This study examines the short-run and long-run impacts of external debt and institutional quality on sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), using dynamic panel GMM estimation and panel ARDL ECM for robustness. It further explores four transmission channels, foreign direct investment (FDI), gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), inflation, and debt servicing. Results confirm that external debt positively influences sustainable development only when complemented by strong institutional quality. The negative and significant interaction between debt and weak institutions underscores the risk of debt undermining sustainability in poorly governed environments. Transmission channels reveal that inflation poses a mild threat to sustainability, while FDI, GFCF, and debt service lack consistent significance. These findings suggest that institutional quality is the most vital factor in enhancing the developmental returns of debt-financed interventions.

The study investigated the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership and innovative behavior within the packaged water industry in Rivers State, with a focus on the moderating role of strategic thinking and risk-taking. The study utilized a census of 298 representatives (owners, managers and supervisors) of 85 functioning packaged water companies based on a cross sectional research design and positivist paradigm. The questionnaire was a structured, closed-ended questionnaire based on other existing scales on entrepreneurial leadership and innovative behavior, and with a 5-point Likert scale to collect data. The reliability of the instrument was verified in a pilot test as the Alpha coefficients of Cronbach were found to be between 0.770 and 0.850. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used in the analysis of data. The results show that there is a strong positive correlation between strategic thinking, risk-taking behavior, and such innovative behaviors as the generation of ideas, championing, and implementation. Strategic thinking showed a positive relationship with innovative behavior with a moderate positive correlation whereas risk-taking behavior had a positive correlation as well. This implies that innovations in any small business are highly dependent on entrepreneurial leadership, especially in terms of visionary planning and readiness to take risks. Finally, with entrepreneurial leadership, the culture of innovation is highly stimulated. It is suggested that the small business in the packaged water sector ought to work towards instilling strategic thinking, and risk taking in a calculated manner in their organizations. This is possible through the introduction of strategy workshops, cross-functional teams in the area of an environmental scanning and the innovation challenge programs, which promotes experimentation and failure tolerance in order to increase the overall organizational resilience and competitiveness.

Strategic management has emerged as a critical discipline for organizations seeking to achieve and sustain competitive advantage in increasingly dynamic and complex global markets. This paper provides a comprehensive review of theoretical foundations, strategic tools, and emerging drivers that enable firms to attain sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). Classical frameworks such as Porter’s positioning strategies and generic strategies are discussed alongside contemporary perspectives, including the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities, which emphasize the unique resources of firms and their capacity to adapt and reconfigure in response to environmental turbulence (Barney, 2022; Helfat et al., 2022). Furthermore, this paper examines the strategic importance of digital transformation and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices as enablers of SCA (SAGE Journals, 2024; Ideas/RePEc, 2022). Digital capabilities, including data analytics, artificial intelligence, and platform ecosystems, enhance the firm’s ability to sense opportunities, respond to threats, and improve operational efficiency (Redwerk, 2024; Deloitte, 2024). ESG-oriented strategies enhance legitimacy, stakeholder trust, and reputation, serving as inimitable resources increasingly valued by investors, regulators, and consumers (Mailani et al., 2024). Additionally, this paper explores strategic tools such as SWOT, PESTEL, value chain analysis, and the Balanced Scorecard as mechanisms for integrating internal resources with external environmental demands (ResearchSynergyPress, 2023). Organizational ambidexterity, which balances exploration and exploitation, is discussed as a critical factor for sustaining long-term advantage (JOTMI, 2024). Overall, the integration of RBV, dynamic capabilities, digital transformation, ESG practices, and strategic management tools enables firms to achieve enduring competitive advantage in the twenty-first century.

Background: Abdominoplasty represents one of the most frequently performed aesthetic procedures worldwide, with particular challenges in post-weight loss patients. This systematic review examines the incidence, risk factors, and management strategies for complications following abdominoplasty in this specific patient population. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases from January 2000 to March 2024. Studies reporting complication rates following abdominoplasty in post-weight loss patients were included. Meta-analysis was performed where appropriate data was available. Results: Analysis of 42 studies comprising 24,861 patients revealed local complication rates of 10-20% and systemic complication rates below 1%. Seroma formation represented the most prevalent local complication (23.6%), followed by infection (13.9%), bleeding (11.1%), and hematoma (6.9%). Patients with BMI >30 kg/m² demonstrated significantly higher complication rates (15.2%) compared to non-obese patients (7.3%). Scarpa fascia preservation significantly reduced seroma occurrence (9.4% vs 26.2%, p = 0.011). Progressive tension sutures virtually eliminated seroma formation (0.1% incidence) compared to traditional rates of 5-43%. Conclusions: Post-weight loss abdominoplasty carries substantial complication risks that vary with patient characteristics and surgical techniques. Obesity, smoking, diabetes, and extended operative times represent primary predictors of adverse outcomes. Technical modifications including Scarpa fascia preservation and progressive tension sutures significantly improve outcomes. Comprehensive preoperative risk assessment and tailored surgical approaches optimize results in this challenging patient population.

The main aim of this exploratory paper is to examens the key characteristics of technological innovation in a sample of industrial organizations in Jordan. Gathering data from 45 Jordanian industrial companies through a questionnaire-based approach, the research aims to understand different aspects of their innovation practices. Six important domains are explored: the performed functions by R&D departments or units, the primary sources of technological innovations, the announced objectives leading innovation activities, the principal obstacles faced during the innovation process, the main causes of innovation failures, and the critical factors contributing ti innovation success declared by the companies. Each one of the areas was evaluated through multiple-choice items. The findings from this study provide a descriptive overview of the current state and challenges of technological innovation faced by Jordanian industrial companies, offering insights for both academic understanding and practical strategies aimed at enhancing industrial growth and competitiveness in the Jordanian environment.

In the context of rapid urbanization and increasing demand for infrastructure development, bidding activities in the construction industry in Ho Chi Minh City play an essential role in selecting competent contractors to ensure the progress and quality of works. This paper focuses on analyzing the current situation and proposing solutions to effectively manage bidding activities of construction enterprises, through qualitative research methods combined with surveys of 97 related subjects, including business owners, contractors, bidding parties, investors and appraisal teams. The survey results show that there are still many shortcomings such as cumbersome administrative procedures, lack of transparency, inappropriate intervention from related parties and uneven capacity among enterprises. Based on the theory of project management, fair competition and transparency of the bidding process, the article proposes a system of improvement solutions including: enhancing the application of digital technology in bidding management, improving the capacity of appraisal staff, making project information transparent and establishing an independent monitoring mechanism. The article aims to contribute to perfecting the bidding institution and improving management efficiency in the construction industry in the largest city in Vietnam.

In the context of widespread digital transformation in education, the digital management capacity of high school principals has become a key factor to ensure effective leadership, improve educational quality and adapt to innovation requirements. This article focuses on analyzing the needs and factors affecting the development of digital management capacity for high school principals in the Mekong Delta region, a region with diverse economic, social and technological infrastructure conditions. Based on a mixed research method, including a survey of 115 principals, vice principals, professional team leaders, and in-depth interviews with 12 managers, the article identifies necessary groups of competencies, such as educational data management, digital platform deployment in teaching and learning, information security, and digital transformation leadership. The research results show that five factors have a significant impact on the capacity development process, including: policy clarity, quality of technology infrastructure, innovation orientation in leadership, professional development opportunities, and coordination between schools and local authorities. From there, the article proposes policy and practical recommendations to build a roadmap for developing digital management capacity for principals, contributing to promoting educational innovation in the digital age in Vietnam.