Search Results (5,353)

This study addresses the critical problem of barriers hindering Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) adoption in Egypt’s petrochemical sector, a major economic driver that produces approximately 4.5 million tons annually but generates significant GHG emissions and hazardous waste. The objective is to identify, rank, and analyze the hierarchical relationships among internal and external barriers using a mixed-methods approach. This study focuses on the full petrochemical supply chain in Egypt, encompassing upstream (raw material sourcing), midstream (manufacturing/refining processes), and downstream (distribution, waste management, reverse logistics), with an emphasis on emission/waste reduction practices. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire from 400 employees in Egyptian petrochemical firms and analyzed using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). The findings showed that internal impediments, such as a lack of corporate leadership and support (IB1), a critical shortage of resources (IB6), and the absence of green initiatives (IB5), serve as driving forces that exert a cascading influence over the external barriers, which include insufficient government support (EB1), a lack of markets for recycled materials (EB5), and human resources or expertise shortages (EB7). The study contributes to the existing literature on GSCM by incorporating international trends and specifically addressing Egyptian issues, including weak policies, difficult supply chains, high energy-intensive operations, and costly operations. The study suggests that sending clear messages from the top and providing financial incentives can help push the obstacles aside and guide the industry down the path of environmentally responsible operations. Full article

The present study examined the impact of agricultural exports on economic growth in Lambayeque, Peru, during the period 2010–2023. An ordinary least squares (OLS) econometric model was employed to analyze the relationship between gross value added (GVA) and key macroeconomic variables, including agricultural exports, private investment, real wages, terms of trade, and the real multilateral exchange rate. The findings indicate that the model possesses considerable explanatory power (R² = 0.973) and that agricultural exports exert a positive and significant influence on regional GVA. In addition, private investment and real wages demonstrate positive elasticities, while terms of trade exhibit a negative relationship with regional economic growth. This highlights Lambayeque’s vulnerability to external price shocks. The study thus underscores the pivotal role of the Olmos Project, which has been instrumental in transforming arid land into fruitful agricultural zones through the implementation of an irrigation system encompassing over 22,000 hectares. This initiative has not only augmented agricultural exports, accounting for an impressive 90% of Lambayeque’s supply, but also contributed significantly to regional economic development by supporting employment generation and poverty reduction. Nevertheless, the presence of negative terms of trade indicates that the regional economy exhibits structural vulnerability in the face of external shocks. Notwithstanding the intrinsic limitations of regional, trade, and macroeconomic statistics, an understanding of the correlation between agro-exports and economic growth in a paradigmatic region of northern Peru provides substantial evidence for formulating policies to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the agro-export model. Full article

Young adults often underuse ultraviolet radiation (UVR) protective strategies and engage in indoor tanning, heightening lifetime skin cancer risk. The national Skin Smart Campus (SSC) initiative encourages universities to adopt policies that reduce UVR exposure. We evaluated a 6-month SSC university campaign using an independent-samples pre-post design with surveys before (N = 230) and after (N = 267) implementation. The campaign included SSC designation, an educational webpage, targeted Instagram content, small media, and sunscreen dispensers. Following campaign launch, knowledge increased over time (t = 5.02, df = 493, p < 0.001), as did dispenser use (21.9% to 57.7%; χ² = 64.4, p < 0.001). The sun safety behavior composite showed an upward trend (13.5 to 14.2, t = 1.71, df = 490, p = 0.09). Variance models indicated a significant time effect (F [1, 482] = 4.55, p = 0.03, η²p = 0.01; small effect), with higher sun safety associated with greater knowledge (F = 8.29, p = 0.004, η²p = 0.02; small effect) and SSC campaign awareness (F = 56.88, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.10; large effect). In multivariable regression, campaign engagement predicted higher odds of dispenser use (Odds Ratio = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.82–4.98, p < 0.001). Implementing SSC with environmental supports and tailored education increased knowledge, sun safety, and dispenser use, highlighting the strong influence of SSC visibility and multimodal campus-wide prevention strategies. Full article

Academic spin-offs (ASOs) are one of the main means of relationship between universities and the market. ASOs transform scientific research results into products, services, or processes that can be commercialized, promoting the transfer of technology between the academic and industrial sectors. This study aims to identify institutional, organizational, and policy-related aspects and drivers influencing the use of ASOs as technology transfer mechanisms. The article systematically reviews the literature on ASOs, aiming to explore concepts, types, creation processes, barriers, and success factors for these initiatives from 2010 to 2023. The search was conducted in the Scopus database, selected according to the following criteria: article format, publication in a scientific journal, and written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. The analysis resulted in 82 articles published in 47 journals, which revealed different types of ASOs and creation models, as well as determining factors, such as institutional support and external context, that impacted their formation and success. The study suggests that ASOs can contribute significantly to technological innovation and economic development, but they face challenges such as cultural barriers, lack of funding, and university–market integration. Full article

Background/Objectives: Social media’s impact on adult well-being varies by engagement patterns, highlighting the need for evidence to inform digital well-being strategies. This study examines the association between social media use and self-esteem, a key psychological indicator linked to adult well-being, with the aim of identifying modifiable behavioral targets relevant to clinical, workplace, and public health contexts. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 81 Greek adults assessed daily social media use, engagement patterns, and self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Analyses included linear and exploratory quadratic regression models, multiple regression with demographic covariates (age, gender), and descriptive group comparisons. Results: A small but statistically significant negative association was observed between daily social media use and self-esteem (R² = 0.078), indicating limited explanatory power. Exploratory analyses did not provide strong evidence of non-linear effects. Demographic factors and usage categories were not significant predictors, likely reflecting limited statistical power. Participant self-reports highlighted potentially disruptive patterns such as intensive use at specific times/conditions, perceived sleep impact, and cognitive preoccupation with social media, as well as motivation to reduce or stop use. Conclusions: Time spent online is a weak predictor of self-esteem, underscoring the importance of engagement quality over frequency. From a management perspective, the findings support shifting attention from generic screen-time reduction to targeting specific potentially high-risk patterns of engagement in future policy and practice. This exploratory pilot study provides initial, hypothesis-generating evidence within a Greek adult sample and highlights the need for larger, population-based studies to confirm and extend these findings. Full article

In the face of accelerating climate change and urbanization, sustainable mobility infrastructure plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This article assesses the Sunglider concept—an elevated, solar-powered transport system—through the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Compass, which emphasizes sustainability, inclusion, and esthetic value. Designed by architect Peter Kuczia and collaborators, Sunglider combines photovoltaic energy generation with modular, parametrically designed wooden pylons to form a lightweight, climate-positive mobility solution. The study evaluates the system’s technological feasibility, environmental performance, and urban integration potential, drawing on existing design documentation and simulation-based estimates. While Sunglider demonstrates strong alignment with NEB principles, including zero-emission operation and material circularity, its implementation is challenged by high initial investment, political and planning complexities, and integration into dense urban environments. Mitigation strategies—such as adaptive routing, visual screening, and universal station access—are proposed to address concerns around privacy, esthetics, and accessibility. The article positions Sunglider as a scalable and replicable model for mid-sized European cities, capable of advancing inclusive, carbon-neutral mobility while enhancing the urban experience. It concludes with policy and research recommendations, highlighting the importance of embedding infrastructure innovation within broader ecological and cultural transitions. Full article

Rapid urbanization is fragmenting ecological spaces in megacities, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem services. Yet, it remains unclear whether, and under what conditions, urban ecological networks (ENs) can recover robustness once heavily disrupted. This study aims to (i) develop a dynamic assessment framework that couples network robustness and connectivity, and (ii) apply it to examine how ENs evolve under sustained urbanization and shifting policy regimes. Using multi-period data for Shenzhen, China (2000–2025), we simulate deliberate and random attacks on patches and corridors to derive data-driven thresholds that grade the importance of ecological elements, and integrate these with graph-based connectivity metrics to track changes in network structure and node centrality over time. Shenzhen’s EN exhibits a typical “fragmentation–reconfiguration–optimization” pathway, with a “rapid decline–deceleration–recovery” trajectory in robustness that closely aligns with the introduction of strict ecological control lines and subsequent restoration initiatives. The results show that targeted protection of residual core habitats, combined with strategic reconnection and infill greening in the urban interior, can reverse earlier losses in network robustness. The proposed robustness-informed framework provides operational guidance for prioritizing protection, restoration, and optimization of ecological space, and offers a transferable approach for adaptive EN planning in high-density tropical and subtropical megacities. Full article

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability but one of the least recognized health problems in the world, affecting up to 69 million people annually. The associated lifelong disability in survivors, the loss of economic productivity, and being a risk factor for dementia consume 0.5% of global economic activity. Yet TBI is still largely invisible in national surveillance systems and not well represented in chronic disease frameworks. Consequently, governments are not equipped to provide proportional financing of acute care and long-term care of survivors, nor to build health care systems and resources for improving outcomes of TBI through policy frameworks targeting prevention, treatment, and equitable access. Objective: This commentary aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the global effort to formally recognize TBI as a notifiable and chronic condition, including the justifications for recognition, the formation of an international coalition of stakeholders, and the strategic plan for resolution at WHA79 of the World Health Assembly, one of the first concerted multinational efforts that occurred as a side event during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) in May 2025. Methods: This commentary integrates information from epidemiological studies, global registries, and testimonies from people with lived experience of TBI. We analyze these data to develop policy needs and corresponding initiatives to address key needs. These include coordinated efforts to advocate change, such as technical briefings, consultations with stakeholders, and storytelling led by survivors, all of which informed and formed a part of the WHA78 side event. Our efforts have garnered wide, multi-sector support. Results: The WHA78 side event showed that ministries of health, neurosurgical, neurological, and rehabilitation societies, academic researchers, WHO representatives, and survivors all unprecedentedly support the recognition of the importance of TBI, facilitating national policies for its prevention and treatment via standardized surveillance. More than 30 non-governmental groups officially supported the campaign. A sponsoring member state made a public commitment to co-sponsor a WHA resolution, which set the stage for ongoing diplomatic progress and engagement across regions. Conclusion: To improve global brain health equity, access to long-term care, and the resilience of health systems, it is important to recognize TBI as a notifiable and chronic condition. A dedicated WHA resolution would make TBI a part of global health governance, making sure that it is counted, tracked, and dealt with as quickly and comprehensively as possible. It is both a technical necessity and a moral duty to help survivors and families and fight for justice in global health systems. Full article

Firefighting requires high and multidimensional fitness to ensure operational readiness and public safety. In Portugal, there is limited data regarding firefighters’ fitness and exercise programs to improve readiness are lacking. This study evaluated the effects of a 6-month minimal-equipment exercise program on the physical fitness of firefighter recruits. Thirty-five male subjects (23.0 ± 2.72 years) were assessed at baseline,3 and 6 months for body composition, handgrip strength, running speed, cardiovascular endurance, anaerobic power, and upper- and lower-body strength. The intervention entailed daily sessions with 15 min of continuous running (50–65% HRmax) and active stretching, followed by alternating routines, including endurance running, free weights, interval sprints, calisthenics, and drills. A repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni adjusted post hoc comparisons identified time-based changes. Significant improvements occurred across all fitness variables. Body fat fell by 8.4% and VO₂max increased (p < 0.001), surpassing occupational thresholds required for extended suppression tasks. Bench press and sit-up performance improved by 88% and 81%, respectively, while countermovement jump showed double-digit gains (13%), all of which can translate directly to hose advancement, victim rescue, and forcible entry. These results highlight that resource-constrained departments can implement effective, low-cost exercise programs for enhancing pivotal fitness components, supporting policy initiatives to include structured training throughout firefighters’ careers. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Thriving at Work model proposes that organisations have a responsibility to provide supportive work environments that identify individual health outcomes, which organisations can use to determine where workforce support is needed. The aims of this study are to (1) identify and compare the predictors of early-career nurses’ thriving at work in New Zealand and Australia and (2) provide innovative and theory-informed recommendations to improve organisational support of early-career nurses to increase retention in the profession. Design: A multinational cross-sectional study design was followed. Methods: The methods include a sub-study of an international action research programme to support the thriving of early-career nurses, which evaluates and compares results from surveys of nurses at approximately three months post-registration in 2024 and 2025. A theory-informed survey assesses predictors and outcomes of thriving at work. Results: Early-career nurses (N = 320) from New Zealand (n = 277) and Australia (n = 43) completed the survey. New Zealand early-career nurses experience greater quality of care and authenticity at work; however, they also report greater burnout. For Australian early-career nurses, authenticity at work is the greatest predictor of thriving. In New Zealand, thriving is linked to burnout and colleague support. Conclusions: New Zealand must focus on reducing burnout and fostering workplaces that value social connection if it wants to mitigate early-career nurse attrition to Australia for better working conditions. In Australia, the value of authenticity at work highlights the importance of organisational cultures that enable nurses to express their true selves and professional identity. The findings highlight the need for tailored approaches in each country to strengthen workforce sustainability and improve nurse wellbeing. Implications for the Profession: In New Zealand, additional funding to bolster the recruitment and retention of the nursing workforce is crucial to improve patient ratios and reduce workloads. The remuneration of nurses must also remain competitive with Australia. Additionally, workplaces should incorporate Māori values and practices into workplace policies to strengthen social connections. Australian organisations should include authentic management training, psychological safety initiatives, and policies that value diversity and encourage open communication. Full article

Ice and snow tourism (IST) is a significant global trend, offering Russia opportunities for tourism growth and seasonal diversification. This study investigates the potential of ice and snow art as a distinct subcategory of IST on Lake Baikal. Our research is based on an analysis of academic publications and official policy documents, field surveys conducted in winter 2025, and stakeholder consultations, with the “Olkhon Ice Fest” serving as a case study. The findings indicate a clear shift toward IST, with the number of winter tourists on Olkhon Island increasing by 70% between 2021 and 2024. The festival’s key features—its use of the natural ice landscape, a unique artistic technique, an explicit ecological focus, and strong entrepreneurial initiative—support the development of a conceptual model of IST on Lake Baikal grounded in ecotourism principles. Ensuring the long-term sustainable development of IST in the region requires improved governance, infrastructure, and transport systems, as well as support for green businesses and increased environmental awareness among tourists. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable winter tourism by demonstrating the interconnections among environmental sustainability, socioeconomic benefits, and cultural innovation, thereby situating local IST practices within the broader framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

As China has increased implementation of its opening-up strategy and the “Belt and Road” initiative, Chinese enterprises have encountered significant historical opportunities to expand their outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). However, international organizations and major nations are increasingly focusing on nonfinancial indicators for multinational corporations; as a result, enterprises frequently encounter social responsibility crises in cross-border investments. Consequently, Chinese firms must enhance their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices to bolster their comprehensive competitiveness, which is crucial for promoting successful international engagement and sustainability. This research explores the U-shaped relationship between ESG performance and OFDI, examining how different stages of the corporate lifecycle affect OFDI. The findings indicate that ESG investments compete with OFDI for internal resources during the introduction, growth, and decline phases, thereby inhibiting OFDI activities. In contrast, strong ESG performance in the maturity phase provides a competitive advantage in international markets, facilitating OFDI. The empirical analysis uses a fixed-effects model on a sample of Chinese A-share-listed companies from 2009 to 2022 and employs the PSM, 2SLS, and System GMM methods to test for endogeneity. The results reveal that (1) a positive U-shape relationship between ESG performance and corporate OFDI, and the inflection point occurs when the ESG score equals 69.04. Moreover, (2) the corporate lifecycle intensifies this nonlinear relationship, with growth-phase firms showing a significant inhibitory effect and mature-phase firms showing a pronounced promotional effect. Finally, (3) the U-shaped relationship between ESG performance and corporate OFDI is more pronounced in nonstate-owned enterprises. Based on these findings, this paper provides targeted policy recommendations for enterprises and governments. Full article

The rapid expansion of the digital economy and advances in artificial intelligence have elevated digital governance to a pivotal role in promoting environmental sustainability. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies, this study constructs a household-level indicator of the digital divide and systematically investigates its effects on household carbon emissions through three key mechanisms: consumption hypersensitivity, green technology adoption, and environmental awareness. The empirical findings demonstrate that the digital divide significantly increases household carbon emissions. Specifically, a one-unit increase in the digital divide is associated with an average rise of approximately 38.6% in household carbon emissions. Importantly, this result remains robust across a range of robustness checks and endogeneity controls. Further mechanism analysis reveals that the digital divide amplifies households’ sensitivity to consumption, diminishes their likelihood of adopting green technologies, and weakens their environmental awareness, thereby leading to an increase in household carbon emissions. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that these negative effects are particularly pronounced in regions with underdeveloped digital inclusive finance, among households headed by middle-aged and older individuals, and within populations with lower educational attainment. Based on these findings, policy initiatives should focus on improving the accessibility and inclusiveness of digital infrastructure, developing tiered frameworks to support green behavioral transformation and capacity building, and strengthening green finance initiatives alongside offline support mechanisms for digitally disadvantaged groups. Together, these measures can help bridge the digital divide and foster a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable transition toward a low-carbon society. Full article

Pregnant people in U.S. jails experience high rates of opioid use disorder (OUD), yet access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) remains inconsistent. This mixed-methods study examines how jail policies, treatment infrastructure, and political context shape MOUD provision for pregnant incarcerated individuals. We conducted a secondary analysis of a national survey of 2885 U.S. jails (analytic sample = 836). Logistic regression models assessed associations between MOUD provision and telemedicine capacity, community MOUD availability, state Medicaid expansion, and 2020 presidential voting outcomes. Qualitative responses characterized barriers to care. Findings confirm that MOUD access for pregnant incarcerated individuals remains limited and structurally patterned. Fewer than half of jails continued methadone or buprenorphine for pregnant individuals already in treatment, and initiation was uncommon. MOUD provision was more likely in Democrat-won states, jails with telemedicine capacity, and jails located in communities with MOUD providers, while limited community availability reduced odds of provision. Qualitative themes highlighted restrictive jail policies, provider discretion, diversion concerns, and misconceptions regarding fetal harm. These findings underscore persistent structural barriers to evidence-based perinatal OUD treatment in carceral settings and highlight the importance of telemedicine expansion, community treatment capacity, and standardized correctional policies to advance perinatal health equity. Full article

This study examines the systemic integration of entrepreneurship education and the culture of self employment within higher education as a component of sustainable institutional reform. Using a comparative analytical approach, it analyzes international practices across five higher education systems. Finland, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea were selected to represent diverse yet mature models of entrepreneurship education integration. The findings reveal significant variation in the depth and coherence of integration across national contexts. Rather than identifying a single transferable model, the study shows that effective integration depends on the interaction of key institutional dimensions, including policy alignment, curricular embedding, faculty capacity, infrastructure, external partnerships, and impact evaluation. Finland demonstrates the most coherent configuration, while other systems exhibit partial or fragmented integration shaped by contextual factors. The study concludes that entrepreneurship education is most sustainable when embedded as a system-level institutional strategy rather than implemented through isolated initiatives. It offers an analytical framework, supported by an adapted ADKAR change model, to guide context-sensitive reform. For Arab higher education systems, the primary implication is diagnostic, emphasizing contextual adaptation over direct replication. Full article