Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are mostly presented as a means to introduce efficient procurement methods and better value for money to taxpayers. However, the complexity of the PPP mechanism, their lack of transparency, accounting rules and implicit liabilities make it often impossible to perceive the amount of public expenditure involved and the long-run impact on taxpayers, providing room for fiscal illusion, i.e., the illusion that PPPs are much less expensive than traditional public investments. This psaper, thanks to a systematic review of the literature on the EU countries experience, tries to unveil the sources of this illusion by looking at the reasons behind the PPPs’ choice, their real costs, and the sources of fiscal risks. The literature suggests that PPPs are more costly than public funding, especially when contingent liabilities are not taken into account, and are employed as mechanisms to circumvent budgetary restrictions and to spend off-balance. The paper concludes that the public sector should share more risks with private sectors by reducing the amount of guarantees, and should prevent governments from operating through a sleight of hand that deflects attention away from off-balance financing, by applying a neutral fiscal recording system.

Amid the unfolding Fourth Industrial Revolution, the integration of Logistics 4.0 with agribusiness has emerged as a pivotal nexus, harboring potential for transformational change while concurrently presenting multifaceted challenges. Through a meticulous content analysis, this systematic review delves deeply into the existing body of literature, elucidating the profound capacities of Logistics 4.0 in alleviating supply chain disruptions and underscoring its pivotal role in fostering value co-creation within agro-industrial services. The study sheds light on the transformative potential vested within nascent technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and their promise in shaping the future landscape of agribusiness. However, the path forward is not without impediments; the research identifies cardinal barriers, most notably the absence of robust governmental policies and a pervasive lack of awareness, which collectively stymie the seamless incorporation of Industry 4.0 technologies within the realm of agribusiness. Significantly, this inquiry also highlights advancements in sustainable supply chain management, drawing attention to pivotal domains including digitalization, evolving labor paradigms, supply chain financing innovations, and heightened commitments to social responsibility. As we stand on the cusp of technological evolution, the study offers a forward-looking perspective, anticipating a subsequent transition towards Industry 5.0, characterized by the advent of hyper-cognitive systems, synergistic robotics, and AI-centric supply chains. In its culmination, the review presents prospective avenues for future research, emphasizing the indispensable need for relentless exploration and pragmatic solutions. This comprehensive synthesis not only sets the stage for future research endeavors but also extends invaluable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and academicians navigating the intricate labyrinthstry of Logistics 4.0 in agribusiness.

Given the heavy workload faced by teachers, automatic speaking scoring systems provide essential support. This study aims to consolidate technological configurations of automatic scoring systems for spontaneous L2 English, drawing from literature published between 2014 and 2024. The focus will be on the architecture of the automatic speech recognition model and the scoring model, as well as on features used to evaluate phonological competence, linguistic proficiency, and task completion. By synthesizing these elements, the study seeks to identify potential research areas, as well as provide a foundation for future research and practical applications in software engineering.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity for educators and policymakers to reconsider education systems and rethink what is essential, necessary, and desirable for future generations. A sequential generic qualitative approach was used in this study. Based on the systematic literature review, a content analysis was conducted to identify dimensions that contribute toward higher education institutions sustainability. Subsequently, the Expert Opinion method that involved five professors holding key positions in respective universities from Malaysia, the Netherlands, India, and Bangladesh was applied to propose a post-COVID-19 sustainable framework. Four themes: 1) educational reform; 2) digital transformation; 3) resilience and change management; and 4) sustainability coupled with agility and flexibility formed the framework for HEIs’ sustainability during the post-COVID-19 pandemic. We propose that the themes be examined from an integrated perspective to ensure HEIs can be sustainable in the long run. Finally, other scholars are recommended to conduct a tracer study as well as develop qualitative instruments based on the themes and dimensions identified from the systematic literature review and the Expert Opinion Method to better understand the phenomenon of HEI sustainability.

Employee Engagement (EE) has become a crucial element for the success of any organization. While psychology has conducted extensive research on EE, accounting has yet to give it the attention it deserves. This systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to explore the linkage between corporate governance (CG) practices and factors that drive employee engagement (EED) in greater detail. The review identified several key factors influencing EED: board composition, audit committees, top leadership expertise, network power, other stakeholders’ supervision, and above-board application. In particular, the study revealed that effective CG practices have positive EE consequences, such as increased staff morale, job satisfaction, and productivity, and decreased employee turnover rates. The study underlined the importance of an employee-centric culture that encourages empowerment and fosters a sense of belonging in achieving maximum business success. It suggests that companies must create a work environment that promotes EE, provides opportunities for growth and development, recognizes employee contributions, and fosters open communication and collaboration. By leveraging these insights, companies can enhance their business operations and achieve maximum success by fostering a culture of EE and empowerment. The study concludes that businesses prioritizing EE as a core value can create a sustainable competitive advantage, increase their reputation, and attract and retain top talent.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of community involvement in waste management through participatory research. Its objective is to bridge the theoretical underpinnings of participatory research with its practical implementation, particularly within the realm of waste management. The review systematically analyzes global instances where community engagement has been incorporated into waste management initiatives. Its principal aim is to evaluate the efficacy of participatory strategies by scrutinizing methodologies and assessing outcomes. To achieve this, the study identified 74 studies that met rigorous criteria through meticulous search efforts, encompassing various geographical locations, cultural contexts, and waste management challenges. In examining the outcomes of participatory research in waste management, the study explores successful practices, shortcomings, and potential opportunities. Moving beyond theoretical discourse, it provides a detailed analysis of real-world applications across various settings. The evaluation not only highlights successful engagement strategies and indicators but also critically assesses challenges and opportunities. By conducting a comprehensive review of existing research, this study establishes a foundation for future studies, policy development, and the implementation of sustainable waste management practices through community engagement. The overarching goal is to derive meaningful insights that contribute to a more inclusive, effective, and globally sustainable approach to waste management. This study seeks to inform policymaking and guide future research initiatives, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in addressing the complexities of waste management on a global scale.