Search Results (314)

As the transformative influence of novel technologies sweeps across industries, organisations are called upon to position their staff in the equally dynamic operational environment, which includes embedding technical and legal communication skills in their training programs. For many organisations, internal and external communication of data modelling and related concepts, reporting, and monitoring still pose major challenges. The aim of this research is to develop an effective data training framework for learners with or without mathematical or computational maturity. It also addresses subtle aspects such as the legal and ethical implications of dealing with organisational data. Data was collected from a training course in Python, delivered to government employees in different departments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A structured questionnaire was designed to measure the effectiveness of the training program using Python, from the employees’ perspective, based on three key attributes: their personal characteristics, professional characteristics, and technical knowledge. A descriptive analysis of aggregations, deviations, and proportions was used to describe the data attributes gathered for the study. The main findings revealed a huge knowledge gap across disciplines regarding the core skills of big data analytics. In addition, the findings highlighted that previous knowledge about statistical methods of data analysis along with prior programming knowledge made it easier for employees to gain skills in data analytics. While the results of this study showed that their training program was beneficial for the vast majority of participants, responses from the survey indicate that providing a solid knowledge of technical communication, legal and ethical aspects would offer significant insights into the big data analytics field. Based on the findings, we make recommendations for adapting conventional data analytics approaches to align with the complexity or the attainment of the non-orthogonal United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Associations of selected responses from the survey with some of the key data attributes indicate that the research highlights vital roles that technology and data-driven skills will play in ensuring a more prosperous and sustainable future for all. Full article

Background/Objectives: This report examines the future of academic studies involving investigational therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals within the framework of Regulation (EU) No. 536/2014. It discusses the impact of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements (EudraLex-Volume 4-Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines) on the development of radiopharmaceuticals, based on local experience and analysis. Methods: The report was drafted by analysing multiple factors, including the European regulatory context regarding EMA guidance for investigational medicinal products (IMPs) and GMP requirements for radiopharmaceuticals, as well as position papers from various scientific associations. An analysis of all the relevant changes was conducted by a multidisciplinary team comprising radiopharmacists, nuclear medicine physicians, research experts and technology transfer specialists. They conducted a literature review to examine the clinical implications of the regulatory change and assess the impact of Regulation 536/2014 on academic clinical trials. Results: IRST has around 20 years’ experience in radiopharmaceutical clinical research. From 2008 to 2025, it conducted 16 clinical trials with radiopharmaceuticals under the Directive, and it is currently promoting five studies under the Regulation. During this time, more than 1000 patients were enrolled. The transition was based on staff training in quality documentation, the constitution of a contract research organisation (CRO) to ensure data quality and transfer, careful budget planning, the evaluation of innovative business models and the role of a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO). These integrated approaches enabled IRST to transform regulatory constraints into an opportunity to enhance its organisational model, improve data reliability, and strengthen its position as a centre of excellence for radiopharmaceutical research and production. Conclusions: The implementation of EU Regulation 536/2014 has significantly impacted academic research centres, especially those specialising in radiopharmaceuticals. Adhering to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals requires a considerable investment in infrastructure and personnel. However, the regulation also presents opportunities for research centres to enhance their capabilities. Meeting GMP standards can help institutions improve the quality and reliability of their clinical trials, potentially making them more competitive in the international research arena. Full article

Technology is causing unprecedented disruption that requires organisations to implement digital transformation processes. These processes are aimed at integrating technologies, redesigning their business models and, at the same time, adapting the skills of their employees and incorporating sustainability into their processes. This research aims to conceptualise a methodology for implementing Sustainable Digital Transformation (SDT) processes based on the “Working with People” (WWP) model. The model integrates three key dimensions and aligns with project management and organisational change approaches. For the purpose of this article, empirical experiences of technology adoption implemented in five large Spanish companies with an international presence are analysed. The companies were selected because they were undergoing a strategic digital transformation process aimed at implementing a digital and sustainable culture. The results show that the WWP model, aligned with IPMA project management and ADKAR organisational change approaches, is a useful tool for articulating the implementation of a Sustainable Digital Transformation, highlighting the importance of people. The model is replicable for other companies, facilitating sustainable success in digital transformation from a practical perspective of holistic and sustainable digital transformation based on the WWP model. This study addresses a key research gap in the field of digital transformation: the lack of integrative methodologies that combine technological innovation, human development, and sustainability. The proposed Working with People-based Sustainable Digital Transformation (WWP–SDT) model provides companies with a practical framework to align digital adoption with cultural change and long-term sustainable impact. Full article

Background/Objectives: India’s private healthcare sector remains fragmented, with weak primary care, uneven secondary services, and tertiary care accessible to few. Fee-for-service payments and indemnity-style insurance distort prices and fragment accountability. This paper develops a conceptual, theory-driven framework for integrating financing and delivery so that prices reflect social opportunity costs and competition rewards value rather than volume. Methods: A comparative synthesis of international integration models covering Israel, the United States, Spain, Brazil, and the United Kingdom was undertaken. Each exemplar was analysed for ownership form, market maturity, and regulatory capacity, and interpreted using four strategic management theories: Contingency theory, the Resource-based view, Dynamic capabilities, and Institutional theory. These perspectives were combined to construct a contingency-based typology tailored to India’s mixed health system. Results: Two state-contingent integration pathways emerged. Hospital-first vertical integration suits hospital-dense, high-growth states such as Tamil Nadu and Delhi, where capital and regulatory depth permit managed-care scaling. Primary-care-first reverse integration is preferable in resource-constrained contexts such as Bihar and Chhattisgarh, leveraging community trust and lower capital intensity. Conclusions: Achieving universal health coverage in India requires regulatory conditions, such as ownership flexibility, solvency oversight, risk adjustment, and transparent outcomes reporting, to enable accountable payer–provider organisations to form. The framework extends contingency theory to mixed health systems and offers a transferable blueprint for emerging markets seeking sustainable, integrated managed care. Full article

Animal emotions have been debated since Darwin’s pioneering work on the expression of such states in humans and other animals. Lately, interest in measuring animal emotions has been growing. Hence, a scientific discussion on this topic was needed, which translated into the organisation of the first International Workshop on Research Methods for Animal Emotion Analysis (RM4AEA). The current work aims to provide a concise yet critical examination of the current knowledge and methodological approaches discussed during the workshop, with a primary focus on visual behaviours. Although establishing conceptual definitions poses an initial challenge when studying animal emotions, the key challenges are found when collecting data sets, and when interpreting and analysing the information contained therein. This work also offers insights and recommendations to address these challenges, drawn from the closing panel discussion. By synthesising recent developments and expert perspectives shared during the workshop, this report aims to foster continued dialogue within the scientific community. Full article

Most Polish commercial dairy farms have expanded their production in recent years through herd increases and milk yield improvements. This study investigates internal and external drivers shaping farmers’ decisions regarding the future scale of milk production on family farms in Poland. The analysis is based on two sources of data. The primary input comes from a survey conducted in 2025 among 549 commercial dairy farms. To situate individual responses within a broader structural context, accounting data from 444 farms that continuously reported to the Polish FADN between 2005 and 2022 were used. Although not central to the analysis, these data illustrate long-term sectoral developments, particularly herd enlargement and resource concentration. The survey demonstrated a diversity of drivers shaping decisions to expand or stabilise milk production in the next five years. Farmers’ individual characteristics play a central role. The farmer’s perceived health and work ability (5-year horizon), as well as the availability of a successor, strongly influence the willingness to expand or maintain milk production levels. Other important factors include tangible resources, organisational capacity, and financial strength, such as herd size, agricultural land area, and investment capacity. This highlights the role of production potential and farm adaptability. External conditions such as land access, lease prices, and the market environment are not decisive by themselves but provide the background against which farmers evaluate their options. The study confirms that no single factor drives changes in dairy farms. What matters most is how farmers configure and align their available resources with external circumstances. The ability to combine human, physical, and financial capital in a coherent and strategic way is essential for shaping production strategies and ensuring the continuity of farm operations. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated labor market inequalities, disproportionately impacting workers based on age, gender, and sector. In Turkey, the pandemic-induced economic crisis resulted in a substantial increase in unemployment, with youth (ages 15–24) encountering the most significant challenges. Young women, in particular, experienced more severe outcomes, increasing their vulnerability in the labor market. This study examined the factors contributing to the intensified challenges faced by young women during the pandemic. Using official data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), comparative analyses were conducted on labor market indicators by age and gender, focusing on unemployment rates, informal employment, and sectoral distribution. This study considers both narrow and broad definitions of unemployment, including underemployment and the potential labor force. The findings indicate that young women suffered the most severe employment losses, exacerbated by their concentration in low-wage, precarious jobs and informal work, with gendered occupational segregation further intensifying these disparities. Full article

Material handling (MH) plays a critical role in the performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability of high-rise construction projects. Despite its significance, MH practices in such projects remain challenged by complex vertical logistics, space constraints, fragmented supply chains, and increasing pressure to align with decarbonisation goals. This study applies a mixed-methods approach that integrates a systematic literature review, semi-structured expert interviews, and a SWOT–AHP (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats—Analytic Hierarchy Process) model to identify and prioritise factors influencing MH optimisation in China’s high-rise construction sector. Eighteen factors were evaluated across four SWOT dimensions, and expert pairwise comparisons were aggregated using geometric means. The results revealed that Technological Adoption (S1) and Technological Advancements (O3) are the most critical enablers, while High Implementation Costs (W2) and Resource Scarcity (T3) are the most significant constraints. Interactions among these factors highlight the dual importance of internal digital capabilities and external technological trajectories in shaping MH strategies. Comparative analysis with practices in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East demonstrates that digitalisation, financial mechanisms, and policy incentives are globally consistent drivers of MH innovation. The findings advance theoretical understanding by integrating perspectives from the Resource-Based View, Technology-Organisation-Environment, and Institutional Theory, and they offer practical implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to align MH optimisation with China’s dual-carbon targets. This study contributes to the development of a comprehensive decision-support framework that enhances the sustainability, resilience, and efficiency of material logistics in high-rise construction projects. Full article

This study investigates how trauma-informed and healing-centred architectural design is associated with rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes in young people’s correctional facilities. Drawing on international case studies, the analysis demonstrates that architecture is not a neutral backdrop but a contributing determinant within broader justice ecosystems. Trauma-informed environments are consistently linked to reductions in re-traumatisation and improvements in emotional regulation, while small-scale, community-oriented facilities are associated with enhanced skill development, autonomy, and reintegration potential. Culturally responsive designs that incorporate Indigenous practices and symbolic architecture are observed to support identity, resilience, and community belonging, underscoring the importance of cultural continuity in rehabilitation processes. In parallel, sustainable features such as biophilic design, renewable energy systems, and natural light are correlated with improvements in ecological performance and psychosocial well-being, indicating that sustainability and rehabilitation may be mutually reinforcing goals. Notably, the analysis highlights that supportive environments are also associated with staff well-being and institutional stability, underscoring the broader organisational benefits of healing architecture. The findings suggest that young people’s correctional facilities should not replicate adult prisons but instead provide safe, developmental, and culturally grounded spaces that respond to adolescents’ unique needs. This study contributes a novel conceptual model—the Trauma-Informed Healing Architecture (TIHA) framework—that integrates trauma-informed, cultural, and ecological design strategies within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The framework defines global standards as universal principles—safety, dignity, cultural responsiveness, and natural light—while remaining adaptable to local resources and justice systems. In this way, it provides internationally relevant yet context-sensitive guidance for young people’s correctional reform. Full article

Antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial and fungal infections in plants, animals, and humans. Their widespread use in agriculture and the food industry has significantly enhanced animal health and productivity. However, extensive and often inappropriate antibiotic use has driven the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health crisis marked by the reduced efficacy of antimicrobial treatments. Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten global public health threats, AMR arises when certain bacteria harbor antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) that confer resistance that can be horizontally transferred to other bacteria, accelerating resistance spread in the environment. AMR poses a significant global health challenge, affecting humans, animals, and the environment alike. A One-Health perspective highlights the interconnected nature of these domains, emphasizing that resistant microorganisms spread across healthcare, agriculture, and the environment. Recent scientific advances such as metagenomic sequencing for resistance surveillance, innovative wastewater treatment technologies (e.g., ozonation, UV, membrane filtration), and the development of vaccines and probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in livestock are helping to mitigate resistance. At the policy level, global initiatives including the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR, coordinated efforts by (Food and Agriculture Organization) FAO and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and recommendations from the O’Neill Report underscore the urgent need for international collaboration and sustainable interventions. By integrating these scientific and policy responses within the One-Health framework, stakeholders can improve antibiotic stewardship, reduce environmental contamination, and safeguard effective treatments for the future. Full article

In today’s complex economy, firms face various risks. The increasing risks and exposures hinder top performance and impede investments in new project circles. This study examines how Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) practices affect the non-financial performance of Omani insurance companies and investigates the partial mediating role of Competitive Advantage (CA). Using 439 survey responses analysed with PLS-SEM, the results reveal that ERM practices have a positive and significant effect on non-financial performance, and that CA mediates the effects of Internal Environment, Event Identification, and Risk Assessment. This reinforces the strategic dimension of embedding competitive advantage into risk management frameworks. This study offers evidence of how integrating ERM practices can impact organisational performance. It provides a foundation for ongoing research in sectors and areas not previously examined, particularly in developing countries where organisational resilience is imperative. Our study demonstrates how ERM enhances non-financial performance within insurance companies while supporting the view that ERM is a long-term strategic element, not merely limited to risk management. The research contributes evidence for broader application by demonstrating competitive advantage as a mediator. The model facilitates the investigation of ERM impacts across various sectors and regions, especially in developing countries where organisational resilience is crucial. Full article

This study investigates the firm- and country-level determinants that influence the extent of financial disclosure under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in selected Latin American Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members or countries in the accession process in the period under analysis. Using a sample of 168 publicly listed companies from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, we construct a self-developed disclosure index based on compliance with International Accounting Standards IAS 16 (Property, Plant and Equipment) and IAS 2 (Inventories). These standards were selected due to their relevance across a broad range of sectors in emerging markets. Drawing on agency theory, stakeholder theory, institutional theory, signaling theory, and legitimacy theory, we examine how internal firm characteristics, macroeconomic performance, and institutional quality impact disclosure practices. Our empirical findings show that firm size, leverage, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, and shareholder protection have a positive and statistically significant influence on the level of IFRS disclosure. However, not all institutional variables are equally effective, highlighting the complex interplay between regulatory environments and corporate reporting behavior in developing countries. The study contributes to the ongoing debate on the applicability and effectiveness of IFRS in emerging economies by offering evidence from underexplored Latin American markets and emphasizing the need for context-specific policy and regulatory interventions. Full article

Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant challenges to public health globally, intensifying the frequency and severity of related health incidents. Field epidemiology, traditionally focused on infectious disease outbreaks, is now increasingly recognised as vital in addressing environmental and climate-related health threats. This study explores how organisations like Public Health Wales (PHW) can develop field epidemiology services responsive to these emerging challenges. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 global and national experts in field epidemiology, environmental health, and related disciplines. An inductive content analysis approach was used to identify themes relating to best practices, challenges, competencies, and future directions in environmental field epidemiology. Key findings emphasise the necessity for integrated, multi-sectoral collaboration, capacity building in One Health competencies, and innovative surveillance systems that incorporate environmental and climate data and exposure measures. Participants highlighted barriers such as fragmented governance, data quality issues, and resource constraints. The evolving role of field epidemiology includes applications of environmental and climate-related health phenomena to encompass prevention, preparedness, and recovery phases, supported by technological advancements and holistic health security frameworks. To effectively address environmental and climate-related health incidents, field epidemiology services must evolve towards integrated, multidisciplinary, and adaptive frameworks. Organisations like PHW may consider strengthening international collaboration, investing in workforce development, and implementing integrated surveillance systems that incorporate environmental drivers of health. These strategic priorities align with global public health functions and support resilient health systems capable of mitigating climate-related health risks. Full article

Data on social dimensions of the bioeconomy, particularly gender equity and poverty, two core Sustainable Development Goals, remains limited and difficult to operationalise. This paper presents a desk-based assessment of social risks related to gender inequality and working conditions in agriculture, using the Social Hotspot Database (2021) alongside sectoral data on cereals, wheat, and paddy rice. Agriculture was examined as a key component of the bioeconomy in five East African countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, all signatories of the East Africa Regional Bioeconomy Strategy. Additional data from FAO and ILO were incorporated to strengthen the analysis. Results indicate persistent gender inequality, with women continuing to face systemic disadvantages compared to men in agricultural production, potentially constraining the development of a sustainable bioeconomy in the region. Regarding working conditions, all countries demonstrated high risks of failing to achieve living wages, leaving many workers in poverty. However, a significant limitation lies in the absence of sex disaggregated data and datasets explicitly addressing bioenergy or the bioeconomy. Evidence from international organisations suggests that restricted access to education, limited financial resources, and enduring cultural norms exacerbate the gender gap in agriculture. This paper concludes that advancing education, expanding access to finance, and strengthening gender parity are critical pathways to mitigate social risks and to support inclusive bioeconomy development in East Africa. Full article

The increase in global demand for mineral resources with the energy transition is likely to intensify the consequences of mining, such as deforestation; biodiversity loss; soil, water, and air contamination; violations of civil, political, and labour rights; loss of livelihoods; and harm to health. It is a paradox that the quest for sustainability and transition away from fossil fuels are leading to another set of unsustainable practices. The paper analyses how one major faith actor, the Catholic Church, is dealing with this paradox and is translating its theological and moral commitment to integral ecology into practice in the context of mining. Based on a series of consultations with cross-continental actors, the paper aims to offer a typology of responses in order to inform the work of other actors in sustainable development and the transition to renewable energy. The paper examines five types of intertwined responses: (1) the accompaniment of mining-affected populations, which is the starting point of all responses; (2) the mediation of experience through theological and organisational resources and international policy frameworks; (3) the documentation of what is happening or likely to happen; (4) education and formation to address the structural causes of social and ecological degradation at a multi-scalar level; and (5) advocacy for policy and institutional change, including alternative modes of socio-economic development. The paper concludes by discussing some shortcomings in these responses, as well as avenues for broad-based coalitions for sustainability in the context of the mining requirements of the energy transition. Full article