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Search Results (475)

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Keywords = innovative human capital

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20 pages, 640 KiB  
Article
Digital Innovation and Cost Stickiness in Manufacturing Enterprises: A Perspective Based on Manufacturing Servitization and Human Capital Structure
by Wei Sun and Xinlei Zhang
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7115; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157115 - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
This paper examines the effect of digital innovation on cost stickiness in manufacturing firms, focusing on the underlying mechanisms and contextual factors. Using data from Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms from 2012 to 2023, we find that, first, for each one-unit increase in [...] Read more.
This paper examines the effect of digital innovation on cost stickiness in manufacturing firms, focusing on the underlying mechanisms and contextual factors. Using data from Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms from 2012 to 2023, we find that, first, for each one-unit increase in the level of digital technology, the cost stickiness index of enterprises decreases by an average of 0.4315 units, primarily through digital process innovation and digital business model innovation, whereas digital product innovation does not exhibit a statistically significant impact. Second, manufacturing servitization and the optimization of human capital structure are identified as key mediating mechanisms. Digital innovation promotes servitization by transitioning firms from product-centric to service-oriented business models, thereby reducing fixed costs and improving resource flexibility. It also optimizes human capital by increasing the proportion of high-skilled employees and reducing labor adjustment costs. Third, the effect of digital innovation on cost stickiness is found to be heterogeneous. Firms with high financing constraints benefit more from the cost-reducing effects of digital innovation due to improved resource allocation efficiency. Additionally, mid-tenure executives are more effective in leveraging digital innovation to mitigate cost stickiness, as they balance short-term performance pressures with long-term strategic investments. These findings contribute to the understanding of how digital transformation reshapes cost behavior in manufacturing and provide insights for policymakers and firms seeking to achieve sustainable development through digital innovation. Full article
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26 pages, 1514 KiB  
Article
Measuring the Digital Economy in Kazakhstan: From Global Indices to a Contextual Composite Index (IDED)
by Oxana Denissova, Zhadyra Konurbayeva, Monika Kulisz, Madina Yussubaliyeva and Saltanat Suieubayeva
Economies 2025, 13(8), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/economies13080225 - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 171
Abstract
This study examines the development of the digital economy and society in the Republic of Kazakhstan by combining international benchmarking with a context-specific national framework. It highlights the limitations of existing global indices such as DESI, NRI, and EGDI in capturing the structural [...] Read more.
This study examines the development of the digital economy and society in the Republic of Kazakhstan by combining international benchmarking with a context-specific national framework. It highlights the limitations of existing global indices such as DESI, NRI, and EGDI in capturing the structural and institutional dimensions of digital transformation in emerging economies. To address this gap, the study introduces a novel composite metric, the Index of Digital Economy Development (IDED), which integrates five sub-indices: infrastructure, usage, human capital, economic digitization, and transformation effectiveness. The methodology involves comparative index analysis, the construction of the IDED, and statistical validation through a public opinion survey and regression modeling. Key findings indicate that cybersecurity is a critical yet under-represented component of digital development, showing strong empirical correlations with DESI scores in benchmark countries. The results also highlight Kazakhstan’s strengths in digital public services and internet access, contrasted with weaknesses in business digitization and innovation. The proposed IDED offers a more comprehensive and policy-relevant tool for assessing digital progress in transitional economies. This study contributes to the literature by proposing a replicable index structure and providing empirical evidence for the inclusion of cybersecurity in national digital economy assessments. The aim of the study is to assess Kazakhstan’s digital economy development by addressing limitations in global measurement frameworks. Methodologically, it combines comparative index analysis, the construction of a national composite index (IDED), and statistical validation using a regional survey and regression analysis. The findings reveal both strengths and gaps in Kazakhstan’s digital landscape, particularly in cybersecurity and SME digitalization. The IDED introduces an innovative, context-sensitive framework that enhances the measurement of digital transformation in transitional economies. Full article
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22 pages, 950 KiB  
Article
Industrial Diversification in Emerging Economies: The Role of Human Capital, Technological Investment, and Institutional Quality in Promoting Economic Complexity
by Sinazo Ngqoleka, Thobeka Ncanywa, Zibongiwe Mpongwana and Abiola John Asaleye
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7021; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157021 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 352
Abstract
This study examines the role of human capital, technological investment, and institutional quality in promoting economic complexity in South Africa, with implications for sustainable development and the strategic role of Small and Medium Enterprises. Motivated by the growing importance of productive sophistication for [...] Read more.
This study examines the role of human capital, technological investment, and institutional quality in promoting economic complexity in South Africa, with implications for sustainable development and the strategic role of Small and Medium Enterprises. Motivated by the growing importance of productive sophistication for long-term development in emerging economies (notably SDG 8 and SDG 9), the study examines both long-run and short-run dynamics using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach, with robustness checks via Fully Modified Least Squares, Dynamic Least Squares, and Canonical Cointegration Regression. Structural Vector Autoregression is employed to assess the persistence of shocks, while the Toda–Yamamoto causality test evaluates causality. The results reveal that institutional quality significantly enhances economic complexity in the long run, while technological investment exhibits a negative long-run impact, potentially indicating absorptive capacity constraints within industries. Though human capital and income per capita do not influence complexity in the long run, they have short-term effects, with income per capita having the most immediate influence. Variance decomposition shows that shocks to technological investment are essential for economic complexity, and are the most persistent, followed by human capital and institutional quality. These findings show the need for institutional reforms that lower entry barriers for SMEs in industries, targeted innovation policies that support upgrading, and human capital strategies aligned with driven industrial transformation. The study offers insights for policymakers striving to influence structural drivers to advance sustainable industrial development and achieve the SDGs. Full article
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24 pages, 2013 KiB  
Article
Can Local Industrial Policy Enhance Urban Land Green Use Efficiency? Evidence from the “Made in China 2025” National Demonstration Zone Policy
by Shoupeng Wang, Haixin Huang and Fenghua Wu
Land 2025, 14(8), 1567; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081567 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 212
Abstract
As the fundamental physical carrier for human production and socio-economic endeavors, enhancing urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE) is crucial for realizing sustainable development. To effectively enhance urban land green use efficiency, this study systematically examines the intrinsic relationship between industrial policies and [...] Read more.
As the fundamental physical carrier for human production and socio-economic endeavors, enhancing urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE) is crucial for realizing sustainable development. To effectively enhance urban land green use efficiency, this study systematically examines the intrinsic relationship between industrial policies and ULGUE based on panel data from 286 Chinese cities (2010–2022), employing an integrated methodology that combines the Difference-in-Differences (DID) model, Super-Efficiency Slacks-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis model, and ArcGIS spatial analysis techniques. The findings clearly demonstrate that the establishment of the “Made in China 2025” pilot policy significantly improves urban land green use efficiency in pilot cities, a conclusion that endures following a succession of stringent evaluations. Moreover, studying its mechanisms suggests that the pilot policy primarily enhances urban land green use efficiency by promoting industrial upgrading, accelerating technological innovation, and strengthening environmental regulations. Heterogeneity analysis further indicates that the policy effects are more significant in urban areas characterized by high manufacturing agglomeration, non-provincial capital/non-municipal status, high industrial intelligence levels, and less sophisticated industrial structure. This research not only provides valuable policy insights for China to enhance urban land green use efficiency and promote high-quality regional sustainable development but also offers meaningful references for global efforts toward advancing urban sustainability. Full article
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18 pages, 454 KiB  
Article
How Knowledge Management Capability Drives Sustainable Business Model Innovation: A Combination of Symmetric and Asymmetric Approaches
by Shuting Chen, Liping Huang and Aojie Zhou
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6714; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156714 - 23 Jul 2025
Viewed by 238
Abstract
In a business environment with rapidly growing digital technologies, knowledge management (KM) capability is an indispensable source for enterprise innovation activities. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding of the specific KM capability that leads to sustainable business model innovation (SBMI). This study therefore aimed [...] Read more.
In a business environment with rapidly growing digital technologies, knowledge management (KM) capability is an indispensable source for enterprise innovation activities. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding of the specific KM capability that leads to sustainable business model innovation (SBMI). This study therefore aimed to investigate the internal relationship between KM capability and SBMI by leveraging dynamic capability theory. A hierarchical regression analysis (HRA) and a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) are used to analyze a sample of 115 Chinese innovative enterprises. The results indicate that organizational structure promotes information technology by improving human capital, and that information technology then stimulates collaboration depth by expanding collaboration breadth, thereby driving SBMI. Specifically, human capital, information technology, collaboration breadth, and collaboration depth play significant chain-mediating roles in the relationship between organizational structure and SBMI. This study contributes to the literature on KM and innovation management, extends the use of low-order and high-order dynamic capabilities in DCT, and assists managers in developing SBMI effectively. Full article
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28 pages, 1858 KiB  
Article
Agriculture 5.0 in Colombia: Opportunities Through the Emerging 6G Network
by Alexis Barrios-Ulloa, Andrés Solano-Barliza, Wilson Arrubla-Hoyos, Adelaida Ojeda-Beltrán, Dora Cama-Pinto, Francisco Manuel Arrabal-Campos and Alejandro Cama-Pinto
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6664; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156664 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 505
Abstract
Agriculture 5.0 represents a shift towards a more sustainable agricultural model, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and blockchain technologies to enhance productivity and resource management, with an emphasis on social and environmental resilience. This article explores how the [...] Read more.
Agriculture 5.0 represents a shift towards a more sustainable agricultural model, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and blockchain technologies to enhance productivity and resource management, with an emphasis on social and environmental resilience. This article explores how the evolution of wireless technologies to sixth-generation networks (6G) can support innovation in Colombia’s agricultural sector and foster rural advancement. The study follows three main phases: search, analysis, and selection of information. In the search phase, key government policies, spectrum management strategies, and the relevant literature from 2020 to 2025 were reviewed. The analysis phase addresses challenges such as spectrum regulation and infrastructure deployment within the context of a developing country. Finally, the selection phase evaluates technological readiness and policy frameworks. Findings suggest that 6G could revolutionize Colombian agriculture by improving connectivity, enabling real-time monitoring, and facilitating precision farming, especially in rural areas with limited infrastructure. Successful 6G deployment could boost agricultural productivity, reduce socioeconomic disparities, and foster sustainable rural development, contingent on aligned public policies, infrastructure investments, and human capital development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Precision Agriculture: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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18 pages, 441 KiB  
Article
Do Economies Recover Their Fisheries? Evidence of an Environmental Kuznets Curve for Fish Stock Status
by Davor Mance, Dejan Miljenović and Ismar Velić
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6646; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146646 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 375
Abstract
The depletion of global fish stocks poses a major challenge to sustainable development, particularly in economies where marine resources are critical to livelihoods and food security. In this study, the relationship between economic development and the sustainability of fish stocks is examined using [...] Read more.
The depletion of global fish stocks poses a major challenge to sustainable development, particularly in economies where marine resources are critical to livelihoods and food security. In this study, the relationship between economic development and the sustainability of fish stocks is examined using the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). We use panel data from 32 economies between 2002 and 2020 and analyze the fish stock status indicator (EPI_FSS) from the Environmental Performance Index, which captures the proportion of national catches from overfished or collapsed stocks. Using a dynamic panel approach and the generalized method of moments (GMM), we investigate how the human development index (HDI) and other socio-economic factors influence changes in the state of fish stocks. Our results show a statistically significant inverted-U-shaped (∩-shaped) relationship between the HDI and the state of fish stocks, suggesting that the deterioration of fish stocks increases at lower levels of development, but improves beyond a certain threshold. In addition, higher levels of foreign direct investment (FDI), education, and research and development (R&D) spending are associated with better outcomes for fish stocks. These results suggest that while early economic growth may put pressure on marine resources, sustained investment in human capital, innovation, and global integration is critical to promoting long-term marine sustainability. Full article
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21 pages, 588 KiB  
Article
Systemic Configurations of Functional Talent for Green Technological Innovation: A Fuzzy-Set QCA Study
by Mingjie Guo, Menghan Yan, Xin Yan and Yi Li
Systems 2025, 13(7), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13070604 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 244
Abstract
Achieving high-level green technological innovation in heavily polluting enterprises is critical for advancing sustainable development, particularly in the context of both organizational and regional digitalization. This study adopts a configurational perspective grounded in the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework and integrates theoretical insights from resource [...] Read more.
Achieving high-level green technological innovation in heavily polluting enterprises is critical for advancing sustainable development, particularly in the context of both organizational and regional digitalization. This study adopts a configurational perspective grounded in the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework and integrates theoretical insights from resource orchestration, resource dependence, and IT capability theories. It investigates how different types of skilled talent, such as production, technical, sales, and managerial employees, contribute to green innovation under varying digital conditions. By applying fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to a sample of 96 publicly listed firms from China’s heavily polluting industries, this study identifies four distinct talent-based configurations that can lead to high levels of green innovation: production-centric, management-led, technical talent driven, and regionally enabled models. Each configuration reflects a specific system state in which a core group of skilled employees plays a leading role, supported by complementary functions, and shaped by the interaction between internal digital transformation and the external digital environment. This study contributes to the systems literature by elucidating the combinational roles of digital resources and talent deployment within the systemic TOE framework, and offers practical guidance for enterprises aiming to strategically utilize human capital to enhance green innovation performance amid ongoing digital transformations. Full article
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24 pages, 831 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Evolution and Driving Factors of Coupling Coordination Among China’s Digital Economy, Carbon Emissions Efficiency, and High-Quality Economic Development
by Fusheng Li and Fuyi Ci
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6410; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146410 - 13 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 373
Abstract
Grounded in coupling theory, this study investigates the interplay among three key elements of economic growth, namely the digital economy, carbon emissions efficiency, and high-quality economic development. Drawing on data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2000 to 2023, we employ exploratory spatiotemporal data [...] Read more.
Grounded in coupling theory, this study investigates the interplay among three key elements of economic growth, namely the digital economy, carbon emissions efficiency, and high-quality economic development. Drawing on data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2000 to 2023, we employ exploratory spatiotemporal data analysis and the GeoDetector model to examine the spatial–temporal evolution and underlying driving forces of coupling coordination. This research enriches the theoretical framework of multi-system synergistic development in a green transition context and offers empirical insights and policy recommendations for fostering regional coordination and sustainable development. The results reveal that (1) both the digital economy and high-quality economic development show a steady upward trend, while carbon emissions efficiency has a “U-shaped” curve pattern; (2) at the national level, the degree of coupling coordination has evolved over time from “mild disorder” to “on the verge of disorder” to “barely coordinated,” while at the regional level, this pattern of coupling coordination shifts over time from “Eastern–Northeastern–Central–Western” to “Eastern–Central–Northeastern–Western”; (3) although spatial polarization in coupling coordination has improved, disparities fluctuate in a “decline–rise” pattern, with interregional differences being the main source of that variation; (4) the degree of coupling coordination has a positive spatial correlation, but with a declining trend with fluctuations; and (5) improvements in the level of economic development, human capital, industrial structure, green technological innovation, and market development capacity all contribute positively to coupling coordination. Among them, green technological innovation and market development capacity are the most influential drivers, and the interactions among all driving factors further enhance their collective impact. Full article
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25 pages, 689 KiB  
Article
Urbanization in Resource-Based County-Level Cities in China: A Case Study of New Urbanization in Wuan City, Hebei Province
by Jianguang Hou, Danlin Yu, Hao Song and Zhiguo Zhang
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6335; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146335 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 395
Abstract
This study investigates the complex dynamics of new-type urbanization in resource-based county-level cities, using Wuan City in Hebei Province, China, as a representative case. As China pursues a high-quality development agenda, cities historically dependent on resource extraction face profound challenges in achieving sustainable [...] Read more.
This study investigates the complex dynamics of new-type urbanization in resource-based county-level cities, using Wuan City in Hebei Province, China, as a representative case. As China pursues a high-quality development agenda, cities historically dependent on resource extraction face profound challenges in achieving sustainable and inclusive urban growth. This research employs a multi-method approach—including Theil index analysis, industrial shift-share analysis, a Cobb–Douglas production function model, and a composite urbanization index—to quantitatively diagnose the constraints on Wuan’s development and assess its transformation efforts. Our empirical results reveal a multifaceted situation: while the urban–rural income gap has narrowed, rural income streams remain fragile. The shift-share analysis indicates that although Wuan’s traditional industries have regained competitiveness, the city’s economic structure is still burdened by a persistent negative structural component, hindering diversification. Furthermore, the economy exhibits characteristics of a labor-intensive growth model with inefficient capital deployment. These underlying issues are reflected in a comprehensive urbanization index that, after a period of rapid growth, has recently stagnated, signaling the exhaustion of the city’s traditional development mode. In response, Wuan attempts an “industrial transformation-driven new-type urbanization” path. This study details the three core strategies being implemented: (1) incremental population urbanization through development at the urban fringe and in industrial zones; (2) in situ urbanization of the existing rural population; and (3) the cultivation of specialized “characteristic small towns” to create new, diversified economic nodes. The findings from Wuan offer critical, actionable lessons for other resource-dependent regions. The case demonstrates that successful urban transformation requires not only industrial upgrading but also integrated, spatially aware planning and robust institutional support. We conclude that while Wuan’s model provides a valuable reference, its strategies must be adapted to local contexts, emphasizing the universal importance of institutional innovation, human capital investment, and a people-centered approach to achieving resilient and high-quality urbanization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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20 pages, 509 KiB  
Article
The Relationship Between Human Resource Management Practices and Organizational Innovation: The Mediated Role of Human Capital Within the Banking Sector in North Iraq
by Haval Nazhad A. Agha, Serife Zihni Eyupoglu and Laith Tashtoush
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6330; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146330 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 413
Abstract
In the world of globalization and increasing business competition, innovation has become a significant component of the sustainability of an organization. One of the important components affecting an organization’s ability to innovate is human resource management (HRM). This study analyzes how HRM practices [...] Read more.
In the world of globalization and increasing business competition, innovation has become a significant component of the sustainability of an organization. One of the important components affecting an organization’s ability to innovate is human resource management (HRM). This study analyzes how HRM practices relate to banking sector sustainability, testing theoretical pathways through organizational innovation and human capital as potential mediators. SPSS v25 was used to analyze data collected from 207 banking sector employees. The results demonstrate that the human capital of an organization can be increased by the practices of human resource management, which stimulates organizational innovation in the same fashion. This study also shows that human capital is a partial mediator of the relationship between human resource management practices and organizational innovation, highlighting its importance for converting human resource management activities into innovative results. Considering these results, banks are advised to implement complete human resource management strategies that combine operational efficiency with workforce capacity development to create a dynamic banking environment allowing for continued innovation. The proposed mediation model based on empirical data contributes to the literature and provides insights for banking institutions, which can use human capital to drive innovation in difficult situations. Full article
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20 pages, 393 KiB  
Article
Institutional Change and Agricultural Modernization: The Impact of Land Certification on Agricultural Technology Adoption
by Yong Zhan, Xiaoyi Zhan and Min Wu
Land 2025, 14(7), 1420; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071420 - 7 Jul 2025
Viewed by 401
Abstract
The adoption of agricultural technologies is paramount for enhancing global agricultural productivity and sustainability. However, widespread implementation faces significant challenges, particularly in developing regions. Using data from the China Land Economic Survey (CLES), this study examines how land certification reform affects farmers’ technology [...] Read more.
The adoption of agricultural technologies is paramount for enhancing global agricultural productivity and sustainability. However, widespread implementation faces significant challenges, particularly in developing regions. Using data from the China Land Economic Survey (CLES), this study examines how land certification reform affects farmers’ technology adoption behavior from an institutional perspective. Results demonstrate that land certification significantly increases agricultural technology adoption rates, with more pronounced effects observed among households possessing greater human and physical capital. A mechanistic analysis reveals that land certification facilitates technology adoption through three pathways: (1) improving credit accessibility, (2) strengthening long-term investment incentives, and (3) expanding the production and operational scale. These findings highlight land tenure security as a fundamental institutional driver of agricultural modernization, deepen the understanding of the interaction between institutions and innovation in agriculture, and offer actionable insights for integrating property rights reforms with technological advancements. Full article
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21 pages, 3209 KiB  
Article
Towards Sustainable Health and Safety in Mining: Evaluating the Psychophysical Impact of VR-Based Training
by Aldona Urbanek, Kinga Stecuła, Krzysztof Kaźmierczak, Szymon Łagosz, Wojtek Kwoczak and Artur Dyczko
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 6205; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17136205 - 7 Jul 2025
Viewed by 507
Abstract
Mining involves daily descents underground and enduring dangerous and difficult conditions. Hence, it is very important to use solutions that will reduce the risk in miners’ work and ensure the greater safety and comfort of work in accordance with the goals of sustainable [...] Read more.
Mining involves daily descents underground and enduring dangerous and difficult conditions. Hence, it is very important to use solutions that will reduce the risk in miners’ work and ensure the greater safety and comfort of work in accordance with the goals of sustainable development. One way is training using virtual reality. Virtual reality provides greater safety (safe training conditions, the possibility of making a mistake without health consequences, practicing emergency scenarios, etc.) and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 3 (health), SDG 8 (decent work), SDG 9 (innovation), and SDG 12 (sustainable production). However, it is also a technology that has its weaknesses (occurrence of contraindications, side effects, etc.). Therefore, the use of VR-based training should be examined in terms of the well-being and health of training employees. Due to this, this article examines the occurrence of psychophysical complaints during VR training; the tolerance and adequacy of the duration of a 50 min training session in VR was assessed; and the average time needed to adapt to the virtual environment was determined. The VR training was developed as a result of a research project conducted by JSW Nowe Projekty S.A. (ul. Ignacego Paderewskiego 41, 40-282 Katowice, Poland), Główny Instytut Górnictwa—Państwowy Instytut Badawczy (plac Gwarków 1, 40-160 Katowice, Poland), JSW Szkolenie i Górnictwo Sp. z o.o. at Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa Capital Group (ul. Górnicza 1, 44-335 Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Poland) on the development and implementation of innovative training using VR for miners. The solution was developed in the context of mining’s striving for sustainable development in the area of improving working conditions and human safety. The first method used in the study is a survey completed by participants of training courses using virtual reality. The second method is the analysis of trainer observation sheets, which contain observations from training courses. The results revealed that for over 70% of respondents, the need to carry out activities in VR was not associated with fatigue. No average score for psychophysical symptoms assessed by respondents on a scale of 1 to 6 (including disorientation, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, etc.) exceeded 1.4. The vast majority (85.5%) did not take off the goggles before the end of the training—the training lasted 50 min. This research contributes to the discussion on sustainable industrial transformation by demonstrating that VR training not only improves worker safety and preparedness but also supports development goals through human-centered innovation in the mining sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)
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22 pages, 3590 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Impact of New Urbanization on Ecological Resilience from a Spatial Heterogeneity Perspective
by Xinyu Wang, Yuan Tian, Yong Yang, Le Yin and Baolei Zhang
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 6197; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17136197 - 6 Jul 2025
Viewed by 494
Abstract
New urbanization (NU) is an urban development strategy proposed by China that takes into account both urban development and ecological protection. It aims to improve the resistance and resilience of ecosystems, that is, to improve ecological resilience (ER). Whether NU has a sustained [...] Read more.
New urbanization (NU) is an urban development strategy proposed by China that takes into account both urban development and ecological protection. It aims to improve the resistance and resilience of ecosystems, that is, to improve ecological resilience (ER). Whether NU has a sustained positive effect on ER is the focus of scholars, but they mostly ignore the fact that different scales and geographical conditions may lead to non-linear or threshold effects on ER. This study used a variety of spatial analysis models to construct a multi-scale heterogeneity analysis framework to explore this impact. The results show that (1) The impact of NU on ER has a threshold effect, which is affected by population agglomeration and innovation diffusion. (2) At the whole basin scale, the impact of NU on ER changed from negative to positive, while at the urban scale, it showed coordinated development in the south and an antagonism in the north. (3) The urban population density, education and technology expenditure, and urban greening rate are the dominant factors affecting ER. Their spatial differentiation rules verify the synergy mechanism between human capital and green infrastructure. This research has important guiding value for the ecological protection of rapid urbanization areas. Full article
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18 pages, 694 KiB  
Article
The Employment Trilemma in the European Union: Linking Academia, Industry, and Sustainability Through Dynamic Panel Evidence
by Andrei Hrebenciuc, Silvia-Elena Iacob, Alexandra Constantin, Maxim Cetulean and Georgiana-Tatiana Bondac
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 6125; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17136125 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 374
Abstract
Amid growing concern about labour market resilience in an era of digital and green transitions, this study carries out an investigation on how academic innovation and industrial transformation jointly shape sustainable employment outcomes across EU-27 member states. We frame this inquiry within the [...] Read more.
Amid growing concern about labour market resilience in an era of digital and green transitions, this study carries out an investigation on how academic innovation and industrial transformation jointly shape sustainable employment outcomes across EU-27 member states. We frame this inquiry within the emerging concept of the “employment trilemma”, which posits inherent tension between competitiveness, innovation, and social inclusiveness in modern economies. Drawing on a dynamic panel dataset (2005–2023) and employing System SMM estimations, we test the hypothesis that the alignment of academic innovation systems and industrial transformation strategies enhances long-term employment sustainability. Our results reveal a nuanced relationship: academic innovation significantly supports employment in countries with high knowledge absorption capacity, whereas industrial transformation contributes positively only when embedded in cohesive, inclusive economic frameworks. Thus, these findings provide valuable insights for international business due to their emphasis on the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, policy synchronisation, and investment in human capital for firms navigating increasingly volatile labour markets. Likewise, the study offers actionable insights for business leaders, policymakers, and universities striving to balance innovation with equitable labour market outcomes in an integrated European economy. Full article
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