The process of internationalization and innovation (IPI) in the urban road passenger transport (URPT) sector is driven by the need to provide cities with efficient and sustainable mobility solutions. The objective of this study is to understand the perceptions of URPT employees in relation to PII, based on a comprehensive case study. By exploring how these two concepts interrelate and influence each other, the study seeks to provide valuable information that can help improve strategic planning and policy formulation in the urban transport sector. The research, based on semi-structured interviews with 20 employees, reveals significant gaps in internal communication, with only about half of the participants aware of ongoing national and international projects. Information was often limited to those directly involved, indicating a need for improved dissemination strategies. Despite these communication issues, employees positively view the company’s presence at international events and recognize the importance of involvement in European organizations, particularly for knowledge acquisition and networking. Challenges identified include inadequate internal communication and insufficient investment in international projects. However, there was strong agreement on the value of internationalization and innovation process (IIP) for both professional development and organizational growth. To enhance the company’s international presence and return on investment (ROI), the study recommends better coordination, improved information sharing, and strategic planning. These findings emphasize the critical role of effective communication and active participation in international initiatives for the sustainable growth of the organization.

Given the issues of urban-rural educational inequality and difficulties for children from poor families to succeed, this study explores the impact mechanism of internet usage on rural educational investment in China within the context of the digital divide. Using data from the 2019 China Household Finance Survey (CHFS), this study analyzed the educational investment decisions of 2064 rural households. Results indicate that in the Eastern region, a high level of educational investment is primarily influenced by the per capita income of the family, with social capital and internet usage also playing supportive roles. In the Northeastern region, the key factor is the diversity of internet usage, specifically using both a smartphone and a computer. In the Central region, factors such as the diversity of internet usage, subjective risk attitudes, the appropriate age of the household head, and per capita income of the family contribute to higher levels of educational investment. In the Western region, the dominant factors are the diversity of internet usage, subjective usage and per capita income of the family. These factors enhance expected returns on the high level of educational investment and boost farmers’ confidence. High internet usage rates significantly promote diverse and stable educational investment decisions, providing evidence for policymakers to bridge the urban-rural education gap.

This paper analyzes the impact of wage subsidies on lower-skilled formal workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It employs a multi-sectoral, empirically-calibrated general equilibrium model to capture the economy-wide transactions between the formal and informal sectors and assess policy simulations in the DRC. The simulations, both in the short and long run, indicate that when the government provides wage subsidies to lower-skilled workers, it significantly improves the real disposable incomes of both formal and informal households. There is a general increase across formal and informal sectors in real household disposable incomes due to the wage subsidy. The results show that subsidy allocation narrows the income gap between high and low-income households, as well as between formal and informal sectors. The findings are insightful for wage policy simulations, as the wage subsidy targeting lower-skilled formal workers increases real GDP from the expenditure side by 1.19% and 3.19% in the short and long run, respectively, from the baseline economy.

This article delves into the application of blockchain technology in enhancing intellectual property (IP) protection within the e-commerce sector, providing a comprehensive analysis of its future prospects. By examining the core characteristics and working principles of blockchain, the paper reveals the unique advantages it offers in strengthening IP protection for e-commerce. The article elaborates on how blockchain’s features of decentralization, data immutability, and timestamping contribute to a secure, transparent, and efficient IP protection mechanism in the e-commerce field. Furthermore, the paper discusses the practical application of blockchain technology in IP registration, management, transaction, and rights protection, highlighting its significant impact on security traceability, transaction cost reduction, and efficiency improvement. Lastly, the article anticipates the future role of blockchain technology in IP protection in e-commerce and believes that with continued technological advancements and enhanced policy support, blockchain will play an increasingly pivotal role in this domain. The paper also proposes potential challenges and solutions that require attention, aiming to foster the healthy and sustainable development of blockchain technology.

South Korea’s over 3300 islands play vital roles in the nation’s geography, economy, culture, and national security. Despite their importance, these islands face significant challenges, including population decline, aging demographics, and a severe lack of healthcare, childcare, and education facilities. With only 20% of inhabited islands connected to the mainland by bridges, coastal ferries are the primary transportation mode. However, the infrequent ferry services and numerous intermediate stops cause considerable inconvenience. This study conducts an analysis of the coastal ferry route connectivity within the Mokpo Area, focusing on proposing improvements to enhance access to community infrastructure for local island residents. This study analyzes the Mokpo Area’s coastal ferry network, identifying Dochodo as a central hub island to improve connectivity for sustainable island development. By reorganizing routes around Dochodo with larger ferries for main routes and smaller ferries for local trips, the study aims to enhance service access and boost tourism for island communities.

Research on zakat has captured the attention of scholars since 1981, exhibiting an increasing trend in publications and citations. This trend presents an opportunity for the author to delve into zakat research. The primary aim of this study is to dissect 10 years of zakat research, spanning from 2013 to 2022, with a focus on evaluating past achievements, current research patterns, and potential future research directions. Utilising bibliometric analysis as the primary tool, this study has formulated seven research questions derived from the primary objective. Key findings indicate a consistent upward trajectory in both publication and citation rates over the past decade, with 2013 being a pivotal year. Notably, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia emerged as the top three countries actively contributing to zakat research during this period. This study further outlines eight contemporary research trends, exploring various facets of zakat over the past decade. Additionally, this study identifies four prospective areas in zakat for future scholars to explore. This study's outcomes offer three significant contributions: 1) signalling to scholars that zakat research continues to burgeon; 2) providing inspiration and ideas for current scholars; and 3) motivating future scholars to embark on research ventures in untapped areas within the realm of zakat.