Urban environments in northern European regions frequently encounter prolonged periods of cloud cover, which can significantly restrict direct solar exposure and adversely affect public health, social interaction, and overall quality of life. The city of Saarbrücken, Germany, situated in the federal state of Saarland along the Franco-German border, exemplifies these challenges. While prior studies have explored the psychological and social implications of limited sunlight, research remains limited on integrative urban design and technological interventions that mitigate this deficit. This study examines how sunlight access influences mental health, cognitive functioning, and quality of life in Saarbrücken, while also benchmarking the proposed Sun Park heliostat project against international precedents. In this model, sun-tracking reflector systems (heliostats) are installed to capture even limited sunlight during cloudy days and redirect it into shaded or low-illumination areas of urban parks. The proposed model, exemplified through the model of a “Sun Park,” incorporates sun-tracking reflector technologies embedded in environmentally conscious urban design to redirect natural light into low-illumination zones. A structured survey of 300 respondents incorporated validated instruments alongside measures of home sunlight, time outdoors, and workplace daylight. Findings show that the deployment of heliostat systems can significantly increase effective solar exposure in targeted public spaces, leading to improved mood, stronger social interactions, and higher perceived quality of life .Reliability analysis confirmed internal consistency of all scales, and exploratory factor analysis supported a four-factor structure. Results from multivariate multiple regression showed that home sunlight and time outdoors were significant predictors of psychosocial outcomes, whereas workplace daylight had weaker but consistent effects. Benchmarking demonstrated that Sun Park scored higher than comparable projects in Viganella (Italy) and Rjukan (Norway), particularly in technical performance, governance integration, and health-oriented outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of daylight access as a determinant of well-being and highlight the potential of heliostat-based interventions as public health infrastructure in urban planning. By observing environmental principles and radiation management, this technology can be a sustainable and human-centered solution for European cloud cities. The results show that the smart integration of technology and urban design can increase useful solar radiation and at the same time improve quality of life.

Job insecurity has emerged as a persistent concern within the hospitality industry, particularly for non-managerial hotel employees who operate in demanding and unstable work environments. This study examines the influence of perceived job insecurity on employees’ life satisfaction and quit intentions, with job embeddedness serving as a mediating mechanism. Data were collected from non-managerial employees working in four- and five-star hotels, and the proposed relationships were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that job insecurity negatively affects job embeddedness, which in turn significantly enhances life satisfaction and reduces quit intentions. Further, job embeddedness partially mediates the relationship between job insecurity and both life satisfaction and quit intentions. The study extends existing hospitality literature by highlighting job embeddedness as a critical psychological link connecting job insecurity to employee well-being and retention outcomes. From a managerial perspective, the findings underscore the importance of addressing job insecurity and fostering embeddedness to improve employees’ overall quality of life and reduce turnover in hotel organizations.

The increasing prevalence of social media has significantly influenced consumer behavior, particularly among adolescents who form a key demographic for digital marketing strategies. This study examines the impact of social media endorsements on adolescent purchase intentions, considering factors such as influencer credibility, brand trust, perceived authenticity, and peer influence. The need for this research arises from the growing reliance of adolescents on digital platforms for product discovery, making it crucial to understand how endorsements shape their purchasing decisions. By employing a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and focus group discussions, the study finds that influencer credibility and authenticity play a pivotal role in shaping adolescent trust and engagement with promoted products. Furthermore, social media endorsements that align with the values and preferences of young consumers tend to generate higher levels of purchase intent. The study also highlights the moderating effect of peer influence, as adolescents are more likely to trust and act upon recommendations that are socially validated within their circles. The implications of these findings are significant for marketers, brands, and policymakers, as they underscore the importance of ethical marketing practices and the need for transparency in influencer-brand collaborations. Companies can enhance the effectiveness of their digital marketing campaigns by ensuring that influencers maintain authenticity and trustworthiness in their endorsements. Additionally, policymakers may consider implementing guidelines to protect adolescents from deceptive marketing tactics. The study contributes to the existing literature on digital marketing and consumer psychology by offering insights into the evolving nature of adolescent consumer behavior in the social media landscape. Future research can explore the long-term effects of social media endorsements on brand loyalty and examine variations in purchase behavior across different cultural contexts. Additionally, further studies can investigate the role of emerging digital platforms, such as short-video content applications, in shaping adolescent purchase intentions. Given the dynamic nature of social media and digital marketing trends, continuous research in this domain is essential to understand evolving consumer patterns and to develop effective strategies that balance marketing objectives with consumer welfare.

Financial literacy is recognized as a critical determinant of sound investment decisions, yet its specific impact on professional subgroups within unique socioeconomic contexts remains underexplored. This study examines the role of financial literacy in shaping the investment choices of higher education teachers in India's National Capital Region (NCR), a dynamic economic hub. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 407 teachers, measuring five dimensions of financial literacy: basic financial knowledge, investment knowledge, budgeting and planning skills, risk management knowledge, and digital financial literacy. Multiple regression analysis revealed an exceptionally strong relationship, with the combined dimensions explaining 96.8% of the variance in investment choices. However, further analysis identified that only risk management knowledge and budgeting and planning skills served as statistically significant unique predictors. This indicates that for this demographic, applied competencies in evaluating risk and managing personal finances are more decisive than general or digital financial knowledge alone. The findings suggest that financial education initiatives targeting educators must move beyond awareness to prioritize hands-on training in risk assessment and strategic financial planning. This research provides targeted insights for policymakers and institutions aiming to enhance the financial decision-making and long-term security of academic professionals.

This conceptual study examines the critical role of service quality in fostering customer trust within the banking sector. As banks operate in an environment characterized by increased competition, digital transformation, and rising customer expectations, service quality has emerged as a fundamental determinant of trust. Drawing from established service quality models and trust-building theories, this paper explores how key dimensions such as reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and tangibles, shape customers’ trust perceptions. The study underscores that consistent, transparent, and customer-focused service delivery enhances trust, which in turn contributes to stronger relationship commitment, customer loyalty, and positive behavioural intentions. The review further identifies the mediating influence of customer satisfaction and perceived value in strengthening the link between service quality and trust. This conceptual analysis provides a theoretical foundation for future empirical investigations and offers insights for banking institutions aiming to improve service performance and trust-building strategies.

This study aims to evaluate the market efficiency of a leading paint company within the competitive landscape. The objective is to analyze the current market dynamics and assess the efficiency of mobile applications in the paint industry. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire using the convenience sampling technique. The findings indicate that the studied paint brand is the most preferred among painters, with the market primarily dominated by two major players. Additionally, a new entrant, Birla Opus Paints, has been actively engaging painters through attractive loyalty programs, thereby gaining traction in the industry. While the preferred brand demonstrates overall satisfaction across its product range, the Putty variant received negative feedback from painters, highlighting an area for improvement. 

Influencer Marketing involves social media influencers, or SMIs, who have great potential to sway buyer decisions, particularly in new online markets that keep fluctuating constantly, like in the Indian market today. The way new products are produced has made influencer marketing much more dynamic. Smartphones have come into use, and the price for data services keeps going down, making it possible. More and more online services like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have been in vogue; however, new tools like Instagram Reels and Moj have already taken their place. The purpose of this research paper, therefore, aims to understand the impact of social media influencers (SMI) on consumers’ buying decisions in the Indian marketplace. This paper utilizes quantitative research methodology to survey 412 consumers aged 18-35 in the Indian marketplace and understand how ‘reputation,’ ‘attractiveness,’ ‘competence,’ ‘content,’ and ‘trust’ impact their buying behavior. Based on this research, it has been found that ‘credibility’ and ‘trust’ rank high, while ‘material’ characteristics follow suit. ‘Attractiveness’ has an impact on engagement but not on the buying behavior. There’s no doubt that for this social media influencer (SMI), it’s essential to be ‘real,’ ‘true,’ and ‘relevant’ to make it possible for consumers to influence its success in this marketplace. This conceptual model proposes to achieve identifying characteristics of social media influencer definitions to decide with respect to individual necessity levels with which to influence product or service acquisition. This report concludes with some observations and suggestions for possible further research works.

In this paper, the complexity of the interaction between the intellectual property rights of novel varieties of plants and the interests of the wider society is critically examined with special attention to the rights of farmers in the global agricultural environment and its compatibility with Sustainable Development Goals. It explores the sui generis system of India, which is provided under the Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Rights Act, 2001, as a reaction to the requirements of the TRIPS Agreement effective plant protection through sui generis protection systems. This is a system not identical to the UPOV model favored by most developed countries, trying to strike an equilibrium between the interests of the breeders and the need to protect farm-grown biodiversity and to award breeders with the traditional rights and benefit of saving, using, trading and selling farm-grown seeds. The paper will also examine the special characteristics of this legislation, registered types of crops, registration type, and affiliation of applicants to identify the effects of this legislation on the agricultural ecosystem. To be more precise, it will determine whether the Act has been successful in stimulating innovation and equitable access to more advanced varieties, or its core contribution is its ability to acknowledge the past farmer contributions to the preservation of biodiversity without any meaningful pecuniary gains. The paper will also examine the opportunities and obstacles of this special legislative system in creating innovation and social regulatory framework in the Indian multi-faceted agricultural system. In this review paper therefore, an in-depth review of the working and applications of the plant variety protection regime in India is presented in the light of its peculiar relation to the intellectual property discourse, evident globally. It looks at how the agricultural ecosystem has actually been bolstered by the Act by reviewing registration patterns, crop type, and the affiliation of the applicants in determining its effect on innovation and appreciation of traditional farming methods.

The current research examines the link between Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting and financial performance of Information Technology (IT) firms in India, America and Japan from 2015–2024. A total of 150 listed firms were collected, and the use of panel data, descriptive statistics, and correlation analysis and fits effects regression was used to understand how ESG scores impact Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Tobin’s Q. The results provide evidence that ESG reporting has a positive and utility significant effect on your profit, shareholder return, and market value. However, regional differences were observed, shaped largely by variations in regulatory environments and governance structures. American firms showed the highest ESG adoption levels alongside the strongest financial outcomes. Japanese firms displayed superior governance practices within their ESG disclosures, while Indian firms demonstrated the greatest progress in social and environmental reporting. Overall, ESG consistently emerged as a stronger predictor of financial performance than traditional firm-level attributes such as size, leverage, or R&D intensity. This study highlights ESG as a key driver of value creation, offering comparative insights for firms, investors, and policymakers across diverse economies seeking to strengthen ESG integration in corporate strategy.

In the context of India’s convergence with global financial reporting norms, this study evaluates the compliance of Nifty 50 companies with Ind AS 113-Fair Value Measurement, particularly focusing on the application of the fair value hierarchy (Levels 1, 2, and 3) in measuring financial assets. By conducting a manual content analysis of annual reports from FY 2023–24 and 2024–25, this study scores sector-wise compliance across recognition, measurement, disclosure quality, and use of fair value inputs. The Real Estate & Infrastructure and Banking & Finance sectors show the highest compliance, with detailed disclosures, consistent Level 3 usage, and sensitivity analysis. In contrast, FMCG, IT, Pharma, and E-Commerce sectors demonstrate basic compliance with limited narrative clarity and minimal Level 3 application. While a one-way ANOVA test reveals no statistically significant sectoral differences in the quantitative application of fair value hierarchy inputs (p > 0.05 for all levels), qualitative disparities persist especially in disclosure transparency and reconciliation. The findings highlight a critical gap between technical compliance and qualitative effectiveness. The study recommends strengthening qualitative disclosures, promoting internal valuation models, and enforcing reconciliation requirements for Level 3 inputs to improve overall financial reporting quality under Ind AS 113.

In Today’s Market Consumer Emphasize On Product Comparisons Based On Price, Features And Brand Authenticity During Online Purchasing. Digital Platforms Must Increase Consumer Trust With Vigorous Review System And Product Transparency. Durable Goods Online Market Is Also Expanding With The Use Technology Upgradation, So In Today’s Scenario Consumer Demands More From Purchase Experience. The Pilot Study Focuses On Factors That Influence Consumers Buying Behaviour On Online Purchase Of Durable Goods, The Study Employed 12 Questions Evaluated On A 5-Point Likert Scale Given To 100 Respondents From Different Demographics Of Delhi (Ncr Region) And Data Analysis Included Descriptive Statistics With Reliability Test And Exploratory Factor Analysis (Efa). The Kmo Shows 0.809 Value And Significant Bartlett's Test Confirm Data Suitability For Factor Analysis. The Study Observes The Factors That Influence Consumer Behaviour Online Purchase Of Durable Goods Focusing On Three Primary Dimensions: Price Sensitivity, Brand Influence, And Social Influence And Price Sensitivity Play An Important Role Over Brand Influence And Social Influences.

India’s residential property market has demonstrated remarkable growth in 2024, supported by strong economic fundamentals, rising demand for high-value properties, and a stable mortgage environment. Residential sales in major markets increased by 10.6% year-on-year in H1 2024, with premium properties driving 51% of total sales. Cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata saw significant growth, while new launches also reached record highs, totaling 183,401 units. Despite a slight increase in unsold inventory, the market’s fundamentals remain strong, with improved sales velocity and declining Quarters to Sell (QTS) metrics. The rental market saw a 14.60% year-on-year price increase, though supply constraints persist. Stable lending rates and government initiatives, such as the reintroduced PMAY subsidy scheme, have further boosted housing affordability and market resilience. However, regional disparities and labor market conditions continue to impact the sector. Overall, India’s residential property market reflects robust demand, rising prices, and evolving buyer preferences, positioning it for sustained growth in the coming years.

This examination explores the dynamics of how Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategies contribute to customer retention in systematically organized retail venues in Bengaluru, integrating mediation and moderation lenses. Utilizing data from 600 retail patrons and employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and hierarchical regression, the inquiry scrutinizes the mediating functions of customer experience and customer satisfaction, alongside the moderating function of customer loyalty. The analysis highlights that CRM strategies do not significantly drive customer retention directly; instead, their influence is completely directed through better customer experiences and elevated satisfaction levels. Robust CRM methods substantially upgrade customer relations, which ultimately enhances satisfaction and fosters stronger retention outcomes. Also, the role of customer fidelity is vital in the CRM-retention context, with the advantageous results of CRM strategies being much more significant for customers who are very loyal. The detailed model highlights that 48 percent of the changes in customer retention stem from the vital connection between experience, satisfaction and loyalty, crucial for understanding retention dynamics. The analysis points out the vital role retail operators must play in utilizing CRM methods that aim to optimize consumer journeys and promote satisfaction, all while utilizing loyalty schemes to reinforce retention plans. The inquiry contributes to CRM literature by providing a comprehensive understanding of the mediation–moderation processes that propel customer retention in the organized retail sector

The rapid expansion of platform-based and other nontraditional work arrangements has reconfigured employment structures, flattened hierarchy levels, and introduced new sources of strain for workers across gig ecosystems. Although existing research has examined gig workers’ experiences, particularly issues related to algorithmic management, precarity, and health, limited scholarly attention has been directed toward the well-being of individuals who assume supervisory or leadership responsibilities within gig and flexible work environments. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, the Job Demands–Resources model, Person–Environment Fit theory, and boundary management theory, this paper argues that psychological need fulfilment may serve as a central mechanism linking gig work conditions to well-being outcomes for gig-based supervisors. Further, we theorize that work-arrangement fit and boundary conditions may operate as meaningful moderators that either strengthen or weaken these relationships. The paper outlines practical implications for designing sustainable gig-based leadership structures and presents several testable propositions to guide future empirical research.

Over the years, post-production in Indian cinema has undergone significant transformation, largely influenced by the evolving strategies through which films engage with audiences. Digitalization has permeated all three stages of filmmaking—pre-production, production, and post-production—yet the post-production stage has been most impacted due to its vast scope for creativity and audience engagement. This digital shift has redefined not only the technical aspects of film production but also the modes of promotion and marketing. In the context of Indian cinema, these changes are particularly noteworthy, given the scale and transnational reach of the industry. This research investigates how the promotional stage a part of the post-production process in Indian cinema has been reshaped by digital technologies, thereby rendering the process more creative and aligned with principles of sustainability. The study further examines the promotional dimensions of post-production in recent Hindi films, analysing them through the dual lens of sustainability and creativity. This study seeks to examine the dynamics of digital transformation in the context of Bollywood film promotions, with specific reference to three recent blockbusters: Brahmāstra (2022), Pathaan (2023), and Chhaava (2025). The research investigates in detail the promotional strategies employed for these films, with the objective of analyzing how they integrate sustainable practices while simultaneously redefining the role of audiences—from passive consumers to active participants and responders. The findings suggest that India’s cinematic ecosystem demonstrates a unique synergy between digitalized marketing strategies and sustainable practices, while simultaneously achieving the commercial success that continues to define the industry.

This paper provides a comprehensive and critical review of two decades of research on how corporate governance mechanisms influence corporate risk disclosure, addressing longstanding inconsistencies by examining the moderating role of institutional environments across developed and emerging markets. Using PRISMA (2020) and Torraco’s (2005) integrative review approach, 95 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2000 and 2024 were systematically identified and assessed using explicit quality criteria (Q1/Q2 Scimago, AJG 2021). Governance variables, disclosure measures, and theoretical frameworks were coded and synthesized into five thematic domains: board structure, CEO duality, ownership concentration, governance committees, and the disclosure–performance nexus. The review reveals substantial variation in prior findings, driven largely by differences in institutional enforcement, regulatory effectiveness, and ownership concentration. To reconcile these contradictions, the paper proposes an Integrative Institutional–Governance Framework that distinguishes between symbolic (compliance-driven) and substantive (quality-enhancing) disclosure outcomes and presents testable propositions for future research. The study advances the literature by integrating agency, legitimacy, and signaling theories within an institutional perspective and reconceptualizes risk disclosure as a co-produced outcome of governance mechanisms and institutional conditions rather than a standalone transparency measure

This study investigates how Artificial Intelligence (AI) affects people’s intention to make environmentally friendly (green) purchases. This study based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by adding two new factors: Trust in AI and Environmental Attitude. The research investigates how perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), and trust in AI influence consumers’ green purchase intention, with environmental attitude acting as a mediating factor. A quantitative methodology with cross sectional research design were adopted for data collection and analysis. Data were collected from 394 online shoppers in Kozhikode district, Kerala, using a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. The participants were chosen using purposive sampling. Present study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with Smart PLS 4 software to test the relationships between the variables. The results confirm that PEOU, PU, and trust in AI significantly influence green purchase intention and environmental attitude plays a significant partial mediating role. The findings show that people are more likely to make eco-friendly (green) purchases when AI tools are easy to use, trustworthy, and add real value. The study offers useful insights for businesses and policymakers. They can use these insights to create AI-enabled strategies that build consumer trust, encourage positive attitudes toward the environment, and increase green purchasing intentions. This helps support sustainable development goals

This study looks at how much blue-collar workers in India know about and use social welfare programs. Blue-collar workers, who often work in unorganised or semi-organized sectors, are usually the main people who benefit from government welfare programs. There are many programs that workers can use, such as health insurance, pension plans, housing benefits, and job benefits, but many workers still don't know about or understand their rights. The goal of the research is to find the main social, economic, and informational barriers that make it hard for people to get involved and access. The study uses a combination of surveys and interviews with workers in the manufacturing, construction, and service industries to look at how aware people are, where they get their information, and how they actually use it. The results show that there is a big difference between the reach of policies and their effects on the ground. This is mostly because people aren't educated enough, there aren't enough ways to communicate, and there are too many bureaucratic obstacles. The study ends with suggestions for policies that will make things easier for this vulnerable workforce, raise awareness, and make sure that these policies are carried out

Manjula Padmanabhan is the only writer in the field of Indian drama who wrote in English at the time when most parts of Indian stage were dominated by men and which centered on domestic realist matters. Her plays are not conformable, being set about with dystopian futurist possibilities, monstrous violence, crude displays of human barbarity. What is unique about Padmanabhan work is her ability to dramatize social and political problems by mere coincidence: family barely making ends meet in the commoditized world in Harvest (1997), or a park of affluent neighbors witnessing a woman being raped on the street in Lights Out (1986). Both plays put women in their positions as silent and compelled and unseen. But it is ironic that these women, Jaya of Harvest and Leela of Lights Out transform no speech into a speech. They do not protest resoundingly politically, but by not fulfilling the roles that the patriarchal and capitalistic structure assigns them. The present essay affirms that it is evident to note that silence in the plays by Padmanabhan does not consider passivity but take the form of political resistance that is subversive. Upon a close analysis of the particular scenes in these plays and the ones dedicated to the feminist and postcolonial thinking, we witness how Jaya and Leela continue a hypocrisy of global capitalism and middle-class voyeurism, and, therefore, acknowledge its definite feminist orientation of the political consciousness.

Tourism has identified as a major economic driver for majority of the countries in the world as it has a significant effect on the employment rates, foreign exchange earnings and the infrastructure developments. In this highly competitive market, Sri Lanka can be identified as a fascinating case study as it tackles the complex relationships between the destination image, perceived quality, tourist satisfaction and tourist re-visit intention. Moreover, it is essential to understand the factors that influence the tourists’ decision to return to a specific destination due to the high competitiveness of this sector. This study critically aims to identify the impact of destination image, perceived quality on tourist revisit intention mediating the role of tourist satisfaction in Sri Lanka. Data was collected from the international tourists who are visiting the country through a structures questionnaire and a survey measured destination image, perceived quality, tourist satisfaction and the tourist re-visit intention. Data was gathered from both online and offline at hotels, airports and the tourist sites. Siple ransom sampling was used to obtain an unbiased, representative sample. The data were analyzed by using SPSS and AMOS to examine the relationships among the variables. The results showed that the measurement model was reliable and vali and the structural model had a good fit. Destination Image and Perceived Quality had a positive effect on tourist satisfaction and tourist satisfaction strongly influenced tourist re-visit intention. However, destination mage and perceived quality do not directly affect tourist re-visit intention. The study shows that the tourism marketers and policymakers of Sri Lanka need to focus on enhancing the tourist perception about the destination. Hence, Tourist Satisfaction has identified as the main factor that accelerates the tourist intention to return to a particular destination acting as a bridge between the destination image, perceived quality and revisit intention. Therefore, continuous improvements in service and the tourist experience are important for the long-term success of the tourism industry of Sri Lanka.

Outbound Training (OBT) has emerged as a critical experiential learning methodology in management education, yet empirical evidence examining relationships between specific program components and learning outcomes remains limited, particularly in Indian contexts. This study investigates how training venue quality, instructional methods, and trainer competencies influence learning and corporate grooming among postgraduate management students. Through PLS structural equation modeling analysis of survey data from 138 MBA students who participated in structured OBT programs in Hyderabad, India, the research demonstrates that all three training components significantly enhance learning (β = 0.248-0.312, all p < .001), which in turn strongly predicts corporate grooming development (β = 0.425, p < .001). The model explains 48.7% of variance in learning and 65.8% in corporate grooming, with learning serving as a significant mediator. Results reveal partial mediation, indicating training components influence outcomes both directly and through learning processes. Venue and arrangements exhibited the strongest total effect (β = 0.319), followed by training methods (β = 0.293) and trainer competencies (β = 0.263). Findings validate Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory while providing actionable insights for program designers: prioritize quality venues, implement systematic instructional design with structured reflection, and invest in certified trainer development. This study contributes to limited research on OBT effectiveness in Indian management education and demonstrates that properly designed outdoor learning interventions significantly enhance professional competencies valued by employers.

This study investigates the impact of risk-based internal auditing (RBIA) on the effectiveness of risk management in medium-sized enterprises (MEs) within the Delhi-NCR region. Adopting an inferential analytical framework, the research tested three hypotheses to examine the relationship between RBIA adoption, organizational characteristics, audit maturity, and risk management outcomes. Data analysis using correlation and regression confirmed a strong positive relationship between RBIA implementation and the effectiveness of risk management practices. Enterprises with mature internal audit structures demonstrated enhanced capabilities in anticipating and mitigating financial, operational, and compliance risks. The study also found that organizational characteristics such as sectoral type, leadership orientation, and audit resource allocation significantly influence the depth of RBIA adoption, with higher maturity observed in healthcare and financial services compared to manufacturing and logistics sectors. Furthermore, audit maturity emerged as a critical determinant of risk performance, as formalized internal audit frameworks were positively correlated with timeliness of risk mitigation and integration of audit findings into business decisions. Challenges including budgetary limitations, lack of skilled auditors, and resistance to change were identified as impediments to RBIA implementation. The findings contribute to both academic and practical discourse by highlighting the strategic value of RBIA in fostering resilient and forward-looking risk governance cultures in medium enterprises.

The shift to the sustainable development requires new strategies that would solve all three problems at once: environmental degradation and shortage of resources, as well as several social inequalities. In this paper, the author analyzes how principles of a circular economy and social entrepreneurship are converging as a new frontier that has the potential to produce systemic and long-term solutions to these global issues. Whereas the circular economy focuses on regenerative production frameworks, waste reduction, and the re-use of materials over and over again, social entrepreneurship focuses on the mission-driven innovation, empowering communities, and the creation of inclusive value. Collectedly, these frameworks provide a complementary route which balances ecological responsibility against social impact. Based on interdisciplinary sources, the paper will discuss the capacity of circular business models, including product-as-a-service, repair and remanufacturing networks, and community-based resource sharing, to become more effective when implemented within socially entrepreneurial programs. The analysis points out the socially driven business potential to achieve circularity by mobilizing the local stakeholders, promoting a change in behaviour, and aligning the economic incentives with the general welfare. The examples of the cases in the industry demonstrate the fact that this integration not only reduces the environmental strains but also opens the possibility of more jobs to perform, strengthens the local resilience, and leads to even more equal distribution of resources. Some of the biggest barriers that hinder a larger adoption are also revealed in the article as regulations restrictions, a lack of financing and ignorance among the consumer and institutions. To help address these issues, it proposes a package of enabling policies that take the form of cross-sector partnerships, supportive policy frameworks, capacity-building approaches, and mission-specific investment systems. Ultimately, the paper comes to the conclusion that the strategic synergies of a circular economy and social entrepreneurship can be utilized as a transformational driver of sustainable development which has a holistic model of environmental regeneration and inclusive socio-economic innovation.

Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) has established itself as an essential functional and ethical requirement for recommendation and decision support systems to effectively promote sustainable consumption without falling into the trap of algorithmic opacity. Recent empirical evidence, in contrast to traditional "black box" models, demonstrates that adequate explanations not only cultivate user trust, but are a direct factor in improving performance in the execution of decision tasks and willingness to follow recommendations (Senoner et al., 2024). However, the effectiveness of this technology is conditioned by the fidelity, conciseness, and action provided by the explanation (Senoner et al., 2024). At the technical level, the uncritical use of widely disseminated model-agnostic methods, such as SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations) or LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations), poses substantial challenges related to the instability and collinearity of variables, which demand a methodological approach that incorporates caution and triangulation (Huang et al., 2024; Letoffe et al., 2025). In the European regulatory context, the confluence of the AI Act and the CSRD/ESRS corporate reporting guidelines establish explicit transparency and traceability obligations, linking algorithmic explainability directly to the organization's governance and accountability standards.

Non-financial resources have taken on a more significant role in the social entrepreneurship process of generating sustainable social values, and social capital has turned out to be one of the most highly demanded and least researched resources in social entrepreneurship. This paper evaluates the functioning of social capital as a type of currency that can help social entrepreneurs to transform resources, create legitimacy, and expand influence in community settings. Based on the theoretical approaches and field-based findings, the analysis will examine three related aspects of social capital bonding, bridging, and linking and examine how each of them plays a role in the formation, development of, and the sustainability of social enterprises. Close-knit groups should have bonding relationships that usually offer trust, volunteer support, and first-stage validation, whereas bridging relationships between different networks bypass barriers to accessing skills, partners, and knowledge. The connection between social capital, which crosses either hierarchical or institutional lines, also increases the capacity of social entrepreneurs to have endorsements and negotiate within policy settings as well as to interact with formal systems. The paper also brings out mechanisms in which community networks work as an alternative economic system in which they can exchange resources where conventional financial capital is constrained. They are collaborating in solving problems, collective work, collective community property, and reputation reciprocity. The research also assesses the problem of too thick networks, reliance on informal networks and the disproportions in distribution of social capital in communities. Offering a conceptual framework that traces the process of transformation of social capital into tangible results, the study demonstrates its strategic value in the process of social enterprise design and sustainability. Finally, the paper suggests that viewing social capital as an acceptable and quantifiable type of currency can empower community-based entrepreneurial theories and inform policymakers and practitioners to create more inclusive social innovation ecosystems.

The digital starting up ecosystem is increasingly becoming grown by women entrepreneurs, but their trajectories, tactics, and limitations are still underrepresented in comparison to their male peers. This paper discusses how women founders engage digital resources, technical competence, and personal resources to develop, grow, and maintain startups in a fast- changing environment of innovation. Using the current literature on gendered entrepreneurship and digital transformation, the study investigates the dynamic between the use of technology, the availability of resources, market inclusion, and the socio-cultural obstacle. The article demonstrates the importance of digital platforms, including e-commerce and fintech as well as cloud-based productivity systems, as essential facilitators of women entrepreneurs due to their ability to reduce barriers to entry, increase networking, as well as provide a flexible way of conducting business. At the same time, the paper mentions such problems as the absence of funding opportunities, biases in the algorithms, gender stereotypes, and unequal access to mentorship and technical training, which still persist. The paper take a mixed-methodology approach, which will entail the application of the secondary sources and synthesized facts of the cases in determining the trends of women using digital literacy, community support system, and creative problem-solving to quit the structural constraints. These have made it clear that technology not only helps in improving the performance of the operations but also enables women to re-brand themselves as being entrepreneurial, diversify their markets other than developing socially responsive business models. The paper however claims that it cannot use digital innovations in balancing the existing disparities between the genders without additional policy and ecosystem designing. The research facilitates the additional knowledge on the digital start up space as an opportunity space and a battleground to women. It ends with a suggestion of a template of enhancing inclusivity by narrow skilling, equitable policies of financing and gender sensitive digital infrastructure which would finally have a more diverse and healthy entrepreneurial system.