Technological management has promoted distinctive characteristics in the socio-productive development of the regions. Its usefulness in entrepreneurial activity is studied to design the architecture of a technological observatory as an intelligent system for entrepreneurship in Latin America. Using a descriptive-explanatory method, data obtained from the application of two instruments directed to 18 experts in information and communication technologies and 174 entrepreneurs distributed 92 in Lima-Peru and 82 in Santiago de Cali-Colombia are processed. The findings show informational and training barriers and a weak or non-existent technological platform for effective entrepreneurial development. Added to the low development of plans and alliances mediated by technologies, whose experience supports public policies that strengthen entrepreneurship as an emerging economy. The architecture supports the functional and operational aspects of the system. Its scalability in other regions dynamizes the services-processes required prior to the detection of needs directed towards the projection of sustainable entrepreneurship.

Urbanization process affects global socio-economic development. Originally tied to modernization and industrialization, current urbanization policy is focused on productivity, economic activities, and environmental sustainability. This study examines impact of urbanization in various regions of Kazakhstan, focusing on environmental, social, labor, industrial, and economic indicators. The study aims to assess how different indicators influence urbanization trends in Kazakhstan, particularly regarding environmental emissions and pollution. It delves into regional development patterns and identifies key contributing factors. The research methodology is based on classical economic theories of urbanization and modern interpretations emphasizing sustainability and socio-economic impacts and includes two stages. Shannon entropy measures diversity and uncertainty in urbanization indicators, while cluster analysis identifies regional patterns. Data from 2010 to 2022 for 17 regions forms the basis of analysis. Regions are categorized into groups based on urbanization levels leaders, challenged, stable, and outliers. This classification reveals disparities in urban development and its impacts. Findings stress the importance of integrating environmental and social considerations into urban planning and policies. Targeted interventions based on regional characteristics and urbanization levels are recommended to enhance sustainability and socio-economic outcomes. Tailored urban policies accommodating specific regional needs are crucial. Effective management and policy-making demand a nuanced understanding of these impacts, emphasizing region-specific strategies over a uniform approach.

The employees in academic sector had to face an abrupt change due to Covid-19 pandemic and transformation of education into online and remote learning. This has led to virtual work intensity as an aftermath that negatively influences employees’ job satisfaction. In addition, due to remote working conditions, the lines between work and life had been dimmed and thus, the current situation is important to be addressed for wellbeing of academic staff. This research specifically aims to examine impact of virtual work intensity on job satisfaction among university staff. Furthermore, mediating effect of organizational support and work-life balance on the aforementioned relationship are analyzed to better understand the underlying effects. Through PLS-SEM and using a questionnaire survey, a total of 183 data were collected from teachers and administrative staff of two universities. The results show that virtual work intensity can hinder job satisfaction, while organizational support and work-life balance can improve job satisfaction of academic employees. This is due to the fact that support, and balance act against work intensity that diminishes wellbeing of individuals. This implies the vital role of organizations (e.g., human resource department) in providing support for their staff, and creating an environment, where academic staff can have a better work-life balance, leading to higher rates of job satisfaction as an important factor for psychological wellbeing.

Purpose: The paper aims to study the methodology and functional of Internal Audit (IA) during the transition to remote working methods necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis period. Design/methodology/approach: Data are collected over a sample of 352 internal audit departments in retail SMEs distributed in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The six variables are measured using a reflective model. An exploratory factor analysis is applied to gauge the measurement model’s validity and reliability. Findings: The research findings revealed that internal auditing within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Qatari retail sector is not sufficiently advanced. The focus of internal auditing primarily revolves around compliance audits rather than performance audits, thereby limiting their degree of agility and strategy which negatively affects the IA methodology. Conversely, for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) retail companies the research hypotheses were validated showing an IA functions evolution, an IA reassurance and IA agility that are conducted throughout a remote working and a strategic design that affect positively IA working methodology. Originality: The originality impregnates by the fact that reviews of traditional audit working methods were updated and shaped according to the deficiencies that couldn’t be identified during a pre COVID-19 period. A traditional audit plan may not work in this situation. The originality of the study consists of estimating IA methodological review through an agile approach that provides internal reassurance and risk attenuation.

The dairy industry is considered one of the most needed industries in almost every country; this is due to the continuous daily demand of its different products. Nevertheless, this industry consumes large amount of water, energy and material resources, and generates large quantities of liquid and solid wastes. In the sequel, under the pressure of fulfilling the 17 sustainable development goals (17 SDGs), it is important to address the sustainability of this sector in the world and particularly in developing countries. This study aims at assessing the impact of environmental, economic and social sustainability practices on the organizational performance of dairy industry in Palestine. To this end, a quantitative-research approach, based on a questionnaire for data collection, was adopted. Data has been collected from a convenient sample of 15 dairy factories working in West Bank in Palestine during a three-month period from March to May, 2023. Inferential statistical analyses were conducted as well. The results revealed that there is a difference between the median values of environmental and economic practices. In addition, the results showed that there is a medium relationship between sustainability practices and organizational performance. However, the economic practices proved to have the strongest impact then social practices; while, there is no impact of environmental practices on organizational performance. Furthermore, the results showed that this industry consumes larger amount of water as well as it generates large amounts of wastewater that mainly discharged to the drainage system without treatment for recycling or reuse. Several sound recommendations are given at the end of this paper. It worth mentioning that there are no previous studies conducted on the dairy industry sector in Palestine about sustainability assessment.

This article explores the possibilities of developing Oman’s tourism sector under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Tourism is a cornerstone of Oman’s economy, with the government prioritizing substantial efforts toward its development to foster economic diversification. This paper examines the broader efforts of Oman to strengthen its relations with China, which will indirectly benefit the tourism industry. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the historical exchanges and future cooperation between China and Oman under BRI, specifically focusing on developing infrastructure and technology in Oman to support the tourism sector. It has been argued that BRI has the potential to significantly contribute to the growth and development of Oman’s tourism sector through increased investment and cooperation with Chinese counterparts.