The Effect of Social Capital and Organizational Health on Competitive Advantages of Culinary and Craft SMEs in Samarinda City

Samarinda City was appointed as a buffer for the new capital city of Indonesia through culinary and craft SMEs. Culinary and craft SMEs are believed to be the drivers in accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which are part of the strategy of the Provincial Government of East Kalimantan. Even so, 72% of the problems culinary and craft SMEs face in Samarinda City are related to competitive advantages. Culinary and craft SMEs in Samarinda City are still constrained by competitive disadvantage, especially in the non-substitutable resource aspect. This study aimed to analyze the effect of organizational capital and health on competitive advantage, especially in the era of post-COVID-19 economic recovery through the creative economy. This study used a survey method with a quantitative approach. The analysis techniques used were descriptive analysis and factor analysis using structural equation modeling with item parceling. The subjects of this study were SMEs in the culinary and craft sub-sector in Samarinda City (N = 365 SMEs). This study found that social capital and organizational health positively and significantly affect competitive advantage, both partially and simultaneously. Surprisingly, the dimension of work culture and climate s not suitable for modeling the impact of social capital and organizational health on the competitive advantage of culinary and craft SMEs in Samarinda City. This research is expected to contribute theoretically to developing a new model to achieve optimal competitive advantage through social capital and health organizations. This research is expected to strengthen the people's economy to achieve SDGs through SMEs, especially for Samarinda City, a buffer for the new capital city of the Republic of Indonesia and post-COVID-19 economic recovery through the creative economy.

Breaking the cycle of malnutrition through sustainable business models: The case of ready-to-use therapeutic foods

The data explained in the relevant report "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. Transforming Food Systems for Affordable Healthy” (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, Rome 2020) reveals that the world is not on track to achieve the SDG 2.1 ("Universal access to safe and nutritious food”) and SDG 2.2 ("End of all forms of malnutrition”), both Zero Hunger of Sustainable Development Goal 2 ("End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”) targets by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. If recent trends continue, the number of people affected by hunger would increase further. The combination of moderate and more severe levels of food insecurity raises the estimate to over 25% of the world population, equivalent to a total of about 2 billion people. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying the vulnerabilities and inadequacies of global food systems and of all the activities and processes affecting the production, distribution, and consumption of food so that this circumstance further questions the achievement of the goal Zero Hunger. A very important tool to successfully tackle this serious and long-standing problem is represented by nutraceutical products and in the rehabilitation of severe patients and undernourished children, the "ready-to-use therapeutic foods” (RUTFs) have shown remarkable efficacy. They refer to a number of varieties of ready-to-eat foods, ranging from those prepared from locally available ingredients by village women in their own self-help groups for the malnourished children to those prepared according to specific formulas in worldwide factories. RUTF now almost always refers to the latter and it is a generic term including different types of foodstuff, such as spreads or compressed products with precise amounts of nutrients, mainly derived from powdered milk, peanut, oil, sugar, and micronutrients, providing energy equivalent to WHO requirement. However, the local availability of the necessary ingredients limits the production in geographical areas where their use is required, thus there are currently important efforts in the research for alternative ingredients to overcome this limitation. The purpose of this study is to trace the current scenario in terms of food security and malnutrition in the world, focusing attention on the problems associated with the dissemination of initiatives aimed at addressing such a global challenge. The research was conducted following the tripartition model both in the analysis of the problem and in the proposed answer model, although the business perspective was the privileged one. Encouraging the proper and effective implementation of an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable local market for RUTFs means creating shared values, acting jointly, and maximizing the results in favour of children and their families who are still fighting for the right to live in dignity. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trends and Dynamics of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe: Implications for Selected Sustainable Development Goals

This study analysed the spatial and temporal trends and dynamics of COVID-19 to understand their implications on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Zimbabwe. Data on daily cases and mortality rates of COVID-19 were collected from the Worldometer website, whilst data on lockdown measures and travel restrictions were collected from Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses were employed on statistical data. COVID-19 statistical data were first tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Subsequently, the non-parametric Mann-Kendal (M-K) test was performed to determine the monthly average number of new cases and deaths trend from March 2020 to February 2022 using XLSTAT (2020). The study shows a significant increase (p = 0.00, α= 0.05) in COVID-19 cases between March 2020 and February 2022. The trend is characterised by sharp increases associated with wave periods. Although the results show no correlation between stringency index and COVID-19 cases, periods of high stringency are associated with a slightly lower number of cases. The spatial trends show that highly populated areas have high numbers of patient cases. Indeed, the lockdown measures put in place, among other factors, contributed to controlling the spread of the virus. The trends and dynamics of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe have implications for achieving SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3 and SDG 6. Thus, there is a need to factor in the temporal and spatial realities of COVID-19 in making a policy framework for effective control of the pandemic and promotion of sustainable development. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

Values, indicators and policies. A reflection starting from sustainability issues and the Covid-19 pandemic

The article critically discusses the role of indicators, with particular reference to sustainability issues and the Covid-19 pandemic. The distinction between "cognitive values” and "ethical values” is assumed as fundamental in discussing the relationship between indicators and public policies.L'articolo discute criticamente il ruolo degli indicatori, con particolare riferimento ai temi della sostenibilità e della pandemia da Covid-19. La distinzione tra "valori epistemici” e "valori etici” è assunta come fondamentale nel discutere il rapporto tra indicatori e politiche pubbliche.

Achieving Zero Stunting: A Sustainable Development Goal Interlinkage Approach at District Level

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) provide an integrated framework of targets and indicators, including the elimination of stunting, to support better development planning. Indonesia faces a significant challenge as it ranks fourth globally in terms of stunting prevalence, exacerbated by disparities across regions, gender, and socioeconomic status, further compounded by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Given the interlinked nature of SDGs, this study provides empirical support for the prioritization of SDG indicators, primarily in the context of stunting elimination at the district level in Indonesia. This study employed a combination of economic complexity and network theory, utilizing data from a comprehensive set of 54 indicators spanning 28 targets within 13 SDG goals in 514 districts. The analysis is based on network metrics, including revealed comparative advantage (RCA), proximity, centrality, and density to establish the SDG interlinkage network and identify key priority indicators. The findings highlight the importance of prioritizing indicators such as civil registration, health facilities and services, access to basic facilities and housing, and access to ICT in efforts to reduce stunting, particularly among disadvantaged households. Given the unique resources and capacities of each region, our analysis offers district-specific prioritization strategies for stunting elimination.

Conclusions and Policy Recommendations: The Emerging COVID-19 Trends, Dynamics and Implications

This chapter presents the key findings from the book and outlines the key policy interventions recommended. Issues examined in the book include the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural production, food systems, nutrition, informality, water, education, sanitation and livelihoods. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) framework was used in the analysis of impacts. The findings show that the pandemic had mostly negative impacts on the systems studied and the most vulnerable members of society got the biggest knock on their livelihoods especially those in the informal sector. Access to key resources like water, municipal services and food was not equal, and the gap in deprivation widened during this period. Post COVID-19 recovery needs to be guided by how well it addresses progress towards SDG indicators. Government stimulus packages for recovery need to consider increasing social safety nets and the most vulnerable members of society. There is a need to support local food systems and vulnerable livelihoods to build back better and become resilient to future shocks that are similar to the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities need to improve their communication with communities during disaster periods and strengthen their resilience. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

COVID-19 in Zimbabwe: Trends, Dynamics and Implications in the Agricultural, Environmental and Water Sectors

This contributed volume, based on papers presented at a conference held in Zimbabwe in mid-2021, interrogates solutions to COVID-19-related problems and issues across agricultural, environmental and water sectors in Zimbabwe and assesses their scientific, economic and practical validity. Across 19 chapters, this volume unpacks the science, economics and politics of the pandemic with a focus on understanding its secondary and tertiary impact on Zimbabwe's population. The volume is also dedicated to understanding the practical and policy-oriented approaches in tackling the pandemic and confronting the "new normal” of COVID-19. It brings together researchers, development practitioners and policy makers from various disciplines in an endeavour to understand COVID-19 trends and analyse the scientific options for mitigation, containment, innovation and ultimately pre-empt the possible emergence and impacts of other pandemics in the future. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

Fit for purpose? The patents regime, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and sustainable development

This article uses data from several publicly available databases to show that the distribution of intellectual property for frontier technologies, including those useful for sustainable development, is very highly skewed in favor of a handful of developed countries. The intellectual property rights (IPR) regime as it exists does not optimize the global flow of technology and know-how for the attainment of the sustainable development goals and is in need of updating. Some features of the Fourth Industrial Revolution imply that the current system of patents is even more in need of reform than before. COVID-19 vaccines and therapies and the vast inequality in access to these has highlighted the costs of inaction. We recommend several policy changes for the international IPR regime. Broadly, these fall into three categories: allowing greater flexibility for developing countries, reassessing the appropriateness of patents for technologies that may be considered public goods, and closing loopholes that allow for unreasonable intellectual property protections.

Public Services: Forced Digitalization in a Pandemic- The Nuances of Management

The aim of the article is to assess the digital transformation quantitatively and qualitatively in the management of public services against the background of the pandemic. The E-Government Development Index (EGDI) analog for evaluating the effectiveness of digital public services was developed. Qualitative and quantitative changes in digital transformation in the management of public services on the background of the pandemic were determined. It was found that no more extensive range of non-mandatory actions aimed at improving the client -oriented nature of public services and communication is observed in the innovative regions of the Russian Federation. It is established that the main transformations are qualitative, as the trend of increasing digitalization of public services was observed even before the pandemic, but during the pandemic the requirements for the expansion of such services, their efficiency, "customer centricity", and communication both within the organization and with users have increased.

Fiscal Policies and Post-COVID-19 Development Challenges: An Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented crisis. The pandemic poses a significant threat to human security and existing developmental challenges, compelling emergency spending on saving lives and securing livelihoods. Despite being in the ongoing traumatic phases of the global pandemic, the world is further expected to face undue developmental challenges due to the fourth industrial revolution and climate change. In a massive effort to save the global economies and protecting livelihoods, national governments had been obliged to announce stimulus (fiscal) packages and create local and regional funds to boost up domestic production and ensure food, water, and energy security. This chapter intends to provide a broader overview of the implications of fiscal stimulus toward sustainable recovery and address post-COVID-19 developmental challenges in a cross-country setting. Although expectantly incentivizing through fiscal policies will mobilize food security, public health, climate security and environment, migrant worker and urban resilience, gender, education, and facilitate attainment of the respective sustainable development goals (SDGs);sustainable recovery could largely vary based upon national resilience and the extant developmental framework. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer 2022.

The Potential of Artificial Intelligence for Achieving Healthy and Sustainable Societies

In this chapter we extend earlier work (Vinuesa et al., Nat Commun 11, 2020) on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN) for the 2030 Agenda. The present contribution focuses on three SDGs related to healthy and sustainable societies, i.e., SDG 3 (on good health), SDG 11 (on sustainable cities), and SDG 13 (on climate action). This chapter extends the previous study within those three goals and goes beyond the 2030 targets. These SDGs are selected because they are closely related to the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic and also to crises like climate change, which constitute important challenges to our society. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Global Pandemic and Human Security: Technology and Development Perspective

This book highlights how the human security aspect has been affected by the global pandemic, based on the specific case study, field data, and evidence. COVID-19 has exemplified that the pandemic is global, but its responses are local. The responses depend on national governance and policy framework, use of technology and innovation, and people's perceptions and behavior, among many others. There are many differences in how the pandemic has affected the rich and the poor, urban and rural sectors, development and fiscal sectors, and developed and developing nations and communities. Echoing human security principles, the 2030 Agenda emphasized a "world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want… free of fear and violence… with equitable and universal access to quality education, health care, and social protection….to safe drinking water and sanitation… where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious… where habitats are safe, resilient and sustainable…and where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.” These basic human security [PA1] principles and development agenda are highly affected by the global pandemic worldwide, irrespective of its development and economic status. Thus, the book highlights the nexus between human security and development issues. It has two major pillars, one is the development and the other is technology issues. These two inter-dependent topics are discussed in the perspective of the global pandemic, making this the most important feature of this book. While the world is still in the middle of a pandemic, and possibly other natural and biological hazards may affect peoples' lives and livelihoods in the future, this book provides some key learning, which can be used to cope with future uncertainties, including climate risks. Thus, the book is timely and relevant to wider readers. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer 2022.

UNESCO practices under the SDG4 and COVID-19 response framework: Topic modeling from 2003 to 2021

This study focused on the impacts of COVID-19 on SDG4 to resolve inequality through education and explored UNESCO's educational practices. We used text mining to analyze strategic and crisis-related reports published by UNESCO from 2003 to 2021 and LDA topic modeling analysis was used to determine their latent contexts. Two topics related to education strategies were 'sustainable development' and 'system and organization'. According to the themes, non-formal, formal and informal learning and skills and TVET topics were derived for lifelong learning, school and teacher, emergency and peace, policy and framework in the theme of crisis and conflict. Finally, latent topics during each MDGs, SDGs and COVID-19 period showed insignificant changes. However, compared to before the 2014 MDGs, strategic discourses tended to be discussed in detail. Moreover, we noted the change in global discourse from globalization to digital innovation. After the pandemic, the international community has emphasized the role of teachers and improved internet access for interaction. Such recommendations were intended to bridge the gap between countries including developing countries. As an alternative, UNESCO has suggested various partnership practices but there are nevertheless limitations that cannot be solved through a partnership or educational support. Therefore, reaching SDG4 requires global efforts to change the world by coordinating specific target countries and various social factors surrounding the countries' interior and exterior. © 2023 by the authors.

Business, Government and the SDGs: The Role of Public-Private Engagement in Building a Sustainable Future

This book seeks to revise and challenge the roles and traditional realms of influence that national and local governments, and businesses at a critical juncture in terms of achieving sustainable development, faces when tackling the dual challenges of climate change and post-COVID recovery. Using the broader lens of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to assess the roles and responsibilities of each of these stakeholders and their relationships, the book offers policy, economic arguments, case studies and examples to argue that neither national or local governments, nor companies, could afford to deviate from the SDGs in the recovery from the current crisis, nor that the imperative of bold climate action should detract from the broader focus on sustainability. The analysis frames the debate of how a balance between people, planet, and profits can be achieved and how nations, regions and cities, and businesses, with their representative organizations, can achieve a sustainable recovery from the current global crisis, and contribute to climate smart, resilient and inclusive development. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023. All rights reserved.

Medium-to Long-Term Socioeconomic Impact of Covid-19 in Arab Countries, 2022

COVID-19 pandemic is impacting institutions around the world. Its scope and economic dimensions pinpoint that it poses a major threat to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The main objective of thisresearch is to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic may influence the SDGsand affect their implementation. The methods used entail an analysis of lite rature, observations and an assessment of current world trends and applied UNDP method to Arab countries. Methodology/approach—the motivation behind this research is to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Todo so, as a first step, we conduct an initial factual analysis to identify the pat-terns of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the SDGs and has emphasized the interconnectedness of the SDGs. This target is achieved by con-ducting the methodology of the United Nations Development Program, withthe aid of Pardee Center at the University of Denver by using the impact of three different scenarios of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals,while capturing the multidimensional impacts of the pandemic over the coming decades. The main finding of this research is showing how governmentscan make choices today that have the greatest potential to advance progress inthe future, within planetary boundaries. This type of analysis can enable governments to turn COVID-19 from a short-term crisis into an opportunity to shift to sustainable development in the long term. © 2023 NSP Natural Sciences Publishing Cor.

Disclosures for slavery accounting concerning SDG 8 and corporate attributes: a study on the banking industry of Bangladesh

With the continuous adoption of sustainable development goals by all countries, there is a rising demand for implementing and disclosing related information by companies. This paper aims to find an idea about the nature of reporting practices related to slavery by listed banking companies of Bangladesh and the relationship between reporting practice and organizational attributes. Existing literature provides the foundation of this study. Annual reports from 2016 to 2021 were collected from the company websites, and content analysis was used to determine the nature and extent of slavery reporting;an index was developed based on content analysis. Independent variables were determined based on the current literature review. Statistical tools, including the test of multicollinearity, heteroscedastic, correlation, and linear regression and panel data analyses were used to determine the fitness of the model and the impact of independent variables on the dependent variable. Content analysis showed a clear picture of the consciousness about slavery accounting as all of the companies reported a minimum of three components of selected targets from SDG8. The evidence says that the quality and quantity of slavery reporting are improving yearly. A satisfactory correlation was found among the variables. Some variables, such as ownership nature, Board Size, etc., have a positive impact, and insignificant impact was found for Age and leverage on slavery disclosure. This paper only examines the banking industry, and it assesses only a few targets of SDG 8. Thus the results obtained from the study may not be similar to other companies. Data collection also has limitations;our target was to study till 2022 but some information requirements of few companies were not available on websites. This research paper is the first attempt to determine the nature of slavery accounting in Bangladesh. It will encourage business organizations to extend their reporting on slavery and SDGs.

Russia-Ukraine conflict: 2030 Agenda for SDGs hangs in the balance

Purpose - While the world is yet to fully recuperate from the social and economic repercussions of COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict poses another major threat causing a humanitarian crisis and economic shock. Although the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its pledge to "leave no one behind" is a universal commitment to protect the livelihoods of vulnerable groups, the Russia-Ukraine ongoing conflict is causing immense suffering and a gloomy future for the 2030 Agenda. The purpose of this study is to provide a holistic understanding of the ramifications of the Russia-Ukraine war in SDGs progress around the world. Further, the authors shed light on how stakeholders can help engage in support of SDGs in such a challenging time. Design/methodology/approach - This study is qualitative in nature and relies on secondary sources. The motive behind this study is to allow social and economic policy researchers and practitioners to learn from the Russia-Ukraine dispute. The authors conduct a preliminary factual analysis to determine patterns of how the conflict affects the SDGs Agenda. On this basis, the authors propose some recommendations. Findings - While it is still early to measure the full impact of the war on crises worldwide, it is clear that the repercussions will be multi-dimensional. The authors argue that the conflict in Ukraine is severely threatening the achievement of the SDGs. As such, the authors identify patterns of this crisis that have halted progress on SDGs worldwide. Of all SDGs, the authors argue that SDG16 (i.e. peace and justice) is an absolute pre-requisite to sustaining other goals. Further, refugees should be economically empowered, resilient and sustainable food systems need to be put in place and renewable energy transition is required. Research limitations/implications - This study serves as a springboard for future research by identifying patterns of war crises that have halted progress in achieving sustainable development worldwide. Empirical evidence needs to be conducted on the impact of this ongoing conflict on sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. Practical implications - This study could provide guidance to leaders and stakeholders across the globe on patterns for the impact of the Ukraine Russia conflict on undermining global sustainable development while highlighting the need for major additional efforts to achieve the relevant SDGs. Originality/value - To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to analyse the threats the Russia-Ukraine dispute presents to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for SDGs.

Out of Print: What the Pandemic-Era Newspaper Crisis in Australia Teaches Us about the Role of Rural and Regional Newspapers in Creating Sustainable Communities

Print newspapers tend to form part of the conversation on sustainable development goals in terms of the ability to communicate goals to the public, but to what degree are print newspapers part of the solution to sustainable rural and regional communities in particular? The COVID-19 pandemic coincided with a global crisis in print journalism. This article takes Australia as an extreme case study of the collapse of print news, tracing both the immediate causes as well as the scale of the decline, and the impacts in terms of community conversation, building social capital, and improving governance, particularly in sub-populations such as the aged, and in digitally disadvantaged regional and remote communities. This paper uses a range of secondary and primary data sources to build a paradoxical picture of a revival of rural and regional journalism, a revival that is focused on survival rather than revisiting the activist origins of early independent rural and regional media in the country. The new papers include part of the traditional mission of print news-building social capital-but are less engaged in creating political and financial transparency. It is concluded that the new wave of rural and regional titles may be simply at an early stage of evolution, but with the digital divide in Australia reducing, they may have little time to evolve.

Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Physical Activity Level in Adolescents During the Lockdown in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study in Greek Island of Rhodes

Background: Nutrition is involved in various ways in the 17 distinct SDGs of the United Nations Agenda 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic is testing the world, threatening health, nutrition, education, and social protection.Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the adolescents' adherence to the Mediterranean diet that attended senior high school in the Greek city of Rhodes during the lockdown period.Methods: In this cross-sectional, observational study, the sample of the research was 227 students aged 11-15 years old, who self-reported their weight and height and completed validated questionnaires for their nutritional attitudes.Results: The percentages of students who were overweight/obese were 22.5% of the total sample (17.2% overweight and 5.3% obese) according to the IOTF (International Obesity Taskforce) cutoffs and 30.4% (21.6% overweight and 8.8% obese) according to the WHO (World Health Organization) cutoffs. The average KIDMED score of the sample was medium (6.00) and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet of the sample needs improvement.Conclusion: Results support a shift from the traditional Mediterranean diet to more unhealthy eating patterns. Adolescents' limited physical activity mainly on weekdays was reported, and further research could examine the role of distant education in this behavior. Policies and strategies targeting the students' population are essential for adolescents' nutrition education and the improvement of their dietary habits toward the sustainable Mediterranean diet, during the specific circumstances of covid pandemic.

Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Bibliometrics-based Visualization and Review

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacts Sustainable Development Goals and presents obstacles to their achievement. To meet this challenge, a comprehensive analysis of the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on sustainability is required. Using the methodology of A Bibliometric Analysis and Literature Review, the literature in the Web of Science database on the influence of COVID-19 on the SDGs was thoroughly examined in this paper. The findings demonstrate that, despite the research's broad scope that spans multiple fields, its depth is insufficient. Although the epidemic poses a more significant threat to sustainable development in developing nations than in developed countries, most research is conducted in the United Kingdom, the United States, and China. To serve as a helpful decision-making guide and source of scientific and technological assistance for the prediction and early warning of sustainable development, optimal regulation, and future dynamic simulation, the essay concludes with recommendations. © 2022, Oxbridge Publishing House. All rights reserved.