Search Results (306)

The United Kingdom (UK) is a key market for puppy importation from the European Union (EU), as demand for puppies exceeds domestic supply. Many are illegally imported. Potential welfare risks to the puppies and negative impacts of these on their prospective owners are well documented, but UK residents’ perspectives on the trade are not. This study aimed to use an online survey to capture UK residents’ understanding of the benefits and risks to imported puppies of being imported from Romania for sale in the UK, and the benefits and risks of buying an imported puppy for their prospective owners. Eligible responses were collected from n = 7184 participants; 4000 randomly selected free-text comments underwent content analysis. Respondents displayed a limited understanding of the nature and range of risks potentially associated with puppy importation. Worryingly, many viewed an EU-born puppy as equivalent to one bred in the UK; others considered them as “rescued”. Synonyms used for non-endemic diseases that might be carried by the puppies varied widely, suggesting substantial confusion may exist on this topic. The UK public may underestimate the potential risks associated with buying a puppy bred in the EU, which plays into the hands of illegal puppy traders. Full article

Rabies is a fatal but entirely vaccine-preventable disease, with the highest risk in areas where free-roaming domestic dogs are prevalent. Understanding dog owners’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is crucial for shaping effective rabies control strategies. This scoping review aimed to synthesize global evidence from studies evaluating dog owners’ KAP to identify behavioral factors relevant to rabies prevention and control. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, covering the period from 2012 to 2025. Seventy full-text articles were included based on predefined criteria. The findings reveal substantial gaps in dog owners’ knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding rabies prevention. While general awareness of rabies is high among dog owners, their knowledge about transmission, clinical signs, and the fatal nature of the disease is inconsistent, with significant variability across studies. The vaccination uptake also varied widely across studies, ranging from less than 1% to over 90%, with no study reporting full coverage. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation was found between vaccination practice and the awareness of vaccine benefits (r = 0.69, p = 0.004). Common barriers to vaccination include lack of information, vaccine accessibility, distance to clinics, and personal constraints. These insights underscore the importance of early and targeted communication about vaccination campaigns. Future research should focus on periodically evaluating KAP before and after interventions to better inform rabies control efforts. Full article

This research was designed to explore science-fiction and fantasy (SFF) posters, specifically those related to films and television shows, from the perspective of their owners, examining their potential as sources of social and cultural significance and meaning. The research explored these in terms of the content of the poster, placement, media texts they reference, morals, behavior, identity, sense of self, well-being and self-expression. Data collection took place between 2020 and 2022 via an online survey (N = 273) and follow-up semi-structured interviews (N = 28) with adult science-fiction and fantasy film and television show poster owners. The significance and meaning of SFF posters were framed by two conceptual models: ‘The Three Significances’—esthetics, functionality, and significance (both spatial and personal)—and ‘The Big Three’—content, design, and color. Among these, content held the greatest significance for owners. Posters served as tools for self-expression, reflecting their owners’ identities, affinities, and convictions, while also reinforcing their connection to the media they reference. Posters helped to reinforce a sense of self and fan identity and evoke emotional responses, and the space in which they were displayed helped shape their meaning and significance. The paper sets out some suggestions for future research in this important topic. Full article

This study examines the employment of persons with disabilities in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural Japan. An online survey of 40 SME owners was conducted to assess their understanding, experiences, and challenges in employing persons with disabilities. The results indicate that many SMEs lack awareness of employment systems, but those with prior contact experience demonstrate greater understanding. Key challenges include difficulties in job creation, workplace acceptance, and inadequate environments. To address these issues, it is essential to enhance information on job creation, share successful cases, and establish mentoring systems for knowledge exchange between SMEs. These findings provide insights for policy development and practical strategies to promote the employment of persons with disabilities in SMEs. Full article

Corporate sustainability has emerged as a critical imperative for firms navigating volatile markets and ecological constraints, yet the mechanisms linking organizational practices to sustainability outcomes remain underexplored, particularly in developing economies. Drawing on the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities theory, this paper examines how transformational leadership and knowledge sharing synergistically enhance innovation capability, which in turn fosters environmental dynamism and corporate sustainability performance. Using a structured questionnaire within a cross-sectional design to gather data from 140 Moroccan SMEs, data were collected via an online questionnaire from 140 Moroccan SME owners and managers, with hypotheses tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that knowledge sharing, and transformational leadership significantly strengthen innovation capability. Innovation capability further drives environmental dynamism, which positively impacts sustainability performance. These findings advance theory by integrating knowledge-based, leadership, and dynamic capability perspectives into a novel pathway for achieving sustainability goals. The study underscores the necessity for SMEs in developing nations to cultivate leadership that inspires knowledge exchange and adaptive innovation, enabling resilience amid ecological and market shifts. By highlighting these internal drivers, the research offers actionable insights for SMEs and policymakers seeking to align business innovation strategies with sustainability objectives and pro-environmental transformation in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

This study examines how entrepreneurial finance, entrepreneurial networking, and entrepreneurial culture contribute to sustainable business among culinary micro-enterprises in Bandung City, Indonesia. This study fills a gap in the literature by highlighting that micro-enterprises’ sustainability, from economic, social, and environmental aspects, is not always underpinned by formal institutional support. Using a qualitative approach and semi-structured interviews with 10 culinary micro-enterprise owners whose businesses have been able to survive across generations, this study found that business owners manage their finances adaptively, build trust-based social networks, and apply local cultural values to sustainable business practices. The findings show that trust and flexibility in informal funding play a crucial role in entrepreneurial finance, while challenging the view that access to formal financing is the main prerequisite for sustainability. Entrepreneurial culture proves to be a strategic internal resource in strengthening environmentally friendly practices. The originality of this study offers an alternative perspective that is more contextualized and grounded in understanding the sustainability strategies of micro-enterprises in developing countries. Full article

(1) Background: Telemedicine is increasingly recognized as a potential way to help overcome barriers to accessing veterinary care. This study explored pet owners’ perspectives on telemedicine services in situation they viewed as veterinary emergencies, focusing on both their access-to-care challenges and their expectations of such services. (2) Methods: Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with 18 pet owners in Ontario, Canada. All participants were unable to access in-person care, leading them to a veterinary telemedicine service. Interviews were supplemented by an online questionnaire to collect demographic information. Thematic analysis was conducted on all interview transcripts. (3) Results: Participants’ expectations of telemedicine were largely informed by their uncertainty about their pets’ health in emergency situations. Anxiety was common, leading them to seek telemedicine for reassurance. Participants expected advice and guidance, viewing the process as collaborative. While acknowledging the benefits of telemedicine in their situation, participants also acknowledged the inherent limitations of this type of service, articulating a general preference for in-person veterinary care. (4) Conclusions: When in-person care is unavailable, telemedicine can offer pet owners valuable guidance, clarity, and comfort, although many pet owners may continue to prefer face-to-face consultations for comprehensive care. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between private family control (excluding state and royal) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance among publicly listed firms in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), focusing specifically on the moderating role of firm age. Employing multivariate POLS regression analysis on data from 2016 to 2021 and controlling for established firm-specific variables, we find a robust negative association between private family control and ESG performance, consistent with Socioemotional Wealth (SEW) perspectives where family-centric goals may override broader stakeholder interests. Critically, our results demonstrate that firm age significantly and positively moderates this negative relationship; the detrimental impact of family control on ESG performance attenuates considerably as family firms mature. This attenuation likely reflects the development of sophisticated governance structures, a heightened focus on long-term reputation and SEW preservation, and potential generational shifts towards sustainability values within older firms. Providing the first empirical test of this age moderation effect within the under-researched GCC context, this research extends SEW theory by highlighting the dynamic evolution of family firm sustainability engagement over the lifecycle in a non-Western setting and contributes novel insights to the accounting literature. These findings underscore the need for targeted policies and interventions to foster ESG adoption, particularly among younger private family firms in the GCC, offering valuable insights for regulators, investors, family business owners, and practitioners aiming to foster responsible sustainability practices. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge for the tourism industry, disrupting operations, reducing customer demand, and forcing businesses to adapt quickly to a new reality. This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism and hospitality industry and addresses a specific research gap: the limited application of structured theoretical frameworks—particularly the three-R stakeholder collaboration model—in examining recovery strategies. Prior studies have largely focused on individual tactics or short-term impacts, rather than a structured, stakeholder-driven, multi-phase recovery process. Employing a qualitative research design, this study used grounded theory to investigate how tourism service providers and key stakeholders navigated the challenges of the pandemic. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, including tourism business owners, hotel and event managers, public sector employees, and academics. These insights offer a comprehensive, multi-perspective view of how the industry navigated the pandemic. Grounded theory was used to inductively develop a model of recovery behaviors, with data coded through open, axial, and selective stages using MAXQDA 2020 software. Findings revealed several key strategies—such as cost-cutting, digital transformation, and cultural adaptation—that enabled businesses to maintain operations during the pandemic and recover in its aftermath. Finally, refashioning business models through digital transformation, the diversification of services, and a shift to local markets helped tourism providers adapt to the changing environment and ensure long-term resilience. Full article

In recent years, global climate and environmental issues have become prominent, making green housing a major focus. However, during the development of green housing, there is a tendency to prioritize design while neglecting the operation. Meanwhile, house owners’ green rights and interests during the operation stage are not well protected. In response, some countries have promoted green housing insurance. However, this type of insurance remains immature because of insufficient public awareness, a lack of supporting policies, and limited practical application. These challenges result in low acceptance among house owners, hindering the development of green insurance and green housing sector. To address this issue, this study applies the push–pull theory to establish a driver system for house owners’ acceptance of green housing, considering internal push and external pull drivers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is then used to analyze the mechanisms that drive house owners’ acceptance. The key findings are as follows: (1) drivers in the pull dimension have a stronger impact on acceptance than drivers in the push dimension; and (2) premium subsidies and economic compensation play a crucial role in driving house owners to accept green housing insurance. This study identifies the key drivers and pathways that influence the acceptance of green housing insurance, providing valuable insights for increasing public recognition and acceptance. The findings can contribute to the development of the green housing industry. Full article

The decision to neuter pet dogs remains a significant and ongoing debate from ethical, animal health, and animal welfare perspectives. Millions of dogs worldwide are considered integral family members, and their behavior, as well as the bond they form with their owners, play a key role in the decision to keep them as pets. When behavioral problems arise, neutering is often viewed as a potential solution. However, by removing the source of sexual hormones, neutering creates the potential for both beneficial and harmful effects on a dog’s health and behavior. It is crucial for society to rely on professionals to provide informed advice about whether and when the procedure should be performed on a pet, taking into account the unique risks and benefits of each individual case. Instead, the conclusions drawn from existing research—both in terms of behavior and health aspects—remain inconclusive and sometimes conflicting. Studies have reported higher risks for developing reproductive, urinary, metabolic, and musculoskeletal disorders in neutered dogs. Additionally, some studies suggest increases in stress, fear, anxiety, and even certain types of aggression following neutering. The limitations of current research, the subjectivity of pet owners’ evaluations of their dogs’ behaviors, the influence of various demographic factors, and the complex relationships between sex hormones and other hormones or neurotransmitters all contribute to the challenges in this field of study. Despite these complexities, they also offer promising avenues for future research. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various effects of neutering on dogs, with a particular focus on behavioral outcomes. Full article

Climate change and urban development patterns amplify the risks of flooding and water pollution. While climate-robust stormwater management has the potential to reduce these risks, its implementation remains slow. Enhanced and new forms of collaboration between municipalities and property owners are proposed as the keys to advancing the volume and effectiveness of such measures. However, the practical outline of new collaborative practices between these actor categories within existing built urban environments is still in its early stages. This study uses the experiences and visions of respondents from eleven municipalities and six property companies in Sweden to start examining the challenges, needs, and requirements for such forms of collaboration. The study identifies current challenges, including ambiguous legislation, organizational differences, unclear roles and responsibilities, and weak economic incentives. Requirements for improved collaboration opportunities include overcoming perceived legal obstacles, assigning collaboration coordinators, establishing long-term collaborative forums, and clarifying financial principles and cost-sharing arrangements. Creating the conditions for collaboration thus requires changes in formal national frameworks, as well as changes in local organizational structures, norms, and traditions. Full article

Women entrepreneurs in the Middle Eastern region, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), face several challenges (e.g., cultural) coupled with the recent transformation of the digital economy. This issue poses a significant challenge for financing the business operations. Thus, this study aims to find the relationship between prior family business exposure, growth intention, motivation, and financial bootstrapping with the mediating role of prior experiences among women entrepreneurs in the UAE. A quantitative survey questionnaire method was used to collect responses from 318 women business owners in different regions of the UAE. The findings of the study suggest that there is a positive relationship between prior family business exposure and financial bootstrapping and growth intention and financial bootstrapping, and prior experience plays a mediating role among all exogenous variables. The study offers a unique perspective on the intersection between prior family business exposure, growth intention, motivation, and financial bootstrapping, highlighting the mediating role of prior experience in a demographical and geographic context (e.g., UAE) that is under-researched regarding financial strategies. Full article

As of the end of 2024, there are only about 781 electric vehicles (EV) on the streets of Kuwait, ranking it at about the 0.03 percentile of the total car population and as the country with the lowest EVitization worldwide. In this study, we explore the reasons behind this ultra-low adoption rate from a variety of standpoints: 1. from a qualitative perspective based on deep interviews with 10 existing EV owners in Kuwait; 2. from the perspective of marketing and of capital and operational expenses by gathering the latest data from the common database of Kuwaiti automobile dealers; 3. from the perspective of governmental incentives and infrastructural development; and 4. from the technical perspective on how EVs perform in extreme heat conditions, such as those in Kuwait. From these four perspectives, we gather several reasons for the ultra-low adoption rate, and we provide a variety of possible solutions that are likely to increase the rate at which Kuwaiti residents replace their internal combustion engine automobiles with electric vehicles and, thus, lower their carbon footprint, which is one of the highest in the world. Full article

This research aims to facilitate informed decision-making to enhance building energy simulation, reduce costs, and minimize CO₂ emissions through building insulation enhancements employing BIM-based simulation. Architectural models of an apartment, a prevalent residential structure in Japan, were developed and examined under diverse insulation scenarios utilizing ArchiCAD 28. Five insulation substances were chosen based on existing guidelines to ensure conformity with local standards and were evaluated for their thermal and environmental properties: Cellulose Fiber, Glass Wool, Urethane Foam, Phenolic Board, and Rock Wool for evaluation based on thermal and environmental properties. The simulation parameters were aligned with Japan’s energy efficiency standards and climate conditions. The factors addressed encompass energy performance evaluation, economic viability, and CO₂ emissions. Simulation findings highlight Urethane Foam as the most effective and environmentally friendly building insulation material. This study provides valuable perspectives for property owners, building designers, and contractors, offering a framework for insulation enhancement choices that optimizes sustainable construction, reduces environmental impact, and enhances cost-effectiveness through the implementation of BIM-based simulation. Full article