Recent studies have advocated that digital technologies (DTs) positively affect the transition of a linear economy model to a circular economy (CE) model and facilitate enterprises in implementing circular strategies. Despite this general statement, the literature still overlooks how enterprises should apply various DTs of Industry 4.0 across the entire product lifecycle to operationalize CE-related strategies. To fill this gap, this paper proposes a conceptual framework exploring DTs in terms of CE operationalization from the perspective of the product lifecycle. Based on insights gained through a systematic literature review, we clarify how DTs can facilitate CE performance objectives through the three stages of the product lifecycle: product design, product use, and product recovery or recycling. Furthermore, we study how various Industry 4.0 DTs, such as the Internet of things, big data, and cloud computing, are utilized to operationalize the transition toward a CE. DTs applied to the service-oriented product-service system contributes innovation into circular business models to make full use of idle resources and provide high-quality personalized services. We have adopted three performance objectives: using fewer materials and resources, extending product lifespan, and closing the loop to evaluate the effects of DTs in promoting CE development. By investigating how DTs affect CE performance objectives, the conceptual framework developed in this paper advances the knowledge regarding the role of DTs as an enabler of CE from the product lifecycle. Our findings provide a practical reference enabling researchers and managers to harness the potential of DTs to support CE transition.

The research offers valuable insights into the importance of transparency in building trust, accountability, and a positive reputation for universities in Ukraine. The relevance of this topic is underscored by the growing global emphasis on the need for higher education institutions to communicate transparently with external audiences, including prospective students, parents, funding agencies, and the general public. Transparency in financial operations, governance, and academic offerings has become crucial for universities to attract talented individuals, secure financial support, and develop lasting partnerships. The study’s methodology – the K-means clustering technique ‒ effectively assesses university transparency. It clusters institutions based on shared transparency characteristics, allowing for the identification of distinct patterns and the classification of Ukrainian universities into specific groups. This approach provided a comprehensive understanding of universities’ performance in external communication. The Elbow Method was employed to establish the ideal number of clusters, dividing universities into four main clusters, each demonstrating varying degrees of transparency. The findings revealed that universities across different clusters exhibited unique transparency profiles. While some universities performed exceptionally well across multiple transparency criteria, others showed significant shortcomings, particularly in budget reporting and staff transparency. The results indicated that some universities emerged as transparency leaders, serving as models for others, while those in lower-performing clusters require targeted improvements in their communication strategies. The study highlights the practical impact of transparency on university governance and engagement with stakeholders. Universities that prioritize transparency build trust with external audiences and strengthen internal decision-making processes. The clustering method provided essential insights into which institutions lead in transparency and where improvements are necessary, reinforcing that transparency is key to ensuring competitiveness within the higher education landscape. This research broadens the understanding of transparency in higher education, offering practical recommendations for universities seeking to enhance their external communication practices. The study underscores the importance of aligning these efforts with international transparency standards to ensure long-term success and maintain credibility in the increasingly competitive global academic environment.

The study deals with the important question of how educational reforms affect healthcare competitiveness, especially when it comes to medical education. The primary study goal is to investigate the connection between improvements to the educational system and the calibre of medical care. To provide a thorough examination of trends over previous ten years, the study focusses on a dataset of 2,646 articles published between 2013 and 2023, taken from the WoS and Scopus databases. The necessity to record current and pertinent advancements in medical education and healthcare justifies the selection of this time frame. The CiteSpace and Biblioshiny programs were applied to conduct a bibliometric analysis, enabling the identification and visualisation of significant patterns and trends in the literature. The research hypothesis was verified by the analysis, which showed a strong association between educational changes and increases in healthcare quality. According to the report, health literacy, health disparities, and medical education are the most important topics. Improving healthcare competitiveness depends on these areas. Policymakers, educators, and healthcare administrators can benefit from the research findings because they offer evidence-based perspectives that can direct future medical education reforms to enhance healthcare outcomes and system competitiveness. The results also point to potential prospects for future investigation, especially when evaluating the long-term effects of educational reforms on international healthcare systems.

This study explores the marketing potential of artisanal agri-food products in Ukraine by examining their structural, regional, and consumer dimensions. Amid growing interest in sustainable and locally rooted food systems, the research addresses how artisanal production can evolve from informal crafts to market-recognized value. This study is based on an analysis of official statistical data and an analysis of registered artisanal food producers in specific areas in Ukraine. It emphasizes the role of household-based agriculture in securing raw materials, the impact of cultural–tourism infrastructure on product visibility, and the benefits of self-sufficiency in raw material sourcing for product differentiation. The findings reveal that regions with stronger household production and cultural engagement demonstrate higher activity in the artisanal food sector. This study concludes that artisanal food production offers a viable pathway for regional development, rural resilience, and the strengthening of local food identity.

The internationalization of higher education has become a key trend and response to the growth of globalization and online learning. After the start of the Russian war in Ukraine, Ukrainian higher education underwent significant destruction. Ukrainian HEIs have been significantly losing their capacity for development. Loss of human capital, including educational losses, becomes more relevant from the perspective of further sector development.This paper explores the intersection of DDP implementation and the implementation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), focusing on faculty members’ experiences within the Twinning Initiative framework. By investigating faculty members’ perceptions of quality assurance gaps and examining the impact of DDPs on the integration of SDGs, the study provides insights into how these programs contribute to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in higher education. This study employed semi-structured interviews. Interviewees were selected from the academic staff of five of the six Ukrainian universities involved in DDPs. Nine interviews were conducted in the period from April 2024 to June 2024. All interviewees represent the double-degree staff from different roles.Despite some differences between the procedures, the principles of internal quality assurance in Ukrainian universities correspond to those of their British partners. The findings show that implementing DDP promotes “learning by doing” for teaching staff, encouraging curriculum innovation and professional development. This study highlights the potential of DDP to stimulate the implementation of ESD principles in higher education and suggests directions for future research, particularly in war-affected regions. Acknowledgment This contribution is prepared with the support and funding under Researchers at Risk Fellowships Programme led by the British Academy in partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society and Council for At-Risks Academics (CARA), and in the framework of the realization the Erasmus+ KA 2 CBHE project “Universities-Communities: Strengthening Cooperation” (Grant Agreement 101083077), and Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence “EU Studies of Social Innovations in Education” (ESSIE) – 101085552 – ERASMUS-JMO-2022-COE.The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents that reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.