Interdisciplinary Linkages Research Articles

The role of forestry sciences in combating climate change and advancing sustainable development goals

IntroductionAs ecological disasters loom, forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to systematically examine the contribution of forestry science research to the SDGs through a multidisciplinary perspective, highlighting its role in advancing global sustainability efforts.MethodsUtilizing the PRISMA protocol, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 39,841 publications since 2015, focusing on the intersection of forestry sciences with the SDGs. Network and keyword co-occurrence analyses were performed to identify thematic clusters and interdisciplinary linkages among SDGs.ResultsOur findings indicate a significant focus on SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), emphasizing the forestry sector’s contributions to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem services. The analyses revealed thematic clusters centered around ecological sustainability, sustainable energy, and social development, demonstrating the diverse ways in which forestry research supports the SDGs.DiscussionThis study highlights the interdisciplinary nature of forestry sciences and identifies key areas of contribution while pointing to potential research gaps. Future research should explore advanced technologies such as AI-driven analytics and remote sensing, socioeconomic impacts of forest-based livelihoods, and innovative reforestation techniques. Strengthening urban forestry, enhancing interdisciplinary cooperation, and improving governance are recommended to ensure continued contributions of forestry sciences to global sustainability and the SDGs.

Linkages between Financial Risk and Sustainability in the Banking Sector: A Bibliometric Study

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis examining the evolution of research within the sustainability and risk management sectors in banking, based on several visual network analyses. Initial findings delineate thematic clusters focusing on green banking, financial performance, and the impact of technological advancements such as fintech. An investigation into the temporal progression of research themes from 2017 to 2021 highlights a significant shift from foundational concerns about financial stability to more nuanced discussions integrating sustainability and economic inclusivity. Additionally, the research identifies potential gaps in the literature, particularly around the integration of Islamic banking with green practices and the management of environmental and climate-related risks. Analysis of author collaborations within these thematic areas reveals a robust network of scholars, characterized by both dense, focused groupings and broader, interdisciplinary linkages. This study underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of academic discourse in sustainable finance, suggesting promising areas for future research.

A strategic roadmap for interdisciplinary modeling in ecology: The result of reading ‘Defining an ecological equation of state: Response to Riera et al. 2023′ (Newman et al., 2023)

An interesting dialogue is developed between Newman et al. (2023) and Riera et al. (2023), in which proposals related to the development of equations of state in ecosystem ecology are discussed in depth. This debate is more important than it first appears, since the persistent gap between theoretical and empirical ecology is due, in part, to the absence of a comprehensive paradigm in this field. As it is exemplified in the first section of this article, a sequence of models derived from a reliable equation of state would help to bridge the aforementioned gap. Although this manuscript is analytically monolithic, five main thematic strands can be identified: (i) Examination of the objections of Newman et al. (2023), juxtaposing them with key concepts from ecology, information theory, physics and the MaxEnt algorithm. (ii) Validation of the criteria in (i) through theoretical and data-based examples. (iii) Interdisciplinary linkages between (i) and (ii). (iv) Epistemological generalizations from the previous strands to obtain a strategic roadmap for interdisciplinary modeling in ecology. (v) Conclusions referred to the general meaning of points (i) and (ii). On a general level, our objective is that this manuscript will go beyond a simple academic debate, being useful for colleagues interested in interdisciplinary modeling.

Empirical Study of AHP-based Evaluation of Civil Aviation English Teachers’ Career Maturity

Abstract The career maturity of aviation English teachers affects the level of aviation English teaching staff and the quality of aviation English teaching, which has a significant impact on the civil aviation education. Using the civil aviation English teachers at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) as the research object, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is adopted to construct an evaluation model and system for the career maturity of civil aviation English teachers. Through questionnaire surveys and data analysis using the AHP, the results show that the overall career maturity of civil aviation English teachers in CAFUC is in the innovation stage, but there is still room for improvement and relevant suggestions are proposed. The aim is to achieve interdisciplinary linkage in the development of teachers in civil aviation colleges and universities, and to establish a scientific, comprehensive, and dynamic evaluation system that is in line with the characteristics of the professional development of civil aviation teachers.

Environmental horticulture for domestic and community gardens—An integrated and applied research approach

Societal Impact StatementDaunting global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss may seem overwhelming. However, gardeners have a secret weapon—gardens, balconies, indoor planting, yards and allotments are mini‐ecosystems that offer opportunities to counter perceptions of helplessness, inadequacy and resultant inaction by using those spaces to ‘Do what we can, with what we have, where we are’. Minimising gardening ‘footprints’ to mitigate harmful impacts, whilst maximising gardening ‘handprints’ to enhance benefits, is readily achievable. With this in mind, the Royal Horticultural Society is leading research into environmental horticulture for gardens, and benefits for individual wellbeing.SummaryThis article presents an integrated and applied research approach to the unique and multi‐disciplinary area of science referred to here as environmental horticulture. It does this by: (a) providing an institutional perspective (The Royal Horticultural Society) on a research approach for this particular area, emphasising why domestic and community gardens are important in the context of global environmental threats; (b) presenting four primary research focus areas and project examples; and (c) highlighting interdisciplinary linkages, future research needs, public engagement/knowledge sharing opportunities, and ‘Green Skills’ development in the area of environmental horticulture. Research focus areas discussed are: (1) responding to the changing climate (adaptation, mitigation and resilience solutions in gardens); (2) ‘plants for purpose’ (harnessing the potential of horticultural plant diversity, and gardening, to help regulate environmental conditions); (3) sustainability and climate risk reduction through effective and efficient resource management (reduction, re‐use, recycling and repurposing); and (4) gardening and cultivated plant choice for human health and wellbeing. We argue that a key research priority is improving our understanding of the linkages and interactions between soil, water, plants, weather and people. These crucial linkages affect above and below ground processes, for both outdoor and indoor plants. They impact the effectiveness with which water and nutrient cycling takes place, the extent to which ecosystem services may be delivered, and the resultant capacity of gardens and gardening to provide environmental and human health benefits.

Interdisciplinary Linkages among Sustainability Dimensions in the Context of European Cities and Regions Research

Many dimensions of urban sustainability are intricately intertwined; however, systematic assessment of those linkages is often missing. To explore the details of these interdisciplinary linkages, we employ an in-depth literature review technique coupled with a multidimensional assessment of sustainability for 1300+ cities and regions in Europe. The wealth of indicators affecting economic, smart, social and environmental dimensions are linked within a coherent framework illustrating systemic links in urban sustainability. The performance of cities is illustrated using the multidimensional framework highlighting the contributions of various factors. The spectacular performance of Stockholm, Paris, London, Gothenburg, Malmö, Munich and Hamburg are illustrated with examples. Policy recommendations are offered to make cities and regions around the world more sustainable.

Universal health coverage evolution, ongoing trend, and future challenge: A conceptual and historical policy review.

The goal of universal health coverage (UHC) from the United Nations (UN) has metamorphized from its early phase of primary health care (PHC) to the recent sustainable development goal (SDG). In this context, we aimed to document theoretical and philosophical efforts, historical analysis, financial and political aspects in various eras, and an assessment of coverage during those eras in relation to UHC in a global scenario. Searching with broad keywords circumadjacent to UHC with scope and inter-disciplinary linkages in conceptual analysis, we further narrated the review with the historical development of UHC in different time periods. We proposed, chronologically, these frames as eras of PHC, the millennium development goal (MDG), and the ongoing sustainable development goal (SDG). Literature showed that modern healthcare access and coverage were in extension stages during the PHC era flagshipped with "health for all (HFA)", prolifically achieving vaccination, communicable disease control, and the use of modern contraceptive methods. Following the PHC era, the MDG era markedly reduced maternal, neonatal, and child mortalities mainly in developing countries. Importantly, UHC has shifted its philosophic stand of HFA to a strategic health insurance and its extension. After 2015, the concept of SDG has evolved. The strategy was further reframed as service and financial assurance. Strategies for further resource allocation, integration of health service with social health protection, human resources for health, strategic community participation, and the challenges of financial securities in some global public health concerns like the public health emergency and travelers' and migrants' health are further discussed. Some policy departures such as global partnership, research collaboration, and experience sharing are broadly discussed for recommendation.

Крос-дисциплінарна підготовка фахівців інформаційної справи: діалог «машина–людина»

In the age of globalization, comprehensive informatization of society, the role of information processes in all types of human activities is growing, which, in turn, evokes the necessity in highly qualifi ed professionals who can work with information (collect, analyze, group, keep, distribute, etc.), using certain techniques and technologies. Training of such specialists is possible with a continuous educational process and interdisciplinary linkages. The purpose of the article is to outline the features of cross-disciplinary training of professionals in the information sector within the main disciplines, and the task is to determine the relationship between learning the basics of theory and practical skills during the teaching disciplines from the vocational training program of students. The methodological basis of suggested work contains a set of general scientifi c methods. In the process of solving the tasks, the scientifi c literature on the topic is studied and analyzed, as well as the interdisciplinary linkages in the process of preparing specialists of information aff airs at the Faculty of Journalism are systematically described. The stages of theoretical learning of the courses «Library Science» and «Creation of databases of the organization» are described and characterized. Along with that in the article it is studied the formation of practical skills, elements of cross-disciplinary, lifelong learning of students. The general conclusions are formulated with the help of methods of generalization and systematization. The scientifi c novelty of the study lies in updating the requirements of modern society to professionals of information aff airs, which includes interdisciplinary learning by students the latest information developments in the fi eld of library science, technology of information impact on society in the context of dialogue «machine–human». Conclusions and prospects for further research. It is emphasized that the educational process should provide continuous education and practical training of modern specialists in the fi eld of library science and information aff airs. Prospects for further research are the study of the signifi cant method of teaching and its implementation in other disciplines included in the curriculum of the specialty «Information, Library and Archival Aff airs».

Confessional Foreign Regional Studies as a Field of Research

Introduction. The relevance of foreign confessional and regional studies is due to the influence of the religious factor on mentality, traditions, and culture of the population, as well as on the legal, social and economic components of society, which determines the specifics of the development of international relations. The objective of the study is to expand and introduce into scientific circulation the approaches and methods of applying scientific tools for research in the field of foreign confessional space. Materials and Methods. Data from financial reports of foreign religious organizations were used as the research materials. Basing on these and employing mathematical and statistical methods, the initial data were processed, which made it possible to identify territorial features as well as the specifics of economic and social activities within the confessional space of countries considered and religions widespread in them. Results. The study conducted made it possible to identify the specifics of comprehensive foreign research in the field of confessional space, which has been objectified into a scientific direction promising for further development. Great opportunities in the study of confessional space open up when adopting institutional and territorial as well as religion and landscape based approaches taking into account the specifics of the initial factual and statistical information available at the present stage. The former approach is more recommended for countries and regions where Christianity with a rigid territorial structure dominates, and the latter – for cases where the role of territorial setup is not significant for the functioning of religious organizations. Discussion and Conclusion. Further development of Confessional Foreign Regional Studies should be based on the strengthening of interdisciplinary linkages and the adoption of mathematical and statistical research methods. The results of the study can be used in the context of interfaith contacts, which are increasing in importance. Consideration of the models of functioning of the confessional space of foreign countries is advisable when developing a strategy for the development of the state-religion relations in the Russian Federation, and can also be taken into account by leaders of religious organizations represented in Russia.

Research on the status and influencing factors of the integrated service needs of medicine, pension, rehabilitation and care of the community elderly

Objective To explore the status and influencing factors of the integrated service needs of medicine, pension, rehabilitation and care of the community elderly in order to provide a theoretical basis for the construction of an old-age service model in line with the national conditions. Methods A total of 330 elderly people from three communities in Tai'an were selected and investigated by self-made questionnaire of the integrated services needs for medicine, pension, rehabilitation and care of community elderly. Results Nearly 83.54%(259/310) of the elderly had moderate and above pension needs, and the first three were rehabilitation services, family beds and community public health services. Age, educational level, self-rated health and number of chronic diseases were the influencing factors of the integrated service needs of medicine, pension, rehabilitation and care(t=2.374-4.844, all P<0.05). Conclusions The majority of elderly people have the moderate and above health care integration service demand, the elderly have the highest demand for rehabilitation services. Age, education, self-rated health status and the number of chronic diseases have different influence on the needs of the elderly; government, society, education and medical treatment institutions interdisciplinary multi linkage, and strengthen the professionals training of health, rehabilitation, health care, in order to explore the best old-age service model in line with national conditions. Key words: Aged; Medicine, pension, rehabilitation and care; Combination of medicine and pension care; Community; Needs assessment; Influencing factors

Improving Design Performance by Alliance between Contractors and Designers in International Hydropower EPC Projects from the Perspective of Chinese Construction Companies

Extant literature lacks a systematic framework addressing the mechanisms of the alliance functional process and its impacts on management activities together with performance in delivering Engineering–procurement–construction (EPC) projects. This study quantitatively investigates the cause–effect relationships among these themes by building and validating a conceptual model of contractor–designer alliance in international hydropower EPC projects. With the support of data collected from an industry survey, the results reveal the key design problems, application of contractor–designer alliance, design management level and performance, which form a sound basis for design management emphasis in EPC activities, e.g., sufficiently considering sustainability of hydropower projects by incorporating environmental, social, and economic factors into designs. The path analysis indicates that the contractor–designer alliance can not only improve design performance by enhancing design management, but also directly promote design performance. This research has significant contributions to the body of knowledge by building interdisciplinary linkages between the areas of alliance, design management, and performance, theoretically demonstrating the mechanism of how interfirm cooperation functions to achieve superior design outcomes of hydropower EPC projects. Understanding these causal relationships will be crucial for contractors and designers to optimally allocate their complementary resources for seeking better design solutions in dealing with both technical issues and sustainability factors.

Methodological principle of interdisciplinarity in the history of economics

Throughout its history, economic science has been influenced by the principles and methods of more exact sciences. This influence can be traced in the concepts of both classical and neoclassical schools. The latter interpreted economic phenomena and processes from a subjective psychological point of view and contributed to the formation of a particular scientific direction – economic psychology. Institutional school that views the economy as an evolving system has generated such an interdisciplinary trend as economic genetics. The influence of exact sciences on the economic thought has manifested itself not only in the wide application of mathematical modeling, but also in the reference to the analogy with physical processes which formed another interdisciplinary research field – econophysics. Experiencing the influence and employing research methods of natural and exact sciences, economic science in turn ‘penetrates into the territory’ of social disciplines (sociology, politology, history) which generated separate directions of economic analysis: home economics, public choice theory, economic history etc. Such an approach which has not always been favourably received by the experts in related disciplines has been named «economic imperialism» whose representatives are supporters of both neoclassic and new institutional theory. Methodological mainstream is being replaced by methodological pluralism which would entail the coexistence of different theoretical perspectives and interdisciplinary approach is an essential element in building this tradition. This places new demands on the quality of economic education. A modern economist must have knowledge in different sciences and be able to use their analytic apparatus. At the post-nonclassical stage in its development the science of economics makes extensive use of interdisciplinary principles and analytical tools of both natural and humanitarian sciences, having achieved notable progress along this path. Interdisciplinary linkages allow us to reveal deeper patterns, bring to a qualitatively new level of scientific knowledge. Although interdisciplinarity do not always demonstrate effective results it may be considered as one of perspective means of solving complex problems of modern times.

Transgenerational stress-adaption: an opportunity for ecological epigenetics.

In the recent years, there has been considerable interest to investigate the adaptive transgenerational plasticity of plants and how a "stress memory" can be transmitted to the following generation. Although, increasing evidence suggests that transgenerational adaptive responses have widespread ecological relevance, the underlying epigenetic processes have rarely been elucidated. On the other hand, model plant species have been deeply investigated in their genome-wide methylation landscape without connecting this to the ecological reality of the plant. What we need is the combination of an ecological understanding which plant species would benefit from transgenerational epigenetic stress-adaption in their natural habitat, combined with a deeper molecular analysis of non-model organisms. Only such interdisciplinary linkage in an ecological epigenetic study could unravel the full potential that epigenetics could play for the transgenerational stress-adaption of plants.

Preparing would-be specialists to work with families of children with special educational needs

Collaboration with families raising a child with special educational needs, is part of the professional activities of special needs teacher and one of the conditions of its efficiency as a whole. The partnership of teachers and families provides effective psycho-pedagogical support of development of the pupils. Accordingly, experts of special and inclusive institutions shall be professionally competent in matters of such interaction. The study revealed certain gaps in the training of students to work with parents, the insufficiency of their practical readiness to work in partnership. Formation of readiness of future special needs teachers to work with families should be implemented in stages throughout the training period. Preparation tasks should gradually become more complex: from development of initial ideas about family education to master the creative experience in working with families. The implement of the underlying interdisciplinary linkages between disciplines of different cycles, practice of students, their independent and research work should be carried out. The technique of formation of readiness of future specialists to work with families of children with special educational needs requires significant changes as well. Development of modern content, methods of complete continuous training of future special needs teachers to work with families of students is the prospect of further scientific studies.

Causes of contractors’ claims in international engineering-procurement-construction projects

Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC) method has increasingly been applied in international markets. In this research, the causes of contractors’ claims in international EPC projects are modeled and empirically tested with industry survey, structural equation modeling and case studies from the perspective of Chinese contractors. The estab­lished model outlines the causes of contractors’ claims as: external risk (sociopolitical risks, economic risks, and natural hazards), clients’ organizational behavior (untimely payment, change orders, and inefficient processing), and project definition in contract (unclear scope of works, and unclear technical specification). The structural equation modelling validates that these causes have direct influences on claim respectively. Besides, clients’ organizational behavior acts as a partial mediation between external risk and claim, demonstrating that external risk can also exert influence on claim through affecting clients’ organizational behavior. Seven case studies further confirmed and interpreted the substantive meaning of these relationships. This study establishes interdisciplinary linkages among knowledge areas of contracting, risk management, organizational behavior, and international EPC project delivery, which has important primary contri­butions in both theory and practice. Understanding how the fundamental factors interactively lead to claims can help contracting parties to develop effective claim strategies, proactively mitigate project risks, and ultimately improve EPC project performance.

Assessing sustainability teaching and learning in geography education

Purpose This study aims to understand if geographers, who teach in a new sustainability program, are conveying new knowledge, understanding, skills and competence about the integrated and holistic concept of “sustainability”, rather than individual human-environmental issues to the students. In other words, are geography professors creating effective sustainability courses in a department with a rich history in geography education? Design/methodology/approach This study utilizes the McKeown–Ice and Dendinger comprehensive assessment tool for sustainability teaching to examine how geographers teach sustainability from an integrated and holistic perspective. Surveys with students are used to evaluate and compare how effective three geography courses were at teaching sustainability. Findings The results suggest that each course was effective in teaching students the main concepts of sustainability. There were, however, differences in teaching practical solutions to achieve sustainability and in the coverage of the causes of sustainability problems. Geographers might consider altering their curriculum or pedagogy to build stronger interdisciplinary linkages to teach the integrated concepts of sustainability rather than its individual parts. Research limitations/implications This initial study focuses on one research university in the USA. Its proof of concept will be expanded to evaluate international sustainability education programs nested in existing departments and degree programs. Originality/value Sustainability education programs are being created across the globe and are often attached to existing degree programs exhibiting components of sustainability. How effective are they in teaching this interdisciplinary concept? This study validates a framework for assessing sustainability teaching and learning. It recommends changes to enhance the ability for integrated sustainability education programs to comprehensively teach sustainability.

Some Perspectives on Avalanche Climatology

Avalanche climatology is defined as the study of the relationships between climate and snow avalanches, and it contributes in aiding avalanche hazard mitigation efforts. The field has evolved over the past six decades concerning methodology, data monitoring and field collection, and interdisciplinary linkages. Avalanche climate research directions are also expanding concerning treatment in both spatial scale and temporal timescales. This article provides an overview of the main themes of avalanche climate research in issues of scale from local to global, its expanding interdisciplinary nature, as well as its future challenges and directions. The growth of avalanche climatology includes themes such as its transformation from being mostly descriptive to innovative statistical methods and modeling techniques, new challenges in microscale efforts that include depth hoar aspects and increased field studies, expanding synoptic climatology applications on studying avalanche variations, efforts to reconstruct past avalanches and relate them to climatic change, and research on potential avalanche responses to recent twentieth-century and future global warming. Some suggestions on future avalanche climatology research directions include the expansion of data networks and studies that include lesser developed countries, stronger linkages of avalanche climate studies with GIScience and remote sensing applications, more innovative linkages of avalanches with climate and societal applications, and increased emphases on modeling and process-oriented approaches.

Does pluralism matter? Examining students' experiences of undergraduate economics curriculum in relation to the mission of the university

Critiques of the mainstream economics curriculum raise two keys concerns: 1) the limited opportunities for students to engage with and expand their critical thinking skills and democratic values; 2) the possibility that students will develop a narrow understanding of economics which could limit innovation in the area of economic theory, methodology and policy. Using an in-depth interviews methodology, the paper explores aspects of these critiques through the experiences of undergraduate students in an economics program in an urban university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The exclusion of alternative economics theories does not prevent students from developing critical thinking skills. However, findings show that students exposed to various theoretical perspectives were able to better communicate about differences and theoretical limitations. A pluralistic approach to the curriculum, which includes a critical examination of various economic theories, methodologies, their historical origins, and interdisciplinary linkages, can provide opportunities to enhance students learning and outcomes.

Lowering the walls and crossing boundaries: applications of experiential learning to teaching collaboration

Higher education is being confronted with a paradigm shift that is forcing it to collectively reexamine their ability to develop graduates who have relevant professional competencies. Collaboration and team work are competencies that are sought after by many employers. The creation of effective collaboration is critical to developing the interdisciplinary linkages that are necessary to confront the many environmental challenges posed by human activities and prepare today’s students to meet future intellectual and workforce demands. To address the challenge of developing collaboration skills, the Environmental Studies (ES) program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) used a backward curriculum design, multiple modalities of experiential learning, and a reflective action research approach to develop collaboration and teamwork skills in undergraduate students. The ES program partnered with Target Training International Ltd. (TTI), to gain insights into the use of their instruments as boundary objects to help student’s understand self and create interdisciplinary teams. Through the use of an instrument, the TriMetrix®, the UNL-ES program is taking a page from the business world and partnering with it to help students understand themselves, adapt their behaviors to more effectively work in a team, and be introduced to the concept of assessments and their use in the professional world. These assessments played a positive role in the dynamics of each group, some more than others. The analyses of these data for this class have informed us about how to improve the use of the assessment output in class. Specifically, we can use these data as specific examples in debriefing future classes. We have also identified certain mixtures of behavioral styles and motivational drivers that may be problematic to group work. Many students have experienced team projects. However, most students have not explicitly had to learn about the factors that go into effective collaboration or they have never been explicitly explained to them. This is particularly the case with regard to processes of developing shared responsibility.

Evaluation of Cooperation during Project Delivery: Empirical Study on the Hydropower Industry in Southwest China

AbstractPrevious studies agree that cooperation among participants is critical to successfully deliver projects; however, little research has quantitatively illustrated how participants benefit from cooperation. Based on partnering and cooperative game theories, the degree of willingness to cooperate (DWC) model has been used in this study to reflect the interactions among participants through dynamic simulation. With the support of data collected from a field survey, the outcomes of DWC model simulation have been tested, confirming that DWCs have significantly positive influences on cooperation gains, and incentives are effective in improving participants’ rewards. Application of the DWC model then reveals the cooperation status of hydropower developments in Southwest China, suggesting five practical strategies for interorganizational cooperation in project delivery. This study advances the knowledge area of multiorganizational dynamics during project delivery by building interdisciplinary linkage betwee...