International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rapid and disorganized urban expansion in developing countries often leads to severe imbalances in land-use distribution, undermining the core principles of sustainable development. The critical problem lies in the disconnect between strategic master planning and field enforcement, where market-driven growth frequently cannibalizes ecological resources. Focusing on Nasiriyah City, Iraq—a historic urban center facing intense demographic pressures and unregulated commercial growth—this research holds significant importance as it diagnoses institutional zoning deviations using spatial tools, thereby offering a replicable, science-based model for secondary cities facing sustainability deficits. To address these challenges, the primary objective of this study is to evaluate spatial land-use changes from 1990 to 2020. The methodology employs a multi-stage spatial and analytical framework, in which a comparative historical analysis of urban growth phases is conducted using Geographic Information System tools, and the official 2011 international master plan for Modern Nasiriyah is cross-examined against contemporary aerial and field data to detect deviations in zoning compliance.
FINDINGS: The spatial analysis revealed structural shifts in Nasiriyah's urban fabric over the past 30 years. Industrial land use increased from 533.5 hectares (44.2%) to 1081.8 hectares (37.4%), shifting primarily to northern zones aligned with dominant wind vectors to protect residential quarters. Conversely, commercial zones experienced massive expansion, growing from 481.3 hectares (39.8%) to 1606.5 hectares (55.6%). This commercial sprawl directly compromised public infrastructure, resulting in a critical deficit of recreational green space, which dropped from 16.0% to a mere 7.0% of the active urban footprint.
CONCLUSION: Unregulated commercial growth has severely cannibalized municipal green reserves, highlighting a significant disconnect between master-planning designs and on-the-ground development. To secure a sustainable urban future for Nasiriyah, municipal authorities must urgently implement rigid land-use enforcement, revitalize the Euphrates waterfront corridors, and structurally integrate the surrounding historic tourist clusters—such as the ancient City of Ur and the Mesopotamian Marshes—into the city's primary economic and spatial frameworks.

Abstract The adoption of sustainable development goals by the United Nations in 2015 has led to an increasing focus on sustainable development and green practices among academics and private industry professionals. This study aims to explore the research landscape of "Green Human Resource Management” and "sustainable development". Despite the increasing attention in recent years, the field remains in its infancy. To gain insights, five research questions were formulated and addressed using descriptive and network analyses. Applying descriptive statistics reveals that the fields of research on "sustainable development" and " Green Human Resource Management " encompass eight different subject areas, indicating the multifaceted and expansive nature of these subjects. Beyond 2020, a noteworthy rising trend in publications is noted. Having contributed 22 articles since the field's inception, the Journal of Cleaner Production stands out as a major publication source. Developing nations such as Malaysia, China, and India are leading in research contributions, indicating a strong inclination towards sustainable practices. Brazil stands out with the highest citation count, attributed to its significant environmental challenges. Network analysis identifies prominent themes and their interconnections. Thematic evolution analysis shows substantial growth in literature from 2015 to 2023, with organizational sustainable performance and supply chain management emerging as significant themes in recent years. Notably, authors Jabbour CJC, De Sousa Jabbour, and Latan H. are highlighted for their prolific contributions, particularly in the early stages of ``Green Human Resource Management’’ and ‘’sustainable development’’ literature. This study provides valuable insights for management professionals and researchers by highlighting influential articles, authors, sources, countries, and affiliations. It is a comprehensive reference for understanding the evolving landscape of Green Human Resource Management and sustainable development literature. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for continuous research and collaboration to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable business practices globally.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the context of global challenges and local conflicts, the sustainable development of united territorial communities took on special importance. Amid military conflict, united territorial communities encountered numerous economic, social, and environmental problems. This research builds on resilience and sustainable development theories and proposes that with appropriate support, united territorial communities can evolve into hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship even under conditions of conflict. The study necessitated the creation of strategies and programs for sustainable development and adaptation to new conditions, positing that united territorial communities, with proper development and support, could harness these challenges to foster significant entrepreneurial and innovative activities. The study’s objective was to analyze the potential of united territorial communities for innovation and sustainable development in conflict conditions and to develop recommendations for supporting entrepreneurship and infrastructure development.
METHODS: To achieve the objective, a variety of methods were utilized, including multi-regression, multifactor, correlational, and comparative analysis. All analyses were carried out using STATISTICA software (version 13).
FINDINGS: The research results confirmed the hypotheses, indicating the significant potential of united territorial communities for initiating innovative projects and developing entrepreneurial initiatives. Specifically, it was discovered that the level of institutional capability and sustainable development could increase by 43.7% with the integration of effective support programs. Crucial elements impacting sustainability were pinpointed, with investments in environmental projects showing an 85% variance, socio-demographic stability exhibiting a 92.8% variance, and the development and implementation of programs for small and medium-sized business development reflecting a 92.9% variance. This demonstrated the potential for enhancing the budget efficiency of territorial communities by up to 56.4%, representing a substantial incentive for recovery and progress in the post-conflict period.
CONCLUSION: Recommendations included developing targeted programs to support innovations in the agricultural sector, tourism, and eco-initiatives, which could catalyze attracting investments and improve the quality of life in territorial communities. The importance of integrating modern technologies, supporting local entrepreneurship, and developing infrastructure were key elements for the sustainable development of united territorial communities in conflict conditions. The developed recommendations could facilitate the formation of effective development strategies for territorial communities.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As of present, Green Human Resource Management holds a paramount standing as a crucial business strategy among noteworthy organizations and enterprises, in which Human Resource Department play a vital role. Taking an affirmative role in adopting sustainable practices within the workplace is paramount towards promoting an eco-friendly Environment. As the most prominent entities within societies, organizations possess the capacity to diminish environmental degradation through their undertakings, thereby constituting one of the avenues towards effecting environmentally conscious human resource management within organizational settings. To enact green human resources management within an enterprise, it is essential to identify and establish the key necessities for realizing such a program in the organization. Aligned with the social obligation that rests with organizational executives, they ought to proffer their aspirations, objectives and obligations towards cultivating an environmentally conscious entity. Such stewardship can ameliorate the potential constraints on future demands for ecological resources. In Iran, the field of green human resource management has received limited attention in the extant literature. Thus, the present investigation aimed to identify and rank the critical prerequisites for effectively implementing green human resources management within an organization. Green human resource management involves the utilization of human resource management principles and practices to facilitate more sustainable and eco-friendly use of organizational resources, as well as the promotion and encouragement of environmentally responsible initiatives. The aim of this study is to enhance the environmental quality through the enhancement of the ecological practices of organizations. This can be achieved by identifying and incorporating environmentally sustainable human resource management strategies in organizational operations. The study has successfully identified and prioritized determinants of effective green human resource management within organizational contexts, through utilization of the Fuzzy Network Analysis Process method.
METHODS: The study method is mixed exploratory. The statistical population of this study included 30 experts in the Municipality of Tehran. In this study, the targeted sampling method was used. In this study, based on the research background and expert opinions from the two categories of organizational culture and skills, the influencing factors of green personnel management based on sustainable development were identified and a total of 11 sub-criteria for the main categories were defined. The data collection tool was a questionnaire designed based on the Delphi technique and finally analyzed using the fuzzy method.
FINDINGS: The results showed that organizational culture is the main factor in creating green human resources management with an average of 4.58, followed by skills with an average of 4.49.
CONCLUSION: Green human resource management refers to activities that involve the development, implementation and ongoing maintenance of a system that leads to the greening of the company's employees. In this context, regular employees should become green employees; So that they can reach the organization's environmental donation and ultimately make a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. By promoting the organizational culture and identified skills, employee participation, aligning environmental programs with the organization's environmental goals, supporting senior management and providing sufficient budgets and resources, it is possible to improve green human resource management in Tehran municipal organization.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sustainable development is a process that envisions a desirable future for human societies in which living conditions and resource use meet human needs without compromising the integrity, beauty, and stability of vital systems. Knowledge-based companies today are among those companies that act as factories for converting knowledge into goods and services. In this regard, organizational social responsibility can be the basis for the sustainable development of companies and organizations. Therefore, this research aims are to examine the role of the organization’s social responsibility for sustainable development in terms of mediating the participation of employees of knowledge-based companies.                                                                                                                                
METHODS: This research is applied in terms of purpose, descriptive survey and correlation in terms of method. Field and library methods, literature reviews, and standard questionnaires were used to collect information. The statistical population consisted of 578 senior and middle managers of knowledge-based companies in the Science and Technology Park of Sharif University of Technology, Tehran- Iran, and 231 people were sampled using Cochran's formula method and stratified random sampling. A standard questionnaire was also used to collect information. The validity of the questionnaire was checked and confirmed using convergent and divergent validity and confirmatory factor analysis and its reliability using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, joint and combined reliability. Finally, the collected data was analyzed using SPSS and smartPLS software’s.
FINDINGS: Based on the results of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the significance of this test was calculated for all indicators less than 0.05 and 0.000, and due to the lack of normal distribution of the data, the smart PLS software was used. The overall fitting criterion was calculated to be 0.551, which means that the model fits well. When testing the main hypothesis, a coefficient of 0.408 was calculated, showing that employee participation explains 40% of the impact of social responsibility on sustainable development. The path coefficient of the sub-hypotheses for these relationships is above 0.5 and the significance is above 1.96. It can be said that the sub-hypotheses of the research are confirmed.
CONCLUSION: According to the indicators obtained, the organization’s social responsibility positively and significantly impacts sustainable development and employee participation. The positive role of employee participation in sustainable development was also confirmed. Finally, the results showed that employee participation can mediate the impact of social responsibility on sustainable development.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, Jos Metropolis, Nigeria is witnessing a strong trend toward urban growth and expansion. This phenomenon has impacted Land Use/Land Cover and efficient management of land. This paper evaluated urban growth and changes in Land Use /Land Cover and examined the land use efficiency of the metropolis. Land Use and Land Cover changes were established from 1999 to 2022; Land consumption rate and population growth rate were determined, and computation of the SDG 11.3.1 framework was done to examine the efficiency of land use.
METHODS: Data were collected through official documents, the use of remote sensing, and, geographic information systems. Satellite imageries used to determine the classes and changes in Land Use/Land Cover changes were Landsat 5 TM (1999), Landsat 7 ETM+ (2004, 2009, and 2014), and Landsat 8 ETM+ (2018 and 2022). Global positioning system was used for ground-truthing, IDRISI Taiga software was used for image classification, and ArcGIS was used for map visualization. Four classes of Land Use and Land Cover were identified: Built-up, Meadows, Mountain/Vegetation, and Water bodies.
FINDINGS: Results revealed that built-up area increased consistently from 3494.007 hectares in 1999 to 16995.360 ha in 2022 leading to a substantial reduction in other land use and land cover. The study confirmed a burgeoning population growth from 780,000 in 1999 to 1,563,193 in 2022. This growth had a significant impact on urban land use management, consuming a large proportion of land from 3494.007 hectares to 16995.36 hectares in 1999 and 2022 respectively. Results revealed a high land consumption rate of 0.0962 and 0.0884 during 2018-2022 and 1999-2004. A high population growth rate (0.0414) was recorded during 2018-2022. These dynamics intensified the rate of land acquisition for urban development. The average value of the SDG 11.3.1 framework was 2.3 which is higher than 1, indicating that urban expansion is moving away from land use efficiency.
CONCLUSION: The paper recommended the establishment of a Growth Management Monitoring system by the state government for effective and efficient management of land resources through a spatial plan for the metropolis. This study has provided insight into the dynamics of Jos metropolitan LULC and land use efficiency management which could be useful to policymakers, urban planners, and researchers in initiating sustainable urban development strategies and inclusive structure for its planning and management.

Abstract Environmental impacts assessment may be some measures to offset the impact to an acceptable level or explore new solutions. The research was conducted with the aim of assessing the socio-economic, cultural, physical and ecological impacts of Kavar irrigation and drainage network in Fars Province (Iran). In this study, Environmental impacts assessment was undertaken by ICOLD matrix. The ICOLD matrix is one of the flexible methods that converted qualitative data into quantitative data. In this method, the effect of the project activities on the environmental components were assessed in two stages; project construction and operation based on physical, ecological, socio-economic and cultural aspects. The findings indicated that positive effects will be generally exerted on the region environment by establishing and operating irrigation and drainage network in Kavar plain. In other words, substantial positive impacts will be seen in the region consequently; such as improving the average level of aquifer, enhancement of agricultural wells, and agriculture development in the region. However, in order to alleviate the negative impacts of the projects processes, it is suggested that presented environmental training to farmers, collaborating and further communicating with other relevant organizations and institutions.