Abstract Continuous training constitutes a central component of the strategic and operational management of Human Resources. It aims to produce, maintain, and develop individual and collective skills within organizations, thereby directly contributing to performance and competitiveness. For training to be effective, it must not be an end in itself but rather a strategic tool aligned with the company’s objectives. This requires integrating evaluation mechanisms and tools from the design phase to ensure the relevance, usefulness, and effectiveness of training programs in relation to the expected outcomes. At the national level, Morocco, as an emerging country, must raise the overall level of education and training of its population—an essential condition for improving the competitiveness of Moroccan enterprises. Continuous training enhances adaptation to labor market transformations, strengthens employee employability, and improves productivity. To maximize its impact, training must be considered a strategic investment and integrated into the company’s overall strategy. An effective training policy requires strategic thinking in human resource management and skills development, grounded in and aligned with the organization’s strategy.However, in Moroccan SMEs, this strategic approach remains limited: material investments are generally prioritized at the expense of continuous training. This research aims to examine existing training practices within Moroccan SMEs in a strategic approach.

The study aimed to test the impact of strategic thinking with its dimensions (intent focused, thinking in time, hypotheses driven, intelligent opportunism and systems perspective) on enhancing sustainable performance with its dimensions (social performance, environmental performance, and economic performance). The study problem was represented in the question: Does strategic thinking affect sustainable performance? Its importance emerged through its treatment of two basic variables in business administration in the private higher education sector due to its role in supporting education and its societal impact. The University of Warith Al-Anbiya in Kerbala was chosen as a field of application, where a questionnaire was distributed to (110) academic and administrative leaders. The data were analyzed using , and the results showed the presence of an impact and a direct correlation with significant impact between strategic thinking and its dimensions on sustainable performance. The study recommended the necessity of enhancing strategic thinking practices among university leaders to achieve university sustainability.

This study examines the relationship between the strategic mind, represented by (systems thinking, reframing, and reflection) and the efficiency of financial planning, measured through (forecasting accuracy, optimal plan development, and plan monitoring). Using a descriptive analytical approach, data were collected via a questionnaire from 127 private bank managers in Erbil, selected from a population of 146 managers. Statistical analysis with SPSS V26 tested two main hypotheses derived from the study’s conceptual model. The results indicate a strong positive correlation and significant influence of the strategic mind on financial planning efficiency. The findings highlight the importance of leveraging strategic cognitive capabilities to enhance financial planning practices in private banks.

Research methodology The case was written using information and data from secondary sources. It describes real people and the situations experienced by them and does not use fictitious names, scenarios or organizations. Case overview/synopsis The case study discusses the leadership journey of Jane Fraser (Fraser) (she), the chief executive officer (CEO) of US-based multinational investment bank and financial services company Citigroup Inc. (Citi). The case examines her career trajectory at Citi and the key challenges that she faced and overcame. In particular, it talks about the way she took on tough leadership roles – in unviable business segments and geographical divisions – and effectively demonstrated her management capabilities and turnaround leadership skills. Fraser eventually gained a strong reputation as a strategic thinker, who built consensus and got things done. The case outlines Fraser’s rise to the top in Citi – she became the CEO of Citi in 2021 and made history as the first woman to lead a major Wall Street bank. The case then gives detailed information about Fraser’s radical initiatives to turn around Citi with an eye on bringing down costs and boosting revenues at the underperforming organization. Considering the fact that chronically struggling Citi had gone through several failed turnarounds under past CEOs, can Fraser finally get the financial giant to emerge from its state of flux? Complexity academic level The case is intended to teach the following subjects and topics in graduate and post-graduate programs. It is suitable for all modalities – in-seat, hybrid and online courses. It can be used to teach the following subjects – leadership and change management; positive psychology for managers; human resources management and strategic management.

Entrepreneurship is a pivotal driver of economic progress, yet society has a common misconception that extroverts are entrepreneurial due to their leadership potential and interpersonal skills. This research aims at dispelling this stereotype by exploring the role of introvert and extrovert personality traits in driving entrepreneurs' innovative behaviour, with e- commerce businesses in the Colombo District in Sri Lanka as the setting. The academic contribution of this study is that it advances literature by filling the gap concerning the influence of personality traits, i.e., introversion and extroversion, in producing innovation in Sri Lanka's entrepreneurial environment. The study employed a quantitative method and gathered data using structured questionnaires from 381 e-commerce entrepreneurs of Colombo District. Sample size was determined using Cochran's formula, and convenience sampling was used as the data collection technique. Correlation analysis was used to test the relationship between the variables, and the regression model was used in assessing the impact of the introversion and extroversion independent variables on innovative behaviour, the dependent variable. The findings revealed that introversion has a significant positive impact on innovation, while extroversion negatively affects innovative behaviour in this context. These results revealed that extroversion is more advantageous for entrepreneurship, particularly in innovation-driven sectors like e-commerce. The research bridges a knowledge gap in existing literature by providing an even understanding of the effect of personality traits on innovation and making practical recommendations to organizations for creating environments that support introvert and extrovert entrepreneurs to neutralize each other for sustainable innovation. It also suggests that introverts, who possess problem-solving expertise, be encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship, particularly in sectors like e-commerce, where their strategic thinking gives a competitive edge.

In the context of global polycrises and digital transformation, the pharmaceutical industry is becoming a critically important element in the economic and technological security of the country. The examples of the COVID-19 pandemic and sanctions pressure demonstrate the mechanisms of polycrises, their impact on the pharmaceutical industry, and the need to transform strategic thinking. The solutions lie in various disciplines. The study examines a new methodological approach to researching the economic security of the industry, based on the concepts of interdisciplinarity and the digital economy. Through the “Mode 2” concept, the need to move from traditional linear analysis to scientific life built around the practice of ensuring the economic security of the pharmaceutical industry is demonstrated. Digitalization has a transformative impact on the pharmaceutical industry while also being a source of new threats and a basis for the formation of integrative analytical approaches. The complexity of digital supply chains, data vulnerability, and dependence on global IT infrastructure create qualitatively different risk contours that require interdisciplinary analysis. At the same time, digital tools such as big data, artificial intelligence, and digital twins make it possible to build comprehensive methodologies for economic security assessment, combining technological, economic, and regulatory parameters into a single cognitive framework. It was found that the concept of economic security as an integrative environment is capable not only of combining diverse knowledge but also of serving as an operational platform for decision-making in conditions of growing uncertainty. Particular attention is paid to the institutionalization of integrated research platforms and the development of a new cognitive model of interdisciplinary specialists’ activities, the “thinking interface,” as the ability to connect the logic of different areas of knowledge (technological, economic, and regulatory). The formation of a new educational trajectory for the training of such specialists is suggested. The results of the study show that the economic security of pharmaceuticals in turbulent conditions is not only an object of analysis but also a tool for strategic action. It is at this point that the practical experience and responsibility of researchers must intersect, forming the architecture of a sustainable future for the industry.

The modern digitalization of society requires a revision of the physical education system at the technical universities, where traditional methods do not develop professional competencies in demand of digital economy, such as strategic thinking, reaction speed, and skills in operating technical systems. This article examines phygital sports – an innovative approach combining physical activity and digital technologies (VR, AR, drones, robots).

Cooperatives play an essential role in supporting local economic development, yet many struggle with limited managerial competence and the absence of structured business planning. This community service program was conducted to enhance the capacity of cooperative managers in Semarang Regency through a three-day intensive training on business plan development. Hosted at The Wujil Resort & Conventions from May 22–24, 2023, the program involved 30 participants representing various cooperatives. The training combined interactive lectures, workshops, group discussions, and hands-on business plan drafting. Results indicate significant improvement in participants’ understanding of business planning, strategic thinking, financial projection, and market analysis. Participants also produced draft business plans tailored to their cooperative units. The program contributes to strengthening local cooperative governance and offers a replicable model for capacity building in community-based economic institutions.

Strategic planning continues to be a necessary but often ineffective process for preserving and adapting competitive advantage in these volatile, unstable, complex, ambiguous (‘VUCA’) times. What is needed more than ever is strategic thinking—which should inform formal periodic processes such as strategic planning and also infuse everyday strategic management and strategic adaptation. This is especially critical for entrepreneurial family enterprises. This article defines strategic thinking and clarifies how strategic thinking is distinct from, but highly complementary to, both strategic planning and strategic management. It identifies examples of strategic and unstrategic thinking in entrepreneurial businesses and corporations, highlights barriers and provides practical guidelines for leaders to practice and amplify strategic thinking and doing throughout their enterprise, to create value, balancing entrepreneurial drive with legacy and values.

In August 2014, General Secretary Xi Jinping first introduced the concept of strategic thinking at the symposium commemorating the 100th anniversary of Comrade Deng Xiaoping's birth. Since the 18th National Congress of the Com-munist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping's series of important speeches have profoundly embodied the scientific thinking methods for state governance characteristic of a Marxist statesman—including strategic thinking, historical thinking, dialectical thinking, innovative thinking, and bottom-line thinking. These speeches provide us with scientific ideological guidance and working methods for understanding, analyzing, and resolving issues. In December 2016, at the National Conference on Ideological and Political Work in High-er Education Institutions, General Secretary Xi Jinping further emphasized: “The fundamental mission of higher education institutions lies in fostering virtue and cultivating talent. Only those institutions capable of nurturing top-tier talent can rank among the world's leading universities.

The ASHP Pharmacy Forecast 2026 is written to identify and contextualize emerging trends that will influence healthcare, health systems, and the pharmacy profession. It provides recommendations to inform strategic planning that should prompt action by pharmacists and health-system leaders. Drawing on "the wisdom of crowds" concept, a survey was constructed by an advisory committee with 6 themes, each with 7 focused statements and a seventh theme on preparedness (54 survey items in total). A survey panel of 383 pharmacy leaders was purposefully designed to capture opinions from a wide range of pharmacists across the United States. Panelists were asked to consider the likelihood of the statements occurring in the next 5 years as being likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely. Forecast panelists also assessed health systems' preparedness (from very unprepared to very prepared) for 12 of the statements. The 6 survey themes identified were Policy, Drug Costs, and the Financial Stability of Health Systems; Stabilizing the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain; Patients as Consumers of Health Care; Realizing the Potential of Therapeutic Advances; Environmental Sustainability and Resilience; and Transforming Safety. The survey was completed by 298 respondents, yielding a 78% response rate. Descriptive statistics of the survey results were provided to chapter authors to inform commentary with strategic recommendations for each theme. The Pharmacy Forecast provides insights into large-scale, long-term trends that will influence healthcare and the pharmacy profession over the years ahead. Insights from the report can stimulate strategic thinking and provide a starting point to proactively position leaders, their teams, and departments for potential future trends.

The research aims to explore the nexus between Prosocial Behaviour(PSB) and Employer Branding (EB). Also attempts to study the role of Workplace Happiness (HF) in relationship amid PSB and EB. The research design has two folds. Firstly, the antecedents of study variables were explored and validated adopting Exploratory Data Analysis (using SPSS and AMOS). Secondly, the mediating effect of HF is studied with the help of multiple regression analysis, additionally confirmed with Sobel test. The data were collected from 480 IT professionals working in Bangalore, India via email-based survey. The results indicate that prosocial behaviour impacts on employer branding. The HF is directly associated with EB while, PSB positively influences HF. Also HF mediates the nexus amid PSB and EB. The study offers vital and actionable insights for HR practitioners by deepening the knowledge of PSB and HF which enables in design and development of comprehensive HRM framework emphasizing value-based recognition programs and internal communication strategies that reinforce collective organizational identity. The outcome helps for orienting the employees towards PSB which guides their decision making process by encouraging them to balance between affective/emotionality (compassion, empathy, and interpersonal sensitivity) and cognitive/rationality (strategic thinking) as they must co-exist in contemporary workplaces. This dual emphasis fosters inclusive and psychologically safe work cultures, aligning with modern policy initiatives on workplace wellness. This study contributes by bridging the existing gap through investigating HF role in relationship amid PSB and EB.

The transition from school to university mathematics presents academic, emotional and social challenges for many students. In response, Mathematical Thinking Workshops were introduced at the University of Cape Town to support first-year science students in developing reflective, strategic approaches to mathematical learning. The workshops aimed to foster conceptual understanding, metacognitive regulation and a stronger sense of mathematical identity through collaborative problem-solving and structured reflection. This study qualitatively evaluates how students perceive the workshop's impact, which aspects are most beneficial, and what challenges arise. Data were collected through six focus group interviews with 17 workshop participants. Reflexive thematic analysis was used, informed by theories of identity, metacognition, adaptive expertise and sociocultural learning. Five themes emerged: (1) Reflective and Strategic Mathematical Thinking, (2) Communication and Problem-Solving Confidence, (3) Reconnecting with Mathematics Through Alignment, (4) Facilitator Influence and Supportive Learning Environment and (5) Student-identified Hurdles. Students reported increased confidence, deeper conceptual engagement and stronger peer belonging. Benefits included metacognitive growth, collaborative learning and emotional safety, though barriers, such as venue discomfort and time pressures, were noted. The findings suggest that theoretically grounded interventions like these workshops can transform students’ mathematical learning and identity, and should be scaled and embedded into mainstream curricula.

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is widely recognised as a key mechanism of effective and lifelong learning. Research shows that learners who plan, monitor, and evaluate their own learning processes achieve better results and develop autonomy (Zimmerman 2002; Pintrich 2000). These processes integrate cognitive, metacognitive, and motivational elements, supporting personal development and active participation in education. This article proposes a conceptual framework for integrating SRL into the structure of a single foreign language lesson. It aligns SRL components with typical instructional stages: sensitisation, input, semantization, consolidation, and application—corresponding to SRL phases such as forethought, performance, and reflection. The model is informed by theories of Winne & Hadwin (1998), Zimmerman (2000), Boekaerts (1996, 2011), Oxford (2017), Dörnyei (2005), Flavell (1979), and Efklides (2011). Although general in form, the framework serves as a basis for further development. It emphasises how lesson phases can support strategic thinking, intrinsic motivation, and metacognitive reflection—thus fostering selfdirected learning and learner agency in formal educational settings.

The impact of strategic thinking on U.S. foreign policy is a central element in how Washington manages its relations with China, especially in the context of the ongoing struggle for economic and military influence. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the challenges the United States faces from China have increased, whether in economic, military, or political fields. Especially with regard to the Taiwan issue, which is one of the most prominent points of contention in US-China relations. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and demands reunification of the island with the mainland, while Taiwan seeks to maintain its political independence. The United States, despite not officially recognizing Taiwan's sovereignty, supports it in facing any military threats from China.

Self-management decision-making in spinal cord injury after initial rehabilitation: A thematic narrative analysis.

The following research analyzes the relation between the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among university students and their relation with critical thinking skills by combining the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) model and critical thinking theory. This research introduced the Metacognitive TAM (Meta-TAM) integrated with the Information Systems (IS) Success model as a theoretical innovation. The current research was carried out with a quantitative method approach, with 200 respondents from the Office Administration Education Department, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia. The research data were analyzed using the SEM with SmartPLS 4.0 software. The key constructs of attitude toward use (ATU), motivation to use (MTU), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and behavioral intention (BI) were analyzed to assess the primary factors that influence the adoption of the AI-based tools. The findings emphasize that the TAM constructs significantly influenced behavioral intention, whereas critical thinking played a crucial mediating role. The strongest path was observed from attitude toward use to behavioral intention (β = 0.737), which emphasizes the importance of affective and evaluative assessment in students' decision-making. Then, it can be concluded that not only the usability or utility, but also students' strategic thinking, epistemic vigilance, and intellectual autonomy have a significant impact on the AI adoption among higher education students. This study offers practical implications for AI-integrated curriculum design and ethical technology implementation in learning environments. This research contributes a novel perspective to educational technology literature and encourages future cross-cultural, longitudinal studies that examine AI's cognitive impact while safeguarding critical thinking development in diverse academic contexts.

This paper focuses on the innovation and reform of teaching models for graduate-level courses in Game Theory. In response to the challenges of talent cultivation in the new era, the study aims to enhance teaching quality by introducing diversified instructional methods, optimizing course content, integrating teaching resources, and establishing a systematic evaluation mechanism. The project seeks to break through the constraints of traditional teaching models, stimulate students’ interest, and improve both theoretical understanding and practical application of Game Theory. Through the implementation of this reform, students are expected to develop solid theoretical foundations, strategic thinking, and innovative capabilities, which will benefit their future academic research and professional development. Moreover, the outcomes of this project can serve as a valuable reference for the reform of related courses, thereby promoting the overall quality of graduate education.

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) plays an increasingly important geopolitical and geostrategic role for the world in the 21st century, especially large countries such as the U.S., India, France, Japan and China. India has maintained a much stronger naval presence than China in the IOR for decades, but the balance is starting to shift. Since 2008, China has significantly increased its naval presence in the IOR, raising Indian concerns about the possibility of military encirclement and raising questions in strategic thinking about China's ultimate goals. The article focuses on analyzing the interests and naval presence of India and China and the naval power competition between the two countries in the IOR, along with the impacts of the above issue on each country and region.

ABSTRACT The historiography of the Cape Mesurado land acquisition in 1821 has been disproportionately influenced by three sensationalised books, which presented one of the American negotiators, U.S. Naval Captain Robert F. Stockton, as a swashbuckler who pulled a pistol to force assent. Drawing upon the American Manifest Destiny mythos of that era, those works portrayed a virulent Anglo-Saxon hero against a tableau of simple-minded and superstitious Africans who were awestruck by his strategic thinking and decisiveness. On that foundation, a consensus emerged, which credited the land transfer to Stockton’s purported threat to shoot his local interlocutors if they did not sign over the land. Drawing on the dispassionate first-person account of Dr Eli Ayers, Stockton’s negotiating partner, as well as the rich history of the region, this study critiques the implicit theory of ethnic determinism which formed the foundation of the consensus perspective. It reveals a region that was tightly woven for centuries into an interconnected Atlantic World. It argues that the Cape Mesurado agreement stemmed from a convergence of diverse abolitionist currents on the Windward Coast – African, British and American, which enabled local and foreign negotiators to conclude an epochal land transfer within three days.