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Due to the rapid population and economic growth, the demand for water has increased. In addition, the natural resources are limited and degrade because of several factors such as the climate change. These challenges lead to reduce the ability of providing water at the required quantity and quality. One of solutions to maintain the sustainability of water supply from different sources is reuse of wastewater. For this aim, it is crucial to optimize wastewater systems. This research paper aims to describe different modelling possibilities and optimization methods for various components of integrated urban wastewater systems. The main conclusion of this research paper is the lack of study of optimum design and operation of urban wastewater systems in a holistic method. Moreover, most of previous studies on integrated wastewater management have been conducted on combined sewer systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes and probes the plausibility of a framework to explain how business associations position themselves politically as trade-related sustainability obligations get stronger. An analysis of the submissions of EU business associations during a consultation on trade and sustainability indicates that firm-level and organisational characteristics explain well trade associations' political cleavages. The paper can provide new insights to help understand a major development in the EU and beyond. The EU is passing through an unprecedented shift in its approach to trade and sustainability as it is likely to rely on legal sanctions to enforce sustainability commitments in trade agreements. Understanding the position of EU business interests in that process is relevant to project the consequences of such shift. Besides, as sustainability provisions in trade agreements get stronger, associations may play an ever-important role in promoting their members collectively or in shielding them from reputational costs. Understanding their political positioning is thus key to understanding the very politics of trade and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the processes of market liberalization and globalization increase the confidence of international actors involved in national third sectors, there exists a cosmopolitan tension between 'mobile elites' and 'locked in' nationals. This paper explores the impact of these tensions on the social enterprise ecosystem in the Republic of Poland and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Focused on the internationalized mechanisms of support, the relationship between the social enterprise incubators and international stakeholders, and power distance inherent to the global versus local debate, the findings suggest that normative isomorphic pressures are causing a fundamental ecosystem shift. The monopolization of support and terms of reference have led to entrepreneurs detrimentally being treated as 'organizational heroes' risking burnout, the primacy of international voices within the local context, and the transference of nationals from being 'locked in' to national processes to being 'locked out' of national support. The research suggests the cosmopolitan‐led transformation of activists into entrepreneurs needs to be more carefully considered, to ensure that enforced alignment to international system does not alienate them from other sources and means of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources (RESs) offer key transformative potential from a societal point of view due to their modularity and ability to generate energy at the local level, allowing for the development of grassroots democratic and participatory initiatives. The paper aims to share insights into the processes of creating RES cooperatives in Poland. One of the first cooperatives to be established in the Upper Silesian region in Poland was the energy cooperative (EC) "Our Energy". This study presents an in-depth empirical analysis of a community-based renewable energy cooperative. The study employed a case study methodology, including a SWOT analysis framework, to describe the research subject and identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Key findings indicate that members benefit from stable energy prices and full recovery of the energy produced, and the cooperative is at the forefront of energy-sharing practices that minimize costs through direct transactions with the local municipality. The strategic goals of the EC focus on expanding membership, increasing the number of photovoltaic installations, implementing energy balancing, combating energy poverty, and reducing emissions. Challenges such as financial constraints and a lack of real-time monitoring of energy distribution are acknowledged, and carbon footprint reduction innovations and stakeholder engagement are highlighted as forward-looking approaches. The study highlights the role of cooperatives as a model for community-led sustainable energy initiatives. However, the study acknowledges the limitations of its small sample size, suggesting the need for broader research to understand the impact of collaborative energy on decarbonization. Future research directions are proposed, focusing on the long-term sustainability and socioeconomic impacts of energy cooperatives. This study contributes to the scholarly discourse on renewable energy cooperatives by offering insight into their potential to bridge the gap between energy producers and consumers and support sustainable community development. The main novelty of this paper lies in its detailed examination of a specific renewable energy cooperative, incorporating SWOT analysis, stakeholder perspectives, quantitative assessments, and a forward-thinking approach. This multifaceted analysis contributes to the existing literature on renewable energy initiatives, providing a valuable reference for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of digital finance on enterprise economic development and ecological environment has been widely debated and researched. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and deconstruct the relationship between digital finance and the synergy of enterprise economic development and ecological environment. The paper examines the benefits and drawbacks of digital finance and its influence on the economy, as well as its impact on the ecological environment. Through a comprehensive literature review and empirical analysis, the study investigates the mechanisms through which digital finance affects the synergy of enterprise economic development and ecological environment, and evaluates the effectiveness of current measures and policies to address these impacts. The results of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners on how to achieve a balance between digital finance and sustainable development. By deconstructing the relationship between digital finance and the synergy of enterprise economic development and ecological environment, this paper aims to contribute to the development of sustainable finance models and to foster a deeper understanding of the role of digital finance in shaping a sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on efforts to promote the development of local markets in Suceava County, with an exclusive focus on the use of short supply chains. The main purpose of the research is to examine how this approach can influence economic development and sustainability in the region. Through a detailed analysis, the paper explores how local producers and consumers in Suceava County collaborate directly, eliminating intermediaries and reducing the distance between producers and consumers. The benefits of this approach are examined, including increased income for producers, the promotion of local products, and support for the local economy. Additionally, the paper examines the challenges faced in successfully implementing short supply chains in the specific context of Suceava County, such as infrastructure, regulations, and the education of both consumers and producers. The impact on community development and sustainable growth is also analyzed, including aspects related to reducing the carbon footprint and promoting sustainable agriculture. This research highlights the importance of promoting economic development and sustainability through local markets and short supply chains in Suceava County. Through analysis and evaluation, the paper provides significant insights for the ongoing development of these markets and for supporting local producers and agricultural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability requirements of the planet in recent years have made it necessary for everyone to reflect on new lifestyles. For this purpose, the United Nations has established an agenda for change organised into 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that claim to be achieved by 2030. The demands of this sustainable development are organised into three main dimensions: social, environmental, and economical. To achieve these goals, the educational system is fundamental. This new context demands new areas of study centred on the educational sphere; for example, in a holistic Health Physical Education (HPE), there are precedents in the literature that show a relationship of the characteristics to enhance sustainable development. Based on these references, it is suggested that the characteristics of holistic HPE could contribute to the three dimensions of sustainability and the SDGs. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to deepen through a series of reflections and comments on the elements that compose a holistic HPE to contribute to the sustainable development of the planet. The paper begins with a justification of the delimitation of the problem it seeks to solve through this research area. This is followed by a detailed analysis of the specific SDG targets related to holistic HPE and the sustainability competencies to be developed. The epistemological foundations that a holistic HPE contribution could have on the three dimensions of sustainable development, are also added. Finally, the document closes with orientations for future research and teaching methodology proposals and teaching approaches that would fit within the holistic HPE for sustainable development. The contributions made in this document will allow researchers to find a baseline from which to begin to conduct research that confirms the virtues of holistic HPE in contributing to a more sustainable world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the St. George Economic Development Strategy and strategy development process through a just transitions lens. St. George is a remote island located in Alaska's Bering Sea, and is home to a small community of Unangan people facing a declining population, infrastructure deficit, and high unemployment. Through a qualitative content analysis and informal interviews, we analyzed how the strategy engaged with four forms of justice (distributive, procedural, recognition, and epistemic) and considered how the development process might have facilitated justice responses. The aim of this research is to share St. George's efforts to build a more sustainable and just future for their community, as well as highlight key considerations for other communities and researchers engaging in this type of work. The success of St. George's Economic Development Strategy is due to strong community leaders, a community focused approach to engagement, and respectful consideration and inclusion of the community's values and beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mountain environmental systems are considered unique ecological and bio-physical systems which provide ecosystem services to the global community. It is observed that the rapid ecological changes and habitat destruction occur due to demographic changes, investment and introduction of various infrastructure development, and rapid harness of the available natural resources in the region. Such economic growth and recent environmental dynamics have engrossed the attention of the scientific community for comprehensive study. The focus of the present study is to understand the spatio-temporal consensus of the scientific community working on the mountain's environmental sustainability. This study includes the bibliometric and network analysis of 1,384 research papers published on mountain sustainability and ecosystem in various journals. The analysis is performed on numerous essential research indicators such as open-access publication, number of citations, author team size, affiliated institutions and countries, publishing journals, research categories, and keywords. This article will provide an in-depth and holistic understanding of the issues and concerns related to global mountain environmental sustainability. The findings of the article will provide a scholarly platform for the development of stakeholders and organizational relationships working for mountain ecosystem sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Argentina, there is a clear consensus between neoliberals and neodevelopmentalists regarding the increase of exports as the first step towards development, consolidating the political and economic power held by the exporting business elite and, at the same time, creating an unsustainable development path in socio-environmental terms. A labyrinth with no way out. This paper has set out to retrace this labyrinth, building bridges between different currents of economic heterodoxy that enable the construction of an exit. The powerful consolidation of neodevelopmentalism at the academic and political level in Argentina shows the relevance of this discussion, which transcends national boundaries to become a global development problem due to the elements at stake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of big data analytics (BDA) is seen in various disciplines within an organization to predict trends, explore opportunities and monitor performance. Among all the industries, BDA presents immense value in sustainable manufacturing (SM) given that it is an industry that consumes a high amount of energy, emits high amounts of waste and carbon emissions and requires a large amount of manpower. This paper aims at illustrating the effects of BDA in supporting SM by studying the Indian manufacturing firms which have unfavorable labor laws compared to other developing countries. With an extensive literature review, this paper discusses the relationship between BDA and sustainability, the capabilities of BDA, the concept of SM, the BDA framework for SM, the relationship between Industry 4.0 and SM and the challenges of implementing BDA. Using qualitative meta-analysis research methodology, the paper examines the nine common critical success factors that enable SM through BDA implementation by comparing 15 primary studies. Finally, the paper concludes the research findings and outlines future research directions. The study provides theoretical and practical contributions to BDA implementation in achieving effective SM practices in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern world, the issue of achieving a sustainable economic development model is becoming more and more urgent. One of its components is compliance with the Goal of sustainable development by companies and verification by state authorities and independent auditors of companies in matters of environmental sustainability. Thus, consideration of modern methods of submission and audit of sustainable development reports (SDR), analysis of opportunities for their improvement becomes relevant. In this work, attention is paid to companies engaged in retail trade, taking into account the peculiarities that they face when submitting the SDR. The purpose of the research was to conduct an analysis of the most common methods of reporting on sustainable development and to develop an effective model (and recommendations for it) for auditing and analyzing sustainable development reporting. Modeling became the main method when writing the paper, taking into account the developed model of analysis and verification of the SDR. The article proposed a new model of verification of non-financial information in sustainability reporting and its graphical display in the audit report. On its basis, it becomes possible to build a new methodology for the audit of the SDR. In addition, the most common international methods of SDR were analyzed, namely the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). The authors concluded that the GRI is the most universal of the three, while the SASB is focused only on investors. IIRC, being similar to both described above, is an intermediate option. Nevertheless, submission according to the SASB system is the most effective for trade networks, taking into account the peculiarities of the functioning of this type of companies and the level of their influence on the external environment. The results of the conducted research and the data presented in the article make it possible to evaluate the modern methods of submitting financial statements in a new way and provide a basis for building new standards for the audit of these reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While central to the origins, evolution and provisioning of cities, traditional markets are under threat globally as urban renewal supporting particular forms of economic development comes centre-stage. Design-led placemaking and built heritage policy have become tools of local, regional and national development, and urban heritage has become economically instrumentalised. In this paper, we argue for an alternate conceptualisation. Through a case study of Moore Street market in Dublin, Ireland, we interpret heritage as a complex of activity, place and time, drawing attention to the act of traditional livelihood building through market trading as a form of 'everyday heritage', and thus deserving of protection and support. We recognise that heritage can be produced at multiple scales that escape the bounding of 'designation'. As well as contrasting this living heritage with narrowly defined views of 'heritage' represented by elites, we highlight the potential of more inclusive approaches to heritage that stand in direct opposition to, and challenge, the discourses created by and authorised through particular assemblages at specific moments. We also challenge the homogenisation of working-class heritages in particular places. We conclude that recognising living heritage as critical urban infrastructure could offer a pathway from precarity to sustainability for vulnerable urban communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cooperative as a legally organizational form of farming in agriculture is directly related to the social and economic development of the regions and the country. Not only large producers, but also small farms can participate in cooperation, which contributes to increasing their competitiveness. The cooperative is a good form of interaction between agricultural producers and an effective way to ensure sustainable development of agriculture. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of the cooperation of different individuals with aim to achieve sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to show and explain the usefulness of tools used for the eco-food products promotion. The approach is done from two perspectives: efficiency and sustainability goals. By reconsidering the multiple dimensions of qualitative food and the ecological attitude, we build a dashboard of modern promotion techniques that consider the objectives of sustainable development and quantify the progress achieved. The approach is on three value levels: economic, social and ecological. The analysis is done for the last 5 years, with data from Romania related to the food that is produced and consumed in the eco context. All these are in accordance with the requirements of sustainable development. The research is based on thematic description, analysis and synthesis. The specific indicators of sustainable development and others are considered. These indicators are drawn regarding the efficiency of sustainable and efficient tools, the progress achieved in supporting sustainable development and the contribution of eco-food to the wellbeing improvement and economic growth or stability. Even the separated topics are very well approached in the specialty literature, the connection between them and the boldness to expose another face of promotion is mainly an original approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging economies tend to be impacted most by fluctuations in the global economy, due to their relatively low degree of economic stability. The actors from within these economies must consider various parameters of the economy and tackle many different aspects regarding inputs, methodologies and economic strategies. Thus, besides the obvious target of economic development, these economies must consider the alignment with the external factors, the social movements regarding workforce and social welfare, as well as the efficient usage of resources for production branches of the economy. The economy can be characterized by both quantitative and qualitative indicators, linked to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but also to enterprise health status, thus related to the turnover, profitability and number of enterprises. The sustainability of a healthy economy is also shown by the concern related to the employment status, human development index (HDI) and the general consumption of the population at a national level. Last, but not least, the economy is durable related to resources issues, the impact of the economic branches on the environment (air, water, soil and biodiversity) being one of the major concerns in the context of a turbulent climate debate. In this paper, we will present the correlations between the economic development, the social climate and the economic environment impact in Romania. After using traditional statistic methods for presenting these correlations, we will create trend predictions using Machine Learning (ML) methods using the traditional ML methodology. The results will be then compared to the usual methods used for prediction in statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societies worldwide have faced different economic, environmental and social challenges in recent decades, including increasing population and consumption, shortages of natural resources, pollution and climate change. Agriculture is one of the most affected sectors. Considering its vital role as a provider of life-sustaining products and services, as well as business opportunities and employment for millions of people, we are responsible for finding solutions for its long-term development. For thousands of years, agriculture has grown in line with human civilization's growth. During its evolution, though, many negative externalities have become evident. Some resources disappeared; others were severely damaged or exhausted, threatening the food security of many countries or the whole world. The signals nature has sent us for years have become more and more serious. It is about time to change our philosophy of life and our social and economic models. It is time to focus on knowledge, science and innovations, good practices and experience, and new technologies. The main objective of this paper is to summarize and present some of the most influential concepts of economic growth, analyze its dependence on innovations, and present the potential of new technologies to contribute to the social and economic development of agriculture. Some of the analysis is focused on the theory of economic growth and the ways it can provide sustainable development. The factors influencing the continuing economic growth of agriculture are evaluated, and a methodology for assessing technological efficiency is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic growth and development with least harm to the environment is one of the biggest challenges for the human. Mining which is considered to be the most inherently unsustainable industry, is at the same time, plays key role in the development process in India and across Globe. It occupy primary position in the supply chain, contributing to the foreign direct investment, exports, government taxes, GDP (National Income) and provide huge labour employment. This paper studies industrial elimination of women, prolong industrial patriarchy, impetuous production, rising demand pressure has added to the quadrupling problems of land degradation, disposal of over burden/waste discharge, deforestation, pollution(air, water, and noise), and damage to forest flora and fauna, occupational health hazards and extreme global environmental damage in a rapid, continuous manner. These continuous and multilayered problems are giving us reason to re-visioning steps, where we went wrong. Theoretical foundation of eco-feminism traces that negligence and suppression of women in general and in the mining industry, is one of the probable cause that hit environment fiercely. With this in mind, this paper suggests theory of eco-feminism into male centric mining industry as a perspective which is more likely to lead to industrial sustainability, making it more responsible and may provide pro-environmental solutions to the industry. This feminist concept extending it from individualistic level into mining organisations proposes as one of the alternative to combine ecology and commerce to envision sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This academic paper investigates the intricate relationship between macroeconomic policies, international trade practices, and sustainable development within the context of Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12), which emphasizes sustainable consumption and production. The objective is to explore a path towards sustainable economic growth that strikes a balance between economic progress and ecological sustainability. The study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities involved in aligning macroeconomic and trade policies with the principles of SDG12. It draws on a meticulous review of literature, academic discourse, empirical evidence, and various case studies from different countries. Methodology: The research methodology entails an extensive review of pertinent literature to establish theoretical foundations and validate findings through empirical evidence. The study incorporates insightful case studies to exemplify successful approaches employed by nations at the intersection of macroeconomic policies, international trade, and sustainable development. Rigorous and systematic analysis drives the exploration of prospects and obstacles surrounding sustainable economic growth. Practical Results: The paper presents practical results derived from the analysis of case studies, showcasing successful strategies employed by diverse countries in harmonizing economic growth with environmental sustainability. These results offer valuable insights and replicable blueprints for other nations seeking to balance economic progress with SDG12 principles. The study identifies potential areas of conflict and collaboration between macroeconomic and trade policies concerning sustainable development. Conclusions: In conclusion, achieving sustainable economic growth requires coherent policy formulation, aligning macroeconomic and trade strategies with SDG12. The paper proposes specific, implementable policy recommendations to guide countries towards a sustainable trajectory of economic growth while upholding environmental preservation. Emphasizing the significance of cohesive policy frameworks, the study underscores the potential for building a robust, sustainable global economy that addresses growth and environmental conservation in unison. Policymakers can draw from these insights to advance the broader objective of promoting sustainable consumption and production globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The idea of this paper is to show how countries from so call so-called Eastern Block could contribute to the development of Fair Trade (FT). Poland, as a leader in political and economical changes in Eastern Europe, as well as being a very fast-developing country, could be considered a good representative for all states belonging to this Block. Research objectives: The goal of this paper is to assess the market for Fair Trade products in Poland and identify the tools which could speed up its development. Research design and methods: It is a conceptual paper, based on the literature review and thus secondary data. A literature review is used to determine the contemporary character of FT as well as identify the stages of its development. Results: It was the case in Poland where in 2018 the wholesale of FT products started its boom. Before, due to some obstacles, which were also identified, the sales had been marginal. Conclusions: It is suggested that a new stage of FT development is coming, in which its growth is sped up by engaging companies to produce goods which have the FT component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the theoretical issues of financial sustainability on several levels. First of all, the variety of definitions of sustainability is discussed. After that, the concept of financial sustainability is clarified and the main elements of financial sustainability are indicated. Finally, the map of financial sustainability concepts is presented and three main approaches to financial sustainability (at international, national, and company levels) are identified. In addition, the relationship between the application of financial derivatives and a company's financial sustainability is briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) expand the development agenda. While all major development actors support policy coherence for development (PCD), analysis has been lacking on how this can be achieved as the development agenda expands. We discuss the relationship between SDGs and PCD through a comprehensive case study from Finland. Purpose: To examine the coherence of Finland's foreign and development policy for achieving the SDGs, while leaving no one behind. Particular focus is given to policies related to the private sector's role in development, and attention is also paid to ministries other than the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Approach and methods: We carried out interviews with policy‐makers and other stakeholders, and analysed relevant documents. We reviewed governmental high‐level policy statements, sectoral alignments, and development aid documents. We also reviewed the position papers that the Finnish Government had issued on European Union (EU) processes, particularly regarding development relating to the private sector. Findings: Finland has been uniquely positioned to advance PCD in its foreign policy, thanks to co‐ordination structures across government. Nonetheless, mainstreaming of the expanded development agenda has been largely limited to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its development policy department. The breadth of the SDG agenda has enabled individual targets to be cherry‐picked, with less attention paid to advancing the Agenda 2030 as a whole and to implementing its Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle. Despite an institutional framework seemingly ideal for policy coherence, traditional sectoral divisions between development policy as a separate field and sustainability as an environmental issue, remain. Five factors in particular hindered policy coherence: (a) Finland's position papers to the EU on taxes and migration all but ignored Agenda 2030 commitments; (b) the Finnish emphasis on the private sector in development narrowed the considerations of development to economic growth; (c) sustainability was seen as green technology, with scant regard to social sustainability; (d) private firms interpreted the SDGs to mean that environmental sustainability could address human rights‐related concerns with corporate social responsibility initiatives; and (e) cuts to staffing in the Finnish Government stymied innovative thinking and working across departmental boundaries. Policy Implications: Finland is generally seen as a front‐runner in mainstreaming development issues, which makes it an interesting case. We outline the key challenges that Finland has faced in tackling PCD, which should be relevant for other Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries as well. Many challenges related to PCD are political and organizational. As such, they are highly dependent on the particular institutional settings in each country. Our methodological approach could be replicated in other similar countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two decades either side of the global financial crisis have seen a remarkable surge and an equally remarkable reaction to global inequalities. This has played some part in fuelling the recent populist backlash against globalisation. In response, many global institutions and some national governments have embraced the concept of inclusive growth – proposing a policy agenda designed to share the benefits of economic growth and development more equitably. This paper argues that the current debate about inclusivity suffers from two major misspecifications that weaken the concept and undermine the prospect of the economic and political goals it stands for being achieved. For inclusivity to be meaningful and sustainable it must be understood in multidimensional terms, but attaching it to orthodox thinking on growth continually draws the debate back to narrow economic considerations. The concept has also been hampered by 'methodological nationalism', whereby policies for inclusivity are considered predominantly at the national level without adequate attention being given to the multilateral dimensions of inclusivity in a world of global interdependence. To be coherent and applicable, inclusive growth must be (re)conceived multilaterally and embrace a more multidimensional notion of inclusive development that hinges around a meaningful conception of human wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The financial sector plays a vital role to improve economic performance. Development of innovative lending strategies is necessary since debt is the largest form of finance. FinTech and BigTech credit are such innovative ways in the new era of extreme technological advancements that help ensure the economy is inclusive and grows in a sustainable manner. This paper applies a bibliometric review and meta-analysis by utilizing the SCOPUS database to explore the academic research that has been conducted on FinTech/BigTech credit and economic growth. The VOSviewer software was utilized to construct and visualize the bibliometric networks from the extracted data. Our findings show a massive increase in documents published on this topic between 2019 and 2022. Bank concentration, bank minimum capital requirements, market inefficiencies, financial inclusion and regulation on technological innovation were identified as key factors to influence FinTech/BigTech credit adoption. The significance of the study is that we identify the research gaps from previous studies and demonstrate the importance of establishing the nexus between FinTech/BigTech credit and economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the strategies for achieving sustainable development goals is to close the gap between environmental vulnerability and economic progress (SDGs). The significance of renewable energy in harmonizing environmental and economic conditions is becoming a touchy subject in current debates. Against this backdrop, the major objective of this paper is to assess whether economic growth and environmental sustainability can promote renewable energy consumption in the Indian economy by using ARDL and Novel Dynamic ARDL estimation techniques. The results obtained from both the methodology shows that rising efficiency in the economic growth coupled with environmental sustainability leads to an increase in renewable energy consumption. We also find, from the frequency domain causality test, that there is a unidirectional causality between renewable energy consumption and economic growth & renewable energy consumption and environmental sustainability in both the short- and long run. The former causation validating the conservation hypothesis for the Indian economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A concrete structure should be sufficiently planned, designed, executed and maintained to ensure its requirements during the life cycle. However, structures suffering from serious deterioration in structural members and sometimes subsequent loss in sustainability have been often found due to various reasons. One of the reasons is lack of total management for the structure. To meet these facts, it is extremely important to pursue coordination of engineering work in the design, execution and maintenance stages. The life cycle management is an organized system to support engineers decision to realize sufficient sustainability of the structure in the design, execution, maintenance, and all related work during its life cycle. The life cycle management is implemented based according to the life cycle management scenario in which balance of several sustainability indicators should be considered with ensuring overall sustainability. The sustainability indicators will be determined from the social, environmental and economic points of view. The scenario should be regularly reviewed based on the PDCA cycle and be updated if necessary. This paper deals with the concept and framework of the life cycle management of concrete structures to ensure sustainability during the structural life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU has committed to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Reaching this objective requires massive changes in the region. The biggest challenge is that the green transition happens without sacrificing economic progress and guaranteeing justice and inclusiveness. This pledge implies that every country be capable of addressing the trade-offs between targets while remaining committed towards the common decarbonisation goal. Our paper analyses the success with which countries are carrying out the energy transition. We propose an enhanced hyperbolic distance function and a stochastic frontier analysis approach to model the joint attainment of economic development, environmental sustainability, and energy equity. We apply our model to an unbalanced panel dataset of 29 European countries for the period 2005–2018. Our estimates show that the average performance of the economies has improved over time. The results also highlight the pivotal role of a sustainable economic development with clean energies for both slashing CO 2 emissions and fostering energy equity. Moreover, we find convergence in countries' performance, being this convergence slightly higher for the EU-15 countries compared to the rest. Finally, we show that a higher share of renewable energy sources helps countries that are lagging behind to reach their optimal performance level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to summarize the main determinants that affect the business's level of financial security and financial stability. Based on the bibliometric analysis, the authors identified the main areas of research on financial security and the stability of the business. They conducted a comparative analysis of trends in the number of publications on these issues. With the help of VOSviewer tools, the main economic categories that are most closely related to financial security and sustainability of business were identified. The paper substantiates that economic, innovation, and marketing determinants in various combinations could significantly affect the financial security and sustainability of the business. Based on the systematization of existing scientific achievements, the authors proposed a methodological approach to assessing the business's financial security level. The authors hypothesized the statistically significant impact of economic, innovative, and marketing determinants on the level of financial security of the business. The information base of the study is the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund data. Dickey-Fuller test and Johansen test were used to test the hypothesis. The validity of the results and the nature of the relationship between the indicators were tested by constructing the equation of end-to-end regression (Wald test), regression with fixed individual effects (Brush-Pegan test), and regression with random individual effects (Hausman test). According to the study results, measures to increase the level of financial security of business and minimize the negative impact of certain determinants were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research aimed at designing a model of sustainability-oriented responsible entrepreneurship among local producers of agricultural inputs. The paper highlights causal, contextual, and intervening conditions for sustainability entrepreneurship among these local producers. In addition, the necessary action strategies are provided to develop sustainability-oriented responsible entrepreneurship. The consequences of agricultural input production are also illustrated based on the insight of sustainability-oriented responsible entrepreneurship. The research population was composed of knowledge-intensive businesses working on pesticide production in Iran. They were sampled using the purposive sampling technique. The research instrument was interviews in the qualitative phase and a questionnaire in the quantitative phase. The qualitative data were analyzed by grounded theory in three steps of open, axial, and selective coding, and the sustainability-oriented responsible entrepreneurship model was derived. The results show that sustainability-oriented responsible entrepreneurship is composed of contextual conditions (e.g. the values and understanding of the society, training, and the role of media), causal conditions (e.g. entrepreneurial attitude and passion, higher demand, and specific diseases), and intervening conditions (e.g. international sanctions, support by the government and other institutions, and the development of technical and technological infrastructure). Also, the strategies of sustainability-oriented responsible entrepreneurship include increasing production capacity, matching national and global regulations, assessing environmental considerations, creating an entrepreneurial culture, and strengthening scientific research and international cooperation. These strategies will have extensive implications at the level of individuals (e.g. motivation), families (e.g. improvement of physical and mental health), and society (e.g. creating employment and value-added and developing sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship in the agricultural inputs domain). It was found in the quantitative phase that the model of sustainability-oriented responsible entrepreneurship was well fitted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Decoupling state of ecological footprint in 30 province of China is analyzed. • There are four decomposition indicators for decoupling. • Technological factors, and economic factors are important factors driving decoupling. • The methods of realizing environmental sustainability are discussed. Nowadays, economic development and ecological environment protection are difficult to synergize, which poses a challenge to global sustainable development. This paper uses the Tapio decoupling model to evaluate the decoupling between ecological footprint and economic growth, and uses the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition methods to identify the driving factors of decoupling at national and provincial levels. There are four driving factors: industrial structural, technological innovation, economic development, and population size. It is found that: (1) The ecological footprint of 28 provinces show an upward trend, with an average increase of 40.26%. Among them, the ecological footprint of three provinces in the northwest region increased by more than 100%, and there is an urgent need to reduce natural resource consumption and ensure resource sustainability; (2) The number of provinces with good decoupling show a change of first declining and then rising. Moreover, the spatial distribution characteristics of the decoupling state are obvious, with the northeastern region in negative decoupling; and (3) Technological innovation plays a positive and leading role in decoupling, with a contribution rate of 0.5402. However, economic development inhibits decoupling, with a contribution rate of 0.3829. According to the results, this paper suggests countermeasures and approaches to promote the decoupling of ecological footprint and economic growth, and establishes three key regional concerns. It provides a basis for further analysis of environmental governance in China. Not only that, the regulatory measures and methods proposed in this study will also help promote the decoupling process of other developing countries in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the knowledge-based economy of the 21stcentury, educated human resources are seen as a capital asset invested in the entity, and human capital theory seeks to explain, from an economic perspective, the phenomena arising from this process. The development of education and scientific spheres requires huge long-term investments, which must be analyzed from a social approach. Neither evaluation experience nor the methods applied provide a clear-cut solution, so evaluating an investment in human capital is a complex problem from both a practical and a scientific point of view. This research started from the hypothesis that investing in human capital will provide competitive advantage and sustainability in the complex world of the economic environment, reviewing the theory and evidence on the economics of human capital. Triangulation was chosen as a research method being considered the most adequate for the expected results and additionally because it allows to identify the most relevant aspects of this field that endorsed the proposed hypothesis. The main conclusion and results are that the emphasis has been placed on human capital just at the personal level, rather than at the level of unity and organization. Furthermore, research into the channels that have a causal effect on development has revealed that education is considered an instrument of developing human capital that promotes direct economic growth. Data analysis demonstrates that the theory of human capital is a convincing explanation for economic growth. In addition, the findings of the research have shown that the debate over equality vs. efficiency in economic development is centred on the human capital dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A zoning method based on ecological indicators and economic indicators is applied. • Ecological and economic situations are highly correlated with topographic conditions. • The coupling coordination degree(CCD) between ecology and economy is calculated. • Economic development is highly positively correlated with CCD. • Targeted regional sustainable development strategies are put forward. The coordinated development of ecology and economy is one of the key issues of sustainable development. A full understanding of the relationship between ecology and economy is necessary for the coordinated development of the two. This paper takes Sichuan Province as the research area and county-level administrative districts as the research unit. Based on the medium value of the ecological quality index and economic growth index of each unit, Sichuan Province is divided into dual pressure zones (DPZ), economic backward zones (EBZ), ecological crisis zones (ECZ), and coordinated development zones (CDZ) and the coupling coordination degree (CCD) of each unit is studied. The results show that: (1) On the whole, the eastern part of Sichuan Province has a better level of economic development, and the southern part of the western region has a higher ecological quality. The ecological quality and economic growth pattern are highly correlated with topographical conditions. (2) The distribution characteristics of the four types of partitions are significantly different. The EBZ are more distributed in the western and southern of Sichuan Province, the ECZ are more distributed in the eastern, the DPZ and CDZ are relatively more sporadic. More than 90% of the partition changed zones are distributed in the eastern area. (3) The CCD of more than 95% units belongs to moderate coordination and high coordination. The overall CCD of the four types of zones has shown an upward trend from 2010 to 2015. Based on the results, Sichuan Province should follow the path of clear waters and green mountains are as good as mountains of gold and silver, and targeted sustainable development suggestions for DPZ, EBZ, ECZ, and CDZ are put forward. This paper provides guidance for formulating regional sustainable development strategies, especially in areas with unbalanced development due to congenital topographical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The island development of functional polycentricity was lagging than that of the morphological dimension. • Spatial regression model performs well in fitting the association between polycentric urban variables and island landscape changes. • The effects of dual polycentric urban indicators on island landscape changes varied spatially and temporally. • Polycentric urban development generally contributed to fragmented and complex island landscape patterns on the periphery areas of subcenters and reclamation. Polycentric urban development has become popular worldwide as expected to generate greater agglomeration externality and facilitate socioeconomic achievements. Despite much insightful work on urban polycentricity in coastal agglomerations or megacities, few studies have focused on how polycentric urban development affects landscape sustainability in vulnerable island cities. This paper characterized the urban polycentricity from the perspective of morphological and functional dimensions during 1990–2020 in Yuhuan island city, China, and quantified the association between polycentric urban variables and island landscape changes by spatial regression. The results showed that there was a mismatch in development between the morphological and functional polycentricity, in which the functional dimension was lagging. In response, island landscape patterns became fragmented and scattered. With the application of GWR models, the effects of two polycentric factors on island landscape changes varied spatially and temporally. The stronger relationships between them were identified in regions where more heterogeneous patterns were presented, such as the subcenters and their surroundings and reclamation areas. These trends were mainly attributed to industrial suburbanization and the development of new economic zone and Damaiyu port. Our findings call for a more balanced functional urban polycentricity; and local-specific landscape effects should be scheduled in island planning practice and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In emerging markets, Corporate Social Responsibility and social entrepreneurship practices emerge as drivers of social inclusion and welfare. In countries with considerable demands for social and economic transformations, Corporate Social Responsibility provides a positive force for addressing society's major challenges such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this paper, we examine how two projects selected by the United Nations Development Programme (UNPD) orient their operations toward responsible management practices in a transition economy context and answer two questions: 1) Does Corporate Social Responsibility supporting social entrepreneurship pave the way for greater inclusion?, and, 2) How do the Corporate Social Responsibility practices help achieve the SDGs? By focusing our analysis on stakeholder theory, we highlight how context can influence the strategic management process of social inclusion choices. Both cases provide practical implications of how the insertion of responsibility thematic in core business strategy acts as an effective driver for the development of fundamentally important SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of 'wellbeing economy' (WE), that is, an economy that pursues human and ecological wellbeing instead of material growth, is gaining support amongst policymakers, business, and civil society. Over the past couple of years, several national governments have adopted the WE as their guiding framework to design development policies and assess social and economic progress. While it shares a number of basic principles with various post-growth conceptualisations, the WE's language and concepts tend to be more adaptable to different social and economic contexts, thus penetrating into policy processes and connecting to a variety of cultural traits, not only in advanced economies but also in less industrialised nations. In this paper, we describe the key features of the WE, including its approach to key concepts like work, productivity and technology and several examples of its policy impact. We conclude by positing that the WE framework may be one of the most effective bases to mainstream post-growth policies at the national and global level. • A wellbeing economy pursues human and ecological wellbeing instead of material growth. • It implies a forward-looking language and solution-oriented vision. • Its guiding principles have been adopted by a number of national governments. • Its policy impact is higher than other alternatives to growth, such as degrowth. • We propose the wellbeing economy as a framework for the post-2030 agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to insufficient understanding of human-water interaction, many water-related problems arise in watersheds, posing severe threats to the sustainability of watershed development. Although water environmental carrying capacity (WECC) is a powerful tool to support sustainable development of watersheds, few studies considered aquatic ecological factors and uncertainty in indicator values, leading to losses of sample information in the evaluation of WECC. This paper developed a systematic framework for comprehensive WECC assessment that included the indicator system and a novel variable fuzzy pattern recognition (VFPR) approach. The WECC index system incorporated aquatic ecological factors, and addressed uncertainties associated with the indicator values. The proposed VFPR-based assessment model could realize successive evaluation to retain more original information of the sample and distinguish similar result values by treating the sample as having a continuous degree of membership instead of the traditional point form. In addition, it could be more adaptable to various circumstances including extreme cases, and closely reflect the impacts of indicator changes on the results. The established evaluation framework has been applied to Dongjiang River Basin in Guangdong Province. The spatial differences and main influencing factors of WECC in the study area were analyzed. Results show that 50% and 16.7% of the sub-regions in the study area would be subject to a poor level of WECC under pessimistic and optimistic circumstances, respectively. WECCs in the upper and lower reaches are the best and worst, respectively, which is in line with the levels of economic development in the Dongjiang River Basin. The proposed method can also be applicable to many other problems involving numerous indicators. • Traditional VFPR model was improved from both model structure and model parameters. • A systematic framework was proposed for continuous and comprehensive evaluation of WECC. • Water ecology and the uncertainty in indicator values were considered in the index system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]