Abstract The effects of aid dependency on preventing the achievement of sustainable development in Africa have not been given appropriate academic attention. Aid dependency in Africa is undoubtedly among the most factors that have promoted poverty and underdevelopment. Aid dependency which hindered the growth of local innovation, promoted divisions that have affected good governance for sustainable development. Aid dependency has promoted chronic poverty, mental laziness and unstable health and well-being. It has ignited unhealthy conditions that have created a perpetual vicious cycle of poverty that prevents the achievement of sustainable development. The study found that planning diplomacy can serve as a solution to aid diplomacy and address its effects thus promoting the achievement of sustainable development. Planning diplomacy was found to have critical links with Africa’s communalism theory, thus making it an ideal approach to addressing the effects of aid dependency in Africa. Planning diplomacy was found to promote local business in a collective manner. It is through this collective approach that sustainable development can be achieved in Africa. Planning diplomacy was found to be key for sustainable development because it makes good use of foreign aid and promotes local ownership, thus strengthening sustainable economic growth and development that makes sustainable development achievable. Planning diplomacy was equally important as a remedy to aid dependency because it enhances knowledge and skills transfer. Knowledge and skills transfer promotes sustainable development because it facilitates sharing of skills that brings innovation and technologies to local citizens in a collective manner. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology with the use of secondary data collected from existing literature published in the public domain. Collected data was analyzed and interpreted through document analysis techniques.

Abstract The food supply chain in South Africa faces significant challenges related to transparency, traceability, and consumer trust, exacerbated by growing concerns about food safety, quality, and sustainability. As these concerns grow, there is an increasing need for innovative solutions to address these issues. Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising tool that can enhance the transparency and accountability of the food supply chain. This study sought to explore how blockchain technology might revolutionize the development of sustainable food supply chain infrastructure in South Africa. The study found that blockchain technology used in the food supply chain creates an immutable and decentralized ledger of transactions that has the capacity to provide real-time, end-to-end visibility of food products from farm to table. This increased transparency can help mitigate risks associated with food fraud, contamination, and inefficiencies in the supply chain. The implementation of blockchain can improve supply chain efficiency and foster trust among stakeholders, including farmers and food suppliers. This technology used and/or applied in South Africa can reshape the agricultural sector by improving production and distribution processes. Its integration in the food supply chain infrastructure can equally improve data management and increase transparency between farmers and food suppliers. There is a need for policymakers and scholars in the fields of service delivery and food security to conduct more research in blockchain technology and its roles in creating a more transparent, efficient, and trustworthy food supply chain infrastructure that addresses food supply problems in South Africa. The paper adopted a qualitative methodology to collect data, and document and content analysis techniques were used to interpret collected data. This study lays the groundwork for further investigation into blockchain’s potential to shape the future of food supply networks.

Abstract This study examines the influence of internal and external locus of control as mediators of financial literacy, financial attitudes, financial beliefs, and financial behavior of students in Timor-Leste. This study uses a quantitative approach with a survey method to collect sample data from students throughout Timor-Leste. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyzes the relationship between financial literacy, financial attitudes, financial beliefs, internal and external locus of control, and financial behavior. The study’s results highlight the mediating role of internal and external locus of control in the relationship between financial literacy, financial attitudes, financial beliefs, and financial behavior of students in Timor-Leste. These findings can provide insight into the complex relationship between these factors in financial decision-making. Practical implications for educational institutions and policymakers in Timor-Leste, namely emphasizing the importance of considering internal and external locus control in financial literacy programs to improve students’ financial behavior. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap about student financial literacy by expanding the understanding of the relationship between these factors.

Abstract Hopes for inclusion in economic growth activities were sparked by South Africa’s democratic transition. Nevertheless, thirty-four years later, insufficient capability and bad monetary management continue to impede economic growth and development, making it difficult for South Africans to get their just share of the nation’s riches. The South African government launched Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises in an effort to address the triple problems of inequality, poverty, and unemployment. With the intention of financing businesses, a few financial initiatives were established to help and alleviate the burden of SMME owners. Even with South Africa’s high degree of support, SMMEs in townships continue to face difficulties due to restricted market access. The results show that the primary reason for both low revenue and limited market access is inaccessible operating infrastructure. To compile the body of research on SMMEs, their operational space challenges and the spatial characteristics of townships, the study used both conceptual research design and content analysis. The study makes the case that the majority of SMME failures are mostly caused by the inadequate municipal planning for infrastructure and space of local business township. It goes on to suggest that for the South African government to realize its NDP objectives and support the expansion and development of SMMEs through initiatives such as urban renewal, it must properly and efficiently maintain its aging infrastructure.

Abstract This study provides a descriptive analysis of data extracted from Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and sustainability reports across diverse industries and regions. Using a sample of corporate reports over the past five years, the study aims to summarize and interpret trends, variability, and distribution patterns in key ESG indicators. Data was collected and standardized to ensure consistency, then categorized into environmental, social, and governance dimensions to facilitate detailed analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed to summarize trends, while cross-sectional and trend analyses highlight sectoral and regional variations. Results reveal common and emergent ESG practices, along with areas where disclosure and performance vary significantly across sectors. The findings underscore the critical need for standardized ESG reporting frameworks to enhance comparability and transparency in corporate sustainability practices. This study's main goal is to examine how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues are disclosed in sustainability reports that Indonesian businesses publish. The purpose of this study is to determine sectoral disparities, appraise the influence of ESG practices on investment decisions and business reputation, and examine the scope and caliber of ESG activities in relation to worldwide norms. This study provides stakeholders with valuable insights into current ESG reporting practices and identifies gaps for potential improvement in alignment with evolving regulatory standards and stakeholder expectations.

Abstract This research examines data from 1989 to 2022 across 48 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries using a novel panel data regression approach to uncover how conflict undermines economic stability. The study identifies the destruction of infrastructure, disruption of human capital development, and deterrence of investment as primary channels through which conflict negatively impacts economies. These findings support the hypothesis that armed conflict severely hampers economic performance in SSA, highlighting the urgency for effective conflict resolution strategies and robust institutional frameworks. The negative impacts extend beyond immediate losses, altering income growth trajectories and perpetuating poverty long after hostilities cease. Regional spillover effects emphasize the interconnectedness of SSA economies, where conflict in one country affects its neighbors. The research provides innovative insights by disaggregating impact pathways and employing a robust methodology, revealing the complexity of conflict's economic consequences. It underscores the need for comprehensive policy interventions to foster resilience and sustainable development in conflict-prone regions. While there is evidence of potential post-conflict growth, the overall net effect of armed conflict remains profoundly negative, diminishing economic prospects. Future research should focus on strengthening long-term resilience mechanisms and policy measures to enhance the peace dividend. Addressing the root causes of conflict and investing in peace-building efforts are essential for transforming SSA's economic landscape and ensuring sustainable growth and development.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the challenges of rural landholding rights of women in Boloso sore Woreda. The population that used as source of data were sample womenfrom four kebeles,Kebele land administration committee members,Woreda women,youth and children office head,Woreda women’s association president,Woreda agriculture office head and Woreda agriculture office rural land administration desk experts.four kebeles from 28 rural kebeles selected by using systematic random sampling. Data gathered using questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS where descriptive and inferential were used for the purpose. Secondary data were collected from different relevant literatures such as reports, research results documents and publications. As to the findings,women landholding trend in the study area was highly contrasts legally ensured equal holding and using rights of women with men.The community including women themselves perceive women independent landholding as taboo and prohibits it.Even if they hold by different means,the plot of land they got or held was small in size and not conducive for agriculture and house construction. The awareness of women on rural land registration and certification benefit was also poor. Thus,rural women should be initiated to organize and struggle for their equal landholding and administering rights.

Abstract The aim was to explore the relationships between selected demographic and digital citizenship factors and public trust and citizens' willingness to accept content generated by advanced technological innovations (AIGC) in social infrastructure. AIGC is defined as a proposition of social infrastructure that includes digital public services, education, and public administration, where its implementation has direct political and regulatory implications. The sample consisted of 1,308 respondents. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationships between the ordinal variables. To assess the differences between groups of respondents, a one-way analysis of variance was used, during which multiple linear regression analysis was used to confirm the predictive power of awareness and experience of AI-generated content in relation to the propensity to accept such content. The study confirmed a statistically significant but weak negative relationship between the age of respondents and their willingness to accept AIGC, with younger age groups showing slightly higher acceptance rates. Respondents' attitudes towards the use of personal data through AI and their overall awareness of technological trends had a more significant impact on acceptance. The findings show that respondents who are open to data collection through AI technologies show significantly higher levels of acceptance of automatically generated content. Similarly, respondents who rate the current quality of AIGC positively also have higher expectations regarding the future transformation of marketing strategies and media practices. The decisive factors in the social infrastructure for AIGC acceptance are not so much the age of respondents, but rather their awareness, technological literacy and level of trust in the technology itself. We recommend introducing regulatory frameworks to ensure the transparency of AIGC in public infrastructure and supporting educational programmes focused on digital literacy and accessibility of AI-based services, which would increase citizens' trust in AIGC in digital public services. The results have direct implications for policy-making, digital citizenship and the setting of rules for fair access to AIGC within the social infrastructure.

Abstract The aim of this study was to elucidate the expected moderating effect exerted by institutional owners on the intricate correlation between the characteristics of boards of directors and the issue of earnings management, as gauged by the loan loss provisions. The sample encompassed all the banks listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) over the period between 2010 and 2022, representing a total of 182 observations. The results derived from the examination clearly demonstrate that the institutional owners have a key impact on augmenting the monitoring tasks and responsibilities of the boards of directors across the study sample. The results revealed the fundamental role of such owners in strengthening the supervisory tasks carried out by boards of directors in Jordan. A panel data model has been used in the analysis. The results of this study show that the presence of the owner of an institution has a discernible moderating role in the banks' monitoring landscape. Indeed, their presence strengthens the monitoring tasks of the banks’ boards by underscoring the quest to restrict the EM decisions. Interestingly, the results support the monitoring proposition outlined by agency theory, which introduced CG recommendations as a deterrent tool to reduce the expectation gap between banks' owners and their representatives.

Abstract The sense of belonging in any organization is vital to generate a work motivation with the objective of a good organizational performance, because of this, companies usually take this point into account, ensuring that this leads to greater performance. For this reason, the objective of this article is to determine the relationship between the sense of belonging and the work motivation in the workers of a small Peruvian research company. For this purpose, a quantitative methodology was used, with a cross-sectional descriptive design. The instrument used was a survey consisting of 10 items, which were interpreted using the Likert scale. The survey was conducted and delivered to 24 workers, who were selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. After verifying the validity of the instrument and the study variables by means of Cronbach's Alpha statistic, we proceeded to determine the existence of correlation between the variables, which, using Spearman's Rho coefficient, obtained a 70.2% which demonstrates a moderate positive correlation, therefore it indicates that employees feel highly motivated as they feel an indispensable part of the company, therefore they feel job satisfaction by being part of the organization.

Abstract The widespread adoption of digital technologies in tourism has transformed the data privacy landscape, necessitating stronger safeguards. This study examines the evolving research environment in digital privacy in tourism management, focusing on publication trends, collaborative networks, and social contract theory. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining bibliometric analysis, social contract theory, and qualitative content analysis. Data from 2004 to 2023 were analyzed using network visualization tools to identify key researchers and trends. Findings from the study highlights a significant increase in academic attention after 2015, reflecting the industry's growing recognition of digital privacy. Social contract theory provided a framework emphasizing transparency, consent, and accountability. The study’s contribution towards literature are expansive, it is among the first study;s to expand the notion of social contract theory in digital privacy in tourism management. Furthermore, a core contribution of the study is its focus on how transparency, consent, and accountability are central to digital privacy management. Both the findings and contributions hold practical technological solutions to privacy challenges, by exploring actionable recommendations for tourism organizations to implement stronger data security protocols. It showcases how emerging technologies can offer novel methods of enhancing data protection, transparency, and user empowerment in the tourism industry.

Abstract The debate on the effect of work environment on job satisfaction is very inconclusive. Most of the existing literature has focused on either the developed economy or job satisfaction and other variables other than the determinants of the work environment. To fill the contextual and conceptual gap this study examined the effect of determinants of work environment on job satisfaction among public sector workers in a developing economy. The study used the quantitative method and positivist philosophical viewpoint but specifically, the explanatory design was used to guide the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and data analysis was done by partial least square structural equation modelling. The study found that the physical, psychological and administrative work environments had a significant relationship with job satisfaction among public workers in a developing economy. It was recommended that the management of public sector organisations should improve upon the psychological, physical and administrative work environment to ensure job satisfaction among their workers.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine how early childhood education affects Indonesia's per capita income, labor force participation rate, and human capital development. This study examines the link between these variables and finds substantial changes when a particular threshold is achieved using the dynamic threshold autoregressive (TAR) approach. Variables including the labor force participation rate, human capital development indicators, pre-school education participation rate, and per capita income are among those included by the data, which spans the observation period from 1990 to 2023. The findings indicate that higher rates of pre-school enrollment are positively correlated with higher per capita income, better educational outcomes, and improved population health. In addition, active participation in the workforce also contributes significantly to economic growth. This study also found that per capita income in the previous period has a continuous effect on current economic welfare. These findings provide important insights for policymakers in designing effective strategies to improve economic welfare through investment in education, health, and labor force participation. This research is expected to make a significant contribution to economic and social development in Indonesia.

Abstract Public oversight of the law is an important subject for Economics, with a special link to Ethics. IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) Fishing is one of the most obnoxious problems that persecute the development of the fisheries sector, worldwide. The political, economic, social and environmental issues involved with “crime and punishment” problematic are absolutely relevant. Currently, the European Union is taking an “on-going” reform of the so-called Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). One of the fundamental points in discussion refers to the Monitoring and Control system. This article explores these issues. The analysis combines the fundaments of the basic bio-economic model of fisheries with Becker's theory of “Crime and Punishment” and it is applied to the CFP case.

Abstract Farm households in developing countries are often involved in a variety of livelihood income-generating activities to achieve basic needs and enhance food security. While some studies have examined this relationship, gaps still remain—such as conflicting findings, limited context-specific analyses, or a lack of focus on the study region.. This study explored the nexus between livelihood diversification and Agricultural Land Management (ALM) practices in the Southern Ethiopian Highlands. Data for this study were gathered through a structured questionnaire, interviews, and focus group discussions. A total of 423 sample respondents were selected by using multistage random sampling techniques. The data were analyzed using the Inverse Herfindahl Hirschman Diversity Index (IHHDI), the multinomial logit model (MNL), and the probit regression model. The findings of the study revealed that on-farm income activities are the most dominant livelihood income strategies (69.1%), followed by non-farm (21%) and off-farm (9.64%). The multinomial logit model analysis demonstrated that variables such as sex, education, family size, distance to market, land size, extension contact, membership in cooperatives, and household income were the major drivers of farmers income diversification activities (p<0.05). The results of the probit analysis indicated that income from crop production, daily labor work, rents from farmland, and farm assets have a positive and significant effect on households' decisions to implement ALM practices. In contrast, incomes from remittance and migrant sources have a negative but statistically significant impact on the adoption of ALM measures. The farm household sources of income-generating strategies substantially affected the adoption intensity of ALM measures. Income generated from the on-farm sector alone cannot be considered a core income-generating activity for households or a means of achieving food security. Therefore, land management policies and program implementations should consider farmers’ livelihood diversification and income-generating strategies. In addition, such interventions need to promote sustainable farming practices, enhance innovation, and related measures for the adoption of ALM measures to ensure land sustainability.