The development of the maize agribusiness system is highly dependent on the role of social capital in facilitating interaction among actors in the chain of activities ranging from the provision of farm supplies to marketing. Therefore, this research aimed to characterize the key elements of social capital specifically bonding, bridging, and linking, as well as to demonstrate their respective roles. Data were collected from farmers and non-farmers actors engaged in various activities in the maize agribusiness system. The data obtained were processed using ATLAS Ti, applying open, axial, and selective coding techniques. The results showed the roles played by bonding, bridging, and linking social capital in the interaction between farmers and multiple actors in activities such as providing farm supplies, farming production, harvesting, post-harvest, and marketing. The combination of these social capital forms acted as the glue and wires that facilitated access to resources, collective decision-making, and reduced transaction costs. These results have theoretical implications, suggesting that bonding, bridging, and linking should be combined with the appropriate role composition for each activity in the agribusiness system.

This research analyses the effects of openness, telecommunications, and institutional nexus on economic growth in African countries using a panel model with data from 16 landlocked countries from 1996 to 2021 and employing the pooled mean group estimation technique that mitigates bias from country heterogeneity and discerning short-term and long-term equilibrium dynamics and two-step system-generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation for robustness check. The empirical findings indicate that openness exerts a significantly positive effect on economic growth in the models. This supports the neoclassical model, suggesting that being landlocked should not impede economic growth, but rather, growth should depend on opportunities available to each country. However, institutions and telecommunications show a mixed correlation with economic growth. These findings can guide landlocked developing countries in enhancing their exports and fostering skill acquisition to attract advanced technology. In conclusion, policymakers should improve macroeconomic policies, telecommunications infrastructure, and institutional structure to strengthen the sustainability of economic growth in African landlocked countries.

The presented article focusses on the analysis of perception of the university social responsibility through the eyes of Slovak university students. The aim is to compare how the values, efficiency of the organisation (university), and the educational process influence the perception of social responsibility among university students themselves. The research is based on the application of quantitative methodology towards the evaluation of differences and similarities in perceptions using two types of tests for statistical analysis, comparative (Mann-Whitney U test) and correlational (bivariate correlation matrix of Spearman’s rho).The results of the research provide a deeper understanding of how universities can shape students’ approach to social responsibility through their values and educational processes, which has important implications for the development of university policies and practices.

This study aims to examine how marketing mix and trust theories influence users’ intentions to adopt herbal platform services in Thailand and examine the impact of these intentions on actual service usage, placing a special focus on the integration of technologies in the context. The significant potential for growth in Thailand’s herbal business and the currently underutilized online platforms, it is crucial for stakeholders to understand the determinants of investment intentions. Merging marketing mix and trust theories, this research offers a comprehensive analysis of factors influencing the use of herbal platform, highlighting the relevance of herbal in enhancing service adoption. This study utilized a quantitative approach, gathering data through online surveys from 416 users of online herbal platforms in Thailand using SEM to examine the impact of gender on consumers’ decisions to use these platforms. This study provides insights into effective business strategies for herbal companies and contributes novel perspectives to the literature on herbal services. It specifically examines cognitive and emotional trust impacts and explores gender dynamics within the context of Health development. The study clarifies the roles of these factors and assesses the impact of gender on platform adoption, highlighting the importance of m-Health services in facilitating this process. Enhancing user engagement with herbal platform services requires prioritizing influential determinants, streamlining the investment experience, and underscoring the sector’s contribution to economic revitalization. Authorities should prioritize simplifying the investment landscape and initiating advocacy campaigns, while platform developers are advised to improve the user experience, bolster educational efforts, and heighten awareness of the investment advantages within the herbal industry. This research provides stakeholders with insights into the factors that enhance Thais’ engagement with herbal market platforms, especially via online channels. Identifying these key drivers is anticipated to boost participation in the herbal market, thereby contributing positively to Thailand’s economy.

Interconnected components of holistic development, such as being thankful, addressing basic psychological needs, and acting effectively toward others, should be a priority for college athletes. Athletes at the College level need all-encompassing support systems to ensure their health, happiness, and success because of the special difficulties they have juggling their academic, athletic, and personal schedules. Problems with work-life balance, stress, and performance expectations all impede College Student Athletes’ holistic development. A thorough plan that considers all of the social, emotional, and psychological aspects impacting athlete development is necessary to overcome these obstacles. An Integrated Holistic Development Program for College Athletes (IHDP-CA) is suggested in this paper as a method that incorporates various aspects of positive psychology, mindfulness, resilience training, and the enhancement of interpersonal skills. Athletes at the College level can benefit from this all-encompassing program’s emphasis on helping others, developing an attitude of gratitude, and meeting basic psychological requirements. Sports counseling services, schools, and College athletic teams can all benefit from the IHDP-CA. A more positive and supportive sporting environment can be achieved when the program takes a more holistic approach to athletes’ needs, improving their mental health, social connections, and overall performance. The possible effect of the IHDP-CA on the holistic development outcomes of College Student-Athletes will be predicted through simulation analysis. To gain a better understanding of the program’s long-term viability, efficacy, and scalability, this analysis will run simulations of different situations and tweak program settings.

This paper aims to advance the knowledge in the domain of youth entrepreneurship and empowerment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The rationale is to address the gap in knowledge on entrepreneurship and youth empowerment in the UAE by analyzing strategies and initiatives that support empowering millennials to achieve sustainable development, with the aim of promoting youth entrepreneurship and supporting sustainable economic development. The primary research question guiding this study is: “What strategies and initiatives in the UAE foster the empowerment of the millennial generation for sustainable development?” This study relies on a mixed methodology that combines a descriptive approach, content analysis, and data meta-analysis, with the aim of exploring the relationship between youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. with a focus on the future sustainability leaders (FSL) program. While the FSL program demonstrates its significance in promoting youth entrepreneurship and empowerment, it also reveals certain limitations in its design and implementation that may hinder sustainable economic development. To address these challenges and support youth entrepreneurship, the paper proposes three essential action-oriented approaches: promoting participatory diversity and engagement, managing entrepreneurship drivers, and ensuring access to essential support mechanisms. These recommendations are intended to guide multilateral agencies, voluntary sectors, and private entities in the UAE in designing, evaluating, and implementing effective youth entrepreneurship programs. This paper underscores the importance of continued discourse and critical input to refine existing theories and establish a normative framework for youth entrepreneurship and empowerment. Such efforts are crucial for poverty reduction, sustainable development, and the promotion of intergenerational equity.