This study aims to develop and validate a strategic model tailored to the unique challenges and contexts faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ecuador, enhancing their operational efficiency and access to financing. Employing a quantitative approach, the research utilized a non-experimental, cross-sectional design to gather data from a sample of 358 companies. The study revealed that MSMEs are significantly hindered by limited access to financing, lack of managerial skills, and technological gaps. Despite these challenges, MSMEs demonstrated considerable adaptability and resilience, underscoring their critical role in the local economy. The strategic model proposed leverages Porter’s Diamond Model to identify and address the specific competitive and operational challenges encountered by these enterprises. Key findings include the necessity for enhanced financial literacy, simplified regulatory frameworks, and the integration of digital technologies to improve competitiveness. The proposed model focuses on strategic training, fostering innovation, and creating a more supportive financing environment. The implications of this study are profound, suggesting that policymakers and practitioners should streamline regulatory processes, enhance financial and technological support frameworks, and provide tailored training programs. These strategies are intended to bolster the sustainability and growth of MSMEs, contributing to broader economic development. This research contributes to the academic literature by providing empirical evidence on the challenges faced by MSMEs in developing economies and proposing a contextually adapted strategic model to mitigate these challenges, thereby enhancing their economic impact and sustainability.

Vietnam’s economic evolution presents a compelling case of transformative growth driven by its distinctive historical, cultural, and policy landscapes. Since the watershed Đổi Mới reforms of 1986, the country has navigated the complexities of market liberalization, socialist principles, and international integration, achieving remarkable development while preserving its economic sovereignty. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study delves into the impacts of Đổi Mới, assessing the successes and ongoing challenges in Vietnam’s economic restructuring. Results indicate a remarkable shift in GDP contribution from agriculture to industry and services, with a burgeoning private sector and enhanced international trade and investment. However, challenges in achieving equitable growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability remain salient amid global economic shifts. Vietnam’s experience underscores the critical need for targeted reforms in workforce development, economic diversity, infrastructural enhancement, environmental stewardship, and regulatory and financial governance. Vietnam’s proactive stance on economic autonomy and global participation highlights the importance of a nuanced approach in navigating the changing international landscape. In summary, Vietnam’s journey through economic structural reform provides a unique perspective on navigating development within a socialist-oriented market framework, serving as a distinctive exemplar for similar emerging economies contending with the vibrant currents of globalization.

The study, focusing on Malaysian managers, employs a two-round Delphi research methodology to identify and rank variables influencing their emotional intelligence at work. The research is structured into five key areas, with factors ranked in ascending order of significance. Empathy and emotional resilience are deemed the most important, followed by emotional and self-awareness, work-life balance and stress management, social awareness and relationship management, learning and development, adaptability and continuous improvement, cultural and organizational dynamics, experience, and age. This study sheds light on the variables impacting Malaysian managers’ emotional intelligence skills and provides a ranking of key factors essential for successful development. It not only offers crucial guidance for personal and professional balance but also provides insightful recommendations for understanding and enhancing emotional intelligence skills in the workplace for Malaysian managers and organizations.

The current era of Industry 4.0, driven by advanced technologies, holds immense potential for revolutionising various industries and fostering substantial economic growth. However, comprehending intricate processes of policy change poses difficulties, impeding necessary adaptations. Public apprehensions are growing about the inertia and efficacy of policy changes, given the influential role of policy environments in shaping development amidst resource constraints. To address these concerns, the study introduces the Kaleidoscope Model of policy change, serving as a roadmap for policymakers to enact effective changes. The study investigates the mediating impact of cultural change within the framework of the Kaleidoscope Model. The study delves into cultural influences by incorporating the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) Theory. The methodology involves questionnaires survey, analysing using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The findings reveal that only the Policy Adoption and Policy Implementation components significantly affect the assessment of the effectiveness of the Construction 4.0 policy. Intriguingly, the final model demonstrates no discernible connection between the Kaleidoscope Model and the cultural influences. This study makes a noteworthy contribution to the realm of political science by furnishing a comprehensive framework and directives for the successful implementation of the Construction 4.0 policy.