Positive Drivers Research Articles

Social protection for inclusive growth: a tale of two countries Pakistan and Bangladesh

PurposeThis paper examines and compares the role of social protection to promote inclusive growth in two countries (once related), Pakistan and Bangladesh, from 1984 to 2020, using annual time series data.Design/methodology/approachThe study used principal component analysis to develop the index of social protection, inclusive growth and macroeconomic stability. It also employed co-integration with impulse response function and fully modified ordinary least squares test for long-run cointegration.FindingsThe key results highlighted that social protection positively promotes inclusive growth in both countries. However, Bangladesh attains a high position in achieving inclusive growth through the mechanism of welfare programs. Findings show that institutional quality, macroeconomic stability and globalization are the positive and significant drivers of inclusive growth in both countries. It also confirms that macroeconomic stability and globalization are contributing more to achieving inclusive growth in Bangladesh as compared to Pakistan.Practical implicationsInstitutions and macroeconomic stability in both countries are critical toward providing a transparent system of welfare schemes to achieve inclusive growth. Shocks to social protection schemes in Pakistan are inconsistent for achieving inclusive growth as compared to Bangladesh.Originality/valueThe study extends the empirical measurement of social protection and inclusive growth while using protracted dimensions and indicators. It further examines and compares the dynamics of social protection programs for inclusive growth in two countries once related. For further originality and reliability, this study checks the robustness of long-run estimates by disaggregating the institutional quality and globalization into their key dimensions.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-07-2023-0548

Moderate grazing intensity and pika disturbance can enhance plant diversity and soil nutrient cycling in the alpine grasslands of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

Grazing livestock and pikas, as the primary herbivores in grasslands, influence the health of grassland ecosystems through activities such as feeding, burrowing, and trampling. This study reviews 86 articles and examines the effects of varying grazing levels and pika activity on alpine grassland vegetation and soil in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, providing scientific insights to guide grassland conservation efforts. The research shows that: 1) Both grazing and pika disturbance significantly reduce aboveground biomass (AGB) in alpine grasslands (p < 0.05). Moderate grazing increases diversity indices, while pika disturbance has the opposite effect. 2) As grazing intensity increases, there is a significant decrease in total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and soil organic matter (SOM) content (p < 0.05). However, moderate pika disturbance leads to a significant increase in TP and TN content (p < 0.05). 3) In grazing trials, bulk density (BD) and the Shannon-Wiener index are significant positive drivers. Conversely, during pika disturbance, the Shannon-Wiener index and total nitrogen (TN) act as significant positive drivers, while BD is a significant negative driver. The study's findings indicate that moderate grazing intensity and pika disturbance can enhance plant diversity indices in grasslands, as well as improve soil structure and nutrient levels. Therefore, establishing a reasonable grazing system and controlling the pika population are effective methods for managing alpine grasslands.

Socio-economic Impact Assessment of Salinity Prevention Structure-Bardasagar Scheme in Porbandar District of Gujarat, India

India's vast coastline, spanning 7,516 kilometers, faces a critical challenge of seawater intrusion, resulting in salinity issues that profoundly affect agriculture, water resources, and socio-economic well-being. Among the coastal states, Gujarat, with its extensive 1,600-kilometer coastline, bears a significant burden of this phenomenon. The Barda Sagar Prevention Scheme aims to mitigate these effects by managing water resources effectively, thereby reducing salinity impact in the Porbandar area of Gujarat and ensuring the well-being of local communities. The Barda Sagar Scheme, situated in Rinavada village within Porbandar taluka of Gujarat, stands as a vital initiative aimed at addressing these challenges. This study meticulously evaluates the scheme's impact on agriculture, livestock, and rural livelihoods in both upstream and downstream villages. The findings underscore the scheme's substantial positive influence on various facets of rural life. Significant shifts in cropping patterns and agricultural land usage, accompanied by notable increases in crop yields, particularly in principal crops like groundnut and cumin, demonstrate the scheme's efficacy in enhancing agricultural productivity. Moreover, changes in livestock population, production, and feeding practices suggest potential improvements in livestock management and productivity, despite some fluctuations in livestock populations. Access to safe drinking water, a fundamental aspect of rural livelihoods, has witnessed considerable improvement due to the scheme's implementation. Increased reliance on the Narmada pipeline and enhanced access to potable water across surveyed villages reflect positive strides in water security and overall living standards. However, the study also identifies various challenges and factors influencing the observed changes. Soil degradation, pest incidence, and the need for sustainable water management strategies emerge as notable challenges that require ongoing attention and intervention. While positive drivers such as increased rainfall and improved market access have facilitated progress, continued monitoring, and adaptive management remain imperative for ensuring the scheme's long-term sustainability and efficacy.

Cookies Fortified with Polyphenols Extracts: Impact on Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, Inhibition of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Enzyme, Colour and Sensory Attractiveness.

The goal of the research was to determine the impact of fortification with polyphenolic compounds on (i) sensory attractiveness (global satisfaction, appearance, colour, odour, flavour, sweetness, bitterness), (ii) content of polyphenols and colour (L*, a*, b*) after the baking process and (iii) their bioactive potential (antioxidants activity and inhibiting of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme). Fortification was made with extracts of polyphenolic compounds of selected plant raw materials rich in polyphenols from quince (fruits), tilia (flowers), pomegranate (skin), passion fruit (endocarp), sour cherries (leaves), haskap and chokeberry (berries), silver skin (coffee beans), rosehip (seeds). Depending on the nature of the polyphenol extract, flavan-3-ols (monomeric and polymeric), phenolic acid, flavonols and anthocyanins were identified in the product in amounts ranging from 53.7 to 212.6 mg/100 g DM. Cookies' colour (L*, a*, b*) depended on the type of polyphenol extract used for fortification. Cookies with haskap, chokeberry and sour cherry presented the highest antioxidant potential. Cookies with chokeberry, haskap and rosehip presented high activity in inhibiting α-amylase (65.5, 60.6 and 62.2% of inhibition, respectively), but cookies with haskap, silver skin and quince in inhibiting α-glucosidase activity (23.0, 20.4 and 21.4% of inhibition, respectively). In the sensory evaluation, the most attractive were cookies with rosehip and pomegranate (6.3 and 5.8 score, respectively), but the lowest ratings were given to cookies with passion fruit and silver skin but especially quince cookies, which obtained the lowest desirability (3.7 score). The acceptability of fortified cookies was determined to the least extent by monomeric flavan-3-ols and phenolic acids (in minus in odour/flavour, bitterness, sweetness and global satisfaction), but anthocyanins, polymeric procyanidins and flavonols had the most significant positive impact on consumer acceptance of the assessed features, i.e., global satisfaction, odour/flavour, sweetness and bitterness (positive consumer drivers).

Impact of Farm Management on Soil Fertility in Agroforestry Systems in Bali, Indonesia

Expansion and intensification of agricultural land in the tropics increasingly raises environmental concerns and questions about sustainability of production systems. A key parameter to consider when assessing the sustainability of production systems is soil fertility, and of particular interest are macronutrients, pH, electrical conductivity, and microbial communities. To understand which environmental factors influence soil fertility, we studied the abovementioned key parameters in two agroforestry systems (rustic and polyculture) in Bali, Indonesia. Via Generalized Linear Models, we found that agroforestry system, canopy cover, crop richness, tree richness, and yields had differing effects on topsoil (0–5 cm) and subsoil (10–15 cm) properties, including C:N ratios, conductivity, K, organic C, P, and total microbes. We found a higher C:N ratio in topsoil (p = 0.027), higher organic carbon content in topsoil (p = 0.009) and subsoil (p &lt; 0.001), higher total microbes in subsoil (p = 0.001), and lower phosphorus levels in topsoil (p &lt; 0.001) in rustic than in polyculture systems. Rustic systems may foster conditions conducive to soil fertility, and in our study, canopy cover (p &lt; 0.001) and tree richness (p &lt; 0.001) emerge as a key positive drivers of the total number of microbes in topsoil. The positive associations observed between crop and tree richness with electrical conductivity and total microbe counts underscore the importance of biodiversity in enhancing soil fertility, emphasizing the need for diversified agricultural systems to promote soil fertility. With soil fertility declining across the world due to global investments in agricultural intensification, it is vital that food production systems divert to the use of systems such as agroforestry in order to ensure soil sustainability and food security for future generations.

Focus groups exploring American consumer perspectives on contemporary poultry production reveal critical insights to educate sustainable practices for producers

Ensuring sustainability in poultry production is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that considers human health and food security, bird health, the environment, and society. Consumers are critical stakeholders, yet their growing disconnection from agriculture production practices complicates efforts to achieve more sustainable systems. This study aims to gain insights into consumers' attitudes toward poultry and perceptions of contemporary production methods. Exploration of consumer perspectives would offer valuable insights that could educate producers on the priorities of the target market and make informed decisions about embracing practices to increase the sustainability of their operations. In this context, eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 54 multicultural participants who consume chicken and reside in Minnesota, USA. The major themes that emerged from the FGDs include (1) purchasing and consumption habits, (2) concerns regarding production methods, (3) the impact of social, religious, and cultural factors, (4) familiarity with poultry production practices, and (5) the importance of educating consumers. The study revealed that convenience, affordability, and health benefits are positive drivers of poultry consumption. While participants exhibited a greater preference for the flavor of dark (leg and thigh) meat, they often chose breast meat for its ease of preparation and perceived health benefits. Concern for human health tended to take precedence over ethical claims associated with animal welfare. Furthermore, misconceptions emerging from skepticism and unfamiliarity with regulations and the labeling of poultry products may deter the acceptability of higher costs. Many participants identified knowledge gaps and sought science-based information from reliable sources. They conveyed the necessity of outreach and education for consumers in more engaging and accessible forms of communication. The well-established reputation of poultry as a healthy, convenient, and affordable source of protein is the main driver for its consumption. Learning the attributes they believe are significant and underlying motivations or obstacles to consumption can be beneficial in developing effective strategies to promote the adoption of sustainable practices. Enhancing consumer understanding of sustainable poultry production could influence their acceptance and readiness to absorb the additional costs associated with it.

Recent CO2 emission and projections in Chinese provinces: New drivers and ensemble forecasting

Although extensive studies focused on the driver of changing CO2 emission, the roles of labor and capital were largely ignored in shaping spatiotemporal change in CO2 emission and forecasting differences on CO2 emission was few considered, hindering relevant policymaking towards sustainable development in both climate change mitigation and economic growth for developing countries in particular. To fill the gap above, the study explored the roles of capital and labor in contributing to recent CO2 emission in a case of China over 2010–2019 and projecting provincial CO2 emissions to 2030, by proposing two new spatiotemporal logarithmic mean Divisia index models with Cobb-Douglas production function and developing an ensemble forecasting model including machine learning. We found, first, the effects of capital and labor inputs and carbon factor were the positive drivers affecting aggregate CO2 emissions, while the effects of the total-factor productivity and energy intensity were negative drivers. Second, the effects of capital and labor inputs were the negative drivers for narrowing the emission gap. Third, the ensemble forecasting model can improve the generalization ability of CO2 emission predictions. Therefore, we recommend that policymakers focus on optimizing the carbon reduction effects of capital and labor inputs while promoting the development of a circular economy to achieve sustainable economic growth.

Carbon Dioxide Fluxes from Peri-urban Tidal Flats in South China

Coastal ecosystems are recognized as important carbon reservoirs. However, assessments of coastal carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes often neglect unvegetated tidal flats, particularly in peri-urban areas. This study investigated the gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), and total respiration (TR) of three tidal flats in Hong Kong, one of the largest cities in South China, during both summer and winter seasons to understand their CO2 fluxes. Results showed that GPP of three tidal flats was significantly higher in winter than in summer. However, no significant seasonal variations in TR were observed among the tidal flats. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the drivers of CO2 fluxes in the three tidal flats. The model showed that temperature and microphytobenthos abundance were identified as positive drivers of GPP, while sediment mud content had a positive effect on TR. The estimated daily NPP of these tidal flats ranged from -0.853 to 0.112 g C m−2 d−1, which is lower than the mean value reported for global vegetated coastal wetlands. Despite some seasonal and spatial variations, those peri-urban tidal flats may be considered as weak CO2 sources rather than CO2 sinks.

Firewood as a tool to valorize meat: A sensory and instrumental approach to grilled veal, lamb, and pork meat

Two firewood species (beech and olive) were used for grilling three meat types (lamb, pork, and veal) to assess their influence on the sensorial properties of meat. A multimethod approach was adopted, including sensory evaluation with consumers and two analytical techniques to characterize the volatile fraction (Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry [SPME-GC/MS] and electronic nose [e-nose]). The sensory session included three pairwise preference tests (one for each type of meat), an overall liking test, a Rate-All-That-Apply test, and a questionnaire on the interest and perceived value of using sustainably certified firewood in food preparation. The firewood species significantly affected the perception of a few crucial attributes. In particular, olive wood increased the roasted meat flavor perception in lamb and veal, while beech wood increased the perceived intensity of a vegetable/herbaceous flavor in veal. No effect of firewood was observed on preference within each pair of meat samples. Lamb was the significantly most liked meat by consumers, followed by pork; veal was the least liked meat type. Positive and negative drivers of preference were discussed. 36 volatile organic compounds were identified from SPME-GC/MS in meats. Congruently with sensory data, the two veal samples showed a greater distance in terms of volatile composition. Relative distances among samples on maps obtained from SPME-GC/MS and the e-nose were similar. This multi-method approach innovatively showed the potential of using firewood as a ‘gastronomic’ tool to sensorially characterize and valorize cooked meat.

Service quality dimensions in Austrian food retailing – a text mining approach for physical retail stores

ABSTRACT Investigating Service Quality (SQ) and its implications for customer satisfaction has become an increasingly popular research area. Especially in the context of physical grocery retailing, ensuring customer satisfaction has become a key success factor. Most previous research studies apply traditional methods (e.g. surveys) for physical shops and utilize text mining-based approaches mainly for e-commerce. In our paper, we propose a novel approach based on LDA. By combining expert-based word counting analysis with the LDA approach, we confirm that unsupervised text mining based on LDA can be used as a reliable approach to cluster textual comments to SQ dimensions in physical retail settings. We have analyzed over 163,000 publicly available textual customer reviews related to the Austrian market, which is special in terms of its extremely high density of retail outlets, high price levels and a tendency towards traditional form of shopping. Our results show that personal interaction, policies, and product-related aspects seem to be positive drivers of customer satisfaction, while reliability is a clear driver of customer dissatisfaction. Results also show a significantly higher relevance of personal interaction in smaller stores and cities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants than in other store types and bigger cities. Regarding practical implications, hypermarkets should focus on physical aspects to reduce negative reviews and increase efforts in personal interaction to increase positive reviews. On the other hand, smaller stores should continue to rely on personal interaction to avoid negative reviews and might focus on higher reliability to generate more positive reviews. The applied text-mining approach enables future research with a starting base to analyze SQ dimensions and their relevance in additional countries or area, as e.g. fashion or hardware retail.

Associations of Blood and Urinary Heavy Metals with Stress Urinary Incontinence Risk Among Adults in NHANES, 2003-2018.

People come into contact with heavy metals in various ways in their daily lives. Accumulating evidence shows that toxic metal exposure is hazardous to human health. However, limited information is available regarding the impact of metal mixtures on stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Therefore, we used data from 10,622 adults from the 2003-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to investigate the independent and comprehensive association between heavy metal co-exposure and SUI. Among them, 2455 (23.1%) had been diagnosed with SUI, while the rest had no SUI. We evaluated the independent and combined associations of 3 blood metals and 10 urinary metals with SUI risk, along with subgroup analyses according to age and gender. In the single-exposure model, blood cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), urinary Cd, Pb, and cesium (Cs) were found to be positively connected with SUI risk. Moreover, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, quantile-based g-computation (qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) consistently demonstrated blood and urinary metal-mixed exposure were positively associated with the risk of SUI, and emphasized that blood Pb and Cd and urinary Cd and Cs were the main positive drivers, respectively. This association was more pronounced in the young and middle-aged group (20-59years old) and the female group. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to validate these significant findings.

“If it all goes digital, we’ll have to learn”: facilitators and barriers to uptake of digital health in British South Asians with cardiometabolic disease

BackgroundAlthough availability and utilisation of digital health interventions (DHIs) for management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (“cardiometabolic disease”) have increased, they may exacerbate health inequalities. South Asians have increased cardiometabolic risk, but their experiences of DHIs are poorly investigated and characterised.ObjectiveTo explore facilitators and barriers to DHI uptake and use in South Asian individuals in the UK with cardiometabolic disease.MethodsMixed-methods approach encompassing online/face-to-face/individual interviews (n = 45) and survey (n = 100). After informed consent, transcription and coding, we conducted a thematic analysis informed by a guide for understanding inequalities in DHIs to examine perceptions at the individual, healthcare professional, societal and intervention level.ResultsParticipants described an intersection of factors resulting in varied digital skills and confidence within the community, including individual characteristics, awareness, and support. COVID-19 restrictions acted as both a positive (use of online shopping and social media increasing digital confidence) and negative (lack of access to health services) drivers to DHI uptake. Participants made recommendations for improving DHI uptake in the health service and policy area, such as promotion and upskilling through culturally and language-appropriate avenues such as community organisations and outlets. Participants suggested DHI design improvements should focus on literacy, numeracy, accessibility, and cultural appropriateness.ConclusionsDHIs have the potential to support South Asian populations in the UK to prevent and manage cardiometabolic disease. To improve their uptake, approaches to their implementation should consider community diversity to provide appropriate promotion, education, and support.

The dynamics of financial development, environmental degradation, economic growth and population health in the Economic Community of West African States

Abstract By exploring the nexus between financial development and population health in the ECOWAS region we contribute to the debate on population health and also examine the direction of causality between population health and its determinants. We utilised a panel dataset of 11 ECOWAS nations from 1990-2019. The study used the augmented mean group (AMG) estimator to examine the long-run associations among the chosen variables. The empirical results indicate that financial development and economic growth are positive drivers of population health. The analysis also demonstrates that lower population health is associated with increased environmental degradation (CO2 emissions) in the ECOWAS region. However, regarding the country-specific analysis, the impact of the determinants of population health varied per country. The empirical estimates of the Dumitrescu Hurlin panel causality tests reveal a bidirectional causality between population health and its determinants. The empirical outcomes offer new insights for policymakers by means of financial development, environmental degradation, and income as economic tools to promote population health by guiding finance, growth, and environmental policies.

Socio-Economic and Demographic Factors Affecting Adoption of Electric Vehicles in India

The purpose of this study is to analyze the diverse socio-economic and demographic determinants that impact the adoption and growth of electric vehicles (EVs) in India. Quantitative research was conducted utilizing data from the Prowess IQ database. Growth of Electric Vehicles (GEV) is represented through the proxy of total income of ten prominent Indian EV manufacturing companies for eight years from 2016 to 2023. This is analyzed against nine independent variables including GDP, Per Capita Income, Age of Company, Population Density, Average Petrol/Diesel Price, Price of Electricity Per Unit, Average Household Electricity Consumption, and Vehicle Electricity Consumption, data for which was extracted from governmental and company websites. The study employed statistical methods, such as correlation and regression analysis, to examine the associations between the dependent and independent variables. The results depict notable positive correlations with GDP, per capita income, age of company, and population density, and negative correlations with the price of electricity and diesel. Regression analysis further substantiated six variables (population density, petrol prices, per capita income, GDP, diesel prices, and average household electricity consumption) as statistically significant contributors to GEV in India These findings point towards the need to leverage the positive drivers and mitigate the effects of negative correlates. Policies offering financial support tailored to demographic and economic contexts, might help achieve accelerated and sustainable growth for EVs in India. This study highlights the unique impact of demographic elements like population density on the EV market in India.

Spatiotemporal drivers of Nature's contributions to people: A county-level study

Nature's contributions to people (NCP) encompass both the beneficial and detrimental effects of living nature on human quality of life, including regulatory, material, and non-material contributions. Globally, vital NCPs have been deteriorating, accelerated by changes in both natural and anthropogenic drivers over recent decades. Despite the often inevitable trade-offs between NCPs due to their spatially and temporally uneven distributions, few studies have quantitatively assessed the impacts of different drivers on the spatial and temporal changes in multiple NCPs and their interrelationships. Here we evaluate the effects of precipitation, temperature, population, gross domestic product, vegetation restoration, and urban expansion on four key regulatory NCPs—habitat maintenance, climate regulation, water quantity regulation, and soil protection—in Nei Mongol at the county level. We observe increasing trends in climate regulation and soil protection from 2000 to 2019, contrasted with declining trends in habitat maintenance and water quantity regulation. We have identified the dominant positive and negative drivers influencing each NCP across individual counties, finding that natural drivers predominantly overpowered anthropogenic drivers. Furthermore, we discover significant spatial disparities in the trade-off or synergy relationships between NCPs across the counties. Our findings illustrate how the impacts of various drivers on NCPs and their interrelationships can be quantitatively evaluated, offering significant potential for application in various spatial scales. With an understanding of trade-offs and scale effects, these insights are expected to support and inform policymaking at both county and provincial levels.

Spatiotemporal Patterns and Driving Factors of Green and Low-Carbon Urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

Spatiotemporal Patterns and Driving Factors of Green and Low-Carbon Urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

Heterogenetic mechanism in high-temperature Daqu fermentation by traditional craft and mechanical craft: From microbial assembly patterns to metabolism phenotypes

The mechanical process has a widely usage in large-scale high-temperature Daqu (HTD) enterprises, however, the quality of the mechanical HTD is gapped with the HTD by traditional process. Currently, the understanding of the mechanism behind this phenomenon is still over-constrained. To this end, the discrepancies in fermentation parameters, enzymatic characteristics, microbial assembly and succession patterns, metabolic phenotypes were compared between traditional HTD and mechanical HTD in this paper. The results showed that mechanical process altered the temperature ramping procedure, resulting in a delayed appearance of the peak temperature. This alteration shifted the assembly pattern of the initial bacterial community from determinism to stochasticity, while having no impact on the stochastic assembly pattern of the fungal community. Concurrently, mechanical pressing impeded the accumulation of arginase, tetramethylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, and butyric acid, as the target dissimilarities in metabolism between traditional HTD and mechanical HTD. Pearson correlation analysis combined with the functional prediction further demonstrated that Bacillus, Virgibacillus, Oceanobacillus, Kroppenstedtia, Lactobacillus, and Monascus were mainly contributors to metabolic variances. The Redundancy analysis (RDA) of fermented environmental factors on functional ASVs indicated that high temperature, high acid and low moisture were key positive drivers on the microbial metabolism for the characteristic flavor in HTD. Based on these results, heterogeneous mechanisms between traditional HTD and mechanical HTD were explored, and controllable metabolism targets were as possible strategies to improve the quality of mechanical HTD.

Antecedents of memorable heritage tourism experiences: an application of stimuli–organism–response theory

Purpose Based on stimulus-organism-response theory, this study aims to develop and tests a model of memorable heritage tourism experience (MHTE). The model proposes that experiencescape, experience co-creation, education and photography are important antecedents of MHTE, which is then a driver of place attachment. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study were collected using a Web-based questionnaire of people aged 18 years and over who had a heritage tourism experience during the previous three months (February–April 2023). The survey was distributed in May 2023 using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). A survey link was posted on MTurk, which remained active for the first week of May 2023. Out of the 283 responses received, 272 were valid responses from individuals who met the participation criteria. Findings Experiencescape, experience co-creation, education and photography were found to be positive drivers of the MHTE, with a positive relationship between MHTE and place attachment. Originality/value Many studies linked to memorable tourism experience (MTE) mainly replicate Kim, Ritchie, &amp; McCormick’s (2012) MTE scale, regardless of the specific study context. This study offers an alternative framework through which alternative antecedents and outcomes of tourists’ MTE can be identified.

Empowerment of Rural Women through Entrepreneurial Initiatives

This article highlights the potential for change of economic activity in historically underprivileged regions, focusing into the dynamic areas of rural women's empowerment through entrepreneurial initiatives. Entrepreneurial efforts emerge as effective instruments for building overall empowerment in the face of systemic problems such as restricted access to education, economic marginalization, and gender inequities. This study begins by detailing the particular problems that rural women confront, such as educational limitations, economic marginalization, and strongly established gender stereotypes. These problems set the setting for a more in-depth analysis of how entrepreneurial initiatives might act as positive change drivers. The paper emphasizes the various importance of entrepreneurial efforts in tackling these difficulties. Entrepreneurship becomes a vehicle for skill development, financial inclusion, and community building in addition to economic rewards. Entrepreneurship contributes to altering society narratives and challenging gender stereotypes by giving practical chances for women to break away from defined positions. This article proposes for a holistic strategy to rural empowerment that mixes economic activities with education, skill development, and technology. It hopes to stimulate future study, policy interventions, and grassroots activities that acknowledge the multiple links between entrepreneurship, gender equity, and rural community life. Finally, this investigation enables readers to imagine a future in which entrepreneurial initiatives act as transforming forces, releasing the full potential of rural women and creating resilient, empowered communities.

Deciphering the dynamics of human-environment interaction in China: Insights into renewable energy, sustainable consumption patterns, and carbon emissions

The increasing acknowledgment of the complex interplay between human actions and the natural world has generated a need to decipher human-environmental interdependence's ecological dynamics. The present research examines the intricate dynamics of the interplay between humans and the environment in China spanning 1975 to 2022. The results show that coal energy (i.e., -0.057, p < 0.050) and fossil fuel consumption (i.e., -0.766, p < 0.050) negatively affect renewable energy outcomes, highlighting the need for transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Conversely, energy use (0.006, p < 0.000), carbon pricing (0.480, p < 0.050), economic growth (0.0005, p < 0.050), and public awareness (0.040, p < 0.010) are positive drivers of renewable energy outcomes, suggesting the importance of policies promoting sustainable energy practices and raising environmental consciousness. Regarding sustainable consumption practices, materialistic practices (-0.0.004, p < 0.050), marketing strategies (-1.642, p < 0.000), and socioeconomic status (-2.026, p < 0.050) have adverse effects, while environmental awareness exhibits a positive influence. These findings underscore the significance of promoting environmentally conscious behavior and addressing societal factors that hinder sustainable consumption patterns. Furthermore, the study reveals that hedonic adaptation (0.036, p < 0.050) contributes to increased carbon emissions, indicating the need for strategies that mitigate the impact of changing living standards on the environment. Conversely, media penetration (-0.028, p < 0.010) and effective government communication are associated with decreased carbon emissions, underscoring the potential of media campaigns and informative communications to foster behavioral changes and encourage sustainable practices. Regulators may develop all-encompassing strategies to fight environmental damage and encourage a better tomorrow by providing incentives for using alternative energy sources, encouraging environmentally aware consumerism, and using the power of the press.