Search Results (1,645)

In the context of an increasingly hostile national political environment and federal cuts to refugee resettlement programs in the United States, advocates often highlight the economic contributions of immigrants and refugees to garner local support, especially in regions with histories of economic and population decline. While these narratives continue to be a centerpiece of pro-immigrant and -refugee advocacy, in practice advocates and refugees themselves use a diverse set of frames to promote belonging. In this paper, we examine pro-refugee advocacy frames in a small, nontraditional destination in the Midwest. We draw on survey and focus group research with young adult refugees and nonprofit advocates and content analysis of online stories about refugees. We found that pro-refugee values frames (humanitarian and faith-based) and contributions frames (economic, cultural and civic) coexisted across the local landscape and were used by not only nonprofit advocates and local officials, but also by refugees themselves. While advocacy groups emphasized the dominant frame highlighting refugees’ economic contributions, they were also strategic in using overlapping frames to highlight a less public frame, refugees’ contributions to civic engagement through community service and volunteering. Advocates tended to reproduce the economic contributions frame to appeal to key stakeholders, which consequently obscures refugees’ diverse contributions, but we argue that refugee self-advocates’ use of the civic engagement frame pushes back against economic and other frames that limit their contributions and helps them to create spaces of belonging. Full article

Understanding public service performance remains a persistent challenge, particularly when services are delivered through complex interorganizational networks. This difficulty is amplified in contexts addressing wicked problems such as homelessness, where needs are multifaceted, solutions are interdependent, and outcomes are hard to measure. In the United States, the Continuum of Care (CoC) system represents a federally mandated and HUD-funded network model designed to coordinate local responses to homelessness through collaborative governance. Despite its standardized structure and federal oversight, CoC’s performance varies significantly across regions. This study investigates the conditions that influence the CoC network’s performance, focusing on the delivery of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) services, a critical intervention for addressing chronic homelessness. It applies to a theoretical framework that combines Ansell and Gash’s collaborative governance model with Emerson et al.’s integrative framework. This approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of internal network factors such as board size, nonprofit leadership, and federal funding, as well as external system contexts including political orientation, income levels, and rent affordability. Drawing on regression analysis of data from 343 CoCs across the United States, the study shows that federal funding, favorable political climates, and larger board size are significant predictors of PSH availability, while nonprofit leadership and income levels are not. Findings highlight the importance of aligning internal governance and external context to improve network outcomes. Full article

Animal welfare (AW) is increasingly being discussed and mandated in chicken production, both by current Brazilian legislation and by importing markets. Industries continually seek greater financial returns, and within this context, it has been observed that the proper implementation of animal welfare principles effectively reduces losses by minimizing carcass condemnations due to injuries, thereby significantly contributing to in-creased profitability. The economic impact of non-compliance with these welfare standards in broiler production is well documented in the scientific literature. However, the same level of concern is not observed regarding the financial impact on integrated producers, who supply the raw materials. The present study aims to systematically map, contextualize, quantify, and qualitatively analyze articles evaluating the implementation of animal welfare in industrial broiler production and its impact on the financial returns of producers and integrated companies. The primary descriptor used was “animal welfare.” To quantify the relevant articles, the Proknow-C method was applied, followed by a similarity analysis using VoSViewer® software version 1.6.19 for systematic content evaluation. Descriptor combinations were led by animal welfare, followed by broiler pro-duction, poultry production, slaughter, economy, and rural producers. Although a significant number of articles address AW, those focused exclusively on chicken production are far fewer, declining even more when carcass condemnations are considered. Only six studies included the descriptor “economic,” and just three included “producer.” The con-tent of these nine studies was systematically reviewed, with two excluded and seven selected for discussion. Among the seven analyzed studies, none specifically examined the economic impact of AW implementation for the producer, clearly highlighting a significant research gap. Full article

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) forage production recommendations are often developed in natural environments with available water limitations, often resulting in highly variable responses and lower average responses. As farmland ownership changes and agriculture and irrigation technologies become more affordable the amount of irrigated hay production has increased. While much of the agronomic management does not differ between rain-fed and irrigated environments, nutrient use and uptake dynamics may. This requires a reevaluation and potential adjustment of current recommendations to allow for increased yield potential of irrigated production systems without detrimental impacts on the system. The objective of this study was to identify the need for further investigation of nitrogen application rates for forage bermudagrass production under irrigated conditions. Nitrogen applications of 0 to 280 kg N ha⁻¹, in 56 kg increments, were applied at spring green-up and following the first and second harvests. Dry matter biomass, crude protein, and total digestible nutrients increased with increasing nitrogen application rate, while yield and profit maximizing rates both exceeded the typical recommended rate for bermudagrass hay production. The responses noted for increased nitrogen application rates indicate the need for further investigation of N requirements of non-moisture-limited hay production. Full article

This study investigates how neuromarketing practices intersect with consumer privacy regulation in California, with particular attention to the 2024 Senate Bill 1223 (SB 1223), which amends the CCPA/CPRA to explicitly define “neural data.” By examining corporate strategies and regulatory frameworks, the paper evaluates how firms navigate the tension between innovation, ethics, and consumer protection. A qualitative, multiple-case study approach was adopted, focusing on Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay, and Hyundai. Data were collected from corporate privacy policies, industry publications, and legislative documents, triangulated through doctrinal legal analysis and cross-case synthesis. The analysis reveals that, while companies comply with disclosure, consent, and oversight requirements under the CCPA/CPRA, such compliance remains largely procedural, with transparency often being technical rather than consumer-friendly, consent being insufficiently informed, and protections for vulnerable groups being inconsistently enforced. SB 1223’s recent definition of neural data directly encompasses techniques such as EEG, fMRI, eye-tracking, and biometrics, underscoring the urgent need for firms to treat neuromarketing as a category of regulated practice rather than discretionary innovation. The study is limited by its reliance on publicly available documentation and by the recency of SB 1223, which precludes observation of mature compliance patterns. Future research should explore consumer perceptions, track evolving regulatory responses, and extend the analysis across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and non-profits. This study contributes to theory by extending stakeholder theory to neural data governance and by conceptualizing neuromarketing as a governance-intensive strategic capability situated at the frontier of consumer rights and technological innovation. It contributes to practice by demonstrating how firms can transform compliance with emerging neural data regulations into a strategic capability that strengthens consumer trust, ethical legitimacy, and brand equity. Full article

Sustainable agricultural production systems are a global consensus. Their life-cycle economic feasibility is essential for long-term sustainable goals. This study integrates life-cycle costing with building energy simulation to assess the cost performance of conventional and innovative greenhouse tomato production systems in China’s Hexi Corridor, using dynamic thermal load modeling to overcome empirical-data limitations in traditional life-cycle costing. Under the facility-lease farming model, construction companies incur life-cycle costs of CNY 10.53·m⁻²·yr⁻¹ for the conventional concrete-walled Gobi solar greenhouse and CNY 10.45·m⁻²·yr⁻¹ for the innovative flexible insulation-walled Gobi solar greenhouses. However, farmer greenhouse contractors achieve 10.5% lower life-cycle costs for tomato cultivation in the conventional structure (CNY 2.87·kg⁻¹·yr⁻¹) than in the innovative one (CNY 3.21·kg⁻¹·yr⁻¹) due to 52.6% heating energy savings from the integrated active solar thermal systems. Furthermore, life-cycle cash flow analysis confirms construction companies incur non-viable returns, while farmers achieve substantial profits, with 52.5% higher cumulative profits obtained in the conventional greenhouse than the innovative greenhouse. This profit allocation imbalance threatens sustainability. Our pioneering stakeholder-perspective assessment provides evidence-based strategies for government, investors, and farmers to optimize resource allocation and promote sustainable Gobi agriculture. Full article

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women. Currently, BC is treated with a holistic and multidisciplinary approach from diagnostic, surgical, radio-oncological, and medical perspectives, and advances including in early detection and treatment methods have led to improved outcomes for patients in recent years. Yet, BC remains the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women and there is an array of gaps to achieve optimal care. To close gaps in cancer care, here we describe a collaborative Request For Proposals (RFP) framework supporting independent initiatives for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and aiming at improving their quality of care. We set up a collaborative framework between Pfizer and Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC). Our model is based on an RFP system in which Pfizer and SPCC worked together ensuring the independence of the funded projects. We developed a three-step life cycle RFP. The collaborating framework of the project was based on an RFP with a USD 1.5 million available budget for funding independent grants made available from Pfizer and managed in terms of awareness, selection, and monitoring by SPCC. Our three-step model could be applicable and scalable to quality improvement (QI) initiatives that are devoted to tackling obstacles to reaching optimal care. Through this model, seven projects from five different European countries were supported. These projects covered a range of issues related to the experience of patients with MBC: investigator communication, information, and shared decision-making (SDM) practices across Europe; development, delivery, and evaluation of a scalable online educational program for nurses; assessment of disparities among different minority patient groups; development of solutions to improve compliance or adherence to therapy; an information technology (IT) solution to improve quality of life (QoL) of patients with MBC and an initiative to increase awareness and visibility of MBC patients. Overall, an average of 171 healthcare professionals (HCPs) per project and approximately 228,675 patients per project were impacted. We set up and describe a partnership model among different stakeholders within the healthcare ecosystem―academia, non-profit organizations, oncologists, and pharmaceutical companies―aiming at supporting independent projects to close gaps in the care of patients with MBC. By removing barriers at different layers, these projects contributed to the achievement of optimal care for patients with MBC. Full article

This study examines the challenges and opportunities of managing electronic waste (e-waste) in the Galapagos Islands, a globally significant yet vulnerable subnational insular jurisdiction (SNIJ). Drawing on theories of Circular Economy (CE) and Political Industrial Ecology (PIE), the research investigates the status of e-waste in the archipelago, the barriers to implementing CE practices, and the institutional dynamics shaping material flows. Using a mixed-methods approach—including archival analysis, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews with key informants from government, private, and nonprofit sectors—the findings presented here demonstrate that e-waste management is hindered by limited capital, infrastructure, public awareness, and fragmented governance. While some high-capital institutions can export e-waste to mainland Ecuador, most residents and low-capital entities lack viable disposal options, leading to accumulation and improper disposal. The PIE analysis yielded findings that highlight how institutional power and financial capacity dictate the sustainability of e-waste pathways, with CE loops remaining largely incomplete. Despite national policy support for CE, implementation in Galapagos remains aspirational without targeted financial and logistical support. This case contributes to broader discussions on waste governance in island settings and underscores the need for integrated, equity-focused strategies to address e-waste in small island developing states (SIDS) and SNIJs globally. Full article

This study evaluates the economic dimension of sustainable supply chain efficiency among Korean automotive suppliers using an SCOR-aligned two-stage Network Range-Adjusted Measure (NRAM) Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model. The framework separates performance into Stage 1 (internal operations: Plan/Source/Make/Deliver) and Stage 2 (external outcomes: sales and profitability), enabling stage-specific assessment of operational versus market-facing efficiency. Firm-level financial data for about 1200 suppliers annually from 2021 to 2024, spanning five sectors, were analyzed with descriptive statistics, visualizations, and non-parametric tests. Results show that Stage 1 efficiency was consistently high and stable, while Stage 2 efficiency was lower, more variable, and declined in 2022 and 2024, revealing vulnerability to systemic market disruptions. Overall efficiency mirrored Stage 2, underscoring the fact that downstream financial outcomes drive total performance. Rather than introducing a new methodology, the contribution of this study lies in applying an established two-stage NRAM DEA within an SCOR-aligned framework to a large-scale longitudinal dataset. This application provides sectoral and temporal benchmarks on a national scale, offering evidence-based insights into how structural interdependence and systemic shocks influence supply chain efficiency. While the scope is limited to the economic pillar of sustainability, the findings contribute contextualized benchmarks that can inform managerial practice and future research integrating environmental and social performance dimensions. Full article

This article focuses on the problem of processing slag waste from non-ferrous metallurgy, in particular, the loss of copper, gold and silver with slag during autogenous smelting in the Vanyukov furnace at the Balkhash Copper Smelter (BMZ). An analysis of factors affecting metal losses, including electrochemical and mechanical components, is presented. This paper offers a comprehensive study of the distribution of Cu, Pb, As, Au and Ag between matte and slag, taking into account the unique characteristics of the raw material and the technological conditions of the copper smelter, which distinguishes it from previous studies. This paper establishes numerical values of dissolved and mechanical losses of valuable metals. It has been established that the most important quantitative result of smelting polymetallic raw materials in a Vanyukov furnace is the proportion of mechanical copper losses in the slag, which is approximately 75–80% of the total copper content in the slag. Mathematical models are proposed to predict the distribution of metals in the process of smelting and loss of copper, gold and silver with slag. It is proposed to integrate model representations into the technology control loop, which will optimize the process of metal recovery. This will lead to an increase in profitability and a reduction in the negative impact on the environment during copper production. Full article

We discuss three applications of blockchain data technology that illustrate its considerable problem-solving potential in: (i) Centralized Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC); (ii) Healthcare (HC); and (iii) Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs). Key solution features include security and immutability, along with authentication in a decentralized network that can yield the same consensus solution as a single centralized computer would. But notwithstanding the strength of blockchain’s security, vulnerabilities in the wider infrastructure of the applications we considered. We discuss real-world vulnerabilities in error correction and smart contract code, and the integration of blockchain data and infrastructure that is essential in day-to-day operation. Further, the decentralization in this (Web 2.0) network infrastructure is, if not the proverbial “bug”, a weakness and decidedly not a feature. Full article

This study investigates the impact of financial performance and corporate governance mechanisms on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure in Saudi Arabia, a country undergoing significant institutional transformation under Saudi Vision 2030 and Tadawul’s 2021 ESG reporting reforms. While ESG research has gained traction globally, studies in emerging economies, particularly in the Gulf region, remain limited. This paper addresses this gap by examining whether profitability, measured by return on assets (ROA), and board size influence ESG disclosure. This study analyzes 260 firm-year observations of Saudi non-financial listed companies from 2009 to 2023. Using multiple regression analysis, including ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed effects (FE), and generalized method of moments (GMM), the analysis controls for endogeneity and ensures robust results. Findings indicate that board size had a negative and statistically significant relationship with ESG disclosure. The robustness tests confirm the inverse relationship between board size and ESG. ROA showed no correlation with ESG disclosure in the main findings; however, robustness tests revealed a negative and significant correlation. This study is the first to explore these impacts post Tadawul’s 2021 ESG guidelines. It also offers novel insights into ESG practices aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. This study contributes to the literature by situating ESG disclosure within the Saudi context, highlighting the unique role of governance dynamics in shaping sustainability practices in emerging markets. The results carry practical implications for policymakers, regulators, and corporate boards by recommending stronger governance frameworks, such as board-level ESG committees, executive compensation linked to ESG, and sector-specific disclosure standards. Full article

Background: Customer churn significantly impacts business revenues. Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) methods are increasingly adopted to predict churn, yet a systematic synthesis of recent advancements is lacking. Objectives: This systematic review evaluates ML and DL approaches for churn prediction, identifying trends, challenges, and research gaps from 2020 to 2024. Data Sources: Six databases (Springer, IEEE, Elsevier, MDPI, ACM, Wiley) were searched via Lens.org for studies published between January 2020 and December 2024. Study Eligibility Criteria: Peer-reviewed original studies applying ML/DL techniques for churn prediction were included. Reviews, preprints, and non-peer-reviewed works were excluded. Methods: Screening followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A two-phase strategy identified 240 studies for bibliometric analysis and 61 for detailed qualitative synthesis. Results: Ensemble methods (e.g., XGBoost, LightGBM) remain dominant in ML, while DL approaches (e.g., LSTM, CNN) are increasingly applied to complex data. Challenges include class imbalance, interpretability, concept drift, and limited use of profit-oriented metrics. Explainable AI and adaptive learning show potential but limited real-world adoption. Limitations: No formal risk of bias or certainty assessments were conducted. Study heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. Conclusions: ML and DL methods have matured as key tools for churn prediction, yet gaps remain in interpretability, real-world deployment, and business-aligned evaluation. Systematic Review Registration: Registered retrospectively in OSF. Full article

During crisis situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofit organizations must rapidly adapt their community engagement approaches, yet traditional co-design methods often fall short in such time-sensitive, multi-stakeholder contexts. This paper examines how design methods need to evolve when working with nonprofits during crises by analyzing our intensive six-month collaboration with five Australian nonprofits serving migrant youth communities. Through Action Research involving over 130 co-design sessions, workshops, and stakeholder meetings, we developed and iteratively refined a social media engagement playbook. Our findings reveal three key methodological innovations: (1) adapting co-design methods for crisis contexts through flexible, asynchronous engagement; (2) managing multiple stakeholder relationships through what we term “nonprofit ecologies”—understanding organizations’ overlapping roles and relationships—and (3) balancing immediate needs with long-term goals through infrastructuring approaches that build sustainable capacity. This research contributes practical methods for conducting collaborative design during crises while advancing a theoretical understanding of how traditional design approaches must adapt to support nonprofits in complex, time-sensitive situations. Full article

Background: Vaccine hesitancy (VH) remains a pressing global health concern, particularly in low-resource settings, where vaccination remains the primary means of protection against infection. The urgency of this issue became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to elucidate the determinants of vaccine hesitancy among university students in medical and non-medical fields in Syria by utilizing the 5C framework (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility). Methods: A structured interview-administered questionnaire collected responses from 4722 students at five universities in Syria. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic factors, COVID-19 vaccination status, vaccination experience, sources of information, beliefs in vaccine-related conspiracies, attitudes toward vaccine policies and attributes, and the 5C psychological antecedents. Internal consistency and factor analysis of the Arabic 5C scale were performed to ensure construct validity. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and multivariate multiple regression. Results: Our findings revealed that 64% of participants had not received the COVID-19 vaccine, with official sources (e.g., WHO, Ministry of Health) being the most trusted. The highest 5C score was for calculation (5.86, sd = 1.21), followed by confidence (5.29, sd = 1.26). Belief in vaccine conspiracies was common, particularly regarding profit motives and genetic modification. Only three of the 5C—complacency, calculation, and collective responsibility—significantly, predicted vaccination behavior, while all the 5C were influenced by contextual factors. Non-medical students showed significantly higher hesitancy (OR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.39–1.84, p < 0.001]) compared to their medical counterparts. Hesitant respondents displayed significantly, higher complacency, increased calculation, and reduced collective responsibility scores. Conspiracy beliefs eroded confidence and magnified perceived barriers, whereas trust in official sources and favorable views of the vaccine’s attributes strengthened collective responsibility and acceptance. The regression models explained 2.8% to 11.2% of variance across the 5C, with collective responsibility showing the highest explanatory power (adjusted R² = 0.112). Conclusions: Despite high self-reported knowledge, significant VH persisted—a paradox that highlights the limits of information alone. Given the cross-sectional design and the modest explanatory power of the models, these recommendations are tentative. These findings highlight the need for trust-based interventions targeting populations in conflict-affected areas. Full article