The sustainable development of the global economy and society necessitates the integration of environmental and socially responsible management, known as ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance). Despite growing recognition of ESG’s importance, the strategic management of ESG factors in Kazakhstan’s telecommunications industry remains underexplored. This study bridges this gap by analyzing Kazakh telecom’s ESG strategies from 2019 to 2021 through a cross-sectional design and semi-structured interviews with 12 industry experts. Utilizing the National Rating Agency (NRA) methodology, the research evaluates environmental, social, and governance variables. Key findings reveal that Kazakh telecom excels in “Climate Change” and “Human Capital Management” but needs significant improvements in “Environmental Impact” and “Society.” The study offers specific recommendations such as enhancing corporate volunteering, responsible marketing, service quality, and integrating sustainable practices. The primary contributions of this research include actionable insights for improving ESG strategies in telecommunications companies and advocating for more systematic and standardized ESG assessment approaches. This study expands the understanding of how ESG principles can enhance competitiveness and sustainable development in the telecommunications industry, providing valuable guidance for industry practitioners and policymakers. It offers insights into effective ESG implementation practices and highlights critical areas requiring attention to drive sustainable development in telecommunications.

Malaria is an infectious disease that poses a significant global health threat, particularly to children and pregnant women. Specifically, in 2020, Rampah Village, Kutambaru sub-district, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, reported 22 malaria cases, accounting for 84% of the local cases. This study aims to develop a malaria prevention model by leveraging community capital in Rampah Village. A mixed-method sequential explanatory approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, was employed. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires from a sample of 200 respondents and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Smart PLS (Partial Least Squares) software. The qualitative component utilized a phenomenological design, gathering data through interviews. Quantitative findings indicate that natural capital significantly influences malaria prevention principles. There is also a positive and significant relationship between developmental capital and malaria prevention. Cultural capital shows a positive correlation with malaria prevention, as does social capital. The qualitative phase identified cultural capital within the Karo tribe, such as ‘Rakut si Telu,’ which signifies familial bonds fostering mutual aid and respect. The results of this study are crucial for formulating policies and redesigning community-capital-based malaria prevention programs. These programs can be effectively implemented through cross-sectoral collaboration among health departments, local government, and community members. Malaria is a communicable disease threatening global health, particularly affecting children and pregnant women. In 2020, there were 229 million cases of Malaria worldwide, resulting in 409,000 deaths. In Indonesia, specifically in North Sumatra’s Langkat Regency, Kutambaru District, Rampah Village had 22 cases (84%). The purpose of this research is to formulate a Malaria prevention model using community resources in Rampah Village, Kutambaru District, Langkat Regency. The study employed a mixed-methods sequential explanatory approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires, with 200 respondents, and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis using smart PLS (Partial Least Squares) software. Qualitative data was gathered through interviews. The research findings showed a positive relationship between cultural modalities and Malaria prevention (p = 0.000) with a path coefficient T-value of 12.500. The cultural modality and Malaria prevention relationship were significantly positive (p = 0.000) with a path coefficient T-value of 3.603. A positive and significant correlation also exists between development modalities and Malaria prevention (p = 0.011) with a path coefficient T-value of 2.555. Qualitative research revealed the Rakut si Telu cultural modality of the Karo tribe, meaning that family-based social connections create a sense of helping and respecting one another. The Orat si Waluh cultural modality represents daily life practices in the Karo tribe as a form of community-based Malaria prevention.

Tourism experiences are inherently multisensory, engaging visitors’ senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. This study addresses the gap in literature by investigating the impact of visual and auditory landscapes on tourist emotions and behaviors within coastal tourism settings, using the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model. Data collected from tourists in Sanya, China, were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that both visualscape and soundscape significantly influence tourist emotions (pleasure and arousal) and subsequent loyalty. Pleasure and arousal mediate the relationships between environmental stimuli and tourist loyalty, emphasizing their roles as emotional bridges between the environment and behaviors. These findings highlight the importance of integrating local cultural and community elements into tourism to enhance socio-economic benefits and ensure sustainable development. By fostering a deep connection between tourists and the local environment, these sensory experiences support the preservation of cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism practices, aligning with the goals of economic development and public policy. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of multisensory tourism by integrating the SOR model in coastal tourism and emphasizes the roles of visual and auditory stimuli. Practically, it provides insights for tourism managers to improve tourist experiences and loyalty through careful management of sensory elements. This has implications for infrastructure development, particularly in enhancing the quality of soft infrastructure such as cultural and social systems, which are crucial for sustainable tourism and community well-being. Future research could include additional sensory dimensions and diverse destinations for a comprehensive understanding of sensory influences on tourist behaviors and emotions. This research aligns with the broader goals of the policy and development by addressing critical aspects of infrastructure and socio-economic development within the tourism sector.

This case study employs the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) theory as a conceptual framework, utilizing semi-structured interviews combined with focus group discussions to uncover the driving forces influencing rural revitalization and sustainable development within communities. ABCD is considered a transformative approach that emphasizes achieving sustainable development by mobilizing existing resources within the community. Conducted against the backdrop of rural revitalization in China, the study conducts on-site investigations in Yucun, Zhejiang Province. Through the analysis of Yucun’s community development and asset utilization practices, the study reveals successful experiences in various aspects, including community construction, industrial development, cultural heritage preservation, ecological conservation, organizational management, and open economic thinking. The results indicate that Yucun’s sustainable development benefits from its unique resources, leveraging policy advantages, collective financial organizations, and open economic thinking, among other factors. These elements collectively drive rural revitalization in Yucun, leading to sustainable development.

This research aims to identify best practices and policy guidelines that foster sustainable urban ecotourism. As urban areas continue to expand, integrating ecotourism into urban planning emerges as a critical approach to sustainable development. This paper compares the policies and practices of urban ecotourism development in Thailand and China, aiming to construct a sustainable framework applicable to urban ecotourism development. Employing a comparative literature review, this research synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed journals, governmental reports, and case studies published between 2000 and 2024. The analysis focuses on the policies and practices adopted by Thailand and China to promote urban ecotourism, examining their effectiveness, challenges, and outcomes. The review shows distinct approaches in the two countries, with Thailand emphasizing community-based practices and stakeholder involvement and China primarily focusing on top-down policy initiatives for urban ecotourism development. Despite differing strategies, both countries demonstrate a commitment to integrating ecotourism into urban development plans. From the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic three dimensions, key successes include enhanced biodiversity conservation, increased local community participation, and improved tourist satisfaction. Challenges such as inadequate policy implementation, environmental degradation, and the sustainability of ecotourism practices are also discussed. The conclusion is that a holistic approach to urban ecotourism development that aligns policy and practice with the principles of sustainability is meaningful. The proposed framework offers actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and ecotourism practitioners aiming to use the potential of ecotourism as a tool for sustainable urban development in Thailand, China, and beyond.

Organizations are gradually focusing on creating a healthy workplace for their employees and becoming more people-centric. This occurs because a healthy workforce increases the work performance of the organisation and the personal development of its employees. This study aims to investigate the HR functions that impact employee motivation in the Malaysian banking sector. The three HR functions that were selected were training and development, rewards and recognition, and career management. The study utilised a cross-sectional design, and the research instruments were adapted from a number of past studies. A total of 350 respondents from the Malaysian banking industry were recruited. Using SPSS Version 26.0, the research hypotheses were examined. The results show that rewards and recognition are not significant predictors of employee motivation in the Malaysian banking industry; however, training and development and career management are significant predictors of employee motivation. These results will help the human resources department develop and improve its HR operations.