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The purpose of this study is to understand the public value of the government of Kuwait using blockchain technology to develop the capabilities of smart cities.

Research was conducted in Kuwait, where the increased use of blockchain technology has been evidenced in both the private and public sectors. A total of seven IT managers were interviewed to gauge their responses to blockchain and its use in Kuwait ministries.

Blockchain technology offers many benefits for the development of smart cities in Kuwait. This is a statement that received almost mutual agreement amongst all the IT managers interviewed. However, as regards wider acceptance, the majority mentioned that a framework is necessary to better articulate the public value of using blockchain in smart cities in Kuwait.

This paper develops research hypotheses and a framework for articulating the public value of blockchain technology for smart cities in Kuwait.

This paper aims to identifying challenges faced by innovation in the public sector of Jordan.

A qualitative method was adopted for achieving the study objective with the undertaking of thematic analysis upon the answers of respondents in relation to the challenges for innovation within the public sector of Jordan. There were 25 semi-structured interviews conducted with organizational development managers, innovation assessors working within the public sector and other experts.

The aspect of the government innovation concept that is most important is the creation of added value, and also that innovation is a process that is individual rather than one that is institutional. Leaders or managers and the employees are considered as primary sources for the innovation in government. On the basis of the analysis of the data within the study, it was concluded that the challenges faced by innovation management within the public sector of Jordan can be considered as being a lack of a culture that is supportive of innovation, a lack of vision for innovation, a lack of institutionalization, a lack of an innovation plan at the national level, a general lack of awareness, the bureaucracy and the rigidity of the organizational structures, the excessive routine, the lack of rewards and incentives, the lack of training, the lack of financial resources and, finally, the silo effect. Several recommendations are provided by the study for improving the reality for government innovation including the building of organizational culture for supporting innovation, the activation of open communication, the development and training of employees and the provision of proper incentives for them.

A conceptual model has been put forward by the study that may be employed in the assessment of challenges faced by managers when seeking to implement innovation management within institutions in the public sector. The study can also benefit both decision makers and practitioners and the makers of public policy within the public administration of Jordan, especially in relation to government innovation through the identification of all the challenges faced by innovation management in Jordanian public sector, and the provision of useful strategies and mechanisms that can help in the mitigation of those challenges and the improvement of innovation management levels in Jordanian government. Further, the study results can act as a catalyst for the issuing of annual innovation reports within the government sector of Jordan.

This study aims to understand the potential influence of several factors that may affect females’ intentions to undergo breast cancer screening (BCS) in Jordan.

A positivistic research methodology was used with the aim of gathering and interpreting the data quantitatively. A questionnaire was created and given to the selected respondents. Females who were at least 18 years old made up the study’s population. In addition, using a sample size of n = 237 was warranted and appropriate. Data were collected from Karak, Tafilah, Aqaba and Ma’an, four cities in southern Jordan. Smart partial least squares version 4.0.9.2 and SPSS version 26 have been used for data analysis.

The findings showed that attitudes, subjective norms, disease susceptibility and cues-to-action among females have a significant impact on their intention to undergo BCS. Whilst, the benefits of using BCS have not been shown to have a substantial impact on females’ intentions to undergo BCS. Furthermore, this study indicated that there were no significant differences between females’ intention to conduct BCS and the control variables (age and education).

There are specific restrictions in place. First, although the study’s sample size of respondents was adequate, it would be advantageous to have a larger sample size in the future to improve the reliability of the results. Second, the BCS behavior in Jordan’s southern cities was the sole subject of this study. Therefore, it would be beneficial to also explore other areas of Jordan. Third, only female candidates for BCS were examined in this study. It might be necessary to do a more thorough investigation to find the obstacles preventing them from performing the test. Fourth, the current study did not analyze the actual behavior required to perform the BCS test; instead, it sought to understand females’ intentions for undergoing the test. Therefore, it would be beneficial to research actual female behavior toward BCS in the future. The current study also used a quantitative research methodology. Therefore, more study is required using qualitative techniques like focus groups, interviews and brainstorming to better understand females’ intentions toward BCS.

According to the author’s best knowledge, this study marks the first effort to highlight behavioral intentions toward performing BCS in the Jordanian context. In addition, by incorporating extra factors obtained from the health belief model within the context of BCS behavior, the current study broadens the theory of reasoned action. This can be viewed as a significant contribution to the subject’s theoretical foundations. Besides, the current study incorporated demographic characteristics and used them as a control variable. This can be seen as another contribution to the literature on health-care marketing in the case of BCS.

This study underscores the critical importance of well-functioning sewer systems in achieving smart and sustainable urban drainage within cities. It specifically targets the pressing issue of sewer overflows (SO), widely recognized for their detrimental impact on the environment and public health. The primary purpose of this research is to bridge significant research gaps by investigating the root causes of SO incidents and comprehending their broader ecological consequences.

To fill research gaps, the study introduces the Multi-Phase Causal Inference Fuzzy-Based Framework (MCIF). MCIF integrates the fuzzy Delphi technique, fuzzy DEMATEL method, fuzzy TOPSIS technique and expert interviews. Drawing on expertise from developed countries, MCIF systematically identifies and prioritizes SO causes, explores causal interrelationships, prioritizes environmental impacts and compiles mitigation strategies.

The study's findings are multifaceted and substantially contribute to addressing SO challenges. Utilizing the MCIF, the research effectively identifies and prioritizes causal factors behind SO incidents, highlighting their relative significance. Additionally, it unravels intricate causal relationships among key factors such as blockages, flow velocity, infiltration and inflow, under-designed pipe diameter and pipe deformation, holes or collapse, providing a profound insight into the intricate web of influences leading to SO.

This study introduces originality by presenting the innovative MCIF tailored for SO mitigation. The combination of fuzzy techniques, expert input and holistic analysis enriches the existing knowledge. These findings pave the way for informed decision-making and proactive measures to achieve sustainable urban drainage systems.

This study aims to investigate the role of Islamic finance in supporting sustainable economic growth, innovation and digital transformation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Amid global challenges like the Russia–Ukraine conflict and COVID-19, the focus extends beyond the GCC’s oil dependency to explore how Islamic finance can enable technological advancements and foster a digitally innovative economy. The research aims to reveal the potential of Islamic finance in driving economic diversification, technological progress and sustainable development in the GCC.

Using a content analysis approach, this study critically examines the economic repercussions of recent global crises, shedding light on how Islamic finance contributes to socio-economic justice and the provision of social goods in the GCC. The research synthesises findings from various secondary sources, including academic literature, reports and industry standards, to analyse Islamic finance’s role from an ethical and strategic perspective within the GCC’s evolving economic landscape.

The findings reveal Islamic finance’s potential to significantly contribute to the GCC’s economic diversification and resilience against global economic downturns. The study highlights how Islamic finance aligns with the sustainable development goals and its effectiveness in promoting ethical financial practices and socio-economic justice.

Future research should focus on global comparative studies to understand Islamic finance’s impact on sustainable development beyond the GCC. Longitudinal studies are also essential to assess the long-term effects of Islamic financial instruments on economic stability.

The research advocates for incorporating Islamic finance principles into the GCC’s economic strategies, emphasising its role in providing resilient and ethical financial alternatives conducive to sustainable development. It underscores the need for policy initiatives integrating Islamic finance to bolster socio-economic welfare and environmental sustainability.

Offering a novel perspective, this paper enriches the discourse on the contribution of Islamic finance to sustainable economic development. It presents critical insights into how Islamic finance can underpin long-term economic resilience and growth in the GCC. It provides valuable implications for academia and policymaking, particularly in emerging economies’ science and technology policy management.