The significant climate change the planet has faced in recent decades has prompted global leaders, policymakers, business leaders, environmentalists, academics, and scientists from around the world to unite their efforts since 1987 around sustainable development. This development not only promotes economic sustainability but also environmental, social, and corporate sustainability, where clean production, responsible consumption, and sustainable infrastructures prevail. In this context, the present article aims to propose a development framework for sustainability in food sector SMEs, which includes Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies as key elements to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve operational efficiency. The methodology includes a comparative analysis of strategies implemented between 2019 and 2023, supported by quantitative data showing a 20% reduction in operating costs, a 10% increase in market share, and a 25% increase in productivity for companies that adopted clean technologies. This study offers a significant contribution to the field of corporate sustainability, providing a model that is adaptable and applicable across different regions, enhancing innovation and business resilience in a global context that requires collective efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals.

The business life cycle is examined through a comprehensive literature review in this academic study. Our initial approach involves searching for relevant articles on firm life cycle and strategy using the Web of Science and Scopus databases. We conduct bibliometric analyses to identify key contributors and recurring keywords. Subsequently, we select twenty-seven research papers to explore the Theory Development, Characteristics, Context, and Methodology (TCCM) framework for firm life cycle and strategy. Our analysis summarizes corresponding business strategies for each stage, including the use of Initial Management Control Systems (MCS) in the introduction phase. As companies grow, a high inventory-to-sales ratio may hinder effectiveness, but it proves beneficial in the growth and revival stages. Mature companies excel in green process innovation and engage more in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. In the decline stage, firms use cost efficiencies, asset retrenchment, and core activity focus for recovery, signaling commitment to a successful turnaround. However, there is a research gap in exploring appropriate global strategies for various life cycle stages, providing an opportunity for additional articles to thoroughly investigate this relationship and assess multinational enterprises’ success trajectories throughout their life cycles.

This study aimed to examine the impact of working conditions and sociopsychological factors on job satisfaction among office workers. Using data from the 2017–2018 Working Conditions Survey, exploring how workplace conditions and sociopsychological elements could impact job satisfaction. This study examined data from 9801 workers to explore the effects of working conditions and psychosocial environments on job enthusiasm, which subsequently impacts job satisfaction. Analyzing 1416 office workers, it found that fewer working hours, better work-life balance, improved work conditions, and lower depression levels enhance job enthusiasm, significantly affecting job satisfaction. The work environment had the most substantial impact, encompassing relationships with colleagues, task completion time, and confidence. Work-life imbalance and depression were also significant, with work-life balance being crucial for modern society, especially the younger generation. Poor working conditions and unstable psychosocial environments negatively affect job enthusiasm and satisfaction, with findings supporting previous research on job stress and turnover intentions in various industries. This study highlights the need for organizational policies that support these aspects to improve overall employee well-being and productivity.

While there has been much discussion about the large infrastructure needs in Asia and the Pacific, less attention has been paid to public expenditure efficiency in infrastructure services delivery. New constructions are not the only solution, especially when governments have limited capital to invest. Globally, new infrastructure projects face delays and cost overruns, leading to an inefficient use of public resources. The root causes include the lack of transparency in project selection, the lack of project preparation, the silo approach by public entities in assessing feasibility studies, and the lack of public sector capacity to fully develop a bankable pipeline of projects. To tackle these issues, governments need a smarter investment approach and to do so, enhancing public service efficiency is very crucial. The paper suggests a “whole life cycle” (WLC) approach as the main strategic solution for the discussed issues and challenges. We expand the definition of WLC to include the entire life cycle of the infrastructure asset from need identification to its disposal. The stages comprise planning, preparation, procurement, design, construction, operation and maintenance, and disposal. This is because we believe any efficient or inefficient decision throughout such a wide life cycle influences the quality of public services. Hence, in this holistic approach, infrastructure life cycle consists of four phases: planning, preparation, procurement, and implementation. Governments could enhance public efficiency and thus improve access to finance throughout the WLC by several solutions. These are (i) preparing infrastructure master plan and pipelines and long-term budgeting during the planning phase; (ii) establishing framework and guidelines and improving governance during preparation phase; (iii) promoting standardization, transparency, open government, and contractual consistency during the procurement phase; and finally (iv) continued role of government and total asset management during the implementation phase. In addition to these phase-specific means, key WLC solutions include proper use of technology, capacity building, and private participation in general and public-private partnership (PPP) in particular.

This research article explores the relationship between psychological well-being and satisfaction with life among young, athletically talented students educated through individualised programs. The primary objective is to assess whether a safe educational environment, emphasising psychological safety and individual support, positively impacts the general satisfaction and academic performance of these students. Using Ryff and Keyes’ Psychological Well-Being Scale and Diener’s Satisfaction with Life Scale, data were collected from 188 participants—Secondary and university students engaged in rigorous athletic training while completing their studies in the Czech Republic. Key findings reveal a strong correlation between self-acceptance, autonomy, coping with the environment, and enhanced satisfaction with life, indicating that well-being in young athletes is significantly influenced by psychological resilience, emotional support, and control over one’s educational journey. Research highlights that individually tailored learning environments, which provide flexibility for training and access to mental health support, contribute to a balanced development between academic and athletic goals. Additionally, the results suggest that a positive correlation within the educational environment, both with peers and instructors, further strengthens the satisfaction with life and reduces the risk of burnout. Implications underscore the need for educational institutions to adopt holistic approaches that support psychological well-being and accommodate the unique needs of athletically talented students. Recommendations include structured mentorship, flexibility in academic scheduling, and access to professional counselling. Future research should investigate the long-term impacts of such environments on academic and athletic success, considering factors such as social inclusion and the effects of digital education.

A large number of people of the fringe areas of Sundarban enter into the forests every year and encounter with the tigers simply for their livelihood. This study attempts to examine the extent and impact of human-animal conflicts in the Sundarban Reserve Forest (SRF) area in West Bengal, India. An intensive study of the data of the victims (both death and injury) between 1999 and 2014 reveals that, fishermen crab collector, honey collectors and woodcutters are generally victimized by the tiger attack. Pre monsoon period (April to June) and early winter period (Jan to March) are noted for the two-peak periods for casualties. Maximum casualty occurs between 8-10 am, and 2-4 pm. Jhilla (21.1%), Pirkhali (19.72 %), Chandkhali (11.72%), and Arbesi (9.35%) are the four most vulnerable forest blocks accounting more than 60 per cent occurrence of incidences. 67.24 per cent of the tiger attack victims were residents of Gosaba followed by Hingalganja (15%) and Basanti, (9.76%). The vulnerability rating puts the risk of tiger attack to 0.88 for every 10,000 residents of Gosaba block followed by 0.33 at Hingalganj Block and 0.11 at Bansanti Block. The majority of the victims (68%) were found to be males, aged between 30 and 50 years.