Downstream processing methods for soy protein ingredient for sustainable growth development

This study aims to analyze the implementation of tourism marketing communication mix in increasing the number of visitors at Curup Tujuh Waterfall Destination, Marga Jaya Village, Selagai Lingga District, Central Lampung Regency in 2024. The research background is based on the gap between the high natural tourism potential of the destination and the fluctuation in tourist arrivals. This study employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation studies involving destination managers, village officials, local communities, and tourists. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that the implementation of the tourism marketing communication mix has not been optimal and integrated. Each element of marketing communication, including advertising, sales promotion, public relations, digital marketing, and word-of-mouth communication, has been applied partially without a clear strategic plan. The use of digital media has not been professionally managed and has not yet succeeded in building a consistent destination image. The increase in tourist arrivals is more influenced by seasonal factors rather than by the effectiveness of marketing communication strategies. Limited message integration and weak collaboration among stakeholders have become major constraints in enhancing the destination’s competitiveness. This study concludes that strengthening an integrated, collaborative, and experience-oriented marketing communication mix is essential to achieve sustainable growth in tourist visits.

ABSTRACT Sustainable growth has become a priority for emerging economies as rapid industrialization, globalization, and rising energy demand continue to intensify environmental pressures. This study examines the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and key drivers such as renewable energy consumption, foreign direct investment, financial depth, manufacturing value added, and industrial output across the emerging seven (E7) economies (Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Turkey) from 2000 to 2022. The analysis applies the method of moments quantile regression while accounting for cross‐sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity to capture variations across different emissions levels. The results show that renewable energy consumption reduces CO 2 emissions, underscoring the importance of clean energy transitions. Foreign direct investment is also associated with lower emissions, supporting the pollution halo effect, although its impact weakens in high‐emission contexts where investment remains concentrated in carbon‐intensive sectors. In contrast, financial depth increases emissions, indicating that current financial structures continue to support carbon‐heavy activities rather than sustainable investment. Manufacturing and industrial output also contribute significantly to emissions, highlighting the environmental cost of energy‐intensive production. Robustness tests confirm these findings, and cointegration results indicate a stable long‐term relationship among the variables. The study suggests that policymakers in E7 economies should strengthen green finance frameworks, attract environmentally responsible investment, and incentivize cleaner industrial practices to support a low‐carbon and competitive development trajectory aligned with global sustainability goals.

ABSTRACT Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is widely promoted as a strategy for sustainable urban growth, often grounded in New Urbanism. This study critically appraises Fireclay Village in Salt Lake County, Utah, assessing its alignment with New Urbanist design principles and its effectiveness in supporting transit use. Using field observations and secondary data, the study applies the D-variables, New Urbanist neighborhood principles, the 5-minute neighborhood concept, and a land use–transportation interaction model to evaluate transit use and urban design. Field observations and secondary data sources informed the spatial analysis. Findings indicate that Fireclay Village exhibits compactness, mixed-use diversity, and close proximity to the UTA station, consistent with New Urbanism. However, actual transit boardings reach only about 25% of modeled expectations, revealing persistent auto-dependency despite strong design attributes. The absence of neighborhood-level demand management measures and the study’s focus on physical form at the expense of non-physical factors such as demographic, sociocultural, and policy variables indicate the limits of design-led TOD strategies in shaping transit use and functionality. This raises critical questions about whether design alone is sufficient to shift mobility patterns and influence transit ridership. The study contributes to ongoing debates on the real-world impacts of New Urbanist-inspired TODs.

Abstract The shipping industry’s transition towards greener and more autonomous solutions is crucial for achieving maritime sustainability and enhancing operational performance. This shift necessitates assessing the risks introduced by these innovations, particularly in the challenging winter conditions of the Baltic Sea. This study proposes a framework to identify the critical risk influencing factors (RIFs) affecting the combined use case of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and winter navigation. The framework applies the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) and identify relevant RIFs, which are refined using expert input. The model uses pairwise comparisons to estimate the relative occurrence probability of RIFs. These values are then used to develop a Bayesian Network (BN) model, producing a ranked list of critical risks and their interdependencies. Furthermore, the uncertainty assessment of the BN model indicated that the model’s uncertainty is moderate, primarily due to data limitations. The model’s capability to identify high-risk situations provides valuable insight for decision-makers, supporting the safe integration of autonomous technologies and sustainable maritime development. The results highlight the need for future empirical validation to enhance risk assessments to support the safe and sustainable growth of autonomous shipping.

Purpose This study aims to examine and estimate the impact of the transformation of banking operations from traditional banking to digital banking and income diversification on the stability of banks in Southeast Asian countries during the period from 2006 to 2021. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a Bayesian model to examine the impact of digital transformation (represented by the variables: BIS: Number of broadband internet subscribers, in thousands; and MB100: Number of mobile phone subscribers, per 100 people LN) along with bank income diversification represented by (LA: Bank liquid assets compared to deposits and short-term capital sources; and NII: Bank non-interest income compared to total income, in percent) on the stability of banks (represented by ZCORE: Z-score of the banking system). Data are taken from 2006 to 2021 at annual frequency in 10 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, East Timor, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. In addition, the study also conducts a robustness test of the research model through the use of ordinary least squares, fixed effects model, random effects model and feasible generalized least squares models. Findings When banks diversify their non-interest income, it creates positive effects on bank stability by reducing their dependence on traditional credit business activities, which contain many potential risks. However, the banking sector of Southeast Asian countries is in the early stages of digital transformation, so the cost of digitalization creates great pressure on financial capital flows and causes weakening of bank stability. Practical implications Cost is an issue that needs to be considered for the digital transformation process of banks. Banks can take advantage of technologies and technology transfer activities from advanced countries to shorten the time and reduce costs for the digitalization process of business activities. National development policies need to aim at equipping modern technology infrastructure to create an advanced ecosystem to support the digital transformation activities of banks. Banks need to integrate income diversification and digital transformation to aim for stable and sustainable development in the long term. Originality/value This study provides empirical evidence on the dual impact of income diversification and digital transformation on the stability of Southeast Asian banks. The study proposes several recommendations for policymakers to aim at achieving stable and sustainable growth for banks in Southeast Asia.

This study examines how the integration of green technology into business strategies bridges environmental sustainability and economic prosperity, fostering sustainable growth through the lens of green entrepreneurship in Aceh Province, Indonesia. Amid global challenges like climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the research explores causal relationships among green technology (independent variable), business strategy (intervening variable), and sustainable growth (dependent variable), within the context of Aceh's special autonomy emphasizing Sharia principles. Employing a quantitative survey design, the study targets a population of 350 registered businesses committed to sustainable practices. A purposive sample of 200 businesses was selected, based on criteria including at least three years of operation and adoption of green technologies such as eco-friendly waste management or renewable energy. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via AMOS software to test causal models and mediation effects. Findings reveal a significant positive relationship between green technology and business strategy, as well as between business strategy and sustainable growth. Business strategy partially mediates the influence of green technology on sustainable growth. This integration aligns with local Acehnese values, mitigates environmental degradation, promotes economic inclusion, and strengthens green entrepreneurship as a driver of sustainable innovation. The study recommends that the Aceh Government allocate incentives for green technology training to businesses, supporting inclusive sustainable growth in line with contemporary global sustainability agendas.

This paper aims to elucidate comprehensive strategies for Mongolia to amplify its tourism revenue and the research emphasizes understanding traveller perceptions through destination image analysis, including both cognitive and emotional aspects, to better meet international expectations, enhance satisfaction, and encourage repeat visits. Mongolia’s cultural treasures, including five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, its historical landmarks, and the appeal of its landscapes and nomadic culture, present significant development potential. However, unlocking this potential requires continued reforms and infrastructural investments to improve accessibility and service quality within the tourism industry. The resilience of domestic tourism, despite global setbacks, offers opportunities for broader recovery and growth. By utilizing targeted policies based on comprehensive data and strategic branding, Mongolia can position itself as a premier global tourism destination and create an attractive environment for foreign investment. These strategies aim to foster sustainable economic growth, promote cultural preservation, and strengthen Mongolia’s international tourism profile. Ultimately, this holistic approach will support the nation’s economic stability, diversification, and long-term development. By capitalizing on its unique assets and addressing current challenges, and the findings suggest Mongolia can unlock its full potential as a premier global tourism destination, concurrently fostering a robust and attractive environment for foreign investment. This comprehensive approach will not only enhance the visitor experience but also contribute to sustainable economic growth and cultural preservation, solidifying Mongolia's position on the international stage.

Enhancing Financial Performance and Sustainable Growth in Food Processing SMEs through Working Capital Management Optimization: A Systematic Literature Review

The aim of this article is to analyze the relationship between the corporate income tax rate and net tax revenues in Slovakia and the Czech Republic using the Laffer curve concept. Based on data on actual tax revenues and their discounting to net present value, a quadratic regression analysis was created that takes into account the assumed parabolic relationship between the tax rate and tax revenues. The optimal tax rate was identified as approximately 17.64% for Slovakia and 26.12% for the Czech Republic. The results confirm the nonlinear nature of the relationship and suggest that excessive tax increases can reduce business motivation, encourage tax optimization, and threaten the competitiveness of the economy. The analysis emphasizes the importance of optimizing tax policy not only to maximize government revenues, but also to support investment and long-term sustainable economic growth.

This study investigates the impact of Private investment on economic growth in Nigeria using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach. Annual time series data were utilized to estimate both the short-run and long-run dynamics of the relationship between real gross domestic product (RGDP) growth and five explanatory variables: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Gross Capital Formation (GCF), Credit to the Private Sector (PSC), Inflation Rate (INF), and Interest Rate (INR). The long-run findings reveal that gross capital formation has a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth, while credit to the private sector and inflation negatively affect growth. Foreign direct investment and interest rates, although positive, were found to be statistically insignificant in the long run. In the short run, fluctuations in FDI exert a significant negative influence on economic growth, suggesting potential volatility or misallocation of FDI in Nigeria’s economy. Inflation also demonstrated mixed short-run effects but maintained a negative long-run influence on growth. The error correction term (CointEq(-1)) is negative and significant, confirming a strong tendency for the economy to return to long-run equilibrium after short-run shocks. Based on these findings, the study highlights the importance of promoting productive investment, improving credit delivery to the private sector, and maintaining macroeconomic stability to drive sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.

Abstract After more than 30 years of rapid growth, China's economy is increasingly faced with the bottleneck brought about by resources and environment. To achieve a sustained economic growth, more attention should be paid to the safety of the arable land, fresh water, energy and other important resources. Great efforts should be made to transform the mode of economic development, adjust the economic structure and deepen reform and expand opening up. It is necessary to promote the transformation of the growth means characterized by ineffective utilization of resources and extensive expansion to the one characterized by intensive and efficient utilization of resources as well as quality and efficiency so that the economy and society are really going towards the track of scientific development.

Women micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in strengthening both family and community economies; however, they experience to obtain fundamental skill in financial management. One of the main problems is the mixing of personal and business finances, which turn into challenges for entrepreneurs to monitor business performance and to address access financing. This community service activity aims to improve insight of women entrepreneurs in Medan regarding the importance of separating personal and business finances through simple, practice-based training. The activity was conducted in 7 November 2025 in Medan and was attended by 150 women MSME participants from a local entrepreneurship community. The training was held for one day using interactive lectures, group discussions, and hands-on cash recording exercises. The results showed a significant improvement in participants’ understanding of financial separation concepts and their ability to record business transactions. A total of 85% of participants were able to create a simple cash record format and expressed a commitment to applying separate financial practices. This activity contributed to improving the financial literacy of women micro-entrepreneurs and strengthening their managerial capacity toward sustainable business growth.

Micro-entrepreneurs, particularly small grocery shop owners, commonly encounter challenges in managing business finances and implementing effective marketing strategies. Limited skills in financial recordkeeping often make it difficult for business owners to accurately monitor cash flow and assess their financial condition, which may lead to suboptimal business decisions. In addition, the utilization of digital technology as a marketing tool remains limited, thereby restricting opportunities for market expansion. This community service program aims to strengthen the capacity of micro-enterprises in applying practical basic financial management and optimizing digital platforms for product promotion. The program also seeks to increase awareness of the importance of structured financial management as a foundation for sustainable business development. The activities were conducted through several stages, including the delivery of material on the significance of financial recording, hands-on training sessions, mentoring in preparing simple financial records, and digital marketing simulations using WhatsApp Business and various social media platforms. The results indicate an improvement in participants’ understanding and skills in recording income and expenses, managing business capital more systematically, and utilizing digital features to support promotional activities. Furthermore, participants demonstrated a more positive attitude toward the adoption of technology in their daily business operations. Overall, this program is expected to enhance financial independence, support sustainable business growth, and expand the marketing reach of micro-enterprises

We introduce the Economic Productivity of Energy (EPE), GDP generated per unit of energy consumed, as a quantitative lens to assess the sustainability of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. Historical evidence shows that the first industrial revolution, pre-scientific in the sense that technological adoption preceded scientific understanding, initially disrupted this ratio: EPE collapsed as profits outpaced efficiency, with poorly integrated technologies, and recovered only with the rise in scientific knowledge and societal adaptation. Later industrial revolutions, such as electrification and microelectronics, grounded in established scientific theory, did not exhibit comparable declines. Today’s AI revolution, highly profitable yet energy-intensive, remains pre-scientific and may follow a similar trajectory in EPE. We combine this conceptual discussion with cross-country EPE data spanning the last three decades. We find that the advanced economies exhibit a consistent linear growth in EPE: these countries account for a large share of global GDP and energy use and are therefore expected to be most affected by the AI transition. Therefore, we advocate for regular monitoring of EPE: transparent reporting of AI-related energy use and productivity-linked incentives can expose hidden energy costs and prevent efficiency-blind economic expansion. Embedding EPE within sustainability frameworks would help align technological innovation with energy productivity, a critical condition for sustainable growth.

Purpose This paper investigates the potential of micro-credentials to democratize higher education in the context of Industry 4.0 and the creative disruption caused by generative AI. It proposes an applied framework for a micro-credential ecosystem that fosters collaboration and dynamic interactions among learners, providers, regulators and facilitators, enabling effective upskilling and reskilling in response to the rapid technological advancements that the world has yet to fully encounter. Design/methodology/approach Using Hong Kong as a case study, the research employs the concept of democratization of higher education and critical policy analysis to assess policy as a dynamic process influenced by power, discourse and social context and examine how these micro-credentials unbundle higher education and contribute to democratizing learning across the life-span. Findings The research reveals that micro-credentials are valuable tools for skill enhancement and career advancement. It offers new insights into the roles of stakeholders: learners as active participants in curating personalized educational journeys; providers as innovators of modular, stackable credentials; regulators as architects of quality assurance and recognition frameworks and facilitators as enablers of scalability and accessibility. The paper advocates for their integration into educational frameworks to facilitate the development and recognition of knowledge and skills acquired outside traditional learning systems, thereby promoting lifelong learning in an innovative and impactful manner. Originality/value This study contributes to literature and policy-making by demonstrating how micro-credentials bridge gaps between formal education, workforce demands and continuing education. Instead of merely conferring degrees and parting ways with graduates, universities, as innovative learning institutions, can offer transformative experiences that support individuals throughout their lifelong journeys. By embracing the concept of a 100-year lifespan, universities can position themselves for sustained growth and relevance in the evolving futures. Through the Hong Kong case, this research advances theoretical understandings of credentialing ecosystems and provides an empirical basis for exploring their scalability in other global cities, enriching the discourse on the future of higher education amid creative disruptions.

Phorusrhacidae were apex predators that primarily dominated South America ecosystems for at least 40 million years with their imposing size and predatory lifestyle-yet some aspects of their biology remain poorly understood. Osteohistology is a tool for understanding growth dynamics and biomechanical adaptations. Despite their ecological significance, histological analyses of these birds were non-existent until the recent publication of a sampled metatarsus. Here, we present the first osteohistological data of a phorusrhacid femur together with other hindlimb elements representing two taxa, Andrewsornis abbotti and Physornis fortis, from the late Oligocene of Argentina. Ground-section microscopy reveals highly vascularized fibrolamellar bone tissue, indicating rapid, sustained growth with lines of arrested growth appearing only in the outer circumferential layer. Extensive secondary remodeling, particularly at muscle attachment sites, highlights high mechanical stress, consistent with active cursorial locomotion. Body mass estimates (60-89 kg for Andrewsornis abbotti) and high relative cortical thickness in both specimens (bone compactness = 0.55-0.78) provide additional data for comparative studies. Our findings confirm the uninterrupted growth strategy of phorusrhacids, consistent with other large-bodied flightless neognaths but in contrast to most giant flightless palaeognath birds.

The primary objective of any enterprise is to generate profit, which is directly dependent on the effectiveness of its employees. Consequently, organizations are continuously confronted with the challenge of motivating personnel to achieve higher levels of productivity while maintaining work quality. For this reason, the issue of stimulation in the use of human resources remains highly relevant in contemporary economic conditions. Well-designed motivational and incentive mechanisms enable enterprises to establish a stable operational rhythm, support sustainable economic growth, and promote overall organizational development. Motivation represents a conscious internal drive that encourages individuals to act, solve problems, and engage in goal-oriented activities. This internal desire becomes active only when it is fully realized by the individual. Motivation is rooted in various needs—moral, material, social, or physiological—and once these needs are satisfied, the intensity of the motivational impulse tends to decrease. Stimulation, in contrast, refers to external forms of influence that encourage individuals to increase their level of activity. Its primary purpose is to accelerate managerial processes, modify behavior, and guide employees toward desired actions and outcomes. Stimulation can take both positive and negative forms, depending on the objectives pursued and the methods applied.

Regional inequalities confront the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), posing risks to sustainable growth. This study examines the spatial and temporal changes in these disparities that have occurred in the YRD's domestic tourism economy. Employing descriptive statistics and spatial autocorrelation methods, it assesses the impact of innovation using the ordinary least squares and geographically weighted regression models. Four conclusions were drawn from the results. (1) Between 2016 and 2019, absolute disparities increased while relative disparities declined; from 2020 to 2022, absolute disparities decreased, while relative disparities rose before declining. (2) The YRD's domestic tourism economy displayed a core-periphery structure with a southeast-northwest disparity, indicating a northwestward developmental shift. (3) While a significant positive spatial autocorrelation and agglomeration effect persisted in the YRD's domestic tourism economy, its intensity weakened over time, signaling a trend toward regional dispersion. (4) Innovation was a key driver, its impact varying over time and across space.

ABSTRACT This study evaluates how economic and human capital factors influence ecological outcomes in the Next‐11 economies (Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Turkey, and Vietnam) over the period 1990–2023. The primary objective is to examine the differential impacts of carbon productivity and healthy life expectancy on ecological footprint, while accounting for socio‐institutional determinants such as income, education, governance, and energy transition. A Panel Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PQARDL) framework is employed to capture both short‐run dynamics and long‐run equilibrium relationships across the ecological footprint distribution. Results indicate that higher carbon productivity significantly reduces ecological footprints, supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). In contrast, rising income and education, while enhancing human development, can increase environmental pressures, highlighting the need for sustainable growth strategies. Aging and healthy life expectancy show quantile‐dependent effects, particularly in high‐footprint economies, linking SDG 3 (Good Health and Well‐being) to ecological performance. Dominance analysis identifies wealth and education as the main drivers of ecological impact, while the significant error correction term confirms long‐term stability. The findings underscore the importance of integrated policy approaches that enhance carbon productivity through technological innovation and renewable energy adoption, advancing green growth in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.