Search Results (16,152)

Social capital refers to the formation of relationships, or working collectively, to achieve a common outcome. The objective of the current study is to determine whether community-based agricultural policy initiatives can succeed in the absence of consistently strong levels of individual farmer social capital behaviors. Targeting farmers from Turkey’s Konya region who also took part in a household survey, we present findings from a hypothetical field experiment of how farmers would allocate wheat endowment during a drought. We found that farmers allocated 48% of wheat endowment to social capital choices. Our results indicate that the more a farmer relies on himself or herself and resources available outside of the community, the less likely it is that the farmer will invest in community efforts. Full article

The paper presents a framework for assessing inequality in passenger rail services by examining connectivity and accessibility across two different travelframes: favorable (daytime travel) and unfavorable (nighttime travel). The unfavorable timeframe is often characterized by a lack of adequate first-/last-mile transport availability to train stations, impacting passenger access. The study employs a newly developed inequality-to-investment ratio to classify rail transport entities like stations, routes, or zones as either winners or losers, using a performance persistence analysis. A case study was conducted using data on the superfast express (SE) train schedule and investments from 2016 to 2020 across sixteen zones of the Indian Railway, assessing service inequalities during the hours of favorable (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and unfavorable (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.) timeframes. Results revealed inconsistencies in inequalities among zones. Moreover, the research demonstrates that the choice between connectivity and accessibility metrics significantly influences the identification of better or worse performing zones as winners or losers, respectively, throughout the 2016–2020 period and during both timeframes. The study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate measures and suggests re-evaluating or increasing investments in certain zones of Indian Railways based on these insights. The framework proposed in this paper can be used to assess inequalities within any transportation system receiving investments or government funds, contributing to the broader goal of ensuring equitable access to transportation, which is essential for a sustainable transportation system. Full article

The regional disparity in higher education development is critical for the sustainable advancement of the national education system. To address this issue, the Chinese government has implemented targeted support policies for higher education in underdeveloped regions, with the “Ministry-Province Co-construction Policy” serving as a notable example. This study investigates the impact of such policies on the development of universities in China’s underdeveloped central and western regions. First, the study analyzes policy documents to identify six primary policy pathways through high-frequency word extraction, social semantic analysis, and path integration. These policy pathways are quantified using representative indicators, which constitute the independent variables of the study. Second, by employing the framework of modern university functions, the study develops a sustainable development indicator system for higher education institutions. The performance scores for the sustainable development of 14 universities, derived using the entropy method, serve as the dependent variables. The study subsequently measures the effects of individual and combined policy pathways through two equations. The results indicate that some pathways are more effective than others. While all combined policy pathways yield positive effects, an excessive number of combinations can lead to diminishing returns. Finally, the study elucidates the measurement results, emphasizing that effective pathways highlight the essential roles of faculty, research, and teaching. Conversely, less effective pathways stem from inadequate inputs or slow responses. Although combined policy pathways generally exert positive impacts, an overabundance of combinations can dilute these benefits. The study suggests that administrative support for higher education in underdeveloped regions is advantageous. It underscores the necessity of distinguishing between more and less effective input methods, concentrating on resource allocation, and ensuring universities’ autonomy in utilizing support resources to achieve sustainable development in higher education within these regions. Full article

Southeast Asia is an essential region for companies carrying out large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs). Exploring the distribution patterns and influencing factors of LSLA projects in this region is of great practical significance for summarizing the characteristics of LSLA projects in Southeast Asia, for gaining a thorough understanding of LSLA project development rules, and for formulating reasonable policies to guide local LSLA projects. This study explores the spatial distribution and influencing factors of LSLA projects in Southeast Asia using the mean center method, the kernel density estimation method, and the grey correlation method. The findings indicate the following: Firstly, the majority of LSLA projects in Southeast Asia are located in the Indo-China Peninsula, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and other countries, which represent significant regions of interest for LSLA projects in this region. Secondly, the spatial distribution of LSLA intention projects and LSLA contract projects in Southeast Asia is similar, whereas LSLA production projects differ from the former two. Thirdly, the scale of LSLA projects in Southeast Asia is closely related to the host country’s natural resources, socio-economic conditions, governance, and market environment. The total GDP, per capita arable land area, net foreign direct investment inflow, and political stability have been identified as exerting a significant influence on investment corporations’ selection of LSLA host countries. Full article

In this study, we tried to gauge the trends of localization preferences for residential buildings among young adults. The pragmatic dimension of these studies is important in the process of real estate investment, where a location can be expressed using indicators and statistical data and then, using maps, indicate preferred areas for living in a small town. The aim of our research was to examine and visualize the preferences of young people for living locations in relation to access to services. We conducted an online survey using a Likert scale to determine which services and amenities are most important for young residents. Using multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) methods and their formulas, we calculated the attractiveness coefficient of the location of residential buildings, which we propose to call the RBLAF (Residential Building’s Localization Attractiveness Factor). The results of this research are maps: qualitative–quantitative with point symbols for the structure of services and quantitative isochromatics showing the preferences of potential future investors in real estate. Full article

Delisting events in the stock market significantly impact capital market participants. In South Korea’s KOSDAQ, an investment alert system signals a firm’s delisting in advance. The system provides warnings to investors in the pre-delisting stage. This paper analyzes whether a firm’s tax avoidance strategy changes depending on investment alert issues, which serves as a measure to identify risks related to corporate sustainability in advance. This study conducted an empirical analysis using an OLS model, with tax avoidance as the dependent variable and the variable related to the investment alert issue as the variable of interest. Analysis of 4964 firm-year data from 2011 to 2020 revealed that firms with investor alert issues exhibited significant increases in tax avoidance behaviors. Additionally, tax avoidance significantly increased when firms were designated as investment alert issues in the designated year. These results provide empirical evidence that such designations may pose a risk to corporate sustainability and intensify a firm’s tax avoidance behavior. Full article

Green hydrogen is becoming increasingly popular, with academics, institutions, and governments concentrating on its development, efficiency improvement, and cost reduction. The objective of the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines, and Energy is to achieve a 35% proportion of renewable energy in the overall energy composition by the year 2030, followed by a 50% commitment by 2050. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of feed-in tariffs and the integration of independent power generators. The present study focused on the economic feasibility of green hydrogen and its production process utilizing renewable energy resources on the northern coast of Mauritania. The current investigation also explored the wind potential along the northern coast of Mauritania, spanning over 600 km between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Wind data from masts, Lidar stations, and satellites at 10 and 80 m heights from 2022 to 2023 were used to assess wind characteristics and evaluate five turbine types for local conditions. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis was carried out at five specific sites, encompassing the measures of levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and levelized cost of green hydrogen (LCOGH), as well as sensitivity analysis and economic performance indicators. The results showed an annual average wind speed of 7.6 m/s in Nouakchott to 9.8 m/s in Nouadhibou at 80 m. The GOLDWIND 3.0 MW model showed the highest capacity factor of 50.81% due to its low cut-in speed of 2.5 m/s and its rated wind speed of 10.5 to 11 m/s. The NORDEX 4 MW model forecasted an annual production of 21.97 GWh in Nouadhibou and 19.23 GWh in Boulanoir, with the LCOE ranging from USD 5.69 to 6.51 cents/kWh, below the local electricity tariff, and an LCOGH of USD 1.85 to 2.11 US/kg H₂. Multiple economic indicators confirmed the feasibility of wind energy and green hydrogen projects in assessed sites. These results boosted the confidence of the techno-economic model, highlighting the resilience of future investments in these sustainable energy infrastructures. Mauritania’s north coast has potential for wind energy, aiding green hydrogen production for energy goals. Full article

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the primary causes behind the current rise in global temperatures and climate change. CO₂, which is present in the atmosphere in significant quantities, is contributing more to the warming effect than other gases that are present at smaller levels. The transportation sector is contributing significantly to the total global CO₂ emissions (21.7%), with road transport accounting for 74%. Switching from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is the most practical way to decarbonize land transportation. We have gathered information on EVs from the USA, China, India, and a few EU members for the current review. The collected data regarding government policies, subsidies, and other rules and laws, the present status of EV technology and performance, market scenarios and future projections of EVs, EV regulations in the regions with the highest penetration rates, consumer perspectives and barriers, and the decarbonization of land transportation were analyzed. The adoption of electric vehicles has advanced significantly in some parts of the world, primarily as a result of government policies that include subsidies, other regulations, and laws that globally lower the cost of acquisition and ownership for owners of electric vehicles (EVs) relative to those of internal combustion engines (ICEs). Favorable government policies have been associated with the success of EV adoption in Norway, China, the United States of America (USA), the European Union (EU), and India. With more advantages than any other country, China is currently the world’s largest EV market. In addition, it has the highest number of EVs in use and the highest manufacturing capacity. Norway leads the world in the percentage of newly registered EVs at over 90%. China is competing with the USA for leadership in manufacturing and technology, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and batteries. Favorable perceptions of consumers regarding EVs are vital in increasing the EV adoption rate. In order to achieve the goal of decarbonizing road transportation, we proposed that a number of factors—including government energy policies and regulatory standard development, necessary infrastructure investments and developments, AI incorporation in EVs, innovation in EV and battery technologies, and consumer perspectives in particular—play a crucial role. Full article

Geothermal systems face adoption challenges due to their high initial investment cost. Accurate cost analyses and a more precise understanding of updated prices could assist geothermal industry projects in obtaining investment financing and better money management with the right equipment. As the cost of geothermal installations can vary widely depending on case and location, it seems essential to clarify the factors and parameters that determine the cost of the system. These include the type of loop system, the ground conditions, the type of heat pump, the system size, and the geographical location. The scope of this study is to compare the operation of various types of ground heat exchangers (GHEs) present in a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system installed in the coastal area of the Mediterranean climate zone of Cyprus. The highlight of this work is that it presents real installation cost data as well as recorded total energy contributed by the GHEs to the GSHP system of a HP cooling and heating capacities of 101 kW and 117 kW, respectively. The input contribution from the GHEs to the HP is 85,650 kWh (308,340 MJ) in summer and 25,880 kWh (93,168 MJ) in winter. It is shown that, among the three groups of GHEs investigated, the open-well GHE complex has the lowest cost per kWh ratio (0.32 EUR/kWh), followed by the vertical GHE complex (1.05 EUR/kWh), and lastly by the helical coil GHE (2.77 EUR/kWh). This clearly suggests that when underground water is available, the open-well GHE is much more favorable than other GHE types. Full article

The pandemic crisis has created significant challenges for small farms, leading to increased energy costs, higher prices for feed and nutrients, unreliable supplies of chemical fertilizers, and disruptions in product sales markets. These factors have collectively compromised the operational viability and economic sustainability of small-scale agricultural enterprises. To address these challenges, this paper explores the concept of a self-sufficient farming system, focusing on locally producing most of the resources needed to sustain operations and reduce dependence on external sources. A self-sufficient integrated pisciculture farming system is proposed and evaluated, promoting an autonomous circular model that prioritizes environmental sustainability. This system incorporates the integration of local livestock into fish diets, production of renewable energy sources, and efficient water and sludge management to reduce reliance on external resources. The detailed methodology used to evaluate sustainability indicators objectively demonstrates that the proposed system can be self-sustainable and autonomous; however, it requires considerable initial investments that can be recovered within at least six years. Optimizing the energy management plan can reduce daily power consumption by up to 25%. However, local conditions may challenge the efficiency of photovoltaic–hybrid energy production, requiring slight oversizing of the system. The research indicated that rearing carp with cereal-based feed mixtures produces growth results comparable to those achieved with commercially purchased feed. The indicators of resource efficiency, reliability, flexibility, productivity, environmental impact, and social impact were met as expected. The weakest indicator was the technology’s potential for scalability, due to its strong dependence on various regional factors. Full article

Emerging research indicates that sentiment analyses of Dubrovnik focus mainly on hotel accommodations and restaurants. However, little attention has been paid to attractions, even though they are an important aspect of destinations and require more care and investment than amenities. This study examines how visitors experience Dubrovnik based on the reviews published on the Tripadvisor platform. Data were collected by implementing a web-scraping script to retrieve reviews of the tourist attraction “Old Town” from Tripadvisor, while data augmentation and random oversampling techniques were applied to address class imbalances. A sentiment analysis model, based on the pre-trained RoBERTa, was also developed and evaluated. In particular, a sentiment analysis was performed to compare reviews from 2022 and 2023. Overall, the results of this study are promising and demonstrate the effectiveness of this model and its potential applicability to other attractions. These findings provide valuable insights for decision makers to improve services and to increase visitor engagement. Full article

Landfills for disposing of solid waste are designed, located, managed, and monitored facilities expected to comply with government regulations to prevent contamination of the surrounding environment. After the average life expectancy of a typical landfill (30 to 50 years), a large investment in the construction, operation, final closure, and 30-year monitoring of a new site is needed. In this case study, we provide a holistic explanation of the unexpected development of elevated temperature landfills (ETLFs), such as that in the city of Bristol (United States) on the border of the states of Virginia and Tennessee, including the initial role played by coal ash. Despite the increasing frequency of ETLF occurrence, there is limited knowledge available about their associated environmental problems. The study uses mixed (qualitative, quantitative, and mapping) methods to analyze (1) the levels of odoriferous reduced sulfur compounds, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted, (2) the ratio of methane to carbon dioxide concentrations in five locations, which dropped from unity (normal landfill) to 0.565, (3) the location of gas well heads with gradients of elevated temperatures, and (4) the correlation of the filling rate (upward of ~12 m y⁻¹) with depth for registered events depositing coal ash waste. The work identifies spatial patterns that support the conclusion that coal ash served as the initiator for an ETLF creation. The case of the city of Bristol constitutes an example of ETLFs with elevated temperatures above the regulatory United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) upper threshold (65 °C), having alongside low methane emissions, large production of leachate, land subsidence, and a large production of organic compounds. Such landfills suffer abnormal chemical reactions within the waste mass that reduce the life expectancy of the site. Residents in such communities suffer intolerable odors from fugitive emissions and poor air quality becomes prominent, affecting the well-being and economy of surrounding populations. Conclusive information available indicates that the Bristol landfill has been producing large amounts of leachate and hazardous gases under the high pressures and temperatures developed within the landfill. A lesson learned, which should be used to prevent this problem in the future, is that the early addition of coal ash into the landfill would have catalyzed the process of ETLF creation. The work considers the public health risks and socioeconomic problems of residents exposed to emissions from an ETLF and discusses the efforts needed to prevent further incidents in other locations. Full article

The small business sector in Kazakhstan demonstrates dynamic growth, but its sustainable development in modern conditions requires activation from government agencies, society and entrepreneurs themselves. The purpose of the article was to study the development of small entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan and develop a mechanism for sustainable development based on network interaction “business entities–society–state” with the identification of priority areas of development based on a rating approach. The methods of bibliographic analysis of scientific literature, statistical, correlation analysis, survey, comparative analysis and ranking based on data normalization were used. The results revealed the need to formalize indicators of sustainable development of the small business sector in strategic development programs; create conditions, support, explain the importance and prospects of investing in sustainable innovations by small businesses and form a balanced strategy for achieving carbon neutrality based on network interaction “business entities–society–state” with the identification of priority areas of development based on a rating approach to ensure transparency and publicity of decisions made. Conclusions were made about the need to popularize sustainable development among business entities, stimulate investment activity through government participation, enact legislative regulation of public presentation of non-financial reporting, and assist society in the formation of an ESG culture. Full article

In our paper, we examine the simultaneous impact of the agglomeration economy (AE) and the innovation ecosystem (IE) on the competency development of SMEs in the Piemonte region in three high-tech sectors: aerospace, mechatronics, and automotive. This study focuses on the critical challenge for SMEs: survival and market position expansion amidst rapidly changing external environments. We used the capability approach, which includes identifying and assessing a company’s competencies through the capability matrix, as a tool to analyse a company’s competitiveness in the industry based on structural changes; we determined the key insights from managerial practices of SMEs that help to comprehend the behaviour of high-performing, sustainable-performing, and low-performing companies in the development of competencies. The key finding is that SMEs’ sustainability in the context of structural changes in the external environment is primarily influenced by factors such as investment in the development of company competencies, industrial cooperation, strategic planning, cross-fertilisation, and the impact of company age and size on the availability of resources, along with the level of internationalisation. This study also identifies the main challenges these SMEs face, particularly the lack of highly skilled human resources to meet the sector’s specific needs, as well as the difficulties companies face in adapting to changes in consumer behaviour and forecasting future business strategies. In addition, this study introduces the AE and IE variables as strategic tools to enable company representatives to improve their development strategies. Full article

Substandard Supply Minutes is the key performance indicator for asset management in the drinking water sector. A novel methodology translates production site failures into outage scenarios, allowing for calculation of Substandard Supply Minutes (SSM) based on all clients in the supply area. Drinking water utilities can conduct scenario studies, pinpoint high-risk assets, and compare production sites. This method can contribute to a better risk-based policy for design, investment and maintenance. Effective implementation necessitates a deeper understanding of failures of components at production sites. Full article