This study investigates the pathways through which data factor agglomeration (DFA) facilitates the green development of traditional firms in the digital economy. First, we construct a micro-theoretical framework to systematically analyze the mechanisms by which data factor agglomeration influences firms’ green and sustainable development. Second, exploiting the establishment of China’s National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zones as a quasi-natural experiment, we employ a difference-in-differences (DID) approach using a panel of A-share listed traditional manufacturing firms from 2011 to 2022. The empirical results indicate that data factor agglomeration significantly promotes green development in traditional firms by accelerating IT and improving capacity utilization (CU) and energy efficiency. These findings remain robust after a battery of robustness checks, including double machine learning (DML) and instrumental-variable approaches. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that the positive effects of data factor agglomeration are more pronounced for state-owned enterprises, firms led by technologically skilled executives, heavily polluting industries, and firms located in regions with stronger government support and stricter environmental regulation. Further analysis uncovers substantial spatial heterogeneity: while the direct effect of data factor agglomeration on local firms’ green development is significantly positive, it generates a “siphoning effect” on geographically adjacent regions, whereas no significant spillover effects are observed among economically similar regions. Overall, this study elucidates the mechanisms and key determinants of green development for traditional firms in the digital era, providing important theoretical and practical implications for global economic growth and sustainable development.

In emerging markets, logistics systems play a critical role in shaping economic integration, the attractiveness of investment, and the potential of development. Differences in logistics performance across countries often reflect in-depth structural conditions related to institutional quality, business environment, and infrastructural capacity, which in turn create distinct development-related opportunities and challenges. This study aims to comparatively assess the logistics performance of emerging markets, in order to identify such structural conditions and their implications for development pathways. To achieve this objective, an integrated “CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation Opportunity Losses‐Based Polar Coordinate Distance” (CRITIC–OPLO-POCOD) Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework was applied to evaluate the logistics performance of 49 emerging markets with four indicators derived from the Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index (AEMLI). The empirical results indicated that business fundamentals were the most influential determinant of logistics performance. The importance of regulatory stability, governance effectiveness, and investment climate has been highlighted. Contrasting structural opportunities and constraints were reflected by the fact that China emerged as the highest-performing country whereas Venezuela consistently ranked lowest. Robustness analysis confirmed a high degree of consistency between the proposed approach and several established decision-making methods, thus supporting the reliability of the findings. Overall, the study provided evidence-based insights into how logistics performance affected the opportunities and challenges in the development of the emerging markets, in order to offer practical implications for policy prioritization and strategic planning.

Food security is a critical issue that not only pertains to public health but also affects productivity and well-being, particularly among tourism sector workers who face demanding work patterns and limited access to nutritious food. This study aims to examine the demographic characteristics of tourism workers in Ubud, analyze the relationship between socioeconomic factors and their food safety awareness, risk perception, and trust, and assess the association between socioeconomic factors and their food purchasing and food handling behaviors. Furthermore, it seeks to identify the main Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) indicators that influence workers’ food choice motives. The research employed a quantitative survey method using a modified 29-item FCQ, administered to workers in the accommodation and culinary sectors through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The findings indicate that the tourism workforce in Ubud is predominantly composed of young workers with secondary-level education and low to middle-income levels. Socioeconomic factors, particularly education and the number of household dependents, are significantly associated with food safety awareness and risk perception, but show weak relationships with trust in the food safety system. Practical considerations, especially price and convenience, primarily drive food purchasing behavior, while the number of dependents and monthly expenditure are associated with food handling and processing practices. PCA identifies five principal dimensions of food choice motives: food awareness, practicality and price, nutritional components, trust in food sources, and consumption culture.

This literature review examines the multifaceted role of digital tools, such as mobile money and online banking, in expanding access to financial services for underserved populations globally. It synthesizes current research on the benefits, challenges, and policy implications of digital financial inclusion. The review highlights how digital financial services (DFS) contribute to poverty reduction, enhanced financial resilience, and economic empowerment, particularly for women, by overcoming traditional barriers like geographic distance and high transaction costs. However, it also critically assesses persistent challenges, including digital and financial literacy gaps, infrastructure limitations, trust deficits, and emerging risks such as fraud and over-indebtedness. The paper concludes by discussing the crucial role of responsive regulatory frameworks and targeted interventions in fostering a truly inclusive and sustainable digital financial ecosystem. It offers directions for future research and policy recommendations.