• A spatial DSS supports ecological sustainability across land systems • The framework translates ecological metrics into actionable landuse strategies • Context-sensitive accounting weights ecological footprints by social-ecological vulnerability • Spatial optimization exposes efficiency-equity-equality trade-offs • Spatial targeting improves ecological efficiency by 32% over uniform land treatment Cities disproportionately concentrate environmental burdens, yet existing environmental accounting frameworks often treat urban systems as spatially homogeneous and overlook variation in land quality, management practices, and social vulnerability. This oversimplification limits the capacity of sustainability assessments to translate ecological indicators into spatially actionable strategies that indicate where to intervene. The fundamental gap lies in the disconnect between environmental assessment, spatial planning, and trade-off management. This research presents an integrated decision support system addressing this gap through multi-objective spatial optimization and context-sensitive ecological footprint accounting. The framework incorporates fine-resolution analysis at planning-relevant scales; context-sensitive weighting integrating environmental degradation and socioeconomic vulnerability indicators; spatially explicit multi-objective optimization balancing environmental effectiveness, social equity, and economic viability through Pareto analysis; and graph-theoretic spatial coherence ensuring feasible interventions. Applied to the Netherlands, the framework demonstrates substantial improvements in sustainability planning. By incorporating local environmental and social conditions into footprint accounting, it distinguishes unsustainable from sustainable land uses, enabling 32% greater targeting efficiency than approaches treating all land as equivalent. When allocating interventions across land types, the framework achieves 57% reduction in ecological deficit within realistic budget constraints, though Pareto analysis shows that each 10% environmental gain requires approximately 9% trade-off in social equity. This approach demonstrates that environmental footprint accounting, traditionally limited to performance monitoring, can guide spatially explicit decision-making when weighted by local conditions and embedded within multi-objective optimization frameworks. Requiring widely available spatial data (land cover, environmental quality, socioeconomic conditions), the methodology enables cities worldwide to translate sustainability commitments into spatially targeted interventions.

Agent-based modeling to assess the effects of time-of-use water tariffs on social equity

This study explores the socio-economic and environmental impacts of tourism in Cox’s Bazar. One of the most popular tourist destinations with a focus on sustainable development perspectives in Bangladesh. The aim is to assess the complex interplay between socio-economic outcomes, environmental challenges, and tourism growth while exploring the potential for sustainable tourism practices through sustainable tourism development (STD) model and community-based tourism (CBT) model. A mixedmethod approach was used, utilizing stakeholder interviews and thematic analysis. This methodology identified four key themes such as environmental degradation, social division, cultural destruction, and eco-tourism awareness. It provides a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities associated with tourism in the region. The findings reveal that tourism has significantly contributed to economic growth and cultural preservation. However, it has also resulted in several challenges related to ecotourism awareness, such as pollution, habitat loss, rising social inequality and commodification of local culture. While tourism has driven development, these negative outcomes have raised concerns about its long-term sustainability. The research emphasizes the importance of adopting the STD model that balances economic needs with social, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the CBT model is proposed to empower local communities, ensuring their active participation in tourism management while preserving their environmental and cultural heritage for eco-tourism. The study provides actionable recommendations for policymakers to ensure that tourism contributes to long-term economic resilience, environmental sustainability and social equity in Cox’s Bazar. These encompass policies promoting sustainable tourism, local engagement, environmental safeguards, and economic diversification to reduce dependency on tourism. Furthermore, the adoption of STD model and CBT model can guide future tourism practices, ensuring inclusivity and environmental responsibility in the region.

ABSTRACT Climate change is a ‘super wicked problem’ intricately linked to social inequality, with the most marginalised populations both contributing least to emissions and bearing the brunt of climate impacts. While these groups arguably have the most to gain from climate action, many climate policies risk exacerbating inequality, particularly when they place a disproportionate burden on low-income communities. This paper explores the tension between climate mitigation and social equity, with a particular focus on sustainable transport. Drawing on qualitative case study data from a pan-European project that examined the impact of car-reduction policies on socioeconomically disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods, the analysis focuses on a policy aimed at improving the public transport system in a Swedish city. Despite focusing on a seemingly equitable ‘pull’ measure, significant citizen resistance emerged. Through interviews with residents and policymakers, this paper examines how perceptions of justice shaped perceptions of the policy. Applying a mobility justice perspective to the findings reveals a disconnect between policymakers’ assumptions and residents’ lived experiences – highlighting the importance of procedural justice and meaningful public participation and underscoring the complexities of designing climate policies that are both environmentally effective and socially just.

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the effects of Korea’s Rice Discount Support Program on rice consumption among low-income households. To address the absence of control and treatment group data, a modified difference-in-differences (DID) model is developed using the proportion of eligible beneficiary group. The results indicate that the policy increased annual per-capita rice consumption among vulnerable households by approximately 0.1847 kg. This finding suggests that the subsidy alleviates the economic burden on low-income households, improves access to staple foods, and strengthens food security and social equity.

Ecological resettlement (ER), or conservation-led displacement, is widely implemented to safeguard biodiversity but often produces complex socio-ecological outcomes. This study assessed the environmental justice (both social and ecological) impacts of ER in Nepal’s Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) using an enhanced (including social, ecological, and environmental aspects) environmental justice (EJ) framework. Data were collected from 240 households across all resettled villages within the Chitwan and Parsa National Parks (NPs) of Nepal through household interviews, key informant interviews, focus groups, and field observations, supplemented by policy reviews, reports, and unpublished documents. Household demographics indicated an average family size of 5.5, gender parity (664 females, 658 males), and diverse caste/ethnic composition (ethnic: 146 households; higher caste: 64; lower caste: 6). Wealth distribution and literacy were uneven, with disparities in land ownership, assets, and social positions. Social and ecological justice outcomes were analysed using chi-square and McNemar tests. We observed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in substantive justice (food, shelter, clothing, and security) attributes before and after the resettlements. Similarly, significant improvements post-resettlement were observed in procedural and recognition justice: participation in decision-making increased from 43% to 62% (χ2 = 12.34, p < 0.05). However, recognition of Indigenous knowledge and FPIC rights remained low, with 93% of households reporting inadequate acknowledgment (χ2 = 198.5, p < 0.05). Distributive justice indicators, including access to compensation and forest resources, showed mixed outcomes, with 52% reporting fair compensation and 48% citing inequities (p < 0.05). Ecological outcomes also shifted significantly: forest cover decreased in 65% of surveyed areas post-resettlement, while grassland extent increased in 28% (χ2 = 27.4, p < 0.05). Water source accessibility declined for 48% of households (χ2 = 21.6, p < 0.05), and bushfire incidence decreased by 15% (χ2 = 9.8, p < 0.05). Composite scoring revealed strong linkages between social justice deficits and ecological downturn in the resettled areas, suggesting that inadequate participation, recognition, inequitable compensation, and ecological degradation shift the issues from parks to the outside and exacerbate environmental vulnerability. These findings demonstrate that ER can achieve partial ecological objectives inside the parks but often perpetuates social inequities and ecological downturn in the resettled areas, undermining the long-term sustainability of the socio-ecological landscape. The study highlights the critical need to integrate social justice, participatory governance, and ecological monitoring into resettlement planning. Future policies should be grounded in the understanding that conservation effectiveness and social equity are mutually reinforcing, and that ignoring justice dimensions risks undermining both biodiversity outcomes and human wellbeing.

This paper critically examines the intersection of migrant women's experiences of gender-based violence (GBV), housing insecurity, and Ireland's racial neoliberal framework within the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence. Using discourse analysis of the three National Strategies and semi-structured interviews with support services for GBV victims, as well as NGOs and CSOs assisting migrant women, it highlights how the strategy's efforts at intersectionality fall short of addressing the root causes of migrant women's marginalisation. Empirical findings reveal how precarious immigration status, inadequate housing pathways, inconsistent translation services, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 restrictions intersect to deepen migrant women's exclusion and limit their access to support. Drawing on racial neoliberalism, it argues that neoliberal policies prioritise economic growth over social equity, rendering migrant women invisible within welfare and housing systems. While the Third National Strategy acknowledges migrant women's needs, it fails to confront systemic racism and economic exclusion perpetuating their vulnerability. The paper concludes that transformative change must challenge the structural inequalities embedded in racial neoliberalism to create a genuinely inclusive framework for migrant women in Ireland.

Purpose This study aims to critically examine the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data mining in health care, particularly focusing on the limitations of traditional consent and regulatory frameworks. It proposes a reimagined model of care ethics and informed consent that is relational, participatory and justice-oriented. By introducing the “Ethical Data Mining Compass,” the paper seeks to guide health-care stakeholders in implementing ethical, transparent and inclusive AI systems that prioritize patient autonomy, accountability and data justice in clinical decision-making and digital health governance. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper uses a normative ethical analysis to explore the intersection of algorithmic decision-making and health-care data practices. Drawing from interdisciplinary literature in bioethics, data justice and care theory, it critiques existing regulatory frameworks and consent models. The study develops the “Ethical Data Mining Compass” as a theoretical framework by synthesizing principles of dynamic consent, participatory governance and relational ethics. This approach offers a structured lens for evaluating and guiding the ethical deployment of AI technologies in health-care systems, with particular attention to equity, transparency and patient-centered accountability. Findings The study finds that conventional models of informed consent and existing regulatory frameworks like General Data Protection Regulation and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are insufficient to address the ethical complexities of AI-driven health care. It highlights that algorithmic opacity and asymmetrical power dynamics undermine patient autonomy and trust. The proposed “Ethical Data Mining Compass” offers a novel framework that integrates dynamic consent, data justice and participatory governance. This model enables more inclusive, transparent and accountable data practices, reframing consent as an ongoing, relational process. It positions ethical care as central to responsible AI implementation, ensuring that technological innovation aligns with patient rights and social equity. Originality/value This paper offers a novel contribution by reconceptualizing informed consent in the context of AI-driven health care through the lens of care ethics and data justice. Unlike traditional models that treat consent as a one-time transactional act, it introduces the “Ethical Data Mining Compass” as a dynamic and participatory framework. The study bridges gaps between ethical theory, health informatics and governance, providing a structured approach to guide responsible AI use in clinical settings. Its value lies in promoting a patient-centered, equitable and context-sensitive model for data ethics that addresses current regulatory and practical shortcomings in digital health systems.

ABSTRACT European cities are still entrenched in social inequalities, exacerbated by the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and compounding austerity measures, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. To mitigate inequalities, the European Union (EU) has promoted multilevel governance mechanisms, in particular Community-Led Local Development (CLLD), in order to empower local actors and foster inclusive growth. However, structural barriers continue to obstruct access to EU funds for the most marginalised communities. This article critically examines how urban development policies, shaped by neoliberal logics and the economisation of governance, have come to prioritise market efficiency over democratic participation and social equity. Drawing on qualitative research from seven European cities, we analyse how excessive bureaucracy, short-term project cycles, and the lack of genuine co-production systematically exclude grassroots actors and reinforce inequality. Our findings show that, despite an inclusive discourse, funding frameworks often privilege resource-rich organisations while further marginalising those most in need. We argue that these limitations are not incidental, but symptomatic of deeper governance structures that prioritise rapid, quantifiable outcomes over long-term, transformative social change. The paper calls for a recalibration of EU urban policy: one that centres co-creation, redistributes decision-making power, and meaningfully integrates community voices. Without such a shift, EU Cohesion Policy risks perpetuating the very exclusions it aims to resolve.

Roma people, being the largest ethnic minority in Europe, continue to experience prejudice and structural discrimination. Moreover, there is low participation in Roma collective action and allies' solidarity-based actions. This pre-registered experimental research examines on samples from non-Roma population in Spain how social class, discrimination awareness, and group efficacy predict prejudice towards Roma and non-Roma participation in solidarity-based actions as allies in addition to test the role of intergroup emotions on those effects. In Study 1 (N = 870) social class and discrimination awareness were manipulated. Results showed that individuals assigned to the low social class condition exhibited more prejudice towards Roma in terms of stereotypes, emotions and discriminatory behaviors. Moreover, discrimination awareness condition indirectly predicted more participation in pro-Roma solidarity-based actions through increased outrage about about the situation of Roma. Study 2 (N = 1,000) confirmed the effect of social class on prejudice. Further, it showed two different paths for predicting solidarity-based actions: discrimination awareness (high vs. low) predicted higher participation in solidarity-based actions indirectly via empathy towards Roma people and outrage towards about the situation of Roma, whereas group efficacy (high vs. low) predicted participation in solidarity-based actions through hope in relation to the situation of Roma and empathy towards Roma. This experimental research highlights the need to address the role of Roma social class as a crucial factor in understanding prejudice and confirms the discrimination (via outrage and empathy) and efficacy (via hope) routes for promoting solidarity-based actions participation to support Roma rights and promote social equity.

ABSTRACT The paper explores the gender dimensions of social equity and social equity budgeting (SEB) by investigating women's inclusion in local politics, budgeting and decision‐making in Bangladesh. Quotas for women representatives are reserved at each successive level of local government in Bangladesh, and their active participation in local politics and budgeting is encouraged. The data for the paper were derived from in‐depth interviews with local actors and direct observations, while the findings were analyzed using the four dimensions of social equity. The findings of the study provide insights into the experiences of local community actors with gender quota requirements, the barriers they faced, the enabling strategies and agencies that female politicians have adopted to counter them, and their outcomes. It thus demonstrates how social equity can be achieved through partial empowerment in developing country contexts. In addition, the findings highlight the importance of considering the “intersectional perspective” in the study of SEB in developing country contexts, given that women's access, participation, and outcomes are contingent upon both their individual status and the status of their families within their communities. This suggests the potential relevance of an intersectional interpretation of the results, wherein social status interacts with gender to shape women's lived experiences in different ways. Recognizing the structural dynamics is, therefore, essential to current debates on SEB and how its principles can be meaningfully embedded into local governance.

Purpose This paper maps the thematic evolution of technology-focused reverse mentoring (2015–2025), specifically investigating the transition from “digital literacy” to “AI fluency” and identifying critical gaps regarding ethical governance. Design/methodology/approach A general bibliometric analysis was conducted using data from major academic databases. VOSviewer software was utilized to visualize keyword co-occurrence networks, identifying dominant conceptual clusters and temporal trends across the broader management and organizational development discipline. Findings The analysis reveals five distinct clusters: corporate strategy, social equity, well-being, mentoring mechanics and crisis adaption. Crucially, a “technological lag” is evident; while “digital transformation” is a central node, keywords related to “Generative AI,” “Prompt Engineering,” and “Ethics” are conspicuously absent from the core network, highlighting a disconnect between current literature and Industry 4.0 realities. Research limitations/implications The findings imply an urgent theoretical need to pivot from general “digital adoption” models to “AI competency” frameworks. Practical implications HR practitioners should transition from generic digital up skilling to “Strategic AI mentoring,” where junior employees guide leaders on ethical AI application and workflow integration. Originality/value This study uniquely quantifies the lack of AI and ethics discourse in the general body of knowledge, offering a novel roadmap for integrating Generative AI into competency-based training assessments.

The global shift towards remote work, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has precipitated a significant demographic and economic transformation in rural areas, giving rise to the "Zoom Town" phenomenon. This narrative review synthesizes existing literature to examine the multifaceted impacts of this remote work-driven migration on rural economies. We explore four principal thematic areas: the reshaping of rural housing markets, the dual nature of rural gentrification, the critical role of digital infrastructure, and the emerging policy imperatives for sustainable rural development. The analysis reveals a complex dynamic where an influx of high-earning remote professionals stimulates local economies but simultaneously drives up housing costs, potentially displacing long-term residents and straining public services. Research indicates that while the "Zoom Town" phenomenon presents a unique opportunity for rural revitalization, it also introduces significant socio-economic challenges that mirror urban issues, including affordability crises and growing inequality. The availability and quality of digital infrastructure have emerged as the primary determinant of a community's ability to attract and retain this new demographic. Consequently, a critical need exists for proactive and integrated policy responses that balance economic growth with social equity. This review concludes by highlighting the necessity for policies focused on affordable housing, strategic infrastructure investment, and inclusive community planning to ensure that the transition from a potential "ghost town" to a thriving "Zoom Town" is both sustainable and equitable for all residents. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to track the long-term socio-economic consequences and the effectiveness of various policy interventions in these evolving rural landscapes.

With over 5 million attributed deaths per year, physical inactivity is a major global public health issue. Although the importance of physical activity is well recognized within the scope of obesity and cardiometabolic disease prevention and control, its broader benefits for the health of individuals and societies are yet to be fully harnessed. Furthermore, the role of active leisure, active transport and active labor-primary domains of physical activity-in supporting or hindering social and health equity has been largely overlooked. Here we (1) used a health equity lens to describe global domain-specific physical activity inequalities through an analysis of World Health Organization STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (WHO STEPS) data from 68 countries; (2) summarized evidence linking physical activity with health outcomes beyond cardiometabolic disease, including immunity and infectious disease, depression and cancer; and (3) developed a new model reconceptualizing physical activity to better respond to 21st-century public health challenges. Our global, intersectional analysis of gender and socioeconomic physical activity inequalities revealed a 40-percentage-point gap in active leisure-the only domain consistently driven by choice-between historically privileged groups (wealthy men in high-income countries) and historically disadvantaged ones (poor women in low-income countries). Robust evidence supports the benefits of physical activity for immunity and infectious disease, depression and cancer. Our reconceptualized model recognizes the influence of social identities, norms, policies and structures on physical activity for health and wellbeing and emphasizes the urgent need to develop and roll out policies and programs that disseminate and harness the full benefits of physical activity for human, societal and planetary health.

ABSTRACT China’s rapidly aging population has strained traditional family-based elder care, leading to the introduction of Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) as a government-supported solution. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and employing Difference-in-Differences (DID) and Triple-Difference (DDD) methodologies, this study explores LTCI’s impact on intergenerational financial transfers within households. The findings demonstrate that LTCI significantly increases financial support from elderly parents to adult children by reducing elder care-related economic burdens. This effect is notably stronger in low-income families, indicating LTCI’s potential to alleviate economic pressures disproportionately experienced by disadvantaged households. By facilitating greater intergenerational financial support, LTCI not only enhances household economic resilience but also contributes to broader social stability and reduced inequality. These insights highlight LTCI’s important role beyond health outcomes, emphasizing its strategic value in reshaping family economic dynamics and informing policymakers aiming to strengthen social equity in the context of an aging society.

Abstract The definition of accessibility encompasses the role of opportunities at potential destinations that people consider valuable. This study revises the common assumption in empirical studies that residents are equally attracted to all types of employment and examines its implications for public transport evaluation from a social equity perspective. Additionally, the role of the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) is also explored in this relationship. The study draws on the case of Greater Mexico City over a ten-year period, in which seven temporal stages of the main public transport network are examined. The key results highlight a significant difference between accessibility measures that account for employment matching and those that do not, though these distinctions diminish when lower spatial resolutions are used. The spatial analysis also shows that the differences are consistently larger for lower-educated populations. In terms of public transport infrastructure evaluation over time, the study confirms that relying on simple measures, such as the global average, may overlook critical transport equity insights. Additionally, the impact of including employment matching in equity analyses varies, with outcomes differing case by case. Depending on the accessibility measure, the analyses show that a transport improvement might have progressive effects with one measure, while another measure may indicate regressive effects, or both measures can sometimes align. Overall, the comparisons between measures suggest their complementarity in equity evaluations. The findings have implications for researchers and policy analysts, given the systematic differences in how transport projects tend to affect less-educated populations and the heterogeneity in the type of population impacted by specific transport projects on a case-by-case basis.

ABSTRACT This study explores how Korean women’s experiences at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair [TOAF] demonstrate the significance of public spaces in supporting everyday learning and social integration for racialised communities. Using critical public pedagogy as a framework, the study examines the educational potential of public spaces to promote social justice and equity. Employing a phenomenological approach, the research involved observation and interviews with five Korean women in their 50s and 60s living in Toronto. This research investigates their views on TOAF, Canada’s largest and longest-running outdoor art fair. The findings reveal that their engagement with TOAF facilitated dialogical, cultural, and social learning. The participants critically examined celebrity influence on artistic recognition and reflected on their cultural backgrounds, enhancing their appreciation of diverse art. The study emphasises the potential of public art events to foster informal learning, particularly for racialised individuals, by promoting personal growth and encouraging deeper engagement with societal and cultural issues.

Purpose Rapid digital transformation following COVID-19 has increased the need for immersive tourism technologies. However, most prior studies focus on consumer adoption and overlook post-adoption and experiential factors among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Addressing this gap, the purpose of this study is to integrate the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), Flow Theory and Expectation-Confirmation Theory (ECT) into a unified Metaverse Adoption Continuance Framework to examine both adoption and continuance of metaverse tourism platforms among SMEs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 388 SME owners and managers through structured surveys. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling, this study tested the mediating role of user experience and the moderating effects of technology-savviness and familiarity. Findings This study found that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, flow state, perceived enjoyment and presence positively influenced user experience, whereas privacy concerns had a negative effect. User experience significantly affects both behavioral intention and continued usage, which are strong predictors of adoption. Technology-savviness and familiarity moderate these relationships. Additionally, ethical and equity considerations, particularly privacy and digital inclusion, emerged as important contextual factors shaping SMEs’ adoption decisions. Research limitations/implications This study used a cross-sectional design, which limits the ability to see how perceptions and metaverse use change over time. Future research should adopt longitudinal methods to observe such changes. Because the data were self-reported, there is a possibility of bias, so future studies could include actual usage indicators. The focus on Kuala Lumpur tourism SMEs also limits generalization; comparing regions or cultures could improve validity. The Metaverse Adoption and Continuance Framework can be expanded by adding elements such as AI-based personalization and blockchain security. Qualitative studies can further explore emotional, social and ethical aspects of metaverse use. Practical implications This study provides useful insights for tourism SMEs, policymakers and technology developers. Tourism SMEs can enhance user experience by creating simple, engaging and affordable metaverse content such as guided virtual tours and browser-based virtual reality. Collaboration with universities and start-ups can reduce costs and promote innovation. Policymakers can support digital transformation through grants, training and improved broadband access. Ethical practices, including transparent data protection and inclusive design, are vital to build user trust and social equity. Balancing immersive engagement with privacy safeguards ensures sustainable adoption and wider community benefits. Social implications This study highlights the potential of metaverse technologies to enhance digital inclusion and innovation among tourism SMEs, particularly in developing economies. By promoting immersive virtual tourism, SMEs can reach broader and more diverse audiences, including individuals with mobility limitations. The findings of this study emphasize the need for digital literacy and privacy awareness to encourage socially responsible technology adoption. Moreover, supporting SMEs in this digital transition can generate employment opportunities in VR content development, digital training and related services, contributing to inclusive economic growth and stronger community resilience in the post-pandemic tourism landscape. Originality/value This study refines existing hybrid adoption continuance models by benchmarking against prior frameworks and contextualizing them for Malaysian tourism SMEs. This study contributes theoretically by integrating experiential and post-adoption constructs and practically by offering actionable insights into SME digital readiness, ethical data governance and sustainable metaverse implementation.

Water sustainability plays a critical role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as it influences human well-being, ecosystem integrity, and long-term development pathways. Over the past three decades, a substantial body of research has emerged on water sustainability; however, there remains a limited synthesis of how sustainability has been assessed, how assessment approaches have evolved, and the extent to which they align with the multidimensional intent of the SDGs. This study addresses the gap by combining a systematic review conducted using the PRISMA framework and bibliometric analysis from 1995 to 2025. The results show a marked acceleration in research output after 2015 following the formal adoption of the SDGs, with concentrations in a small number of countries and research hubs. Water sustainability assessment is mainly shaped by technically oriented indicator-based frameworks that emphasise water availability, water quality, and management performance. While these approaches have enabled comparability and methodological consistency, they often provide a partial representation of sustainability with limited integration of governance processes, social equity, cultural contexts, indigenous knowledge, and ecosystem services. The findings highlight the need for assessment approaches that go beyond technical metrics to more integrative and context-sensitive frameworks that can inform policy, support adaptive decisions, and reflect the interconnected nature of sustainable development.

Purpose This study aims to reconceptualize digital financial inclusion as a dynamic, converging and inclusive transition rather than a static measure of access. Using comparative foresight evidence from Thailand and Vietnam, it investigates how digital finance, human capital and policy frameworks coevolve in shaping sustainable financial ecosystems. By analyzing post-pandemic and post-recovery data, the study seeks to identify distinct diffusion pathways and structural constraints influencing digital financial engagement. The purpose is to generate forward-looking insights for designing resilient, equitable and human-centered digital financial systems in emerging Southeast Asian economies. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a quantitative research design using two waves of microdata from the World Bank Global Findex Database (2021 / 2022 and 2024). Binary logistic regression is applied to examine the determinants of financial access and digital financial service usage. A comparative framework is adopted to evaluate Thailand’s bank-led digital evolution against Vietnam’s human capital–driven leapfrogging trajectory. The methodological approach integrates structural, behavioral and technological dimensions to generate forward-looking insights into the dynamics of digital financial transformation across both contexts. Findings The results reveal two divergent yet complementary pathways. Thailand has transitioned into a “post-access phase,” where account ownership is nearly universal, and the core challenges lie in improving service quality, efficiency and digital financial capability among vulnerable groups. Vietnam is in an “expansion and diffusion phase,” driven by younger cohorts and women who are increasingly bypassing traditional banking through mobile money. These trajectories illustrate a “converging inclusive digital transition,” reflecting the interplay of technological infrastructure, human capital and policy design in driving digital financial inclusion. Research limitations/implications The analysis relies on cross-sectional survey data, which limits causal inference and the ability to track individual behavioral trajectories over time. Country-level institutional nuances and policy interventions may not be fully captured through microdata alone. Nevertheless, the findings highlight structural and behavioral determinants that warrant deeper longitudinal and qualitative exploration. The study highlights the importance of future research examining the dynamic interplay between digital capability, human capital and institutional design in shaping inclusive financial ecosystems across emerging economies. Practical implications The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers seeking to strengthen digital financial inclusion. Thailand should prioritize enhancing digital capability among older adults and low-income populations while improving the quality and trustworthiness of digital services. Vietnam should continue leveraging its strong human capital base by expanding Mobile Money infrastructure and reducing access barriers for underserved groups. Both countries can benefit from integrating digital finance into broader development strategies, ensuring that technology diffusion aligns with human-centered financial empowerment. Social implications Digital finance holds transformative potential for reducing exclusion and enabling equitable participation in the economy. In Thailand, empowering marginalized groups through deeper engagement with financial services can enhance social mobility and resilience. In Vietnam, ensuring quality and sustainable usage can improve household security and well-being. Comparative insights demonstrate that inclusion is shaped not only by technology but also by cultural, behavioral and social contexts, underscoring the importance of tailored interventions. Originality/value This study delivers one of the earliest cross-country foresight analyses of digital financial inclusion in Thailand and Vietnam using post-pandemic Global Findex data. It introduces the concept of a converging inclusive digital transition, offering a forward-looking lens that integrates human capital, technology diffusion and institutional design. By moving beyond single-country approaches, the study contributes original theoretical insight and regionally relevant policy guidance. Its comparative framework advances understanding of how emerging ASEAN economies may chart inclusive digital futures, positioning digital finance as a transformative structural driver of economic participation and social equity.