This study aimed to gain insights into the attitudes and strategies of top management regarding workplace happiness within a semi-government organization in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Six senior managers at the organization were interviewed to explore their perspectives on employee happiness and the initiatives implemented to enhance it. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed several key findings. Top managers demonstrated strong commitment and willingness to prioritize employee well-being through long-term research-driven improvements. A variety of strategies incorporating personal, organizational, and Human Resources Management (HRM) factors known to impact happiness were utilized. Religious considerations and empowerment initiatives respect personal values while fostering intrinsic motivation. Top leaders modeled strategic priorities through their conduct, emphasizing visible support. The organization balanced individual needs with organizational goals respectfully. The findings provide practical implications for optimizing retention and performance outcomes through dedicated strategic happiness efforts guided by empirical research. However, more extensive research across diverse populations could further advance understanding in this field.

In the context of ecological and social challenges in global food systems, this study investigates the potential of agri-food districts to foster balanced territorial development. A multi-step approach to developing sustainable agri-food districts is outlined. How these districts, as integrated systems and meso-level organizational forms, can enhance sustainability through governance is then assessed. This research uses a context-driven analysis pathway involving stakeholder participation and needs identification. The theoretical background, the Italian regulatory framework, and a case study from Lombardy are presented. Needs are identified through participatory approaches and actions are prioritized using desk research and a narrative SWOT analysis combined with key stakeholder discussions (focus group). A total of eighteen needs are identified and categorized into 3 dimensions of sustainability: economic, environmental, and socio-institutional. Findings indicate that agri-food district organization has great potential to help achieve local and regional policy goals in line with the shift to sustainable approaches in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The paper proposes actions to strengthen district capacity-building, focusing on internal governance and sustainable production chains. Additionally, initiatives to attract young people to rural areas and agreements for ecosystem services in agri-food districts are suggested. These actions aim to promote sustainability and competitiveness while addressing challenges related to governance, innovation, branding, demographics, and environment. In conclusion, the study prompts critical inquiry into governance models and system dynamics. The innovative aspects of this study lie in its methodological approach, integration of theory and practice, holistic perspective, policy relevance, and critical inquiry, which collectively contribute to advancing knowledge and understanding in the field of sustainable agriculture and territorial development.

Purpose: This research aims to explore the phenomenon of job-hopping in the engineering sector in Penang, Malaysia, focusing on how factors like positive work culture, compensation and benefits, and job satisfaction influence an engineer’s propensity to frequently change jobs. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design, targeting 200 engineers in Penang. It was grounded in Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory. Data collection was conducted using online questionnaires, which were adaptations of instruments used in previous research. Statistical analysis, including Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression, was performed using SPSS software. Findings: The Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant negative relationships between positive work culture, compensation and benefits, job satisfaction, and the tendency to job-hop. However, in the regression analysis, only job satisfaction emerged as a significant predictor of job-hopping behavior. This finding suggests that while factors like work culture and compensation/benefits contribute to the overall work environment, they do not primarily drive job mobility among engineers in this region. The study indicates that job satisfaction plays a more crucial role in influencing engineers’ decisions to change jobs frequently. Conclusion: The study enriches the field of organizational psychology by applying Herzberg’s theory to understand job-hopping behavior in the engineering sector. For organizations in Penang, the findings highlight the importance of enhancing job satisfaction as a strategy for reducing job-hopping and retaining talent. This insight is valuable for both academic research and practical application in the industry, emphasizing the critical role of job satisfaction in curbing job-hopping tendencies within the engineering field.

This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the aquaculture industry across 11 coastal regions in eastern China from 2017 to 2021 to assess their adaptability and resilience in the face of climate change. Cluster analysis was employed to examine regional variations in aquaculture adaptation by analyzing data on annual average temperatures, annual extreme high/low temperatures, annual average relative humidity, annual sunshine duration, and total yearly precipitation alongside various aquaculture practices. The findings reveal that southern regions, such as Fujian and Guangdong, demonstrate higher adaptability and resilience due to their stable subtropical climates and advanced aquaculture technologies. In contrast, northern regions like Liaoning and Shandong, characterized by more significant climatic fluctuations, exhibit varying degrees of cluster changes, indicating a continuous need to adjust aquaculture strategies to cope with climatic challenges. Additionally, the study explores the specific impacts of climate change on species selection, disease management, and water resource utilization in aquaculture, emphasizing the importance of developing region-specific strategies. Based on these insights, several strategic recommendations are proposed, including promoting species diversification, enhancing disease monitoring and control, improving water quality management techniques, and urging governmental support for policies and technical guidance to enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of the aquaculture sector. These strategies and recommendations aim to assist the aquaculture industry in addressing future climate challenges and fostering long-term sustainable development.

In an era characterized by technological advancement and innovation, the emergence of Electronic Government (e-Government) and Mobile Government (m-Government) represents significant developments. Previous studies have explored acceptance models in this domain. This research presents a novel acceptance model tailored to the context of m-Government adoption in Jordan, integrating the Information System (IS) Success Factor Model, Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory, and considerations for law enforcement factors. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the strategies for promoting and enhancing the adoption of m-Government applications within Jordanian society. Data collection involved the distribution of 203 electronic questionnaires, with subsequent analysis conducted using SPSS. The findings reveal the acceptance and significance of three hypotheses: Information Quality, Service Quality, and Power Distance. Additionally, the study incorporates the influence of Law Enforcement factors, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted determinants shaping the adoption of m-Government services in Jordan.

This paper focuses on studying the impact of institutional distance between home and host countries on the entry mode choice of multinational enterprises (MNEs). Based on theories of transaction costs and institutional theory, we predict the trend of choosing investment forms of wholly-owned enterprises (WOEs) and joint venture enterprises (JVEs) in the agricultural sector of Vietnam in the context of free trade agreement implementation. The data of 364 MNEs from 22 different nations that directly invested in the agricultural sector of Vietnam in the period 1996–2019 were extracted from Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), which is provided by World Bank. An empirical investigation has employed logistic regression. The results show a positive relationship between institutional distance with regard to rule of law and regulatory quality and WOE choice. Furthermore, the entry mode choices of MNEs in Vietnam’s agricultural sector are also noticeably influenced by the implementation of freedom trade agreements (FTAs).