International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Digital transformation has become a defining factor in shaping entrepreneurial education and mindset in higher education. Despite growing institutional emphasis on digital entrepreneurship, many students and faculty members face persistent barriers that limit the transition from entrepreneurial intention to action. This study investigates how digital readiness, faculty engagement, and curriculum integration influence entrepreneurial mindset formation and help overcome cross-cultural differences in higher education institutions.
METHODS: A quantitative survey was conducted among 225 participants, including students and faculty members from universities in Bulgaria, China, and Ukraine. The study employed correlation analysis, an independent samples t-test, and ANCOVA to examine relationships between digital literacy, faculty participation in digital projects, curriculum integration, and entrepreneurial intentions.
FINDINGS: The study revealed a strong link between digital skills and entrepreneurial intentions: students with high digital literacy (4.6/5) were 46% more likely to pursue entrepreneurship than those with basic skills (3.2/5). Faculty involvement in digital projects also boosted support for student startups (4.2/5 vs 3.5/5). National differences in attitudes toward digital entrepreneurship largely reflected institutional digital readiness—77% of the initial 35-point gap was explained by curriculum integration of digital tools. Access to digital platforms increased perceived entrepreneurial feasibility by 32%, and institutions with comprehensive digital tools had 2.3 times more student-led startups than those with minimal infrastructure.
CONCLUSION: The study confirms that digital competence, active faculty involvement, and curriculum-level integration of digital tools are essential for fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and reducing institutional and cultural barriers in higher education. Universities should develop digital entrepreneurship ecosystems that combine technical training, experiential learning, and inclusive support structures to cultivate innovation and sustainability across academic communities.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Green Training and Development is a crucial initiative for Higher Education Institutions to foster eco-friendly behavior by enhancing knowledge and emotional skills for sustained behavior. Society prioritizes economic development over environmental quality, neglecting environmental damage. Public awareness is limited, and educational employees are under-researched in environmental awareness. Sustainable consumption promotes responsible use of natural resources and essential services, ensuring the protection of people's well-being. The research highlights a significant under-researching of environmental awareness and behavior among educational employees, highlighting a lack of scholarly attention on the psychological and behavioral factors influencing these employees. A research gap exists on green training in reconciling environmental values with economic priorities or job security, highlighting the need for further understanding. The study examines the influence of green training and development on employees' eco-friendly citizenship behavior in higher education institutions, focusing on the mediating effect.
METHODS: The study uses a quantitative method, utilizing a consent survey method and a questionnaire as the research instrument. The number of respondents in this study was 399 employees. This study utilized convenience sampling to select respondents in Malaysia. This study utilized SPSS, the SOBEL test, and SMART PLS4.
FINDINGS: The study's objectives and hypotheses significantly influenced each variable. Seven hypotheses have been accepted (H1: t-value =9.093), (H2: t-value = 4.204), (H3: t-value = 6.273), (H4: t-value = 6.233), (H5: t-value = 5.191), (H6: t-value = 4.218) and (H7: t-value = 3.874).
CONCLUSION: Research suggests that implementing greening or environmental management systems in the workplace is crucial for sustainable higher education development, as it enhances employee emotions and eco-friendly behavior. The study provides practical advice for institutions aiming to create a sustainable workforce by focusing on the human aspect of environmental management.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study explores the influence of collective decision-making on mitigating key cognitive biases—namely, overconfidence, optimism, and anchoring effects—among managers in Iranian state-run organizations. Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that impair judgment and decision quality, often leading to suboptimal outcomes in organizational contexts. Given the high stakes and complexity of managerial decisions in public sector settings, identifying mechanisms to reduce such biases is both practically and theoretically significant. The primary objective of this research is to determine whether collective decision-making, characterized by collaborative deliberation and shared responsibility, can serve as an effective tool for bias reduction.
METHODS: A quantitative survey methodology was employed, utilizing a structured Likert-scale questionnaire distributed among 152 managers at different hierarchical levels in governmental institutions. The instrument's internal consistency was verified with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.857, indicating high reliability. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, mean comparisons against scale midpoints, and significance testing using inferential methods.
FINDINGS: Findings revealed that collective decision-making significantly reduced the levels of overconfidence, unrealistic optimism, and anchoring bias among participants (p < 0.05). These results suggest that involving multiple perspectives in decision processes enhances rationality by exposing individual assumptions to group scrutiny, thus improving the quality and accuracy of managerial judgments.
CONCLUSION: The implications of this study are particularly relevant for organizational leadership and policy-making in public institutions. Encouraging collective decision-making not only minimizes the costs associated with biased decisions but also fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared learning. This approach can reduce psychological stress related to decision-making responsibilities and improve overall organizational performance. By highlighting the cognitive benefits of group-based decision strategies, the study contributes to the broader literature on decision science, organizational behavior, and public management, offering practical insights for managerial training and institutional reform

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Organizational sustainability has become a focal point for businesses worldwide, with growing interest in how dynamic capabilities contribute to sustainability from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dynamic capability on sustainability within small and medium-sized enterprises using the Triple Bottom Line and Natural Resource-Based View frameworks. Specifically, it explored how dynamic capabilities influence the adoption and implementation of sustainable business practices in Small and Medium Enterprises.
METHODS: Structural equation modeling based on partial least squares was employed to analyze the data using data from a survey of 448 Small and Medium Enterprise owners and managers in Bangladesh. This study used PLS-SEM with SmartPLS (version 3.2.9) and IBM SPSS Statistics (ver. 26). This methodology helped examine the relationships between dynamic capability, business model innovation, and organizational sustainability across the three TBL dimensions.
FINDINGS: The results showed that dynamic capability had a significant direct impact on organizational sustainability, with adaptability, innovation, and resource reconfiguration being key drivers. While business model innovation positively contributed to sustainability, its mediating effect in the relationship between dynamic capability and sustainability was found to be modest. This study also found that dynamic capability, which negatively affects business model innovation uptake, accounted for 13.3 % of the influence on organizational sustainability.
CONCLUSION: These findings provided policy-makers with crucial information for better e-waste management policy development, addressing the conflict between development and conservation. These insights may be applicable in Bangladesh and other countries as well.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the disposal practices of residential Bio-Medical Waste and the challenges faced by urban local bodies in managing such waste in Himachal Pradesh, India. With a notable rise in home-based healthcare, especially post-COVID-19, households are generating increasing amounts of waste from activities such as self-medication, chronic illness management, and the use of disposable medical items and personal protective equipment. Despite this trend, most households mix Bio-Medical Waste with general municipal waste due to limited awareness, the absence of segregation systems, and a lack of designated disposal facilities. This poses significant risks to public health, particularly for waste workers and the broader community, and strains municipal waste management infrastructure. Urban authorities, constrained by inadequate policies, insufficient infrastructure, and limited financial and technical capacity, struggle to address this emerging challenge.
METHODS: The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, including household surveys, field observations, and stakeholder interviews across Himachal Pradesh state and the urban local bodies of various districts. In this study, the regression analysis and factor analysis tools are used to achieve the research objectives
FINDINGS: The results revealed that an urgent need for clear policy frameworks, as 72% of ULBs lacked specific guidelines for residential Bio-Medical Waste, and no penalties for improper disposal in 85 percent of cases. Public education, dedicated Bio-Medical Waste collection systems, staggering 68 percent of surveyed households admitted to mixing Bio-Medical Waste with general garbage due to a lack of awareness (42%), absence of dedicated bins (35%), convenience (23%), households found it easier to dispose of Bio-Medical Waste with regular trash and health risks to workers engaged in municipal solid waste management in urban areas, 89% of workers are encountered to Bio-Medical Waste daily, with 62% reporting injuries (needle-sticks, infections), in 28% of cases, no formal training or personal protective equipment was provided, and only 10% of workers are aware of the hazards of Bio-Medical Waste.
CONCLUSION: The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and urban managers to design more resilient and inclusive Bio-Medical Waste management strategies for sustainable urban health governance.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thailand’s population is aging rapidly, so it is important to develop more creative toys to enhance the purchase intention of elderly people. Moreover, Thailand has fewer recreational toys than other countries. This study shows how psychological, conceptual, and environmental factors impact older people's purchase of recreational toys.
METHODS: Using three theories, such as Planned Behavior, Flow Theory, and Theory of Successful Aging, a quantitative survey was conducted with 196 caregivers in Bangkok. Due to utility, quality, enjoyment, and accessibility, elderly people have continuously purchased these recreational toys. They feel a personal connection to the toys.
FINDINGS: Trust is an important factor in consumer decision-making, involving both direct and indirect effects, while emotional connection is one of the main reasons for purchasing and has the largest effect (β = 0.42). On the other hand, price sensitivity has negative effects (β = -0.15) because of the high cost, causing elderly people to hesitate to buy toys. This model explains the variance of purchase intention (R² = 0.67) with 66%, which is predicted by a robust mechanism. This mechanism shows that older caregivers' focus shifts from practical evaluations to relational factors. Elderly individuals in Thailand show purchase patterns driven by emotional connections and perceived utility in recreational toys, while price sensitivity often serves as a barrier. This study clarifies how factors like trust and accessibility significantly influence their buying decisions.
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that politicians and toy company marketers should focus on gaining people's confidence, engaging them emotionally, and creating affordable, user-friendly products for elderly people in developing nations.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The proliferation of smartphones has transformed the modern workplace, blurring boundaries between personal and professional life. While smartphone use facilitates flexibility and real-time communication, it can also intensify job demands and emotional strain. Despite extensive global research on technology-related stress, limited attention has been given to the mediating role of job stress in the relationship between workplace smartphone use and employee well-being in the Iranian context. This study addresses this gap by investigating how smartphone use affects job burnout and engagement through the mediating mechanism of job stress.
METHODS:
This applied, quantitative research adopted a positivist paradigm and a deductive approach, utilizing a descriptive-survey design. Data were collected via an online questionnaire distributed among employees of Mobile Communication of Iran (Hamrah-e Aval), yielding 313 valid responses from a total population of 1,700. Standardized questionnaires adapted from established scales on smartphone use, stress, job burnout, and engagement were employed. The instruments were validated through back-translation and expert review, and reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (all above 0.70). Structural Equation Modeling with Smart Partial Least Squares 3 was employed for hypothesis testing.
FINDINGS:
Findings reveal that smartphone use significantly increases job stress (β = 0.262, p < 0.001). In turn, stress positively affects job burnout (β = 0.296, p < 0.001) and negatively affects job engagement (β = –0.182, p < 0.001). While smartphone use directly increases burnout (β = 0.168, p = 0.000), it does not directly impact job engagement (β = 0.088, p = 0.290). Mediation analysis confirmed that job stress partially mediates the relationship between smartphone use and both burnout and engagement.
CONCLUSION:
Workplace smartphone use has a dual impact: it indirectly contributes to job burnout and disengagement via increased stress. These findings emphasize the importance of managing job stress to mitigate the negative psychological outcomes of ubiquitous mobile connectivity. Organizations should implement targeted interventions—such as flexible work policies, stress-reduction programs, and smartphone usage guidelines—to enhance employee well-being and performance in digitally connected environments.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the face of growing environmental challenges, universities play a vital role in advancing sustainability through both institutional practices and individual actions. While organisational culture can significantly shape employee green behaviour, limited research has examined how specific elements of green culture drive such practices in academia. This study addresses this gap by exploring the link between green culture enablers and employee green behavior in higher education. As integral parts of the urban ecosystem, HEIs also influence urban management, extending their sustainability impact beyond campuses to support broader city-level environmental goals.
METHODS: Data were collected from 266 university employees through a structured questionnaire. The hypothesized model was tested using regression analysis to determine the predictive power of green culture enablers on employee green behavior in university employees.
FINDINGS: The green culture enablers were found to have a positive relationship with green behavior. Message credibility (β = 0.453) and employee empowerment (β = 0.296) were found to be the strongest and most significant predictors of green behavior. Leadership emphasis was found to be a weaker but significant predictor. Surprisingly, Peer involvement was not found to significantly predict green behavior when controlling for other variables.
CONCLUSION: This study concludes that cultivating a supportive green culture through credible communication, engaged leadership, and peer-driven initiatives is crucial for fostering sustainable behaviors in higher education institutions. It contributes to the growing body of sustainability literature by highlighting how internal cultural factors influence individual green behavior. By addressing contextual variables such as institution type, the research also overcomes the generalization limitations found in earlier studies. The findings offer insights for urban policymakers and HEI administrators on leveraging human capital to drive sustainable urban development."

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The assessment of quality of life is a complex, multi-dimensional task that incorporates both objective and subjective indicators. Traditional economic metrics often fail to fully capture the true well-being of populations. This paper aims to analyze existing methods for assessing quality of life, propose a comprehensive and flexible index that integrates multiple indicators, and highlight the importance of balancing objective and subjective criteria to better understand the dynamics of population well-being across different countries.
METHODS: The study reviews various approaches to measuring quality of life, including objective, subjective, and complex methodologies. It synthesises data from international research, including indices such as the Human Development Index, the Euromodule, and the Happiness Index, among others. The authors develop a new assessment framework based on constructing composite indices from selected indicators across the economic, social, demographic, and environmental sectors, integrated in a linear form with weights defined by factor analysis. Graphical data analysis, normalisation, and index formation techniques are used for comparative assessments across countries.
FINDINGS: Existing methods, such as the Human Development Index and the Happiness Index, have limitations in capturing the full scope of quality of life due to their focus on either objective or subjective components alone. The proposed complex quality-of-life index, integrating multiple sub-indicators, offers a more comprehensive picture of population well-being. It shows that in Armenia quality-of-life score gradually increased from 0.321 in 2012 to 0.355 in 2018, but after reaching its highest point, the score decreased to 0.337 in 2019, remaining lower at 0.353 in 2020 and 0.336 in 2021. This indicates that the country experienced a decline or volatility in quality-of-life measures in recent years. Despite these fluctuations, the scores remained within a relatively narrow range (approximately 0.321 to 0.355), suggesting that while improvements and setbacks occurred, the overall level of quality of life remained moderately stable over the last decade.
CONCLUSION: The complex approach presented provides a valuable framework for ongoing international comparisons and for tracking changes in quality of life over time, emphasizing the importance of integrating diverse socio-economic and cultural factors into quality-of-life assessments.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study examined the implementation of the BPD Kaltimtara headquarters project in Indonesia’s New Capital City (Ibu Kota Nusantara/IKN) as a pioneering quasi-public-private partnership (quasi-PPP) model. Unlike conventional PPPs that emphasize formal risk-sharing and standardized regulation, this initiative reflected an adaptive, trust-based collaboration among actors with asymmetrical resources and authority. The research aimed to describe actor collaboration patterns, assess adaptive coordination mechanisms addressing regulatory uncertainty, and evaluate intermediate outcomes in institutional trust, financial commitment, and project readiness.
METHODS: A descriptive qualitative design with an exploratory orientation was employed. Data were collected from February to July 2025 through four integrated techniques: in-depth interviews with ten key informants, one focus group discussion involving eight participants, participatory observation of coordination meetings and project sites, and comprehensive documentary analysis. Institutional trust was measured using a 5-point Likert scale, financial commitment was verified through internal capital budgeting documents, and project readiness was assessed across five critical dimensions. Data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles et al., (2014) with four triangulation strategies to ensure credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability following Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) criteria.
FINDINGS: The study revealed five operational principles of asymmetric collaborative governance: complementary asymmetry, adaptive coordination, shared value creation, flexible accountability, and iterative trust building. Quantitatively, the project achieved a trust index of 4.2 (provincial government–BPD) and 3.1 (IKN Authority–partnership). BPD Kaltimtara financed 100% of the IDR 85 billion investment, reallocating 8% of its annual capital budget. Despite regulatory delays, the partnership achieved full technical design completion, environmental assessment approval, and institutional alignment through adaptive coordination mechanisms led by the Tim Percepatan IKN Kaltim task force.
CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that asymmetric collaborative governance, anchored in shared value creation and adaptive coordination, enables regional institutions to sustain strategic infrastructure development under uncertainty. This quasi-PPP model offers theoretical insights for governance innovation and practical guidance for designing flexible, trust-based frameworks in decentralized and polycentric development environments.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Decentralized waste governance in resource-constrained regions presents complex challenges where infrastructural expansion alone does not guarantee systemic resilience. Banyumas Regency, Indonesia, provides a critical case: following the abrupt landfill closure in 2018, the local government launched the “Sumpah Beruang” program, which initially reduced landfill-bound waste by over 90 percent. However, persistent inefficiencies such as underutilized facilities, stockpiled refuse-derived fuel, and declining digital engagement exposed governance and market fragilities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Banyumas’s Zero Waste strategy by examining its institutional adaptability, financial resilience, and stakeholder dynamics, while situating its relevance within broader circular economy transitions in decentralized settings.
METHODS: A convergent mixed-methods approach was applied, combining policy content analysis, institutional scoring, and financial benchmarking. Primary data were obtained through 20 semi-structured interviews with government officials, waste operators, community-based waste groups, and industrial off-takers. Secondary data included facility operations, household surveys, and municipal records. Comparative benchmarking with international refuse-derived fuel systems and institutional frameworks was undertaken. Triangulation ensured validity across qualitative narratives, operational statistics, and economic indicators.
FINDINGS: Results show significant upstream-midstream trade-offs. While landfill diversion exceeded 90%, facility utilization averaged only 58.25%, and over 160,000 tons of refuse-derived fuel remained unsold due to unstable quality and limited market absorption. This paradox underscores the fragility of end-of-pipe solutions in circular economy contexts. Institutional assessment revealed the local public service agency governance model scored substantially higher (4.35/5) compared to the technical implementation unit system (2.7/5), suggesting improved fiscal autonomy and partnership flexibility. Stakeholder mapping highlighted asymmetrical power: cement factories and the state electricity company dominate refuse-derived fuel markets, while community-based waste management groups and households remain marginal actors. Financial analysis showed revenue dependency on household fees (more than 85%), leaving the system vulnerable to non-compliance. Scenario modeling indicated that refuse-derived fuel co-firing could reduce up to 140,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, representing United States Dollar 0.7–1.4 million in potential climate finance revenue if integrated with global carbon markets.
CONCLUSION: The study reveals that transforming the current technical implementation unit model into a public service agency significantly enhances fiscal autonomy and stakeholder coordination. We propose an integrated framework combining institutional reform, digital citizen engagement, and climate finance instruments. As a single case study focused on Banyumas Regency, the findings may have limited generalizability to regions with different governance or market contexts.

Abstract Contemporary urban centers, including Tehran, the capital of Iran, are grappling with complex challenges such as institutional fragmentation, data scarcity, and a decline in citizen engagement, which underscore the need for innovative approaches to urban governance. This article explores the potential of gamification—the application of game design elements in non-game contexts—as a strategic tool to enhance citizen participation in Tehran's urban policymaking and management processes. By leveraging elements such as points, competition, progress levels, and rewards, gamification can transform traditional, often opaque and formal, policymaking into a more appealing, transparent, and accessible experience for a broader public. The primary objective of this study is to elucidate the foundational concepts of gamification, analyze its impact on the quality of urban policy decisions and implementation, and propose practical, context-specific strategies for its successful application in Tehran. Through a detailed examination of successful global case studies, including CityScopeAR in the United States, ParmoSense in Japan, and Game.UP in Germany and Austria, this research analyzes the potential for local adaptation and alignment of these approaches with Tehran's unique socio-cultural needs and existing infrastructure. The findings suggest that a well-designed gamification framework can not only significantly increase citizen participation rates but also generate valuable data for evidence-based policymaking, foster a stronger sense of community belonging, and empower citizens to assume a more proactive role in shaping their city's future. Ultimately, this research provides a comprehensive and actionable set of recommendations for Tehran's urban management to strengthen smart and participatory governance in the Iranian capital.