Substandard medicines in Nepal represent an under-documented yet critical threat to universal health coverage (UHC) and patient safety, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. This opinion piece seeks to illuminate the prevalence, drivers, and far-reaching consequences of compromised pharmaceuticals, drawing on both local and global evidence. This paper offers pragmatic strategies to strengthen regulatory capacity and accountability by spotlighting ethical imperatives and systemic gaps. Bridging best practices from international frameworks with Nepal's unique context, I aim to catalyze policy discourse, cultivate public awareness, and spur multi-sectoral collaboration. Ultimately, the goal is to foster equitable and high-quality healthcare for all, reinforcing the moral imperative of safeguarding the integrity of Nepal's medicine supply.Substandard medicines are a pressing, under-recognized public health crisis in Nepal. Despite expanded healthcare access, compromised pharmaceuticals undermine patient well-being and public trust (1,2). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least one in ten medicines in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is substandard or falsified (3). In Africa, reports indicate up to 18.7% of sampled pharmaceuticals are compromised (4). This global issue is significantly influenced by two of the world's major suppliers of medicine, both domestically and internationally: India and China (5). According to estimates from India's Health Ministry, 5% of the nation's medicines are counterfeit and 0.3% are spurious, with one study suggesting that 75% of counterfeit medicines supplied globally originate in India (6). While recent, precise prevalence data for counterfeit drugs from China is not readily available, its role as a global manufacturing powerhouse is undisputed; for example, the country produces approximately 120 billion aspirin tablets annually for the North American market alone (7). A 2024 literature review highlights the historical scale of the issue, noting that 31% of the world's falsified and counterfeit medications are produced in China and Hong Kong (8). This geopolitical context is critically important for Nepal. The country's porous borders with these major pharmaceutical producers (9), combined with its own under-regulated supply chains, significantly heighten its susceptibility to the circulation of substandard drugs (10).A Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) study found that 15.16% of 244 tested medicine batches failed pharmacopeial standards (11). Alarmingly, 62.16% of these were government-supplied. Compromised products included essential antibiotics, analgesics, and iron supplements, with failures in dissolution, assay, fill volume, and sterility. A 2010-2020 review of drug recall notices in Nepal revealed a surge in recalled products, most frequently antimicrobials (2). These findings indicate an ethical breach: public health facilities primarily serve the underprivileged, disproportionately imposing the burden of substandard medicines on them-a direct affront to the principle of justice (12). Patients, often unaware of compromised drug quality due to identical appearance, are denied meaningful informed consent. This erodes trust in the healthcare system and fuels antimicrobial resistance, a global health security threat with severe implications (3).Limited regulatory capacity exacerbates these dangers. In the Nepalese context, chronic under-resourcing of the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) and the National Medicines Laboratory hampers rapid testing and enforcement (13,14). Testing delays can extend for months, allowing compromised medications to circulate (15). While decentralizing drug procurement to local governments was intended to improve responsiveness, this policy has inadvertently weakened quality control due to a lack of local testing facilities and specialized personnel (14).Nepal's crisis of substandard medicines undermines human rights and core ethical principles.Tolerating this compromise of patient safety is incompatible with universal health coverage (UHC) (16). In Nepal, where a significant portion of the population relies on public health facilities for essential medicines, the prevalence of substandard drugs, especially in public health facilities (17), directly undermines the core tenets of UHC. Specifically, it violates the principle of access to quality healthcare: even if services are nominally affordable or free, receiving ineffective or harmful medication means that true, effective healthcare is not being delivered. Furthermore, the consequences of substandard medicines -prolonged illness, treatment failure, or adverse drug reactions -often lead to increased financial hardship for patients who may require further treatment, hospitalization, or experience loss of income due to illness. This directly contradicts the UHC goal of protecting people from financial risks associated with healthcare (18). This creates a two-tiered system, where those with resources can seek higher-quality care in the private sector, while the most vulnerable are left exposed to potentially dangerous treatments. Addressing this inequity and ensuring the integrity of the medicine supply is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental requirement for social justice. Success requires sustained political commitment, collaboration across sectors, and a steadfast focus on the public interest. Nepal must act decisively to eliminate substandard medicines and ensure equitable, high-quality healthcare for every citizen. This is not merely a matter of improving healthcare statistics; it is about upholding the fundamental dignity and rights of every citizen of Nepal.To address this crisis comprehensively, I argue that Nepal must move beyond isolated interventions and adopt a multi-pronged, systemic approach grounded in international best practices and adapted to the local context. The solution to the challenge of substandard medicines is complex, requiring a foundational shift from reactive detection to proactive prevention and quality assurance throughout the entire supply chain.First, the cornerstone of any effective strategy must be the robust implementation of a national quality assurance framework based on established WHO principles (19). This involves the mandatory adoption and enforcement of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for domestic producers, ensuring that quality is built into products from the outset (20).Critically, this must be complemented by the nationwide implementation of Good Storage Practices (GSP) and Good Distribution Practices (GDP), which are presently lacking in Nepal (2). As detailed in WHO guidelines, this requires establishing a comprehensive Quality Management System that governs every stage of the supply chain, from procurement to delivery. This includes temperature-controlled storage and transport, proper documentation to ensure traceability, and rigorous training for all personnel involved (21,22). The goal is to create a secure, transparent, and controlled environment where opportunities for degradation or the introduction of falsified products are minimized.Second, this preventative framework must be supported by strengthening practices at the point of care through the enforcement of Good Pharmacy Practices (GPP). While pharmacistled detection of visibly substandard medicines is challenging and should not be the primary line of defense, pharmacists are integral to maintaining quality assurance (23). The US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) program has already highlighted the significant impact of GPP implementation on product quality and patient safety in Nepal (24). The urgency of this is underscored by recent local evidence from the Supervision, Performance Assessment, and Recognition Strategy (SPARS) pilot. The baseline assessment from the SPARS pilot, conducted in 2022 across 284 health facilities, revealed alarmingly poor medicines management practices, with an overall median score of only 34% across key performance indicators. Particularly low scores in domains such as storage management and stock management highlight critical, systemic gaps that a robust GPP framework is precisely designed to address (25). Therefore, a renewed focus on GPP-including proper storage, inventory management using the First-Expired-First-Out (FEFO) principle, and patient counselling (26,27)-is not merely a recommendation but an evidence-based necessity to safeguard medicine quality at the final stage of the supply chain.Third, a fundamental overhaul of the national regulatory body is imperative. While establishing a new, fully autonomous commission with civil society oversight represents an ideal long-term goal, a more pragmatic and immediate strategy is to empower the existing Department of Drug Administration (DDA). Given Nepal's resource constraints, strengthening the current regulatory infrastructure is a more feasible first step. Following successful models from other nations, such as the autonomous South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) (28), granting the DDA greater operational and financial autonomy would be transformative. An empowered DDA could then engage in the kind of international collaboration essential for modern pharmacovigilance, such as the recent Memorandum of Understanding between SAHPRA and Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to share regulatory information and expertise (29). Recent progress within Nepal indicates a readiness for such advancement; for instance, with support from USAID MTaPS, the DDA has begun modernizing its document management system by installing secure, access-controlled repositories to increase efficiency and security (30).While these foundational improvements are commendable, they must be viewed as the first steps in a much longer journey. Full regulatory maturity requires sustained investment to build upon these gains. This must include a significant increase in the number of trained inspectors and a shift towards a risk-based inspection model that prioritizes systematic laboratory testing of products from importers and wholesalers before they enter the market, thereby ensuring quality at the source rather than attempting to recall products that have already been dispensed.Finally, these systemic and regulatory reforms should be amplified by leveraging modern technology and strengthening post-market surveillance. A vital component underpinning all these reforms is compliance with Good Practice (GxP) principles. GxP is an acronym for a collection of quality guidelines and regulations designed to ensure that products within heavily regulated industries, such as pharmaceuticals, are consistently safe, effective, and fit for their intended use (31). This framework is not a single standard but an ecosystem of practices-including GMP, GSP, and GPP-that collectively safeguard product integrity.While technology is not a panacea, rigorous track-and-trace systems-using technologies like blockchain or simple 2D barcoding-offer a powerful tool for enforcing GxP compliance and achieving end-to-end visibility. This enables regulators to verify authenticity and rapidly identify diversions in the supply chain (32,33). Such systems, proven to be cost-effective in settings like Bangladesh (34), would support the broader GxP framework (31) and provide crucial data for the empowered DDA. Within this enhanced surveillance system, pharmacists, supported by legally protected reporting mechanisms, become vital nodes for reporting suspected adverse events or quality issues, thereby creating a feedback loop that strengthens the entire regulatory ecosystem (35).The integrity of a nation's medicine supply is a direct reflection of its commitment to health equity and social justice. For Nepal, the continued presence of substandard medicines in the supply chain represents a fundamental contradiction to its goal of achieving universal health coverage. The systemic reforms proposed-implementing a robust GxP framework, empowering an autonomous regulator, and leveraging technology for surveillance-are not merely technical exercises; they are essential acts of building trust with the nation's most vulnerable citizens and affirming their right to safe, effective healthcare. Moving forward, the challenge is not one of awareness, but of political will and sustained action. Ensuring the quality of every pill and vial is not just a matter of public health policy-it is a fundamental test of Nepal's promise of equitable healthcare for all.
Over 1.7 billion people lack basic sanitation, and 2 billion rely on contaminated drinking water, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. Decentralized solutions offer a viable alternative to centralized systems but face barriers in governance, finance, and the Product Development Process (PDP). This paper examines challenges across seven PDP stages—Function, Assembly, Deployment, Maintenance, Upscaling, Disassembly, and Transfer—through a two-step qualitative sequential design approach. Findings reveal critical gaps, including insufficient funding for maintenance, fragmented regulatory frameworks, and neglect of end-of-life management. Humanitarian markets prioritize speed over sustainability, poor markets demand low-cost designs but lack institutional support, and emerging markets face regulatory complexity and uneven scalability. Practical recommendations include simplifying funding, adopting user-centered modular designs, and strengthening local capacity through partnerships. Future research should focus on governance reforms, sustainable maintenance, and scaling pathways to ensure innovations address the urgent needs of underserved populations. Theoretically, this paper advances understanding of how PDP challenges intersect with market typologies in resource-constrained contexts, offering a framework to analyze and address systemic barriers to innovation. This study contributes to the field of innovation for resource-constrained markets by providing actionable insights for technology providers, financers, and local implementers to address systemic governance, financial, and operational gaps in the PDP.
Energy access and utilization remain highly unequal across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, despite the region's vast natural resources and growing energy needs. This study examines the differential inequalities in energy access and utilization in selected SSA countries, focusing on demand and supply-side constraints, technological opportunities, and the role of government and private sector interventions. The review paper highlights the persistent energy poverty affecting over 600 million people in SSA, particularly in rural areas, where reliance on traditional biomass remains prevalent. Infrastructure deficiencies, high energy costs, and inadequate policy frameworks further exacerbate these inequalities. The paper underscores the critical role of governments in formulating effective energy policies, implementing subsidies, and fostering public-private partnerships to expand sustainable energy access. The private sector's involvement in financing and deploying decentralized energy solutions is identified as a key driver of progress. Recommendations include strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, expanding regional power pools, investing in decentralized energy solutions, and promoting financial inclusion through innovative funding mechanisms. By addressing these challenges, SSA can move towards achieving equitable and sustainable energy access, fostering economic growth, and improving overall quality of life as key objectives of achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Atique Ul Hassan, Ergun Gide, Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry
The transition to renewable energy is imperative for sustainable development, particularly in rural and remote regions where conventional grid connections may be unreliable or absent. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in rural and remote Australia encounter considerable challenges in embracing renewable energy, such as high initial costs, inadequate infrastructure, and technical knowledge gap. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, machine learning and decentralized energy solutions present promising opportunities to overcome such challenges. This review paper discusses how emerging technologies can assist SMEs in adopting renewable energy by optimizing energy consumption, enhancing grid resilience, and facilitating peer-to-peer energy trading. Furthermore, advancements in battery storage, smart microgrids, and financing models like tokenized green credits can improve accessibility and affordability. By using emerging technologies, SMEs can decrease energy expenses, meet sustainability objectives, and contribute to Australia’s transition to clean energy. This paper examines how modern technologies can be leveraged to promote renewable energy adoption by SMEs in rural and remote regions of Australia, improve operational resilience, and foster sustainable economic growth.
Sustainable finance is becoming an essential tool in addressing critical global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion with the youth generation emerging as a central driver for green investment models.The research identifies new participatory financial systems led by youth, which promote sustainable development, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, climate change, and the circular economy.We achieve this by examining the shift in investment patterns in general, as well as the specific trends among rich young entrepreneurs, activists, and technologists.This is carried out through an indepth analysis of grassroots actions, case studies, and decentralized finance (DeFi) models.The article explores new ways of engaging youth in crowdfunding platforms, green bonds, tokenized carbon credits, and venture funds that focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, bringing sustainability finance within the reach of all and reducing the entry barrier to green innovation.Furthermore, the study sheds light on the interaction between the benefits of technology and finance, as well as the use of blockchain, AI, and other fintech solutions provided by youth-led platforms to maintain accountability, traceability, and scalability in green investment projects.The paper also examines policy gaps and institutional issues contributing to the inability of young people to access sustainable finance and provides recommendations to facilitate an environment that can foster innovation as well as inclusion in it.The study also identifies young changemakers as key drivers in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), by placing them in perspective not just as recipients of sustainable finance, but as creators of its ecosystems.This piece of work is part of the debate around inclusive green growth and a roadmap in terms of empowering the future generation to live within the context of the sustainable economic model.
M. S. Sadiq, Invinder Paul Sıngh, Muhammad Makarfi Ahmad, Bashir Sanyinna Sani
Post-harvest losses represent a major challenge to global food systems, accounting for up to 30–50% of agricultural output losses, particularly in perishable crops such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and fish. These losses significantly impact food security, farmer incomes, and national economies—most acutely in developing countries where infrastructure is limited. Cold storage technologies have emerged as one of the most effective solutions to address this issue by preserving the quality and shelf life of perishable produce. In recent years, agritech start-ups, driven by innovative youth entrepreneurs, have been at the forefront of deploying scalable and affordable cold storage solutions, ranging from solar-powered cooling units to mobile refrigeration systems and decentralized storage networks. This communication critically examines the dynamic intersection of cold storage innovations, youth entrepreneurship, and agricultural value chains. It explores the relevance of key theoretical models such as innovation diffusion theory, sustainable livelihoods framework, and supply chain integration theory to understand the adoption and impact of cold storage technologies. Through case studies and evidence from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, we highlight how youth-led start-ups are leveraging technology, financing, and digital platforms to bridge critical gaps in agri-logistics. Despite these promising developments, challenges persist, including high capital costs, inconsistent energy supply, inadequate technical skills, and weak policy support. As such, this study explores enabling policy frameworks, investment opportunities, and capacity-building strategies necessary for the sustainable deployment of cold storage solutions. Emphasis is placed on the transformative potential of youth-driven innovations in shaping resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart agri-food systems.
Brittany Hagedorn, Jeremy Cooper, Oluwole Odutolu, Ojukwu Mark Ojukwu · 5 authors
Abstract Background The availability of essential medicines and supplies remains a serious impediment to effective primary health care (PHC) in many lower and lower middle-income countries. Most of these countries rely on centralized procurement, centralized stores, and a “push” distribution system. We describe here the impacts of a large-scale randomized trial in Nigeria, which provided modest funding directly to facilities to spend, on supply availability. Methods Districts in three states were randomly allocated to either direct facility financing (DFF) or performance-based financing (PBF) and matched to a control group. Both DFF and PBF transferred funds to facility bank accounts and allowed the facility management committee to spend on operational costs, including essential drugs. Facilities could procure medicines on the government’s essential drug list from pre-approved suppliers if they were certified by the national drug regulator. We conducted a difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis using facility survey data to assess the impact on availability of essential drugs and supplies. Results Drug availability was initially similar for the three arms of the trial (9 of 29 essential medicines). After three years, DFF and PBF facilities had significantly higher product availability than control (p<0.05). This amounted to an increase of 28/ 34 percentage points in DFF/PBF facilities (an additional 8/10 products, respectively), and only 10% in control (3 additional products). We did note that there was little difference between control and intervention arms in the availability of medicines for donor-supported vertical programs like immunization, family planning, and malaria. However, there were very large improvements for products like antibiotics, obstetrical drugs, diagnostics, and TB medications. Conclusion Providing funds directly to health facilities improved drug availability. It was superior to the typical centralized procurement and “push” distribution system that is widespread in lower-income settings. This approach is already spreading and should be adopted more widely.
Muhammad Mukhlis Kamarul Zaman, Zahari Md Rodzi, Yusrina Andu, Nur Aima Shafie · 7 authors
Blockchain integration in microfinance is beginning to reshape the scenario of financial inclusion and economic empowerment in emerging markets. To support a strategic decision on adoption, the study introduces the Adaptive Utility Ranking Algorithm (AURA), a newly established Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method to be used in evaluating blockchain-based alternatives relevant to microfinance in Malaysia. AURA stands apart from traditional MCDM techniques in that it has a distance function that is flexible and a normalization scheme that is dynamic by nature, thereby making it capable of offering the decision maker more leverage in terms of adaptability to actual economic conditions. For demonstrating the methodology, a simulated dataset based on eight blockchain-modeled alternatives and six criteria considered important in economic performance was constructed. These criteria were used for sensitivity analysis; the application of comparative evaluation of well-known MCDM methods such as TOPSIS, VIKOR, and COBRA; and robustness checks with the simulation methodology, all of which helped attest to the reliability of AURA. Even though it was based on synthetic data, the study has provided strong conceptual insight into the possibility of financial institutions being able to prioritize options from the technology perspective under complex economic constraints. Portraying AURA as a competitive decision-support tool for technology evaluation in microfinance will certainly make an impact.
Background: Solidity is the primary programming language used for developing smart contracts on Ethereum, representing a new generation of programming languages developed entirely in open environments. Objective: This longitudinal case study examines contribution patterns and emotional dynamics within the Solidity GitHub repository over a ten-year period (2014-2024). Method: We developed a contribution index combining metrics from developer activities (commits, pull requests, comments, and temporal engagement) and applied emotion detection to study communication patterns in a decade-long dataset of developer interactions. Results: The top 1 % of contributors are responsible for around 85 % of project contributions, yet the project exhibits dual paths to prominence: early contributors established technical foundations through code, while later contributors achieved influence through reviews and discussions. Emotional patterns show transitions from initial curiosity and confusion to eventual approval and gratitude. Conclusion: The project's recognition of diverse contribution types and evolving emotional dynamics enables sustainable growth despite concentrated contributions, demonstrating how open-source languages can evolve while maintaining both technical rigor and community engagement.
Introduction Technological change is a mega trend that drives sustainable development in the agrifood sector globally. The introduction of BanQu, a blockchain-enabled platform, aimed to address challenges like lack of transparency, side-selling, and unfair pricing in Uganda's barley value chain, but its acceptance has been slow. While blockchain adoption has thrived in developed countries and large supply chains, empirical evidence on its uptake among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Uganda, remains limited. This study investigates determinants of smallholder barley farmers' intentions to accept blockchain technology (BCT) in Uganda. Methods The study utilized the second extension of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2), customized to fit Uganda's context. Quantitative data were gathered from 245 farmers in Bukwo and Kween, the two leading barley-producing districts in eastern Uganda. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results and discussion The study showed that perceived usefulness (PU) significantly influenced behavioral intention (BI) and shaped perceived ease of use (PEU). Subjective norms (SUN) and voluntariness (BV) enhanced PU, while perceived behavioral control (PBC) improved PEU. Notably, BCT relevance (BR) directly influenced BI, bypassing PU. These findings provide fresh insights into rural technology adoption, highlighting PU's influence on PEU and BV's role in shaping PU. The study recommends emphasizing BCT benefits such as reducing transaction costs, leveraging social networks, and addressing resource gaps to boost acceptance. This study advances understanding of BCT adoption among smallholder farmers in emerging economies like Uganda.
Natalia Zakharchenko, Natalia Dobrova, Eduard Karazhiya
This article examines the key sectors and emerging trends in venture capital investment focused on technology startups.It highlights industries such as fintech, biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, clean technology, robotics, and the metaverse that are increasingly attracting the attention of venture capitalists.Purpose.The purpose of the study is to analyze the rise of venture capital investment in startups aligned with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles, focusing on how these companies contribute to sustainable business development and long-term value creation.The study also explores new opportunities for venture investment beyond traditional hubs such as Silicon Valley.Findings.The findings demonstrate the growing importance of ESG-compliant startups, which are attracting significant support due to their focus on environmental sustainability and social responsibility.The article also looks at the democratization of access to venture capital through crowdfunding and decentralized finance (DeFi), enabling a wider range of startups to raise funds.In addition, the article describes examples of 2023 startups, such as Trove, Charm Industrial, Ecovative Design, Ampersand, Verne Global, Living Carbon, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, and TerraPower, that have received significant venture backing for their innovations in renewable energy, carbon capture, clean transportation, and sustainable materials.Conclusions.Venture capital investment in technology startups is evolving rapidly, driven by the need for innovation in sustainable sectors and global economic shifts.The research shows that ESG-focused companies and new financial models have an important role to play in shaping the future of venture capital and driving long-term growth in key technology sectors.
Halima Ahmad Gwadabe, Shehu-Alimi Elelu, Musa Ojeba Innocent, Ganiyat Omotayo Ibrahim · 6 authors
Infectious disease control and environmental sustainability are interconnected challenges requiring integrated solutions. Traditional approaches often overlook their synergies, limiting long-term effectiveness. This study explores win-win strategies that simultaneously enhance public health outcomes and promote environmental sustainability. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, analyzing sustainable health interventions, policy frameworks, and technological innovations. Key areas such as integrated vector management [IVM], water, sanitation, and hygiene [WASH] programs, and climate-resilient health strategies were examined. Findings highlight that IVM reduces vector-borne diseases while minimizing pesticide resistance, WASH interventions prevent waterborne diseases and reduce pollution, and climate adaptation strategies mitigate disease risks while promoting ecological balance. Policy recommendations include decentralized health governance, incentives for sustainable practices, and global financing mechanisms. Technological innovations such as mobile health [mHealth], big data analytics, and eco-friendly health technologies enhance sustainability and efficiency. Integrating sustainability into infectious disease control is critical for long-term global health security. Future research should focus on scalable solutions and interdisciplinary approaches to maximize health and environmental benefits.
The financial market has gone into paradigm shift from strict, highly regulated centralized system to open, easily accessible and permission less infrastructure for the last decades. These are powered by blockchain technologies. Decentralize Exchange is the primary source for this transformation which enables the direct person to person trading without intermediaries. DEXs also facilitates innovative entrepreneurial models in the Web3 which is an internet-built block chain technology where information is stored across multiple computers rather than central servers that create peer to peer communication without intermediaries. It also helps in the DeFi ecosystem, which is an emerging financial system using blockchain and crypto currencies to enable direct transactions without intermediaries. DEXs offer wide opportunities for SMEs, Startups, and marginalized communities in India. Despite its potential financial inclusion, sustainable growth and capital democratization still remain challenges in adoption of technology due to regulatory ambiguity, socio cultural barriers and complexity of technology. This paper examines the potential of Decentralized Exchange in fostering inclusive digital entrepreneurship in India. This study also analyzes the Tamil Nadu readiness in adopting blockchain technology. It develops a conceptual framework of linking DEX adoption, sustainability, and socio-economic outcomes. The study includes the theories like the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Institutional Theory (IT), and Diffusion of innovation (DOF) and proposes testable hypothesis and proposition to guide empirical research and policy formulation.
Jamilya Nurgazina, Joaquín Ordieres‐Meré, Thomas Moser, Gerald Reiner
Food donation became a strategy for reducing food waste and food insecurity. However, incentivizing food bank supply chain (FBSC) stakeholders to donate food instead of disposing of it, especially in the retail sector, is still a major challenge. The lack of transparency and incentives, process inefficiencies, and the lack of evidence on the effectiveness of food donations are some of the reasons that hinder the widespread adoption of food donation practices. Emerging technologies, such as distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), can potentially facilitate food donation processes (FDPs) by improving stakeholder communication, reducing distribution time, and extending the remaining shelf life of donated food products. With the existing lack of empirical studies on the technologysupported food donation and food sharing practices as well as on measuring their impact, this study provides an outlook on quantitative impact of DLTs implementation and their anticipated potential in FBSCs. A case study with two Austrian non-profit organizations in the food donation sector provided empirical input for developing and evaluating a simulation model. This study estimates the DLTs' implementation potential towards reducing food waste generated across two stakeholder levels, increasing the extent of satisfied demand in the FDP, and increasing the effectiveness of food donations by means of system dynamics modeling.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly framed as a driver of economic transformation, yet its capacity to alleviate poverty in the Global South remains contested. This article introduces the notion of AI Economics—the political economy of value creation, extraction, and redistribution in AI systems—to interrogate h ow innovation agendas intersect with structural inequalities. This article examines how Social Innovation (SI) systems, when coupled with decentralized Web3 technologies such as blockchain, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), and data cooperatives, may challenge data monopolies, redistribute economic gains, and support inclusive development. Drawing on Action Research (AR) conducted during the AI4SI International Summer School in Donostia-San Sebastián, this article compares two contrasting ecosystems: (i) the Established AI4SI Ecosystem, marked by centralized governance and uneven benefits, and (ii) the Decentralized Web3 Emerging Ecosystem, which promotes community-driven innovation, data sovereignty, and alternative economic models. Findings underscore AI’s dual economic role: while it can expand digital justice, service provision, and empowerment, it also risks reinforcing dependency and inequality where infrastructures and governance remain weak. This article concludes that embedding AI Economics in context-sensitive, decentralized social innovation systems—aligned with ethical governance and the SDGs—is essential for realizing AI’s promise of poverty alleviation in the Global South.
This article investigates how Web3 decentralization unfolds in practice and asks two guiding questions: (i) How democratic are decentralized governance systems in practice? (ii) Under what institutional conditions can technological decentralization translate into social inclusion? Based on multi-year ethnographic fieldwork (2022–2025) across Silicon Valley, Washington, D.C., Europe, and the Global South, this study draws on participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and comparative analysis of seven ecosystems—Ethereum, MakerDAO, Uniswap, Mastodon, Celo, Grassroots Economics, and GoodDollar. The findings show that participation asymmetries are structural: token-based governance is dominated by a small group of technically skilled or capital-rich actors, while voter turnout often remains below ten percent. Intermediaries such as foundations, developers, NGOs, and cooperatives are indispensable for coordination, contradicting the idea of hierarchy-free decentralization. In contrast, projects that institutionalize clear membership, monitoring, and accountability—particularly in cooperative and federated settings—display stronger democratic resilience. Comparative evidence also reveals oligarchic consolidation in Global North ecosystems and infrastructural exclusion in the Global South. These results substantiate what Richard R. Nelson termed “the Moon and the Ghetto” paradox: extraordinary technical innovation without corresponding social progress. Interpreted through innovation systems theory, the study concludes that advancing decentralized technologies requires parallel investment in mission-oriented institutions that ensure participation, equity, and accountability in digital infrastructures.
Public Health Ration Distribution systems (PHRDS) are essential for ensuring food security for millions of people around the world. However, these systems are often plagued by challenges such as lack of transparency, corruption, and inefficiencies. These challenges can lead to food insecurity, limited coverage, and a lack of trust in the system. Block chain technology has the potential to address many of the challenges facing public ration distribution systems. Block chain is a distributed ledger technology that allows for the secure and transparent recording of transactions. In the context of the PDS, block chain could be used to create a tamper-proof record of the movement of subsidized commodities from the government to the end beneficiaries. The use of block chain technology would provide a number of benefits for the public ration distribution system. Increased transparency would make it much more difficult for individuals to divert or leak commodities. Enhanced accountability would help to reduce corruption. Improved efficiency would lead to faster distribution of subsidized commodities to beneficiaries. In addition to these benefits, the use of block chain technology could also help to build trust in the public ration distribution system. By providing a transparent and tamper-proof record of all transactions, block chain could help to ensure that subsidized commodities are reaching the people who need them most. The focus is on addressing the challenges faced by farmers in the procurement process of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India. The proposed solution using block chain technology would involve creating a distributed ledger that would record all transactions related to the public ration distribution system. This ledger would be accessible to all stakeholders in the system, including the government, farmers, millers, transporters, and ration shop owners. This would create a tamper-proof record of the movement of commodities from the government to the end beneficiaries.