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The original research presented in this Special Section analyzes different aspects of the potential offered to mining firms in developing countries by new demands for solutions to face environmental, social and technological challenges. The evidence is drawn from extensive fieldworks and comparative econometric research on Latin America, and suggests that the existing opportunities will need to be pursued with firm-level efforts and active regulatory and innovation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies whether the mining sector can represent a true engine of growth for selected Latin American countries through the suppliers' entry and upgrading within mining value chains. We start by using international trade data to study where mining value is added and how rents are distributed across countries. Despite their importance in the production and exports of copper ores and concentrate, the participation of the selected Latin American countries in copper value chains is still confined to the upstream segment. Moreover, their share of innovation relevant for the sector remains very limited, although new data on patenting and publications show that the sector is becoming increasingly innovative worldwide. Then, we use new microeconomic evidence from case-studies in Latin America to explore the specific opportunities and obstacles faced by mining suppliers in entering the value chain and upgrading within it, and how the regulatory and innovation systems have influenced this process. We show that barriers related to the contractual practices, lead firms' attitudes, and the hierarchical industrial organization of the sector, coupled with the countries' weaknesses in local innovation and regulatory systems, have been contributing to hamper suppliers' entry into mining value chains and upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning decisions are generally subject to some level of uncertainty. In forestry, data describing the resources available have a major impact on operations performance and productivity. This paper aims to present a method to improve decision-making in the forest supply chain by taking supply uncertainty into account using the results of data quality assessments. The case study describes the operations planning process of a Canadian forest products company dealing with an uncertain volume of wood supply. Three approaches to constructing probability distributions based on data quality are tested. Each approach offers a different level of precision: (1) a frequency distribution of accuracy, (2) a normal distribution based on average accuracy, and (3) a normal distribution based on data quality classification. Using stochastic programming to plan transport and production shows that lower costs can be achieved with a general characterisation of the data accuracy. Not considering uncertainty when planning operations leads to a significant replanning transportation cost. Using classes of data quality to include uncertainty in operations planning contributes to reducing the transportation cost from $15.90/m3 down to $15.32/m3 representing 3.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While much of the academic literature on spinouts focuses on new ventures launched by the ex-employees of incumbent firms within the same industry, recent research shows that spinouts may also enter a focal industry from "knowledge contexts" outside of the incumbent industry. In particular, recent studies show that spinouts may enter from both upstream and downstream industries related to a focal industry along the value chain. Such spinouts have been called user-industry and supplier-industry spinouts. In this article, evidence from existing studies is collected to provide an indication of the relevance of such spinouts across various industries. This survey also includes an analysis of industry studies in which user- and supplier-industry spinouts may have been present but were not identified as such by scholars due to a difference in focus. The paper then considers the evidence accumulated to date in order to explore the industry contexts in which these two types of spinouts appear and to develop propositions concerning differences in the entry timing and product/market strategies of these startups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Once scaled, online platforms reconfigure value to remain competitive. Reconfiguration in online platforms may take a different form than in pipelines, as online platforms are intermediaries that generate network effects among the sides they connect. They also face stiff competition from other spheres due to lower barriers to entry. Why and how do online platforms reconfigure value? By examining 13 Indian online platforms that have achieved a certain level of success (such as tipped markets, investor confidence, or profitability), this article offers four strategies for reconfiguring online platforms: enhance interactions, enhance capabilities, offer new services, and nurture new transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expeditiously growing interest in Additive Manufacturing (AM) in various domains and applications leads to different challenges in terms of management and optimisation. These issues are due to the vast amount and type variety of data and knowledge generated across the AM value chain. Therefore, it becomes essential to deliver useful help to support information management and critical decisions along the AM product realisation. This paper proposes a knowledge-based Framework for traceability and decision aid in AM processes. The proposed solution is applied in a critical phase concerning process generation and cost estimation at the beginning of AM project. A software demonstrator is deployed in a real industrial case study: Heat Exchanger for Aircraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the productivity effects for domestic suppliers from joining and exiting the value chains of foreign-owned multinational enterprises (MNEs). Our econometric analysis is based on firm-to-firm transactions recorded in the value-added tax declarations' data from Estonia and use of propensity score matching and difference-in-difference regression approach. The treatment analysis based on period 2015–2019 suggests that starting to supply the foreign-owned firms initially boosts the value added per employee of the domestic firms, including the effects on the scale of production and the capital–labor ratio. These first linkages to the foreign-owned MNEs do not affect the total factor productivity (TFP) of domestic firms, suggesting that the TFP effects take time to materialize. We find no significant positive effects on the second-tier suppliers: the positive effects are limited to the first-tier suppliers with direct links to foreign-owned firms. One novel result is the evidence that the productivity of suppliers does not fall, on average, after decreasing or ending supplier relationships with the foreign-owned firms. However, this average effect hides significant heterogeneity. Domestic firms with prior high levels of productivity and those at the time of exit from the MNE relationship start to export, gain in productivity in next periods, whereas the firms with low prior productivity levels lose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inefficient practices in the logistics industry cause huge losses in social resources. Addressing the quality control issues is challenging in multi-stage transport. Due to the structural characteristics of the serial logistics service chains, the real delivery quality of each Third Party Logistics (3PL) is invisible to the Lead Logistics Provider (LLP), and the defects of a single 3PL's delivery quality will be covered up. Thus, unobservable delivery quality triggers the moral hazard action of 3PL, and strengthens the inequities in a serial logistics service chain. Blockchain technology can be an effective tool to resolve the moral hazard problem. We employ game theory-based models to investigate the blockchain adoption issue in serial logistics service chains. Adopting blockchain technology might bring Pareto improvement in delivery quality and total profit of the service chain. However, 3PL's profit may be hurt because of blockchain adoption. Therefore, successful blockchain implementation depends on whether the initiator of a blockchain programme can properly incentivise 3PLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations forecast a significant shift in global population distribution by 2050, with rural populations projected to decline. This decline will particularly challenge mountain areas' cultural heritage, well-being, and economic sustainability. Understanding the economic, environmental, and societal effects of rural population decline is particularly important in Europe, where mountainous regions are vital for supplying goods. The present paper describes a geospatially explicit semantic knowledge graph containing information on 454 European mountain value chains. It is the first large-size, structured collection of information on mountain value chains. Our graph, structured through ontology-based semantic modelling, offers representations of the value chains in the form of narratives. The graph was constructed semi-automatically from unstructured data provided by mountain-area expert scholars. It is accessible through a public repository and explorable through interactive Story Maps and a semantic Web service. Through semantic queries, we demonstrate that the graph allows for exploring territorial complexities and discovering new knowledge on mountain areas' environmental, societal, territory, and economic aspects that could help stem depopulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the largest producer of jujubes in the world, with the Xinjiang region accounting for about 50 % of the total production. However, local jujube processing still relies on traditional methods, leading to reduced industrial efficiency. Research shows that jujube polysaccharides possess various biological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory activities. Enhancing the extraction of jujube polysaccharides to boost their food, medicinal, and economic value has become an important development direction of the jujube industry. This paper reviews the current research on the active functions of grey jujube polysaccharides, extraction technologies, and recent advancements in their production and application. It systematically introduces both traditional and emerging extraction technologies and summarizes the current state of production and application of grey jujube polysaccharides. The aim is to provide references for other researchers interested in jujube polysaccharides and to extend the value chain of the grey jujube industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced manufacturing research for sustainable battery life cycles is of utmost importance to reach net zero carbon emissions (European Commission, 2023a) as well as several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), for example: 30% reduction of CO2 emission, 10 million job opportunities and access to electricity for 600 million people (World Economic Forum, 2019). This editorial paper highlights international motivations for pursuing more sustainable manufacturing practices and discusses key research topics in battery manufacturing. Batteries will be central to our sustainable future as generation and storage become key components to on-demand energy supply. Four underlying themes are identified to address industrial needs in this field: 1. Digitalizing and automating production capabilities: data-driven solutions for production quality, smart maintenance, automation, and human factors, 2. Human-centric production: extended reality for operator support and skills development, 3. Circular battery life cycles: circular battery systems supported by service-based and other novel business models, 4. Future topics for battery value chains: increased industrial resilience and transparency with digital product passports, and next-generation battery chemistries. Challenges and opportunities along these themes are highlighted for transforming battery value chains through circularity and more sustainable production, with a particular emphasis on lithium-ion batteries (LIB). The paper concludes with directions for further research to advance a circular and sustainable battery value chain through utilizing the full potential of digitalization realising a cleaner, more energy-efficient society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the cosmetic industry responds to the growing demand for natural products, a shift to next-generation alternative feed-stocks is inevitable. However, this transition requires more than just a change in raw materials. Evonik's ECOHANCE® program provides feedstocks that help the personal care and cosmetic industry meet the consumer demand for natural products. In this article, we introduce ECOHANCE® Soft Baobab, our latest addition to our alternative feedstocks program. We discuss the quality and composition, oxidation stability, dermatological studies and formulation examples. By sourcing baobab seeds from Ghana and participating the United Nations' Great Green Wall initiative, this product enables companies to increase their ecological and social handprint along the entire value chain and achieve a common vision of "Sustainabeauty".. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism resembles an indispensable source for financing national development and securing local livelihoods in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with their sun-sea-sand tourism. Related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions counteract sectoral development as climate impacts have begun to severely reduce the attractiveness of destinations. This is valid especially for disaster-prone SIDS where slow and rapid onsetting phenomena and severe, frequent weather events are already experienced, increasingly putting tourist assets, infrastructure, local livelihoods and unique biodiversity under pressure. Against this background, this review synthesizes the recent climate change and tourism literature relating to main SIDS regions, highlighting what is at risk. The authors provide latest evidence of the role tourism plays for these islands and elaborate the peculiar climate risks, impacts and consequences for tourism development. The current state of adaptation is explored and research priorities in SIDS regions are highlighted. Whereas SIDS show high mitigation ambition, the significance of CO2 emissions along the value chain and especially related to the transport to SIDS destinations remains a problem that developed nations must address in their national emission reduction plans. Further research at the interface of climate change and tourism is needed, contributing to the decarbonisation of tourism and successful adaptation in SIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In few industries does the transfer of industrial leadership play a more significant role in the hegemonic competition between superpowers than in the semiconductor industry. As shown in the case of the United States (US)–Japan semiconductor conflict in the 1980s, who takes the lead will be critical in determining the future trajectory of the hegemonic competition between the US and China. This study examines how economic–security linkages and chip-related factors jointly affect the US–China Chip War and the evolving dynamics in Asia at the regional level. The economy–security nexus responds sensitively to the geopolitical structure and degree of economic dependence. Changes in the geopolitical structure create variations in which the economic–security nexus is sometimes either integrated or separated. Chips are currently the world's most critical technology, evolving quickly to create technological regimes and path dependence. Among the diverse technological features of semiconductors, this study focuses on the industrial position of an individual economy's specialization in the chip value chain. Individual states devise statecraft strategies to maximize their economic security gains and minimize risks. In the semiconductor sector, the joint effects of the economic–security nexus and chip-related factors shape each involved economy's statecraft strategy. This study theoretically reveals the concrete mechanisms through which the changing economic–security nexus shapes the economic statecraft of individual economies in the semiconductor value chain. The study also explores how East Asian economies adopt their own strategies along the spectrum of balancing, hedging, and bandwagoning in the context of competition between superpowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A value chain analysis (VCA) is a cost‐effective tool to guide targeted value chain development interventions to address social wellbeing and environmental performance. Examining value chains through a gender lens can help design and implement interventions that enhance opportunities for women in the fisheries and address gender inequalities in the sector. We conducted a VCA in 2015 of the wild‐caught mud crab (Scylla serrata) fishery in Bua Province, Fiji. We found five main players involved in the selling of mud crabs – fishers, traders, retail shops, restaurants and exporters. The value chain was dominated by Indigenous (iTaukei) women fishers (88.1% of fishers) and characterised by low technological input, targeted largely for domestic markets or consumption, and with limited value‐adding activities. Although most women harvested mud crabs on a part‐time basis, it was an important source of income for most with 30% relying on it as their main livelihood. Despite being a lucrative commodity, there are several bottlenecks in the fishery – the relative informality of relationships amongst players in the value chain, the independent livelihood‐driven harvest behaviours of fishers, and opportunistic sale of products. As a result, the fishery did not meet the demands of the domestic market. Our study concluded the gendered‐skewness in the fishery increases the vulnerability of the chain to declines in economic productivity because of its reliance on irregular suppliers, and gender‐based constraints. However, the low frequency and intensity of harvesting and use of low technological harvesting methods meant the fishery was not over‐exploited and likely sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clusters can play an important role in helping regions to address transformative innovation policies in Europe focusing mainly on (i) sustainability (ii) smart specialization, promoting diversified specialization and (ii) reshoring/regionalization of value chains to secure economic sustainability and resilience. Clusters can be considered key change agents in aligning cluster policies with transformative policies and repositioning their role in the innovation policy landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using farmer-owned breeding programs operated by vertically integrated US Northwest hop growers, this article examines the novel hops produced by these programs with market applications for craft beer. Drawing on data collected through hybrid qualitative methods, I explore Yakima farmers' understandings of the hop material they breed, grow, buy, and/or sell, alongside this model's resulting value chain. I demonstrate that growers, alongside other materials in the hop-growing assemblage, co-produce material technologies (new hop genetics) and discursive technologies (new hop brands). This study provides insights into alternative places, where agricultural plant science and innovation may be possible and the social ramifications of knowledge-making. The case study of craft hops demonstrates how embedded plant science has the capacity to reconfigure neoliberal tendencies in modernist agriculture but that without intervention, these tendencies are reinstated through the deployment of discursive technologies in the form of branded intellectual property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fair Trade movement aims to provide producers and workers at the tail end of the value chain with secure working conditions and just incomes. However, the certification standards generated by these goals are often incompatible with the regional production systems. By comparing two Costa Rican banana farms––one Fair Trade, one conventional-my research reveals that Fair Trade regulations fail to account for the complexities of the structural issues that create and maintain precarity. This article shows that despite the movement's best intentions it is unsuccessful in controlling the application of its values as it is disconnected from the communities on the ground. Fair Trade's ideals become tainted locally because of pre-existing inequalities that shape social relations. I therefore specify that Fair Trade would benefit from integrating requirements specific to regional and national production processes––termed here "industry specific" standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrative picture of the state of the art of the literature on digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as an enabler for their internationalisation process and as a comprehensive view of the specific domains impacted by digital technologies as well as their repercussions on the international outreach. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review which leverages a descriptive analysis of extant literature and an axial coding technique has been conducted to shed light on the current knowledge and to identify primary research areas and future research lines. Findings: The research indicates that digitalisation impacts the internationalisation of SMEs in three specific domains: (1) internationalisation through the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) technologies and e-commerce platforms; (2) international expansion through the digitalisation of value chain activities and (3) international outreach through knowledge acquisition on digital platforms. Originality/value: The value of this study is threefold. First, the authors attempt to systematically review the literature on SMEs digitalisation and internationalisation and provide a holistic perspective on the intertwining of these two research streams. Second, the authors propose a novel conceptualisation on the dimensions of SMEs digitalisation as enablers to internationalisation. Third, the authors put forward promising future lines of research. Highlights: Digitalisation represents a pivotal strategy that allows companies to build new strategic capabilities and is a propeller for SMEs internationalisation. Through e-commerce, SMEs could compete at the same level of multinational companies but enduring lower costs of expansion. Digital platforms allow SMEs to enhance the learning processes about international markets through an immediate access to relevant information. Digital entrepreneurship has enabled SMEs to develop new configurations of value chain activities, evolving their business model or reaching new markets. SMEs are changing the "business as usual" paradigm offering digital tools to build modular architectures that are scalable and agile in their evolution ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a synthesis of the collection ‘Small fish for food and nutrition in the Global South: A value chain approach’. Small fish, often the most inexpensive available animal protein, are increasingly perceived as contributing to the food security and nutrition of poor and undernourished populations in the Global South. However, the value chains of these fish remain understudied. Therefore, we ask: what are the myriad ways through which small fish reach consumers in countries in Africa and Asia? The papers in this collection explore the value chains of marine and freshwater small fish, which are often consumed whole, and are rich in micronutrients. We give space to rich case studies of these value chains and further theoretical explorations of its various segments. They show a concern for the often-hidden power relations implicit in these value chains and food systems. Moreover, they show how, despite structural limits imposed by social categories or socio-economic transformation, the agency articulated by actors emerge as central, as they negotiate their engagement within small fish value chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the Linder hypothesis for foreign direct investment (FDI) within the three‐way gravity framework, utilizing a newly compiled and extensive dataset encompassing greenfield and brownfield investment activities across diverse sectors from 2003 to 2018. The Linder hypothesis posits that multinational firms invest in countries with comparable income levels to their home country. Our primary findings affirm the relevance of the Linder hypothesis in the context of horizontal FDI. The influence of the Linder effect varies among sectors, with the service sector exhibiting the most pronounced effect, while no detectable effect is observable for the manufacturing sector. We also find that the Linder effect depends on the sector's position within the value chain and the degree of quality differentiation. Sectors closer to final consumer demand and those characterized by higher product differentiation exhibit greater exposure to the Linder effect. Additionally, our analysis reveals that the Linder effect is subject to variations based on the income levels of the host country and highlights the significance of consumer preferences in shaping FDI patterns. Our article underscores the pivotal role of industry dynamics, product quality considerations, and value chain positioning in influencing the Linder effect on FDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This project aims to optimise a secondary agricultural company's reporting and data lifecycle by providing self-help business intelligence at an optimal price point for all business users. Design/methodology/approach: A design for Lean Six Sigma approach utilising the define, measure analyse, design and verify methodology was utilised to design a new reporting and data product lifecycle. Findings: The study found that this approach allowed a very structured delivery of a complex program. The various tools used assisted greatly in delivering results while balancing the needs of the team. Practical implications: This study demonstrates how improving data analysis and enhanced intelligence reporting in agribusinesses enable better decision making and thus improves efficiencies so that the agribusiness can leverage the learnings. Social implications: Improving data analysis increases efficiency and reduces agrifood food wastage thus improving sustainability and environmental impacts. Originality/value: This paper proposes creating a standardised approach to deploying Six Sigma methodology to correct both the data provisioning lifecycle and the subsequent business intelligence reporting lifecycle. It is the first study to look at process optimisation across the agricultural industry's entire data and business intelligence lifecycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brand collaboration requirement (BCR) evaluation is a key premise for core manufacturing enterprises to lead the collaborative brand construction of a large-scale manufacturing industry value chain (LSMIVC). Because brand collaboration (BC) in LSMIVC requires interaction with other businesses, BCRs are interactional and decision-makers come from multiple groups. However, existing requirement evaluation approaches rarely consider the interactional nature of requirements and the multiple groups nature of decision makers, producing unstable, easy-to-fail, and inaccurate results. Therefore, this study presents a multi-group decision-making approach based on a decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory and analytic network process (DEMATEL-ANP). This approach integrates the assessment information of BCRs from group decision-makers and prevents unstable and easily invalid assessment results owing to an incomplete decision-maker team. Additionally, DEMATEL-ANP was used to rank the interaction BCRs, which improved the accuracy and effectiveness of the requirement evaluation. Finally, the developed approach and model were tested against the air-conditioning industry value chain. The case study shows that the proposed method can determine requirement ranking. Comparative tests show that the proposed approach is effective and superior, and is more consistent with real-world BC situations. Therefore, the proposed approach provides a direction and theoretical basis for core manufacturing enterprises to implement BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given recent breakdowns in global value chains, like the COVID-19 crisis or the conflict in Ukraine, developed economies are trying to develop resilience to address future drawbacks. Backshoring and nearshoring arise as attractive solutions to reduce exposure to global disruptions and undesirable practices such as forced labour. This study analyses the labour impacts of a hypothetical EU-driven reconfiguration of value chains of the fashion industry through a multi-regional input-output model. Using the Structural Path Analysis methodology, how forced labour is transmitted within Europe is explored. Once the forced labour hotspots are determined, we explore the socioeconomic consequences of a trade-restructuring strategy simulated through the source-shifting technique. Our results show that the forced labour embodied in the European final demand for fashion products could fall by up to 34.2%. This strategy could generate more than 190,000 jobs in Europe, while China and India could lose more than 1.5 million jobs each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is commonly perceived as the key player in the transition towards a low-carbon future. Nevertheless, H 2 low energy density hinders its easy storage and transportation. To address this issue, different alternatives (liquefied hydrogen, ammonia and liquid organic hydrogen carriers) are explored as hydrogen vectors. The techno-economic assessment of H 2 transport through these carriers is strongly dependent on the basis of design adopted, such that it is difficult to draw general conclusions. In this respect, this work is aimed at performing a sensitivity analysis on the hypotheses introduced in the layout of H 2 value chains. Different scenarios are discussed, depending on harbour-to-harbour distances, cost of utilities and raw materials and H 2 application to the industrial or mobility sector. The most cost-effective carrier is selected for each case-study: NH 3 is the most advantageous for industrial sector, while LH 2 holds promises for mobility. Critical issues are pointed out for future large-scale applications. [Display omitted] • NH 3, liquefied H 2 , toluene and dibenzyltoluene assessment as H 2 carrier. • H 2 application to both the industrial and mobility sectors. • Sensitivity study on harbour-to-harbour distance, utilities and raw materials cost. • NH 3 is the most cost-effective H 2 carrier for industrial applications. • LH 2 is the most cost-effective H 2 carrier for mobility applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Indonesia, the development of the poultry industry is facing numerous challenges. Major constraints include high disease burdens, large fluctuations in farm input and output prices, and inadequate biosecurity. Timely and reliable information about animal production and health can help stakeholders at all levels of the value chain make appropriate management decisions to optimize their profitability and productivity while reducing risks to public health. This study aimed to describe the challenges in the Indonesian poultry industry, assess stakeholders' needs and capabilities in terms of generating and using poultry information for making production and health management decisions, and identify levers for improvement. Interviews were conducted with a diversity of key informants and value chain actors in five Indonesian provinces. Thematic analysis was applied with an interpretivist approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of various stakeholders and their opinions as to what might constitute appropriate solutions. Our findings indicate that market and political instability, ineffective management of poultry data, and limited inter-sectoral collaboration are limiting the development of the sector. Increased intersectoral cooperation is needed to implement standards for data collection and sharing across the industry, provide education and practical training on the use of information technologies for farm management, and accelerate research and innovation. Our study can contribute to the development of data-driven tools to support evidence-based decision-making at all levels of the poultry system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst growing skepticism towards globalization and rising digital trade, this study investigates the impact of Restrictions on Cross-Border Data Flows (RCDF) on Domestic Value Chains (DVCs) stability. As global value chains participation declines, the stability of DVCs—integral to internal economic dynamics—becomes crucial. This study situates within a framework exploring the role of innovation and RCDF in the increasingly interconnected global trade. Using a panel data fixed effect model, our analysis provides insights into the varying effects of RCDF on DVCs stability across countries with diverse economic structures and technological advancement levels. This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of the interplay between digital trade policies, value chain stability, and innovation. RCDF tend to disrupt DVCs by negatively impacting innovation, which necessitates proactive policy measures to mitigate these effects. In contrast, low-income countries experience a less detrimental impact; RCDF may even aid in integrating their DVCs into Global Value Chains, enhancing economic stability. It underscores the need for dynamic, adaptable policies and global collaboration to harmonize digital trade standards, thus offering guidance for policy-making in the context of an interconnected global economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many countries, especially those with a high energy demand but insufficient renewable resources are currently investigating the role that imported low carbon hydrogen may play in meeting future energy requirements and emission reduction targets. A future hydrogen economy is uncertain and predicated on reduced price of hydrogen delivered to customers. Current hydrogen production, steam reforming of natural gas or coal gasification, is co-located to its end-use as a chemical feedstock. Large-scale multi-source value chains of hydrogen needed to support its use for energy are still at concept phase. This research investigates the combination of technical and economic factors which will determine the viability and competitiveness of two competing large scale renewable hydrogen value chains via ammonia and liquid hydrogen. Using a techno-economic model, an evaluation of whether green hydrogen exports to Germany from countries with low-cost renewable electricity production, but high-costs of storage, distribution and transport will be economically competitive with domestic renewable hydrogen production is conducted. The model, developed in Python, calculates costs and energy losses for each step in the value chain. This includes production from an optimised combination of solar and/or wind generation capacity, optimised storage requirements, conversion to ammonia or liquid hydrogen, distribution, shipping, and reconversion. The model can easily be applied to any scenario by changing the inputs and was used to compare export from Chile, Namibia, and Morocco with production in Germany using a 1 GW electrolyser and 2030 cost scenario in each case. • Electrolyser utilisation is more important than renewable energy storage when determining the LCOH. • The lowest cost LCOE for green hydrogen production does not always result in the LCOH. • The reconversion of ammonia back to hydrogen significantly increases the cost of energy to the end user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging green hydrogen value chain provides an opportunity to develop joint sustainable strategies between different countries and implement measures to mitigate potential adverse effects. We analyze whether the green hydrogen value chain can aid in meeting the objectives outlined in the 2030 Agenda. The Value Chain Assessment methodology that we developed enables the identification of direct and indirect influences, and the categorization of positive and negative effects, of each segment (production, transportation, and end-use) of the green hydrogen value chain on the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets. We also analyze the associated temporal dimensions and reciprocal interdependences, to clarify the dynamics of the value chain over time and across different geographical scales. We present a strategic framework that can help in fostering the green hydrogen value chain for the implementation of sustainable development. We find that the use of green hydrogen can clearly accelerate progress on the SDGs in the short-term, but adverse effects could arise in the medium- to long-term. The realization of the green hydrogen value chain requires synchronized investments and policies across space and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen (H2) is positioned as a key solution to the decarbonization challenge in both the energy and transportation sectors. While hydrogen is a clean and versatile energy carrier, it poses significant safety risks due to its wide flammability range and high detonation potential. Hydrogen leaks can occur throughout the hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, transportation, and utilization. Thus, effective leak detection systems are essential for the safe handling, storage, and transportation of hydrogen. This review aims to survey relevant codes and standards governing hydrogen-leak detection and evaluate various sensing technologies based on their working principles and effectiveness. Our analysis highlights the strengths and limitations of the current detection technologies, emphasizing the challenges in achieving sensitive and specific hydrogen detection. The results of this review provide critical insights into the existing technologies and regulatory frameworks, informing future advancements in hydrogen safety protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is at a critical moment of transforming high-speed development to high-quality development, and it is significant to improve the efficiency of green technological innovation. In this paper, under the perspective of two-stage innovation value chain, we construct the evaluation index system of green technology innovation efficiency, adopt the super efficiency SBM model to measure the green technology innovation efficiency of China's high-tech industries, and based on the results obtained, we assume the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method (fs-QCA) based on the group theory to explore the complex causal mechanism and grouping paths of the interaction between enterprises, government and market that affects the green technology innovation efficiency Mechanism and group path. The study results show that (1) enterprise, government, and market are not necessary conditions to influence the efficiency of green technological innovation, and even if a particular party plays a central role, it needs the assistance of other parties. (2) The improvement of green technological innovation efficiency requires the interaction of enterprises, government, and market, and even if any party does not have the core conditions, it can still produce high green technological innovation efficiency. (3) The path of the "innovative compensation" effect is identified, which indicates that enterprises will generate a high level of green innovation efficiency under sufficient investment brought about by the enterprise scale effect and matched with a good level of economic development. (4) The market economy-led pathway suggests that when the market economy is highly developed, firms do not need environmental regulation and government support to generate efficient levels of green technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research employs the ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) model to examine the impact of COVID-19 on mutual trade between Germany and the Visegrad Four (V4). We focus on trade with Germany due to its status as the strongest and geographically closest trade partner of these four post-communist countries. Additionally, the extensive value chains of industrial production create robust economic connections between Germany, as an industrial leader, and the adjacent states, which is evident in the frequent mutual trade. The pandemic caused a sudden disruption of these value chains, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which dominates the region. In our analysis, we estimated the ARDL model for each country, considering both export and import data. Initially, we estimated long-run models, revealing that the coefficients of import and export models for the countries yielded different long-term results. In the short-run models, the dummy variables for both export and import models across all countries were significant, indicating that COVID-19 affected international trade between the V4 and Germany. Moreover, in all models, the coefficient of the dummy variable was negative, suggesting that COVID-19 had a detrimental effect on international trade. An important finding is that, depending on the nature of the dummy variable used, the effect of COVID-19 was observed during the pandemic period, with international trade returning to its previous trend post-pandemic. This experience highlights that while predicting the next pandemic and its negative impacts remains challenging, countries and their production chains are now better prepared. They have adapted to operate with greater flexibility, enabling them to effectively face similar unexpected challenges in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of the depulping of cocoa beans after pod opening, as well as the influences of pod storage (PS) and fermentation time on the fermentation dynamics and the overall quality of beans and liquors made thereof. Twelve variations were conducted in three experimental runs (with/without depulping; 1-/3-day PS; and fermentation times of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 days). Fermentation dynamics (e.g., temperature and pH) and the quality of dried beans (e.g., cut-test and fermentation index) and liquors (sensory assessment, quantification of cocoa key-odorants and tastants) were investigated. It was demonstrated that 17–20% of cocoa pulp, relative to the total bean-pulp-mass weight, could be mechanically removed without negatively affecting the bean quality. No significant differences were found in the percentages of well-fermented beans after 5–6 days fermentation with 1-day PS, resulting in 49 ± 9% with, and 48 ± 12% without depulping. There were no significant differences in key tastants present in the liquors; however, significantly less volatile acids and esters were found when liquors were produced from 5–6 day-fermented depulped beans, with 1-day PS, without negatively affecting the sensory profiles. This strategy allows producers to maximize the cacao fruit's value by integrating part of the pulp into the cocoa value chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers' involvement in the development of new goods and services is growing, and thus understanding food motives is crucial for various fisheries stakeholders to manage fish value chains. In addition, traceability is becoming more prominent in guiding consumers' behaviour. Yet, the latter can be considered a source of confusion, as the multiplicity of certifications and labelling systems can be overwhelming. A national web-based survey was conducted on a representative sample of Italian and Spanish consumers. From the literature, a set of 13 attributes was chosen to identify the most important factors guiding consumers' choice, and various groups in each population were identified using hierarchical cluster analysis. Our findings provide valuable insights for fish value chain stakeholders, enabling them to optimize fisheries supply chains, educate consumers about diverse fish species, and promote more sustainable decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the goals of Industry 4.0 is to increase the transparency of the value chain through modern tools in production processes. This article aims to discuss the possibility of increasing the efficiency of a production system by modernizing it with the use of computer modelling tools. This article describes a method for the simulation modelling of a selected production system using the specialized FlexSim 2023 software in a 3D environment. The results and benefits of the practical application of the object-oriented modelling are presented, as well as the possibilities of collecting simulation data used to optimize production processes. The analyses were conducted at a selected production plant in a case study. The research assessed the effectiveness of the existing system and determined the impact of process changes in the event of the introduction of a new design solution. The simulation identified bottlenecks in the material flow. The basis for creating the simulation model was the analysis of the technological process. A simulation model for a real situation was created, and a simulation model was designed to identify and indicate a solution to eliminate the detection of the bottleneck. The problem area identified using visualization in the technological process slowed down the entire production process and contributed to time and economic losses. Thus, the authors confirmed the thesis that the simulation modelling of production systems using the FlexSim program can help eliminate bottlenecks and increase the efficiency of human resource use. At the same time, the use of this tool can lead to increased efficiency, reduced costs and improved sustainability and other performance indicators important for modern production environments as part of the promoted Industry 4.0 idea. A noticeable result of these changes was an increase in production from about 80–90 units. In addition, it was noticed that the condition of the machines preceding the stand changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highland bamboo has been traditionally used in building construction, wall partitioning, ceiling, doors, windows, and roofs and has contributed in people's livelihoods. This paper focuses on pinpointing bamboo value chain, its opportunities, and challenges. Site selection and observation, review of existing knowledge, key informant interview and market assessment in the value chain, stakeholders' consultation workshop, processors workspace visit, and group discussion were performed. We found that highland bamboo is a raw material, semi-processed and processed product and sold at different locations passing through different routes based on the request and demand of the customers in the value chain. We identified different bamboo landraces in the studied areas. However, there are knowledge gaps by processors on the use of the different races for different purposes. Traders buy bamboo culms based on their sizes by giving different grades. The price of the product varied from product to product depending on the quality of bamboo raw material/culm used and the time (man-days) required to make the finished product. Local processors' capacity to produce well-finished products is affected due to lack of important machineries and tools. Therefore, introducing and promoting modern processing tools and machines through credit support systems are crucial to make processors more competitive in the value chain. Moreover, the study identified major challenges faced by bamboo growers, culm traders, and processors that have effects on bamboo value chain development. Therefore, it is important to work towards alleviating/minimizing the major challenges in the bamboo value chain considering all actors to strive towards improving the value chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown that Norwegian aquaculture firms strongly emphasize environmental and social sustainability, and this study aims to assess if the pattern is consistent across the value chain and consistent independent of suppliers' amount of sales to fish farming. Also, it studies if value chain position and sales to fish farming are associated with innovation activities. Empirically, the study compares survey data between firms in the aquaculture industry and other industries as reference groups. The results show that aquaculture firms across the value chain overall emphasize environmental and social sustainability more than actors in the reference industries. For suppliers, the emphasis is strongest for those with high sales to fish farming. Another finding is that aquaculture firms' innovation activities are relatively strong among firms providing services and input factors, particularly among suppliers with high sales to fish farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, third largest fish producer, and second largest aquaculture producer. There have been numerous studies of aquaculture and fisheries in Nigeria, but no study to date has analyzed aquaculture and capture fisheries value chains together, while giving equal weight to all value chain segments and systematically capturing information on temporal trends in value chain structure, conduct, and performance. This paper does so. Methods: We conducted a structured, qualitative, rapid reconnaissance survey of 180 actors from eight segments of the aquatic food value chain in three Nigerian states with contrasting geographies, Ebonyi, Kebbi, and Oyo. Results: Results particularly important for future research and policy are as follows. (1) Partial vertical integration is a common feature of the organization of firms in all value chain segments, as a risk reduction strategy to overcome market imperfections and frictions. Scarcity and high cost of imported intermediate inputs is stimulating local innovation and import substitution manufacturing of feeds and fabricated items. (2) Inter-sectoral spillovers from the poultry industry have hastened the development of fish value chains, while improvements in power supply have enabled the expansion of cold storage capacity, facilitating the geographical lengthening of frozen fish value chains. (3) Rapid technological and/or institutional change is occurring in all value chain segments, including those usually viewed as traditional, such as processing and fishing. Logistics services are becoming more specialized and sophisticated, and digital communications technologies including social media play an increasingly important role in value chain coordination and marketing. (4) Increasing opportunity costs of time drive demand for convenience foods such as smoked and fried fish, which require little further preparation and can be stored at room temperature. Demand for farmed catfish is linked to growing consumption of food away from home at bars and restaurants. (5) Significant opportunities exist to improve the performance of value chains in terms of gender equity, environmental impacts, and food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Seed production has experienced significant growth in Bangladesh over the last decade, driven by the increasing number of hatcheries. The hatchery segment plays a crucial role in the overall growth and development of aquaculture in the country. Understanding its structure, conduct and performance is essential for assessing its impact on the productivity and profitability of aquaculture farms. However, there is a limited number of methodologically rigorous studies focusing on the hatchery segment in Bangladesh. The study aimed to fill the gap in the exiting literature by conducting a methodologically analysis of the hatchery segment of aquaculture value chain in Bangladesh. Methods: This study was conducted in seven of the main aquaculture producing districts in southern Bangladesh. A comprehensive structured survey was conducted between May and August 2022 with 66 enterprises, including 42 carp+catfish, 16 tilapia, and 8 crustacean hatcheries. Results and discussion: The major findings and their implications are as follows. (1) The number of hatcheries increased by 15% over the past decade, with a 27% increase in fish hatcheries and a 47% decrease in crustacean hatcheries. (2) Carp and tiger shrimp were the most commonly produced fish and crustacean seeds, contributing 67% and 99% of volume and 66% and 97% of sales value, respectively. (3) The hatcheries were family-owned and operated enterprise, and generated a total 2,491 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs. (4) Hatcheries used 86% of their broodstock annually and replaced them regularly for improving quality and avoiding inbreeding. (5) 18% of hatcheries reported facing diseases and/or water quality problems, but mean economic loss was only 0.71% of seed sales value, which is a low level of loss and waste. (6) Average annual net profit margin was relatively modest, averaging 54% of the gross revenue, which suggests the existence of competitive seed production and marketing. The results showed that the hatchery segment in southern Bangladesh appears to be dynamic, well developed, efficient, and relatively competitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence is presented that innovation across aquaculture value chains can contribute to poverty reduction through income generation and increased consumption of nutritious aquatic foods. Innovation is defined and contextualized in relation to aquaculture development. Opportunities for aquaculture innovation across value chains for poverty reduction and sustainable production are described. Contemporary trends in aquaculture development in Bangladesh and India, with a focus on 2011-2020, are reviewed, as understanding transformative change to aquatic food systems during this period could benefit millions of poor and marginal consumers. Market-led commercial production, instigated by private sector entrepreneurs for domestic markets, has underpinned the surge in freshwater fish culture in key geographical locations. In contrast booms in shrimp production have been associated with export opportunities and related cycles of boom-and-bust have been described, with busts attributed to falling market prices and disease outbreaks. Innovation could safeguard supplies of affordable fish to poorer groups (especially young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women) and enable better health management of aquatic animals including coordination of surveillance and disease control measures. Innovation to effectively promote better management practices and integrated services provision to large numbers of small- and medium-scale producers could contribute to poverty reduction. Opportunities for future innovation to ensure that aquaculture development is sustainable are critically reviewed. Innovative strategies to add value to byproducts and utilize waste resources could avoid negative environmental impacts, recycle nutrients and create income generating opportunities. A new paradigm for development assistance that identifies and supports promising innovation trajectories across jurisdictions, product value chains, institutional regimes and food systems is needed. Government agencies must be responsive to the needs of businesses throughout aquatic food systems and devise policies and regulatory regimes that support transformative and sustained growth of the aquaculture sector. Investment in capacity-building, education, research and training and action to promote an enabling institutional environment must be regarded as essential elements to maximize and share equitably the benefits arising and avoid potential negative impacts of inappropriate innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are an evolving field to produce sustainable nutritious food with low environmental impact. To shape the emerging European value chain in a sustainable way, all actors and processes need to be considered. This article builds on the results of multi-stakeholder scenario workshops organised within the EC-H2020-funded project ProFuture. It investigates the roles different actors along the microalgae value chain hold to shape it. A qualitative analysis identified three actor groups: (1) microalgae producers and processors, and researchers who work with microalgae and their development, (2) policy makers, and large industrial players, who influence the political and economic possibilities of the microalgae value chain and (3) consumers, who play a key role in order to root sustainable microalgae food products in the market. The paper shows how these groups interlink and draws conclusions about their roles for shaping the European microalgae value chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the aquaculture industry, with a particular emphasis on the sector in Scotland. Aquaculture is a particularly important industry when it comes to EDI, given its potential to address Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality and diversity. The paper highlights the increasing attention being paid to EDI in many areas and the significant benefits to businesses that adopt EDI policies, including improved reputation, increased innovation, and greater profitability. This paper draws on a survey of EDI in Scottish aquaculture, a workshop and interviews with industry experts to suggest concrete actions that could improve EDI in the sector. A key priority is the collection and publication of workforce data in Scottish aquaculture as well as industry champions who raise awarenes and promote EDI, and supporting cross-sector organizations who provide EDI training. We conclude by calling for more research to support the development of EDI in Scottish aquaculture, which will contribute to future resilience and fairness as well as a dynamic, relevant, and accessible industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along the aquaculture value chain, what is the status of gender equality and women's empowerment with a particular emphasis on aquaculture? What can be done to bring about gender equality and women's empowerment in the aquaculture sector? This article explores these questions through a systematic review of the extant literature on gender and aquaculture using Nigeria as a case study. A total of 78 articles are analyzed based on the reach-benefitempower-transform framework. The findings show that there is gender inequality within the aquaculture value chain. In most cases, women are mainly concentrated at the nodes of the value chain, which require fewer resources to operate; furthermore, in most cases, women earn less profits compared with their male counterparts. Women's empowerment is still at the nascent stages, while gender related transformation has yet to take root. We recommend that pro-equality gender policies in aquaculture be created and implemented. This calls for the collection and use of sex-disaggregated data and for work at the grassroots level to ensure that the manner in which women, men, boys and girls are treated and allowed to live and function in the communities they reside engenders development, harmony, gender equality and prosperity. Finally, we recommend that the reach-benefit-empowertransform framework be expanded to facilitate the evaluation of program/project-based studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the impacts of climate change are increasingly challenging food production efforts around the globe, evidence from past studies suggests that adapting and building food systems' resilience to climate change is not a trivial task. In this study, we adopted a multi-stakeholder perspective by using qualitative and quantitative data to examine the process of building resilience in food value chains against droughts. Through a transdisciplinary process engaging practitioners from different activities of four key Swiss food value chains, we identified measures to build resilience in these value chains and their respective barriers, and determined key stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the measures. We further complemented the results of the study with a quantitative survey of 832 Swiss farmers aimed at more deeply understanding the barriers from an agricultural perspective. The measures proposed by the practitioners for building resilience in the value chains are primarily focused on production activity and are aimed at avoiding production disruptions and mitigating farmers' economic losses. Although some of these measures (e.g., irrigation, amassing stocks of animal feed) can be implemented by farmers themselves, other measures (e.g., compensation through pricing changes, flexibility in quality requirements) require interventions from other stakeholders, including post-production actors (processors, retailers) and consumers. However, our results indicate that such implementation is hindered by conflicting interests, the uneven exposure of actors to droughts, and a lack of motivation by the actors to act beyond securing their own operational needs. We conclude that a value chain approach based on collaboration is essential for building food system resilience against droughts and that research on motivations to enable such collaborations deserves more attention in resilience design and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Argentina, waste pickers play an important role in the recovery of recyclable municipal solid waste (MSW). Most of them organise themselves in cooperatives to gain more visibility and overcome their situation of vulnerability. Their activity involves numerous social and environmental impacts that should be considered when assessing the recycling value chain's performance. With this aim and resorting to the concept of upgrading, this article analyses the impact of waste pickers' cooperatives in Cordoba and the opportunities for a better social and environmental performance of the chain. We found that waste pickers' cooperatives have positive and negative social and environmental impacts. Our work makes an empirical contribution to the literature on waste pickers from a Global South perspective, highlighting the need for a more integrative and inclusive framework for MSW management oriented towards the circular economy which formally integrates waste pickers as key actors in urban hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing recognition of the potential of Circular Economy (CE) strategies, their effective application to decarbonize the construction value chain faces multiple challenges. Ambiguity surrounding CE, stemming from a lack of clarity on actionable strategies, is a common concern. Existing studies lack a holistic approach for systematically integrating CE principles throughout the construction value chain, resulting in a scarcity of information on how to practically adopt CE within projects. This research aims to accelerate CE adoption by creating a value chain-structured portfolio of CE strategies and analyzing the implementation of such strategies in actual projects. To this end, a portfolio of CE strategies was compiled in a value chain-based-structure, which was evaluated against 71 US-based projects of exemplary sustainability criteria to scrutinize their successful implementation. Additionally, the study examined the interconnections and network dynamics among these strategies through association rule mining, network, and statistical analysis techniques. Results revealed a pronounced focus on strategies within the design, construction, and end-of-life value chain phases, with significant gaps existing in areas related to project financing, planning, logistics, property market, and operations. "Requiring sustainability certifications, standards, or labels" emerged as the most pivotal strategy in terms of frequency and number of associations, highlighting owners' significant role in CE transition. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing practical guidance and insights for industry practitioners in terms of actionable CE strategies and their state of implementation, ultimately fostering a more sustainably built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION The incorporation of functional food ingredients in chocolate that seek to eliminate, if not completely, most of the added sugar content, as well as the use of alternative chocolate production techniques, have gained popularity in recent years. This study aimed to incorporate red beetroot powder into dark chocolate and investigate the effect of red beetroot powder concentration and processing time in a melanger on the physicochemical properties, sensory profile and consumer acceptability of beetroot dark chocolate.The addition of red beetroot powder increased the moisture content, particle size distribution and hardness of the chocolates, while the opposite was true for processing time with no effect on the colour. Except for taste, which had an average score of 3.2 ± 1.8 on the 7‐point hedonic scale, consumers scored all the other sensory attributes of the chocolates above 4.0. Among the chocolates with red beetroot powder, samples with a 15% red beetroot powder addition had a high average overall acceptability score of >5, while the 30% sample scored <4.Red beetroot powder can be used to replace sugar in dark chocolate without affecting its physicochemical properties, sensory profile or consumer acceptability. However, the target market should be considered when determining the level of red beetroot powder incorporation in terms of chocolate taste. This research has the potential to improve the overall health‐promoting properties of dark chocolate by eliminating added sugar (partially or completely). It would also help to diversify beetroot utilization, allow small‐scale processors to venture into chocolate production and expand the small‐scale chocolate value chain. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article contributes to the growing literature on technological upgrading along global value chains, by focusing on the adoption of automation and digital technologies at different functional stages of the automotive value chain. It explores the constant tension that firms in emerging economies face between linking up to international trade and ensuring the upgrading of indigenous firms, which depends on the relationship between lead international firms' operations and capabilities at the local level. Drawing on extensive qualitative research in South Africa, including 39 interviews and observations at the shopfloor level, this paper examines the determinants for automation and digital technologies adoption. The finding extends existing knowledge of technological upgrading along global value chains, by examining both final assemblers and lower-tier suppliers. Four production specific drivers are identified: volume, quality, material-led adoption, and ergonomics. This paper suggests policymakers should consider sector heterogeneity and specific sector-technology combinations when designing policies to sustain digitalization and production upgrade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Batik motif is one of its main characteristics. From this point on, the creation of a game based on a strategy to restore confidence in the previously lost batik. Based on the aforementioned curriculum, "Perancangan Game "Room Of Batik" Berbasis Android Sebagai Media Pembelajaran Batik" was created. It is hoped that games with a batik theme can enliven young people and increase their interest in local customs, particularly batik. This game will be developed using the Unity game engine and will be targeted at the Android platform, which is now the most widely used platform. The purpose of this platform's use is to increase gameplay among more people, hence increasing the number of users who may access the relevant game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report examines exporters' challenges and possible solutions for public intervention to promote foreign trade. Based on fieldwork conducted in Georgia, we explore which policy approaches can help to stimulate Georgian exports further. Our outcomes show that exporters face substantial barriers such as navigating complex trade regulations, lack of knowledge about target markets, trade finance gaps, as well as new export promotion programs (EPPs) in competitor countries. Other upper‐middle‐income countries can learn from our results that exporters can significantly benefit from a comprehensive export promotion strategy combined with an ecosystem‐based "team" approach. EPPs related to awareness and capacity building in Georgia should be part of this strategy, focusing on challenges such as a lack of knowledge about trade practices and international business skills. Other EPPs must help to mitigate related market failures, as information gathering is costly, and firms have no incentive to share this information with competitors. Furthermore, targeted marketing support and customer matchmaking can answer Georgian exporters' challenges, such as lack of market access and low sector visibility. Our results also show that public intervention through financial support and risk mitigation is essential for firms with an international orientation. The high‐quality, rich outcomes provide significant value for other upper‐middle‐income countries by exploring the example of Georgia's contemporary circumstances in an in‐depth manner based on extensive interviews and document analysis. Limitations include that our work primarily relies on qualitative data and further research could involve a quantitative study with a diverse range of sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]