Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Article Types

Countries / Regions

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Search Results (2,487)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = institutional transformation

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
32 pages, 4987 KB  
Article
Reinterpreting Le Corbusier’s Concept of Unlimited Growth for University Campus Transformation Under Demographic Decline: A Typo-Morphological and Spatial Adaptation Framework
by Bih-Chuan Lin, Chin-Feng Lin and Xuan-Xi Wang
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3226; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073226 - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
Declining birth rates are reshaping higher education across East Asia, accelerating the large-scale underutilization and, in some contexts, partial abandonment of university campus assets. Although adaptive reuse has been widely discussed, campus transformation is often framed primarily as a programmatic or policy problem, [...] Read more.
Declining birth rates are reshaping higher education across East Asia, accelerating the large-scale underutilization and, in some contexts, partial abandonment of university campus assets. Although adaptive reuse has been widely discussed, campus transformation is often framed primarily as a programmatic or policy problem, with limited attention to the inherited spatial logic embedded in campus morphology. This study revisits Le Corbusier’s concept of unlimited growth as a generative framework for campus transformation. Rather than treating it as a museum-specific historical typology, the research reinterprets unlimited growth as a scalable spatial logic defined by modular continuity, circulation hierarchy, and open-ended sequencing. To enhance reproducibility and operational clarity, the study formalizes a typo-morphological decoding protocol—modules, circulation, and growth sequence—and applies it through plan-, section-, and diagram-based analysis. Through comparative examination of three museum precedents—Sanskar Kendra Museum, the National Museum of Western Art (Tokyo), and the Chandigarh Museum and Art Gallery—the study extracts a set of transferable spatial mechanisms: modular increment, circulation-centered ordering, directional displacement, and fifth-façade ecological continuity. These mechanisms are then translated into an operational right-sizing model and tested through a design-operational demonstrator on a single anonymized Taiwanese campus experiencing demographic contraction. The findings indicate that unlimited growth functions not merely as a formal principle but as a spatial governance logic that supports phased consolidation, adaptive recomposition, and system-level coherence under long-term uncertainty. Importantly, this framework contributes to sustainability by reducing land consumption through spatial consolidation, minimizing unnecessary new construction, enabling adaptive reuse of existing campus assets, and improving long-term resource-use efficiency through phased right-sizing and ecological continuity. This study further advances a reproducible, mechanism-based methodological framework for institutional spatial transformation, providing a transferable approach for large-scale campus restructuring under conditions of long-term demographic and environmental uncertainty. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Resilience and Sustainable Construction Under Disaster Risk)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 412 KB  
Article
Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting in the Saudi Arabian Banking Sector: Implications for Vision 2030
by Abdulaziz M. Alessa and Subas P. Dhakal
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3213; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073213 (registering DOI) - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
The role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in advancing economic, social, and environmental well-being has been increasingly acknowledged in the broader context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For instance, CSR in Saudi Arabia is increasingly framed as a mechanism to support [...] Read more.
The role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in advancing economic, social, and environmental well-being has been increasingly acknowledged in the broader context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For instance, CSR in Saudi Arabia is increasingly framed as a mechanism to support Vision 2030—a national strategy aimed at transforming Saudi Arabia to a sustainable economy. However, evidence on how financial institutions disclose and prioritize CSR at the country level remains fragmented. This study examines the extent and patterns of CSR disclosure across the Saudi banking sector by analyzing publicly available documents, e.g., annual reports and ESG/CSR reports (n = 36) from 10 banks (4 Islamic and 6 commercial). Findings indicate that CSR disclosures were primarily clustered into four macro themes—society, economic contribution, internal stakeholders, and environment—with a strong thematic emphasis on philanthropic activities, financial donations, disability support, and financing for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Environmental initiatives were disclosed less frequently and were generally narrower in scope, focusing on resource efficiency, recycling, and selective green financing. In addition, a comparative analysis between Commercial and Islamic banks revealed that the latter focused on values-based CSR, while commercial ones emphasized governance-oriented CSR. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 679 KB  
Systematic Review
Educational Innovation and University Research, Distinction, Points of Contact and Productive Interactions
by Raquel Ayala-Carabajo and Joe Llerena-Izquierdo
Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16040510 - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
Higher education is undergoing a constant paradigm shift, transforming itself into a system of innovation for society. This study has explored and determined the relationship between educational innovation and research in university contexts in order to distinguish, compare, and establish dynamics of interaction. [...] Read more.
Higher education is undergoing a constant paradigm shift, transforming itself into a system of innovation for society. This study has explored and determined the relationship between educational innovation and research in university contexts in order to distinguish, compare, and establish dynamics of interaction. The contributions of scientific articles published in WoS-indexed journals between 2019 and 2025 in a total of 108 sources were analyzed using the PRISMA method and an analysis inspired by grounded theory with open coding and axial coding (mixed method). As a result, both functions have been conceptually differentiated while establishing these points of contact, productive interactions, and their relationship with university institutional management. It is concluded that higher education is facing a paradigm shift, transforming itself from a center of knowledge and professional training to the hub of innovation systems. The main contribution of this study is its exposition of how this profound change is taking place and the conditions of research–innovation interaction in the university setting. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 7741 KB  
Article
How Do Multi-Actor Environmental Sentiment Tendencies Affect the Green Transformation of Chinese Energy Companies? The Moderating Role of Economic and Climate Policy Uncertainty
by Jiaqi Wang, Chengping Wang, Tingqiang Chen and Maodi Tong
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3190; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073190 - 24 Mar 2026
Abstract
Existing research on green transformation predominantly emphasizes “hard constraints” such as carbon taxes and environmental regulations, while neglecting “soft constraints” shaped by environmental sentiment expressions from key actors such as the public, financial institutions, media, and government. In particular, the collective influence of [...] Read more.
Existing research on green transformation predominantly emphasizes “hard constraints” such as carbon taxes and environmental regulations, while neglecting “soft constraints” shaped by environmental sentiment expressions from key actors such as the public, financial institutions, media, and government. In particular, the collective influence of these multi-actor environmental sentiments remains insufficiently explored. This study fills that gap by constructing a collaborative governance framework using multi-source heterogeneous data from China spanning 2013–2023, including 330 provincial government work reports, 1862 bank annual reports, 2472 newspaper articles, and 68,519 Weibo posts, matched to 4708 firm-year observations of Chinese A-share energy companies. We quantify environmental sentiment tendencies through natural language processing, calculating the index as (negative word frequency − positive word frequency)/total word frequency at the province-year level, thus higher index value indicates more negative sentiment tendency, while green transformation is proxied by ln(green patent applications + 1). The results reveal the following: (1) More negative environmental sentiment tendencies from financial institutions, media, public, and government significantly promote green transformation in energy enterprises, with stronger effects observed from financial institutions and government. (2) Economic and climate policy uncertainty selectively weaken the impact of financial institutions’ sentiment, while the moderating effects for other actors are statistically insignificant. (3) The effect of multi-actor environmental sentiment is more pronounced for firms located in eastern China, operating under high competition or stricter environmental regulations. This study provides a novel, quantified approach to assessing multi-actor environmental sentiment tendencies, affirms the effectiveness of informal governance, and highlights the importance of stable policy in guiding corporate green transformation in emerging economies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 4964 KB  
Article
A Seven-Step BIM Collaboration Model for AEC Education: Bridging Disciplinary Silos Through BIM Maturity Level 3 Implementation
by Jean-Pierre Basson and John Smallwood
Buildings 2026, 16(7), 1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16071282 - 24 Mar 2026
Abstract
The growing implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries has placed increased pressure on higher education institutions to prepare graduates for interdisciplinary digital collaboration. In many emerging higher education environments, such as South Africa, structured pedagogical [...] Read more.
The growing implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries has placed increased pressure on higher education institutions to prepare graduates for interdisciplinary digital collaboration. In many emerging higher education environments, such as South Africa, structured pedagogical frameworks for BIM Level 3 collaboration are less well established. This paper addresses this gap by introducing and evaluating a seven-step BIM collaboration framework in an interdisciplinary final year undergraduate project. A comparative cohort case study design was adopted, analysing two cohorts: the 2022 cohort operating within a traditional siloed design model, and the 2023 cohort applying the proposed framework. Grounded in Habermas’s theory of communicative action, student design projects and self-reflection narratives from both the traditional siloed design process and the BIM-enabled framework were analysed deductively according to communication frequency, content, and quality as key categories. Communication quality was evaluated through intrinsic, contextual, representational, and accessibility information dimensions. Findings show that the BIM group had higher levels of established collaboration, better-quality contextually available information, more accessible structured data, and more effective communication. The findings indicate that structured BIM-based collaboration enhances a transformation from mere data exchange to constructive participation and comprehensive information development among students. Rather than functioning solely as a technical tool, BIM served as a structured communication environment that supported critical engagement and interdisciplinary workflows. This study offers a transferable pedagogical model for interdisciplinary BIM education and provides evidence supporting communication-oriented approaches to digital collaboration within built environment curricula. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1203 KB  
Article
Performance in Action and Textual Re-Creation: A Study of the Dual Performativity in Hyakuzahōdan Kikigakishō (百座法談聞書抄)
by Ziqi Zhang, Kehua Liu and Yingbo Zhao
Religions 2026, 17(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17040410 - 24 Mar 2026
Abstract
The Hyakuzahōdan Kikigakishō (百座法談聞書抄, hereafter Hyakuza 百座), compiled in the late Heian period, is an important Buddhist document that records a hundred-day lecture series on the Lotus Sutra (法華経). While previous scholarship has recognized the constructed nature of the text as a kikigaki [...] Read more.
The Hyakuzahōdan Kikigakishō (百座法談聞書抄, hereafter Hyakuza 百座), compiled in the late Heian period, is an important Buddhist document that records a hundred-day lecture series on the Lotus Sutra (法華経). While previous scholarship has recognized the constructed nature of the text as a kikigaki (聞書), it has predominantly focused on content analysis, implicitly treating the text as a transparent window into the actual preaching event. To move beyond this limitation, this study proposes the analytical framework of dual performativity and, drawing on Diana Taylor’s theory of the archive and the repertoire, reexamines the text’s generative logic and political implications. This study argues that the Hyakuza embodies two interrelated forms of performance: first, the performativity of the hōdan (法談) as a live ritual, understood as a repertoire performance that constructs immediate authority through body, voice, and situational dynamics; second, the performativity of the kikigaki as textual construction, understood as an archival performance that transforms the ephemeral oral event into an authoritative, transmissible text through formulaic rhetoric, localized adaptation, and systematic arrangement. Integrating methodologies from textual history, rhetorical analysis, ritual theory, and intellectual history, this study demonstrates that the Hyakuza is not a neutral transcript of sermons but a meticulous, intentional act of writing with two fundamental aims: on a cultural level, to hierarchically integrate shinbutsu shūgō (神仏習合) through narrative appropriation; on a social level, to symbolically bind Buddhist merit with the institutional identities of aristocrats such as naishinnō (内親王), ultimately serving the self-affirmation internal cohesion, and cultural demarcation of the elite community from the masses, while simultaneously contributing to the state’s project of constructing a unified ideology in the late Heian period. By examining both cross-civilizational universal logic and specific historical context, this study reveals how the Hyakuza’s dual performativity produces and categorizes knowledge narratives while embedding political power dynamics, offering a critical path for the study of kikigaki-genre literature from discourse analysis to politics of textuality. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 684 KB  
Article
Leveraging Digital Transformation: Enhancing Subsidiary Performance Through Parent Company Advantages
by Guanghui Xiong, Lei Wang, Dan Rong and Jun Li
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3172; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073172 - 24 Mar 2026
Abstract
Adopting a parent-firm perspective, this study investigates how digital transformation and its synergy with the specific advantages of emerging market multinational enterprises affect the performance of overseas subsidiaries. Using panel data from 448 Chinese listed manufacturing multinationals and their 1179 overseas subsidiaries over [...] Read more.
Adopting a parent-firm perspective, this study investigates how digital transformation and its synergy with the specific advantages of emerging market multinational enterprises affect the performance of overseas subsidiaries. Using panel data from 448 Chinese listed manufacturing multinationals and their 1179 overseas subsidiaries over the period 2011–2021, regression analyses reveal that parent-firm digital transformation significantly enhances overseas subsidiary performance. Moreover, this positive effect is more pronounced when the parent firm exhibits a stronger Institutional void coping capability. The moderating analysis further indicates that the firm’s internal business group network strengthens this relationship, whereas parent-firm host-country experience does not show a significant moderating role. By examining how market multinational enterprises integrate home-country-specific advantages with digital capabilities, and by analyzing the contingent roles of organizational capabilities and host-country experience, this research extends the theoretical framework of multinational enterprises’ competitive advantage in the digital era. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for emerging market firms to enhance overseas operational efficiency and strengthen sustainable global competitiveness through digital transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Innovation and Sustainability in SMEs and Entrepreneurship)
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 748 KB  
Article
National Competitiveness and Economic Transformation in Saudi Arabia: A Conceptual Analysis Using Porter’s Diamond Model
by Nagwa Amin Abdelkawy
Systems 2026, 14(4), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14040338 - 24 Mar 2026
Abstract
National competitiveness has become a central policy concern for resource-dependent economies pursuing structural transformation. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 represents a comprehensive national strategy aimed at diversifying the economy, upgrading productivity, and strengthening institutional capacity. Despite extensive discussion of individual reforms, there remains a [...] Read more.
National competitiveness has become a central policy concern for resource-dependent economies pursuing structural transformation. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 represents a comprehensive national strategy aimed at diversifying the economy, upgrading productivity, and strengthening institutional capacity. Despite extensive discussion of individual reforms, there remains a lack of integrated, theory-guided analysis that explains how these changes interact systemically at the national level. This study addresses this gap by applying Porter’s Diamond Model as a conceptual descriptive analytical framework to examine Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. The analysis treats the Diamond determinants—factor conditions, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, and firm strategy, structure, and rivalry—as an interconnected system shaped by government intervention. Drawing on secondary data from official policy documents, international competitiveness indicators, (including the Global Innovation Index, IMD World Competitiveness Rankings, Logistics Performance Index, and Worldwide Governance Indicators), and institutional reports, the study maps key reform dynamics onto each determinant and examines their cross-determinant interactions and feedback loops. The findings suggest that Saudi Arabia has made substantial progress in upgrading factor conditions and generating sophisticated domestic demand, while systemic challenges remain in firm level rivalry and innovation ecosystem depth. The study highlights that sustainable national competitiveness depends on coordinated upgrading across all determinants rather than isolated reforms. By reframing Porter’s Diamond as a dynamic, systems-oriented analytical tool, this paper contributes to the literature on national competitiveness in transformation economies and provides policy relevant insights for advancing productivity driven growth under Vision 2030. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Systems Practice in Social Science)
Show Figures

Figure 1

36 pages, 1190 KB  
Article
Emerging Technologies as Enablers of Sustainable Management: A Comprehensive Framework—The Role of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
by Ahmed Abaker, Mustafa ElGili and Bushara Arees
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3168; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073168 - 24 Mar 2026
Abstract
Emerging technologies are increasingly positioned as key enablers of sustainable management; however, existing research largely examines digital transformation and sustainability as parallel rather than integrated processes, particularly within national transformation contexts. Moreover, prior studies tend to focus on individual technologies or environmental outcomes, [...] Read more.
Emerging technologies are increasingly positioned as key enablers of sustainable management; however, existing research largely examines digital transformation and sustainability as parallel rather than integrated processes, particularly within national transformation contexts. Moreover, prior studies tend to focus on individual technologies or environmental outcomes, offering limited insight into how emerging technologies are embedded within ESG-oriented management systems and institutional governance frameworks. To address this gap, this study adopts a structured conceptual literature review methodology guided by a systematic PRISMA-informed selection process. Based on the qualitative synthesis of 76 peer-reviewed studies, the paper develops an integrative framework explaining how emerging technologies enable sustainable management and digital transformation within the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Drawing on sustainability transitions, digital transformation, and ESG management literature, emerging technologies are conceptualized as combinatorial digital capabilities operating through a recursive capability loop (Sense–Analyze–Decide–Act–Verify). These capabilities influence sustainability outcomes through four mediating mechanisms—measurement, optimization, transparency, and institutionalization—and are conditionally shaped by national institutional enablers. The proposed framework positions ESG-oriented management systems as a mediating layer between technological capabilities and multi-dimensional sustainability outcomes, while explicitly addressing the double transition paradox, which recognizes both the sustainability benefits and environmental costs of digital infrastructures. The study advances theory by integrating ESG mediation, institutional moderation, and capability-based mechanisms into a unified analytical architecture and formulates six theoretically grounded propositions to guide future empirical research. The framework also provides actionable insights for managers and policymakers seeking to align digital transformation, ESG integration, and national sustainability agendas in Saudi Arabia and comparable emerging economy contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 834 KB  
Systematic Review
Media Literacy Education and Misinformation in Social Media Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Nadia Elizabeth Rodríguez Castillo, Jefferson Estuardo Mendoza Carrera, Michela Marisol Andrade-Vásquez and Kevin Acosta-Barreno
Journal. Media 2026, 7(2), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia7020071 (registering DOI) - 24 Mar 2026
Abstract
The intensive use of social media has transformed the processes of accessing, consuming, and circulating information, positioning adolescents as one of the groups most exposed to digital misinformation. Despite their high connectivity, numerous studies show limitations in their ability to critically evaluate the [...] Read more.
The intensive use of social media has transformed the processes of accessing, consuming, and circulating information, positioning adolescents as one of the groups most exposed to digital misinformation. Despite their high connectivity, numerous studies show limitations in their ability to critically evaluate the content they consume and share in digital environments. In this context, this article aims to analyze, through a systematic review of the scientific literature, the role of educational institutions in the media literacy of adolescents in the face of the impact of misinformation on social media. The research was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO. An exhaustive search was conducted in the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases, considering studies published between 2019 and 2025 in English and Spanish. Following the selection process, 46 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and 18 in the meta-analysis. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro and AMSTAR 2 scales. The results show that educational interventions in media literacy generate significant improvements in adolescents’ ability to identify misinformation and reduce their intention to share misleading content, especially those based on skimming, source verification, and cognitive inoculation. It is concluded that media literacy, integrated in a cross-cutting and sustained manner into the school curriculum, is a key strategy for mitigating the impact of misinformation and strengthening critical thinking in adolescents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Media in Disinformation Studies)
Show Figures

Figure 1

49 pages, 1215 KB  
Article
Forging a Symbiosis Framework: An Interdisciplinary Blueprint for Scaling Nature-Based Solutions
by Yee Keong Choy and Ayumi Onuma
Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 3154; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18063154 - 23 Mar 2026
Abstract
Despite unprecedented political endorsement, nature-based solutions (NbS) consistently fail to achieve the systemic transformation required for climate and biodiversity crises. This implementation deadlock stems from a profound triple strategic gap: a translational evidence gap between fragmented science and actionable design, a strategic design [...] Read more.
Despite unprecedented political endorsement, nature-based solutions (NbS) consistently fail to achieve the systemic transformation required for climate and biodiversity crises. This implementation deadlock stems from a profound triple strategic gap: a translational evidence gap between fragmented science and actionable design, a strategic design gap in misaligned institutions, and a fundamental theoretical integration gap disconnecting ecological principles from socio-economic solutions. This study forges and validates the symbiosis framework—an interdisciplinary blueprint designed to bridge this triple gap. Employing design science research, we: (1) synthesize ecological theory with institutional economics to distill three core design principles—functional reciprocity, nested modular network architecture, and strategic leverage and foundational support; (2) translate these into a conceptual model and strategic implementation blueprint; and (3) validate the framework through comparative analysis of global NbS case studies. The resulting framework provides a novel translational logic, moving beyond critique to offer a prescriptive design tool. It enables practitioners to diagnose systemic failures and design interventions that emulate ecological intelligence while applying institutional design principles: cultivating reciprocal partnerships, structuring resilient networks through polycentric governance, and strategically targeting catalytic leverage points and foundational assets. We conclude that scaling NbS requires a paradigm shift from managing isolated symptoms to architecting symbiotic systems. The symbiosis framework provides the essential interdisciplinary blueprint for this shift. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 333 KB  
Article
Artificial Truth: Algorithmic Power, Epistemic Authority, and the Crisis of Democratic Knowledge
by Rosario Palese
Societies 2026, 16(3), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc16030102 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 66
Abstract
This article examines how artificial intelligence and algorithmic systems are reconfiguring truth regimes in digital societies, introducing the concept of “Artificial Truth” to describe an emerging form of epistemic governance where knowledge production and validation become infrastructural functions of sociotechnical systems. The study [...] Read more.
This article examines how artificial intelligence and algorithmic systems are reconfiguring truth regimes in digital societies, introducing the concept of “Artificial Truth” to describe an emerging form of epistemic governance where knowledge production and validation become infrastructural functions of sociotechnical systems. The study develops an integrated theoretical framework combining Foucault’s notion of truth regimes, Bourdieu’s theory of symbolic capital and fields, and Actor-Network Theory’s constructivist approach. Through conceptual analysis, the article investigates how algorithmic recommendation systems, generative AI, and automated fact-checking operate as epistemic devices that actively shape what is recognized as credible, authoritative, and true in public discourse. The analysis reveals three fundamental transformations: (1) the restructuring of trust economies, with epistemic authority shifting from institutional expertise to platform-native capital based on engagement metrics and affective proximity; (2) the emergence of generative AI as an epistemic actor producing “synthetic truth” through linguistic fluency rather than propositional understanding; (3) the institutionalization of computational veridiction in algorithmic fact-checking systems that translate situated epistemic judgments into probabilistic classifications presented as neutral. These dynamics configure a regime where truth is evaluated less by correspondence with reality and more by computational plausibility and platform integration. The article’s primary contribution lies in providing a unified theoretical framework for understanding contemporary transformations of epistemic authority, moving beyond disinformation studies to analyze AI as an epistemic actor. By integrating classical sociological perspectives with Science and Technology Studies, it conceptualizes algorithmic systems as epistemic infrastructures that embody specific power relations, restructure symbolic capital economies, and distribute epistemic authority asymmetrically, with profound implications for democratic knowledge, citizen epistemic agency, and public sphere pluralism. Full article
28 pages, 5620 KB  
Article
In Situ Growth of MIL-100(Fe) on Coconut Shell Activated Carbon for High-Efficiently Removal of Microplastics from Water
by Qianyi Wang, Guohan Wang, Sasa Ma, Zichen Wang, Lijie Luo and Yongjun Chen
Polymers 2026, 18(6), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18060772 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 54
Abstract
The widespread use of plastics has inevitably led to the accumulation of persistent plastic debris in aquatic systems, where gradual fragmentation generates microplastics (MPs) that threaten ecological and biological health. Their small size, chemical stability, and resistance to degradation make effective removal particularly [...] Read more.
The widespread use of plastics has inevitably led to the accumulation of persistent plastic debris in aquatic systems, where gradual fragmentation generates microplastics (MPs) that threaten ecological and biological health. Their small size, chemical stability, and resistance to degradation make effective removal particularly challenging. In this work, a composite adsorbent was fabricated through the in situ solvothermal growth of Materials of Institute Lavoisier 100 (Iron) (MIL-100(Fe)) onto coconut shell-derived activated carbon (CSAC), yielding a monolithic material denoted as CSAC@MIL-100(Fe). The integration of porous C with a metal–organic framework created a hierarchically structured adsorbent rich in accessible binding sites. The composite achieved a maximum polystyrene (PS) removal efficiency of 97.4% and maintained 91.44% efficiency after seven regeneration cycles. Stable adsorption performance was observed across a broad pH range. Structural and chemical analyses (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)) combined with adsorption modeling revealed heterogeneous multilayer adsorption behavior consistent with the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. π–π interactions, electrostatic attraction, and coordination effects jointly governed PS capture. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity reached 746.27 mg/g. These findings demonstrate a practical and recyclable strategy for efficient MP remediation in aquatic environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 912 KB  
Review
Beyond Incremental: Embracing Transformative Innovation in Women’s Health
by Mark I. Evans, Lawrence D. Devoe, Gregory F. Ryan, David W. Britt and Christian R. Macedonia
Reprod. Med. 2026, 7(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/reprodmed7010016 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 131
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Women’s health has historically lagged behind other medical specialties in transformative innovation, despite significant technological advances in adjacent fields. In this collection of papers, we examine the current state of innovation in women’s health and maternal–fetal medicine, identify barriers to transformation, and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Women’s health has historically lagged behind other medical specialties in transformative innovation, despite significant technological advances in adjacent fields. In this collection of papers, we examine the current state of innovation in women’s health and maternal–fetal medicine, identify barriers to transformation, and propose strategies for accelerating breakthrough developments. This paper presents an overview of multiple forces and their often-competing relationships that influence the environment in which advances in multiple areas of healthcare have had to navigate to enter mainstream practice. An understanding of these forces is essential to explain why some new technologies are readily deployed into clinical practice while others take many years to be adopted. Understanding the entire “echo-system” around any specific technology provides a much fuller understanding of how any individual advance can make its way into actual utilization. Methods: We synthesized current literature on innovation in women’s health, analyzing technological advances in artificial intelligence, precision medicine, non-invasive diagnostics, and surgical robotics. We examined patterns of innovation adoption and barriers to implementation across multiple domains. Results: Several key areas presented in this paper and the following show promise for transformative change: artificial intelligence (AI)-driven diagnostics achieving expert-level performance in prenatal screening, precision medicine approaches transforming genetic disease management, and non-invasive monitoring technologies revolutionizing maternal–fetal care. However, systemic barriers including regulatory complexity, liability concerns, and institutional inertia continue to limit widespread adoption of numerous breakthrough technologies. Conclusions: The convergence of multiple technological advances, particularly artificial intelligence and precision medicine, positions women’s health for unprecedented transformation. Success requires fostering innovation-ready environments, embracing systems-awareness approaches, and maintaining focus on human-centered care while leveraging technological capabilities with continual feedback and course corrections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Game-Changing Concepts in Reproductive Health)
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 738 KB  
Article
Environmental-Practices, Digitalization and Financial Performance: Evidence from Industrial Firms in Eastern and Western Europe
by Aiste Lastauskaite, Raminta Vaitiekuniene, Inga Kartanaite, Algirdas Justinas Staugaitis and Rytis Krusinskas
Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 3127; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18063127 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 68
Abstract
This study analyzes how sustainability practices and digitalization jointly influence the financial performance of European industrial firms, emphasizing differences between Western and Eastern Europe. The empirical analysis relies on a large multi-country panel dataset and employs fixed effects regression models with robust standard [...] Read more.
This study analyzes how sustainability practices and digitalization jointly influence the financial performance of European industrial firms, emphasizing differences between Western and Eastern Europe. The empirical analysis relies on a large multi-country panel dataset and employs fixed effects regression models with robust standard errors to account for unobserved firm-specific heterogeneity and common time shocks. Environmental sustainability is captured by the environmental component of ESG scores, digitalization is measured by digital investment intensity, and financial performance is proxied by return on equity (ROE). The findings indicate that stronger environmental practices are positively associated with profitability across the full sample. Digital investment intensity also has a positive and statistically significant effect on ROE. Importantly, the interaction term between environmental performance and digitalization is positive and significant for Western European firms but not for the full sample, suggesting that the relationship between environmental practices and financial performance may vary with the level of digital investment under specific regional conditions. However, the results reveal substantial regional heterogeneity. The positive effects of environmental practices, digitalization, and their interaction are primarily driven by firms in Western Europe, whereas the relationships are weaker and statistically insignificant in Eastern Europe. These findings underline the complementary role of digital transformation and the importance of institutional and technological readiness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop