A thoroughly insightful and comprehensive discussion carried out by practitioners and academics from a range of jurisdictions across the globe, this book explores aspects of sustainability in financial and commercial contracts. The opening part concentrates on financial products and regulation in the context of ESG related investing. ESG stands for "environmental, social, governance" and describes aspects of sustainability not only in finance but also across all aspects of trading and commerce. It touches on a wide range of criteria of products and producers. It concerns supply chains as much as corporate governance and regulatory supervision. Aspects of legislative definitions are as important as enforceability of ESG promises both in terms of public and private liability. International experts from academia and practice comment on the transactional and regulatory framework in this field. The second part deals with procedural aspects of sustainability in connection with arbitral awards. Integrity, trust and confidentiality are emanations of sustainability in the social context. Parties to contracts and litigation are part of a wider trading community who rely on a certain architecture of dispute settlement frameworks. Practitioners discuss problems the independence of arbitrators. The concluding part deals with the topical discussions on the role of good faith and the emerging concept of relational contract in a comparative context. Practical applications in construction contracts, supply chains, the circular economy and in arbitration are explored as well as the notion of good faith in English, Scottish, Canadian, German, French and Polish contract law with a comparative emphasis.

This book examines the structure of university knowledge production as publications. Offering an in-depth case study on a medium-size Italian university, it explores networks of collaboration by evidencing the relationship between internal and external authors, their productivity, and the role of team size taking also a longitudinal perspective.

This book investigates also partner's selection mechanisms in terms of institutional and disciplinary, gender, and academic role proximity. The pathologies of contemporary scientific practice, such as large team size, are discussed within a broad interdisciplinary theoretical landscape.

The book shows that knowledge is produced locally and transferred globally by constituting a multi-layer Glocal Invisible College, rooted in a model of single universities made by three subsystems loosely connected.

Researchers, university administrators, and policymakers alike will find this work invaluable. For researchers, it provides a replicable methodology that combines network and statistical analysis, while for university governance and policymakers the insights gained from this analysis can inform strategies to enhance collaborative efforts and improve research outcomes.

This open access volume examines the multifaceted role of AI in coaching practices, featuring insights from leading coaching experts, and with a focus on practical developments, scientific topics, and ethical implications. It addresses three key perspectives: AI as a replacement for human coaches, as an enhancement within the coaching process, and as a tool for training and supervision. The contributions discuss these positions not in opposition but as complementary possibilities, fostering a nuanced and integrative understanding of AI's potential. Key transversal themes-ethics, research, and philosophy-highlight the broader implications of AI, addressing pressing questions about its impact on human development and the coaching profession. By bridging academic theory and practical applications, the volume provides actionable insights for practising coaches, researchers, and AI enthusiasts. It offers a comprehensive framework to navigate the complexities of integrating AI into coaching and sets the stage for ongoing dialogue, advancing both scientific understanding and professional practice in this rapidly evolving field.

The conference proceeding aims to provide a global platform for researchers, academics, and practitioners to engage in discussions and share insights on sustainability education, the role of youth in driving change, and the power of innovation in building a sustainable future.

The primary focus of this year's conference was to explore how sustainability education can empower individuals and communities, equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to drive transformative action towards a sustainable and resilient world. Special emphasis was placed on the critical role of youth as key agents of change and the innovative solutions they bring to the table in addressing pressing environmental and social challenges.

In the context of this conference, sustainability education served as a catalyst for fostering awareness, critical thinking, and responsible decision-making. It enabled individuals to integrate sustainable practices into daily life, promote interdisciplinary learning, and encouraged collaboration across sectors.

Youth-led initiatives and innovation are central to shaping sustainable solutions for the future. Young entrepreneurs, researchers, and changemakers are at the forefront of developing groundbreaking ideas that challenge traditional approaches, advocate for policy reforms, and implement community-driven solutions. Innovation in sustainability encompasses technological advancements, digital transformation, and creative problem-solving approaches that accelerate progress toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Objectives of this publication:

• To offer diverse avenues for knowledge sharing, including scientific research presentations, case studies, conceptual frameworks, and policy-oriented papers.
• To delver into the strategies and practices that empower organizations, educators, and young leaders to make a lasting impact on sustainability, innovation, and urban resilience.
• To highlight the role of education in fostering sustainability literacy and its integration into training programs and community initiatives.

Through this conference, we seek to bridge the gap between education, youth engagement, and innovative practices, ultimately fostering a global movement toward sustainability-driven transformation.

This book offers a innovative exploration of the intricate interplay between causality and modality through a comprehensive formal semantics analysis of causal relations encoded in causative constructions. It addresses foundational questions about causation within theoretical linguistics, philosophy, and cognitive science. By integrating Modal Semantics and Event Semantics, it illuminates how language encodes complex causal relations with remarkable precision, revealing the subtle ways in which diverse causal dimensions reflect human cognition.

Drawing on data from periphrastic causatives in Teochew-an understudied Southern Min language, this volume presents innovative analyses of four dimensions of causality: direct vs. indirect, deterministic vs. probabilistic, attitude-bearing vs. attitude-neutral, and permissive vs. non-permissive. It also proposes a causal ontology intended as a blueprint for future cross-linguistic studies. The book bridges theoretical insights with rich empirical evidence, while engaging with classic philosophical discussions.

This volume is essential for scholars and graduate students in linguistics, philosophy, and cognitive science, offering interdisciplinary perspectives on the nature of causation.

Digital trade, encompassing the exchange of goods, services, and information through digital channels, is viewed as a catalyst for innovation and inclusive economic development. Though, the share of African trade in global digital trade appears to be on the low side, the growth in digitally delivered services is recently growing fast relative to trade in goods and non-digitally delivered services. Digital trade represents an important engine of growth and development for the African continent.

This contributed volume is motivated by a shared perspective that digital trade can offer significant opportunities for African countries to boost growth, create better jobs, and reduce poverty. The book first distinguishes itself by providing an in-depth and comprehensive examination of the complex dynamics of digital trade in Africa, setting itself apart by probing into the driving forces propelling its growth along with the obstacles that limit the expansion of digital trade in the region. Second this book innovates by linking regional integration efforts in Africa to digital trade. It focuses on how collective efforts within different regional groups across the continent can be harnessed to boost digital trade in Africa.

Third, one of the key differentiators of the book lies in its thorough analysis of the regulatory frameworks governing digital trade across African nations. The existing policies and regulatory challenges are discussed across specific countries and group of countries. Lastly, the book links digital trade to the broader socio-economic environment by exploring the nexus between digital trade and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa. By aligning the principles of digital trade with specific SDGs ranging from poverty alleviation and quality education to gender equality and industry innovation, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of how digital trade can be harnessed as a tool for sustainable development across the African continent. It systematically examines how digital trade can be a driving force in achieving these global sustainability benchmarks.

This book provides a comprehensive guide for leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to drive business innovation in the digital economy. As data from modern digital sources like sensors, social networks, and online transactions grows exponentially, businesses must adopt data-driven strategies to remain competitive and agile. The book equips leaders, technologists, and data scientists with the knowledge and tools to transform vast datasets into actionable insights, optimizing decision-making, enhancing customer experiences, and fueling innovation. At its core, the book addresses the critical challenge of moving beyond mere data collection to effectively harnessing data for innovation. In today's competitive landscape, gathering data alone is insufficient; success depends on a company's ability to extract meaningful insights and translate them into actionable strategies. The book explores the latest tools and technologies that facilitate this transformation and delves into the organizational changes needed to foster a data-driven culture, such as leadership engagement, cross-departmental collaboration, and data governance. By weighing both the benefits and risks, readers gain a balanced and forward-looking perspective on implementing AI and Big Data responsibly and sustainably. As businesses increasingly seek to capitalize on Big Data and AI, there is a growing need for resources that bridge the gap between technical data science concepts and their practical applications in business. This book meets that need, helping business leaders, technology professionals, and academics understand how to leverage Big Data to solve complex problems and drive innovation. The book's primary audience includes business executives, data scientists, IT professionals, and graduate students in business, data science, and computer science. It also appeals to decision-makers in industries such as finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing who are looking to implement data-driven strategies to enhance their operations and customer offerings.

At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, significant question marks hung over the capacity of the world's wealthiest economies to sustain a long international conflict. This book goes beyond macroeconomic perspectives on war financing to show in highly granular detail how the war was financed in Britain, using previously unstudied data to explore at a societal level how this capital was raised. It offers a framework for understanding how economic and financial policy during wartime became instruments of capital-raising that were crucial to the eventual outcome of the first-ever global war and were not simply ancillary factors affecting military efforts.

Using rich archival sources from the Bank of England, the author explores the identities and demographics of the investors who bought bonds that financed Britain during the First World War. The book examines the different policies and strategies employed to bring investors into the war from across society, including different classes and genders, and demonstrates how the need to raise capital for Allied victory ultimately altered not only the distribution of income and capital in Britain but also the form in which it was held. The book also analyses Britain's war debt and re-financing efforts in this context, spanning a timeline from 1914 up until 1932. This book will be a fascinating read for scholars and students of economic, financial and military history.

This open access book examines the role of international law in Central Asian affairs and sheds new light on human rights issues in Central Asian politics. It provides various case studies on Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The book is divided into eight parts: Part I sets the context, and places the subsequent chapters in a broader context of decolonisation and development. Part II offers an overview of the role of international law in Central Asia, its relationship with domestic law, and the role of international organisations in its development in the region. Part III discusses selected issues pertaining to regional security. Part IV discusses some human rights developments in Central Asia, including social and economic, labour, digital, and family rights. Part V is devoted to international criminal law, and offers an overview of Uzbekistan?s experience in combating money laundering. Part VI on international trade and investment law discussed the WTO rules on fisheries subsidies, taxation in Central Asia, and stabilisation clauses in mining contracts. Part VII deals with international legal standards of animal welfare, and discusses several environmental case studies in Central Asia. Finally, Part VIII discusses the role of international law as an academic discipline in the region.

This open access book by Yulia Gradskova examines women's internationalism and gatherings in the places understood as Cold War peripheries.

East-South Women Internationalism at the Cold War Periphery: Coming Together in Tashkent, Havana, and Beyond examines women's gatherings, internationalism, political travel, and networks through questioning established geopolitical categories. While female "political tourists" coming to cities like Tashkent and Havana cannot be seen as free from neither the superpowers' open and hidden confrontational agendas nor from Cold War surveillance and pressures, Gradskova demonstrates that they significantly contributed to the advancement of transnational women's rights. Simultaneously, East-South Women Internationalism at the Cold War Periphery contributes to the growing field of decolonial criticism regarding the "second world" emancipation project by detailing how its vision of progress hindered many other voices and visions of the future from being heard. Gradskova's attention to the mundane problems and pleasures of traveling, coming together, and writing letters allows for distinguishing implicit details of curiosity, emotional attachment as well as (self) censorship and hierarchies; in turn, helping to reconstruct parts of women's robust and complex participation in the building of the transnational connectivity trespassing the Cold War division lines.

The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond.

Unter der Praemisse, dass Sozial- und Verfassungsgeschichte untrennbar miteinander verbunden sind, richtet sich die Untersuchung auf die politischen Eliten der Stadt Bingen am Rhein vom 12. bis in das 16. Jahrhundert.

Anhand von akteurszentrierten Fallstudien zu den Rats- und Gerichtsleuten werden zentrale Ereignisse der Stadtgeschichte und das ?Funktionieren“ der Stadt erschlossen und nachvollziehbar gemacht. Der Untersuchungszeitraum umfasst dabei die erzbischoefliche Stadtherrschaft wie die im 15. Jahrhundert folgende Herrschaft des Mainzer Domkapitels. Der diachrone Ansatz ermoeglicht es, nicht nur die Formierung staedtischer Fuehrungsgruppen sowie die Herausbildung von Schoeffengeschlechtern mit quasi-stadtadeliger Geltung und nahezu erblichem Zugriff auf Aemter herauszuarbeiten, sondern auch einen tiefgreifenden Wandel mit der Etablierung neuer Ratsherrenfamilien aus dem Handwerk. Ueber die innerstaedtischen Verflechtungen hinaus werden die Beziehungen der Akteure zu geistlichen Institutionen, Fuersten, dem Adel des Umlandes und anderen Staedten offengelegt. So entsteht erstmals eine vielschichtige Analyse der staedtischen Eliten des mittelalterlichen Bingens.

This Open Access book explores the development of contemporary urban struggles in Sweden, offering a comprehensive and critical perspective on collective action in cities. It examines the practices of collective urban actors, highlighting both visible and hidden forms of organizing, including actions and interactions that occur in spaces inaccessible to outsiders. The chapters move from an introduction to the theoretical and methodological approach to urban struggles, through an overview of Sweden's post-war urban mobilizations and movements, to detailed analyses of grassroots initiatives-particularly the tenants' movement and the Orten Movement. The book reveals the relational dynamics that underpin urban struggles and introduces new theoretical and methodological perspectives on urban movements. Designed for scholars and students in sociology, political science, cultural geography, urban studies, and related fields, this book combines critical theory with longitudinal ethnographic methods to capture the complexity of contemporary urban struggles.

This edited volume explores the multifaceted dimensions of sexuality and its expressions through a range of social contexts. The authors investigate language(s) and bodies as vessels for research as postulated by carnal sociology (Wacquant, 2005), exploring the intricate relationship between language, sexuality and the mediatisation of the latter (De Ridder, 2017) and focusing on how these elements intertwine to shape our understanding of sexual narratives, sexual health, sex positivity, and sexual identities. Questions raised in this volume include:

• What are contemporary forms of gatekeeping in translation and ethnographic practices when dealing with sexual content?
• How does censorship in communication affect the representation of sexualities?
• How is sexuality presented in translation and ethnographic studies?
• Which innovative methods are being used in translation and ethnography when studying bodies and Others?

The authors explore how sexuality and desire manifest, along with their potential biases and resulting knowledge gaps, through practical methods, established best practices and lived-experience testimonies from diverse backgrounds. They examine the translation of sexual terms across several loci of expression (e.g. audiovisual translation, literature, digital sexual identities); discriminatory uses of language and censorship; and ethnographic experiences concerning sex, gender, desire and intimacy. This book will be relevant to professionals and researchers in the fields of Translation/Literary Studies and Ethnography/Social Sciences.

Designed for students, professors, researchers, and professionals in Organizational and Work Psychology, HR, and People Management, this textbook bridges the persistent gap between academic research and real-world practice through the lens of Evidence-Based Management (EBMgt). Grounded in scientific rigor and contextual sensitivity, the book guides readers through the six essential steps of evidence-based practice-asking, acquiring, appraising, aggregating, applying, and assessing-transforming complex organizational challenges into structured, data-informed decisions.

Connecting theory and practice is a relevant and urgent demand to be met in the various learning spaces that prepare professionals to work in the field. Rather than offering abstract theory alone, this book presents 17 rich teaching cases drawn from public, private, and nonprofit contexts, including universities, hospitals, startups, NGOs, and industrial organizations - hypothetical, real or adapted from reality -, which allow readers to understand how, in practice, they can act in relation to various themes and phenomena in the field of organizational and work psychology. What sets this work apart is its strong emphasis on organizational diagnosis as the foundation of responsible intervention.

Readers are introduced to validated instruments, quantitative and qualitative methods, and mixed approaches that expand technical expertise while reinforcing ethical and critical thinking. The cases function as "learning laboratories," encouraging readers to adapt insights to their own contexts rather than replicate ready-made solutions. By integrating theory, assessment, and action, this book empowers professionals to make transparent, well-informed decisions that are both scientifically grounded and socially responsible. For anyone committed to elevating people management through evidence and reflection, this book is an indispensable resource.

The original manuscript of this book was written in Brazilian Portuguese and translated into English with the help of artificial intelligence. A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content.

This book provides an in-depth and timely analysis of a relevant and controversial issue: the relationship between European Union values and international law. It examines whether and to what extent the EU succeeds in influencing international law by upholding and promoting its values (listed in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union) globally, as explicitly provided for in Article 3(5) and in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union, through its international agreements. In particular, the book focuses on the free trade agreements concluded by the Union with States and other regional organisations. The reason for this choice is based on the assumption that this is the area where the EU can make the most effective use of its soft power, which derives from its commercial strength and namely from the attractiveness of the access to its internal market. What makes this volume unique is its approach to the topic, tracing the historical and philosophical foundations of European values, both from a historical perspective and through comparative legal analysis. This solid foundation enables the reader to gain an in-depth understanding of the values that the Union seeks to promote in the wider world. Thus, the analysis looks at how selected core values-such as democracy and the rule of law, peace and security, human rights and minority protection, sustainable development, data protection, dispute settlement, and respect for international law-are incorporated and promoted through EU free trade agreements. It investigates both the impact of individual agreements on the domestic legal orders of partner States and the cumulative effect of EU FTAs on the broader development of international law, questioning whether they contribute to shaping a rules-based multilateral order aligned with EU normative commitment. This reflection is particularly relevant and necessary in today's international context, which is marked by crises that challenge the very notion of a global order based on common principles and values.

This book offers a valuable resource for practitioners and academics, particularly those interested in international law, EU law, international trade law, as well as history of law, constitutional law, comparative law and international relations. In addition, the book contains policy recommendations, which makes it particularly useful for decision-makers and policy advisors.

In today's world of Big Data, data scientists must stay ahead of the game, especially in environments that are increasingly unstructured and semi-structured. They need fresh skills to navigate these complex environments. It is also important to question whether Big Data analytics fundamentally differs from Small Data analytics.

In Data Science for Managers, industry expert Richard Boire breaks down the vast field of data science into easy-to-understand insights. Using real-world examples from leading global companies, this book provides a clear, step-by-step guide to help business managers harness the power of data science. Boire's 4-step process walks you through deciding when to use data science, implementing it, and making sense of the results to improve customer ROI and business outcomes.

Packed with engaging stories and case studies, this work also highlights potential pitfalls in data science and shares strategies for avoiding them. This updated edition focuses on new developments related to AI and machine learning, with guidance for data managers on how to use this technology in developing business solutions.

Data Science for Managers is a book for marketers, IT professionals, analysts, and anyone else who wants to transform mountains of data into actionable insights and effective business strategies. With the rise of AI and cutting-edge technology, it equips you with the tools you need to navigate this new landscape and turn complex data into tangible results. Whether you're new to data science or looking to sharpen your skills, this book is your guide to unlocking the full potential of big data.

This book discusses the medical knowledge system in the pre-Qin period and its specific development during the Han Dynasty, drawing on related accounts in non-medical literature as background evidence and analyzing in detail the texts of the current edition of Huangdi's Internal Classic (including two independent works Plain Questions and Miraculous Pivot) and ancient medical texts written on bamboo and silk. It even includes detailed evidence that Bian Que's medical theory was incorporated in the current version of Huangdi's Internal Classic.

This book uses textual research on the current edition of Huangdi's Internal Classic as its point of departure, instead of the eponymous work recoded in the Yiwenzhi of the Book of Han. Therefore, it departs from the previous definition and throws off the shackling assumption that the time of the formation of Huangdi's Internal Classic cannot be later than that of the Seven Summaries, a book completed in the late Western Han. Beginning with the study (1984) of dosage form originating from the Qin and Han Dynasties, it takes nearly 30 years to complete the "reconstruction" of the development of medicine in the Qin and Han Dynasties on the basis of many elaborate case studies. In turn, this book clarifies that there was no advanced medical development in the pre-Qin period, and that medicine became more innovative as the culture of the Han Dynasty became prosperous. Many developments and changes in medical theory in the Eastern Han Dynasty are closer to the traditional Chinese medicine we know today. Given its unique scope, this book appeals to a broad range of researchers and general readers.

This book confronts one of the defining challenges of super-aged societies: the surging number of older adults living alone in Japan, the global leader in population aging. It delivers a rigorous, data-driven exploration of why solitary senior living is accelerating, how social isolation takes root, and what actionable policies can foster inclusion. Blending sociology, gerontology, ethics, and comparative policy analysis, it unpacks the intertwined forces fueling Japan's loneliness crisis-demographic shifts, eroding traditional family structures, evolving cultural values, economic strain, and the psychology of active and passive isolation. Using large-scale quantitative data, logistic regression, and grounded-theory interviews, the study reveals how loneliness, financial stress, and declining health create a vicious cycle that undermines senior well-being. Beyond diagnosis, it evaluates Japan's long-term care systems and anti-isolation policies, pinpointing successes and critical gaps. A pivotal comparison with China illuminates why some policy strategies transfer seamlessly while others falter without cultural and ethical adaptation. For researchers, policymakers, social welfare practitioners, and anyone invested in the future of aging societies, this book offers a comprehensive framework, cross-national lessons, and actionable recommendations to reframe aging as an ethical imperative-one that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and inclusion for all solitary seniors.

This work traces the contours, shape, and development of Webster's Trinitarian theology and subsequently enliven debates in contemporary systematic theology. Rempel deftly takes us from Webster's engagement with Eberhard Juengel and Karl Barth to his later concerns with Trinity, economy and Christian Distinction.

This journey allows Rempel to identify Webster's contributions to contemporary systematic theology with a retrieval of divine perfection as well as a reframing of the doctrines of revelation and election. This work also highlights how Webster's work interacts with and diverges from other major theologians, such as Thomas Aquinas and Robert Jenson. This, ultimately, leaves a work that brings Webster's theology to bear on several debated issues in contemporary systematic theology.

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of Chinese Buddhist rituals and their pivotal role in shaping both Chinese Buddhism and broader Chinese culture. Translated from the revised and enlarged Chinese edition of Zhongguo hanchuan fojiao liyi by Shengkai (Commercial Press, 2020), it addresses a significant gap in current scholarship: the underrepresentation of ritual practices in the study of Chinese Buddhism's development.

While previous research has largely focused on doctrinal, philosophical, and ethical dimensions, this volume emphasizes ritual as a dynamic site of cultural interaction. It argues that the encounter between Indian and Chinese civilizations during Buddhism's transmission to China was not merely theoretical but deeply embodied in ritual forms. These ceremonies served as a medium through which foreign religious ideas were localized, negotiated, and ultimately integrated into Chinese society.

Despite the abundance of surviving ritual texts, the book highlights the difficulty of reconstructing how these rituals were performed in practice. It calls attention to the need for a more nuanced understanding of ritual as lived experience, not just textual tradition. By foregrounding ritual, this book contributes to a richer, more holistic view of Chinese Buddhism and its cultural legacy.