Global Sustainability Research

A review of the digitalization of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) toward sustainability

Asif Raihan — 2024-03-17

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are of paramount importance in the global economy. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted numerous economies, resulting in substantial transformations across various aspects and elements of SMEs. The acceleration of digital transformation has been observed as a notable response to the ongoing pandemic. The utilization of digital transformation as a means of fostering innovation has the potential to facilitate sustainability, enhance competitiveness, and enable customization in both products and services. Nevertheless, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the extent to which SMEs have embraced digital technology in order to support and promote sustainability objectives. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to present an in-depth review of the digitization of SMEs in relation to sustainability, employing the systematic literature review approach. The analysis conducted encompassed three primary domains: the technological facets of digitalization, sustainability in accordance with the triple bottom line (comprising economic, environmental, and social factors), and the business attributes specific to SMEs. This review analysis elucidated the specific technological advancements that facilitate SMEs in their pursuit of sustainable development. In addition, this study synthesizes material that discusses the sustainability aspects of the triple bottom line and the specific areas of Industry 4.0 technology that have been utilized. Furthermore, the literature identifies other aspects including corporate strategy and management, organizational structure, organizational culture, skills and qualifications, and leadership considerations. Additionally, it synthesized potential avenues for future research that have emerged from the study. This study makes a significant contribution to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and offers vital insights for policymakers and SMEs seeking to transition their production practices towards sustainability and digitalization.

Indigenous Knowledge and Community Institutions' Role in Pashtun Pastoral Community Resilience to Climate Change

Zafar Khan — 2024-06-23

Indigenous knowledge and community institutions of pastoral communities play a pivotal role in resilience to climate change. This study aims to investigate the Pashtun pastoral community's culturally embedded indigenous knowledge, social structure, and social institutions' role in their resilience to climate change. It is revealed that climate change directly affects their natural resources, cultural traditions and livelihood, especially of the Pashtun pastoral community living in the mountainous region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is investigated that Pashtun pastoral community social structure (such as kinship bonds, brotherhood, and reciprocity) and cultural institutions strengthen their resilience to bounce back from the worst impact of climate change. It is revealed that the Pashtun pastoral communities’ indigenous knowledge is embedded in their folk literature, metaphors, poetry, and traditions. Their indigenous knowledge, and socio-cultural institutions, strengthen the Pashtun pastoral community's resilience to climate change.

Analyzing Vital Capacity in Short-Term COVID-19 Survivors between 20 to 40 years and over 40 years Population: Understanding Respiratory Health in New Normal situation

Jannatul Ferdaus Rickta — 2024-06-30

COVID-19 global coronavirus is a pandemic caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Coronavirus effect on multiple organ dysfunction but pulmonary function is most affected area of a patients. Pulmonary function or vital capacity have significance in the treatment of COVID affected patients. Vital capacity is defined as the maximal volume of air that can be exhaled from the lungs following maximal inspiration. Present study aim is to compare vital capacity between COVID-19 survivors and non-COVID populations. A total of eight hundred fifty-nine (859) subjects of different ages have been selected for the present study. The present study data were collected by the Multi-Functional Spirometer HI-801 for vital capacity, and the digital weighing scale was used for the measurement of body weight. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, the mean and the standard deviation (SD). An inferential statistically paired and independent t-test was applied to check the level of significance. The significance level was set at p<0.05. The results of this study, male COVID survivors between the ages of 20 to 40 have better vital capacity recovery than male COVID survivors over the age of 40, while female COVID survivors between the ages of 20 to 40 outperform female COVID survivors over the age of 40. Female COVID-19 survivors generally regain essential capabilities far more quickly than male survivors. We conclude that female COVID survivors recover vital capacity much faster than male COVID survivors.