Objectives This article investigates the city marketing strategies employed by selected U.S. Smart Cities, with the aim of understanding how they promote themselves to attract new residents, firms, investors and visitors. Prior work The study builds on the established literature on city marketing and place branding, as well as recent comparative analyses of Smart Cities and territorial marketing, extending this work by focusing on how smart urban agendas are translated into concrete branding and communication strategies. Approach Analysing Smart City rankings enables the identification of three Smart Cities in the United States, namely New York City, Boston and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW). A comparative analysis is employed to examine their city marketing strategies, including whether their promotion highlights historical aspects, cultural elements or innovation narratives, and to analyse the branding principles and communication tools used. Results The analysis identifies key dimensions of the cities’ promotions, including brand development, brand communication, brand maintenance, promotional benefits and strategic limitations, and shows how each city configures these dimensions differently. Implications The findings offer useful guidance for academics, researchers and practitioners seeking to design, assess or improve marketing strategies in Smart Cities, particularly in terms of aligning branding with governance, stakeholder engagement and resident-facing value. Value The article contributes to the field of city marketing by providing a structured comparative analysis of marketing strategies in different types of Smart Cities and by illustrating how distinct city marketing approaches can foster city visibility and perceived attractiveness.

This study examines the direct and mediated pathways through which financial literacy and financial empowerment influence financial inclusion among women traders in Lusaka's informal markets, Zambia. The target population comprised 4,028 registered women traders across three major Lusaka markets - Lusaka Food Market, Lusaka City Market, and Soweto Market. Employing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design underpinned by the Ford Financial Empowerment Model, the Inclusive Financial Wellbeing Empowerment Model, and Sen's Capability Approach, the study collected quantitative data from 273 women traders using stratified random sampling across three major markets, supplemented by three focus group discussions. Structural equation modelling and thematic analysis were used for quantitative and qualitative analyses respectively. Results demonstrate that financial literacy significantly predicts financial empowerment (β = 0.550, p < .01) - the strongest of all pathways tested across the three-paper series - and that financial empowerment significantly predicts financial inclusion (β = 0.389, p < .05). The indirect effect of financial literacy on financial inclusion through financial empowerment was 0.355 (p < .01), establishing empowerment as a powerful mediator that exceeds the capability-mediated indirect effect of 0.250 documented in the companion paper. Qualitative findings from three focus group discussions corroborate these results, with participants identifying confidence in financial management, decision-making autonomy, and savings group participation as key empowerment-driven inclusion pathways, while social norm constraints emerge as the primary boundary condition attenuating the empowerment-to-inclusion relationship. The study concludes that women's financial empowerment is the most potent mediating mechanism in the financial literacy–inclusion nexus in informal markets and recommends the integration of empowerment-building components - specifically confidence development, peer mentoring, and savings group strengthening - into all financial inclusion interventions targeting women in Zambia's informal sector.

Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low precipitation, leading to a significant water deficit that adversely affects the environment, agriculture, and various socio-economic activities. Severe weather phenomena, including droughts, floods, wildfires and hurricanes inflict rapid and significant economic losses among businessmen and women. They interrupt commercial activities, harm critical infrastructure, wipe out agricultural production, and force many communities to relocate. The aim of this study was to assess the economic effects of drought and identify strategic adaptation mechanisms employed by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Lusaka District, Zambia. A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. This study used a stratified random sampling method to select 384 participants (owners and managers of SMEs) from SMEs within such targeted sites as Town Centers, Soweto market, City Market, and Buseko Market. Approval was obtained from the University of Zambia Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (UNZABREC) REF. No. 5913-2024 and the Lusaka City Council to ensure ethical compliance for the study. Respondents were informed that participating in this study was completely voluntary and that, they were free to withdraw from the study at any time without any consequence. The participants were informed that taking part in the study would not put them at risk of harm and that they would not gain any immediate personal benefits from their involvement. Respondents were also assured that the collected data would not be disclosed to anyone and that confidentiality and anonymity would be maintained throughout the study. After all aspects of the study had been clearly explained and the participants had demonstrated understanding, written informed consent was obtained from each respondent prior to the commencement of data collection. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions. The collected primary data was analysed using SPSS version 28, and the analysed data were presented using pie charts and tables. The results from this study demonstrated that, most of the respondents (63.2%) reported that drought lead to reduced operational costs and increased profitability among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Lusaka District. The study also found that, few study participants (20%) indicated that, drought decreased revenue, increased operational costs, and caused challenges to the continuity of businesses. The findings from this study found that, most of the respondents (52.1%) diversified their products and services to meet changing demands of their customers during droughts. In contrast, increasing staff wages emerged as the second most significant strategy adopted by 27.1% (104) of SMEs. The study further disclosed that, the majority of respondents (82.1%) reported that limited access to financial resources and credit facilities emerged as a major challenge faced by small and medium enterprises in implementing effective drought adaptation strategies in Lusaka District of Zambia. While the majority of SMEs reported increased profitability and reduced operational costs due to strategic adaptations, a notable minority highlighted challenges such as revenue loss, increased expenses, and operational disruptions. The author recommends that, to enhance resilience, SMEs in Lusaka District should build on adaptive strategies such as product diversification and wage adjustments, while policymakers and financial institutions should work to overcome the critical barriers of limited access to credit and financial resources.

Competition between traditional and modern markets requires market managers to understand the factors that influence consumer purchasing decisions. This study aims to analyze the influence of social, personal, and psychological factors on consumer purchasing decisions at the Medan City Market Center. This study uses a quantitative approach with an associative method. The research sample consisted of 96 respondents who were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Based on the partial test results, social factors have a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions with a significance value of 0.012 < 0.05 and a t-value of 2.554 > t-table 1986. Personal factors also have a positive and significant effect with a significance value of 0.000 < 0.05 and a t-value of calculated t-value of 33.634 > t-table 1.986. Psychological factors also have a positive and significant effect with a significance value of 0.000 < 0.05 and a t-value of 31.796 > t-table 1.986. Simultaneously, social factors, personal factors, and psychological factors have a significant effect on purchasing decisions with a significance value of 0.000 < 0.05. The results of the coefficient of determination test show an Adjusted R Square value of 0.976, which means that 97.6% of the variation in purchasing decisions can be explained by these three variables.

Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low precipitation, leading to a significant water deficit that adversely affects the environment, agriculture, and various socio-economic activities. Severe weather phenomena, including droughts, floods, wildfires and hurricanes inflict rapid and significant economic losses among businessmen and women. They interrupt commercial activities, harm critical infrastructure, wipe out agricultural production, and force many communities to relocate. The aim of this study was to assess the economic effects of drought and identify strategic adaptation mechanisms employed by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Lusaka District, Zambia. A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. This study used a stratified random sampling method to select 384 participants (owners and managers of SMEs) from SMEs within such targeted sites as Town Centers, Soweto market, City Market, and Buseko Market. Approval was obtained from the University of Zambia Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (UNZABREC) REF. No. 5913-2024 and the Lusaka City Council to ensure ethical compliance for the study. Respondents were informed that participating in this study was completely voluntary and that, they were free to withdraw from the study at any time without any consequence. The participants were informed that taking part in the study would not put them at risk of harm and that they would not gain any immediate personal benefits from their involvement. Respondents were also assured that the collected data would not be disclosed to anyone and that confidentiality and anonymity would be maintained throughout the study. After all aspects of the study had been clearly explained and the participants had demonstrated understanding, written informed consent was obtained from each respondent prior to the commencement of data collection. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions. The collected primary data was analysed using SPSS version 28, and the analysed data were presented using pie charts and tables. The results from this study demonstrated that, most of the respondents (63.2%) reported that drought lead to reduced operational costs and increased profitability among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Lusaka District. The study also found that, few study participants (20%) indicated that, drought decreased revenue, increased operational costs, and caused challenges to the continuity of businesses. The findings from this study found that, most of the respondents (52.1%) diversified their products and services to meet changing demands of their customers during droughts. In contrast, increasing staff wages emerged as the second most significant strategy adopted by 27.1% (104) of SMEs. The study further disclosed that, the majority of respondents (82.1%) reported that limited access to financial resources and credit facilities emerged as a major challenge faced by small and medium enterprises in implementing effective drought adaptation strategies in Lusaka District of Zambia. While the majority of SMEs reported increased profitability and reduced operational costs due to strategic adaptations, a notable minority highlighted challenges such as revenue loss, increased expenses, and operational disruptions. The author recommends that, to enhance resilience, SMEs in Lusaka District should build on adaptive strategies such as product diversification and wage adjustments, while policymakers and financial institutions should work to overcome the critical barriers of limited access to credit and financial resources.

The report discusses the positioning of branded sports products in the Coimbatore region. It also analyzes the perception, preference, and satisfaction of the consumers. The report takes into account the quality, price, brand, and availability of the products. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. This study examines the preference of sports persons towards branded sports products. The research aims to understand the buying behavior and preferences of consumers in Coimbatore regarding branded sports products. The research will analyze the impact of brand awareness, quality, price, and customer satisfaction on buying behavior. The results of the research will help sports brands to improve their marketing and customer relationships in Coimbatore. In findings, it reveals that athlete branding has an impact on sports products in CBE city, as indicated by high youth preference, awareness, support, athlete branding, as well as considerations of availability and prices. The study concludes is that strong athlete brands with reinforcing product, marketing, and pricing strategies will allow sports brands to attain position, trust, and growth in the CBE City market.

ABSTRACT In MICE tourism, unique venues play a crucial role in shaping the image and brand of a host city by showcasing the inherent charm of the city. Although the popularity of unique venues has increased due to their ability to offer distinctive originality and memorable experiences to event participants, research on unique venues has been scarce. Focusing on the MICE industry in Xi’an, China, this study aims to identify the potential resources of unique venues and suggest collaborative strategies for the sustainable development of unique venues. To do so, this study adopted a qualitative approach by conducting in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including event organizers, convention and meeting venue providers, government officials, and participants. In stakeholder interviews, four main themes were emerged: 1) exploring the perceived potential benefits of unique venue, 2) strengths of Xi’an in utilizing unique venues, 3) challenges in utilizing unique venues in Xi’an, and 4) developing strategies for the sustainable development of unique venues. The findings provide meaningful theoretical contributions to achieve a comprehensive understanding on the interconnections between the MICE industry, cultural tourism, and destination marketing. This study also discussed practical implications to develop unique venues for city branding in Xi’an.

Aim . The work aimed to compare systematically the differences in the strategic positioning of China and the USA in the development of smart cities driven by artificial intelligence (AI), and to study their impact on global market competitiveness. Objectives . The work seeks to compare and analyze the differences in the strategic positioning of China and the USA in promoting the development of AI-driven smart cities, as well as assess how these strategic differences shape the competitive landscape in the global smart city market. Methods . The author used a mixed research method, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, comparative analysis, calculations of indicators, statistical data induction, and literature analysis to compare systematically the strategic positioning and market competitiveness of China and the USA in the field of AI-driven smart cities. Results . China employs a government-led top-down model, promoting pilot projects and infrastructure construction through national policy, emphasizing rapid technology implementation and the integration of all stages of the production chain. The United States of America is market-oriented, relying on the innovative capabilities of Silicon Valley technology companies and a public-private partnership model, focusing on technological originality and commercial applications. Conclusions . The study results revealed that in the future, China, owing to its government-led, large-scale advantages, will be able to take a leading position in smart city infrastructure construction and advancement in emerging markets. While the USA, relying on a market-oriented innovation ecosystem and accumulated core technologies, will continue to dominate the high-tech market, maintaining superiority in fundamental AI research and high-value-added fields.

Livestock products are generally very easily contaminated by bacteria because they contain high nutritional value, especially protein. This study aimed to identify Staphylococcus aureus contamination in beef samples taken from traders at Tavip Market and Kebun Lada Market in Binjai City. The study used 13 beef samples collected through a random sampling method. Each sample weighed 100 grams and was taken with sterile equipment, then transported in a cool box at a low temperature of approximately ±4°C. Other materials used included Buffer Peptone Water (BPW), Baird Parker Agar (BPA), and Coagulase Rabbit Plasma (CRP), which are specific media for S. aureus. Total Counting of S. aureus Bacterial Colonies Using the Total Plate Count (TPC) Method. The results showed that all 13 samples tested positive for S. aureus contamination, exceeding the Indonesian National Standard limit of 10² CFU/g, with the highest colony count reaching 2.9 × 10⁴ CFU/g. This indicates that the level of S. aureus bacterial contamination exceeds the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) limit, necessitating improved sanitation and hygiene in the market. Consumers are advised to thoroughly cook meat before consumption.

This study explored factors influencing SME growth in Lusaka City Market in Zambia, focusing on access to finance, entrepreneurial skills, and government policy. SMEs are vital to Zambia's economy but face growth constraints. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 94 SME using simple random sampling owners/managers via questionnaires and purposive sampling was used on 15 key informants through interviews. SPSS analysis showed access to finance had the strongest positive impact on growth (r = 0.642, β = 0.489, p < 0.01), followed by entrepreneurial skills (r = 0.511, p < 0.01) and government policy (r = 0.468, p < 0.01). Many respondents lacked formal business training, and key barriers included limited financial literacy, high interest rates, and weak policy implementation. The study concluded that improving finance access, entrepreneurial capacity, and policy support is critical for SME growth. Recommendations include inclusive lending, practical training, and regulatory reforms—offering valuable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders.

This study investigates milk authenticity in Karbala’s local markets by assessing mislabeling and cross-contamination using PCR-based species identification targeting the Cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene. Results revealed discrepancies between labeled and actual milk content, with products marketed as pure buffalo or goat milk frequently containing undeclared cow DNA. These f indings indicate widespread dairy fraud, likely driven by economic incentives to substitute cheaper milk types. Additionally, cross-contamination due to poor hygiene practices in small-scale dairy operations was evident, as some samples contained traces of multiple species. The prevalence of adulterated milk raises serious concerns regarding consumer deception, economic fairness, and public health-particularly for individuals with allergies or religious dietary restrictions. This study underscores the urgent need for stricter regulatory enforcement, improved testing protocols, and better hygiene standards in Iraq’s dairy industry to ensure product authenticity and food safety. Keyword: cross-contamination, mislabeling, food safety, PCR analysis, counterfeiting, labeling.

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have begun to reshape the practices of contemporary city marketing by enabling the development of more targeted, efficient and personalised communication and development strategies. By analysing real-time data gathered from digital interactions and user feedback, AI technologies support the creation of segment-specific content and the improvement of the user experience, while fostering a stronger sense of belonging to a community among various stakeholders, including residents, tourists, businesses and students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the role regarding data-driven decision making in city marketing. European best practises – such as Madrid’s VisitMadridGPT system and Helsinki’s MyHelsinki platform – show that AI contributes not only to communication, but also to strategic and operational dimensions of urban development. These examples emphasise the ability of AI to improve both the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of cities. Ethical considerations, particularly in relation to data privacy, are also addressed as integral components of responsible AI adoption. The study aims to summarise current trends, practical implementations and critical challenges in the application of AI regarding city marketing and ultimately contribute to the development of more conscious, data-driven urban strategies.

Purpose The rise of smart cities has attracted growing attention from scholars, policymakers and industry stakeholders for their transformative potential in urban development. This study has two primary aims: (1) to provide a comprehensive understanding of the economic dimensions of smart city development by synthesizing decades of research and (2) to identify key research trends, including growth publications, productive countries, institutions, journals, most-cited articles, article co-citation networks and authors’ keywords. Design/methodology/approach This study followed the PRISMA guidelines to conduct a bibliometric and content analysis of 92 documents published in the Scopus database between 2012 and September 2023. PRISMA was selected due to its widespread use across various disciplines, including social science, business, economics, computer science, healthcare and engineering as well as for its effectiveness in enhancing transparency, rigor and credibility in systematic reviews. Additionally, Scopus was chosen for its extensive coverage of peer-reviewed literature across relevant disciplines. Findings The analysis revealed four main outcomes: (1) foundational insights for a deeper literature review of the economic impacts of marketing smart cities; (2) categorization of key themes, including smart cities, economic effects, IoT, sustainable urban development, challenges and barriers; (3) identification of economic benefits such as increased foreign investment, entrepreneurship and knowledge-based industry growth and (4) recognition of critical factors like stakeholder collaboration, technological innovation and sustainable planning in realizing these benefits. Originality/value This study is the first to conduct a comprehensive literature review on the economic implications of smart city marketing, employing a hybrid approach that integrates bibliometric and content analysis.

Abstract City marketing has emerged as a strategic approach in modern urban planning and management, aimed at enhancing a city’s appeal to investors, residents, and tourists. This study investigates the role of city marketing in supporting sustainable urban development within the context of Iraqi cities, which face complex challenges in the post-conflict era. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining theoretical analysis with empirical data collected through a structured questionnaire administered to a purposive sample of 106 experts from various governmental ministries and the private sector. Descriptive statistical analysis using IBM SPSS V.26 revealed a significant and positive impact of city marketing strategies particularly in promoting religious tourism and attracting investment on the sustainable development of Iraqi cities. The findings highlight a high level of awareness among respondents regarding the importance of city marketing in enhancing economic, social, and environmental dimensions of urban growth. Drawing on successful global case studies, the research offers a set of actionable recommendations tailored to the Iraqi context for integrating marketing strategies into urban development policies.

Developing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) based on local potential is essential to strengthen community economic resilience, particularly in the food sector. Yet many MSMEs struggle with low production efficiency, poor packaging, and weak digital marketing skills. This program addressed these issues by providing training and mentoring for a keripik basreng MSME in Tangerang City, covering production, packaging, and digital marketing. The intervention involved needs assessment, hands-on practice, and continuous monitoring. Results showed a 20% increase in production efficiency, processing time reduced from 4 to 3 hours, and more consistent hygienic standards. Innovative packaging and digital marketing boosted online sales by 35% and expanded distribution to five new stores. The program also created a marketing position, raised wages by 15%, and strengthened managerial capacity. Overall, the program demonstrated that participatory training and mentoring can overcome digital literacy barriers while building a sustainable and competitive MSME development model.

This research examines the strategic role of City Marketing, Event Tourism, and Social Media Marketing in shaping the destination image of Surabaya as an emerging MICE city. The main issue addressed in this research is the relatively weak influence of city marketing compared to the direct experiential factors perceived by visitors, raising questions about the effectiveness of current branding strategies in enhancing Surabaya’s competitiveness in the MICE sector. The objective of the study is to analyze the influence of these three variables on destination image and to provide strategic recommendations for strengthening Surabaya’s position as a MICE destination with cultural heritage appeal. The research employs a quantitative approach using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS, based on responses from 255 participants, tested through 17 indicators across 15 dimensions. The results indicate that City Marketing has a positive but less significant effect, suggesting the need for more visitor-oriented strategies, while Event Tourism and Social Media Marketing show strong positive and significant influences on destination image. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing livability, promoting unique heritage-based experiences, and leveraging digital engagement to build a stronger and more competitive destination image for Surabaya in the national and international MICE market. Keywords: Destination Image; MICE Tourism City; City Marketing; Tourism Events; Social Media

Semarang City possesses great tourism potential due to its unique cultural and natural wealth however, challenges remain in developing its tourism destinations, particularly in creating an appealing city image and increasing visitor numbers. This study examines the impact of city marketing, city image, and accessibility on tourists' decision to visit Semarang. A quantitative approach was used to collect data through a questionnaire survey of 384 tourists who had visited Semarang in the past year. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, including validity and reliability tests and hypothesis testing using multiple linear regression. The results indicate that all three variables: city branding, city image, and accessibility have a positive and significant effect on tourists' decision to visit Semarang. The t-test results showed that the significance level of each variable was less than 0.05, and the regression model explained a large part of the variance in visit decisions. The discussion highlights that strengthening the city image through effective branding and improved accessibility can increase the attractiveness of Semarang as a tourist destination, thereby attracting more tourists to visit. These findings provide practical suggestions for city managers to improve the success of tourism strategies by focusing on these key factors.

Abstract This study was carried out in the Food Processing Laboratory, Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit, between September 2024 and February 2025. The primary objective was to assess the chemical and microbiological quality of imported frozen red meat in comparison with locally sourced meat available in Iraqi markets. Five meat types were evaluated: local lamb, Australian lamb, local veal, Indian veal, and Brazilian veal. Microbial analysis showed elevated bacterial loads in imported meats, notably in Australian lamb (7.1390 CFU/g) and Brazilian veal (6.1900 CFU/g), while no microbial indicators were detected in the local meat samples. Concerning heavy metal content, the highest zinc level was found in Brazilian veal (92.604 mg/kg), lead in local veal (0.27160 mg/kg), cadmium in both Indian and local veal (0.19500 mg/kg), and copper in Australian lamb (9.29550 mg/kg). In terms of lipid profile, Australian lamb exhibited the highest cholesterol content (87.815 mg/100 g), followed by Brazilian veal (87.080 mg/100 g), and local lamb (83.630 mg/100 g). Triglyceride concentrations peaked in Australian lamb (18.380 mg/100 g), whereas the lowest value was recorded in local veal (8.190 mg/100 g).

Abstract Since the 1980s and 1990s, art has played a pivotal role in urban planning, especially when instrumentalized within large‐scale urban renewal operations. This instrumentalization has been broadly linked to public policy schemes and public–private partnerships, often involving the implementation of spectacular cultural centers positioned as flagships for revamping entire urban brands. While large‐scale arts‐led urban planning still endures, today we observe a new phenomenon in the instrumentalization of art within city‐making: the sponsorship of temporary artworks at the construction sites of private real estate developments for speculative and (self)marketing purposes. This article questions how this new phenomenon differs from the 1980s–90s model and how it relates to controversial planning trends of temporary urbanism/tactical urbanism. The article uses the A‐Fence street‐art project by developer Covivio in Berlin to illustrate how temporary artwashing during construction can revitalize a small urban area cheaply and independently while programming land speculation and gentrification following private interests. It shows how developers, in response to the vilification of the real estate sector amid Berlin's rampant housing shortage, strategically exploit artists’ labor to revamp their own image through digital marketing, and reveals contemporary interplays between private business marketing and city marketing.

The development of smart infrastructure requires sensor systems that can operate autonomously without relying on conventional batteries. This study analyzes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges (SWOT) of implementing battery-free sensor systems based on energy harvesting technology for smart infrastructure through a systematic literature study. The research methodology uses a literature review approach by analyzing 85 indexed international journal articles from the IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and MDPI databases for the period 2019-2024. The results of the SWOT analysis show that battery-free sensor systems have the main advantages of continuous operation, reduced maintenance costs by up to 60%, and are environmentally friendly. The main disadvantages include the limited energy that can be harvested (0.1-100 µW), dependence on environmental conditions, and the complexity of energy management. The greatest opportunities lie in the growth of the smart city market, which will reach $2.5 trillion by 2025, and the development of low-power communication technologies. Key challenges include fluctuations in environmental energy sources, electromagnetic interference, and data security regulations. This study provides strategic guidance for the development and implementation of battery-free sensor systems in smart infrastructure with energy harvesting efficiency that can be increased up to 85% through design optimization and adaptive energy management algorithms