Search Results (268)

The sustainability of the beef and dairy industry requires a systems approach that integrates environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability. Over the past two decades, global genetics consortia have advanced data-driven germplasm programs (breeding and conservation programs focusing on genetic resources) to enhance sustainability across cattle systems. These initiatives employ multi-trait selection indices aligned with consumer demands and supply chain trends, targeting production, longevity, health, and reproduction, with outcomes including greenhouse gas mitigation, improved resource efficiency and operational safety, and optimized animal welfare. This study analyzes strategic initiatives, germplasm portfolios, and data platforms from leading genetics companies in the USA, Europe, and Brazil. US programs combine genomic selection with reproductive technologies such as sexed semen and in vitro fertilization to accelerate genetic progress. European efforts emphasize resource efficiency, welfare, and environmental impacts, while Brazilian strategies focus on adaptability to tropical conditions, heat tolerance, and disease resistance. Furthermore, mathematical models and decision support tools are increasingly used to balance profitability with environmental goals, reducing sustainability trade-offs through data-driven resource allocation. Industry-wide collaboration among stakeholders and regulatory bodies underscores a rapid shift toward sustainability-oriented cattle management strategies, positioning genetics and technology as key drivers of genetically resilient and sustainable breeding systems. Full article

This study investigates critical research gaps in procurement management challenges faced by Chinese contractors in international engineering–procurement–construction (EPC) projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a particular focus on sustainability-oriented outcomes. It examines the following: (1) prevalent procurement inefficiencies, such as communication delays and material shortages, encountered in international EPC projects; (2) the role of supply chain INTEGRATION in enhancing procurement performance; (3) the application of social network analysis (SNA) to reveal inter-organizational relationships in procurement systems; and (4) the influence of stakeholder collaboration on achieving efficient and sustainable procurement processes. The findings demonstrate that effective supply chain integration significantly improves procurement efficiency, reduces delays, and lowers costs, thereby contributing to more sustainable project delivery. Strong collaboration and transparent communication among key stakeholders—including contractors, suppliers, subcontractors, and designers—are shown to be essential for mitigating procurement risks and supporting resilient supply chain operations. SNA results highlight the critical roles of central stakeholders and their relational structures in optimizing resource allocation and enhancing risk management capabilities. Evidence from case studies further indicates that Chinese contractors increasingly adopt sustainability-oriented practices, such as just-in-time inventory management, strategic supplier relationship management, and digital procurement platforms, to reduce inefficiencies and environmental impacts. Overall, this study underscores that supply chain INTEGRATION, combined with robust stakeholder collaboration, is a key enabler of sustainable procurement and long-term competitiveness for Chinese contractors in the global EPC market. The purpose of this study is to identify critical procurement management challenges and propose evidence-based solutions for Chinese contractors. It further aims to develop a sustainability-oriented framework integrating supply chain integration and stakeholder collaboration to enhance competitiveness. Full article

Crisis events generate massive information flows from diverse sources, which need to be consolidated into public opinion reports to enable timely response by governments and enterprises. Current LLMs, despite strong generation capabilities, fail to achieve perspective diversity, maintain factual consistency, and perform coherent high-level planning. To address these gaps, we propose MPSR: a multi-perspective self-reflection framework. Our framework first assigns diverse stakeholder personas to agents who independently generate initial writing plans from complementary viewpoints. Subsequently, a three-stage debate mechanism refines these plans by identifying conflicts, formulates resolution strategies, and produces a consensus plan, thereby enhancing factual consistency. Finally, we introduce a Report Fusion mechanism to synthesize reports across temporal batches, ensuring comprehensive event coverage. Extensive experiments demonstrate that MPSR significantly outperforms baselines, achieving Date F1 of 0.67, G-Eval of 4.54, and MiniCheck score of 79.43, which represent improvements of 17.5%, 70.0%, and 25.8% over the strongest baseline, respectively. Full article

Background: The objective of this work was to support the implementation of the European Health Technology Assessment Regulation (EU HTAR) and optimize performance of the evolving EU HTA system. Therefore, an inclusive multi-stakeholder framework of key performance indicators (KPI) for success measurement was developed. Methods: A modified Delphi-procedure was applied as follows: (1) development of a generic KPI pool at the Fall Convention 2024 of the European Access Academy (EAA); (2) review of initial pool and identification of additional KPIs; (3) development of prioritized KPIs covering patient, clinician, Health Technology Developer (HTD), and System/Member State (MS) perspectives, and (4) consolidation of the stakeholder-centric KPIs after EAA’s Spring Convention 2025. Results: Steps 1 and 2 of the Delphi procedure revealed 14 generic KPI domains. Steps 3 and 4 resulted in four prioritized KPIs for patients (patient input; utilization of patient-centric outcome measures; time to access; equity); six for clinicians (population/intervention/comparator/outcomes (PICO); addressing uncertainty; clinician involvement; transparency; equity and time to access); four for HTDs (PICO; joint scientific consultation (JSC) process; joint clinical assessment (JCA) process; time to national decision making); five from a system/MS perspective (PICO; learning and training the health system; reducing duplication; equity and time to access). The scope of, e.g., the PICO-related KPI, differed between stakeholder groups. Also, several KPIs intentionally reached beyond the remit of EU HTA as they are also dependent on MS-specific factors including national health systems and budgets. Discussion and Conclusions: The KPI framework developed here presents a step towards the generation of systematic multi-stakeholder evidence to support a successful implementation of the EU HTAR. The relevance of the identified stakeholder-centric KPIs is confirmed by their alignment with the Health System Goals suggested in the context of “Performance measurement for health improvement” by the World Health Organisation. Implementation of the framework, i.e., measurement of KPIs, is envisioned to provide evidence to inform the 2028 revision of the EU HTAR. Full article

The complexity of modern cyber–physical systems is steadily increasing as their functional scope expands and as regulations become more demanding. To cope with this complexity, organizations are adopting methodologies such as model-based systems engineering (MBSE). By creating system models, MBSE promises significant advantages such as improved traceability, consistency, and collaboration. On the other hand, the adoption of MBSE faces challenges in both the introduction and the operational use. In the introduction phase, challenges include high initial effort and steep learning curves. In the operational use phase, challenges arise from the difficulty of retrieving and reusing information stored in system models. Research on the support of MBSE through artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI, has so far focused mainly on easing the introduction phase, for example by using large language models (LLMs) to assist in creating system models. However, generative AI could also support the operational use phase by helping stakeholders access the information embedded in existing system models. This study introduces an LLM-based multi-agent system that applies a Graph Retrieval-Augmented Generation (GraphRAG) strategy to access and utilize information stored in MBSE system models. The system’s capabilities are demonstrated through a chatbot that answers questions about the underlying system model. This solution reduces the complexity and effort involved in retrieving system model information and improves accessibility for stakeholders who lack advanced knowledge in MBSE methodologies. The chatbot was evaluated using the architecture of a battery electric vehicle as a reference model and a set of 100 curated questions and answers. When tested across four large language models, the best-performing model achieved an accuracy of 93 percent in providing correct answers. Full article

The Arctic is warming three to four times faster than the global average. This is transforming global maritime routes, thereby increasing shipping and resource extraction in Alaska. This surge requires sustainable energy solutions as policy trends towards stricter emissions standards. This article assesses the potential of Geothermal-to-X (GtX) technologies in establishing clean refueling infrastructure across Alaska, using its untapped geothermal resources. GtX uses electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, a process powered by geothermal energy. Hydrogen and its X products, such as green methane or green ammonia, can be stored as fuels and are largely recognized as the key to a carbon-free future to address the growing energy demand. This study assesses the technical, economic, strategic, and geological feasibility of GtX refueling hubs in Alaska. Five locations were denoted as potential candidates and beckon future research. This study concludes that Unalaska is the most viable initial GtX hub given the highest Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) score from its combination of a high-quality geothermal resource, an existing and accessible deepwater port, and a sizable local energy demand. The goal of this study is to provide an accessible and comprehensive resource for stakeholders and policymakers, outlining an energy future with sustainable maritime development, powered by affordable and secure energy. Full article

Temporary agency work (TAW) has expanded globally as organizations seek flexibility amid skill shortages and demand volatility. In 2015 the United Nations recognized ‘decent work’ as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 8), emphasizing sustainable economic growth, fair employment opportunities accessible to all without discrimination, environmental responsibility, and social inclusiveness. This study examines why user organizations (clients) adopt TAW and how these drivers materialize in stakeholder practices that align—or fail to align—with SDG-8 dimensions of decent work. Within a qualitative-dominant, explanatory sequential mixed-methods case study, documentary and statistical analyses were combined with 19 semi-structured interviews across agencies, clients, agency workers, trade unions, and relevant authorities. Inductive thematic analysis identified seven demand-side driver categories and assessed their effects using the SDG-8 pillars as an analytical lens (employment creation, rights at work, social protection, social dialogue). Findings indicate that TAW is primarily deployed to buffer volatility and labour shortages, accelerate hiring, and shift HR administration and parts of risk to agencies, with limited integration of SDG-8–consistent practices. Three cross-cutting gaps emerged: (i) social dialogue is narrow and compliance-oriented, with little strategic focus on decent-work outcomes; (ii) agency-worker voice and representation are weak, and agencies are not consistently recognised as social partners; and (iii) social-sustainability efforts are sparse and ad hoc, with few structured measures for skill development, equal treatment, or clear conversion pathways, while environmentally friendly initiatives are almost completely absent. In Slovenia, TAW fills systemic labour gaps but remains weakly integrated with SDG-8 practices. The study links demand-side drivers to specific decent-work shortfalls and proposes a multi-level policy roadmap—regulatory, industry, TAW agency, and social-dialogue platforms—to advance progress toward social sustainability and environmental responsibility. Full article

Groundwater sustains more than 60% of irrigation in Pakistan’s Indus Basin, yet accelerating depletion, rising salinity and fragmented governance threaten agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Although new monitoring technologies and provincial water laws have emerged, a persistent gap remains between scientific evidence, policy frameworks and farmer practices. This study applies the Science–Policy–Practice Interface (SPPI) to examine these disconnects, drawing on qualitative data from multi-stakeholder focus groups and interviews with farmers, scientists and policymakers in Punjab, Sindh and federal agencies. The analysis identifies five governance challenges: weak knowledge integration, fragmented institutions, political resistance to regulation, limited adaptive capacity and under-recognition of farmer-led innovations. While depletion is well documented, it rarely informs enforceable rules and informal practices often outweigh formal regulation. At the same time, farmers contribute adaptive strategies, such as recharge initiatives and water-sharing arrangements, that remain invisible to policy. The findings highlight both the potential and the limits of SPPI. It provides a valuable lens for aligning science, policy and practice but cannot overcome entrenched political economy barriers such as subsidies and elite capture. The study contributes theoretically by extending SPPI to irrigation-dependent aquifers and practically by identifying opportunities for hybrid knowledge systems to support adaptive and equitable groundwater governance in Pakistan and other LMICs. Full article

This study investigates the challenges faced by small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) as they attempt to respond to decarbonization demands and expand into renewable-energy markets. Drawing on three waves of free-response surveys conducted between 2021 and 2024, and applying the KJ qualitative synthesis method, the analysis identifies multi-layered constraints across financial, technological, human resource, organizational, and institutional domains. The findings show that the central difficulty for SMEs lies in reconciling exploration—the pursuit of new technologies and business opportunities—with exploitation—the need to maintain and improve existing operations. External stakeholder pressure frequently accelerates this tension, compelling SMEs to initiate environmental actions even when internal capabilities remain insufficient. Based on the emergent patterns, the study develops an “Exploration–Exploitation Support Matrix,” providing a practical framework for policymakers to design coordinated support measures. The study contributes to the integration of eco-innovation, absorptive capacity, and ambidextrous management theories and offers actionable insights for promoting sustainable SME transitions. Full article

Higher education institutions face growing pressure to demonstrate excellence and strategic alignment in quality assurance, particularly to meet international accreditation standards. This paper presents a case study of a business faculty that undertook a leadership-driven initiative to develop a comprehensive Quality Manual aimed at continuous improvement and accreditation readiness. The project was structured as a multi-phase, collaborative effort involving broad stakeholder engagement, benchmarking of best practices, and alignment with international accreditation frameworks and the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG), as well as relevant national quality assurance requirements. The resulting Quality Manual provides a unified framework for quality assurance (QA) across all key areas—governance, academic programmes, research, student support, partnerships—linking institutional strategy to daily processes. Key outcomes of the case include clarified roles and procedures, integrated feedback loops, and enhanced readiness for accreditation. The development process highlighted the critical role of educational leadership in fostering a quality culture; by engaging faculty, staff, students, and external partners, the leadership built shared ownership of QA goals. The study is guided by two research questions: (1) How can collaborative and distributed leadership support the development of a strategically aligned Quality Manual at the faculty level? (2) How does the process of designing and implementing a Quality Manual contribute to strengthening internal QA and fostering a quality culture? The study discusses challenges and lessons learned in leading such change, emphasising the importance of stakeholder collaboration, strategic alignment, and change management. The findings contribute theoretically by illustrating how faculty-level leadership operationalizes QA frameworks into concrete institutional tools, and practically by offering a structured model for developing a strategic Quality Manual in higher education. Full article

Organizations increasingly rely on Agile software development to navigate the complexities of digital transformation. Agile emphasizes flexibility, empowerment, and emergent design, yet large-scale initiatives often extend beyond single teams to include multiple subsidiaries, business units, and regulatory stakeholders. In such contexts, team-level mechanisms such as retrospectives, backlog refinement, and planning events may prove insufficient to achieve alignment across diverse perspectives, organizational boundaries, and compliance requirements. To address this limitation, this paper introduces a complementary framework and a supporting software tool that enable systematic cross-stakeholder alignment. Rather than replacing Agile practices, the framework enhances them by capturing heterogeneous stakeholder views, surfacing tacit knowledge, and systematically reconciling differences into a shared alignment artifact. The methodology combines individual Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM)-based process modeling, iterative harmonization, and an evidence-supported selection mechanism driven by quantifiable performance indicators, all operationalized through a prototype tool. The approach was evaluated in a real industrial case study within the regulated gaming sector, involving practitioners from both a parent company and a subsidiary. The results show that the methodology effectively revealed misalignments among stakeholders’ respective views of the development process, supported structured negotiation to reconcile these differences, and produced a consolidated process model that improved transparency and alignment across organizational boundaries. The study demonstrates the practical viability of the methodology and its value as a complementary mechanism that strengthens Agile ways of working in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Full article

This study examines participatory approaches to manage geo-hydrological risks associated with climate change, focusing on floods, landslides, and coastal erosion. The objective is to map hazards, participatory methods and tools, communication channels, stakeholder consultations, and governance scales involved. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for systematic reviews and covering the period 2000–2024, it analyses 236 peer-reviewed articles from Europe. It also examines 49 practical case studies from three Italian Public Consultation platforms, complementing the Europe-wide academic corpus to inform transferability to Italian governance setting. Results highlight a dominant academic emphasis on flood risks and climate change adaptation, likely driven by recent disasters and global policy initiatives, whereas landslides, coastal erosion, and integrated geo-hydrological risks remain underrepresented. Surveys, semi-structured interviews, and workshops are the most common consultation approaches, with more structured tools mainly preferred in multi-hazard settings to ensure comparability. Dissemination relied largely on face-to-face and online channels, while innovative approaches such as creative workshops and citizen-science initiatives are emerging. Stakeholder involvement typically included citizens, local authorities, experts, and voluntary associations, whereas key intermediaries such as local media, insurance agencies, cultural institutions, and universities are seldom engaged. Overall, the review identifies priorities for thematic diversification, integration of multi-hazard perspectives, improved methodological reporting, and broader inclusivity to strengthen participatory climate-risk governance. Full article

Reintroduction has been recognized as a vital approach to protecting and restoring wild populations of rare and endangered species. Although numerous reintroduction programs have been launched worldwide, in-depth studies on population establishment, dynamics, distribution patterns, and challenges remain limited. The Milu (Elaphurus davidianus), endemic to China and once declared Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN, has become one of the most successful examples of global endangered species reintroduction since the initiation of its recovery program in 1985. Focusing on the reintroduction project in the Poyang Lake basin—China’s largest freshwater lake—this study analyzed 14 years of monitoring data to examine the processes of population re-establishment, demographic trends, and spatiotemporal distribution of the species, while also identifying major ongoing challenges. Findings reveal the following: (1) the acclimatization process was essential for 10 individuals first reintroduced in 2013, and then 30 individuals joined to the growing population, followed by the largest-scale release of 47 in 2018, which finally led to eight consecutive years of natural reproduction, with a theoretically estimated population of 89 individuals until August 2025; (2) among 1697 individual sightings in 238 monitoring events, 952 records can be distinguished between male and female individuals (sex ratio = 1:1.63), yielding a mean herd size of 7.28 ± 0.68 individuals per sighting event—although numbers rose slightly in 2024, a declining trend was observed from 2019 to 2023 (from 11.26 to 5.13); (3) the Milu have expanded their range across eastern Poyang Lake, demonstrating a behavioral patterns of migrating out of the lake zone during flood seasons and returning in dry season; (4) the restoration of the Milu population is a systematic endeavor, in which government support and the participation of conservation professionals, scientists, volunteers, media, and the public are critical factors; and (5) ongoing threats such as human disturbance (e.g., habitat degradation) and climate change continue to jeopardize long-term population viability. This study offers important scientific insights into the recovery of endangered wildlife globally and underscores the essential role of governmental commitment, long-term monitoring, and multi-stakeholder collaboration in species reintroduction efforts. Full article

Island ecosystems, are characterized by isolation, limited land, and tourism-driven economies, face persistent waste management challenges. Spatial constraints and inadequate infrastructure often limit the development of waste recovery and recycling systems, leading to practices such as open dumping or burning that pose serious environmental and health risks. This paper examines how circular economy (CE) principles, reduce, reuse, recycle, can transform waste into a resource and enhance local resilience. A refined definition of “small islands” is introduced, combining UN criteria with a tourism-intensity filter to capture the strong link between visitor flows and solid waste generation. Barriers to CE adoption are classified into institutional, technical, geographical, financial, and social dimensions, and connected to enabling practices in four thematic areas: multi-stakeholder partnerships, recycling and composting innovations, policy and regulatory tools, and community engagement. Comparative case studies from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific reveal that integrated approaches are more durable than isolated efforts. Successful initiatives blend technology with governance, education, financial mechanisms, and community participation. The analysis highlights that no single model fits all islands; strategies must be locally adapted to be effective and transferable. Overall, the study shows that circular transitions are both feasible and necessary, offering environmental gains, economic value, and alignment with the EU Green Deal and global sustainability goals. Full article

The fast advancement of artificial intelligence presents ethical challenges that exceed the scope of traditional moral theories. This paper proposes a value-centered framework for AI ethics grounded in axiology, which distinguishes intrinsic values like dignity and fairness from instrumental ones such as accuracy and efficiency. This distinction supports ethical pluralism and contextual sensitivity. Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), the framework translates values into structured evaluations, enabling transparent trade-offs. A healthcare case study illustrates how ethical outcomes vary across physician, patient, and public health perspectives. The results highlight the limitations of single-theory approaches and emphasize the need for adaptable models that reflect diverse stakeholder values. By linking philosophical inquiry with governance initiatives like Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Humanism, the framework offers actionable design criteria for inclusive and context-aware AI development. Full article