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Special economic zones (SEZs) typically require high-quality service and infrastructure, as well as the presence of skilled and experienced facilities managers. However, the zones face several challenges in terms of facility management, such as poor infrastructure and an unprofessional approach to facilities management (FM). Using two public SEZs, this study aims to examine the drivers of effective facilities management practices, evaluate management strategies and explore challenges that prevent the zones’ effective facilities management.

The study uses a mixed-method research approach to collect data from selected investors and facilities managers, with primary data collected through a questionnaire to 101 respondents and interviews conducted with 8 facilities managers. Interpretive analysis was used to analyse qualitative data, while descriptive analysis was used to analyse data collected through a survey.

The results show that FM in the zones is highly in-house, with facilities managers’ roles only seen as critical during the occupation stage, little involvement during the construction stage and no involvement at all during the design stage. The analysis of the drivers for effective FM practices reveals a disparity between what is occurring on the ground and best practices. Furthermore, investors were dissatisfied with the quality of facilities management practices, the competence of facilities managers in carrying out their facilities management responsibilities and the time required to deliver services.

This study proposed a conceptual framework that guides policymakers and other stakeholders on properly managing PSEZs to attract investors’ interest. The study also calls for professional FM in PSEZs, policy intervention to separate government ownership from Zone management and addressing problems that impede zone competitiveness.

The purpose of this study is to present a mini-integrated review on upcycling as a marketing strategy used by brands in promoting sustainability. Upcycling has emerged as a promising strategy for sustainability in the fashion industry. Activities within the industry have resulted in the release of toxic chemicals, carbon emissions and unsustainable products with significant environmental impacts. This has influenced manufacturers and researchers to adopt alternative but sustainable approaches.

In this mini-integrated review, relevant documents and information were sourced from appropriate databases and websites to provide a brief insight into upcycling as a marketing tool.

This mini-integrated review further provides insight into how effective upcycling can be integrated into a brand’s marketing strategy as a tool to communicate its commitment to sustainability and the production of high-value products for consumer satisfaction. It concludes that the fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment, and the practice of upcycling has surfaced as a potential solution to address issues of sustainability paving the way for further studies.

Brands use upcycling to differentiate themselves from competitors and appeal to consumers who prioritize sustainability. By emphasizing the environmental benefits of upcycling, brands can position themselves as leaders in the domain of sustainable fashion practices.

Previous research has measured wage inequalities based on gender and sexual orientation. However, although sexism and homophobia form the backdrop of these studies, no research has measured the role played by gender stereotypes and homophobia on the national level in these wage disparities. Most studies have been conducted in single countries, which prevents researchers from considering the effects of national values (such as gender stereotypes and homophobia) on wages. This article aims to bridge these gaps by studying wage differentials according to gender and sexual orientation across 25 European countries characterised by various levels of homophobia and gender stereotypes.

This study uses two data sources, namely the EWCS and EVS surveys, to measure wage inequalities according to gender and sexual orientation in European countries characterised by different levels of gender stereotypes and homophobia. The analysis is mostly based on multilevel modelling.

Our findings shows that in Europe, among partnered individuals, after controlling for individual variables, lesbian women earn more than heterosexual women but less than gay men who themselves receive less salary than heterosexual men. The gender pay gap is lower among lesbians and gays than among heterosexual individuals. Once national variables are added with interaction effects with sexual orientation, lesbian women seem to be the category for whom the wage increases related to living in non-homophobic countries are the highest.

This article is the first to measure the role played by national gender ideology and homophobia in wage inequalities according to gender and sexual orientation.

This study examines the impact of female directors on cash holdings in Egyptian listed firms, particularly in light of Decree 123/2019, which mandates female board representation. This study aims to determine if female directors mitigate agency conflicts related to cash holdings and how these dynamics shift post-quota implementation.

Using a panel fixed-effects model, the research analyzes 1,563 firm-year observations from 223 non-financial Egyptian firms listed on the EGX between 2014 and 2022. The robustness of the findings is tested through additional analyses using alternative proxies for cash holdings, different sample periods and a two-stage least squares approach to address endogeneity concerns.

This study finds a significant negative association between female directors and cash holdings, suggesting that female board members may promote more conservative cash management practices. However, this relationship weakens post-quota implementation, becoming statistically insignificant. This implies that while quotas increase female representation, they do not necessarily enhance corporate governance effectiveness regarding cash management. The pre-quota positive link between female directors and excess cash holdings also becomes insignificant post-quota.

The study focuses on female directors’ impact on cash holdings, excluding potential effects on other board subcommittees or functions. It does not capture long-term benefits of increased female representation, which may emerge as the pool of qualified female directors grows. Future research should explore broader implications of gender diversity guidelines and other diversity dimensions across various corporate governance aspects and institutional contexts.

This research provides empirical evidence from an emerging market context on the understudied impact of gender diversity on cash holdings. It critically evaluates the unintended consequences of mandatory gender quotas, highlighting the complexity of regulatory interventions in corporate governance. The study stresses the need for policymakers to address factors limiting the effectiveness of such quotas and to consider potential suboptimal outcomes when increasing female board representation without a corresponding increase in the supply of qualified female directors.