Purpose: The major objective of this study is to measure the impact of various attributes, such as social attraction, physical attraction, and task attraction on para-social relationships. The study also seeks to measure how the para-social relationship mediates the association between the three attributes (above-mentioned) on perceived credibility and informational influence, and consumers’ intention to purchase banking products. Study design/methodology: PLS-SEM has been used as it is believed to be most suited for the study due to the multivariate non-normality in the data, and the small sample size. Data has been collected using the 5-point Likert scale from approximately 151 respondents, who were selected using the non-random sampling method based on purposive sampling coupled with convenience-based sampling. The data was collected from January 2023 to August 2023. Findings: Largely, the findings reveal that both social and physical attractions do have a positive impact on the para-social relationship, further leading to perceived credibility and informational influence. Notably, this perceived credibility and informational influence lead to consumers’ intentions to purchase banking products, albeit with the use of artificial intelligence-based chatbots and digital assistants. Originality: This is possibly among the first-ever studies extending the para-social theory for purchasing banking products and services using artificial intelligence-based chatbots and virtual assistants.

Sustainable development (SD) is an approach that aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Education for sustainable development (ESD) is a key component in achieving this goal, as it equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to make sustainable decisions. This study investigated how preschool teachers in Saudi Arabia understood (SD) and the state of (ESD) practices. A survey was used to collect data from 230 Saudi preschool teachers. The findings revealed that 90% of teachers lacked awareness regarding SD. The overall evaluation of ESD practices among participants indicated a weak subpar status, with an average score of 2.49 out of 4. Notably, in ascending order, the following three dimensions had weak mean scores: the content aspect (2.38) had the lowest score, followed by the practice aspect (2.54) and the competencies aspect (2.58). Meanwhile, the values aspect (2.63) had an average outcome. Analysing the mean scores of ESD practices based on teachers’ qualifications and school types revealed significant differences, although no variations were observed based on experience. The primary obstacle to ESD implementation in pre-schools was the lack of awareness regarding SD/ESD. The study underscores the significance of expanding teacher training to promote ESD effectively in pre-school settings. The results highlight the need for professional development opportunities to improve ESD implementation in classrooms, educate Saudi preschool teachers about SD, and create instructional materials that align with the principles of ESD.

This paper foresees a critical analysis and development of a legislative proposal for the effective implementation of blockchain technology in Civil Mediation in conflicts in condominiums. This paper provides a legal analysis of personal, property rights and condominium disputes, applying blockchain technology for the purpose of self-executing civil mediation. This paper provides several solutions for conflicts in condominiums: Condominium Statute in blockchain, telematic attendance and voting systems, the self-execution of civil mediation agreements in conflicts in condominiums and Tokenization and IoT for property remote control in condominiums. The novelty of this research lies in the fact that, based on the experience of civil mediation in conflicts in condominiums, foreseen in US States and in other States such as Canada, Spain, the regulation is adapted for the correct application of blockchain technology for mediation in conflicts in condominiums.

Decentralized cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, use peer-to-peer software protocol, disintermediating the traditional intermediaries that used to be banks and other financial intermediaries, effectuating cross-border transfer. In fact, by removing the requirement for a middleman, the technology has the potential to disrupt current financial transactions that rely on a trusted authority or intermediary operator. Traditional financial regulation, primarily based on the command-and-control approach, is ill-suited to regulating decentralized cryptocurrencies. The present paper aims to investigate the policy option most suitable for regulating decentralized cryptocurrencies. The study employs content analysis method to effectuate the purpose of the study. The paper argues that the combination of both direct and indirect regulatory approaches would be a feasible option for regulating decentralized cryptocurrencies. The absence of centralized authority and the borderless nature of decentralized cryptocurrencies would make them antithetical to centralized direct regulation. Therefore, the findings of the study suggest that regulators should focus on regulating intermediaries bridging the connection between the online world (crypto ecosystem) and the physical world (the point of converting crypto into fiat money). These intermediaries can work as passive actors or surrogate regulators who are indirectly responsible for implementing policy options on behalf of the central authority.

This study delves into the complex flow dynamics of magnetized bioconvective Ellis nanofluids, highlighting the critical roles of viscous dissipation and activation energy. By employing a MATLAB solver to tackle the boundary value problem, the research offers a thorough exploration of how these factors, along with oxytactic microorganism’s mobility, shape fluid behavior in magnetized systems. Our findings demonstrate that an increase in the magnetization factor  leads to a decrease in both velocity and temperature due to enhanced interparticle resistance from the Lorentz force. Additionally, streamline analysis reveals that higher mixed convection parameters  intensify flow concentration near surfaces, while increased slip parameters reduce shear stress and boundary layer thickness. Although isotherm analysis shows that higher Ellis fluid parameters enhance heat conduction, with greater porosity values promoting efficient thermal dissipation. These insights significantly advance our understanding of nanofluid dynamics, with promising implications for bioengineering and materials science, setting the stage for future research in this field.

The study’s purpose is to evaluate the influence of some factors of the model of planned behavior (TPB) and the perceived academic support of the university on the attitude toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention of students. The results of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) linear structural model analysis with primary data collected from 1162 students indicated that entrepreneurial intention is influenced by attitude toward entrepreneurship, subjective norm, perceived educational support, and perceived concept development support. In addition, this study also found the positive influence of perceived educational support, concept development support, and business development support on attitude towards entrepreneurship. Interestingly, the influence of perceived business development support on entrepreneurial intention was rejected, and personal innovativeness is demonstrated to promote an attitude toward entrepreneurship. Notably, this study also highlights the moderating role of personal innovativeness on the relationship between attitude toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention. Based on these findings, several implications were suggested to researchers, universities, and policymakers.