Human capital, encompassing education, skills, health, and experience, is a key driver of economic and social development. This study presents a comparative analysis of the socioeconomic conditions that influence human capital development in Montenegro, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia from 2000 to 2023, utilising the Socioeconomic Capacity Index (SCI). The analysis combines (a) comparative statistical assessment of SCI and its four subindices, (b) trend-based projection of future SCI values using linear regression, and (c) Difference-in-Differences (DiD) analysis to examine the effects of the COVID-19 period on SCI dynamics. Results show substantial cross-country differences. Malaysia and Montenegro record the highest median SCI values (0.616 and 0.591), indicating stronger socioeconomic structures, while Indonesia’s lower median SCI (0.439) reflects challenges in education quality and productivity. Thailand’s median SCI (0.511) places it between the extremes. Subindex comparisons reveal that Malaysia leads in economic productivity (average score 0.68) and Montenegro performs strongest in health outcomes (median 0.92). Predictive modelling suggests that, under current trajectories, Malaysia and Montenegro could reach SCI levels above 0.8 by 2030, Thailand may approach approximately 0.76, whereas Indonesia may rise to around 0.64. Results indicate that a 15
Sustainable finance has become a central issue across many sectors, including higher education, where universities must balance fiscal responsibility with environmental, social and governance (ESG) imperatives. In this paper, sustainable finance is defined as the systematic integration of ESG criteria into budgeting, investment, procurement and asset management decisions within academic institutions. At the same time, students increasingly demand that universities translate sustainability pledges into ethical and transparent financial practices. The aim of the study is to assess students’ familiarity with sustainable finance concepts and to identify the main educational barriers limiting competence development in this field. A quantitative Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) survey was conducted among students in Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovenia and the Netherlands. Findings reveal strong student interest in ESG and sustainable finance topics, yet significant shortcomings remain. Respondents observed that ESG content is rarely integrated into curricula, that opportunities for interdisciplinary and practical learning are limited, and that qualified teaching staff are insufficient. These gaps reduce student engagement and represent a missed opportunity for universities to use education as a driver of sustainability. The paper concludes with recommendations to enrich curricula, foster experiential and interdisciplinary learning, and strengthen faculty expertise in order to better align higher education practices with the principles of sustainable finance.
Sustainable packaging has become a major area of academic and practical interest, reflecting growing environmental awareness, regulatory pressure, and changing consumer expectations. This study aims to synthesize existing knowledge on consumers’ behavior toward sustainable packaging and their willingness to pay (WTP) for environmentally friendly solutions. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review was conducted, encompassing 78 peer-reviewed publications from 2019 to 2025. Bibliometric mapping using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) identified three main research streams: consumer attitudes and determinants of behavior, willingness to pay for sustainable packaging, and perception of packaging materials and systems. The reviewed studies, conducted across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, employed diverse methods, including surveys, discrete choice experiments, structural equation modeling, and mixed designs. Results indicate that consumer behavior is shaped by environmental awareness, self-identity, perceived usefulness, and trust in labeling, while packaging material and functionality remain decisive for acceptance. Most studies show that consumers are willing to pay a premium of about 10–20% for sustainable packaging, though price sensitivity and hygiene concerns limit actual adoption. The findings highlight the conditional nature of consumer acceptance and emphasize the need for transparent communication, credible certification, and functional design. This study provides guidance for policymakers and businesses seeking to promote sustainable packaging solutions.
Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the level and determinants of multidimensional local resilience in Polish municipalities between 2013 and 2023. The analysis focuses on the influence of environmental, demographic, and infrastructural factors on the adaptive capacity and socio-spatial cohesion of territorial units. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on secondary data obtained from Statistics Poland (GUS), encompassing environmental, demographic, and infrastructural variables. A synthetic local resilience index was constructed using the CRITIC–TOPSIS method, and the results were analyzed with descriptive statistics, regression tests, ANOVA, and Spearman’s rank correlation. Findings: Local resilience in Poland depends primarily on environmental and infrastructural components, while demographic factors play a supporting role. Urban municipalities demonstrate the highest levels of resilience, with rural and urban–rural units showing intermediate values. The results indicate a synergistic interaction between environmental quality, infrastructure, and demographic stability, with a limited negative impact of intensive industrial activity. Research limitations/implications: The limitations concern insufficient data availability and challenges in capturing dynamic interactions. Future research should include cultural and institutional components, as well as predictive models for infrastructure, demographic, and environmental policy development scenarios. Practical implications: The findings highlight the need to monitor migration, mitigate the negative effects of industrial activity, and invest in green areas and urban ecosystems. Integrated spatial and investment planning that takes into account infrastructure, environmental protection, and demographic support enhances the adaptive capacity and cohesion of local communities. Originality/value: The innovative approach applies synthetic indicators covering three dimensions of local resilience—environmental, demographic, and infrastructural— in an analysis spanning 2013-2023 for all Polish municipalities. The study enables an assessment of trends, spatial disparities, and changes in the structure of interdependencies among components, demonstrating the growing importance of environmental quality and the significant role of infrastructure in shaping local resilience.
Wastewater treatment plants increasingly rely on anaerobic digestion and biogas utilization to reduce operational costs, enhance energy self-sufficiency, and support circular-economy objectives. This study provides a comprehensive, year-round assessment of sludge production, sludge characteristics relevant to digestion, biogas generation, and energy performance at a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The plant generated on average 68.0 m3/d of thickened primary sludge and 24.0 m3/d of excessive sludge (total 92 m3/d), with low daily variability throughout the year. Biogas production remained highly stable, with an annual average of approximately 1300 m3/d and limited daily variation. Although monthly averages ranged from 1004 to 1728 m3/d, within-month variability was low to moderate, indicating that digestion processes responded consistently to changes in sludge quantity and composition. The weak correlation between sludge volume and biogas output (r = 0.29) showed that, besides sludge quantity, factors such as organic content and digester operating conditions also influence biogas yield. Energy performance indicators demonstrated strong self-sufficiency potential: the facility produced 1,095,047 kWh of electricity, covering 56.72% of its annual demand. The high coefficient of determination for self-sufficiency (R2 = 0.871) confirmed a strong linear relationship between biogas-derived energy production and reduced grid dependence. Operational correlations further highlighted system coherence, with cogenerator and boiler usage strongly inversely related (r = −0.85) and biogas production positively associated with heat output (r = 0.66). Overall, the results demonstrate a stable and efficient sludge-to-energy system and provide a detailed dataset supporting future optimization of anaerobic digestion processes.
