This research aims to investigate the factors shaping the investment choices of individuals in Saudi Arabia concerning cryptocurrencies, particularly focusing on the influence of the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) psychological phenomenon. This study employs a mixed-methods approach to comprehend the factors influencing Saudi investors' decisions in the cryptocurrency realm. Quantitative surveys are conducted to gauge perceptions of risk, return, regulatory factors, and social influence. Additionally, qualitative interviews delve into the nuanced interplay of these elements and the impact of FOMO on decision-making. Integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and Behavioral Finance theories, this research offers a holistic understanding of cryptocurrency investment determinants. The combined quantitative and qualitative methods provide a comprehensive view, enabling an in-depth analysis of the subject matter. The study reveals that Saudi Arabian investors' decisions regarding cryptocurrencies are significantly influenced by multiple factors, including perceived risk, potential return, regulatory environment, and social dynamics. FOMO emerges as a crucial psychological factor, interacting with these influences and driving decision-making. This research underscores the intricate interplay between these factors and FOMO, shedding light on the dynamics of cryptocurrency investment choices in the Saudi Arabian market. The findings hold implications for policymakers, financial institutions, and investors seeking deeper insights into this evolving landscape. Drawing from the Theory of Planned Behavior and Behavioral Finance, it examines perceived risk, return, regulatory factors, and social influence in influencing cryptocurrency investment choices among Saudi investors, focusing on the influence of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).  The research outcome provides insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and investors seeking to understand cryptocurrency investment dynamics in Saudi Arabia.

The operational performance of container ports is crucial for efficient logistics and trade. However, there is limited understanding of how external integration through Customer and Supplier Integration (SCI-CI and SCI-SI) impacts port operational performance (POP), particularly in emerging markets like Oman. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationship between SCI-CI, SCI-SI, and POP, and explores the mediating role of supply chain management (SCM) practices in this context. Using the Resource-Based View (RBV) as the theoretical framework, the study employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey method. A total of 377 questionnaires were distributed to managers at Sohar and Salalah ports, with 331 usable responses obtained, representing an 88 percent response rate. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that SCI-CI and SCI-SI have significant direct and indirect positive effects on POP, and they directly influence SCM practices. SCM practices, in turn, significantly enhance POP. Notably, SCM practices partially mediate the relationship between SCI-CI and SCI-SI with POP. These findings underscore the strategic importance of external integration and SCM practices as internal resources for improving port performance. This research provides valuable insights for decision-makers and policymakers in optimizing port operations.

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.

Gamification is an active methodology of great value that, in a quality educational environment, provides students with the necessary motivation to participate in their teaching-learning process. An emerging active methodology, which is based on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and requires an educational space that guarantees greater flexibility in the pedagogical dynamics in favor of academic achievement. This increase in interest in active methodologies, and specifically in gamification, has raised doubts about whether current educational spaces are prepared to host a renewal in methodology or if, on the contrary, they could undermine the attitude of change. For this reason, this research seeks to analyze whether current educational spaces are facilitating elements for the incorporation of gamification in the classroom. The methodological cut of the research is quantitative, specifically in two phases. On the one hand, a descriptive analysis of the results is carried out, obtaining information on the trend of each item. On the other hand, an inferential analysis is carried out around different variables to verify their possible influence on the evaluations of the participants. The results obtained, in the sample made up of 210 teachers distributed in the different centers and who carry out their educational activity from 3rd to 6th grade of primary school, indicate that teachers believe it is relevant to take into account the educational space when incorporating active methodologies in class.

Sustainable development is a foundational element in European Union (EU) policies, yet there remains a lack of coherence among member states regarding the perception and response to environmental challenges, resulting in regional inequalities. The “Fit for 55” initiative by the EU is an ambitious strategy aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, as part of its broader goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This study investigates the economic impact and intergovernmental dynamics of the “Fit for 55” plan, analyzing its potential to not only meet environmental targets but also to foster economic resilience and social equity across the EU. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the “Fit for 55” initiative in harmonizing environmental goals with economic and social policies among diverse EU member states. The study reveals that while the initiative offers significant potential benefits, such as stimulating innovation and creating jobs in green industries, it also faces considerable challenges, including economic disparities among member states and the social impacts of rapid decarbonization. These findings highlight the need for integrated approaches that address both environmental sustainability and socio-economic equity.

How are telecommunications infrastructure, institutions and poverty related in a war-torn economy such as Afghanistan? Afghanistan has been plagued by poor governance, low usage of telecommunications, and extreme poverty levels which can be termed triple-challenges. High levels of political instability affected telecommunications investment and adversely affected the adoption and diffusion of modern technology. This study examines the asymmetric effect of telecommunications and governance (institutions) on poverty reduction over the period 1989–2019 using a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model. In the short run, we establish that information and communication technology, private domestic credit, governance, and educational access for males and females are essential tools that can be used for poverty reduction. In the long run, we also establish that Afghanistan can reduce poverty levels through the use of information and communication technology, governance, and educational access for both males and females. The following policy recommendations were suggested: research and development, robust policy formulation on governance and ICT, development of the ICT sector, and improved governance. These are critical in reducing the high poverty levels as well as solving the institutional challenges faced by Afghanistan.

The border is a strategic area within the Republic of Indonesia because it has potential natural resources and market opportunities and is related to aspects of sovereignty, defense and security. The division of the Papua region based on astronomical lines causes the traditional region, inhabited by tribes with the same spiritual-culture, to be divided into two countries. The Kanum tribe, who live in the border region of PNG and Indonesia, have close kinship relations. This research aims to analyze the social interactions of cross-border communities, especially the interdependence of the Kanum Tribe in Sota, Merauke Regency, with Papua New Guinea. The research used social interaction theory and interdependence theory, as well as qualitative descriptive methods by interviewing 15 informants. The research results support Polanyi’s statement but refute Omolomo’s, confirm positive competition, and eliminate indicators of conflict in the social interactions of the Kanum Tribe. The main problem found was unclear population data for the Kanum community who live in PNG but receive facilities from Indonesia. The dominant inhibiting factor comes from the PNG border condition, and the dominant supporting factor comes from the Sota border conditions (geography, infrastructure, economics and government policy). However, the condition that is equally a during factor in the conditions of the PNG and Sota borders is culture.

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.