Through Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) on destination attractiveness characteristics at the country level, this study identifies attribute configurations in the pre- and post-pandemic period to analyze the changes and differences generated by an exogenous event (COVID-19). The results suggest that the destination attractiveness attributes work together, in multidimensional configurations, to increase leisure travel volume. We found an important change in pat-terns/configurations of attractiveness between the pre- and post-pandemic scenarios. Our findings suggest that the destination attributes may change in importance and valuation or disappear for some configurations. The conclusion has implications for the stakeholders related to the destination attractiveness development, showing possible patterns of tourism attributes to guide the action to improve the resilience in the tourism sector and recover these activities in a disaster scenario.

This study examines factors associated with an increasingly poor perception of the novel coronavirus in Africa using a designed electronic questionnaire to collect perception-based information from participants across Africa from twenty-one African countries (and from all five regions of Africa) between 1 and 25 February 2022. The study received 66.7% of responses from West Africa, 12.7% from Central Africa, 4.6% from Southern Africa, 15% from East Africa, and 1% from North Africa. The majority of the participants are Nigerians (56%), 14.1% are Cameroonians, 8.7% are Ghanaians, 9.3% are Kenyans, 2% are South Africans, 2.1% are DR-Congolese, 1.6% are Tanzanians, 1.2% are Rwandans, 0.4% are Burundians, and others are Botswana’s, Chadians, Comoros, Congolese, Gambians, Malawians, South Sudanese, Sierra Leoneans, Ugandans, Zambians, and Zimbabweans. All responses were coded on a five-point Likert scale. The study adopts descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, and binary logistic regression analysis for the data analysis. The descriptive analysis of the study shows that the level of ignorance or poor “perception” of COVID-19 in Africa is very high (87% of individuals sampled). It leads to skepticism towards complying with preventive measures as advised by the WHO and directed by the national government across Africa. We adopted logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with a poor perception of the virus in Africa. The study finds that religion (belief or faith) and media misinformation are the two leading significant causes of ignorance or poor “perception” of COVID-19 in Africa, with log odd of 0.4775 (resulting in 1.6120 odd ratios) and 1.3155 (resulting in 3.7265 odd ratios), respectively. The study concludes that if the poor attitude or perception towards complying with the preventive measures continues, COVID-19 cases in Africa may increase beyond the current spread.

Comparative analysis of the development history of sports social organizations in China, Japan and South Korea from multiple perspectives, in order to provide reference suggestions for solving the existing problems of the development of sports social organizations in China as well as for the sustainable development in the future. This paper explores the optimization path of sports social organizations in China by using the literature method and comparative analysis method. The study finds that the current development of sports social organizations in Japan and South Korea is characterized by independence and autonomy, a relatively rich number and variety of organizations, mutual separation of powers and responsibilities between government agencies and social organizations, and autonomous operation and efficient governance of sports social organizations. The development of sports social organizations in China has reached a new level since the founding of New China, and the Party’s attention to and support for their development has been increasing, but China still has deficiencies in the number of organizations, organizational capacity, and policy system. The study concludes that Japan and South Korea have three development conditions for sports social organizations: a socially oriented governance system, a more complete policy and regulation system, and a standardized and efficient financial support system. The study concludes that the prosperity of sports social organizations is crucial in building a strong sports nation at the present time. Combining the successful experiences of Japan and South Korea and integrating into China’s national conditions, we strive to build a governance system that combines government and society, construct a diversified financial support system, and improve the policy support system for sports organizations to promote the progress of sports social organizations in China, and open the way for the autonomy and independence of sports social organizations in China, and put the improvement of the governance system of sports social organizations on the agenda.

Research on zakat has captured the attention of scholars since 1981, exhibiting an increasing trend in publications and citations. This trend presents an opportunity for the author to delve into zakat research. The primary aim of this study is to dissect 10 years of zakat research, spanning from 2013 to 2022, with a focus on evaluating past achievements, current research patterns, and potential future research directions. Utilising bibliometric analysis as the primary tool, this study has formulated seven research questions derived from the primary objective. Key findings indicate a consistent upward trajectory in both publication and citation rates over the past decade, with 2013 being a pivotal year. Notably, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia emerged as the top three countries actively contributing to zakat research during this period. This study further outlines eight contemporary research trends, exploring various facets of zakat over the past decade. Additionally, this study identifies four prospective areas in zakat for future scholars to explore. This study's outcomes offer three significant contributions: 1) signalling to scholars that zakat research continues to burgeon; 2) providing inspiration and ideas for current scholars; and 3) motivating future scholars to embark on research ventures in untapped areas within the realm of zakat.

Amid the relentless grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainability has emerged as a paramount concern across global economies. As businesses grapple with unprecedented challenges, the imperative for sustainable practices in corporate finance becomes increasingly evident. Throughout this crisis, companies have faced staggering financial strains, with diminished turnovers and escalating operational costs pushing many to the brink of collapse. In response, governments worldwide have provided vital support, albeit often insufficient, underscoring the necessity for sustainable mechanisms of intervention. Central to this discourse is an examination of how companies have adapted their financing policies amidst the pandemic’s tumult. Government-backed credit facilities have served as a critical lifeline for numerous businesses, emphasizing the need for sustainable financial instruments readily deployable in times of crisis. Concurrently, moratoriums on existing credit obligations have offered temporary relief, albeit with looming concerns regarding heightened corporate indebtedness. Moreover, the pandemic’s aftermath has witnessed a pronounced uptick in corporate borrowing, compounded by surging interest rates. This confluence underscores the exigency for companies to adopt sustainable financial strategies, mindful not only of short-term exigencies but also the enduring ramifications on financial stability. In navigating these challenges, a holistic approach to sustainability is imperative. Governments must ensure robust support mechanisms, while companies must proactively seek sustainable financing solutions. Concurrently, stakeholders must meticulously weigh the long-term repercussions of financial policy adjustments, thereby fortifying corporate resilience against future crises while safeguarding the stability of the global economy. In essence, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical imperative for sustainability in corporate finance. By heeding this call and embracing sustainable practices, businesses can navigate crises with greater resilience, ensuring not only their survival but also the enduring stability of the economic landscape.

The well-being of society can be realized through meeting basic needs, one of which is providing public infrastructure. This study examines the role of Natural Resource Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH SDA) on government investment in infrastructure in 491 regencies/cities in Indonesia. The testing in this research uses panel data regression analysis. The results show that per capita DBH SDA in Indonesia during the study period of 2010–2012 has a significant and positive influence on government investment in infrastructure. The selection of this period is based on the consideration that a resources boom has occurred, where there is an increased global demand for natural resource commodities followed by an increase in commodity prices, thereby positively impacting revenue for countries or regions abundant in natural resources. Despite DBH SDA having a significant and positive influence, regional spending on infrastructure tends to be more influenced by central government transfers such as General Allocation Fund (DAU), Special Allocation Fund (DAK), and Local Own-source Revenue (PAD). It was found that government investment in infrastructure tends to be influenced by transfer funds, indicating that the role of the central government remains significant in determining the infrastructure expenditure of regencies/cities in Indonesia.