Search

As instability becomes the norm, supply chain management is becoming increasingly complex and critical. As a result, supply chain managers must adapt to complex situations. Managing instability is a key expectation for these managers. One way to help them to manage this instability is to study resilience. Resilience is related to in the literature as the ability of a system to resist, adapt and recover from disruptions. Measuring and controlling supply chain resilience has therefore become a key issue for managers, especially in a context of instability. In 2013, the World Economic Forum [2013. Global Risks 2013. Davos, Switzerland: World Economic Forum] highlighted in its study, this priority for the surveyed companies to master this concept of resilience. To address this need, this paper presents an innovative approach to disruption and resilience management based on physics principles. It considers disruptions as forces that impact supply chain performance. These forces are created as a result of changes in the internal or external attributes of the supply chain. In this approach, supply chain performance is represented and visualised as a physical trajectory modelled in the framework of its performance indicators. Thus, disturbances are considered as forces that displace and deviate the supply chain's performance trajectory in its performance framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisations are having difficulty in determining and integrating Industry 4.0 technologies (I4.0T) to improve social dimensions of sustainable performance. We address this issue by showing how to identify the impact degree and path of I4.0T using the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). First, we identify the SDGs associated with I4.0 and establish an evaluation framework. Second, we introduce an evaluation method that integrates hesitant fuzzy sets, rough sets, decision-making, trial evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and interpretative structural modelling methods to identify the impact degree and path of I4.0T on SDGs. Third, we confirm the effectiveness of our framework and method using secondary case data from World Economic Forum reports. The case results show that I4.0T have varying direct and indirect influences on SDGs. Policy makers should consider that 'Big Data and Analytics' and 'Cloud Computing' are central I4.0T that link other technologies and SDGs. The prioritisation of I4.0T can lead to contributions to addressing 'Responsible consumption and production' and indirectly improve SDGs. The findings set an initial stage to help sequence investment in various technologies depending on SDGs. We identify sequential paths that can aid in planning for and investing in adopting I4.0T to better achieve SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the conditions for the provision of tourist services is critical for the development of tourism. The World Economic Forum uses the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI), calculated based on five main criteria and 17 sub-criteria, to assess these conditions and generate a ranking list of countries based on their favourable environment for conducting tourism-related activities. However, the TTDI only considers the average value of each country's criteria and sub-criteria scores without considering the significance of those criteria. This paper addresses this issue using a hybrid multi-criteria analysis, which combines the MARCOS (Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking According to Compromise Solution) and MEREC (MEthod based on the Removal Effects of Criteria) methods. The results of these methods show that the observed European countries' ranking order differs from the ranking order stated in TTDI. Spain is ranked first, Turkmenistan ranks last, and sensitivity analysis supports these findings. When ranking countries using the TTDI, the importance of the criteria must be considered to accurately reflect the conditions prevailing for tourism development in countries, which is highlighted by this research. This paper's contribution demonstrates that all criteria cannot be considered equally to form the TTDI, as the requirements cannot be equally important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document explores the global challenges identified by organizations like the Millennium Project and the UN Foundation, and how businesses are adapting their mission to address these challenges. The main goals of corporations now include investing in employees, delivering value to customers, dealing ethically with suppliers, supporting communities, and promoting peaceful coexistence. The document proposes a classification of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into four categories: society, economy, planet, and coordination facilitated by technology. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of these goals and the need for a comprehensive perspective. The document also includes research articles that examine the integration of qualitative and quantitative research to estimate the benefits of innovations in terms of economic and social sustainability, in support of the SDGs. These articles cover various topics such as technology, healthcare, renewable energy, climate change, and sustainable consumption. They stress the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative methodologies, scalability of initiatives, effective communication, and continuous learning to address the challenges of sustainable development. The text further discusses the significance of campaigns promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly products, as well as the role of technology in addressing social and economic issues. It underscores the need for coordination and collaboration among businesses, governments, and society to achieve the SDGs. Additionally, the text highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving access to education, healthcare, and financial resources for vulnerable populations. Overall, the text encourages innovation, inclusivity, and collective efforts to create a sustainable future. [Extracted from the article]

Sustainability and social media are two current topics, the combination of which can be a compelling means of change for a better, sustainable future. This paper analyses the Twitter profile of the World Economic Forum, a global leader in promoting sustainability, over five years, from 2016 to 2020. The main focus of this work is to analyse the content and nature of the World Economic Forum's contributions (tweets) focusing on topics of Sustainable Development Goals. The results are presented in three categories - geographical focus, thematic focus, and most popular content. The results can indicate the trend, what topics and geographical locations related to sustainability are emphasised online, how the audience perceives it, and how to popularise sustainability among the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: A substantial gap between young people's need for mental health care services and their actual access to such services led worldwide organizations (e.g., the WHO) to recommend the implementation of early intervention programs and youth mental health services. Some countries around the world have established structures to meet this recommendation. In this paper, we describe soulspace as the first integrated youth mental health service for young people aged between 15 and 35 years in Berlin, Germany. Methods: We introduce soulspace as easily accessible mental health care for young people, and we characterize soulspace along the lines of the internationally established eight key principles of integrated youth mental health services (Killackey, et al., 2020, World Economic Forum). Soulspace is a cooperation between clinical outpatient units of psychiatric clinics for adolescents and young adults as well as a community‐based counselling service. It provides initial contact, counselling, diagnostics, and treatment. Results: Our analyses of the pathways to soulspace and the characteristics of the soulspace users suggest that the low threshold is a facilitator to help finding for young people in comparison to more conventional early intervention models. That is, having transferred the early intervention center in a youth‐facing counselling service as was done in soulspace seems to have reduced the threshold to seek help for families and for young people in need for support. Conclusions: In summary, with soulspace, an easily accessible mental health care service was established that integrates counselling and specialized psychiatric treatment if needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ignorance, or the lack of knowledge, appears to be steadily spreading, despite the increasing availability of information. The notion of informed ignorance herein proposed to describe the widespread position of being exposed to an abundance of information yet lacking relevant knowledge, which is tied to the exponential growth in misinformation driven by technological developments and social media. Linked to many of societies' most looming catastrophes, from political polarization to the climate crisis, practices related to knowledge and information are deemed some of the most imminent and daunting modern threats, evidenced by the latest report of the World Economic Forum, which has named misinformation the most severe short-term global risk. This paper's epistemic perspective links the properties of today's information culture and the ways in which it interacts with individual capacities and limitations in current technological and socio-political contexts. Such a position is analyzed through the lens of epistemic principles as a contemporary epistemic phenotype that emerges from an environment of ill-adapted and excessive information inputs and leads to a distinctive type of social injustice that is primarily epistemic in nature. While equity and accessibility are widely discussed as important contributing factors to epistemic discrepancies, other overlooked but fundamental issues underlying epistemic injustices are considered, such as information manipulation, cognitive limitations, and epistemic degradation. To effectively face this elusive threat, we propose an inclusive viewpoint that harnesses knowledge from cognitive science, science and technology studies, and social epistemology to inform a unifying theory of its main impacts and driving forces. By adjusting a modern epistemic framework to the described phenomena, we intend to contextually outline its trajectory and possible means of containment based on a shared responsibility to maintain ethical epistemic standards. In a time of international unrest and mounting civil acts of violence, it is pertinent to emphasize the ethical principles of knowledge systems and authorities and suggest policy adaptations to maintain a social contract based on the shared values of truth and freedom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to generate knowledge about assessment methods in blended business education, which have become increasingly important to establish sustainable assessment practices that support knowledge acquisition for undergraduate students in business administration at a Colombian university. Design/methodology/approach: For the analysis, a two groups comparison was performed using a nonequivalent control group design with a sample of 420 students. As this study wants to find insights to improve the knowledge on assessment topics in marketing research (MR) education, it was focused on the students from the business administration program. This study also uses individual scores from the state test as prior cognitive scores and the high school classification provided by the National Ministry of Education in Colombia (2012). Findings: It was found that the variables that best predict performance on the MR course examinations were the mathematics skills and reading comprehension scores on the state test. The study also showed a better performance of female students on both assessment methods. There were no significant differences between the assessment methods or among the high school levels. Research limitations/implications: One of the limitations of this study is the limited number of items on the tests. Additionally, the authors recommend conducting an analysis of the differences between the testing items to provide a detailed explanation of students' performance when comparing computer-based testing and paper-and-pencil testing. Practical implications: Further design of teaching material and assessments online and offline, based on local and regional marketing problems, is suggested. As the current text and readings are more oriented to the English-speaking contexts, most of the problems presented are oriented to multinational companies and brands. Social implications: Insights into the skills required for future jobs provide valuable guidance (World Economic Forum, 2020). Essential skills for emerging roles, like data scientists, can find robust support within the MR course. To further enrich in-class and online exercises with Excel and SPSS, Colombian educators can leverage data sets obtained from sources like the national statistics office and international market intelligence databases available through the university's library, including Passport and Statista. Engaging with authentic data sets provides students with a more profound understanding of practical applications in MR. Originality/value: This approach facilitates the identification of key variables, such as assessment and cognitive abilities in math and reading, which predict students' knowledge acquisition in MR. It not only offers insights into the relevant factors influencing learning in MR but also provides valuable feedback. Additionally, it suggests potential avenues for future research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this uncertain age of "polycrisis," where various types of crises-- such as climate change, the refugee crisis, financial instability, wars-- intersect in such intricate ways "that the overall impact far exceeds the sum of each part" (World Economic Forum, Global Risks Report, 2023), it is more important than ever to help students look beyond the university walls and address such complexities. This article argues that combining the enhancement of critical thinking skills, which are often linked to rational distancing, with the promotion of ethical responsibility through an affective closeness towards a topic at hand, is a crucial pedagogical approach in UK higher education today. This is because we live in an age which requires both critical analysis amidst, for instance, the rise of 'fake news,' and affective closeness due to, for example, the emotional numbness often caused by the amount and complexity of the crises we are confronted with today. Adding an affective dimension to a more rational approach furthermore has the benefit of encouraging deep learning as opposed to so-called "surface learning" (Race, 2007, p. 36), as an affective encounter/event can bring with it greater attention (Tomkins, 1995) and a longer-term consolidation in one's (bodily) memory (Shouse, 2005). More sustainable and longer-term thinking in the face of complex and lasting crises is crucial particularly in light of largely short-term, election-focused political (in)action and fast-changing news cycles. To illustrate such an interlinking of distancing strategies with pedagogies of closeness, two particular case studies from Drama and Theatre Arts will be analysed because these can effectively highlight the usefulness of this two-pronged approach through their own combination of artistic nearness to 'real-life' socio-political issues as well as artistic distancing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Climate change has a disproportionate impact on women in comparison to men, and women have a key role to play in climate adaptation. However, evidence is lacking on how gender inequalities may be associated with climate vulnerability and ability to respond at country level. Methods: This ecological study investigated the association between climate adaptation, measured by the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Country Index (ND-GAIN), and gender equality, measured by the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) developed by the World Economic Forum and the Gender Inequality Index (GII) developed by the United Nations. Simple linear regression was used to estimate the associations between the indices and their subdomains for 146 countries. Results: There was an approximately linear association between the GGGI and climate adaptation. Each 1% increase in gender equality was associated with a 0.6% increase in the ND-GAIN score (the slope was 0.59, with a 95% confidence interval [0.33 to 0.84]). This was driven by a negative association between gender equality and vulnerability (-0.41 [-0.62 to -0.20]), and a positive association between gender equality and readiness (0.77 [0.44 to 1.10]). The strongest associations between gender equality and climate adaptation were observed for the education domain of the GGGI. There was a strong negative linear association between the GII and climate adaptation, which explained most (86%) of the between-country variation in climate adaptation. Each 1% increase in gender inequality was associated with a 0.5% decrease in the ND-GAIN score (-0.54 [-0.57 to -0.50]). The association between gender inequality and readiness was stronger than the association with vulnerability (0.41 [0.37 to 0.44] for vulnerability versus − 0.67 [-0.72 to -0.61] for readiness). Conclusions: Gender inequality, measured broadly across different domains of life, is associated with climate adaptation at country level, both in terms of vulnerability to impact and readiness to respond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notion that regional competitiveness can be fostered and controlled to enhance national competitiveness has gained increasing acceptance in the scientific community in recent years. Based on this, several initiatives have been developed and implemented to enhance the company’s competitiveness in specific target regions of Europe and Bulgaria through targeted project financing. This article aims to investigate and evaluate the concept of the “white field” in the competitiveness literature, as well as the influence of project financing on businesses’ competitiveness. The competitiveness of nations is a major topic in many publications. For many years, the World Economic Forum and other international organizations have developed and published country rankings based on the competitiveness index. However, the focus is on the macroeconomic (national) competitiveness context. Over the course of the last two EU program periods (2007 – 2013 and 2014 – 2020), several projects amounting to over BGN 2 billion were approved for funding under the Competitiveness Operational Program. The program is part of the EU cohesion funds and involves partial national financing. Regrettably, there is a lack of social and economic studies regarding the effects of these programs. In summarizing the author’s argument, it can be claimed that project financing in Bulgaria in recent years has failed to establish the conditions necessary to enhance business and regional competitiveness. The following sections of the article’s structure will serve to validate the thesis: The theoretical foundations explain the characteristics of various levels of competitiveness; regional competitiveness is defined, and data on the competitiveness of the municipality of Kardzhali is presented; project financing and regional competitiveness are analyzed based on project financing data in the municipality of Kardzhali. The introduction sets the stage for a discussion of the key definitions related to competitiveness and its dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the exclusion of Vanessa Nakate, a Ugandan climate activist, from a group photo published by the Associated Press (AP) during the 2020 World Economic Forum. Using the muted group theory, it explores the implications of Nakate's omission as the sole Black individual in the image, shedding light on the broader issue of symbolic annihilation faced by Black women activists in Western media. Through visual and textual analysis, the study reveals the power dynamics and biases behind AP's decision to crop Nakate, fueling subsequent controversy. Furthermore, the paper examines AP's response to the backlash, analyzing their strategies to rebuild their reputation, including issuing an apology and releasing the original photograph. Plain language summary: Erasure of Black women activists from media: A review This paper looks at a photo from the 2020 World Economic Forum where a Ugandan climate activist named Vanessa Nakate was cropped out. The paper uses "muted group theory" to explain how this might have happened and what it means. It argues that Nakate was left out because she's a Black woman and that this is part of a bigger problem where the media often ignores or overlooks Black women activists. The focus is on the broader issue of symbolic annihilation experienced by Black women activists in Western media. Using visual and textual analysis, the study uncovers the power dynamics and biases influencing AP's decision to crop Nakate, sparking subsequent controversy. Additionally, the paper scrutinizes AP's response to the criticism, examining their strategies to rebuild their reputation, which include issuing an apology and releasing the original photograph. Overall, the paper is about how powerful media organizations can be and how important it is to be aware of the biases they might have. It is also about the importance of giving Black women activists a voice and making sure their stories are heard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research note compares the impacts of the macroeconomic condition on the relationship between tourism destination competitiveness (TDC) ranking and tourism performance. This study utilized the cross-country analysis of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) data among 115 countries. Macroeconomic conditions are conceptualized in high-income versus low-income nations, while the WEF TTCI ranking explains the TDC ranking. The Partial-least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) Multi-Group Analysis (MGA) results showed that TTCI ranking significantly influenced the low-income group’s tourism performance only but not for the developed ones. The results confirm the criticism of the TTCI ranking bias, reflecting the unbalanced competitiveness assessment distribution between advanced and low-income countries. The study findings augment the incomparability among countries on different levels of development and the arbitrary weighting of the TTCI ranking report, which may lead to inaccurate perceptions of the country and incorrect investment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitiveness is extensively explored across various disciplines, with tourism competitiveness emerging as a significant focus of research. This aspect is pivotal in current research, embodying a multi-dimensional construct that profoundly impacts the prosperity of destinations. This study has undertaken a systematic literature review to pinpoint indicators influencing destination competitiveness and conducted a statistical analysis to validate these findings. Centered on Georgia and contrasted with its neighboring countries, the analysis spans 12 years, from 2008 to 2020. The study's significance extends beyond its specific focus on Georgia, offering insights with broader relevance to destinations marked by competitive dynamics. The analysis has revealed that within a diverse array of opportunities, the most impactful areas for enhancing Georgia's competitive environment include "Business environment," "Human resources and labor market," and "ICT readiness". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern development of the professional market is characterized by rapid transformations associated with the widespread use of digital technologies and the advent of artificial intelligence. This situation affects the field of employment, accelerating the emergence and disappearance of professions, and leads to a reassessment of the key professional skills that modern employees should have. However, there is a certain gap between the skills that are needed in the professional market and the ability of the education system to ensure their development. Given the trends of rapid technological transformations and corresponding changes in the employment market, professional education should train specialists capable of constant improvement of their professional level, possible retraining. Such tasks involve a certain change in the functions and objectives of higher education, and therefore scientists are increasingly paying attention to the process of formation and development of those students' skills which will contribute to the realization in the employment market even during its structural transformations. The purpose of the study is to review the extent to which the students themselves know and understand the content and requirements of modern skills with a view to improving the professional training of future specialists by the higher education system. Based on research in the field of professional skills, the skills identified at the World Economic Forum 2023 in Davos have been chosen as a guide. A survey of education seekers with the aim of identifying the understanding of the importance of the specified skills has shown a gap between the optimal set of skills and the education seekers' perception of them. We observe a shift in the preferences of education seekers towards technological skills, and at the same time insufficient awareness of the importance of so-called soft skills, which collectively constitute the sphere of skills necessary to achieve professional and life success and is an indicator of human capital. The findings support the need for purposeful development in the process of professional training of the key skills that employees need today in order to improve the conformity of education and training with the requirements of the professional market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of strategic sub-components of the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) on the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), positing a correlation between the LPI and selected GCI factors, specifically within the infrastructure domain--namely, the indicators of road quality, rail service efficiency, port efficiency, air transport efficiency, and electrification. The objective is to identify which indicators within the infrastructure sector most significantly affect the Logistics Performance Index. In this study, the LPI is the dependent variable, while the five previously mentioned competitiveness indicators act as independent variables. A panel data regression analysis was employed to evaluate how these independent variables influence the dependent variable. The data for this study were derived from the World Bank, specifically the LPI of the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, covering countries in the ASEAN region from 2012 to 2020. The findings indicate that, among the five indicators, port efficiency significantly impacts the Logistics Performance Index in the ASEAN region. Furthermore, air transportation efficiency and electrification significantly influence the Logistics Performance Index. Conversely, road quality and rail service efficiency do not significantly affect the Logistics Performance Index in the ASEAN region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disclosure of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics remains almost entirely voluntary, resulting in incomplete and unstandardized data that makes it difficult for stakeholders to collectively compare firms and assess their impact. To align reporting, in 2020 the World Economic Forum (WEF) proposed a framework consisting of metrics it asserted were already commonly used by firms. But little data supports this claim, as there is no comprehensive evaluation on firms’ disclosure rates on these metrics. This project aims to fill this gap. We selected 300 of the largest U.S. public companies from the Fortune 200 and S&P 500 lists because they’re high-revenue firms and have a substantial impact on global social and environmental trajectories. And these firms have more resources to devote to reporting ESG metrics. Under four pillars — Governance, Planet, People, and Prosperity — WEF describes 21 core metrics and 34 expanded metrics. This research focuses on these 300 companies’ disclosure related to the 21 core metrics, many of which have multiple subparts. For this analysis, we divide the 21 core metrics into 74 submetrics. We source data primarily from the text of sustainability reports (54.9%), firms’ websites, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) public filings (37.5%) or the Compustat database, and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) (7.6%).

Copyright of Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning is the property of Society for Teaching & Learning in Higher Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this paper, we study a division between market corruption—impersonal bribery—and network corruption that operates through social connections. We provide a thorough theoretical discussion of this division, compare it with other categorizations of corruption, and also demonstrate differences between market and network corruption existing in practice. Using data from the World Economic Forum in the period from 2007 to 2016 we measure market and network corruption across about 150 countries all over the globe and show that network corruption is more related to countries' cultural backgrounds and more harmful to investments than market corruption. Overall, our paper argues that the market-network dimension, unfairly abandoned in the literature, may be useful for better understanding of such a complex phenomenon as corruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economic Researcher Review is the property of Association of Arab Universities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ever more astounding numbers of animals are being farmed for human consumption. Paul Dobraszczyk, a lecturer at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, argues that humanity does not see or bother to comprehend the cruelty these animals are subjected to within industrialised farming processes and slaughterhouses. This, he says, is a design issue, requiring more effort to be made to give these animals a dignified life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity, identified as the most serious global risk by the World Economic Forum, poses significant challenges due to its potential impact over the next decade. This study focuses on addressing the pressing issues of water scarcity and water quality through the use of cellulose-based materials for manufacturing water filters. Industrial wastewater containing dyes and heavy metal ions is a major contributor to water pollution, affecting underground water sources. Copper, mercury, chromium, lead, and tin are among the most common and environmentally damaging heavy metal ions due to their high toxicity, low biodegradability, and persistence in the food chain. Water purification processes are crucial for ensuring safe consumption. Bio-compatible and renewable materials have gained attention for water treatment applications in recent years. Cellulose-based materials, such as cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), possess unique characteristics including biodegradability, suitable aspect ratio, thermal stability, high strength, stiffness, renewability, and accessibility. This research aims to review the utilization of cellulose-based materials, particularly modified CNC and CNF aerogels, for manufacturing water filters. These materials exhibit high porosity, large specific surface area, and functional groups on their surfaces, making them promising adsorbents for removing water pollutants such as heavy metals, organic dyes, pharmaceutical waste, and oils. Our study demonstrates that modified CNFs and CNCs have shown an exceptional absorption capacity of approximately 98% for heavy metals. By focusing on the specific application of cellulose-based materials for water filtration, this research contributes to the development of effective and sustainable solutions for water purification, addressing the critical challenges posed by water scarcity and pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, several studies have indicated that there is a considerable mismatch between the specific set of skills that employers require and the ones that university graduates have to offer. The 2023 report from the World Economic Forum lists 10 core skills that are sought after by global organizations, six of which are categorized under social-emotional learning. As part of its National Employment Strategy 2031, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to build a knowledge-based economy and increase labor productivity. This communicative piece proposes a policy reform across higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates, seizing as an opportunity the country’s growing commitment to increase talent attraction and retention in the rapidly evolving workplace. Seeing the significant association between social-emotional competencies and thriving in dynamic professional settings, the article highlights the prevalence of mental health disorders among the general youth in the UAE, the government’s commitment towards awareness and prevention of mental health disorders, the relevance of social-emotional competencies for employability and adaptability in the rapidly evolving workplace, the importance of introducing lessons and training in mindfulness-based social-emotional learning (MBSEL) to build the youth’s adaptability in an ever-changing job landscape, and practical measures that can be taken at the institutional level within the UAE context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities are at the heart of climate change mitigation as they account for over 70% of global carbon emissions. However, cities vary in their energy systems and socioeconomic capacities to transition to renewable energy. To address this heterogeneity, this study proposes an Energy Transition Index (ETI) specifically designed for cities, and applies it to track the progress of energy transition in Chinese cities. The city-level ETI framework is based on the national ETI developed by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and comprises two sub-indexes: the Energy System Performance sub-index, which evaluates the current status of cities' energy systems in terms of energy transition, and the Transition Readiness sub-index, which assesses their socioeconomic capacity for future energy transition. The initial version of the dataset includes ETI and its sub-indexes for 282 Chinese cities from 2003 to 2019, with annual updates planned. The spatiotemporal data provided by the dataset facilitates research into the energy transition roadmap for different cities, which can help China achieve its energy transition goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that the concept of "global internet policy" is shaped by the interests of tech corporations, state legislatures, and consumer rights rather than a unified global approach. The author suggests that piecemeal reforms are insufficient to address global challenges such as climate change and human rights. The article also discusses the monetization of speculative futures and the role of corporate power in shaping the future of the internet. It concludes by highlighting the need for an alternative way of seeing and constituting global internet policy in the face of these challenges. The text explores the importance of trust in digital transformation and futuristic urban projects, citing statements from consultancies such as KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, and EY. It discusses the plans for NEOM, a new urban development in Saudi Arabia, and the potential implications of data collection and surveillance. The role of governments in promoting innovation and the challenges of algorithmic governance and inequality are also examined. The text concludes by discussing the influence of the United States as a declining global power and the emergence of alternative models of wealth creation and leadership. It highlights the lack of a unified global humanity and the need for collaboration and cooperation to address global challenges. The World Economic Forum's warning about intensifying global risks and Greta Thunberg's activism for climate justice are mentioned, along with the need for a new global internet policy that prioritizes people and the planet over profit and greed. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Last-mile delivery (LMD) is a challenging and costly supply chain process that involves direct customer interaction. In a recent study by the World Economic Forum, it was emphasized that last-mile logistics is an emerging research area. In particular, the European Commission Directorate General for Energy and Transport provides guidelines for abnormal road transport, such as heavy, bulky, and oversized (HBO) products. In the last few years, many research articles have been published on the topic of LMD. Several literature review studies from the perspective of different stakeholders have also been published. The delivery of HBO products is more challenging in many ways compared to parcel delivery. Although HBO products yield the most profitable sales, the LMD of HBOs is less studied compared to parcel deliveries. Methods: This research employed a descriptive review method to scan 195 published articles and reports related to LMD and HBOs. Results: Our results identified the challenges in the field and identified the need for separate approaches for different customer segments, such as rural and urban customers, as well as older and younger customers, when formulating delivery strategies. Conclusions: This paper highlights the research gap in this field by using a descriptive literature review methodology and presents academic contributions available so far, as well as challenges for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The value of transverse skills, including human capabilities, has been acknowledged for a significant period of time by major organisations such as UNESCO and the World Economic Forum. This paper reports on the application of microcredentials linked to the Human Capability Framework in a major telecommunications organisation that has a vision to establish a baseline to develop the levels of capability for both individual employees and the entire workforce. In this case study, capability is evidenced through learning and applied performance specified in a microcredential that carries a credit-entry score into higher education qualifications. The value of the microcredentials lies not in recognising learning outcomes; rather, it lies in an individual's ability to validate their full potential, open sustainable employment opportunities and prepare for emergent new roles. Design/methodology/approach: This commentary offers a case study of how a major Australian telecommunications organisation implemented microcredentials that are aligned to the Human Capability Framework Standards reference model. Findings: The approach in this case study demonstrates how a company that confidently invests in non-traditional learning approaches that increase the value of human capital can tangibly grow the capacity of the workforce to deliver not only its strategy but also its cultural values. Originality/value: The multi-award-winning model described in this case study is novel and clearly informs current research and thinking addressing this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Economic Forum is a major player in global health governance, promoting the role of the private sector and specific public–private partnerships (PPPs). It exerts influence in three main ways: by exercising convening power, most notably in Davos where the most powerful representatives of the private sector meet with heads of governments and international organisations; by shaping ideas through its role as a think tank; by its engagement in PPPs, most recently as a founder member of CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations). But its organisational status is ambiguous, and it appears to lack accountability—even to its own members, which casts doubt on the legitimacy of such an influential organisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the challenges of predicting the future of the labor market, particularly in the face of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) and BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible) environments. It highlights the difficulties faced by employers in finding workers with suitable competencies and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical events on the labor market. The article emphasizes the need for workers to be flexible, empathetic, assertive, emotionally intelligent, and resilient. It also explores topics such as time management, work-life balance, employee well-being, and the concept of empowerment. The article concludes by acknowledging the importance of future competencies and providing recommendations for organizations, college students, and researchers. [Extracted from the article]

The World Economic Forum (WEF) was established in 1971 with the nominal purpose of bringing together leaders to discuss global problems. However, it is well on its way to becoming the most powerful institution in the world, merely by setting forth an agenda for global management that is attractive to many political and business leaders. Two of the central issues on which the WEF has focused are climate change and the pandemic. The first has a depth of scientific support, but the WEF's stance and official pronouncements on the latter were never based on normal scientific review procedures. Since the WEF was a catalyst in the rush to judgment on COVID‐19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates, this suggests that the WEF is primarily guided by political motives, not by science. In fact, the way the WEF approaches the climate issue—as an excuse to restrict freedom without promoting renewable energy sources—makes evident the true motives of the WEF. As a result of the WEF's political use of the climate issue, the validity of climate science has been tarnished in the public mind. If there were true political will to solve the existential problem for future generations, the following could be undertaken immediately: To convert the oil industry to renewable energy, national governments of the world could agree to require that the fossil fuel companies receiving tax dollars convert to renewable energy at a rate of 7%–8% per year. Compounded, within 10 years, these companies would still be dominating the energy game, but with safe sustainable alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]