Background Social enterprises must balance between profitability and sustainability. The impetus on sustainability grew further after the adaption of the SDG agenda by the United Nations (UN). Objective This paper examines the role of social enterprises in helping attain sustainable development goals in India. Research design This multi-stage paper comprises three studies directed at scale development, scale refinement, pre-testing, and construct validity. The scale development stage is conducted through a combination of extensive literature review and focused group discussions. Expert discussions and item-reduction techniques have been used in the second stage aimed at scale refinement and pre-testing. The third stage of testing construct validity is carried out through Partial Least Square–Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results The findings suggest that all the competencies of social enterprises identified in the study i.e. social mission, collaborative networks, innovation, financial viability and level of scalability significantly impact sustainable development. Conclusion Because the goals of social enterprises and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are mutually reinforcing and complementary, the study suggests that social enterprises have a lot of potential for achieving the SDGs. The study also suggests future research directions and policy implications that can be replicated in other countries.

In this paper we introduce a new virtual test environment realized in MaxWhere which can be used to model and compare different control algorithms for a line follower robot.

The article deals with DIC (Digital Image Correlation) tests on steel plates used in the automotive and railway industries, as well as in the construction industry. The most critical part of DIC tests is the quality of proper surface preparation, painting, and random patterns. The paint mediates the deformation of the optical systems, and its quality is paramount. The authors’ goal in this research is to determine the optimal dye–cleaning–drying time parameters for DIC studies. Commercially available surface preparation and cleaning agents were tested alongside commercially available spray paints. Standard and specific qualification procedures were applied for the measurements. Once the appropriate parameters were determined, the results were validated and qualified by GOM ARAMIS tests. Based on the results, DIC measurements can be performed with higher accuracy and safety in laboratorial and industrial conditions, compared to the traditional deformation measurements executed by dial gauges or linear variable differential transformers.

HR-CS-GFAAS methods were developed for the fast determination of Cu in domestic and commercially available Hungarian distilled alcoholic beverages (called pálinka), in order to decide if their Cu content exceeds the permissible limit, as legislated by the WHO. Some microliters of samples were directly dispensed into the atomizer. Graphite furnace heating programs, effects/amounts of the Pd modifier, alternative wavelengths (e.g., Cu I 249.2146 nm), external calibration and internal standardization methods were studied. Applying a fast graphite furnace heating program without any chemical modifier, the Cu content of a sample could be quantitated within 1.5 min. The detection limit of the method is 0.03 mg/L. Calibration curves are linear up to 10–15 mg/L Cu. Spike-recoveries ranged from 89% to 119% with an average of 100.9 ± 8.5%. Internal calibration could be applied with the assistance of Cr, Fe, and/or Rh standards. The accuracy of the GFAAS results was verified by TXRF analyses.

New occurrences of the Origmatrachys gracilis (Hirschmann, 1976), Graecatrachys mesofovea (Hirschmann, 1976), and Arculatatrachys pomberoi Kontschán & Ermilov, 2022 are presented from Paraguay with the description of a new trachyuropodid mite species (Leonardiella aoao sp. nov.). This is the first report of the genus Leonardiella from Paraguay, from South America, and from continental America as well. The new species differs from the congeners in dorsal setation and ring-like, strongly sclerotized structures on the ventral idiosoma.

This study explores how social innovation and multi-level governance (MLG) can enhance regional resilience and help overcome the Middle-Income Trap (MIT) through cooperative, community-driven strategies. Focusing on Hungarian self-governments, it examines twinning partnerships—formal relationships between settlements—as potential catalysts of social innovation and regional cohesion. A nationwide questionnaire survey (Number of settlements surveyed: 409; representative by settlement type) conducted between 2024 and 2025 evaluated the motivations, intensity and impacts of these partnerships. The findings reveal that intraethnic twinning networks are more socially active and locally grounded, strengthening community identity and civic participation, even though they provide limited direct economic benefits. By fostering trust, collaboration, and cross-border interaction, these partnerships act as effective platforms for social innovation, supporting more inclusive and territorially integrated development across Central and Eastern Europe.

The preparatory operations of DIC (Digital Image Correlation) tests were investigated in this study, with special emphasis on specimen cleaning and painting operations. As it is well known, DIC tests are non-contact and applied in materials research, the analysis of complex structures, and, nowadays, the construction industry. The use of DIC technologies has seen a dynamic increase in all scientific fields. In our study, aluminum body panels for automotive and railway applications were tested using this technique. There are many articles on proper patterning in the literature but fewer on preparation and priming. These are critical for a successful DIC measurement. This paper looks at different surface cleaners and primers with different grading procedures and will also determine the time window within which the paint should be applied. Finally, the GOM ARAMIS system was applied to measure and characterize the painted surface and visible deformation defects resulting from inadequate painting.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to identify the key labour-market skills, the challenges graduates face and recommendations for aligning higher education with employer expectations in Hungary, a Central European country. This study underscores the importance of soft skills, such as adaptability, problem-solving and independence, for graduates in the Hungarian labour market. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey was conducted among all students of a Hungarian university involved in work placements (n = 1, 556). The research subjects were the organisations where undergraduate students from a Hungarian university completed their practical semester, and a total of 1, 556 student evaluations were processed. The study analysed 15 distinct skills suggested by NACE and identified four factors: agility, professional knowledge, interpersonal skills and generic skills. Findings – The study's findings indicate that agility, encompassing adaptability, problem-solving skills and independence, emerged as the paramount criterion in employers' evaluations. The findings indicate substantial disparities in the perceived significance and assessment of skills across diverse academic disciplines. The research findings show that, in the labour market, soft skills may be more significant than technical expertise. The subsequent development of the skills and competence measurement tool identified in the literature review is proposed, particularly with respect to the hard and soft skills of the field of study. Research limitations/implications – The main limitation of this research is the use of a non-validated measurement instrument developed for internal quality management, which may lack scientific rigour. Additionally, the application of a uniform competency framework across all disciplines prevents the study from capturing the specific skill nuances required by different professional fields. Practical implications – Universities should move beyond simply adding soft skills modules and instead embed cognitive and interpersonal development across all curricula. Key mechanisms for this include structured industry partnerships, work-integrated learning and a shared competency framework that aligns academic content with specific labour-market expectations. Social implications – By addressing the skills mismatch, these findings foster a more efficient transition from education to employment, ultimately enhancing graduate career prospects. Recognising the hierarchical structure of skills, where technical knowledge is the baseline but agility and interpersonal skills drive advancement, helps society better prepare a workforce capable of long-term professional growth. Originality/value – This study underscores the significance of soft skills in the Central European/Hungarian labour market context, offering direct evidence from employer evaluations of student work placements. The implications of this phenomenon extend to the need for educational reform that integrates soft skills training. Furthermore, there is a compelling need for enhanced collaboration between universities and employers. Additionally, policy adjustments are imperative to ensure the successful implementation of these changes. Aligning educational curricula with employer expectations can help mitigate the skills gap and stimulate economic growth in Central Europe.

The seafood sector is essential for global food security and economic development; however, it encounters substantial challenges, including labor shortages, sustainability issues, and the necessity for enhanced efficiency. Advanced technologies such as robotics, drones, and autonomous systems are increasingly being integrated into multiple stages of the seafood value chain, encompassing harvesting and distribution, to address these challenges. These technologies provide solutions through the enhancement of operational efficiency, improvement of product quality, and promotion of sustainability. This chapter examines the automation of processing and packaging through robotics, the enhancement of aquaculture and fishery monitoring via drones, and the optimization of logistics and environmental management by autonomous systems. The chapter also highlights challenges associated with the adoption of these technologies, such as elevated costs, regulatory concerns, and the necessity for technical expertise. Several real-world use cases are presented to demonstrate the practical application and benefits of each technology. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the scalability of these technologies for smaller enterprises, their integration throughout the value chain, and their environmental and social implications. Addressing these areas enables the seafood sector to leverage technology more effectively for a sustainable and efficient future.