The study investigates the impact of corporate gender diversity on dividend payouts in Asia-Pacific countries. The study used the data of 610 listed firms in the Asian Pacific region over eleven years, from 2006 to 2016, with 6710 observations. The regression results revealed that the representation of women on board and at least 30% on board positively relates to dividend payout. Board size and board independence have a significant negative relationship with dividend payouts. Overall, results suggest that gender diversity on corporate boards has a greater propensity to pay dividends in the mix of ownership structure, strong and weak corporate governance compliance, and horizontal agency conflict.

The article addresses the issue of educational development policy in Ukraine: the main trends and ways, means, technologies of their implementation. It has been observed that educational policy is developing and changing under the influence of such factors as Russia’s military actions against our country, European integration and globalisation. It has been taken into account that globalisation trends in the world integration, according to which globalisation processes should be reflected not only in the foreign economic, political or technological spheres, but also, as a consequence, in the development of technologies for training future teachers. Integration of digital technologies in the educational process is one of the key tendencies in the modern educational policy in Ukraine. The characteristics of the most used technologies of augmented reality in the modern school of Ukraine have been outlined. The algorithm for displaying generalized information about a particular application was proposed, namely: payment, accessibility, language, system requirements; learning opportunities; practical value; website; video about the application. The model of the formation of future teachers’ skills to use augmented reality technologies in the process of natural sciences studying has been proposed. We consider it as a component of a holistic system of future teachers’ professional training. The conceptual basis for the development of the model is a multi-subject educational paradigm, which is considered to be open, self-developing and self-organizing, causing a fundamental change in the behavior and relationships of the educational process participants. The proposed model is implemented in the authors’ methodological system, which ensures the interconnected activities of all participants in the educational process. Its systemic factor is the goal of improving the quality of the future natural sciences teachers’ professional training by developing their skills in using AR technology. The end result is an increase in the level of future natural sciences teachers’ readiness to use AR technology in their professional activities.

This paper proposes a framework for highlighting the significance of cultural communication in Islamic thought, sociology, and law, areas deeply intertwined with human values. It examines how Islam presents a clear vision and noble conduct in establishing peace values and fostering principles of tolerance among all. Additionally, it explores the potential of virtual communication networks to promote a culture of peace.

Beta macrocarpa, Guss is an interesting species showing very low germination rates. The leading objectives of this work were to investigate the dormancy mechanism and to find methods to break dormancy in order to achieve rapid, uniform and high germination. Macro and micro-morphologic analyses were performed by stereo microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed two fruit coats. The yellow external coat or persistent perianth coat (PPC) was accrescent with 5 erect segments contiguous to the operculum of the seed capsule. This coat forms spongy layers (50 to 300 µm thick) that could be eliminated manually. The narrow internal coat or pericarp or achene coat (AC) forms woody joined seed capsules, each presenting a pressed operculum that cannot be manually opened. This coat was not adherent to seeds and was composed of compressed cells (50 to 200 µm thick) which form pockets for salt cristal. Seeds were lentiform (1 to 2 mm diameter and 0.5 to 0.8 mm thick) and highly fragile. The embryo was whitish surrounded peripherally by the perisperm with two highly developed cotyledons and radical. Polyphenol concentrations in both coats showed that after 4 months of collection, total polyphenol concentrations were 4-fold higher in the pericarp than in the persistent perianth. However, after one year, this parameter decreases significantly in the pericarp, whereas, it increases to a larger extent in the perianth. Different germination tests indicated that the pericarp provides a chemical and a physical resistance to seed germination during the first 4 months of the experiment after collection. The chemical dormancy was released to higher levels of total polyphenol compounds that inhibited seed germination and seedling growth. However, the physical dormancy was associated with the hardness of this intern coat which caused a mechanical resistance to radicle emergence. After one year of storage, total polyphenol pericarp concentration decreased notably, and chemical resistance disappeared, whereas the physical one persisted. Consequently, one year of storage pericarp removal is sufficient to break this exogenous dormancy.

The potential of entrepreneurship to reduce poverty is closely tied to critical factors such as access to finance, training and education, networks and social capital, and supportive regulatory environments. Understanding and addressing these underlying issues through the lens of the Social Capital theory can help foster an entrepreneurial spirit in cities and mitigate poverty through business and community development. This paper explores the insights and standpoints of key stakeholders about poverty in Saint John and its impact on entrepreneurship. The study uses a quantitative method and analyzes data from surveys with stakeholders. The results show that social isolation, system inflexibility, individual issues, housing, and financial support programs are significant poverty challenges in Saint John, and these issues have implications for entrepreneurship. By integrating Social Capital Theory into policy initiatives, policymakers can enhance community resilience and empower vulnerable individuals. This application of social capital principles provides a holistic framework for designing effective poverty-reduction measures, offering transformative insights applicable not only to Saint John but also to diverse small cities. The study contributes a nuanced understanding of poverty’s impact on entrepreneurship, advocating for inclusive strategies that resonate with the social fabric of communities.

HRIS is a crucial tool for HR departments as it provides a digital platform for managing and automating various HR functions. HRIS is a comprehensive solution that integrates HRM functions with IT, enhancing the daily operations of HR professionals. In today’s knowledge-based economy, business success relies heavily on the performance of its human resources, which are essential in a rapidly changing global environment. Businesses continually strive to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving technology landscape to thrive in the market. Some scholars have highlighted the negative impact of Human Resource Information Systems, primarily focusing on the invasion of privacy as the main disadvantage. The study indicates that implementing a Human Resource Information System (HRIS) enhances business performance in the tourism and hospitality industry of the Maldives. It highlights that user satisfaction and ease of use are positively influenced by these systems. The research surveyed 211 professionals and managers from the Maldives tourism and hospitality sector using a Likert Scale questionnaire to assess the impact of the HRIS on business performance. The study used SPSS 22.0 to analyze the impact of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) on the dependent variable. The findings indicate that managerial personnel and human resource specialists in organisations find a user-friendly and satisfying HRIS motivating and beneficial for enhancing their performance. Organisations implement the HRIS to achieve their goals, identify system shortcomings, and develop strategies to improve business performance in the Maldives’ tourism and hospitality sector.