Search Results (224)

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a cornerstone of aquatic ecosystem vitality, yet conventional in situ monitoring methods, reliant on field probes, buoys, and lab analyses, struggle to capture the spatiotemporal variability of DO at regional or global scales. Satellite remote sensing has revolutionized water quality assessment by enabling systematic, high-frequency, and spatially continuous monitoring of surface waters, transcending the logistical and financial constraints of traditional approaches. This systematic review critically evaluates satellite-based methodologies for estimating DO concentrations, emphasizing their capacity to address global environmental challenges such as eutrophication, hypoxia, and climate-driven deoxygenation. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, large bibliographic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) identified that studies on satellite-derived DO concentrations are focused on both spectral and thermal foundations of DO retrieval, including empirical relationships with proxy variables (e.g., Chlorophyll-a, sea surface temperature, and turbidity) as well as direct optical signatures linked to oxygen absorption in the red and near-infrared spectra. The 77 results included in this review (accessed on 27 November 2025) indicate that the reported advances in sensor technologies (e.g., Sentinel-2,3’s OLCI and MODIS) have greatly expanded the ability to monitor DO levels across different types of water bodies, and that there has been a significant paradigm shift towards more complex and sophisticated machine learning and deep learning architectures. Recent work demonstrates that advanced machine learning and deep learning models can effectively estimate DO from remote sensing proxies, achieving high predictive performance when validated against in situ observations. Overall, this review indicates that their effectiveness depends heavily on high-quality training data, rigorous validation, and careful recalibration. Global case studies illustrate applications showcasing the scalability of remote sensing solutions. An OSF project was created to enhance transparency, while the review protocol was not prospectively registered, which is consistent with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for non-registered reviews. Full article

Sustainability in the agri-food sector has become a cornerstone of global efforts to combat climate change, ensure food security through climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen economic resilience. Sustainability reporting within agri-food systems has gained increasing regulatory significance with the introduction of mandatory frameworks such as the Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRSs). This article searches for the sustainability reports of agri-business firms listed in BIST in Turkey. Although TSRS reporting is not yet mandatory for the agribusiness sector, this study examines the first TSRS-aligned sustainability reports published by eight agri-food companies, excluding the retail sector. The analysis assesses how effectively these reports address sector-specific environmental and social challenges defined in the GRI 13 Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing Sector Standard and their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a structured content analysis approach, disclosure patterns were examined at both thematic and company levels. The findings indicate that TSRS-aligned reports place strong emphasis on environmental and climate-related disclosures, particularly emissions, climate adaptation and resilience, water management, and waste. In contrast, agro-ecological and land-based impacts—such as soil health, pesticide use, and ecosystem conversion—are weakly addressed. Economic disclosures are predominantly framed around climate-related financial risks and supply chain traceability, while social reporting focuses mainly on occupational health and safety, employment practices, and food safety, with limited attention to labor and equity issues across the broader value chain. Company-level results reveal marked heterogeneity, with internationally active firms demonstrating deeper alignment with GRI 13 requirements. From an SDG alignment perspective, high levels of coverage are observed across all companies for SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). By contrast, SDGs critical to agro-ecological integrity and social equity—namely SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land)—are weakly represented or entirely absent. Overall, the results suggest that while TSRS-aligned reporting enhances transparency in climate-related domains, it achieves only selective alignment with the SDG agenda. This underscores the need for a stronger integration of sector-specific sustainability priorities into mandatory sustainability reporting frameworks. Full article

The current landscape of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings is fragmented by methodological inconsistencies, lack of standardization, and substantial divergences among rating providers. These discrepancies hinder comparability, reduce transparency, and undermine the reliability of ESG assessments, limiting their effectiveness for both investors and corporate decision-makers. To address these issues, this study introduces a standardized approach to ESG rating construction, aimed at enhancing the objectivity and interpretability of corporate sustainability evaluations. The methodology integrates the Global Reporting Initiative standards with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, thereby identifying a coherent set of key performance indicators across the ESG pillars. By relying solely on publicly available data and incorporating mechanisms for managing missing information, the model provides a transparent and reproducible framework for sustainability assessment. Its validity is demonstrated through an empirical application to firms in the financial and manufacturing sectors across Europe and the United States, with benchmarking against established ratings from providers. Rather than replicating existing ESG scores, the model offers a transparent and reproducible alternative built on disclosed performance data, without relying on forward-looking statements, corporate promises, or commercial data providers. By penalizing non-disclosure and enabling sector-specific sensitivity analysis, the framework supports more accountable and customizable sustainability assessments, helping align ESG evaluations with strategic and regulatory priorities. Full article

This paper presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of how banks apply artificial intelligence (AI) in digital and mobile banking to implement and communicate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies, with particular emphasis on environmental dimensions of sustainable finance. The study adopts a mixed methodological approach combining desk research, encompassing a synthesis of academic studies, industry reports, and European regulatory frameworks on AI and ESG, and case study analysis of selected banks implementing AI-based sustainability solutions. The findings reveal that AI supports ESG strategy implementation primarily through green investment recommendations, carbon footprint analytics, automated sustainability reporting, and ethical communication with clients. AI-driven tools enhance the operational efficiency, transparency, and customer engagement of financial institutions while simultaneously fostering low-carbon financial behaviors. However, the study also highlights ethical and governance challenges related to algorithmic transparency, data bias, and responsible AI oversight. The paper contributes to the growing body of literature on AI-driven digital transformation and sustainable finance by identifying research gaps and outlining future directions for exploring the role of AI in accelerating the transition of the banking sector. Full article

This paper is dedicated to analysing sustainability and digitalisation in the transport systems of the European Union (EU) and Ukraine, with a particular focus on three representative subsectors: freight rail, urban public transport and last-mile postal logistics. It explores how technological innovation, operational efficiency and environmental responsibility interact within these sectors under distinct institutional and economic conditions: mature, market-based systems in the EU and resilience-driven systems in wartime Ukraine. This study applies a comparative, descriptive–analytical methodology using secondary data drawn from corporate sustainability reports, official statistics and sectoral databases for 2022. Quantitative KPls were complemented with a qualitative assessment of digitalisation maturity to ensure cross-country comparability. Through a comparative analysis of KPIs, such as freight volumes, emissions intensity, revenue efficiency and digital maturity, this study identifies structural and policy gaps that hinder progress toward sustainable mobility. This study develops a multi-dimensional framework combining operational, financial, environmental and digital indicators. In this paper, digital integration refers to the degree to which transport operators embed digital tools such as tracking, data management and automation into their core processes, while environmental efficiency denotes the ability to deliver transport services with minimal resource consumption and carbon emissions per operational unit. Institutional resilience is understood here as the capacity of transport organisations and governing institutions to maintain functionality, adapt and recover under crisis or systemic stress, which is particularly relevant for Ukraine’s wartime context. The findings demonstrate that while EU operators lead in transparency, digital integration and environmental performance, Ukrainian actors exhibit rapid adaptive innovation and significant potential for technological leapfrogging during reconstruction. This paper concludes that the EU must overcome regulatory inertia and infrastructure fatigue, while Ukraine should institutionalise resilience and transparency. Full article

Whistleblowing is a key mechanism of financial governance; however, its effectiveness varies across institutional and cultural contexts. This study examines the factors influencing whistleblowing effectiveness in Qatar’s banking sector, employing an integrated model grounded in the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework and Prosocial Behavior theory. A mixed-methods design combined survey data from 354 banking employees with qualitative text analysis. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that Training and awareness were the strongest predictors of whistleblowing effectiveness, followed by Transparency and Accountability, and Reporting and Monitoring Mechanisms. At the same time, Legislative and Policy Framework were not significant. Fear of Retaliation partially mediated these relationships, underscoring the importance of psychological safety and trust. Thematic analysis confirmed these findings, highlighting leadership credibility, anonymity, and independent reporting as key enablers, while cultural norms such as hierarchy and loyalty remained barriers. The results indicate that effective whistleblowing in Qatar is less dependent on formal regulation and more on cultivating trust, transparency, and credible protection mechanisms. The study extends behavioral theory to financial ethics, offering practical insights for strengthening integrity systems in emerging financial sectors. Full article

The growing demand for transparency in sustainability reporting has compelled enterprises to look far beyond the boundaries of classical financial ratios when assessing their own performance. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators have dominated recent academic debate—primarily because of mounting regulatory and societal pressure. By contrast, the significance of other non-financial performance indicators (NFPIs), such as operational efficiency, quality management, and employee turnover, has been insufficiently explored, despite their importance for long-term competitiveness. Existing research is fragmented and provides limited integrative insights, which creates a clear gap regarding how ESG and non-ESG indicators collectively influence organisational performance. To address this gap, this study synthesises the NFPI landscape through (1) a combined bibliometric and systematic literature review, (2) detailed manual content analysis used to construct a theoretical framework integrating ESG and non-ESG indicators, and (3) expert validation to recommend a concise set of NFPIs for the manufacturing sector. Findings indicate that experts prioritise sustainability-related indicators, even when presented with a broader NFPI framework. This highlights a practical misalignment between theoretical expectations and industry focus. The study contributes a validated NFPI set and an integrative framework that aids more informed managerial decisions. Full article

By employing the 2017 reform of China’s financial statement presentation as an exogenous shock, we evaluate how the change shapes the likelihood of stock price crashes. Our analysis indicates that firms affected by the reform exhibit notably higher crash risk after the new reporting format is adopted, and this finding remains consistent across multiple robustness checks. The increase in crash risk can be largely attributed to managerial incentives to manage earnings by reclassifying held-for-sale assets and other special items. Moreover, the reform exerts a stronger effect on firms that exhibit poor information transparency and receive little oversight from internal and external monitors. Full article

Many Korean local governments have enacted ordinances that enable resident participation in the supervision of public construction projects, yet an implementation gap persists between the legal framework and actual engagement. This study thus examined causes of and strategies for residents’ participation in defect reporting and the role of resident supervisor using a sequential embedded design. Administrative data from local governments were analyzed, followed by 94 survey data from resident representatives. Awareness about the defect reporting and role of resident supervisor was low, while support and intention for participation were higher. Awareness, perceived ordinance effectiveness, and support for resident participation were associated with intention, whereas financial rewards showed no significant association. These results suggest that insufficient awareness and trust—not lack of motivation—are the primary barriers, indicating the need to shift from offering rewards to targeted communication, procedural transparency, and capacity-building. This study’s contribution is its mixed-methods empirical assessment of this gap, informing the design of resident-participation policies by prioritizing awareness campaigns, procedural transparency, and training for resident supervisors. Full article

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure has gained global prominence, yet its implementation in emerging markets particularly in environmentally intensive sectors remains fragmented. In Indonesia’s energy industry, ESG transparency still struggles to meet rising global expectations, especially amid increased foreign investment flows and sustainability demands following the country’s G20 presidency. While prior research has separately examined financial performance and ownership structure, fewer studies have explored their combined impact on ESG disclosure within this institutional context. This study investigates how financial risk indicators and ownership composition influence ESG disclosure levels among publicly listed energy firms in Indonesia during the 2020–2024 period. Drawing on 98 firm-year observations, ESG performance is measured using the Nasdaq ESG Reporting Guide, and multiple linear regression is used to assess the influence of return on assets, liquidity, and various ownership types (managerial, institutional, and foreign), controlling for firm age and COVID-19 impact. The findings reveal that institutional ownership significantly enhances ESG disclosure, while other predictors such as return on assets, liquidity, managerial, and foreign ownership show no meaningful effect. The results underscore the role of institutional investors as key drivers of ESG adoption, offering insights into how ownership structures shape sustainability reporting in a high-impact sector of an emerging economy. Full article

The scope of this topic stems from the change in insurance companies and the subsequent transition to IFRS 17. The new code came into force on 1 January 2023. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to compare the two standards in terms of methodology and process logic. To highlight the new aspects of the new standard and to present the author’s view that IFRS 17 provides more opportunities for timely action and intervention by company management in the processes and improvement of results compared to IFRS 4. To examine how the application of the standard has affected the strategy for recognising, measuring, and reporting liabilities under insurance contracts, as well as financial results in the insurance sector in China. The study uses a mixed approach, combining a comparison of IFRS 4 and IFRS 17 with examples illustrating actual practice in the sector to examine differences in accounting treatment. It cites examples from European and Asian traders to assess how things will develop in practice. Contribution: This study adds new evidence on the impact of IFRS 17 on value and profit management. Our study found that the new standard introduces a single model for measuring insurance contracts, which significantly increases transparency and comparability in financial statements. Furthermore, one of its most important findings is that, with the equalisation of the margin on contractual services and the recognition of profits over the entire term of insurance contracts, the balance sheets for all years will show more consistent reports of profits and losses. It also calls for attention to the challenges insurers met in developing cash flow discounting methods or putting the general measurement model into effect. Overall, the report found that search engine IFRS 17 has made comparability and transparency better while making suggestions to industry stakeholders about what problems came out when they were discovered afterwards. Full article

This study examines how sustainability accounting practices are integrated into a Romanian medium-sized enterprise in the context of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), addressing the lack of applied evidence from Central and Eastern Europe. The research uses a qualitative single-case study design based on internal documents, ESG and financial reports, carbon accounting data, and six semi-structured interviews with key organizational actors. The methodological framework includes mapping ESG data flows within accounting systems, applying an extended Return on Investment (eROI) model, and using an internal carbon price to assess the environmental benefits of energy-efficiency investments. The results show a structural transformation of the accounting function, including expanded sustainability-related roles, integration of ESG indicators into budgeting and reporting cycles, and improved transparency in evaluating investment projects. The use of analytical tools strengthened decision-making, increasing the assessed return of the investment portfolio when environmental and operational co-benefits were incorporated. The analysis also identifies key barriers—fragmented data systems, limited ESG expertise, and partial digitalization—and enabling factors such as CFO leadership and cross-functional collaboration. The study concludes that accountants play a strategic role in operationalizing CSRD requirements and demonstrates how SMEs can integrate financial, environmental, and operational metrics to support sustainability-oriented decisions. The findings provide theoretical contributions and practical guidance for organizations seeking to improve sustainability accounting in line with EU regulations. Full article

This study analyses disclosures on materiality in non-financial information (NFI) reporting by examining their likely explanatory factors, including entities’ financial or structural characteristics, governance features, and contextual factors, grounded in a set of relevant theories. Based on archival research and content analysis, this study uses consolidated NFI reports from 2021 of entities listed in the main Euronext indices. The descriptive analysis reveals that while 71% of companies present a materiality matrix, only about half (50%) meet all eight criteria of materiality disclosure, with double materiality being addressed by just 16%. The regression results show that the level of materiality disclosure is significantly and positively associated only with the size of the board of directors, whereas other expected relationships, such as those with firm size, profitability, or debt, were not statistically significant, challenging traditional assumptions from stakeholders, agency, and positive accounting theories. These findings suggest that governance structures may play a more decisive role in transparency regarding materiality than the entities’ financial or structural characteristics. This research contributes to both the academic literature and practice by identifying explanatory factors and empirical patterns in materiality disclosure in NFI reporting, which may be relevant for standard-setting bodies, regulators, auditors, and stakeholders. Full article

This study investigates the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance on the link between financial reporting quality (FRQ) and corporate risk-taking (CRT). Building upon agency and stakeholder theories, we contend that ESG practices represent a transparency mechanism that is distinct from the mainstream and addresses information asymmetry in environments susceptible to earnings management. Operationalizing the framework with panel data, we estimated panel regression models and generalized structural equation modeling (GSEM) to examine the hypothesized framework. The findings show that ESG performance mediates the relationship between FRQ and CRT. In particular, we found that in weaker institutional environments, higher FRQ is associated with greater ESG engagement, which leads to relatively prudent risk-taking behavior. These results demonstrate the significance of ESG as a governance mechanism and underscore the significant role of ESG in encouraging responsible corporate conduct and curbing excessive risk. This research contributes to the existing literature on integrated reporting and sustainable finance by demonstrating how effective ESG governance can bolster corporate resilience and support long-term value creation, especially within emerging markets. Full article

This study investigates the influence of board characteristics—specifically board tenure and board-specific skills—on the quality of ESG reporting among listed firms in five ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines) from 2021 to 2023. Using panel data of 609 firms (1827 firm-year observations) obtained from Refinitiv Eikon, ESG reporting is measured through the reporting score, while board tenure is proxied by the average years of directors’ service and board-specific skills by the proportion of directors with financial or industry expertise. The analysis employs fixed-effects regression with firm-level clustered standard errors to account for unobserved heterogeneity and robust inference. The findings reveal that board tenure has no significant effect on ESG reporting, suggesting that accumulated experience does not necessarily enhance disclosure. In contrast, board-specific skills exhibit a positive and significant impact, highlighting the importance of technical competence in driving transparency. Control variables show that firm age contributes positively to ESG disclosure, while robustness checks confirm the stability of results across alternative specifications and clustering dimensions. Sub-sample country analyses further indicate institutional variations, with board expertise mattering more in Singapore and Indonesia, and firm age in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The study offers theoretical and policy implications for strengthening governance reforms and advancing ESG transparency in emerging markets. Full article