This article examines the overseas corporate social responsibility (CSR) patterns of Chinese international contractors (CICs). Adopting an institutional and political economy approach, a unique dataset is constructed with country-specific contents drawn from CSR-related reports and website information of 50 top CICs. This dataset provides a foundation for systematic content analysis of CICs’ overseas CSR practices, revealing that both political legitimacy-seeking and strategic competitiveness-seeking motivations drive CICs’ CSR activities abroad, characterized by the prioritization of customer and community engagement. The findings highlight the coexistence of the exogenous pressures for the national image-building purpose and the endogenous awareness of CSR strategic importance for corporate internationalization. The hybridization of political and economic rationales is presented as the defining feature of CICs’ current overseas CSR patterns, with the balance between them being determined by stakeholder type and internal business needs influenced by corporate internationalization experience.
Access to affordable and quality medicines plays a vital role for achieving Universal Health Coverage and in reducing out-of-pocket expenditures (OOPE) for households especially in developing nations such as India. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), a Government of India initiative, aims to make low-cost and quality generic drugs and surgical equipment accessible to all segments of the population through its dedicated store outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK). In this study, a pilot survey comprising 20 stores/PMBJKs and 150 citizens was undertaken in the Bengaluru Urban District, India to understand various aspects of the PMBJKs including availability of drugs, stock-outs, accessibility to stores, perception and awareness levels along with challenges faced by store owners and citizens/beneficiaries. Based on the survey results, we capture the availability of drugs for 35 medicines and consumables belonging to 12 therapeutic categories across 20 store outlets. We also provide valuable insights and interdisciplinary recommendations on several facets including adopting technology-based measures for day-to-day functioning of stores, need for in-depth supply chain analysis for ensuring availability of drugs, encouraging prescription of generic medicines, increasing awareness levels in addition to promoting grassroot-level research, surveys and feedback mechanisms. These suggestions are expected to find their utility in policy-making, strengthen the implementation of the PMBJP scheme across Bengaluru and India as well as contribute towards achieving related Sustainable Development Goals.
This research explores the relationship between the independent variables (need for achievement, risk-taking, family support, economic factors, and the dependent variable of women’s enterprises’ success) and examines the moderating influence of socio-cultural factors. A survey-based methodology was adopted. One hundred sixty-nine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Palestinian West Bank were surveyed using structured questionnaires. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted by using the Smart-PLS program. The results indicate that women entrepreneurs’ success in SMEs is positively and significantly impacted by the need for achievement as an internal factor and economic factors and family support as external factors. Furthermore, sociocultural factors did not show any significant moderating influence. By gaining knowledge about the relationship between internal and external factors and the success of women-owned SMEs, this study adds to the body of literature already in existence. These factors can be considered in the success of these enterprises, particularly in an environment full of political and economic fluctuations. Furthermore, the research is said to be the first of its type in Palestine, particularly concerning SMEs run by women. It also supports entrepreneurs by providing them with resources that might aid in the growth and success of their businesses.
The increasing domains of digital technology in educational settings urgently require digital leadership (DL) to ensure the sustainability of school improvement initiatives in the digital era and to facilitate the digital transformation of educational institutions. DL emerges as an urgent and evolving topic of significant public interest. However, there is a notable lack of consensus persists regarding its definition and constructs within educational settings, hindering the advancement of DL theory. To address this gap, a systematic literature review was conceived, employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. The primary aim was to enhance comprehension of the geographical and temporal distribution of relevant publications, as well as to elucidate prevalent definitions and constructs of digital leadership in educational contexts. This article endeavors to synthesize the extant scientific literature on DL, focusing on studies published between 2019 and 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed scientific research publications sourced from Scopus and the Web of Science (WoS) databases, available in English, and centered on educational settings. Initial database queries yielded 578 papers, subsequently refined to 35 studies through meticulous screening for duplicity and adherence to inclusion criteria. Notably, the reviewed publications predominantly characterize DL as a multifaceted process, amalgamation, or integration, with a predominant emphasis on functional aspects of leadership. Noteworthy constructs frequently encountered include digital age learning culture, visionary leadership, excellence in professional practice, systemic improvement, and digital citizenship. This review contributes to the enrichment of theoretical conceptualizations surrounding DL. It underscores the imperative for future research to explore into the measurement of DL, thereby presenting promising avenues for evaluating principal DL within educational institutions.
Purpose: Kindergartens are an important educational environment for the development of children at an early age, and they also play a crucial role in developing the values of sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to investigate kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of observable and sustainable development practices. Design, methodology, approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 302 Saudi kindergarten teachers. Additionally, observation cards were utilized to collect data on actual practices of sustainable development in kindergartens. Data were analyzed using Nvivo12, a qualitative data analysis software, and descriptive analysis methods. The main themes were produced first, and then the perspectives were organized around them. Finding: The impact of social and cultural factors on the development of values, the lack of resources available to implement educational activities, and teacher awareness and training gaps were found to be the main barriers to the development of sustainable development values in kindergartens. Originality, value: To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study in Saudi Arabia that has looked into the environmental and social perceptions of early childhood teachers about sustainable development practices, so the study’s findings can highlight the importance of reorienting teacher education programs toward sustainability in order to bridge knowledge and practice gaps.
This research investigates the impact of digital academic supervision (DAS) on teacher professionalism (TP), with a focus on the mediating role of personal learning networks (PLNs) and their implication for educational policy. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), data were collected from 276 teachers in prestigious secondary schools in East Java, Indonesia. The study uses a regression model design to explore direct and mediated effects between DAS, PLNs, and TP. Findings demonstrate that DAS directly impacts both PLNs (0.638) and TP (0.550), while PLNs also directly influence TP (0.293). Mediated analysis indicates that DAS enhances TP through PLNs (0.187). These results underscore the importance of digital tools in academic supervision, fostering collaboration, and promoting teacher professional development. The empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of DAS in enhancing teacher professionalism, suggesting significant implications for educational policy and practice in Indonesia in terms of regulatory framework, such as data privacy and security, standardization, training programs, and certification and accreditation.
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