In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on boosting domestic tourism. Municipalities need economic and management skills. Different marketing strategies may be appropriate in different regions. Local marketing significantly impacts local economies and is crucial to regional and urban development. Local advertising positively correlates with tourism expenditure. Our previous systematic literature review reviewed publications published in place marketing and place management. The research reviewed can be divided into case studies, model analysis, and qualitative or quantitative research on stakeholders. Identification of variables that significantly impact a settlement’s sustainable economic and social development through a comprehensive systematic literature review of 20 case studies. Once characterised these variables will reveal their interrelationships. Our research is based on a thematic analysis of selected literature from the WoS and Scopus databases. Based on the text analysis, we compiled and characterised the variables. An expert focus group tested the variables. Our analysis will result in the creation of a practical and easily interpretable set of variables that will serve as a user-friendly tool. This practical tool offers an easily interpretable overview for future researchers and practitioners. The methodological basis of the new type model allows researchers to move away from the most common and traditional research methods and explore the field from a new and innovative perspective with fresh methods. Limitations and future research directions: The variables need to be expanded, and the relationships need to be further tested with the involvement of participants.

This study aims to analyze the level of political participation in the upcoming 2024 Simultaneous Regional Head Elections in West Sulawesi Province. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to assess the political participation index and patterns of participation behavior. The research was conducted from January to April 2024, focusing on participants aged 20 years and above, all of whom were registered voters. The target population included active voters from various districts in West Sulawesi, using stratified sampling to ensure demographic and geographic representation. The sample comprised 122 survey respondents and 15 key informants selected purposively based on their roles in the electoral process. Results indicate that political participation is projected to increase compared to previous elections, though gaps remain between districts. Districts with better access to information and local leaders’ involvement show higher participation. Factors influencing participation include: (1) demographic factors, with the 30–45 age group showing higher participation, while younger generations (under 30 years) demonstrate apathy; (2) socio-cultural factors, where traditional norms and the role of religious leaders influence voter mobilization; and (3) political factors, including trust in candidates and local issues such as infrastructure. Barriers to participation include a lack of political education, apathy due to dissatisfaction with government performance, and administrative issues. Efforts to enhance participation include community-based education and social media, although these have not been fully optimized.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order (MCO) have had a negative impact on the financial well-being and digital well-being of B40 or small household income families in urban areas. In responding to the crisis, the government had launched multiple assistance programs to assist the group. Hence, the study intends to examine the relationship of government assistance towards digital and financial well-being of the group. Utilizing survey, the study involved 417 respondents living at the Public Housing Project (PPR) residential areas in Kuala Lumpur—the capital of Malaysia. The data was analyzed using Smart PLS and the key findings were (1) government assistance programs significantly affect the digital well-being and financial well-being of B40 urban families. However, there is no significant relationship between financial well-being and digital well-being. Besides, the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) indicated that the importance of government assistance programs towards digital well-being performance is higher than financial well-being. The assistance programs offered by the government plays essential role to ease the digital and financial constraints of B40 urban families during a difficult time. Reforms to the government assistance programs, the empowerment of digital aid packages, and the enhancement of social security net initiatives for B40 urban families are necessary to enhance the group’s preparedness and resilience in the face of new shocks in the future.

The term “financial literacy” is used to describe an individual’s capacity to comprehend and utilise financial concepts in their everyday lives. These include, but are not limited to, the management of personal finances, financial planning, saving, investing, and the analysis of financial products. Notwithstanding the considerable attention it has received in the academic literature, there remain significant research gaps. The objective is to examine the research trends in the adoption of financial literacy. The methodology employed was a systematic literature review, utilising Scopus and Web of Science as the data sources, in the 2018–2024-time window. The most frequently employed instruments were identified as surveys and questionnaires. The majority of studies are situated within the geographical contexts of Asia and Europe, with a particular focus on countries such as India, China, and Ukraine. Furthermore, the most pertinent target populations are adults who have undergone business training and cancer patients. The most frequently employed models were the self-model, the technology acceptance model (TAM), and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The key variables identified were behavioral intention, perceived usefulness, and subjective norm. This study identified that the main research gap is the lack of geographic diversity in existing studies, which hinders a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of financial literacy globally. The practical and theoretical implications highlight the necessity for the development of educational policies and programmes that address cultural and socioeconomic differences. Furthermore, this study puts forth an integrative model that synthesizes these theoretical frameworks and variables to inform future research and practice in the domain of financial literacy.