Financial Community Research Articles

Environmental Injustice and Multilateral Financing: Conflicts Between International Financial Institutions and Communities in Latin America

In the context of the crisis of multilateralism following the 2008 financial crisis, projects financed by multilateral organizations have exacerbated socio-environmental conflicts in the Global South, particularly in Latin America. The conflict mediation processes conducted by Accountability Mechanisms are expected to result in socio-environmental reparations, a claim that has been disputed by affected communities. This article analyzes the conflicts surrounding International Financial Institution (IFI) Financing in development projects for cities and regions in the Global South. The question is: how have Independent Accountability Mechanisms (IAMs) addressed environmental injustices resulting from projects financed by International Financial Institutions? To understand this issue, the objective of the research is to understand the accountability strategies of the Independent Mechanisms and the sustainability discourse of Multilateral Organizations. The research focus was defined based on the activities of Independent Accountability Mechanisms (IAMs), which organized several virtual meetings with civil society during 2020 and 2021. The methodology employed participant observation, with findings documented in a field notebook. The theoretical framework draws on the concept of environmental justice, both in its American version, as articulated by Dr. Robert Bullard, and its Latin American counterpart, often referred to as the 'environmentalism of the poor,' by Joan Martínez Alier. The results revealed the limitations of IAMs in mediating and investigating violations of social and environmental safeguards. Socio-environmental reparations for communities affected by projects funded by International Financial Institutions (IFIs) fall outside the scope of IAMs' activities. Additionally, the IFIs have not established socio-environmental reparation funds for these affected communities. The data collected through participant observation and recorded in the field notebook were interpreted and analyzed within this theoretical framework. These findings can provide valuable insights to improve decision-making processes, promoting greater equity and sustainability in the relationships between IFIs and communities impacted by large-scale projects in Latin America.

Effects of Teen Childbearing on the Family Socio-Economic Wellbeing in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of teenage childbearing on family socio-economic well-being in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Kenya, focusing on financial strain, educational disruption, post-partum experiences, and family support. Methodology: Using family stress, human capital, and social support theories, the study adopted descriptive survey design targeted 378 teenage mothers, with a sample of 195 selected using Yamane’s formula. Data collection involved semi-structured questionnaires and interviews, analyzed quantitatively through descriptive statistics and regression, and qualitatively through thematic analysis. Findings: The findings reveal that 85.5% of respondents faced financial difficulties within six months, and 55% reported disrupted high school education, leading to long-term setbacks. Emotional and health challenges characterized post-partum experiences, and 61.1% of respondents found family support insufficient to meet socio-economic needs. The study concludes that teenage childbearing significantly disrupts family well-being, recommending comprehensive support programs, including financial aid, childcare, healthcare, and community initiatives, to better assist teenage mothers and reduce their socio-economic burdens. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This research uniquely contributes to theory, policy, and practice by creating a comprehensive model that integrates empirical findings and qualitative insights, thereby enriching existing theories. Additionally, it provides practical recommendations for targeted support programs that guide policymakers in alleviating socio-economic burdens and enhancing family well-being.

Building credibility for human systems integration in model‐based systems engineering

AbstractRobust and trusted digital human representations are necessary to successfully account for human considerations in model‐based systems engineering (MBSE). Multiple domains and modeling frameworks leverage verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) processes to characterize when and under what conditions a model is valid to establish credibility. A literature review was completed on mathematical, physics‐based, software development, discrete event simulation, agent‐based, system dynamics, and MBSE models with the goal of proposing a process for performing VV&A on digital engineering (DE) and MBSE models for sociotechnical systems. However, this research also revealed the need for a broader framework to characterize the risk associated with using these models for making high‐consequence decisions. While accomplishing the literature review, another approach to building credibility was identified that is used heavily in the financial industry, namely model risk management (MRM). This process is extended by leveraging MRM approaches from within the financial community to propose a framework for sociotechnical model users to characterize the risk of using MBSE models to make programmatic decisions. The primary contribution of this work is to document a meta‐analysis of model VV&A while proposing an alternative approach to characterizing and communicating credibility that was discovered during this analysis. This approach could be a viable option for ensuring the credibility of human systems integration in MBSE models.

Do Financial Community’s Tweet Sentiments Affect the Stock Market? Evidence from an Emerging Economy

In the era of social media and internet, Twitter (presently ‘X’) has been recognized as the prominent factor for financial markets by multiple corporates and experts. The motivation of present research hinges on burgeoning popularity of Twitter in the financial community for sharing information and impact of their hidden sentiments on financial markets. Research on tweet-based sentiments and their influence on financial markets in India is still in the infancy stage. To cover this gap, the present study empirically investigates the predictive impact of financial tweet sentiments on the Indian stock Index’s returns over a short period. The paper scraped 22,816 tweets and Nifty 50 index’s intraday hour end values for January 2023. Using Natural Processing Technique, the overall sentiments of the financial community are found as highly positive for each trading hour. Next, it presents a low positive correlation between positive sentiments, sentiment polarity, and hourly returns. Lagged negative sentiments reflect the better ability to impact current period returns than positive sentiments and polarity. Additionally, sentiment polarity and returns reflect bi-directional causation for the future period impact. Investors, stock market traders, and other practitioners can employ the proven concept of linkage between tweet sentiments and returns for constructing effective investment and trading strategies. JEL Classifications: G41, D53, G17, G02, G19

MODEL OF CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATIONS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF THAILAND

Purpose: To develop a model that explores the characteristics of high-performance organizations and their impact on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the central region of Thailand. Theoretical framework: The performance of an organization involves two variables: 1.) Financial results, including metrics such as higher returns on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), leverage ratio, earnings growth, and return on investment (ROI) (The Stock Exchange of Thailand, 2022). 2.) Organizational leadership and governance results, emphasizing the pivotal role of senior leaders in organizational leadership and governance, financial accountability, legal compliance, ethical conduct, social responsibility, and community support was assessed using four aspects adopted from Kajornatthapol P. and Surachai U., (2011). Design/methodology/approach: The study analyzed international publications on blended learning in management and business, focusing on authors, journals, and cooperation between countries. It employed a quantitative approach, using a questionnaire to gather data from SME executives in Thailand's central region (3,283 cases). Sampling used nonprobability and purposive methods, with a sample size suitable for structural equation modeling (SEM). The questionnaire comprised four parts assessing organizational characteristics, performance, respondent information, and opinions. Financial results were evaluated on a 5-level scale. Content validity was ensured through expert evaluations, and reliability was confirmed via Cronbach's alpha (0.86) and item-total correlation (>0.30). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and various evaluation indices. The research aims to enhance understanding of high-performance SMEs in Thailand's central region. Findings: The research findings indicate a growing volume of studies on high-performance organizations in the context of SMEs in Thailand's central region, with a limited number of influential authors, institutions, and journals. The model developed successfully aligns with empirical data, revealing positive impacts of organizational leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, knowledge management, workforce focus, and operations focus on SME performance. These findings underscore the importance of promoting awareness of these factors within the Thai SME sector to foster more high-performance enterprises, aligning with Thailand's development goals. The research contributes valuable insights applicable not only locally but also globally, emphasizing the significance of sustainable practices aligned with Thailand 4.0 and collaborative efforts between government and private sectors for national sustainability. Research, Practical & Social implications: The research yields significant implications for research, practice, and society. It sets a foundation for future studies on high-performance organizations in SMEs, emphasizing leadership, strategic planning, and customer focus. Moreover, it enhances executive education by offering insights into organizational performance improvement. Practically, it guides SMEs in Thailand and beyond to optimize operations and achieve sustainable growth through the adoption of high-performance characteristics. Policymakers can leverage these findings to design initiatives supporting SME development, aligning with economic goals. Societally, the research underscores the importance of sustainability and responsible practices, advocating for knowledge management and strategic alignment with national plans. Collaboration between government, private sectors, and civil society is vital to promoting sustainable business practices and fostering inclusive growth. Originality/value: The research demonstrates a growing number of publications in the field of management and business, particularly in co-authorship with leading countries. It highlights the significance of the Model of Characteristics of High-Performance Organizations in understanding and enhancing SME performance in Thailand's central region, contributing to the existing body of knowledge.

Mapping the Path to Sustainability: A Study on Household Renewable Energy Adoption Trends

This study investigates household renewable energy adoption trends in Rohini, Delhi, with a focus on women and climate change mitigation. The transition to renewable energy is crucial for combating climate change and reducing environmental impact. This research surveys 50 households to assess awareness, attitudes, and adoption barriers and drivers for renewable energy technologies owing to climate change. Findings reveal that while many are aware of government incentives and express a willingness to adopt renewable energy, actual implementation is hindered by high costs, lack of information, and technical challenges. Key drivers include environmental concerns and financial savings. The study suggests enhancing adoption through improved financial incentives, community education, and women-focused initiatives. Addressing these factors can foster broader adoption of renewable energy, contributing to effective climate change mitigation strategies.

Urban Entrepreneurship on the Fringe: Action Research on the Challenges of Street Vendors in Manila

The presence of street vendors in metropolitan cities has been a cause for debate as vending provides these vendors with a source of livelihood but at the expense of regulatory oversight and urban order. Vending as a business emerged due to the lack of work opportunities available despite the growing demand. Vendors, however, remain crucial stakeholders of the informal economy as their existence fills a need for the minimum-income working class. As such, the objective of the study is to determine and understand the different factors that affect the business of street vendors and their coping mechanisms to these challenges and propose an action plan. This study is unique in its focus on the informal economy, specifically street vendors in Manila, an often overlooked yet vital part of urban livelihoods. By employing a qualitative approach, it delves deeply into the lived experiences of street vendors, uncovering the cultural, socioeconomic, and regulatory challenges they face in a highly urbanized Southeast Asian city. The study highlights human-centered narratives often missed in quantitative research and provides valuable insights into the dynamics between street vendors and government regulations. Its findings could influence inclusive policies that better support informal entrepreneurs, contributing to broader discussions on inclusive business practices. The results reveal that factors affecting street vendors relate to interpersonal dynamics, family dynamics and obligations, educational aspirations, financial vulnerability, market competition, operational challenges, supply chain dependency, health and labor, and enforcement of regulations. To manage these factors, vendors have adopted mechanisms to combat these issues through debt and financial management, operational adaptation, community assistance and support, adaptation to regulation, and emotional resilience. In the end, this research proposes a five-point agenda to support street vendors' adherence to social and legal norms, beginning with developing inclusive policies that formally recognize and regulate street vending, ensuring legal protection and designated vending zones. It then focuses on economic empowerment through improved access to financial services, microcredit, and financial literacy programs while introducing social security measures. Health and safety programs are implemented to enhance vendors' well-being, providing access to healthcare, ergonomic training, and sanitation standards. Governance improvements, anti-harassment initiatives, and transparent law enforcement to protect vendors from exploitation should also materialize. Finally, community engagement and public relations efforts aim to foster positive perceptions of street vendors, highlighting their contributions to the economy and encouraging cooperation with local businesses and authorities.

The Impact of Employee Stock Ownership Plans on Capital Structure Decisions: Evidence from China

The determination of the capital structure is a critical component of a company’s financial decision-making process. The question of how to optimize a firm’s capital structure to increase its value has been a significant topic of interest within the financial community. The employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) has developed rapidly in China’s capital market over the past decade, providing a suitable context for studying the impact of employee equity incentives on capital structure decisions. This paper employs cross-sectional ordinary least squares regression models and unbalanced panel fixed effect models to investigate the impact of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) on firms’ capital structure decisions. The analysis is conducted on a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. The research considers both static capital structure choice and dynamic capital structure adjustment. We find that the implementation of an ESOP reduces the level of corporate debt and accelerates the dynamic adjustment of capital structure, suggesting that employee equity incentives play a role in optimizing firms’ capital structure decisions. We also find that the impact of ESOPs on the dynamic adjustment of capital structure is asymmetric. Specifically, the implementation of ESOPs markedly accelerates the downward adjustment of capital structure, yet has no impact on the upward adjustment of capital structure. Further analysis demonstrates that the impact of ESOPs on capital structure decisions is contingent upon the macroeconomic environment, industry characteristics, corporate governance, and ESOP contract designs. First, the optimization of ESOPs on capital structure decisions is more pronounced in an economic boom environment, in a poor market climate, or in competitive industries. Second, the reduction effect of ESOPs on corporate debt is more pronounced in non-state-owned companies, high-tech companies and those with lower ownership concentration. In contrast, the acceleration effect of ESOPs on capital structure adjustment is more pronounced in state-owned companies, non-high-tech companies and those with higher ownership concentration. Ultimately, ESOPs financed by loans from a firm’s major shareholders—or with a longer lock-up period, smaller shareholding size or executive subscription ratio—demonstrate a more pronounced optimization effect on capital structure decisions. This paper not only contributes to the existing literature on the relationship between equity incentives and capital structure decisions, but also provides guidance for listed companies on the reasonable design of their ESOPs and the optimization of their capital structure decisions.

Saving Providence Public Library: Financial Crises and Community Activism, 1960s to 2009

Saving Providence Public Library: Financial Crises and Community Activism, 1960s to 2009

Collaborative Strategies For Promoting Economic Empowerment

This article explores the role of strategic partnerships in ensuring economic empowerment, particularly within underserved communities and small businesses in the U.S. It explains the importance of collaboration among financial institutions, community organizations, and government agencies as a means to promote financial inclusion and stimulate economic development. Through the analysis of successful case studies, such as the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs), the article identifies core components essential for building effective partnerships, including shared goals, trust, clear roles, and strong monitoring frameworks. It offers a comprehensive roadmap for developing and implementing collaborative programs that emphasize the importance of needs assessment, securing resources, and measuring impact. The article studies the indispensable nature of these partnerships in overcoming systemic barriers and driving sustainable economic empowerment. Finally, it calls for ongoing research and innovation in partnership models to adapt to evolving challenges and opportunities in the financial inclusion platform.

" Operationalizing Jitegemea Philosophy As A Model To Sustainable Development To Retirement Plan Among The Pulpit Workers

Purpose of the Study: This study aimed to investigate the operationalization of Jitegemea Philosophy as a model for the sustainable development of retirement plans among pulpit workers. Statement of the Problem Despite the importance of retirement planning, these workers face challenges such as low salaries, irregular income, and limited access to pension schemes, leading to financial insecurity in later life. The Jitegemea (self-reliance) philosophy, rooted in principles of self-sufficiency and sustainability, offers a potential model for addressing this gap. However, there is limited research and practical application of Jitegemea as a structured retirement planning model tailored to the specific needs of pulpit workers. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring the financial security and well-being of PCEA pulpit workers in retirement. Therefore, this study explores how operationalizing the Jitegemea philosophy could provide a sustainable solution for enhancing financial security and well-being for clergy during retirement. Methodology: This study employed a qualitative research approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with PCEA pulpit workers to explore their perceptions, experiences, and challenges related to retirement planning. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants from various PCEA churches in Nairobi. Data were analyzed thematically to identify key themes and patterns related to retirement planning among PCEA pulpit workers. Key Findings: The study revealed that while many clergy face socio-economic barriers, religious beliefs, community support, and proactive planning can foster resilience. Participants expressed mixed emotions about retirement, some feeling apprehensive and others viewing it as a period of spiritual renewal. The study highlights the need for tailored support mechanisms, including financial literacy programs, fair compensation, and expanded pension schemes. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts among religious institutions, policymakers, and community organizations to improve retirement planning. Recommendation: Recommendations include financial education, compensation reform, and community support to ensure better retirement preparedness. Further research is suggested to evaluate the long-term effects of these interventions on clergy retirement outcomes.

Abstract A160: Navigating underserved populations across the cancer continuum: Establishing cancer support and navigation project

Abstract Background. Cancer disproportionately affects underserved communities, including those who face economic, racial, ethnic, and social barriers. These barriers contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment, resulting in poorer outcomes. Methods. To address this gap, Cedars Sinai Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) has developed the Cancer Support and Navigation Project to improve cancer-related outcomes for underserved cancer patients by providing navigation that eliminates barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The project focuses on reducing barriers for underrepresented sexual, gender, financial, racial, and ethnic minority community members, who are either at risk of being diagnosed with cancer or those have already been diagnosed with cancer, and their loved ones, by offering tailored science-based cancer information, education, navigation, support resources, access to care and cancer support. Our project is targeting geographic areas and groups within the Los Angeles County (Catchment Area) that experience higher incidence of late-stage diagnosis such Latinx, LGBTQ+, Korean, Filipino, Black and immigrant communities. Our COE team has 3 dedicated navigators who are multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and representative of populations with intersectional identities to provide direct services to community members. Additionally, our COE team has recruited, trained and engaged over 42 community health workers/promotoras/navigators from the community to disseminate cancer health information and navigate people through the cancer continuum. Results. We have disseminated over 1000 flyers and participated in over 100 tabling events throughout Los Angeles County. Additionally, we have developed partnership with various Federally Qualified Health Clinics, including Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital, Central Neighborhood Christian Health Center, Comprehensive Community Health Centers, Saban Community Clinic, Koryo Health Foundation. To date, COE has navigated n=733, who predominantly identify as Hispanic/Latino/a/e/x, Koreans, and LGBTQ+. Most have identified the following areas for navigation: assistance with medial-related care such as cancer screening, diagnosis, or treatment, financial, language barrier, food security and nutrition, insurance coverage, emotional/relationship, social support/isolation, mental health, behavioral, or stress, transportation, housing, and many others. Conclusion. The project's efforts have highlighted the critical importance of providing targeted navigation services to reduce cancer disparities and improve health outcomes for underserved communities. By addressing the unique needs of these populations and eliminating barriers to care, the Cancer Support and Navigation Project at Cedars Sinai Cancer Center COE has made a substantial and positive impact on the lives of many individuals and their families, paving the way for more equitable cancer care and support. Citation Format: Janeth Zelada, Emma Ngula, Min Jung Sung, Ghecemy Lopez, Reener Balingit, Zul Surani. Navigating underserved populations across the cancer continuum: Establishing cancer support and navigation project [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A160.

The determinants of voluntary disclosure: Integration of eXtreme gradient boost (XGBoost) and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques

Financial information transparency is vital for the various users of financial statements. This study employs the Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) approach, utilizing eXtreme Gradient Boost (XGBoost) to explore management's motivations for voluntary disclosure. By transforming financial data into various plots, we introduce a voluntary disclosure model that enhances interpretability through Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) techniques. These XAI methods aim to clarify different results in the voluntary disclosure literature, addressing the ongoing debate within the financial research community regarding voluntary disclosure. This research marks a significant advancement in voluntary disclosure by merging the transparency of XAI with effective voluntary disclosure prediction, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the determinants of voluntary disclosure.

The impact of securities financing arrangements on the allocation of capital

Securities financing arrangements (SFA) allow investors to use short-term credit to leverage their investments in securities. Largely ignored by economists prior to the financial crisis of 2007–2008, research since that time has implicated SFA in creating financial instability. The creditors in the agreements have been compared to bank depositors who can create a liquidity crisis by withdrawing their funds. While not denying the instability problem, the focus of this paper is the effect of SFA on the allocation of capital in the real economy. I provide institutional context by tracing the evolution of SFA over the past four decades and relate the evolution to legislative changes initiated by the financial sector. Next, I outline a model to elucidate the essential features of a system of securitized finance that relies on SFA. With the aid of the model, I analyze the incentives inherent in the system and show how they can lead to a distortion in the allocation of capital. I conclude that SFA have served the interests of the financial community, but that they have not always delivered improvements to the wider economy.

Financial Dynamics in Cell and Gene Therapy Development: Navigating Valuation and Fundraising Challenges

Cell and gene therapy, offering unprecedented solutions for complex diseases, have attracted significant attention in both the scientific and financial communities. This article explores the tumultuous financial journey of companies specializing in these advanced thera-peutic modalities. The discussion illuminates the volatility of share prices, challenges in valuation, and complexities in fundraising while delving into the inherent risks of the cell and gene therapy development pathway. Through an examination of various strategies, the article underscores the importance of diverse investment sources, robust collaborations, risk-sharing models, and portfolio diversification in ensuring financial stability. As the field burgeons, un-derstanding these financial dynamics is paramount for stakeholders aiming to harness the transformative potential of cell and gene therapies.

Relationship Between Radiation Oncology Department National Institutes of Health Funding and Institutional Community Inclusion/Investment

PURPOSE Disparities in health care access and funding allocation persist among racial minorities and low-income populations. Radiation oncology departments play a crucial role in cancer treatment, yet the extent to which these departments serve historically underrepresented communities following receipt of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding remains unclear. METHODS Radiation oncology departments awarded NIH funding from 2019 to 2021 were studied using the 2023 Lown Institute Hospital Index rankings for community benefit and inclusivity to assess the relationship between measures of community benefit and inclusivity and NIH radiation oncology department research funding. RESULTS Twenty-two radiation oncology departments were analyzed in this study. A significant positive correlation was identified between the NIH research funding these departments received and their institutional rankings for overall community benefit (tau = 0.38; P < .034). Additionally, there was a trend toward significance for the relationship between NIH funding and institutional rankings for community investment spending (tau = 0.497; P < .053). No significant correlation was observed for other variables, including institutional rankings for charity care spending, Medicaid as a portion of patient revenue or services provided to patients from minoritized groups, low-income backgrounds, or those with lower levels of education. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate a significantly positive correlation between NIH funding received by radiation oncology departments and overall community benefit (measured by spending on financial assistance, community investment, and Medicaid). This suggests that departments receiving NIH funding may be incentivized to allocate resources toward initiatives aimed at improving community health outcomes extending beyond direct patient care.

Determinants of Sustainable Rural Community-based Value Chains

Failure to understand business from a value chain perspective was identified in the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 as one of the challenges that need to be addressed for an entrepreneur's sustainability. Value chains refer to the activities that add value at each stage in developing, producing, and delivering quality products to customers. This paper aims to identify the determinants of effective and sustainable factors that underpin rural community-based value chains in their business conduct. In achieving these objectives, the methodology includes a case study on the Warisan Dapur Lenggong Business Project in Lenggong, Malaysia, library searches, and an analysis of previous literature reviews on value chains and community-based small businesses. The finding shows that factors contributing to the success of rural entrepreneurs in value chains can be categorised into internal and external patterns. Internal individual factors include entrepreneurial culture, skills and knowledge, adaptability, continuous improvement and Innovation, networking and collaboration. In contrast, internal community factors include community, leadership, local association and staff support, value proposition and differentiation, financial management, community resilience and perseverance. In comparison, external factors include access to market information, technology and infrastructural limitations, political influence and government policy. This paper also hopes to strengthen the body of knowledge on how effective value chains help entrepreneurs achieve sustainable competitive advantage as one of the agenda for 2030 Sustainable Development and for making Malaysia a higher-income and civilised nation.

Financial network communities and methodological insights: a case study for Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index

This study investigates the influence of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores on the clustering and community formation of companies within various network models. Using daily closing prices of 78 companies operating in the Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index, we constructed correlation, mutual information (both continuous and discrete), and causality (both linear and nonlinear) networks to analyse intercompany relationships. We performed community detection using the Leading Eigenvector and Girvan–Newman methods, which revealed that companies within the same sector, particularly in the financial and manufacturing sectors, tend to form tight-knit communities. These intra-sectoral clusters reflect strong market behaviour correlations driven by sector-specific factors. Additionally, mixed-sector communities highlighted the presence of significant inter-sector dependencies. To assess the impact of ESG scores on these communities, nonparametric tests such as the Kruskal–Wallis, Conover, and log-rank were applied. Results showed that specific ESG factors, including emission, CSR strategy, innovation, and human rights, significantly influenced community formation. For instance, companies with strong performance in emission reduction and CSR strategies were found to form more cohesive communities, emphasizing the role of sustainability in shaping financial networks. Study findings underscore the critical role of ESG factors in financial market dynamics, promoting sustainable investment practices by highlighting the importance of integrating ESG considerations into investment decisions. These results suggest that sustainability metrics not only affect individual company performance but also contribute to the formation of interconnected communities with shared sustainability practices.

Cultivating sustainability and resilience in olive heritage

Learning outcomes The case study’s learning objectives, structured according to Bloom’s taxonomy, engage students in higher-order thinking for critical analysis and strategic decision-making. After completion of the case study, students will be able to analyze sustainability practices and evaluate the family’s distribution model for alignment with sustainability and potential expansion strategies; explore adaptive strategies to identify adaptive solutions to challenges such as climate change and economic fluctuations; apply theoretical frameworks to balance exclusivity and growth in the olive oil industry; and assess strategic decisions considering financial viability, environmental responsibility, community engagement and sustainability. Case overview/synopsis The case study centers on the Abi Raad olive farm, a multigenerational family-owned business deeply rooted in olive cultivation traditions in Selfaya village, within Mount Lebanon’s Aley district. Led by Richard Abi Raad, the family specializes in olive cultivation, olive oil production and handmade soap manufacturing within the agriculture sector. In 2023, the organization faces significant challenges such as rising labor costs and the exploration of sustainable labor sources for future growth. Abi Raad, the primary protagonist, grapples with critical decisions regarding maintaining traditional distribution methods versus expanding into broader markets. His choices must balance the preservation of cultural heritage with the need to uphold brand integrity and competitiveness. The case study traces the family’s historical journey in olive farming and explores their contemporary strategic dilemmas, offering insights into sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship and navigating modern challenges while honoring tradition. Through the narrative of the Abi Raad family-owned business, the case study provides profound lessons in strategic decision-making and ensuring long-term sustainability. Complexity academic level This case study is suitable for students studying master’s in business. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

Implementation of the Sipraja Program in Public Administrative Services

General background: Efficient public administration in village governance is key to improving community services. Specific background: The Siwalanpanji Village Government has implemented the Sipraja program, aiming to enhance population administration services. Knowledge gap: Despite the use of Sipraja, challenges remain in budget allocation, communication, and operator motivation, suggesting the need for evaluation to determine its effectiveness. Aims: This study analyzes the implementation of the Sipraja program in Siwalanpanji Village using Edward III’s policy theory framework, focusing on communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucratic structure. Results: The findings reveal that communication has been effectively facilitated by village officials who guide residents in using the application. Resources are adequate in terms of facilities, and officials can operate Sipraja, though budget sources remain unfulfilled as a motivator for operators. The disposition aspect is positive, with policymakers’ commitment aligning with existing regulations. The bureaucratic structure is relatively efficient, supported by clear standard operating procedures. However, the need for community socialization and consistent financial support is evident. Novelty: This study provides a detailed evaluation of Sipraja's implementation in administrative services, highlighting communication and resource gaps that affect the program's effectiveness. Implications: The study emphasizes the importance of financial support and community socialization for successful digital administration services in village governance. Highlights: Effective communication is crucial for successful digital service implementation in village governance. Resource gaps, including budget constraints, impact the program's operator motivation. Clear standard operating procedures support a more efficient bureaucratic structure. Keywords: Implementation, Sipraja Application, Population Administration, Village Governance, Digital Systems