The issue of urban land management in the world in general and in Africa in particular has been exacerbated by the liberalization of land practices and the commodification of land, which has led to an increase in corrupt practices within land institutions in all cities. A mixed methodology was employed, combining a comparative case study of secondary towns with a quantitative survey of 559 landowners in the towns of Bohicon and Sokodé. In-depth interviews were conducted with 31 informants, who were surveyed on the land acquisition process, the individual determinants influencing corrupt practices, and the institutions most involved in these practices. The findings revealed that the acquisition of a formal title conferring property rights in both cities necessitates the completion of several steps. Corrupt practices are present at almost every stage of the transaction. The application of logistic regression models to the independent variables indicates that age and profession are highly significant in the sociodemographic characteristics of those most susceptible to engaging in these practices. Formal land administration institutions are the most involved in these types of everyday corruption. These practices are ultimately linked to people’s life paths and cannot therefore be combated without psychosociological education and the promotion of ethical behavior among all stakeholders, particularly among those who demand services.

Research on zakat has captured the attention of scholars since 1981, exhibiting an increasing trend in publications and citations. This trend presents an opportunity for the author to delve into zakat research. The primary aim of this study is to dissect 10 years of zakat research, spanning from 2013 to 2022, with a focus on evaluating past achievements, current research patterns, and potential future research directions. Utilising bibliometric analysis as the primary tool, this study has formulated seven research questions derived from the primary objective. Key findings indicate a consistent upward trajectory in both publication and citation rates over the past decade, with 2013 being a pivotal year. Notably, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia emerged as the top three countries actively contributing to zakat research during this period. This study further outlines eight contemporary research trends, exploring various facets of zakat over the past decade. Additionally, this study identifies four prospective areas in zakat for future scholars to explore. This study's outcomes offer three significant contributions: 1) signalling to scholars that zakat research continues to burgeon; 2) providing inspiration and ideas for current scholars; and 3) motivating future scholars to embark on research ventures in untapped areas within the realm of zakat.

This study examines innovative teaching approaches’ effect on the quality of education for prospective primary teachers. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques was employed. Initially, the two data sets were analyzed separately—qualitative data through thematic analysis and quantitative data through statistical methods. The themes emerging from the qualitative analysis were then cross-referenced with the quantitative findings to evaluate whether the trends supported each other. For instance, if a qualitative theme indicated that teachers felt more confident using innovative methods, this was supported by quantitative data showing improvements in teacher performance scores or student outcomes. The study had 200 participants, and the study findings revealed a significant positive impact of innovative teaching approaches on the quality of education for future primary teachers. Participants reported increased engagement, improved critical thinking, and enhanced adaptability in classroom settings. The study findings reveal that innovative approaches significantly improve the quality of education for prospective primary teachers by fostering more interactive, technology-enhanced, and student-centered learning environments. To maintain these improvements, it is essential to invest in infrastructure, provide ongoing support for teacher educators, and continuously update curricula to reflect emerging educational technologies and practices. These findings emphasize the importance of innovation in teacher training to meet the evolving demands of primary education.

This study systemically examines the numerous impacts of climate change on agriculture in Tunisia. In this study, we establish an empirical and comprehensive methodology to assess the effects of climate changes on Tunisian agriculture by investigating current climatic patterns using crop yields and socioeconomic variables. The study also assesses the types of adaptation strategies agriculture uses in Tunisia and explores their effectiveness in coping with climate-related adversities. We also consider some resilience factors, namely the ecological aspect and economic and social camouflage pursued by the (very) men in Tunisian agriculture. We also extensively discuss the complex interconnected relationship between policy interventions and community-based adaptations, a crucial part of the ongoing debate on climate change adaptation and resilience in agriculture. The findings of this study contribute to this important conversation, particularly for areas facing similar challenges.

In this study, we explore the impact of contemporary bank run incidents on stock market performance, taking into consideration insured deposit concentration. Specifically, we use data from the recent downfall of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). By employing event study methods with the mean-adjusted return model and market models, we evaluate the cumulative abnormal returns (CARs). Our findings reveal a substantial negative CAR for all the listed companies in our sample, suggesting that the SVB crisis adversely affected stock returns. Further analysis shows an even more pronounced effect on the banking sector and that banks with a high concentration of insured deposits experienced economically and statistically less negative CARs. We also find that the response by the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and other agencies—aimed at fully safeguard all depositors—led a rebound in CARs. Our results highlight the importance of deposit insurance policy and regulatory responses in protecting the financial system during panic events.

Amid the relentless grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainability has emerged as a paramount concern across global economies. As businesses grapple with unprecedented challenges, the imperative for sustainable practices in corporate finance becomes increasingly evident. Throughout this crisis, companies have faced staggering financial strains, with diminished turnovers and escalating operational costs pushing many to the brink of collapse. In response, governments worldwide have provided vital support, albeit often insufficient, underscoring the necessity for sustainable mechanisms of intervention. Central to this discourse is an examination of how companies have adapted their financing policies amidst the pandemic’s tumult. Government-backed credit facilities have served as a critical lifeline for numerous businesses, emphasizing the need for sustainable financial instruments readily deployable in times of crisis. Concurrently, moratoriums on existing credit obligations have offered temporary relief, albeit with looming concerns regarding heightened corporate indebtedness. Moreover, the pandemic’s aftermath has witnessed a pronounced uptick in corporate borrowing, compounded by surging interest rates. This confluence underscores the exigency for companies to adopt sustainable financial strategies, mindful not only of short-term exigencies but also the enduring ramifications on financial stability. In navigating these challenges, a holistic approach to sustainability is imperative. Governments must ensure robust support mechanisms, while companies must proactively seek sustainable financing solutions. Concurrently, stakeholders must meticulously weigh the long-term repercussions of financial policy adjustments, thereby fortifying corporate resilience against future crises while safeguarding the stability of the global economy. In essence, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical imperative for sustainability in corporate finance. By heeding this call and embracing sustainable practices, businesses can navigate crises with greater resilience, ensuring not only their survival but also the enduring stability of the economic landscape.