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Recent technological developments have encouraged the United Nations to promote the adoption of digital technologies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to initiatives from businesses, an increasing number of studies indicate that public service agencies may gain benefits from adopting digital transformation. On a global scale, policymakers are examining the integration of digital technologies, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), into public service delivery (PSD), acknowledging the potential advantages and obstacles for the public sector. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the impact of AI on PSD to support the SDGs initiative.

The research used a qualitative approach to explore the intersection of AI, SDGs and PSD. This approach involved scrutinising relevant publications and conducting an extensive literature review. The research also used bibliographic analysis to discern patterns within the field. Findings from the literature review and bibliographic analysis contributed to identifying research trends that explore the complex relationship among AI, PSD and the SDGs. The model derived from this comprehensive review and analysis elucidates the potential of AI to enhance PSD and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

The bibliographic study revealed significant research trends concerning AI, PSD and SDGs through an empirical investigation of an extensive array of peer-reviewed articles. This investigation focused on how the public sector can improve its delivery of services to citizens and all stakeholders to advance the SDGs. AI holds the promise of revolutionising PSD and bolstering the SDGs. By leveraging AI’s capabilities in data analysis, automation and customisation, governments can enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and accessibility of public services. This, in turn, enables public servants to tackle more complex tasks while providing citizens with personalised and relevant experiences. Additionally, the study advocates modelling the intersection of PSD and AI to achieve sustainable development.

The employed research methodologies, such as literature reviews and bibliographic analysis, enrich the context of AI, SDGs and PSD. They offer a comprehensive perspective, identify knowledge gaps and furnish policymakers, practitioners and academics with a conceptual framework for informed decision-making and sustainable development endeavours.

The study provides an agenda for AI and SDGs research on application in PSD. It emphasises varied research viewpoints, methods and gaps. This study helps researchers as well as practitioners identify subtopics, intersecting themes and new research pathways.

The breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments all over the globe to bring radical changes to all walks of life. Strict lockdowns are not only adversely affecting the social, economic, and psychological wellbeing of individuals but also questioning the sustainability of most businesses. In wake of the current scenario, this study is aimed at exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic is influencing the sustainability of entrepreneurship particularly from a female perspective and further providing insights into the role of Islamic financial institutions in the sustainability of businesses during COVID-19.

This is a qualitative study that takes social constructivism approach to study the underlying phenomenon. Semi-structured interviews are conducted to collect primary data. Secondary data are also utilized in this study to theoretically define various concepts relating to entrepreneurial sustainability. The application of thematic analysis revealed various risks associated with sustainability. The interviews reveal the ground realities and tell us about the hardships being faced by the entrepreneurs due to ongoing crises. The participants of the study also shed light on the role of Islamic financial institutions during the pandemic.

The study results revealed that it may look impossible for women entrepreneurs to halt or avoid the adverse consequences of the pandemic; however, a few female entrepreneurs strived to guard their existing portfolios with the help of Islamic microfinance institutions. Whereas, several women, especially those running home-based businesses, lost their income streams. Despite these rapid challenges, most female entrepreneurs are working on inventive online systems to sustain their business activities during the crisis. Finally, guidelines are suggested which can help achieve sustainability of the entrepreneurial startups.

The outcomes of this study are expedient for funding agencies, government authorities and Islamic financial institutions as well as for non-government institutions to establish sustainable and broader policies for women to become successful entrepreneurs during severe disasters like COVID-19. Moreover, the study is a helpful tool for women entrepreneurs to avert the worst impact of the pandemic with the help of Islamic microfinance institutions. The themes of this study help generate realistic information to appraise the strategies to create facilitating business environments that drive the women to carry out the entrepreneurial activity during any crisis like the COVID-19.

The results of this study provide evidence that crisis can be anticipated up to some extent if entrepreneurs become able to take proactive decisions in case of expected or identifiable threats. The study may also help the women entrepreneurs to comprehend the serious consequences of the pandemic by shifting their mode of financing to Islamic finance. Although this pandemic is a cause of physical discomfort instead this research may encourage the female entrepreneurs not to lose heart, just find the potential opportunities for their home-based and small businesses and manage funding from the Islamic microfinance institutions.

The study adds to the existing literature on entrepreneurial sustainability with a particular focus on the role of Islamic microfinance institutions for women entrepreneurs' sustainability in Pakistan. Secondly, the study employs the entrepreneurial sustainability model (ESM) that, according to the best of our knowledge, has not been used by the researchers earlier to study the given research phenomenon. Thirdly, the study findings are expedient for funding agencies, government authorities and financial institutions as well as for non-government institutions to establish sustainable and broader policies for women to become successful entrepreneurs during disasters like COVID-19.

This paper aims to investigate the impact of board gender diversity (BGD) on firm financial stability during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period.

Difference-in-differences method was used for a sample of 891 US companies observed from 2018 to 2021.

The results indicate significant negative relationships between BGD and financial stability. The authors put in evidence a nonlinear relationship between BGD and financial stability. Also, the authors found that internal women directors as well as external ones decrease financial stability.

The results emphasize the beneficial effect of having more women on corporate boards during health crises and suggest that policymakers should take measures to promote BGD.

This paper highlights the impact of BGD on financial stability and provides additional evidence on the usefulness of BGD as an effective tool for crisis management.