bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Media Attention Promote Green Innovation of Chinese Enterprises? Regulatory Effect of Environmental Regulation and Green Finance
Authors: Wang Fengyan , Sun Ziyuan , Feng Hua
Published: September 2022

Under the green sustainable development strategy, media attention has played a vital role in promoting green innovation of enterprises. Nevertheless, existing research mainly analyzes how media attention affects enterprise innovation behavior, while ignoring the role of environmental regulation and green financial policy. The main purpose of this study is to explore whether the media’s attention to environmental issues can promote the enterprise’s green innovation, whether the constraint policies of environmental regulatory and incentive policy of green financial can play regulatory roles, and whether these effects are heterogeneous among different types of enterprises. Based on the data of Chinese A-shared listed enterprises from 2010 to 2019, this paper draws the following conclusions by constructing the fixed effect models: First, media attention promotes the substantive and strategic green innovation of enterprises. Second, environmental regulation and green finance have positive regulatory effects on media attention and enterprise green innovation, and these regulation effects have a more significant impact on promoting substantive green innovation. Third, media attention is more sensitive in heavy pollution and state-owned enterprises green innovation. The results of the robustness test still support the conclusion, indicating that the conclusions are reliable. The research of this paper helps to clarify the role of environmental regulation and green finance in media attention and green innovation on a deeper level and puts forward targeted suggestions on how to stimulate enterprise green innovation from the perspective of media, government, and enterprises.
K-Pop’s Global Success and Its Innovative Production System
Authors: Kim Joseph , Kwon Seung-Ho
Published: September 2022

The global music market has witnessed the rapid rise of Korean pop music, K-pop, in recent years. While there has been an increased interest of scholars from various disciplines to account for the global success of K-pop, limited attention has been paid to the key players in the industry, music businesses. Based on a historical analysis of Korea’s music industry, we contend that the innovative production system of Korea’s music businesses has played a significant role in facilitating K-pop’s global success. In order to provide theoretical support to the argument, this paper critically reviews the existing literature to present debates on (i) the process of how value is created in distinctive stages in the music industry; (ii) cooperative and competitive interactions between firms within the music industry; and (iii) changes in the music industry’s competitive environment.
Influence of Pig Slurry Application Techniques on Soil CO2, N2O, and NH3 Emissions
Authors: Tóth Eszter , Dencső Márton , Horel Ágota , Pirkó Béla , Bakacsi Zsófia
Published: September 2022

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural soils can accelerate climate change, therefore, different soil fertilization techniques should be assessed before application to reduce GHG emissions. Pig slurry applications can greatly influence soil carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammonia (NH3) emissions of arable fields; thus, it is important to find site-specific techniques to lessen any negative environmental impacts. In this study, we examined the short-term effect of pig slurry application techniques of spreading and injection on soil greenhouse gas and NH3 emissions under different irrigation amounts. We used the dynamic chamber method with in-situ gas analyzers. Our study showed that there were elevated emissions during the first week after slurry application; however, the difference between GHG emissions of spreading and injection treatments were not significant. Elevated GHG emissions (213–338% and 250–594% in the case of CO2 and N2O emissions, respectively) were observed under dry circumstances compared to irrigated treatments, as well as significantly higher NH3 emissions occurred for surface spreading under non-irrigated (dry) circumstances compared to other treatments. There were no statistically significant differences between the soil chemistry of different application techniques. However, pig slurry increased the available nitrogen forms (ammonium- and nitrate-nitrogen), which caused N2O and NH3 peaks regardless of treatment type. Leachate chemistry was more affected by irrigation strategies than application techniques. Our study highlights the importance of soil conditions at the time of application, rather than the application technique for fertilization using pig slurry.
Experience, Imagination and Integration: Creative Drama for Values Education
Authors: Hong Ruixiang , Hong Yun
Published: September 2022

Values education is one of the most significant ways to promote cognition of individuals and even the sustainable development of human beings. It helps people make appropriate valuative judgments and selections. With the advancement of society, values education should not merely point to the inheritance of tradition and the uniformity of collectivism, but also adaptability to the future and heterogeneity of individual well-being. Catherine Elgin believed that students should be taught to deliberate about how to choose with broad purviews, various angles, and tight relationship between individual and community. Based on her perspective, in this article creative drama is proposed as a potential approach for values education, which includes three key dimensions. Experiencing multiple situations broadens people’s horizons and gains more potential choices. Imagination promotes people’s competence to consider further and to develop adaptability for the future. Integration of the real and unreal helps them to continuously reflect on themselves and reconstruct their relationship between individual and community. This article provides a general theoretical framework to explore the relationship between creative drama and values education, as well as how it promotes values education; however, this still requires further study in practice.
Ecological Distribution Patterns of Wild Grasses and Abiotic Factors
Authors: Tassadduq Syeda Saba , Akhtar Shamim , Waheed Muhammad , Bangash Nazneen , Nayab Durr-e- , Majeed Muhammad , Abbasi Sanaullah , Muhammad Murad , Alataway Abed , Dewidar Ahmed Z. , Elansary Hosam O. , Yessoufou Kowiyou
Published: September 2022

Documentation the relative influence of ecological dynamics on species diversity patterns can help us better understand spatial distribution patterns and devise a systematically comprehensive base for carrying out environmental explorations. The current attempt aimed at exploring the distribution patterns, diversity and richness of wild grasses with respect to climatic dynamics in the Gujrat district of Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, we applied the randomized sample method and sampled a total of 90 sites across the Gujrat district between 2019 and 2021 to document data on wild grasses and related ecological conditions. After assessment of the significant value index of each grass species with ecological records, we evaluated the data by ordination and cluster analysis. A total of 57 wild grasses from 37 genera were documented from the Gujrat district. The leading genera were Brachiaria, Cenchrus and Setaria, each accounting for 7.02% of all documented species, followed by Aristida and Panicum, each representing 5.76% of the species. Dactyloctenium, Dichanthium, Eragrostis, Polypogon, Poa and Saccharum each accounted for 5.26% of the species, and Digitaria, Pennisetum, Eragrostis, Chrysopogon Poa and Setaria each accounted for 3.51% of the species. Other genera each had a single species. Among all grasses, 75.44% of the species were native and 24.56% species were exotic and introduced to the study area. The leading life forms were therophytes (56.14%), followed by hemicryptophytes (42.11%) and geophytes (1.75%). Microphylls, with a 54.39% share, dominated the leaf size spectra of the wild grasses flora in this research. Other frequent classes included nanophylls (21.05%), macrophylls (19.3%) and leptophylls (5.26%). Flowering phenology of wild grasses showed that mainly species at the flowering phase were recorded during the months of June to August (40.35%) and July to September (19.29%). By applying Ward’s agglomerative clustering method, we classified the ninety transects into four major groups. Ordination analysis showed that different ecological factors had significant (p ≤ 0.002) effects on vegetation relations. The present endeavor provides a basic way to understand the impacts of ecological variables on the structure, diversity, composition and associations of wild grasses, which are helpful to improve the scientific-informed conservation and management measures for the environmental reestablishment of degraded habitat in the studied region.
Towards a Theory of Local Energy Transition
Authors: Drewello Hansjörg
Published: September 2022

The intended transition to a low-carbon energy system presents a systemic challenge for every country. The focus of this article is on local energy transition, a decentralized approach in which local municipalities will play a key role. The main question in this article is which determinants support the process towards local energy transition. Therefore, an analytic framework is presented. The three-levels-model is a holistic approach which focuses on determinants considering local context, a macro, and a micro framework. It highlights the dependency of the process from the local context and a sound national transition policy. The model summarizes the complex interrelationships of local energy transition and will enable local communities, networks, and citizens to successfully engage in an energy transition process.
The Influence of Digital Economy and Society Index on Sustainable Development Indicators: The Case of European Union
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Liu Xiangyang , Wang Rongyu , Saud Shah , Zhao Yun , Khan Muhammad Jalal
Published: September 2022

The digital economy plays a vital role in promoting sustainable development. Out of different measurement indices, this research uses the DESI dimension, i.e., connectivity, human capital, the use of internet services, the integration of digital technology, and digital public services, to investigate the impact on the promotion of SGDI in the European Union countries. Previous research studies investigated the indirect impact of the DESI dimension on SGDI in different countries and regions. In this research, we investigate the direct impact of DESI dimensions on SGDI by using panel regression modeling. The results show that DESI sub-dimensions influence SGDI differently. Connectivity, human capital, and the use of internet services have more influence on SGDI compared to the integration of digital technology and digital public services. However, the impact is negative in most cases, but this is in line with the previous studies in other regional studies. Thus, the current research paper reveals that standard views on the influence of the digital economy are not always true. Policymakers need to make the necessary amendments while implementing each DESI dimension on any level for better promotion of SGDI.
Risk Assessment of Coal Mine Flood Disasters Based on Projection Pursuit Clustering Model
Authors: Sun Zuo , Liu Yingjie , Qi Qingjie , Liu Wengang , Li Dan , Chai Jiamei
Published: September 2022

Previously conducted studies have established that as a disaster-bearing body, a coal mine is vulnerable to flood disasters and their consequent impacts. The purpose of this study is to put forward a quantitative evaluation method of the risk of coal mine flood disaster. Based on the scientific theory of disaster risk, a risk assessment model and index system for coal mine flood disaster was constructed, and a risk assessment method was proposed based on the projection pursuit and fuzzy cluster analysis. The results show that the risk of coal mine flood disaster was mainly determined by the hazard of disaster-causing factors, the stability of the disaster-prone environment, and the vulnerability of disaster-bearing bodies. Further research shows that the maximum daily rainfall had the greatest impact the risk of coal mine flood disaster. Therefore, the early warning mechanism should be established between the coal mine and the meteorological department to improve the fortification level. A risk assessment method of coal mine flood disaster was proposed in this study, which is of great significance for energy sustainability.
Investigating the Role of Environmental Factors on the Survival, Stability, and Transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and Their Contribution to COVID-19 Outbreak: A Review
Authors: Mohammadi Leili , Mehravaran Ahmad , Derakhshan Zahra , Gharehchahi Ehsan , Bontempi Elza , Golaki Mohammad , Khaksefidi Razieh , Motamed-Jahromi Mohadeseh , Keshtkar Mahsa , Mohammadpour Amin , Dahmardeh Hamid , Sarkodie Samuel Asumadu
Published: September 2022

Studies conducted in the last four years show conflicting findings on the role of the environment in the survival, stability, and transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Based on the current evidence, the factors that affect the severity of COVID-19 include host interaction, environmental stability, virus volume, stability, transmission, social interactions, and restriction measures. Moreover, the persistence of the virus depends on different environmental conditions, videlicet temperature, humidity, pH, salinity, and solar radiation. The outbreak of respiratory viruses is related mainly to temperature and humidity, and geographical locations (latitude). In SARS-CoV-2, mainly temperature and humidity seem to play a fundamental role. Moreover, studies have indicated that social health factors such as equitable health systems, hygiene, and underlying diseases have played a pivotal role in the incidence and outbreak of COVID-19. Therefore, addressing health issues associated with reducing SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks plays an essential role in global health. In contrast, the environmental stimuli of the COVID-19 outbreak are mainly unknown. Given the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to understand the stimuli to respond quickly to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants while implementing long-term and sustainable control strategies. This review discusses the role of environmental factors and health conditions in the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2.
Perceptions of Environmental Protection of University Students: A Look through Digital Competences in Mexico
Authors: Amador-Alarcón Maria P. , Torres-Gastelú Carlos A. , Lagunes-Domínguez Agustín , Medina-Cruz Héctor , Argüello-Rosales César A.
Published: September 2022

This research reflects on the environmental problems that we are currently experiencing as a society and discusses education as an opportunity to solve them. Several frameworks of university digital competencies are identified and environmental care is highlighted as an important part of them, so the objective is to know the perceptions of university students in Mexico on digital competency and environmental protection and verify the following hypothesis: “currently there a is little development of environmental awareness and the relationship between the use of Information Technology (IT) as well as its environmental impact among university students”. For this purpose, a quantitative, non-experimental approach was used, specifically, a descriptive cross-sectional design using a Likert-type questionnaire was applied on 22 and 23 November 2021 to 135 students from two public universities belonging to four undergraduate programs in Mexico. The results indicate that most students are aware that the use of electronic devices for educational purposes has an impact on the environment and that, therefore, it is necessary to adopt effective measures and habits for an adequate and optimal use of digital environments.
How Does the Digital Economy Contribute to Regional Green Development in China? Evidence-Based on the Intermediary Effect of Technological Innovation
Authors: Han Dongchu , Liu Mianfang
Published: September 2022

This study aims to explore how the digital economy contributes to regional green development through the intermediary effect of technological innovation in China. Taking 30 provinces in China as the regional research objects, this study constructed a measurement index system for the development level of the digital economy and green development level and used the intermediary effect model and the threshold effect model for empirical testing. The empirical results show that: (1) the digital economy has a significant positive impact on the green development of China, and the digital economy can effectively promote green development at the provincial level; (2) technological innovation has a significant intermediary effect and a single threshold effect in the process of the green development of provinces driven by the digital economy; (3) the marginal effect of the digital economy on green development has an inflection point, from strong to weak. This study provides a reference for China to further plan the sustainable development strategy and provides experience for the sustainable development of other countries.
Offices after the COVID-19 Pandemic and Changes in Perception of Flexible Office Space
Authors: Barath Matus , Schmidt Dusana Alshatti
Published: September 2022

The pandemic is fast-moving, accelerating rapid changes that lead to new challenges and impacting organizations. A big mark has been left on the workplaces—places where we do business—because the ongoing change to remote work challenges the role of the office. It is highly possible that as the change progresses, the workplace will not only change its design but also the way in which work will be planned, organized, performed and controlled. However, as the restrictions ease up, questions arise: What is the potential of office sustainability? How has the perception of flexible office space changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic? This paper used an online survey as a quantitative research method. In this paper, we looked at the employer’s vision of the office. We investigated employers’ perspectives of where and in what settings the work will be performed in the post-pandemic time. Specifically, we discussed the changes employers will apply in terms of the work environment and office layout. The findings suggest that an increasing mobile workforce and expansion of the new work style will not mean an office exodus but will certainly have an impact on office utilization.
Building the Value Proposition of a Digital Innovation Hub Network to Support Ecosystem Sustainability
Authors: Sassanelli Claudio , Terzi Sergio
Published: September 2022

Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) play a key role in bolstering European companies to overwhelm innovation barriers and drive Europe as the world’s primary leader in the Industry 4.0 digital revolution; they are one-stop-shop ecosystems able to provide four main functionalities (test before investing, support to find investments, innovation ecosystems, and networking, skills and training). Even if a surge in their diffusion has been registered, their sustainability is still far from being well defined in a structured way. Several approaches and methods are available from literature to ground the sustainability plan of companies’ business. Among them, the first activity to be addressed is the value proposition (VP) analysis, and the most diffused approach is the Value Proposition Canvas (VPC); this paper proposes the application of the VPC (jointly used with other methods from the VP literature) to build the VP of the HUBCAP network (supporting European small and medium-sized enterprises in the adoption of model-based design methods and tools to support cyber-physical system technologies) per each of its four main customer segments (DIHs, academic partners and research and technology organizations, technology/tool providers and technology/tool users). Results highlight the need to characterize the analysis per each of these customers, open up new opportunities to build a structured business model of the network, and constitute a basis for assessing the potential synergies with similar DIH networks. The method proposed can be applied to any other DIH or network of DIH to define their specific VP, ground the strategy to reach their sustainability, and trigger collaborations with each of the four customer segments considered in the analysis.
Government Ownership and Corporate Cash Holdings: Empirical Evidence from the Amman Stock Exchange
Authors: Alkhataybeh Ahmad , AlSmadi Safaa Adnan , Shakhatreh Mohammad Ziad , Khataybeh Mohammad A.
Published: September 2022

While the effect of ownership structure on the level of cash holdings has been widely examined, that of government ownership has been understudied. Using a generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation on the panel data of 107 Jordanian firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange, this research adds to the limited literature on the relationship between government ownership and the level of corporate cash holdings. Consistent with agency theory, the findings reveal that firms with government ownership hold higher levels of cash and that such ownership creates agency problems. Other types of ownership, namely individual, foreign, and block holders, were found to be insignificant. The results provide an important implication for policy makers in Jordan: in order to reduce agency problems associated with government ownership, the government should revise its ownership policy and ensure it specifies clear purposes and expectations of business ownership and how it intends to exercise its rights as owner.
Diagnosis and Customs Revealed by Peasants and Shepherds during the Transhumant Grazing of Pastoreña Goats in the Mixteca of Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: López-Ojeda José Carlos , Ramírez-Bribiesca Jacinto Efrén , Arias-Margarito Ladislao , Mendoza-Pedroza Sergio Iban , Herrera-Haro José Guadalupe , Váldez-Hernández Juan Ignacio , Ortiz-Morales Oscar
Published: September 2022

Transhumant pastoralism is a livelihood for many smallholders in the world. In Mexico, transhumant pastoralism has been practiced for 500 years and is classified as a system of transhumant goat pastoralism (TGP). The focus of the study was to identify and characterize the main goat herders of transhumance in the Mixteca-Baja of Mexico. The investigation was carried out in two phases: The first included exploring the districts to locate, contact, and live with the people involved, 13 peasants named Patrones ranging from 40 to 76 years of age. The second phase investigated the transhumant routes and the zootechnical activities of the herds. They live in five locations with an inventory of 12 thousand goats known as Pastoreñas. The TGP is a primary economic activity for all the people, and La Matanza is the main economic activity consisting of the slaughter and marketing of goats. The study revealed that the activities depend on the type of economic unit. Transhumant Pastoreña goats garner the highest prices paid by merchants ranging from 47–70.4 USD per goat. In conclusion, the TGP is an interesting production system, and livestock activity has an essential ecological niche combining income generation and conservation of the environment.
How about the Attitudes towards Nature? Analysis of the Nature and Biology Primary School Education Curricula in Poland
Authors: Chyleńska Zofia , Rybska Eliza , Jaskulska Sylwia , Błaszak Maciej , Jankowiak Barbara
Published: September 2022

One of the most important goals in biology education is shaping positive attitudes towards nature, social and global problems, as well as health. Environmental education is an essential element because without pro-environmental attitudes, every environment-protecting action is less successful, and the results have much less impact on society. In the following article, we tried to combine this idea with the school curriculum, which is one of the most important documents used in education. The research question addressed in this paper is to what extent does biology/nature primary school’s education curriculum highlight shaping attitudes (at sensory, functional, and rational levels), and how did it change during the educational reform in Poland? The sample is the Polish core curricula for nature and biology for primary school. National curricula have been revised by the analysis of the content methods before and after the 2017 reform of the education system. The results showed that while sensory and functional levels are represented quite equally in the curricula, the rational level is neglected and has decreasing tendency (when comparing curricula before and after educational reform in 2017). It is presented an interdisciplinary method of analyzing the core curriculum, particularly what relates to attitudes. The presented analysis method is, by definition, interdisciplinary, combining the approach of cognitive sciences, psychology, and science education. On the basis of the research, new elements that should or might be taken into consideration in school practice are proposed. The proposed approach assumes that the combination of teaching ideas and values (that are deeply rooted in our nature) will be successful in shaping pro-environmental attitudes toward nature and health.
Study on the Evolution of Multiple Network Resilience of Urban Agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Liu Huifang , Shi Xiaoyi , Yuan Pengwei , Dong Xiaoqing
Published: September 2022

To promote the healthy development of urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin, we construct a multi-city network-resilience evolution model based on social network theory, combined with QAP regression analysis and analyze the evolution of multiple-city network resilience in the Yellow River Basin in 2014 and 2021 by screening and drawing on indicators in social networks. The results show that (i) only the financial linkage network and the information exchange network are resilient networks, and the magnitude of the evolution of resilience level in the Yellow River basin is finance > information > innovation > transportation. (ii) Except for the increase in the hierarchy of transportation networks, other networks show the trend of flattening. (iii) The matching of the information exchange network shows a shift between heterogeneity and homogeneity, and the transmission and aggregation of the network fluctuate. Based on the study’s findings, a path to improve the resilience level of the Yellow River Basin urban agglomeration by consolidating the status of core cities, optimizing the structure of multiple city networks, and optimizing the flow of factors is proposed.
Offset Obligation in Defense Projects: Schedule, Budget, and Performance Implications
Authors: Yedvav Hagit , Kordova Sigal , Fridkin Shimon
Published: September 2022

Using the three criteria known as the “Iron Triangle,” this study examines and analyzes the ramifications and effects of offset constraints on defense projects. Such projects, managed vis-à-vis governments and international authorities, contend with a constraint that does not exist in other domains: offset, an obligation and condition for the sale of defense products to a purchasing government. The study combines qualitative tools, ten semi-structured interviews conducted with academics and professionals, with quantitative tools, surveys sent to project managers and other people employed in leading Israeli defense manufacturing companies. In-depth analysis of the responses and findings of the qualitative study reveals that offset risk must be managed as any other project risk. Its influence is evident in the failure to meet project budgets. This finding points to a factor to be considered when preparing for and managing a project, and even more during the early stages of examining a transaction, prior to acceptance. The present study examined three hypotheses, using chi-square tests of independence, goodness-of-fit tests, loglinear Poisson regression analyses and fluctuation charts. We found that low offset percentage levels are associated with low levels of project budget exception and with low levels of perception of project budget exception. No association was found between offset percentage and schedule, and between offset percentage and performance.
Particular Dimensions of the Social Impact of Leisure Running: Study of Poland
Authors: Stempień Jakub Ryszard , Dąbkowska-Dworniak Magdalena , Stańczyk Małgorzata , Tkaczyk Marcin , Przybylski Bartłomiej
Published: September 2022

This study addresses the social impact of the popularity of recreational running (called: running boom). Four dimensions are classified: (1) economic, (2) health and psychological well-being, (3) environmental and (4) social (in narrow sense). The first three of these were included in the analysis performed. The analysis relates to Polish society in 2018 and is based on a thought experiment assuming that 3.4 million recreational runners engage in leisure activities as passive and indifferent to their surroundings as possible instead of running. What economic, health, and environmental consequences would this have? The interdisciplinary analysis uses and combines existing scientific findings. The economic effects of the running boom include at least PLN 1.7 billion spent annually on the purchase of running equipment (not including effects related to employee health, development of running tourism, etc.). The health effects include at least a 30% reduction in the risk of death in the next 15 years for the population of runners. Finally, the carbon footprint of Polish amateur runners can be estimated at 2.9 million tons of CO2.
A New Multi-Criteria Approach for Sustainable Material Selection Problem
Authors: Aires Renan Felinto de Farias , Ferreira Luciano
Published: September 2022

Sustainable material selection is a crucial problem given the new demands of society and novel production strategies that consider the concepts of sustainability. Multi-criteria decision-making methods have been extensively used to help decision-makers select alternatives in different fields of knowledge. Nonetheless, these methods have been criticized due to the rank reversal problem, where the independence of the irrelevant alternative principle is violated after the initial decision problem is changed. Over the course of this study, we observed that the solutions that are proposed for this problem, in the context of sustainable material selection, are insufficient. Thus, we present a new material selection approach that is based on the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, which is immune to rank reversal. We also demonstrate the causes of rank reversal in the TOPSIS method, how the R-TOPSIS method was designed to solve them, and how it can be applied to sustainable material selection.
Biomass Stove with Low Carbon Monoxide Emission Fueled by Solid Fuel Coffee-Husk Biopellet
Authors: Harsono Soni Sisbudi , Tasliman  , Fauzi Mukhammad , Wibowo Robertoes Koekoeh Koentjoro , Supriyanto Edy
Published: September 2022

In this study, coffee husk was used as the primary material to produce biopellets, with a mixture of tapioca flour and molasses as a binder. The concentration of each binder used was 10, 15, and 20%. The addition of tapioca flour and molasses at different concentrations increased the biopellets density, ash content, and fixed carbon content, and reduced moisture content and volatile matter content. The best formulation was obtained by adding 10% tapioca flour; it had a biopellet density of 610 kg/m3, an ash content of 3.03%, a moisture content of 8.03%, a volatile matter content of 81.79%, a fixed carbon content of 15.18%, a calorific value of 17.55 MJ/kg, a water-boiling time of 10 min, a fuel consumption rate of 0.008 kg/min, and a thermal efficiency of 33.15%. The design results were obtained using the distance from (diameter = 26.5 cm and height = 37 cm) the stove to the outside of the furnaces (this amounts to 8 cm, which can minimize the furnace, causing heat to generate from burning). The speed of the blowers can be adjusted by users using a dimmer. The results obtained from the stove’s performance showed the average thermal efficiency of the furnace, which with an average of 3.25 ppm.
The Impact of Renewable Energy Technology Innovation on Industrial Green Transformation and Upgrading: Beggar Thy Neighbor or Benefiting Thy Neighbor
Authors: Liu Chanyuan , Xin Long , Li Jinye , Sun Huaping
Published: September 2022

Renewable energy technology innovation (RETI) is a crucial way to improve energy poverty and combat climate change. However, few studies have examined the impact of RETI on industrial green transformation and upgrading (IGTU) from the perspective of spatial spillover and its regional boundary. Based on the theory of green growth and sustainable development, this paper expands the connotation boundary of IGTU and measures the IGTU levels of 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2020 using an improved entropy weight method. Kernel density estimation and Moran’s I index are adopted to portray temporal and spatial patterns, the spatial Durbin model is employed to examine the influencing mechanism and spatial spillover effects of RETI on IGTU and its regional boundaries, and the differential impact of its spatial effects on time, region, resource endowment, and environmental regulation are explored further. The results show that (1) RETI and IGTU in China are steadily increasing, indicating a decreasing spatial differentiation pattern of “east–west”; (2) RETI significantly promotes local IGTU but inhibits neighboring IGTU, forming a “beggar-thy-neighbor” situation; (3) the spatial spillover effect of RETI on IGTU has significant regional boundaries—the spatial spillover effect significantly negative and persists up to 800 km, but it is significantly positive from 800 to 1400 km and shows a trend of increasing and then decreasing; and (4) the promoting effect of RETI on IGTU gradually increases over time, presenting spatial differences of promotion in the east and inhibition in the west. Furthermore, RETI has a more substantial promoting effect on IGTU in non-resource-based regions and strong environmental regulation regions. The findings for China provide concrete evidence for formulating targeted policies and seeking a path for IGTU for other developing countries.
MOOC 5.0: A Roadmap to the Future of Learning
Authors: Ahmad Ishteyaaq , Sharma Sonal , Singh Rajesh , Gehlot Anita , Priyadarshi Neeraj , Twala Bhekisipho
Published: September 2022

Industry 4.0 has created a whole new world for us to explore, and its effects can be seen in every facet of our lives, especially in the workplace where it calls for technology-driven employment. There is a growing need to teach individuals and assist them in transitioning to longer-term employment prospects to execute Industry 4.0 effectively. Although MOOCs revolutionized the way learners study, it is critical to investigate teaching techniques using Education 4.0 at this time. This article explores how the technologies of Industry 4.0 can be incorporated into MOOCs. This paper proposes MOOCs 5.0, whose features include better universal access, better learner engagement, adaptive learning, greater collaboration, security, and curiosity, which is being developed using Industry 4.0 technologies of the Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Blockchain, Gamification Technologies, and the Metaverse and would incorporate the zones of ethics and humanism, while at the same time providing learners with a richer and more individualized experience.
Ecosystems of Collaboration for Sustainability-Oriented Innovation: The Importance of Values in the Agri-Food Value-Chain
Authors: Gutiérrez José A. , Macken-Walsh Áine
Published: September 2022

There is growing recognition that sustainable innovation is not necessarily about new technologies, but about new or adapted organisational models, behaviours, and networks. How people engage in or with innovation is driven by values, but values differ across actor categories in agri-food value-chains. Understanding actors’ values helps us to identify potential for collaborative innovation within agri-food value-chains, and to address potential barriers and obstacles. In the context of the Ploutos H2020 project, we conducted participatory focus group (FG) sessions at the EU level involving actors across the value-chain to brainstorm values, enablers, and hindrances in the process of sustainability-oriented innovation. Participants co-created stories showing scenarios within sustainability-oriented innovation where conflicts could occur between values and others where mutual values were created by multi-actor alliances. Based on a qualitative description of the data collected in these FGs, we identify a range of cultural and social values in decision-making and innovation processes, creating dilemmas and trade-offs, but also opportunities for sustainability-oriented innovation. A strong ecosystem of collaboration across the value-chain, based on relationships of shared interests and trust, is fundamental to innovation. We provide detailed insights regarding the use of participatory approaches to working with innovation actors to increase awareness of diversity in value systems and how it can be negotiated. Our findings are of particular interest to practice oriented scholars, practitioners, and innovation brokers working on the ground to further SOI.
Does Firm Political Risk Affect the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Value?
Authors: Marhfor Ahmed , Bouslah Kais , Hmaittane Abdelmajid
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates whether firm-level (idiosyncratic) political risk (PR) affects the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm value using a sample of 16,518 firm-year observations which correspond to 2055 unique firms belonging to the Russell 3000 Index over the sample period 2010–2020. Our main findings are as follows: First, firm-level PR does not affect firm value. Second, CSR is positively related to firm value, which is mainly driven by the social component of CSR. Finally, PR has no effect on the CSR–firm value relationship, regardless of the PR type. Our evidence suggests that firm-level PR is not priced in the financial market and as such it does not affect the CSR–firm value relationship. This is consistent with portfolio theory which suggests that only systematic risk is priced.
Potential Availability of Wood Biomass from Urban Trees: Implications for the Sustainable Management of Maintenance Yards
Authors: Biocca Marcello , Gallo Pietro , Sperandio Giulio
Published: September 2022

The current energy situation requires the effective utilization of all available resources, and residual wood biomass from urban forestry may represent an excellent opportunity for increasing the presence of short-range energy sources. In urban forestry management, two main operations can provide large amounts of wood biomass: The felling and pruning of trees. These operations are carried out with two principal techniques that differ in terms of mechanization intensity (i.e., accessing the trees’ crown with mechanized aerial lifts or utilizing ropes—tree-climbing). This study has investigated 18 felling and 15 pruning yards, carried out with aerial lifts (17 yards) or tree-climbing (16 yards), most of them located in the city of Rome (Italy), one of the greenest European capitals. The operations were sampled with time studies, and five elements of work time were measured from the beginning of work to the transport of the residual biomass to the loading point, using centesimal stopwatches and video recording. The total observation time amounted to 152.0 h. The total residual biomass was assessed. The cost calculation for each yard took into account fixed, variable, and labor costs. A set of variables for each yard (including several site characteristics, trees’ size, fuel consumption, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, energy consumption, costs of yards, biomass, and work times) was analyzed. This study can contribute to enhancing tree maintenance sustainability in urban sites and estimating the quantity of residual wood biomass obtainable from urban forestry maintenance in the city of Rome.
Neural Networks as an Alternative Tool for Predicting Fossil Fuel Dependency and GHG Production in Transport
Authors: Malinovsky Vit
Published: September 2022

This paper deals with problems of the comparative analysis of results provided by the processing of predicting trends in freight transport, especially concerning dependency on fossil fuels and GHG (greenhouse gas) production. This topic has been in compliance with current requests for sustainable transport and the environment both being strongly emphasized in recent EU directions. Based on publicly available statistical data covering the selected time period, two completely different predicting methods—neural networks and mathematical statistics—are used for forecasting both of the above-mentioned trends. Obtained results are further analyzed from viewpoints of value concordance and reliability. The concluding comparative analysis summarizes the pros and cons of both approaches. Given the fact that forecasting methods generate model values representing future events whose states are unverifiable, the presented procedure can be used as a tool for verifying of their verisimilitude by means of comparing results obtained by the above-mentioned methods.
Dynamics of Household and Regional Economy in Banni Grasslands, India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Manjunatha B. L. , Naorem Anandkumar , Hajong Dipika , Tewari Pratibha
Published: September 2022

The dynamics of household and regional economy of Banni grasslands in India were studied based on primary data collected from 280 households across 13 villages. Each household had one primary occupation and, on average, two secondary occupations. Pastoralism and charcoal production employed 58 and 28% of households as primary occupations, respectively, whereas leather work, services and tourism employed 4% of households each. Further, pastoralism and charcoal production employed 60 and 48% of households, respectively, as secondary occupations. Highest and lowest average annual net returns were realized from the sale of milk and milk products (₹ 414,070/HH) and honey and gum collection (₹ 2827/HH), respectively. The Banni grassland is still a traditional society predominantly based on the primary sector as it employed 88% of the households and contributed 91% to the economy. Pastoralism alone contributed 82% to the economy of the Banni region followed by charcoal production (8%) and tourism (5%), whereas all other occupations contributed <1–2% each. Contribution from secondary and tertiary sectors was very low. Pastoralism has evolved in the region, but it continues to be the dominant livelihood option. Therefore, arresting and addressing the land degradation process in Banni grasslands is of paramount importance to sustain the livelihoods and the ecology.
Assessment of Ecosystem Services of Wetlands of the Volga–Akhtuba Floodplain
Authors: Belyaev Alexander I. , Pugacheva Anna M. , Korneeva Evgenia A.
Published: September 2022

The economic meaning of measures to water wetlands based on calculations of the economic value of their ecosystem goods and services is insufficiently studied in Russia. In this regard, it is difficult for decision-making authorities to adopt these measures as a strategy for sustainable management of natural resources. The purpose of the research is a monetary assessment of the regional benefits from ecosystem services of wetlands that the local community of the Lower Volga region will receive in connection with the rehabilitation of the Volga–Akhtuba floodplain. The study presents the magnitude and structure of these ecosystem services. The methodology of their economic assessment is given. It is established that by the period of full restoration of the hydrological regime of the Volga–Akhtuba floodplain (2035), the economic value of provisioning services of its wetlands, taking into account inflation and regional pricing, will be USD 87 ha−1 year−1, the economic value of cultural services—USD 77 ha–1 year−1, the economic value of regulation and maintenance services—USD 106 ha−1 year−1. The data obtained indicate the high importance of wetland irrigation measures for the Lower Volga region and allow us to consider them as a means of improving the quality of the environment and solving social problems of the region by decision-making authorities involved in the sustainable management of its development.
COVID-19 Restrictions, Lifestyles, and Marital Conflicts: An Empirical Analysis of Marital Sustainability
Authors: Özad Bahire Efe , Jamo Maryam Suleiman , Uygarer Gulen
Published: September 2022

Governments are taking precautions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including instituting social isolation policies that cover all aspects of life, such as closing public places such as worship centers, recreational facilities, work, schools, and shopping malls. The restrictions have a variety of sociological and psychological consequences on daily lifestyle of people, including marital conflict. Thus, this study investigates couples’ lifestyles and conflicts during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Nigeria based on the frustration–aggression hypothesis. The study used a sample of 373 adults obtained from a combined offline and online cross-sectional survey that was conducted via face-to-face contact, email questionnaire, and Google form (distributed via social media groups and emails). We used descriptive statistics to analyze the data. The findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions (lockdown) led to reduced or lost income, financial uncertainty, job insecurity, and social isolation. Consequently, the COVID-19-pandemic exacerbated poverty and insecurity, as well as insufficient judicial processes. These resulted in misery and violence against spouses, which aggravated marital strife in the country.
From Public E-Procurement 3.0 to E-Procurement 4.0; A Critical Literature Review
Authors: Mavidis Aristotelis , Folinas Dimitris
Published: September 2022

Public procurement is an important part of public finances; therefore, its management is challenging for the quality of the citizen’s relationship with the public authorities. Existing electronic public procurement optimization tools are systematically attempting to standardize procedures by improving access to information and transparency in management. Nevertheless, the next day requires the definition of the transition to modern tools and technologies of the fourth industrial revolution. This study attempts to identify common and additional critical success factors from implementing e-procurement in the 3.0 and 4.0 eras. Identifying the key challenges will be the basis for the roadmap plan suitable for maximizing the achievement of new public management in Industry 4.0.