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This paper aims to discuss the capability of current governance models to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the tourism sphere and propose a broad model of governance to support the SDGs agenda.

The paper reviews the existing literature and uses it as a basis for developing a model of governance. The proposed model is inspired by recent studies that discuss the implementation of the SDGs agenda in tourism and on Fennell’s (2019) framework for tourism ethics.

The study proposes a multi-level model of governance that espouses the need for a stronger supranational system that curtails the power of both governments and the private sector. It also emphasizes the need to identify hypernorms that delimit the capacity for action at the various levels and which are determined by accessing varied stakeholders’ views within this system at the international level.

This paper proposes a model of governance for the implementation of the SDGs as a foothold for future discussions. It highlights the main challenges that may be faced in the implementation of such a system and suggests several avenues for future research.

In light of the world’s accelerating march towards a sustainable future, the education for sustainable healthcare must be sufficiently acknowledged in health professions curricula. Early integration of these competences into nursing degree programme emphasizes its importance and applicability. This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of an educational sustainability intervention in higher education to change nursing students’ attitudes towards sustainability and climate change, and environmental awareness.

A quasi-experimental study was performed with repeated measures between September 2019 and May 2023. Undergraduate students were introduced to sustainability and climate change in the context of healthcare using scenario-based learning and augmented reality over the courses in nursing degree. Participants' attitudes and awareness were collected by online questionnaires.

The educational intervention showed effectiveness in significantly improving attitudes towards climate change and sustainability, and the environmental awareness for changing their clinical practice (p < 0.01). However, students struggled to apply sustainability and address unsustainable practices in healthcare settings.

This study shows an effective model of curricular sustainability that can be implemented in other universities and health disciplines. The findings highlighting the importance of sustainability education in nursing and its potential to drive positive change in healthcare practice and society at large. Embedding key topics aligned with sustainable development goals in the curriculum prepares nursing or health workforce to address planetary health and implement sustainable practices that provide climate-smart care.

This paper aims to identify the effect of environmental management systems (EMSs), commitment to stakeholders and gender diversity on corporate environmental performance (CEP) and the extent to which an economic crisis moderates these relationships.

A regression analysis was conducted on a sample of 14,217 observations from 1,933 firms from 26 countries from 2002 to 2010. The estimator used is ordinary least squares with heteroscedastic panel-corrected standard errors (PCSEs), which allows us to obtain consistent results in the presence of heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation.

The results show that EMSs and stakeholder engagement are mechanisms that drive CEP but lose their effectiveness in times of crisis. However, the presence of women on boards has a positive effect on CEP that is not affected by an economic crisis.

The study has some limitations that could be addressed in the future. We present board gender diversity as a governance mechanism because its role is strongly related to non-financial performance. Future studies could focus on other corporate governance mechanisms, such as the presence of institutional or long-term investors. In addition, other mechanisms could be found that can counteract poor environmental performance in times of crisis. Finally, it might be useful to contrast these results with the crisis generated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The results obtained have important practical implications at the corporate and institutional levels. At the corporate level, they highlight, as essential contributions, that environmental management systems and stakeholder orientation are not effective in times of economic crisis, except for with the presence of women on the board.

Following the crisis, the European Commission has promoted gender diversity on boards as a mechanism to improve the governance of entities – improving, among other aspects, sustainability. In this sense, another one of the practical implications of the study is support for the policies that the European Union has implemented over the last two decades.

The paper analyses how a crisis affects the moral and cultural institutional mechanisms that promote CEP. Gender diversity on the board of directors not only promotes environmental performance but also appears to be a governance mechanism that ensures this performance in times of crisis when the other mechanisms lose their effectiveness. The study proposes specific policies that help maintain environmental performance in an economic crisis.

This study aims to analyse the literature on the digital transformation of family businesses and the impact of artificial intelligence on this process, highlighting key areas of interest and future perspectives.

A bibliometric analysis is performed to explore the interconnection between variables and the relationships between authors, countries and journals in this research area. The Scopus database was used as of March 2024, and the data analysis was carried out with Bibliometrix for result analysis and VOSviewer for scientific mapping.

The analysis confirms the increasing relevance of the topic, with a high number of articles in 2023. Prominent journals are identified, and authors are mainly from China and Europe. Keywords “family business” and “family firms” are strongly linked, showing a connection to artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Family businesses are embracing the digital era, and research must respond accordingly.

This pioneering study offers a novel contribution, as no prior bibliometric analysis has addressed this topic. It lays the groundwork for future research, identifying emerging themes with significant future potential.

This research investigates the barriers impeding innovation within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil, exploring 54 innovation-related barriers categorized into six distinct groups to offer substantial insights and analyses pertinent to the decision-makers, researchers and SMEs.

This research employed a mixed quantitative and exploratory approach, utilizing fuzzy Delphi, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methods. The fuzzy Delphi method confirmed the categories and barriers through quantitative analysis, the fuzzy AHP ranked the validated obstacles and the fuzzy DEMATEL method identified causal connections among the top-priority barriers.

Out of 54 barriers, 23 significantly impacted SMEs. The “Financing and Financial” category was the most significant barrier, with “Access to Financing” being the most critical impediment. The barrier with the most influence was “Instability of Fiscal Policies,” and the highest causal priority was “Survival of the Priority Business,” identifying the government’s unstable fiscal policy as the principal barrier confronting SMEs in Brazil.

The primary challenges for Brazilian SMEs center on financing, fiscal policies and maintaining ongoing operations. By addressing these barriers and fostering a resilient business environment, SMEs’ innovation capabilities and competitiveness can be enhanced, serving as key drivers for sustainable economic growth in fluctuating economic conditions. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting and validating the main barriers to SME innovation, providing highly relevant information about the innovation process.

This paper aims to explore the application of the National Expert Survey (NES) methodology in the circular economy, validating the model in the industrial ecosystem of the Basque Country to identify the challenges faced by the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the machine tool industry and to promote circular entrepreneurship.

This study uses the NES methodology, a globally recognized qualitative tool for gathering expert opinions. This methodology is adapted to the context of industrial circular entrepreneurship, ensuring that the constructs are relevant to the circular economy.

This study validates and expands the application of the NES model in the context of industrial circular entrepreneurship, providing a robust theoretical framework to evaluate the circular entrepreneurial ecosystem. The suitability of the Basque Country context, with its industrial legacy and cultural identity, has been key to this validation.

Concrete recommendations are provided to improve education, government intervention and financial conditions, highlighting key areas that facilitate the transition to sustainable business models and promote innovation and collaboration in the circular economy.

A new model is proposed, pioneering the validation of the NES methodology in industrial circular entrepreneurship and providing a specific tool to evaluate environmental factors in the Basque industry. The adaptation of the NES model offers a solid foundation for future research and applications. The model aids in decision-making, and its use has a social impact.

Este artículo explora la aplicación de la metodología NES en la economía circular, validando el modelo en el ecosistema industrial del País Vasco para identificar los desafíos que enfrenta el ecosistema emprendedor en la industria de la máquina herramienta y propone un modelo original para medir y promover el emprendimiento circular industrial. El modelo ha sido validado en el ecosistema industrial vasco, un contexto de referencia para la actividad y política industrial. Útil para la industria, la política y el ámbito académico, el modelo identifica factores favorables y áreas que requieren atención en el emprendimiento circular industrial.

El estudio utiliza la metodología NES, una herramienta cualitativa reconocida a nivel mundial para recopilar opiniones de expertos. Esta metodología se adapta al contexto del emprendimiento circular industrial, asegurando que los constructos sean relevantes para la economía circular. La metodología es clave para el estudio, ya que se ha diseñado una herramienta original basada en la metodología NES, ampliamente probada y validada, y específicamente adaptada para el emprendimiento circular industrial.

El estudio valida y amplía la aplicación del modelo NES en el contexto del emprendimiento circular industrial, proporcionando un marco teórico robusto para evaluar el ecosistema emprendedor circular. La idoneidad del contexto del País Vasco, con su legado industrial e identidad cultural, ha sido clave para esta validación. Al abordar la notable falta de investigación sobre la economía circular desde la perspectiva del emprendimiento industrial, este artículo se presenta como una contribución particularmente valiosa.

Se propone un nuevo modelo, pionero en la validación de la metodología NES en el emprendimiento circular industrial, proporcionando una herramienta específica para evaluar factores ambientales en la industria vasca. La adaptación del modelo NES ofrece una base sólida para futuras investigaciones y aplicaciones. El modelo ayuda en la toma de decisiones y su uso tiene un impacto social.

Se ofrecen recomendaciones concretas para mejorar la educación, la intervención gubernamental y las condiciones financieras, destacando áreas clave que facilitan la transición hacia modelos de negocio sostenibles y promueven la innovación y la colaboración en la economía circular.

Este artigo explora a aplicação da metodologia NES na economia circular, validando o modelo no ecossistema industrial do País Basco para identificar os desafios enfrentados pelo ecossistema empreendedor na indústria de máquinas-ferramenta e propõe um modelo original para medir e promover o empreendedorismo circular industrial. O modelo foi validado no ecossistema industrial basco, um contexto de referência para a atividade e política industrial. Útil para a indústria, políticas públicas e o meio acadêmico, o modelo identifica fatores favoráveis e áreas que requerem atenção no empreendedorismo circular industrial.

O estudo utiliza a metodologia NES, uma ferramenta qualitativa reconhecida mundialmente para a coleta de opiniões de especialistas. Esta metodologia é adaptada ao contexto do empreendedorismo circular industrial, garantindo que os constructos sejam relevantes para a economia circular. A metodologia é fundamental para o estudo, uma vez que foi desenvolvida uma ferramenta original baseada na metodologia NES, amplamente testada e validada, e especificamente adaptada para o empreendedorismo circular industrial.

O estudo valida e expande a aplicação do modelo NES no contexto do empreendedorismo circular industrial, proporcionando um marco teórico robusto para avaliar o ecossistema empreendedor circular. A adequação do contexto do País Basco, com seu legado industrial e identidade cultural, foi essencial para esta validação. Ao abordar a notável falta de pesquisa sobre a economia circular a partir da perspectiva do empreendedorismo industrial, este artigo se apresenta como uma contribuição particularmente valiosa.

Propõe-se um novo modelo, pioneiro na validação da metodologia NES no empreendedorismo circular industrial, fornecendo uma ferramenta específica para avaliar fatores ambientais na indústria basca. A adaptação do modelo NES oferece uma base sólida para futuras pesquisas e aplicações. O modelo auxilia na tomada de decisões e seu uso tem um impacto social.

São fornecidas recomendações concretas para melhorar a educação, a intervenção governamental e as condições financeiras, destacando áreas-chave que facilitam a transição para modelos de negócios sustentáveis e promovem a inovação e a colaboração na economia circular.

This study introduces a methodology that combines geographic information technologies and consumer behaviour principles to define, delineate and quantify the trade area (TA) of a bank branch within the context of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The goal is to design an optimal distribution network tailored to the needs of financial institutions involved in M&A activities.

The paper presents a procedure for TA delimitation, grounded in a theoretical model supported by marketing and consumer behaviour theories, focusing on proximity, purchase frequency and product type.

Addressing a gap in the literature, this study highlights TA delineation as a key element in marketing strategy, exploring its role in establishing optimal distribution networks, particularly for financial institutions engaged in M&A.

For simplicity, the study focuses on a single bank branch, rather than a broader dataset.

The proposed methodology enables more accurate delineation of TAs in M&A processes, mitigating the negative effects often overlooked by banks during mergers and acquisitions.

This approach helps reduce the risk of financial exclusion for vulnerable clients, promoting social and economic equity and fostering a fairer, more cohesive society.

This study is innovative in integrating geographic information science (GIS) metrics into location science, proposing fragmentation analysis to quantify the spatial structure and configuration of TAs. This approach departs from traditional practices, as these specific metrics have not been collectively applied in previous research.

Informal female entrepreneurship (IFE) represents a significant yet understudied dimension of economic activity globally. This research aims to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) on IFE.

This SLR delves into the intricate landscape of IFE, examining scholarly contributions sourced from the Web of Science Social Sciences Citation Index database.

By synthesizing existing literature, this review sheds light on the multifaceted dynamics surrounding IFE, encompassing factors such as socioeconomic contexts, cultural influences and institutional frameworks. Moreover, this study underscores the importance of addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women engaged in informal entrepreneurial activities. In doing so, it not only enriches our understanding of female entrepreneurship but also underscores the need for tailored policies and interventions to support women in these endeavours.

This inquiry’s relevance stems from the pivotal role that women play in informal economies, which often remain obscured by traditional economic metrics. This review contributes to the scholarly discourse by proposing a research agenda to advance knowledge and inform future investigations into this critical domain.

This study aims to understand how specific variables of companies, corporate governance and macroeconomic factors influence the indebtedness of Portuguese hospitals, a key sector in the economy.

To test the hypotheses, data from 256 Portuguese hospitals were used, in the period between 2015 and 2021. The models were estimated using the panel data methodology, specifically using the estimation method generalized method of moments (GMM) system, from Arellano and Bover (1995) and Blundell and Bond (1998).

Using three measures of indebtedness to assess whether the determinants vary according to debt maturity, the results show differences in the sign and significance of the variables determining total indebtedness across short, medium and long-term debt.

This article appears to be original and significant as it provides detailed awareness of debt levels and their management, particularly in the context of ongoing debates about Portugal’s national health system.

This paper aims to study how corporate governance and country-related contextual factors affect the relationship between board gender diversity and environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure in its components: governance, social and environmental.

Using ordinary least-squares and two-stage least squares (2SLS) regressions, and retrieving ESG disclosure data from Bloomberg’s database, the paper analyses a sample of European nonfinancial listed firms (1,935 firm-year observations) over the period 2014–2022. The study adopts board independence and board cultural diversity as structural and demographic board attributes that characterize the corporate governance environment in which female directors operate; the enforcement of law and gender equality as country-related institutional and cultural factors.

Results suggest that female directors may substitute board independence in improving ESG and governance disclosure, whilst they co-occur with board cultural diversity in increasing ESG, governance and social disclosure. Findings indicate that the enforcement of law increases the positive effect of female directors on environmental disclosure and lowers the impact on governance disclosure. Conversely, a more gender-equal environment enhances female directors’ engagement in improving governance disclosure, reducing their beneficial effect on environmental information.

This study contributes to the literature suggesting that structural and other demographic board contextual aspects, as well as institutional and cultural country-related contextual factors, affect the relationship between board gender diversity and ESG disclosure differently and the effect may vary depending on ESG disclosure.