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Smart cities and smart real estate are increasingly used to enhance urban efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. Nevertheless, their implementation is hindered by interconnected challenges across concepts, technology, governance, economics, society, ethics, and the environment. Thus, this paper examines how and why interconnected limitations constrain the smartness of smart city and smart real estate initiatives and identifies the governance and implementation responses revealed by cross-case comparison. The analysis of secondary academic sources, policy papers, standards, and industry reports compares Toronto, Songdo, NEOM, and Barcelona. The results identify six categories of limitations: conceptual and strategic; technological and infrastructural; governance and institutional; economic and financial; social and ethical; and environmental. The analysis shows that the challenges facing these initiatives go beyond technology alone and include ambiguous definitions of smartness, poor governance, limited public involvement, privacy and surveillance risks, high implementation and maintenance costs, interoperability issues, and unverified assumptions that technological advancement will deliver sustainability. The comparison of cases highlights that the success of these initiatives depends on effective governance, responsible data management, public trust, financial feasibility, institutional coordination, and a life cycle approach. The study concludes that smartness should be understood as an integrated institutional, economic, social, technological, and environmental capacity rather than as the mere adoption of digital technologies. Full article

Construction supply chains are pivotal to circular economy transitions but remain structurally fragmented, limiting the scalability of resource-efficient solutions. At the same time, digital technologies and life cycle assessment are often deployed in isolation, constraining their ability to enable system-level circularity. Using a theory-building literature synthesis of 141 publications across circular economy, sustainable supply chain management, digitalization, and life cycle sustainability assessment, this study develops an integrated conceptual framework that explains how circular performance may be shaped by AI-enabled decision capabilities, lifecycle sustainability constraints operationalized through PESI-LCA, and system-level alignment conceptualized through DCAM. AI is conceptualized as a dynamic capability for prediction and optimization, while PESI-LCA is positioned as an operationalized LCSA-based constraint system that embeds environmental, social, and economic criteria into decision architectures. DCAM defines the alignment conditions required across digital infrastructure, circular strategies, business models, and institutional enablers. The framework advances a non-additive logic: circular outcomes depend on how sustainability constraints shape AI-driven decision-making and how alignment enables coordinated implementation across supply chains. A key theoretical contribution is the identification of structural distortion as a failure mode in which digital optimization reinforces linear resource flows. The study advances sustainable supply chain theory and offers testable propositions and governance implications for scaling circular construction systems. Full article

Commercialisation of research outcomes depends not only on technological quality but also on the competences through which research organisations identify market opportunities, coordinate stakeholders and translate knowledge into sustainable value. This study identifies and classifies commercialisation competences in research network organisations and develops a time-structured framework for operationalising their contribution to sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI). A structured review of Scopus and Web of Science publications, using predefined relevance criteria, yielded 129 competence formulations. Competence extraction was conducted by one author, while two authors independently synthesised the formulations into 25 conceptually distinct competences: five cognitive, eight functional, four personal and eight meta-competences. The 25 competences were then mapped against the triple bottom line, dynamic capabilities and ESG perspectives through a consensus-based expert assessment. Ten competences were classified as core sustainability-oriented, twelve as enabling and three as neutral. Because this classification is interpretative rather than empirically validated, it is intended as a transparent analytical proposition for subsequent testing. Each competence was linked to an Activity–Process Performance–Outcome (A–S–W) structure based on leading, diagnostic and lagging indicators, producing 75 illustrative indicators. The proposed numerical thresholds are heuristic calibration examples rather than universal benchmarks. The framework connects competence activation with process quality and commercialisation outcomes while incorporating economic, environmental and social dimensions and provides a basis for competence development, performance monitoring and future empirical validation. Full article

Sustainable Responsible Investment (SRI) emphasizes the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions. This study examines the relationship between ESG disclosures and individual investors’ trading behaviors, with corporate reputation as a mediating construct within the framework of signaling theory. Extending signaling theory, the study incorporates both cognitive and affective dimensions of corporate reputation to explain how ESG signals are interpreted by investors in emerging markets. Primary data were collected in 2025 from 390 individual investors in the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used for analysis. The findings reveal that environmental and governance disclosures have a significant positive impact on investors’ behaviors, while social disclosures show a limited direct effect on both cognitive and affective corporate reputation dimensions. The results further indicate that corporate reputation significantly mediates the relationship between environmental and governance disclosures and investors’ behaviors. However, no mediation effect is observed for social disclosures. The study demonstrates that both cognitive (rational evaluation) and affective (emotional trust) dimensions of corporate reputation enhance the credibility of ESG signals and strengthen their influence on investment decisions. Overall, the study contributes to the ESG and signaling theory literature by highlighting how dual-dimensional corporate reputation shapes investors’ responses to ESG disclosures in emerging markets such as Pakistan. Full article

This study analyses changes in university students’ self-perceived eco-social competences through active methodologies linked to holistic sustainability and human rights. A multidimensional rubric based on the KNOW–CARE–DO model was applied to assess four eco-social competences: (1) critical contextualisation of knowledge in relation to social, economic, and environmental issues; (2) respect for human rights, diversity, equity, a culture of peace and participation; (3) undertaking actions for the common good and sustainable development; and (4) the application of ethical principles linked to sustainability and human rights. A pre-experimental design incorporating pre-test and post-test measurements was used. The study involved 61 students from universities in Spain, Colombia, and Italy. An open-ended question was included to complement the quantitative data. The results indicate significantly higher self-perceived competence scores at post-test than at pre-test, particularly in the critical contextualisation of knowledge. The rubric demonstrates acceptable-to-high internal consistency, although further psychometric validation is required. Full article

The informal waste recycling sector provides livelihoods for roughly 0.2% of the urban population in developing economies, yet its formalization amid economic development creates trade-offs among social welfare, environmental performance, and fiscal sustainability. This study formulates the informal-to-formal recycling transition as a three-objective problem: minimizing the residual informal waste-picker headcount (an exit/displacement proxy rather than a measure of integration success), maximizing recycling rates, and minimizing government expenditure. We solve this problem with NSGA-II and SPEA2 on a stylized model whose parameters are calibrated for order-of-magnitude consistency with publicly documented Chinese municipal waste-management benchmarks, a directional sanity check rather than a formal parameter fit; each algorithm runs 30 times. SPEA2 attains a modestly higher hypervolume than NSGA-II (0.733 vs. 0.714; two-sided Mann–Whitney U rank test, $p\approx 3\times {10}^{-11}$), and both algorithms converge within roughly 50 generations on this tractable two-variable problem. An unconstrained random search remains highly competitive, underscoring how readily this low-dimensional frontier can be approximated. The decision space comprises two policy levers, the formalization target $\alpha$ and the enforcement intensity E; a subsidy dimension is excluded because it would enter the fiscal objective only as a cost without a benefit channel. All fiscal values are expressed in abstract model currency units. A one-at-a-time sensitivity analysis identifies the formalization gain coefficient ${\gamma }_1$ as the parameter with the highest hypervolume coefficient of variation (CV = 13.2%), pinpointing where empirical estimation effort matters most within this model. Scenario simulations under boom, recession, and transition conditions shift the Pareto frontier in distinct ways. A bi-objective ablation indicates that the three objectives are largely independent, since only a small share of bi-objective solutions is strictly dominated in the full three-objective space; a quantitative hidden-cost penalty is not established. A representative compromise strategy ($\alpha \approx 0.97$, $E\approx 0.33$) reaches a 44.5% recycling rate with near-complete formalization at modest fiscal cost. The framework thus serves as a transparent, reproducible decision-support tool for urban waste governance in developing economies, making explicit the trade-offs that the model implements. Full article

This narrative literature review examines African American family fishing as a historically grounded practice of food provision, cultural continuity, place-based learning, and environmental stewardship, and considers its conceptual relationship to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The review synthesizes an analytical corpus of 41 works spanning history, fishing participation, food insecurity, food sovereignty, foodways, place attachment, environmental education, and social-ecological systems. The literature indicates that Black fishing cannot be understood as recreation alone; historically and contemporarily, it has connected food acquisition, family interaction, livelihood, cultural memory, and community identity. These functions are conceptually aligned with SDGs 2, 3, and 10 through plausible pathways involving culturally meaningful food access, family-centered outdoor activity, and attention to racial disparities in food security, environmental access, and institutional representation. Family fishing may also provide a place-based learning context relevant to SDG 4, while responsible harvesting, reduced waste, and ecological literacy may contribute to SDG 12. Repeated engagement with local waters may cultivate belonging and stewardship; freshwater relationships are most directly relevant to SDG 6, whereas coastal, estuarine, and marine contexts may contribute to SDG 14. These are interpretive alignments, not measured SDG outcomes. The review concludes that family-centered pilot initiatives may productively integrate cultural history, ecological education, food skills, mentorship, and community leadership, subject to feasibility testing and empirical evaluation. Contemporary family-level research is needed to examine harvest, food sharing, learning, health, access, and stewardship across generations. Full article

This study examines the joint and interactive effects of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and digital transformation on firm value by using a sample of 64 non-financial firms listed on the Saudi Exchange over 2020–2024. The empirical analysis employs panel data techniques, feasible generalized least squares (FGLS), Driscoll–Kraay standard errors, and two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimation. The results show that ESG performance is positively associated with firm value, which suggests that capital markets reward firms for sustainability activities. Digital transformation also shows a positive association with firm value and is consistent with its role as a driver of firm valuation. The positive interaction between ESG and digital transformation suggests that digitalization reinforces the association between ESG practices and firm value. The findings remain robust across alternative model specifications and firm value measures. Digital transformation is measured with a text-based disclosure index built from digital-related keywords in annual reports. The index captures disclosed digital orientation rather than realized digital capability, so a high disclosure frequency may partly reflect signalling or impression management rather than fully deployed digital infrastructure. The findings show the importance of adding digital strategies to sustainability practices and provide useful implications for managers, investors, and policymakers under Saudi Vision 2030. Full article

The city of Skopje faces persistent inefficiencies in waste management, characterised by rising waste generation and limited progress in sustainable treatment solutions. This paper addresses the need for a structured approach to identify barriers to implementing Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technology, focusing on incineration-based energy recovery as a potential option for improving waste management while generating energy. Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC) were applied to six categories of implementation challenges: operational, technical, financial, regulatory, social, and environmental. ISM identified hierarchical relationships within each category, while MICMAC classified challenges according to their driving and dependence powers. The results revealed distinct structural patterns across categories, with underlying barriers including inadequate waste separation and collection, lack of integrated waste information, competitive renewable energy prices, regulatory preferences for waste reuse, recycling and reduction over WtE, institutional distrust, and combustion residue management. The findings reveal interconnected barriers with distinct structural roles, while conceptual mitigation measures and relevant SDG linkages are proposed based on the identified barriers and literature. The proposed ISM-MICMAC framework provides a structured approach for analysing WtE implementation barriers and can be adapted to other contexts following appropriate contextual and quantitative assessment. Full article

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in advancing sustainability, yet many struggle to translate voluntary sustainability practices into structured, strategic business models. This study examines how this gap can be bridged between voluntary certification frameworks and emerging regulatory requirements, with a specific focus on workforce-related sustainability reporting under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Using a qualitative case study of a Green Globe-certified, family-owned hotel, the research conducts a comparative gap analysis between existing organisational practices and corporate disclosure requirements, applying a Policy–Action–Target–Metric (PAT&M) framework. The findings reveal strong alignment in Policies and Actions (89%) but limited alignment in Targets and Metrics (14%), indicating a gap between sustainability activities and strategic performance management. The results highlight the need to transition from compliance-oriented initiatives to integrated, data-driven management systems. The findings also suggest that voluntary certification schemes, such as Green Globe, can be a useful first step in order to achieve better corporate reporting capabilities related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. As practical implications, a roadmap solution is proposed to support system-level integration, transparency, and measurable outcomes for better business resilience. Full article

Proper municipal solid waste (MSW) management is vital for mitigating environmental degradation and protecting public health. Landfill site selection remains a complex spatial decision-making challenge, balancing ecological, social, and economic parameters. This study presents a comprehensive systematic review of 175 peer-reviewed articles published between 2016 and 2026, evaluating the evolution of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) frameworks. The findings indicate that road accessibility (93.7%), surface and groundwater protection (91.4%), slope gradients (84.6%), and settlement buffer zones (78.9%) represent the most critical and universally applied siting criteria. Digital Elevation Models (81.9%) and geological maps (57.3%) serve as foundational geospatial datasets. While the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) remains the dominant weighting technique (63.41%), recent trends show an increasing adoption of hybrid multi-criteria models and optimisation algorithms. Geographically, research output is led by India, Iran, and Turkey, peaking significantly in 2025. Crucially, this review exposes prominent methodological shortcomings, notably a heavy reliance on subjective expert validation (73.8%), whereas quantitative validation, sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty assessment remain critically underutilised. In contrast to earlier reviews, this review offers a thorough and critical synthesis of GIS- and MCDA-based approaches to landfill site selection by carefully evaluating methodological advancements, examining the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of current approaches, and incorporating statistical trends with a structured methodological framework. This approach highlights important research gaps and offers evidence-based suggestions for creating more transparent, reliable, and sustainable techniques for landfill site selection by selecting, screening, and including relevant articles. To foster sustainable urban planning, future research must prioritise standardised evaluation frameworks, rigorous uncertainty quantification, and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning with spatial modelling. Full article

Driven by the escalating worldwide consumption of animal-sourced commodities, the livestock industry faces intensified constraints regarding its ecological consequences, encompassing large-scale deforestation, elevated greenhouse gas emissions, progressive soil deterioration, and the suboptimal management of hydrological resources. In response to these challenges, the concept of sustainable livestock husbandry integrates production practices with environmental management strategies designed to conserve biodiversity, optimize resource use, and reduce emissions. The objective of this review is to emphasize the significance of sustainable cervid farming as an integral element of contemporary food supply chains, comprehensively addressing its environmental, production, and nutritional dimensions. A comprehensive assessment of current scholarly articles from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed to explore topics concerning eco-conscious livestock practices, non-conventional farming models, organic rearing, animal well-being, and the evolution of deer breeding. Particular attention was paid to the role of permanent grasslands in venison production, soil protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity preservation. The nutritional value of red deer and fallow deer meat and its significance in sustainable food systems are also outlined. As indicated by the analysis of available research findings, extensive cervid farming based on the use of permanent grasslands and local feed resources can reduce environmental pressures through support of landscape conservation, preservation of ecosystem functions, and efficient utilization of biomass that is inedible for humans. Venison is shown to be a valuable source of high-quality protein, minerals, and essential fatty acids, which meets growing consumer demands for high-quality food. The literature review has confirmed that properly managed cervid farming can be an important element of sustainable food production systems combining production goals with environmental protection and animal welfare. It also emphasizes the need for further research into the environmental, economic, and social aspects of this branch of animal production. Full article

New energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers must reduce operational waste while adapting to technological change and preserving long-term value. This study tests an integrated model linking Lean Practices, Process Innovativeness, Digital Transformation, and Value Impact. Of 500 survey invitations distributed across China’s NEV supply chain, 400 complete responses passed a broad screen; 49 cases reporting less than one year of lean or digital implementation were subsequently excluded, yielding a duration-consistent primary sample of 351. The constructs were specified as first-order composites and evaluated using component-based partial least squares. Lean Practices were positively associated with Value Impact (β = 0.366) and Process Innovativeness (β = 0.288), and Process Innovativeness was positively associated with Value Impact (β = 0.409). At mean Digital Transformation, the indirect association through Process Innovativeness was 0.118. Digital Transformation positively moderated the Lean Practices–Process Innovativeness association (β = 0.118, p = 0.013), although the interaction was small (f² = 0.020) and less robust after excluding low-variation responses. All endogenous indicators had positive Q²predict values, and PLS-SEM produced lower RMSE than the linear benchmark for all 14 indicators. The findings identify organizational mechanisms relevant to resource optimization and sustainable manufacturing, but not direct environmental or social sustainability effects. Full article

The conventional business case for environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration assumes that organisations invest because consumers, investors and markets reward them for doing so. This study examines what drives ESG investment when that market reward is absent. Drawing on twelve semi-structured interviews across executive and functional roles in a South African fast-moving consumer goods manufacturer serving low-income consumers, the findings show that ESG adoption is continuity-led rather than demand-led. Participants consistently explain environmental investment in terms of protecting organisational continuity by maintaining production during power outages, reducing exposure to climate-related disruption, and lowering operating costs in a market where price is decisive. Sustainability is therefore pursued not because the market rewards it, but because the operating environment makes its absence increasingly costly. Yet the same market cannot finance these investments. Because the organisation serves highly price-sensitive consumers through cash-and-carry channels, the additional costs cannot be recovered through higher prices. The study identifies an endorsement–funding gap in which stakeholders support responsible organisational conduct while resisting the expenditure needed to achieve it. In this case, the gap is bridged by an owner–principal with direct authority over capital in an organisation without a formal board. This study contributes a continuity-led explanation of ESG adoption in constrained emerging-market settings, identifies the endorsement–funding gap as a distinct barrier facing low-margin organisations, and suggests that ownership structure shapes ESG adoption by determining who has the authority to finance investments that markets cannot support. It further argues that where ESG depends on individual authority rather than institutionalised systems, its long-term durability remains uncertain. Beyond the case, the findings suggest that in comparable emerging-market settings the binding constraint on ESG adoption may be finance rather than motivation, so that policy instruments which close the financing gap, together with measurement and assurance systems that institutionalise commitment, may matter more for sustainable business conduct in these settings than demand-side incentives designed for affluent markets. Full article

Moon and Mars mission architectures are shifting from short stays to longer surface stays in isolated, confined and extreme (ICE) conditions, where small crews live almost entirely inside pressurized habitats. As transit durations increase and lunar outposts evolve into more permanent bases, crews are exposed for longer periods to environmental hazards and non-terrestrial gravity that disrupt usual sensorimotor patterns. In this context, the habitat becomes the primary interface between human bodies and extreme environments, shaping how inhabitants perceive, move, orient themselves and sustain everyday routines away from Earth. This article develops a neuroarchitecture integrative model for indoor living in lunar and Martian habitats, treating space habitat resilience as a cognitive and experiential property of the human–habitat system. The model connects advances in space architecture and planetary science research with person–environment theories to show how interior form and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) influence attention, emotional regulation and social functioning under confinement. It distinguishes a macro scale, where planetary constraints compress human experience into Built Environments in Extreme Environments (BEXEs), from a micro scale, where habitability is organized into four functional clusters (somatic, operational, psychosocial and ludic-recreational). Conventional IEQ assessment addresses a small set of generic dimensions applicable to any building; here, these are reorganized into twelve cluster-specific dimensions, three per cluster, calibrated for confinement and for the absence of an accessible exterior. Focusing on room shape and proportions, degrees of enclosure and visual order as key interior variables, the model positions the habitat as an active co-regulator of cognition and argues for design agendas that move beyond minimum safety and volume standards toward evidence-informed cognitive habitability in emerging off-Earth settlements. Full article