Objective: This study provides detailed analyses of the theory of female entrepreneurship and the theory of sustainable entrepreneurship. These analyses focus on the concepts both separately and in conjunction. The study aims to uncover the linkages and the principal factors between the two terms such as innovation and education. Methodology: First, a literature review is provided. Then, we conduct a descriptive and co-occurrence analysis of the intersection between female and sustainable entrepreneurship concepts. Results: Our research sheds light on the link between women entrepreneurship and sustainable entrepreneurship and identifies the key constructs that influence this correlation. Innovation and education are outlined as crucial terms. Finally, the study confirms the relationship between female entrepreneurship and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Limitations: While our study highlights crucial elements, it does not provide visibility to all possible relevant factors affecting female and sustainable entrepreneurship.Practical implications: Implications for fostering development for female and sustainable entrepreneurship are presented. The study also shows the importance of measuring the impact of women entrepreneurs’ sustainable spirit on SDGs 4, 5 and 8.

This study investigates how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) influences financial performance in the Middle Eastern banking sector through the mediating roles of corporate reputation, employee engagement, and innovation orientation. Drawing on stakeholder theory and the resource-based view, a survey of 297 senior banking executives was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results show that CSR has both a direct positive impact on financial performance and an indirect effect by strengthening intangible resources. Among the mediators, innovation orientation emerged as the strongest pathway, followed by employee engagement and reputation. Collectively, the model accounted for more than 60% of the variance in financial performance, confirming that socially responsible strategies are not symbolic but yield tangible economic value. In the Middle Eastern banking sector—characterized by regulatory turbulence, cultural expectations, and digital transformation—CSR initiatives such as financial inclusion programs, green financing, and Sharia-compliant services provide both legitimacy and resilience. These findings highlight the strategic importance of embedding CSR into banking practices, showing that socially responsible institutions not only secure reputational gains but also cultivate motivated employees, foster innovation, and achieve sustainable profitability. By situating CSR within the unique context of Middle Eastern banking, this study extends the literature on CSR—performance linkages in emerging markets and demonstrates how intangible capabilities can be mobilized to secure long-term financial sustainability.

Objective: The aim is to identify the main factors reported in the literature regarding digital transformation (DT) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The goal is also to indicate the optimal trend in this field of study. Methodology: The research is based on bibliometric and co-occurrence analyses. VOSviewer software and Power BI were used for the data analysis. Results: The analysis identifies the main gaps in the literature on DT in SMEs. It also highlights key indicators in this body of research, such as the most commonly used methodologies and the specific variables or dimensions of DT that have been frequently studied but require further refinement or deeper exploration. The bibliometric and co-occurrence analyses shed light on critical concepts such as innovation and digital marketing. Limitations: Future studies could adopt a broader approach to enrich the empirical research on SMEs. For instance, studies could examine how some of the key elements outlined in the managerial implications influence the adoption of DT. Practical implications: Clear managerial implications are provided to guide policies to foster DT in SMEs. The paper emphasises the importance of understanding key parameters such as digital skills.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to understand how gamification elements, perceived teacher support and boredom relate to academic performance and how these relationships are mediated by perceived enjoyment while pointing out such influence on educational outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative survey methodology was conducted with 350 Lebanese university students specializing in digital marketing. This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the data and provide exciting insights into the complex ties between variables. Findings: The results indicate that well-implemented gamification elements significantly increased perceived enjoyment and positively influenced academic performance. Furthermore, perceived teacher support enhanced the effectiveness of gamification by increasing student engagement and enjoyment. Conversely, boredom negatively affects perceived enjoyment and academic performance, underscoring the need for well-designed gamification strategies that sustain interest and motivation. Research limitations/implications: Structural equation modeling and other quantitative tools excel at discovering connections but may not reveal the origins of the patterns they uncover. Given the complexity of causation, quantitative studies examining the mediating role of subjective satisfaction may gain more insight using a mixed or qualitative approach. Although the data supplied by the 350 responders were interesting, the sample size was insufficient to make any definitive conclusions. These findings may not be generalizable because Lebanon’s student bodies are diverse. The ability to detect tiny changes in the target variables requires researchers to consider how much time and energy they can dedicate to gathering data while structuring their investigations. Practical implications: This study contributes to understanding gamification as a powerful tool for innovation in education and reshaping learning into motivating, engaging and sustaining productive experiences to improve educational quality. Therefore, our recommendations shed light on such improvements' impact on society. In this vein, we enrich this path by highlighting the crucial role of teachers and decision-makers in developing new professional programs. Originality/value: This study demonstrates the importance of perceived enjoyment in the transformative gamification process in education. This study emphasizes the value of effective gamification implementation supported by teachers as a powerful tool for enhancing learning experiences and improving the quality of education.