An exhaustive analysis and evaluation of fertility indicators in a society including many ethnic groups might provide valuable insights into any discrepancies. This study aims to systematically analyse the fertility rates over specific periods and investigate the differences in levels and patterns between local and expatriate women in Saudi Arabia using the existing data. This analysis used data from credible sources published by the General Authority for Statistics in the Saudi census 2022. The calculation of period fertility indicators started with the most straightforward rates and advanced to more complex ones, followed by a comprehensive description of the advantages and disadvantages of each. The aim was to ascertain fluctuations in fertility rates and analyse temporal patterns. Multiple studies consistently show that the fertility rate among expats in Saudi Arabia is lower than that among Saudi native women. However, the reason for this discrepancy still needs to be discovered since the definitive effect of contraceptive techniques has yet to be confirmed. Moreover, the reproductive trends that have occurred since the early 1980s will persist, although with additional precautions in place.

Sustainability has become increasingly important in recent decades and has become a key concept in various areas of society. The early integration of sustainability principles into education is of crucial importance, as the elementary school years represent a decisive phase in children's development. During this phase, fundamental values, attitudes, and behaviors are formed that will have a significant impact on later lives and the relationship with the environment. Elementary school offer a unique opportunity to reach people from different social backgrounds and thus impart a common basic knowledge that can serve as a basis for shaping a sustainable society. Elementary schools are therefore an ideal place to introduce children to the principles of sustainability and sensitize them to the challenges of the 21st century. The aim of the study is to explore the current state of sustainability education in elementary school. It takes a closer look at whether elementary school students are old enough to be confronted with sustainability, what methods already exist and what the challenges are in implementing sustainability education. The basis for the study is an online survey conducted at 60 different elementary school in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg in Germany. In conclusion, while there is room for improvement, the survey results suggest a growing awareness of the significance of sustainability education in elementary schools. The findings call for targeted efforts to enhance curriculum integration, teacher training, and resource provision to promote a more sustainable and environmentally conscious generation of students in Baden-Wuerttemberg.

In the context of digital transformation, Chinese small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) face significant challenges and opportunities in adapting to market dynamics and technological advancements. This study investigates the impact of coopetition strategy on the core competencies of SMEs, with a particular focus on marketing, technological, and integrative competencies. Data were collected from a sample of 300 SMEs in Anhui Province through an online survey, and reliability and validity were tested using SPSS and AMOS. The results indicate that dependency and trust significantly enhance the effectiveness of coopetition strategy from an external perspective, while managerial ambidexterity and strategic intent are critical internal factors driving the successful implementation of coopetition strategies. Both external and internal factors positively impact the core competencies of SMEs. Additionally, environmental uncertainty moderates the relationship between coopetition strategy and core competencies, underscoring the need for flexibility and adaptability in dynamic market environments. The findings suggest that SMEs can better integrate internal and external resources, optimize resource allocation, and improve operational efficiency through coopetition strategy, thereby enhancing their core competencies. This study provides valuable insights and practical guidance for policymakers and business practitioners aiming to support the digital transformation of SMEs.

This study aims to identify gaps in Indonesia’s national social health insurance scheme (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional or JKN) in meeting the right to health for disabled persons in the country and to propose strategies to mitigate the gaps. This study employed descriptive qualitative methodologies. A questionnaire survey and structured interviews were undertaken from the period of October to December 2021, with a purposive sample of 317 disabled persons at their working age. Data collection also included on-site observations to sample of healthcare providers in six provinces and focused group discussions with key stakeholders. This study found that JKN is the primary source of hope for disabled persons. Nevertheless, approximately ten percent of disabled persons have been omitted from the scheme. Moreover, respondents of the survey expressed notably lower satisfaction level compared to the national average. Meanwhile, 25% of them also reported that JKN did not cover certain disability-specific benefits. The findings suggest that the national social health insurance scheme is not well prepared to offer disability-inclusive services. Thereby, policymakers should implement various interventions to improve the admission processes for disabled persons and to develop a system to identify disabled members based on their specific disabilities. Additionally, stipulating standards for disability-friendly minimum services for healthcare providers and incorporating the standards into the credentialing systems, providing regular training on disability-friendly services for healthcare personnel, also enhancing benefits coverage for disabled members in the Indonesian Case Base Groups (INA-CBGs) are the necessary strategies to mitigate the gaps.

This paper discusses the concept of creating a new reality using the approaches of smart cities to develop eco-cities, in which the necessary balance between nature and progress can be maintained. The authors propose that the concept of smart cities should be used as a tool for the creation of eco-cities, and argue that the positive synergies between the two will be strongest if the smart concept acts as a tool for the creation of eco. The core elements of a smart eco-city are identified as smart sustainable use of resources, a smart sustainable healthy community, and a smart sustainable economy. The results of the article were the foundation for the development concept for Vision Bratislava 2050—the vision and strategy for the development of the capital of the Slovak Republic. The authors also discuss the challenges of transforming cities into smart eco-formats, including the need for digital resilience in the face of potential cataclysms. They suggest that this is a promising area for further research into the concept of smart eco-cities.

Using a newly-developed data set for Portugal, we analyze the industry-level effects of infrastructure investment. Focusing on the divide between traded and non-traded industries, we find that infrastructure investments have a non-traded bias, as these shift the industry mix towards private and public services. We also find that the industries that benefit the most in relative terms are all non-traded: construction, trade, and real estate, among the private services, and education and health, among the public services. Similarly, emerging trading sectors, such as hospitality and professional services, stand to gain. The positive impacts on traded industries are too small to make a difference. These results highlight that infrastructure-based strategies are not neutral in terms of the industry mix. Moreover, with most of the benefits accruing to non-traded industries, such a development model that is heavily based on domestic demand may be unsustainable in light of Portugal’s current foreign account position.