International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carbon emissions from the daily activities of urban populations are a primary contributor to climate change. The city of Surakarta, characterized by high mobility and significant emissions, necessitates an approach that emphasizes individual participation in efforts to reduce carbon footprints. This research aims to assess the community's willingness to reduce their carbon footprint based on five key indicators: housing, food, waste and water management, energy use, and transportation. Additionally, an analysis is conducted to identify the dominant factors influencing the community's preferences for environmentally friendly behavior.
METHODS: This study was conducted across five sub-districts in Surakarta City: Mojosongo, Sumber, Jayengan, Serengan, and Sondakan, selected for their high levels of urban activity and environmental relevance. The analytical method employed was Principal Component Analysis, a multivariate statistical technique used to reduce the dimensions of data and identify latent structures within a set of correlated variables. Principal Component Analysis enabled the researchers to extract principal components that represent key behavioral dimensions related to the willingness to decrease carbon footprint. The analysis was performed using STATA-13 and Minitab software for statistical computation and data visualization.
FINDINGS: The research findings indicate that the primary factors influencing WDC are community preferences regarding energy efficiency, waste management, and food consumption, which collectively account for 49.7% of the variability. The preference for sustainable living spaces and environmentally friendly transportation emerges as the second major factor, explaining 21.7% of the variability. The overall willingness of the community to reduce its carbon footprint is categorized as moderate. Among the five sub-districts, Jayengan exhibits the highest WDC index at 1.30, followed by Sumber (1.19), Semanggi (1.14), and both Sondakan and Mojosongo, which have the lowest indices of 1.10 each.
CONCLUSION: Research shows that residents in Surakarta City's five sub-districts have a moderate desire to lower their carbon footprint. Although awareness and concern, particularly about housing and transportation, are increasing, this has not yet translated into strong actions across all behaviors.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Strategic Human Resource Development (HRD) is crucial for enhancing organizational performance and reputation within the competitive higher education sector. Lecturer productivity is a key indicator of institutional success; however, the efficiency of integrated HRD approaches in academic settings requires further empirical investigation. This study evaluates the impact of core human resource development practices, training, career development, and compensation on lecturer productivity at the National School of Administration in Muha Commune. It aims to identify gaps in HRD implementation and provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancement.
METHODS: A quantitative methods design was employed. Using convenience sampling, 24 lecturers were selected from a population of 27. Primary data were collected via a structured, self-administered questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale. Data analysis was conducted with SPSS 25.0, utilizing descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression to identify relationships and predictive power.
RESULTS: The results revealed strong positive correlations among all Human Resource Development practices and lecturer productivity. Training demonstrated a strong correlation (r = 0.714, p < 0.009), career development a very strong correlation (r = 0.851, p < 0.001), and remuneration a moderate correlation (r = 0.604, p < 0.002). Regression analysis also confirmed that these three dimensions explain 76.2% of the variance in productivity (R² = 0.762, Adjusted R² = 0.732).
CONCLUSION: The study concludes that sustained, integrated investments in Human Resource Development are essential for enhancing lecturer productivity. It is recommended that the institution adopt a comprehensive strategy, including implementing a long-term training program based on a Training Needs Analysis (TNA), formalizing career feedback and goal-setting mechanisms, and reviewing the compensation structure to ensure equity and competitiv

Abstract This study examined 114 operational electric train stations in Thailand across seven rail networks: Sukhumvit, Silom, Airport Rail Link, Krung Thonburi, Thani Ratthaya, Nakhonwithi, and Chat Chai. The evaluation of TOD performance was conducted using six criteria: Density, Design, Diversity, Connectivity/Demand Management, Destination Accessibility, and Distance to Transit, within catchments of 500 and 1,000 meters. Population density, residential units, and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) were examined; design included sidewalks, parking, and road density; diversity was represented by land-use mix through Points of Interest (POI) distribution; connectivity was assessed via bus routes, station accessibility, and POIs; distance was quantified by park-and-ride proximity and POI distance from stations. The research sought to accomplish three objectives: 1) evaluate station performance via TOD Scores to discern strengths and shortcomings, 2) propose improvements to promote transit usage, and 3) deliver web application for station planning. The findings highlighted Density, Design, and Connectivity as the key factors, suggesting that measures should augment population density, integrate amenities that appeal to inhabitants, and fortify transportation infrastructure. A web application was developed to present TOD data, enabling stakeholders to compare stations and use high-performing ones as benchmarks. This framework enables future planning and guides the development of the public transport network.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: With sustained socio-economic development, problems such as resource constraints, ecological damage, and food safety have become increasingly prominent and have become important factors constraining sustainable development. To address these challenges, this study applies the stimulus–organism–response framework to examine key factors that shape consumers’ green purchase intention in the food industry in China. Green advertising, environmental attitude, product attributes, and social media influence are conceptualized as external stimuli, while customer perceived value represents the internal psychological mechanism driving behavioural intention.
METHODS: A total of 371 valid survey responses were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (version 27.0) and Analysis of Moment Structures (version 28.0) to conduct reliability testing, factor analysis, structural modelling, and mediation analysis.
FINDINGS: All four external variables significantly increase customer perceived value, which in turn strengthens green purchase intention. Mediation results show that customer perceived value partially mediates the effects of green advertising and product attributes, and fully mediates the effects of environmental attitude and social media influence.
CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that customer perceived value plays a central role in transforming external green marketing stimuli into purchase intention. These findings provide theoretical insight for stimulus–organism–response-based green marketing research and practical guidance for food enterprises seeking to promote sustainable consumer behaviour.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This article examines the phenomenon of caged balconies in Da Lat, Vietnam, to explain how informal spatial extensions mediate tensions between residents’ everyday survival needs and aesthetic governance in a heritage-linked tourist city. Rather than treating caged balconies as isolated architectural violations, the study conceptualizes them as socio-spatial responses to housing scarcity under tourism-oriented visual regulation. Building on debates on urban informality, everyday urbanism, spatial justice, and the politics of visibility, the research aims to: (i) identify the drivers behind caged-balcony construction; (ii) compare their morphologies and interfaces with shared space; (iii) analyze mechanisms of surveillance, regulation, and stigmatization; and (iv) advance an Urban Aesthetic Justice framework to interpret these practices as contested claims to spatial legitimacy.
METHODS: The study adopts a qualitative comparative case design focusing on two contrasting sites: Ngo Quyen Apartment (formal housing) and the To Ngoc Van canal-side settlement (informal housing). Data were triangulated through field observation and photographic documentation, 60 semi-structured interviews with residents, typological analysis of balcony extensions, and review of planning regulations and secondary documents. Materials were analyzed using thematic and content analysis across micro (household), meso (neighborhood), and macro (policy–market) scales.
FINDINGS: Clear contrasts emerge between the two sites. In the formal apartment compound, caged balconies are typically small, standardized, and used for auxiliary functions such as drying and storage. In the canal-side settlement, extensions are larger, built from salvaged materials, and essential for cooking, sleeping, or livelihood activities. These differences reflect interacting micro-level household pressures, meso-level infrastructural and management conditions, and macro-level shortages of affordable housing under image-conscious planning. Field evidence further reveals uneven enforcement and differentiated stigma, in which visually “orderly” extensions are tolerated while precarious yet life-sustaining structures are marginalized within the tourism-oriented urban landscape.
CONCLUSION: The study advances an Urban Aesthetic Justice framework, emphasizing that spatial legitimacy in tourist cities is shaped not only by legality and safety but also by aesthetic regimes and politics of visibility. Caged balconies thus emerge as material indicators of how tourism-driven governance produces uneven tolerance of informality and reinforces socio-spatial inequality. Policy implications include expanding affordable housing supply, strengthening participatory planning, adopting flexible, area-specific regulations that legalize small, safe extensions while removing hazardous ones, and upgrading infrastructure in canal-side neighborhoods. Although limited to two case sites and primarily qualitative evidence, the framework offers a transferable lens for analyzing informal spatial practices in other heritage- and tourism-oriented cities.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The rapid expansion of social media has introduced a digital layer into the production and experience of urban public spaces, particularly influencing gendered patterns of movement, visibility, and access. This study investigates how social media platforms mediate and reshape gendered behaviors on Ferdowsi Street in Sanandaj, Iran, examining the interaction between physical design, cultural norms, and digital representations in producing spatial inequalities.
METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was employed using a triangulation strategy to ensure validity. Behavioral mapping was conducted to identify spatial behavior patterns. Additionally, semi-structured walk-along interviews were conducted with 46 participants (24 males and 22 females), and thematic analysis was carried out, incorporating both deductive coding based on the Monitoring Cycle of Gender Behavior Differences in Public Space and inductive coding to identify emerging digital-behavioral themes.
FINDINGS: Results show clear gendered spatial segmentation: adolescent and young men predominantly clustered at peripheral, high-visibility nodes, while women concentrated in central and safer segments of the street. Social media played a significant mediating role in producing these patterns. Adolescent boys were highly sensitive to viral, geotagged, and event-driven content, translating online visibility into rapid physical presence. Young women selectively responded to cultural and commercial posts, shaping their spatial use more cautiously. Across all age groups, social media amplified specific nodes along the street, effectively branding certain areas and transforming them into digitally driven hubs of activity. These patterns reflect a hybrid physical-digital public space in which digital representations contribute to the reproduction of gender norms and influence the distribution of agency, comfort, and access.
CONCLUSION: The study concludes that spatial behaviors in contemporary urban environments cannot be understood solely through physical design or socio-cultural norms; digital representations now function as an active component in the production of space. Social media platforms mediate gendered access and reinforce spatial inequalities by commercializing visibility and shaping collective perceptions of safety, desirability, and social value. As a result, designing inclusive and gender-sensitive public spaces requires coordinated interventions in both the physical environment and the digital sphere.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Political parties played a strategic role in preparing and promoting candidates for the 2024 regional head elections in Indonesia, which were held nine months after the presidential election. The political dynamics from the presidential contest were expected to influence public perception and candidate selection at the regional level. This study examined the role and political communication strategies employed by political parties to promote their cadres in the 2024 regional elections.
METHODS: This research adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative methods—interviews, observations, and literature studies—with quantitative analysis through surveys distributed to 117 respondents across West Java. The qualitative component explored communication patterns and internal strategies, while the quantitative component measured public opinion and media preferences.
FINDINGS: The survey results revealed that 42.7% of respondents supported PKS, followed by Gerindra (16.2%), PDIP (10.3%), Golkar (8.5%), and PKB (6%). Social media was the most utilized political communication channel, with 76.9% of respondents accessing messages through Instagram (61.5%) and TikTok (14.5%). Most political parties preferred to promote native cadres and conducted face-to-face campaigns in addition to digital outreach. The data showed that message consistency and community proximity were key variables influencing voter trust.
CONCLUSION: Political parties in West Java employed relatively similar communication strategies, integrating both digital and conventional media channels. Despite the proximity of the presidential election, its residual effects on public opinion during the regional elections appeared limited, due to the overlapping coalitions among parties. Internal cadre strengthening and social media engagement were pivotal in shaping favorable public perceptions.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated how Flexible Manufacturing Systems—including workstations, automated handling/storage, inspection equipment, ancillary components, and computer control—were related to Human Resource sustainability (justice, job well-being, and employee development) at the Samarra Pharmaceutical Factory. The objective was to identify which FMS dimensions most strongly supported sustainable HR outcomes.
METHODS: A descriptive–analytical design was used. A structured questionnaire was administered to 230 employees; 207 valid responses were obtained (response rate = 90%). The measurement model and hypotheses were tested in AMOS v26 using standard validation criteria and structural equation modeling.
RESULTS: Overall FMS capability was positively associated with HR sustainability (standardized regression weight = 0.932; unstandardized estimate = 2.079; 95% CI = 0.896–0.971; p = 0.02). Bivariate correlations between individual FMS components and HR sustainability were significant: workstations r = 0.841 (α = 0.05), handling & storage r = 0.833 (α = 0.05), inspection equipment r = 0.644 (α = 0.05), computer control systems r = 0.902 (α = 0.05), and other components r = 0.928 (α = 0.05). Model fit indices met accepted thresholds (e.g., GFI = 0.927, AGFI = 0.916, RMR = 0.068, NFI = 0.913, RFI = 0.905).
CONCLUSION: Strengthening Flexible Manufacturing Systems—particularly computer control systems—was associated with higher HR sustainability by improving safety, reducing physical/psychological strain, and expanding development opportunities. Managers seeking technology investments that advance operational efficiency and workforce well-being could prioritize FMS upgrades aligned with these results.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Micro, small, and medium enterprises play a vital role in Indonesia’s urban economy, contributing 60.5% to Gross Domestic Product and fostering employment and economic resilience. However, despite policy support through Law No. 20/2008 on MSMEs, performance gaps persist in secondary cities where over 60% of MSMEs fail within five years due to managerial, financial, and adaptive constraints, a critical concern for Indonesia's 98 secondary cities, housing 40% of national micro, small, and medium enterprises. This study examines how entrepreneurial orientation, owner’s education, and business capital influence MSME performance, with strategic agility as a mediating variable, in Mojokerto, East Java.
METHODS: A quantitative-explanatory design was applied using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4.0. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted from February to March 2024 with 60 micro, small, and medium enterprise owners registered under the Badan Usaha Milik Desa or village-owned enterprises in Mojokerto Regency. Five constructs, entrepreneurial orientation (5 indicators), owner’s education level (4), business capital (4), strategic agility (4), and MSME performance (4), were measured using five-point Likert scales. The measurement model was tested for reliability and validity, followed by structural model evaluation and hypothesis testing via bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples at α = 0.05.
FINDINGS: All constructs demonstrated satisfactory validity and reliability, with indicator loadings above 0.787, composite reliability (CR) ranging from 0.878 to 0.928, and average variance extracted ranging from 0.644 to 0.766. The owner’s education level had a significant positive effect on MSME performance (β = 0.342, t = 2.203, p = 0.028), accounting for 12.6% of its variance. Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) did not significantly affect performance (β = -0.152, p = 0.296) or strategic agility (β = -0.180, p = 0.263). Likewise, business capital had no significant effect on either performance (β = 0.184, p = 0.168) or agility (β = -0.041, p = 0.755). The effect of strategic agility on performance was positive but not statistically significant (β = 0.237, p = 0.101). Mediation analysis confirmed that strategic agility did not significantly mediate any relationships (all p > 0.40).
CONCLUSION: Owner’s education level emerges as the primary determinant of MSME performance in Indonesia’s secondary cities, exerting a direct influence rather than through strategic agility. Strengthening human capital is therefore essential for urban entrepreneurial resilience. These findings suggest that while Law No. 20/2008 on MSMEs provides the legal framework for MSME development, implementation should prioritize human capital enhancement over capital provision alone. Policymakers should emphasize accessible education, managerial development, and digital literacy for MSME owners through targeted programs aligned with Presidential Regulation No. 2/2022 on Job Creation, over financial or promotional incentives.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low-carbon tourism was recognized as a crucial contributor to mitigating the effects of climate change; however, tourists often failed to translate pro-environmental intentions into actions. This study examined the influence of Digital Information Perception, the perceived credibility and usefulness of online information, and Social Media Engagement, the active interaction with social media content and peer networks, the perceived behavioral control through social media, on pro-environmental attitudes among urban, well-educated, and digitally literate seniors. The research aimed to identify the predictors of intention and behavior toward low-carbon tourism within a digital context.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 400 respondents. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling to test the extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model incorporating digital constructs. The variables included DIP, SME, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, and low-carbon behavior.
FINDINGS: The primary evidence from the SEM analysis reveals the significant predictors of intention to adopt low-carbon practices. The mean score discrepancy highlights the large gap between pro-environmental intentions and actual behaviors, with 78% of respondents reporting high pro-environmental intentions, reflected in a mean score of 4.29, in contrast to only 54% exhibiting consistent low-carbon behaviors, indicated by a lower mean score of 2.56. Additionally, the beta coefficient for the pathway from behavioral intention to low-carbon tourism behavior was found to be β = 0.610, emphasizing its strong influence in the model. These findings underscore the substantial intention–behavior gap in the context of low-carbon tourism among urban seniors.
CONCLUSION: The model fit was satisfactory, with indices indicating a good fit (CFI > 0.90, RMSEA < 0.08). This supports the validity of the extended Theory of Planned Behavior model in predicting low-carbon tourism intentions among urban seniors. This suggests that seniors find the credibility and usefulness of general online information (DIP) more influential for intention than active interaction with social media. So, to develop eco-friendly tourism among elders, the focus should be on low-carbon tourism options. Due to purposive, non-random sampling of urban, digitally literate seniors, the results should be interpreted as exploratory; future studies should employ representative and longitudinal designs to examine the persistence of low-carbon behaviors over time.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Forest honey is a non-timber forest product that supports community welfare while maintaining ecosystem biodiversity. This study aimed to evaluate the level of sustainability of forest honey production in Riau Province by determining and analyzing the sustainability index.
METHODS: Data were collected through literature review, focus group discussions, and expert questionnaires involving practitioners and stakeholders with more than five years of experience in forest honey production and management. The data obtained were then analyzed using a multidimensional scale technique covering environmental, economic, social, technological, and institutional aspects. Monte Carlo analysis and the alternating least-squares algorithm were used to examine the sustainability status and significant characteristics.
FINDINGS: The results showed that the sustainability index reached 76.26 percent, categorized as highly sustainable. The environmental, economic, and social dimensions were found to be sustainable, while institutional and technological aspects remained moderately sustainable and need further strengthening. Key attributes influencing sustainability include distribution systems, product prices, training opportunities for honey collectors, digital marketing, and product certification.
CONCLUSION: Strategic recommendations include improving institutional capacity, expanding the use of digital technology, continuous technical training, and developing long-term business strategies. This study introduces a multidimensional sustainability assessment model that integrates ecological, economic, social, technological, and institutional aspects, offering a replicable framework for sustainable forest honey management in Indonesia and beyond.

Abstract Rapid urbanisation has transformed cities into both concentrations of health risks and key arenas for improving population health. Understanding how urban environmental conditions influence multiple dimensions of health has therefore become a central concern for health‑oriented urban planning and design. This study synthesises global scientific evidence on the relationships between urban environmental exposures and health outcomes published between 1984 and 2025 and develops an analytical framework for integrating health considerations into urban planning and design practice.
A systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‑Analyses) guidelines. Relevant studies were identified through structured searches in major international and national academic databases. The records were screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and eligible studies were systematically coded and analysed. The reviewed studies were classified according to key categories of urban environmental exposure, including green and blue spaces, public and recreational spaces, built form and urban morphology, transport systems and walkability, and environmental risks such as air pollution, noise, and urban heat exposure. Health outcomes were examined across four domains: physical, mental, social, and cognitive health. The findings reveal consistent evidence that access to green and blue spaces and high‑quality public spaces is associated with improved mental health, increased physical activity, and higher overall quality of life. Urban form characteristics—particularly density, land‑use configuration, and walkability—are systematically linked to patterns of physical activity, obesity, and non‑communicable diseases. Conversely, exposure to environmental hazards such as air pollution, noise, and heat stress is strongly associated with mortality and the urban burden of disease. Recent research has also expanded to include cognitive health, child development, healthy ageing, and the mediating roles of perceptual and social factors. Despite these advances, important knowledge gaps remain regarding spatial health equity, the evaluation of urban design interventions, and empirical evidence from low‑ and middle‑income countries. Based on this synthesis, the study proposes a multi‑level analytical framework linking urban spatial structure and design, environmental exposures and behavioural pathways, perceptual and social mediators, and multidimensional health outcomes. The framework provides a conceptual basis for systematically integrating health considerations into urban policy, planning, and design.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In massive construction and civil engineering projects, project financing is of particular importance. This is because the majority of problems arising in construction projects, which lead to prolonged durations and even the loss of the project's economic justification, stem from disruptions in financing. One of the most significant causes of this is the failure to identify and forecast risks properly and to prioritize them based on their individual impact on project costs. METHODS: In this research, after reviewing methods and studying the internal and external risks of projects, as well as examining cost estimation methods and selecting the most appropriate one, the influencing factors were first gathered using a questionnaire. The consistency of this data was then measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Subsequently, the risks were prioritized using the DEMATEL method, and their impact and probability of occurrence were surveyed. Finally, the probability of occurrence and the impact of each risk were estimated as a probability density function, and the problem was simulated using the Monte Carlo method. FINDINGS: In a Monte Carlo simulation, risk analysis is performed by constructing models of potential outcomes, substituting a range of values from probability distributions for every factor that has inherent uncertainty. It then recalculates the results repeatedly, each time using a different set of random values from the probability distributions. Depending on the number of uncertainties and their specified ranges, it can perform thousands or tens of thousands of recalculations before completing, thereby producing distributions of possible outcome values. CONCLUSION: For this purpose, MATLAB software was used to simulate the Monte Carlo method for analyzing this research problem, to obtain the mean impact of the 7 prioritized risks. The impact of these 7 risks on the objective function was assessed based on the frequency of risk occurrence, the probability of occurrence during construction, and the range of their impact on the project cost. The probability density functions for each risk and the distribution functions for the impact ranges of each risk were derived based on the sample data collected via the questionnaire.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Social commerce has received increasing attention from both researchers and practitioners as a new area in the electronic commerce field. This research aims to provide a deep understanding of the current state of social commerce literature by conducting a content analysis of the top relevant journal articles in the field. In addition, find the impact of geographical focus on social commerce research, the main commercial activities conducted in s-commerce, and proper approaches to solving the limitations identified in social commerce research. METHODS: This research adopted a qualitative content analysis approach. So, the sample size was 357 studies from the Scopus database using RStudio. Subsequently, the top 100 articles were used for content analysis via NVivo for data extraction and analysis to visualize and reveal the evolution of social commerce. FINDINGS: The study results reveal that major themes include social commerce adoption, trust, Facebook, social media marketing, technology acceptance, and brand loyalty. Empirical research is the main form applied in social commerce research, while Social Support Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, and Trust Transfer Theories are the most frequently adopted theories. Transaction-based social commerce activities were the most performed. Additionally, customers frequently shared commercial information. CONCLUSION: The limitations found were data collection through a cross-sectional survey approach that might lead to a lack of generalizability. The recommended solutions are to perform longitudinal studies since most of the earlier research was empirical. The current study results help researchers, practitioners, and businesses in this field gain deeper insight into the social commerce trends.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Emerging capital markets face challenges in allocating financial resources to firms pursuing sustainability objectives. While prior studies have documented positive associations between environmental, social, and governance performance and firm value in developed economies, evidence from emerging markets remains inconclusive. This study examines the effects of sustainability performance, sustainability ratings, and institutional investor ownership on firm valuation among publicly listed companies in Southeast Asia. METHODS: A balanced panel of 201 firm-year observations from 67 publicly listed companies (2022–2024) was analyzed using panel-data regression. Pooled Ordinary Least Squares. Fixed Effects, and Random Effects models were estimated, with model selection based on the Breusch-Pagan Lagrange Multiplier and Hausman tests. Firm value was measured using Tobin's Q, while explanatory variables included Refinitiv Environmental, Social, and Governance performance scores, Morningstar Sustainalytics ESG risk ratings, and institutional ownership characteristics. Firm size and leverage were included as control variables, and cluster-robust standard errors were applied. Statistical analyses were conducted using Python. FINDINGS: The Breusch-Pagan LM test rejected pooled OLS (p < 0.001), while the Hausman test supported the Random Effects model (χ² = 5.37, p = 0.372). Under the final specification, ESG performance (β = −0.005, p = 0.730) and sustainability ratings (β = 0.015, p = 0.304) were not significantly associated with firm value. In contrast, institutional ownership characteristics were positively associated with firm value (β = 0.443, p = 0.027), whereas firm size showed a significant negative association (β = −0.413, p = 0.001). A one-period-lagged robustness model found no significant delayed effects of the sustainability variables. The final model remained significant (F = 6.35, p < 0.001) and explained 14.8% of the variation in firm value. CONCLUSION: After accounting for panel heterogeneity, firm-level controls, and robust inference, neither internally reported ESG performance nor externally validated sustainability ratings exhibited a robust independent association with firm value. Institutional ownership characteristics emerged as the most consistent correlate of firm valuation, while firm size was negatively associated with Tobin's Q. These findings underscore the importance of rigorous panel-data methodology and institutional governance in understanding corporate valuation in emerging capital markets.

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 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Organizational effectiveness is the core criterion for assessing how well public organizations fulfill their mandated missions. Despite successive reform initiatives, the overall effectiveness of Mashhad Municipality remains contested among citizens, experts, and policymakers. This study aims to identify the deep‐rooted obstacles that undermine the organizational effectiveness of Mashhad Municipality, as perceived by senior and middle managers, professional staff, and urban governance experts. METHODS: The study adopted a multi-phase exploratory qualitative design. Strategic documents, performance reports, audit findings, and prior studies were first reviewed to identify 26 macro-level problems. A 30-member expert panel then prioritized the problems through 12 focus-group sessions, producing ten core macro issues. Next, 17 thematic focus-group sessions, with 5–8 participants per session, were conducted around these issues. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase procedure. Finally, deductive conceptual analysis, informed by public administration theory and the politicization literature, translated the empirical diagnosis into a conceptually derived transformative framework. FINDINGS: The analysis revealed the "politicization of Mashhad Municipality" as the central, cross‑cutting phenomenon that links and amplifies diverse organizational problems. Four interrelated macro-dimensions of ineffectiveness were identified: managerial instability and short-termism, collapse of meritocracy, marginalization of expertise, and regulatory opacity—all rooted in a persistent pattern of politicization. Politicization manifests through partisan influence over appointments and promotions, short‑term populist decision‑making, fragmentation of accountability, erosion of professional norms, and the weakening of evidence‑based planning and control systems. These dynamics aggravate long‑standing managerial issues such as unclear strategic priorities, duplicated structures, excessive bureaucracy, and poor coordination across departments and with external stakeholders. CONCLUSION: Sustainable improvement in the effectiveness of Mashhad Municipality requires tackling politicization as a systemic governance problem rather than as a series of isolated managerial shortcomings. The study proposes four interdependent transformation paths: strengthening data-driven governance and evidence-based decision-making; institutionalizing merit-based and transparent human resource systems; consolidating systematic transparency and accountability; and promoting human resource excellence through empowerment, capability development, and professional ethics. The conceptual framework developed here may guide diagnostic assessments and reform agendas in Mashhad and in other municipalities facing similar politicization challenges.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The roots of portfolio thinking can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where large-scale construction projects were coordinated at the empire level. During World War II, project control techniques were extensively applied to improve time management. While project control focuses mainly on schedule adherence, project management encompasses broader considerations, including cost, quality, and scope. With the increasing number of projects undertaken by organizations and the growing need for strategic alignment, resource prioritization, and cross-project integration, Project Portfolio Management has emerged as a critical discipline for achieving organizational coherence. Despite its importance, a comprehensive and practical conceptual model that guides managers in implementing Project Portfolio Management remains underdeveloped. This study therefore seeks to present an integrated conceptual framework for Project Portfolio Management. METHODS: The proposed model was evaluated within the framework of the Balanced Scorecard to categorize projects across strategic dimensions. The Analytic Hierarchy Process was applied to determine the relative importance of evaluation criteria. The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution was then employed to assign performance scores to the projects, while Data Envelopment Analysis was used to assess their efficiency. Finally, Linear Integer Programming was implemented to incorporate budgetary constraints and identify the optimal project portfolio. To illustrate the applicability of the model, a case study of a hypothetical municipality managing 114 projects was conducted. FINDINGS: The Linear Integer Programming analysis revealed that Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution yielded superior results in the learning and growth and internal processes aspects, with objective function values of 0.22 and 0.164, respectively. By contrast, Data Envelopment Analysis was more effective in the customer and financial aspects, achieving values of 0.190 and 0.141. This divergence is largely attributable to budget allocation and methodological orientation: Data Envelopment Analysis emphasizes input–output efficiency, favoring projects with higher relative productivity, whereas Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution prioritizes projects with stronger weighted performance scores. Under budget constraints, however, portfolios composed of smaller, lower-scoring projects may collectively generate greater benefits than portfolios of fewer, high-scoring but resource-intensive projects. This highlights the inherent trade-off between single-project efficiency evaluation and portfolio-level optimization. CONCLUSION: This study introduces an eight-step conceptual framework for Project Portfolio Management, integrating Balanced Scorecard, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution, Data Envelopment Analysis, and Linear Integer Programming to support portfolio creation and project selection. The findings suggest that while both Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution and Data Envelopment Analysis offer valuable insights, their relative effectiveness depends on organizational constraints. The proposed framework provides a structured, systematic approach to portfolio decision-making, thereby enhancing the alignment of projects with strategic objectives and improving overall organizational performance.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the context of rapid urbanization, Algerian cities face significant challenges, particularly in resource management, urban mobility, and enhancing citizens' quality of life. This article examines the emergence of the smart city concept as a promising solution to address these urgent issues. By leveraging information and communication technologies, this innovative model aims to create more efficient urban environments. METHODS: The study focuses on the smart city concept, particularly its application in Algeria. A comprehensive analysis of the technological, economic, social, and political dimensions was conducted to identify the factors that have impeded the effective implementation of urban modernization reforms in the country. The research included a survey, supplemented by interviews with key industry players, providing qualitative data on the obstacles encountered. FINDINGS: The analysis reveals that, while some major cities have made significant progress, the implementation of smart city initiatives in Algeria remains limited and often ineffective. Key obstacles identified include insufficient technological infrastructure, significant economic constraints, low levels of citizen participation, and political challenges. These factors have hindered the sustainable and inclusive development of Algerian cities, thus limiting the potential of information and communication technologies to improve citizens' quality of life. CONCLUSION: In summary, this study offers insights into the necessary steps to harness the potential of smart cities for the benefit of Algerian society. To overcome the identified challenges, it is essential to adopt an integrated approach that promotes collaboration among various stakeholders, strengthens infrastructure, and encourages citizen engagement. By doing so, Algeria could not only enhance urban management but also promote sustainable and inclusive development, which is essential for addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: One of the key indicators in the evaluation of service quality is the execution of a Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) and the success of any organization lies in its ability to effectively manage its resources. Human resources play an integral role in this process, and their contribution to quality management systems is invaluable. This study described the profile of the respondents in terms of age, sex, working experience, employee position, and sector of an organization. This study also assessed respondents' attitudes toward hiring and selection, compensation and rewards, and training and development. Additionally, this study tried to establish a strong correlation between the respondent profile and their attitudes regarding education and training, recruitment and selection, and compensation and rewards.
METHODS: This study used a descriptive quantitative method. A total of 150 employees of the ISO 9001:2015 certified service sector within the Cities in Nueva Ecija were surveyed using a survey questionnaire.
FINDINGS: Findings present 40% of the respondents came from Generation Y and 26.67 respondents from Generation Z.  The respondents' attitudes toward the training and development practices of various service firms found that the highest mean of 3.52 representing a distinct plan for learning and development and encouraging employees to participate in relevant training programs got the second-highest weighted mean of 3.47. Having a criterion to measure the effectiveness of the training got the lowest weighted mean of 3.09. This study also determines the attitude of the employees on recruitment and selection practices of their respective organizations. Filling up vacancies with internally qualified employees got the highest weighted mean of 3.32 followed by informing the applicants about the job conditions needed to achieve a job before hiring, Furthermore, the posting of job advertisements got a weighted mean of 2.19. Lastly, the respondents' attitude toward rewards and compensation practices showed the highest score of 3.59 that Employees are encouraged to accomplish the company's goals by their compensation packages. Other rewards and compensation practices include satisfactory rewards and compensation system, salary satisfaction, rewarding employee collaboration, and reviewing salary increments, bonuses, and other allowances fairly and justifiably with a weighted mean of 3.37, 3.32, 2.85, and 2.77, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The results show that specific practices of Human Resource Management, which have been identified, are crucial to improving organizational performance since they contribute to the success of businesses.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During the past decades, architects have faced serious challenges in renovating buildings. Renovated buildings require activities that, besides energy savings and less damages to the environment, could have psychologically positive effects on customers. Renovation plays an important role in the development of the city of Tehran so that it can bring environmental, economic and social benefits and preserve the originality of the urban environment of this metropolis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was Evaluation of psychological factors affecting the decision of citizens to purchase renovated buildings with emphasis on maintaining urban environment.
METHODS: The present study used a mixed approach to achieve a general model to investigate the effects of such factors on customers’ decision to buy renovated buildings. To validate the model, the qualitative approach was based on the Grounded Theory, and the quantitative approach used Structural Equation Modeling. In the qualitative analysis to identify the influential factors, the interview data were analyzed with ATLAS.Ti8 software version 8.0 by using the Grounded Theory coding method according to Strauss and Corbin’s approach. Finally, the effects of psychological factors on the consumer decision to buy renovated buildings were identified.
FINDINGS: Perception index with two components of personality (factor loading 0.60) and experience (factor loading 0.69), learning index with two components of capacity change and behavior change with factor loading 0.56, attitude index with two components of self-esteem (0. 70) and excitement (0.76) and in the motivation index of the external motivation component (0.58) were confirmed in the final model. The indicators of needs and desires (0.31), change of status (0.42), identity (0. 32) and intrinsic motivation (0.49) were rejected and removed from the final model.
CONCLUSION: The findings showed that in order to maintain the authenticity of the urban environment as well as the satisfaction of citizens, the managers of architectural companies and senior officials of urban planning can use the investigated methods to make better decisions and encourage citizens to buy renovated buildings.

Abstract This paper explores the developing of how designers can search for inspiration source which provided in the form of traditional elements and archetypes and also their role on idea generation in design from building to urban measure. In order to clarify of this, current study focuses on the Far-East region as an ancient part of the world in which there is a huge number of symbols like well known, Yin-Yang. To understanding of how designers inspired by the symbols and forming the character of place via those, the case study method is used to an in-depth evaluation. The result is presented in a table involving cases which selected in divers rang of Far-East countries. Based on result, historical symbols, as a rich source of ideas and stimulation can play a significant in meaning-making and also forming the identity of city. In addition, these symbols help highly to revival the exiting values which ignored in contemporary urbanization particularly in developing countries like Iran. Accordingly, evaluation of cases observed that the symbol-inspired design can prove the durability of the urban character. Finally, inspiration source divided in two main types including: visual and verbal. Based on results of exist study, most of designers inspired visually (i.e. visual analogy, external) and a low percent of them inspired verbally (i.e. abstract, internal). Moreover, minority of designer inspired mediocre by combination of these (i.e. visual/verbal).

Abstract The strategies to reduce the consumption of non-renewable energies in buildings are becoming increasingly important. In the meantime, nature-inspired approaches have emerged as a new strategy to achieve thermal comfort in the interiors. However, the use of these approaches in architecture and buildings requires a proper understanding regarding the features of ecosystems. Although acquiring this knowledge requires a high degree of familiarity with the fields such as biology and environmental science, review of achievements made by the use of these features could facilitate the understanding of ecomimicry processes and thereby contribute to environmental sustainability in buildings. In other words, this paper concerns the relationship between these features and the thermal comfort inside the building. Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies. The objective of this paper is to use such review to provide an approach to the use of natural features for achieving thermal comfort in the buildings of hot and dry climates. In this review, the successful examples are analyzed to identify and examine the principles that influence the thermal comfort in both building and urban levels. The results show that the three elements of water, wind, sun are the effective natural resources that must be utilized in the design in a way proportional and consistent with the natural features. In addition, functional features of ecosystem can be of value only in the presence of a processual  relationship between them.

Abstract The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationships between justice perceptions, employee's misbehavior and cynicism to organization because very few studies have looked at the role of justice and cynicism in the prediction of employee's misbehavior in public organizations. According to the purpose of study, the present research is developmental research. Also according to way of data collection (research project), the present study are descriptive research. In classification based on the type of research, this study is correlational research. In the current research, the population under analysis consists of a public organization. Participants were 420 employees and all of them were administrative employee. The results of the present research revealed that justice perceptions will be negatively associated with employee's misbehavior; negatively predicted employee's cynicism and finally the relationship between organizational justice and misbehavior will be mediated by employee's cynicism. The present results both support previous research and extend our perception in relation with the mechanisms through which justice influences on employee's misbehavior.

Abstract This paper investigates empirically the effect of volatility of the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar vis-à-vis the euro on U.S. stock market volatility while controlling for a number of drivers of stock return volatility. Using a GARCH(1, 1) model and using weekly data covering the period from the week of January 1, 1999 through the week of January 25, 2010, it is found that the 9/11 terrorist attack, bear markets, fluctuations in jobless claims, and negative equity market returns increase financial volatility. On the other hand, no conclusive results are found regarding the effect of fluctuations in M2, or incorrect expectations of changes in the federal funds target rate. Finally, it is found that when major drivers of financial volatility are controlled for, increased exchange rate volatility exerts a positive and statistically significant effect on the volatility of stock returns. Monetary policymakers need to take this effect into account when formulating exchange rate actions within the prevailing managed float.

Abstract In describing the behavior of employees, classified organizational citizenship behavior is applied and has been named as a "good member". In the working climate, the substance of building organizational citizenship behavior could not distinguish from the existing commitment within employees. The challenges and contribution of organizational citizenship behavior are to be a driving force in the foundation of effectiveness of hospitality industry. To throw an upright citizen in organizations, the industry should puzzle out if not the industry cannot live without paying an act as an “honest citizen”. A true contribution of employees should understand the organizational citizenship behavior while not everybody can express it. Supervisors in the hospitality industry will reward with high ratings if employees demonstrate high organizational citizenship behavior, but employees who are express low level of organizational citizenship behavior can justify that the particular industry need to direct the importance of extra-role behavior in organizations. Thusly, the criticism of this topic is to identify the problem and challenges confronted by employees in the hospitality industry. In this industry, organizational citizenship behavior is a key predictor in reducing all barriers to guarantee the effectiveness of the organization can be achieved. However, the rationale of this review paper to define the challenges and contributions that can earn by the hospitality management in improving the staff functioning, reducing turnover intention and increase the staff satisfaction.