Journal of Asian Scientific Research

Examining the role of board characteristics in the CSR–dividend nexus: Evidence from European firms

2025-08-04T23:50:06-05:00

Understanding how a company's board characteristics influence the connection between corporate social responsibility and dividend policies has become important. As more stakeholders become concerned about companies’ ethical behavior, businesses are feeling increased pressure to balance their social responsibilities with financial rewards. This paper examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility and dividend payouts in European firms, with a focus on the moderating role of board characteristics. To achieve this goal, we examined a sample of 1,376 publicly listed European companies over the period from 2014 to 2023, using dynamic panel data regressions, specifically the System Generalized Method of Moments (SGMM). The findings suggest that having strong corporate social responsibility performance significantly influences the decision to distribute dividends. The study also shows that board characteristics moderate the relationship between corporate social responsibility performance and dividend payouts. These insights carry substantial policy implications. Studying the CSR–dividend relationship with board characteristics as a moderator highlights the board’s critical role in aligning social responsibility with shareholder interests. It supports policies promoting board independence, diversity, and expertise to enhance governance quality. This can encourage responsible dividend strategies that reflect both financial performance and ethical commitments. Policymakers may use these insights to refine corporate governance regulations and CSR disclosure standards.

Bibliometric analysis of the role of artificial intelligence in tourism destination management

2025-09-02T21:11:59-05:00

This study performs an in-depth bibliometric analysis to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in managing tourism destinations. Its objectives are to uncover current trends, key contributors, collaboration networks, and emerging research themes. A total of 87 publications from Scopus and Web of Science were examined, selected through a precise search strategy and strict inclusion criteria. The methodology consisted of five stages: database selection, query formulation, screening, data extraction, and visualization using RStudio and VOSviewer. Findings indicate a significant rise in research output since 2018, with prominent contributions in machine learning, sentiment analysis, and recommender systems. China, Spain, and the United Kingdom are leading contributors, supported by robust international collaborations. AI enhances operational efficiency, personalization, and decision-making in tourism destinations, though challenges such as data privacy, infrastructure, and ethical concerns remain. This study advances academic understanding by offering a dual-database visualization of AI applications in tourism. Its insights are valuable for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to promote sustainable, data-driven tourism management.

Entrepreneurship education and ecosystem influence on students' entrepreneurial intentions

2025-09-02T22:51:44-05:00

This research examines how entrepreneurship education and the entrepreneurial environment of university students impact their entrepreneurial intentions in Vietnam, particularly regarding their perceived entrepreneurial will. Using a two-tiered research strategy, the study first employed an exploratory approach, followed by a survey involving 1,088 undergraduate students across different academic years from universities and colleges in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The results provide evidence that entrepreneurship education has both direct and indirect effects on students' entrepreneurial intentions, mediated by two crucial variables: the entrepreneurial ecosystem and perceived entrepreneurial desire. In particular, a robust business environment characterized by supportive policies, adequate infrastructure, and high-quality entrepreneurial services is essential in shaping students’ intentions to engage in entrepreneurship. This desire acts as a psychological trigger, transforming general knowledge into specific entrepreneurial intentions. The research demonstrates that perceived entrepreneurial intent is not solely a consequence of education and environment but also a vital element in the process of intention formation. The study offers recommendations for policies aimed at enhancing the quality, practical relevance, and workplace applicability of entrepreneurship education, as well as fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These steps are critical for cultivating an innovative culture, enabling future entrepreneurs, and supporting Vietnam’s creative economy in sustainable development.

Analysis and assessment of the impact of transport corridor construction on the regional economic development of mountainous areas in southern Bulgaria: A case study

2025-09-03T21:02:52-05:00

In the Balkan region of Southeastern Europe, many rural, mountainous, and cross-border areas are situated. These areas are isolated from central regions, have low connectivity, and are socioeconomically underdeveloped. At the same time, there is a notable lack of research in the scientific literature on accessibility and regional policies. This article examines the potential for developing a parallel transport corridor in southern Bulgaria, situated in the cross-border region that encompasses Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. The authors consider the new transport route as a means of enhancing regional connectivity, thereby promoting economic and social integration within the area. The authors study the region's potential trajectory and assess the capacity of infrastructural elements for promoting regional development. A research approach is proposed to demonstrate the direct correlation between road network density and regional economic development. The authors employ an interdisciplinary approach to assess and analyze the impact of road infrastructure on the development of mountain areas in Bulgaria. Infrastructure has a significant effect on improving the connectivity and accessibility of Bulgaria's mountainous regions, thereby stimulating regional development. The study examines the relationship between the development of the road network in Bulgaria and regional economic development.

Fostering student academic integration through institutional leadership in Saudi higher education

2025-09-04T21:09:02-05:00

This study investigates the leadership styles that promote student involvement in Saudi Arabia's higher education institutions, with a particular focus on the role of university leaders. The research explores how institutional leaders facilitate student integration into academic and extracurricular activities. The study employed qualitative interviews with deans and faculty members, providing insights into how cultural factors and leadership practices influence student learning processes. Two theoretical frameworks guide this research: Situational Leadership Theory and Kahu's Conceptual Framework of Student Engagement. These models collectively explain how academic leaders motivate students through personalized communication and comprehensive institutional support systems. Results indicate that successful deans adapt their strategies according to circumstances, employing approaches that involve telling, selling, participating, and delegating to meet diverse student needs. Key practices for enhancing student success include open communication, encouragement of faculty autonomy, and the establishment of inclusive educational environments. The study enhances leadership understanding by further integrating students into the cultural context of Saudi Arabian universities, providing viable means of promoting student interaction and academic integration.

Machine learning based power insulation fault detection using unmanned aerial vehicle images: A systematic review

2025-09-04T21:39:23-05:00

Insulators are critical components in power transmission systems, ensuring electrical stability and preventing current leakage to supporting structures. Faults in these components can cause power outages, equipment failures, and safety hazards. Traditional fault detection methods, such as manual visual inspection, are time-consuming, error-prone, and inefficient for large-scale grid monitoring. This systematic review explores recent advancements in power insulator fault detection using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) integrated with advanced imaging systems and machine learning (ML) techniques. UAVs equipped with binocular vision and high-resolution cameras enable multi-angle, high-fidelity imaging of insulators in remote and hazardous environments. The review examines various ML and deep learning approaches, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), for detecting cracks, contamination, and surface anomalies in aerial imagery. It also addresses key limitations, such as the lack of annotated datasets, weak model generalization under variable conditions, and challenges in real-time deployment due to computational constraints. A comparative analysis of existing techniques is presented, highlighting accuracy, scalability, and application readiness. Finally, the study identifies future research opportunities, including lightweight model design, multi-sensor data fusion, and explainable AI integration. The goal is to enhance fault detection reliability, reduce operational costs, and promote the intelligent maintenance of power transmission infrastructure.

The effect of indoor plants on students' effective learning levels

2025-09-04T21:54:19-05:00

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of indoor plants on students' learning levels. The study group consists of students studying in the Department of Interior Design at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Çaycuma Vocational School. It was determined by the course instructor (researcher) that there were 40 interior design students in the 2024-2025 Spring semester when the study was conducted. A survey was administered to determine the effective learning levels of students in environments with and without plants. The survey was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, 30 students who participated in the study were given a lesson in an empty classroom and were asked to evaluate their learning in this classroom. In the second stage, indoor plants were placed in a classroom for the students. The placed plants remained in the classroom where these students were taking lessons until the end of the semester. The survey mentioned above was applied again at the end of the semester. The analyses revealed a significant difference between students' pre- and post-test scores regarding effective learning. Based on this result, it can be concluded that the use of indoor plants in classrooms significantly impacts students' learning levels.

Determinants of environmental technological innovation in Morocco: Evidence from ARDL and ECM models

2025-09-04T22:14:56-05:00

This study investigates the macroeconomic, financial, technological, and institutional determinants of environmental technological innovation in Morocco, focusing on the roles of ICT imports, domestic credit to the private sector, GDP growth, urbanization, and regulatory quality. The analysis uses annual data from 2000 to 2023 and employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to examine long-run relationships. An Error Correction Model (ECM) captures short-run dynamics following cointegration. Unit root and diagnostic tests confirm model robustness and stability. The results show that ICT imports and regulatory quality are positively associated with long-term growth in green innovation, as proxied by environment-related patent applications. Domestic credit and urban population growth exert significant short-run effects, while GDP growth shows a modest but positive impact over time. The error correction term is statistically significant, indicating a gradual convergence toward long-run equilibrium. The dynamics suggest that financial development, technology exposure, and urbanization play time-sensitive roles in fostering innovation. This study provides one of the first econometric assessments of green technological innovation in Morocco, addressing a notable gap in the literature. By integrating institutional and macro-financial variables, it offers valuable evidence for designing coherent innovation and sustainability strategies. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing digital infrastructure, improving access to finance, and strengthening regulatory governance to support Morocco’s environmental transition and long-term sustainable development.

Integration of ICT in education in Latin America: A bibliometric analysis of challenges and innovations

2025-09-04T22:33:02-05:00

The integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into educational systems in Latin America presents a significant challenge to achieving inclusive, equitable, and adaptive learning environments. Despite advancements in public policies and innovative initiatives, structural barriers persist, such as limited connectivity, inadequate teacher training, and insufficient technological infrastructure particularly in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic magnified these disparities and underscored the need to assess ICT’s role in regional education. This study applies a bibliometric approach to examine scientific literature on ICT integration in Latin American education, identifying key challenges, innovations, and emerging trends. A quantitative, descriptive, and retrospective methodology was used, drawing from Scopus and Web of Science, and following the PRISMA protocol. Findings reveal a surge in publications since 2020, with prominent themes including digital literacy, inclusion, and pedagogical transformation. The results stress the importance of critically appropriating technology rather than using it merely as a tool and advocate for policies sensitive to Latin America’s diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts. This analysis offers evidence-based insights to guide future research and inform educational innovation strategies aimed at social justice and sustainable development.