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Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects one in four women globally and is more commonly enacted by men than women. Rates of IPV in South Africa exceed the global average. Exploring the background and context regarding why men use violence can help future efforts to prevent IPV. Methods: We explored adult men's perspectives of IPV, livelihoods, alcohol use, gender beliefs, and childhood exposure to abuse through a secondary analysis of qualitative interviews that were conducted in South Africa. The setting was a peri-urban township characterized by high unemployment, immigration from rural areas, and low service provision. We utilized thematic qualitative analysis that was guided by the social ecological framework. Results: Of 30 participants, 20 were residents in the neighborhood, 7 were trained community members, and 3 were program staff. Men reported consumption of alcohol and lack of employment as being triggers for IPV and community violence in general. Multiple participants recounted childhood exposure to abuse. These themes, in addition to culturally prescribed gender norms and constructs of manhood, seemed to influence the use of violence. Conclusion: Interventions aimed at reducing IPV should consider the cultural and social impact on men's use of IPV in low-resource, high-IPV prevalence settings, such as peri-urban South Africa. This work highlights the persistent need for the implementation of effective primary prevention strategies that address contextual and economic factors in an effort to reduce IPV that is primarily utilized by men directed at women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of the arts and humanities into the core of curriculum along with the sciences and technological disciplines is an emerging issue in educational research. This article seeks to contribute to this research and curricular approach, for which we analyze the emergence of the STEAM movement, its implementation in class, and its social, economic, and educational consequences. The main conclusion reached is that, without ignoring the economic rationality in education, it is necessary to go further in order to embrace a more social and democratic conception of schooling, trying to take advantage of this historical moment to transform education toward a more humanistic approach–without neglecting the scientific facet–that offers a well-rounded education to new generations while, at the same time, responds to the social and economic demands of our current world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article draws on nationally representative telephone surveys in Tunisia, Egypt and Lebanon to unpack popular beliefs about who can best handle the social and economic consequences from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It therefore offers insights into state–society relations under stress and contributes to the debate on whether or not the state should play a key role in social protection. Findings reveal intriguing differences between countries, but also among social groups within societies. Communal identities and economic status do not appear to drive differences, with roughly half of the three countries' populations sharing trust in their respective state authorities. In turn, the article challenges findings on the gender gap in people's expectations about the provision of public goods amid crisis. On the country-level, Egyptians exhibit significantly greater trust in their state authorities than Tunisians and Lebanese, which substantiates arguments about the perceived advantage of autocratic governance to fight health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of recent implemented and current research on up-today trends, challenges, risks and social and economic consequences of the green transition for economic development on a national and European level discussed at the annual scientific conference, organised by the Economic Research Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sargassum have become a cyclical phenomenon that generates ecological, economic, and social problems in the Caribbean. The situation becomes more serious in a context of voluntary acceptance of the problem, which generates difficulties regarding the behaviors to control it. This research addresses the phenomenon from the perspective of risk perception concerning Sargassum invasions in the Dominican Republic, using a tool that includes perceptual and behavioral questions. The results show an underestimation of the risk of Sargassum blooms attributed to its interpretation as a natural and inevitable phenomenon, with an insignificant effect. This underestimation does not notably affect the health or standard of living of the population involved but has not been sufficiently addressed by scientific institutions and the Dominican government. The alert about some erroneous beliefs regarding the phenomenon, as shown by these perceptions, can contribute to designing successful policies for the control and management of massive influx of Sargassum. This transformation can turn them from an environmental problem into an opportunity for sustainable development. Based on the risk analysis, actions are suggested to guarantee the sustainable management of Sargassum blooms in the Dominican Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lina Bashatah,1,* Safana Aseri,1,* Mahmood Basil A Al-Rawi2 1Early Childhood Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Lina Bashatah, Early Childhood department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Email lbashatah@KSU.EDU.SABackground: Quarantine has had a powerful effect on parents and children in Saudi Arabia in different aspects, namely, educational, mental, and social. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the mental, social, and educational impact of the COVID-19 Quarantine and its predictors among Saudi parents.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out over 6 months in 2020 using structured questionnaires with 42 items, detailing pre-quarantine assistance with childcare, followed by mental, educational, and social challenges answered using a 5-point Likert scale and the factors affecting their children’s learning at home during the COVID-19 quarantine. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.Results: A response rate of 79.5% (n=831) was obtained. Mental challenges were experienced the most, and 68.1% of the parents worried about their children being infected with COVID-19. This was followed by the educational challenges related to their children’s online learning, with 61.2% of the parents attributing it to their children’s low motivation towards online learning. The mean score for the education domain was 31.14(± 7.02). Similarly, the mean score for the mental impact and social impact was 33.13(± 7.82) and 12.81(± 2.98). The results of the multiple linear regression analysis revealed participants’ gender was found significantly associated with the mean score of the educational domain (p = 0.010).Conclusion: Social challenges were experienced the least, and parents confirmed that quarantine had helped them strengthen their family relations. Most participants agreed that they had fun spending time with both their partners and children. It is recommended to implement online remote activities and services that assist students and professionals in addressing pandemic concerns, such as virtual group exercise, virtual movie nights, and virtual office hours.Keywords: quarantine, COVID-19, pandemic, economic impact, social impact, Saudi Arabia

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims to define a theoretical background for investigating greenwashing from a business economic perspective. We consider possible research questions in the relevant field of study, which is business economics studies. The first research step proposes a path that will orient scholars to the multifaceted perspectives of greenwashing. The second step analyzes the main theories that can support researchers and might motivate the possible greenwashing strategies. The third step highlights the potential link between greenwashing, reputational and relational capital, and a broad concept of value that includes the social dimension. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework that highlights some emerging research issues and anticipates the effects of greenwashing. Considering that self-regulation is not effective in reducing the gap between substantive and symbolic behaviors, the main practical implication of this study lies in addressing the need for stronger regulation and effective legal enforcement, not only to improve mandatory environmental disclosure but also to develop an audit process of such disclosure. Our analysis offers a number of suggestions for future research. Considering the centrality of disclosure in the theoretical framework we defined for greenwashing, future research could adopt the legitimacy theory perspective to focus on the role of mandatory environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) disclosure as well. Further, our conceptual framework highlights a possible research issue that investigates how a social value destruction resulting from inconsistent environmental strategies, may impact shareholders' economic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression affects approximately 4 % of the global population and has huge social and economic implications. Social factors, including support, engagement, and stigma, play a crucial role in the development and severity of depression. We provide a synthesis of the consistency and magnitude of the association between measures of social connection and depression. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE and 47 meta-analyses were included in the umbrella review. The strength of the associations was extracted and compared among different populations. The quality/certainty of evidence was assessed using AMSTAR-2 and GRADE tool. Results indicate that social support serves as a protective factor against depression, particularly in peripartum populations, while its impact is weaker in clinical populations. No association was found between social support and depression in post-disaster populations. Stigma and discrimination favour the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms in clinical populations, but have a weaker effect in ethnic minorities. The quality and certainty of evidence should be taken into account when interpreting our findings. Further research with more rigorous methodology and higher-quality evidence is needed to better understand the complex relationship between depression and social connection across various populations and contexts. Our findings confirm the role of social determinants in the emergence and severity of depression, particularly in the case of vulnerable populations. Efforts to counteract disconnection at the societal and individual levels and to reduce stigma should be central to an effective depression prevention agenda. • Social determinants play a significant role in influencing health. • Social connection represents a major protective/risk factors for depression. • Social support is protective against depression, especially in peripartum populations. • Stigma/discrimination represents risk factors for depression in clinical populations. • Social determinants should be central to an effective depression prevention agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme hydrological events (including droughts and floods) produce severe social and economic impacts. Monitoring hydrological processes from remote sensing is necessary to improve understanding and preparedness for these events, with current missions focusing on a range of hydrological variables (i.e., SWOT, SMAP, and GRACE). This study uses output from three state-of-the-art land surface assimilation models and an event clustering algorithm to identify the characteristic spatial and temporal scales of large-scale extreme dry and wet events in the contiguous United States for three major hydrological processes: precipitation, runoff, and soil moisture. We also examine the sensitivity of extreme event characteristics to model resolution and assess intermodel differences. We find that models generally agree in terms of the mean characteristics of events: precipitation dry events are of shorter duration in comparison with soil moisture and runoff events, and more intense events tend to be smaller in area. We also find that mean spatial and temporal characteristics are highly dependent on model resolution—important in the context of detecting and monitoring these events. Results from this study can be used to inform land surface model development, extreme hydrology event detection, and sampling requirements of upcoming remote sensing missions in hydrology. Significance Statement: Understanding the fundamental characteristics of dry and wet extreme events (droughts and floods) is of importance for improving our preparedness and response to events, as well as for designing satellite observing systems that can adequately monitor them. Here we use output from land surface models to determine the average size and duration of large-scale extreme events for the contiguous United States using fine temporal data. We find that events that are most extreme—the most severe floods and droughts—tend to be shorter in duration and smaller in size. We also present an assessment of how three commonly used land surface models detect extreme hydrological events, which is important for assessments based on models. These findings are important for understanding the proportion of events that may be not adequately resolved by current hydrology remote sensing missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The literature on economic forecasting, is showing an increase in criticism, of the inaccuracy of forecasts, with major implications for economic, and fiscal policymaking. Forecasts are subject to the systemic uncertainty of human systems, considerable event-driven uncertainty, and show biases towards optimistic growth paths. The purpose of this study is to consider approaches to improve economic foresight. Design/methodology/approach: This study describes the practice of economic foresight as evolving in two separate, non-overlapping branches, short-term economic forecasting, and long-term scenario analysis of development, the latter found in studies of climate change and sustainability. The unique case of Ireland is considered, a country that has experienced both steep growth and deep troughs, with uncertainty that has confounded forecasting. The challenges facing forecasts are discussed, with brief review of the drivers of growth, and of long-term economic scenarios in the global literature. Findings: Economic forecasting seeks to manage uncertainty by improving the accuracy of quantitative point forecasts, and related models. Yet, systematic forecast failures remain, and the economy defies prediction, even in the near-term. In contrast, long-term scenario analysis eschews forecasts in favour of a set of plausible or possible alternative scenarios. Using alternative scenarios is a response to the irreducible uncertainty of complex systems, with sophisticated approaches employed to integrate qualitative and quantitative insights. Research limitations/implications: To support economic and fiscal policymaking, it is necessary support advancement in approaches to economic foresight, to improve handling of uncertainty and related risk. Practical implications: While European Union Regulation (EC) 1466/97 mandates pursuit of improved accuracy, in short-term economic forecasts, there is now a case for implementing advanced foresight approaches, for improved analysis, and more robust decision-making. Social implications: Building economic resilience and adaptability, as part of a sustainable future, requires both long-term strategic planning, and short-term policy. A 21st century policymaking process can be better supported by analysis of alternative scenarios. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, the article is original in considering the application of scenario foresight approaches, in economic forecasting. The study has value in improving the baseline forecast methods, that are fundamental to contemporary economics, and in bringing the field of economics into the heart of foresight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the determinants of energy poverty among the elderly is crucial for shaping energy policies with significant economic and social implications. This research provides valuable insights into the factors influencing energy poverty among the elderly in Greece. To achieve the study's objectives, household survey data from 3651 elderly individuals for the year 2022 were utilized. The empirical findings, based on statistical and econometric analysis, affirm the influence of socioeconomic factors on the ability of the elderly to meet their energy needs and address energy poverty challenges. The analysis suggests that both household size and work-related pensions positively impact their ability to address their heating requirements. Elderly individuals with a higher level of education are less likely to experience energy poverty. Additionally, it is found that as perceived health status declines, elderly individuals are more likely to encounter difficulties in covering utility payments. These results underscore the importance of tailoring strategies to promote the adoption of energy poverty measures that cater to diverse demographic and income groups. This information is vital for ensuring that the elderly can afford to maintain a comfortable living environment without sacrificing other essential needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound social and economic impact across the United States due to the lockdowns and consequent changes to everyday activities in social spaces. Methods: The COVID-19's Unequal Racial Burden (CURB) survey was a nationally representative, online survey of 5,500 American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Latino (English- and Spanish-speaking), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, White, and multiracial adults living in the U.S. For this analysis, we used data from the 1,931 participants who responded to the 6-month follow-up survey conducted between 8/16/2021-9/9/2021. As part of the follow-up survey, participants were asked "What was the worst thing about the pandemic that you experienced?" and "Was there anything positive in your life that resulted from the pandemic?" Verbatim responses were coded independently by two coders using open and axial coding techniques to identify salient themes, definitions of themes, and illustrative quotes, with reconciliation across coders. Chi-square tests were used to estimate the association between sociodemographics and salient themes. Results: Commonly reported negative themes among participants reflected disrupted lifestyle/routine (27.4%), not seeing family and friends (9.8%), and negative economic impacts (10.0%). Positive themes included improved relationships (16.9%), improved financial situation (10.1%), and positive employment changes (9.8%). Differences in themes were seen across race-ethnicity, gender, and age; for example, adults ≥ 65 years old, compared to adults 18–64, were more likely to report disrupted routine/lifestyle (37.6% vs. 24.2%, p < 0.001) as a negative aspect of the pandemic, and Spanish-speaking Latino adults were much more likely to report improved relationships compared to other racial-ethnic groups (31.1% vs. 14.8–18.6%, p = 0.03). Discussion: Positive and negative experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic varied widely and differed across race-ethnicity, gender, and age. Future public health interventions should work to mitigate negative social and economic impacts and facilitate posttraumatic growth associated with pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical images have many important applications, and this importance increased when the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. These applications have been focused on computed tomography chest images and X-ray images. This research will focus on special X-ray medical image applications of coronavirus (COVID-19). Methods: Many methods are applied on medical images to achieve certain features. The designed approach is implemented through many steps starting from preprocessing up to classification step. The proposed approach focusing on generating efficient features using discrete wavelet transform (DWT) then applying convolutional neural network (CNN) to classify between normal and abnormal COVID-19. Results: The COVID-19 diagnosis approach is implemented to achieve high performance system. The obtained result of COVID-19 diagnosis applied CNN tool leading to validation accuracy of 92.31%. Conclusion: Hybridizing two technologies (DWT and CNN) is intended to reach the best results in the diagnostic process. In addition, X-ray chest image is an important tool for detection and diagnosis of COVID-19 diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is increasingly affecting vulnerable groups and resulting in dire social and economic consequences, especially for those in the Global South. Managing current and emerging climate-related risks will require increasing individual's and communities' resilience, including enhancing absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities. Policymakers are now considering the role that social protection policies and programmes can play in building climate resilience by contributing to these capacities. However, there is a limited understanding of the extent to which social protection instruments can influence these three resilience-related capacities. Lack of assessment tools or frameworks might contribute to limited evidence of social protection's ability to increase climate resilience. In particular, there appear to be no frameworks or tools that help assess the role of social cash transfers (SCT) in building adaptive capacity. Based on a multi-staged literature review, we develop an adaptive capacity outcomes framework (ACOF) that can help assess SCT's contribution to building adaptive capacity, and, consequently, resilience. The framework is then tested using impact evaluation and assessment reports from SCT programmes in Indonesia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Tanzania. The exercise finds that SCTs alone have a limited contribution to adaptive capacity outcomes, but interventions that combine cash transfers with other components such as nutrition or livelihood training show positive impacts. We find that the ACOF can support assessments of SCT's contribution towards adaptive capacity. It can help build evidence, evaluate impacts, and through further research, can facilitate learning on SCTs' role in increasing climate resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the EU's strategy for recovering from the economic and social consequences of the pandemic, of which the NextGenerationEU temporary stimulus package forms part. That strategy is compared to the diametrically opposite approach taken by EU institutions in the crisis of 2008. The most significant elements and economic policy references adopted in the two cases are identified. The paradigm shift in economic policy is evident, and the errors that led to a double dip in European economies in the handling of the earlier crisis have been avoided. In spite of the better discretionary response, it is argued that there is a need for a permanent, amply endowed, well-designed European stabilisation mechanism free from complexes in regard to the mutualisation of debt, so as to simplify procedures and reduce reaction times in the face of further crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug distribution performed through hospital pharmacies facilitates public expenditure savings but incurs higher social costs for patients and caregivers. The widespread presence of community pharmacies could support patient access while also improving drug distribution. The implementation of prescriptive data analyses as constrained optimization to achieve specific objectives, could be also applied with good results in the healthcare context. Assuming the perspective of the Italian National Healthcare Service, the present study, built upon existing research in this field, proposes a decision support tool that is able to define which self-administered drugs for chronic diseases should be distributed by community pharmacies, answering to critical challenges in the case of future pandemics and healthcare emergencies, while also providing suggestions for the institutional decision-making process. Moreover, the tool aids in determining the optimal setup of the drug distribution network, comparing centralized (hospital pharmacies) and decentralized (community pharmacies) approaches, as well as their economic and social implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Households’ over-indebtedness has various social and economic consequences. With an increasing number of over-indebted households and rising individual bankruptcies, especially in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, the efficiency of the solutions available to target this issue is becoming questionable. The purpose of this study is to propose an innovative Shariah-compliant mechanism based on crowd-buying, aiming at alleviating households’ over-indebtedness. The present study adopts a qualitative research design based on an extensive review of the existing literature and a case study of the Real Estate Crowdbuying (REC) model. The study also presents a Shariah assessment of the REC model. The study found that the REC model has five contradictions with the guidelines of Shariah and proposes an enhanced version based on Shariah compliant contracts. As per the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that provides a Shariah assessment to the REC model and proposes an enhanced Shariah-compliant version. The main limitation of this research is the limited focus on the Shariah compliance of the model. Further studies might explore the regulatory challenges of the application of this model in Malaysia and other Muslim countries. The proposition made by this paper contributes to broadening the range of Shariah-compliant instruments aiming at alleviating households’ over-indebtedness and curbing individual bankrupt [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the last decade, the goal of acknowledging and alleviating energy poverty has made its way to the core of energy policies across the world, including the high‐standing SDG7 as a benchmark. While much debate is still devoted to conceptual and empirical clarifications, its measurement through indicators, or the appropriate policies aimed at tackling it, there is widespread acceptance that energy poverty impacts tens of millions of lives across Europe and beyond. More recently, energy poverty has been deepened by a succession of international crises. We argue that the responses currently enacted to address energy poverty, in the context of these overlapping crises, point to a more profound problem that pre‐existed the crises and reflects the current paradigm for household energy access. In this article, we aim to tie some of the loose ends in debates around the right to energy. We address some essential underpinnings of a rights‐based approach to energy, by connecting existing narratives to the broader scope of the social contract, used as a concept which bears implications on the social and economic arrangements emphasized by the fundamental pillars of SDGs. We argue that, because energy markets are highly sensitive to instability and crisis contexts, there is a need to shift the paradigm from energy as a commodity purchased by consumers from markets towards energy as a right of people living in modern political communities, and tailoring energy policies around the right to energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of International Business Studies is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Problem and objective: University dropout is a major problem that affects more than 31,000 students each year in Andalusian universities, with serious personal and social consequences and an economic cost of more than 222 million euros for the region's public administration. As concluded from the review of explanatory models we reviewed, dropout has a multicausal origin. The purpose of our work is to test the efficacy of the use of a screening for the early detection of the risk of academic dropout in Higher Education in Andalusian universities. Procedure: We applied a screening instrument adapted for incoming students in public universities in Andalusia. The survey was applied at the beginning of the second semester. In this article we present data from a sample composed of 976 subjects from the universities of Granada UGR, Jaén UJA and Pablo de Olavide de Sevilla UPO. Results: With the data obtained we have established the dropout risk group, which includes those students who do not reach an average score of 3.00 in the total screening. There are 34 students representing 3.48% of the sample. Of these 34 students, 26 are women and 8 are men; 20 belong to the UGR, 8 to the UJA and 5 to the UPO. The detection of the risk group will allow the universities to apply preventive measures in a personalized and adjusted way to avoid possible dropout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive review of the social entrepreneurship literature on social entrepreneurship's success in solving social challenges despite significant resource and capacity deficits raises questions, particularly regarding how capacities should be built to ensure long-term social and economic impact. Using the theory of organizational learning, this study analyzes the link between team exploratory and exploitative learning on social entrepreneurship orientation. The cross-sectional examination of 473 social enterprises in Ghana verifies our predictions regarding positive connections between the variables. The findings demonstrate that team exploratory learning has a stronger positive impact on social entrepreneurship orientation than team exploitative learning. From a managerial standpoint, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of social enterprises can demonstrate greater use of team exploratory and exploitative learning by devising exercises that push their teams outside of their comfort zones to actively engage in internal and external interactive discourse on team learning to substantially impact their social entrepreneurship orientation. From the ambidextrous perspective of social enterprises, circumventing the notable "failure" and "success" traps that occur with excessive exploration and exploitation respectively, demands a balance between the two for long-term impact on social entrepreneurship orientation. This study delves into the differentially positive function of team exploratory and exploitative learning on social entrepreneurship orientation, with the goal of overcoming the resource/capability bottleneck and boosting social market performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep and large-scale (D&LS) open-pit mines pose various environmental, social, and economic impacts on the mining projects’ stakeholders and local, regional, national, and international communities. Identifying these impacts and having a comprehensive model to assess these impacts altogether is critical to achieving sustainable development (SD) goals. This study develops a robust sustainability assessment model for D&LS open-pit mining projects. The model comprehensively considers 99 impact factors across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The sustainability score is calculated using the Z-FDAHP technique to reduce the bias and uncertainty of experts' judgments. Then, the scenario-based technique is used to apply the stakeholders' perspective to the model. The model is applied to Sungun Copper Mine (SCM) in northwest Iran for verification. Results show SCM's sustainability performance is highly sensitive to index weightings. The highest score was achieved with sole social prioritization (scenario 8 with a sustainability score of 6.364 out of 10), highlighting the critical role of community impacts. Environmental or economic focus alone (scenarios 2 and 5) was not very sustainable, with scores of 3.326 and 5.298 respectively. Scores of 5.543, 5.330, and 5.117 for sustainability can be achieved by optimizing all three SD aspects with a long-term, stakeholder-centered approach (scenarios 9, 4, and 6). The proposed sustainability assessment model exhibits robustness through its comprehensive set of 99 environmental, social, and economic indicators; its ability to customize indicator weights under different stakeholder-perspective scenarios; and validation of the quantitative scoring approach through an empirical case study, while continuous improvement would further reinforce its robustness over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides are widespread phenomena that occur in any terrestrial area with slopes, causing massive property damage and, in the worst-case scenario, loss of human life. This propensity to suffer losses is particularly high for developing countries due to their urban development, population growth and drastic land use changes. Social and economic consequences of landslides can be reduced through detailed planning and management strategies, which can be aided by risk analysis. In this study, we performed a detailed quantitative risk analysis for landslides in the whole of Central Asia (4 000 000 km2). Landslide-induced risk was computed, using a 200 m spatial resolution, in terms of exposed population and expected economic losses to buildings and linear infrastructures (roads and railways). The purpose of our study is to produce the first regional-scale landslide risk assessment for Central Asia in order to inform regional-scale risk mitigation strategies, and it represents an advanced step in the landslide risk analysis for extremely broad areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consequences of failures from large-diameter water pipelines can be severe. Results can include significant property damage, adjacent damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges resulting in transportation delays or shutdowns, adjacent structural damage to buildings resulting in loss of business, service disruption to a significant number of customers, loss of water, costly emergency repairs, and even loss of life. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) in the United States found that flooding was the greatest concern due to its potential duration, the potential for broad geographic impact, and its role in crater creation. Public safety, property damage, social and economic consequences, and loss of water service and for how long is also of paramount concern. The American Water Works Association's (AWWA) 2020 "State of the Water Industry" report states that the top issue facing the water industry since 2016 is aging infrastructure, with the second being financing for improvements. The industry needs to find novel ways of extending asset life and reducing maintenance expenditures. While there are many different assets that comprise the water/wastewater industry, pipelines are a major component and are often neglected because they are typically buried. Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a process used to determine the most effective maintenance strategy for an asset, with the ultimate goal being to establish the required function of the asset considering the required reliability and availability at the lowest cost. The RCM philosophy considers Preventive Maintenance, Predictive Maintenance, Condition Based Monitoring, Reactive Maintenance, and Proactive Maintenance techniques in an integrated manner to increase the probability an asset will perform its designed function throughout its design life with minimal maintenance. RCM requires maintenance decisions be based on maintenance requirements supported by sound technical and economic justification. However, one industry where principles of RCM are in its infancy is the water/wastewater industry. This paper provides a case example and numeric modeling for use in RCM analyses for developing maintenance strategies for large-diameter water pipelines, particularly prestressed concrete pipelines, and proposes an approach for determining the most effective and efficient maintenance activities for large-diameter prestressed concrete water pipelines. The case study discussed in this paper analyzed wire breaks over time to predict when certain thresholds would be reached. The intent of this study is to predict when a specified threshold will be reached. From the RCM, a threshold was set to begin planning, budgeting, and scheduling maintenance activities when 55% of the wires in a frame or two adjoining frames are distressed or when 65% of the wires in non-adjacent frames are distressed. The results from the numeric model predict the 55% threshold may be reached in August 2025 for the most distressed pipe segment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rollout of the carbon peak and neutrality targets, conventional coal-fired power plants will gradually be phased down in China's power system in an orderly manner. The economic and social impact of the energy transition is a vital topic that requires scientific measurements and evaluation. In this paper, we establish a comprehensive approach to assess the impact of provincial coal power phase-down with 11 indicators covering dimensions of economy, society, and industry. An entropy-based Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach is adopted to calculate entropy weight, relative closeness, and other evaluation benchmark data. Then, the influence degree in 30 provinces is ranked based on the assessment. The results show that there is a significant regional imbalance in the process of coal power phase-down, among which Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, and other coal base provinces are the most vulnerable regions bound by their huge raw coal production and coal industry employment. Although the coal power industry is less affected than the coal industry, it will face pressure from the optimization of coal power units, followed by the dual impact of taxation and employment issues. Finally, the potential impacts of coal power phase-down and policy implications are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the present Sri Lankan political-economic crisis and its connection to corruption. The paper will discuss the autocratic rule, elite domination of state extractive systems, which have been moulded and configured by Sri Lanka's political environment over decades. Elite capture has become a significant factor. Sri Lanka's authoritarian model exercised by Gotabaya Rajapaksa reduced competitive mode and shifted towards a monopolistic corruption structure, centralising on the first family and military rule where powerful elites supported the model. The paper attempts to find the connection between dysfunctional political model and economic crimes committed through several case studies. Design/methodology/approach: The paper discusses five case studies using qualitative analysis using secondary data. The insider trading case study is discussed with quantitative data. Several political and social analyses were carried out with primary data captured from field research by the author. Findings: Sri Lankan economic crisis was triggered because of high-level corruption. The autocratic model introduced by the political authority failed to fight corruption. Transnational mechanisms will fail if there is no credibility and commitment in their own respective nations such as in the USA. External factors such as China in Sri Lanka did have an impact for elite capture. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited only to five case studies. Transnational mechanism and recommendations require a lengthy study. Only one external factor was assessed because of its significance; there could be other external factors for elite capture. Practical implications: This study has limited access to capture primary data because of sensitivity during a heavy autocratic regime. Because of state and self-censorship, secondary data had to be tested. Social implications: Economic crisis in Sri Lanka is an example to many developing nations fighting corruption. The autocratic family rule supported by external forces crippled the state anti-corruption processes. Economic crime is a key driver for poverty and economic crisis. Originality/value: This is a unique paper that examines Sri Lanka's present economic crisis and its political model and economic crime. The paper will discuss transnational mechanisms for anti-corruption and attempt to apply to the Sri Lankan crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study articulates the multifaceted impact of the Covid pandemic on slum dwellers. Specifically, the impact of the pandemic on economic endurance, social prevalence, and health occurrence of the informal settlers is enumerated and intrigued. Research papers in different forms are collected from Open Athens, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Search terms like "economic impact", "social impact", "Socio-psychological impact" "health and sanitation", "slums" "slum dwellers", etc. are used for assembling literatures. A mixed method of traditional review with bibliometric analysis is adopted for the study. The process of developing the concept, gathering of information, selection and rejection, analysis, and interpretation has been applied to replicate the research findings. By synthesizing the process, it was found that the pandemic has shaken the economic condition of the inhabitants in terms of loss of employment, degradation of income level, the burden of emergency circumstances, etc. In addition, overcrowding in tenements restricted isolation and fostered infection. It is pertinent that health problems and social issues have a large, negative, and long-lasting impact on slum habitats. On the other side, prolonged socio-economic issues created stress and anxiety for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has stressed the importance of universities in developing entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) and their possible social and economic impacts on society. Concerning this commitment, social entrepreneurs (SEs) favor university actions that facilitate the improvement of their individual capital. However, research on this topic has received little attention. This study investigated how universities contribute to the advancement of EEs. It also examines the mechanisms that universities employ to support SEs. Two survey instruments were administered: one to 418 SEs, and the other to 494 people affiliated with universities. The results indicate that universities can be key actors in EEs because they can mobilize resources aligned with their institutional commitments, including training, facilities, and contact with several stakeholders. Additionally, SEs rely on training opportunities and connections with other stakeholders to implement entrepreneurial initiatives. Accordingly, our study highlights the critical role universities play in the development and survival of SEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sargassum have become a cyclical phenomenon that generates ecological, economic, and social problems in the Caribbean. The situation becomes more serious in a context of voluntary acceptance of the problem, which generates difficulties regarding the behaviors to control it. This research addresses the phenomenon from the perspective of risk perception concerning Sargassum invasions in the Dominican Republic, using a tool that includes perceptual and behavioral questions. The results show an underestimation of the risk of Sargassum blooms attributed to its interpretation as a natural and inevitable phenomenon, with an insignificant effect. This underestimation does not notably affect the health or standard of living of the population involved but has not been sufficiently addressed by scientific institutions and the Dominican government. The alert about some erroneous beliefs regarding the phenomenon, as shown by these perceptions, can contribute to designing successful policies for the control and management of massive influx of Sargassum. This transformation can turn them from an environmental problem into an opportunity for sustainable development. Based on the risk analysis, actions are suggested to guarantee the sustainable management of Sargassum blooms in the Dominican Republic.

Context: Native chicken farming has potential for development in several areas in Indonesia, because it is a very familiar practice and has specific community value. Both men and women have a role in raising native chickens. Aims: To construct a profile of the poultry system and determine the potential socio-economic impacts for meeting community needs as a basis for the development of future native chicken enterprises. Methods: The study was conducted in five areas in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, including Barru, Enrekang, Jeneponto, Maros, and Soppeng regencies. Interviews included 385 respondents (55.06% men and 44.94% women), most of whom were in the productive-age category (defined as 31–62 years of age) and were elementary school graduates. The number of family members was low, as was the number of chickens owned, being up to 25 chickens raised per year. Key results: Native chicken farming was determined to have a moderate socio-economic impact on communities, as the number of chickens owned was relatively low. Native chickens are used for consumption, income generation and savings, and as complements in religious and traditional ceremonies. The potential target markets for native chickens are diverse, including individual end consumers, restaurants, local markets, and inter-regional markets. The amount of income from selling chickens varies depending on the quantity sold and the price. The price of chicken will rise under certain conditions, such as during religious and traditional events. Technical production constraints to market development include inadequate housing, lack of sanitation, non-optimal disease management, and low use of vaccinations. The primary market constraint is that the rearing locations can be far from the city centre, and the number of chickens that can be produced for sale is low. Conclusions: Poultry management dynamics, such as feeding, housing, and sanitation, must be considered to expand native chicken production. It is essential to identify solutions for selling native chickens to significantly increase household income. Native chickens have a socio-economic impact, raising the family income, as complements in religious and traditional ceremonies, and affecting the social status of breeders. Implications: Information regarding the potential and prospects of native chicken farming from a socio-economic perspective can encourage communities to maintain and develop livestock enterprises to support the provision of animal protein for consumption and traditional uses, and to increase household incomes. The present study provides important information about the potential and prospects of native chicken farming. The social impact of native chicken farming includes increasing the social status and using chickens as complements in religious activities. The economic impact includes being a source of family income because the price is more expensive than for broiler chickens, and there is special demand for native chicken. Therefore, the native chicken farming business needs to be developed and its economy of scale improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egyptian fisheries including aquaculture, play a vital role in the national economy through its contribution to employment and income generation, foreign exchange earnings, and providing food and nutritional security to the people. All studies dealing with stock assessment and fisheries management in Egypt confirmed the over-exploitation situation for almost all commercial stocks which led to a serious decline in fish production from marine and inland fisheries resources. Egyptian lakes especially Delta lakes have been supporting rich and diversified fisheries and thus are critically important to the country for their food security and livelihood. Lake Manzalah, the largest Delta lake and the second in fish production after Burrulus Lake, is an important source of fish production in Egypt. In the last 50 years, the lake faced severe difficulties that retarded its environmental and fisheries development. The most serious one is the reduction of its area, pollution, overfishing, illegal and destructive fishing methods. This work will discuss the fisheries status of Lake Manzalah during the years 2006 to 2020 including the period of purification and development of the lake which started in mid-2017. The fishing gear, fish production, and the socioeconomic indicators for the development and purification processes will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent global pandemic had shocking impacts on societies and economies worldwide by bringing complexity, ambiguity, and uncertainty for extended periods. UX researchers, faced with numerous challenges, were compelled to adapt to emergent conditions through remote research methods. Investigating how some members of the UX research community adapted to the emergency offers valuable insights into how they responded to uncertainty and showed resilience. Therefore, we studied the early practices of UX managers and researchers in Turkey during the first 6 months of the global pandemic under lockdown conditions. Our goal was to understand how UX research and design teams responded to uncertainty by customizing their methods. We focused on seven firms as different cases to conduct semi-structured interviews with seven managers and 13 UX researchers. The results demonstrate that the adaptable nature of UX research allowed them to quickly respond to these emerging conditions. In the early period of the pandemic, our study participants— UX managers, designers, and researchers—experienced the advantages and challenges of remote UX research necessitated by the lockdown. These included issues related to participant recruitment, work performance, readiness, and methodological concerns. Based on our findings, we make recommendations for UX researchers to conduct moderated and unmoderated remote research while maintaining inclusiveness and rigor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the academic literature, private supplementary tutoring is widely called shadow education because much of its content mimics that of schooling. The author of this paper wrote the first global study of the phenomenon, which was published in 1999 and set the agenda for much subsequent research. The present paper considers research emphases over the decades, noting strengths and gaps. Much initial and ongoing research has focused on economic and social implications of shadow education. Global, regional and national mapping has particularly highlighted cultural contexts and implications for social inequalities. However, inadequate attention has focused on pedagogical and psychological issues. Fitting the theme of the special issue of the journal in which the paper is included, the commentary gives particular attention to teaching, learning and development. It presents multiple levels of analysis to stress the value of, and relationships between, macro, meso and micro perspectives. The paper also highlights the value of quantitative, qualitative and mixed approaches for more complete understanding of dynamics in particular settings and suggests some specific themes for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Itaipu Binational dam is a giant hydroelectric project situated on the Parana River, which began its construction in 1973 and was completed in 1983. It was undertaken by Brazil and Paraguay, two countries with enormous geopolitical and economic differences. With 14,000 MWh of installed power, it is the second largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Both countries are partners in this project, but the socioeconomic results have not been as expected. In this regard, although Paraguay's GDP per capita, between 1983 and 2020, increased by 341%, Itaipu did not represent a true economic development engine for Paraguay. On the other hand, it had serious negative impacts especially on social, demographic, and environmental aspects. A structural equations model (SEM) was designed, in its Path Analysis modality, which includes 10 variables: 3 exogenous (Royalties from Itaipu, Electric power exports, and External debt) and 7 endogenous (GDP per capita, Proportion of agricultural sector in GDP, Proportion of service sector in GDP, Population with needs unsatisfied, Housing deficit, Changes of land use, and CO2 emissions). The model exposes an adequate simulation range, and the results show a high degree of goodness of fit, using different indices (CMIN, FMIN, CFI, and RMSEA). The corresponding tests upon the model validate the hypotheses raised. JEL Classification: O13, O54, H54, H60, F34, C18 Plain Language Summary: Itaipu Binational Dam: A Quantitative Analysis of the Economic and Social Impacts in Paraguay This article is a study that covers four decades (1980–2020), on the economic and social impact of a large hydroelectric dam, Itaipu Binational, built on the Parana River, by Paraguay and Brazil. The starting hypothesis is that Itaipu did not represent the engine of economic development expected for Paraguay. However, the conclusions mention that, in addition to testing the hypotheses, there are some macroeconomic indicators that have improved notably, such as the GDP per capita. The applied methodology was the Structural Equations Model (SEM) in its Path Analysis modality. Of the 15 original variables, 10 were finally selected, 3 exogenous and 7 endogenous. The results of the model are satisfactorily adjusted to the proposed hypotheses, which implies the contrasting of these. The main limitation of the study lies in the environmental impact generated by the dam in the ecosystem of the region. This analysis has been left pending, due, on one hand, to the fact that the objective of the article is the socioeconomic impact generated by Itaipu, and because it is considered that the environmental effects should be included in a subsequent research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changes taking place in the world, along with development, have resulted in resources becoming increasingly scarce and deformed. Apart from the ecological consequences of this deformation, its social and economic consequences have now entered the discussion areas of scientists and practitioners, and how to combat it has begun to be investigated. While sustainability comes to the fore in order to rebuild the future completely and completely, a new and different leadership model is required that can ensure this and manage the process. This leadership model is "sustainable leadership". This study aims to analyze the concept of sustainable leadership, which plays a leading role in ensuring sustainability, to draw its conceptual framework and to determine how it will evolve in the future. For this purpose, the data obtained using the WoS database was mapped using VoSViewer software. As a result of the analysis, it was concluded that there is an increasing trend in publication and citation performance regarding the sustainability literature regarding performance analysis, and although the cooperation between authors is low in the social structure analysis, there is strong cooperation between countries and universities. It has been determined that the authors and journals that stand out in the intellectual structure analysis are very influential and guiding in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the analysis of the Social Return on Investment (SROI) of the Sekar Arum Centralized Wastewater Treatment System (SPALD) in Malang, Indonesia. The research attempts to answer the main question regarding the economic, social, and environmental impacts produced by this program. The research methodology involved collecting both quantitative and qualitative data and consulting with stakeholders to understand their perceptions of the value and benefits of this initiative. The main findings suggest that investments in sanitation produce broad and multiplying benefits, including improved public health, reduced environmental pollution, and enhanced quality of life. The thesis delves into the significant implications of investing in sanitation and offers recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of the SPALD program. In conclusion, this thesis strengthens the understanding that investment in sanitation is a profitable and sustainable strategy that can help improve societal well-being and environmental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contracts and agreements are among the most important sources of commitment that happen between individuals, whether natural or legal. Therefore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been keen to ensure the stability of this type of transaction and control it following a clear regulatory law that guarantees the preservation of the rights covered by those contracts. As those contracts have pillars the contract must be formulated according to them to avoid becoming a victim of invalidity, and due to this extreme importance, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued the documentation law under Royal Decree No. M / 164 dated 11/19/1441 AH, which aims to ensure the stability of the contractual ecosystem within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As an explanation of the importance of this law, this research came under the title: "Documentation and Its Impact on the Validity of Contract, An Analytical Study" by the researcher: Muhammad bin Ali Asiri. This research is to analyze the documentation law and explain its role in ensuring the stability of the contractual process, and to highlight images of the importance of the law, its impact, and its role in preserving rights and the stability of the contractual process, and its economic and social impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The rapid growth of leverage is one of the risk factors for China's economy. To explore social credit's impact on corporate leverage's growth rate, we conduct the staggered difference‐in‐difference (DID) approach based on a quasi‐natural experiment of the social credit system reform. Our findings indicate that social credit significantly suppresses the growth rate of corporate leverage, which remains robust after some robustness checks. In addition, this effect can be attributed to alleviating agency costs and information asymmetry. Finally, our analysis reveals that the above effects are significant only for firms with poor corporate governance, high bankruptcy risk, low investment efficiency, and a low proportion of tangible assets. In summary, our study provides micro‐level evidence on the economic consequences of social credit system reform in China and policy insights on how the government can effectively control the growth rate of corporate leverage to prevent risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a growing body of literature studies drought impacts, papers providing a comprehensive review of drought's social and economic impacts are scarce. This paper fills this gap by exploring the consequences of drought on societies based on research findings in Australia—a large country used to experiencing severe droughts. To do this, we propose a framework to categorise drought impacts in three dimensions: individuals/households (including health), productive sectors and system (including economic and ecosystem) impacts. The framework then guides a systematic literature review and discussion of studies looking at diverse drought impacts and their related costs. By analysing and discussing the findings from this literature, we emphasise different policy considerations, empirical challenges and research needs to support robust analysis and estimates of the true cost of droughts. We conclude by proposing an expanded framework to identify drought impacts and a discussion of the implications of the review for policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the arising necessity of new homes for the population also comes the necessity of energy for heating and electricity. In big cities the energy is easily attainable while the most remote areas have difficulties finding reliable sources of energy. In Romania, home heating in remote villages is usually provided through wood burning, using a fireplace or a boiler. The access to the electricity is assured only to the villages in proximity of the cities, main reason being the enormous price for the connection of few households to the national power grid, which makes the electricity directly related to poverty. Access to electricity may improve economic and social status of isolated communities. One of the main advantages of renewable energy, is its decentralized characteristic. This means that every household can produce its own energy without relying on the national power grid. This paper aims to research, from a techno-economic point of view, the possibility of creating small power grids in remote villages from Dobrogea - Romania and its social benefits for the communities. The first step is to identify how many villages in Dobrogea do not have access to electricity, to analyze from a technical, economic, social and environmental perspective the possibility of implementing project in rural areas by using mathematical models. Second step is to identify possibilities of private or governmental funding for implementing such projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of the online food services (collectively referred to as 'OFS') sector has been accelerating at high rates worldwide over the last few years. This sector is widely acknowledged, especially by urban consumers, for making life more convenient. During the strict lockdown following the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OFS sector saw major growth, as many restaurants and grocery stores turned to the delivery format. Conversely, the sector has also been facing many challenges, which have lasting social, economic, and environmental impacts. Considering this situation, this study carried out a review of existing literature on the social, environmental, and economic impacts of OFS and explored the resilience gaps of this fast-growing food service business. To achieve this, relevant literature was collected through Elsevier's SCOPUS database and other sources. The authors have documented specific social, environmental, and economic impacts of OFS on consumers and providers. Furthermore, various changes in this sector following the pandemic have also been underlined in this study. A combination of policy actions at the national, local, private sector, and individual levels is crucial to mitigate the adverse impact of OFS; hence, greater resilience will be ensured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in the "theory of the firm" tradition has often characterized firms as subeconomies, in which economic exchange is shaped by a central authority. We propose an expanded view of firms as subsocieties, in which authority is also responsible for establishing principles that shape cooperation among members. We draw on insights from political theory, sociology, and, to a lesser degree, legal theory to discuss how employees become members of subsocieties by exchanging rights, such as formal control over their work, for the benefits of membership. With this rights exchange, subsociety members develop expectations that those in positions of authority will use their control to define and sustain principles of justice and common purpose consistent with members' moral sentiments. This view suggests expanded roles for authority and firm boundaries from what are incorporated into standard theories of the firm. These expanded roles have implications both for internal governance and for the boundary itself: When considering boundary changes, leaders must weigh both the economic and the social consequences of their decision. Funding: C. Gartenberg recognizes financial support from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. T. Zenger recognizes the financial support of the Eccles School at the University of Utah. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Households that send members to work away from home often receive information about the lifestyles and consumption behaviors in those migration destinations (i.e., social remittances) along with money or goods (i.e., economic remittances). The authors investigate the effect of having a migrant household member on household brand expenditures in rural India, a market characterized by substantial consumption of unbranded products. They collect and analyze household-level survey data from 434 households across 30 villages using an instrumental variable strategy. Economic remittances result in greater brand expenditure, and this level is higher for poorer households. After controlling for economic remittances, the authors find that the effect of migration on brand expenditures is more positive for households in more populous villages, with greater access to mobile phones, lower viewership of television media, and less recently departed migrants. They demonstrate how marketing resource allocation across villages can be improved by incorporating migration data and provide insights for household targeting in the context of door-to-door selling in villages. The results are robust to alternative, public policy–based instruments and can be generalized to expenditure on private schools. Using additional survey data from 300 households in 62 new villages, the authors replicate the results by comparing within-households brand expenditures before and after the migration event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]