Search Results (2,020)

This study examines the impact of Environmentally Specific Servant Leadership (ESSL) on employees’ pro-environmental behavior (PEB) by proposing a serial mediation model that incorporates green psychological empowerment and green creativity as central mechanisms. Guided by social exchange theory (SET), survey data from managers in Saudi Arabia were analyzed using PROCESS Model 6 with bootstrapping to test direct, indirect, and serial mediation effects. The results show that ESSL has a significant positive influence on PEB, with both psychological empowerment and green creativity acting as partial mediators. Moreover, the serial mediation analysis confirms that empowerment enhances creativity, which in turn drives employees’ pro-environmental actions. The findings support the social exchange theory, SET, in the contextual environmental settings of the rapidly developing economy of Saudi Arabia. These findings highlight the critical role of psychological empowerment and creativity in translating leadership values into sustainable behaviors. Practically, the study suggests that organizations can advance sustainability goals by fostering servant leadership practices, empowering employees with autonomy and resources, and encouraging innovative solutions for environmental challenges. Within the context of Saudi Vision 2030, the findings provide valuable insights for aligning leadership development with national sustainability objectives. Full article

Background: Although most amputations caused by diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are preventable, current limb preservation efforts in the United States remain poorly understood. This study aims to identify key barriers and facilitators to limb preservation from the primary care provider (PCP) perspective. We plan to use the insights from this work to promote targeted intervention strategies. Methods: Using a mixed-methods design, an online 5–10 min survey was distributed to Oklahoma primary care providers who could elect to participate further in a semi-structured, audio-recorded interview. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize survey results. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory. Donabedian’s structure, process, and outcome framework was used to categorize how each identified barrier and facilitator increases or reduces the risk of limb loss for at-risk patients at the practice level. Finally, we compared and contrasted survey and interview findings. Results: Thirty surveys were completed (approximately 14% response rate), and seven interviews were conducted with PCPs geographically dispersed across Oklahoma. Most clinicians reported in the survey that they see at-risk limbs at least once every 1–2 months (n = 29, 96.7%). Half of clinicians were satisfied or very satisfied with access to vascular surgery (n = 15, 50.0%), interventional specialists (n = 13, 43.3%), and endocrinologists (n = 12, 40.0%). Finally, survey respondents reported that social needs most often affecting their patients with a limb at risk of amputation include income, health education, transportation, and health insurance. Interviews confirmed PCPs frequently see at-risk limbs. We identified thematic barriers to limb preservation that included limited access to specialty care, limited PCP and patient amputation prevention education, and patient social struggles surrounding transportation, finances, and insurance. Patient advocates (community, clinical, or personal), affordable medications, and more time with patients were reported as facilitators in amputation prevention. Conclusions: Oklahoma PCPs frequently see at-risk feet, realize poor access to care, and desire structural change to support excellent preventive care in diabetes and PAD. Limb preservation in Oklahoma is contingent upon shifting from disempowerment to engagement that requires systemic reform, clinical innovation, and community engagement. We identified several intervention strategies, including increasing education for PCPs to empower them to initiate early prevention, improving early identification and preventive therapy for patients at risk for limb loss, and cultivating specialty care access via networking and policy change. Full article

Framed within the lens of systems theory and sociotechnical systems thinking, this systematic review examines telehealth as a complex adaptive system and dynamic health system shaped by the interactions between interconnected technological, social, and institutional components. Recognizing telehealth as part of a complex adaptive system, the review identifies how interdependent factors, such as digital literacy, connectivity, and policy, evolve and influence access to and the emergent properties of care. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and PROSPERO registration (CRD420251103608), analyzing 42 peer-reviewed articles published between January 2020 and June 2025, identified through the MEDLINE, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, ACM Digital Library, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases. Key findings include sustained but reduced telehealth use after the pandemic peak, as well as a small yet statistically significant positive effect of telehealth interventions on cognitive emergent properties, defined here as measurable outcomes like memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed (SMD = 0.29; 95% CI [0.04, 0.54]) with very low heterogeneity (I² = 0%). Significant system components such as digital illiteracy, poor internet connectivity, and complex technology interfaces disproportionately affected economically disadvantaged, minority, and rural older adults. Practical strategies rooted in systems thinking include digital literacy programs, simplified interfaces, caregiver support, improved broadband infrastructure, hybrid healthcare models, and supportive policies. Future research should focus on evidence-based, system-level interventions across diverse settings to bridge the digital divide and promote equitable access to telehealth for older adults. Full article

With the rapid advancement of urbanization, urban migrants’ willingness to participate in community affairs plays a vital role in urban social governance. However, existing studies have paid insufficient attention to the psychological mechanisms through which urban migrants translate perceptions of their residential environment into participation intentions, particularly lacking systematic examinations of the mediating role of residential satisfaction. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory, this study develops a mediation model of “environmental perception → residential satisfaction → community participation intention” to explore how urban migrants’ perceptions of their living environment shape their intention to participation in community affairs via residential satisfaction. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 315 urban migrants in Nanjing, China, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results reveal that (1) housing conditions, supporting facilities, property management, and the humanistic environment significantly enhance residents’ residential satisfaction, thereby stimulating their intention to participate in community affairs; (2) while location attributes and transportation have no significant direct effects on community participation intention, they can promote participation indirectly through residential satisfaction; and (3) policy perception neither directly influences community participation intention nor indirectly affects it via residential satisfaction. This study uncovers the underlying mechanisms of urban migrants’ community participation, offering both theoretical insights and practical implications for improving the effectiveness of community governance. Full article

This article focuses on two dimensions of social sustainability in contemporary cities: (1) social participation as a form of communication between residents and city authorities and (2) urban inclusivity. The assessment of these dimensions was conducted on a representative sample of 1863 residents from 19 Polish cities, seeking to answer the following research question: How do residents assess two key dimensions of social sustainability: social participation and urban inclusivity? The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. The findings indicate that social participation in the studied cities is not fully developed. Respondents positively evaluate the idea of participatory budgets but are not satisfied with the cooperation between city authorities and residents, or with the possibilities for controlling local government actions. In terms of urban inclusivity, residents perceive themselves as quite open to diversity, but critically assess the city authorities’ efforts to counteract social exclusion. The research also shows that despite similar regional conditions, the social sustainability varies considerably, which highlights the importance of local policy in creating fully sustainable Smart Cities. The findings advance Smart City theory through practical social sustainability assessment and identification of improvement areas. This diagnosis provides insights for municipal authorities and offers guidance for policymakers developing legislation to foster social sustainability, strengthen civic participation, and combat urban exclusion. Full article

This study explores the role of ethical leadership in fostering employee green behaviors (EGBs) within higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UAE. While environmental initiatives are increasingly being integrated into university operations, there has been limited empirical research examining how leadership styles influence pro-environmental behaviors among academic staff. Using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, our study surveyed 105 HEI employees and conducted in-depth interviews with 6 of the participants. The quantitative findings reveal a moderate but significant positive correlation between ethical leadership (EL) and EGB (ρ = 0.314, p < 0.001). The reliability scores for both EL (α = 0.888) and EGB (α = 0.754) confirmed the internal consistency of the measurement items used. The qualitative insights support the theoretical foundation drawn from Social Learning, Value–Belief–Norm, and Environmental Stewardship Theories. Employees reported modeling their green behaviors on observable leadership actions aligning with their shared moral values. A key distinction emerged between authentic and performative green behaviors, with employees responding more positively to leaders who modeled consistency and sincerity. This study concludes that ethical leadership significantly influences the environmental culture in HEIs by embedding sustainability into daily practices and institutional values. This research addresses a regional and theoretical gap, contextualizing ethical leadership in the Middle Eastern academic setting and offering practical implications for leadership development, policy alignment, and sustainable cultural transformation. Full article

While loneliness is a known correlate of social withdrawal, the underlying mechanisms, particularly within college student populations, remain inadequately understood. This study addresses this gap by investigating the mediating role of internet addiction and the moderating role of sex in the relationship between loneliness and social withdrawal. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1978 Chinese college students. Analyses were performed using SEM (AMOS) and the PROCESS for SPSS to test a moderated mediation model. Results confirmed a significant positive association between loneliness and social withdrawal. Internet addiction was found to significantly mediate this relationship, explaining 50.7% of the total effect. Moreover, sex moderated the indirect pathway, suggesting that the strength of the mediating effect varied by sex. These findings provide empirical support for the Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness by elucidating the psychological processes linking loneliness to social withdrawal within a collectivist cultural context. The study also offers practical implications for developing targeted mental health interventions to reduce social withdrawal and promote social participation among college students. Full article

Global environmental and sustainability concerns are increasingly pressuring industries in all developing economies to align their supply chain operations with ecological, social, and economic responsibilities. This study investigates the extent to which Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) enablers are influencing firm-level productivity in a developing economy, and how effectively the practices of SSCM mediate this relationship. This research aims to determine the extent to which Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) enablers influence firm-level productivity in a developing economy, and how effectively SSCM practices mediates this relationship. Building on the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, the research adopts a well-structured design and employs Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the designed conceptual framework. The findings show that, while direct effects of enablers on productivity are limited, SSCM practices play a critical mediating role in translating these enablers into measurable performance-based improvements. The study contributes theoretical insights by extending DOI theory into the pharmaceutical supply chain context and offers practical guidance for managers and policymakers in developing economies by seeking to enhance competitiveness through sustainable practices. Full article

Background: In an increasingly digital marketplace, social media marketing activities (SMMAs) have become vital for building consumer–brand relationships, particularly among Generation Z (Gen Z) consumers. Coffee shops offer a unique context because they are lifestyle-oriented and highly dependent on repeat visits, making them especially responsive to digital engagement. This study examines the impact of SMMAs on brand loyalty in the Saudi Arabian coffee shop sector, with a particular focus on the mediating role of consumer brand preference and the moderating role of brand awareness. Drawing on the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S-O-R) framework and Generational Marketing Theory, the research explores how Gen Z consumers respond to social media efforts that are informative, interactive, trendy, and personalized. Methods: Data were collected using convenience sampling via an online survey of 412 Gen Z consumers in Saudi Arabia who follow at least one local or international coffee shop brand on social media. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationships, mediation, and moderation effects. Results: The findings revealed that SMMAs have a substantial direct effect on both brand loyalty and consumer brand preference. Moreover, consumer brand preference partially mediates the relationship between SMMAs and brand loyalty, underscoring its importance as a psychological mechanism in the formation of loyalty. Additionally, brand awareness was found to significantly moderate the SMMAs–brand loyalty relationship, with more potent effects observed among consumers with higher levels of brand familiarity. Implications: The study contributes theoretically by extending the S-O-R framework with Generational Marketing Theory, demonstrating the partial mediating role of brand preference and the moderating direct effect of brand awareness. Practically, the results suggest that coffee shop marketers should design social media strategies that are informative, interactive, trendy, and personalized while also investing in awareness-building campaigns to amplify loyalty among Gen Z consumers. Full article

This study investigates how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) influences financial performance in the Middle Eastern banking sector through the mediating roles of corporate reputation, employee engagement, and innovation orientation. Drawing on stakeholder theory and the resource-based view, a survey of 297 senior banking executives was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results show that CSR has both a direct positive impact on financial performance and an indirect effect by strengthening intangible resources. Among the mediators, innovation orientation emerged as the strongest pathway, followed by employee engagement and reputation. Collectively, the model accounted for more than 60% of the variance in financial performance, confirming that socially responsible strategies are not symbolic but yield tangible economic value. In the Middle Eastern banking sector—characterized by regulatory turbulence, cultural expectations, and digital transformation—CSR initiatives such as financial inclusion programs, green financing, and Sharia-compliant services provide both legitimacy and resilience. These findings highlight the strategic importance of embedding CSR into banking practices, showing that socially responsible institutions not only secure reputational gains but also cultivate motivated employees, foster innovation, and achieve sustainable profitability. By situating CSR within the unique context of Middle Eastern banking, this study extends the literature on CSR—performance linkages in emerging markets and demonstrates how intangible capabilities can be mobilized to secure long-term financial sustainability. Full article

In the face of environmental degradation, social inequality, and technological change—acknowledged as defining challenges of the 21st century—Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) lead educational innovation, integrate sustainability as a transformative axis, and act as key actors in global responses. This study develops and validates a conceptual model that advances the goals of Society 5.0 through the integration of sustainability-oriented STEAM education and AI ethics as strategic drivers of a human-centered, socially inclusive, and technologically relevant learning ecosystem. The model rests on multidisciplinary and project-based learning and active engagement with society and industry. Its validation followed a Design Science Research approach supported by expert interviews, the Sustainable Classroom implementation, and international benchmarking with higher education cases from Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Uruguay, and the European Union. The combination of the constant comparison method of grounded theory with abductive reasoning ensured theoretical coherence and practical consistency. Triangulation across interviews, classroom implementation, and international cases reinforced robustness, while theoretical saturation, cross-validation, and reflexive safeguards strengthened credibility, controlled bias, and secured data management. Findings confirm that the ethical integration of advanced technologies strengthens citizenship, ecological literacy, and institutional innovation, and establishes a replicable and scalable framework that reorients higher education toward sustainability, ethics, and digital equity, positioning it as a cornerstone of education for Society 5.0 and as a global benchmark for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

This study investigates the influence of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors on the financial performance of publicly traded U.S. companies between 2013 and 2023. Using a balanced panel dataset of 386 S&P 500 firms and 4246 firm-year observations, the analysis applies panel data regression models with fixed effects to evaluate the association between ESG scores and two financial indicators: Return on Assets (ROA) and Tobin’s Q. The results reveal a modest association with ROA, but a significantly stronger link with Tobin’s Q, suggesting that while ESG practices may not substantially boost short-term profitability, they are positively perceived by investors and contribute to long-term market value. These findings are consistent with stakeholder and signalling theories, indicating that strong ESG performance reflects effective management and lower investment risk. The limited impact on ROA may stem from the initial costs of implementing ESG initiatives. This study highlights practical implications for corporate leaders and policy-makers, advocating for ESG integration as a long-term value driver. Future research should explore alternative ESG rating systems and consider sectoral dynamics and broader market influences. Full article

This paper explores the theoretical foundations and practical applications of the Japanese concept of ikigai in the field of career counselling and study choice, with particular emphasis on its potential implementation in Slovenia’s educational system. Unlike traditional guidance models that primarily focus on the alignment of abilities and interests, ikigai represents a holistic framework integrating values, competencies, social contribution, and economic sustainability. The paper develops a novel conceptual model of ikigai coaching, applicable across three educational phases and structured into five implementation steps. It situates ikigai within broader motivational and existential theories, while also addressing the challenges of intercultural adaptation and risks of oversimplification or commercialisation. Empirical insight is provided through an expert interview with Professor Rutger ThielenTielen (Breda University of Applied Sciences, BUAS), and limitations as well as directions for future research are critically examined. The original contribution of this article lies in its contextualisation of ikigai within the Slovenian educational and cultural framework, where such approaches have not yet been systematically applied or academically evaluated. By integrating theoretical reflection, a structured coaching model, and empirical insight, the paper advances the academic debate on meaning-oriented career counselling and provides a culturally sensitive proposal for enriching guidance practices in Slovenia. Full article

Unlike widely examined urban settings, heritage-led rural regeneration remains an urgent yet insufficiently explored challenge. Grounded in stimulus–response theory, this study examines how heritage capacity influences the regeneration of traditional villages in Hebei Province, China. Drawing on community-building theory, heritage capacity (stimulus) is conceptualized through five dimensions: Public Participation, Media Platform Construction, Adaptive Reuse, Heritage Industry Development, and Landscape Maintenance. Village regeneration (response) is evaluated across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Using PLS-SEM analysis of questionnaire data and expert consultations, the study shows that regeneration outcomes arise from an integrated system in which tangible and intangible capacities reinforce each other. It further highlights that the most effective strategy combines priority investment with strategic repositioning. For economic sustainability, Adaptive Reuse and Media Platform Construction serve as immediate drivers, while Heritage Industry Development and Landscape Maintenance provide long-term foundations. For social sustainability, Public Participation and Media Platform Construction act as key enablers by strengthening social connections. For environmental sustainability, Adaptive Reuse offers the most direct benefits, whereas Landscape Maintenance and Public Participation contribute gradual but essential outcomes. This study offers practical guidance for the regeneration of Hebei’s villages, proposing a scalable model for sustainable rural development that has broad implications for similar historical regions worldwide. Full article

Research has often overlooked examination of circular consumption practices from the consumer’s perspective by primarily focusing on specific consumption activities, hindering researchers from obtaining comprehensive insights into consumers’ upstream and downstream roles. Addressing this gap would highlight their role as simultaneous product users and resource suppliers. The framework draws from the concepts of the circular economy, attitude–behavior–context theory, and practice theory to develop a model that explores circular consumption behavior based on 8R-strategies for addressing and reducing product demand and disposal. These strategies comprise refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, repurpose, and recycle. The proposed model was empirically tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling with data collected from 528 consumers. The results show that the antecedents positively impacted circular consumption behavior, with environmental concern and consumer social responsibility acting as partial mediators. Habits moderated the relationship between these variables, though they showed insignificant moderation between circular economy knowledge and circular consumption behavior. The findings underscore the importance of consumers’ role as both product users and resource suppliers in circular consumption practices. Full article