Knowledge Systems Research Articles

Public value management in digital transformation: a scoping review

PurposeThe aim of this study was to map and scope a body of literature on the interplay between public value management (PVM) and digital transformation (DT), clarify the concept of PVM in DT, and identify knowledge gaps by using a scoping review methodology.Design/methodology/approachA scoping review was conducted, drawing on the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and Levac et al. (2010). A total of 54 publications on the interplay between PVM and DT were selected for the final analysis from the Web of Science, Scopus, and Dimensions databases.FindingsWe found that PVM in DT is a relatively unexplored topic and that additional research is needed to focus on the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, especially in the context of local and regional governments. We also found that researchers have a limited conceptual understanding of PVM and DT.Originality/valueThis article makes two main contributions. First, although PVM and DT have contributed to public value research, our findings show a need for more systematic knowledge of these complementary but distinct approaches. Second, this study provides a valuable addition to the developing body of research using the scoping review methodology in PAM literature.

Pentecostal Missiology: Encountering Wounded Society through a Scholarship of Engagement

Abstract A scholarship of engagement is an approach that connects knowledge systems to the challenges facing society in a meaningful way. This article reviews the literature on Pentecostal missiology to make a new contribution through a scholarship of engagement. Previous studies on Pentecostal missiology have focused on how Pentecostals conduct their mission and very little on how they engage societal problems. This leaves a gap in how Pentecostal missiology as a discipline engages wounded society, particularly in a South African context. Wounds found within South African society, such as gender-based violence, crime, effects of COVID-19, corruption, climate change, and economic crises are highlighted. This article aims to illustrate that Pentecostal missiology must be aware of societal wounds to be able to truly engage with wounded societies. The study challenges Pentecostal missiologists to not only focus on Pentecostal missions inwardly but to also engage society and its challenges through a scholarship of engagement.

Faculty standardized patients versus traditional teaching method to improve clinical competence among traditional Chinese medicine students: a prospective randomized controlled trial

BackgroundStandardized patients (SPs) simulation training models have been widely used in various fields, the study of using SPs in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is still a new filed. Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of occupational SP for TCM (OSP-TCM), which has an increasingly problem of high time and financial costs. The faculty SPs for TCM (FSP-TCM) simulation training model may provide a better alternative. This study aims to test and determine whether FSP-TCM simulations are more cost-effective than OSP-TCM and traditional educational models to improve the clinical competence of TCM students.MethodsThis study was a single-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted between February 2023 and October 2023. The participants were randomized into FSP-TCM group, OSP-TCM group and traditionally taught group (TT group) in the ratio of 1:1:1. The duration of this training program was 12 weeks (36 credit hours). Formative and summative assessments were integrated to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning. Three distinct questionnaires were utilized to collect feedback from students, SPs, and teachers at the conclusion of the course. Additionally, analysis of cost comparisons between OSP-TCM and FSP-TCM were performed in the study.ResultsThe study comprised a total of 90 students, with no dropouts during the research. In the formative evaluation, students assigned to both the FSP-TCM and OSP-TCM groups demonstrated higher overall scores compared to those in the TT group. Notably, their performance in “physical examination” (Pa = 0.01, Pb = 0.04, Pc = 0.93) and “comprehensive ability” (Pa = 0.01, Pb = 0.006, Pc = 0.96) significantly exceeded that of the TT group. In the summary evaluation, both SP-TCM groups students outperforms TT group in the online systematic knowledge test (Pa = 0.019, Pb = 0.04, Pc = 0.97), the application of TCM technology (Pa = 0.01, Pb = 0.03, Pc = 0.93) and real-time assessment (Pa= 0.003, Pb = 0.01, Pc = 0.93). The feedback questionnaire demonstrated that both SP-TCM groups showed higher levels of agreement for this course in “satisfaction with the course” (Pa = 0.03; Pb = 0.02) and “enhanced TCM clinical skills” (Pa = 0.02; Pb = 0.03) than TT group. The SP questionnaire showed that more FSPs than OSPs in “provided professional feedback” (FSPs: strongly agree 30%, agree 50% vs. OSPs: strongly agree 20%, agree 40%. P = 0.69), and in “gave hints” during the course (FSPs: strongly agree 10%, agree 30% vs. OSPs: strongly agree 0%, agree 10%. P = 0.42). It is noteworthy that FSP-TCM was significantly lower than the OSP-TCM in overall expense (FSP-TCM $7590.00 vs. OSP-TCM $17415.60), and teachers have a positive attitude towards the FSP-TCM.ConclusionFSP-TCM training mode showed greater effectiveness than traditional teaching method in improving clinical competence among TCM students. It was feasible, practical, and cost-effective, and may serve as an alternative method to OSP-TCM simulation.

Weaving scientific and local knowledge on climate change impacts in coastal Kenya, Western Indian Ocean

Climate change poses severe threats to coastal social-ecological systems (SES) worldwide. Recent calls recognize the importance of including Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) in research on climate change impacts. Yet studies that have attempted to weave ILK and scientific knowledge have seldom considered the gendered nature of climate change impacts. Building on the literature on gender and climate change and knowledge pluralism, this study contributes to addressing this research gap by exploring local knowledge on climate change impacts and its relation to scientific knowledge through a gendered approach and focusing on the Western Indian Ocean region, and more specifically on Kenya. We adopted a mixed methodology combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. We found evidence of pronounced climate change impacts on coastal SES both in the scientific literature and in local reports. Our findings highlight that there is an extensive overlap between information derived from scientific and local knowledge systems. Importantly, our study revealed reports of change that were only provided by SSF communities, namely changes in coastal dynamics, a decrease in rainfall, and a decrease in the abundance of green algae. Although we found gendered variations in changes reported by SSF communities, gendered differences of climate change impacts on SSF were not detected in the reviewed literature. Overall, our results suggest that knowledge cross-fertilization generates a holistic, relational, and place-based view of climate change impacts, which may support sound and gender-inclusive adaptive policies. We conclude by suggesting key policy recommendations for climate adaptation and risk management

Assessing nature’s contributions to people in a peri-urban protected area, southeast Brazil: integrating feedback loops and participatory scenario planning

ABSTRACT Urban expansion is a key driver of change that has been affecting nature’s contributions to people (NCP) in peri-urban regions near metropolitan areas. In southeast Brazil, Campinas Environmental Protected Area (EPA) is a peri-urban, sustainable-use protected area located within the metropolis of Campinas. Campinas EPA provides relevant NCP at the local and regional level, including water provision for 1.2 million people, nature-based tourism and food production. We conducted a participatory, qualitative assessment of past and future trends of NCP at Campinas EPA, in collaboration with the management council of the protected area. We collected data through direct observation, semi-structured interviews and scenario workshops. In our research process, we innovate using the NCP framework, a concept acknowledging multiple values and knowledge systems, coupled with ecosystem services, a concept already understood by management councilors. To assess past trends (2000–2020), we built a causal-loop diagram which depicts an amplifying feedback loop that fosters change towards an urban-dominated state. To assess future trends (2020–2040), we facilitated scenario planning workshops to create and contrast a business-as-usual and a desirable future for NCP, illustrated in the form of artistic panels. We identified a local agroecological farm that represents a seed of good anthropocenes – i.e. the farm is an innovative example of what a positive future could look like, thus providing relevant evidence on how to achieve a desirable scenario. Our findings shed light on how urban expansion within peri-urban areas impacts NCP and suggest strategies for positive transformations.

Simulation of boost path and phase control method in supercritical CO2 pipeline commissioning process

CO2 pipeline can be applied to Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) projects and CO2 geological storage projects, and has high engineering application value. However, pipeline transportation of CO2 is a high-risk link in CO2 storage projects. The phase state commonly used to transport CO2 is a supercritical state with both gaseous and liquid characteristics, and there are also great challenges in the field of pipeline transportation. The existing researches have carried out a lot of exploration and application development in the heat transfer, phase change, transient and special conditions of supercritical CO2 pipeline operation.In this paper, the modeling and exploration of the commissioning process before the formal operation of the supercritical CO2 pipeline are carried out, and the boost path of the supercritical CO2 pipeline in the phase diagram under different working conditions is obtained. The model developed in this paper is based on the sensitivity analysis of the effects of variables such as ground temperature, filling pressure speed, and whether to perform pressure-stabilizing leak detection operations. The step-up path in the phase diagram of the CO2 pipeline commissioning process and the adjustment control method are obtained. And the critical temperature of each working condition that cannot avoid phase transition, thus contributing to the existing knowledge system in this field.

Conflict Resolution through Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Abstract Indigenous knowledge is the local knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society. It is the basis for local decision-making in agriculture, medicine, food education, environmental management, craft skills, linguistics and conflict management. The study explored mengehacha, an indigenous system of conflict resolution among the Gumuz people in northwest Ethiopia, which aims to restore peace and harmony within the community when conflicts result from natural resource competition, exchange marriage, clan-based conflict and theft. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, non-participatory observation and document analysis, and analysed qualitatively. The indigenous mechanisms of conflict resolution were found to be relatively participatory and supplementary to the state justice system. It is recommended that indigenous systems of conflict management be supported and given equal treatment with the modern court system and that exchange marriage be curbed, since it is becoming a trigger for conflict eruption among the Gumuz.

“E-waste” Colonialism: Mechanism of Late Modernity in Chen Qiufan’s Waste Tide

Abstract Among numerous literary works on international waste trade, by way of which the toxic waste has been exported basically from developed countries to underdeveloped areas, the Chinese writer Chen Qiufan’s Waste Tide is the only one that examines one of the most toxic waste streams, namely, the electronic waste, or the e-waste. However, this particular novel has not received much critical attention in the anglophone world. The few studies on this science fiction tend to focus on the capital market, the conflict between global and local, or the alienation of human and nature, neglecting its significant thematic concern on the e-waste. In this context, this study seeks to address this gap by analyzing the author’s focus on the neglected issue of e-waste in the system of waste colonialism. By exploring this work from the perspective of waste colonialism, this study attempts to disclose how the e-waste functions as a special symbol of late modernity and in what mechanism late modernity works to exert its effect respectively on economic-political institutions, knowledge system, and human cognition of their own subjectivity. Significantly, this study will argue that, in late modernity, the system of waste colonialism has developed into what this study terms “e-waste” colonialism, promoting the reconsolidation of power structure, the intensification of expert knowledge, and the deconstruction of human subjectivity.

Improving quality through simulation; developing guidance to design simulation interventions following key events in healthcare

Simulation educators are often requested to provide multidisciplinary and/or interprofessional simulation training in response to critical incidents. Current perspectives on patient safety focus on learning from failure, success and everyday variation. An international collaboration has led to the development of an accessible and practical framework to guide the implementation of appropriate simulation-based responses to clinical events, integrating quality improvement, simulation and patient safety methodologies to design appropriate and impactful responses. In this article, we describe a novel five-step approach to planning simulation-based interventions after any events that might prompt simulation-based learning in healthcare environments. This approach guides teams to identify pertinent events in healthcare, involve relevant stakeholders, agree on appropriate change interventions, elicit how simulation can contribute to them and share the learning without aggravating the second victim phenomenon. The framework is underpinned by Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge, the Model for Improvement and translational simulation. It aligns with contemporary socio-technical models in healthcare, by emphasising the role of clinical teams in designing adaptation and change for improvement, as well as encouraging collaborations to enhance patient safety in healthcare. For teams to achieve this adaptive capacity that realises organisational goals of continuous learning and improvement requires the breaking down of historical silos through the creation of an infrastructure that formalises relationships between service delivery, safety management, quality improvement and education. This creates opportunities to learn by design, rather than chance, whilst striving to close gaps between work as imagined and work as done.

Beginning of a new era: leveraging digital twin technology in the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems in the disruptive era

Beginning of a new era: leveraging digital twin technology in the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems in the disruptive era

Articulation of the Main Ideas of Afrocentrism in Relation to Science and Technology

Afrocentrism's key concepts regarding science and technology are summarised in this paper. These concepts include reclaiming African contributions, opposing Eurocentric narratives, advancing African-centered knowledge systems, empowering marginalised communities, and encouraging interdisciplinary approaches. By showcasing the scientific and technological accomplishments of ancient African civilizations like Egypt and Mali, afrocentrism aims to correct historical omissions. It advocates for a more inclusive representation of human achievement by criticising Eurocentric narratives that marginalise contributions from non-Western cultures. The methods used to gather, examine, and present the data are also covered in this work. There is also a broad conclusion and a critique of the conversation. The study used a historical research design method to gather and examine data. The analysis was done by use of thematic and content analysis and its presentation was presented by use of themes. The paper concluded that the key concepts of Afrocentrism concerning science and technology provide a diverse strategy aimed at redressing past wrongs, contesting prevailing accounts, and advancing inclusivity and fairness in history. The paper recommends that, Reclaiming African contributions is essential for a more equitable and comprehensive appreciation of global scientific history.

Agricultural knowledge and innovation system in Albania: innovation performance, universities and two arguments

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to provide an assessment of the governance of the agricultural system in Albania, by analyzing the challenges for the future operation of Agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS) under the influence of two main factors, such as (і) the country’s innovation performance and (іі) universities and research institutions (URIs), for the rapid and effective adaptions of innovation and new knowledge. Results. In the Balkan region, there is a rapid dynamic (according to the income group) of countries related to innovation (Bulgaria is the 2nd after China), and some of them (Slovenia, Croatia) have overtaken old members of the EU; we prove the importance of Albania’s innovation performance and URIs for competitiveness and future operation of AKIS. Innovation and the frequent variability of technologies and effects on producers, consumers and markets can accelerate growth and competitiveness but can create also undesirable effects. The economic decisions, governance of the agri-system and resources under the influence of the rapid developments require an adequate research-decision-making focus. Science-based-guided institutions are essential for improving the country’s innovation performance and the role of URIs for the efficient adaptions of innovation, new knowledge and techniques in agri-sector as two main pillars for the future of AKIS in Albania. Scientific novelty. Most studies analyze the functioning of segments of the agricultural system (e.g. crop, livestock, etc.) or the value chain (e.g. producers, consumers) and identify the low presence of social capital in Albania, using the individual as the unit of analysis (e.g. farmer level) and the company (e.g. factors, sources). It is paid little attention to the renewal of social capital, especially in the context of current migration in Albania. Therefore, we provide an aggregate analysis of agricultural governance, by suggesting the efficiency of (formal) institutions for renewing (missing) social capital, improvement of innovation performance and the role of URIs to policy solutions and future AKIS. Practical value. Through a functional AKIS, the problem of innovation, policy formulation in the agri-sector and centralization approach or centralized policies can be overcome, by creating premises for an efficient-scientific-entity and a smart-regional-approach, including new networks of researchers and the environment for business sophistication and innovation ecosystems.

Representasi Budaya dan Profil Pelajar Pancasila di Buku Pelajaran Bahasa Indonesia Kelas VII

This study aims to (1) describe the representation of culture in Indonesian textbooks grade VII, (2) describe the representation of Pancasila student profile in Indonesian textbooks grade VII. This research is a qualitative research and uses case study method with content analysis approach. The data source of this research is the seventh grade Indonesian textbook. The sampling technique was done by purposive sampling. Data collection was done by document analysis. The data validity test technique used was data source triangulation. The results of this study are, in the seventh grade Indonesian textbooks, cultural representations are found to be described through Koentjaraningrat's cultural elements in the form of language, technological systems, livelihood systems, social organization, knowledge systems, religious systems, and arts. Second, in the seventh grade Indonesian textbook, there is a representation of the Pancasila student profile which is divided into six dimensions, namely faith, fear of God Almighty; and noble character; global diversity; mutual cooperation; independent; critical reasoning; and creative. In the discussion, the six dimensions are then further divided based on the existing key elements

Indian Knowledge System and National Education Policy (Nep) 2020

Knowledge is the supreme value. Indian knowledge tradition is a pernnial flow of the Ganga. Ganga is a symbol of purity and liberationas it descended from heaven to give moksha to the people of yogabhumi, Bharata. Indian Knowledge System aspired to know everything that the mind can comprehend from tiny atoms to the universe. India has a glorious tradition of spirituality propagated by a long line of rishis. The teachings of the sages have an eternal relevance and unleashed the creativity of the Indian culture over a wide spectrum-literature, medicine, music, dancing art, painting, sculpture, mythology, ethics, astronomy, mathematics, grammar, metaphysics, epistemology, ontology, yoga, phiplosophy, psychology and economics. This explosion of creativity has enriched Indian culture and upliftment the human soul. Vedas are the oldest and richest source of Indian Knowledge Systems based on spiritual knowledge. The Supreme Creator creates the cosmos, the creative potency descends among the created beings to assist the Supreme Creator in the manifestation of the material worlds. Universities are temples of knowledge where ideas, innovations, and skills are nurtured. The National Education Policy 2020 is the synthesis of knowledge and education and from the teaching of humanity and values, India is Vishwaguru.

Inquiry-based Ethnoecological Conservation Approach to Improve Students' Critical Thinking Skills

This study explores the effectiveness of an inquiry-based ethnoecological conservation approach in enhancing critical thinking skills among students. Amidst growing concerns over environmental degradation, the integration of ethnoecological knowledge within educational frameworks emerges as a potent tool for fostering environmental stewardship and critical thinking. This research adopts a mixed methods design, engaging 45 secondary school students in a two-month pedagogical intervention that blends inquiry-based learning with ethnoecological insights. The intervention's impact on critical thinking was assessed using pretest-posttest analysis, supplemented by qualitative insights from student interviews. Quantitative results demonstrate a significant improvement in students' critical thinking skills post-intervention, with statistical analysis revealing a notable increase in mean scores and a reduction in score variability. This indicates not only an enhancement in critical thinking abilities but also a homogenization of skills across the participant group, underscoring the universal efficacy of the approach. Qualitative findings further enrich these results, with students reporting a deeper understanding of environmental issues, a stronger connection to cultural heritage, and a heightened sense of responsibility towards conservation efforts. The study highlights the transformative potential of integrating indigenous knowledge systems into environmental education, advocating for a pedagogical shift towards more inclusive, culturally relevant learning frameworks. By engaging students in a contextually rich exploration of ecological and cultural interconnections, the inquiry-based ethnoecological approach proves effective in cultivating critical thinking, thereby equipping students with the cognitive tools necessary to navigate and address complex environmental challenges. This research contributes to the evolving discourse on environmental education, offering valuable insights into the role of ethnoecology and inquiry-based learning in developing critical thinking skills and fostering a generation of informed and engaged environmental stewards.

Centering Amah Mutsun voices in the analysis of a culturally important, fire-managed coastal grassland.

Indigenous communities throughout California, USA, are increasingly advocating for and practicing cultural fire stewardship, leading to a host of social, cultural, and ecological benefits. Simultaneously, state agencies are recognizing the importance of controlled burning and cultural fire as a means of reducing the risk of severe wildfire while benefiting fire-adapted ecosystems. However, much of the current research on the impacts of controlled burning ignores the cultural importance of these ecosystems, and risks further marginalizing Indigenous knowledge systems. Our work adds a critical Indigenous perspective to the study of controlled burning in California's unique coastal grasslands, one of the most biodiverse and endangered ecosystems in the country. In this study, we partnered with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to investigate how the abundance and occurrence of shrubs, cultural plants, and invasive plants differed among three adjacent coastal grasslands with varying fire histories. These three sites are emblematic of the state's diverging approaches to grassland management: fire suppression, fire suppression followed by wildfire, and an exceedingly rare example of a grassland that has been repeatedly burned approximately every 2 years for more than 30 years. We found that Danthonia californica was significantly more abundant on the burned sites, whereas all included shrub species (Baccharis pilularis, Frangula californica, and Rubus ursinus) were significantly more abundant on the site with no recorded fire, results that have important implications for future cultural revitalization efforts and the loss of coastal grasslands to shrub encroachment. In addition to conducting a culturally relevant vegetation survey, we used Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to compare the relative severities of the two most recent fire events within the study area. Critically, we used interviews with Amah Mutsun tribal members to contextualize the results of our vegetation survey and remote sensing analysis, and to investigate how cultural burning contrasts from typical Western fire management approaches in this region. Our study is a novel example of how interviews, field data, and satellite imagery can be combined to gain a deeper ecological and cultural understanding of fire in California's endangered coastal grasslands.

An Overview on Indian Knowledge System

The Indian knowledge system (IKS) seeks to actively support, and advance research aimed at addressing contemporary societal challenges. Rooted in the rich tradition of Vedic literature, including the Vedas and the Upanishads, IKS is poised for integration into digital learning platforms. To enhance the quality of classroom instruction on IKS courses, tailored modules for educator training and orientation are under consideration. Specialized teacher training centers will be established, focusing on specific topics within the Indian Knowledge Systems. Innovation within IKS will be fostered through initiatives like Grand National Challenges, National Competitions, and Hackathons, with incentives provided for groundbreaking ideas. Collaboration with global institutions, facilitated by entities like the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), will enable the conduct of India-centric research. To catalyze the founding of Indian knowledge System in numerous Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), initial seed financing will be provided. Outreach efforts targeting the public will employ diverse mechanisms to spread and promote genuine IKS. Public involvement will be encouraged via Jan Bhagidari programs, akin to citizen science initiatives. Youth will find job prospects through skill-based programs, and IKS will actively foster tradition knowledge by leveraging technological keys to platform Indian inheritance globally. The overarching goal is to capture 10% of world tourism, thereby generating substantial employment opportunities for the youth.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ФУНКЦІОНУВАННЯ ПОЯСНОЇ СИСТЕМИ ОЦІНКИ РІВНЯ КВАЛІФІКАЦІЇ СПОРТСМЕНІВ У РІЗНИХ ВИДАХ СПОРТИВНИХ ЄДИНОБОРСТВ

Relevance of the research topic. Millions of people around the world engage in martial arts, and interest in this type of activity continues to grow. As you know, the goal of building any educational and training process in many types of sports is to achieve the maximum possible result in competitive activities. The existing system of knowledge regarding traditional approaches to building the training process in martial arts proves that in many types of duels there are two possible ways to achieve the desired result. One is the acquisition of championship titles by winning competitions, the other is the acquisition of qualification belts for the performance of certain complex technical actions: kata or tuli (certain connections from stances, movements, striking and defensive actions, as well as the technique of performing motor actions inherent in the respective species duels). First of all, the study of the peculiarities of the functioning of the belt system in various types of martial arts will significantly expand the range of knowledge, the possibilities of using the most effective means and methods for the construction of a modern system of martial arts training. The purpose of the study is to investigate the features of the functioning of the belt system for assessing the level of qualification of athletes in various types of martial arts. Methods. In accordance with the topic of the study, an analysis and generalization of the scientific and methodological literature of Ukrainian and foreign specialists was carried out, normative program documents of the most popular types of martial arts in the world (judo, karate, jiu-jitsu, taekwon-do) were studied. Research results. The belt system for assessing the level of qualification of athletes is inherent in many types of martial arts and is an effective alternative to competitive activities in the direction of obtaining the desired result. A large number of apprentice and master qualification degrees, gentle load regimes, the absence of extreme conditions, and the focus on perfect mastery of technical skills make it possible to practice martial arts for many years. Conclusions. According to modern ideas about the construction of a training system in various types of martial arts, for further effective existence as a tool for the development of mass sports, the belt system for evaluating the level of qualification of athletes needs immediate changes, the introduction of new modern technologies taking into account scientific achievements in the field of sports science.

Foraging for the future: traditional culinary uses of wild plants in the Western Himalayas–Kashmir Valley (India)

BackgroundIn the intricate tapestry of food security, wild food species stand as pillars, nourishing millions in low-income communities, and reflecting the resilience and adaptability of human societies. Their significance extends beyond mere sustenance, intertwining with cultural traditions and local knowledge systems, underscoring the importance of preserving biodiversity and traditional practices for sustainable livelihoods.MethodsThe present study, conducted between February 2022 and August 2023 along the Line of Control in India’s Kashmir Valley, employed a rigorous data collection encompassing semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and specific field observations facilitated through a snowball sampling technique.Results and discussionThe comprehensive inventory includes 108 edible plant and fungal species from 48 taxonomic families, with Rosaceae (N = 11) standing out. Young and soft leaves (N = 60) are an important component of various culinary preparations, with vegetables (N = 65) being the main use, followed by fruits (N = 19). This use is seasonal, with collection peaks in March–April and June–August (N = 12). The study also highlights the importance of use value (UV), with Portulaca oleracea standing out as the plant taxon (UV = 0.61), while Asyneuma thomsoni has the lowest use value (UV = 0.15). Many species such as Senecio chrysanthemoides, Asperugo procumbens, Asyneuma thomsoni, and Potentilla nepalensis were classified as new for gastronomic use. Furthermore, the study underlines the great cultural importance of mushrooms such as Morchella esculenta and Geopora arenicola in influencing social hierarchies within the community. However, the transmission of traditional knowledge across generations is declining in the region. At the same time, the conservation of endangered plant species on the IUCN Red List, such as Trillium govanianum, Taxus wallichiana, Saussurea costus, and Podophyllum hexandrum, requires immediate attention.ConclusionConservation measures should be prioritized, and proactive remedial action is needed. Further research into the nutritional value of these edible species could pave the way for their commercial cultivation, which would mean potential economic growth for local communities, make an important contribution to food security in the area under study, and contribute to scientific progress.

Philosophical Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to examine philosophical analysis of Sustainable Development Goals. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to philosophical analysis of Sustainable Development Goals. Preliminary empirical review revealed the crucial interplay of ethical, epistemological, and metaphysical considerations in achieving global sustainability. It highlighted the SDGs' foundation on principles of equity, justice, and human rights, emphasizing the need for inclusive and context-sensitive knowledge systems. The analysis also prompted a rethinking of traditional development notions, advocating for a holistic view that includes social and environmental well-being. The conclusion stressed the importance of integrating these philosophical dimensions into policymaking to create effective, inclusive strategies for sustainable global progress. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Utilitarianism, Deontological Ethics and the Social Contract Theory may be used to anchor future studies on the philosophical analysis of SDGs. The study recommended integrating diverse ethical perspectives into development theories, emphasizing inclusive and participatory approaches in practice, and promoting integrated policy frameworks that align with the holistic nature of the SDGs. It highlighted the need for robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, enhanced global cooperation, and the incorporation of sustainability and ethical considerations into educational curricula. These recommendations aimed to ensure that development efforts were economically viable, socially just, and environmentally sustainable, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and effective pursuit of the SDGs.