Environmental Performance Research Articles

Environmental corporate social responsibility and stock price crash risk: The role of environmental performance and ISO 14001

This paper examines the impact of environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) on stock price crash risk. Using a sample of publicly listed Chinese firms for the period 2010 to 2020, we find that environmental performance negatively affects crash risk. ISO 14001 certification, however, does not exert a significant effect. The negative relationship between environmental performance and crash risk is mediated by the visibility of the firm, and moderated by the certification of ISO 14001, respectively. In addition, the documented relationship is more evident for firms belonging to heavily polluting industries, non-SOEs and firms with greater media coverage and higher market competitive status. Our results remain consistent after controlling for endogeneity concerns and a batch of robustness tests. This study provides new insights into the CSR literature by highlighting the risk-mitigating role of environmental CSR in firms’ future stock price crashes.

Comparative life cycle assessment of non-thermal plasma for the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater

Wastewater effluents are a continuous source of pharmaceuticals in water bodies, which pose a serious environmental threat to aquatic ecosystems. This work provides a comprehensive technical, environmental and cost assessments of different advanced quaternary treatments for wastewater effluents, with special focus on novel Non-Thermal Plasma technology. For this porpouse Non-Thermal Plasma, Sand Filtration + Ozonation, Ultrafiltration, Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration and Ultrafiltration + Reverse Osmosis technologies were compared with UV disinfection-based technology. This work applies the Life Cycle Analysis tool for the impact environmental assessment using both ReciPE 2016(H) method and, for a more detailed analysis of the contribution of pharmaceuticals to freshwater ecotoxicity category of impact, the USETOX method, which was integrated with 7 new characterisation factors. The results obtained showed overall removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals always higher than 80%, with performances in descending order of Ultrafiltration + Reverse Osmosis > Sand Filtration + Ozonation > Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration > Non-Thermal Plasma, being Sand Filtration + Ultraviolet disinfection and standalone Ultrafiltration comparatively not suitable for pharmaceuticals removal. Regarding the target pharmaceuticals proposed on the EU Directive 271/91 revision, the Non-Thermal Plasma perform better towards venlafaxine than Sand Filtration + Ozonation, and towards diclofenac and carbamazepine than Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration. Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration and Non-Thermal Plasma showed better environmental performance than Sand Filtration + Ozonation and Ultrafiltration + Reverse Osmosis in 7 out of 18 categories of impact (ReciPe method), with Ultrafiltration + Nanofiltration being more advantageous than Non-Thermal Plasma in human and ecotoxicity-related categories of impact, and Non-Thermal Plasma more advantageous in Global Warming, Fossil Resource Scarcity, and Fine Particulate Matter Formation. Regrading Freshwater Ecotoxicity (USEtox method), the quaternary treatment configuration and its energy demand affect the Freshwater final value of impact more than the presence of pharmaceuticals. Under the conditions tested, the Non-Thermal Plasma provided the lower OPEX (0.24 € m−3) than other tested technologies, showing an interesting compromise between pharmaceuticals removal efficiency, environmental impacts, and economic operational cost.

Lithium‑sulfur batteries for next-generation automotive power batteries carbon emission assessment and sustainability study in China

The rise of electric vehicles has ushered in a revolution in the automotive industry, propelling the global automotive sector towards sustainable development. However, considerable controversy persists regarding the comprehensive performance of electric vehicle batteries and their environmental impact. The development of next-generation power batteries, aimed at enhancing energy storage performance while mitigating environmental consequences, has become a focal point of research in this field. Lithium‑sulfur batteries (LSBs), with their innovative structural design and environmentally friendly materials, not only enhance energy storage performance but also harbor significant environmental potential. When coupled with an all-solid-state battery structure, the all-solid-state lithium‑sulfur battery (A-LSB) demonstrates even more superior performance. This combination represents an ideal next-generation power battery for automotive applications, offering heightened efficiency and environmental sustainability. This study conducts a prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) to examine the environmental performance, particularly carbon emissions, during the production processes of LSBs and A-LSBs in the Chinese region. The primary objective is to uncover the potential for sustainable development in the future of lithium‑sulfur battery technologies. During the research process, we conducted comparative validation by comparing with traditional ternary lithium-ion batteries (NCM) and lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP). Experimental setups were designed to simulate both laboratory and industrial production scenarios, with a primary focus on analyzing the sustainable performance of LSB and A-LSB. The results indicate that, compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, both LSB and A-LSB exhibit lower carbon emissions and superior environmental performance, with A-LSB showing particular promise. However, A-LSB demonstrates higher sensitivity to environmental impacts, displaying significant variations before and after industrial production. Additionally, it exhibits a greater dependency on regional resources and energy structures. In contrast, LSB displays better regional adaptability.

Optimizing olefin purification: An artificial intelligence-based process-conscious PI controller tuning for double dividing wall column distillation

This study investigates the light olefin separation using dual dividing wall columns (DWCs) and compares various proportional-integral (PI) controller tuning methods. A novel process-conscious reinforcement learning (RL) approach, utilizing Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG), is developed by incorporating domain-specific knowledge into the reward function to ensure compliance with critical process variables and product purity. The DDPG-based PI tuning is evaluated against traditional methods such as Aspen’s recommended initial tuning, Ziegler-Nichols (ZN), and Cohen-Coon (CC). The result shows that the DDPG method significantly enhances control stability and accuracy, reducing error by factors of 11.9, 2.3, and 1.6 compared to Aspen, ZN, and CC, respectively. Additionally, DDPG demonstrates superior energy efficiency, consuming 13% less energy than the next best method. It also reduces purification costs by up to 13.5% and CO2 emissions by 20% compared to other methods. This study highlights the potential of integrating advanced RL techniques into industrial process control, delivering substantial improvements in stability, energy efficiency, economic, and environmental performance.

The use of chain extenders as processing aids in the valorization of single-use polylactide (PLA) products by rotomolding

Biodegradable plastics in single-use products have increased in popularity as a way to reduce the negative environmental impact of conventional plastics and meet the tightening law regulations. However, their recyclability needs to be assessed, as the environmental behavior of single-use plastics, even if compostable, is not negligible. Polylactide (PLA) is susceptible to thermal, oxidative, hydrolytic, and mechanical degradation during reprocessing, so the conditions of such cycles must be accurately controlled. The necessity of using additives to reduce such degradations during rotational molding, a process with long cycle times and oxidizing atmosphere, has been demonstrated. Chain extenders based on a carbodiimide (Bioadimide® 100 - KI), a methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), and a polystyrene-acrylic copolymer (Joncryl® ADR-4368c - J) have been added to post-consumer PLA wastes. It has been demonstrated that these three chain extenders enabled obtaining a higher molecular weight of the reprocessed polymer, compared to the ∼50% reduction for the neat PLA. The use of carbodiimide yielded the most similar performance to that of unprocessed raw material. All samples provided adequate thermal stability and processing parameters for the rotational molding. Carbodiimide is considered the most efficient additive, as it increases the molecular mass of the polymer as it remains unchanged after processing. Similarly, KI-modified PLA rheological behavior remains unchanged after processing, which means this compound can reduce thermooxidative and hydrolytic degradation reactions. Thus contributing to the achievement of improved processability and better performance; in particular, impact strength increased from 1.06 ± 0.56 for PLA to 8.12 ± 2.28 kJ/m2 for KI-modified PLA, and toughness of 5.36 ± 1.61 to 61.49 ± 8.01 J/mm3, respectively, leading to rotomolded items without structural defects. On the opposite, the use of Joncryl® and MDI led to structural defects in the rotomolded parts despite a higher molecular weight of the polymer, which resulted in poor mechanical properties, although better than PLA without any additive. All three chain extenders resulted in an amorphous PLA structure with increased glass transition temperature and improved thermal stability, which correlated with the reduced emissions of volatile compounds compared to neat recycled PLA. The presented findings significantly contribute to a better understanding of PLA and its modifications at a molecular scale required for its efficient and possibly environmentally burden-free reprocessing. Gathered knowledge will be crucial for optimizing its environmental performance and widening its applications, particularly in a process with long cycle times and oxidative character, such as rotational molding.

Exploring the role of SAP chemical composition in the internal curing of high-performance cementitious materials

This study investigates the impact of the chemical composition of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) on their effectiveness in internal curing within high-performance cementitious materials. Although the use of commercial SAPs in cementitious systems has been widely researched, there is still no consensus on how different SAP structures influence material properties. For the first time, this research employs photoinitiated free radical polymerization technology to synthesize three structurally distinct SAPs: SAP with sulfonic acid groups (PAMPS), SAP with amide groups (PAM), and SAP with carboxyl groups (PAAs). The effects of these SAPs on the cement hydration process and microstructure were examined by analyzing their water absorption behavior in cement filtrate. The residual cation content on the SAP surface was evaluated using EDS, while XRD and TGA were used to study how SAP structure affects cement hydration products. Furthermore, the impact of these SAPs on the strength and autogenous shrinkage of the material was investigated. The results indicate that PAMPS, with its sulfonic acid groups, exhibited stable water absorption performance in the alkaline cement environment, promoting hydration reactions and increasing the formation of needle-shaped C-S-H. This stability contributed to mitigating the negative effects on mechanical properties. While the inclusion of SAPs generally reduced the strength of the cement matrix, PAMPS was the most effective in mitigating autogenous shrinkage, achieving a shrinkage mitigation efficiency of 86 %. These findings highlight the importance of SAP chemical structure in influencing cement hydration and material performance, offering insights for the development of effective internal curing agents to enhance high-performance concrete.

Investigating the response of urban surface thermal environment to urban morphology changes in Nanjing

The urbanization process has significantly impacted urban morphology, which in turn has led to changes in the urban surface thermal environment (USTE). A summarization of the empirical patterns of past urban morphology changes and an evaluation of the USTE effects produced by different patterns will contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge regarding the response of USTE to urban morphology changes and facilitate the development of sustainable urban planning and design practices. This study investigated the response of USTE to urban morphology from the overall and local based on the Local Climate Zone (LCZ) framework during 2005–2020 in Nanjing. The results validated the rationality of the LCZ framework for describing urban morphology changes and their USTE responses. It was found that the overall USTE was continuing to deteriorate, with an increase in high temperature and sub-high temperature areas. LCZ 4, LCZ 5, and LCZ 8 were the major contributors to overall urban heat, and their growth in the amount and changes in USTE characteristics mainly caused the overall USTE deterioration. In localized areas, it was found that urban regeneration had the most potential to optimize USTE. The conversion processes of LCZ 5 to LCZ 4, LCZ 8 to LCZ 4, and LCZ 8 to LCZ 5 were considered more advantageous in improving daytime USTE, which should be advocated. The results can provide important insights into the perception of urban morphology and USTE, and support the urban regeneration policies for climate-resilient cities from the environmental performance perspective.

Traversing between the arcs of environmental collaboration: Implications for dyadic environmental performance

That environmental sustainability is an important ethical issue for firms is an irrefutable fact. Proactive firms are increasingly tackling environmental problems through environmental collaboration with supply chain partners. Going above and beyond the current environmental expectations and collaboratively engaging in sustainability initiatives with partners signals the highest ethical standard of a firm. Additionally, product design that incorporates sustainability concerns is also a key step in this direction. Therefore, drawing on the well-known “arcs of integration” framework, the different configurations of supply chain environmental collaboration and their effect on dyadic environmental performance are investigated. Subsequently, we also assess the moderating effect of product stewardship on this relationship. We argue that dyadic environmental performance will be different across the five different configurations of supply chain environmental collaboration. Our results indicate that outward-facing environmental collaboration performs the best regardless of the level of product stewardship. Interestingly, a higher level of product stewardship requires a deeper environmental collaboration with suppliers rather than customers when it comes to dyadic environmental performance.

Comparative analysis of Environmental Impact of Each Building Material using Life Cycle assessment(LCA)_Focusing on Types of Construction Wood and Concrete

Objectives:The construction sector is a very important sector in achieving carbon neutrality. In modern society, construction has grown rapidly, and basic materials such as cement and concrete have contributed greatly to the development of construction. These materials emit a large amount of global warming substances during the raw material extraction and production process, causing serious environmental pollution. In order to establish a carbon reduction strategy to slow down global warming, we compared the environmental impacts of each building material and showed the current situation.Methods:The LCI DB for the construction materials used in the two-story wooden house (Building area 128.67m2, total floor area 235.73m2) located in the National Institute of Forest Science was extracted. Then, the data for LCA was processed and performed through the life cycle assessment methodology for the resources consumed from raw material collection, material production, and transportation stages. Then, based on the environmental performance labeling impact assessment method, a study was conducted on the environmental impact categories of the actual construction materials used and comparisons with other construction materials.Results and Discussion:When analyzing the environmental impact of concrete [25-21-120] and construction wood used in wooden house, the environmental impact was found to be 98.79% higher on average in the pre-manufacturing stage than in the manufacturing stage, and construction wood was confirmed to have a reduction effect of 62.21 kg CO2-eq per 1 m3 compared to concrete. Through the scenario, there was a carbon reduction effect of up to 36% when the entire area was replaced with wood. In addition, the environmental impact by major construction material was quantitatively quantified.Conclusion:When building a wooden house, reducing the amount of concrete equivalent to the amount of wood is expected to have a greenhouse gas reduction effect, so it is time to activate construction wood from the production process to the post-production stage to replace concrete. In addition, follow-up research on the development of construction technology with low environmental impact during construction should be continued. This study is expected to be used as a useful indicator for R&D and policies in the construction field in the future, as it quantitatively quantified the amount of CO2 reduction per m3 when replacing concrete with construction wood and numerically compared and analyzed six major environmental impact categories by major construction materials.

Comparative analysis of hybrid cognitive radar techniques for enhanced target detection and tracking: A performance evaluation perspective

This paper introduces an innovative hybrid algorithmic approach for cognitive radar systems, by integrating unique machine learning optimization techniques such as, YOLO (You Only Look Once), Mask R-CNN, and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs). Through extensive simulations, the integrated approach demonstrates notable enhancements in target detection, instance segmentation, and target tracking within radar systems. Leveraging deep learning models, the framework facilitates adaptive and intelligent processing of radar data, augmenting system performance in dynamic environments. By seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art techniques, the proposed framework showcases a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by traditional radar systems. This research represents a significant stride forward in radar technology, promising transformative impacts across various domains, including surveillance, remote sensing, and autonomous navigation. As radar systems continue to evolve, the adoption of advanced deep learning techniques offers unprecedented opportunities for enhancing situational awareness and decision-making capabilities in complex operational scenarios.

Ceramic matrix composites for corrosion-resistant next-generation nuclear reactor systems: A conceptual review of enhancements in durability against molten salt attack

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are emerging as a key material class for enhancing corrosion resistance in next-generation nuclear reactor systems, particularly in high-temperature molten salt environments. These environments, critical for advanced nuclear reactors such as molten salt reactors (MSRs), present severe challenges, including aggressive chemical attacks that degrade traditional structural materials over time. This conceptual review explores the development and application of CMCs to improve the durability and corrosion resistance of nuclear reactors exposed to molten salt attacks. CMCs, which consist of ceramic fibers embedded in a ceramic matrix, offer significant advantages, such as high thermal stability, mechanical strength, and improved corrosion resistance compared to conventional materials. This review examines how CMCs can be tailored to withstand harsh operational conditions, with a focus on the selection of ceramic phases, fiber-matrix interactions, and innovative fabrication techniques that enhance their protective capabilities. Key challenges addressed include the optimization of composite design to resist molten salt corrosion, the effects of temperature on the material properties, and the long-term stability of CMCs under extreme conditions. Advances in surface treatments, coatings, and the development of hybrid CMC systems are also discussed, highlighting their potential to further enhance durability. The review outlines the use of advanced characterization techniques, such as high-temperature corrosion testing and in situ microscopy, to evaluate CMC performance in molten salt environments. Additionally, it identifies knowledge gaps in current research, emphasizing the need for long-term studies on CMC behavior under realistic reactor conditions. This review concludes by proposing future research directions and technological advancements required to integrate CMCs into next-generation nuclear reactor designs, aiming to improve system reliability and operational safety.

Utilization of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag in Cement Mortar: Performance Analysis Against M-Sand

This study aims to explore the feasibility of incorporating Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) as a sustainable alternative to manufactured sand (M-Sand) in cement mortar, to enhance both environmental sustainability and mechanical performance. The research involves a systematic investigation where M-Sand is progressively replaced by GBFS at varying levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. The effects of these replacements are evaluated through a series of tests that focus on the mortar's physical properties, as well as its compressive and tensile strengths. Experimental results reveal that replacing 30% of M-Sand with GBFS produces the most favorable outcomes, with the compressive strength of the mortar exceeding that of the control mix by 12% after 28 days. The tensile strength also showed marked improvements at this replacement level. However, when the replacement level exceeds 30%, both compressive and tensile strengths begin to diminish, indicating that excessive substitution may adversely affect the mortar's structural integrity. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the optimal use of GBFS in cement mortar, demonstrating that a 30% substitution not only enhances strength characteristics but also contributes to more sustainable construction practices by reducing reliance on natural sand resources. This research supports the potential of GBFS as a viable material for improving the environmental profile and durability of cement-based materials.

Oxygen-Bonded Amorphous Transition Metal Dichalcogenides with pH-Responsive Reactive Oxygen Biocatalysis for Combined Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Therapies in Diabetic Wound Healing.

Diabetic wound healing is a formidable challenge, often complicated by biofilms, immune dysregulation, and hindered vascularization within the wound environments. The intricate interplay of these microenvironmental factors has been a significant oversight in the evolution of therapeutic strategies. Herein, the design of an efficient and versatile oxygen-bonded amorphous transition metal dichalcogenide biocatalyst (aRuS-Or) with pH-responsive reactive oxygen biocatalysis for combined antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapies in promoting diabetic wound healing is reported. Leveraging the incorporation of Ru─O bonds, aRuS-Or exhibits optimized adsorption/desorption behavior of oxygen intermediates, thereby enhancing both the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation activity in acidic conditions and ROS scavenging performance in neutral environments. Remarkably, aRuS-Or demonstrates exceptional bactericidal potency within infected milieus through biocatalytic ROS generation. Beyond its antimicrobial capability, post-eradication, aRuS-Or serves a dual role in mitigating oxidative stress in inflammatory wounds, providing robust cellular protection and fostering an M2-phenotype polarization of macrophages, which is pivotal for accelerating the wound repair process. The findings underscore the multifaceted efficacy of aRuS-Or, which harmoniously integrates high antibacterial action with anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic properties. This triad of functionalities positions aRuS-Or as a promising candidate for the comprehensive management of complex diabetic ulcers, addressing the unmet needs in the current therapeutics.

The Impact of Financial Performance and Stakeholder Pressure on Sustainability Report Disclosure: The Moderating Role of Independent Commissioners

In the contemporary business landscape, sustainability reporting has become increasingly critical as stakeholders demand greater transparency and accountability from companies regarding their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. This study delves into the factors that influence the extent of sustainability report disclosure, focusing on the role of financial performance, stakeholder pressure, and the moderating effect of independent commissioners. This study employs a quantitative approach, utilizing data from 96 manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2020 to 2022. The sample encompasses 288 observations, and purposive sampling was employed to select companies that met specific criteria, ensuring the inclusion of companies that have consistently disclosed sustainability reports and maintained financial stability. Regression analysis with an absolute difference test was conducted using SPSS 23 to analyze the relationships between the variables. The findings of this study indicate that financial performance and stakeholder pressure significantly influence sustainability report disclosure. Companies with higher financial performance tend to disclose more sustainability information, suggesting that they have the resources and motivation to invest in sustainability reporting. This positive association between financial performance and sustainability reporting implies that companies with stronger financial positions are better equipped to allocate resources towards sustainability initiatives and their subsequent disclosure. In conclusion, the proportion of independent commissioners on the board moderates these relationships, indicating that independent oversight enhances the positive effects of financial performance and stakeholder pressure on sustainability report disclosure. The presence of independent commissioners on the board strengthens corporate governance mechanisms, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in sustainability reporting.

What environmental and social factors are most relevant to the efficiency and performance of companies? The case of a small bank-oriented country

PurposeThis work aims to analyze the factors that influence the performance and efficiency of Portuguese companies, namely the influence of social and environmental features.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve our aim, we have used the Portuguese benchmark index, the Portuguese stock index – PSI, during the period from 2016 to 2020. To test the hypothesis panel data methodology was used, specifically, the GMM system originally proposed by Arellano and Bond (1991) and the Value-Based DEA developed by Gouveia et al. (2008).FindingsThe results of the GMM model show that social performance has a negative relationship with the company’s performance, from the perspective of different stakeholders, reinforcing that the cost-benefit trade-off of social spending is not yet understood as advantageous for the company’s performance. On the other hand, environmental performance, for external stakeholders, positively influences the company’s performance, perhaps due to pressure from society and the tradition of disclosing environmental matters. The value-based DEA results reinforce that from the perspective of the external stakeholder, non-efficient companies must increase their environmental performance to become efficient, highlighting the role of environmental performance in explaining efficiency. It is unanimous that social performance is still not seen as a lever of efficiency.Originality/valueThis is the first work to use a hybrid methodology to understand the performance determinants of a small banking-oriented country, emphasizing environmental and social aspects.

Green and Digital Leadership: Impact on Sustainable Performance, Mediating Environmental Knowledge Sharing, Moderating Technological Innovation

This study aims to explore the influence of Green Leadership and Digital Leadership on Sustainable Performance through the mediating role of Environmental Knowledge Sharing and the moderating role of Technological Innovation. Data were collected from 365 employees of District regional secretariat in North Aceh Regency, Bireuen Regency, and Lhokseumawe City, Indonesia, using a quantitative method with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) employing Smart PLS software. The findings reveal that both Green Leadership and Digital Leadership significantly impact Environmental Knowledge Sharing. While Digital Leadership does not directly influence Sustainable Performance significantly, both Digital Leadership and Environmental Knowledge Sharing exhibit a positive and significant effect on Sustainable Performance. Environmental Knowledge Sharing significantly mediates the influence of Green Leadership and Digital Leadership on Sustainable Performance. Moreover, Technological Innovation moderates the relationship between Environmental Knowledge Sharing and Sustainable Performance, indicating a reduction in impact at higher levels of innovation. Theoretical implications of these findings extend understanding of how Digital Leadership and Green Leadership affect sustainable performance through environmental knowledge dissemination. Practical implications suggest organizations should prioritize developing digital and green leadership competencies to enhance their environmental knowledge and sustainable performance.

Development of a Green Banking and Green Financing Practice Model for Enhancing Sustainability Development Goals (SDGS)

Objective: This study is to investigate a green banking model based on green banking practices, green financing, and green environment to enhance sustainability development goals (SDGs). Theoretical Framework: The research focuses on developing green banking and financing practices to improve environmental performance in the Indonesian banking sector. Green Banking emphasizes sustainability in banking operations and products, while Green Financing promotes funding environmentally friendly projects. The study also draws on Stakeholder Theory, highlighting that banks are accountable to a wide range of stakeholders. Method: The research stages include the development of instruments, questionnaire distribution, data collection, and data processing using a sample of 54 respondents, selected using convenience sampling. Data testing and processing were carried out using SmartPLS software. Results and Discussion: The analysis of banking employees and practitioners revealed that Banks' Customer-Related Practices (BCRP), Employee-Related Practices (BERP), and Operation-Related Practices (BORP) positively impact Green Environment Performance (GEP), whereas Banks' Policy-Related Practices (BPRP) do not. Additionally, while BCRP, BERP, and BORP showed no significant influence on Green Financing (GF), BPRP demonstrated a notable positive effect on Green Financing (GF). This result also show that Studies on Bank’s customer behavior change towards sustainability and its influence on the SDGs. Research Implications: Banks can implement specific green practices to improve their sustainability development goals (SDGs). The study reinforces Sustainability Theory by highlighting the importance of balancing environmental, social, and economic concerns in banking operations, confirming the need for a "Triple Bottom Line" approach in business models. Originality/Value: The originality of the research is demonstrated through its Studies on Bank’s customer behavior change towards sustainability and its influence on the SDGs by integrating multiple theoretical perspectives.

A Wideband Circularly Polarized Four Port Microstrip MIMO Antenna with High Gain and Enhanced Isolation for 5G Millimeter Frequency Applications

Abstract In this article, a MIMO antenna system featuring wide bandwidth, high gain, and circular polarization for 5G communication networks is presented. The proposed antenna enables high data rates, enhanced signal reliability, and improved performance in dynamic and challenging 5G environments. Wide bandwidth ensures compatibility with various 5G frequency bands, while circular polarization allows for better signal propagation and reception, particularly in non-line-of-sight scenarios. In that regard, the present endeavor exhibits an enhanced bandwidth 4-port circularly polarized MIMO antenna to encounter polarization mismatch along with high data rates. The presented MIMO antenna comprises four identical patches strategically positioned in orthogonal orientations in such a way as to provide the circular polarization direction. Meanwhile, the bandwidth is extended by inserting straightforward defected ground structure (DGS) and L slots. The MIMO antenna anticipated in this work offers an impedance bandwidth covering from 24 GHz to 28.5 GHz and an axial ratio bandwidth of 62% within the overall band. It demonstrates excellent performance with a high peak gain of approximately 14.84 dB. Additionally, it exhibits strong isolation of more than 20dB among the closely packed antennas, ensuring reliable communication and minimizing interference. The combination of these features in a MIMO antenna system is crucial for meeting the demanding requirements of 5G communication, including increased data capacity, low latency, and reliable connectivity. The simulated and measured outcomes exhibit robust concurrence, signifying a high level of accuracy. Consequently, the suggested MIMO antenna appears well-suited for encompassing the 5G bands designated for deployment in the USA (27.50–28.35 GHz) and Europe (24.25 - 27.5 GHz).

Teacher Performance in the 21st Century: Examining the Roles of Leadership, Self-Efficacy, Compensation, and Job Satisfaction

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of leadership on teacher performance via self-efficacy and job satisfaction, a mediating variable, as well as compensation. Based upon an Indonesia study, the research engages a meta-analysis of these relationships for illuminating insights on optimizing teacher performance in educational environments. We collected data from a sample of 680 teachers 87% response rate and analyzed them using SmartPLS, the evaluation comparable to complex social science models. The results suggest that both self-efficacy and compensation affect teacher performance directly, respectively, through job satisfaction; principal leadership only has a significant direct effect on the dependent variable without being mediated by job satisfaction. These results may have implications for how intrinsic and extrinsic factors, motivation, rewards, and leadership styles influence faculty outcomes. The practical implications include a call for targeted teacher professional development and compensation policies that are more equitable and effective educational leadership practices to improve teaching performances, which will in turn favorably impact the quality of education generally.

Corporate moral hazard and ESG performance: Unveiling the influence of gross enforcement actions and ownership dynamics in US multinational corporations

AbstractExisting research often highlights the impact of several categories of corporate enforcement action on corporate performance, thus overlooking the impossibility of isolating the impacts of other concurrent enforcement actions. The current study employed the gross value and volume of corporate enforcement actions to examine the influence of corporate moral hazard (CMH) on environmental, social, and governance performance (ESGP) along with ownership dynamics. The S&P data from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed, covering 1925 observations of US multinational corporations (MNCs) based on various aspects of corporate governance (CG). Institutional, insider, and family ownership were applied as proxies for ownership structure. CSRHub ratings represented ESGP, while Sustainalytics ratings were used for robustness. The analysis involved various econometric models, including the feasible generalized least squares model (FGLSM). Resultantly, CMH negatively affected ESGP, whereas CG mechanisms revealed a positive influence. Contrary to existing literature, the size of corporate law cases is a stronger proxy for CMH than the amount of enforcement actions. Although institutional owners decrease the number of enforcement actions, they encounter substantial penalties. Above‐average insiders reduce lawsuits and exert significant control over penalties, while below‐average insiders result in heavier penalties and lawsuits to an extent. Families are the most positively influential owners; having more family owners increases penalties and ESGP but reduces lawsuit size, particularly when ownership exceeds the mean percentage.