This paper examines the influence of adopting resource efficiency actions, saving water, saving energy, using renewable energy, saving materials, minimizing waste, selling scrap, recycling, using durable products, promoting environmental responsibility, and offering green marketing products and services on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More specifically, we investigate specific resource efficiency actions and their impact on production costs, investment, the available support for product expansion, and the effect of encountered barriers on SME performance. We develop a theoretical framework based on stakeholder- and resource-based theories to serve as the foundation for this analysis. We use these theories to explain the link between eco-efficiency actions, firm performance, and ecological behavior, along with public policy and innovation. This study uses Flash Eurobarometer survey datasets FL342, FL381, FL426, and FL456, which cover SMEs across time and sectors in 28 EU countries. The data are analyzed through descriptive and ordered logit regression analysis, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to test the relationship between the above variables and the parameters. In terms of practical implications, these findings are crucial in helping SMEs pursue sustainable development. According to the findings, SMEs lack information on how implementing eco-efficiency action affects their financial health and sustainable innovation. This study can provide valuable insights into how implementing eco-efficiency practices can positively impact a company’s bottom line, good health, and employees’ well-being and how SMEs can use this information to make more informed decisions. Additionally, the findings can help inform policy makers about how to better support SMEs in pursuing sustainable development.

Global health governance is a developing system in this complex institutional regime. The local and regional health policies sometimes challenge global health governance due to diverse discourse in various countries. In the wake of COVID-19, global health governance was reaffirmed as indifferent modules to control and eliminate the pandemic; however, the global agencies later dissected their own opinion and said that “countries must learn to live with a pandemic.” Given the controversial statement, this research focuses on the strong and effective policies of the Russian Federation, Pakistan, and China. The research uses the law and governance results and newly developed policies of the three countries formed under the global health policies. The conclusion is based on the statement that in order to live with the pandemic, strong health measures are required at each level.

The paper investigates the link between eco-efficiency actions and the turnover of SMEs within the EU28. In particular, we study how specific cases of eco-efficiency actions and the investment in these actions, as well as the available support to implement them, affect the SME turnover and production costs. For the analysis, we use the datasets from the Flash Eurobarometer surveys that are conducted in different time periods, namely: FL342, FL381, FL426 and FL456. The Porter hypothesis provides theoretical outlet while the ordered logit model is applied to test the relationship between the aforementioned variables and parameters. The results confirm that offering green services has a positive and significant relationship with firm growth in all four datasets. However, resource efficiency actions have mixed results. The increase in production cost in implementing eco-efficiency actions and investments does not go well with firm growth. However, these results vary considerably. The findings are crucial for stakeholders, policymakers and corporations to provide technical and legislative advice to SMEs for achieving competitiveness.

Owing to its colonial past, the Subcontinent Asia inherited diversified heritage and vibrant culture. Pakistan, being central part of the subcontinent, offers the provision of numerous traditional heritage sites and sense of belongingness. The heart of Pakistan and second largest city, Lahore, is selected as the focal region for the purpose of this study. Historically speaking, it is believed to be 2000 years old city and thus many of its ancient places are characterized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Over the last several decades, many of world heritage sites of Pakistan have come under increasing pressure, as a result of a growing human population and urbanization. Considering these dynamics, the study of its urban conservation and heritage management practices are of paramount importance. The study aims to analyze the effect of attachment and perception on the sense of belongingness, with mediating effect of involvement of residents in world heritage sites (WHS) programs. The data is obtained from 256 respondent living in the areas of the Walled city of Lahore, and stepwise multiple regression models were used to test hypotheses. The results depicts that perception, both positive and negative, does not affect the involvement of residents in WHS programs, and it also does not affect the sense of belonging. People and place attachment has a significant relationship with both involvements of residents in WHS programs and a sense of belonging. Involvement of residents in WHS programs also has a significant partial mediating effect on the relationship between attachment and perception on a sense of belonging. Research can be helpful to conduct more effective conservation programs, by involving the public of the specific area. Tourism industry has a unique and critical role to play in the sustainable development of Pakistan, and offers solutions to many of its problems. There is high need to sustain the tourism attraction and preserve the heritage. Putting the tourism industry at low priority has led to no development in tour industry and historical sites. The conservation of cultural heritage and the objective of sustainable tourism development can only be realized if stakeholders take care of the issues faced by the sector in a coordinated manner. The major challenge for the policy makers is to stimulate tourism in a sustainable fashion, with minimal negative impacts on local culture and natural environment.

Digitalisation has become a key process for companies to improve their sustainability, yet a clear overview of the challenges and achievements within European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) regarding digitalisation is still lacking in the literature, making it difficult to identify research gaps or quantify the impact digitalisation has on the European SME market. This paper examines digitalisation as an enabler for European SMEs to improve their environmental sustainability and specifically considers the implementation of eco-efficiency measures such as waste reduction and waste management and thus confirms whether digitalisation can enhance eco-efficiency measures or not within European SMEs. The study is based on a bibliometric analysis followed by a systematic literature review. In particular, it first synthesizes the existing state-of-the-art research and summarizes theoretical frameworks, to explain main themes and gaps in the literature published from the year 2020. Selected articles focusing on European SMEs and digitalisation practices in the context of eco-efficiency are revised in detail. This review identifies common challenges and opportunities associated with digitalisation in the context of European SMEs while offering pathways to address the research gaps.