This study investigates the impact of digital payment infrastructure accessibility on the social influence of microenterprises in Barranquilla, Colombia, while examining the mediating roles of financial inclusion, digital literacy, social support networks, and collaboration with social innovation initiatives. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes data from a sample of 25 microenterprises operating in various sectors. The findings, based on statistical techniques such as multiple regression, path analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM), provide strong evidence for the positive influence of digital payment infrastructure accessibility on the social relationship of microenterprises. The results also highlight the crucial roles played by financial inclusion and social support networks in mediating this relationship. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on the factors driving the social effect of microenterprises and offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to foster inclusive economic development in the region. The findings suggest that investing in the development and expansion of digital payment systems, alongside efforts to promote financial inclusion and strengthen social support networks, can have far-reaching benefits for microenterprises and their communities.

North Korea has been isolated from the international community because of high-intensity sanctions. Nonetheless, research on North Korea should continue so that we are prepared not for contingencies that may occur because of sudden political changes in that country, as occurred after the unification of Germany and dissolution of the Soviet Union, and also to cope with future risks and threats wisely. This study conducted a quantitative survey regarding “inter-Korean cooperation in science and technology,” targeting experts at the Korean government-funded research institutes. As a qualitative survey, focus group interviews (FGI) were conducted to gain insights into the possibilities, considerations, and procedures for inter-Korean cooperation in science and technology. This study is the first to conduct quantitative research on inter-Korean exchange and cooperation in science and technology and shows significant statistical results.

The role of agriculture in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon neutrality is a complex and important area of study. It involves both carbon sequestration, like photosynthesis, and carbon emission, such as land cultivation and livestock breeding. In Shandong Province, a major agricultural region in China, understanding these dynamics is not only crucial for local and national carbon neutrality goals, but also for global efforts. In this study, we utilized panel data spanning over two decades from 2000 to 2022 and closely examined agricultural carbon dynamics in 16 cities of the Shandong Province. The method from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was used for calculating agricultural carbon sinks, carbon emissions, and carbon surplus. The results showed that (1) carbon sink from crops in the Shandong Province experienced growth during the study period, closely associated with the rise in crop yields; (2) a significant portion of agricultural carbon emissions was attributable to gastrointestinal fermentation in cattle, and a reduction in the number of stocked cattle led to a fall in overall carbon emissions; (3) carbon surplus underwent a significant transition in 2008, turning from negative to positive, and the lowest value of carbon surplus was noticed in 2003, with agriculture sector reaching the carbon peak; (4) the spatial pattern of carbon surplus intensity distinctly changed before and after 2005, and from 2000 to 2005, demonstrating spatial aggregation. This research elucidates that agriculture in Shandong Province achieved carbon neutrality as early as 2008. This is a pivotal progression, as it indicates a balance between carbon emissions and absorption, highlighting the sector’s ability in maintaining a healthy carbon equilibrium.

This study aims to underscore the relevance of pre-existing resilience experiences within communities affected by socio-political violence in Colombia, particularly in the context of developing effective risk management practices and enriching the CBDM model. This research employs a qualitative design, incorporating a multiple case study approach, which integrates a comprehensive literature review, in-depth interviews, and focus groups conducted in two Colombian communities, namely Salgar and La Primavera. The community of La Primavera effectively harnessed community empowerment and social support practices to confront socio-political violence, which evolved into a form of social capital that could be leveraged to address disaster risks. Conversely, in Salgar, individual and familial coping strategies took precedence. It is concluded that bolstering citizen participation in disaster risk management in both communities and governmental support for community projects aimed at reducing vulnerability is imperative. This study reveals that capabilities developed through coping with the humanitarian consequences of armed conflict, such as community empowerment and practices of solidarity and social support, can enhance community resilience in the face of disasters.

The fear of ghosts is a common thing that can be managed as a social condition that turns out to have an impact on the continuity of forest maintenance. Applying a qualitative approach supported by in-depth interview methods, observation, and literature study. This research does not attempt to prove the existence of ghosts or discuss the psychological conditions of people who fear ghosts. The main finding of this research is the reality of the reproduction of stories and experiences of fear of ghosts, as well as the implementation of traditions or rituals related to community activities in the forest. Stories of fear of ghosts with various forms and versions of naming not only enrich the cultural life of the community but also encourage social conditioning in the form of togetherness to agree on the fear of ghosts as a means of creating a social system in order to carry out activities in the forest. The social system is identified in the form of pamali traditions or things that should not be done in the forest, balian rituals to eliminate or treat ghost disturbances, and besoyong rituals to utilize forest products, which then have an impact on the awareness to respect the continuity of these rituals and tradition. So, even though the fear of ghosts can be overcome psychologically and disappear quickly, the reality of respect for the social system related to the forest can still survive. In addition, ghost stories’ reproduction continues to be rolled out and adapted to the times. In turn, ghosts and forest rituals continue to be conditioned into a social system that has implications for forest conservation.

This article presents a comparative analysis and characteristics of the pension insurance systems of foreign countries, namely Germany, Sweden, Estonia, Poland, France with the aim of implementing their effective and noteworthy experience in Ukraine. The key indicators of the characteristics of the pension systems of these countries and Ukraine (amount of insurance contributions to the public pension fund; retirement age; insurance period; the ratio of the average pension to the average wage) have been studied and analyzed. Having examined these indicators, the authors came to the conclusion that the general trend in most countries of the world is that they guarantee only a minimum pension, which is caused by the increase in the share of pensioners in society. To solve the demographic problems affecting pension provision, the most countries increase the retirement age and provide financial incentives to stimulate citizens to work after the retirement age. To increase the pension, there are pension accumulation tools at the expense of the employer or at the expense of one’s own funds. Following the example of foreign countries, the directions for improving the pension insurance system of Ukraine were allocated.