Search Results (800)

Soils are critical natural resources, yet their abiotic contributions to ecosystem services remain largely unexplored in valuation studies. This pilot study represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first attempt to assess the perceived value of geosystem services (GSs) from a consumer perspective. Using a discrete choice experiment with 200 respondents, we evaluated preferences for Rotella apples and Moscatello wine through mixed multinomial logit and latent class models. Results show that attributes related to soil use and soil control were consistently significant drivers of consumer utility (e.g., odds ratios of 9.38 and 5.78 for Moscatello wine and 8.46 and 5.56 for Rotella apples, respectively; p < 0.01). These attributes align more closely with the concept of a “geological fingerprint” than with existing geographical labeling schemes such as the Protected Designation of Origin. Price effects were statistically insignificant, indicating virtually no influence on choices. Both estimated models revealed preference heterogeneity and a substantial number of no-buy responses. This suggests both limited consumer familiarity with GS concepts and a limitation of our attribute descriptions, which likely failed to convey information needed for effective purchasing decisions. This study is exploratory and limited by its convenience sample, imperfect price specification, and inability to estimate willingness-to-pay measures. Nevertheless, it provides empirical support for introducing geological footprint labeling and highlights the need for improved consumer information, policy tools, and public campaigns to promote recognition and sustainable management of geodiversity in agriculture. Full article

Sustainability has become a key focus in the hospitality industry, with travelers increasingly seeking accommodations with strong environmental commitments. As part of this trend, many hotels are adopting green marketing strategies to improve their brand image and appeal to eco-conscious consumers. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that these strategies are perceived as genuine rather than as “greenwashing,” which undermines their effectiveness and harms the brand’s credibility. This study examines the impact of green marketing strategies on the brand image of 5-star hotels in Lima, Peru. A survey of 206 hotel clients reveals that the implementation of green marketing positively influences the perceived benefits, corporate image, trust, and loyalty associated with these establishments. The results highlight that younger generations, particularly Millennials and Generation Z, are more likely to value sustainability initiatives, making them an important target for hotels seeking to enhance their brand image through eco-friendly practices. The findings suggest that effective communication of sustainable practices and transparency are essential to avoid greenwashing and build customer loyalty. This research contributes to the limited knowledge on green marketing in the Peruvian hotel sector and provides insights for both hotel managers and researchers on the importance of integrating genuine sustainability efforts into their marketing strategies. Full article

To identify the impact of destination performance on long-term tourist loyalty in the context of sustainable cultural heritage tourism, this study formulated a research model to examine the relationship between destination performance and perceived value, expectation confirmation, satisfaction, and loyalty through extending the expectation–confirmation model (ECM). Using the Pantang Wuyue Historic District in Guangzhou as a case, data were collected from 542 tourists and analyzed using a structural equation model (SEM). The results indicate that destination performance exerts a direct and significant influence on long-term tourist loyalty. Furthermore, destination performance exerts a direct and significant influence on expectation confirmation and perceived value. The empirical analysis not only provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding tourists’ long-term loyalty in the context of sustainable cultural heritage tourism but also offers practical insights for managers aiming to improve the quality and attractiveness of destination performance to foster long-term tourist loyalty. Full article

In the context of the rapid digitalization of higher education, proactive artificial intelligence (AI) agents embedded within multi-agent systems (MAS) offer new opportunities for personalized learning, improved quality of education, and alignment with sustainable development goals. This study aims to analyze how such AI solutions are perceived by students at Narxoz University (Kazakhstan) prior to their practical implementation. The research focuses on four key aspects: the level of student trust in AI agents, perceived educational value, concerns related to privacy and autonomy, and individual readiness to use MAS tools. The article also explores how these solutions align with the Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDG 4 (“Quality Education”) and SDG 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”)—through the development of digital competencies and more equitable access to education. Methodologically, the study combines a bibliometric literature analysis, a theoretical review of pedagogical and technological MAS concepts, and a quantitative survey (n = 150) of students. The results reveal a high level of student interest in AI agents and a general readiness to use them, although this is tempered by moderate trust and significant ethical concerns. The findings suggest that the successful integration of AI into educational environments requires a strategic approach from university leadership, including change management, trust-building, and staff development. Thus, MAS technologies are viewed not only as technical innovations but also as managerial advancements that contribute to the creation of a sustainable, human-centered digital pedagogy. Full article

Sensory heritage encompasses culturally valued practices, rituals, and everyday activities experienced through the senses. While sight often dominates, hearing and smelling are generally more immersive and pervasive. Soundscape research is a well-established field within urban studies; however, smellscape remains insufficiently recognised. This study is part of Multimodal Hong Kong, a project aimed at documenting sensory cultural heritage across the city by capturing the complex interplay between soundscape, smellscape, urban experiences, everyday activities, and memory. We investigated the multisensory environment at Wong Tai Sin Temple through acoustic measurements and perceptual ratings of soundscape and smellscape across 197 locations within and around the site. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with visitors (N = 54, 15,015 words of transcript), which were analysed using content analysis and natural language processing. The results indicate that elevated noise levels mainly arise from human voices and pipe music within the temple compound, as well as traffic noise in the surrounding area. The smell of incense dominates near the temple altars, whereas natural, grassy odours prevail in the adjacent park. Interview responses confirm that incense burning constitutes a traditional religious practice forming a distinctive olfactory marker for Chinese temples, but it is also perceived as having adverse health implications. This study contributes to the growing body of sensory heritage research, underscoring the importance of both soundscape and smellscape in fostering culturally inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable urban environments. Full article

This study analyzes how museums in Brașov County integrated digital technologies into their activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on online communication and audience interaction. This research is based on a mixed-methods approach, including content analysis, semi-structured interviews with museum representatives, and a questionnaire applied to the visiting public. The aim is to identify the digital strategies used, the challenges encountered, and visitors’ perceptions regarding the usefulness of these tools. The results indicate an accelerated but uneven adoption of digital technologies, influenced by available resources, internal competencies, and institutional support. Frequent online interaction is positively correlated with the perceived quality of digital content, and openness to virtual activities is higher among younger and more educated audiences. Identified limitations include the lack of specialized personnel, reduced budgets, and administrative difficulties. This study emphasizes the need for institutional reforms and investments in digitalization to ensure the sustainability of the digital transition, without losing the value of the physical museum experience. Full article

Effective community health initiatives are grounded in strategic collaboration among community-based organizations and local residents to ensure the interventions are responsive to the community’s unique needs. Drawing on insights from community partners and project participants, this study explored key factors that facilitated, hindered, and strengthened community engagement, collaboration, and sustainability in health promotion efforts for underserved populations on the U.S.-Mexico border. This study utilized semi-structured interviews to gather the perspectives and insights of community partners and participants regarding effective health promotion strategies developed through our collaborative project. Data were collected from 15 community partners who have collaborated with our project and 15 participants who had attended our project events (n = 30). Our study identified four major themes: (1) key attributes and perceived value of effective health promotion activities, (2) tailored approaches for engaging underserved populations, (3) strategies for successful partnerships, and (4) ways to enhance health promotion and barriers to overcome. Practice implications are discussed. Full article

Architecture can play a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis by embedding sustainable design principles that reduce environmental impact and enhance resilience. Beyond ecological considerations, architectural interventions are crucial in developing structures capable of withstanding extreme weather events—and thereby mitigating the displacement of vulnerable populations. This study emphasizes the importance of tailoring architectural responses to the specific environmental challenges and evolving needs of rural communities. Drawing on the Perceived Values and Climate Change Resilience Dataset collected in Siaya County, Kenya, the research explores local perceptions of climate change and how these shape housing priorities. Among 300 respondents, 83% express concern about climate change, identifying drought as the most pressing environmental threat. The evolving desire for housing solutions that respond to specific needs highlights the need for more secure housing. This specifically calls for improvements in watertightness, pest resistance (especially against termites), and overall structural durability, as well as reducing maintenance effort, enabling houses to be enlarged, and improving their aesthetics. These findings provide critical insights into how rural populations in western Kenya are experiencing and responding to climate-related stressors. By foregrounding community perspectives, the study informs the development of adaptive, resilient, and contextually appropriate architectural solutions. It contributes to broader discourses on climate adaptation, vernacular design, and inclusive development strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa, reinforcing the imperative to align architectural innovation with both environmental imperatives and cultural realities. Full article

This study explores the extent to which civil engineers and architects in Spain perceive sustainable leadership practices in their organizations. The main aim is to understand how leadership approaches in the built environment sector can be aligned with long-term, ethical, and stakeholder-focused principles. A total of 200 middle and senior managers participated in a survey that used a Likert-scale questionnaire that was designed to assess key elements of sustainable leadership; the various responses were analyzed in order to determine the prevalence of Honeybee-type (sustainable) versus Locust-type (short-term, exploitative) leadership traits. The findings showed that while participants generally endorse sustainable leadership values, especially regarding environmental responsibility and employee well-being, many organizations still exhibit practices associated with short-term priorities, fragmented communication, and resistance to innovation. A hybrid leadership approach seems to be quite common, considering that it combines sustainable intentions with structural or cultural barriers that limit full implementation. This study contributes to the sustainable leadership literature by providing sector-specific insights from civil engineering and architecture; it also suggests the need for organizational strategies that might strengthen internal communication, prioritize workforce development and facilitate a cultural shift toward sustainability. All the findings have serious practical implications for leadership development and for human resource practices in high-pressure technical fields. Full article

We analyze ESG-related news coverage to examine media attention patterns as a reflection of stakeholders’ perceived salience of ESG issues at both the industry and firm levels, offering insights into the evolving nature of ESG materiality. Using longitudinal data visualization over an 11-year period, we show that media attention to ESG issues varies significantly over time and across firms within the same industry. While some issues receive consistent attention, others exhibit shifting patterns, signaling changing stakeholders’ perceived salience. Focusing on SASB-informed financially material ESG issues, we also show that perceived salience varies even among high-relevance topics. Some firms align with their industry’s patterns, while others diverge markedly, reinforcing the view that ESG materiality is both dynamic and firm-specific. These insights suggest that static ESG materiality assessment frameworks may be insufficient for informing long-term sustainability strategies or corporate disclosure practices. For investors, our results underscore the value of media-based ESG signals in complementing traditional materiality assessments. Acknowledging the evolving nature of ESG materiality is essential for firms and investors aiming to develop ESG strategies that respond to shifts in stakeholders’ perceived salience of ESG issues. Full article

Green food serves as a bridge connecting healthy lifestyles with environmental values, particularly in the context of sustainable consumption transitions. However, existing research lacks a systematic understanding of how consumers negotiate cognitive evaluations and emotional responses when forming green food purchase intentions. This study addresses that gap by exploring the cognitive–affective negotiation process underlying consumers’ green food choices. Based on 26 semi-structured interviews with Chinese consumers across diverse socio-economic backgrounds, the grounded theory methodology was employed to inductively construct a conceptual model. The coding process achieved theoretical saturation, while sentiment analysis was integrated to trace the emotional valence of key behavioral drivers. Findings reveal that external factors—including price sensitivity, label ambiguity, access limitations, social influence, and health beliefs—shape behavioral intentions indirectly through three core affective mediators: green trust, perceived value, and lifestyle congruence. These internal constructs translate contextual stimuli into evaluative and motivational responses, highlighting the dynamic interplay between rational judgments and symbolic–emotional interpretations. Sentiment analysis confirmed that emotional trust and psychological reassurance are pivotal in facilitating consumption intention, while price concerns and skepticism act as affective inhibitors. The proposed model extends the Theory of Planned Behavior by embedding affective mediation pathways and structural constraint dynamics, offering a more context-sensitive framework for understanding sustainable consumption behaviors. Given China’s certification-centered trust environment, these findings underscore the cultural specificity of institutional trust mechanisms, with implications for adapting the model in different market contexts. Practically, this study offers actionable insights for policymakers and marketers to enhance eco-label transparency, reduce structural barriers, and design emotionally resonant brand narratives that align with consumers’ identity aspirations. Full article

Adoption of the use of robots in the foodservice industry has increased, and research in the quality of service provided by robots is required. Our research objective is to determine interrelationships among service quality, perceived value, restaurant image, satisfaction, and revisit intentions among customers at robotic restaurants. Data collection was conducted, with 342 South Korean restaurant consumers considered suitable to offer accurate responses to the survey questions. An online survey was employed to examine hypothesized relationships. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Three dimensions of service quality (atmosphere quality, food quality, and interaction quality) at robotic restaurants were critical for higher perceived value by diners at robotic restaurants. Perceived value increases robotic restaurant image, customer satisfaction, and customer revisit intention. Additionally, findings reveal that robotic restaurant image is a positive predictor of satisfaction, and that satisfaction is a positive predictor of revisit intention. Robotic restaurants have become pervasive in hospitality service environments. Accordingly, theoretical and empirical findings about multiple dimensions of service quality in this context likely will be of interest to marketing researchers and practitioners for sustainable restaurant business. Full article

In Thailand, companies are facing increasing pressure from investors, consumers, customers, and regulators to integrate sustainability into business policies and practices. Achieving corporate sustainable development requires incorporating environmental attitudes and work environments into employee behaviors. This study examines how perceived sustainability policies (PSP) influence pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) in the workplace. A total of 589 respondents from four Thai companies in diverse sectors—rubber, consumer products, B2B industrials, and garments—participated in the study. Grounded in the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct, the research extends individual-level psychological frameworks by incorporating the mediating roles of organizational-level descriptive norms—green shared vision (GSV) and green work climate (GWC)—and the moderating role of individual green value (IGV). Structural equation modeling was conducted using AMOS. The findings supported both a direct effect of PSP on PEB and a sequential mediation pathway through GSV and GWC, while the individual mediation roles of GSV and GWC were not significant. These results reflected strong institutional and in-group collectivist culture of Thailand. Moreover, IGV was found to have a significantly negative moderating effect, suggesting that employees with high IGV may rely less on formal perceived sustainability policies in shaping their pro-environmental behaviors. Full article

China’s rapid urbanization has presented challenges for sustainably revitalizing the historic and cultural heritage within its urban villages. Often, these efforts overlook the crucial roles of community ties and cultural values. This study focuses on 15 representative urban villages in Guangzhou (2019–2024). It tests the core idea that the physical layout of these spaces reflects underlying community structures and cultural values shaped by specific policies. Integrating this understanding into landscape planning can significantly improve revitalization outcomes. We used a mixed-methods approach: (1) Extended fieldwork to understand community networks and cultural practices; (2) Spatial analysis to measure how building density relates to land uses; (3) Sentiment analysis to reveal how people perceive cultural symbols; (4) A coordination model to link population influx with landscape suitability. Key findings reveal different patterns: Villages with strong clan networks maintained high cultural integrity and public acceptance through bodies like ancestral hall councils. Economically driven villages showed a split—open for business but culturally closed, with very low tenant participation. Successful revitalization requires balancing three elements: protecting physical landmarks in their original locations; modernizing cultural events; and reconstructing community narratives. Practically, we propose a planning framework with four approaches tailored to different village types. For instance, decaying villages should prioritize repairing key landmarks that hold community memory. Theoretically, we build a model linking social and spatial change, extending the cultural value concepts of Amos Rapoport to the context of fast-growing cities. This provides a new methodological perspective for managing urban–rural heritage in East Asia. Full article

This study investigated the impact of preparing lesson plans and conducting microteaching activities—aligned with the learning outcomes of the mathematics curriculum—on the development of sustainability beliefs among teacher candidates. The rationale behind this research stems from the growing global emphasis on sustainability and the urgent need to embed sustainability literacy into teacher education programs, particularly in disciplines such as mathematics, which are often perceived as abstract and value-neutral. There is a recognized gap in equipping pre-service teachers with the pedagogical skills and conceptual awareness needed to integrate sustainability meaningfully into mathematics instruction. Employing a mixed-methods design, the Sustainability Belief Scale was administered to 45 teacher candidates (22 in the experimental group and 23 in the control group) as both a pre-test and post-test. During the intervention, participants in the experimental group collaboratively designed lesson plans and delivered them through microteaching sessions. Throughout the process, they maintained individual reflective journals. The lesson plans and microteaching performances were evaluated using instructor-developed rubrics. Data were analyzed using both quantitative statistical techniques and qualitative content analysis. The findings indicate that integrating sustainability themes into mathematics education significantly enhances teacher candidates’ sustainability beliefs and informs their pedagogical orientations. This study underscores the importance of structured, practice-based learning experiences—such as sustainability-focused microteaching—as a means to develop the competencies needed for education for sustainable development in mathematics classrooms. Full article