Long-term Sustainability Research Articles

Beyond the formal economy. Social cooperatives for labour integration under the pressure of market competitiveness

Purpose Using the theoretical framework of the substantive economy, this study aims to point out the main aspects of the substantive mode of operation that help the integration of disadvantaged people while at the same time shedding light on the barriers that hinder economically efficient functioning in a market economy. Design/methodology/approach Research focuses on Hungarian rural work integration social cooperatives, which are engaged in producing activity by the employment of disadvantaged people. In the research, mixed methods were applied: results of a questionnaire survey covering 102 cooperatives, as well as 20 semi-structured interviews and experiences from the field. A total of 17 indicators were used to explore the substantive operational features, promoting mechanisms and problems in the following areas: organisational goals and outcomes; integrating roles and functions; productive functions; and the embeddedness of cooperatives. Findings As for results, substantive operational mechanisms and tools that support the integration of disadvantaged people have been identified such as mentoring, social incentives, the ability to create local value or the expansion of local community services. At the same time, several barriers have been detected that make it difficult to operate economically, such as cooperatives being a stepping stone for workers, excessive product heterogeneity or the lack of vertically structured bridging relationships. Originality/value The value of the study is to counterpoint the mechanisms promoting social purposes of work-integration social cooperatives and the obstacles to their long-term sustainability within the framework of the substantive economy, to better understand their functioning and the less quantifiable factors of their performance.

Crafting an Inclusive Procurement Policy: Strategies for Embracing Supplier Diversity

Purpose: In today's global marketplace, diversity and inclusion have transitioned from mere buzzwords to indispensable elements of successful business practices. A robust procurement policy that embraces supplier diversity not only cultivates a more inclusive supply chain but also drives economic growth and social progress. Methodology: This article examines key strategies for integrating supplier diversity into procurement policies, drawing insights from existing literature and best practices in the field of supply chain management and diversity initiatives. Findings: The article outlines strategies such as incorporating diverse suppliers into Requests for Proposals (RFPs), setting thresholds for diverse supplier consideration, addressing risk acceptance and deviations, and emphasizing genuine efforts over token gestures. It highlights the importance of striking a balance between excellence and diversity while prioritizing active engagement with diverse suppliers. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: By synthesizing insights from academic research and real-world case studies, this article offers actionable recommendations for organizations seeking to enhance their supplier diversity initiatives. It underscores the necessity of genuine efforts in supplier diversity initiatives, advocating for the integration of diversity considerations into procurement policies to foster economic empowerment, social equity, and long-term sustainability in supply chain operations.

Family business sustainability: the impact of governance and women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia

Due to their strong emotional interest and ownership control, family firm owners significantly influence their firm’s strategies and governance, which has consequences for their business sustainability practices. The failure to establish or maintain formal organizational structures, and adopt good governance principles, may hinder family firms in their pursuit of long-term sustainability. This study empirically investigated the impact of corporate governance on family firms’ sustainability, with women’s empowerment and culture as moderating and mediating factors, respectively. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of 126 family firms from Saudi Arabia. The study adopted the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) method. The study results empirically confirmed that corporate governance is positively associated with women’s empowerment, which also assists in achieving business sustainability in family-controlled firms. The adoption of good corporate governance policies, and empowerment of women through their appointment on corporate boards operating in a supportive culture, can reinforce an organization’s mission, purpose and strategies, which can create an enabling environment for family business sustainability.

The influence of green financing on renewable energy progress in India's tourism sector

ABSTRACT This study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to assess the impact of green funding on sustainable energy practices in India's tourist sector from 2000 to 2022. Results indicate that green bonds significantly and favourably influence long-term environmental sustainability, with negligible immediate effects. The Consumer Price Index adversely affects sustainability in both short and long terms. To enhance sustainability, recommended policy measures include increased regulatory supervision, transparent market information dissemination, eco-friendly fiscal policies, and the adoption of green building technologies. Supporting sustainable globalization, innovation, adaptation, and eco-tourism regionalism can greatly benefit India's tourism industry. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers aiming to promote environmental sustainability in the sector.

Assessing the bioaccumulation and translocation potential of vetiver grass for dioxins phytoremediation in Bien Hoa airbase, Viet Nam

Dioxins (PCDD/Fs) are well-known toxic organic pollutants that accumulate in the environment and the food chain, imposing a risk to human health and the ecosystem. Due to the use of dioxin-contaminated herbicides during the US-Vietnam War, there are several hotspots in Vietnam with very high levels of dioxins. Phytoremediation has been increasingly developed in recent decades because of its low cost and environmental-friendly aspect. Vetiver grass is a plant that can remediate both organic and inorganic agents. In this study, the uptake and translocation of dioxins in Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) from the dioxin-contaminated soil was investigated in a field experiment on the Bien Hoa airbase, Vietnam. An experimental area was divided into six plots, of which three were planted with Vetiver grass and three served as control plots, with the initial dioxin concentrations as following: FC2>FC3>FC1>FT2>FT3>FT1. Vetiver grass had grown well on the dioxin-contaminated soils, yielding high biomass and the level of dioxins in the roots of vetiver grass was positively correlated (r2 = 0.67; p<0.01) with its growth rate. During the first year of cultivation, Vetiver grass had the greatest capacity to efficiently accumulate dioxin. Accumulation occurs in the roots, with BAF>1 throughout the entire experiment period for FT3, and in the first year for FT1 and FT2. The dioxin translocation from the roots to the shoots was significantly lower than the BAF and less than one (TF<1), with the first and second sampling times having the highest values compared to the others. Dioxin concentrations do not provide a reliable indicator of its bioavailability but numerous other factors, such as physicochemical properties of the soil and microbes. Our study aims to contribute significant insights to capability of Vetiver grass to accumulate and translocate dioxins, hence the arsenal of dioxin remediation. Furthermore, we envisage translating our findings into practical applications in other areas, considering optimized planting techniques, growth conditions, and long-term sustainability.

On-farm crop diversity, conservation, importance and value: a case study of landraces from Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

Landraces are important genetic resources that have a significant role in maintaining the long-term sustainability of traditional agro-ecosystems, food, nutrition, and livelihood security. In an effort to document landraces in the on-farm conservation context, Central Western Ghat region in India was surveyed. A total of 671 landraces belonging to 60 crops were recorded from 24 sites. The custodian farmers were found to conserve a variety of crops including vegetables, cereals and pulses, perennial fruits, spices, tuber and plantation crops. The survey indicated a difference in the prevalence of landraces across the sites. A significant difference with respect to the Shannon-diversity index, Gini-Simpson index, evenness, species richness, and abundance was observed among the different survey sites. Computation of a prevalence index indicated the need for immediate intervention in the form of collecting and ex situ conservation of landraces of some crops as a back-up to on-farm conservation. The study also identified the critical determinants of on-farm conservation, including (i) suitability to regional conditions, (ii) relevance in regional cuisine and local medicinal practices, (iii) cultural and traditional significance, and (iv) economic advantage. The information documented in this study is expected to promote the collection and conservation of landraces ex situ. The National Genebank housed at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi conserves around 550 accessions of landraces collected from the Central Western Ghats region surveyed in this report. Information collected from custodian farmers on specific uses will be helpful to enhance the utilization of these accessions.

Bangladesh towards green growth: a review of environmental sustainability indicators

Pursuing green growth is crucial for Bangladesh to transition from an unsustainable economic trajectory to a more sustainable and inclusive one. Bangladesh is picked for this study because of impending and severe economic and environmental threats. This study intends to review the present scenario of various environmental sustainability-related indicators in Bangladesh, focusing on renewable energy consumption, freshwater resources, water productivity, CO2 emissions, energy intensity, air pollution, and natural resource rents. The World Bank database has been utilized to obtain secondary time series data of Bangladesh spanning from 2000 to 2020. As a descriptive study, cross-sectional and observational research methods as well as descriptive statistics and figures are used to elucidate the secondary data. Data demonstrate that Bangladesh now generates 41.16% of its energy from renewables, despite considerable variability. Regardless of the variation in freshwater availability, averaging at 708.19 cubic meters per capita, efficient water productivity remains consistent, indicating a robust water management system. The country demonstrates a relatively low carbon footprint, emitting 0.35 metric tons of CO2 per capita, alongside varying energy intensity levels, highlighting the need for enhanced efficiency measures. While pervasive PM2.5 air pollution poses a significant health risk, Bangladesh's reliance on natural resource rents underscores the importance of sustainable resource management practices for long-term economic stability. The observations of this study might assist in the formulation of policies of water management systems, air pollution control initiatives, and conservation of ecology to promote Bangladesh's long-term sustainability objectives and formulate policies.

Ten-Year Survival Rate of 82% in 262 Cases of Arthroscopic Bone Marrow Stimulation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus.

The long-term sustainability of arthroscopic bone marrow stimulation (BMS) for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) remains a matter of debate. The primary aim of the present study was to assess the 10-year survival free from revision in ankles that had undergone arthroscopic BMS for an OLT. The secondary aim was to evaluate the influence of baseline patient and lesion characteristics on survival. Patients who underwent arthroscopic BMS for a symptomatic OLT and had a minimum follow-up of 10 years were included to assess procedure survival. The primary outcome, the 10-year cumulative survival rate, was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Secondary outcomes were the median time to revision and the effects of baseline factors (lesion size, primary or non-primary lesion type, preoperative cysts, and obesity as defined by a body mass index [BMI] of ≥30 kg/m2) on survival, analyzed with a Cox regression model and reported using hazard ratios (HRs). The 262 included patients had a mean follow-up of 15.3 ± 4.8 years. The 10-year cumulative survival rate of the arthroscopic BMS procedures was 82% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77% to 87%). At 15 years of follow-up, the cumulative survival rate was 82% (95% CI: 76% to 86%). The median time to revision was 2.4 years (interquartile range: 1.3 to 5.1 years). Of the baseline factors, obesity (HR: 3.0 [95% CI: 1.44 to 6.43], p < 0.01) was associated with decreased survival. Lesion size (HR: 0.9 [95% CI: 0.5 to 1.8], p = 0.8), non-primary lesion type (HR: 1.8 [95% CI: 0.9 to 3.4], p = 0.1), and the presence of preoperative cysts (HR: 1.0 [95% CI: 0.6 to 1.9], p = 0.9) were not significantly associated with survival. At a minimum follow-up of 10 years, the survival rate of arthroscopic BMS for OLT was 82%. At 15 and 20 years of follow-up, survival appeared to remain stable. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) was associated with a higher likelihood of revision surgery. This risk factor should be incorporated into the treatment algorithm for OLT when counseling patients regarding surgery. Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Triple Helix for Sustainable Development Goals: An Impact Assessment of Shared Service Facility for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Competitiveness in the Philippines

This study investigates the impact and operational challenges of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, focusing on enhancing MSME competitiveness and sustainability. Through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and data analysis, the study assesses the SSF’s effectiveness in supporting MSMEs and identifies key challenges hindering its operation. The findings reveal significant improvements in MSMEs’ access to resources, innovation capacity, and market competitiveness following SSF assistance. However, logistical, managerial, and resource-related challenges pose significant hurdles to the SSF’s operational efficiency and effectiveness. To address these challenges, a comprehensive Strategic Plan is formulated, outlining key actions to improve logistical efficiency, enhance managerial effectiveness, strengthen financial sustainability, upgrade technological infrastructure, and foster collaboration and partnerships. Implementation of these strategic initiatives is crucial for optimizing the SSF’s operation, enhancing its impact on MSME competitiveness, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the role of the SSF in fostering MSME development and economic growth in the Philippines, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions and collaborative efforts to support inclusive and sustainable development.

Impacts of locally managed periodic octopus fishery closures in Comoros and Madagascar: short-term benefits amidst long-term decline

Octopus fisheries face heightened demand driven by depleted fish stocks and escalating economic value, leading to overextraction of octopus populations and magnifying threats to coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods of fishers who depend on them. Implementation of management strategies such as periodic fishing closures can offer sanctuary for octopus, providing the necessary space and time for the growth and reproduction of this rapidly proliferating species. Despite evidence of positive management outcomes, the role of periodic closures in the long-term sustainability of octopus populations remains uncertain. Here, we examine trends in octopus landings over time and the effects of periodic closures along the Mozambique Channel from Comoros to Madagascar (12°-25°S). Long-term trends in octopus landings varied across three regions: generally stable over a 6-year period in Comoros, increasing over a 4-year period in the Barren Isles and declining over a 17-year period in Atsimo Andrefana, Madagascar. We observed a significant increase in mean catch per unit effort (CPUE, kilograms/fisher-day), and mean total catch (kilograms/day) following periodic closures across villages extracting octopus from closure areas. When evaluating each region independently, we observed this positive effect across Comoros and Atsimo Andrefana, Madagascar while trends in the Barren Isles showed no effect of octopus closures. We applied generalized linear mixed models to examine the influence of 10 covariates on mean daily total catch and CPUE within 7 days and 30 days post-closure. Baseline conditions (quantified by the pre-closure CPUE and daily total catch), closure duration and start month of closure had positive, statistically significant correlations with post-closure CPUE and daily total catch. Additionally, closure duration from 13 to 16 weeks and closure size of approximately 70 hectares were qualitatively associated with net gains in CPUE. Although periodic closures yield positive outcomes for octopus fisheries, the effects may be short-lived, as observed in Atsimo Andrefana, Madagascar, where catch declined over the long-term despite temporary improvements. Our findings underscore a need for a diverse portfolio of management strategies to restore and sustain populations over the long-term.

Temporal changes in a small-scale artisanal reef fishery in Brazil: Coastal development and its impacts

Small-scale artisanal fisheries perform great economic, social, cultural, and ecological roles worldwide. For fishers in adverse scenarios, resorting to alternatives such sustainable tourism is widely proposed. In this study, we investigate the long-term sustainability (1998–2020) of a small-scale artisanal fishery in Northeast Brazil, where transformations including intense coastal development, the establishment of a marine protected area, and the expansion of tourism occurred in addition to the region’s economic growth and the global trend of technological advancements. This study aims to understand how this fishery has changed over the last two decades while investigating a range of possible threats for its survival. Results demonstrated the impacts of technological innovation on fishing practices, such as the use of spearguns and small outboard motors; an increase in opportunistic fishing associated with a growing coastal population; fading of certain traditional fishing practices that often require fishers with greater experience; a shift for a fishery made up of more opportunistic amateur fishers, as artisanal, small-scale fishers switched to other income sources such as tourism. Although there are benefits from those transformations, which include the possibility of an alternative source of income and the use of technology, fisheries traditions have been affected negatively in terms of social and cultural aspects, and traditional fishing communities are left vulnerable in the absence of national fishery monitoring programs, reliable fishing data, and institutional instability. Local initiatives and empowerment of traditional fishing communities to strengthen fisher identity and participation in fisheries policy decision-making should be strongly encouraged.

Simulation and experimental study of grid-connected photovoltaic power plants in a hot desert climate with fixed and dual-axis tracking

ABSTRACT This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the performance of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plants situated in a hot desert climate. The study employs a combination of simulation models and experimental data to assess the impact of two tracking systems – fixed and dual-axis – on the overall efficiency and energy yield of the PV installations. Through detailed simulations, we analyze the dynamic behavior of the PV systems under varying solar irradiance and the atmospheric conditions typical of hot desert environments. The dual-axis tracking system is compared against the conventional fixed-mount system to evaluate its effectiveness in maximizing energy production and improving the overall efficiency of the PV power plants. Experimental data collected from an actual grid-connected PV facility in a hot desert region is incorporated to validate the simulation results and enhance the accuracy of the study. The observed performance metrics include energy output, system reliability, and the impact of environmental factors on long-term sustainability. In general, in all weather conditions, solar tracking provides better yields than a fixed solar module, generating about 32% and 12% more energy in sunny and overcast weather conditions, respectively. Under sunny weather, the two-axis sun tracking system and a fixed tilt angle produce 333.228 kWh and 247.56 kWh of energy, respectively. The energy yield generated on a partly cloudy day by a two-axis sun tracking system and a fixed tilt angle PV system is 281.496 kWh and 257.856 kWh, respectively. In addition, the highest electricity gain for two-axis solar trackers versus fixed PV plants was found to be 34.6%, and the lowest value was found to be 9.16%. The experimental analysis shows that the efficiency of the polycrystalline PV module is 12% and 14% on sunny days and cloudy days, respectively. The comparison between fixed and dual-axis tracking systems contributes to the optimization of PV installations, enabling more informed decisions for sustainable energy production in regions characterized by high temperatures and intense solar radiation. To support the expanding applications of grid-tied PV systems with a sun tracker in the same or comparable location and climate conditions (Saharan environment), these studies have the practical utility of advising and offering helpful feedback to engineers, system designers, contractors, and investors.

Green HRM Practices

Green Human Resource Management (Green HRM) integrates environmental sustainability into core HR practices. It goes beyond just business operations and promotes eco-friendly practices throughout the organization. Green HRM encompasses the entire employee lifecycle, from attracting environmentally conscious talent during recruitment to influencing employee behavior through training and performance management. By effectively implementing Green HRM practices, organizations can not only reduce their carbon footprint through practices like reduced paper usage or energy-efficient buildings, but also cultivate a more environmentally responsible workforce. This can lead to significant benefits like cost savings and attracting top talent who value sustainability, ultimately enhancing the organization's reputation. However, challenges like initial investment costs or employee resistance can arise during implementation. Green HRM has emerged as a critical concept in recent times, seamlessly integrating ecological management with practices in business, urbanization, and industrialization. Its core focus lies in managing human resources effectively while ensuring good working conditions. Green HRM procedures are strategically designed to minimize the carbon footprint of both individual employees and the organization itself. This extends beyond just carbon reduction, as Green HRM also plays a vital role in encouraging employees to conserve resources, participate in waste management initiatives, and contribute to pollution control efforts. The growing importance of Green HRM necessitates increased awareness among companies regarding its multifaceted capabilities. Striking a balance between ecological sustainability and effective human resource management has become crucial. Businesses are now recognizing the significance of considering not just financial gains, but also the social and environmental impacts of their operations to ensure long-term sustainability. This growing recognition has recently captured the attention of academic researchers and practitioners, leading to a surge in scholarly studies on the subject. This research paper delves into Green HRM practices within organizations, drawing insights from a comprehensive analysis of current literature. The aim is to explore the importance of Green HRM concepts, practices, and strategies while acknowledging the challenges faced by businesses and other organizations in implementing them. By utilizing established research methodologies, the study will observe, collect, and analyze contemporary research on Green Human Resource Management, providing valuable insights into this evolving field.

FAIR-USE4OS: Guidelines for creating impactful open-source software.

This paper extends the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) guidelines to provide criteria for assessing if software conforms to best practices in open source. By adding "USE" (User-Centered, Sustainable, Equitable), software development can adhere to open source best practice by incorporating user-input early on, ensuring front-end designs are accessible to all possible stakeholders, and planning long-term sustainability alongside software design. The FAIR-USE4OS guidelines will allow funders and researchers to more effectively evaluate and plan open-source software projects. There is good evidence of funders increasingly mandating that all funded research software is open source; however, even under the FAIR guidelines, this could simply mean software released on public repositories with a Zenodo DOI. By creating FAIR-USE software, best practice can be demonstrated from the very beginning of the design process and the software has the greatest chance of success by being impactful.

Evaluation of Reproductive and Growth Performance in New Breeds and Hybrids of Bivoltine Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)

This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive and growth performance of recently developed bivoltine silkworm parental breeds and their hybrids to improve silk production and ensure the long-term sustainability of sericulture. Utilizing five thermotolerant pure breeds (B1, B2, B4, B6 and B8) and four popular CSR breeds (CSR2, CSR27, CSR6 and CSR26), six foundation crosses and eight double hybrids were developed and evaluated for ten traits. Results showed that B1 exhibited superior performance in fecundity (524.00), hatching percentage (98.67%), dead eggs (1.33%), pupal weight (1.31 g), pupation rate (96.84%) and cumulative survival index (CSI) (93.84%). The foundation cross B1 × B2 excelled in fecundity (553.67), larval mortality (2.67%), pupal weight (1.53 g), ERR (97.33%) and CSI (93.27%) while FC2 performed better in hatching percentage (97.60%), dead eggs percentage (2.40%), fifth instar larval duration (157.21 h), fifth instar larval weight (35.64 g/10 larvae) and pupation rate (96.33%). Among the double hybrids, (B1 × B2) × (FC1) demonstrated superior performance in fecundity (614.33), larval mortality (1.41%), pupal weight (2.06 g), ERR (98.59%) and CSI (97.24%). FC2 × FC1 excelled in larval duration (141.11 h), fifth instar larval weight (51.96 g/10 larvae) and pupation rate (98.94%). Double hybrids showed significant improvements compared to parental breeds and foundation crosses, indicating potential for field testing and further development. These results indicate the potential of using the newly identified breeds and foundation crosses in silkworm breeding, particularly in developing new double hybrids as an alternative to established CSR breeds and hybrids.

Genie: the first open-source ISO/IEC encoder for genomic data

For the last two decades, the amount of genomic data produced by scientific and medical applications has been growing at a rapid pace. To enable software solutions that analyze, process, and transmit these data in an efficient and interoperable way, ISO and IEC released the first version of the compression standard MPEG-G in 2019. However, non-proprietary implementations of the standard are not openly available so far, limiting fair scientific assessment of the standard and, therefore, hindering its broad adoption. In this paper, we present Genie, to the best of our knowledge the first open-source encoder that compresses genomic data according to the MPEG-G standard. We demonstrate that Genie reaches state-of-the-art compression ratios while offering interoperability with any other standard-compliant decoder independent from its manufacturer. Finally, the ISO/IEC ecosystem ensures the long-term sustainability and decodability of the compressed data through the ISO/IEC-supported reference decoder.

Green Logistics Practices and Their Impact on Product Sustainability in Fast-Moving Customer Goods Firm in Lagos State, Nigeria

This research examined product sustainability and green logistics practices of selected FMCG enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. FMCGs prioritize efficiency and sustainability. Many studies have focused on non-FMCG enterprises and developed nations, not rising nations. This study was survey-based. This survey included 13,782 managerial staff from eight listed FMCG corporations in Lagos State, Nigeria. Taro Yamane formula calculated 519 sample size. Simple random sampling was utilized. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient for the constructs varied between 0.78 and 0.94. The percentage of response was 96.7%. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics, including multiple and hierarchical regression. The findings revealed that green logistics practices had significant effect on the product sustainability of selected FMCG firms in Lagos State, Nigeria (Adj.R2 = 0.03; F(5, 496) = 4.977, p &lt; 0.05). The study concluded that green logistics practices promote product sustainability of selected FMCG firms in Lagos State, Nigeria. This study recommended that the management of FMCG firms in Lagos State, Nigeria should adopt a holistic approach to product sustainability, integrating green logistics practices into a broader sustainability strategy to enhance their long-term sustainability.

Optimizing tourist flows through operative carrying capacity assessment: The case of Bakkhali coastal tourism, W.B., India

&lt;p&gt;Carrying capacity assessment of nature-based tourist destinations is important for keeping the consumption of natural resources and anthropogenic pollution levels within environmentally safe and sustainable limits. With the mostly rural character of such destinations, the local community's well-being also needs to be prioritized. Exposure to natural hazards and climate crises have further exacerbated concerns about the long-term sustainability of these locations. The interrelationship between tourism intensity and its impacts clearly reflects in Butler’s Tourism Area Life Cycle model of 1980. The ‘elements of capacity’ and their ‘critical range’ mark a significant threshold in the model that leads us to the concept of Carrying Capacity. The capacity may be physical, spatial, ecological, environmental, social, economic, management, and governance, among others. This is also linked with the quality of touristic experience and satisfaction. In this context, aiming to understand the optimum level of tourist traffic flow in Bakkhali, one of the popular beach destinations of the deltaic island system of the Indian Sundarbans, this study assesses its visitor carrying capacity at three levels—physical, real, and effective. It also briefly introduces the idea of ‘operative’ carrying capacity at the fourth level. The study is based on tourist data till 2019 and adopts the well-established methodological framework of carrying capacity assessment applied widely in several settings. The result suggests that tourism operations at Bakkhali may optimally handle 2040 visitors per day, which may be stretched to a maximum of 2267 visitors per day. This may be used as baseline information for sustainable coastal tourism policy framing in long term while planning for tourism management and infrastructure development in the Sundarban region in immediate terms.&lt;/p&gt;

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN FAMILY BUSINESS IN THE AGE OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Family firms have long been a mainstay of the world economy because of their distinctive combination of custom, long-term vision, and close-knit ownership structures. But these well-established businesses face a difficult battle from the digital revolution. In order to be competitive, family companies need to embrace digital transformation as technology redefines customer behaviour and changes entire industries. The ethical leadership required for this transformation journey must strike a balance between the demands of a fast evolving digital landscape and the family's core values. Families-run enterprises, the foundation of many economies, are at a crossroads. The digital era, characterized by swift technical progress and changing customer needs, demands a change to guarantee their sustained prosperity. Family-owned businesses have particular difficulties as a result of this shift since they have to balance their enduring traditions and values with the needs of the digital age. It becomes clear that ethical leadership is essential for negotiating this challenging environment. It investigates the complex interrelationships among family companies, digital revolution, and ethical leadership. Family businesses, with its unique fusion of agility and tradition, find themselves at a turning point in the digital age. This shift calls for a fresh emphasis on ethical leadership and offers both opportunities and challenges. We look at how ethical decision-making in the digital sphere might be guided by fundamental family business principles. This entails dealing with concerns including cybersecurity, algorithmic bias, and data privacy. The study goes on to discuss tactics for guaranteeing accountability among all parties involved, encouraging openness, and cultivating an ethical culture within the family business. Family businesses may secure long-term sustainability, bolster their competitive advantage, and cultivate trust with clients and staff by employing ethical leadership in the digital era. Keywords: Family Business Management, Ethical Leadership, Family Business, Ethics, Digital Transformation, etc

Empowering Economic Development: A Case Study Analysis of Agricultural Commodity Production in Nepal's Local Markets with a Focus on Farmers and Traders (2021/ 22)

For economic development, Agriculture is the ultimate source of production to survive and manage economy and market system both. Nepal is divers with full of opportunities from the agriculture productions with three distinct geography such as hill, mountains and terai. This study aims to find out the role of consumable agriculture production in the economic development of Nepal. A mixed method approach is planned to conduct this research following the secondary data from the Government of Nepal that cross verified with the traders, farmers and various Key Informant persons using primary data collection tools. Study was conducted during 2022-23 and farmers and traders' data from all seven provinces were contracted and interviewed. The results shows that the role of agriculture production plays a vital role managing food security and economic situation of the Country. The local production is not enough to meet the requirement of Nepal. Import from India, China and Other countries supporting and meeting the requirement so the peoples. The study concluded as the GDP value of the local Production significantly plays a role in the positive development of Nations for the growth and sustainability. However, the local production is the ultimate way out to manage long-term sustainability in the study. Researcher suggesting instead of imports from neighbor country. A local production and traders' management is recommending managing local food production availability as well as growth in economic development.