This study addresses the challenge of accelerating bureaucratic innovation in local governments amid rigid organisational cultures and limited intergenerational synergy. Focusing on the City of Sukabumi, the research explores how the internalisation of BerAKHLAK values intersects with the implementation of Agile Bureaucracy to shape adaptive and innovative public service behaviour. While both frameworks have been promoted in Indonesia’s civil service reform agenda, few studies have analysed their combined effect at the municipal level. Employing a mixed-methods approach—quantitative surveys (n = 35) and focus group discussions with OPD stakeholders—this study finds a significant positivecorrelation (r = 0.551; p < 0.05) between value internalisation and organisational innovation capacity. Key enabling factors include leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and flexible structures, while hierarchical rigidity and generational divides act as barriers. The study contributes to public administration literature by offering an integrated framework that links values-based governance and agile organisational practices. Practically, it provides reform insights for mid-sized city governments seeking to foster more responsive, collaborative, and innovative bureaucracies. Sukabumi’s experience offers a relevant model for other second-tier cities facing similar governance and innovation challenges in decentralised public administration systems.

Enhancing urban energy efficiency is central to low-carbon transition and broader urban sustainability. However, whether innovation-oriented urban policy can generate such gains, through which channels it operates, and whether its effects extend beyond pilot cities remain insufficiently understood. Focusing on China’s Innovative City Pilot (ICP) program, this study uses panel data for 274 Chinese cities from 2006 to 2022 and treats the staggered implementation of the program as a quasi-natural experiment. A multi-period difference-in-differences model is employed to examine the impact of the ICP program on urban energy efficiency. The results show that the ICP program significantly improves urban energy efficiency, and this conclusion remains robust across a series of robustness checks. Mechanism analysis further suggests that the policy effect operates through lower per capita carbon emissions and stronger green technological innovation. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect is more pronounced in larger cities, economically more developed cities, and cities with stronger pre-existing innovation capacity. Spatial analysis indicates that the program generates not only significant local benefits but also positive spillover effects on neighboring cities. Overall, these findings suggest that innovation-oriented urban policies can promote energy-efficient, low-carbon, and more sustainable urban development, while highlighting the importance of regional coordination and local innovation capacity in shaping policy effectiveness.

In recent decades, corporate sustainability practices, consolidated under the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) perspective, have assumed a central role in organizational strategy, influencing not only financial performance but also long-term value creation. In this context, the growing relevance of intangible assets as fundamental mechanisms for generating sustainable competitive advantage stands out. Given this scenario, this study aimed to systematically map and analyze the existing scientific evidence on the influence of sustainability practices, from an ESG perspective, on the creation of intangible value in organizations. A systematic literature review was conducted based on publications retrieved from the Web of Science database covering the period from 2010 to 2025, following the PRISMA 2020 protocol. The findings indicate that the integration between ESG practices and intangible assets constitutes a fundamental element for sustainable competitive advantage, since positive socio-environmental performance tends to strengthen dimensions such as human capital, relational capital, structural capital, reputation, innovation, and intellectual property. Evidence suggests that companies with better ESG performance demonstrate greater resilience during crises, improved corporate reputation, and enhanced innovation capacity, reinforcing the role of intangibles as a link between sustainability and long-term value creation.

ABSTRACT This study develops a spatial–temporal composite indicator to assess the creative performance of European countries by integrating seven dimensions intrinsically linked to creativity, technology and innovation capacity. Employing the DP2 distance-based method and spatial econometric techniques, the research advances existing measurement approaches by providing a multidimensional and spatial perspective on creative dynamics. The results yield three key findings. First, a strong and persistent spatial polarisation in Europe, with creative performance clustering along a centre–periphery pattern and revealing widening territorial gaps. Second, significant spatial dependence and spillover effects suggest that creativity is shaped not only by domestic conditions but also by neighbouring countries’ trajectories, underscoring a mechanism of spatial diffusion critical for understanding innovation inequalities. Finally, human capital, employment in cultural and creative industries and technological development emerge as the principal drivers of creative and innovation potential. By providing an integrated analytical tool to monitor creative dynamics over time, this study delivers policy-relevant evidence to support convergence and guide the design of innovation strategies aligned with European objectives for competitiveness.

Managerial Innovation Capacity of Digital Nomads and Knowledge Sharing: Evidence from Morocco

This study empirically investigates whether AI-based technology valuation produces different outcomes compared to conventional expert-led evaluation methods. The Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC), a public institution that supports SME financing through credit guarantees, has implemented an AI-driven valuation system known as KPAS to assess firms’ intellectual property. To evaluate the effectiveness of this AI-based approach relative to traditional expert appraisals, we examine changes in two key performance indicators: firm sales, which reflect current business performance, and the Tech Index, which serves as a proxy for innovation capacity. Using a difference-in-differences (DID) framework combined with propensity score matching (PSM), we compare the post-guarantee performance of firms evaluated by each method. The results show that guarantees based on technology valuation improve firm performance overall, and that KPAS substantially reduces the time and cost of evaluation compared to expert appraisal. Despite its lower resource requirements, the AI-based method delivers performance outcomes that are comparable to, or even better than, those of traditional evaluations. These findings remain largely robust across alternative model specifications and offer empirical support for the broader adoption of AI-assisted valuation systems in technology finance.

Introduction Against the backdrop of China’s comprehensive push toward the “dual carbon” goals, local governments are expected not only to articulate green development commitments in annual work reports, but also to translate those commitments into concrete action through environmental governance inputs. Yet policy rhetoric and governance inputs do not always move in tandem, and whether such rhetoric–action divergence affects firms’ abatement behavior remains underexplored. Methods Using matched city–firm data from China for 2008–2015, this paper employs a two-way fixed effects model to examine how divergence between local governments’ environmental rhetoric and policy action affects firms’ carbon emission intensity and through which channels. Results We find that greater rhetoric–action divergence significantly increases firms’ carbon emission intensity: a one-standard-deviation increase in the gap raises carbon emission intensity by 3.4%. Mechanism analysis shows that this effect mainly operates through three channels: weakened city-level innovation capacity, reduced investment attraction, and lower environmental regulatory intensity. Heterogeneity analysis further indicates that the effect is more pronounced for state-owned enterprises and foreign-invested firms. Reducing the rhetoric–action gap generates sizable abatement gains and remains net beneficial even after accounting for the associated fiscal costs. Discussion Overall, the paper identifies rhetoric–action consistency as a distinct and underexplored dimension of local green governance quality. Strengthening such consistency can reinforce firms’ incentives to reduce emissions and allow environmental governance to deliver positive net gains under real fiscal constraints.

ABSTRACT This study empirically examines the structural determinants of energy independence (EIND) in Türkiye over the period 1990–2023, with a particular focus on Total Factor Productivity (TFP), Energy Efficiency R&D Effectiveness (EERDE), and Renewable Energy R&D Effectiveness (RENRDE). Grounded in Endogenous Growth Theory and the Porter Hypothesis, the analysis investigates how productivity dynamics and innovation effectiveness contribute to reducing external energy dependence in an energy‐import‐dependent economy. Employing quantile regression techniques, the findings reveal that TFP exerts a positive but diminishing effect on EIND at higher quantiles, indicating that productivity‐driven gains weaken as import dependence declines. EERDE demonstrates a statistically significant impact primarily at lower and middle quantiles, suggesting that institutional capacity and financial constraints limit its effectiveness at advanced stages. In contrast, RENRDE exhibits a strong, positive, and persistent influence on EIND across upper quantiles, highlighting the critical role of renewable energy innovation in achieving energy self‐sufficiency. Overall, the results provide partial support for both theoretical frameworks and emphasize that the sustainability of productivity‐led EIND depends on institutional stability, policy continuity, and effective R&D governance. The study concludes that strengthening domestic innovation capacity, improving the effectiveness of energy‐related R&D, and accelerating renewable technology localization are essential policy pathways for advancing Türkiye's progress toward SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Amid global carbon neutrality and sustainable development goals, and China’s transition toward high-quality green and sustainable growth, this study investigates how the Green Credit Policy (GCP) influences the sustainable innovation performance of high-polluting firms. Using Chinese A-share listed firms from 2007 to 2019 and a difference-in-differences (DID) design, we exploit the implementation of the GCP as a quasi-natural experiment to assess its long-term sustainability effects on corporate green transformation. The results reveal that while the GCP significantly promotes symbolic green innovation associated with regulatory compliance, it does not substantially enhance substantive green innovation, raising concerns about the effectiveness of green finance in fostering authentic and high-quality sustainability-oriented innovation. Further analysis shows pronounced heterogeneity across firm types. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) and large firms exhibit improvements in substantive green innovation, thereby contributing more effectively to long-term environmental sustainability and green transformation, whereas non-SOEs and small firms experience tightened financial constraints that crowd out R&D investment, ultimately undermining their sustainable innovation capacity. A series of robustness tests confirms the reliability of these findings. Overall, this study advances the literature on green finance and corporate sustainability by revealing firms’ strategic compliance behavior under sustainability-oriented financial regulation, highlighting uneven sustainability outcomes across firm types, and offering policy implications for refining green credit mechanisms to better support genuine green innovation and long-term sustainable development.

ABSTRACT The increasing salience of climate change has intensified attention to the roe of ESG ratings in shaping firms' green innovation. We examine the link between ESG performance and green innovation, highlighting the role of participation in global innovation networks. Our results indicate that higher ESG ratings significantly enhance green innovation. Heckman two‐stage estimates further reveal that ESG engagement encourages firms to integrate into global innovation networks, thereby strengthening their green innovation capacity. The effects, however, vary across firms' resource endowments, ownership types, and regulatory environments. Further mechanism tests reveal that supply chain concentration, managerial myopia, and financial distress weaken the ESG‐innovation link, whereas corporate digitalization strengthens it. These findings suggest that ESG practices can function as a strategic instrument for promoting green innovation. Accordingly, enhancing ESG disclosure standards and improving institutional support for global innovation collaboration can accelerate green technological upgrading. For firms, embedding ESG practices into strategic decision‐making and advancing digital transformation can enhance innovation resilience and long‐term competitiveness. Overall, our framework positions ESG not merely as a compliance device but as a strategic lever for sustainable innovation and global competitiveness in the transition to a low‐carbon economy.

Background: This study investigates the influence of green accounting practices on economic growth in middle-income economies, emphasizing the mediating role of technological innovation and the moderating effect of regulatory quality. It seeks to clarify whether environmental accounting frameworks can simultaneously support economic expansion and sustainability across diverse institutional and innovation contexts. Methods: Guided by Ecological Modernization Theory, Endogenous Growth Theory, and Institutional Theory, the study uses balanced panel data from 24 middle-income countries spanning 2010–2023. Fixed-effects regressions assess direct effects, Baron and Kenny’s (1986) mediation framework examines technological innovation’s role, and moderated regression models evaluate regulatory quality’s conditioning influence. Findings: Green accounting significantly enhances aggregate GDP growth but may constrain short-term per capita welfare, reflecting transitional distributional trade-offs. While green accounting promotes technological innovation, this channel does not mediate its effect on economic growth. Strong regulatory quality, particularly rule-of-law enforcement, amplifies the positive impact of green accounting on economic performance. Conclusion: Policymakers should integrate green accounting into broader governance and innovation strategies. Aligning environmental disclosure with fiscal incentives, R&D investment, and transparent regulatory systems can foster inclusive and sustainable growth trajectories. Findings may have limited generalizability across all middle-income economies due to institutional heterogeneity and data constraints. Future studies could expand country coverage and examine sector-specific effects. Novelty/Originality of this article: The study offers an integrated empirical framework demonstrating how institutional quality and innovation capacity jointly shape the developmental returns of green accounting, providing actionable insights for sustainable growth in emerging economies.

Although previous studies on green transformation mainly emphasize macro-level policies and environmental management, empirical analyses focusing on industrial clusters in Vietnam remain limited. This paper investigates the factors affecting green transformation in industrial clusters in Hanoi, Vietnam. Based on the theoretical framework of institutional theory and resource-based view, a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was applied to identify and measure the effects of key determinants, including institutional framework, human resources, financial resources, innovation capacity, and environmental regulation. Data were collected from 300 valid responses across 8 industrial clusters in Hanoi. The measurement model was validated using Cronbach’s Alpha, EFA, and CFA, with good reliability and fit indices (GFI = 0.917, CFI = 0.959, RMSEA = 0.043). SEM results indicate that financial resources exert the most substantial positive influence on the effectiveness of green transformation policies, followed by human resources. The study contributes empirical evidence to the understanding of micro-level dynamics driving green transformation within Vietnam’s industrial clusters and offers managerial and policy implications for promoting sustainable industrial development.

ABSTRACT Supporting high-quality economic development constitutes a critical objective and fundamental criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of China’s world-class universities and world-class disciplines initiative (hereafter referred to as the ‘Double World-Class’ policy). This study is the first to employ a spatial difference-in-differences model to quantitatively examine the impact of the Double World-Class policy on urban innovation capacity in China and its underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrate that the Double World-Class policy significantly improves the innovation capacity of both local and neighbouring cities, with a spatial attenuation boundary of 350 km. Further analysis indicates that S&T talent mobility and R&D cooperation exert positive moderating effects, amplifying the policy’s contribution to urban innovation capacity in local and neighbouring cities. Moreover, the promotional effect of the Double World-Class policy on urban innovation capacity is more pronounced in eastern China.

ABSTRACT This study examines how hidden champions (HCs) achieve superior supply chain efficiency (SCE). Existing research links SCE to innovation and digitalisation, but treating these factors independently obscures their interdependencies. Particularly for HCs, different configurations of factors may exert asymmetric effects on SCE performance. To identify the factors influencing the improvement of SCE in HCs, we adopt the Technology-Organization-Environment framework, combining Necessary Condition Analysis and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis. Based on data from A-share listed non-financial HCs in China, the study reveals the following findings: (1) Among HCs, high SCE is jointly enabled by innovation, digitalisation, adaptive capacity, managerial capability, regional development, and subsidies. (2) Four effective configurations for enhancing SCE in HCs are identified across different conditions. (3) In specific circumstances, high levels of government subsidies can serve as a core driver in the configuration pathways. (4) With government subsidies, innovation and adaptive capacity act as substitutes in achieving high SCE.

This special issue advances the literature by examining the theory and practice of decision‑making in public finance and management during governance reforms, fiscal stress, and uncertainty. The four articles provide in‑depth empirical and comparative analyses in Slovakia, the United States, and Hungary, offering practical insights for policymakers and public managers confronting fiscal challenges. Collectively, the manuscripts address four interrelated themes: (a) decision‑making in public and banking sectors under conditions of fiscal stress; (b) comparative approaches to monitoring municipal fiscal health; (c) the dynamics of governance reforms in diverse institutional and national contexts; and (d) the impact of digital technologies on expenditures, social cohesion, innovation capacity, and competitiveness in settlements and regions. By integrating theoretical frameworks with applied research, this special issue enhances understanding of how the public and banking sectors interpret and respond to fiscal stress, while offering evidence‑based guidance for strengthening resilience, accountability, and long‑term fiscal sustainability. Looking forward, comparative research and policy experimentation will be essential to deepen insights into wise decision‑making under uncertainty.

Abstract Introduction Rapid advances in digital technology, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to transform pharmacy practice. While other healthcare professions have explored these impacts,[1] evidence capturing pharmacists’ perspectives, particularly within the UK, remains limited. Aim To achieve consensus among expert Welsh pharmacists via the Delphi method on: (1) anticipated impact of emerging technologies by 2030; (2) priority innovations for pharmacy practice by 2050; and (3) key enablers and barriers to implementation. Methods A three-round electronic Delphi study was conducted between September 2023 and January 2024 using Qualtrics XM. Thirty-eight expert pharmacists were recruited through purposeful and snowball sampling (including members of the Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee and other senior NHS Wales pharmacists). Round one collected qualitative data via open-ended questions. This was thematically analysed[2] to develop predictive and prioritisation statements for subsequent rounds. Statements incorporated participants’ own language to enhance reliability and reduce bias. In rounds two and three, participants rated and ranked these statements, with consensus defined as >70% agreement. Survey materials were piloted for validity and anonymity was maintained. Results The study achieved a high initial response rate (70%), low attrition (82% completed round three) and broad participation across pharmacy sectors. Targeted recruitment strategies were shown to improve participant engagement. Consensus was reached on 31 of 39 statements. By 2030, participants predicted widespread adoption of digital systems, including electronic medicines records (94%), digitalised procurement and invoicing (94%) and fully automated dispensing (88%). High agreement was also observed for AI-assisted functions in medicines information (88%), pharmacy education (85%), patient advice (82%) and prescription validation (79%). Looking further ahead to 2050, consistent priorities for the experts includes integration of patient wearables, big data analytics and a single digital health record. The strongest consensus (97%) highlighted the enduring importance of pharmacists’ expertise in supporting, rather than being replaced by, AI systems, alongside challenges related to funding and digital integration. Participants were confident in Wales’s capacity for innovation, citing national infrastructure, robust professional networks and supportive leadership as key enablers. However, barriers such as fragmented systems, funding constraints and limited digital skills persist. Conclusion This is the first Delphi study capturing Welsh pharmacists’ predictions on the future role of digital technology and AI, providing insights into short- and long-term priorities for pharmacy practice. However, the absence of industry pharmacists may account for the lower prioritisation of technology and AI in drug discovery. These findings provide timely evidence for policymakers, educators and leaders to guide digital transformation in pharmacy, highlighting workforce readiness, infrastructure investment and clear strategic direction as priorities. Future research should include pharmacy technicians and support staff to provide a more comprehensive understanding of digital technology adoption across the pharmacy workforce. This study contributes original evidence to the literature and offers practical recommendations for shaping digital pharmacy policy and practice in Wales and comparable healthcare systems.

The article examines the role of the development of human resources potential of enterprises as a key factor in the integration of Ukrainian companies into the value-added chains of the European Union creative business. In the context of globalization, digital transformation, and the rapid development of creative industries, human capital becomes one of the most important strategic resources that determines the competitiveness and innovative capacity of enterprises. The study substantiates that the effective participation of companies in international value chains largely depends on the level of development of their personnel potential, including professional knowledge, creative abilities, digital competencies, and innovative thinking. The paper analyzes the essence and structure of human resources potential and identifies the key competencies necessary for the successful integration of enterprises into the European creative economy. Particular attention is paid to the role of continuous professional development and the formation of modern competencies that enable employees to adapt to the requirements of the global market and participate effectively in international cooperation. The study also highlights the main challenges faced by Ukrainian enterprises in the process of integration into EU value-added chains of creative industries. In order to overcome these challenges, the article substantiates the need to modernize professional education systems, develop dual education, strengthen cooperation between business, education, and research institutions, and introduce modern approaches to human resource management based on digital technologies and knowledge management systems. It is concluded that the development of human resources potential plays a decisive role in enhancing the competitiveness of Ukrainian enterprises and expanding their participation in international economic networks. Strengthening human capital and fostering creative and innovative competencies will contribute to the successful integration of Ukrainian companies into the value-added chains of the European creative economy.

Digital transformation is frequently argued to improve how agricultural businesses compete, coordinate, and capture value in markets, yet evidence remains limited of how regional innovation ecosystems shape farms’ digital readiness and how this readiness translates into accounting-relevant outcomes. This study addresses that gap by linking regional innovation capacity, observed farm digital readiness, and accounting performance within a single regional analytical framework. Using cross-sectional data for 180 EU NUTS2 regions (2023), we estimate a moderated mediation model with formative constructs based on harmonized secondary indicators. This study is original in shifting the analysis from the farm or firm level to the regional scale and in operationalizing digital readiness through observable uptake of precision technologies, robotics, livestock-management machinery, internet access, and management information systems. Regional innovation capacity is positively associated with farmers’ digital readiness, and digital readiness is positively associated with accounting performance in the baseline specification. The indirect pathway from innovation capacity to accounting performance via digital readiness is significant, consistent with digital readiness acting as a transmission channel through which ecosystems relate to measurable economic outcomes. Managerial composition conditions these relationships: the share of managers under 40 weakens both the ecosystem-to-digital link and the digital-to-performance link, while female managerial share shows only marginal moderation of the first stage and no significant moderation of the second. The findings provide a basis for future multilevel research and place-based policies and advisory actions aimed at strengthening digital uptake where regional innovation capacity is weaker.

ABSTRACT Africa's pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the realization of the African Union's Agenda 2063 depend on sustainable industrialization; however, governance inefficiencies, limited innovation capacity, and uneven institutional enforcement continue to constrain sustainable production and responsible consumption. Addressing these challenges, this study examines how governance mechanisms influence sustainable supply chain performance (SSCP) in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), focusing on the mediating role of sustainable innovation and the moderating effects of institutional pressures. Grounded in Strategic Governance Theory, the Resource‐Based View, and Institutional Theory, governance is conceptualized as a strategic capability that enables firms to transform sustainability‐oriented resources into performance outcomes within complex institutional contexts. Using panel data from 480 manufacturing firms across SSA (2010–2023) and applying dynamic panel and instrumental‐variable techniques to address endogeneity, the study finds that board independence, gender diversity, sustainability committees, and sustainability strategy integration significantly enhance SSCP. In contrast, CEO duality and executive compensation are negatively associated with SSCP, while board expertise diversity is not significant, suggesting contextual variation in governance effects. Sustainable innovation mediates the governance–SSCP relationship, and institutional pressures positively moderate it by amplifying the effect of governance on SSCP. Overall, the study extends sustainability governance research by integrating strategic, resource‐based, and institutional perspectives and offers actionable insights for firms and policymakers to strengthen governance, foster sustainability‐oriented innovation, and align institutional frameworks to accelerate progress toward SDG 9, SDG 12, and Agenda 2063.

Adoption of solar dryers among smallholder farmers in developing countries remains low, despite their proven potential to enhance food security. While prior studies emphasize techno-socio-economic barriers, they often overlook individual psychological traits that likely shape adoption behaviour, assuming uniform adoption patterns and limiting targeted interventions. This study addresses this gap by examining farmers’ technology readiness classes and assessing how psychological and sociodemographic factors influence solar dryer adoption. Using survey data from 447 horticultural smallholder farmers in northern Tanzania, the study was guided by the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) framework. Latent class analysis (LCA) was employed to segment farmers into distinct readiness classes, while categorical structural equation modelling (SEM) assessed the association of TRI traits, sociodemographic factors, and adoption probability. The results identified four technological readiness classes, with 95.5% of farmers in low-TR groups: hesitators (35.8%), sceptics (30.6%), and laggards (29.1%). Among TRI constructs, optimism (β = 0.59) and innovativeness (β = 0.32), along with education (β = 0.13), significantly increased the likelihood of adoption from 50% to 64%, 58%, and 53%, respectively. Gender (β = −0.323) indicated that male farmers’ probability of adopting solar dryers drops to 42%. These findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions that foster positive technology attitudes, enhance innovativeness, empower women, and support education-based capacity building. By integrating LCA with SEM, the study provides a novel, empirical demonstration of how psychological and sociodemographic factors jointly shape the likelihood of solar dryer adoption, offering actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to design context-specific strategies.