Halal tourism development in Indonesia has strong economic potential; however, its implementation remains uneven across regions due to fragmented governance and limited stakeholder integration. This study aims to analyze halal tourism development in Semarang City by examining institutional roles, supporting and inhibiting factors, and implementation mechanisms. A qualitative descriptive approach was applied using purposive sampling, with data collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis. The findings, derived from interviews with government officials, tourism stakeholders, and field observations of tourism services, show that halal tourism development in Semarang is supported by inter-agency collaboration, cross-sectoral coordination, and digital promotion strategies. Field evidence indicates that coordination between tourism and food-related agencies plays a key role in accelerating SME halal certification support, while tourism sites have gradually integrated Muslim-friendly services such as prayer facilities and halal food information systems. However, challenges remain, particularly related to differing perceptions of halal tourism among industry actors, uneven institutional coordination, and limited human resource capacity. These findings highlight that implementation gaps are not only structural but also shaped by stakeholder understanding and operational readiness at the local level. In addition, SME halal certification support and the strengthening of halal value chains remain important determinants of tourism performance in the city. The study contributes to halal tourism governance literature by emphasizing the role of micro-level coordination and stakeholder perception in shaping policy implementation outcomes, while practically suggesting stronger inter-agency coordination, clearer communication of halal tourism concepts, and targeted capacity-building programs for tourism actors.

ABSTRACT This article contends that Indian corporate law governing corporate purpose embodies a structural tension, evident in two respects: first, an imbalance between directors’ duties and shareholders’ rights, which leaves questions around controlling shareholders’ accountability unaddressed; second, contradictions in its underlying theoretical foundations, which generate conceptual ambiguities. We examine the Indian approach through an analysis of these interrelated elements, highlighting their implications for the implementation of stakeholder governance. In so doing, we assess three corporate governance theories underpinning the Indian framework, namely, shareholder primacy, stakeholder theory and real entity theory, and how their coexistence reinforces ambiguities. We then evaluate the distribution of powers, rights and duties among corporate constituencies under Indian corporate law, identifying configurations that contribute to governance misalignments. Lastly, we evaluate how anchoring the Indian stakeholder governance approach in the real entity conception can address the identified ambiguities and provide an appropriate theoretical basis for operationalising a broader corporate purpose.

ABSTRACT Initially constructed for wine production and storage, the Rajac wine cellars represent a unique nineteenth-century complex in eastern Serbia, which has recently gained attention due to revitalization efforts. As there is a lack of empirical research on heritage preservation integrated with sustainable tourism development concerning this complex, the main objective of this study was to explore its sustainable development potential through the perspectives of key stakeholders. By applying a qualitative methodology involving seventeen semi-structured interviews with representatives of travel agencies and local entrepreneurs, the study identified current challenges and offered recommendations for the sustainable transformation of the complex into a heritage-based wine tourism destination. The interviews revealed shared concerns about deteriorating infrastructure, workforce shortages, and insufficient institutional support, emphasizing the need for stronger stakeholder governance and post-intervention support. This study contributes to linking heritage preservation with sustainable tourism governance in rural contexts, offering practical guidance adaptable to similar heritage destinations.

Multinational financing facilities to improve environmental quality had been implemented by Indonesia at the fourth quarter of 2022, as Norway’s grant about USD 56 under the Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 program. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and impact of the Norwegian grant on the development of Indonesia’s green economy using Indonesia’s 52-sector Input-Output analysis 2016 that already updated to 2025, interviews and documentation. This research finds that Norway’s grant was allocated under a Result-Based Contribution (RBC) scheme, achieved an effectiveness rate of 52% in 2023. It also boosted economic growth through increased output (Rp735,39 billion) and gross value added (Rp607,80 billion), enhanced by downstream forest product industries. Nonetheless, optimization gaps remain, particularly in governance quality, stakeholder synergy, and community-based downstream forestry initiatives.

The multifunctional role of water resources and their interconnections with the broader Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus necessitate a deeper understanding of complex governance structures involving diverse stakeholders. In this study, an integrated approach was developed in which stakeholder analysis (SA) and social network analysis (SNA) were supported by the water value chain (WVC) framework to categorize the key actors in watershed management, analyze network cohesion, and identify opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration within the WEFE nexus. The Porsuk Watershed, located in a semi-arid region with growing resource challenges, offers a compelling case for exploring these governance dynamics. The findings revealed a fragmented water management structure with overlapping responsibilities, leading to inefficiencies and coordination challenges. Governmental bodies, national actors, and stakeholders in the "Manage Closely" quadrant of the interest-influence matrix exhibited strong internal collaboration within their respective groups but engaged less with other groups. Similarly, stakeholders within WEFE components showed stronger in-group collaboration than cross-group interactions, which exacerbated resource inefficiencies, increased trade-offs, and restricted synergies, thereby emphasizing the need for improved inter-sectoral coordination. Downstream actors demonstrated a higher interest in water governance than upstream actors due to their vulnerability to upstream decisions, while upstream actors showed a lower interest as they are less directly affected by the externalities they create. The information network exhibited fragmented information flow dominated by central actors, while academics, research institutions, and NGOs remained underutilized, limiting their influence despite their expertise. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of this integrated approach in understanding the social dynamics of WEFE nexus governance in watersheds.

‘The blooming flower under the Garuda Bird’: Articulation and agency in safeguarding intangible culture in Indonesia's new capital city

Improving energy efficiency in residential buildings is critical to combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Retrofitting existing buildings –that are major contributors to energy use– is therefore a key priority, particularly in regions with outdated building stock. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can automate retrofit decision-making and find retrofit strategies. However, their implementation faces challenges of data availability, trust and alignment with trustworthiness guidelines, as well as compliance to AI regulations. This paper presents a trustworthy-by-design ML-based decision support framework that recommends energy efficiency strategies for residential buildings using minimal user-accessible inputs. The framework employs Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Networks (CTGAN) to augment limited and imbalanced data, while neural network-based multi-label classifier identifies potential combinations of retrofit measures. An Explainable AI (XAI) layer using SHAP is also incorporated to clarify the rationale behind recommendations, validate the model, and guide feature engineering. Two case studies on distinct datasets validate performance and replicability: i) a well-established, large Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) dataset for England and Wales; ii) an imbalanced post-retrofit dataset from Latvia (RETROFIT-LAT). Results demonstrate that the framework can handle diverse data conditions and improve performance up to 53% compared to the baseline model without XAI and synthetic data generation. Overall, the proposed framework provides a novel, user-friendly classification-based solution for building retrofit decision support that incorporates the trustworthiness aspects of transparency, human oversight, data governance, and fairness and aids stakeholders in achieving effective energy efficiency investments while aligning with AI regulation and ethical standards.

Hydroxyurea is a vital medication for managing Sickle cell disease, yet access and adherence remain significant challenges in low-resource settings. This qualitative study explored challenges and opportunities in hydroxyurea access and adherence among Sickle cell disease patients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Alongside, the utility of the Ahodwo CommCare mobile App in enhancing Sickle cell disease management was explored. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists from May 12 to August 15, 2022. This study found that the key barriers to hydroxyurea access and adherence include financial constraints, medication stock-outs, administrative inefficiencies, bureaucratic delays, patient-related factors such as forgetfulness and concerns about side effects, and practical challenges in administering the medication especially to children. The healthcare workers indicated that reconstituting the medication into suspension added both cost and time constraints to children who cannot take capsules hence affecting access to hydroxyurea. Facilitators to access and adherence identified included patient education, streamlined procurement processes, and government support for medication subsidies. This study found that patient education sessions should emphasize the benefits of hydroxyurea treatment and the importance of adherence to prescribed regimens. The study also revealed limited awareness and utilization of the Ahodwo CommCare app among healthcare personnel, highlighting the need for targeted training and integration into clinical workflows. These findings underscore the importance of multifaceted interventions involving healthcare workers, hospital management, and government stakeholders to improve hydroxyurea access and adherence, ultimately enhancing Sickle cell disease patient outcomes.

ABSTRACT The increasing sophistication of cyber threats has exposed the limitations of traditional cyber risk management approaches that rely on reactive controls and periodic assessments. Simultaneously, audit and compliance functions continue to operate in a largely retrospective manner, creating a disconnect between emerging cyber risks and governance mechanisms. This paper proposes an AI-Driven Predictive Cyber Risk Management (AIPCRM) framework that integrates predictive cybersecurity intelligence with audit and compliance operations. The framework combines machine learning techniques, including behavioral analytics, anomaly detection, and threat forecasting, with enterprise governance, risk, and compliance systems to enable proactive risk identification and continuous monitoring. A key contribution is the Explainable Predictive Risk Index (EPRI), which converts AI-generated risk outputs into interpretable and auditable metrics for governance stakeholders. The framework further aligns predictive outputs with established standards such as COBIT 2019, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, enabling real-time compliance validation and continuous auditing. A scenario-based illustration demonstrates how predictive intelligence can identify potential cyber incidents before exploitation and trigger automated audit responses. The study highlights improved risk visibility, faster governance response, and enhanced compliance effectiveness while addressing challenges related to explainability, model governance, and regulatory acceptance.

Climate change has become a major global challenge with significant effects on many sectors, including tourism. Mustang, Nepal, located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas and known for its distinctive geography and rich cultural heritage offers an important case for examining how climate change affects tourism-dependent economies. Rising temperatures and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns are putting pressure on Mustang’s fragile ecosystem, threatening both its biodiversity and the socio-economic stability of local communities that rely heavily on tourism. Despite these growing concerns, only limited research has been conducted on the impacts of climate change on the tourism sector, particularly in the Lower Mustang region. The present research aims at exploring the effects of climate change on tourism in lower Mustang, Nepal. We have formulated open-ended interview guidelines followed by purposive sampling technique to capture the first-hand and in-depth descriptions of stakeholders’ perceptions. Thirty concerned stakeholders were interviewed including hotel owners, local business operators, local people and visitors followed by member checking. The qualitative data collected from study area are supported by secondary data received from the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and the Department of Hydrology and Meterology (DHM). The result shows that average temperature and rainfall have been increasing in Mustang because of climate change. To overcome the challenges caused by rising temperature and consequences such as untimely rainfall, decreasing snowfall and increasing snowmelt on higher mountain, the government and other stakeholders should address these issues quickly for sustainable tourism in Mustang, Nepal. Furthermore, it aims to propose adaptive strategies that can mitigate these impacts and promote sustainable tourism practices in Mustang.

BackgroundTobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Despite the prevalence of cigarette smoking in Lao PDR (51% in men and 7% in women), no national tobacco treatment programs are available. Therefore, the development and evaluation of sustainable tobacco cessation interventions suitable for widespread adoption in Lao PDR are pressing public health needs.ObjectiveThis project aims to adapt our theoretically and empirically based mobile health (mHealth) technology to help people quit smoking cigarettes in Lao PDR.MethodsOur mHealth approach includes a fully automated, interactive, personalized, smartphone-delivered intervention for behavioral treatment. This project includes 2 main phases. In the first phase, we use formative research methods to adapt our intervention content to the sociocultural context, language, and communication styles of Laotians. In the second phase, we conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of our mHealth intervention. In the trial, adult smokers are recruited through 2 national hospitals: Setthathirath Hospital in Vientiane and Champasak Hospital in Champasak Province. Participants (n=500) are randomized to either the standard care (SC; n=250) or automated treatment (AT; n=250) group. SC consists of brief advice to quit smoking delivered by research staff, self-help written materials, and a 2-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy (transdermal patches). AT consists of all SC components plus a fully automated smartphone–based treatment program that involves interactive and personalized proactive messages, images, or videos. The primary health outcome of the trial is biochemically confirmed self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence 12 months post study enrollment. Secondary outcomes include abstinence at 3 and 6 months post enrollment.ResultsThis study was approved by the ethical review boards of the respective domestic and international institutions. Data collection for the formative phase occurred from January 2022 to May 2023, and data analyses are ongoing. Data collection for the trial phase is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.ConclusionsIf the proposed project is successful, it has the potential to transform health care services for tobacco treatment throughout Lao PDR and, ultimately, to significantly reduce tobacco-induced morbidity and mortality in the country. The AT’s potential for widespread adoption and sustainability is enhanced by the direct involvement of Lao governmental stakeholders at multiple national institutes. Furthermore, the US-Lao collaborative work and capacity-building activities in this project will contribute to creating a knowledge base for mHealth research applications and advancing mHealth research capacity in Lao PDR.

Tourism is one of the strategic economic sectors in West Sumatra Province, yet its development continues to face challenges in sustainable destination management. This study aims to analyze the role of the Regional Tourism Development Master Plan of West Sumatra Province in managing tourism policies. The research object is tourism policy management in West Sumatra Province. This study employed a qualitative approach through document analysis and interviews, with the researcher acting as the main instrument. The findings indicate that the Regional Tourism Development Master Plan has formulated policies focused on environmentally friendly infrastructure development, culture-based tourism, and community empowerment. However, policy implementation still encounters obstacles, including weak coordination among government institutions, limited budget allocation, and low community participation. Despite these challenges, the Regional Tourism Development Master Plan has substantial potential to support sustainable tourism management if implemented effectively. Therefore, strong synergy among government stakeholders and a high level of commitment are essential to optimize tourism policy management and ensure sustainable tourism development in West Sumatra Province

Corruption in public procurement remains a persistent global challenge, undermining economic efficiency, governance, and public trust. This study synthesizes the impacts of anti-corruption technologies, particularly eprocurement systems and open contracting frameworks, with a focus on their effectiveness in enhancing transparency, accountability, integrity, and openness (TAIO). Drawing on cross-country empirical evidence and policy-oriented literature, the paper examines how digital procurement platforms and the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) influence governance outcomes, efficiency gains, and competitive dynamics. Findings indicate that these technologies significantly reduce opportunities for leakage and misconduct, improve auditability, and enhance participation and supplier diversity, especially among smaller firms. However, the evidence suggests that while efficiency and transparency gains are robust, improvements in integrity outcomes are more modest and highly dependent on governance arrangements, institutional capacity, and stakeholder engagement. The study also identifies key risks, including data quality challenges, privacy concerns, technological capture, and vendor lock-in, which may undermine long-term effectiveness. Ultimately, the analysis highlights that anti-corruption technologies are not standalone solutions but require complementary oversight mechanisms, strong governance frameworks, and sustained political commitment to achieve meaningful and equitable outcomes. Keywords: E-Procurement, Open Contracting, Anti-Corruption Technology, Transparency and Accountability and Public Procurement Governance.

Sustainable ecotourism development is an important strategy in regional development that integrates economic, social, and environmental aspects. Teba Majalangu, located in Kesiman Kertalangu Village, East Denpasar District, which means “a place to learn about nature,” has great potential to be developed as a sustainable ecotourism destination. This study aims to analyze the development of ecotourism in Teba Majalangu by identifying its potential, challenges, and appropriate development strategies. The research method employs both qualitative and quantitative approaches using SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). Data were obtained through field observations, interviews with village officials, tourism managers, and local communities, as well as documentation studies. The results show that Teba Majalangu possesses strengths such as unique natural landscapes, local cultural values, and community support, but still faces weaknesses such as limited infrastructure, lack of promotion, and low human resource capacity. Development opportunities are supported by the growing awareness of ecotourism among tourists, government support, and potential collaboration with various stakeholders, while threats include competition from other tourist destinations, environmental degradation, and climate change. Recommended strategies include optimizing natural and cultural potential, improving infrastructure and human resource capacity, strengthening promotion, and innovating sustainable tourism products. Through a holistic approach involving communities, government, and related stakeholders, the development of Teba Majalangu ecotourism is expected to improve local welfare while preserving the environment and culture.

IntroductionIncreasing populations and healthcare demand are leading to a burgeoning of private, nongovernmental and informal health providers addressing gaps left by overstretched public primary care and underresourced local government in urban areas in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). While evidence-based interventions exist to address common conditions in primary care, how to implement these interventions within complex urban health system is less clear. Enabling all relevant actors to feed their views and experiences into the process is seen as a key in co-design literature; however, the complexity of urban contexts makes planning and instigating such processes challenging. To inform future efforts to co-design system-wide approaches to implement existing evidence-based interventions in complex urban environments, we present reflective case studies from four cities in Bangladesh (Dhaka), Ghana (Accra), Nepal (Pokhara) and Nigeria (Enugu).MethodsWe used the definitions and domains of co-creation, co-design and co-production from Vargas et al. 2022 to analyse reports of design meetings from each city and conducted four workshops where research teams involved in the design processes developed timelines of design activities and decisions and reflected on their interactions with stakeholders including: city authorities, communities, informal providers, ministry officials and public and private primary care providers. We coded reports and workshop outputs according to domains identified by Vargas et al.: focus, stakeholders involved, their role and level of participation, communication, value creation, resultant initiative and potential outcomes.ResultsKey characteristics of co-production, co-design and co-creation were observed, often simultaneously, within each of the health system intervention development process. These categorizations varied by stakeholder (for example, city officials or communities) and at different points in the design process (for example, analysis or material development). The inclusion of locally generated research results was key in shaping and focussing the interventions and implementation strategies to ensure they addressed the realities of local health systems. Intense engagement with local government and health provider stakeholders facilitated their willingness to challenges and find appropriate solutions.ConclusionsCareful consideration of context, hierarchies among professionals, relationships between providers, underlying values and targeted use of locally generated qualitative and quantitative information to highlight gaps and strengths is key to developing implementation strategies to strengthen urban health systems.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12961-026-01467-4.

Abstract Governments are seeking innovative ways to address complex policy issues in increasingly fragmented and fiscally constrained service contexts. Co‐governance is a relatively new mechanism for facilitating collective decision‐making between government and other stakeholders. Effective co‐governance can be difficult to establish and resource‐ and time‐intensive to implement. This article presents findings from a study that aimed to develop a model for implementing effective co‐governance—relevant to both government and non‐government stakeholders. First, we developed a conceptual model of the co‐governance process based on a review of the literature. We then tested it in three very different co‐governance arrangements in Australia. Cross‐case analysis identified the drivers and process of co‐governance, components within each stage of the process, and factors that enabled its implementation. The model of co‐governance developed has practical application by guiding the implementation and evaluation of co‐governance and serving as a platform for future research. Points for practitioners Co‐governance—government and community sharing decision‐making—is being used to respond to complex issues but is not well understood. We develop an evidence‐based model of co‐governance using three Australian case studies. The model describes when to consider co‐governance, such as addressing complex, long‐term issues, where there are fragmented responsibilities, and where there is low trust. The model sets out the process to establish, implement, and monitor co‐governance and the factors that support this process. The model can be used by government and community organisations to consider whether co‐governance is appropriate and, if so, how to implement it. The model can also be a platform for future research.

This study examines the determinants of effective cluster policy design in Europe, with the aim of identifying how governance, funding, and stakeholder engagement shape outcomes. We analyse 21 policy instruments across eight territories using a mixed‑methods approach: expert‑panel benchmarking, descriptive analysis with Eurostat and ECCP/ESCA data (2018–2022), and hierarchical cluster analysis of seven design factors. The results reveal five distinct policy archetypes, differentiated by budget scale, ERDF/S3 alignment, duration, and co‑financing rules. Most instruments are ERDF‑funded and S3‑aligned, and a simple “political effort” measure, policy budget as a share of national GDP, proves useful for comparing territories of different economic sizes. Between 2018 and 2022, all territories expanded their cluster base, though persistent barriers remain, including bureaucracy, trust deficits, and limited managerial capacity. The findings highlight the importance of coherent governance, sustained funding, and active stakeholder involvement, and provide actionable recommendations for tailoring policy tools to cluster maturity. By clarifying constructs and reporting replicable measures, the paper advances transparency in cluster‑policy evaluation and offers practical insights for policymakers, regional development agencies, and cluster managers.

To examine systemic challenges to health system resilience in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, focusing on resource, management, and policy domains. Semi-structured interviews (n = 62) were conducted from January to April 2023 with health care professionals, patients, community leaders, nonprofits, and government stakeholders using purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted in Spanish, transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed. Resource failures centered on prolonged power outages (mean 62.7 days; up to 300 days), which cascaded into water, transport, and communication breakdowns. These disruptions endangered patients through interrupted surgeries, inoperable imaging, oxygen shortages, and infection control failures. Management challenges included depleted stockpiles, staff burnout, and workforce migration, which extended wait times to 6-8 months. Coordination was inconsistent, with duplication of aid in some areas and neglect in others, while top-down governance slowed response. Policy constraints compounded vulnerabilities: health insurance pre-authorizations delayed urgent care, capped Medicaid funds, and lack of federal parity, limited preparedness, and centralized aid distribution left rural communities underserved. Puerto Rico's health system resilience was undermined by interdependent failures across infrastructure, management, and policy. Building resilience will require investment in decentralized power, reforms to emergency insurance protocols, stronger inter-agency coordination, and equitable federal financing to ensure preparedness for future climate-related disasters.

BackgroundHospital-based Health Technology Assessment (HB-HTA) is increasingly recognized as a strategy to support evidence-informed decision-making at the hospital level, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study explored the challenges of developing HB-HTA in Iran from the perspectives of health system experts.MethodsThis qualitative descriptive study was conducted from July 2023 to February 2024. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 26 health system experts selected via purposive sampling and supplemented with snowball sampling. Data were analysed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework, supported by MAXQDA version 10 software. Credibility was enhanced through member checking with five participants outside the research team, investigator triangulation involving four researchers with expertise in health policy and HTA and consensus-based resolution of coding disagreements.ResultsAnalysis identified five main themes and 12 subthemes describing barriers to HB-HTA development in Iran. The themes included structural and organizational challenges, resource limitations, cultural and attitudinal barriers, knowledge and capacity gaps and external systemic constraints. Findings highlighted the lack of institutionalization of HB-HTA, inadequate policy support, limited trained personnel, resistance among clinicians, weak research culture, centralized governance and poor stakeholder collaboration.ConclusionsThe study provides critical insights into the multifaceted challenges hindering HB-HTA in Iran. The findings are valuable for policymakers, hospital managers and healthcare professionals by offering practical guidance to strengthen institutional capacity, improve evidence-informed decision-making and advance HTA integration into hospital systems. Addressing these barriers through targeted reforms and inclusive strategies could enhance efficiency, equity and quality of care.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12961-026-01475-4.

ABSTRACT This study investigates how diverse actors engage in agricultural governance in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, through the lens of the Dynamic Stakeholder Governance Innovation (DSGI) model. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews across five stakeholder groups were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, yielding ten themes: stakeholder experience, perceived benefits, challenges, solutions, current involvement, inclusivity and diversity, successful practices, recommendations, technology use, and policy influence. Cooperative-based enlightenment emerged as a key success factor, with cooperatives acting as knowledge brokers and accountability nodes that provide training, facilitate peer learning, and clarify roles, thereby enhancing participation and trust. The findings highlight how governance quality, interpersonal dynamics, and structured engagement mechanisms shape stakeholder voice and perceptions of legitimacy. These findings informed the Governance–Stakeholder Platforms for Institutional and Regulatory Extension (G-SPHERE) framework, which operationalizes stakeholder platforms to strengthen institutional coordination and regulatory adaptation. The study suggests transparency, inclusivity, and digital support to enhance agricultural policy and multi-stakeholder platforms.