As we step into 2026, Medicine Advances extends warm greetings to our global community of readers and contributors, celebrating a year of significant growth and academic achievement. The past year, 2025, marked notable expansion in the journal's reach and impact, highlighted by pivotal developments that have shaped our trajectory. Our inclusion in Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) and Scopus stands out as a key milestone, enhancing the visibility and reach of the rigorous, translational, and interdisciplinary research we publish, and affirming the journal's continued maturation. Equally important was the publication of our inaugural special issue AI-Based Quantitative Medical Imaging in Cancer Evolution. This collection wove together expertise from imaging science, artificial intelligence, oncology, biomedical engineering, and clinical practice—demonstrating how data-driven approaches are redefining diagnostics, deepening insights into disease dynamics, and enabling more personalized clinical decisions. Alongside these advances, Medicine Advances has deepened engagement with the global research community—especially early-career researchers—by fostering dialog, collaboration, and mentorship, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable scholarly ecosystem. Looking ahead, medicine is entering a transformative era, guided by evolving frameworks that reshape our understanding of health and disease. Conditions such as chronic kidney disease exemplify the “one disease, multiple interventions” paradigm, where management extends beyond organ function to encompass blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and systemic health. This integrated view underscores the interconnected pathways of disease progression and informs both research and clinical strategies that embrace complexity and personalization. Methodological innovation is accelerating in tandem. Multi-omics integration allows simultaneous profiling of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic layers, unveiling cross-scale biological interactions, while virtual cell modeling enables computational simulation of cellular behavior and disease progression—sharpening the precision of experimental design and clinical prediction. Together, these approaches form a robust scaffold for deciphering complex pathophysiology and designing targeted interventions. Concurrently, advanced technologies are amplifying the power of these methods. Large-scale foundation models can process massive, multimodal datasets to uncover otherwise hidden patterns, and multi-agent systems simulate dynamic interactions among biological or clinical variables—offering sophisticated tools for individualized intervention and clinical decision-making. The convergence of these technologies strengthens the bridge between discovery and practice, paving the way toward a more predictive, mechanism-aware, and translational medical future. Within this dynamic landscape, Medicine Advances remains dedicated to supporting research that integrates conceptual depth, methodological rigor, and technological innovation. We seek to champion studies that advance from insight to explanation, from observation to mechanism, and from isolated findings toward a cohesive vision of tomorrow's medicine—promoting a more intelligent, integrative, and globally responsive medical science. On behalf of the editorial team, I extend our deepest gratitude to all authors, reviewers, editorial board members, and young scholars. Your wisdom, trust, and dedicated efforts were instrumental to the journal's progress in 2025 and have laid a strong foundation for an ambitious 2026. Let us now move forward together, advancing medical science toward a future that is more precise, intelligent, and sustainable. Xueqing Yu: conceptualization, writing–original draft, writing–review and editing. The author has nothing to report. The author has nothing to report. The author has nothing to report. The author has nothing to report. Xueqing Yu is the Editor-in-Chief for Medicine Advances and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed.

This study discusses the use of information technology (IT) in the office management of Islamic missionary organizations to improve administrative effectiveness and management professionalism. The research method used is a literature study with a descriptive-analytical approach, reviewing the 2020–2025 literature related to management information systems, office administration, and digital transformation of Islamic missionary activities. The results show that the implementation of IT in Islamic missionary organizations includes the implementation of Islamic Missionary Management Information Systems (MIS), website development, social media utilization, mobile application use, and administrative automation. The use of IT has been proven to support transparency, accelerate services, and expand the reach of Islamic missionary activities, especially to the digital generation. However, challenges such as limited digital literacy, infrastructure, funding, and organizational cultural resistance remain major obstacles. The strategies offered include increasing human resource capacity through digital training, developing SOPs and internal regulations, strengthening digital ethics, and collaboration between Islamic missionary organizations in sharing IT resources. In conclusion, the digitalization of Islamic missionary office management requires integration between technology, human resources, and regulations so that Islamic missionary institutions can adapt professionally and sustainably in the era of digital transformation.

Purpose – The impact of the regional innovation ecosystem on the digital innovation and sustainable international competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was analyzed. This study examined how the regional innovation-based ecosystem contributes to building sustainable international competitiveness through digital innovation. Design/Methodology – This study analyzed the survey data from 427 SMEs in Chungbuk Province using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The regional innovation ecosystem was conceptualized into three dimensions: knowledge creation, intermediary facilitation, and business ecosystems. The sub-elements of each dimension were treated as independent variables to determine their impact on digital innovation and sustainable international competitiveness. Findings – The capabilities of research entities, regional innovation platforms, research and development intermediary organizations, value creation collaborators, and support and coordination infrastructure had significant effects on digital innovation and sustainable international competitiveness. Digital innovation had partial mediating effects for most innovation ecosystem factors, while large-scale research facilities had only a direct effect. Originality/value – This study expands theoretical perspectives by structuring the regional innovation ecosystem in multiple dimensions and linking it with the digital innovation and sustainable international competitiveness of SMEs. It has strategic implications for enhancing SME competitiveness and regional industrial policy in the digital transformation era.

The era of digital transformation has created significant opportunities and challenges for agribusiness micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in strengthening their competitive advantage through innovation and collaboration. This study aims to analyze the impact of supply chain innovation and market collaboration on the competitive advantage of agribusiness MSMEs using a quantitative approach. Primary data were collected from 155 respondents through a structured questionnaire measured using a five-point Likert scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25, including validity and reliability testing, classical assumption tests, and multiple linear regression analysis. The results indicate that supply chain innovation has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage, while market collaboration also shows a significant positive influence. Simultaneously, both variables contribute significantly to competitive advantage with an R² value of 0.610, indicating that 61.0% of the variance in competitive advantage is explained by the model. These findings highlight the importance of integrating innovative supply chain practices and strengthening collaborative networks to enhance business performance in the digital era. The study provides practical implications for policymakers and agribusiness practitioners in designing strategies that promote digital adoption, partnership development, and sustainable competitiveness.

The era of digital transformation has resulted in a fundamental paradigm shift in organizational management, where financial health indicators have become the main determinants of the success of organizational transformation strategies. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the evolution of PT NPLC’s performance through a systematic literature review that integrates financial health indicators and organizational transformation strategies for the 2015–2024 period. The research method employs a systematic literature review following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, using a multi-model analysis that integrates 22 quantitative metrics and qualitative frameworks (SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces). The results show that the implementation of the organizational transformation strategy in 2021 had a significant positive impact, with an increase in Net Profit Margin from 4.98% to 13.83% (p = 0.0014), a strengthening of the Current Ratio from 1.05 to 1.42 (p = 0.0136), and a decrease in the Debt Ratio from 0.62 to 0.41 (p = 0.0143). The study concludes that an integrated digital transformation approach can create long-term value despite trade-offs in asset productivity. Therefore, organizations need to develop a multi-model analysis framework to optimize transformation strategies based on financial health indicators.

Abstract This paper offers a novel conceptual framework for understanding fraud in the digital era by introducing the idea of industrialised fraud. Unlike existing literature that focuses on the mechanics of cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent fraud, this work situates fraud within the social, structural, technological and economic transformations of the digitalised economy. It argues that fraud is no longer an outlier but a systemic feature of unregulated digital markets, operating at scale and across borders. Through the analytical lenses of fraud’s footholds and fraud’s lifecycles, the paper reexamines fraud’s core legal and moral norms – means, purposes and fault. It demonstrates how they are being reshaped by the transactional contexts in which fraud is now designed, facilitated and perpetrated. This reconceptualisation provides a firmer foundation for principled debate on fraud governance and criminalisation in an era of rapid technological transformation.

Purpose of the study: This study examines the role of design ethics as a preventive mechanism to reduce copyright infringement in creative media industries, while mapping common infringement patterns and relevant mitigation strategies in the digital transformation era. Materials and methods: Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, this study conducted a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed publications from 2021-2025, supplemented by conceptual-normative analysis of the relationship between professional ethics, platform governance, and content production behavior. Data sources included academic databases (Scopus, Web of Science), institutional reports (UNESCO, WIPO), and legal studies on intellectual property rights. Results: Findings indicate that design ethics operates at three interconnected levels: (1) individual level—encompassing creative integrity, licensing literacy, and attribution practices; (2) organizational level—comprising asset-use standard operating procedures, copyright audits, and compliance culture; and (3) ecosystem level—involving ethics education, platform transparency, and policies protecting creators. The study proposes an "Ethics-Compliance-Rights" framework that integrates design ethics principles with moral and economic rights compliance and content-production governance. Conclusions: Copyright infringement in creative media industries stems not only from legal ignorance but also from rapid production pressures, trend culture, misconceptions about free assets, and unclear platform governance. Effective prevention requires operationalizing design ethics through standard operating procedures, licensing documentation, regular training, visual plagiarism evaluation frameworks, and platform transparency. The proposed framework provides a comprehensive approach to reducing infringement risks while sustaining originality and quality in creative work.

Purpose In the digital transformation era, firms usually carry out the digital human capital investment to realize transformation. However, the investment in digital human capital has not received adequate attention for its effect on firm financial performance. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of the digital human capital investment in firm performance. Design/methodology/approach Using listed industrial firms’ recruitment data in China, combining the Chinese Stock Market Research and China National Occupation Skill Standards, this study adopts large-scale text analysis to quantify the digital human capital investment and econometric models to investigate the mediating impacts of organizational and technological resource use. Findings The result reveals that digital human capital investment improves firm financial performance in profitability and growth indirectly through the mediation roles of organizational and technological resource use. Furthermore, there is direct influence on growth. Given the emerging contribution of introducing digital human capital investment on technological resource use, organizational resource use and firm performance, firm managers should pay more attention to hiring, training and enhancing workforce with digital skills. Originality/value Traditionally, digital human capital has been measured by disclosed information. Differently, this paper has measured the digital human capital investment from job posting perspective and empirically evaluated its effect on firm performance through organizational and technological resource use. This study contributes to the cross-field of knowledge and innovation. Moreover, the findings suggest that the use of organizational resources has a positive influence on the use of technical resources, playing a role which provides more practical implications for organization management.

In the digital transformation era, the application of deep learning in image style conversion has opened new avenues for creative expression and business innovation. This article explores advanced deep learning techniques to achieve efficient and accurate image style conversion in different image datasets. The method has been validated through comprehensive experiments on the Microsoft Common Objects in Context dataset, and compared to existing methods, this article's method demonstrates outstanding performance metrics including peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity, and user satisfaction. In addition, the impact of different hardware configurations on processing efficiency was analyzed, providing insights into optimizing computing resources for real-time applications. The results of this case study not only contribute to the theoretical advancement of image processing but also provide practical solutions for the visual content creation industry.

This research undertakes a systematic literature review to explore the integration and application of ontologies within Business Intelligence (BI) components across a variety of domains. Ontologies, as formal representations of knowledge, have emerged as a key enabler in enhancing the functionality and intelligence of BI systems, particularly in the era of big data and digital transformation. The objective of this study is to analyze how ontologies are designed, implemented, and utilized to improve data integration, semantic interoperability, and system adaptability. The review draws upon data sources from Scopus, IEEE Explore, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, ensuring a rigorous and comprehensive coverage of relevant literature. Following a structured selection process based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 peer-reviewed articles published between 2011 and 2024 were identified as meeting the quality and relevance standards for this study. The selected studies reveal that ontology-driven BI components offer several advantages, including the unification of heterogeneous data sources, improved semantic clarity, and enhanced reasoning capabilities for decision support. Moreover, ontologies contribute significantly to the flexibility and scalability of BI systems, facilitating the development of context-aware and domain-specific analytical tools. Despite these advantages, the review also highlights persistent challenges, such as difficulties in managing large-scale ontologies, real-time processing limitations, and organizational resistance to adoption due to complexity and integration costs. By synthesizing the existing body of knowledge, this review not only consolidates the current understanding of ontology-driven BI but also provides a conceptual framework for future research. It emphasizes the need for innovative approaches that address identified limitations and align ontology development with dynamic organizational requirements. The findings serve as a valuable resource for both researchers and practitioners, offering strategic insights into the design and deployment of advanced BI solutions. Ultimately, this study contributes to the evolving discourse on intelligent decision-making systems by bridging theoretical perspectives with real-world applications.

This paper is based on a keynote speech delivered at The 11th International Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance Conference (11th IIMEFC). As a keynote contribution, this article does not include a formal abstract.

This study aims to analyze the influence of digital competence and adaptive capabilities on employee performance at the Jember Regency Human Resources Development Agency (BKPSDM), with employee engagement as an intervening variable. The research method used a descriptive quantitative approach using a census technique involving 65 civil servants at the Jember Regency Human Resources Development Agency (BKPSDM). Data analysis used Partial Least Squares (PLS)-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results show that digital competence and adaptive capabilities significantly influence employee engagement, digital competence and employee engagement significantly influence employee performance, while adaptive capabilities do not directly influence performance. However, digital competence and adaptive capabilities significantly influence performance through employee engagement as a mediating variable. The conclusion is that employee engagement plays a key role in transforming digital competence and adaptive capabilities into improved employee performance. Therefore, simultaneously strengthening digital competence, adaptive capabilities, and engagement-enhancing strategies are necessary to optimize civil servant performance in the era of digital transformation. Keywords: Digital Competence, Adaptive Capabilities, Employee Engagement, Employee Performance, Digital Transformation

The implementation of good governance has become increasingly significant in the era of digital transformation, particularly within local government public services. Digital-based public services are expected not only to enhance administrative efficiency but also to strengthen governance principles such as transparency, accountability, participation, effectiveness, efficiency, and rule of law. This study aims to analyze the implementation of good governance principles in digital-based public services at the local government level, identify enabling and constraining factors, and examine their implications for service quality and institutional performance. The research employs a qualitative approach using a systematic literature review design. Data were collected from peer-reviewed journal articles, academic books, and official policy documents related to digital governance and public administration. Content analysis was applied through data reduction, thematic categorization, and interpretative synthesis. The findings indicate that digital transformation in local governments has significantly enhanced transparency, accountability, and service responsiveness. However, challenges such as digital inequality, system fragmentation, cybersecurity risks, and limited institutional capacity continue to constrain substantive governance reform. Sustainable improvement requires integrated digital architecture, leadership commitment, regulatory coherence, and inclusive digital policies.

The implementation of good governance has become increasingly significant in the era of digital transformation, particularly within local government public services. Digital-based public services are expected not only to enhance administrative efficiency but also to strengthen governance principles such as transparency, accountability, participation, effectiveness, efficiency, and rule of law. This study aims to analyze the implementation of good governance principles in digital-based public services at the local government level, identify enabling and constraining factors, and examine their implications for service quality and institutional performance. The research employs a qualitative approach using a systematic literature review design. Data were collected from peer-reviewed journal articles, academic books, and official policy documents related to digital governance and public administration. Content analysis was applied through data reduction, thematic categorization, and interpretative synthesis. The findings indicate that digital transformation in local governments has significantly enhanced transparency, accountability, and service responsiveness. However, challenges such as digital inequality, system fragmentation, cybersecurity risks, and limited institutional capacity continue to constrain substantive governance reform. Sustainable improvement requires integrated digital architecture, leadership commitment, regulatory coherence, and inclusive digital policies.

The wave of digital transformation is reshaping the real estate industry and increasing the need for financial flexibility. Cash holdings play a crucial role in enabling firms to adapt to technological change, manage risks, and invest in innovation. This study examines how digital transformation influences cash-holding practices in real estate firms. It analyzes key financial factors, such as liquidity, investment in technology, and risk management strategies, to understand how these elements shape cash reserves. Additionally, the study evaluates the role of digital adoption in optimizing cash management, particularly in an increasingly competitive market such as Vietnam's real estate sector. The findings reveal a negative relationship between the cash holding ratio and firm size, while positive relationships are observed with cash flow, financial leverage, working capital, and the breadth of digital transformation. Based on these results, the study proposes managerial solutions and investment strategies aimed at enhancing firms' operational efficiency.

Many countries around the world, particularly developing ones, suffer from structural imbalances within their institutional frameworks as a result of adopting the classical bureaucratic model in managing public service institutions. This situation necessitates the search for new mechanisms capable of ensuring institutional integration and efficiency. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the linkage between the objectives of digital transformation namely enhancing transparency and combating administrative corruption within public service bodies and state institutions and the adoption of the e-government model. Such a model contributes to improving the performance of public service institutions, clarifying the role and functions of the state, and strengthening its relationship with society. Ultimately, this enhances transparency in public administration and supports the fulfillment of the requirements for building a state based on strong and effective institutions.

In the era of globalization and rapid digital transformation, e-commerce has emerged as a significant driver of business expansion by enabling producers and sellers to access markets beyond geographical boundaries. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which contribute nearly 40 percent to India’s GDP and rank as the second-largest source of employment after agriculture, play a pivotal role in promoting inclusive economic growth. In Karnataka, particularly in Dakshina Kannada district, MSMEs constitute the backbone of rural industrialization and employment generation. This study examines the role of e-commerce in promoting rural MSMEs in Dakshina Kannada district and further analyzes how digital platforms enhance market access, improve price realization, encourage women-led entrepreneurship, and foster financial inclusion. The major findings indicate that e-commerce has significantly expanded market reach, strengthened rural producer networks, and generated new employment opportunities through digital engagement and supply chain integration. The study concludes that e-commerce represents a transformative instrument for rural economic development in Dakshina Kannada. With coordinated support from government agencies, digital platforms, and local institutions, rural MSMEs can leverage digital markets to achieve sustainable growth, enhance competitiveness, and contribute more effectively to regional and state economic development. Keywords: E-commerce, MSMEs, Dakshina Kannada, and Karnataka

This study aims to analyze the effect of training on innovative work behavior of employees with self-efficacy as a mediating variable at the Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Office of Riau Province. Innovative work behavior is key to improving the performance of public organizations, especially in the era of digital transformation. The study used a quantitative approach with a survey method of 160 ASN employees at the ESDM Office of Riau Province using a saturated sampling technique. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0 software. The results showed that: (1) training had a positive and significant effect on self-efficacy (β=0.829; t=36.015; p<0.001); (2) training had a positive and significant effect on innovative work behavior (β=0.457; t=6.167; p<0.001); (3) Self-efficacy has a positive and significant effect on innovative work behavior (β=0.466; t=6.432; p<0.001); and (4) Self-efficacy mediates the effect of training on innovative work behavior in a positive and significant manner (β=0.386; t=6.181; p<0.001). The research model has very strong predictive relevance (Q²=0.931) and high goodness of fit (GoF=0.75). These findings emphasize the importance of quality training in building employee self-confidence as a foundation for the emergence of innovative work behavior in a bureaucratic environment. Keywords: training, self-efficacy, innovative work behavior, PLS-SEM, ASN employees

In the digital transformation era, organizations struggle to achieve effective Business-IT Alignment (BITA) because disruptive technologies, new business models, and changing customer expectations widen the gap between strategic goals and IT capabilities. Enterprise Architecture (EA) has been recognized as a crucial facilitator in addressing this challenge by providing formal frameworks that unify business and IT. Nonetheless, the theoretical underpinnings of EA's function in augmenting BITA are disjointed, with the majority of research focusing on technical or managerial dimensions rather than cohesive theoretical frameworks. This paper examines and integrates pertinent theoretical frameworks, including the Strategic Alignment Model, Dynamic Capabilities Theory, and Sociotechnical Systems Theory, to formulate a cohesive perspective on how Enterprise Architecture (EA) can systematically enhance Business IT Alignment (BITA) in dynamic contexts. The research enhances academic comprehension by elucidating theoretical connections and providing pragmatic recommendations for firms to implement EA practices that promote agility, creativity, and value generation. Overall, the study demonstrates that EA plays a crucial role in enabling companies to navigate digital transformation and remain competitive.

The advancements in information technology during the digital transformation era have encouraged organizations to adopt cloud-based systems to improve their operational efficiency, including in human resource management area. Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) have become a critical component in enabling integrated automation of HR processes. PT XYZ, as a vendor providing cloud-based HRMS through its product HRTechIndo, has supported the digitalization of HR processes for various organizations in a Business-to-Business (B2B) setting. However, the stagnant customer retention rate that has always been below the target indicates system utilization that is not optimal. This condition requires attention, because low retention may hinder PT XYZ’s business sustainability, which relies on loyalty and long-term relationships with clients. This study aims to identify the factors influencing continuance intention in PT XYZ. The research model was developed by integrating the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) and the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. PLS-SEM was employed to analyze data from 184 respondents representing 36 client organizations, supported by literature review and qualitative validation through interviews. The results show that confirmation, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, vendor service quality, and organizational fit significantly influence continuance intention. Meanwhile, cloud system quality indirectly affects continuance intention through satisfaction, and perceived value does not influence it significantly. These findings highlight that the continuance intention of HRTechIndo’s usage by clients is primarily driven by perceived benefits, post-adoption experience, vendor service quality, and alignment between the system and organizational processes.