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Keyword: sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Total 60 articles
Article    12 Jan 2026
Mehmet Recai Uygur, Fatih Tekin, Fatma Sever and Samson Abiodun Toye
Politics in all regimes hinges on ordinary acts of obedience, yet the mechanisms that sustain it differ. This article theorizes “sustainable obedience” as obedience (i.e., rule-following and deference to collectively binding authority) that reproduces itself because Politics in all regimes hinges on ordinary acts of obedience, yet the mechanisms that sustain it differ. This article theorizes “sustainable obedience” as obedience (i.e., rule-following and deference to collectively binding authority) that reproduces itself because the marginal costs of monitoring and sanctioning are kept low by institutional and cultural feedback. We develop a dual-channel model: a fear channel (deterrence through selective coercion and information control) and a trust channel (procedural justice, impartial enforcement, and legitimacy) that interact through path dependence and habit formation. Mixed methods combine cross-national indices (V-Dem, Freedom House, World Values Survey) with comparative discourse and document analysis (2014–2025) to trace these mechanisms in three contrasting regimes: the Netherlands (liberal democracy), Turkey (competitive authoritarianism), and Russia (closed autocracy). Findings show trust-based obedience dominates in the Netherlands and is temporarily supplemented by proportionate deterrence during crises; Turkey institutionalizes a high and persistent fear architecture, with limited compensatory appeals to performance and electoral legitimacy; Russia sustains obedience primarily through multi-layered coercion and digital control backed by ideological narratives. We derive testable propositions about substitution and complementarity between channels and show how crises can normalize exceptional measures. Normatively, democratic resilience depends on renewing the trust architecture without entrenching fear; authoritarian resilience remains cost-effective yet ultimately fragile under information shocks. or Access Full Article
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 5 (2026), Issue 1, pp. 15–33
119 Views32 Downloads
Article    11 Jan 2026
John C. G. Lee, Yeney Widya Prihatiningtias, Febryanti Simon and Samantha Siu Ling Lee
Indonesia’s National Free Meals Programme (NFMP) faces systemic challenges of fragmented implementation across agricultural, educational, and logistical sectors. These systemic challenges are compounded by inequitable reach in its archipelagic geography, where rural infrastructure gaps exacerbate disparities. Indonesia’s National Free Meals Programme (NFMP) faces systemic challenges of fragmented implementation across agricultural, educational, and logistical sectors. These systemic challenges are compounded by inequitable reach in its archipelagic geography, where rural infrastructure gaps exacerbate disparities. This study examines these issues through an integrated theoretical framework—combining Policy Transfer, Multi-stakeholder Governance, and Sustainable Livelihoods theories—using a mixed-methods approach that synthesises global policy benchmarks, peer-reviewed literature, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) alignment metrics. Key findings identify governance fragmentation, supply chain inefficiencies (notably 15–20% food spoilage in eastern regions), and digital divides as critical constraints. The research proposes a three-tiered intervention framework: (1) geospatially tailored procurement mechanisms; (2) incentivised corporate partnerships for cold-chain infrastructure; and (3) co-created R&D for climate-resilient crops. These strategies synergistically advance SDG 1 (Poverty Reduction), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 4 (Quality Education), demonstrating potential for farmer income gains, reduced child stunting, and improved school attendance. The study contributes to theoretical debates on adaptive policy transfer and offers Indonesia a scalable blueprint for integrated food-security transformation in archipelagic contexts. or Access Full Article
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 5 (2026), Issue 1, pp. 1–14
94 Views26 Downloads
Article    23 Dec 2025
Waleed Mugahed Al-Rahmi
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 4 (2025), Issue 4, pp. 329–352
296 Views60 Downloads
Article    4 Dec 2025
Aivars Spilbergs, Biruta Dzērve, Sandra Ozoliņa, Gunta Innuse-Breidaka, Tatjana Mavrenko, Laima Čable, Agnese Vincēviča, Biruta Sloka, Ginta Tora and Kristīne Liepiņa
This study examines the primary risks associated with using generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in social science research and proposes a framework for higher education institutions to effectively manage these risks. As universities increasingly integrate GAI into This study examines the primary risks associated with using generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in social science research and proposes a framework for higher education institutions to effectively manage these risks. As universities increasingly integrate GAI into teaching, research, and administration, concerns around intellectual property, academic integrity, data privacy, and ethical use have intensified. This paper explores the adequacy of current legal frameworks in addressing these challenges, drawing on recent legal analyses and institutional practices. Survey data reveal statistically significant differences in perceptions of the need for GAI guidelines based on respondents’ age, education level, field of study, research experience, and geographic region. The findings underscore the urgency of developing adaptive, risk-based policies that support responsible integration of GAI while safeguarding academic standards. The study concludes by proposing guiding principles for a dynamic legal framework that balances innovation with accountability. These recommendations aim to support sustainable and ethical GAI adoption in higher education institutions and contribute to the broader discourse on responsible AI governance in academia. or Access Full Article
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 4 (2025), Issue 4, pp. 285–298
631 Views534 Downloads
Article    26 Nov 2025
Kurt Orkun Aktaş, Ajda Zaim, Özlem Nur Aslantamer, Gözen Güner Aktaş and Hüseyin Emre Ilgın
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 4 (2025), Issue 4, pp. 256–284
548 Views86 Downloads
Article    29 Oct 2025
Barbara Marchetti, Guido Castelli and Francesco Corvaro
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 4 (2025), Issue 4, pp. 240–255
620 Views169 Downloads
Article    8 Sep 2025
Larry Dwyer
Across the social sciences, wellbeing measures are being developed to cover a more comprehensive picture of factors contributing to quality of life. However, ongoing neglect of the wellbeing outcomes of tourism activity has restricted the relevance Across the social sciences, wellbeing measures are being developed to cover a more comprehensive picture of factors contributing to quality of life. However, ongoing neglect of the wellbeing outcomes of tourism activity has restricted the relevance of much tourism research, practice and policymaking globally. These include failure to recognise human wellbeing as the primary aim of any industrial development, including tourism; adherence to a superficial conception of the nature of wellbeing and its measures; a failure to acknowledge that human wellbeing, beyond “needs”, is an essential component of sustainable development; tourism stakeholder adherence to a primarily static, rather than dynamic conception of sustainability; failure to distinguish between “weak” and “strong” sustainability; uncritical adoption of a pro-growth mindset that is steadily depleting and degrading the resources and the wellbeing of life on the planet; failure to incorporate wellbeing outcomes into tourism business mission statements; and failure to treat seriously the need for tourism degrowth at least for some sectors of the industry. To address such failures, tourism decisionmakers must incorporate stakeholder wellbeing outcomes into conceptual analysis, empirical research and policy assessment. or Access Full Article
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 4 (2025), Issue 3, pp. 192–204
1228 Views518 Downloads
Article    4 Sep 2025
Noha Emara, I-Ming Chiu and Sheila Warrick
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 4 (2025), Issue 3, pp. 174–191
1452 Views270 Downloads
Article    31 May 2025
Vassilios Makrakis, Nelly Kostoulas-Makrakis, Omar Ramzy and Mohammed Anwar
Increasing numbers of refugee children enter host countries’ public schools. Yet, most refugee children’s education is carried out through refugee community schools, mainly by unqualified teachers. This study examines critical elements impacting teacher training satisfaction, emphasizing Increasing numbers of refugee children enter host countries’ public schools. Yet, most refugee children’s education is carried out through refugee community schools, mainly by unqualified teachers. This study examines critical elements impacting teacher training satisfaction, emphasizing instructors’ preparedness and skill, and the effectiveness of training outcomes within a post-graduate program to improve education for refugee children. It supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG10, which calls for lowering inequality, and SDG4, which strongly emphasizes high-quality education. A sizable sample of 306 out of 386 individuals who had finished the RefTeCp capacity-building program participated in the study. These people worked in various educational environments, such as community schools for refugees and private establishments. The study guaranteed its legitimacy through a thorough reliability analysis and content evaluation. Multiple regression techniques were used in data analysis to identify the crucial factors influencing teacher training satisfaction. According to key findings, the efficiency of teaching materials and instructors’ abilities to manage blended learning environments substantially correlate and explain teacher training satisfaction. The study’s results highlight several essential facets of teacher professional development, such as focusing on suitable high-quality blended learning materials and resources to improve refugee students’ learning needs and experiences. Continuing teacher capacity-building interventions, and allowing refugee teachers to participate, can significantly contribute to reducing inequities and, ultimately, to a more equitable and just society. or Access Full Article
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 4 (2025), Issue 2, pp. 146–157
2075 Views355 Downloads
Article    3 Apr 2025
Martin Wynn and Peter Jones
Highlights of Sustainability
Volume 4 (2025), Issue 2, pp. 95–107
2456 Views2567 Downloads
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