International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:  Turkey's strategic position as an energy hub between Eastern and Western markets, combined with the Balkan countries' growing need for energy source diversification, necessitated a comprehensive analysis of their energy cooperation. This study aimed to evaluate the geopolitical dynamics of energy partnerships between Turkey and the Balkan region, focusing on infrastructure development and investment patterns from 2013 to 2022. The research objectives were to: 1-analyze the implementation of major cross-border energy projects; 2-assess Turkish investment activity in the Balkan renewable energy sector; 3-evaluate the influence of geopolitical factors on energy cooperation; and 4-identify key challenges and opportunities for future energy partnerships.
METHODS: The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining historical review, geopolitical mapping, and quantitative analysis of energy trade data. Statistical data from international organizations, including the International Energy Agency, World Bank, and Turkish Statistical Institute, were analyzed. A SWOT-analysis was conducted to assess strategic cooperation dimensions.
FINDINGS: Turkish investments in the Balkan region during 2013-2022 totalled USD 20 billion, with the energy sector accounting for 35% of foreign direct investment. Major energy infrastructure projects included the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (1,850 km, capacity 16 bcm/year, USD 11.5 billion investment) and Turkish Stream (1,100 km, 31.5 bcm/year, USD 7.4 billion investment). Turkish corporations invested €5 billion in renewable energy between 2019-2023, with the largest single investment being a 242 MW wind farm in Montenegro (€280 million). The analysis revealed that Bosnia and Herzegovina received the largest share of total Turkish investments (USD 5.5 billion), followed by Serbia (USD 4.5 billion) and North Macedonia (USD 3 billion).
CONCLUSION: The research established foundational theoretical and practical contributions to understanding regional energy cooperation dynamics. The theoretical framework developed through this study advances scholarly comprehension of how geopolitical, economic, and environmental factors interact in shaping energy partnerships. The findings demonstrate that Turkey-Balkans energy cooperation significantly influences regional energy security and economic integration through substantial infrastructure development and renewable energy investments. The research identified critical success factors for future energy partnerships, including geopolitical stability, capital accessibility, and environmental sustainability. These conclusions provide policy implications for regional energy security enhancement and practical guidelines for cross-border energy project implementation. Furthermore, the study established a methodological foundation for analyzing complex regional energy partnerships, contributing to both theoretical discourse and practical applications in international energy cooperation. The findings suggest that successful energy partnerships require integrated approaches to balance traditional energy security concerns with emerging environmental imperatives while maintaining regional stability.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: East Kalimantan has experienced ethnic conflicts and riots in the past. With Indonesia's capital relocating there, concerns about potential ethnic strife are rising. This research seeks to identify a model of good governance suited for ethnically polarized regions to prevent conflicts from escalating. The study focuses on the newly established Nusantara Capital City and its surrounding area. The objectives of this study are threefold: first, to examine whether areas with high ethnic polarization quantitatively show signs of ethnic antagonism or tensions qualitatively; second, to understand the existing mechanisms of ethnic solidarity and mobilization; and third, to identify the key elements that inhibit the transformation of potential conflict into actual conflict from both ethnic and governance perspectives. The significance of this study lies in its efforts to develop an effective model of good governance tailored for regions with high ethnic polarization.
METHODS: Qualitative and analytical-exploratory methods were utilized to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data, with descriptive statistics enhancing the latter's analysis. Nusantara Capital City comprises 54 villages, housing a total population of 201,259, including 1,777 individuals in village bureaucracies. For qualitative data collection, 29 villages were purposively selected based on ethnic polarization, and respondents were chosen through purposive sampling. Additionally, data on the ethnic backgrounds of the 1,777 individuals in the village bureaucracies were gathered from village offices and key informants, resulting in 189 respondents and key informants for this study.
FINDINGS: The results show that all village samples in Nusantara (100%) implement ethnic-sensitive practices in public service delivery. While various ethnic groups are present at management, staff levels, and in community organizations closely connected to village bureaucracies, the village bureaucracy predominantly comprises three major ethnic groups: Javanese, Banjarese, and Buginese, with average representations of 40.01%, 21.23%, and 21.03%, respectively. Among the local minority ethnic groups, Kutai, Paser, and Dayak have average proportions of 4.55%, 3.14%, and 1.84%, respectively. Despite the insufficient focus on the inclusion of vulnerable Indigenous Baliq people in governance, these practices have helped prevent ethnic polarization from escalating into conflict. Improving governance to be more ethnically sensitive could better address the needs of indigenous communities.
CONCLUSION: The findings provide enhanced strategies for policymakers to implement effective governance in ethnically polarized areas or multi-ethnic regions by taking ethnic-sensitive governance into account. This can be accomplished by adopting ethically sensitive governance within government policy.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study explores the role of organizational structure, historical and cultural capacities, and creative urban spaces in enhancing the branding of creative cities. Focusing on Rasht, a historically and culturally rich city in Iran, the research aims to understand the mediating role of creative urban spaces and historical-cultural capacities in the relationship between organizational structure and urban branding. Despite extensive research on urban branding and its determinants, a theoretical gap exists in understanding how organizational structures influence creative city branding through the interplay of historical-cultural capacities and creative urban spaces as mediators. This study seeks to address this gap by providing a comprehensive framework that integrates structural, spatial, and cultural dimensions in urban branding, particularly in creative cities.
METHODS: Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines a literature review with quantitative data collection. 500 online surveys were distributed among Rasht residents using random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS), to test hypotheses regarding the direct and indirect relationships between organizational structure, creative urban spaces, historical-cultural capacities, and city branding.
FINDINGS: The study reveals that the organizational structure significantly influences creative urban spaces (β = 0.654) and historical-cultural capacities (β = 0.713). These mediating factors play a pivotal role in enhancing creative city branding, with historical-cultural capacities demonstrating a stronger impact (β = 0.352) than creative urban spaces (β = 0.212). The model accounts for 54.5% of the variance in creative city branding, emphasizing the critical interplay between organizational structure, cultural capacities, and urban spaces in shaping and strengthening the city's brand identity.
CONCLUSION: This research contributes to the literature on urban branding by integrating organizational structure, cultural capacities, and creative urban spaces as interconnected factors. The findings underscore the importance of cohesive organizational policies, preservation of cultural heritage, and development of vibrant urban spaces in achieving sustainable and effective city branding. Study limitations and suggestions for future research are also discussed.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the era of globalization, businesses face the challenge of developing and maintaining an effective workforce. Human resource leaders should closely monitor employee discontent with career progression to prevent workplace productivity declines and employee attrition. The primary reason for job loss is often due to a lack of career progression. Career progression involves moving up the corporate ladder, accepting new responsibilities, transferring to better positions, and achieving long-term goals. It refers to the upward or downward movement of employees within an organization, from entry-level to management positions. This study aims to fill knowledge gaps on white-collar occupations, career progression, and how these factors impact salary, lifestyle, and job security.
METHODS: This study used quantitative analysis and hypothesis testing to determine the association between the variables. Data analysis was done using Statistical Software for Social Science (SPSS) software. A total of 250 questionnaires were sent out, of which 231 were returned with feedback, and 227 of those were usable, yielding a 90% response rate.
FINDINGS: Multi-collinear analysis data reveals a negative link between salary and career progression, with a beta coefficient of -0.148 and a p-value of 0.010, which is more than 0.001. Nonetheless, the p-value for job security is less than 0.001, with a beta coefficient of 0.462. The beta coefficient for lifestyle is 0.348, and its p-value is less than 0.001. Hence, the research indicates that lifestyle and job security positively correlate with career progression.
CONCLUSION: The National Solid Waste Management Policy aims to establish a sustainable, integrated waste management system, promote public awareness, and enhance infrastructure for efficient waste management. In line with the study's findings, the policy could be enhanced by incorporating measures that promote employees' lifestyles and career progression.
 

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Sustainable Development Goals show the development goals that would determine the needs of future generations. This research intends to look at the role of monetary stability and exchange rates on the main pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals.
METHODS: The research uses panel data regression techniques on secondary data sourced from the Sustainable Development Goals, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development data in the Group of Twenty countries from 2010-2022. The model assesses the relationship between monetary stability toward the economic, social, and environmental pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals.
FINDINGS: The findings show that monetary stability significantly affects all tested variables, with Gross Domestic Product per capita (β = 15.302; r = 0.000), unemployment (β = -0.755; r = 0.000), trade openness (β = 110.078; r = 0.000), poverty (β = 16.566; r = 0.000), GINI Index (β = 0.436; r = 0.000), carbon emissions (β = -3.242; r = 0.000), and renewable energy usage (β = -34.739; r = 0.000) is negatively influenced, thus supporting each hypothesis. This suggests monetary stability has dominant direct economic and environmental impacts.
CONCLUSION: The implications to be brought forward by this research are expected to empirically represent a solution to the challenges in accomplishing the three primary pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals from the standpoint of exchange rate stability and macroeconomic monetary policy.
 

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The growth and development of informal settlements are among the main challenges facing urban development, particularly in metropolitan areas. The Noh-Darreh area, located along the southern highlands of Mashhad, is a prominent example of informal settlements in the southwestern part of the city. It has attracted the attention of both the public and urban development institutions. Neglecting the needs and potential of the Noh-Darreh area in the planning and implementation of development projects could degrade its urban fabric, turning it into a deteriorated and unstable settlement, predominantly inhabited by migrants with a minimal sense of belonging to their place of residence. This study aims to explain and analyze the urban planning and design factors that impact the quality of informal settlements and evaluate their effectiveness in the Noh-Darreh area of Mashhad. By adopting an infill development approach, the research seeks to propose a viable model for improving the quality of life and habitability in the Noh-Darreh area.
METHODS: This study is purpose-driven and utilizes a mixed-methods research approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection was carried out using the meta-synthesis technique, which involved a systematic review of reliable scientific databases and gathering insights from urban designers, urban managers, and urban development professionals. The findings were assessed using the Delphi technique.
FINDINGS: Based on the assessments, the most influential indicators using a substantive approach are land use and functionality (0.166), building characteristics (0.114), and the permeability of the fabric (0.107). In terms of a procedural approach, the key indicators are urban governance (0.069), social capital (0.067), and the characteristics of development plans (0.042). Additionally, planning and design strategies centered around infill development have been proposed in both the planning and design dimensions to improve the quality of informal settlements in the Noh-Darreh area.
CONCLUSION: The study reveals that targeted urban planning and design can significantly improve the quality of informal settlements through effective infill development. By focusing on key areas such as strengthening public spaces, optimizing land use, enhancing accessibility, protecting physical structures, and preserving the natural environment, we can transform these areas. Also, fostering strong partnerships between government and communities and promoting economic infrastructure can create better opportunities for residents. This approach can revitalize the Noh-Darreh area, turning it into a thriving, sustainable community and securing a brighter future for its residents.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The future of warfare is expected to be increasingly urban. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that cities have become central battlegrounds due to their dense populations, critical infrastructure, and strategic value. Traditional defense mechanisms, such as perimeter fortifications, have proven insufficient against evolving warfare tactics. Despite this growing threat, current urban planning and design practices often prioritize economic and functional aspects, neglecting passive defense measures. To address this gap, this research explores urban planning and design strategies for future cities to enhance their passive defense capabilities, helping them withstand and adapt to enemy attacks while promoting the well-being of their residents.
METHODS: An analysis of the early stages of two ongoing conflicts was conducted to recognize the contemporary behavior of attacks. A literature review was then undertaken to explore peer-reviewed research on passive defense strategies and measures for mitigating these attack behaviors. Based on the findings, planning and design criteria were proposed, and corresponding planning components were identified. Finally, planning and design strategies were developed to enhance the resilience of future cities against potential attacks. The methodology is more qualitative, with references as the basis of analysis and further discussion.
FINDINGS: The study showed that landscape planning and design (22.7%) and urban design (21.3%) were the most frequently identified components in mitigating the effects of attacks.  Urban network planning (17.3%), land use planning (14.7%), and architectural design (14.7%) followed. However, this does not necessarily mean that these components are the most influential in enhancing the passive defense capabilities of future cities, but rather that their impact spans multiple aspects. Additionally, the study highlighted several key strategies for improving the passive defense capabilities of future cities against potential attacks. These include prioritizing naturally protected sites, maintaining low population density, utilizing multiple network patterns and street shapes with T-junctions, implementing an unpredictable polycentric distribution of targets, integrating renewable energy and portable infrastructure solutions, designing homogeneous short blocks with low building density and point-building typology, incorporating low-rise stepped or tapered buildings with rounded corners, centering basements, employing blast-resistant structural systems, and using low-emissive, blast-resistant materials and coatings.
CONCLUSION: Effectively integrating these strategies into future cities requires governments to establish legal frameworks, strengthen interagency coordination, update planning and building codes, mandate passive defense in new construction, incentivize private sector participation, and secure dedicated funding. Moreover, prioritizing citizen education on passive defense, promoting community preparedness, and ensuring effective communication with residents are required.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The development of blockchain and the benefits it promises to enhance accountability have led many countries to adopt it in their e-government. The motivation for this study was the lack of studies examining the adoption factors of blockchain in the accounting information system in local governments. Explicitly, this study investigated employees' intentions to adopt blockchain technology within the AIS of Indonesian Local Government Units by combining the Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology as theoretical frameworks.
METHODS: The research used a survey approach and focused on Local Government Units in the Yogyakarta Special Region Province. The respondents were employees using accounting software. The data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares method.
FINDINGS: The results indicated that facilitating conditions, trust, and performance expectancy positively influenced the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of blockchain technology. Specifically, trust had a strong positive effect on both ease of use (β = 0.424, p < 0.01) and perceived usefulness (β = 0.364, p < 0.01), while performance expectancy strongly influenced perceived usefulness (β = 0.429, p < 0.01). Facilitating conditions were found to impact ease of use significantly (β = 0.220, p < 0.01) but not perceived usefulness (β = 0.044, p > 0.05). Regarding employees' intention to adopt blockchain, ease of use positively influenced the intention (β = 0.168, p < 0.05), while perceived usefulness did not (β = 0.093, p > 0.05). Mediation analysis revealed that ease of use partially mediated the relationship between trust and intention to adopt (indirect effect = 0.050, p < 0.05) and fully mediated the relationship between performance expectancy and intention to adopt (indirect effect β = 0.071, p < 0.05). Conversely, perceived usefulness did not mediate the adoption intention (indirect effects β = 0.004, 0.040, and 0.034, respectively, p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: These findings provided valuable insights for policymakers and local leaders in enhancing adoption strategies for blockchain technology in local government’s AIS, particularly by focusing on trust, ease of use, and performance expectancy.
 

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Aligning short and long-term goals, operational plans, and vision,   the interests of the organization's internal and external stakeholders, and investing in intangible and late-returning assets are the characteristics of a strategic performance management system. The importance of strategic performance management for public organizations such as municipalities increases due to its direct impact on the quality of life of the urban community. The balanced scorecard is one of the most used tools in this field, which, along with its operational advantages, also has important weaknesses. This study aims to explore the application of a dynamic balanced scorecard framework integrated with game theory to enhance strategic performance management in the municipality.
METHODS: In this paper, the system dynamics is used to design the dynamic strategy map of the Tehran Region 4 municipality with a case study approach. After designing performance improvement strategies, the strategies are simulated, and the best combination of strategies is selected with a cooperative game theory approach.
Findings:  The results revealed that the customer's perspective and the learning and growth perspective have the highest Shapley values ​​of 5.38 and 4.64, respectively. Therefore, in choosing the best strategies for the municipality, attention should be paid to the strategies that improve these two perspectives. Based on this, the combination of strategies C₁L₁I₁F₁, C₂L₂I₃F_3, and C₃L₃I₂F₂ is selected.
CONCLUSION: Simulating KPIs and examining scenarios lead to a better understanding of the factors influencing the organization's success and prevent bias in strategic decisions. Also, a suitable mechanism for strategy selection creates a better agreement between managers for sympathetic implementation. This paper presented a framework for strategic performance management by combining dynamic BSC and game theory, and the effectiveness of the framework is investigated by conducting a case study in the municipality.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the factors influencing Switching Intentions toward electric three-wheelers within the urban transportation context of Kerala, India. Given the increasing need for sustainable urban mobility, understanding the behavioural drivers behind adopting electric three-wheelers is critical in promoting greener transport solutions.
METHODS: The research applied the Push-Pull-Mooring framework to analyze the influence of various factors on Switching Intentions. Data were collected through snowball sampling from 457 respondents involved in three-wheeler transport systems. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to test the relationships between the factors and Switching Intentions.
FINDINGS:  The results revealed that the push factors of Awareness of Consequences (β = 0.283, p < 0.000) and Environmental Concerns (β = 0.119, p < 0.005), the pull factor of Perceived Technological Usefulness (β = 0.152, p < 0.000), and the mooring factor of Herding Bias (β = 0.341, p < 0.000) significantly influenced Switching Intentions. However, Policy Support (β = 0.007, p > 0.829) and Personal Innovativeness (β = 0.047, p > 0.163) were found to be insignificant. Additionally, Switching Intention strongly predicted actual Use Behaviour (β = 0.697, p < 0.000) and Intention to Recommend electric three-wheelers (β = 0.437, p < 0.000).
CONCLUSION: The study highlighted the importance of environmental awareness and technological perceptions in driving the adoption of electric three-wheelers. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, manufacturers, and stakeholders to foster sustainable urban infrastructure development and address environmental challenges by promoting electric three-wheeler adoption. However, the study is limited by its geographic scope and reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce biases. Future research could explore longitudinal studies across diverse urban contexts to assess evolving adoption trends and the long-term impact of policy interventions.
 

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cities, with their complex infrastructures and diverse services, require a scientific and principled approach to strategic site selection for service provision. Fire stations represent one of the most essential urban services, and inadequate research and planning for their site selection and distribution in many cities significantly increase risks to urban residents' safety and well-being. District 8 of Karaj faces rapid population growth and urban development, highlighting the urgent need for a strategic expansion of fire stations. This study aimed to propose a novel approach to assist in the optimal site selection of fire stations in this area.
METHODS: This study employed a novel hybrid method combining the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis method and Fuzzy logic with ArcGIS techniques. This integration aimed to minimize ambiguity in weighting criteria and improve the accuracy of site selection decisions. The 11 criteria were identified based on their impact on fire station efficiency and responsiveness, including industrial, commercial, storage, educational, and healthcare centers, as well as filling stations, residential areas, gathering places, road networks, population density, and office buildings. The final desirability map was created by overlaying weighted fuzzy layers in ArcGIS, visually highlighting optimal locations.
FINDINGS: The weighting analysis showed that industrial centers (0.1131) held the highest weight in fire station site selection, while educational centers (0.0735) had the lowest. The final spatial desirability map revealed that 24% of the northern and southwestern areas of District 8 had high suitability for fire station placement. The southwestern area, despite the high operational statistics at Fire Stations 125 and 3 (55%), lacks adequate fire coverage. To address this issue, three potential sites were identified in the high-desirability zone in the southwestern region, with a field survey evaluating neighborhood compatibility, access to networks, and recent urban developments.
CONCLUSION: This study presents a robust framework for optimizing fire service operations in District 8 of Karaj. Through this framework, the region was classified into five categories of desirability for fire station placement. Additionally, the analyses uncovered the unequal distribution of emergency services across the district. The results facilitated the identification of three suitable sites to enhance fire service provision. Given the effectiveness of this methodology, the study strongly recommends that urban planners adopt this innovative framework for emergency site selection, emphasizing the importance of addressing response needs and spatial factors, such as high-density areas and accident-prone centers.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Poverty remains a critical issue in many regions of Indonesia, requiring comprehensive solutions. Social capital, a critical non-economic factor, emerged as an essential tool in empowering communities to reduce poverty. This study aims to explore the social capital among underprivileged households in Enrekang Regency and offers practical models to enhance poverty alleviation.
METHODS: Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews with 140 heads of underprivileged households in Enrekang Regency, Indonesia, covering both rural-agricultural and urban-multi-sector areas. The data were analyzed using a nonparametric analysis method, while the significance of social capital was assessed using the Mann-Whitney test. The social capital variables investigated in this research included trust, groups and networks, norms, information and communication, cohesiveness, and reciprocity.
FINDINGS: The findings revealed that social capital tended to be stronger in rural-agricultural areas than urban-multisector regions. Factors such as homogeneity, kinship, local institutions, and traditional values were foundational elements of social capital. Social capital is primarily utilized to fulfill basic survival needs rather than to pursue profit maximization. Practices such as mutual assistance during farming activities (e.g., fertilization, planting, pest control), the sharing of harvests for collective consumption, and local kiosks providing loan mechanisms demonstrate the vital role of social capital in sustaining daily life. Predominantly, the social capital identified in these communities is bonding social capital (internal solidarity), with limited progression towards bridging social capital, which could better connect various resources within and beyond the community.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the strategy for leveraging social capital in poverty alleviation in Enrekang was developed through two models: (a) the rural-agriculture model and (b) the urban-multisector model. Both models emphasized strengthening ties among families, neighborhoods, and community groups. These relationships were optimized to shift from bonding to bridging social capital, enhancing the overall effectiveness of poverty alleviation initiatives.