Search Results (2,876)

Traditional static policy frameworks struggle to effectively respond to dynamic changes in enterprise behavior, thereby undermining the sustainability of policy constraints; therefore, promoting enterprise green technology innovation (GTI) requires adaptive governance, while consumer green preferences play a non-negligible role in this process. This study constructs an evolutionary game model to examine the strategic interactions between governments and enterprises under a dynamic subsidy and penalty mechanism, incorporating consumer green preferences into the analysis. The results show that static subsidy and penalty mechanisms are insufficient to sustain incentives for enterprise GTI; in contrast, dynamic subsidy and penalty mechanisms are more effective in promoting enterprise GTI. Further analysis reveals that the mechanism combining dynamic subsidies and static penalties exhibits superior governance effectiveness, with a “low-subsidy, high-penalty” strategy combination demonstrating a stronger incentive effect in promoting enterprise GTI. Consumer green preferences significantly influence the strategic choices of both governments and enterprises, and their enhancement drives enterprises to engage in GTI. Overall, promoting GTI requires a shift from rigid static policies to adaptive governance, with full considerations on the impact of consumer green preferences on stakeholder behavior. Full article

This study investigates the role of the Massive Transformative Purpose (MTP) in shaping corporate brand identity and guiding brand management strategies in Exponential Organizations (ExOs). It examines how the MTP aligns internal and external brand dimensions, enhances stakeholder engagement, and drives societal impact, positioning it as a central element in ExO brand management. This study employs a qualitative multiple-case study methodology focusing on two ExOs: Airbnb, a digital-native hospitality company, and Mylia, a transformative learning enterprise. Semi-structured interviews with senior executives were triangulated with internal and external data to examine how the MTP drives strategy, culture, and stakeholder engagement. This allowed the application of the Corporate Brand Identity Matrix for exploring the different corporate brand identities and the relative nuances. The findings show that the MTP is essential to shaping ExOs’ corporate brand identity. It unifies organizational purpose, culture, and strategy, creating a cohesive identity that resonates both internally and externally. Embedding the MTP into daily practices fosters alignment, guides decision-making, strengthens stakeholder relationships, and shapes value propositions that distinguish ExOs while addressing stakeholder needs. The research bridges gaps in the literature on corporate brand identity, organizational purpose, and the unique characteristics of ExOs. It introduces the MTP Management Model, which integrates ExO-specific attributes to provide deeper insights into how these organizations align operational structures and brand identity with their transformative purpose. While the multiple-case study approach offers in-depth insights, the findings are context-specific and may not be fully generalizable across industries. The MTP Management Model provides a clear framework to integrate essential attributes, ensuring organizational coherence, effective communication, and enhanced competitiveness. Full article

Spain’s extensive marine jurisdiction—comprising a continental shelf of approximately 100,000 km² and an Exclusive Economic Zone approaching one million km²—requires robust geospatial frameworks to support ecosystem assessment and marine policy implementation. This study presents GIS-based methodologies developed by the Spanish Oceanographic Institute (IEO-CSIC) within national initiatives such as LIFE IP INTEMARES project and the implementation of Marine Strategy Framework Directive (European Directive 2008/56/EC). The geospatial workflows developed for these initiatives integrates heterogeneous spatial datasets—such as multibeam bathymetry, acoustic backscatter, Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) and towed-camera transects, sediment samples, oceanographic profiles, and species-habitat occurrence records—into a unified spatial analysis environment. Applied methods include digital terrain modeling, derivation of geomorphometric indices (e.g., slope, rugosity, curvature), image classification, and spatial statistics to quantify habitat extent, condition, and anthropogenic pressures. An integrated spatial analysis framework combining environmental and anthropogenic data is used to support zoning and management decisions within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Additionally, the deployment of WebGIS platforms facilitates data dissemination, iterative review, and stakeholder engagement, thereby enhancing transparency and accessibility. The resulting high-resolution maps, harmonized datasets, and computed spatial indicators—aligned with Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) descriptors such as habitat distribution (D1C4–C5) and seafloor integrity (D6C2–C3)—demonstrate how GIScience methods provide reproducible, decision-ready information to support the monitoring and management of Spain’s diverse marine ecosystems. Full article

Adopting a circular economy approach requires new business models, multi-stakeholder engagement, and tailored financial models and mechanisms as core pillars. This paper examines the conditions needed to scale circular economy initiatives in Europe by analysing insights collected from the DECISO project and conducting a comparative analysis of 38 European projects. The study adopts a mixed methods approach that integrates an online stakeholder survey with inputs generated through participatory workshops and discussions of selected use cases. This combined approach is used to identify the main structural barriers limiting the maturity and investment readiness of circular economy projects, such as regulatory complexity, difficulties in accessing funding, and weak stakeholder dialogue mechanisms. The approach was also used for enabling factors that can support development of circular economy. Particular attention is given to the role of project development assistance, modular financing strategies, and de-risking tools, which are highlighted as crucial elements for supporting the technical and economic credibility of projects and attracting public and private investors. The article also identifies and addresses seven unresolved research gaps in the literature, including the lack of interoperable policy instruments, the absence of business models capable of integrating investor expectations, the paucity of integrated methodologies for assessing technical and economic regulatory feasibility, and the need for trust-building procedures. The findings suggest that the transition to a regenerative economy requires a systemic approach based on coherent policies, de-risking financial instruments, collaborative governance, and strategic technical support throughout the project development cycle. Full article

Physical manufacturing and research infrastructures are essential for advanced innovation but often remain inaccessible to SMEs, start-ups, and research institutions that cannot justify ownership of capital-intensive assets. This study examines whether platform-mediated infrastructure sharing can function as a sustainable open-innovation mechanism in advanced manufacturing. Using the SCIP/SYNPRO platform developed in the SYNERGY and IDEATION projects, an exploratory case-study design combines descriptive analysis of a registry of 290 infrastructure items across 11 countries with qualitative analysis of 23 documented access requests, interaction records, and pilot reports. The results show that the Provider–Taker model facilitates observable access-enabling interactions, including infrastructure publication, request submission, provider–taker communication, negotiation, and selected documented use, although it does not measure population-wide access outcomes. Sharing potential is uneven: modular and emerging technologies, especially VR/AR infrastructures, attract higher request intensity than production-integrated assets. Users and providers favour negotiated access, flexible pricing, operator support, and contractual clarification rather than standardised rental models. Qualitative evidence shows that value is created through access to otherwise unavailable equipment, postponed investment, experimentation, technology familiarisation, student training, capability development, and new inter-organisational research links. The findings indicate that infrastructure sharing can support more resource-efficient innovation but depends on discoverability, governance, trust, and support mechanisms to scale. Full article

Climate change, depleting fossil fuel reserves, and instability in petroleum prices are driving developing economies to explore cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable energy sources such as hydropower. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the relevance, suitability, and impact of mega-dams. Much of the existing research on mega-dams examines this debate through the lens of development theories. However, mega-dams impact a wide range of stakeholders at local, national, regional, and global levels, necessitating exploration of their role from a socioeconomic perspective. This interdisciplinary case study draws knowledge from management, sociology, and economics and provides a comprehensive account of multi-stakeholder perspectives on the impact of a mega-dam and addresses the research question: How do stakeholders perceive the impact of the Merowe Dam on agricultural livelihoods, and how do they interpret the role of governance processes? Participants included farmers, a focus group with 10 members from the affected communities, and 32 key informant interviews from non-governmental organizations, political actors, academics, businessmen and leaders in the catchment areas of the Merowe Dam, Sudan. The findings suggest that despite some concerns about motivations and processes of mega-dam commissioning, these projects are perceived as beneficial for long-term and sustainable socioeconomic growth and gaining support for renewable energy use in developing economies. The participants reported that modernization of agriculture, following the establishment of the dam, increased crop yields, e.g., wheat production has increased per hectare. Farmers’ income and irrigated land have increased substantially per family due to an increase in land sizes allocated to relocated communities, leading to an overall increase in land size. Therefore, with improved processes in both pre- and post-commissioning stages, transparency, accountability, and deeper stakeholder engagement, mega-dams can facilitate a smoother transition from fossil fuels to large-scale hydropower on one hand and livelihood enhancement through agriculture and other income generating activities on the other. 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 digital transformation of high-end equipment is not only a critical means to enhance national core competitiveness, but also a necessary requirement within the framework of national development strategy. Major stakeholders in this transformation include local governments, high-end equipment manufacturers, financial institutions, and industrial technology platforms, all of whose interactions significantly influence the transformation process. This paper constructs a four-party evolutionary game model involving local governments, high-end equipment manufacturers, financial support institutions, and industrial technology platforms. Numerical simulations are conducted to analyze the stable strategies and evolutionary trends of these four players under various parameters, while also exploring the long-term mechanisms for the digital transformation of high-end equipment facilitated by government subsidies. The results indicate that in the initial stage of digital transformation, the government assumes a leading role by implementing high-subsidy policies to encourage participation from manufacturers, financial institutions, and technology platforms. As the transformation progresses into a stable promotion phase, the government gradually reduces subsidies to a normal level and increasingly relies on market mechanisms to foster active engagement. Both models represent ideal scenarios for the digital transformation of high-end equipment. Finally, this paper offers relevant policy recommendations aimed at enhancing policy guidance, stimulating the motivation of market entities, and improving the benefit linkage mechanism among all four stakeholders. Full article

Opera Out of Opera 2 (OOO2) is a Creative Europe cooperation project that experiments with digital, participatory strategies to reconnect opera with younger audiences and to reshape professional capacity for conservatory students. Rather than treating opera as a fixed repertoire to be transmitted, the project frames it as a site of co-creation, where youth and emerging professionals share agency in how the art form is presented, mediated and discussed. This article has two related aims. First, it examines how OOO2’s digital-first Audience Engagement Strategy (AES) may contribute to audience development among 18–25-year-olds, focusing on reach, participation patterns and perceived accessibility. Second, it investigates how participation in the project appears to affect conservatory students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy and their understanding of their potential social role as musicians. Methodologically, the study combines a participatory action research (PAR) framework with an embedded single-case design. Quantitative data include pre- and post-intervention questionnaires with 132 higher music education students. An audience survey completed by 1256 spectators, complemented by social media and web analytics, is also embedded. Qualitative material derives from semi-structured interviews (n = 30), focus groups with project stakeholders and direct observation of workshops, rehearsals and performances. Results indicate a marked digital reach among younger audience and suggest that shorter formats, informal settings and second-screen mediation can lower perceived barriers to opera attendance for first-time or occasional spectators. Among students, mean scores for entrepreneurial self-efficacy increased from 3.2 (SD = 0.8) to 4.1 (SD = 0.7), corresponding to a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.20, p < 0.01), a pattern broadly consistent with research on self-efficacy and capacity creation in music and arts-based entrepreneurship education. The discussion connects these findings with a bibliometric mapping of audience development in opera, conducted on 147 Scopus-indexed documents, and argues that OOO2 occupies a still under-theorized intersection between youth-centred cultural participation and entrepreneurial capacity-building in higher music education. While the single-case design and the use of self-constructed survey items limit generalizability, the project may offer a useful reference point for institutions seeking to rethink opera’s approach as a digitally mediated, socially engaged and educationally meaningful practice. Full article

The urban housing sector plays a significant role in global energy consumption and carbon emissions, making the sustainable transformation of domestic buildings essential to achieving climate goals. Urban housing is also linked to the energy transition, social equity, public health, and environmental resilience. The UK’s Warm Homes Plan (WHP) is seen as a key policy initiative that aims to improve energy efficiency and living conditions, and to promote the transition to a low-carbon future. This study provides an integrated review of retrofit assessment, policy mechanisms, and socio-environmental factors in the context of urban housing decarbonization. This study adopts a structured critical review approach to analyze retrofit strategies, low-carbon heating systems, renewable energy integration, and smart control technologies. The study highlights that retrofit assessment is not limited to technical performance but also includes social acceptability, affordability, and urban infrastructure compatibility. Furthermore, case study comparisons show that decarbonization outcomes are improved when technical measures are integrated with effective governance, stakeholder engagement, and local policy support. This study presents an integrated conceptual framework that links technical retrofit measures, policy coordination, and socio-environmental indicators. The results show that isolated technical solutions are insufficient for decarbonizing urban housing. Rather, a multi-dimensional planning approach is necessary to enable a sustainable, resilient, and socially inclusive housing transition. Full article

Digital repositories have been an important gateway for the dissemination of information regarding objects of art and cultural heritage throughout the World Wide Web, but the vast number of available artifacts, both historical and modern, makes their discovery by interested users an arduous task. Often deviating from general-purpose search behavior, people searching online for art and culture adjust their habits to address this challenge. In this study, real-world data from the federated search engine and online art and culture repository ArtBoulevard are used to explore this evolution throughout a period of three years. By collecting and analyzing a large amount of user session data, this research aims to investigate user engagement, query formulation, search behavior, and in-platform and outbound engagement in order to outline the longitudinal behavioral patterns of the platform’s user base. Over the period of the analysis, shifts and trends are identified and discussed within the ever-evolving context of behavioral analysis in the field. This process leads to useful insights that are not only indicative of the platform’s limited but global user base, but which can be useful to all stakeholders active in content dissemination and may also be relevant to broader discussions about the changes in the discovery pathways in art and cultural heritage. Full article

International research and policy frameworks underscore the value of mandatory energy regulations in reducing energy demand and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the built environment. However, Global South (GS) countries experience several challenges in effectively implementing building energy efficiency codes (BEECs), as codes are either absent, unevenly adopted or inconsistently enforced. A poor alignment with the specific climatic, socio-economic and construction realities further limits the potential of BEECs to support GS climate resilience. This research aims to identify opportunities to enhance building energy regulatory practices by exploring recent progress in the field. It also systematically evaluates existing mandatory BEECs in the GS to identify models and principles that could guide the development of more effective codes, specifically for GS countries without BEECs. It is hypothesised that the mandatory BEECs currently implemented in GS countries can be analysed using contextually relevant criteria to reveal common regulatory patterns, strengths, and shortcomings, thereby informing a climate-responsive framework suited to GS realities. This research implemented a two-tiered literature review. After determining the broad regulatory context, an exploratory review of the current state of the art in BEEC research was conducted. These publications (primarily 2016–2025) were obtained via a systematic query in Scopus. Following the exploratory review, this study performed a Systematic Quantitative Literature Review (SQLR) to assess mandatory BEECs from 18 GS countries. The findings reveal that BEECs are useful for delivering energy-efficient buildings in the real world. However, ample opportunities exist to improve their comprehensiveness in context and coverage. Improving regulatory implementation systems and structures, along with robust stakeholder engagement, can support better BEEC design and enforcement. To address the need for contextualised BEECs, the SQLR helped develop a taxonomy by comparing the mandatory codes. This research also introduces the Sustainable Level Indicator Model, Matrix, and Map (SLIM³) prototype, proposed as a decision-support tool, and hosted on an interactive online platform, thereby potentially contributing to real-world building energy regulatory practices. The SLIM³ tool organises the mandatory BEECs into a coherent, accessible framework that could assist GS decision-makers in benchmarking existing and new codes, identifying gaps and prioritising contextually appropriate improvements, thus contributing to a more resource-efficient built environment. Full article

Universities operate in an environment characterized by complexity, unpredictable challenges, rapid change and stakeholder demands. University employees are a key resource to achieve the strategic goals of the institution, linked to this complexity. Therefore, a conducive environment that fosters employee engagement in the university is critical. Employee engagement as a concept which encompasses employees’ positive attitude towards the organization and its values, whereby employees continuously improve how they perform their duties to improve organizational effectiveness. Organizational effectiveness is the ability of the organization to proactively adapt and adopt new ideas to continuously improve its operations. The purpose of the study was to explore the application of systems thinking as a strategic approach to foster employee engagement across functional boundaries in universities of technology (UoTs). Employee engagement is central to achieving the strategic goals of Universities of Technology. The problem is a lack of an overarching philosophy to foster employee engagement across the institution. To achieve the objectives of this study, a qualitative research methodology was used, underpinned by a constructivism philosophical worldview. A total of 15 participants were purposively selected from the employees of two universities of technology. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze data. The findings revealed that systems thinking would create a conducive environment to foster employee engagement across functional boundaries in the UoTs. In addition, the findings revealed the prevalence of silo practices in universities of technology. Without systems thinking in the institution, departments generally operate in silos and there is no institutionalized philosophy to foster employee engagement, collaboration and knowledge sharing within and beyond functional boundaries. Full article

This study explored faculty perceptions of using Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) for tracking medical student attendance at a private Saudi medical college. Using a mixed-methods approach, researchers surveyed 112 faculty members and conducted focus groups with 26 participants. The findings revealed a balanced but divided perspective. While a slight majority (51.8%) showed good acceptance, a significant minority (48.2%) did not. Faculty rated the technology highly for its perceived ease of use (85.7%) and effectiveness (75%). However, significant privacy concerns were a major issue for over half of the respondents (55.3%). Qualitative data highlighted key themes, including initial staff reactions to FR technology, the need for better staff communication and training, the balance between efficiency and technical challenges, and deep-seated ethical and privacy concerns related to surveillance. The study concludes that, while faculty see the potential benefits of FRT, successful implementation depends on addressing their legitimate concerns. To succeed, institutions must develop comprehensive strategies that include transparent privacy policies, reliable technology, and robust training for staff. Prioritizing stakeholder engagement and creating culturally sensitive implementation plans are crucial for balancing the benefits of FRT with privacy and ethical considerations. Full article

Background: The importance of evidence-based practice (EBP) is well recognized, yet its implementation remains challenging across healthcare systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where resource constraints, workforce turnover, and organizational barriers can hinder practice change. The traditional approach to implementation has focused on training, guidelines, and leadership support; however, these strategies do not always sustain frontline staff engagement. Objective: This descriptive case study examined how social movement strategies supported a multi-year EBP implementation initiative within a Philippine academic–clinical partnership. Methods: Program documents, training records, implementation reports, curriculum materials, and internal records of guideline-related activities were reviewed. Data were organized using the Social Movement Action Framework, with attention to preconditions for change, social movement mechanisms, and implementation outcomes. Results: The initiative included champion training, guideline integration, awareness activities, academic–clinical collaboration, and practice-focused implementation efforts related to breastfeeding, vascular access device management, and pressure injury prevention. These activities provided observable process indicators of stakeholder engagement, shared ownership, and continued use of guideline-informed practices. Conclusions: Social movement strategies may offer a useful complementary lens for understanding how EBP implementation gains momentum in real-world healthcare settings. Additional studies should explore their relationship to implementation outcomes and clinical care processes. Full article