The study has formulated the objective of synthesizing the extent to which technological barriers intervene in the transparency and effectiveness of public management (PM). Methodologically, the study was of a fundamental or basic nature, with a systematic review design, the databases of Scopus (369), SciELO (2), Web of Science (184) were explored, after the review process a set of 22 articles was available. The registration was made in an Excel table where the main data of the articles were included. 32% of the articles selected for the analysis of the evidence are from the period 2020, 27% were from 2022 and 18% from the year 2023; as far as origin is concerned, 14% of the articles come from Peru and 9% from Australia, Brazil, South Korea, Spain and Indonesia. In summary, the study points out that government institutions are making progress in digitizing and improving the citizen experience through electronic services, but they face challenges in areas such as resource management, the low adoption of advanced technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, as well as the lack of transparency in PM. Despite this, it is highlighted that e-government improves citizen satisfaction, and the need to invest in digital innovation, training and overcoming technological barriers to achieve an effective transformation in state administration and promote a more inclusive and advanced society is emphasized.

Olive production is threatened by a fungal pathogen, Armillaria mellea (Vahl. Fr.) P. Kumm.,causing decline in trees worldwide. Effectiveness of once and twice applications of fungicides hexaconazole, propicoconazole and thiophanate-methyl and application of biological agent (Trichoderma harzianum) to control A. mellea was studied at orchard scale during four years. T. harzianum inhibited the pathogen growth on agar media. This antagonistic fungus provided a 25% control efficiency of A. mellea on olive trees younger than 15 years which was the same as control efficiency of once application of hexaconazole. Control efficiencies as perfect as 100% were determined on younger (<15 years old) diseased olive trees treated with once applications of thiophanate-methyl and hexaconazole, and twice applications of thiophanate-methyl. Moreover, olive tree age was significantly effective on fungicidal control efficiency. Hence, this four-year research advanced our understanding of sustainable olive production in study region and other geographical areas with similar agro-ecological characteristics.

Manual scavenging refers to the practice of manually cleaning, carrying, disposing or handling human excreta from dry latrines and sewers. It is one of the most dehumanizing and deplorable practices that violate basic human rights and dignity. This practice is linked to India’s caste system where so-called lower castes are expected to perform this job. Despite being outlawed in 1993, manual scavenging continues to exist in India due to socio-economic discrimination and lack of rehabilitation of manual scavengers. This paper attempts to provide an in-depth understanding. The harsh realities by qualitative systemic review of manual scavenging in India and how it negatively impacts human rights. It reviews relevant literature on the prevalence, causes, adverse effects, and laws against manual scavenging. The results indicate that manual scavenging is still practiced across many states in India. Manual scavengers face grave health hazards and socio-economic hardships. The laws against manual scavenging have failed to abolish this practice due to administrative apathy, lack of rehabilitation support for liberated scavengers, and continued prevalence of dry latrines necessitating manual disposal of excreta. The paper emphasizes the need for more concerted efforts by the government and civil society to end manual scavenging to uphold human rights, dignity, and justice for all. There is an urgent need for extensive awareness campaigns, social support, and proper rehabilitation of liberated scavengers into alternative professions.

In the Indian context, financial planning for salaried individuals has gained increased importance due to economic fluctuations, rising living costs, and the need for robust retirement planning. Despite its importance, there is limited research on the specific factors that influence financial decision-making among salaried employees in India. Understanding these determinants is essential for developing effective strategies to enhance financial well-being among employees. This study explores the key factors influencing financial decision-making among employees, including financial goals, emergency savings, retirement planning, budgeting, financial confidence and literacy, financial stress, use of tax-saving instruments, income level, risk tolerance, and debt levels. A sample of 549 employees from diverse sectors in Uttar Pradesh participated in this research, highlighting the critical aspects of personal financial management that impact financial well-being. The study used a questionnaire-based survey to gather data on factors affecting financial decision-making. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were employed to identify significant predictors. The results reveal that financial literacy, access to resources, attitudes toward retirement planning, and cultural norms significantly influence financial decisions. Additionally, income level, job stability, and social support are crucial in shaping employees’ financial planning. The study recommends enhancing employees’ financial decision-making by offering financial education programs, budgeting tools, retirement planning assistance, debt management programs, tax planning workshops, financial counselling services, and employer match programs for retirement savings. These initiatives aim to boost financial literacy and confidence, enabling employees to make informed financial decisions and improve their financial well-being.

Over the past decade, the integration of technology, particularly gamification, has initiated a substantial transformation within the field of education. However, educators frequently confront the challenge of identifying suitable competitive game-based learning platforms amidst the growing emphasis on cultivating creativity within the classroom and effectively integrating technology into pedagogical practices. The current study examines students and faculty continuous intention to use gamification in higher education. The data was collected through an online survey with a sample size of 763 Pakistani respondents from various universities around Pakistan. The structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and to investigate how continuous intention to use gamification is influenced by, extended TAM model with inclusion of variables such as task technology fit, social influence, social recognition and hedonic motivation. The results have shown that task technology has no significant influence on perceived usefulness (PU) where as it has a significant influence on perceived ease of use (PEOU). Social influence (SI) indicates no significant influence on perceived ease of use. Social recognition (SR) indicates positive influence on perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and continuous intention. The dimensional analysis indicated that perceived ease of use has insignificant influence on perceived usefulness. Both PEOU and PU exhibit positive influence on attitude. Hedonic motivation (HM) and attitude were observed to have a positive influence on continuous intention (CI). Moreover, gamification is found to efficiently and effectively achieve meaningful goals by tapping intrinsic motivation of the users through engaging them in playful experiences.

This study investigates how financial literacy affects the financial health of Saudi Arabian banking industry workers in Saudi Arabia. The study uses a sample of 183 individuals and a comprehensive framework that includes components like financial behaviour, risk management, financial planning, financial knowledge, financial confidence, financial communication, and overall financial pleasure. The study finds strong positive correlations between many aspects of financial well-being and financial literacy through correlation and regression analysis. Notably, risk management, financial behaviour, overall financial contentment, and financial confidence are all positively impacted by financial literacy. The results underscore the multifaceted character of financial well-being and underscore the critical function of financial literacy in moulding favourable financial consequences. Furthermore, the study pinpoints particular domains in which focused financial literacy initiatives might be executed to augment the general financial welfare of banking industry staff members. The study sheds light on the relationship between financial literacy and well-being in a particular occupational context, which is significant information for both the academic and practical domains. The banking industry needs customized financial education programs because of the social and management ramifications. These programs will help the community’s overall financial health in addition to providing benefits to individual employees. In its conclusion, the study makes recommendations for other research directions, such as longitudinal studies and examinations of the function of digital financial literacy in the changing banking environment.