepreneurial training and resilience culture in small firms. Future research should expand geographic coverage and explore team-level perspectives and mixed-method approaches. Full article

The importance of financial literacy for professional athletes is undeniable. This study aimed to build on previous research by identifying the financial literacy content areas that require the highest level of competence for professional athletes competing in team sports. To address this, 12 structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with a purposively selected sample of participants drawn from a network of potential actors capable of influencing the financial decisions of professional athletes, as informed by Actor-Network Theory. The research findings show that skills to avoid unethical behaviour, the acumen to navigate the transition to a post-sports career, savings and financial control are the content areas that require a higher level of competence. This study innovatively visualizes research findings through a heatmap to identify and prioritize focus areas. This study offers insights that may assist professional athletes to reduce their exposure to financial risks. The study may also engage sport’s governing bodies, professional clubs, players’ associations, researchers, and financial advisors aiming to deepen their knowledge of the financial literacy competencies required by professional athletes. Full article

This study investigates the determinants of financial performance among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia, addressing the critical issues of low accountability and limited access to capital. Grounded in the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the research examines the impact of accounting information systems, management knowledge capability, and digital platform capability on financial performance, mediated by digital innovation. A quantitative approach was employed, utilizing a cluster random sampling survey of 403 MSME owners across Indonesia’s major islands. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS software. The results reveal that accounting information systems, management knowledge capability, and digital platforms significantly enhance financial performance. Notably, digital platform capability emerged as the most potent driver. Furthermore, digital innovation proved to be a vital mediator, transforming management knowledge and platform capabilities into tangible financial outcomes. The study concludes that while digital tools provide essential infrastructure, innovation serves as the critical mechanism for unlocking value. These findings suggest that MSMEs must transition from passive technology adoption to active digital innovation to achieve sustainable financial success in the digital economy. Full article

This research aims to record hotel owners’ perceptions as subjective measures of the degree of integration of local traditional cheese varieties in the hospitality sector. Within the context of cheese tourism, this specific type of alternative tourism is operationalized through B2B co-creation among tourism businesses and cheese factories, serving as a framework for perceived business development. Specifically, this study fills a gap in the literature by exploring the managerial views on the current state of cheese tourism in relation to the entrepreneurship strengthening, the opportunities, and challenges that could favor cooperation between the two sectors. Descriptive and inductive statistics were conducted, collecting primary data from hotels in the Peloponnese, Greece, which has a long tradition of cheese production. Regional tradition and star rating determine the integration of local cheese. While 4–5-star hotels leverage cheese heritage for differentiation and experiential services, lower-end hotels face cost and supply chain barriers, requiring supporting strategies and cross-sector partnerships. The study offers original knowledge for the development of specific strategic proposals for the use of cheese tourism through co-creation for business development of hotels. Future research is recommended to record the views of all stakeholders and correlate them with objective financial performance. Full article

Financial inclusion is widely promoted as a mechanism for enhancing financial empowerment, yet evidence on how access to formal financial services translates into individual financial competencies remains limited, particularly in emerging market youth contexts. This study examines the effect of financial inclusion on financial knowledge, financial capabilities, and financial literacy among Generation Z university students in South Africa. Using cross-sectional survey data from 428 students at a public university and analysing the data using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), this study finds that financial inclusion has a positive and statistically significant effect on all three dimensions of financial human capital. However, descriptive results reveal a nuance between relatively high levels of financial inclusion and more moderate, heterogeneous levels of financial capability. Additional analyses uncover important heterogeneities: female students exhibit higher financial outcomes and stronger inclusion effects than males, while financial inclusion translates into improved financial capabilities and literacy only for commerce students. For non-commerce students, inclusion is associated with higher financial knowledge but not with applied financial skills or literacy. These findings highlight the conditional nature of financial inclusion and underscore the need to complement access with structured financial education and capability-building interventions in emerging market contexts. Full article

International shipping is indispensable to global commerce, yet it remains a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Although waste heat recovery has been applied in other industries, its performance and economic viability in shipping are not yet fully understood, particularly across different vessel sizes and engine loads. This study evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental potential of waste heat recovery (WHR) systems onboard ships with main engine power above and below 25,000 kW. Thermodynamic analysis and computational simulations were employed to estimate electricity generation, fuel savings, and emission reductions under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, using operational data from four representative vessels. The results indicate that larger ships achieve the most significant benefits, with power ratios up to 10%, substantial CO₂ reductions, and viable payback periods. Smaller vessels, constrained by thermal and spatial limitations, show reduced efficiency and less favorable financial performance, although they still achieve meaningful environmental gains. The findings confirm that waste heat recovery is a mature and effective technology for improving ship energy efficiency and reducing emissions. The study contributes to scientific knowledge by quantifying performance differences between vessel types and providing a structured framework to support maritime decarbonization strategies. Full article

Background: Undernutrition among infants and young children in South Asia remains a major public health concern, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. While quantitative systematic reviews have identified various risk factors for undernutrition, no review has focused on qualitative studies. This study aims to review published literature on family member and healthcare provider perceptions about influences on undernutrition among infants and young children in South Asia. Methods: We searched for qualitative research articles published from 2000 to 2026 in the PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL databases, and used the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool to assess the quality of selected articles. Selected articles were analyzed thematically. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022385382. Results: After screening 201 research articles, 19 articles were selected for inclusion in this review. Perceived influences of undernutrition among children were categorized into individual, socio-cultural, economic, environmental and system factors. Interconnected influences included maternal illness, single motherhood, mothers’ knowledge and awareness, convenience of providing low-quality ready-made and junk food, spiritual beliefs and superstition, violence against women, financial constraints in a context of rising food prices and seasonal impacts on food production, and physical accessibility of healthcare services. Conclusions: This review emphasizes the complex interplay of influences on undernutrition among young children in South Asia. Potential interventions must be culturally tailored and gender-sensitive, with key strategies including nutrition education, community-based support, maternal health improvements, and policies addressing food insecurity and healthcare accessibility. Full article

South Africa has a history of poor coordination in construction waste management, which has resulted in problems such as illegal dumping, a lack of legislation enforcement, and a lack of waste management practices. Problems linked with the management of construction waste have risen over the past decade because of increased waste production. This study explored the challenges to the enforcement of waste management practices by the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality construction sector. A qualitative study was conducted in the construction sectors in Limpopo province. Purposive sampling technique was used to interview 24 participants. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. The findings highlight challenges such as employees’ behaviour and attitude, financial barriers, lack of knowledge and awareness, poor enforcement of the law, and inadequate resources that affects the construction waste management practices. This study draws attention to the challenges encountered when implementing effective waste management practices in the construction sector. The challenges are consistent with the broader challenges that the Sustainable Development Goals aim to solve. This study contributes to the endeavour to minimise environmental impact, promote sustainable practices, and preserve public health, while providing lessons that may inform similar contexts beyond the local municipality. Full article

This study investigates the export strategies of agri-food SMEs through two terroir products: La Tête de Moine AOP from the Bellelay region and Tunisian olive oil from the Sfax region. Grounded in the resource-based view (RBV), it explores how firm-level and territorially embedded resources shape export performance. A two-stage qualitative design combining semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions was employed in both contexts. Analysis reveals that the La Tête de Moine AOP sector stands out from the olive oil sector due to certain resources and capacities, which are collective reputation, product traceability, cooperative management, forecasting, and long-term planning systems, centralized knowledge management, shared brand, financial advantages, and territorial social capital. Tunisian olive oil export strategy differs from the cheese sector through market responsiveness, upstream integration, and product innovation. The findings highlight the critical role of territorial capital and collective organization in enhancing sustainable competitiveness and reveal how distinct resource configurations shape SME internationalization in developed versus emerging economies. Practical recommendations are proposed to create a more relevant resources–capabilities collection, aiming at creating a sustainable competitive advantage for SMEs exporting terroir food. Full article