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The United Nations has demonstrated a commitment to preserving the ecosystem through its 2030 sustainable development goals agenda. One crucial objective of these goals is to promote a healthy ecosystem and discourage practices that harm it. Building materials production significantly contributes to the emissions of greenhouse gases. This poses a threat to the ecosystem and prompts a growing demand for sustainable building materials (SBMs). The purpose of this study is to investigate SBMs to determine their utilization in construction operations and the potential impact their application could have on construction productivity.

A systematic review of the existing literature in the field of SBMs was conducted for the study. The search strings used were “sustainable” AND (“building” OR “construction”) AND “materials” AND “productivity”. A total of 146 articles were obtained from the Scopus database and reviewed.

Bio-based, cementitious and phase change materials were the main categories of SBMs. Materials in these categories have the potential to substantially contribute to sustainability in the construction sector. However, challenges such as availability, cost, expertise, awareness, social acceptance and resistance to innovation must be addressed to promote the increased utilization of SBMs and enhance construction productivity.

Many studies have explored SBMs, but there is a dearth of studies that address productivity in the context of SBMs, which leaves a gap in understanding. This study addresses this gap by drawing on existing studies to determine the potential implications that using SBMs could have on construction productivity.

This study aims to analyse the publication stage on the transition to a circular economy (CE) from the perspective of the isomorphic mechanisms of the new institutional theory (NIT).

The authors conducted a systematic literature review using the Methodi Ordinatio protocol across four databases, resulting in the analysis of 17 articles.

The authors identified a network of CE studies among universities in different countries. As a main result, this study contributed to demonstrating the diversity of approaches available to investigate CE, the importance of stakeholders in the process of transition from linear economy to CE and the means for the transition to CE, as well as the need for future studies covering the detailed analysis of the transition process and the comparison of the evolution of the states/regions of the same country in this process.

The study analyses and summarises the existing literature on CE through the lens of the NIT, analysing the stage of publication based on the phases of implementation of CE (micro, meso and macro). With a research agenda, it presents the current gaps, providing a possible direction for future studies.

El estudio pretende analizar el estado de las publicaciones sobre la transición a una Economía Circular (EC) desde la perspectiva de los mecanismos isomórficos de la Nueva Teoría Institucional (NTI).

Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura utilizando el protocolo Methodi Ordinatio en cuatro bases de datos, dando como resultado 17 artículos analizados.

Identificamos una red de estudios de CE entre universidades de diferentes países. Como resultado principal, este estudio contribuyó a demostrar la diversidad de enfoques disponibles para investigar la EC, la importancia de las partes interesadas en el proceso de transición de la economía lineal a la EC y los medios para la transición a la EC, así como la necesidad de realizar nuevos estudios para el análisis detallado del proceso de transición y para la comparación de la evolución de los estados de un mismo país en este proceso.

El artículo analiza y resume la literatura existente sobre EC a través de la lente de la teoría institucional, analizando la etapa de publicación basado en las fases de implementación de EC (micro, meso y macro). Con una agenda de investigación, presenta las lagunas actuales, proporcionando una posible dirección para futuros estudios.

O estudo tem como objetivo analisar o estágio das publicações sobre a transição para uma Economia Circular (EC) sob a perspectiva dos mecanismos isomórficos da Nova Teoria Institucional (NTI).

Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura usando o protocolo Methodi Ordinatio em quatro bases de dados, resultando em 17 artigos analisados.

Identificamos uma rede de estudos de EC entre universidades de diferentes países. Como principal resultado, este estudo contribuiu para demonstrar a diversidade de abordagens disponíveis para investigar a EC, a importância das partes interessadas no processo de transição da economia linear para a EC e os meios para a transição para a EC, bem como a necessidade de realizar novos estudos para a análise detalhada do processo de transição e para a comparação da evolução dos estados de um mesmo país nesse processo.

O artigo analisa e resume a literatura existente sobre EC sob as lentes da teoria institucional, analisando o estágio da publicação com base nas fases de implementação da EC (micro, meso e macro). Com uma agenda de pesquisa apresenta as lacunas atuais, possibilitando possível direção para estudos futuros.

Our study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance decision-making processes to promote circular economy practices within the utility sector.

A unique case study of Alia Servizi Ambientali Spa, an Italian multi-utility company using AI for waste management, is analyzed using the Gioia method and semi-structured interviews.

Our study discovers the proactive role of the user in waste management processes, the importance of economic incentives to increase the usefulness of the technology and the role of AI in waste management transformation processes (e.g. glass waste).

The present study enhances the circular economy model (transformation, distribution and recovery), uncovering AI’s role in waste management. Finally, we inspire managers with algorithms used for data-driven decisions.

The objective of the study is to explore the mediatory role of the environmental performance of organisations on their economic and social performances. It demonstrates that implementing environmental management techniques should not only be done to comply with environmental regulations, but also as a means of improving social and economic performance.

The data were gathered from the manufacturing industry of Zimbabwe, and 302 useable responses were received. Data analysis was performed through structural equation modelling (SEM) using SMART PLS 3.

Improvement in environmental performance led to improvements in both social and economic performances. Also, environmental performance contributes the greatest total effect; hence, it deserves attention, not only for compliance but also for economic reasons.

Our goal is to quantify the extent to which environmental performance might improve the social and, more importantly, the economic performance of organisations. The study also explores the relative importance and performance of lean manufacturing (LM), green manufacturing (GM), social performance and environmental performance for purposes of prioritisation of organisational improvement initiatives.

This study aims to produce textile-like surfaces using fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printers and create a garment collection.

Experiments were conducted using different types of materials in FDM 3D printers until the sufficient flexibility was achieved to create textile-like structures. During the research, properties of polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were observed. Geometrical patterns were printed and each of them gave a different result depending on the pattern. Based on the information obtained from the experiments, a garment collection with four total looks was designed inspired by Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”.

Among the materials used, TPU, a flexible filament, yielded the best results. Because of the rigid properties of PLA and ABS, chain-like structures were printed to create relatively flexible surfaces, but the results were still not successful enough to create a clothing material. Therefore, TPU was preferred for the garment material selection.

In this study, combinations of 3D printed flexible structures and different types of fabrics were used to create a garment collection. It was concluded that, with the right material selection, 3D printing can be used as an alternative method to create a new aesthetic language in fashion design.

This paper aims to analyze the factors that affect the attitudes of Armenian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) regarding digitalization, examining whether they view it as a tool to foster innovation and business growth, while also assessing the extent to which digitalization mitigated the negative impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

The empirical approach is based on data collected from 452 Armenian SMEs, which were further analyzed using SPSS Statistics 23.0 software. Scales for assessing the COVID-19 impact, innovation and digitalization were constructed and validated. To test five hypotheses, binomial logistic regression was conducted to appraise the importance of digitalization for Armenian SMEs, including the ability to mitigate the consequences of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

The results of the analysis showed that the economic sector plays a significant role in forming the expectations of firms on the positive impact of digitalization, while the company size does not affect them. This paper found that the provision of online services before the pandemic did not help Armenian SMEs to be less affected by the crisis. Furthermore, the perception of whether digitalization facilitated innovative processes, products and services did not depend on the degree of being affected by COVID-19. Finally, the findings indicate that the more agile companies which had the ability to convert their business model into an e-business model were less affected by the crisis.

This paper contributes to the literature by studying the effect of digitalization on SMEs, as well as how SMEs in small developing countries like Armenia mitigated the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current work is unique as, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no prior empirical studies focusing on impact of digitalization and innovation induced by exogenous shocks in an under-researched country like Armenia.

This study aims to discuss the contribution of street art projects to the place-making of villages and the effects it generates for local stakeholders.

A conceptual framework is developed based on the main characteristics of the place-making process, street art, creative place-making, as well as place identity, revitalisation and regeneration. This framework defines a set of thematic categories for the qualitative content analysis of online information, e.g. websites, media and blog posts, as well as in-depth interviews with local stakeholders.

This research presents the contribution of street art in place-making involving citizens, local businesses and international artists in a collective act to preserve local identity and revitalise and regenerate villages.

The research is focused only on villages. Cities are not considered in the research.

Street art projects provide villages with several opportunities, such as stimulating place regeneration and revitalisation, giving new shape and decoration to neighbourhoods and streets and attracting visitors and business. Moreover, street art is commonly used to communicate local history, culture, traditions and social and political facts, helping places to vehiculate their identity and their messages to the next generations. Street art is also used as a part of a place branding strategy.

The village gets the opportunity to exploit the street art value proposition to stimulate the restocking of the place, if the primary stakeholders of the place are ready to invest in the new place identity giving trust to the street art project.

Street art projects contribute to the place-making of villages. They are used to communicate place identity, fostering cooperation between local stakeholders and economic and social development.

This article aims to examine the direct and indirect effect among total quality management (TQM), corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial and non-financial performance.

The empirical data were collected from a survey of 120 Tunisian certified firms using questionnaires. Structural equation path modeling PLS-SEM) was performed to test the research hypotheses.

The results indicate that TQM has no direct effect on financial performance (FP), while they positively impact non-financial performance (NFP) and CSR. The study also shows that CSR positively and significantly influences FP and NFP. In addition, it reveals the positive impact of FP on NFP. Furthermore, the results reveal an indirect effect of TQM on financial and non-financial performance through CSR.

The empirical study bridges the gap in the literature by analyzing the direct and indirect effect between TQM, CSR and performance in a single model. It also highlights the important role of CSR between TQM and financial and non-financial performance in the context of emerging countries.

This paper aims to determine the adaptability of China’s legal system in recognizing and enforcing foreign judgements in China.

Academic articles, case law and books are examined as are relevant reports by various regulatory authorities and organizations.

Historically, Chinese courts have strictly adhered to “de facto reciprocity”, which made it difficult for foreign judgements to be recognized and enforced in China. Fortunately, Chinese courts have since abandoned their rigid adherence to de facto reciprocity, and have instead, used flexible tests of reciprocity such as de jure reciprocity, reciprocal commitment and reciprocal understand/consensus. Accordingly, this would facilitate the recovery of stolen assets, as there is a lower threshold for the recognition and enforcement of a foreign judgement.

There are limited data available in relation to the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements pertaining to the recovery of stolen assets. Any discussions within this paper are based on the impressionistic observations of this author, which may not reflect the true state of affairs within the Belt and Road Initiative.

Those who are interested in examining the viability in recognizing and enforcing foreign judgements relating to stolen assets will have an interest in this topic.

The value of the paper is to demonstrate the difficulties in recognizing and enforcing foreign judgements in China in relation to stolen assets.

The purpose of this study is to discuss the construction of a structural measurement model utilizing structural equation modelling (SEM) to confirm the link between Industry 4.0 technologies, sustainable manufacturing practices and organizational sustainable performance. Relationship among the paradigm has yet to be fully investigated, necessitating a more conceptual and empirical examination on what impact they have on organizational sustainable performance when used together.

Industry 4.0 and sustainable production practices aim to progress a company's business competitiveness, forming sustainable development that benefits manufacturing companies. The aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between constructs that lead to operational excellence in firms that use Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainable manufacturing techniques. Experts from diverse automotive industries, who are applying both Industry 4.0 and sustainable manufacturing practices, provided data for the study.

Statistical estimations (hypotheses) are created to substantiate the measurement model that has been developed. The structural model was analysed, and the findings were discussed. The statistical estimate is either approved or rejected based on the findings. According to the conclusions of this study, strong link exists between Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainable manufacturing practices that affect organizational sustainable performance environmentally, economically and socially.

The research was conducted in the framework of automobile component manufacturing companies in India. The outcomes of the study are practically feasible.

The authors' novel contribution is the construction of a structural model with Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainable manufacturing practices into account.