Search Results (504)

This study aims to evaluate the level of awareness and practical adoption of green wall systems in the Nigerian construction industry. It seeks to examine the current state of green wall implementation and recommend strategies to enhance their integration into construction practices among Nigerian construction professionals. A thorough review of the existing literature was conducted to identify different types of green wall systems. Insights from this review informed the design of a structured questionnaire, which was distributed to construction professionals based in Lagos State. The data collected were analyzed using statistical tests. The study reveals that while there is generally high awareness of green wall systems among Nigerian construction professionals, the practical use remains low, with just 8 out of the 18 systems being actively implemented, eclipsing the mean value of 3.0. The findings underscore the need for targeted education, industry incentives, and increased advocacy to encourage the use of green wall systems in the Nigerian construction sector. The results have significant implications for the Nigerian construction industry. The limited awareness and adoption of green wall systems highlight the need for strategic actions from policymakers, industry leaders and educational institutions. Promoting the use of green walls could drive more sustainable building practices, improve environmental outcomes and support the broader goals of decarbonization and circularity in construction. This research adds to the body of knowledge on sustainable construction by offering a detailed evaluation of green wall awareness and adoption within the Nigerian context. While green wall systems have been studied globally, this research provides a regional perspective, which in this case focuses on Lagos State. The study’s recognition of the gap between awareness and implementation highlights an important area for future research and industry development. Full article

Job stress and burnout are major challenges in today’s workplaces. While most interventions adopt a clinical or deficit-based approach, this meta-analysis takes a positive perspective by examining the effectiveness of Positive Psychological Interventions (PPIs). A total of 24 studies conducted in workplace settings were analyzed to assess the impact of PPIs on psychological well-being, subjective well-being, and job performance. The results showed significant and sustained improvements across all three outcomes, with moderate effect sizes: subjective well-being (g = 0.50, 95% CI [0.18, 0.81]), psychological well-being (g = 0.46, 95% CI [0.15, 0.78]), and performance (g = 0.42, 95% CI [0.21, 0.62]). Higher effects were found for in-person interventions and those conducted in Western contexts. No significant moderation was observed for structural factors (e.g., implementation level: Individual, Group, Leader, or Organization [IGLO]) or sample characteristics (e.g., gender), among other variables examined. These findings highlight the relevance of PPIs for promoting well-being and sustaining performance, which may reflect the preservation of personal resources in the face of occupational stressors. Regardless of type, well-designed interventions may be key to fostering healthier workplace environments—especially when delivered face-to-face. Full article

As the global emphasis on sustainable development intensifies, the integration of digital technologies (DTs) into efforts to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has gained increasing attention. However, existing research on the link between the SDGs and DTs remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive perspective on their interconnections. We aimed to address this gap by conducting a large-scale bibliometric analysis based on Elsevier’s SDG research mapping technique. Drawing on approximately 1.17 million publications related to both the 17 SDGs and 11 representative DTs, we explored research trends in the SDG–DT association, identified DTs that are most frequently tied to specific SDGs, and uncovered emerging areas of research within this interdisciplinary domain. Our results highlight the rapid expansion in the volume and variety of SDG–DT studies. Our findings shed light on the widespread relevance of artificial intelligence and robotics, the goal-specific applications of technologies such as 3D printing, cloud computing, drones, and extended reality, as well as the growing visibility of emerging technologies such as digital twins and blockchain. These findings offer valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders aiming to strategically harness DTs to support sustainable development and accelerate progress toward achieving the SDGs. Full article

Industry 4.0 represents a significant transformation in industrial systems through digital integration, presenting both opportunities and challenges for aligning the workforce, especially in emerging economies like Thailand. This study adopts a sequential exploratory mixed-method approach to investigate how strategic human resource development (HRD) contributes to sustainable transformation, defined as the enduring alignment between workforce capabilities and technological advancement. The qualitative phase involved case studies of five Thai manufacturing firms at varying levels of Industry 4.0 adoption, utilizing semi-structured interviews with executives and HR leaders. Thematic findings informed the development of a structured survey, distributed to 144 firms. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships among business pressures, leadership support, HRD preparedness, and technological readiness. The analysis reveals that business pressures significantly influence leadership and HRD, which in turn facilitate technological readiness. However, business pressures alone do not directly enhance readiness without the support of intermediaries. These results underscore the critical role of integrated HRD and leadership frameworks in enabling sustainable digital transformation. This study contributes to theoretical perspectives by integrating HRD, leadership, and technological readiness, offering practical guidance for firms aiming to navigate the complexities of Industry 4.0. Full article

This study synthesizes the rapidly expanding evidence on how digital technologies reshape international trade, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Guided by two research questions—(RQ1) How do digital tools influence the volume and composition of cross-border trade? and (RQ2) How do these effects vary by countries’ development level and firm size?—we conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review covering 2010–2024. Searches across eight major databases yielded 1857 records; after duplicate removal, title/abstract screening, full-text assessment, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT 2018) quality checks, 86 peer-reviewed English-language studies were retained. Findings reveal three dominant technology clusters: (1) e-commerce platforms and cloud services, (2) IoT-enabled supply chain solutions, and (3) emerging AI analytics. E-commerce and cloud adoption consistently raise export intensity—doubling it for digitally mature SMEs—while AI applications are the fastest-growing research strand, particularly in East Asia and Northern Europe. However, benefits are uneven: firms in low-infrastructure settings face higher fixed digital costs, and cybersecurity and regulatory fragmentation remain pervasive obstacles. By integrating trade economics with development and SME internationalization studies, this review offers the first holistic framework that links national digital infrastructure and policy support to firm-level export performance. It shows that the trade-enhancing effects of digitalization are contingent on robust broadband penetration, affordable cloud access, and harmonized data-governance regimes. Policymakers should, therefore, prioritize inclusive digital-readiness programs, while business leaders should invest in complementary capabilities—data analytics, cyber-risk management, and cross-border e-logistics—to fully capture digital trade gains. This balanced perspective advances theory and practice on building resilient, equitable digital trade ecosystems. Full article

Due to globalization, companies are exposed to a culturally diversified workforce; therefore, great emphasis is placed on identifying the most effective leadership style that would be able to manage such a workforce. Although numerous studies have attempted to identify successful leadership styles in different cultural settings, none have focused on the perceptions of top managers who work in multinational corporations (MNCs) in culturally diversified surroundings. Thus, our research attempts to identify the most preferred leadership style and characteristics from the perspective of top managers in MNCs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 13 leadership characteristics analyzed in this study were generated from the 21 characteristics found by Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) research. The participants, top managers in MNCs, needed to evaluate leadership styles by considering leadership characteristics. To ensure the objectiveness of the study, we analyzed their answers by applying the Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. The results indicated that the most preferred leadership characteristics were visionary, inspirational, collaborative team-oriented, and performance-oriented. Moreover, the transformational leadership style emerged as the most preferred leadership style. The study’s findings show that top managers believe that employees in MNCs in the UAE seek a leader with a vision who will inspire, motivate, and help them fulfill their true potential. Full article

There are many lessons to be learned from the findings of research that would be advantageous in realising the potential of Catholic schools to contribute to the common good of a secular society. In summary, it is possible to highlight the following inferences, which were drawn from research undertaken by the writer: (1) From the perspective of Catholic school leaders, Catholic education faces considerable challenges and, sometimes, antagonism, within a secular society, which can impose significant pressures on the conduct of their work. (2) There is a need to disseminate information to individuals and groups within and outside Catholic schools of the Christian values that are promoted by the Church. (3) Catholic schools make a significant contribution towards the common good of society, which is not always generally appreciated and should be more widely publicised. (4) Catholic communities and their leaders would benefit from ongoing opportunities to engage in continuing professional development and formation that would nourish and nurture the enhancement of spiritual capital in their schools. Full article

There is a lack of studies comparing PE teachers’ reflections on the role of sport in different regions. Using Kirk’s conceptualization of the role of sport, this qualitative comparative study aimed to explore and compare fifth-grade physical education (PE) teachers’ perceptions and experiences related to PE teaching in Finland and in the Kurdistan region of Iraq (KRI). In-depth interviews were conducted with eight Finnish and six KRI teachers, and the data were analyzed using the NVivo qualitative analysis program. The results showed that the Finnish teachers’ reflections were classified into four themes: joy and competence rather than sport, sport and curriculum, the status of sport in society and prerequisites for physical activities and sport. The KRI teachers’ reflections were also classified into four themes: sport as an aim in PE, the teacher as a model and leader of the sport, sport raising one’s status and PE being not only about sport. The role of sport in PE was recognized by teachers from both regions, although from different perspectives. The Finnish teachers made a clear distinction between PE and sport. The KRI teachers perceived PE and sport almost as one, in the belief that PE primarily teaches pupils about sport and that sport itself is a central goal. Both groups of teachers aimed to enhance their pupils’ well-being and encourage a physically active lifestyle through PE. The KRI teachers believed that engaging students in sports would promote these aims, whereas Finnish teachers saw sport as just one of many components needed to achieve these objectives. The Finnish teachers emphasized the national PE curriculum guiding their work, while the KRI teachers had no standardized PE curriculum in primary school. This comparative study highlights the importance of implementing a well-structured PE curriculum in primary schools in the KRI. Further studies should examine how the implementation of such a curriculum will affect KRI teachers’ teaching and the role of sport in PE. Full article

This study examines the distinctive male leadership—comprising procurators, parish priests, and chaplains—of the beguinage of St. Elizabeth in Valenciennes during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Contrary to the majority of beguine communities in the southern Low Countries, where leadership appointments were dictated by religious or secular authorities, this community was entitled to elect its male administrators autonomously. The elected were generally influential figures in local religious and secular affairs and maintained a close relationship with the comital family of Hainaut. The analysis will demonstrate how this politically embedded ecclesiastical framework not only ensured doctrinal legitimacy but also mediated conflicts between secular lords and church authorities, thus enabling the community’s survival amid accusations of heresy and institutional repression. By examining the electoral criteria and functional specialization of male leaders, and their interactions with self-governed beguines, this research tries to offer a new perspective on the complex governance strategies of the medieval beguine movement. Full article

Urban environmental issues are fundamental to ecological civilization development, with key stakeholders such as governments, enterprises, social organizations, and community residents playing crucial roles in the governance process. From a network governance perspective, this study innovatively applied social network analysis (SNA) to policy co-occurrence networks, analyzing over 2300 policy documents related to China’s urban environmental governance from 2017 to 2023 to investigate evolutionary trends. The key findings indicate the following. (1) The comparative analysis across two periods reveals that China’s urban environmental governance network structure has stabilized, with both network density and centralization indices showing an upward trend. (2) The degree of centrality and betweenness centrality shows that government agencies remain the core entities within the network, while the role and influence of business enterprises have steadily increased. (3) The participation of social organizations in governance continues to increase, but community public participation in governance is insufficient. Therefore, China’s ecological environment governance network has formed a network structure with the government as the leader, enterprises as the key role, and social organizations providing effective support. Full article

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States have been experiencing a leadership turnover crisis, with 23 president and chancellor changes announced in 2022 and 41 in 2023. A survey of HBCU stakeholders at the 2023 White House Initiative on HBCUs was conducted to identify high-impact areas linked to this turnover, focusing on areas critical to the advancement and sustainment of HBCUs through the eyes of HBCU stakeholders. Additionally, it attempted to understand how campus dynamics and challenges can impact leaders using capital theory. The survey identified internal and external challenges, including engagement, morale, support, and retention across various stakeholders, suggesting that the turnover crisis needs to be viewed from the perspective of leaders’ turnover rather than leadership turnover. It was concluded that leaders’ forms of capital are compromised by misaligned campus dynamics, negatively impacting morale and engagement, leading to distrust, lack of support, pushback, and attrition. Therefore, leaders’ capitals can be depleted, leading to frustration, burnout, and ultimately voluntary resignation. The findings are crucial for institutions and leaders to understand and, most importantly, mitigate the impact of leader turnover on institutions, which demand stability. Full article

Green and low-carbon development of supply chains represents a practical approach to addressing climate change and enhancing corporate competitiveness. From the perspective of the relationship between policy subsidies and channel power structures, this paper constructs Stackelberg game models under four different scenarios to conduct theoretical analyses of the optimal strategies, supported by numerical simulations. The research findings reveal the following. (1) Under the product subsidy policy, the enhancement of consumers’ green preference will lead to a green premium, and in the case of the technology subsidy policy, consumers’ green preference will inhibit wholesale prices and retail prices. However, there is a threshold in the manufacturer-led case, and a “green premium” is also claimed when this threshold is exceeded. (2) The effects of the product subsidy policy and the green technology level subsidy policy on prices are opposite, where an increase in the product subsidy will increase the wholesale price and retail price, while an increase in the green technology level subsidy will reduce the wholesale price. The technology subsidy policy has a more significant effect on the promotion of green technology. (3) The power of supply chain channels will directly affect corporate profits, and the leader of the supply chain often has higher profits. Compared with product subsidies, technology subsidies can inhibit the channel power of retailers. Full article

This article describes a case study of the partnership between Healthy Birth Initiatives, a community-based organization (CBO) and Black-led public health nurse home visiting program, and the maternal health division of the Providence Health System located in the Pacific Northwest. This study’s purpose was to explore the formation, significance, and impact of this partnership from the perspectives of staff and leadership members from both organizations. We conducted a case study through qualitative interviews with staff, participant observation, and debrief of leadership meetings. We completed a hybrid deductive–inductive thematic analysis of the data, followed by member checking with study participants and other key interest holders. Key facilitators of the CBO–health system partnership included the vital role of leaders in prioritizing the partnership; health system willingness to incorporate new information from the CBO to improve care; and health system utilization of resources to institutionalize changes that emerged from this partnership. Challenges to the CBO–health system partnership included CBO resource limitations; fragmented referral processes and information sharing; and the persistence required to nurture the relationship without formalized roles. This study contributes to the literature by offering staff perspectives on how a CBO–health system partnership formed, successes, early lessons learned, and practical suggestions for how to develop stronger alignment to provide culturally responsive patient-centered care to Black families. Full article

In the context of climate change, it becomes of utmost importance to limit the negative impact of industrial activities on carbon emissions, water stress, biodiversity loss, and natural resources depletion. Whether we consider the situation from a product-centered perspective (life cycle, R&D&I process, tools, methods, design, production, etc.) or from a human-centered perspective (habits, practices, fixation, strategic orientations, emotional sensitivity, etc.), coming years will represent a formidable upheaval for companies. To support this transition, various tools assessing products’ impact have been developed over the past decade. They aim at guiding decision makers, integrating new criteria to assess project success, and promoting the development and industrialization of solutions answering pressing environmental issues. If assessment is a key factor of success, it has become clear that processes and practices also need to evolve for practitioners to properly integrate sustainable requirements from the initial stages of their project. In that context, biomimicry, the approach aimed at taking nature as a model to support the design of more sustainable solutions, has been the center of growing interest. However, no integrated methods exist in the cosmetics sector to assess if a product is properly developed through biomimicry. This missing framework led to difficulties for cosmetic companies to support eco-design through biomimicry. In this article, we present a method called Biomim’Index developed by L’Oréal research and innovation sustainable development team to address three objectives: (i) to characterize cosmetic technologies according to whether they are based on bioinspiration, biomimetics or biomimicry; (ii) to guide the project’s leaders to identify key steps to improve existing cosmetic technologies through biomimicry; and (iii) to support the integration of biomimicry as an operational approach towards the development of new sustainable cosmetic technologies. This method, focusing on the problem-driven biomimetic approach is based on a combination of procedural requirements from the biomimetics TC288 18458:2015 ISO norm and environmental design requirements from L’Oréal for the Future (L4TF) commitments. Results present a proof of concept to outline the method’s efficiency and limits to support innovative eco-designed projects and value cosmetic technologies designed through biomimicry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rates of receiving opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment among adolescents and young adults (AYA) aged 16–25 are low. The current study qualitatively analyzed informants’ perspectives regarding the availability of, developmental considerations relevant to, and barriers associated with OUD treatment for AYA. Methods: Thirty key informants involved with OUD treatment in the northeastern United States completed individual, semi-structured interviews, including treatment providers (N = 11) and clinic leaders in programs that provide medication and psychosocial treatments for AYA with OUD (N = 10), as well as opioid-related policymakers (N = 6) and patient advocates (N = 3). Interviews were transcribed and independently double coded. Template-style thematic analysis methods were used and revealed seven themes. Results: The first theme highlighted limited treatment program availability for adolescents (aged < 18 years) with OUD. Four themes related to developmentally optimizing OUD treatment for AYA, describing the importance of caregiver involvement, AYA peer connections, wraparound services, and early intervention. Two themes described barriers to AYA OUD treatment, including stigma and knowledge gaps about medications for OUD as well as deficits in AYA’s access to basic resources (e.g., housing, food security) that prohibit effective participation in treatment. Conclusions: Results highlight concerns from systems-level key informants regarding gaps in OUD treatment options for youth under the age of 18 and a high need for OUD treatment that is developmentally tailored to AYA. Findings point toward potential modifications and additions to existing adult treatment programs to make OUD treatment more accessible, relevant, and engaging for AYA. Full article