Search Results (639)

Lifecycle management of the conversational AI agent, in the case of Copilot Studio and Dataverse as enabling technologies, is discussed in this paper. After an in-depth examination of the academic literature, policy reports, and lifecycle models, the research also concludes that there are AI applications to be utilized in the government sector, and there are policies to be revised, alongside some ethical considerations that can and must be implemented. It has also revealed that conversational AI is so on trend that governments are employing this technology to do even more, to socialize with and serve the needs of more people in multiple languages. They can also decrease response times by 40%. But its initial condition will not endure for long. Lifecycle continuous monitoring as well as lifecycle ethics and participative design should be practiced in lifecycle governance so that nobody feels sidelined, left without influence, or interrogated. Copilot Studio is a low-code or no-code orchestration environment that runs on your code, and Dataverse ensures your data will be compatible with other systems. In the study, the theory attempts to touch on the harmonization of entities, citizen security and technical functions in the lifecycle. In this model, we will differentiate why a field-conversational AI model would lead to the creation of a vibrant, responsible, and effective service model. The technical and ethical lifecycle management of the AI integration offers a structure of accountability in which governments should extend the conversational agent according to the values held by the government. Full article

This study examines how innovation and green management influence business sustainability and firm value in Indonesian healthcare companies. Innovation is measured using Value-Added Intellectual Capital (VAIC) efficiency, green management through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores, business sustainability as carbon emission disclosure (CEDI), and firm value as Market Value Added (MVA). The sample consists of 123 firm-year observations from healthcare firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (2019–2023). Based on the capital-based theory of sustainability and stakeholder theory, hypotheses are tested using fixed-effect panel regression, Baron and Kenny mediation analysis, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results show that VAIC is the only significant predictor of MVA, with a consistent positive effect across all model specifications. Neither ESG Score nor CEDI shows a significant effect on market value, indicating that sustainability disclosure has not yet translated into measurable financial returns in this context. Within the structural model, ESG governance is the strongest predictor of carbon disclosure, while firms with higher VAIC tend to prioritise value creation over environmental reporting. All mediation hypotheses are rejected. These findings suggest that intellectual capital and sustainability practices currently function as separate strategic priorities in Indonesian healthcare. Intellectual capital produces tangible market value in the short term, while the financial benefits of sustainability disclosure are likely to emerge only as Indonesia’s ESG reporting standards and investor awareness continue to develop. Full article

Achieving carbon-neutral cities requires innovative strategies that integrate technological carbon capture, sustainable urban infrastructure, and proactive public engagement. While microalgae-based systems have shown promise for CO₂ sequestration and resource recovery, their scalability remains constrained by high costs and energy-intensive photobioreactor (PBR) designs. Here, we propose the retrofit of existing urban fountains into high-efficiency microalgae cultivation systems—microalgae-enhanced fountain landscapes—as an integrated solution that bridges ecological function and social outreach. This approach capitalizes on ubiquitous fountain infrastructure to minimize deployment costs, employs advanced fountain-style cultivation technology to enhance biomass productivity, and leverages strategic locations in high-footfall urban zones to actively elevate public carbon literacy and motivate low-carbon behavioral shifts through immersive engagement—a vital step toward city-wide participatory climate action. We critically analyze the feasibility of this system, highlighting its potential for multi-stakeholder value creation across developers, municipalities, and citizens. Furthermore, we synthesize recent advances in suspended microalgae cultivation, building-integrated PBRs, and microalgae-informed landscape design to contextualize the development pathway of fountain-based systems. By uniting technical efficiency with civic education, this work establishes a replicable framework for scalable urban deployment—simultaneously advancing carbon mitigation, public awareness, and circular resource flows in the transition toward climate-resilient cities. Full article

The circular economy (CE) is increasingly recognized as a strategic approach that enables firms to address environmental challenges while enhancing competitiveness and long-term value creation. However, evidence regarding its impact on business performance remains fragmented across sectors, performance dimensions, and organizational contexts. This study presents a systematic literature review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines to examine how CE practices influence business performance. The review synthesizes evidence from 79 peer-reviewed publications published between 2015 and 2025. The findings identify five major channels through which CE practices affect business performance: (1) economic, environmental, and social performance, (2) operational and supply chain performance, (3) competitive advantage and strategic positioning, (4) financial and environmental performance, and (5) barriers and performance in SMEs. Across these dimensions, CE practices are frequently associated with improved resource efficiency, cost reduction, innovation capacity, supply chain resilience, and enhanced environmental outcomes, including waste reduction and lower emissions. The review suggests that the performance effects of CE are contingent upon contextual factors such as firm size, ownership structure, industry characteristics, regulatory environment, and digital capabilities. While large firms often benefit from greater resources and organizational capacity, SMEs face significant barriers related to finance, technology, and governance, although these can be mitigated through collaboration networks and digitalization. The study contributes to the Strategic Environmental Management literature by indicating that CE practices may function not only as environmental initiatives but also as strategic capabilities that support competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability transitions. The findings provide implications for managers seeking to integrate circularity into business strategy and for policymakers designing institutional conditions that enable circular business transformation. Full article

In the digital economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face growing pressure to align digital transformation with sustainability-oriented value creation. Yet, it remains unclear how and through which mechanisms digital leadership is associated with sustainable digital innovation in resource-constrained and turbulent contexts. This study investigates whether digital leadership is associated with sustainable digital innovation directly and indirectly through digital capabilities and digital orientation, and whether strategic agility strengthens these relationships. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT), the study develops an integrated framework that explains sustainable digital innovation as a strategically managed outcome of digital economy transformation rather than a simple result of technology adoption. Using survey data from 423 employees in Lebanese SMEs, the hypotheses were tested through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that digital leadership is positively associated with sustainable digital innovation both directly and indirectly, with digital orientation emerging as the stronger mediating pathway compared to digital capabilities. In addition, strategic agility strengthens the association between digital orientation and sustainable digital innovation, while its moderating role on the digital capabilities path is not significant. These findings contribute to the literature by identifying dual transformation mechanisms and revealing an asymmetric boundary role of agility in sustainability-oriented digital transformation. The study also offers practical implications for SME leaders seeking to align digital strategy with long-term environmental, social, and economic value creation. Full article

Culinary tourism is increasingly conceptualized as a strategic domain of destination competitiveness, in which gastronomic experiences serve as mechanisms for cultural representation and localized value creation. However, existing research remains fragmented in explaining how multidimensional culinary motivations translate into specific consumption behaviors, particularly in emerging destinations. Addressing this gap, this study develops and tests a motivation–behavior linkage framework grounded in push–pull motivation theory, conceptualizing culinary motivations as heterogeneous drivers with differential effects on intention to purchase local food. A sequential mixed-methods design was employed, beginning with an initial qualitative phase to refine measurement constructs, followed by a quantitative survey of 396 domestic tourists with prior culinary experience in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Data were analyzed using reliability assessment, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple regression modeling. The findings reveal a differentiated structure of influence: cultural experience, sensory appeal, and health concerns significantly enhance purchase intention, with cultural experience and sensory appeal emerging as the most influential predictors. In contrast, interpersonal and prestige motivations are non-significant, indicating that experiential and functional values outweigh social-symbolic drivers in this context. The study contributes by advancing push–pull theory through a behavior-specific, mechanism-based linkage; identifying context-dependent boundary conditions in an emerging destination; and refining culinary motivation by distinguishing experiential–functional from social-symbolic drivers. These insights inform more targeted strategies for promoting local food consumption and sustainable culinary tourism development. Full article

Entrepreneurship education in film and the creative industries refers to a set of pedagogical approaches, curricula, and institutional frameworks designed to foster entrepreneurial mindsets, competencies, and practices among students and professionals operating within the cultural and creative industries (CCIs). Going well beyond conventional business training, entrepreneurship education in this context encourages learners to identify opportunities for value creation—cultural, social, and economic—to develop sustainable modes of creative practice, and to engage critically with the markets, institutions, and communities that constitute the contemporary creative economy. Within film studies and adjacent disciplines such as media production, design, music, and the visual arts, entrepreneurship education plays an increasingly prominent role in preparing graduates for careers characterised by self-employment, project-based work, portfolio careers, and the continuous negotiation of artistic autonomy with the imperatives of professional sustainability. This entry aims to compile and organise existing knowledge on entrepreneurship education as it applies to the CCIs, with particular attention to the film and audiovisual sector, drawing on academic literature, European policy frameworks, and empirical industry evidence. The entry uses a narrative literature review approach, synthesising scholarly works from the fields of education, cultural economics, and creative industry research alongside institutional documentation and policy instruments, in order to provide a systematic and accessible account of the current state of knowledge in this area. Full article

Previous studies on rural development and agribusiness value chains have largely examined these issues separately, with limited attention to how organizational capacity shapes value chain performance and sustainable rural development outcomes in transmigration areas. This gap is particularly important in emerging rural regions where institutional constraints, market dependency, and limited coordination continue to hinder local economic transformation. This study examines the role of organizational capacity in shaping value chain performance and its implications for sustainable rural development in transmigration areas. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, focus group discussions, and secondary data analysis. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo software, with triangulation applied to ensure validity and reliability. The findings reveal that although local institutions—such as village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), cooperatives, and farmer groups—are present, their organizational capacity remains limited, particularly in managerial skills, coordination, and aggregation functions. This limitation leads to inefficient value chain performance, characterized by low bargaining power, high dependency on intermediaries, high logistics costs, and limited value-added creation. Consequently, rural income remains suboptimal, social dependency is high, and environmental sustainability risks are insufficiently managed. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that organizational capacity acts as a structural determinant of value chain performance, which in turn influences sustainable rural development outcomes. It also proposes a capacity strengthening model integrating human resources, institutional capacity, stakeholder networks, and technology. Policy implications emphasize strengthening local institutions, promoting value chain digitalization, and implementing data-driven interventions. The study highlights that strengthening organizational capacity is a strategic pathway toward achieving sustainable rural development, particularly in emerging rural contexts such as transmigration areas. Full article

This article examines corporate risk management as a measurable and economically relevant driver of firm performance, with a specific focus on the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks into the risk management process. We develop a Composite Risk Management Index (CRMI) based on a structured questionnaire that captures the frequency, depth, and integration of risk management practices, including explicit treatment of ESG-related risks. Using cross-sectional econometric models on a sample of medium-sized and large companies, we analyse the relationship between CRMI and multiple performance and stability indicators, including return on equity, return on assets, operating cash-flow efficiency, and financial stability. The results indicate a statistically and economically significant association between higher risk management maturity and superior business performance across all dimensions. The findings suggest that ESG risk governance, when embedded within an integrated risk management framework, contributes to value creation rather than representing a purely compliance-driven activity. From a sustainability perspective, the results demonstrate that ESG-integrated risk management enhances long-term corporate resilience and supports sustainable value creation. To support practical interpretation, the study is complemented by a web-based application that enables real-time self-assessment of risk management quality under conservative methodological assumptions. Full article

This study examines how digital transformation in higher education institutions (HEIs) contributes to public value creation, moving beyond efficiency-oriented narratives toward broader societal outcomes. Using a PRISMA-ScR approach, the study systematically reviews 47 peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2025 across major academic databases. The review maps the evolution of scholarship and identifies the key mechanisms through which digital transformation influences public value. The findings reveal three interrelated dimensions shaping outcomes: digital competencies, institutional readiness, and governance alignment. Digital competencies enable the effective adoption and use of technologies, while institutional readiness—comprising digital infrastructure, leadership capacity, and organizational culture—acts as a mediating condition influencing implementation success. Governance alignment, including regulatory coherence, accountability mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement, plays a moderating role in determining whether digital transformation initiatives generate inclusive and socially beneficial outcomes. In addition to positive outcomes such as improved access, service quality, and transparency, the review identifies critical risks—including digital inequality, data governance challenges, and algorithmic bias—that may constrain public value creation, particularly in resource-constrained and Global South contexts. Building on these findings, the study develops the Global Digital Transformation—Public Value Creation (G-DTPVC) framework as an evidence-synthesized model derived from the reviewed literature. The framework specifies key constructs, causal relationships, and indicative measures to support future empirical research and policy application. By linking digital transformation processes in HEIs to broader public value outcomes and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 9, and 16), this study advances theoretical understanding and provides actionable, context-sensitive guidance for policymakers and institutional leaders seeking to foster inclusive, accountable, and resilient higher education systems. Full article

The integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into corporate and financial decision-making has become one of the most significant transformations in today’s financial markets. Growing regulatory pressure, stakeholder expectations and increased awareness of sustainability challenges have led companies and investors to incorporate ESG considerations into strategic and investment decisions. Despite the rapid spread of ESG practices, the academic literature presents conflicting and sometimes contradictory evidence regarding their economic implications and practical effectiveness. This article provides a review of the literature on the main academic contributions to ESG integration, focusing on three key dimensions: the economic benefits associated with ESG practices, the methodological and credibility challenges relating to ESG measurement, and the organisational and technological factors that enable effective ESG implementation. The findings indicate that ESG integration is generally associated with positive organisational outcomes, including improved financial performance, lower cost of capital, greater stakeholder trust and a reduction in firm-specific risk. However, the realisation of these benefits is not automatic and depends to a large extent on the credibility of ESG practices and information. Rather than endorsing the widely held view that ESG criteria are inherently capable of creating value, the analysis shows that the value-creating effect of ESG criteria depends crucially on the credibility of ESG practices and the quality of their implementation. The literature highlights significant methodological challenges, including rating divergence, the lack of standardised metrics, methodological opacity and the growing risk of greenwashing, which can undermine the reliability of ESG information. This paper proposes an deductive conceptual framework in which ESG effectiveness emerges from the interaction between value creation mechanisms, credibility constraints, and enabling organisational and technological factors. Full article

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance has become an important component of corporate sustainability and responsible governance, yet its economic implications remain contested, especially in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that are expected to balance commercial goals with broader social responsibilities. This study examines the relationship between ESG performance and firm performance in Chinese listed SOEs, with particular attention to the mediating role of corporate reputation. The results show that ESG performance is positively associated with firm performance. Corporate reputation, risk-taking, and financial constraints are identified as important transmission channels through which ESG performance affects firm outcomes. Further analysis reveals a threshold effect in the ESG–performance relationship: when corporate reputation is relatively low, ESG investment may weaken firm performance; however, once reputation exceeds a critical threshold, ESG performance significantly improves firm performance. These findings enrich the literature on corporate sustainability and ESG value creation by showing that the performance effect of ESG is conditional on reputational capital. The study also provides practical implications for managers and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable corporate transformation in state-owned enterprises. Full article

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices have become increasingly central to business sustainability strategies. Yet, the empirical literature remains fragmented regarding how ESG is translated into firm-level outcomes and sustainable value creation. This study conducts a scoping review to map the relationships among ESG practices, innovation, and organizational value creation, with particular attention to business sustainability. Reported in accordance with PRISMA 2020, with additional consideration of guidance specific to scoping reviews, searches in Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect identified 87 empirical studies. The review examines ESG conceptualization and measurement, the structural roles of innovation, and value-related outcomes. The findings reveal three dominant patterns: ESG is most often operationalized through rating-based indicators; innovation, especially green innovation and digital transformation, frequently acts as the mechanism through which ESG is translated into organizational change and performance outcomes; and value creation is increasingly assessed through both financial and sustainability-oriented indicators. Based on these findings, the study synthesizes recurring empirical patterns into an integrative sustainability framework in which ESG is interpreted as a strategic orientation, innovation as a capability conversion layer, and sustainable organizational value as the resulting outcome. Full article

This study explores the paradoxical role of ESG ratings in emerging markets, focusing on Morocco, where these tools are simultaneously promoted as signals of credibility and transparency while producing distortions, inconsistencies, and symbolic compliance. Drawing on 31 semi-structured interviews conducted with six categories of stakeholders, including institutional investors (n = 7), CSR/ESG managers from listed companies (n = 8), sustainability consultants and auditors (n = 6), academics and researchers (n = 5), representatives of market institutions (n = 3), and public-sector executives involved in ESG-related regulation (n = 2), the research relies on thematic analysis informed by legitimacy, institutional, and stakeholder theories. The findings reveal three mechanisms underlying the ESG paradox: (1) investors rely on ESG ratings as instruments of risk management and long-term value creation, (2) companies face opaque and sometimes contradictory rating methodologies that are poorly adapted to local institutional realities, and (3) global ESG standards generate pressures for symbolic conformity, increasing the risk of greenwashing and widening the gap between disclosure and actual practices. The study advances ESG research in non-Western contexts by uncovering how institutional voids, fragmented governance frameworks, and power asymmetries shape ESG evaluation dynamics in Morocco. It also underscores the need for locally grounded benchmarks, methodological harmonization, and stronger institutional coordination, including the potential development of a national ESG rating framework. Limitations relate to the qualitative scope, the Moroccan specificity, and potential social desirability bias among interviewees. Full article

In product manufacturing and operations, firms increasingly treat Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings as strategically important. This differs from earlier views that framed ESG mainly as a burden, whereas recent studies suggest that ESG can enhance firm value. Using panel data on Chinese A-share listed firms over 2009–2022, this study examines whether ESG ratings affect product-market performance. A two-way fixed-effects model shows that better ESG ratings significantly increase market share, mainly by signaling stronger product quality and service capability. While findings from this emerging market context may have limited generalizability, results consistently show that ESG performance bolsters competitiveness, particularly in high-tech and consumer-facing sectors. Moreover, improvements in ESG ratings are positively associated with net market-share growth. The benefits extend beyond the focal firm and generate positive spillovers for downstream customers. The three ESG dimensions do not contribute equally: the Environmental (E) and Governance (G) dimensions exert stronger effects on product-market performance than the Social (S) dimension. This study provides a new perspective on understanding the value creation mechanism of ESG investment. Full article