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Networking helps entrepreneurs in opportunity identification, resource acquisition, overcoming barriers and ensuring sustainability and growth. However, agri-entrepreneurs are locally embedded, and networking can provide limited options to respond to challenges. In a developing economy, agriculture has various systemic risks such as disasters, policy changes, market fluctuations and government policies. Given the large employment and emerging concerns in agriculture, managing such systemic challenges becomes significant. While the literature broadly indicates that the networking behaviour of entrepreneurs helps, little is known if such behaviour helps in mitigating challenges. This study responds to the literature gap by identifying the association between networking behaviour and systemic challenges faced by one of the less developed regions of India. The study considered 14 systematic challenges from the PESTEL framework and 15 levels of networking from the literature. Entrepreneurs from the agriculture sector (N = 402) were contacted for their responses. Findings suggest that networking behaviour is significantly associated with various systematic challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector. The networking behaviour also varies with the demography of the entrepreneurs. The study contributes to social networking theory, structuration and risk management theory. Networking happens under a social structure, and social networking helps in managing systematic risk. Entrepreneurs, policymakers and educators can understand and facilitate such networking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work provides the policy and economic analysis of the renewable heating and cooling sector in Greece. The novelty of this study is that it unveils the different policy instruments and incentive structures in promoting renewable heating and cooling adoption, and it analyses the social, cultural and technical barriers to the adoption of renewable heating and cooling systems in Greece. To this end, a PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Environmental and Legal) analysis is performed, with a view to demonstrating the factors that affect Greece's progress against the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP), the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector and finally, the alignment with the long-term energy strategy. Overall, the results of this analysis show that the heating and cooling sector is still greatly dependent on the use of fossil fuels. However, there are more opportunities than barriers for the deployment of the renewable heating and cooling sector in Greece; opportunities arise from the ambitious political goals that are harmonized with those of the EU, targeting climate-neutrality by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to understand and diagnose the management of water resources in the state of Amazonas. To achieve this objective, a strategic analysis was performed using two tools: SWOT and PESTEL. To build the SWOT and PESTEL tables, a search was carried out of dissertations posted in institutional repositories of the Amazonas State University and the Federal University of Amazonas. Non-participant observation was also performed at the meetings of the State Water Resources Council in order to gain a better understanding of management. The results achieved showed that the diagnosis is of a water resources management that is still in the initial phase, and which requires improvements in planning to achieve its goals. It was noted that the main bottleneck of management is the non-execution of the instruments of the state water resources policy, since they are the essential elements for it to function fully and strategically. In addition, political management has not prioritized water resources, which generates discontinuity of projects. Finally, it was noticed that the water resources management system has few people that are active in the cause, since little participation by the people who compose it was noted in the meetings of the State Water Resources Council. It is clear then that the system must be strengthened and restructured so that management can achieve its principles and objectives, in addition to seeking to train more people to do so. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) dimensions in a local community shape the adoption of specific nature-based solutions (NbS). This study provides crucial insights on NbS tailored to smallholder indigenous and peasant communities heavily reliant on water ecosystem services from headwater streams, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in the páramo ecosystems of the central Ecuadorian Andes. Combining a multi-stakeholder workshop with bibliometric analysis, we developed a framework that integrates NbS with local communities’ PESTEL dimensions to sustain water ecosystem services. As a result, the lack of political will to sustain healthy aquatic ecosystems, urban-centered environmental investment, and agricultural expansion mainly influence the sustainability of water ecosystem services in the political, economic and environmental dimensions. Social, legal, and technological dimensions encompass community dissatisfaction, resistance to conservation, neglect of clean water and land use regulations, and limited innovation investment. Artificial floating islands and passive river restoration were the NbS adaptable to these PESTEL dimensions in our local communities. Artificial floating islands, a macrophyte-based technology that integrates community plant knowledge, are feasible even with limited financial resources. Passive river restoration complements them to promote headwater vegetation recovery and governance of water ecosystem services. Their integration supports drinking water supply, irrigation, fisheries, water purification, habitat conservation, soil formation carbon sequestration, and the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We provide decision-makers with a rigorous assessment of NbS for local communities, with the potential to scale to countries with similar contexts and highlight the need for future research to explore NbS in regional or national frameworks.

Due to the increase in violence in Ecuador involving juvenile offenders, an analysis of the situation is proposed from a neutrosophic approach to address the violation of due process in adolescents in Ecuador, highlighting the importance of considering the complexities and ambiguities of the juvenile penal system. Challenges are identified and classified through the PESTEL technique related to legal deficiencies, economic constraints, and socio-environmental factors contributing to juvenile delinquency, which are processed hermeneutically in a TOPSIS that uses single-valued neutrosophic numbers. The processing's main outcome is the influence of legal and economic aspects, thus the need to promote legal reforms, strengthen institutional capacities, invest in preventive programs, and support social reintegration and the responsible use of information technologies. The conclusions emphasize the importance of a comprehensive and coordinated approach to improve juvenile justice in Ecuador, ensuring respect for due process and the rights of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Accounting & Financial Studies Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

O presente trabalho buscou compreender e diagnosticar a gestão de recursos hídricos do Estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Para alcançar tal objetivo, foi feita uma análise estratégica utilizando-se de duas ferramentas, a matriz SWOT (um acrônimo de forças - strengths, fraquezas - weaknesses, oportunidades - opportunities e ameaças - threats); e a matriz PESTEL (político - P, econômico - E, social - S, tecnológico - T, meio ambiente - E e legal, L). Para construir as tabelas SWOT e PESTEL, foi realizada buscas em dissertações postadas em repositórios institucionais da Universidade do Estado do Amazonas e da Universidade Federal do Amazonas, como também, observação não participante nas reuniões do Conselho Estadual de Recursos Hídricos para compreender melhor a dinâmica da gestão. Os resultados demonstraram que é de uma gestão de recursos hídricos ainda em fase inicial, necessitando de melhorias no planejamento para que alcance suas metas. Notou-se que o principal gargalo da gestão é a não execução dos instrumentos da Política Estadual de Recursos Hídricos, visto que eles são os elementos essenciais para que funcione de forma plena e estratégica. Além disso, a gestão política também não tem priorizado os recursos hídricos, o que gera descontinuidade de projetos. Por último, percebeu-se que o Sistema de Gerenciamento de Recursos Hídricos apresenta poucas pessoas atuantes na causa hídrica, como foi notado nas reuniões do Conselho Estadual com participação de poucos membros. É nítido então que se deve fortalecer e reestruturar o sistema para que a gestão consiga atingir seus objetivos, além de buscar capacitar mais pessoas para esse fim.

In the beginning of the article we correlate Okudzhava’s story about the creative history of his novel (“invention” of the scrivener’s image) with the writer’s statements about Decembrism, which allows us to solve the following tasks: 1) to restore the main creative impulses of the writer; 2) to characterize the formation of his cognitive strategy, which covers the mythologized past and the tragic events of the Soviet era; 3) to clarify a number of definite functions of the “little man” that have not yet been noted by the interpreters of the novel; 4) to highlight the mission of the “little man” that reveals Okudzhava’s ethical principle. We consider the artist’s inconsistency in stylizing the thinking of the “little man” (the lead character and his psychological counterpart – the narrator) as a means of involving the contemporary reader in a dispute about the conflicts of the past inherited by the 20th century. We show the fundamental novelty of the embodiment of the Decembrist theme in the mirror of the perception of literary critics of the 1970s, who remained in the grip of the myth of the first Russian revolutionaries in its two varieties (official or alternative, cultivated by freethinkers), which interfered with the proper perception of the status of the “little man” next to a historic figure. Our task is to show that the merciful ethics of the artist, compassionate to the sufferer, soften Okudzhava’s civic intransigence towards the ideology of Pestel, whose state utopia became a Soviet reality; thus, we substantiate the regularity of the election of the “little man”, who himself needs indulgence, to the role of the spokesman for Pushkin’s commandment of “mercy to the fallen”. We trace the bold development in Okudzhava’s novel of the classical tradition of the “little man” experiencing his own drama of the “weak heart”. The echoes of Avrosimov’s fantasies about saving Pestel with Pushkin’s poem “Deep in Siberia’s mines...” are comprehended in the article as a sublimation of the author’s pain about the tragic fate of the Decembrists.

In India, ethanol is recognised as a fuel for its potential to provide environmental and energy security-related benefits to the country. So, an Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) has been initiated by the Government of India to harvest the benefits of ethanol. However, India has consistently failed to achieve the blending target, which indicates the necessity to recognise the barriers and drivers of the programme. In this present study, an integrated methodology has been proposed based on a hybrid Delphi-PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal) and Fuzzy-AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) analysis to identify and prioritise the barriers and drivers associated with the Indian ethanol blending programme. 25 PESTEL indicators have been identified, quantified, and ranked according to the opinion of the experts using the Fuzzy-AHP analysis. Further, the sensitivity of the Fuzzy-AHP result has been checked. The study shows that "Insufficient infrastructure" is the most significant barrier for the EBP while "Energy security of the country" is the most crucial driver of the programme. The present study is expected to help policymakers achieve the ethanol blending target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is a promising alternative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and replace fossil fuels globally. However, the feasibility of this alternative is subject to various factors beyond market conditions, including political, economic, and technological conditions. The goal is to assess the potential opportunities and challenges the macroenvironment presents for developing hydrogen energy use in Brazil. The PESTEL framework was utilized, drawing on bibliographic, documentary, and survey data to evaluate the political (e.g., government management), economic (e.g., macro and microeconomic indicators), social (e.g., patterns and trends in social behavior), technological (e.g., research and innovation), environmental (e.g., characteristics and problems in the natural environment), and legal (e.g., rules, regulation and laws) segments from 2009 to 2021. The political segment significantly impacts the potential for developing the hydrogen sector. While the economic segment poses several threats, the technological, legal, and environmental segments represent significant opportunities. This analysis provides valuable insights into the macroenvironment's characteristics and its influence on developing hydrogen as a sustainable energy resource in Brazil.

In a global context, the development of new technologies and becomes an entrepreneurial challenge for the near future. One of the most promising phenomena of this new way are startups. This phenomenon is also emerging in developing countries like Pakistan. However, the success rate of startups is prone to several micro and macro environmental challenges and if these challenges not addressed properly, cause failure of startups. This study intends to contribute to research by proposing a methodological approach to find out the macro-environmental factors and their impact on startups from the perspective of developing countries. Firstly, the PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal) analysis is conducted to identify macro-environmental factors displayed in the Cause and effect diagram. Secondly, the Fuzzy Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FFMEA) is applied to prioritize the risks to devise strategies. Thirdly, to formulate a risk mitigation strategies and policies to support startup ecosystem. The results show that inflation rates, currency depreciation, and corruption are significant challenges for startups. Therefore, this paper aims to help policy makers, entrepreneurs and business schools to work in join collaboration to devise risk mitigation strategies for startups in emerging economies.

Abstract Background With sustainable bioenergy in the European energy mix, intermediate bioenergy carriers (IBC) become of growing importance, as they can ensure a more efficient utilisation of biomass feedstocks from agricultural and forest residues. A high potential for market uptake is foreseen for fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO), one of several IBCs. While facing the chicken and egg problem in market entry, the aim of this study was the development of adequate strategies to support market implementation. The case study findings and methodological approach can provide policymakers, industry, and a broader audience with a vision for addressing similar challenges in market adoption of innovations in the bioeconomy and beyond. Therefore, we tested a new PESTEL + I approach and its practical applicability to an IBC value chain. Results With an adopted PESTEL method, we analysed a promising value chain in which FPBO is produced from sawdust in Sweden and Finland, transported to the Netherlands and upgraded and marketed as a marine biofuel. Our results show that the market uptake of IBCs such as FPBO and subsequently produced biofuels is above all driven by the European Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II). In Annex IX Part A, sawdust is listed as a feedstock for advanced biofuels, which can be double counted towards the 14% renewable energy share goal in the transport sector in 2030. To support the use of advanced biofuels in the maritime and aviation sector, the proposal for revision of RED II 2021 contains a new multiplier (1.2x) for fuels delivered to these sectors, while all other multipliers are deleted. These legal European obligations and implementation into national law of member states create strong incentives for many downstream market actors to use advanced biofuel. However, technological challenges for FPBO use still hamper fast market introduction. Conclusions Overcoming technology challenges and the creation of long-term validity of guidelines and regulatory framework will create stable market conditions, investment security and finally stimulate long-term offtake agreements between feedstock providers, technology developers and downstream customers. The approach and findings can provide a vision to overcome similar challenges in other bioeconomy innovations’ market uptake and beyond.

This work provides the policy and economic analysis of the renewable heating and cooling sector in Greece. The novelty of this study is that it unveils the different policy instruments and incentive structures in promoting renewable heating and cooling adoption, and it analyses the social, cultural and technical barriers to the adoption of renewable heating and cooling systems in Greece. To this end, a PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Environmental and Legal) analysis is performed, with a view to demonstrating the factors that affect Greece’s progress against the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP), the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector and finally, the alignment with the long-term energy strategy. Overall, the results of this analysis show that the heating and cooling sector is still greatly dependent on the use of fossil fuels. However, there are more opportunities than barriers for the deployment of the renewable heating and cooling sector in Greece; opportunities arise from the ambitious political goals that are harmonized with those of the EU, targeting climate-neutrality by 2050.

Chitin/chitosan and collagen are two of the most important bioactive compounds, with applications in the pharmaceutical, veterinary, nutraceutical, cosmetic, biomaterials, and other industries. When extracted from non-edible parts of fish and shellfish, by-catches, and invasive species, their use contributes to a more sustainable and circular economy. The present article reviews the scientific knowledge and publication trends along the marine chitin/chitosan and collagen value chains and assesses how researchers, industry players, and end-users can bridge the gap between scientific understanding and industrial applications. Overall, research on chitin/chitosan remains focused on the compound itself rather than its market applications. Still, chitin/chitosan use is expected to increase in food and biomedical applications, while that of collagen is expected to increase in biomedical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutritional applications. Sustainable practices, such as the reuse of waste materials, contribute to strengthen both value chains; the identified weaknesses include the lack of studies considering market trends, social sustainability, and profitability, as well as insufficient examination of intellectual property rights. Government regulations, market demand, consumer preferences, technological advancements, environmental challenges, and legal frameworks play significant roles in shaping both value chains. Addressing these factors is crucial for seizing opportunities, fostering sustainability, complying with regulations, and maintaining competitiveness in these constantly evolving value chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With sustainable bioenergy in the European energy mix, intermediate bioenergy carriers (IBC) become of growing importance, as they can ensure a more efficient utilisation of biomass feedstocks from agricultural and forest residues. A high potential for market uptake is foreseen for fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO), one of several IBCs. While facing the chicken and egg problem in market entry, the aim of this study was the development of adequate strategies to support market implementation. The case study findings and methodological approach can provide policymakers, industry, and a broader audience with a vision for addressing similar challenges in market adoption of innovations in the bioeconomy and beyond. Therefore, we tested a new PESTEL + I approach and its practical applicability to an IBC value chain. Results: With an adopted PESTEL method, we analysed a promising value chain in which FPBO is produced from sawdust in Sweden and Finland, transported to the Netherlands and upgraded and marketed as a marine biofuel. Our results show that the market uptake of IBCs such as FPBO and subsequently produced biofuels is above all driven by the European Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II). In Annex IX Part A, sawdust is listed as a feedstock for advanced biofuels, which can be double counted towards the 14% renewable energy share goal in the transport sector in 2030. To support the use of advanced biofuels in the maritime and aviation sector, the proposal for revision of RED II 2021 contains a new multiplier (1.2x) for fuels delivered to these sectors, while all other multipliers are deleted. These legal European obligations and implementation into national law of member states create strong incentives for many downstream market actors to use advanced biofuel. However, technological challenges for FPBO use still hamper fast market introduction. Conclusions: Overcoming technology challenges and the creation of long-term validity of guidelines and regulatory framework will create stable market conditions, investment security and finally stimulate long-term offtake agreements between feedstock providers, technology developers and downstream customers. The approach and findings can provide a vision to overcome similar challenges in other bioeconomy innovations' market uptake and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The paper's main aim is to discuss opportunities and threats to the sustainable development of enterprises in Poland in the era of geopolitical and socio-economic crises connected with the war in Ukraine. Research method -- The main research hypothesis is as follows: "Sustainable development is a chance for enterprises that want to meet market challenges and build their competitive position during geopolitical crises". Implementing the research goal required a retrospective and critical review of selected Polish and English-language literature and the PESTEL analysis. The publication's review was based on the Scopus, Web of Science and BazEkon databases. Results -- The results of the analysis indicate that sustainable development eliminates negative phenomena in crises, prevents the degradation of the natural environment, supports social inclusion and integrates the organisation and management of economic entities. Originality / value / implications / recommendations -- The added value of the paper is the use of the PESTEL and SWOT tools to assess the prospects for sustainable development of enterprises. The research results are original, up-to-date and important for the theory and business practice. Therefore, business managers should implement tasks for sustainable development, and state authorities should create conditions to support green initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jurnal Manajemen dan Organisasi is the property of IPB University 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.)

The recognition of rights associated with members of society with special characteristics is a reality in the management of governments at a global level. Making these rights effective and respected is a permanent task for the states, among which is Ecuador. That is why the objective of this research is to identify the main factors that affect the violation of the rights of priority attention groups in Ecuador. To meet the proposed objective, methods such as PESTEL analysis, Pareto's technique, Promethee, and TOPSIS were used. As a result, the factors that favor the violation of rights in each area analyzed were identified. Once the most important ones were found, actions were proposed based on them, and the most appropriate actions to mitigate them were obtained.

Background: Management literature pays insufficient attention to the strategic potential of collaboration. While normally encountered in supply chain management literature as discourse on supply chain effectiveness, this study shows that in a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) world, the role of collaboration needs to be re-examined. Objectives: To understand how technology has enabled collaboration between companies to the extent that a collaboration should be viewed as an external business environmental factor. Method: A qualitative, grounded theory approach was followed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 senior managers of a global technology-driven company manufacturing electrical heat tracing systems. Data were analysed using a three-stage coding process to develop an essential narrative. Results: Technology has presented new possibilities for collaboration across supply chains and industries. This results in co-creation of product offerings between companies opening new markets. Collaboration is no longer only an internal tool that can facilitate efficiency and effectiveness between collaborating partners but spills over as an influence on strategy from the external environment. Conclusion: If a collaborative climate is not nurtured and supported by all parties involved, a business will not be able to reach its full potential especially in a 4IR world. Advances in technology have enabled new possibilities for companies to collaborate, both internally and with each other. Contribution: Literature rarely extends the value of collaboration beyond the realm of the supply chain. This paper suggests that by viewing it as a macro-environmental factor, collaboration can be viewed as a strategic opportunity.

In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment, organizational change has been a central concern for capital project organizations, that continue to suffer from poor project performance in a growing industry. As such, capital project organizations must understand the changing environment and the factors driving change within their organizations to remain successful in a changing environment and adapt to change. To help the capital projects industry achieve successful organizational change efforts, this paper aims to 1) identify the external factors that are pushing capital project organizations to change and 2) investigate whether these factors impact organizations differently. To achieve the desired objective, a total of 22 PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal) factors were identified and validated with a group of 14 subject matter experts and defined via the context of literature. Then, the factors were evaluated via an online survey to understand whether they impact organizations differently based on their age maturity (including contemporary, transitional, and legacy organizations) and type of work (including owners, contractors, and service providers). Findings from this study can provide capital project practitioners and researchers with valuable insights needed to understand the external factors shaping change within the industry.

In today's urban economy, small businesses have found a significant place. The nature and scale of the activities of this type of business cause different reactions to macro-external factors, so that some destructive forces for large businesses may lead to the growth and prosperity of small businesses or vice versa. Thus, urban management can act not as a directly influential force, but as a facilitator. In this study, by studying the macro-political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal forces, the current situation and the type of influence of these forces are analyzed generally by PESTEL method. Then, using the TAIDA futurology method, the causal relationships between the existing trends and the main uncertainties are determined. The results of the studies show that the existence of economic sanctions and the multiplicity of laws are uncertainties, and future research scenarios can be presented. Accordingly, since the most likely future will be the resistive economy approach. As a result, eight strategies related to facilitator urban management can be presented that are sustainable in all scenarios. These include the realization of integrated management, creation of a support fund, support the domestic production, creation the business clusters at different levels, support the entrepreneurs, development of knowledge concepts and knowledge-based economics in relation to small businesses, development of infrastructure, technologies, production equipment and technical services in Tehran and supporting the development of clean technologies in polluting units.

In a global context, the development of new technologies and becomes an entrepreneurial challenge for the near future. One of the most promising phenomena of this new way are startups. This phenomenon is also emerging in developing countries like Pakistan. However, the success rate of startups is prone to several micro and macro environmental challenges and if these challenges not addressed properly, cause failure of startups. This study intends to contribute to research by proposing a methodological approach to find out the macro-environmental factors and their impact on startups from the perspective of developing countries. Firstly, the PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal) analysis is conducted to identify macro-environmental factors displayed in the Cause and effect diagram. Secondly, the Fuzzy Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FFMEA) is applied to prioritize the risks to devise strategies. Thirdly, to formulate a risk mitigation strategies and policies to support startup ecosystem. The results show that inflation rates, currency depreciation, and corruption are significant challenges for startups. Therefore, this paper aims to help policy makers, entrepreneurs and business schools to work in join collaboration to devise risk mitigation strategies for startups in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Management literature pays insufficient attention to the strategic potential of collaboration. While normally encountered in supply chain management literature as discourse on supply chain effectiveness, this study shows that in a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) world, the role of collaboration needs to be re-examined. Objectives: To understand how technology has enabled collaboration between companies to the extent that a collaboration should be viewed as an external business environmental factor. Method: A qualitative, grounded theory approach was followed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 senior managers of a global technology-driven company manufacturing electrical heat tracing systems. Data were analysed using a three-stage coding process to develop an essential narrative. Results: Technology has presented new possibilities for collaboration across supply chains and industries. This results in co-creation of product offerings between companies opening new markets. Collaboration is no longer only an internal tool that can facilitate efficiency and effectiveness between collaborating partners but spills over as an influence on strategy from the external environment. Conclusion: If a collaborative climate is not nurtured and supported by all parties involved, a business will not be able to reach its full potential especially in a 4IR world. Advances in technology have enabled new possibilities for companies to collaborate, both internally and with each other. Contribution: Literature rarely extends the value of collaboration beyond the realm of the supply chain. This paper suggests that by viewing it as a macro-environmental factor, collaboration can be viewed as a strategic opportunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are gaining attention as viable strategies for restoring water-rich ecosystems such as the páramo. However, the lack of evidence on their effectiveness, coupled with a limited understanding of their political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) context, hinders their widespread adoption. To address this gap, we propose a multi-method framework that (i) captures PESTEL factors influencing the implementation of passive ecological restoration in páramo ecosystems as a measure of NbS and (ii) assesses its associated environmental impacts. Our approach integrates a scoping review with remote sensing techniques, water quality assessment, and correlation analyses. Focusing on the Upper Pita and Upper Cutuchi River Basins-key water sources for Andean communities in Ecuador, we reveal that the deterioration of their páramo ecosystems in the 20th century was mainly due to camelid grazing and pine timber production. In response to these threats, bottom-up management efforts starting in 1999, guided by various PESTEL factors, promoted policies, regulations, social agreements, and financial support for achieving passive ecological restoration between 2010 and 2017 in the Upper Pita River Basin. As a result, the conservation of 73.4% of natural páramo with excellent water quality in 2022. By contrast, top-down management in the Upper Cutuchi River Basin was ineffective because national strategies failed to tackle the local environmental challenges posed by the PESTEL factors. Hence, only 31.6% of the natural páramo remained with poor water quality by 2022. Our study is the first to demonstrate that passive ecological restoration benefits these ecosystems, while its absence results in significant changes that require additional restoration strategies. • Passive ecological restoration contributes to water-rich ecosystems like páramo. • PESTEL and environmental evaluation reveal challenges in páramo restoration. • Top-down management ignores local environmental issues and hinders páramo restoration. • Bottom-up management achieves páramo restoration to sustain safe water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the time being, while everybody else is busy conversing about the adverse effects of COVID‐19, researchers solemnly look forward to intensifying the positive effects of COVID‐19 on political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and ethical (PESTEL) aspects, as it was unrevealed. The FGD (Focus Group Discussion) and Delphi methods were conducted from April 2020 to January 2021 through the online platform to collect the data. In this research, 40 graduates from 40 families were taken as our sample size who carried out the opinions of their family members. The average duration of the interview was 30–40 min. This article highlighted that COVID‐19 has some positive effects on social‐psychological aspects (PESTEL) and, people are trying to adapt to new practices (New Normal) to improve their lifestyles against the deadly virus. COVID‐19 would pass, but life will never be the same; thus, researchers conduct the research based on a country, which may not be similar to the other cultures and countries' perceptions. This is the first and foremost study on the positive effects of covid‐19 and a guideline to cope with any pandemic in the near future. The study's findings are intended to assist the community in developing positive social psychology to call the covid‐19 into question and look forward to a new standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition of rights associated with members of society with special characteristics is a reality in the management of governments at a global level. Making these rights effective and respected is a permanent task for the states, among which is Ecuador. That is why the objective of this research is to identify the main factors that affect the violation of the rights of priority attention groups in Ecuador. To meet the proposed objective, methods such as PESTEL analysis, Pareto's technique, Promethee, and TOPSIS were used. As a result, the factors that favor the violation of rights in each area analyzed were identified. Once the most important ones were found, actions were proposed based on them, and the most appropriate actions to mitigate them were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lex Humana is the property of Lex Humana 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.)

In towns where social phenomena such as poverty, migration and unemployment prevail, the informal market acquires special relevance, as is the case in Ecuador. The country has currently experienced a rise in this market, for example in the province of Pastaza, City of Puyo, where the Mariscal Market is located. In this market, most people are engaged in informal trade. A situation that has a negative impact on the economy and therefore requires an analysis which, due to the nature of the phenomenon, requires the intervention of multicriteria methods for its evaluation and decision-making. That is why this research aims to evaluate the negative impacts of informal trade related to the Mariscal de Puyo Market to offer strategies for the Government’s decision-making process. In order to select the best strategies to determine a path to follow, we used the technique called neutrosophic TOPSIS enriched with the application of the neutrosophic AHP Saaty and PESTEL. The paper ends with conclusions on the strategies to follow to mitigate the negative impacts of informal trade in this region.

The pursuit of a secure, efficient healthcare system responsive to patient needs remains a crucial goal for developed countries. Governments, grappling with rising healthcare demands, are increasingly turning to technological innovation as a transformative solution. Healthcare 4.0, integrating cutting-edge industrial technologies, aims to enhance patient experience, promote health, control costs, and boost clinical satisfaction. The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed investments in digitalisation, but the promises of Healthcare 4.0 are still seemingly unrealized. This is especially true in the Central-Eastern European (CEE) region, particularly in Hungary, where substantial Industry 4.0 innovation potential intersects with shrinking financial resources, a challenging political environment, a transitioning healthcare system hindering the widescale transition to Healthcare 4.0. Thus, this paper aims to explore the macro-environmental factors influencing Healthcare 4.0 adoption in Hungary. Leveraging qualitative content analysis of interviews with 21 Hungarian healthcare technology startup founders, we aim to map the catalysts and barriers of a Healthcare 4.0 transition using a PESTLE framework. This explorative study contributes to the literature with valuable insights from the innovators' perspective, serving as a foundation for future policy interventions in the quest for widespread Healthcare 4.0 implementation. • Unveiling catalysts and barriers of Healthcare 4.0 transformation in CEE with PESTLE providing a comprehensive framework. • Identifying key barriers: declining government healthcare spending, regulatory obstacles and social acceptance. • Featuring key catalysts: rising healthcare demand, efficiency effects of innovations and potentials of systemic data sharing. • Prioritizing healthtech entrepreneurs' perceptions is vital for supportive healthcare policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was intended to identify factors that lead to the sustainability of small and medium enterprises in Ghana using PESTEL and theories of entrepreneurship as a measuring tool and also made appropriate recommendations for readdressing. The study seeks to solve the problem of high pay to employees, a process that Small and Medium Enterprise face to access the loan and relatively high income to the employee. To enumerate various sources of funds available to SME's in Ghana and to examine the different causes that contribute to the sustainability of small businesses in Ghana, consider the variables that lead to the collapse of new SME's activities, to ascertain the impact of factors that contributes to the sustainability of SME's in Ghana and to evaluate the PESTEL effect on SME's in Ghana. Data were obtained through questionnaires from managers and entrepreneurs in Kumasi, Ghana. The sample was selected using quota, stratified and convenient sampling method. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) in the form of tables. The researchers recommended that entrepreneurs or managers of Small Business should be expert in management in all spheres of business endeavor such as funds, human resource etc. for good management contribute to SME's sustainability as well as dealing in good and quality goods or products for quality products contributes to SME's sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central and South Pacific have significant wave energy resources distributed through the region that are currently not being explored. Even though the wave energy resource in the Pacific has been studied, there is limited knowledge on the potential obstacles when inserting this new energy source into a unique and unexplored environment. Pacific Island countries (PICs) have distinctive characteristics that can become barriers to this technology, especially considering that local coastal and marine systems are fundamental for subsistence and local development. Thus, the success of a project relies on local acceptance. The current study developed an integrative conceptual framework for the PICs (ICFPICs) that derived from the integration of the elements of a political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal (PESTEL) structured approach and further combined with a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) approach to create a matrix that included relevant internal and external factors influencing a project. Four islands were analyzed through the ICFPICs to demonstrate the varying characteristics and challenges in the Pacific environment; the islands were Tubuai (French Polynesia), Viti Levu (Fiji), Rarotonga (Cook Islands), and 'Eua (Tonga). Applying the ICFPICs to each island shows that Tubuai has significant technological issues, Rarotonga has mostly economic issues, Viti Levu is the most developed island but also has several potential issues in the social sphere, while 'Eua has the fewest issues and is a viable candidate for further analysis. The ICFPICs can be used by decision makers, project developers, and stakeholders to recognize probable barriers when bringing wave energy technologies to the PICs and make informed decisions during the pre-feasibility stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pandemic caused by the coronavirus affects all aspects of life of an individual and a society as a whole. It is not only a question of the medical profession, but also of other areas, and especially the need for fundamental human rights. The measures adopted by state bodies are primarily aimed at protecting human health, but the effects and implications they cause limit other rights, so it raises the question of their adequacy. The basic and most important question is how to access health care in such conditions. Therefore, the main aim of the paper is to try to answer the question through PESTEL (P-Political, E-Economic, S-Social, T-Technological, E-Environmental, L-Legal) analysis of the healthcare system of the local community of Pale. Thirty factors of PESTEL analysis were quantified by using the Improved Fuzzy Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (IMF SWARA) method. The results obtained through the total of 70 formed models show that the current state of the observed local community is marked by social and legal factors. This analysis should present a diagnostic test of the current situation and provide a good basis for future actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Together with climate change, rising living standards throughout the world have put pressure on existing freshwater sources and increased global water scarcity. The reclaimed wastewater projects face obstacles in sustainable implementation. This paper reviews Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal (PESTEL) factors that act as barriers to the successful implementation of the reclaimed wastewater. Owing to COVID-19, pandemic and presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater, future consequences on operations and public acceptance of reclaimed wastewater systems are discussed. This review will be useful for water experts, researchers and project planners for appropriate measures in future wastewater reuse projects. HIGHLIGHTS Public acceptance factors of reclaimed wastewater are reviewed by PESTEL analysis.; Mean acceptance rate for drinking application of reclaimed wastewater is lowest.; Contextualization of marketing message to the communities is necessary.; Identification of desired attributes can augment branding of reclaimed wastewater.;

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the socio-economic sector is predicted to increase Indonesia's average poverty rate by the end of 2020. This pandemic outbreak also has an impact on the economic sector, including to White Grass. White Grass is an online store that focuses on selling handmade and crafted goods for home decoration. This rtudy aimed to thoroughly understand the underlying reason cause White Grass sales is very volatile and find insights of the right business strategy for White Grass in the New Normal. This study was quantitative and qualitative method. The data was collected by primary and secondary data through interview and questionnaire. The data was analysed by internal, external, and SWOT analysis. To promote their products, White Grass had some innovations. White Grass changed the name of its product variations to make it easier to remember and give the impression of a signature of White Grass even though the product is an imported product. White Grass currently has two online distribution channel through its Shopee Official Account & TikTok Shop. The promotion conducted by White Grass is through the social media sponsorship and endorsement to selected influencer. White Grass also apply special offer or bundles program during during pay day week where people got their salary and launch the product unique twin-date like 8.8, 9.9, 10.10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]