This study aims to examine the mediating role of institutional trust (IT) between perceived corruption and subjective well-being (SWB) using data from 1566 households in a developing country. It deploys ordinary least square (OLS) and an ordered logit model within the generalized structural equation model. Results show that individuals who perceived no corruption in a country report more IT and higher levels of SWB. Furthermore, the direct effects of good governance, perceived IT, and the absence of corruption on SWB is also positive. Moreover, satisfaction with hospital services also improves happiness and life satisfaction levels. This study improves and validates how corruption is assessed to support future measures that reduce its harmful effects. Moreover, the masses must have widespread awareness about the critical nature of corruption and IT relative to well-being. This study also highlights the need to develop strong institutions to improve trust and minimize corruption.

This study investigates the impact of tourism and institutional quality on environmental preservation, utilizing principal component analysis to generate three composite indices of environmental sustainability for 134 countries from 2002 to 2020. The results reveal that environmental sustainability indices have generally improved in lower- and middle-income nations but have declined in certain high-income countries. The findings also underscore the critical role of institutional quality—particularly regulatory standards, government effectiveness, anti-corruption efforts, and adherence to legal frameworks—in promoting environmental sustainability. However, the study shows that both domestic and international tourism expenditures can have adverse effects on environmental sustainability. Notably, these negative effects are exacerbated in countries with well-developed institutions, which is an unexpected outcome. This highlights the need for careful, thoughtful policymaking to ensure that the tourism sector supports sustainable development, rather than undermining environmental objectives.

This study offers a new perspective on measuring the impact of village funds (DD) on rural development. Using a mixed-method approach, the qualitative analysis reveals that, like previous rural development programs, the DD program struggles to implement inclusive methods for capturing community aspirations and evaluating outcomes. Despite rural infrastructure improvement, many villagers feel they have not fully benefited and do not view it as offering economic opportunities. The econometric model confirms the qualitative findings, indicating no significant DD influence on the village development index (IPD). Instead, effective governance factors like Musdes, regulations, and leadership are essential for the IPD improvement. Thus, enhancing village governments’ institutional capacity is crucial for increasing the DD effectiveness. The paper recommends several measures: training village officials in financial management and project planning, providing guidelines for the DD allocation and usage, creating robust monitoring-evaluation systems, developing communication strategies, and fostering partnerships with local NGOs and universities.

The article examines the modern vectors of implementation of measures to achieve results in the field of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both at the level of national priorities and at the level of Central Asian countries. The purpose of this study is a multidimensional analysis of actions that make it possible to develop solutions to stabilize the environmental situation in Central Asian countries based on global international trends. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the integrated use of thematic modeling methods, as well as sociological surveys used to improve the efficiency of business processes in the field of environmental protection. The methodological basis for conducting a comparative assessment of the impact of environmental policy instruments used on regional development is the concept of sustainable development. In conclusion, conclusions are drawn about the need to develop effective mechanisms for the implementation of environmental policy in the studied countries.

This study seeks to explore the information value of financial metrics on corporate sustainability and investigate the moderating effects of institutional shareholders on the association between net cashflows (NCF) and corporate sustainability of the leading ASEAN countries. The dataset consists of companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore during 2013–2023. Fixed effects panel regression is executed in this study. Subsequently, the conditional effects served to evaluate the influence of institutional shareholders on the association between NCF and corporate sustainability. This study employs agency theory to explore how the alignment of institutional shareholders influences sustainability outcomes. This study found that institutional shareholders themselves supply information for the sustainability indicator in Thailand and Singapore, but not in Malaysia. Furthermore, adversely correlated with sustainability metrics in all three nations is the interaction term between institutional shareholders and net cashflows. Further investigation reveals that for each nation’s sustainability measures the institutional shareholders offer value relevant to net cashflows at certain amounts. This study not only contributes to existing academic research on sustainability and financial indicators, it also provides practical strategies for companies and investors trying to match financial performance with sustainability goals in a fast-changing global market.

This study investigates the integration of sustainability principles into educational curricula, focusing on the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Through a mixed-methods approach, the research identifies key institutional barriers, including outdated policies, insufficient teacher training, and limited resources. These barriers hinder the effective incorporation of sustainable development principles into education. The study reveals that while some educational systems struggle to adopt sustainability, examples from progressive institutions show that integrating these principles enhances student awareness and equips them with skills essential for sustainable development. The findings suggest that substantial changes are needed in existing educational frameworks to better support sustainability in curricula. Recommendations for future research include conducting longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impact of curriculum changes on sustainability outcomes and exploring the role of technology in advancing sustainable education. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for advocacy and the implementation of actionable strategies, such as industry collaborations for pilot projects and real-world applications. Furthermore, institutional support for teacher professional development is crucial, with structured programs that combine theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sustainability. Enhancing partnerships between educational institutions and industries, including co-designed curriculum modules and internship opportunities, is also essential for aligning education with the Sustainable Development Goals. This study highlights the importance of transforming educational practices to better address the challenges of sustainable infrastructure development, ultimately preparing students to contribute to a more sustainable future.