1. Mapping the Landscape : A Literature Review on Circular Economy AdoptionAnkita Pandey, Himanshu Mohan, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: The circular economy (CE) has emerged as a strategic framework to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation through resource efficiency, waste reduction, and closed-loop systems. The current study uniquely integrates the PRISMA protocol with the 5W1H analytical framework and bibliometric triangulation to bridge conceptual, behavioural, and policy perspectives within CE research. This study conducts a systematic literature review of 332 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science, applying the PRISMA methodology and the 5W1Hb analytical framework. Bibliometric and thematic analyses reveal five core research themes: technological innovation, circular business models, policy mechanisms, behavioural insights, and supply chain optimisation. While the United Kingdom and India lead in scholarly and policy contributions,the CE research landscape remains fragmented. Key gaps persist in digital nudging, behavioural adoption, and sector-specific applications. The study emphasises the need for interdisciplinary approaches and model-driven frameworks to foster systemic CE transitions. By mapping conceptual trends, theoretical linkages, and regional participation, this study provides a novel integrative synthesis and actionable implications for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to accelerate CE adoption.
Keywords: circular economy, CE adoption, CE practices, sustainable development, literature review
Published in RUP: 10.04.2026; Views: 255; Downloads: 4
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2. The Relationship Between Ease of Doing Business Indicators and Foreign Direct Investment in AfricaDarlington Chizema, Ewert P. J. Kleynhans, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: This study examines the impact of the business environment on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Africa, utilising panel data from 39 African countries over the period 2005–2019. Institutional and regulatory dimensions are captured through selected indicators from the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index. A dynamic panel data approach is employed, applying the one-step difference Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimator to address potential endogeneity, autocorrelation, and unobserved heterogeneity. The results indicate strong persistence in FDI, with lagged inflows exerting a significant positive effect on current levels. Among the business environment indicators, registering property is positively and significantly associated with FDI, highlighting the importance of secure property rights. Conversely, getting credit shows a significant negative relationship, suggesting that inefficiencies in credit markets may deter investment. These findings underscore the need for policy reforms aimed at streamlining property registration and enhancing credit market infrastructure to foster a more conducive environment for sustained FDI inflows and economic development.
Keywords: foreign direct investment, economic development, Africa, investment, ease of Doing Business, business environment, GMM
Published in RUP: 10.04.2026; Views: 294; Downloads: 4
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3. ICT use in early childhood education from parents’ and educators’ perspectivesNina Krmac, Petra Furlan, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: The study aimed to investigate the use of information and communication technology (ICT) by pre-school children as perceived by parents and educators. By analyzing the perceptions of both groups, we wanted to understand how frequently and in what context ICT is used in children's daily lives and in the educational process. The results showed that educators use ICT only occasionally, typically a few times a year, while parents reported a much higher average weekly use of ICT by children. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in how parents and educators perceive the impact of ICT on children's development, particularly in the areas of knowledge, creativity, and originality, with educators rating the developmental potential of ICT higher. The most commonly used technology among preschool children was television, followed by smartphones, tablets and computers. The discussion also highlighted differences in the use of applications and emphasized the need for greater professional support in the selection and use of ICT for children's development.
Keywords: information and communication technology, preschool children, educators, parents, development, creativity, educational technology
Published in RUP: 08.04.2026; Views: 325; Downloads: 10
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4. Application of the New Visit Intention Model for Gastronomy Tourism : An Empirical Study in VietnamTrong Tien Bao Bui, Minh Chanh Trinh, Thi Thuy Ngan Dang, original scientific article Abstract: The study aims to address research gaps in Vietnam’s gastronomy tourism by developing and validating a new visit intention model based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The model incorporates the concepts of gastronomic destination image and novelty-seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of domestic tourists’ intention to visit Ho Chi Minh City, a leading gastronomic destination in Vietnam. Primary data were collected from 417 domestic tourists through a questionnaire survey conducted in Ho Chi Minh City from April to August 2023. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed model and examine the relationships among novelty seeking, gastronomic image, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and visit intention. The findings indicate that novelty-seeking, gastronomic image, and the core TPB constructs play a crucial role in explaining the intention to visit a gastronomic destination. The model explains 71.2% of the variance in visit intention, with domestic tourists’ visit intention being strongly influenced by the desire for novel culinary experiences and the attractiveness of Ho Chi Minh City’s gastronomic image. This study reaffirms the applicability of the extended TPB framework in explaining visit intention toward gastronomy destinations. The significant findings provide empirical evidence from Vietnam, clarifying how novelty-seeking and gastronomic image strengthen visit intention. The study also provides practical guidance for local authorities and tourism marketers to enhance Ho Chi Minh City’s competitiveness and support sustainable tourism development goals (SDG 11).
Keywords: gastronomic image, novelty seeking, TPB model, visit intention, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11), Ho Chi Minh City
Published in RUP: 06.03.2026; Views: 324; Downloads: 9
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5. Farm tourism in Slovenia - perspectives and development challengesSimon Kerma, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Farm tourism in Slovenia represents an important complement to the agricultural sector, enabling farmers to more easily market their own produce and products, provide partial or full employment for household members, and generate additional income. It also promotes more efficient use of available farm resources, contributes to the vitality of agricultural holdings and rural communities, helps preserve the cultural landscape and rural settlement, and adds value to agricultural products and services. All of this is crucial for the sustainable development of rural areas. Moreover, it fosters closer intersectoral cooperation and strengthens trust and relationships between farms and consumers. Farm tourism establishments also serve as custodians of Slovenia’s culinary heritage and culture. This paper presents the selected results of an extensive and rather complex study conducted from early 2021 to early 2023. Its purpose was to identify the main characteristics of tourist farms, analysing their offerings and determining their needs in relation to integration into broader tourism programmes and services. We conducted the survey among the holders of supplementary activities or their immediate family members; in many cases, several family members participated in the discussion, particularly when responding to open-ended questions and providing final comments. Direct, onsite surveying proved to be an invaluable source of information, enriched by personal interaction and on-location observation of the tourist farms. We also conducted a survey among visitors to tourist farms in Slovenia, which provided us with some important insights into expectations and motivations in relation to what tourist farms have to offer.
Keywords: farm tourism, rural areas, sustainable development, Slovenia
Published in RUP: 05.02.2026; Views: 465; Downloads: 5
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6. STEAM Education for an Innovative Approach to Sustainability : Perspectives of Future Preschool Educators and TeachersSanja Partalo, Nevena Vučen Papić, Dragana Malivuk Gak, Dino Hasanagić, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: Modern education is increasingly viewed through the lens of sustainable development, with a focus on pedagogical practices that foster competent, creative, and socially responsible individuals. The STEAM approach integrates science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics to foster creativity, critical thinking, and transdisciplinary problem-solving among learners. This approach directly contributes to education for sustainable development by enhancing the quality of education, gender equality, and innovation. The paper explores teacher education students’ awareness of STEAM, their attitudes toward its use, and their readiness to apply it in future teaching. A qualitative study was conducted through focus groups with students from various teacher education programmes (natural sciences, social sciences, and arts). Students’ attitudes were analysed, and the perceived benefits, obstacles, and needs for additional support in the implementation of STEAM were identified. The results reveal limited formal education about STEAM, but also a strong motivation among students to apply this approach, particularly in contexts that foster innovation, inclusion, and the connection of theoretical knowledge with real-life situations. Identified challenges include a lack of practical training, insufficient institutional support, and limited resources. Participants highlighted the need for greater integration of STEAM-related content in university curricula. In conclusion, the findings underline the necessity of systemic integration of STEAM education in teacher and preschool educator training programmes, as a key factor in developing sustainable educational practices. Supporting future teachers and educators in acquiring competencies for transdisciplinary learning and innovative teaching may be crucial for advancing education for sustainable development.
Keywords: STEAM education, education for sustainable development, innovative educational practices, creativity, critical thinking, transdisciplinary
Published in RUP: 26.01.2026; Views: 508; Downloads: 0
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7. Predictors of Preschool Teachers’ Environmental Activities in Kindergarten : A Path to a Sustainable FutureMarina Semiz, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: In line with the priorities of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the growing emphasis on competencies for sustainable development in education, early childhood and preschool education are increasingly recognized as critical stages for fostering environmental awareness and designing sustainable curricula. As key educational agents, preschool teachers play a central role in implementing environmental initiatives in kindergartens and nurturing environmentally responsible attitudes and behaviours in young children. This paper presents findings from a study examining the predictors of preschool teachers’ engagement in environmental activities, with a focus on selected personal and sociodemographic variables: years of service, education level, teaching group, and the development of environmental competencies. The study involved a sample of 101 preschool teachers from four administrative districts in Serbia. Data were collected using two instruments: one measuring the development of environmental competencies and another assessing the frequency of environmental activities implemented in kindergartens. The results indicate that teachers’ environmental competencies have a direct and moderately positive influence on their engagement in environmental practices. Strengthening these competencies increases the likelihood of preschool teachers’ involvement in environmentally sustainable practices. Other examined variables did not emerge as significant predictors of participation in environmental initiatives. The multiple regression analysis accounted for approximately 31% of the variance in the frequency of environmental activities, highlighting the need for future research to explore additional predictive factors. Based on the findings, the development and implementation of targeted training and professional development programmes are recommended to further enhance preschool teachers’ environmental competencies.
Keywords: sustainable development, environmental education, environmental well-being, environmental skills, preschool teachers
Published in RUP: 26.01.2026; Views: 415; Downloads: 0
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8. Information and Communications Technology and Financial Development as Catalysts for Gender Equality in Brazil’s Agricultural SectorFreiderick Yohanna Letong, Mehdi Seraj, Fatma Türüç Seraj, Huseyin Ozdeser, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: In this study, we examined the effects of information and communications technology (ICT) and financial development on mitigating gender inequality in Brazil, using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approaches, between 1991 and 2022. The ARDL bounds test was employed to find the presence of co-integration within the series of data. Both in the short run and the long run, financial development has a significant negative impact on gender disparity; this means that policies aimed at enhancing women’s financial and consumption services should be promoted in the short run. In the long run, we can conclude that ICT developments lead to a decreasein gender inequalities, which may imply the need for strategic, long-term planning to increase ICT infrastructure, especially in deprived areas. This includes subsidising affordable internet, skills training for women in the ICT field, and promoting women’s participation in the technology industry. In addition, the impact of optimal financial development varies over time; hence, there is a need for flexibility and sustainability in financial development. Policy makers should therefore continue to strengthen and enhance financial inclusion initiatives, as well as regularly follow up on the impact of these initiatives on gender equality.
Keywords: gender inequality, information and communications technology, financial development, human capital index, agriculture
Published in RUP: 16.01.2026; Views: 386; Downloads: 0
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9. Shaping Stability : Can the Finance-Growth Nexus Achieve It?Ahmed Mahmoudi, Mohamed Torra, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This paper assesses the tripartite link between a country’s financial (in) stability, its level of financial development, and economic growth. Using a panel of 21 countries over the period 2001–2020 and using the IMF Financial Market Index to proxy financial development, we find (i) that financial stability varies positively with the development of the financial system, and (ii) that the relationship between financial stability and economic growth depends critically on the level of financial development of each country. These results show that in the absence of financial development, the impact of economic growth on financial (in)stability will havedifferent effects. In addition, we performed a subsample analysis by dividing the overall sample into two subsamples based on stability levels. We find that financial development enhances stability more in the more stable subsample, while growth does so in the less stable subsample.
Keywords: financial (in)stability, financial development, economic growth, financial market index, emerging and developing markets
Published in RUP: 16.01.2026; Views: 386; Downloads: 0
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10. Predictors of sustainable development outcomes in learning spaces of early childhood : Slovenian teachers' perspectivesJurka Lepičnik-Vodopivec, Adrijana Višnjić-Jevtić, Aleksandra Šindić, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: This research examined factors associated with sustainable development outcomes (O-SD) in early childhood learning settings, as perceived by preschool teachers, considering environmental, social, and economic aspects along with contextual elements (child age, eco-program affiliation, teacher experience). Data were gathered through an online survey targeting 114 Slovenian preschool teachers in 2024. The reliability of the instrument was high (α = .942), and principal component analysis confirmed its validity. Correlation and stepwise regression analyses identified the key predictors of O-SD. Education focused on economic sustainability and child age emerged as the primary predictors, accounting for approximately 55% of the variance. While social sustainability was frequently observed in practice, it did not prove to be a significant predictor. The findings highlight the importance of developmentally appropriate and age-sensitive strategies, alongside the intentional inclusion of economic considerations. Limitations include a convenience sample and reliance on self-reported data. Future research should aim to replicate these results in diverse settings and consider mixed-method approaches that incorporate children’s perspectives.
Keywords: quality education, early childhood education for sustainability, sustainable development outcomes, early childhood learning settings
Published in RUP: 07.01.2026; Views: 584; Downloads: 7
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