Search Results (1,318)

In this paper, we analyze the impacts of financial innovation and financial deepening on the economic growth of 14 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries from 1995 to 2023. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach and error correction model (ECM) were used to assess short- and long-run effects. The findings indicate that mobile cellular subscriptions and government spending are the main contributors to national economic growth and that money supply has a positive impact. However, the strong negative effect of capital formation on economic growth is contrary to expectations. Conversely, the findings confirm that gross capital formation has a strong positive effect on gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the long run. Bounds testing reveals varying degrees of cointegration across countries. Long-run relationships were confirmed in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe, all of which showed evidence of strong cointegration. These findings support policy recommendations aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth in SSA economies through targeted policies that increase domestic credit in the private sector and attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Full article

Background: In the era of rapid technological advancement, digital transformation has emerged as a pivotal strategy for enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness in logistics enterprises, particularly amid globalization and post pandemic recovery; this study aims to evaluate its multifaceted impact on business performance using a multi-criteria framework focused on Vietnamese firms. Methods: Employing structural equation modeling on primary survey data from 346 middle and senior level managers, alongside the Malmquist productivity index derived from data envelopment analysis on secondary financial indicators spanning 2020 to 2024, the research integrates latent variables such as organizational capability, technological innovation capability, institutional pressure, digital transformation, and business performance. Results: Key findings reveal a strong positive correlation between technological innovation capability and organizational capability (path coefficient 0.522), with organizational capability directly influencing business performance (0.359), while institutional pressure positively affects digital transformation (0.321) but negatively impacts business performance (−0.152); overall, digital transformation exhibits limited optimization, contributing to modest productivity gains and a potential 23% cost reduction through technologies like Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. Conclusions: These results underscore the necessity for logistics enterprises to strengthen organizational integration and training to maximize digital transformation benefits, thereby fostering sustainable competitiveness in global supply chains. Full article

Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) provide additional benefits for maternal and neonatal health compared with iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements. To achieve effective coverage, acceptability, and adherence—and to inform a nationwide rollout of MMS—it is essential to understand the context-specific factors that shape implementation. This study evaluated the pilot implementation of MMS in Rwanda to identify key enablers, areas for improvement, and challenges related to antenatal care (ANC) attendance and MMS use. Methods: Data were collected through a survey of 3257 women who attended ANC services, seven focus group discussions with 35 ANC attendees, and key informant interviews with 20 ANC nurses and 21 community health workers. Results: Pregnant women reported high ANC attendance (74%) and MMS consumption (79%), largely driven by strong motivation and awareness of MMS benefits. Strategies to remember daily intake and to manage side effects supported adherence, as did reminders, motivation, and information from family members and healthcare providers. Limited patient-centered counselling, financial constraints, barriers to accessing ANC services, and product stock-outs were key areas for strengthening service delivery in Rwanda. Conclusions: Sustaining high ANC attendance and MMS adherence as the program transitions from the pilot phase to national scale-up is essential. Improving counseling quality and strengthening supply chains may reinforce ANC services and support sustained MMS adherence, with benefits for maternal and child health. Full article

The automotive industry’s shift to a Circular Economy for global sustainability is vital, but it faces challenges when establishing efficient Reverse Supply Chains. Reverse Supply Chain implementation is dependent on multiple barriers and enablers, including eco-nomic, managerial, technological, regulatory, and social domains, thus making single-factor solutions ineffective. The purpose of this review is to conduct a systematic literature review to understand how these interconnected barriers and enablers can collectively shape Reverse Supply Chain implementation and performance, specifically within the automotive sector, which remains little known. The PRISMA framework was utilised, which resulted in 129 peer-reviewed articles being selected for review. Findings showed that the literature focuses primarily on Electric Vehicle batteries within developing economies, particularly China. Reverse Supply Chain implementation is governed not only by isolated barriers but by complex systemic interdependencies between enablers as well. This complex inter-relationship between barriers and enablers can be categorised into five key dimensions: economic and financial; managerial and organisational; technological and infrastructural; policy and regulatory; and market and social. The study reveals two systemic patterns driving the transition: technology–policy interdependence and the conflicting relationship between large-scale production and value extraction. Our findings also presented a research agenda focusing on strategic value creation through material streams of automotive electronics, plastic, and composites with high potential value, and further insights are needed in regions such as the Middle East, Oceania, and the Americas. Organisations should consider Reverse Supply Chain as a strategic approach for securing critical material supplies, while policymakers could leverage the use of digital tools as the foundational infrastructure for subsidies allocation and prevent fraud. Full article

Sustainability in the agri-food sector has become a cornerstone of global efforts to combat climate change, ensure food security through climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen economic resilience. Sustainability reporting within agri-food systems has gained increasing regulatory significance with the introduction of mandatory frameworks such as the Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRSs). This article searches for the sustainability reports of agri-business firms listed in BIST in Turkey. Although TSRS reporting is not yet mandatory for the agribusiness sector, this study examines the first TSRS-aligned sustainability reports published by eight agri-food companies, excluding the retail sector. The analysis assesses how effectively these reports address sector-specific environmental and social challenges defined in the GRI 13 Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing Sector Standard and their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a structured content analysis approach, disclosure patterns were examined at both thematic and company levels. The findings indicate that TSRS-aligned reports place strong emphasis on environmental and climate-related disclosures, particularly emissions, climate adaptation and resilience, water management, and waste. In contrast, agro-ecological and land-based impacts—such as soil health, pesticide use, and ecosystem conversion—are weakly addressed. Economic disclosures are predominantly framed around climate-related financial risks and supply chain traceability, while social reporting focuses mainly on occupational health and safety, employment practices, and food safety, with limited attention to labor and equity issues across the broader value chain. Company-level results reveal marked heterogeneity, with internationally active firms demonstrating deeper alignment with GRI 13 requirements. From an SDG alignment perspective, high levels of coverage are observed across all companies for SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). By contrast, SDGs critical to agro-ecological integrity and social equity—namely SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land)—are weakly represented or entirely absent. Overall, the results suggest that while TSRS-aligned reporting enhances transparency in climate-related domains, it achieves only selective alignment with the SDG agenda. This underscores the need for a stronger integration of sector-specific sustainability priorities into mandatory sustainability reporting frameworks. Full article

Weaning age is a critical management decision in beef cattle production, influencing herd productivity, financial outcomes, and overall system sustainability. Commonly practiced in South African beef systems, is where calves are weaned at 6–9 months (conventional weaning), while early weaning (EW) at approximately 90 days remains underutilized. This study presents a farm case study and preliminary financial assessment of EW and CW using a farm calculation model incorporating revenue, weaning costs, supplementation, and labor. Data from 152 Bonsmara cow–calf pairs were analyzed. CW calves achieved higher weaning weights (237 kg) and average daily gains (992 g/day) than EW calves (210 kg; 889 g/day), generating greater revenue (R630,420 vs. R558,600). The Pearson Chi-square test showed an association between weaning system and dam reproductive performance, with EW cows achieving a 94% pregnancy rate compared to 84% under CW. Although CW produced higher short-term gross margins (R6446 per system vs. R3068 for EW), sensitivity analyses indicated that EW becomes financially competitive when price premiums are applied. Simulations showed that an EW price range of R34–R40/kg could yield higher returns despite lower weights. These findings demonstrate that EW, when supported by structured price incentives, can enhance reproductive efficiency and contribute to more sustainable and financially resilient beef production systems in South Africa. Full article

Technological innovation plays a vital role in enhancing the economic growth and sustainability of the forestry sector. However, research on the nature, dynamics, and impact of such innovations, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), remains limited. The forestry sector is often characterised by low levels of technological advancement and a traditionally conservative attitude toward change. Limited expertise, financial constraints, and ownership structures further influence the potential for innovation. This study examines the development of innovation among SMEs in Lithuania’s forestry sector and its contribution to sustainable forest management. Forestry innovations are understood as new processes, products, or services introduced by forest owners and managers to improve management efficiency and sustainability. The study employed the method of a structured questionnaire survey to evaluate technological, organisational, and financial aspects of innovation adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises in the forestry sector. Drawing on comparative survey data from 2005 and 2024, the study analyses the types of innovations implemented by forestry enterprises, the factors driving or hindering their adoption, and the evolving trends in innovation application. The results reveal a significant shift toward digitalisation and technology-based management practices, suggesting that Lithuanian forestry enterprises are gradually transitioning toward a more innovation-driven model. These developments appear to be influenced by the EU Green Deal policy framework, evolving innovation support mechanisms, and broader socio-economic changes. Nonetheless, technological transformation introduces new challenges, including the need for workforce upskilling and enhanced adaptability to rapidly changing market conditions. Full article

The transition to renewable energy technologies is one of the most important ways to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of affordable and clean energy (SDG7); industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG9); responsible production and consumption (SDG12); and climate action (SDG13). The widespread use of renewable energy technologies in developing countries will reduce dependence on imported fossil resources, increase industrial competitiveness, and support low-carbon development. Despite all their advantages, the integration of renewable energy technologies into industrial and domestic systems in developing countries remains slow due to a number of barriers. Financial constraints, technical and technological deficiencies, political restrictions and uncertainties, and organizational and managerial inadequacies are some of the barriers to the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies. This study aims to identify, classify, and prioritize the barriers to the implementation of renewable energy technologies by applying multi-criteria decision-making methods in a fuzzy environment, with Türkiye considered as a case study. The relative importance of the barriers identified using the Single-Valued Spherical Fuzzy SWARA method was assessed, and their interconnections and significance were systematically demonstrated. The findings will contribute to the development of policy and management strategies aligned with global sustainability goals, thereby facilitating a more effective and equitable transition to clean and resilient energy systems. Full article

This study examines the environmental and economic impacts of transitioning RORO Pax ships from diesel to green and blue hydrogen fuel, focusing on the Jazan case study vessel. It evaluates the environmental and economic effects for both retrofitted and new vessels. Findings reveal that hydrogen-powered PEMFC engines achieve a 99.13% reduction in NOx emissions and reduce both SO_x and CO₂ emissions to minimum values. The analysis indicates that retrofitting with blue hydrogen can achieve a lifetime emission reduction of approximately 134 kton, yielding a net benefit of USD 4.46 per ton of emissions reduced. Newbuilding options present a more favorable financial profile at USD 19.31 per ton, surpassing green hydrogen’s USD 16.61 per ton. The study highlights the economic infeasibility of retrofitting existing vessels due to insufficient operational life, while hydrogen fuel becomes viable for sustainable new builds after 6 to 10 years, potentially resulting in annual cost savings of USD 2 to USD 3 million and competitive hydrogen production costs of up to USD 0.30 per kWh. Full article

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) remains a critical environmental governance challenge in rural and peri-urban regions of the Global South, where service delivery gaps exacerbate illegal dumping and public health risks. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly promoted as decision-support tools to improve waste collection efficiency and environmental monitoring; however, their adoption in resource-constrained municipalities remains limited. This study investigates the institutional and policy barriers shaping GIS readiness in four rural municipalities within South Africa’s Vhembe District. Using a qualitative case-study design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 municipal officials across managerial and operational levels, complemented by 399 community responses to an open-ended survey question. Thematic analysis, guided by Institutional Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), identified five interrelated themes: waste production and disposal behaviours, collection and infrastructure constraints, institutional and operational challenges, policy and standardisation gaps, and technology readiness. The findings reveal that weak service reliability, fragmented governance structures, limited human and financial capacity, and inconsistent policy enforcement collectively undermine GIS adoption, despite its high perceived usefulness among officials. The study demonstrates that the effectiveness of GIS as an environmental management tool is contingent on institutional readiness rather than technological availability alone and highlights the need for integrated reforms in service delivery, institutional capacity, and policy implementation to enable GIS-supported sustainable waste management. Full article

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a central role in employment and regional economic development, yet they are highly vulnerable to shocks such as pandemics, energy price spikes, and supply chain disruptions. Scenario modelling, stress testing, and digital twins are used to assess resilience, yet most applications focus on large firms in single-country settings. This article develops a model to stress test the resilience of Slovenian SMEs, calibrated with parameters and mechanisms derived from South African SME resilience studies. A system dynamics model with stocks for cash, inventory, and productive capacity is specified and subjected to demand, supply, financial, and compound shock scenarios, with and without resilience measures such as liquidity buffers, customer and supplier diversification, and basic digital planning capabilities. Results indicate non-linear tipping points where small reductions in liquidity sharply increase the likelihood of distress, and show that combinations of liquidity, diversification, and collaborative supply chain practices reduce the depth and duration of output losses. The study demonstrates how evidence from an African context can inform resilience strategies in a small European economy and provides a transparent, portable modelling architecture that can be adapted to other settings. Implications are discussed for SME managers and for policies supporting sustainable, resilient enterprise ecosystems. Full article

This study examines whether green hydrogen production using combined wind and solar energy on Marmara Island can meet the island’s electricity demand and fuel the fuel needs of a hydrogen-powered ferry. A hybrid system consisting of a 10 MW wind farm, a 3 MW solar PV system, and a PEM electrolyzer sized to meet the island’s hydrogen demand was modeled for the island, located in the southwestern Sea of Marmara. The hydrogen production potential, energy flows, and techno-economic performance were evaluated using HOMER-Pro 3.18.4 version. According to the simulation results, the hybrid system generates approximately 62.6 GWh of electricity annually, achieving an 82.8% renewable energy share. A significant portion of the produced energy is transferred to the electrolyzer, producing approximately 729 tons of green hydrogen annually. The economic analysis demonstrates that the system is financially viable, with a net present cost of USD 61.53 million and a levelized energy cost of USD 0.175/kWh. Additionally, the design has the potential to reduce approximately 2637 tons of CO₂ emissions over a 25-year period. The results demonstrate that integrating renewable energy sources with hydrogen production can provide a cost-effective and low-carbon solution for isolated communities such as islands, strengthening energy independence and supporting sustainable transportation options. It has been demonstrated that hydrogen produced by PEM electrolyzers powered by excess energy from the hybrid system could provide a reliable fuel source for hydrogen-fueled ferries operating between Marmara Island and the mainland. Overall, the findings indicate that pairing renewable energy generation with hydrogen production offers a realistic pathway for islands seeking cleaner transportation options and greater energy independence. Full article

Financialisation has an increasing influence on the functioning of non-financial enterprises. It is therefore important to examine whether and to what extent food sector enterprises are subject to the process of financialisation. The research objective was to determine the level of financialisation of food industry enterprises in Poland in relation to the whole industry sector. To achieve this objective, the following research hypothesis was formulated: the process of financialisation of food industry enterprises proceeds similarly to the analogous process undergoing in industrial enterprises but varies across different sectors of the food industry. The research was conducted on the basis of statistical data from Statistics Poland (SP) published in various statistical studies. Financial data from 2010 to 2023 were analysed. For this purpose, research tools used in the paper are referred to in the literature as measures of the level of financialisation, so-called balance sheet indicators. The main limitation of the research is that the results can only be applied to countries with similar economic conditions, especially post-communist countries, and that balance sheet indicators are used to measure financialisation, which, although widely used, are limited in their effectiveness because they focus only on balance sheet data. The results support the research hypothesis. The companies in the analysed industries are characterised by a low level of financialisation. The process of financialisation of food industry companies is similar to the one in industrial companies and is more intense in beverage production than in other food industry sectors. There is room for a sustainable financing policy. The results indicate that there is room for higher financing of food industry enterprises in Poland, but excessive financing may lead to excessive concentration and monopolisation of enterprises and even to speculation on agricultural markets. To maintain financial stability, it will be important to pursue a stable monetary policy, limit the risk of food price volatility, improve communication and coordination in international monetary policy, and increase national food self-sufficiency. This study fills a research gap in understanding the process of financialisation, assessing its degree of advancement and diversity in the main sectors of food processing enterprises. Full article

Digital transformation is crucial for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as it enhances organizational efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness by enabling process automation, cost reduction, and faster decision-making. It also allows for SMEs to leverage emerging technologies, improve customer engagement, and access new markets, thereby fostering innovation and sustainable growth. The proposed study aims to reveal the most significant aspects regarding the digital transformation in the SME business environment. Even though the concept of digital transformation has gained much research interest, SMEs still face significant obstacles, including limited financial resources, a shortage of skilled personnel, and resistance to change within organizational culture. A systematic literature review on the digital transformation of SMEs was conducted to reveal the enablers and obstacles encountered by these businesses in their pursuit of digital maturity. This review underscores the importance of human resources and digital maturity, emphasizing the need for a digitally skilled workforce and a culture of continuous learning. The results can enforce future research on this subject and could focus on the relationship between digital transformation and organizational performance, the role of digital entrepreneurship, and the long-term effects of digital transformation, providing valuable insights to help SMEs navigate the complexities of digital transformation and achieve sustainable growth. Full article

The circular economy approach aims to reduce raw material use and limit landfill disposal of industrial by-products. In the metal casting industry, waste foundry sand (WFS) disposal is a persistent financial and environmental challenge due to hazardous metal contamination. This study assessed three South African ferrous foundries’ sand streams—virgin, fettling/shot blast, and moulding/shakeout—using the toxicity characteristic leach procedure (TCLP) under the South African Waste Management Act. Results showed that while virgin sand was inert, fettling/shot blast and shakeout sands contained elevated Cr (0.024–1.02 mg/L), Mn (62–97 mg/L), and Ni (0.14–3.26 mg/L), exceeding inert waste thresholds (Cr: 0.05 mg/L; Mn: 0.5 mg/L; Ni: 0.07 mg/L). The shakeout sand, which accounts for 50–70% of total foundry waste, was the most critical stream. Particle size analysis revealed that the majority of sand (70%) falls between 600 and 75 µm, with hazardous metals concentrated in fine fractions (<150 µm). These fines contained up to 94–97% magnetic metallic debris, primarily Cr, Mn, and Ni, and exhibited TCLP leachability above inert classification limits. By contrast, coarser fractions (>150 µm) had low leachability and characteristics comparable to virgin sand. A simple size segregation treatment reduced hazardous metal content by up to 93–97%, rendering 75–85% of shakeout sand inert, while only 10–15% (fine portion) required hazardous waste disposal. These findings highlight that targeted removal of fines can substantially reduce disposal costs and environmental risk, supporting greener and more sustainable foundry operations. Full article