Search Results (67)

This study employed a mixed-methods design combining a survey of 167 social workers in Seoul and in-depth interviews with three social welfare experts to explore strategies for integrating forest welfare services into the social service system. The survey results showed a high willingness to participate in forest welfare services. Demand was high for psychological and emotional stability (29.3%) and recreation and leisure enhancement (26.0%). Among the expected benefits, stress relief and improvement of psychological health showed the highest response rate (38.9%), while guaranteed participation during working hours was identified as the most important support needed (51.5%). Expert interviews indicated that a legal and institutional foundation, evidence of service effectiveness, professional program development, and cooperation among relevant organizations are necessary for sustained service operation and integration into the social service system. Based on these findings, this study proposes four major strategies for service revitalization: establishing a legal and institutional foundation, securing policy and academic evidence, developing tailored service models reflecting target characteristics, and establishing inter-organizational cooperation. These findings provide baseline information for future pilot implementation, effectiveness evaluation, and institutionalization of forest welfare services for social workers. Full article

Inter-organizational construction projects depend on intensive information exchange, interface coordination, and joint action among multiple organizations. However, their temporary, fragmented, and multi-actor nature often creates information asymmetry, unclear responsibility attribution, and weak trust foundations, thereby increasing collaboration costs and reducing governance efficiency. Although blockchain technology is often considered capable of addressing these problems through tamper-resistant records, transparent sharing, and smart contract execution, existing studies remain largely focused on technical functions or application scenarios. Less attention has been paid to how blockchain influences trust formation and inter-organizational collaboration through informational governance mechanisms. To address this gap, this study adopts a conceptual theory-building research design and develops a governance-oriented framework explaining how blockchain-enabled informational attributes affect trust and collaboration in construction projects. The study conceptualizes the blockchain’s governance role as an informational governance mechanism rather than a mere technical deployment, focusing on four informational attributes embedded in project transaction records: security, fidelity/authenticity, transparency, and procedural consistency. It further distinguishes interpersonal trust from inter-organizational trust, arguing that blockchain informational attributes may shape both interaction-based trust among boundary spanners and organization-level collaboration expectations. Interpersonal trust may also inform broader trust judgments toward partner organizations. At the collaboration level, the study conceptualizes inter-organizational collaboration as a process structure consisting of coordination and cooperation, with coordination creating conditions for deeper cooperation. The resulting framework links blockchain informational attributes, dual-level trust, coordination, and cooperation, and develops hypotheses for future empirical testing. This study contributes by shifting construction blockchain research from technology adoption and functional description toward informational governance explanation, extending dual-level trust logic into blockchain-enabled construction project governance, and applying the coordination–cooperation process logic to unpack how blockchain-enabled informational governance may influence inter-organizational collaboration. Full article

Multi-source environmental data are increasingly used for measurement, reporting and verification, and for coordinating low-carbon innovation across interorganizational networks. However, voluntary data sharing remains limited because participants face asymmetric costs, leakage and compliance risks, and uncertainty in value capture. This study develops a network evolutionary game model to examine how cooperative data sharing emerges and stabilizes in green innovation networks. We specify a two-strategy game in which heterogeneous agents choose between sharing and withholding. The payoff structure integrates private innovation gains from their own data, cross-partner synergy, external incentives, fixed governance costs, and stock-scaled sharing and risk burdens. Agents interact on a Barabási–Albert scale-free network and update strategies via local imitation under a Fermi rule. Simulations show that cooperation can diffuse from low initial participation and converge to a high-sharing regime when benefit allocation and incentive intensity jointly offset cost and risk frictions. Several governance levers exhibit threshold-type effects, including the allocation share, the opportunity loss of non-sharing, and the marginal cost–risk burden. Multi-source synergy and subsidies further raise the attainable cooperation level, but with diminishing marginal returns. Degree heterogeneity accelerates diffusion once hub organizations adopt sharing, while also raising fairness concerns when benefits concentrate on central nodes. Overall, the findings provide green-innovation-specific governance conditions that translate threshold regions into implementable design targets for sustainable environmental data sharing. Full article

Mountain regions across Europe face demographic decline and institutional fragmentation that hinder sustainable tourism development. This study analyzes the territorial governance system of the Val Canale and Canal del Ferro valleys (Italian Alps) with the aim of designing a stakeholder-based Organizational Model (OM) to strengthen sustainable tourism coordination in a peripheral mountain context. A qualitative single-case study approach integrates Stakeholder Analysis, Actor-Linkage Matrix, Appreciative Inquiry, and spatial contextualization to examine relational, institutional, and territorial dynamics. The findings reveal a territory rich in environmental and cultural assets—characterized by protected areas and extensive trail networks—yet constrained by fragmented inter-municipal cooperation and limited supra-municipal coordination. Governance fragmentation, rather than resource scarcity, emerges as the primary barrier to coherent territorial development. In response, the proposed multi-level Organizational Model introduces a valley-level coordination unit designed to institutionalize collaborative governance, enhance administrative capacity, and align local initiatives with regional strategies. By operationalizing stakeholder theory within a structured territorial framework, the study contributes to place-based governance literature and offers transferable insights for peripheral mountain regions facing similar coordination challenges. Full article

Green technological innovation is a core driving force for firms’ low-carbon transformation. However, because critical green technologies and knowledge are often dispersed across upstream and downstream partners within supply chains, firms’ green transformation faces substantial challenges. Previous studies have primarily focused on internal drivers at the firm level while overlooking the empowering role of green collaborative cooperation among supply chain partners. To address this gap, this study introduces empowerment theory to systematically examine how supply chain green strategic alliances enhance firms’ green innovation capability. Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2011 to 2023, we construct a firm-level indicator of supply chain green strategic alliances based on textual analysis and machine learning techniques and empirically test its impact on green innovation. The results show that participation in green strategic alliances significantly promotes firms’ green innovation. Mechanism analyses further reveal that this effect operates through the reconstruction of green knowledge, increased environmental investment, and improved green governance. Moreover, the positive effect is more pronounced in regions with stronger intellectual property protection, greater green credit support, and stricter environmental regulation, as well as among firms with closer supply chain relationships. This study identifies supply chain green strategic alliances as a key inter-organizational empowerment mechanism and provides important practical implications for leveraging supply chain collaboration to accelerate sustainable development and firms’ green transformation. Full article

Critical mineral supply chains underpin electric mobility, power electronics, clean hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing. Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV), the relational view, and dynamic capabilities, we conceptualize advantage not as ownership of ore bodies but as orchestration of multi-tier resource systems: upstream access, midstream processing know-how, standards and permits, and durable inter-organizational ties. In a world of high concentration at key stages (refining, separation, engineered materials), full “decoupling” is economically costly and technologically constraining. We argue for structured cooperation among the United States, European Union, China, and other producers and consumers, combined with selective domestic capability building for bona fide security needs. Methodologically, we conduct a structured conceptual synthesis integrating RBV, relational view, dynamic capabilities, and network-of-network research, combined with a structured comparative policy analysis of U.S./EU/Chinese instruments anchored in official documents. We operationalize the argument via technology–material dependency maps that identify midstream bottlenecks and the policy/standard levers most likely to expand qualified, compliant capacity. Full article

In recent years, telework (TW) has been seen as a feasible and flexible alternative to deal with global and market risks; however, companies’ lack of vision and planning to implement it has generated the reality that TW, far from bringing advantages, generates personal and social labour conflicts. The objective of this research is to design a TW adoption sustainable process (TW-ASP) that guides the development of organizational strategies to maximize benefits and mitigate challenges for companies, employees, and society. This qualitative study comprises three phases: a review of previous research in Web of Science, identification and inter-relation of relevant variables, and TW-ASP design using Cooper’s stage-gate methodology. The process includes three stages, and each one has a gate: TW thinking, TW decision, and TW adoption. Each stage and gate is structured according to linkages between technological, organizational, labour, and social variables. TW-ASP positions TW as a sustainable initiative requiring a holistic and systemic approach. This study offers a proposal that can serve as a reference for designing organizational strategies aimed at sustainability. Full article

The participants in international engineering projects are from different countries, each with distinct cultural backgrounds and behavioral habits. While previous research has drawn attention to the interference of cultural differences in project performance, it has not formulated an integrated management strategy for promoting cultural interaction. This study endeavors to decipher the correlative mechanism among the trust networks of project participants, cultural identity, and project performance, thereby filling the existing research gap. The findings of this study can assist project managers in formulating innovative cultural management strategies tailored to international engineering projects. By applying the PLS-SEM, this research conducts an analysis of 119 valid questionnaires collected from international engineering projects. The results of the data analysis indicate that there exists a positive correlation between cultural identity and project performance. However, the impact of the trust networks on project performance and cultural identity demonstrates heterogeneity. From the perspective of relational governance, these research findings contribute to fostering cooperative behavior among the participants in international engineering projects, optimizing cooperation efficiency, and reducing the likelihood of inter-organizational conflicts. Full article

The holobiont paradigm, conceptualizing host–microbiome assemblages as functionally integrated entities, has fundamentally altered interpretations of adaptive responses to environmental pressures spanning multiple organizational levels. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on microbiome-host coevolution, focusing on three key aspects. First, it examines the evolutionary origins of holobionts from primordial microbial consortia. Second, it considers the mechanistic basis of microbiome-mediated stress resilience in plants and animals. Finally, it explores the ecological implications of inter-holobiont interactions. We highlight how early microbial alliances (protomicrobiomes) laid the groundwork for eukaryotic complexity through metabolic cooperation, with modern holobionts retaining this plasticity to confront abiotic and biotic stressors. In plants, compartment-specific microbiomes (e.g., rhizosphere, phyllosphere) enhance drought tolerance or nutrient acquisition, while in animals, the gut microbiome modulates neuroendocrine and immune functions via multi-organ axes (gut–brain, gut–liver, etc.). Critically, we emphasize the role of microbial metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, VOCs) as universal signaling molecules that coordinate holobiont responses to environmental change. Emerging strategies, like microbiome engineering and probiotics, are discussed as tools to augment stress resilience in agriculture and medicine. By framing adaptation as a collective trait of the holobiont, this work bridges evolutionary biology, microbiology, and ecology to offer a unified perspective on stress biology. Full article

The growing sophistication of cyber threats has posed significant challenges for organizations in terms of accurately detecting and responding to incidents in a coordinated manner. Despite advances in the application of machine learning and automation, many solutions still face limitations such as high false positive rates, low scalability, and difficulties in interorganizational cooperation. This study presents MICRA (Modular Intelligent Cybersecurity Response Architecture), a modular conceptual proposal that integrates dynamic data acquisition, cognitive threat analysis, multi-layer validation, adaptive response orchestration, and collaborative intelligence sharing. The architecture consists of six interoperable modules and incorporates techniques such as supervised learning, heuristic analysis, and behavioral modeling. The modules are designed for operation in diverse environments, including corporate networks, educational networks, and critical infrastructures. MICRA seeks to establish a flexible and scalable foundation for proactive cyber defense, reconciling automation, collaborative intelligence, and adaptability. This proposal aims to support future implementations and research on incident response and cyber resilience in complex operational contexts. Full article

Background: The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in humanitarian logistics is essential for improving coordination and decision making, especially in the challenging landscape of disaster-relief settings. However, the current literature offers limited empirical evidence with respect to the specific impact of AI on coordination and decision making for real-life humanitarian problems. Based on evidence from the humanitarian sector, this paper focuses on how AI could help humanitarian organizations collaborate better, streamline relief supply-chain operations and use resources more effectively. Methods: Twelve key themes influencing AI integration are identified by the study using a Grounded Theory (GT) approach based on interviews with experts from the humanitarian sector. These themes include data reliability, operational limitations, ethical considerations and cultural sensitivities, among others. Results: The findings suggest that AI improves forecasting, planning and inter-organizational coordination and is especially useful during the preparedness and mitigation stages of relief operations. Successful adoption, however, depends on adjusting tools to actual field conditions, building trust and training and striking a balance between algorithmic support and human expertise. Conclusions: The paper offers useful and practical advice for humanitarian organizations looking to use AI technologies in an ethical way while taking into account workforce capabilities, cross-agency cooperation and field-level realities. Full article

This study examines the added value of territorial cooperation within the LEADER approach, a key pillar of the EU’s rural development policy. Both interterritorial and transnational cooperation projects empower Local Action Groups (LAGs) to tackle common challenges through innovative and community-driven strategies. Drawing on over 3000 projects since 1994, LEADER cooperation has proven its ability to deliver tangible results—such as joint publications, pilot projects, and shared digital platforms—alongside intangible benefits like knowledge exchange, improved governance, and stronger social capital. By facilitating experiential learning and inter-organizational collaboration, cooperation enables stakeholders to work across territorial boundaries and build networks that respond to both national and transnational development issues. The interaction among diverse actors often fosters innovative responses to local and regional problems. Using a mixed-methods approach, including case studies of Italian LAGs, this research analyses the dynamics, challenges, and impacts of cooperation, with a focus on learning processes, capacity building, and long-term sustainability. Therefore, this study focuses not only on project outcomes but also on the processes and learning dynamics that generate added value through cooperation. The findings highlight how territorial cooperation promotes inclusivity, fosters cross-border dialogue, and supports the development of context-specific solutions, ultimately enhancing rural resilience and innovation. In conclusion, LEADER cooperation contributes to a more effective, participatory, and sustainable model of rural development, offering valuable insights for the broader EU cohesion policy. Full article

In the context of the explosive growth of the digital economy, how inter-organizational connectivity affects corporate ambidextrous innovation has emerged as a pressing issue in the current digital economy. Based on the perspectives of the innovation ecosystem and digital coupling, this paper explores the inner mechanism of this issue through structural modeling by using the data of China’s high-tech enterprise alliance cooperation from 2015 to 2022. It is found in the empirical study that the local efficiency and reach rate of the digital innovation ecosystem have an inverted U-shaped relationship with exploratory innovation, and the local efficiency and reach rate of the digital innovation ecosystem have a negative effect on firm exploitative innovation. In addition, the level of firms’ digital transformation mediates the relationship between the local efficiency, reach rate, and ambidextrous innovation. The level of market development plays a moderating role in the relationship between the local efficiency, reach rate, and ambidextrous innovation. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the digital innovation ecosystem to realize the role of a “resource pool” through structural connections, which in turn provides important guidance for the digital transformation and innovation development of high-tech enterprises. Full article

Business sustainability emerges as a cornerstone for balancing economic growth, environmental preservation, and social well-being, establishing itself as a global priority. However, this approach still faces significant challenges among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in emerging regions such as Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. This study examines how business networks facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices through knowledge transfer and inter-organizational collaboration, emphasizing the influence of sociological factors and social interactions. Using a qualitative approach that combines semi-structured interviews and social network analysis with UCINET software version 6.776, an active network of 54 companies is analyzed. The results highlight central nodes with high betweenness centrality, underscoring their role as catalysts in disseminating sustainable practices. A significant correlation is also identified between types of business interactions and the implementation of these practices, emphasizing the strategic value of cooperation in fostering responsible behaviors. This study helps bridge the theoretical gap regarding sustainability in MSMEs and offers practical implications for designing policies that enhance business collaboration for sustainable development. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of understanding business interaction dynamics and their implications for driving sustainable transformation in regional contexts. Full article

Traveling to locations featured in anime has become a significant tourism behavior as the number and popularity of Japanese anime works have increased. The widespread phenomenon of anime-induced tourism has called for destination marketing that welcomes anime fans. This study focuses on the dyadic relationship between destination marketers and anime production teams, who hold definitive discretion over copyrights in anime-induced tourism. Using the concept of joint dependence derived from the theoretical assumptions of resource dependency theory, this research investigates how organizations with imbalanced power relations choose to collaborate. By comparing three qualitative cases that distinctly demonstrate temporal structural changes in anime tourism, this study reveals that joint dependence facilitates interorganizational cooperation through domain consensus between destination marketers and anime production teams. The current study makes a significant theoretical contribution to the fields of interorganizational relations, destination marketing studies, and anime-induced tourism research. Additionally, it provides highly practical insights into tourism development strategies for destination marketers and anime production companies. Full article