Future Global Challenges Research Articles

Post Covid-19 tourism based on environment conservation and community empowerment

Purpose: This research aims to analyse the tourism sector through the lens of conservation and community empowerment, with Indonesia as an example that illustrates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on achieving these goals. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research employs descriptive and bibliometric analysis to address the research objectives. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of the Republic of Indonesia (bps.go.id) are utilised for a simple descriptive analysis of the development of the tourism sector. The bibliographic analysis leverages Scopus. com data and processes it with the VOS viewer application to identify trends in ecotourism topics based on time and country factors. Findings: In line with the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia experienced a decline in tourist arrivals at its outset, particularly in 2020. This trend coincided with a global rise in ecotourism development studies, a field where Indonesia emerged as one of the dominant countries. Originality/Value: This research indicates that ecotourism, a form of global tourism involving active community participation, offers a potential solution to tourism crises. Ecotourism can enhance social cohesion and capacity by empowering communities to face critical situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the analysis is limited to a specific period during the pandemic, this study provides insights into tourism dynamics when confronted with crises that lead to mobility restrictions and policies significantly impacting the industry. Consequently, there is an urgency to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into tourism planning and development to increase the sector’s resilience, sustainability, and responsiveness to future global challenges. Keywords: Tourism; Ecotourism; Environment Conservation; Community; Empowerment; COVID-19.

Computational Analysis of Linguistic Markers Reveals Group Identification Patterns During a Global Public Health Crisis

ABSTRACTUsing a computational social science approach integrating evolutionary psychology, social psychology, and intergroup relations, this research examined associations between disease threats and group identification across cultures by analyzing the relationship between COVID‐19 threats (actual and perceived) and first‐person plural versus singular pronoun usage—a linguistic marker of collective identity. Two studies analyzed epidemiological and Google Trends search data over 154 weeks: Study 1 established baseline patterns using U.S. data, while Study 2 investigated cross‐cultural variations globally. Through transfer function methodology to pre‐whiten time series data for cross‐correlation function analysis and random‐slope‐random‐intercept multilevel modeling, the research explored temporal dynamics of threat‐identification relationships. Results indicated that perceived COVID‐19 threat, measured through pandemic‐related search volumes, exhibited consistent correlations with increased first‐person plural pronoun usage across both studies. While COVID‐19 cases demonstrated non‐significant relationships globally but positive associations in the U.S., mortality rates showed negative correlations with first‐person plural pronoun usage globally, differing from U.S. patterns. Cultural collectivism emerged as a moderating factor in the global analysis, with individualistic cultures displaying stronger associations between perceived threat and collective linguistic markers. These findings contribute to our understanding of the relationship between collective threats and group identification processes across cultures while demonstrating the potential of computational linguistic analysis for monitoring real‐time collective responses to pandemics, offering insights relevant to preparedness strategies for future global challenges.

From ancient remedies to modern miracles: tracing the evolution of vaccines and their impact on public health.

This review traces the development of vaccines from ancient times to the present, highlighting major milestones and challenges. It covers the significant impact of vaccines on public health, including the eradication of diseases such as smallpox and the reduction of others such as polio, measles, and influenza. The review provides an in-depth look at the COVID-19 vaccines, which were developed at unprecedented speeds due to the urgent global need. The study emphasizes the ongoing potential of vaccine development to address future global health challenges, demonstrating the critical role vaccines play in disease prevention and public health. Moreover, it discusses the evolution of vaccine technology, from live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines to modern recombinant and mRNA vaccines, showcasing the advancements that have enabled rapid responses to emerging infectious diseases. The review underscores the importance of continued investment in research and development, global collaboration, and the adoption of new technologies to enhance vaccine efficacy and coverage. By exploring historical and contemporary examples, the article illustrates how vaccines have transformed medical practice and public health outcomes, providing valuable insights into future directions for vaccine innovation and deployment.

Innovative integration of sustainable technologies in educational programs: Fostering freshwater production and environmental preservation awareness

This study highlights the integration of sustainable desalination technologies into educational programs to raise awareness of freshwater production and environmental preservation. Through a comprehensive curriculum, students explore innovative methods such as pressure-retarded osmosis, multi-effect desalination, and seawater source heat pumps, all powered by renewable seawater thermal energy. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering reliance on fossil fuels, and protecting aquatic ecosystems. Students engage in practical evaluations of energy efficiency, economic viability, and environmental impact. Sensitivity analyses are incorporated to help students identify critical factors affecting system performance and optimize operational conditions for various modes. Through hands-on experiments, students learn that components like the heat pump condenser contribute the most to energy loss (29 %), followed by the expansion valve (12 %), compressor (11 %), and seawater heat exchanger (8 %). Economic analyses reveal that while the heat pump condenser and seawater heat exchanger have the lowest financial impact (0.33 % and 2.48 %, respectively), the pressure-retarded osmosis and compressor units have the highest (100 % and 60.3 %, respectively). The findings demonstrate that an optimally designed desalination system can produce freshwater at 80 % lower costs compared to traditional plants, while also reducing carbon emissions by 15 %. Educational experiments also show that integrating pressure-retarded osmosis downstream of multi-effect desalination significantly reduces brine salinity and temperature, highlighting the system's potential for environmental sustainability. This approach not only fosters a deeper understanding of desalination technologies but also equips students with the tools to address future global water challenges.

Teaching the polycrisis: Assessing the effect of pluralist education in Italian economics programs

This paper presents the results of a survey of economics students in Italy. The survey was motivated by a review of the curriculum of Italian economics programs and was designed to assess the links between how pluralist students claimed their economics education was, and their assessment of how adequately various topics were taught, how well they thought their education contributed to the development of a number of skills, and their overall satisfaction with their degree program. The results of our survey were then analyzed using an ordered logit model which found large and significant links between pluralism and student satisfaction, reported topical coverage and the formation of some skills. No statistically negative correlations between pluralism and any skill or topics were found. A categorization of the results of an open-ended question from the survey asking students what they would change about their education “if they had a magic wand” is also presented. The results of the study point to increasing pluralism as an intriguing option for departments looking to attract and retain students and as a useful tool for training economists who are prepared to face current and future global economic challenges as represented in the concept of the polycrisis.

Neutrality of the Olympic Movement against recent developments in sport and geopolitics – need of reconceptualisation

The Olympic Movement’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine underlines an existing dilemma on political neutrality and how the governance of sport has struggled to come to terms with the principle of political neutrality. The status of Russian and Belarussian athletes and teams in international sports is an ongoing disputative matter for the governance of sport. This paper aims to contribute to conceptional clarity concerning the principle of political neutrality and to spell out a specific application of political neutrality to the Olympic Movement in recognition of its commitment to human rights and promotion of peace. Accordingly, it observes neutrality in the practice of the Olympic Movement and challenges the applicability of the principle of neutrality in the social realm around politics and capitalism. The findings highlight the discrepancy between the Olympic Movement’s policies on political neutrality and its governance that eventually erode the autonomy of sport. The paper concludes by arguing for the need of reconceptualisation of the neutrality principle in (Olympic) sport. To address future global challenges that violate fundamental principles of international law, the paper proposes the incorporation of transparent procedures and limitations.

Changes in Regional Export Structure in Response to External Shocks

the Covid-19 pandemic on South Korea’s regional export structure, with an emphasis on understanding how global events like pandemics can reshape regional export structures. Thus, it seeks to identify changes in regional competitiveness and the shifting patterns in industrial exports that occurred due to the pandemic. Design/Methodology – The research uses export data by applying Export Similarity Index and Revealed Comparative Advantage to gauge changes in the export structures of various regions in South Korea. By comparing data from before and after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the study provides a comprehensive look at how regional export markets have adapted and changed in response to global economic disruptions. Findings – The study uncovered a notable shift in the export structures across regions of South Korea because of the pandemic. During the pandemic, there was an increase in the similarity of exports across regions, indicating a convergence of regional export strategies. Post-pandemic, a diversification trend emerged, reflecting a response to changing global market demands. Notably, certain regions displayed a remarkable resilience, maintaining their competitive advantage in specific industries despite the global economic turmoil. Originality/value – This study contributes a new dimension to the understanding of export competitiveness, particularly in the context of South Korea. By providing a regional perspective, it offers insights into how global events like pandemics can lead to significant shifts in regional economic structures. The findings are particularly valuable for policymakers and business leaders, offering guidance in the development of strategies to enhance regional export competitiveness and ensure balanced economic development in the face of future global challenges.

Soil compaction due to agricultural machinery impact: A systematic review

AbstractSoil compaction is generally viewed as one of the most serious soil degradation problems and a determining factor in crop productivity worldwide. It is imperative to understand the processes involved in soil compaction to meet the future global challenges of food security. In this work, we used co‐occurring keyword analysis to summarize 3491 papers on soil compaction over the past 40 years, elaborating on the main research focuses such as the causes, influencing factors, and effects of soil compaction on crops, and the mitigation and prevention of soil compaction. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the effects of soil compaction, including altering soil structure, increasing bulk density (BD) and penetration resistance (PR), and reducing porosity and soil hydraulic properties. Notably, based on the 387 data points of 11 papers about BD, our results demonstrated soil compaction on average, increased BD by 7.6%, 6.9%, and 3.2% in the medium‐, coarse‐, and fine‐textured soils, respectively. Based on the 264 data points of 18 papers, in the 0–30 cm soil layer, compaction increased penetration resistance (by 91% in the coarse‐textured, 84.2% in the medium‐textured, and 8.8% in the fine‐textured soils). Compacted soil limits the access of crop roots to water and nutrients, leading to poor root development and reduced crop productivity. There was a difference in soil compaction sensitivity between the different crops, but crop growth and yield showed an overall worsening trend with increasing degrees of compaction. This review collected data points on 142 crop yields and found that wheat, barley, corn, and soybean yields decreased by an average of 4.1%, 15.1%, 37.7%, and 22.7%, respectively, in the BD range of 1.1–1.8 Mg/cm3 after compaction. Additionally, the effectiveness of different compaction mitigation measures, including natural, tillage, and biological, is systematically discussed. Compared with soil compaction mitigation measures, prevention should be the top priority although there is still a lack of practical prevention methods. Soil conditions and agricultural machinery type are the main factors affecting the risk of soil compaction in the process of soil compaction. Therefore, it is particularly important to optimize the soil working conditions in the field and the type of farm machinery used to reduce the risk of soil compaction. This initiative is pivotal for ensuring sustainable systems for food production and recovering crop productivity from compacted soil.

Governance Quality And Economic Growth In The Caribbean In Times Of Covid-19

ABSTRACT: The Caribbean region faces a daunting challenge as it confronts the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to shed light on the intricate relationship between governance quality and the economic performance of Caribbean nations, especially in the context of a global health crisis. Our research method involves a panel-random effects model, which captures the effects of governance quality and the COVID-19 pandemic on economic growth. We utilize data from various Caribbean countries, considering six dimensions of governance quality, trade openness, inflation, investment, and human capital. This comprehensive approach ensures a nuanced understanding of the region’s economic landscape during these turbulent times. Our findings expose a significant negative association between the various dimensions of governance and the ongoing pandemic crisis. Specifically, governance indicators such as voice and accountability, rule of law, political stability, and absence of violence, along with government effectiveness, emerge as positive catalysts for economic growth. On the contrary, the control of corruption and regulatory quality demonstrate a notable negative impact on growth. Furthermore, our research unveils that investment and human capital significantly contribute to boosting output growth in the Caribbean. Conversely, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and trade openness is observed to be detrimental to economic growth. These findings corroborate existing empirical evidence on the governance-growth nexus, underscoring the complex interplay between governance and economic development. These results emphasize the urgency of long-term strategies to enhance governance quality in Caribbean countries. It is imperative to bolster the capacity of governments to address future epidemic episodes, recognizing the persistent threat of pandemics. Policymakers should prioritize measures that promote voice and accountability, rule of law, political stability, and government effectiveness while addressing corruption and regulatory quality issues. This research holds profound significance for both academics and policymakers, offering a pathway to stable and sustainable long-term economic growth and calling for proactive preparedness in the face of future global health challenges. It also invites further research in this critical area.

Ready or Not? The Emergency Preparedness State-of-art Among Italian Public Health Medical Residents

Abstract Objectives Italy often experiences major events, such as earthquakes, floods, and migrant shipwrecks. Current and future global challenges for health workers are made up by climate change, pandemics, and wars. In this work, we will assess the state-of-art of training and interest towards these challenges among Italian post-degree public health schools. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Italy in June 2023 among Italian public health residents. The study investigated training levels and updates regarding emergencies in Italian residencies. It also analyzed interest and importance of topic, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and sources of information. Results Of 289 respondents, 86.2% deemed the topic important and 74.4% expressed interest. 90.1% pointed out the lack of dedicated courses and 93.1% of specialized master’s programs. Perceived importance in the topic was associated with the desire to attend dedicated conferences. As for COVID-19, 24.6% recognized the importance of this topic pre-pandemic, while 50.9% raised awareness during the pandemic. Conclusions This survey shows the need for the offer of emergency training programs in Italian public health schools. Professionals in public health can make a great contribution to emergencies, not only in preparedness, but also in response and recovery phases.

Menelusuri Peran Profisiensi Bahasa Inggris Dalam Sistem Informasi Akuntansi Dalam Pelaporan Keuangan Global

This study aims to explore the role of English proficiency in accounting information systems, as well as its implications for global financial reporting. The study was conducted for one month in January 2024 at STIE Ganesha, involving 20 college students. The research method used is a qualitative approach, with data collection through interviews and observation. The findings show that English proficiency has a significant impact on the use of accounting information systems and understanding of global financial reporting. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of developing English language skills among accounting students and professionals to improve the quality of financial reporting accessed globally. This research is important because it fills a gap in understanding of the role of English proficiency in accounting information systems for global financial reporting. The implication is that a better understanding of the relationship between English proficiency and needs in the context of accounting information systems will help prepare accounting students for more success in their careers, especially in an increasingly connected global business environment. In addition, this research can also provide new insights for educational institutions and the world of work in designing curricula and training that are more relevant and effective in preparing accounting professionals to deal with future global challenges.

THE IMPACT OF DUOLINGO TECHNOLOGY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING ON STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENT

Consequences of tech-Based Applications on English Learning a Language: A Case Study of Duolingo what part does technology play in the field pertaining to the English language learning has experienced a notable surge in importance within contemporary society. Duolingo provides a novel methodology for enhancing interactive and autonomous language acquisition. The utilisation technical means in language learning within the context of Indonesia presents a range of pertinent concerns. The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of Duolingo technology on individuals' levels of English proficiency. The study additionally exhibits a profound dedication to meticulous research methodologies and ethical principles. Ensuring the respect of study participants' rights and security is achieved through the voluntary involvement of students and the acquisition of consent from the school. In summary, this study significantly enhances our comprehension of the correlation between the utilisation of technology in the context of English language acquisition and academic performance among high school students. The study employs a rigorous experimental methodology to establish a solid empirical basis for advocating the use of technology-based apps in the context of English language acquisition. The consequences of this phenomenon have the potential to influence educational policies and pedagogical approaches in order to improve students' competency in the English language, equipping them with the necessary skills to tackle future global challenges.

A Letter on the International Science Youth Forum: Celebrating a Community of Young Science Talents that Connects, Collaborates and Communicates

The nurturing of top young science talents remains vital in helping to mitigate current and future global challenges. Written in the form of a letter, this paper chronicles the major activities of the International Science Youth Forum, an annual event held in Singapore where top young science talents from across the world have the opportunity to interact with Nobel Laureates and other eminent scientists. Reflections of the student and educators who participated in this event are also documented, and it is hoped that their experiences can pave the way for other similar activities to be organized worldwide.

Global societal challenges: a plea for strong voices from developmental psychology

ABSTRACT The world is facing complex global societal challenges including accelerating climate change, a pandemic, rising social inequalities also in well-functioning welfare states, cultural and linguistic diversity, and a renewed call for racial justice. Developmental psychology can make strong contributions to address these and other global challenges because developmental psychologists have the necessary theoretical, methodological, and empirical knowledge. This paper discusses (1) the usefulness of a relational developmental theoretical perspective, (2) implications for study designs and methodologies, (3) which competences should ideally be fostered early on to prepare adults to cope with global societal challenges that need high levels of future-oriented, cooperative, and collective efforts, and (4) the implementation gap between what is known in developmental psychology and what is done in educational settings. Overall, this paper is a plea for strong voices from developmental psychology to help solve current and future global societal challenges.

Bereavement issues and prolonged grief disorder: A global perspective.

The death of a loved one - bereavement - is a universal experience that marks the human mental health condition. Grief - the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to bereavement - is thus experienced by virtually everyone at some point in life, while mourning is a process through which grievers come to terms with the loss envisioning life without the deceased. Although distress subsides over time among most bereaved individuals, a minority will develop a condition recently identified as prolonged grief disorder (PGD). The present review provides a global perspective on bereavement, grief reactions, and PGD. Although the loss of a loved one and grief reactions are in general experienced consistently across different cultures, differences and variations in their expression may exist across cultures. Especially within specific populations that may be more at risk for PGD, possibly due to risk factors associated with the mechanisms of loss (e.g., refugees, migrants, and conflict survivors). The diagnostic criteria for PGD are mostly based on Western grieving populations, and cultural adaptations of PGD treatments are limited. Therefore, cross-cultural development and validation of PGD screening/assessment is critical to support future research on grief reactions and PGD, especially in non-Western contexts, and concerning the potential future global changes and challenges that appear to have a major impact on PGD. More transcultural research on PGD is needed to contextualize and will lead to culture-bound symptom identification of PGD, and the adaptation of current treatment protocols, which may ultimately improve health at the individual level, and health-care systems.

A Step toward Water Use Sustainability: Implementing a Business Model Canvas for Irrigation Advisory Services

Some major future global challenges are linked to more efficient use of water for irrigation to respond to the growing water scarcity coupled with the increasing food demand. Although irrigation advisory services (IASs) are considered effective instruments to increase water use efficiency in agriculture, their diffusion remains limited. This is due to several constraints mainly linked to their low accessibility and high costs. To overcome the bottlenecks associated with IASs’ adoption, this paper proposes a business model (BM) as a tool for scaling up IASs within a business perspective, with the aim of encouraging the diffusion of this technology while enhancing the associated environmental and social benefits. Drawn from the experience of the OPERA project, we structured the business model taking advantage of the opinion of relevant stakeholders and IASs’ potential users to identify specific limitations and understand their needs. It turned out that farmers are willing to adopt IASs but require that the service is easily accessible, with high-quality information that are delivered at an affordable cost. Indeed, here a BM with an innovative way to produce and deliver value is proposed. The value proposition is built upon key features namely, integration, customization, accessibility, and sustainability that reflect users’ needs and preferences. Our BM also provides a detailed revenues strategy that guarantees the financial sustainability of IASs. To design and represent our BM, the “Business Model Canvas ©” has been adopted. We concluded that an innovative and well-structured BM has the potential to leave the IASs profitable and capable to ensure environmental and social sustainability.

Blue Economy and Power Politics in the Indian Ocean: Challenges and Opportunities

In order to meet the future global economic challenges, the understanding of the dynamics of the Oceans, in terms of trading aspect, is as essential for the international states as Oxygen is important for the survival of the human beings. This study is an effort to explore the Indian Ocean in the context of "Blue Economy". The Indian Ocean has been presented by the maritime strategists, as an important alternate option, in terms of the increasing dependency of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia on natural resource flows. As being the third-largest ocean in the world, it has grown its’ significance in global politics over the past three decades. It has unique geographic structure, bounded by Australia toward the South-East, Africa in the West and Asia in the North and East. Inspite of enjoying substantial size, expanding population and abundant natural resources, it has long been comparatively neglected in global geopolitics by the superpowers in 20th century. But now, rapidly growing economic challenges compelled the international states to take the Indian Ocean from economic perspective. The objectives of the study are to examine the dynamics of the Indian Ocean from both strategic and economic perspectives, to highlight the challenges, facing by China and Pakistan as a result of the Indian Maritime Strategy in the Indian Ocean and the presence of US naval forces there and finally, to identify those areas where Pakistan-China might be able to take advantage of the Indian Ocean, in the perspective of the Blue Economy. The qualitative study has been grounded, based on secondary data by applying the theory of balance of power. Finally, it offered some recommendations for China and Pakistan regarding how to address the problems that the US and India have placed in the Indian Ocean.

Staff Perceptions of Dying and Death in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit During COVID-19.

Strict visitor restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have been associated with staff moral distress in numerous clinical settings, yet little is known about effects on perceptions of pediatric end-of-life care. To determine the effect of COVID-19 visitor restrictions on perceptions of quality of dying and death. This was a cross-sectional survey of interdisciplinary staff caring for dying children in a cardiac intensive care unit with flexible visitation allowances compared with published policies reported in the literature at the time. No significant difference in perceptions of quality of dying and death was found between the prepandemic and pandemic periods despite similar clinical care provision. The relatively less stringent allowances at end of life did not adversely affect staff risk for infection. The findings support affording some flexibility to visitation at end of life, which may mitigate negative staff perceptions of quality of dying and death. With the profound effects of COVID-19 on end-of-life care provision, these results may have implications for future global challenges.

Designing sustainable innovations in manufacturing: A systems engineering approach

Innovating manufacturing systems can substantially support a sustainable transformation of value creation across the industry towards higher sustainability maturity levels. The research presents a novel systems engineering approach for innovating manufacturing systems with a focus on sustainability. The systems engineering approach aims at supporting manufacturing companies in realizing sustainable innovations. It allows companies to cope with current and future global challenges while maintaining and improving their competitiveness. The concepts of integrated values and global innovation pathways set the research's scope and practical relevance. A narrative literature review of the earlier and later phase of the sustainable-oriented innovation process is presented. The systems engineering approach for creating sustainable manufacturing innovations with a defined macro and micro cycle is introduced. The macro cycle determines the important design phases for the life cycle of the innovation while the micro cycle provides a process for finding sustainable solutions. A case study grounded on a start-up that developed an innovative wind turbine tower system is introduced for verifying, validating, and evaluating the proposed systems engineering approach within the application field of manufacturing large-scale products.

From the Guest Editor

This issue of the OLA Quarterly explores “Accelerated Change”—how the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated and encouraged positive changes in Oregon libraries. Articles illustrate how conditions of the pandemic either created opportunities to implement new ideas, illuminated the need to address known barriers to access, or provided the challenge needed to think differently about the impact of library services. Centering the rebuilding and development of new relationships with users and partners will help libraries assure sustainable services through future global challenges.