Search Results (398)

The present study focuses on the attractiveness and perceived value of differentiated quality labels, such as the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), for agri-food products from Extremadura (Spain). In doing so, it addresses a gap in the scientific literature concerning consumer behavior toward products bearing these certifications. The results show that awareness of these quality schemes is significantly higher among middle-aged and older individuals, underscoring the need for more modern and targeted communication strategies. The findings highlight the strategic role of agri-food marketing in promoting certified products and emphasize the importance of bridging the generational gap in consumer education. Overall, differentiated quality schemes are perceived as strategic tools to enhance the competitiveness of local products, strengthen cultural identity, and foster sustainable rural economies. Furthermore, this study identifies a negative relationship between the consumption of certified products and the awareness of certification and a positive relationship with the willingness to pay a premium. Consumers with greater awareness tend consume these products less, although they are more willing to pay higher prices for items bearing quality labels. Full article

The willingness to pay (WTP) for green energy consumption not only indicates the public’s green energy consumption practices, but also affects the realization of China’s “dual carbon” goals and global green development. Based on data from the 2018 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), this study describes the WTP for green energy consumption of Chinese urban and rural residents in the context of “dual carbon”. Moreover, it provides an in-depth interpretation from the perspectives of capital endowment and energy cognition, guided by social practice theory (SPT). This study found that, firstly, the public’s WTP for green energy consumption needs to be strengthened urgently, and the percentage of the refusal to participate group reaches 41.44%, and shows significant urban–rural differences. Compared with rural residents, the proportion and amount of WTP for urban residents are 7.5% and 4.016 CNY/month higher, respectively. Secondly, capital endowment and energy cognition are important influencing factors. Among them, economic capital (β = 0.647, p < 0.01) and cultural capital (β = 0.358, p < 0.05) play a significant role for urban residents, while rural residents depend on the government support cognition of energy (β = 7.678, p < 0.001). Finally, the urban–rural divergence in WTP for green energy consumption mainly stems from the gap in capital endowment, which contributes 29.08%, significantly higher than the contribution of energy cognition (8.34%). Therefore, efforts should be made to enhance the capital endowment levels of urban and rural residents, implement a targeted energy knowledge dissemination system, build a comprehensive government support system, and break down institutional barriers through urban–rural integration to guard against the disadvantages of rural residents. Full article

This research addresses two specific knowledge gaps. The first regards the influence of domestic low-carbon technology (LCT) installation approaches and occupier status on user acceptance. The second is to demonstrate the role of machine learning techniques in producing an enhanced model-based understanding of domestic LCT acceptance. Together, these two approaches provide new insights into LCT acceptance through the theory of planned behaviour and demonstrate the value of machine learning for modelling such acceptance. Our aim is therefore to contribute to model-based knowledge about the acceptance of domestic LCTs. Specifically, we contribute new knowledge of the acceptance of LCTs according to the theory of planned behaviour and of the value of machine-learning techniques for modelling this acceptance. Through empirical research using an online quasi-experiment with 3813 English residents, we developed a model of low-carbon technology adoption and evaluated machine learning for model analysis. The design factors were the installation approach and occupier status, with main outcomes including adoption intention, willingness to accept, willingness to pay, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control. To examine residents’ technology acceptance, we created two virtual reality models of technology implementation, differing in installation approach. For machine learning analysis, we employed nine techniques for model validation and predictor selection: linear regression, LASSO regression, ridge regression, support vector regression, regression tree (decision tree regression), random forest, XGBoost, k-NN, and neural network. LASSO regression emerged as the best technique in terms of predictor selection, with (near-)optimal model fit (R² and MSE). We found that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control significantly predicted the intention to adopt low-carbon technologies. The installation approach influenced willingness to accept, with higher intention for new-build installations than retrofits. Homeownership positively predicted perceived behavioural control, while age negatively predicted several outcomes. This study concludes with implications for policy and future research, a specific emphasis upon contemporary UK policy towards Future Homes Standards, and public information campaigns targeted to specific demographic user groups. This research demonstrates the value of an extended theory of planned behaviour model to study the acceptance of LCTs and the value of machine learning analysis in acceptance modelling. Full article

The confluence of financial constraints, climate change mitigation efforts, and evolving user expectations has significantly transformed the concept of facility management (FM). Traditional FM has now evolved to enhance sustainability in the built environment. Sustainable facility management (SFM) can add value to companies, organizations, and governments by balancing the financial, environmental, and social outcomes of the FM processes. The systematic literature review revealed a limited number of studies developing a performance measurement framework for SFM in office buildings and/or other building types in the literature. Given that the lack of this theoretical basis inhibits the effective deployment of SFM practices, this study aims to fill this gap by developing a performance measurement framework for SFM in office buildings. Accordingly, an in-depth literature review was initially conducted to synthesize sustainable performance measurement factors. Next, a series of focus group discussion (FGD) sessions were organized to refine and verify the factors and develop a novel performance measurement framework for SFM. Lastly, consistency analysis, the Bayesian best worst method (BBWM), and sensitivity analysis were implemented to determine the priorities of the factors. What the proposed framework introduces is the combined use of two performance measurement mechanisms, such as continuous performance measurement and comprehensive performance measurement. The continuous performance measurement is conducted using high-priority factors. On the other hand, the comprehensive performance measurement is conducted with all the factors proposed in this study. Also, the BBWM results showed that “Energy-efficient material usage”, “Percentage of energy generated from renewable energy resources to total energy consumption”, and “Promoting hybrid or remote work conditions” are the top three factors, with scores of 0.0741, 0.0598, and 0.0555, respectively. Moreover, experts should also pay the utmost attention to factors related to waste management, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and H&S measures. In addition to its theoretical contributions, the paper makes practical contributions by enabling decision makers to measure the SFM performance of office buildings and test the outcomes of their managerial processes in terms of performance. Full article

This article examines how research-and-development (R&D) expenditure—as a share of GDP—both in total and disaggregated by sector (business enterprise and government)—shapes key socioeconomic outcomes in the EU-27. Drawing on Eurostat panel data for 2013–2022, we estimate fixed- and random-effects models with sector-specific lags. Business R&D expenditure is associated with lower female and male unemployment and faster GDP growth. Government R&D expenditure, by contrast, widens the gender pay gap and dampens GDP per capita after two years, although it attracts foreign direct investment in the short and medium term. The diminishing impact of R&D over time underscores the need for policies that sustain innovation benefits. Full article

The aim of the study is to identify research on inclusive tourism and its links with related research directions. For this purpose, a review of the literature available in the Scopus database was carried out using the VOSviewer bibliometric tool. The analysis included titles and abstracts of a selected group of articles that were assessed directly by the researchers. This process enabled the identification and characterisation of thematic clusters reflecting the most frequently undertaken research issues, and also allowed for the indication of research gaps and changes occurring over time. The results of the analysis are presented in the form of graphs and tables. In the discussion and final conclusions, significant connections of inclusive tourism are indicated. Although inclusiveness is an important objective of sustainable development, these terms were clearly linked in scientific research only in 2002, and since 2020, there has been a noticeable increase in these connections. The vast majority of studies are focused on the needs of people with mobility disabilities and seniors, but it has been noted that research is beginning to increasingly pay attention to other groups of individuals with special needs as well as the inclusion of marginalised social groups in tourism planning. Full article

Gender inequality remains a persistent issue in healthcare, especially in ophthalmology, where women face systemic barriers such as pay gaps, limited surgical opportunities, harassment, and unequal family expectations. Despite increasing entry into the field, women remain underrepresented in leadership, affecting career advancement and patient care. This study examines how virtual platforms, and co-led initiatives can address gender disparities in eye health. In 2021, Women in Ophthalmology, Seva Foundation, and Orbis International launched the Women’s Leaders in Eye Health (WLEH) initiative—a global community promoting mentorship, networking, and leadership development. Starting with virtual webinars and informal networking, the initiative expanded to in-person events in 2023 due to strong global engagement and demand. Early virtual programming, including webinars and “Coffee Hour” sessions, proved effective and laid the groundwork for broader offerings such as mentorship and professional development grants. WLEH’s success underscores the power of collaboration in promoting gender equity. By fostering connections and leadership pathways, WLEH offers a scalable model to break down gender challenges and uplift the next generation of women leaders to deliver more accessible eyecare globally. Full article

Organizations face significant challenges in measuring and enhancing sustainability performance across complex operational processes. Current assessment methods frequently lack granularity, real-time capability, and integration with operational data. This study addresses these gaps by developing a conceptual framework that integrates business process mining with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) metrics. The methodology incorporates environmental, social, and economic sustainability indicators into process mining techniques through systematic metric mapping and event log enrichment. The framework enables the extraction and analysis of sustainability performance data at the process level, creating detailed heat maps that visualize resource utilization, emissions, and waste generation. An application to a Purchase-to-Pay process case study demonstrates how process variants impact sustainability metrics differently. Delays increase emissions by 16.7%, while rework increases waste generation by 41.7%. The results identify specific process bottlenecks with high environmental impact and reveal critical misalignments between economic and environmental sustainability goals. This framework provides organizations with a standardized yet flexible approach to measuring sustainability performance, bridging the gap between high-level sustainability reporting and operational processes. It enables continuous monitoring, targeted interventions, and transparent reporting across diverse industry contexts. Full article

Love and intimate relations between German men and Norwegian women were a widespread phenomenon during WWII. Like in many other European countries, these women were stigmatized and humiliated both by the authorities and by the civilian population. In this article, I discuss four postmemory literary works that address this issue: Edvard Hoem’s novel Mors og fars historie (The Story of My Mother and Father, 2005), Lene Ask’s graphic novel Hitler, Jesus og farfar (Hitler, Jesus, and Grandfather, 2006), Randi Crott and Lillian Crott Berthung’s autobiography Ikke si det til noen! (Don’t tell anyone!, 2013), and Atle Næss’s novel Blindgjengere (Duds, 2019). I explore how the narratives create a living connection between then and now and how they deal with unresolved questions and knowledge gaps. Furthermore, I discuss common themes such as the fate and identity of war children, national responsibilities versus individual choice, and norms connected to gender and sexuality. I argue that these postmemory interpretations of wartime love affairs not only aim to retell the past but to investigate the normative frameworks within which these relationships took place. My contention is that the postmemory gaze pays primary attention to the power of cultural constructions—of nationality, identity, and gender—as well as their context-related historical changes. Full article

Peritoneal adhesions following surgical injury remain a major clinical challenge, often resulting in severe complications, such as intestinal obstruction, chronic pain, and infertility. This review systematically integrates recent genomic and molecular biology insights into the pathogenesis of peritoneal adhesions, explicitly focusing on molecular pathways, including TGF-β signaling, COX-2-mediated inflammatory responses, fibrinolytic balance (tPA/PAI-1), angiogenesis pathways (VEGF, PDGF), and extracellular matrix remodeling (MMPs/TIMPs). Newly conducted transcriptomic and proteomic analyses highlight distinct changes in gene expression patterns in peritoneal fibroblasts during adhesion formation, pinpointing critical roles for integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin superfamily molecules. Recent studies indicate significant shifts in TGF-β isoforms expression, emphasizing isoform-specific impacts on fibrosis and scarring. These insights reveal substantial knowledge gaps, particularly the differential regulatory mechanisms involved in fibrosis versus normal reparative reperitonealization. Future therapeutic strategies could target these molecular pathways and inflammatory mediators to prevent or reduce adhesion formation. Further research into precise genetic markers and the exploration of targeted pharmacological interventions remain pivotal next steps in mitigating postoperative adhesion formation and improving clinical outcomes. Full article

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the first and currently the most expansive global infrastructure initiative, notably for its scale and emphasis on connectivity. In response, alternative initiatives such as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy (FOIP), including their components the Blue Dot Network (BDN) and Partnership for Quality Infrastructure (PQI), as well as Global Gateway (GG) and the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), have emerged to counterbalance the BRI’s influence and promote more transparent, sustainable, and rules-based infrastructure frameworks. This review investigates how global and regional infrastructure initiatives—namely PGII/BDN, GG, FOIP/PQI, and 3SI—compare with the BRI in terms of development objectives, implementation models, institutional structures, and implications for developing economies. Adopting an inductive approach, this review identifies key themes from the literature to evaluate these initiatives across seven dimensions: (1) infrastructure objectives, (2) the quality and transparency of investments, (3) investment policy orientation, (4) trade policy orientation, (5) inclusivity and regional integration, (6) coordination mechanisms, and (7) environmental sustainability. While PGII/BDN, GG, FOIP/PQI, and 3SI appear well-positioned to address some of BRI’s shortcomings, the evidence does not clearly favour one model over another in terms of achieving welfare-enhancing outcomes and bridging development gaps. Nonetheless, strategic competition and complementarities among the connectivity policies of multiple initiatives can ultimately contribute to more accountable, multidimensionally sustainable, and socially inclusive infrastructure development. We also illustrate how stated preference methods, i.e., willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA), can be used to quantify the value of soft infrastructure, particularly public preferences for sustainable investment and norm diffusion, which are central to evaluating the social welfare gains from participating in these initiatives. Full article

As healthcare systems face mounting pressure to modernise payment infrastructure, fintech innovations have emerged as potential tools to improve affordability and efficiency. However, the adoption of these technologies in clinical settings remains limited. This study investigated the perceptions and resistance patterns of healthcare professionals toward Buy-Now-Pay-Later technology and blockchain in healthcare finance, using Innovation Resistance Theory as the guiding framework. Survey data collected from medical practitioners (N = 366) were analysed to identify knowledge gaps, perceived risks, and tradition-related barriers that influence adoption intent. The findings reveal that while interest in financial innovation exists, resistance is driven by institutional conservatism, regulatory uncertainty, and limited familiarity with decentralised finance systems. This research contributes to the literature by offering a theory-based explanation for why even high-potential financial tools face behavioural and structural resistance in healthcare environments. Full article

This study examines the impact of corporate venture capital (CVC) on the labor income share of science and innovation enterprises, focusing on data from China’s Science and Technology Innovation Board (STIB) and Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) between 2010 and 2022. Empirical results reveal a significant inverted U-shaped relationship between CVC shareholding and the labor income share of invested firms. CVC increases the labor income share by enhancing corporate governance, encouraging digital transformation, and improving human capital quality, but this effect diminishes when CVC shareholding exceeds a certain threshold. The moderating role of media attention and the heterogeneity of this relationship across regions and financial conditions are further explored. Additionally, the study identifies a positive U-shaped connection between CVC shareholding and the corporate pay gap, highlighting CVC’s complex role in influencing income inequality within firms. This research contributes to the literature by unveiling the nonlinear effects of CVC on income distribution, offering new insights into its dual role in promoting innovation and equity. Practically, it provides actionable recommendations for firms to optimize CVC ownership and for policymakers to design targeted interventions that address regional and financial disparities. By bridging the gap between CVC investment strategies and labor income fairness, this study lays the foundation for a balanced approach to sustainable economic development. Full article

Phubbing refers to the act of ignoring someone in a face-to-face conversation by paying more attention to a mobile phone. This practice, although common, has been identified as harmful and deserves to be considered a problem. As a result, it has captured the attention of the scientific community, with a significant increase in studies in recent years. However, there is a lack of bibliometric analyses examining existing research on this topic, which would be useful in guiding future studies. This article seeks to fill that gap by providing a detailed bibliometric analysis of phubbing. It analyses the entire production in the Web of Science database between 1985 and 2022 (199 articles and 82 keywords). The study employs citation, co-occurrence, and co-citation analysis techniques using scientific maps created with VOSviewer software. The results indicate that most research has focused on how phubbing affects romantic relationships, with less emphasis on other types of relationships such as family, work, or friends. Areas that require further research are identified, such as motivations for internet use, the tendency to compare oneself on social networks, impulsivity, and the influence of executive functions on phubbing. Further exploration of the relationship between phubbing and other disorders is also suggested. This analysis will serve as a guide and stimulus for future research, offering valuable resources for professionals in psychology, health, and education. Full article

Background/Objectives: Population aging has become a common concern worldwide. At present, the aging rate of China far exceeds the international standard, and the rural population in China faces a more obvious aging problem. With the increasing number of the older population, the demand for elderly care services is constantly diversified, and the homogenized service supply in rural areas fails to effectively meet the service needs of older adults. Methods: This study employs a multi-stage stratified sampling method to survey rural older adults in Shaanxi, Hebei and Jiangsu provinces (n = 803, effective response rate > 95%). The dependent variable is categorized into four levels: no, mild, moderate and severe demands. Independent variables include demographic characteristics (age and gender), predisposing factors (education and marital status), enabling resources (income and family support) and need factors (health status). In the survey, the questionnaire survey method is adopted, and a multinomial logistic regression model is used to analyze the factors influencing the demand degree for elderly care services in rural areas. Results: Regression analysis indicates that pension level exerts a significant influence on the demand intensity for medical care, entertainment and spiritual comfort services. Family support is significantly associated with the demand intensity for medical care and spiritual comfort services. This study reveals that the pension level of elderly adults in rural areas is a key factor affecting the demand degree for elderly care services. The influence of family support on the demand for elderly care services should not be underestimated. Older adults in rural areas have a high demand for medical care services. Conclusions: A gap remains between elderly care service resources and the needs of older adults in rural areas of China. The government should pay attention to allocating and optimizing elderly care service resources to meet the needs of older adults. Full article