This study analyzes the studies on project finance (PF) and renewable energy (RE) arena, employing a comprehensive scientometric analysis to illuminate the current research landscape, identify prominent scholars, and uncover emerging trends. Encompassing several analyses, we have charted the evolution of this domain from 1993 to March 2024 and showed the way for further research. We analyzed 80 studies selected from several databases by means scientometric tools. Despite decent citation rates, research in this relatively young field is surprisingly scarce. While geographically diverse, research leadership stems from the UK, USA, Australia, and Germany. Interestingly, a significant portion of the studies originates from broad energy and sustainability areas, highlighting a potential knowledge gap in finance and economics areas. Additionally, the prevalence of case studies points to a strong connection between theory and practice. The research also revealed prominent topics like the interplay between PF and RE, various renewable resources, infrastructure development, financial considerations, risk management, among others. While many themes exist, areas like technological advancements, diverse cost approaches, valuation methodologies, and policy considerations remain underexplored. Other results unveiled an unexpected finding: limited evidence of large-scale collaborations, with individual or small-group research efforts currently dominating the field. However, existing collaborative networks promise future advancements through the emergence of more formalized research groups, which can perform future research endeavors with a wide spectrum of unexplored topics.
This study seeks to explore the uses, behaviors and perceptions of university students regarding mobile phones to help elucidate whether there is a relationship between the use of mobiles and the academic performance of university students. A quantitative approach based on an ad hoc questionnaire, applied before the pandemic, was used to gather evidence in this regard, which revealed the uses and educational visions of mobile phones in a convenience sample of 314 university students from nine different degree courses in two Spanish universities. Three major conclusions are formulated as part of future lines of development. First, although there is frequent use of mobile phones, the image of the mobile as a learning resource in the university classroom does not reach one-third of students. Second, although this study does not determine the causal relationship, there is a statistically significant negative relationship between average grades achieved and hours of dedication to the mobile phone. Finally, students who are unable to spend more than one hour without checking their phone obtain a significantly lower average mark than those who can stay more than one hour without checking their phone.
This study aims to underscore the relevance of pre-existing resilience experiences within communities affected by socio-political violence in Colombia, particularly in the context of developing effective risk management practices and enriching the CBDM model. This research employs a qualitative design, incorporating a multiple case study approach, which integrates a comprehensive literature review, in-depth interviews, and focus groups conducted in two Colombian communities, namely Salgar and La Primavera. The community of La Primavera effectively harnessed community empowerment and social support practices to confront socio-political violence, which evolved into a form of social capital that could be leveraged to address disaster risks. Conversely, in Salgar, individual and familial coping strategies took precedence. It is concluded that bolstering citizen participation in disaster risk management in both communities and governmental support for community projects aimed at reducing vulnerability is imperative. This study reveals that capabilities developed through coping with the humanitarian consequences of armed conflict, such as community empowerment and practices of solidarity and social support, can enhance community resilience in the face of disasters.
This study aims to develop and validate a strategic model tailored to the unique challenges and contexts faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ecuador, enhancing their operational efficiency and access to financing. Employing a quantitative approach, the research utilized a non-experimental, cross-sectional design to gather data from a sample of 358 companies. The study revealed that MSMEs are significantly hindered by limited access to financing, lack of managerial skills, and technological gaps. Despite these challenges, MSMEs demonstrated considerable adaptability and resilience, underscoring their critical role in the local economy. The strategic model proposed leverages Porter’s Diamond Model to identify and address the specific competitive and operational challenges encountered by these enterprises. Key findings include the necessity for enhanced financial literacy, simplified regulatory frameworks, and the integration of digital technologies to improve competitiveness. The proposed model focuses on strategic training, fostering innovation, and creating a more supportive financing environment. The implications of this study are profound, suggesting that policymakers and practitioners should streamline regulatory processes, enhance financial and technological support frameworks, and provide tailored training programs. These strategies are intended to bolster the sustainability and growth of MSMEs, contributing to broader economic development. This research contributes to the academic literature by providing empirical evidence on the challenges faced by MSMEs in developing economies and proposing a contextually adapted strategic model to mitigate these challenges, thereby enhancing their economic impact and sustainability.
This study analyzes the perception of university students regarding the use of virtual reality (VR) in higher education, focusing on their level of knowledge, usage, perceived advantages and disadvantages, as well as their willingness to use this technology in the future. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to provide a comprehensive view of the subject. The results indicate that while students have a basic understanding of VR, its use in the educational context is limited. A considerable number of students recognize VR’s potential to enhance the learning experience, particularly in terms of immersion and engagement. However, significant barriers to adoption were identified, such as technical issues, the high cost of equipment, and inadequate access to technological infrastructure. Additionally, there is a need for broader training for both students and faculty to ensure the effective use of this technology in academic environments. The semi-structured interviews confirmed that perceptions of VR vary depending on prior exposure to the technology and access to resources. Despite the challenges, most students appreciate VR’s potential to enrich learning, although its effective adoption will depend on overcoming the identified barriers. The study concludes that strategies must be implemented to facilitate the integration of VR into higher education, thus optimizing its impact on the teaching-learning process.
The modification of the Turia River’s course in the 1960s marked a pivotal transformation in Valencia’s urban landscape, evolving from a flood protection measure into a hallmark of sustainable urban development. However, recent rainfalls and flooding events produced directly by the phenomenon known as DANA ((Isolated Depression at High Levels) in October 2024 have exposed vulnerabilities in the infrastructure, particularly in the rapidly urbanized southern areas, raising questions about the effectiveness of past solutions in the context of climate change and urban expansion. As a result of this fragility, more than 200 deaths have occurred, along with material losses in 87 municipalities, whose industrial infrastructure accounts for nearly one-third of the economic activity in the Province of Valencia, valued at 479.6 million euros. This paper presents, for the first time, a historical-document-based approach to evaluate the successes and shortcomings of Valencia’s flood management strategies through policy and spatial planning analysis. Also, this paper remarks the ongoing challenges and potential strategies for enhancing Valencia’s urban resilience, emphasizing the need for innovative water management systems, improved drainage infrastructure, and the renaturalization of flood-prone areas. The lessons learned from Valencia’s experience in 1957 and 2024 can inform future urban planning efforts in similar contexts facing the dual pressures of environmental change and urbanization.
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