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.

The study aims to investigate the relationship between ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) performance on bank value when moderated by loan loss reserves. Using all 11 Thai listed banks for the period 2017–2021, data were collected from Bloomberg database, the official website of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SETSMART), and Bank of Thailand, totalling 55 observations. The selected CAMEL indicators served as the control variables. Multiple linear regression and conditional effect analyses were executed using Tobin’s Q as a bank value. This study carefully tested the validity of the dataset, including fixed and random effects. The research outcomes demonstrate the interaction between ESG performance and loan loss reserves has a notably negative effect on the association between ESG performance and bank value. Subsequent analysis reveals that the negative influence of ESG performance on bank value is more pronounced with higher levels of loan loss reserves. These findings have important implications for bankers, investors, and policymakers, offering insights into the dynamics of ESG and loan loss reserves considerations.

Local community members play a critical role in the success of conservation projects, which in turn have the potential to influence the perceptions of local people. Relationships matter when it comes to sustainable long-term conservation and community well-being. The study aims to establish the relationship between local communities and wildlife conservation organizations in the context of Phinda Private Game Reserve and the Mnqobokazi community, located in South Africa. Data was collected using the qualitative methods of interviews and focus group discussions. The findings show that a symbiotic relationship between conservation organizations and local community members is critical in conserving the environment. The research indicates that both participation and benefits result in improved perceptions towards the protected area and a strong positive relationship. The accrual of benefits also appears to result in pro-environmental consciousness amongst community members. Several existing studies examine participation or benefit-sharing in community-based tourism in developing nations. However, less is known about the relationships between local communities and conservation organizations and the effect of participation and beneficiation on these relationships. This research narrows this gap in the body of knowledge by qualitatively examining a single case study. The findings add value to global collaborative efforts aimed at achieving positive relationships between communities and conservation management.

The scientific discourse on university towns (UT) has progressed for a long time, with a surge of interest in recent years. However, a global overview of the research conducted on this topic have yet to exist. This paper aims to re-examine the relationship between UT and urbanization in literature. Built environment and people are often the most talked aspects in UT literatures. The variety of definitions remains largely uncharted. Policies behind UT development are also rarely studied. This article used an R studio-based bibliometric literature review to synthesize findings from various scientific literature. Keywords related to university towns and urban were used in digital search engines to examine and analyse the literature. Results revealed a significant gap in scientific research on critical theoretical concepts that planners can use as a guide in creating, formulating, and evaluating UT, especially in developing countries. This study promotes simplification of existing literature by examining the impact of UT on the stakeholders involved.

The study examines the relationship between EPS and the gearing ratios and return on equity (ROE) ratio of 9 public listed firms on the Malaysian Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2022 financial years. The firms are selected at random. From this study it was established that there is a negative relation between EPS and gearing and a positive relation between EPS and ROE. Companies that want to attract more investors need to keep their gearing ratio low and increase the return on equity ratio high. To obtain the benefits of gearing or external funding, there need to be a balance between equity and debts. There is no one optimal balance between debt and equity. This balance is difference for each company and the sector they operate in. It is important for managers of companies to find the optimal balance between debt and equity, unique to their company.