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This paper reflects on research methodological considerations of how legitimacy of publicly funded universities occurs. From an ecocritical ontological perspective the paper uses a metaphor and sense-making techniques to shed light into effective modalities universities use to connect with local economies. The Milky way Galactic ecosystem metaphor is used not only to make sense of the ecocritical ontological stance taken to make sense of legitimacy but is used as a metaphor to make sense of the findings. The paper asserts that the legitimacy theoretical lens is particularly appropriate to probe universities' legitimacy and connectedness to the local communities they are embedded in. The rationale behind this assertion is that legitimacy is only conferred to the extent the actions of an entity are perceived as desirable, efficient, proper, or appropriate by the ecosystem stakeholders. The theory is thus useful for examining connectedness of publicly funded universities to its local community. The paper argues that the university system that is delinked from local economic development is like a Milky way Galaxy delinked from its Galactic ecosystem. Against this backdrop, the paper juxtaposes Mondragon University, located in a rural part of Northern Spain with two South African universities embedded in poverty stricken rural South Africa. Mondragon University is presented as a hallmark of success when it comes to local community legitimacy. The paper is centered around the following question: (1) how does university legitimacy yield impactful local community outcomes? Using the Milky way Galaxy metaphor, the findings show a considerable variety in local community connectedness depending on bureaucratic arrangements of the universities. The findings also showed that alternative income sources, outside the public purse, just like the gravitational force in the galactic ecosystem, is the key force that determines legitimacy in a university setting. The paper contributes to business research methods by fusing metaphorical as well as sense-making research techniques to bring to sharp focus permeability of the university space to enable local economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the theoretical interconnection between the concepts of voluntourism, community-based tourism, and regenerative tourism. Voluntourism, widely criticized for its implementations unethical towards local environment and community, is re-evaluated in the light of community-based and regenerative tourism principles including unequal power dynamics and questionable long-term benefits to host communities. This paper claims that re-imagining voluntourism within the framework of regenerative tourism offers a new perspective. Regenerative tourism, characterized by its commitment to restoring, revitalizing, and enhancing the wellbeing of both natural environments and local communities, can serve as a guiding principle for voluntourism programs. Community-based tourism is integral to this theoretical exploration, as it emphasizes local participation, cultural and natural preservation, and economic empowerment. When voluntourism aligns with community-based tourism principles, it shifts its focus from shortterm, self-serving actions to responsible community-driven initiatives. By channelling the motivation and resources of volunteers towards community-led regenerative initiatives, voluntourism can contribute to positive, lasting impacts. Ethical reflection is done within the actors only. This paper is theoretical; however, its purpose is in the pragmatism of tourism concept development. It concludes to enhance the understanding of voluntourism's potential to transition from a problematic form of tourism to an ethical and responsible force for change. By reconciling voluntourism with the principles of regenerative tourism and community-based tourism, this paper aims to provide a theoretical foundation for the development of more responsible and sustainable tourism practices. In doing so, it strives to contribute to the theoretical knowledge surrounding alternative and socially sustainable tourism concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable tourism and local economic development as a mechanism for religious pilgrimages in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This is particularly pertinent for religious pilgrimages in KZN province which boosts historical landmarks and pilgrimage destinations. Pilgrimage tourism and several other forms of tourism related to it have significant affinities to the tenets of sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to examine the complications that could arise from religious pilgrimages' potential as a form of travel that, once implemented, would be beneficial for sustainable tourism and local economic development (LED). This paper further intends to assess the pilgrimage destinations to be viewed as a mechanism for local economic development. A quantitative research design was employed, as the nature of this research necessitates the use of numerical data and descriptive statistics to draw conclusions. A standardised questionnaire was used to collect data from 410 respondents selected using a convenience sampling technique from different pilgrimage destinations in KZN, South Africa. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted using IBM's SPSS version 28 sotiware. The pilgrims and local communities' perceptions of socio-economic contribution indicate that the availability of tourism facilities might be perceived as a socio-economic contributor to pilgrimage destinations. The findings further reveal that African religious pilgrimages can be sustainable and be a local economic development catalyst in KwaZulu-Natal. The study recommends that the South African National Christian Forum (SANCF), in collaboration with the South African government (national and provincial), develop an operational plan to provide business education, entrepreneurial skills, and relevant support to local communities surrounding religious pilgrimages or religious destinations, to empower them to contribute to the development of the local economy. This will assist to reduce South Africa's high unemployment rate, particularly in less developed regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to renewable energy resources is a challenge for Romania, as well as for the whole world. The goal of the European Commission is to accelerate the use of renewable resources to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Romania had in 2022, 40,171 prosumers with the forecast that they will reach 100,000 in 2023. The previous research carried out showed a positive attitude of the household population in Romania towards these energy resources, but also important barriers that considerably slow down the process, Romania being behind the target set by the European Commission. Through this research, we seek to identify how gender differences are reflected in the approach to renewable energy resources to facilitate this transition. The present research covers a gap in the specialized literature by investigating, differentiated by gender, the perception of Romanian residents regarding renewable energy resources. The case study was carried out in 2023 on residents of two cities out of the 266 in Romania, Oradea and Timișoara. The reasons for choosing the two cities are related to their similar economic development, positioning in the same part of the country, and, in particular, their performance in increasing the number of green energy prosumers. A questionnaire survey was carried out with a result of 1098 valid questionnaires with a gender structure that allows a differentiated analysis (42.53 men, 53.18 women, 4.28 unspecified). The internal consistency of the answers was carried out with aCronbach. The data processing methods used are Importance-Performance Analysis, RStudio202207.1+554, and qualitative processing with Atlas.ti22. A hypothesis we tested is whether women are more sensitive to environmental issues and the type of energy produced and consumed or the cost factor is the one that dictates. The results suggest gender-differentiated solutions for raising public awareness and encouraging action. Limits of the paper are found only in the two Romanian cities, the geographical extension of the sample being a possible future research direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an ever-changing landscape, family businesses, characterized by their unique blend of tradition, familial bonds, and entrepreneurial spirit, stand as bastions of resilience and continuity, playing a pivotal role in economic growth and societal development. Indeed, family businesses account for 80 percent of all business enterprises worldwide, making them the prevalent form of conducting business. As these entities grapple with the imperative to remain economically viable while navigating the intricacies of the contemporary business landscape, the incorporation of sustainable practices into the organizational fabric takes centre stage. By actively seeking a harmonious and reciprocal relationship between financial objectives, social responsibility, and environmental accountability, family businesses can not only secure their own longevity but also contribute to a more equitable and sustainable global environment. This narrative becomes especially compelling at the intersection with gender. Exploring the intersection between gender and sustainability provides insights into how gender dynamics influence and are influenced by efforts to achieve sustainable development. Moreover, understanding and addressing this interplay is essential for devising holistic and effective strategies that promote social equity, economic prosperity, and environmental stewardship. It underscores the need for inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches in all aspects of sustainable development. Acknowledging the significance of this ongoing dialogue, this study delves into the intricate relationship between gender dynamics and the environmental dimension of sustainability within family businesses. Through a systematic literature review of empirical research, this work specifically aims to uncover the linkage between board gender diversity and corporate environmental performance. The findings indicate that gender-diverse boards improve environmental value creation, and women in leadership positions correlate positively with environmental disclosure in family-controlled businesses. Overall, a strong positive correlation emerges between the proportion of women directors on the board and the level of environmental sustainability. The findings of this study hold implications not only for family business practitioners but also for policymakers and academics interested in propelling gender equality and sustainability agendas, notably within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the intersection of feminism and entrepreneurship within prominent management studies, emphasizing the vital role women entrepreneurs play in economic growth. Despite feminism's societal impact, a significant gap exists in leading management studies, potentially reinforcing a male-centric perspective. To investigate this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review focusing on the top 50 journals in "Business Management and Accounting" and "Strategy and Management." Our review, utilizing the SPAR-4-SLR method, revealed only 11 documents on feminism and entrepreneurship, highlighting limited coverage in top academic journals. We propose addressing this gap through special journal issues and global data collection efforts to advance gender equality in entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the dynamics of coopetition among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) during digital transformation, using Design Science Research (DSR) anchored in Service-Dominant (S-D) Logic. It examines the integration challenges of manufacturing SMEs into digital supply chains, highlighting the critical role of coopetition--a blend of competition and collaboration--in driving sustainable growth in this essential sector. Prompted by a consensus on reducing SME vulnerabilities, the study underscores the need for a resilient framework, especially given an 85% attrition rate in digital networks where only a minority, often supported by giants like Amazon and Microsoft, succeeds long-term. The proposed framework focuses on leveraging technology to enhance SMEs' competitiveness, innovation, and growth. This study contributes to academic discourse by suggesting future research directions, such as defining value creation in coopetition networks and assessing the impact of innovative artefacts, but also reveals the potential of coopetition networks as platforms for mutual value creation. This research enriches scholarly discussions on coopetition in the digital age and offers strategic guidance for SMEs navigating digital transformation, aiming to prepare European SMEs for upcoming challenges and opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]