This study explores the impact of environmental degradation on public debt in the largest Southeast Asian (ASEAN-5) countries. Prior research has not examined environmental degradation as a possible determinant of public debt in the ASEAN region. As such, the primary objective is to examine key determinants of public debt, notably economic growth, trade openness, investment, and environmental degradation. Utilizing the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) method and data from 1996 to 2021, the study reveals a negative correlation between investment and public debt. Conversely, a positive relationship exists between economic growth, environmental degradation, and public debt levels. These findings hold significant implications for policymakers seeking to craft effective economic and environmental strategies to ensure sustainable development in the ASEAN-5 region. Stronger economic growth can drive up public debt. Importantly, the study highlights the importance of tailored approaches, considering each country’s unique fiscal and developmental characteristics. Applying the Two-Gap Model enhances the understanding of these complex dynamics in shaping public debt and its relationship with environmental factors.

This study aims to determine the level of satisfaction of business actors with halal certification services by the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH), the only Indonesian government-owned agency for halal certification. This study uses a mixed method (quantitative-qualitative), with data collected using questionnaires involving 2367 respondents. The overall quality of certification services was evaluated using key dimensions from the perspective of the Service Quality Model (SERVQUAL), such as (1) certification requirements, (2) information and procedures, (3) completion time, (4) costs/tariffs, (5) service products, (6) competencies of executors, (7) executor behavior, (8) complaint handling, and (9) suggestions and inputs. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and the analysis of the weighted average of each dimension of satisfaction with the quality of public services. This study revealed that the overall satisfaction level of business actors was 84.86 (0–100). Among the nine indicators measured, eight fall within the “good” category (above 80.19); one indicator, i.e., the processing time of halal certification, was rated unsatisfactory (76.45); and none was classified as “very good.” The service gap between business actors’ expectations and BPJPH’s service delivery indicates the need to improve halal certification services. These include improvement in completion time, the executive’s behavior, costs, infrastructure, and information and procedures to streamline the certification process. The application of the SERVQUAL model in assessing halal certification standards in this study highlights the specific dimensions of service quality and the performance gaps, suggesting the need for continuous improvement to meet customer expectations effectively. This study examines halal certification services from BPJPH based on inputs from a large sample of Indonesian companies.

Smart cities incorporate fundamental aspects such as sustainability and citizens’ well-being. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the feasibility and effectiveness of the implementation of an evaluation model of the transformation processes towards smart cities as a strategy to improve the state of the transformation processes in Lima, Peru. The research is descriptive and basic. A questionnaire was administered to 80 municipal officials in Lima, focusing on the variable “smart cities evaluation model”, covering three key dimensions: open data, smart public transport and energy efficiency, with a total of 15 questions and the variable “state of the transformation processes”, analysed through the dimensions of educational level of the population and municipal budget, with 10 questions. The results revealed that 48% expressed a gap in terms of the availability and quality of accessible information. 53% argued that stronger energy conservation and sustainability strategies need to be implemented. In addition, 53% felt that the education level needs to focus on improving local education systems. In conclusion, transformation processes drive economic, social and environmental development, improving the quality of life and promoting equality among citizens. This study contributes to a broader understanding of how to address these challenges in order to build more sustainable and liveable cities in the future.