bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational Fluid Dynamics on Solar Dish in a Concentrated Solar Power: A Bibliometric Review
Authors: Ubando Aristotle T. , Conversion Ariel , Barroca Renyl B. , Enano Nelson H. , Espina Randell U.
Published: May 2022

Concentrated solar power is an alternative renewable energy technology that converts solar energy into electrical energy by using a solar concentrator and a solar receiver. Computational fluid dynamics have been used to numerically design concentrated solar power. This is a powerful numerical analysis approach that is widely used in energy and environmental engineering applications. In this paper, we review previous work on the applications of computational fluid dynamics in the design of concentrated solar power technology. We performed a bibliometric analysis of journal articles relevant to applications to analyze the current trend of utilization of computational fluid dynamics in these technologies. Then, we conducted a comprehensive analysis focused on the design of solar dish technology using computational fluid dynamics. Furthermore, we reviewed in detail the optical modeling of solar concentrators and solar receivers. Of the 83 retrieved publications from Scopus database, 80 were journal articles, and only three were review papers. Among these 80 journal articles, only 54 were relevant to this study, and 23 were relevant to solar dish technology. The documents were analyzed according to their number of citations, journal sources, and keyword evolution and network map. The information presented in this paper is useful to further recognize the contributions of computational fluid dynamics to the development of concentrated solar power, particularly to solar dish technology. In addition, we also discuss the challenges and future research directions to make solar energy a more sustainable source of renewable energy.
A Triple-Helix Intervention Approach to Direct the Marble Industry towards Sustainable Business in Mexico
Authors: Alarcón-Ruíz Teodoro , Santiago-Jiménez María Evelinda , Ruvalcaba-Sánchez Loecelia Guadalupe , Sánchez-Galván Fabiola , García-Santamaría Luis Enrique , Fernández-Lambert Gregorio
Published: May 2022

The marble industry in Mexico, similarly to the international market, is going through some problems which are characterized by low productivity performance, inconsistency in management and administrative organization, high raw material waste, and negative social and environmental impact. The methodology used in this paper is based on a systematic review of the strategies and solutions used to address these problems reported between 2014 and 2021, including the results of the application of in situ surveys to three marble companies in the Mixteca Poblana region. These surveys are collected in this article alongside industry experience to propose, in a structured way, a three-pronged management approach with the aim of directing the marble industry towards a sustainable industry model. The structure of this approach, based on forms of capital and sustainability dimensions, engages governments, companies, schools and society to guide this industrial sector to become a sustainable business, integrating knowledge and experience of the marble industry processes. We recommend adding performance metrics to this approach to assess the value chain of the marble industry.
Quantifying the Effects of Stand and Climate Variables on Biomass of Larch Plantations Using Random Forests and National Forest Inventory Data in North and Northeast China
Authors: He Xiao , Lei Xiangdong , Zeng Weisheng , Feng Linyan , Zhou Chaofan , Wu Biyun
Published: May 2022

The accurate estimation of forest biomass is crucial for supporting climate change mitigation efforts such as sustainable forest management. Although traditional regression models have been widely used to link stand biomass with biotic and abiotic predictors, this approach has several disadvantages, including the difficulty in dealing with data autocorrelation, model selection, and convergence. While machine learning can overcome these challenges, the application remains limited, particularly at a large scale with consideration of climate variables. This study used the random forests (RF) algorithm to estimate stand aboveground biomass (AGB) and total biomass (TB) of larch (Larix spp.) plantations in north and northeast China and quantified the contributions of different predictors. The data for modelling biomass were collected from 445 sample plots of the National Forest Inventory (NFI). A total of 22 independent variables (6 stand and 16 climate variables) were used to develop and train climate-sensitive stand biomass models. Optimization of hyper parameters was implemented using grid search and 10-fold cross-validation. The coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) of the RF models were 0.9845 and 3.8008 t ha−1 for AGB, and 0.9836 and 5.1963 t ha−1 for TB. The cumulative contributions of stand and climate factors to stand biomass were >98% and <2%, respectively. The most crucial stand and climate variables were stand volume and annual heat-moisture index (AHM), with relative importance values of >60% and ~0.25%, respectively. The partial dependence plots illustrated the complicated relationships between climate factors and stand biomass. This study illustrated the power of RF for estimating stand biomass and understanding the effects of stand and climate factors on forest biomass. The application of RF can be useful for mapping of large-scale carbon stock.
An Assessment of Junior High School Students’ Knowledge, Creativity, and Hands-On Performance Using PBL via Cognitive–Affective Interaction Model to Achieve STEAM
Authors: Hsiao Hsien-Sheng , Chen Jyun-Chen , Chen Jhen-Han , Zeng Yu-Ting , Chung Guang-Han
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to discover the implications of using different teaching approaches for a hands-on STEAM activity for junior high school students’ STEAM knowledge, creativity, and hands-on performance. The teaching contents used in the study were designed based on the project-based learning (PBL) strategy and the cognitive–affective interaction model (CAIM). The students’ learning outcomes were tested through a hands-on activity with the theme of electric boat creation. PBL with the CAIM was the strategy used to implement the hands-on STEAM activity and to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). In this study, a quasi-experimental design was used for 10 weeks, and the 366 students who participated in the experiment were divided into experimental groups (EGs, 199 students using PBL with the CAIM) and control groups (CGs, 167 students using PBL only). Through the analysis of covariance, the results showed that students in the EGs achieved higher academic performance in terms of STEAM knowledge, creativity, and hands-on performance. The study also found that the hands-on STEAM activity had a positive effect on creativity for students in the EGs, allowing them to develop different modes of thinking in the processes of designing and producing the finished product, which in turn enhanced the innovativeness of their products and solutions. In addition, using PBL with the CAIM in the hands-on STEAM activity brought about positive learning outcomes and creative abilities for the students, achieving the SDG 4 objectives. Moreover, the outcomes of this study are in line with the current international trend in the development of education, providing reference examples for the future development of STEAM activities and teaching materials at the junior high school level.
A Win–Win Opportunity: The Industrial Pollution Reduction Effect of Digital Economy Development—A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on the “Broadband China” Strategy
Authors: Li Guanghao , Zhou Xiaoliang , Bao Zhe
Published: May 2022

The digital economy and industrial sustainable development are important issues at this stage. The economic welfare effects of digital economy development have been confirmed by the existing literature, while the impact of digital economy development on industrial pollution emissions remains to be studied. This paper takes the implementation of the “Broadband China” strategy as a quasi-natural experiment, and uses a time-varying difference in difference model (Time-Varying DID) to identify the “industrial pollution reduction effect” of digital economic development. The results show that, (1) digital economy development can significantly reduce industrial SO2 emission intensity, and this “industrial pollution reduction effect” will be heterogeneous according to the changes in geographical location characteristics, urban scale characteristics, and environmental regulation intensity characteristics; (2) digital economy development can reduce industrial pollution emissions without inhibiting industrial output, and this “industrial pollution reduction effect” is mainly caused by the improvement of energy efficiency and the cleaner transformation of industrial production mode brought by biased technological progress, rather than by the traditional neutral technological progress and end-of-pipe treatment; and (3) that the improvement of industrial basic capacity can significantly enhance the “industrial pollution reduction effect” of digital economy development. In the process of promoting the development of the digital economy, China should consider urban characteristics and improve industrial basic capacity.
Assessing the Effects of Innovative Management Accounting Tools on Performance and Sustainability
Authors: Vărzaru Anca Antoaneta , Bocean Claudiu George , Mangra Mădălina Giorgiana , Mangra Gabriel Ioan
Published: May 2022

To cope with an increasingly competitive and turbulent environment caused by economic, health, and political crises, companies need to adopt innovative management accounting tools to meet challenges, increase economic performance and ensure organizational sustainability. This paper aims to study the impact of using innovative management accounting tools on companies’ performance and sustainable approaches. We investigate the influences among the variables involved in quantitative research based on a survey of 567 senior accountants of Romanian companies. The hypotheses formulated based on the literature were tested using structural equation modeling and artificial neural network analysis. The research results show that those companies that used more intensively innovative management accounting tools performed better and had more tools at their disposal to measure and manage a sustainable approach. Innovative management accounting tools provide more and better information and ways to improve organizational performance and the vector of sustainability to cope with the uncertainty produced by the economic crisis.
Sustainability of Cultural Memory: Youth Perspectives on Yugoslav World War Two Memorials
Authors: Radulović Veljko , Terzić Aleksandra , Konstantinović Dragana , Zeković Miljana , Peško Igor
Published: May 2022

The noticeable urgent need for the preservation of collective and cultural memory in Europe, coupled with a fear of loss of important aspects of heritage, indicates the importance of educating the youth who will become future policymakers in the field. Analyses of the survey conducted through this research show the current perspective of youth on the typology of World War II memorials on the territories of the former republics, now independent states, of SFR Yugoslavia in Southeast Europe. Targeting architecture and civil engineering students as a specific youth group who are directly involved in learning about the built memorial structures, as well as the phenomenological background of space, creation of place and memories, resulted in a qualitative observation of the group’s understanding and judgement of the topic. This article investigates the level of knowledge and emotional response to memorial heritage within the target group. It addresses relevant issues of age, gender, level of study, and respondents’ backgrounds, demonstrating the existence of an initial interest in memorial heritage among the architecture-oriented youth. With an additional focus on a possible active role in heritage preservation and future placement, the research indicates a segment in the youth’s comprehension of valuable memorial heritage that needs to be improved.
Risk Assessment of Ship Navigation in the Northwest Passage: Historical and Projection
Authors: Wang Chuya , Ding Minghu , Yang Yuande , Wei Ting , Dou Tingfeng
Published: May 2022

Shipping volumes in the Northwest Passage are likely to increase under climate change due to the distance advantage over traditional routes and the special strategic location of the Arctic. However, the harsh environment and poor channel conditions may pose a considerable risk to ship navigation. To ensure the safety of ships, understand the navigability of the route, and plan the sustainable use of the Northwest Passage, it is crucial to provide a quantitative risk assessment. Here, we present an analysis of several natural risks faced by ships in the Northwest Passage based on available datasets and use climate model simulations to project the navigability changes. The results showed that: (1) The sea-ice risk to ships in the Northwest Passage has been significantly reduced over the period 1979–2019, and the risk for Polar Class 6 (PC6) ships has decreased more rapidly than for general open-water (OW) ships. The difference in ice-breaking capacity further affects the seaworthy season, with the second seaworthy month being August for OW ships and October for PC6 ships, in addition to the commonly best September. (2) Low visibility is a more common form of adverse weather than strong wind for navigation in the Northwest Passage, mainly on the northern route, although pilotage conditions appear to be improving in September. (3) According to the comprehensive risk map, the distribution of risk is dominated by sea ice. The southern route of the Northwest Passage is superior to the northern route in terms of both sea ice and weather conditions, but there is a risk of shallow water. (4) For the northern route, which has greater transport potential, projections suggest that the sea-ice risk will be steadily lower than any extreme light ice year observed historically whether for the ship class OW or PC6 by 2050, with an increase of 50–80 navigable days, and the navigable period could be from June to January of the following year for PC6 ships by 2100. Our results provide valuable information for ships planning to pass through the Northwest Passage.
Analyzing and Mitigating the Impacts of Integrating Fast-Charging Stations on the Power Quality in Electric Power Distribution Systems
Authors: Alshareef Sami M.
Published: May 2022

The research presented in this paper focuses on the impacts of fast-charging stations on three power quality phenomena, namely voltage magnitude variations, voltage unbalance, and voltage fluctuation. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo is proposed to estimate the energy requirements of each fast-charging station when it is utilized to charge electric vehicles, considering their sto-chastic parameters such as battery capacities, state-of-charge levels at time of arrivals, and time of arrivals at charging stations. Two charging methods are implemented in this work: charging with an estimated output power and charging with an actual output power. The results reveal that the impact of fast-charging stations on voltage fluctuation by either of these charging methods can lead to light flickers. When the estimated output power is utilized, the light flicker is higher compared to when the actual output power is utilized; the proposed mitigation method is to integrate distribution static compensators, which can effectively eliminate the light flickers, whether the output power of the fast-charging station is estimated or actual. Not only will the system’s power quality be improved by installing distribution static compensators, but also the electricity consumers will not be annoyed by the light flicker, even when the rated power of the fast-charging stations is increased; this can positively lead to a reduction in charging time and an increase in customer satisfaction with electric vehicles, lending them to be more widely adopted.
The Sustainable Efficiency Improvement of Internet Companies under the Background of Digital Transformation
Authors: Zuo Lijuan , Li Hongchang , Gao Hongyan , Zhu Man
Published: May 2022

The digital economy is a driving force for economic growth in various countries. When the digital economy is deeply integrated with Internet companies, it also brings about great challenges to corporate innovation. This paper used the DEA-Malmquist model to measure the efficiency of the science and technology investment of 30 Internet-listed companies in China from 2011 to 2019, constructing a long-distance function and displaying the dynamic changes in the comparative efficiency of time and space. This research evaluated the digital maturity and digital experience of Internet companies under the continuous investment of science and technology, concluding that the investment in science and technology under the digital economy can improve the innovation efficiency of China’s Internet companies. Research shows that technology investment has a significant positive impact on the digitalization of Internet companies, but there is heterogeneity among different companies. Based on the theoretical research in this article and the empirical experience of in-depth digitalization, it also provides path suggestions for the in-depth development of digitalization of Internet companies. This research has important theoretical significance and practical value for further promoting the development of Internet companies and promoting the application of the digital economy.
Does Google Trends Show the Strength of Social Interest as a Predictor of Housing Price Dynamics?
Authors: Bełej Mirosław
Published: May 2022

A recently emerged sustainable information society has ceased to be only a consumer and has become a web-based information source. Society’s online behaviour is tracked, recorded, processed, aggregated, and monetised. As a society, we are becoming a subject of research, and our web behaviour is a source of information for decision-makers (currently mainly business). The research aims to measure the strength of social interest in the housing market (Google Trends), which will then be correlated with the dynamics of housing prices in Poland in the years 2010–2021. The vector autoregressive model was used to diagnose the interrelationships (including Granger causality) and to forecast housing prices. The research showed that web searching for the keyword “dwelling” causes the dynamics of dwelling prices and is an attractive alternative to the classical variables used in forecasting housing market prices.
Biophilic Design as a Strategy for Accomplishing the Idea of Healthy, Sustainable, and Resilient Environments
Authors: Cacique Maria , Ou Sheng-Jung
Published: May 2022

This study aims to identify and compare the objectives and elements of three emerging concepts, Health, Sustainability, and Resilience (HSR), which are proposed in this paper working together to provide a better response to the post-pandemic challenges that cities face today. This paper argues that it is possible to create sustainable, healthy, and resilient environments by reconnecting with nature through biophilic design (BD) by answering the following questions (1) What would be the common variables and elements when seeking to create a sustainable, healthy, and resilient environment and (2) How can those resultant elements be linked to biophilic design patterns to achieve solutions focused on improving people’s health and well-being by reconnecting with nature? Consequently, this paper tries to integrate biophilic design with the healthy, sustainable, and resilient environments while comparing the variables and indicators of each concept to demonstrate that there is a common connection between them. As a result, 19 overlapping concepts are identified through the content analysis method, namely: safety, crime, risk, adaptability, environment, green, land, water, pollution, food, affordability, housing, education, transportation, planning economics, policy, community, and management. Finally, it is shown that 16 of the 19 concepts are closely related to biophilic design. In conclusion, through biophilic design, it is possible to solve the problems represented in the HSR model. For those that are not contemplated by any of the patterns, it provides an opportunity for further research.
Research on the Ecological Deconstruction of E-Cigarette Industrial Clusters in Shenzhen, China, and a Niche Analysis of Related Enterprises
Authors: Xu Yanmei , Song Xia , Li Xiang , Wang Ziqiang , Zhang Yanan
Published: May 2022

As an emerging industry, e-cigarettes have been greatly prosperous globally in recent years. In China, Shenzhen is the center of e-cigarette production, and a complete business ecosystem has been built at this point. To explore the phenomenon of the agglomeration of e-cigarette enterprises in Shenzhen, the business ecosystem structure and evolution path of e-cigarette industrial clusters in Shenzhen (the Shenzhen e-cigarette industry) are illustrated in this study from an ecological perspective, and the development characteristics of the Shenzhen e-cigarette industry as well as the interspecies relationships among enterprises were studied based on the population life history theory. Eight representative firms were also selected here. Their patent information was collected and classified to investigate niche characteristics using Levins’ niche breadth and niche overlap index. The results indicate that, after a long-term evolution, the Shenzhen e-cigarette industry has preliminarily built a business ecosystem with a unique structure. The developmental process is accompanied by the transformation of the development pattern from imitation to innovation and the enterprise populations have achieved coevolution through mutualistic symbiosis. In the area of technological innovation, niche-widening and -separation strategies are employed by the e-cigarette enterprises. The above reasons explain the boom of the Shenzhen e-cigarette industry and why Shenzhen is becoming the center of e-cigarette production.
Does Access to Regulative Exemption Reduce Barriers for Energy Communities? A Dutch Case Study
Authors: Meitern Maarja
Published: May 2022

European policymakers are encouraging national lawmakers to grant citizens a larger role in the process of energy transition. One way to achieve this is to promote the set-up of local energy communities. This article describes the impact of a particular policy approach, the Dutch regulative exemption, on an energy community. A comparison is made with the traditional barriers that energy communities encounter. The results indicate that, overall, the Dutch regulative exemption is a beneficial policy tool that can support the creation of local energy communities. The exemption enables the community to explore governance and finance models that will allow it to stack revenue streams, while keeping the initial investment costs to a minimum. However, the improved conditions do not allow for a significant improvement in the financial business case. In particular, costs of organising an energy community and the uncertainty of long-term organisational stability remain prohibitive barriers to the roll-out of scaled communities. The study provides a starting point for policymakers investigating how regulative freedom could be of help for local energy communities. The lessons learnt can be applied by policymakers across Europe to support citizen-led energy initiatives.
Drivers and Barriers to Substituting Firewood with Biomass Briquettes in the Kenyan Tea Industry
Authors: Suryani Amalia , Bezama Alberto , Mair-Bauernfeind Claudia , Makenzi Macben , Thrän Daniela
Published: May 2022

The tea industry in Kenya is among the main consumers of firewood for its intensive thermal energy demand. Along with the growing concerns about firewood depletion, tea factories have begun transitioning to alternative fuels to power their boilers. Briquettes made of biomass residues are among the promising solutions; however, they are not yet widely adopted. This study was conducted to identify the factors that motivate the tea factories to use biomass briquettes instead of firewood and the factors hindering such substitution. The substitution potential was assessed, and the drivers and barriers of the substitution were examined using a combination of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis and a PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal) framework. The findings suggest that even though using biomass briquettes is technically possible, it is not economically favorable for tea factories. The SWOT/PESTEL analysis identified 27 factors influencing the substitution. Among the key drivers are the depleting supply of firewood, the availability of biomass residues, and the external support from development organizations to improve the technical capacity in both tea and briquette industries. The study revealed the barriers to substitution include the cost competitiveness, insufficient supply, and varying quality of briquettes, as well as the lack of awareness and knowledge of briquettes.
A Framework of the Value Co-Creation Cycle in Platform Businesses: An Exploratory Case Study
Authors: Wu Feng-Shang , Tsai Chia-Chang
Published: May 2022

Platform businesses, linking producers and consumers, have emerged as a very important industry. Meanwhile, value co-creation has become one of the critical issues concerning the operation of platform enterprises and the focus of researchers in this area. Platform businesses usually need to strengthen the interactions between all participants to maximize the commercial value. However, the majority of the literature has concentrated on the “platform business–consumer” interaction only, i.e., both “platform business–producer” and “platform producer–consumer” interactions have been almost completely neglected. Consequently, this study aims to fill the research gap by investigating “all-around interactions” and the relationships between the interaction with the value co-creation performance. A holistic framework of the value co-creation cycle is developed and validated. One of the largest platform businesses in Taiwan was examined, and Google Analytics (GA) code was embedded into its information system for data generation. The results confirmed the proposed framework and hypotheses. The study concludes that platform businesses need to gain insight into producers and consumers through data tracking and analysis as well as to provide innovative services that elevate satisfaction, user loyalty, and usage frequency, with a final goal of establishing a cycle of value co-creation.
Ammonium and Phosphate Recovery from Biogas Slurry: Multivariate Statistical Analysis Approach
Authors: Kubar Aftab Ali , Huang Qing , Kubar Kashif Ali , Khan Muhammad Amjad , Sajjad Muhammad , Gul Sumaira , Yang Chen , Wang Qingqing , Guo Genmao , Kubar Ghulam Mustafa , Kubar Muhammad Ibrahim , Wahocho Niaz Ahmed
Published: May 2022

Livestock biogas slurry is an effluent containing nutrients such as ammonium and phosphate that are released by the industries. Therefore, recovery and reuse of ammonium and phosphorus is highly necessary. In recent years, many studies have been devoted to the use of different multivariate statistical analyses to investigate the interrelationship of one factor to another factor. The overall objective of this research study was to understand the significance of phosphate and ammonium recovery from biogas slurry using the multivariate statistical approach. This study was conducted using a range of salts that are commonly found in biogas slurry (ZnCl2, FeCl3, FeCl2, CuCl2, Na2CO3, and NaHCO3). Experiments with a biogas digester and aqueous solution were conducted at pH 9, with integration with NH4+, Mg2+, and PO43− molar ratios of 1.0, 1.2, and 1.8, respectively. The removal efficiency of ammonium and phosphate increased from 15.0% to 71.0% and 18.0% to 99.0%, respectively, by increasing the dose of respective ions K+, Zn2+, Fe3+, Fe2+, Cu2+, and CO32−. The elements were increased from 58.0 to 71.0 for HCO3−, with the concentration increasing from 30 mg L−1 to 240 mg L−1. Principal component, regression, path analysis, and Pearson correlation analyses were used to investigate the relationships of phosphate and ammonium recovery under different biochar, pyrolysis temperature, element concentration and removal efficiencies. Multivariate statistical analysis was also used to comprehensively evaluate the biochar and struvite effects on recovery of ammonium and phosphate from biogas slurry. The results showed that combined study of multivariate statistics suggested that all the indicators positively or negatively affected each other. Pearson correlation was insignificant in many ionic concentrations, as all were more than the significant 0.05. The study concluded that temperature, biochar type, and varying levels of components, such as K+, Zn2+, Fe3+, Fe2+, Cu2+, CO32−, and HCO3−, all had a substantial impact on P and NH4+ recovery. Temperature and varying amounts of metal salts enhanced the efficacy of ammonium and phosphate recovery. This research elucidated the methods by which biochar effectively reuses nitrogen and phosphate from biogas slurry, presenting a long-term agricultural solution.
Local-Scale Groundwater Sustainability Assessment Based on the Response to Groundwater Mining (MGSI): A Case Study of Da’an City, Jilin Province, China
Authors: Fang Zhang , Ding Xiaofan , Gao Han
Published: May 2022

Sustainable groundwater utilization is important for social and economic development. There is a need for groundwater sustainability assessment in small-scale areas lacking detailed mining data. Here, exploiting water level data series, we propose an indicator of groundwater sustainability based on the response to mining (MGSI) for better evaluation; it integrates groundwater data and spatio-temporal variability at a local scale. A decomposition coefficient was applied to decompose the pressure exerted by groundwater mining on the groundwater system for each monitoring well. It correlated with the groundwater response state. In Da’an City, Jilin Province, China, the appraised results revealed that the aquifer type exhibiting the greatest risk to groundwater sustainability changed from phreatic to confined during 2008–2017. The spatio-temporal distribution of different sustainability levels between and within the aquifers indicated that adjustment of the groundwater mining layout should be the focus of groundwater management in Da’an City. Additionally, the Mann–Kendall trend test and Sen’s slope trend analysis effectively explained the sustainable evolution of groundwater in Da’an City and confirmed the reliability of the MGSI method. The proposed method highlights the effects of groundwater mining on sustainability and helps us better understand the interaction between anthropogenic activities and groundwater resources.
Self-Efficacy as a Mediator of the Impact of Social Capital on Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Case of Dayak Ethnic Entrepreneurship
Authors: Sulistyani Nuraida Wahyu , Suhariadi Fendy , Fajrianthi
Published: May 2022

Amid global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurship is more important than ever before, believed to be a key driver of economic development and recovery as well as poverty alleviation. However, although research on entrepreneurial benefits is becoming well-established, our understanding of the effects of specific social processes on entrepreneurial orientation is fairly limited. The research gap is even larger in an ethnic entrepreneurship setting. This study, therefore, aims to understand the impact of social capital on entrepreneurial orientation through self-efficacy in Dayak, the indigenous ethnic, non-Malay people of Borneo. Utilizing a survey, we found that social capital is positively related to entrepreneurial orientation, and self-efficacy was found to mediate this relationship. Kinship or regional ties among Dayak group members foster social capital in the form of trust, solidarity, and reciprocal obligations. However, although Dayaks are willing to learn and participate in economic activities, including becoming entrepreneurs, they are unlikely to take initiative due to both financial and non-financial obstacles. For these reasons, we suggest an institutional economic approach, designing a specific educational program to help improve the Dayak’s self-efficacy in escalating their entrepreneurship commitment. Local universities and vocational schools can develop an effective curriculum to tap the potential of Dayak in business and entrepreneurship.
Innovation, Participation and Tutoring as Key-Leverages to Sustain Well-Being at School
Authors: Gorli Mara , D’Angelo Chiara , Corvino Chiara
Published: May 2022

Background: Well-being at school is a recurrent hot topic within the educational field as a crucial issue for societies. Teachers often face tension with pupils and colleagues. Well-being is very often considered an individual achievement requiring individual measurement and support. This paper, in contrast, applies an approach that supports an ecological perspective of school well-being, implying a complex and multi-dimensional development investment. Methods: The paper investigates an innovative program initiative aimed at providing support to 50 Italian schools that have been deemed as critical for specific aspects (pupils’ levels of learning, discomfort among teachers, scarce innovativeness, etc.) through evaluative qualitative research. Results: This work sheds light on well-being as a dynamic construct created through an integrative effort in which many factors can play a role. These factors are the possibility of professional tutoring to help engage the school management and involve teachers in a bottom-up involvement, the development of creative initiatives and innovative projects to respond to context-based challenges and pupils’ needs, and the availability of space and time for collective sharing of ideas among teachers. These processes are closely related to the concept of well-being, which appears to be a systemic construct, rather than an issue related to the single individual. Conclusions: Focusing on the representation of schools’ managers and tutors involved in the program, this research illustrates the application of an ecological perspective that creates well-being through social and productive sustainability processes.
Impact of Exposure to a Counter-Stereotypical STEM Television Program on Children’s Gender- and Race-Based STEM Occupational Schema
Authors: Aladé Fashina , Lauricella Alexis R. , Kumar Yannik , Wartella Ellen
Published: May 2022

Gender and racial diversity in STEM has been deemed an essential need for a sustainable future, but girls and children from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds continue to show less interest in STEM than their White and male counterparts. Media has been shown to reflect children’s occupational schema from an early age, and therefore might be used to help broaden children’s beliefs about who participates in STEM. In this field-based pre/post-experimental study, children in kindergarten and first grades (N = 48, 62.5% female, Mage = 6.57) viewed episodes of a STEM-focused educational television series that features a diverse group of protagonists two to three times a week for eight weeks. Their occupational schema were measured before and after exposure. Results suggest there was no quantifiable change in their attitudes. However, qualitative analysis of their open-ended responses sheds light on how children’s beliefs about who participates in STEM are shaped, i.e., by both mediated and real-world exposure.
Layout Optimization for Shared Parking Spaces Considering Shared Parking Walking Time and Parking Fee
Authors: Ji Yangbeibei , Lu Xueqing , Jiang Hanwan , Zhu Xinyang , Wang Jiao
Published: May 2022

Shared parking is an effective means to alleviate the shortage of parking spaces in urban central areas during the morning peak hours. Meanwhile, walking time cost and parking fees are two critical factors affecting shared parking efficiency. Firstly, based on the classic bottleneck model, walking time cost and shared parking fees are added to the model, then the user equilibrium solutions are obtained considering two choices of parking lots: accessorial parking and shared parking. Next, taking the minimum total social cost and the minimum total queue time as the management goals, respectively, the quantitative relationship between parking fee as well as the dispersion degree of the shared parking spaces with the optimal travel pattern is proved. Besides, the rules and methods for the reasonable setting of shared parking fee and the dispersion degree of shared parking spaces layout are proposed. Through the research, it was demonstrated that: (1) differentiated shared parking fee based on the capacity of the accessorial parking lot can reduce both the total social cost and road congestion, while total social cost increases with the dispersion of the layout of shared parking spaces and road congestion decreases with the dispersion of the layout of shared parking spaces; and (2) when derived the optimal travel pattern, it is found that there is an inert zone of shared parking fee, i.e., regardless of adjusting shared parking fee, it had no impact on the determination of the optimal travel pattern. Finally, we put forward policy recommendations combining the numerical examples. Considering the total social cost and congestion, managers can improve the utilization efficiency of shared parking spaces while taking into account social benefits by reasonably setting shared parking fee and the dispersion degree of shared parking spaces layout.
Justice, What a Dream!—Mapping Intersections of Sustainability and Inclusion
Authors: Heigl Juliana , Müller Matthias , Gotling Nicole , Proyer Michelle
Published: May 2022

This paper takes on the important concepts of inclusion and sustainability, in both their broad and discursive understandings, to map out the interrelations that teachers, who work within different areas of the Austrian school system, make between different, key aspects of their work and organization. The complex intersections of school organization, sustainability, and inclusion were analyzed following a situational analysis approach that made use of different types of mapping (e.g., messy, situational, positional) of data gathered from semi-structured interviews with a teacher-training student and teachers positioned across the Austrian school system, some of whom with experience in classrooms with, for example, refugee, d/Deaf, and neurodivergent students. The findings from these data display ways of being oriented towards sustainable and responsible as well as inclusive engagement, especially within educational spheres. By and large, what emerged from the data was the clear result that school organization as a whole plays one of the biggest roles in determining whether or not non-mandatory subjects such as “sustainability” are given space and time in the classroom. Therefore, if we want to promote topics on sustainability and a focus on climate justice in education, efforts need to be made to bring these topics into the official curriculum.
Mechanical Behavior of Refined SCC with High Admixture of Hybrid Micro- and Ordinary Steel Fibers
Authors: Yang Qingguo , Ru Nan , He Xuefeng , Peng Yi
Published: May 2022

The addition of steel fiber to self-consolidating concrete (SCC) may considerably prolong concrete cracking time and improve its deforming performance. Current studies mainly apply high content micro-steel fibers to improve the mechanical performance of SCC whilst assuring its workability, however, there are still very few studies concerning the influence of a mixture of a high content of micro-steel fibers with ordinary steel fibers on the performance of SCC. Thus, this paper conducted experimental studies on micro-steel fiber and ordinary-sized steel fiber hybrid reinforced self-consolidating concrete (MOSCC). Plain self-consolidating concrete (PSCC), micro-steel fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete (MSCC), and ordinary-sized steel fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete (OSCC) are proposed for comparison with MOSCC in respects of workability and mechanical performance. Test results show that the hybrid micro-steel fiber and ordinary steel fiber highly enhance the compressive strength, flexural strength, and ductility of SCC as well as maintaining its workability. This paper provides reference to the improvement of the mechanical performance of SCC material and the enhancement of crack resistance of concrete structures.
An Analysis of Tourism Demand as a Projection from the Destination towards a Sustainable Future: The Case of Trinidad
Authors: Pelegrín Naranjo Lestter , Pelegrín Entenza Norberto , Vázquez Pérez Antonio
Published: May 2022

The objective of this work is to offer an analysis related to tourism demand as a sustainable projection for the tourist destination. The behavior of demand as a key element for subsequent decision-making in management models and strategic proposals for sustainable development centered on the tourist destination constitutes the central element of this work. The study is based on an analysis of tourist activity in the city of Trinidad. In accordance with the quantitative paradigm, an analysis of internal and external secondary information on tourism was carried out based on the results of the surveys, interviews, Likert-type scalograms and semantic differentials completed by the actors involved in the tourist activity in the studied territory. Qualitative research, which is considered a subjective view of the actors involved in the work, was also employed. The main indicators of the tourism demand for the destination and the imbalances that cause dissatisfaction are shown, such as the lack of systematic studies on tourism demand and few coordinated actions between the public and private sectors to satisfy it. It is concluded that the character of Trinidad as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity destination continues to exert an important influence on the demand for tourism in the destination. As a result, it is necessary to delve into new proposals to ensure that tourism in the local context is an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable activity. For this, the lack of coordination between the state and private sectors must be overcome.
Developing a Coding Scheme for Exploring Preservice Science Teachers’ Metacognition in a Method Course
Authors: Sanium Soonthareeya , Buaraphan Khajornsak
Published: May 2022

Promoting metacognition in preservice science teachers (PSTs) is necessary for effective science teaching. However, metacognition is an abstract attribute that requires in-depth investigations with qualitative methods. This study aimed to express the process utilized to develop a coding scheme of PSTs’ metacognition (CSPM). Methods: This study started with a review of the metacognition conceptual framework. Next, the researchers collected data about PSTs’ metacognition from a metacognitive self-report (MS) and a metacognition interview protocol (MIP). The participants were 22 third-year PSTs who studied at one public university. All data were analyzed for codes by using content analysis. Results: The CSPM consisted of 177 codes that can be divided into two main components and six subcomponents. The validity of the CSPM was checked by a panel of experts through the item–objective congruence index (IOC) into two different levels: an IOC between codes and components of metacognition, and an IOC between codes and levels of metacognition. The IOCs of the CSPM in the two levels were acceptable. In conclusion, the CPSM was a qualified coding scheme for qualitatively analyzing metacognition in PSTs as well as other types of participants. This study also pointed out an urgent need to develop metacognition in PSTs.
The Landscape of the Spa Parks Creation through Components Influencing Environmental Perception Using Multi-Criteria Analysis
Authors: Sztubecka Małgorzata , Maciejko Alicja , Skiba Marta
Published: May 2022

The improvement of the landscape of spa parks should result from the planned directions of development and the most important tasks of the spatial policy of spa towns. Their proper management significantly impacts the region’s economic growth: the labour market, the size and type of new financial investments, and the natural environment. The basis of activity in the areas of spa parks is the balancing of elements of the natural, cultural and historical background. Parks are health protection zones, health ecosystems—separated from the spa zone to protect healing and environmental values. These areas should be characterized by rational landscaping. The spatial layout of park areas should consider the appropriate zones (healing, silence, recreation). The leading element that allows separating sub-areas in parks is the layout of alleys and greenery. The attractiveness of parks is also influenced by factors related to spa activities. The article aims to indicate the main criteria affecting the perception of the landscape of spa parks. Their meaning was determined by information entropy. A selection of criteria defining the landscape assessment and influencing the perception of spa greenery, which helped determine how to shape and develop the spa park, was presented. Data obtained from actual field measurements on factors influencing the reception and perception of spa parks were considered. The multi-criteria method of comparative analysis allows one to quickly and transparently determine the hierarchy of the most advantageous variables from the adopted criteria. The study confirmed that the smaller the sum of adverse elements affecting the shaping of the park spatial, the better residents’ and patients’ perception of the park.
EMA Implementation and Corporate Environmental Firm Performance: A Comparison of Institutional Pressures and Environmental Uncertainty
Authors: Kong Yusheng , Javed Fahad , Sultan Jahanzaib , Hanif Muhammad Shehzad , Khan Noheed
Published: May 2022

Environmental management accounting (EMA) practices guide a firm’s response to perceived environmental uncertainty (EU) and various institutional pressures (IP). Drawing upon institutional theory, this study explores the relative effects of institutional pressures and environmental uncertainty on the implementation of EMA, an environmental strategy (ES), and the resulting environmental performance (EP) of firms under the influence of top-management support (TMS) and perceived benefits (PB). Based on data collected from 243 firms operating in Suzhou, one of the busiest business hubs in China, this research used the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. Findings reveal that environmental uncertainty exerts a stronger influence on the adoption of EMA practices than institutional pressures; however, the choice of a firm’s environmental strategy is more influenced by institutional pressures. Likewise, the serial-mediation effect of environmental strategy and EMA practices is observed to be the strongest in the case of coercive pressures, with some notable moderation effect for perceived benefits and top-management support. The study concludes with theoretical and managerial implications.