A new research framework discussed in the International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, could offer a new approach to assessing the sustainability of technologies at their earliest stages, long before they enter the marketplace. The framework addresses a longstanding gap in how innovation is guided in relation to environmental and social goals.

Traditional tools such as life cycle assessments (LCA) have been the standard for evaluating environmental impacts of technologies. These tools assess emissions, resource consumption, and waste across a product's full lifecycle. However, they are typically applied once a technology is close to commercial deployment or already in use. That delay means that key decisions about design, materials, and production methods, which are often made during the research and development phase, are commonly made without the benefit of a structured sustainability assessment.

The new framework, developed from eight real-world case studies, moves the assessment to a much earlier stage and so equips those in R&D with the means to consider sustainability not as a retrospective measurement, but as a real-time guide embedded in the innovation process. The implication is that the approach could be used at the conceptual and prototyping phases.

The researchers describe their framework as having a two-pronged basis. First, it examines the long-term sustainability potential of a technology across its lifecycle, from creation and use through to obsolescence. Secondly, it looks at the R&D process itself and allows sustainability principles to be integrated into how the technology is conceived and developed. This part of the assessment also considers how it interacts with supply chains, user communities, and society itself.

However, because early-stage technologies often lack precise data, the framework blends qualitative assessments with quantitative indicators. These indicators, known as key performance indicators, are selected based on relevance to the specific technology under study. Not every project will weigh each dimension equally. The model is quite adaptable and rather than imposing a universal checklist, it encourages research teams to define appropriate indicators and goals suited to their technological context. Some may prioritize carbon reduction, others might focus on labour impacts, yet others community benefits.

Viles, E., Santos, J., López, A., Revilla, O. and Rios-Davila, F-J. (2025) 'Exploring sustainability in emerging technologies: a reference framework utilising multicase studies', Int. J. Environmental Technology and Management, Vol. 28, No. 7, pp.1–23.
DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2025.146352

As so-called artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in higher education, a study in the International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning has looked at how academic faculty in higher education perceive and engage with one of the field's most prominent tools, the large language model known as ChatGPT. ChatGPT is not AI per se, rather it is a system capable of generating apparently coherent and contextually appropriate human-like responses to questions and prompts. Its sophistication is met with both enthusiasm and concern across educational settings.

Walaa Abdulaziz Al Muhanna of the Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, surveyed 320 university faculty members. She asked about their awareness of OpenAI's ChatGPT tool as well as their attitudes toward its use in teaching, and the obstacles they face in implementing it, if that is something they do.

The findings suggest most faculty members are well aware of the existence of ChatGPT and understand its capabilities and perhaps even its limitations. The greatest level of awareness is among male faculty and those in the higher academic ranks. However, this awareness does not always correlate with confident use. Challenges exist that suggest that the integration of this large language model (LLM) into education is not straightforward.

Moreover, given that the most experienced educators, assistant and associate professors, for instance, were more likely to report challenges with ChatGPT adoption. Their misgivings were not rooted in an inherent opposition to the technology, but rather to concerns about its practical deployment, the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated content, digital literacy gaps, and unresolved questions about ethical use. For example, educators felt that students might misuse the tool for assignments. They also felt that the potential for intrinsic bias in training data or even misinformation might colour the positive aspects of ChatGPT use.

The tool has the potential to automate routine academic tasks, offer alternative learning materials, and perhaps even facilitate more engaging classroom discussions. The research suggests that there is a need to create peer learning networks and collaborative spaces for educators, who can then share strategies and experiences regarding LLMs.

Al Muhanna, W.A. (2025) 'Exploring faculty awareness of ChatGPT technology in teaching at Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University', Int. J. Technology Enhanced Learning, Vol. 17, No. 5, pp.1–30.
DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2025.146302

Research in the International Journal of Information and Computer Security has looked at the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) systems to detect and mitigate cyberbullying on social media platforms. The work might be a useful tool for safeguarding users, especially children and adolescents.

Cyberbullying, defined as intentional, harmful behaviour conducted via digital means such as messages, images, or videos, has become a significant problem in online spaces. In its digital form, bullying can be persistent, ubiquitous, and beyond the reach of parents, teachers, or platform moderators. Its victims can experience anxiety and depression to suicidal thoughts. The challenge of addressing this kind of abuse at scale, across the billions of interactions generated daily on social media, represents an enormous technological challenge.

In this current work, the team has developed a hybrid deep-learning system that uses two distinct neural network architectures: a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network to meet the challenge. CNNs are typically used in image and pattern recognition tasks and in this case can identify specific features of text, such as bullying-related keywords or phrases. LSTMs, on the other hand, are designed to analyse sequences of data and interpret their context and the emotional content of the language used.

By combining the strengths of both CNNs and LSTMs, the team's hybrid system can not only detect blatant insults but can also spot more subtle, context-dependent forms of harassment that might evade simpler detection systems.

The team has demonstrated that their system can handle vast streams of content in real time with a high degree of accuracy and so be used to automate moderation of content where manual moderation would fail.

While no algorithm can wholly replace human judgement or solve the more profound social roots of online abuse, this research represents a new tool in the technological toolkit for combat cyberbullying.

Geetha, R., Jebamalar, G.B., Vignesh, B.G.D., Kamalanaban, E. and Doss, S. (2025) 'An efficient cyberbullying detection framework on social media platforms using a hybrid deep learning model', Int. J. Information and Computer Security, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp.255–271.
DOI: 10.1504/IJICS.2025.146156

The climate crisis has shifted from scientific discourse to lived experience, affecting millions of people worldwide and the environment we all share. Yet, political responses remain fragmented and often simply rhetorical, hot air, if you will! This is perhaps no more obvious than with recent summits, where leaders fail to agree on a unified plan despite members representing the bulk of global emissions. The systemic and international complacency threatens fundamental human rights, including the right to life, safety, and dignity.

However, a new approach has emerged, apocalyptic environmentalism. This narrative frames climate change as an existential threat, using alarmist rhetoric to provoke urgency and disrupt political stagnation. Activists and their activities are highlighted frequently in the news and receive a lot of attention on social media. The younger activists see political inaction as a betrayal of future generations.

This kind of activism has been somewhat effective in mobilizing grassroots movements, but such apocalyptic storytelling carries risks. Research in the International Journal of Human Rights and Constitutional Studies alludes to the fatalism it can foster. This leaves the public overwhelmed and disempowered by the message rather than motivated to act. Moreover, at the extremes, this type of activism lacks a clear roadmap for tangible change, offering fear without direction.

By contrast, the politicians persist with their rhetorical narrative. They acknowledge climate urgency but emphasise the preservation of current economic structures, the very structures that are causing environmental degradation in the first place, such as continued fossil fuel subsidies. The politicians attempt to maintain the illusion of progress without demanding systemic change, thus delaying meaningful climate action.

Between the despair and the denial, climate change discourse finds itself at an impasse. Scholars, seeing the faults in both perspectives, increasingly advocate for a balanced narrative, one that combines the emotional force of apocalyptic urgency with pragmatic solutions. This alternative approach emphasizes human agency, collective resilience, and adaptive strategies. It reframes climate change not as an impending apocalypse but as a challenge we can address, given the political and public will.

Kumar, M., Sharan, N. and Pandey, S. (2025) ''Why aren't people terrified?!' Analysing the efficacy of the apocalyptic narrative of climate change', Int. J. Human Rights and Constitutional Studies, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp.129–141.
DOI: 10.1504/IJHRCS.2025.145268

A research team writing in the International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development has looked at agriculture in Ghana and puts forward a compelling case for rethinking how water is managed in such areas as the country's Upper West Region.

As Sub-Saharan Africa struggles to cope with environmental and demographic pressures, the team argues that combining circular water management with nanotechnology could provide a sustainable and scalable solution to the deepening crisis of water scarcity and food insecurity. Despite the fact that agriculture is the backbone of rural economies across Sub-Saharan Africa, underpinning livelihoods, food supply, and contributing significantly to gross domestic product, it is increasingly vulnerable. Climate change has made rainfall less predictable. Population growth is intensifying demand for food and water. Over-reliance on rain-fed farming, coupled with widespread environmental degradation and the mismanagement of water resources, has led to declining yields and more problems for rural communities.

The research involved interviews with experts and focus group discussions to look at how innovation might help agricultural water use. The work advocates for circular water management: a system in which water is reused and recycled through closed loops, minimizing waste and conserving resources. The use of nanotechnology could facilitate this kind of approach by providing effective contaminant removal or desalination of retrieved irrigation water. Nano-membranes and filters can isolate harmful substances at a fraction of the cost and energy required by water-processing systems. Circular water management could thus reduce a farm's reliance on unpredictable rainfall and limits the need for additional water extraction from rivers and aquifers.

The researchers focused on Ghana in their study, but the findings could be used across Sub-Saharan Africa, where smallholder farmers face almost identical challenges. By boosting resilience and productivity through reduced water use, the approach could help reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and create jobs.

Boon, E.K., Gross, T.K.F., Oppong-Boateng, R. and Karintseva, O. (2025) 'Circular water management solutions for optimising irrigated agricultural production in Ghana: the relevance of nanotechnology', Int. J. Environment and Sustainable Development, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp.115–144.
DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2025.145318

A new modelling technique discussed in the International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation shows how building risks associated with land subsidence in The Netherlands can be determined.

Land subsidence, when the ground sinks due to either natural or human-induced factors, or both, is becoming an increasingly serious issue in many parts of the world, particularly in low-lying regions like The Netherlands. According to Alfonso Prosperi, Michele Longo, Paul A. Korswagen, Mandy Korff, and Jan G. Rots of Delft University of Technology in Stevinweg, The Netherlands, this phenomenon, exacerbated by climate change, threatens buildings, infrastructure, and the very fabric of urban environments.

For building on shallow systems, such as strip foundations, subsidence can cause minor but recurring cracks, compromising both the functionality and aesthetics of a building. The new work looks at how advanced numerical modelling strategies can predict the impact of subsidence on buildings, with a focus on the particularly vulnerable two-storey masonry buildings that make up a significant portion of the Dutch housing stock. This research has important implications for urban planning, risk assessment, and the long-term resilience of cities in the face of ongoing climate changes.

The team compared two approaches for modelling subsidence: the coupled and the uncoupled methods. Both strategies use nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis, a computer simulation, to predict how structures might respond to physical forces. The challenge in such simulations lies in accurately representing the relationship between the soil and the building, the soil-structure interaction. Understanding this is critical for predicting how ground movements will affect a building.

In the coupled model, the building and surrounding soil are treated as a single system. This method integrates the building with the ground, using contact interfaces to allow the structure to interact with the soil. In the uncoupled model, the building and soil are kept separate, they are treated as independent systems.

The team tested both models under identical conditions. Initially, their results were similar when the simulated soil volume was small. However, as the volume of soil increased, the models began to diverge. The coupled model showed that including a larger volume of soil could reduce predicted damage by up to 50%, highlighting how the broader soil environment significantly influences the structural response.

One particularly important insight from the study is the role of angular distortion, the degree to which a structure bends, as a reliable indicator of putative damage. This finding could help engineers and urban planners better assess risks and determine which buildings are at greatest risk of subsidence-related damage.

Prosperi, A., Longo, M., Korswagen, P.A., Korff, M. and Rots, J.G. (2025) 'Comparison of simplified coupled and uncoupled 3D finite element models for soil-structure interactions in masonry structures with strip foundations undergoing subsidence', Int. J. Masonry Research and Innovation, Vol. 10, No. 7, pp.1–41.
DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2025.146106

In Hanoi, Vietnam, where rapid urban development is reshaping the city, a study in the International Journal of Public Law and Policy, has looked at the quality of public administrative services in the construction sector. The research surveyed hundreds of residents and asked them about their experience of the bureaucratic processes that underpin the city's growth, from acquiring construction permits to navigating zoning regulations.

From their work, Thi Hong Viet Bui, Thuý Nguyen Thị Lệ, Viet Hoang Dinh, and Nguyet Minh Nguyen of the National Economics University, and Nhu Dung Co of the People's Committee of Ba Dinh District in Hanoi, Vietnam, conclude that citizen satisfaction is rooted not in grand buildings or modern offices, but in the everyday quality of service delivery. This is an important finding for policymakers overseeing the growth of the city.

The team used the SERVQUAL model, a widely used tool for measuring service quality by comparing expectations with actual experiences. They applied it to their survey of 362 citizens to evaluate five key dimensions: tangibles (physical facilities and equipment), reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The analysis revealed that in the context of Hanoi's construction administration, tangibles play a surprisingly minor role in shaping satisfaction. What matters most to residents is the clarity of procedures, the fairness of service fees, and the professionalism of administrative staff.

The team explain that their respondents placed particular emphasis on the importance of transparent and accessible information, timely service, and respectful treatment. These elements, which are less obvious than the presence of public buildings or signage, had a much greater effect on whether citizens felt satisfied with their encounters with government services.

The research also showed that demographic factors also influenced perceptions. Educational level, marital status, and prior familiarity with administrative procedures all played a part in shaping how individuals felt about public service quality. Overall, the findings suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to public service reform would be inappropriate and instead governments and policymakers must take into account the different needs and expectations of a diverse urban population.

Bui, T.H.V., Lệ, T.N.T., Dinh, V.H., Co, N.D. and Nguyen, N.M. (2025) 'Evaluating the governance of public services in urban construction: insights from Hanoi's experience', Int. J. Public Law and Policy, Vol. 11, No. 5, pp.1–18.
DOI: 10.1504/IJPLAP.2025.146092

Research in the International Journal of Data Science has used machine learning to predict the lifecycle of businesses operating in the digital economy. The work might help firms and policymakers understand enterprise longevity, the rise, the demise or the likelihood of acquisition, in a fast-changing technological landscape.

Shulei Yin of Qilu Normal University in Jinan, Shandong, China, used a gradient boosting regression tree (GBRT) model to handle the requisite complex, nonlinear relationships within large datasets. She applied it with two tools from survival analysis: the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the accelerated failure time (AFT) model. Each tool brings something to the approach. The GBRT model refines prediction accuracy. The Kaplan-Meier curve can estimate the survival probability of firms over time. The AFT model quantifies how external variables, such competition or enterprise scale, can hasten or slow different phases of a company's development.

The result of this combination are predictions that offer much greater accuracy than earlier, simpler models. The work is timely given that the traditional business life cycle of start-up, growth, maturity, and decline have become unstable economically speaking. Digital technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics have lowered entry barriers and condensed innovation timelines. This means that some companies can scale-up quickly, switch strategies on a whim, or simply lose their market abruptly when the environment and consumer favour shift. Such volatility makes it more difficult for anyone involves in digital activities, whether in the private or public sector actors to predict how things might pan out for a company on which they come to rely for their own operations.

The study thus offers the potential for more certainty in the digital business world. If it is possible to predict which start-ups will thrive and survive, then others can adjust their own strategies accordingly. They can make supply-chain and resource choices based on predicted longevity and avoid signing up for enterprises that might vanish from the scene as abruptly as they appear.

Yin, S. (2025) 'Life cycle prediction and survival model construction of digital economy enterprises integrating survival analysis', Int. J. Data Science, Vol. 10, No. 6, pp.1–19.
DOI: 10.1504/IJDS.2025.146190

A review of digital technologies in the International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology suggests that integration of mobile, 5G, wireless and the so-called metaverse could be a turning point in global agriculture. The use of this kind of technology is becoming essential in the face of population growth, climate change, and resource scarcity.

5G offers fast data transmission and almost ubiquitous connectivity for devices. In agricultural terms, this means smart sensors embedded in fields and greenhouses can transmit real-time data on soil conditions, crop health, and the weather to individual farmers or a central farming-control system. This allows more timely interventions to be undertaken when necessary, reducing waste and increasing precision in the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides. All of which should cut costs, improve efficiency, and lead to better yields.

According to the review by Wenliang Tang and Muhammad Umair Assad of East China Jiaotong University, Junliang Xu of Jiangxi Telecommunications and Information Industry Co., Ltd., Jieming Liu of Jiangxi Zhongxin Yunnong Technology Co., Ltd. in Jiangxi, China, and Yifan Gao of Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, such capability extends beyond passive monitoring. 5G also enables the remote operation of advanced machinery, such as autonomous tractors and agricultural drones. In areas where labour shortages or extreme conditions make manual work difficult or dangerous, remote-controlled equipment offers a safer and often more efficient alternative. These changes could be particularly transformative in developing countries, where post-harvest losses are high and efficient resource use is critical.

In parallel, the metaverse, a digital environment in which users can interact in real-time through virtual or augmented realities, is finding unexpected applications in farming. Virtual reality (VR) can provide interactive training platforms for farmers, allowing them to practice new techniques or understand complex machinery without the need to travel or risk costly mistakes in the field. These tools are especially valuable in rural areas with limited access to conventional educational infrastructure.

A more advanced application of the metaverse in agriculture is the use of digital twins: virtual replicas of physical farms created through real-time data feeds. Such digital environments would allow farmers to simulate different agricultural scenarios, such as the introduction of a new crop or changes in irrigation strategies, before making real-world decisions. The virtual nature of the metaverse also opens up the possibility of new ways for farmers to collaborate. Farmers, researchers, and policymakers can convene in digital spaces regardless of physical distance, to discuss best practices and develop solutions to common problems together.

Tang, W., Assad, M.U., Gao, Y., Xu, J. and Liu, J. (2025) 'Enabling future agriculture: integration of 5G and Metaverse technologies for smart farming innovations', Int. J. Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 20, No. 5, pp.1–25.
DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2025.146099

Research in the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business suggests that entrepreneurship may be far more than a vehicle for economic growth. Two back-to-back studies show that entrepreneurial thinking, especially in how individuals perceive and respond to challenges, can also foster psychological resilience and enhance personal well-being. The findings suggest that we should redefine the value of entrepreneurship in society as it could have implications for education, policy, and development strategies.

One study, drawing on case analyses from entrepreneurs in Vietnam and Japan, introduces the idea of "partial constraint", which is a departure from conventional views that treat obstacles like supply shortages or policy hurdles as uniformly restrictive. Instead, the study dissects what constraints have an effect on entrepreneurs and which do not, and shows how they can selectively isolate and recombine different factors to open up new business solutions. This allows entrepreneurs not only to continue operating under pressure, but also to build a sense of agency, resilience. The study shows that resilience isn't a fixed personality trait but can be cultivated through problem-solving and resourcefulness.

The other study looks at the relationship between entrepreneurial cognition and subjective well-being. Traditionally, entrepreneurship has been linked to economic indicators: job creation, innovation, and contribution to gross domestic product. This latest research questions the assumption that well-being is merely a by-product of entrepreneurial success. Indeed, the findings suggest that "entrepreneurial thinking" itself, marked by traits such as optimism, creativity, perseverance, and comfort with uncertainty, may directly contribute to life satisfaction and happiness.

Entrepreneurs often face unpredictable and high-pressure environments, but those who think entrepreneurially interpret such challenges as opportunities rather than threats. This cognitive reframing appears to foster a sense of meaning and control, both central to psychological well-being.

Together, the two studies challenge prevailing assumptions in both economic and psychological domains. They argue for a new definition of entrepreneurial success, one that includes mental and emotional outcomes.

The work could have implications for policymakers, especially in countries facing high youth unemployment or systemic inequality. The findings suggest that promoting entrepreneurship could serve two purposes: economic empowerment and psychological resilience. Entrepreneurship could be strategically positioned not just as a livelihood option, but as a tool for strengthening mental health and community adaptability.

Nguyen, N.C., Matta, D., Hasnaoui, J.A., Lodorfos, G. and Matta, R. (2025) 'Dynamic resource analysis and the development of psychological resilience: an entrepreneurial perspective', Int. J. Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 55, No. 6, pp.1–19.
DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2025.146150

Nguyen, N.C., Hasnaoui, J.A., Lodorfos, G., Matta, D. and Laine, I. (2025) 'Resilience, optimism, and entrepreneurial well-being: a review and research agenda', Int. J. Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 55, No. 6, pp.20–40.
DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2025.146149