This study examines the impact of innovation governance and policies on government funding for emerging science and technology sectors in Saudi Arabia, addressing key bureaucratic, regulatory, and cultural barriers. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews with quantitative survey data to provide a comprehensive under-standing of the current innovation landscape. Findings indicate a high level of policy awareness among stakeholders but reveal significant challenges in practical implementation due to bureaucratic inefficiencies and stringent regulations. Cultural barriers, such as a risk-averse mindset and traditional business practices, further impede innovation. Successful initiatives like the National Transformation Program (NTP) demonstrate the potential for well-coordinated efforts, highlighting the importance of regulatory reform and cultural shifts towards entrepreneurship. Strategic recommendations include streamlining bureaucratic processes, enhancing policy coordination, and fostering a culture of innovation through education and stakeholder engagement. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering actionable insights to enhance innovation governance, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
This study investigates how corruption impacts sustainability in African countries. Using public databases, the research draws on the African Development Bank’s corruption indicators and the World Bank’s financial inclusion metrics. The findings reveal that as financial inclusion increases, particularly through the use of digital financial services, perceptions of corruption decrease. However, economic growth paradoxically correlates with an increased perception of corruption due to rising consumption demands. The study concludes that promoting financial literacy, along with robust governance, is essential for combating corruption and fostering sustainable development.
The global significance of the energy crisis and the need for a sustainable European electricity system have intensified interest in renewable energy sources. This study aims to explore the attitudes toward solar energy systems among the population of the North Transdanubian region, which is crucial for companies in the region specializing in solar system installation. The research sheds light on trends in energy prices, potential strategies for addressing the energy crisis, and the regulatory environment for solar systems in Hungary and Austria, focusing on the Burgenland region. The study is divided into two main sections: secondary and primary research. The secondary research presents various applications of renewable energy sources, especially solar energy, and examines energy pricing trends in the two countries, with particular emphasis on the payback period and the impact of changes in energy prices. The primary research is also divided into two parts: the first examines the satisfaction of customers who already use solar systems, and the second focuses on the attitudes of potential customers toward solar investments. The findings provide a comprehensive view of both current users’ and prospective investors’ perspectives on solar energy systems. The practical significance of this research lies in identifying development opportunities for companies, advancing energy efficiency goals, and supporting sustainability efforts.
Rural sub-Saharan Africa faces limited medical access, healthcare worker shortages, and inadequate health information systems. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies offer potential solutions but remain underdeveloped in these settings. This review aims to explore the sociocultural context of mHealth adoption in rural sub-Saharan Africa to support sustainable implementation. A comprehensive Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) search was conducted in databases like PubMed, MEDLINE, and African Journals Online, covering peer-reviewed literature from 2010 to 2024. Qualitative studies of mHealth interventions were included, with quality assessed via the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist and data synthesized using a meta-ethnographic approach. Out of 892 studies, 38 met the inclusion criteria. Key findings include sociocultural factors like community trust influencing technology acceptance, local implementation strategies, user empowerment in health decisions, and innovative solutions for infrastructure issues. Challenges include privacy concerns, increased healthcare worker workload, and intervention sustainability. While mHealth can reduce healthcare barriers, success depends on sociocultural alignment and adaptability. Future interventions should prioritize community co-design, privacy protection, and sustainable, infrastructure-aware models.
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