This study validates the Intercultural Competence and Inclusion in Education Scale (ICIES), a novel instrument designed to assess students’ perceptions of inclusivity and intercultural competence in multiethnic secondary schools. Using a sample of 276 high school students from Western Romania, the ICIES identified three dimensions: ethnic appreciation and support, intercultural engagement and integration, and school unity and cohesion. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the scale’s structural validity, while network analysis revealed key interconnections among its components. Findings highlight the critical role of inclusive teaching strategies and school cohesion in fostering intercultural competence. The ICIES provides educators and policymakers with actionable insights for designing interventions that promote empathy, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging in diverse school settings. These results contribute to the development of educational policies aimed at fostering inclusion and addressing the needs of increasingly multicultural classrooms.

In today's competitive and complex business environment, achieving business excellence requires a combination of effective methodologies and strong leadership to drive and sustain organizational transformation. Lean Six Sigma (LSS), a proven methodology for improving operational efficiency, relies on effective leadership for successful implementation and lasting impact. This study examines how the integration of Lean, Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management (TQM) shapes leadership strategies that enhance organizational agility, resilience, and responsiveness to market dynamics. It highlights the crucial role of leadership in fostering collaboration, optimizing resource utilization, and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement. The study introduces the Structured Lean Leadership Framework as a strategic tool to develop the leadership capabilities essential for LSS success, addressing challenges such as weak leadership commitment, resistance to change, and communication barriers. Through the application of the DMAIC framework, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and Voice of Customer (VOC) analysis, the research aligns LSS with business objectives, customer needs, and sustainability goals. Additionally, it explores how combining LSS with Agile methodologies can improve operational efficiency, governance, and innovation, helping organizations better navigate future challenges. This research offers valuable insights for executives, practitioners, and researchers, supporting leadership development, data-driven decision-making, and long-term value creation. Future studies should focus on validating the Structured Lean Leadership Framework, exploring Agile-LSS integration in regulated industries, and examining the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on LSS and leadership.

This research aims to identify best practices and policy guidelines that foster sustainable urban ecotourism. As urban areas continue to expand, integrating ecotourism into urban planning emerges as a critical approach to sustainable development. This paper compares the policies and practices of urban ecotourism development in Thailand and China, aiming to construct a sustainable framework applicable to urban ecotourism development. Employing a comparative literature review, this research synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed journals, governmental reports, and case studies published between 2000 and 2024. The analysis focuses on the policies and practices adopted by Thailand and China to promote urban ecotourism, examining their effectiveness, challenges, and outcomes. The review shows distinct approaches in the two countries, with Thailand emphasizing community-based practices and stakeholder involvement and China primarily focusing on top-down policy initiatives for urban ecotourism development. Despite differing strategies, both countries demonstrate a commitment to integrating ecotourism into urban development plans. From the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic three dimensions, key successes include enhanced biodiversity conservation, increased local community participation, and improved tourist satisfaction. Challenges such as inadequate policy implementation, environmental degradation, and the sustainability of ecotourism practices are also discussed. The conclusion is that a holistic approach to urban ecotourism development that aligns policy and practice with the principles of sustainability is meaningful. The proposed framework offers actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and ecotourism practitioners aiming to use the potential of ecotourism as a tool for sustainable urban development in Thailand, China, and beyond.

This study investigates the optimization of ride-sharing services (RSS) on the ride-hailing service (RHS) providers in Bangladesh. This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed method research design- a qualitative study followed by a quantitative one. Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with twenty (20) riders and drivers in Bangladesh, and quantitative data were collected from 300 respondents consisting of riders and drivers using a convenience sampling technique. Factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to the data analysis. The qualitative analysis reveals several significant factors associated with RSS and RHS, including cost efficiency, fare, fuel consumption, traffic congestion, carbon emissions, environmental pollution, employment opportunities, business growth, and security. The quantitative results indicate that using RSS is associated with more significant benefits than RHS in various aspects, including cost efficiency, fare, fuel consumption, traffic congestion, carbon emissions, environmental pollution, employment opportunities, and expansion of the automobile industry. The findings may assist policymakers in understanding how RSS can yield more incredible economic, environmental, and social benefits than RHS by analyzing fare sharing among passengers, carbon emissions, fuel consumption, and the expansion of the vehicle markets etc. Therefore, the government can formulate distinct policies for RSS holders due to their contributions to economic, social, and environmental concerns. While RHS services are available in many cities in Bangladesh, this study considered only Dhaka and Sylhet cities. Thus, future studies can consider more respondents from other cities for a holistic understanding.

Corporate performance is the key indicator of availing the economic performances in all economies. Especially for the emerging economy, it is the oxygen for smooth economic operations. The study aims to investigate the influence of board characteristics on the corporate performance of the listed pharmaceuticals and chemicals sector from a developing country, namely Bangladesh. This empirical study examines eight attributes of the board and four financial performance indicators of the businesses. Here, the annual reports of the DSE-listed pharmaceutical and chemicals companies are considered to examine the impact of board attributes on corporate performance. Based on panel data analysis, this empirical study concludes that the fixed effect regression model is suitable for all four models. Except board size, the results demonstrate that all board attributes are generally statistically significant. Furthermore, it confirms that all the significant characteristics of the board are positively associated with corporate performance, except for board independence. The research offers valuable insights for policymakers, investors, organizations, and scholars, promoting optimal board structures, innovative solutions, and an enhanced understanding of corporate governance matters. This research explores the challenges in board attributes, which enhances our understanding of corporate governance matters and their impact over the last decade in the listed pharmaceutical and chemicals sectors in Bangladesh.

This research delves into the intricate world of lacquer art in East Asia, aiming to unravel the relationships among artisan perspectives, aesthetic values, and the contemporary relevance of this ancient craft. The purpose is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how historical development, apprenticeship traditions, and evolving aesthetic values shape the intricate landscape of lacquer artistry. Employing a qualitative approach, this study conducts in-depth interviews with artisans and experts in the field of lacquer art. The research involves a comparative analysis of past literature, drawing upon historical and contemporary works to contextualize the findings within the broader trajectory of lacquer art. Thematic analysis is also applied to unravel the nuances of artisan perspectives, the transmission of knowledge through apprenticeship traditions, and the cultural and aesthetic dimensions embedded in lacquer paintings. This mixed-methods approach enriches the study by providing a holistic and nuanced exploration of the identified variables. The findings illuminate the enduring significance of apprenticeship traditions in preserving traditional lacquer techniques, with artisans actively navigating challenges posed by globalization and digital platforms. Aesthetic values, including symbolism and visual harmony, are revealed as integral components contributing to the narrative richness of lacquer paintings. The study uncovers the dynamic relationships among these variables, emphasizing the adaptive nature of lacquer art in a contemporary context. The implications extend to cultural preservation, heritage management, and educational initiatives, offering valuable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and educators involved in the realm of traditional crafts. The study contributes to theoretical frameworks on cultural continuity, knowledge transmission, and the socio-cultural dynamics of artistic practices.