Pets as Healers: The Role of Pets in Promoting Owners’ Mental Well-being among Adults in Bangkok, Thailand

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This study aims to investigate the relationship between pet ownership, pet attachment, and mental well-being among adults in Bangkok, Thailand. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, collecting quantitative data through standardized self-report questionnaires and demographic information. A total of 61 participants completed the survey, including both pet owners and non-owners. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, independent sample t-tests, and multiple regression analyses will be used to examine whether pet attachment significantly predicts mental well-being outcomes. Preliminary descriptive results suggest that most participants own dogs and cats, report moderate-to-high levels of pet attachment, and perceive psychological benefits such as reduced loneliness and emotional comfort. The findings are expected to provide evidence on the psychological benefits of pet companionship and inform future mental health interventions.

Behavioral Finance: The Role of Self-Efficacy and Goal-Setting of Motivation in Financial Literacy among Small Rice Farmers

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This research focused on understanding financial literacy alongside self-efficacy and goal-setting motivation behaviors within small-scale rice farmers in Daet, Camarines Norte. An integrated approach was conducted through a combination of a survey with 71 farmers, and a focus group with 10 farmers. For the quantitative component, descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses were used, while qualitative responses were organized through thematic analysis. The research found farmers had high motivational and selective self-efficacy in terms of income diversification and financial task prioritization. However, weak adaptability to financial shocks, high-order decision-making, and advanced task prioritization were noted. Self-efficacy, and goal-setting of motivation were found to be strong predictors of financial literacy, accounting for 79.3% of the explained variance. Financially competent farmers had proactive planning, disciplined cash control and goal-directed behaviors correlating to the competencies of financial structuring and cash control. Major self-directed activities reported were seasonal cash planning, digital financial tools, and cash management within families. The need to address behavioral aspects of finance in capacity-building programs was clearly established within the findings. Guides to policy and program design that enhances the socio-economic status and financial resilience of smallholder farmers will be improved with this focus on self-efficacy and goal-setting as primary motivators.

Strengthening the Strategic Role of University Research and Community Engagement Bodies in Advancing Regional Collaboration

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Universities are increasingly expected not only to excel in teaching and research but also to actively contribute to sustainable development and regional collaboration. This study investigates how research and community engagement bodies in higher education institutions can be strategically strengthened to integrate the University Social Responsibility (USR) agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through regional collaboration. Employing a qualitative case study design, the research was conducted at Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia, using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary analysis. Data were analyzed thematically and triangulated to ensure reliability and validity. The findings are clustered into three thematic areas: (1) institutional roles, where the Research and Community Engagement Board (BPPM) serves as a bridge between academia and regional priorities; (2) challenges and opportunities, which include resource constraints, teaching overload, and the need for stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration; and (3) strategic mechanisms, encompassing innovation forums, sustainability reporting, and integration with global rankings. Quantitative highlights such as research project outputs, community engagement programs, and budget allocations support these findings. The study contributes to the literature by providing an in-depth understanding of the institutional dynamics that enable universities to operationalize USR and SDGs within regional development frameworks. It also offers practical insights for policymakers and higher education leaders seeking to enhance institutional capacity and governance in pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth.

Empowering Sustainable Recycling: The Influence of Startups and Awareness Among Generation Z

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Issues like urbanization, industrialization, and overconsumption have led to sustainability becoming a global priority. According to Schönherr & Pikkemaat (2023), social media, social norms, and the effects of COVID-19 played a role in shaping Generation Z’s environmental attitudes. Their dedication to sustainability manifests itself in low-emission travel, selective mobility, and waste management. Dobrowolski et al. (2022) and Schönherr & Pikkemaat (2023) are of opinion that Generation Z agrees that both consumers and businesses share the responsibility toward achieving sustainability. Nonetheless, applying ecological awareness toward concrete pro-environmental actions is an ongoing challenge for all sectors (Gazzola et al., 2020).

Even with Gen Z being highly environmentally conscious, barriers such as unclear recycling rules, insufficient systems, and complicated solutions prevent their ability to adopt consistent recycling practices.

Leveraging innovation, technology, and the entrepreneurial spirit, startups are tackling the recycling issues faced by Gen Z. With the help of mobile applications, AI, blockchain, and gamification, recycling becomes not only easier but more rewarding. Using incentive-based app recycling and smartphone waste collection systems, companies such as Trashie and RecycleSmart strive to make recycling more rewarding and convenient. Other than technological solutions, companies combine digital awareness campaigns alongside partnerships with government, industry, and educational institutions to make the public conscious of the negative impacts of waste on the ecosystem. This underscores the values of Generation Z regarding the need for honesty and responsibility in public concern over the environment.

This study focuses on the use of digital technologies by entrepreneurs and their deliberate attempts to investigate their role in promoting sustainable recycling among Generation Z. The goal is to find practical ways to increase Gen Z’s adoption of recycling by exploring the cooperation between entrepreneurs, legislators, educators, and the commercial sector. By encouraging the growth of a circular economy and long-term environmental accountability, the study ultimately hopes to support the larger sustainability goal.

Digital Technology-Based Curriculum Development Management: Implications For Student Graduation Competencies in The Industrial Era 5.0

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The development of a digital technology-based curriculum is an urgent need in the Industry 5.0 era to prepare competent graduates to face the dynamics of the world of work that focuses on human collaboration and technology. This research aims to analyze the management of curriculum development based on digital technology and its implications on students’ graduation competencies with a focus on 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and collaboration. Using a literature study approach with a descriptive qualitative method. This research identifies that integrations such as e-learning, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Gamification increase student engagement and support personalized and project-based learning. However, challenges such as the digital divide, limited infrastructure, and lack of teacher competence still hinder implementation. This study recommends strengthening technology infrastructure, teacher training, and inclusive education policies to ensure that the curriculum is relevant to the needs of Industry 5.0, so as to produce graduates who are adaptive, innovative, and ready to complete in the global workforce.

Cognitive Dissonance in Online Shopping Experiences and Impulsive Buying Among E-Commerce Users in Indonesia

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This study aims to analyze the influence of Online Customer Shopping Experience on Impulsive Buying and Cognitive Dissonance in the context of e-commerce use in Indonesia. Based on data from 420 respondents, it was found that the most widely used e-commerce platforms are Tokopedia, TikTok Shop, and Shopee. The majority of respondents purchase products such as clothing, accessories, as well as beauty and personal care products, which shows the dominance of lifestyle needs in online shopping behavior. The results of the analysis show that the online shopping experience has a significant effect on impulse purchases, which can then trigger post-purchase cognitive dissonance. In addition, it was found that Impulsive Buying also mediates the relationship between Online Customer Shopping Experience and Cognitive Dissonance. Thus, an engaging and emotional shopping experience not only encourages spontaneous purchases, but also contributes to dissatisfaction if the purchase results are not as expected. These findings provide important implications for e-commerce service providers to design shopping experiences that are not only visually appealing and promotional, but also able to meet consumer expectations to reduce the potential for cognitive dissonance.

Strategic Management in The Era of Artificial Intelligence Implications, Opportunities, and Challenges

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With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, new perspectives are emerging to transform managerial practices, particularly in the field of strategic management. These technologies, which are the result of innovation in the IT sector, imply a redefinition of the strategic management. The latter has been considered throughout management science literature as a driver of competitiveness, development and performance of companies. Within this framework, the objective of this research is to examine, through a theoretical analysis of the literature studying the relationship between strategic management and AI, the implications required for strategic management following the arrival of AI technologies, the opportunities offered by this technology, and the challenges raised by this technological advance. This exploration of the links between AI and strategic management aims to present aspects inherent to professionals and researchers wishing to capitalize on this technological advancement to improve strategic management.

Madeira’s Entrepreneurship and the Shift in Incentive Strategies

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This study aims to evaluate the evolution of the incentive strategies of the Instituto de Emprego da Madeira, IP-RAM (IEM), which translated means Madeira Employment Institute, and their impact on the number of approved projects, jobs created and promoters/entrepreneurs that emerged. It also aims to evaluate the characteristics of the jobs created, promoters or non-promoters, their evolution, and interconnection with the literature review. In order to analyze the evolution of the entrepreneurship programs of the Madeira Employment Institute, and the characteristics of the jobs and promoters (unemployed entrepreneurs who apply for an entrepreneurship program), secondary data obtained from its annual balance reports (Emprego e Coesão Social – Breve Balanço reports), from 2011 to 2022, available on the institution’s website, at https://www.iem.madeira.gov.pt/estatisticas-anuais/, where data were obtained for the period between 2009 and 2022, using a quantitative methodology and where they demonstrate the different types of programs that the Madeira Employment Institute had or has throughout the period under analysis. Global analysis of entrepreneurship programs for the unemployed in recent years, their evolution over time, and the perception of whether the objectives of government institutions are being met, as well as the analysis of the jobs created, entrepreneurs or non-entrepreneurs, depending on their characteristics. One of the main objectives of the Madeira Employment Institute is being fulfilled, which is to rationalize resources in a better way, giving greater focus to the creation of jobs globally, as well as confirming some propositions of the revision of literature, among the articles analyzed, namely in terms of the characteristics of the jobs created, promoters or non-promoters, verifying a greater propensity for entrepreneurship among male individuals who were young adults, as well as the evolution of the jobs created in terms of level of education, which has been increasingly high. This study contributes to a possible basis for a comparative analysis between regions and institutions that work to encourage entrepreneurship, as well as to understand which aspects government entities should still work on, in order to improve their results.

From Range Anxiety to Road Dominance: The Evolution of Electric Vehicles

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Electric vehicles (EVs) have evolved from niche products plagued by limited driving range and public scepticism into a central pillar of the global transportation transition. This paper examines the technological, infrastructural, policy, and market forces that have enabled this transformation, analysing developments from the early challenges of range anxiety to the present trajectory toward road dominance. Drawing on recent data (2023–2025), the study investigates battery chemistry advancements, charging network expansion, software-driven optimization, and evolving consumer behaviour. Case studies, tables, and figures illustrate both technical and market progress, while the remaining challenges and future outlook are critically assessed. The findings indicate that sustained innovation in battery energy density, charging speed, grid integration, and policy support will define the next phase of EV adoption, positioning EVs as a cornerstone of sustainable mobility.

Differences in Mean Cephalic Index Based on Sex of Timorese in Kupang City, NTT Province

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The cephalic index is one of the cephalometric indices that determines the morphological characteristics of the head. The cephalic index is used in different medical fields, including in forensic identification. The cephalic index value is measured based on the head width and length. The cephalic index is affected by sex, age, nutrition, genetics, environment, race and ethnicity. Sex affects the cephalic index by hormones and sexual dimorphism. The Timorese is one of the tribes in Kupang City where research on cephalic index had never been previously conducted.