Abstract We thus conduct this study to investigate the contribution of both internal control systems and technological capabilities on bank-wide risk management and its effect on institutional transparency, and towards SDG 16 (Sustainable Development Goal). Based on data from 448 senior managers of 26 commercial banks in Vietnam, this study utilizes Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling to analyse the relationships among various internal control elements, technological integration, risk management, and institutional outcomes. We found that all five elements of the internal control mechanism help enhance risk management. For monitoring, it has the strongest effect, followed in the order of information and communication, control activities, control environment, and risk assessment. The big data capability has little effect on the application of artificial intelligence, but the application of artificial intelligence does have a real impact on risk management. The research also suggests that risk management contributes to the SDG directly and to institutional transparency. Institutional transparency, in addition, contributes positively to SDG as well as being a partial mediator between risk management and SDG. These results indicate that enhancements in internal control mechanisms and adoption of technology enhance risk governance, resulting in more institutional transparency and advancement towards SDG. The study adds to the literature by explaining how risk management and transparency link and contribute towards sustainable development in banking. It also has implications for policymakers and banking executives who wish to enhance institutional integrity and resilience in emerging economies.

Abstract The digital economy has become an integral part of global GDP, and Asia is well known as an active and growing region that exhibits rapid digital economic development, and that will become the centre of the global digital economy and digital technology. This article seeks to investigate the significant factors influencing the digital economy and to propose policy measures to tackle this issue. The study’s method applies quantitative research and focuses primarily on interviewing economic experts based on real data, to gauge the factors that affect the digital economy. The authors analysed the impact of various factors on the digital economy in five large Vietnamese cities. The authors also developed and implemented the framework of the structural equation model. Based on the survey of 800 economic experts, the data sources included interviews conducted through directly administered survey tools on the basis of standardised questions. Analysis is done using software packages including SPSS version 20.0 and Amos. The results and value addition of the study suggest that there are eight relevant factors which contribute to the digital economy at a significance level of 0.01 and a range of eight accepted hypotheses. The report covers eight major drivers of the digital economy. The study underscores the critical significance of the telecommunications and information technology infrastructure to Vietnam’s digital economy. The model is also applicable to the analysis and assessment of the effect of some of the factors on the digital economy, serving as a useful reference for agencies, researchers, experts, and economic managers. The authors also recommended policy proposals to stimulate the digital economy.

Abstract <p data-start="0" data-end="384">The study provides an identification and analysis of potential enablers that facilitate transition towards net zero in the energy sector through a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework. The identified enablers and causal relationships between them in terms of decarbonization initiatives are studied using the DEMATEL method combined with trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TFNs).</p> <p data-start="386" data-end="1043">The research design involves an overarching review of thirteen potential enablers to net zero transition within the energy sector, in order of their impact and causality. Top-ranked enablers that would have the greatest impact in achieving the energy transition were carbon pricing mechanisms, waste-to-energy conversion, decentralized energy systems, and circular procurement policies. The research indicates that the enablers show causal pathways that are interconnected and can take place as both causes and effects in the decarbonization framework. Application of the DEMATEL method using TFNs increases the strength of causal relationship derivation.</p> <p data-start="1045" data-end="1431" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">The study adds to the literature on enabling net zero transition in energy and highlights the importance of a conceptual approach involving a combination of policy, technology, and principles of the circular economy. Such lessons can guide policymakers, industry players, and academics in planning and speeding up the process toward sustainable energy systems and world climate targets.</p>

Abstract Child malnutrition has long posed a serious threat the development of human capital in developing countries. As digitalization advances, the internet has become an integral part of daily life. This paper examines the impact of internet use on long-term and short-term child malnutrition in rural China. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and growth reference standards for urban children in China, we construct a measure of child malnutrition in rural areas. To address the endogeneity of Internet use, we employ the two-stage residual inclusion (2SRI) method. The results show that internet use significantly improves both long- and short-term child malnutrition in rural China, but that the marginal effect becomes less significant over time. These findings offer empirical support for SDG2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being), underscoring the potential of internet development as a strategic tool for poverty reduction and health promotion across regions.

Abstract This study investigates the relationship between future environmental protection investments and corporate value in family firms during the 2015–2020 period. Family firms play a vital role in the economy, but their governance structures and succession dynamics create unique challenges for balancing sustainability with profitability. Using data from firm annual reports, this research compares environmental expenditures between family and non-family firms and examines their impact on corporate value. The results indicate that family firms invest more in future environmental protection than non-family firms, reflecting their emphasis on long-term value creation. Furthermore, the leadership structure influences these investments, with firms led by successor chairmen allocating more resources to environmental protection than those led by founder or outsider chairmen. Employing a two-stage least squares (2SLS) approach to address endogeneity, the findings reveal that higher environmental investments are positively associated with firm value, particularly in successor-led family firms. These results highlight the importance of environmental initiatives in mitigating agency problems and enhancing reputation, offering practical implications for policymakers and family firm leaders. This research contributes to the literature on family firm sustainability, demonstrating the role of governance and environmental responsibility in driving long-term corporate value.

Abstract The convergence of digitalization and greening is emerging as a focal point for scholars. Existing research has predominantly examined the linear effects of these two factors at the provincial and municipal levels, with scant attention paid to their non-linear relationship or to the heterogeneity within urban agglomerations. This study employs a panel regression with two-way fixed effects based on data from 280 Chinese cities spanning 2011 to 2019. The results indicate that in the short term, the negative externalities and “digital divide” arising from digitalization may impede urban green development. Over the medium to long run, once digitalization reaches maturity it overcomes these frictions and becomes a net driver of green progress. Specifically, a 1 % increase in the level of digital economic development will elevate the level of urban green development by 0.0159 %. The promotion of urban green development by the digital economy exhibits heterogeneous effects, with key urban agglomerations, economically developed cities in the eastern region, and high-tier cities exhibiting positive effects. The implementation of the policy of “Innovative Cities” has also significantly enhanced the urban green development of pilot cities. Finally, this study proposes policy recommendations to strengthen the digital economy development and implement green development strategies tailored to local conditions.

The virtuous and vicious cycle between economic growth and income distribution has been discussed for a long time. Especially, Korea, which has been divided into south and north Korea, has experienced serious ideological conflicts last several decades during the unprecedentedly rapid economic development since 1960s. Barro (2000) and others recently assert the inverted U-shaped hypothesis of Simon Kuznets between the two. This paper suggests the possibility of a ‘U’-shape relationship between growth and distribution is empirically estimated with recent OECD data which means more advanced countries to be represented than before. And a cyclical relationship is also assumed in the long-term changes of the Gini coefficient by income level, because Kuznets’ inverted ‘U’ hypothesis is also presumed to be appropriate in developing or less developed countries. This paper also emphasizes that social conflict between proponents for the two is unavoidable and thus we need a model to maximize national happiness to reduce the conflict by exchanging compensation values between losers and gainers using big data and AI technology. The AI technology seems to take very important role to find such social values in conflicting issues particularly complicated by political ideologies, because politicians have used to distort reasonable resources distribution, shrink growth potentiality and threaten the prosperity of the future generation.

The relevance of this research topic is determined by the following: numerous factors, both internal and external, have made continuous improvement vital in today's markets. First, the efficiency of many processes tends to decline over time if not continually maintained. Second, if an organization isn't improving the quality of its services, you can be sure its competitors are. Third, modern consumers are becoming increasingly demanding. Meeting these demands is imperative. The level and quality of supplies are improving daily. This inevitably leads to rapidly rising consumer expectations. Exceeding expectations isn't always possible, but it is worth striving for. In this context, a company's competitiveness is enhanced by its ability to better understand current market conditions, analyze and anticipate future operating conditions, respond to environmental changes, and ensure its internal organization meets market demands. Moreover, change is not viewed as an exceptional phenomenon: the need for it arises uncontrollably and is not dependent on the management methods used by the enterprise, but is dictated by the accelerated pace of modern life and the changing environment. Therefore, a company seeking to survive or improve its market position must continually improve its production technologies and business process management. Keywords: Efficiency of business processes, enhancement of service quality, supply levels, consumer expectations, and advancements in production technology.

In modern conditions, one of the main components of any country's national security is food security. First of all, it implies the human right to have free access to ecologically clean and safe food products, based on their cultural needs and historical traditions. It is known that physical access to food is considered as the presence of a sufficient quantity and assortment of products, as for economic accessibility, it means that a person has enough income to at least minimally meet their food needs. It is recognized that there is a number of external and internal factors which directly impact food security: world population growth, global climate change, political instability, food losses, natural disasters, food shortages, malnutrition (low-quality, unsafe food products), gender inequality, and more. In the article, the features and trends that are characteristic of food production in Georgia are discussed. Ensuring food security and safety in the country is a difficult but at the same time important task that requires the joint efforts of all interested parties. An investment in food safety is an investment in the health and well-being of the population. Food safety solutions must be comprehensive and cover all stages of the food chain. They must be implemented through coordinated efforts of government, business, science, and take into account the interests of society (consumers). Keywords: food security, demography, political instability, food losses, climate change, natural disasters, safe food production, malnutrition, gender inequality.

Abstract This study investigates Saudi Arabia’s supply chain resilience and trade flow sustainability amid global disruptions such as the U.S.–China trade war and the Russia–Ukraine conflict. A novel methodological contribution is made by integrating Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), allowing for a robust identification of the key determinants of trade flows, including oil prices, trade openness, logistics efficiency, and geopolitical risks. This integrated approach provides a comprehensive and dynamic assessment of trade resilience in an oil-dependent economy. The findings reveal that while oil prices continue to influence trade flows, Saudi Arabia’s investments in logistics infrastructure, trade diversification, and digital supply chain reforms play a more significant role in ensuring stability. Moreover, the results show that geopolitical shocks, though disruptive in the short term, have limited long-term impacts due to Saudi Arabia’s strong global trade integration. This paper contributes to the literature by demonstrating how supply chain efficiency and diversification strategies can reduce vulnerability to global shocks. It offers empirical evidence that distinguishes Saudi Arabia from other hydrocarbon exporters, underscoring the importance of infrastructure, openness, and strategic planning in sustaining trade resilience.