Heritage and Sustainable Development

Towards sustainable cropping: AI-driven precision agriculture for optimal water and pesticide use via drones and soil sensors

2026-01-18T11:20:43+01:00

Artificial intelligence (AI) combined with drones and smart soil sensors is transforming the field of precision agriculture to an uncharted level where optimal water and pesticide applications have never been realized before. This article provides a detailed analysis as well as a simulation-based validation of an AI- enabled precision agriculture framework for efficient use of water and pesticides. We test the integration framework of drone remote sensing, IoT soil sensors, and machine learning algorithms in a closed-loop cyber-physical system (CPS) by quantitatively evaluating it with a 100ha farm applicable discrete-event simulation model. Our simulations show that using this AI-empowered approach for irrigation results in 35% reduced water consumption and 80% less pesticide being used, while also increasing crop yield by 5-8%. The simulation also shows a 30% decrease in operation costs and a 25% return on investment with technology pay-back after 2.3 growing seasons. Critical to this performance is the combined data fusion of spatial drone imagery with temporal soil sensor data, which supports high-confidence diagnostics and directed interventions. The simulation model also uncovered a positive feedback loop between system dynamics and improvement across time, in which execution data drives AI prediction guidance for several seasons. But despite barriers to the ability to achieve cost penetration, the simulation-validated analysis of its economic and environmental dividends makes a strong case for the role that AI-powered systems can play in facilitating sustainable agricultural intensification.

Investigating the effectiveness in capturing environmental costs: The cause of small to medium enterprises in the Saudi manufacturing sector

2026-02-03T08:18:49+01:00

This study investigates the current design of costing systems used by Saudi small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry. It investigates the ability of SMEs’ costing systems (traditional or advanced) to capture environmental costs. The primary reason for this study is because there is a lack of research on Saudi SMEs and Environmental Management Accounting (EMA). This study adopts the contingency theory of business, which applies contingent variables to the issue being investigated. The contingent variables for this study are types of costing systems, the types of manufacturing, and their cost structures. The data was collected using an online, web-based questionnaire. Data was analyzed employing descriptive and multivariate analysis techniques. The study found that 65% of the targeted SMEs used traditional costing systems and 18.5% reported activity-based costing (ABC). Descriptive and multivariate analyses show that firms using ABC exhibited significantly greater ability to respond to environmental issues than firms using traditional systems; sector differences were not statistically significant. Cost-structure results provide partial support: several component-level correlations were significant and consistent with environmental costs being concentrated in overhead and indirect accounts, while direct materials and labor showed small positive links with the factors examined. This study recommends that SMEs in Saudi Arabia should change their costing approaches from a traditional system to a more advanced method, which will enable them to better identify and manage environmental costs and avoid wastage, penalties and fines from environmental and regulatory bodies.

Strategies for scaling a jewelry business to international markets: challenges and opportunities

2026-01-07T20:47:55+01:00

This study identifies the key obstacles and strategic approaches to the expansion of a Ukrainian jewelry SME into the U.S. market and prioritizes market opportunities based on sustainability principles. Triangulated findings from expert interviews (n = 12) and consumer surveys (n = 50) indicate that 76% of survey respondents perceived a mismatch between the brand’s design and prevailing U.S. minimalist aesthetics, while 92% of experts identified logistics as a major challenge for market entry. Successful strategies project an image of 71% positive response to visual adaptation and 66% positive response to ethical sourcing. An analysis with weights focuses on low brand recognition and high logistics costs as weaknesses that are countered by the high opportunity of increasing ethical demand. The paper concludes with the finding that scaling necessitates a two-fold approach of operational change to fit U.S. standards, as well as strategic stance in the overlap of heritage and sustainability in developing unique value. The methodology builds on the theory of internationalization by integrating the sustainable development as one of the strategic pillars of heritage brands.

Structural analysis of factors that influence the perception and effectiveness of occupational health and safety policies in the university environment

2026-01-17T15:02:55+01:00

This study examines Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) at a Peruvian public university, recognizing its importance as a key component of workplace well-being and institutional quality. The objective of this study was to analyze the factors influencing safety perceptions and the perceived effectiveness of OHS policies using a structural equation model estimated through partial least squares (PLS-SEM), complemented by an importance–performance map analysis (IPMA). The sample included 178 civil servants, 13 members of the OHS Committee, and 82 brigade members (teachers and students). The results reveal that regulatory compliance, OHS knowledge, and institutional safety culture significantly contribute to explaining safety perceptions and the effectiveness of OHS policies. Although training was highly rated, its impact on perceived safety and policy effectiveness was limited. The results underscore the need to prioritize knowledge about OHS and a culture of preventive safety as key factors for university well-being and sustainable institutional development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

The role of metaverse marketing in enhancing tourism sustainability through immersive experience quality: An empirical study in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

2026-01-19T12:15:30+01:00

The paper discusses the role of metaverse marketing in enhancing sustainability in tourism based on the mediating effect of the immersive experience quality in the AlUla case, Saudi Arabia. The study is based on the Experience Economy Theory and Sustainable Tourism Development Theory since it combines the perspective of technology and experience to comprehend how virtual interaction leads to better sustainable behavioral results. The design was a quantitative, explanatory and cross-sectional design which used data obtained on 412 people who had experienced the metaverse tourism applications of AlUla, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Digital Twin/ Virtual Tours application. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was executed to conduct the analysis process through SmartPLS 4.0. Findings indicated that AR and Digital Twin/Virtual Tours had significant effect that is highly positive and tourism sustainability but VR did not reveal any meaningful relationships indicating that it might be a virtual fatigue when overused. In addition, the quality of immersive experience was also identified as an important mediator between metaverse marketing and sustainability results. The model was also found to be highly explanatory (Immersive Experiences Quality = 0.936 and Tourism Sustainability = 0.952 R2), which means that it is largely explanatory. The research contributes to the theoretical knowledge of digital immersion as a priority of sustainable tourism and provides valuable information on the work of policymakers and destination marketers intending to adopt balanced, hybrid approaches to digital implementation. Focusing on the authentic, educative, and responsible metaverse experiences, this study responds to the Saudi Vision 2030 and makes AlUla an example of smart and sustainable development of tourism all over the world.

Heritage memory and identity in Vietnam with a focus on residents’ topophilia for sustainable cultural tourism development

2026-01-19T11:04:34+01:00

This paper explores the intersections of sustainable cultural tourism development in Vietnam, along with the impact of community engagement, cultural identity, topophilia, heritage memory, and the moderating effect of socioeconomic status. Using the data obtained from 183 valid respondents, community engagement, topophilia, heritage memory, and cultural identity were measured using various scales, with the alpha values ranging from 0.7602 to 0.8925. The factor analysis produced 61.88% of the total variance. As for the regression analyses, it was found that the four predictors influence the development of sustainable cultural tourism, with cultural identity showing the greatest impact (standardized coefficient 0.133). This was followed by heritage memory (0.118), topophilia (0.106), and community engagement (0.210), which had the largest impact. All the relationships were moderated by socioeconomic status, and it had its greatest effect on topophilia (0.323). Given these, the study signals that the development of sustainable cultural tourism in Vietnam is within the enhancement of the cultural essence, emotional ties to the place, and community engagement.

Sustainability biophilic design in retail environments: Enhancing consumer experience and sustainability practices

2025-12-24T14:22:40+01:00

This research examines the impact of biophilic design as a stimulus on consumer experiences in retail settings. Biophilic design aspects have been examined from the perspective of both the fields of environmental psychology and marketing. This research uses the concepts of the Stimulus-Organism-Response paradigm (SOR), the attention restoration theory (ART), the temporal engagement theory (TET), and signaling theory. This effort examines the relationship between the impact of biophilic designs and customer perceptions regarding the satisfaction and sustainability of brands. The methodology used has been the administration of a cross-sectional survey in both Jordan and Palestine. This has allowed the empirical verification of the structural mode of the experiment. This experiment proposes that the factor of biophilic designs has positive effects related to customer satisfaction and the perceptions related to the sustainability of brands, because the in-store time factor acts as the mediator. This effort highlights the fact that biophilic designs have positive effects because the related store environments can stimulate positive experiences related to the extended duration of the positive experiences. This outcome has positive effects because the effect related to biophilic designs can influence the effect related to customer satisfaction.

Green innovation, company's ability, and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from Indonesia's recycling industry

2026-01-17T14:44:08+01:00

This study examines the mediating role of company capabilities in the relationship between green innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Indonesia’s recycling sector. A quantitative approach was employed, using data collected from 129 recycling firms across various regions in Indonesia through a structured online questionnaire. Structural equation modeling–partial least squares (SEM-PLS) was applied using SmartPLS software to test the proposed relationships. The results demonstrate that company capabilities significantly mediate the relationship between green innovation and CSR initiatives, indicating that green innovation alone is insufficient without adequate organizational capabilities. These findings highlight the importance of long-term commitment and strategic coordination in addressing the short-term costs and operational challenges of sustainability implementation in developing industries. This study contributes to the literature by emphasizing the strategic management of natural resources as a key driver of green innovation amid the global climate crisis. By integrating company capabilities, environmental initiatives, and green innovation, the research offers novel insights into sustainability practices in the recycling sector of developing countries. The study provides practical implications for managers and policymakers by underscoring company capabilities as a central mechanism for creating sustainable value, supporting circular economy development, and advancing ESG-oriented strategies.

The future of sustainable human resource efficiency: A study on the impact of emerging digital tools

2026-01-06T16:34:06+01:00

This article examines the impact of data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and cloud computing on HR efficiency of Jordanian organizations, with emphasis on the moderating effects of information quality. A quantitative approach was utilized, and structured surveys were distributed to HR experts and HR managers who work in different industrial sectors in Jordan. Data from 415 valid respondents were statistically analyzed rigorously using the statistical software SPSS and AMOS, and were able to identify direct effects and moderation pathways. The study proves that operational efficiency in HR advances substantially by using data analytical systems with AI and cloud-based platforms. The quality of the data obtained acts as the fundamental element connecting organizational success. Organizations can fully benefit from digital transformation with proper data governance and consistent human resource data, but the absence or incorrect management blocks their advantages. Organizations should adopt digital technology as it depends on producing quality HR information to maximize HR efficiency. Jordanian businesses should invest in AI ethics, data governance, and cloud security measures to obtain the full advantages of digital transformation in HRM. The study presents applicable guidance for HR professionals, management executives, and governmental policymakers.