Purpose The objective of this study was to examine whether and to what extent Quality 5.0 approaches, with an emphasis in the study on the combination of advanced technologies, humanistic principles of leadership and sustainability, would influence key organizational outcomes. Whereas Quality 4.0 primarily focused on the role of automation and digital tools, Quality 5.0 is concerned with ethical use of artificial intelligence, staff commitment and engagement, along with associated responsibility to the environment, thus operating in close alignment with the Industry 5.0 framework. This study investigated the effects of three Quality 5.0 enablers – technological factors (TF), human-centric and managerial factors (HCMF) and sustainability and customer experience factors (SCEF) – on four outcome constructs: quality and performance outcomes (QPO), customer-centric outcomes (CCO), business and financial impact (BFI) and sustainability and ethical impact (SEI). Design/methodology/approach The study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS to evaluate the relationships among Quality 5.0 variables. Data were collected through a structured survey administered across Indian organizations from diverse sectors, including manufacturing, services and education. Findings The results confirm that TF, HCMF and SCEF have a positive and significant influence on all four outcome variables (QPO, CCO, BFI and SEI). This demonstrates that the effective implementation of Quality 5.0 requires not just technological adoption but also strong leadership, employee engagement and sustainability-focused strategies. Research limitations/implications The results are contextually anchored in the Indian organization context and may impede the generalizability in other spaces; hence, the findings offer an empirical basis for practical application of Quality 5.0 initiatives for real-world quality management frameworks. The results suggest that technology in its own right is not sufficient and that the human and ethical dimensions play an essential role in quality transformation. Originality/value This study is among the first to propose and empirically validate an integrated Quality 5.0 framework. It contributes both theoretically and practically by linking digital, human-centric and sustainability drivers to multi-dimensional quality outcomes, offering organizations a strategic roadmap for responsible and future-ready quality management.

Purpose Fiscal responsibility represents government commitment to prudent financial management, transparent budgeting processes and sustainable public finance through disciplined revenue collection and expenditure control mechanisms. This research aims to examine Mauritius’s deteriorating fiscal position, where public debt increased from 59% to 87% of gross domestic product between 2015 and 2021, raising fundamental questions about long-term sustainability. Design/methodology/approach Through systematic doctrinal and comparative analysis of 11 carefully selected jurisdictions, examining official government documents, International Monetary Fund reports and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development databases collected between January and September 2025, this study identifies three distinct fiscal framework models with varying effectiveness. Principles-based systems demonstrate superior crisis adaptability while rules-based frameworks achieve higher compliance rates when supported by strong enforcement mechanisms. Findings The research reveals that countries with independent fiscal councils experience average fiscal balance improvements of two point three percent of gross domestic product over five years. For Mauritius, establishing a comprehensive Fiscal Responsibility Act with an independent Fiscal Council requiring Rs 75m annual investment could reduce debt-to-gross domestic product ratio by 15 percentage points over five years while generating savings of Rs 400m–Rs 800m annually through reduced borrowing costs. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first comprehensive comparative legal analysis of fiscal frameworks specifically tailored to small Island developing states contexts bridging fiscal law and development economics through actionable recommendations that balance oversight stringency with necessary flexibility.

Adult social care in England has long lacked the research infrastructure and capacity common in health, limiting evidence-informed improvement. The Kent Research Partnership (KRP) implemented a dual, bi-directional Researcher-in-Residence (RiR) model (one university-employed researcher embedded in the local authority and one local-authority-employed researcher embedded in the university) to build research capacity. This study explored implementation challenges and facilitators over the first 32months of the partnership. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants (four current/former RiR; four core team/management). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and pseudonymized. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, then deductively mapped to the updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR 2.0). Three themes described determinants of implementation. (a) Context and culture: system-level financial pressures, fragile regional research support and competing operational priorities limited engagement; post-coronavirus disease-19 (COVID) hybrid working and organisational restructuring impeded co-location and informal relationship-building. (b) Intervention design and implementation: dedicated, full-time RiR posts enabled proactive capacity-building; the dual, bi-directional structure conferred legitimacy and access across partnership settings. However, broad role definitions and unfamiliar terminology led to ambiguity and expectations of bespoke research delivery. Reframing the practice-based role as "Research Facilitator" improved clarity and was subsequently formalised within the local authority. (c) RiR personal and professional characteristics: effectiveness hinged on combined research expertise and practice/policy experience, plus relational skills (approachability, persistence, adaptability). A thoughtfully designed RiR model, with dual posts, protected time and individuals who bridge research and practice, can catalyse research capacity building in adult social care. However, persistent contextual barriers, such as resource constraints, cultural misalignment, remote/hybrid working patterns, can limit embedding and impact of research capacity building partnership in social care. Co-designed role clarity, alignment with service-improvement goals, innovative approaches to remote embedding and sustained infrastructure funding are recommended to lessen the impact of the contextual barriers.

Purpose This paper examines the factors affecting the acceptance of sustainable funds as an investment product by high-net-worth individuals and how these factors are moderated by the customer orientation of the financial advisor. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on an initial explorative qualitative study and the literature on the topic, we propose a conceptual model based on the UTAUT. The model includes return expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and narrative as antecedents of investment intention. We incorporated age and customer orientation as moderating variables. Through a quantitative study with 234 private banking clients, we used structural equation modeling to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings We concluded that return expectancy, social influence and narrative influence the intention to use sustainable funds by high net worth individuals. Additionally, customer orientation from financial advisors do moderate this relationship. Age has a negative moderating effect on utility and a positive effect on social influence. Research limitations/implications This study presents significant implications for academics and practitioners. The former will benefit from the development of a new construct in the field of bank marketing, the narrative and the further development of customer orientation. Whereas the latter will receive significant insights regarding the introduction of sustainable investment products within their clients' portfolios. Originality/value We adapt the UTAUT dimensions of performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence to the context investment decisions. The framework incorporates narrative and customer orientation as additional constructs shaping customers' intentions and behavior, thereby linking an innovation-adoption theory with sustainable investments and advisor–client relationships in private banking.

Background In the context of accelerating digital transformation, the alignment between digital transformation initiatives and sustainable supply chain finance has become an important issue for firms seeking to improve operational coordination and financial efficiency. This alignment, however, is influenced not only by technological adoption but also by organizational and contextual conditions such as governance structures, strategic orientation, and resource availability. Existing studies have not sufficiently examined how these contextual factors jointly shape the integration of digital transformation and supply chain finance. Methods This study adopts a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative analysis based on survey data with qualitative insights. A multidimensional analytical framework is developed to examine the contextual factors affecting the integration between digital transformation and sustainable supply chain finance. The framework includes leadership vision, strategic orientation, information-sharing mechanisms, supplier collaboration, organizational resources, process readiness, and access to financial and credit resources. Results The findings indicate that these contextual factors collectively influence the degree of alignment between digital transformation initiatives and sustainable supply chain financial models. Leadership vision and clear strategic orientation play a central role in guiding coordination among supply chain actors. Effective information-sharing mechanisms support collaboration and transparency across partners. In addition, organizational resources and process readiness significantly affect the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing digital solutions linked to supply chain finance. Access to financial and credit resources also conditions firms’ ability to operationalize such initiatives. Conclusion The study provides empirical evidence on how organizational and contextual conditions shape the integration of digital transformation with sustainable supply chain finance. The results suggest that alignment depends on a combination of strategic direction, internal capabilities, and coordination mechanisms, offering useful implications for firms seeking to design digital transformation initiatives that are consistent with their organizational capacities and operational contexts.

Sustainable corporate governance plays an essential role in promoting responsible economic growth and enhancing social and environmental well-being in emerging economies. In this context, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance has become an important indicator of a firm’s commitment to sustainable development and its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8 and SDG 12. This study investigates the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance on the financial sustainability of publicly listed companies in Thailand, a rapidly developing Southeast Asian economy where empirical evidence remains limited. Using an unbalanced panel dataset of 965 firm-year observations across multiple industries, multiple regression models were employed to assess the influence of ESG performance on two financial indicators: return on capital employed and return on assets. Granger causality tests were also conducted to explore directional relationships between sustainability performance and financial outcomes. The empirical results reveal a significant negative short-term association between ESG performance and return on assets (ROA), whereas the relationship with return on capital employed (ROCE) is statistically insignificant. The causality analysis indicates that ESG performance Granger-causes ROA, implying that sustainability-driven strategic decisions may precede and influence financial outcomes over time. Additionally, leverage emerges as a key constraint to financial sustainability, negatively affecting both ROCE and ROA. These findings underscore the challenge of striking a balance between sustainability investments and immediate profitability in emerging markets. Policymakers and business leaders are encouraged to promote supportive governance frameworks, reduce financial barriers, and foster ESG-driven practices that contribute to long-term sustainable competitiveness and inclusive development.

Consistent evidence demonstrates that care transition programs can significantly improve mental health outcomes, treatment engagement, satisfaction, and overall quality of life. However, the extent and fidelity of implementation across behavioral health systems remain underexamined. This article applies the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework to evaluate the Pathway Home model, a community-based care transition program in New York that supports individuals returning to the community after psychiatric hospitalization or other institutional settings. Pathway Home integrates the evidence-based principles of Critical Time Intervention to provide person-centered, time-limited, multidisciplinary support during critical transition periods. Drawing on multiple reporting streams, prior evaluations, and program data, we examine how the model performs across each RE-AIM dimension, highlighting operational successes, implementation barriers, and areas requiring continued attention. Findings indicate that Pathway Home effectively reaches high-need populations, strengthens continuity of care, and reduces the risk of re-institutionalization through enhanced linkage to behavioral health, primary care, and social support. Its flexible, cross-system design has enabled replication and scale across diverse community settings. Despite its growth and demonstrated impact, challenges persist. Particularly related to long-term financial sustainability, workforce retention, and integration within fragmented health systems. The Pathway Home experience underscores the importance of adaptable implementation models and cross-sector partnerships in sustaining person-centered care transitions. Ongoing evaluation is critical to inform policy, funding, and practice strategies that ensure such models remain viable components of the behavioral health continuum.

Legal metrology services constitute a strategic technical public service that plays a crucial role in ensuring fairness in commercial transactions, consumer protection, and public trust in market mechanisms. Within the decentralisation agenda, authority for the administration of Legal Metrology in Indonesia has been explicitly delegated to regency and municipal governments, with the exercise of this authority operationalised through the establishment of Legal Metrology Units (Unit Metrologi Legal/UML or UPTD), which have been effectively implemented since 2018. A significant policy shift occurred with the enactment of Law Number 1 of 2022 on Financial Relations between the Central Government and Regional Governments (HKPD), which came into effect in January 2024 and abolished verification and re-verification service charges as objects of regional levies. As a consequence, local governments are required to provide legal metrology services free of charge and to finance them through the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD). This article aims to critically analyse the readiness of local governments to deliver legal metrology services in the post-decentralisation context and following the abolition of service charges, by comparing regions that have attained the status of Orderly Measurement Regions (Daerah Tertib Ukur/DTU) with those that have not. The study adopts a qualitative approach with a comparative inter-regional design, drawing on policy and budget document analysis as well as in-depth interviews with 18 key informants across six regencies and municipalities. The findings indicate that regional success in achieving DTU status is determined by a combination of local political commitment, fiscal capacity, availability of technical human resources, and service innovation. The article underscores the need for harmonisation of central–local policies, strengthening of institutional capacity, and the development of sustainable financing schemes to ensure that the decentralisation of legal metrology services genuinely generates public value.

To explore the integration of rehabilitation services into primary care, with discussions guided by open-ended questions to allow detailed responses on various aspects of this integration was the objective of the study. The integration of rehabilitative services into primary care in Pakistan, a nation attempting to attain universal health coverage (UHC) and facing major healthcare issues, is the primary focus of this study. This qualitative study gathered insights from five experts in health systems, public health, and rehabilitation through semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, identifying key themes such as integration challenges, financial planning, service delivery, and the roles of primary care providers. It has become clear that timely and efficient patient care requires the integration of general care with rehabilitation services, with primary care physicians being crucial in starting and managing rehabilitation initiatives. Another important subject was financial sustainability, highlighting the necessity of long-term budgeting and planning to provide equal and ongoing access to rehabilitation services. Experts also emphasized the importance of rehabilitation within healthcare systems, urging more public and professional awareness to enhance resource allocation and policy support. In order to improve rehabilitation services, the study emphasizes the need for strong health information systems, strategic policy frameworks, and raised awareness. A resilient healthcare system that serves the needs of every person can be built, and UHC can be a reality, by addressing the obstacles that have been identified and capturing integration possibilities.

Purpose This study aims to examine how environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities influence bank risk-taking (BRT) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-5 region, emphasizing the mediating role of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. It explores how ESG engagement and AI integration jointly enhance sustainable banking practices, strengthen risk governance and foster data-driven financial discipline across emerging banking systems. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a dynamic panel of 62 listed banks from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand over the period 2015–2024. A novel AI Adoption Score is developed to capture bank-level digital readiness. To address endogeneity, autocorrelation and unobserved heterogeneity, the analysis applies the two-step system generalized method of moments estimator and tests mediation using Baron and Kenny’s (1986) four-step mediation model. The study is theoretically grounded in Stakeholder Theory and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. Findings The results indicate that ESG activities and their individual pillars significantly reduce BRT among ASEAN-5 banks. AI adoption partially mediates these relationships, amplifying the risk-reducing impact of ESG by enhancing monitoring, credit quality and compliance, while aligning institutional practices with Basel III and other global regulatory frameworks. Overall, the integration of ESG and AI fosters more resilient, transparent and sustainable banking systems across emerging markets. Originality/value This paper contributes to the sustainable finance literature by conceptualizing AI adoption as a mediating channel through which ESG activities influence BRT. It offers novel insights for policymakers and financial institutions in emerging economies, emphasizing the need to institutionalize AI-enabled ESG frameworks that integrate sustainability into core risk governance. By linking ESG discipline with digital transformation, the paper advances understanding of how banks can align sustainability with regulatory compliance and strengthen long-term financial performance.

Healthcare systems worldwide face mounting pressures from aging populations, costly medical technologies, and rising healthcare expenditures. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) has emerged as a critical tool for improving efficiency and supporting evidence-informed resource allocation through systematic evaluation. In Brazil, HTA plays a central role in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly through the National Committee for Health Technology Incorporation (Comissão Nacional de Incorporação de Tecnologias no Sistema Único de Saúde - CONITEC). As HTA continues to evolve in Brazil, there is an increasing need for health policy and systems research to better understand its structure, challenges, and opportunities. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the key pillars of Brazil's national HTA system, identify existing barriers, and propose strategies to strengthen HTA processes. A mixed-methods approach was employed between 2021 and 2023, targeting HTA-related organizations and experts across multiple health sectors. Data were collected through thirteen electronic institutional surveys assessing technical aspects of HTA and nine virtual in-depth interviews exploring HTA from a policy perspective. Findings indicate a strong presence of public-sector and academic institutions within Brazil's HTA landscape, alongside broad recognition of HTA's value and CONITEC's central role in coordinating evidence generation and appraisal. However, challenges such as potential conflicts of interest and reliance on exclusive government funding were identified, underscoring the need for more diversified and sustainable financing mechanisms. The system benefits from a multidisciplinary workforce and active community participation, and HTA evidence is widely used in policymaking, particularly in evaluating clinical effectiveness, costs, and economic value. Despite these strengths, limitations persist, including insufficient institutional capacity, resource constraints, and political support. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen HTA skills, competencies, and coordination to improve the effectiveness and impact of HTA processes. This study contributes to the limited literature on Brazil's HTA system and provides evidence to inform future research and policy efforts aimed at strengthening HTA integration in support of UHC.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 contains several health care provisions aimed at reducing costs for Medicare beneficiaries. Although these goals are critical, the legislation may have unintentional adverse impacts on long-term care (LTC) pharmacies. This article examines how specific provisions of The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 may destabilize the LTC pharmacy sector, creating barriers to access for LTC residents.We analyze the financial implications of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, illustrating how the shift to maximum fair price reimbursement combined with inadequate dispensing fees could result in an estimated revenue decline of more than 85% for drugs selected within the program. We also outline how new payment flows for the maximum fair price involving the Medicare Transaction Facilitator will likely extend reimbursement timelines, creating liquidity challenges for pharmacies operating on thin margins.Beyond finances, we discuss operational conflicts with the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. Specifically, we argue that alerting requirements are incompatible with LTC workflows and pose unnecessary administrative burden on pharmacies. To address these vulnerabilities, we propose near-term legislative and regulatory remedies, including appropriating funds to ensure timely manufacturing payments and codifying the standard default refund amount to protect acquisition discounts. Finally, we recommend structural reforms that shift reimbursement away from volume-based models to value-based care. By aligning payment with patient outcomes, policymakers can ensure the financial sustainability of LTC pharmacies and the continued delivery of highly effective pharmaceutical care to the nation's aging population.

Purpose Climate-driven agricultural risks in Zimbabwe, particularly droughts, high dependence on rainfed production and low adaptive capacity, limit the agriculture sector from fully contributing to socio-economic development. The objective of the study was to assess the status of funding for climate change adaptation across all farming sectors. Design/methodology/approach The 2022 national budget was analyzed in terms of allocation for agricultural and climate change adaptation interventions. At the farm level, availability of funding was assessed for fully commercial (A2, large-scale and estates), semi-commercial (A1) and subsistence (communal and old resettlement) farmers in Mutasa District in eastern Zimbabwe using a mix of key informant interviews, focus group discussions and a household questionnaire. Findings According to the 2022 budget, the government contributed 92% of total agricultural funding and 72% of climate change adaptation financing. Bilateral and multilateral climate finance accounted for only 3% of total agricultural funding, underscoring the country's ranking of 156 out of 160 on the Global Climate Finance Vulnerability Index. Semi-commercial and subsistence-oriented farmers depended mainly on the government and donors for funding in the form of crop inputs. The commercial sector depended on state-owned and private banks. Over 80% of farmers viewed agricultural and climate funding, availed mostly as working capital and not capital expenditure, to be inadequate. Originality/value There is a need to develop a comprehensive investment framework that guides the design of sustainable financing mechanisms for effective adaptation.

Purpose This study aims to address the persistent fragmentation in sustainability reporting within the insurance and takaful sector, resulting from the coexistence of multiple frameworks, including the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The research develops and empirically applies the Unified Sustainability Harmonisation Score for Insurance/Takaful (USHS-I/T), providing a structured tool to benchmark disclosure quality and align global standards with industry-specific requirements. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a conceptual and comparative framework-building approach supported by Delphi validation with regulators, academics and practitioners. A crosswalk of ISSB, ESRS, and GRI indicators was classified into four dimensions: Environmental, Social, Governance, and Finance-specific, and scored using a weighted three-point system. The framework was empirically applied to Malaysian insurers and takaful operators (2021–2023 reports), and reliability was confirmed through Cronbach’s α (0.90), split-half and inter-coder tests. The framework also differentiates between narrative and measurable disclosures, recognising that qualitative explanations are important for contextual interpretation while quantitative indicators are essential for comparability and assurance. Findings The results demonstrate strong convergence in climate-related and governance disclosures, while significant gaps remain in biodiversity, claims fairness and finance-specific indicators such as environmental, social and governance (ESG)-adjusted solvency ratios. Conventional insurers outperform takaful operators in governance and finance-specific metrics, whereas takaful operators show strengths in community engagement and ethical governance structures associated with Shariah oversight rather than theological compliance. The study explicitly clarifies that these governance structures are treated solely as institutional mechanisms and are excluded from ESG scoring to preserve universality and comparability. Research limitations/implications The study is based on secondary disclosure data from a Malaysia-specific sample, which limits generalisability across regions. Nevertheless, it opens pathways for cross-country comparisons, longitudinal studies and further integration of impact assessment into harmonisation models. The reframing of Shariah governance as an ethical construct enhances the transferability of the framework across diverse institutional settings. Practical implications The USHS-I/T framework provides regulators with a benchmarking tool to enhance disclosure comparability, supports insurers and takaful operators in identifying reporting blind spots, and offers investors a transparent metric for evaluating ESG credibility. Social implications By emphasising universal ethical principles reflected in Shariah governance rather than religious conformity, the framework encourages takaful operators to strengthen financial inclusion, community support and responsible conduct while aligning with global sustainability standards. This supports greater stakeholder trust and positions insurance and takaful institutions as contributors to sustainable finance ecosystems. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to operationalise a harmonised ESG and finance scoring model for insurance and takaful by integrating ISSB, ESRS and GRI into a unified, decision-useful framework. The study offers a secular, universally applicable harmonisation model that accommodates industry-specific governance structures without embedding theological content into ESG measurement. It advances theoretical discourse by linking legitimacy, stakeholder and institutional perspectives to a validated scoring protocol, providing a practical tool for accelerating disclosure harmonisation in emerging markets.

The integration of environmental and sustainability goals within Saudi Arabia’s financial regulatory framework has received significant attention to enhance green finance initiatives aligned with Vision 2030. By using the ARDL method with FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR estimators, this study investigates the impact of market-based financial development (FMD), GDP per capita (GDP), energy consumption per capita (ENG), and trade openness (TO) on the overall greenhouse gas emissions of Saudi Arabia (EQ) between 1994 and 2020. Our results indicate that financial development and energy consumption are significant contributors to emissions, as per the carbon content of energy and industrial investment. Also, GDP per capita has a positive effect, and trade openness serves as a moderator, reducing emissions over the long term. Short-run dynamics exhibit rapid convergence to the long-run equilibrium as captured in the negative in statistically significant error-correction coefficient. Based on these results, the Saudi government should encourage financial development management, promote energy efficiency, and utilize trade policies, as these factors are significant for reducing emissions and maintaining sustainable environmental performance in Saudi Arabia.

To map and critically appraise the current literature on Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in emergency general surgery, with a focus on clinical decision-support tools for preoperative risk stratification and intraoperative assistance, and to identify ethical, structural, and regulatory barriers to implementation. A scoping review was conducted within the ARIES project, following established methodological frameworks. Relevant studies evaluating AI-based tools in emergency surgical settings were systematically identified and analyzed. The literature describes AI applications mainly in two domains: preoperative decision support, including risk prediction and diagnostic or triage models for acute abdominal and traumatic conditions, and intraoperative assistance, largely focused on computer vision-based systems for anatomical recognition, safety guidance, and navigation in minimally invasive emergency procedures. Additional contributions address training and telementoring platforms, as well as cross-cutting ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations relevant to AI adoption in emergency surgical care. AI has the potential to complement emergency surgeons' clinical judgment, but its routine adoption in emergency surgical practice remains limited. Addressing methodological, ethical, and regulatory challenges, together with the development of robust data infrastructures and targeted training pathways, is essential to support safe, effective, and equitable implementation in acute care settings. In addition, the lack of dedicated investment and sustainable funding models for large-scale clinical implementation and prospective evaluation represents a critical barrier to the translation of AI from research into routine emergency surgical practice.

This study examines how employee benefit practices link employee well-being with financial sustainability in sustainable organization management. Focusing on Generation Z, it investigates the intersection between meaning attributed to employee benefits and managerial decision-making guided by financial rationality. Drawing on human resources management (HRM) and finance perspectives, employee benefits are conceptualized as mechanisms for balancing human-centered value creation and economic resilience. A qualitative design was used, based on semi-structured interviews with 15 Generation Z employees and 20 human resources (HR) and finance managers in Türkiye. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis and the Gioia methodology to develop an inductive, multi-level framework. The findings indicate that Generation Z employees view employee benefits as psychosocial resources reflecting justice, autonomy, psychological safety, and value alignment—core components of subjective and eudaimonic well-being—while managers assess them primarily through financial sustainability logics such as cost control and return on investment. Overall, meaning- and cost-oriented perspectives emerge as mutually reinforcing within sustainable organizational systems. The study proposes the Meaning–Cost Balance (MCB) Framework, conceptualizing employee benefits as a strategic management mechanism aligning employee well-being with financial resilience. Positioned at the intersection of HRM and financial sustainability, the framework contributes to sustainable organization management and offers a transferable basis for future comparative research.

Purpose This study analyzes volatility dynamics and regional financial integration in European and Latin American equity markets under heightened global uncertainty and the growing relevance of sustainable finance. It aims to assess volatility persistence, asymmetric responses to negative information, and the role of intraregional integration in shock transmission and financial stability. Design/methodology/approach Daily equity index returns from representative European and Latin American markets over 2010–2025 are analyzed using asymmetric GARCH-type models (EGARCH and GJR-GARCH) with skewed innovations. Volatility persistence is measured through model parameters and half-life indicators, while financial integration is examined using Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC-GARCH) models. Robustness is evaluated through structural stability tests and pre- and post-COVID-19 comparisons. Findings European markets exhibit high volatility persistence but short half-lives (approximately 4–6 days), indicating faster shock absorption. Latin American markets display longer half-lives (around 8–12 days), reflecting more persistent volatility. Asymmetric effects are stronger and more systematic in Europe, while Latin America shows weaker and more heterogeneous responses. Intraregional correlations are extremely high in Europe, limiting diversification, whereas Latin America remains moderately and unevenly integrated. No evidence of structural breaks is found. Originality/value The study offers a unified long-horizon comparative framework combining asymmetric GARCH models, half-life measures, dynamic correlations, and stability diagnostics. It provides robust evidence on structural differences between developed and emerging markets, with implications for investors and policymakers in financial stability and sustainable finance.

This study examines the influence of capital strengthening, corporate governance implementation, and risk management on financial performance and its implications for the business sustainability of PT BPR Rama Ganda Bogor during 2017–2024. The study is motivated by the critical need to integrate these three elements to maintain the stability and competitiveness of rural banks (BPR) amid global economic challenges, the pandemic, and increasing regulatory pressures. Financial performance is measured using CAR (Capital Adequacy Ratio), LDR (Loan to Deposit Ratio), NPL (Non-Performing Loan), and ROA (Return on Assets), while business sustainability is evaluated based on the bank’s ability to develop products, maintain customer trust, and comply with sustainable finance principles. Descriptive analysis indicates an average CAR of 21.36%, LDR of 90.01%, NPL of 11.30%, and ROA of 3.25%, reflecting adequate capital stability and sufficient liquidity but room for improvement in asset quality. Findings reveal that capital strengthening, corporate governance, and risk management collectively have a significant impact on financial performance. Furthermore, strong financial performance positively influences business sustainability, including regulatory compliance, expansion of sustainable credit portfolios, and maintenance of stakeholder confidence. The study emphasizes that the synergy between capital, governance, and risk management must be internalized integrally into organizational culture and strategy, enabling BPR to manage risks effectively, maintain profitability, and ensure long-term business continuity. The results provide strategic recommendations for BPR and similar microfinance institutions to optimize capital, governance, and risk management as foundations for growth and sustainable operations in an uncertain economic environment.

The Southern Ocean is central to global heat and carbon cycling, connecting all the major ocean basins and regulating Earth’s climate system, and hence providing ecosystem services of global significance. However, its ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to climate change and localized human-induced pressures, such as (biological) resource extraction, pollution, ship traffic, and tourism. Effective conservation and management require systematic and reliable monitoring frameworks. The Essential Variables concept offers a robust approach to integrate fragmented data, to standardize data collection, and to generate policy-relevant data products enabling informed responses to rapid environmental change. This paper synthesizes the key outcomes of a workshop held in Hobart, Australia, alongside the Southern Ocean Observing System Symposium, in 2023. To advance the adoption, development, and operationalization of Essential Variables tailored to the Southern Ocean, researchers with diverse expertise came together to assess current data gaps in ocean observations and to establish monitoring priorities for marine ecosystems. The workshop provided a dedicated forum to identify key Southern Ocean-specific candidate variables, address methodological challenges, and design pathways for developing a systematic, open, and adaptable framework suited to the region’s unique ecological and environmental conditions. In this paper, we propose Essential Biodiversity Variables that are tailored to the Southern Ocean and are intended to monitor changes in sea ice, planktonic, benthic, and top predator systems. The adoption of Essential Biodiversity Variables specific to the Southern Ocean can enhance our capacity to track biodiversity trends, assess ecosystem health, and inform policy by transforming fragmented data into a cohesive, policy-relevant framework. However, the success of these efforts is only possible by securing sustained funding and enhancing interoperability and collaborations across research groups. This paper as well as the Hobart 2023 workshop are activities endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.