Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) are critical for biodiversity conservation and ecological balance. These areas are not only refuges for wildlife but also pivotal in promoting sustainable tourism. Geoparks, a unique subset of NPAs, emphasize geological heritage, offering distinctive educational and recreational opportunities. This article explores the significance of Geoparks in Portugal for geotourism and assesses the accessible digital communication strategies of Portuguese Geoparks, emphasizing the analysis of pedagogical concerns. The study highlights the importance of online engagement in enhancing visitor experiences and promoting sustainable tourism practices.

Ticket revenues are crucial for the financial success of sports teams. To maximize these revenues, teams continuously explore effective ticket promotional strategies. One such strategy includes partial season plans, which mirror bundle offers common across various industries. Another widespread promotional strategy across industries is offering discounted credit (i.e., store credit purchased at a lower price than its face value). However, its application in sports (e.g., providing a $500 credit for tickets at $450) remains limited. Therefore, this study explores critical questions such as: “How effective is offering discounted credit compared to partial season plans?” and “What factors influence ticket promotion preferences?” Consequently, the study employed a 2 × 2 × 2 experimental designs, considering three independent variables: promotion type (discounted credit vs. partial season plans), promotion flexibility (predefined vs. customizable), and the consumer’s distance to the venue (near vs. distant). Results indicated that partial season plans generated significantly higher perceived value and purchase intentions  while presenting lower perceived risks than discounted credit . Promotion flexibility did not significantly influence the three dependent variables , but the distance to the venue did . Both practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

Currently, there is a unique situation in the global economy, industrial eras coexist together, there is interaction and transformation of financial systems simultaneously within the framework of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. New, digital resources are entering the economy, intellectual capital is becoming virtual, artificial intelligence is increasingly finding its application in the structure of financial support. Financial intermediation in developing countries is also subject to global trends, the active development of new instruments for developing economies is especially important. The aim of the study is to identify effective ways to develop financial intermediation in Industry 5.0 for the economies of developing countries. Based on the results of the study on the development of financial institutions mediation revealed a problem related to the lack of reasonable tools that could be used to improving the efficiency of the financial intermediaries market, proposed the main directions of such a process: mobilization of savings, distribution financial assets, payment system, risk management and control over market agents involved in financial operations.

Background: Digital transformation in the sports industry has become increasingly crucial for sustainable development, yet comprehensive empirical evidence on policy effectiveness and risk management remains limited. Purpose: This study investigates the impact of policy support and risk factors on digital transformation in sports companies, examining heterogeneous effects across different firm characteristics and regional contexts. Methods: Using panel data from 168 sports companies listed on China’s A-shares markets and the New Third Board from 2019 to 2023, this study employs multiple regression analyses, including baseline models, instrumental variables estimation, and robustness tests. The digital transformation level is measured through a composite index incorporating digital infrastructure, capability, and innovation dimensions. Results: The findings reveal that policy support significantly enhances digital transformation levels (coefficient = 0.238, p < 0.01), while financial risks demonstrate the strongest negative impact (−0.162, p < 0.01). Large firms and state-owned enterprises show stronger responses to policy support (0.312 and 0.278, respectively, p < 0.01). Regional development levels significantly moderate the effectiveness of policy implementation. Conclusions: The study provides empirical evidence for the differential effects of policy support and risk factors on digital transformation across various firm characteristics. The findings suggest the need for differentiated policy approaches considering firm size, ownership structure, and regional development levels. Implications: Policy makers should develop targeted support mechanisms addressing specific challenges faced by different types of firms, while considering regional disparities in digital transformation capabilities.

Focusing on Shanghai Port, this in-depth study explores how government support can make port organizations more competitive. This study shall implement qualitative analysis based on in-depth interviews with key industry and government leaders to break down the complicated actions taken by the government and how they have changed the operational and strategic skills of the port industry. Seven factors were found in our study to be the most crucial support factors: Financial, regulatory, infrastructure growth, talent, market, policy, and organizational support. In their ways, each of these groups undermines the ability of port businesses to compete. For instance, finance can make ports more competitive in aspects such as tax cuts, lower interest rates, innovation and R&D funds, financing programs, venture capital funds, and putting up R&D sites. Supporting regulations makes sure that there is fair competition and smooth operations. This is done by protecting intellectual property, keeping the market going smoothly, improving the business environment, and monitoring market regulations. Building new infrastructure, such as innovation and updated buildings, enables the smooth running of the port businesses and minimizes wastage of time; thus, more time is spent on production. Supporting talent, the market, and policy all work together to make the human capital, international cooperation, and strategic regulatory framework that a company needs to stay ahead in the long run. It is clear from organizational support how important collaborative networks are for making ports more competitive. These networks, for instance, can be of assistance in helping schools and businesses work together, create new technologies, and find ways for companies and colleges to study together. This study examines these support systems to determine where the government should step in and how the systems can be made better to make ports more competitive. In terms of practical contribution, this in-depth study helps policymakers and port workers plan for the future. This study shows a fair way for the government to support the port business, which changes with its needs and stays competitive in the world of trade.

The study is devoted to the problem of processing the organic waste that is generated as a result of paper, textiles and other industries production as well as food waste. The growth of economic activity in Kazakhstan has resulted in a significant challenge with regard to industrial waste management. The accumulation of waste on the territory of the country has reached 31.72 billion tonnes, comprising approximately 2.5 billion tonnes of hazardous waste, 50 million tonnes of phosphorus-containing waste, over 2.5 million tonnes of lead-zinc waste and more than 120 million tonnes of solid domestic waste. The study object was the Shymkent-Kokys polygons. According to the research carried out, it was determined that the titer of microorganisms of the studied groups is 1–10 CFU/g in the soils selected around the garbage in the area of the Shymkent landfill. The titer of microorganisms in the soil horizons was high at a depth of 20–30 cm and the titer were 10⁹ cells/mL. The structure of the soil microbiome obtained around the Shymkent Waste Landfill consists of actinomycetes, micromycetes, heterotrophic bacteria, nitrifying, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, enterobacteria, as well as algae and protozoa. It was found that strains KPA1, KPA2 Pseudomonas sp. strains KPA3, KPA4, KPA5 Bacillus sp. isolated from the soils of the Shymkent-Kokys landfill are able to recycle domestic waste with a high content of cellulose and organic substances up to 95%–97%. The findings can be used to develop more effective organic cellulosic waste management strategies and improve the environmental sustainability of various industries.