This study explores the role of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) and STEM education in building the soft infrastructure necessary for economic development within Kazakhstan’s transforming education system. The authors conducted an interdisciplinary analysis, emphasizing the cognitive and communicative aspects of foreign language education in secondary schools, proposing a model for integrating ICC through the use of information and analytical technologies. The research focuses on personalized education, teacher competencies, and student engagement, with experimental methods applied in a Karaganda-based school. The study aims to identify mechanisms and principles that enhance ICC development, contributing to Kazakhstan’s modernization efforts in fostering globally competitive graduates prepared for the demands of the international arena. This research lays the foundation for further practical experimentation in profiled schools, aligning education with national development goals.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of China’s pharmaceutical industry, this study investigates how pharmaceutical enterprises can achieve profitable sales innovation amid the process of digital transformation. Grounded in the Affordance theory, it posits that the positive impact of digital transformation on sales innovation is driven by the affordance afforded by digital technology and ubiquity. The research focuses on A-share pharmaceutical companies in China, utilizing data from 2012 to 2022 and employing multiple regression analysis to examine the influence of digital transformation on corporate sales innovation. The results demonstrate a significant positive effect of digital transformation on sales innovation. The study further categorizes digital transformation into technological affordance and ubiquity affordance, separately validating their roles in promoting sales innovation. Moreover, by considering synergistic effects, the research unveils the intricate relationship between digital transformation and corporate innovation performance. The findings provide a fresh perspective on understanding how digital technology propels sales innovation and offer concrete guidance for the digital transformation practices in the pharmaceutical industry.

Background: Simulation-based medical education is a complex learning methodology in different fields. Exposing children to this teaching method is uncommon as it is designed for adult learning. This study aimed to develop and implement simulation-based education in first aid training of children and investigate the emotions of children in post-simulation scenarios that replicate emergency situations. Methods: This was a phenomenological qualitative research study. The participants attended the modified “Little Doctor” course that aims to train children in first aid and, subsequently, completed simulation scenarios. The children attended focus groups and were asked about their experiences of the course and how they felt during the simulation scenarios. Results: 12 children (Age 8–11 years old) attended the course, and 10 completed the simulation scenarios and focus groups. The major theme derived from was the simulation experience’s effect, which was divided into two subthemes: the emotion caused by—and the behavioral response to—the simulation. The analysis revealed shock and surprise toward the environment of the simulation event and the victim. The behaviors expressed during the simulation scenarios ranged from skill application and empathy to recall and teamwork. Conclusions: Simulation scenarios were successfully implemented during the first-aid training course. Although participants reported mixed feelings regarding the experience, they expressed confidence in their ability to perform real-life skills.

This study examined the role of cryptocurrencies in tourism and their acceptance across EU regions, with particular attention to the digital transformation precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis focuses on the relationship between cryptocurrency acceptance points and the intensity of tourism, highlighting that the acceptance of cryptocurrencies is significantly correlated with tourism services. The literature review highlighted that Web 3.0, especially blockchain technology and decentralized applications, opens new possibilities in tourism, including secure and transparent transactions, and more personalized travel experiences. The research investigated cryptocurrency acceptance points and the intensity of tourism within the EU. The study illuminates that the acceptance of cryptocurrencies significantly correlates with tourism services. The data and methodology demonstrated the analysis methods for examining the relationship between cryptocurrency acceptance points and tourism intensity, including the use of clustering neural networks and Eurostat data utilization. The results showed a positive correlation between the number of cryptocurrency acceptance points and tourism intensity in the EU, affirming the research hypothesis. According to the regression analysis results, each additional cryptocurrency acceptance point is associated with an increase in tourism intensity. The significance of the research lies in highlighting the growing role of digital payment solutions, especially cryptocurrencies, in tourism, and their potential impacts on the EU economy. The analysis supports that the intertwining of tourism and digital financial technologies opens new opportunities in the sector for both providers and tourists.

Currently, numerous companies intend to adopt digital transformation, seeking agility in their methodologies to reinvent products and services with higher quality, reduced costs and in shorter times. In the Peruvian context, the implementation of this transformation represents a significant challenge due to scarcity of resources, lack of experience and resistance to change. The objective of this research is to propose a digital transformation model that incorporates agile methodologies in order to improve production and competitiveness in manufacturing organizations. In methodological terms, the hypothetical deductive method was used, with a non-experimental cross-sectional design and a quantitative, descriptive and correlational approach. A questionnaire was applied to 110 managers in the manufacturing sector, obtaining a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.992. The results reveal that 65% of the participants consider that the level of innovation is regular, 88% think that the competition in their companies is of a regular level, and 76% perceive that the level of change is deficient. The findings highlight the importance of digital transformation in manufacturing companies, highlighting the adoption of agile methodologies as crucial to improving processes and productivity. In addition, innovation is essential to developing high-quality products and services, reducing costs and time. Digital transformation with agile methodologies redefines the value proposition, focusing on the customer and improving their digital experience, which differentiates companies in a competitive market.