SEARCH RESULTS

This quasi-experimental study investigates the effectiveness of explicit pragmatic instruction on Algerian EFL university students’ comprehension of indirect speech acts. Sixty-four second-year English majors from an Algerian university participated in an eight-week intervention. The experimental group (n = 32) received explicit instruction targeting requests, refusals, and suggestions, while the control group (n = 32) followed conventional communicative language teaching methods. Data collection involved discourse completion tasks and metapragmatic assessments administered pre- and post-intervention. Analysis of covariance revealed statistically significant differences favoring the experimental group, F(1, 61) = 47.83, p < .001, ?²p = .32, with large effect sizes for request comprehension (Cohen’s d = 1.28) and refusal recognition (Cohen’s d = 1.18). Qualitative analysis of learner reflections indicated enhanced metalinguistic awareness and contextual sensitivity. Findings provide novel evidence supporting the integration of explicit pragmatic instruction within Algerian EFL curricula, addressing persistent gaps between linguistic competence and pragmatic performance. This study offers one of the first empirical investigations of pragmatic comprehension development in the Algerian EFL context, extending current interlanguage pragmatics research. Pedagogical implications emphasize structured awareness-raising activities, authentic materials incorporation, and teacher professional development in pragmatic pedagogy.

The research investigates the effectiveness of Body Percussion as a motor-musical practice in education, with particular attention to pupils with ADHD, within the paradigm of Embodied Cognition, which emphasizes the role of the body in cognitive, emotional and relational processes. The sample involved 106 primary and secondary school students: 75 included in the experimental group, subjected to weekly two-hour workshops for four months, and 31 in the control group, engaged in motor activities without musical components. The integrated analysis, based on quantitative and qualitative data (ANOVA with repeated measures, pre/post t-tests and systematic observations), showed significant improvements in the experimental group in almost all the macro-areas analysed, in particular motor-musical technique, involvement, inclusion and group cohesion (Cohen’s d = 0.65-1.39), while the control group showed no relevant changes. The subgroup with ADHD also benefited above all in social cohesion and active participation. The results confirm Body Percussion as an inclusive methodology that promotes cognitive development, social-emotional skills and psychophysical well-being.

This study analyzes the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives on the financial and economic performance of food and beverage companies operating in developed and emerging markets. The research seeks to clarify the role of ESG practices in corporate profitability and market valuation, addressing the gap in empirical studies that link firm-level ESG indicators to performance metrics. A panel data regression analysis was conducted on 159 companies from 30 countries between 2017 and 2021, using Bloomberg ESG scores and financial indicators. Results indicate that social and governance practices have a positive influence on financial performance, while environmental initiatives exhibit a negative impact. The study highlights the need for cautious evaluation of environmental investments due to their potential adverse financial effects. The research contributes to the ongoing ESG discourse by providing insights for businesses, policymakers, and investors regarding sustainable corporate practices. Future studies should explore sector-specific ESG impacts and broader datasets to refine these findings.

This study analyzed the effect of competency and social capital on farmer welfare and the effect of competency on welfare with social capital as a moderating variable. The population was 1758 corn farmers in six districts of Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. The sample size was 240 people determined using the Slovin formula. Primary data was collected using questionnaires distributed to respondents.
Respondents were chosen by proportional randomization. The questionnaire consisted of variables and indicators measured using a Likert scale with the lowest score of one and the highest score of five. The questionnaire used has been tested for validity and reliability. Data were analyzed using SEM PartPLS. The results showed that the effect of competence on farmer welfare was positive and significant. The effect of social capital on the welfare of farmers was positive and significant. The effect of competence on welfare with social capital as a moderating variable was negative and significant.

In this study, we examined the roles of foreign direct investment (FDI), skilled labour, and technical efficiency in determining the exports of the food and beverage industries in Indonesia. To address this issue, we utilised data from industry micro firms for the period 2010-2015. We applied the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) technique to the logistic model and the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). Findings revealed that the food and beverage industries are operating below the possible technical efficiency (TE). However, foreign direct investment, skilled labour, technical efficiency, and industrial concentration assert a significant positive effect on the probability of firms’ exports. In the food and beverages sector and the beverages industry, firm size promotes exports; however, in the food industry, firm size has the opposite effect, reducing exports. The imported raw materials have an insignificant effect on the firms’ probability of exporting. Interestingly, findings on the mediating roles of technical efficiency and industrial concentration, as well as technical efficiency and firm size, revealed an increasing influence on the probability of exporting. Skilled labour and firm size only positively promote exports in the foods and beverages sector and the food industry, but not in the beverages industry. These findings are novel and present an important pathway for policy-making related to the food and beverage industry, potentially shaping future strategies and initiatives in the Indonesian food and beverage sector.

This paper analyses the impact of agricultural subsidies using traditional quasi-experimental research design that combines genetic matching procedure with regression analysis and causal forests, an adaptation of the random forest algorithm of Breiman (2001) for treatment effect estimation. The study is based on a structured orchard farm survey conducted in Albania, an EU candidate country. By employing both traditional and machine learning methods, the comparative methodological approach represents a notable contribution by enhancing the robustness of the findings, while highlighting the advantages of the random forest algorithm. The research results indicate that policy support significantly increased on-farm investments by approximately 4.7 million ALL (representing a 39% increase relative to the sample average investment for the analysed period), and direct apple revenues by about 2.48 million ALL (a 29% increase relative to the sample average revenue). Moreover, the policy had a substantial impact on altering the variety cultivation structure - beneficiary farmers replaced lower-quality apple varieties with higher-quality, market-demanded varieties, while non-beneficiaries showed no significant changes in their variety structure. As a result, the policy support enabled beneficiary farmers to better align their production structure with market demand, potentially boosting their future competitiveness.

Northeast India boasts a long history of large-scale tea estates dating back to the colonial era. Assam is India’s largest tea production area and contributes over half of India’s tea products. The backbone of this industry is the tea tribe women who are tea pluckers. Despite their crucial role, these women face significant economic, social, and political challenges that need greater empowerment. Meanwhile, tea production in Thailand has expanded significantly because of increasing domestic consumption. This research employs qualitative methods to explore economic diversification and tea supply chains in Northeast India and northern Thailand, with a focus on enhancing women’s resilience. Data were collected via indepth interviews with 27 key informants in Assam, India, and 25 participants in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, Thailand, between May 2022 - December 2024. Open coding and manual categorization are employed to organize and interpret narrative analysis based on diversification concepts. The study found that women workers in Assam rely solely on tea plucking, earning low wages due to a lack of educational opportunities and double-burden circumstances, compared to women in Thailand, who have more flexibility through diversified livelihoods.
Assam requires multi-stakeholder collaboration in both vertical and horizontal diversification.

This study explores the initiatives of Local Government Units (LGUs) in Cebu, Philippines, to support vegetable farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a mixed-methods approach, we assess the effectiveness of policies, financial aid, and capacity-building programs in enhancing agricultural resilience. Key findings highlight the role of LGU-driven innovations in mitigating economic disruptions and improving food security. Challenges such as resource limitations and policy gaps are also examined. The study underscores the need for sustainable, adaptive strategies to strengthen local agricultural systems against future crises.

Food insecurity persists in rural Indonesia despite agricultural abundance, disproportionately affecting women in farming households. This study investigates the interplay of food security, gender inclusion, and women’s empowerment among 296 pineapple farming households in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. Employing a cross-sectional design, data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), a Localized Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (LWEAI), and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results reveal that access to credit and market information significantly reduces food insecurity, while larger household sizes increase vulnerability. Gender inclusion strongly predicts empowerment, enhancing women’s autonomy and leadership, though food insecurity undermines both. The LWEAI, tailored to local contexts, and PLS-SEM’s robust analysis offer novel frameworks for understanding these dynamics. Findings advocate for gender-responsive policies – such as women-targeted microcredit and extension services – to strengthen food security and equity, aligning with Indonesia’s national development goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 5.

This article aims to examine the scenario of credit granting and default among rural producers in the state of Rondônia between the years 2020 and 2024. The research is quantitative and descriptive, based on secondary data and document analysis concerning the management and operations of Banco da Amazônia (Bank of the Amazon) related to the Constitutional Fund for Financing the North (FNO). The results show that approximately 4.5 billion reais and 16,689 loans were granted during the period under study, of which 9,239 were allocated for operating expenses and 5,116 for investment purposes. It was found that default rates are low, since only 282 contracts (1.69% of the total) had overdue installments. It is also noteworthy that 10 municipalities in Rondônia, out of a total of 52, concentrate 48.48% of the credit contracts and 62.75% of the total credit amount granted. The study concludes that rural credit provides producers with resources to finance their activities and invest in infrastructure, innovation, and technology, enabling them to increase production, productivity, employment, and income, as well as improve living conditions in rural areas. These findings contribute to the understanding of the dynamics of rural credit allocation and default, providing insights for future research and for policies aimed at improving the rural credit system in the state.

The paper investigates the determinants of consumers’ willingness to pay a price premium for extra virgin olive oil with health claims on its label. Drawing on a multidimensional framework, the research explores the role of subjective and objective knowledge of the product, the importance attributed to the sensory attributes, the attention given to the health information, and the impact of socio-demographic variables on consumers’ willingness to pay. Data were collected via an online questionnaire administered to 405 consumers in Sicily (Italy), a region with a strong olive oil tradition. Using a logistic regression model, the results show that subjective knowledge, the value assigned to health information, average expenditure for extra virgin olive oil, and household size significantly affect the willingness to pay. Conversely, flavour profile and objective knowledge do not have a statistically significant impact. These findings offer practical implications for extra virgin olive oil producers and marketers, highlighting the need for clear health-related labelling and targeted educational strategies to enhance consumer engagement and perceived value of the product with health claims on the label.

In this study, we examined the roles of foreign direct investment (FDI), skilled labour, and technical efficiency in determining the exports of the food and beverage industries in Indonesia. To address this issue, we utilised data from industry micro firms for the period 2010-2015. We applied the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) technique to the logistic model and the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). Findings revealed that the food and beverage industries are operating below the possible technical efficiency (TE). However, foreign direct investment, skilled labour, technical efficiency, and industrial concentration assert a significant positive effect on the probability of firms’ exports. In the food and beverages sector and the beverages industry, firm size promotes exports; however, in the food industry, firm size has the opposite effect, reducing exports. The imported raw materials have an insignificant effect on the firms’ probability of exporting. Interestingly, findings on the mediating roles of technical efficiency and industrial concentration, as well as technical efficiency and firm size, revealed an increasing influence on the probability of exporting. Skilled labour and firm size only positively promote exports in the foods and beverages sector and the food industry, but not in the beverages industry. These findings are novel and present an important pathway for policy-making related to the food and beverage industry, potentially shaping future strategies and initiatives in the Indonesian food and beverage sector.

This study explores the factors that influence Vietnamese university students’ food choices when it comes to products containing non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs). Drawing on consumer behavior theory and insights from focus group discussions, a conceptual model was developed with five independent variables – Health Perception, Acceptance, Product Properties, Beliefs, and Availability – and one dependent variable – Food Choice. A survey was then conducted both online and offline with 1,849 responses and further reduced to 936 valid responses after two rounds of data cleaning. Data from the survey were analyzed for reliability, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results confirmed a good model fit with strong convergent and discriminant validity. Three factors significantly influenced food choices were: Acceptance (ß = 0.463), Health Perception (ß = 0.235), and Availability (ß = 0.141), with Acceptance being the most influential. These findings offer valuable insights for businesses and organizations aiming to promote NNS-containing products more effectively. Understanding the key drivers behind students’ food choices can help stakeholders tailor their products and communication strategies to better meet consumer needs and encourage healthier dietary habits.

The integration of economic development with environmental protection forms a crucial foundation for the sustainable development of society. In this context, Green Human Resource Management Practices (GHRM practices) activities play a bridging role in helping organizations improve sustainable performance while meeting the demands of customers, society, and environmental protection. This not only brings practical benefits to businesses in the agricultural sector but also significantly contributes to global sustainable development. Through a survey of 400 employees in the agricultural sector and utilizing Smart PLS software for data analysis, the study demonstrates that Green Human Resource Management Practices positively impacts sustainable performance through two mediating factors: Green Innovation and Green Culture. These results provide an important practical basis to support managers and policymakers in the agricultural sector in building competitive advantages while creating long-term value for organizations and society. The findings offer actionable insights for implementing specific GHRM practices such as green recruitment, training, and performance assessment to enhance sustainable performance in Vietnam's agricultural context.

This study provides a comprehensive examination of the environmental consequences of foreign direct investment (FDI) within Vietnam’s agri-food sector, focusing on the tension between agricultural expansion and carbon emission control. In the context of rising global climate concerns, the analysis examines how FDI inflows affect CO2 emissions, while considering agricultural structural transformation, economic development, and trade openness. The results indicate that FDI significantly increases CO2 emissions, primarily through scale expansion and structural shifts toward emission-intensive agricultural activities. The findings underscore agricultural industrial restructuring as a crucial transmission channel. The study contributes both theoretically and practically by offering policy recommendations aimed at steering FDI toward cleaner agricultural development pathways and supporting Vietnam’s transition toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient agri-food system.

The sustainability of the agricultural sector is closely linked to the ability of territorial system to effectively address the challenges of water resource management in the context of climate change. The reuse of treated wastewater is increasingly recognized as a key strategy for ensuring a sustainable water supply in agriculture. This study proposes an innovative methodological approach aimed at identifying the Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) potentially irrigable with treated wastewater, with particular attention to high value crops certified as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) in the Campania region. The methodology is based on the integration of data from three main sources: SIGRIAN, for mapping irrigated areas; EEA/SINTAI, for classifying wastewater treatment plants; and AGEA, for identifying land use in irrigated areas. This approach enables the association, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2020/741, of the water quality class required for each crop with that one potentially available from wastewater treatment plants, also taking into account the existence of suitable distribution infrastructures. The results of the analysis highlight that the proposed methodology, applied to agricultural sector in Campania, with a focus on high-quality production, can effectively guide public policies in promoting targeted infrastructure investments. These investments aim to protect areas most vulnerable to drought and support high value crops, particularly certified ones, through the adoption of advanced technological solutions and integrated water resource planning, which are key to ensuring the resilience and long-term prosperity of the regional agricultural sector.

Climate change is forcing a fundamental revision of water management in agriculture, particularly in Mediterranean viticulture. In Italy, rising average temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, and the frequent occurrence of extreme events are reducing water availability and quality, compromising both yields and the quality of grape and wine production. This study presents a technical and scientific analysis of the current state of irrigation in Italian vineyards, integrating data from the 7th General Agricultural Census by ISTAT (2020) with information from the SIGRIAN system, and adopting a geospatial approach to estimate the actual water requirements of grapevines. Furthermore, the benefits of Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) are explored as a means to increase water use efficiency without compromising enological parameters. The results highlight significant territorial differences in water needs and irrigation management, underscoring the necessity for adaptive policies and site-specific technologies.

This review examines the role of pasture-based livestock systems in promoting agri-environmental sustainability across four key dimensions: biodiversity, water-use efficiency, carbon cycle, and animal welfare. Despite growing political and scientific interest in extensive grazing, the existing literature remains fragmented and limits a comprehensive understanding of grazing’s multidimensional impacts. To address this gap, we conducted a review of studies published between 2010 and 2025, following the Cochrane Handbook and applying the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework.
The analysis focused exclusively on studies conducted in Europe to explore the state of the art on the topic and analyze future policy implications. The results indicate that moderate and well-managed grazing improves biodiversity, increases water-use efficiency, and promotes soil carbon sequestration, especially through rotation practices and tree integration.
Access to pasture improves animal welfare, although outcomes vary depending on infrastructure and environmental conditions.
The review emphasizes the need for integrated approaches that combine traditional knowledge, environmental design, and precision tools to maximize the sustainability of grazing systems.