Currently, the most significant threat to the validity of academic credentials in the United States is the advanced forgery of transcripts along with diploma mills. This research study addresses the potential of blockchain technology as a decentralized means to protect academic credentials. By integrating recent academic research and technical frameworks, this study analyzes the shift from centralized databases to immutable, distributed ledgers. The integration of various perspectives, including advanced zero-knowledge proof architectures as well as legal frameworks for transnational data circulation, is a major innovation of this study. Using a systematic literature review and a case study approach, the research indicates that though blockchain's potential to enhance security and automate processes through smart contracts is indeed great, a number of legal, compliance, and technical barriers have to be removed for it to be a viable option. This study proposes that the combination of artificial intelligence (AI), along with blockchain technology, provides the most secure option for U.S. higher education institutions.
This chapter proposes an integrated Blockchain–IoT–AI framework for secure and intelligent quality traceability, particularly in agricultural and rice supply chains. It explains how IoT sensors can continuously collect physical and environmental information, AI models can analyze images and sensor data for quality assessment, and blockchain can securely record important quality events and processing information. The framework supports unique digital identities for rice batches, quality monitoring, defect detection, moisture estimation, quality scoring, and QR-based access to traceability information. The chapter examines applications in rice quality certification, smart rice mills, food safety, warehouses, export-quality monitoring, consumer verification, and government procurement. Challenges related to data quality, sensor reliability, interoperability, stakeholder participation, scalability, and regulatory coordination are also addressed.
The programmable economy lacks a universal computational layer capable of interpreting, translating, verifying, and simulating the mathematical and cryptographic operations that underpin digital assets. Existing tools are fragmented: wallet software provides only rudimentary transaction signing, portfolio trackers offer aggregated views without evidence, and specialized calculators address isolated problems. No general-purpose, cryptographically verifiable, language-native computational environment exists for digital value. KHOTOR is designed to fill this gap. It is a universal, deterministic runtime that interprets the anti-entropic linguistic protocol Kryptophon, transforms plain-language queries into executable computational expressions, and performs multi-domain financial mathematics across asset conversion, transaction analysis, decentralized finance, tokenomics simulation, cryptographic proof generation, and risk assessment. Every output carries an epistemic classification — verified, observed, inferred, simulated, or uncertain — and can be exported as a Gamma-Proof: a cryptographically signed, independently verifiable artifact. This paper presents the complete KHOTOR architecture: a ten-layer computational engine, a formal abstract machine for Kryptophon evaluation, a tiered adoption model that makes the programmable economy accessible to non-technical users while creating a new domain of expertise for professionals, and a product family spanning a public cloud API, a web platform, a handheld consumer device, and integration with dedicated hardware instruments. All components are designed around a single governing principle: every calculation shows its work, every output carries a truth label, and no inference is ever presented as fact.
Beacon Kit: Ecosystem epoch heartbeat @ the world game (s). Block-time arbitrage tokenized commodity index, adaptive procedural template @ system of federated DeFi cryptocurrency quantum - AI systems consensus
The rapid growth of cryptocurrencies and increasing instability in traditional financial systems have significantly transformed global investment behaviour in recent years. In developing countries experiencing economic crises and currency depreciation, investors increasingly seek alternative financial assets that can preserve value and generate higher returns. Sri Lanka has recently experienced severe economic instability characterised by inflation, foreign-exchange shortages, sovereign debt problems, and rapid depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee. Under these conditions, interest in cryptocurrency investment has increased, particularly among younger and technologically aware investors. Therefore, this study examines whether fiat currency devaluation shifts investment from the stock market to the cryptocurrency market among university students in Sri Lanka. The study adopts a quantitative research approach and uses primary data collected through a structured questionnaire from 150 final-year undergraduate students at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Stratified random sampling was used to select respondents from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, and the Faculty of Applied Sciences. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and binary logistic regression were employed to analyse the relationship between rupee depreciation and cryptocurrency investment behaviour. The findings reveal that depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee significantly influences investment decisions among university students. Most respondents perceived cryptocurrency investment as more profitable than stock-market investment during periods of economic uncertainty. The chi-square analysis identified significant relationships between cryptocurrency investment behaviour and age, income, stock-market investment, and perceptions of rupee depreciation. Furthermore, the binary logistic regression results confirmed that rupee depreciation positively and significantly affects cryptocurrency investment, whereas stock-market investment had a negative relationship with cryptocurrency investment behaviour. The study concludes that economic instability, declining confidence in fiat currency, and increasing awareness of digital financial systems encourage university students in Sri Lanka to shift their investment preferences from the traditional stock market to cryptocurrency.
The article examines the concept of legal settlement finality as applied to two fundamentally different payment instruments — decentralized cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The author analyzes the absence of a statutory definition of settlement finality in Russian financial law, compares the approaches of Russia, China, India and the UAE, and studies judicial practice and doctrine. Based on a comparative legal analysis, an original definition of the legal finality of digital settlement is proposed, and liability regimes for payment process participants prior to transaction completion are differentiated in relation to cryptocurrency P2P transactions and CBDC operations.
This systematic review synthesises empirical research on individual-level cryptocurrency adoption, distinguishing adoption intention, actual adoption and use, and continuance intention and use. We searched Scopus and Web of Science for English-language empirical studies published between 2019 and 2025 and synthesised findings using a structured narrative approach. Eighty-five studies were included, with reported sample sizes summing to 56,054 participants. No formal study-level risk-of-bias assessment was conducted. The literature was dominated by cross-sectional quantitative studies and technology-adoption frameworks, particularly UTAUT, TAM, TPB, and DOI. Evidence was strongly concentrated on adoption intention (n = 75), whereas actual adoption and use (n = 16) and continuance intention and use (n = 8) were examined much less frequently. Across studies, adoption was associated with psychological, technological, social, economic, knowledge-related, institutional, and individual factors, with no single determinant consistently dominating across outcomes. The synthesis further distinguished direct predictors, mediating mechanisms, moderators, drivers, and barriers. The evidence base is limited by its reliance on self-reported, cross-sectional designs and uneven coverage of realised and continued engagement. Future research should more clearly specify adoption outcomes and use longitudinal, behavioural, and post-adoption designs.
R. Priyadharsini, Ravikanth Reddy Vadamala, R. Raajalakshmi, K. Raghav Prasad · 5 authors
The rapid transformation of global business environments driven by digitalization, technological advancement, changing consumer expectations, and competitive market dynamics has significantly altered traditional marketing practices and strategic business operations. Organizations operating in highly dynamic economic ecosystems are increasingly recognizing that conventional marketing frameworks alone are insufficient to sustain long-term growth, customer engagement, and market relevance. In this context, innovation-driven marketing models have emerged as a critical strategic approach that integrates creativity, data intelligence, technological innovation, customer-centric design, and adaptive business strategies to enhance organizational competitiveness and sustainable value creation. This research examines the growing significance of innovation-driven marketing models and their influence on consumer behavior, brand positioning, digital engagement, operational efficiency, and business sustainability across modern industries. The study explores how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, blockchain, cloud computing, augmented reality, and social media ecosystems are transforming traditional marketing processes into highly personalized, predictive, and experience-oriented systems capable of responding to rapidly evolving market demands. The research further investigates how innovation-oriented marketing strategies support product differentiation, dynamic pricing, omnichannel communication, customer relationship management, and real-time market responsiveness in both online and offline commercial environments. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of innovation in enhancing customer engagement through interactive digital platforms, data-driven personalization, automated communication systems, influencer-based branding strategies, and experiential marketing campaigns. The study also evaluates how organizations leverage innovative business models to improve customer retention, market expansion, and strategic decision-making while simultaneously addressing challenges related to market uncertainty, consumer trust, technological adaptation, and ethical data utilization. A comparative assessment of traditional marketing approaches and innovation-driven marketing frameworks demonstrates that organizations adopting innovation-centric strategies experience stronger consumer loyalty, improved operational agility, enhanced brand visibility, and higher adaptability to changing economic conditions. Additionally, the research highlights the growing importance of sustainability-oriented marketing innovation, where businesses integrate environmental responsibility, social value creation, and ethical consumer engagement into their branding and communication practices. The findings indicate that innovation-driven marketing models not only contribute to commercial profitability but also strengthen organizational resilience and long-term strategic sustainability in highly competitive global markets. The study concludes that future business success increasingly depends on the ability of organizations to continuously innovate their marketing structures, technological capabilities, and customer engagement mechanisms in alignment with digital transformation and evolving consumer expectations. Therefore, innovation-driven marketing represents a transformative strategic paradigm capable of reshaping modern business ecosystems through intelligent, adaptive, and customer-focused value creation models.
PurposeThe enhanced consolidation of cloud accounting models within geographical boundaries of India has established latest standards in financial auditing, reporting, compliance procedures and virtual accessibility. Nonetheless the legal framework in the nation is evolving simultaneously to accentuate audit trails, nationalized storage of data and sovereignity of data. Latest modifications under the companies act 2013; the company’s fourth amendment rules and the new policies issued by RBI for data localization have radically shifted the compliance framework for all the accounting professionals and the service providers in the country. Regardless of the mounting academic discussion on adaptability of cloud accounting around the globe, meagre research has highlighted hoe nationalized legal requirements have modified the framework infrastructure, risks involved and acceptability of accounting professionals in india which will be investigated in this study. This study will further identify the pros and cons for adoption of cloud accounting and will come out with suggestive cloud accounting models for Indian scenario. Design/Methodology/ApproachAn empirical and analytical research design has been adopted for the study and snowball and convenient sampling has been used for primary data collection..A sample size of 140 has been calculated using G-power. The research is confined to chartered accountants of agra district to whom a well structured questionnaire was sent using google forms.stastical tools used in this study is chi square test. FindingsCloud accounting is a tremendous shift towards triple entry system wherein a transaction is verified by a third party using cryptography and blockchain technology thereby increasing authenticity and trust by piling all entries in a public ledger. As a result of this more businesses are adopting virtual workforce models. Introduction of cloud based models in accounting profession has enhanced the roles of key processing indicators in the business.Cloud technology magnifies employees networking and association thereby increasing efficiency and effectiveness. Chartered accountants who will accept this change will have new opportunities open for them and those who will look at this technology with ostrich approach will be left behind. OriginalityThe findings will be valuable for further research work to be done in this area. The findings will help various researchers, chartered accountants, accounting professionals etc to understand the implementation of cloud accounting in developing countries like India and to understand in depth the implementation and adoption of cloud based accounting in the Indian scenario.
Open access
Innovations and Analysis in Business and Education
Green finance has emerged as a transformative mechanism for achieving sustainable economic development by integrating environmental sustainability with financial decision-making. The increasing challenges posed by climate change, environmental degradation, and resource depletion have encouraged governments, financial institutions, and private investors to allocate capital toward environmentally sustainable projects. Green finance encompasses financial instruments such as green bonds, green loans, sustainability-linked loans, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investments, climate finance, and carbon financing that promote low-carbon and climate-resilient economic growth. This paper reviews recent developments in green finance and examines its contribution to sustainable economic development through a systematic review of contemporary literature. The study analyzes the evolution of green financial instruments, policy frameworks, investment trends, and their impact on economic growth, renewable energy development, environmental protection, employment generation, and financial inclusion. The paper further discusses the challenges hindering green finance implementation, including regulatory inconsistencies, greenwashing, limited disclosure standards, inadequate investor awareness, and financing constraints in developing economies. The review also highlights the role of technological innovations such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, and big data analytics in improving transparency, risk assessment, and investment efficiency in green financial markets. Based on recent empirical evidence, the paper concludes that green finance significantly contributes to sustainable development by encouraging environmentally responsible investments while supporting long-term economic resilience. Finally, policy recommendations and future research directions are proposed to strengthen global green financial ecosystems and accelerate progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Background: Despite the growing adoption of hybrid contract models in construction, energy, and agricultural procurement, there remains a significant gap in understanding how lump-sum and unit-price contracts differentially allocate risk across sectors and country contexts. This study addresses this gap by examining risk mitigation strategies through document analysis and thematic synthesis. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify key risk allocation strategies, contractual mechanisms, and the effectiveness of hybrid models in managing uncertainty across developed and developing country contexts. Methods: A qualitative approach based on thematic analysis and cross-case comparison was applied, drawing on 48 peer-reviewed sources published between 2015 and 2025, alongside relevant sector documents and procurement reports. Results: The analysis identified that hybrid contracts reduced cost overrun variability by incorporating performance-based incentives aligned with Expected Utility Theory and Principal-Agent Theory, while developing economies such as Indonesia and Bangladesh exhibited distinct risk profiles requiring adaptive contract mechanisms. However, significant gaps remain, particularly regarding the empirical validation of blockchain-enabled contract enforcement and AI-driven risk prediction, as well as the underrepresentation of developing economy contexts in existing research. Conclusion: The findings carry both scientific and practical implications. Theoretically, this study advances an integrative multi-theory framework combining Expected Utility Theory, Game Theory, and Principal-Agent Theory to analyse contract risk across diverse contexts. Practically, the results provide evidence-based guidance for procurement professionals and policymakers in selecting and designing contract structures that balance cost certainty with adaptive flexibility.
Medical tourism has emerged as a significant global phenomenon, driven by the convergence of high healthcare costs in developed nations and the availability of high-quality, affordable treatment options abroad. This review examines the critical role of entrepreneurial innovation in shaping and expanding this industry, which uniquely blends advanced health care with the principles of hospitality and tourism. Key innovations transforming the sector include the development of integrated, all-inclusive service models that package medical procedures with travel, luxury accommodation, and wellness-focused recovery programs. Digital disruption is paramount, with platforms leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for personalized patient care coordination and blockchain technology to ensure secure, transparent transfer of medical records and billing, thereby building essential trust. Furthermore, strategic partnerships between hospitals, airlines, and hospitality providers create a seamless end-to-end experience for international patients. The proliferation of telemedicine supports this model by facilitating vital pre-departure consultations and post-operative follow-up care, ensuring continuity and safety. Entrepreneurs are also successfully targeting niche markets, from elective cosmetic surgery to complex dental and regenerative procedures, particularly in established hubs like India, Thailand, and Turkey. However, the industry’s growth is not without challenges, including regulatory heterogeneity, cultural and language barriers, and ethical concerns. Future advancement depends on navigating these complexities while capitalizing on opportunities such as value-based care, augmented reality (AR) for patient engagement, and strengthened international accreditation frameworks. By combining clinical expertise and hospitality, innovative entrepreneurship is ultimately reinventing access to health care globally, giving patients new options while producing substantial economic advantages for the countries of destination.
Omar Al-Jamili, Abdulaziz Fahmi Omar Faqera, Mohd Adan Omar, Shehu M. Sarkintudu · 8 authors
Open Government Data (OGD) has become central to digital transformation and data-driven governance, yet scholarly understanding of how OGD initiatives progress from initial adoption to sustained institutionalization remains fragmented. This study aims to synthesize the existing literature and develop an integrative framework that explains the socio-technical mechanisms underpinning the long-term sustainability and value creation of OGD initiatives. The study integrates bibliometric analysis with a systematic literature review of 481 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 31 December 2024. Quantitative science-mapping techniques are combined with qualitative thematic synthesis to capture the intellectual structure, technological evolution, and theoretical foundations of OGD research. The findings reveal rapid growth and thematic diversification in OGD scholarship, with increasing attention to advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. However, the literature remains theoretically fragmented across behavioral, institutional, and public-value perspectives. Two critical gaps are identified: insufficient theorization of institutional legitimacy as a driver of continuity, and limited exploration of user-centric governance mechanisms shaping sustained data reuse. To address these gaps, the study proposes the Socio-Technical Institutionalization Model (STIM), which conceptualizes OGD sustainability as the dynamic alignment of technological infrastructures, institutional arrangements, and user ecosystems. By combining quantitative science mapping with systematic thematic synthesis and proposing the STIM lifecycle framework, this study offers an integrative synthesis that extends prior OGD reviews. The framework bridges fragmented theoretical perspectives and explains how open data initiatives may evolve from adoption to institutionalized value creation within complex digital governance ecosystems.
ABSTRACT Faced with the accelerating erosion of biodiversity and its growing recognition as a source of financial risks and opportunities, the academic literature linking biodiversity and finance is expanding rapidly. This article offers a systematic and bibliometric review of this literature in order to analyze its evolution, intellectual structure, main conceptual dynamics and gap identification. Aligning with the PRISMA‐2020 protocol, this study examines 1088 scientific articles published in the period 1993–2025. The data were extracted from Scopus and Web of Science databases. The analysis uses descriptive bibliometric methods available in R software and the bibliometrix package via the Biblioshiny interface. The results highlighted a strong acceleration of scientific production since 2015, which is linked with the development of sustainable finance and international regulatory frameworks. While the thematic mapping identifies a broader landscape, three key areas are prioritized for in‐depth analysis: Sustainability as a macroeconomic framework, Biodiversity conservation via innovation in financial instruments, and the emergence of biodiversity risk as a systemic financial risk. Beyond descriptive mapping, this study proposes the Biodiversity‐Finance Inhibition Framework (BFIF) as an integrative conceptual framework to synthesize the persistent disconnect between academic evidence and market implementation. It identifies a systemic “Inhibition Loop” where data gaps at the micro‐level and a lack of ecological accountability at the meso‐level paralyze macro‐regulatory ambitions. The article also highlights a significant geographical disparity, with research heavily concentrated in developed economies. Finally, it outlines a strategic research agenda aimed at breaking this “Inhibition Loop” by exploring a “methodological frontier” involving bio‐econometrics, blockchain, and artificial intelligence to reinforce the measurement, governance, and effectiveness of biodiversity‐finance.
Stephen Oko Gyan Torto, Rupendra Kumar Pachauri, Jai Govind Singh, Shubham Tiwari · 7 authors
Global projects are mobilizing technologies to fight power generation curtailment and smooth demand by exploiting excess energy via transactive energy management and control. Sharing and transferring energy between microgrids helps manufacturers and businesses create energy autonomously. The transition to Multi-Vector Multi-Agent Energy Systems (MMV-ES) demands a paradigm shift from traditional centralized control to decentralized, market-based coordination. Transactive Energy Management (TEM) has emerged as a key enabler in this context, supporting local flexibility, peer-to-peer (P2P) trading, and integrated energy vectors across distributed assets. This review systematically decomposes and classifies the existing state of TEM from several perspectives: the market topology, the interaction of the agent, game-theoretic models and the real deployment challenges. Moreover, two game-theory formulations (cooperative and non-cooperative) were given special attention and a detailed comparison between Shapley value and Nucleolus was provided as approaches for fair cost allocation. To enhance the adaptability of the market and the overall efficiency of the system, we introduce the Transactive Energy Reformulation Model (TE-RM), a hybrid model combining AI-powered congestion pricing with coalition formation and fairness-based incentives. The comparative tables in this paper summarize TEM and TE-RM's strengths and weaknesses and compare it to the centralized and conventional DSM methodologies. Lastly, key research gaps including scalability, regulatory fit, and AI model interpretability are reviewed, and future directions are proposed for the integration of future advanced technologies (e.g., reinforcement learning, blockchain, IoT) to enable stable, fair and interoperable energy markets.
Cahya Kamila Maharani, Relit Nur Edi, Ismail Septayanto Utama
The 4.0 Industrial Revolution has transformed the global economic landscape through the digitalization of financial services, trade, and industrial activities. This transformation has accelerated the growth of the Halal Market, making it one of the fastest-growing economic sectors, driven by the expanding Muslim population, increasing awareness of halal consumption, and rising demand for ethical and sustainable products. In this context, Islamic Fintech has emerged as a strategic innovation that integrates digital financial technologies with the principles of Islamic law and economics. Although studies on Sharia Fintech and the halal industry have grown substantially, research integrating these two domains from the perspectives of Islamic law and Islamic economics remains limited. This study aims to examine the strategic role of Islamic Fintech in strengthening the global Halal Market through an interconnective analytical framework. Employing a qualitative library research approach, the study critically analyzes scholarly literature, regulatory documents, international reports, and previous empirical studies. The findings indicate that Sharia Fintech enhances financial inclusion, transparency, halal traceability, value chain efficiency, and digital governance through the adoption of blockchain, artificial intelligence, smart contracts, and digital payment systems. These innovations contribute to the realization of Maqashid al-Shariah, particularly the protection of wealth (ḥifẓ al-māl) and the promotion of public welfare (maṣlaḥah). The novelty of this study lies in the development of a comprehensive conceptual framework that integrates Islamic law, Islamic economics, digital financial innovation, and Halal Market governance into a unified analytical model.
Rejaul Karim, Md. Mustaqim Roshid, Bablu Kumar Dhar, Abdul Waaje
This study explores the evolving role of green financial technology (Fintech) in sustainability-oriented financial innovation, with a particular focus on climate finance, digital innovation, and environmental governance. Using bibliometric methods, we analyze 72 peer-reviewed publications indexed in Scopus from 2019 to 2024 to map the intellectual structure and emerging trends of green Fintech research. Key technological domains, including blockchain-based carbon markets, AI-powered ESG analytics, and green digital payment systems, are frequently associated in the literature with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). This analysis reveals how digital financial innovations are conceptualized as mechanisms for facilitating access to green capital, strengthening carbon credit ecosystems, and enhancing transparency in climate-aligned investment. However, persistent barriers such as fragmented regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity risks, and digital divides are recurrently identified in the literature as constraints, particularly in emerging economies. Interpreted through Institutional Theory and Stakeholder Theory, the study highlights the importance of coordinated policy innovation, inclusive digital infrastructure, and harmonized ESG standards in shaping the diffusion and governance of green Fintech solutions. By positioning theory as an interpretive lens rather than an empirical test , this research offers a theory-informed, data-driven synthesis that contributes to the growing interdisciplinary discourse on digital finance as a potential enabler of low-carbon, inclusive, and resilient sustainability transitions.
Ovaj rad analizira transformativnu ulogu kriptovaluta u infrastrukturi savremenog organizovanog kriminala, argumentujući da blockchain tehnologija nije samo novi alat za stare kriminalne prakse, već da konstituiše kvalitativno novu kriminalnu ekonomsku arhitekturu koja mijenja temeljne odnose između kriminalnih aktera, žrtava i institucija. Kroz sistematsku analizu tehničkih mehanizama od Bitcoin pseudoanonimnosti i privacy coins, do DeFi protokola i cross-chain hopping tehnika, rad mapira evoluciju kriptovalutnog pranja novca od primitivnih jednokratnih transakcija prema sofisticiranim, višeslojnim operacijama koje kombinuju tehnološku sofisticiranost s institucionalnim ranjivostima globalnog regulatornog mozaika. Posebna analitička pažnja posvećena je slučajevima koji demonstriraju konvergenciju kriptokriminala s državnom strategijom, tj. ransomware koji funkcionišu kao paraziti na globalnoj digitalnoj ekonomiji, DeFi eksploatacijama koje u minutama dreniraju stotine miliona dolara, i sjevernokorejskim državno-sponzorisanim hakerskim operacijama koje finansiraju zabranjene oružane programe pod sankcijama. Rad evaluira regulatorne odgovore poput MiCA, FATF Travel Rule i OFAC sankcije, te identifikuje sistemske praznine koje ostavljaju DeFi i peer-to-peer sistem izvan efektivne regulatorne kontrole. Zaključak poziva na fundamentalnu promjenu paradigme regulatornog pristupa, i to od retrospektivne forenzike prema prospektivnoj arhitekturi transparentnosti koja mora biti ugrađena u same protokole.
Multi-cloud computing is becoming a prominent paradigm to improve scalability, flexibility, reliability and costeffectiveness by leveraging services from multiple cloud providers. But distributed resource management with strong security is a big challenge in multi-cloud scenarios, which are heterogeneous and dynamic. This review paper provides an all inclusive overview on various multi-cloud architectures, deployment models,resource allocation techniques, optimization methods, and security assurance mechanisms. It covers the major resource allocation strategies such as provisioning, scheduling, load balancing, resource scaling and intelligent optimization through machine learning and metaheuristicalgorithms to optimize resource utilization and Quality of Service (QoS). Additionally, the article delves into significant security methods for protecting decentralized cloud systems, including authentication, authorization, encryption, intrusion detection, trust management, and zero-trust designs. Also, through the comparison of the most recent literature, the current research trends, challenges and limitations for optimizing resources while keeping security in mind are pointed out. According to the review, combining AI-powered optimisation with sophisticated security frameworks has the potential to enhance the performance, resilience and reliability of multi-cloud environments. Last but not least, the paper outlines future research avenues for explainable AI, federated learning, blockchain-based trust management, energy-efficient resource allocation, and autonomous cloud orchestration to enable secure, scalable, and sustainable next-generation multi cloud computing environments.
With the evolution of wellness tourism in the digital era, there has been an exponential change in the landscape of travel wellness and preventive health care. Today, the travelers are driven to seek holistic well-being, self-care, and transformative experiences beyond traditional leisure. This growing demand has led to the integration of advanced wellness and tourism technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR), telemedicine, and blockchain. These innovations enhance personalization, operational efficiency, and accessibility for the customer; they also redesign the delivery and consumption of wellness experiences. As there is a technological shift in the wellness tourism industry, critical challenges arise related to data privacy, the digital divide, sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and the erosion of authenticity in wellness practices. This chapter critically examines the relationship between wellness tourism and emerging technologies. It hides the opportunities and the underlying challenges associated with this transformation. Insights complemented by semi-structured interviews with industry experts and extensive academic literature reviews published between 2015 and 2025 offered a comprehensive exploration of future trends, challenges, and pathways for sustainable development in wellness tourism. It also proposes the framework for ethical technology integration, ensuring the wellness tourism ecosystem remains inclusive and resilient. Inform the ground of the principle of sustainability.
In the last few years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has grown significantly due to technological advancements. However, until recently, there has been no universal set of rules applicable to IoT security. This has opened an area for researchers. The IoT environment enables various smart devices to connect and exchange information; thus, ensuring the authenticity of devices in the IoT network is crucial. We have classified the diverse methods used to authenticate IoT devices to access the data they generate. This study conducted a systematic literature review to identify research gaps, recurring patterns, and potential future directions in IoT authentication, with particular attention to the architectures employed. This review analyzed different authentication techniques and presented their advantages and disadvantages using several criteria for categorization. This survey provides researchers and practitioners with a consolidated understanding of the current state of authentication mechanisms in the IoT. Furthermore, the survey examines emerging authentication paradigms, including blockchain-enabled authentication frameworks, machine-learning-augmented authentication models, and lightweight authentication schemes tailored for resource-constrained IoT devices. The goal of this survey is to aid in creating more robust and secure authentication solutions for the developing IoT by highlighting strengths, limitations, and emerging trends.
User Authentication and Security Systems
Advanced Authentication Protocols Security
Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) and Hardware Security
Case Report Forms (CRFs) are essential tools in clinical trials, serving as the primary mechanism for systematic and standardized patient data collection. This chapter discusses the critical role of CRFs in maintaining data integrity, supporting regulatory compliance, and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of clinical trial results. The chapter provides an in-depth exploration of the key principles involved in designing CRFs, including user-centric design, data standardization, and error management. It contrasts the features of well-designed and poorly designed CRFs, highlighting the significant impact that effective CRF design has on clinical trial outcomes. Additionally, the chapter addresses the evolution of CRFs, particularly the transition from paper-based systems to electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs), and their benefits, including real-time data validation, enhanced accessibility, and compliance with regulatory guidelines. The impact of technological advances such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and decentralized trials on the future of CRF processes is also discussed. Finally, a sample CRF is presented, providing a practical example of a well-designed form for clinical data collection in a controlled study.
This chapter examines the evolving architecture of digital remittances and diaspora finance in Africa, situating these flows within the broader framework of continental economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With remittance inflows to Africa exceeding $96 billion in 2024, the chapter analyses how digital transfer technologies, blockchain-based platforms, and mobile money innovations are reshaping the cost structure, speed, and transparency of cross-border payments. It evaluates the persistent challenge of high transaction costs in Sub-Saharan African corridors and the role of FinTech disruptors in narrowing the gap toward the Sustainable Development Goal target of 3%. The chapter further explores diaspora investment channels, including diaspora bonds and equity platforms, and assesses their potential for productive capital mobilisation aligned with AfCFTA investment priorities. The chapter concludes with recommendations for integrating diaspora finance into continental development strategies.
Medical tourism, often branded as health tourism, involves people traveling beyond regional limits to get advanced healthcare treatments, which is generally determined based on medical payments, availability of specialized treatment, in addition to obtainability of innovative technical support. The implementation of digital advancements such as telemedicine, health informatics, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology has resulted in a dramatic shift in the health sector. The technological innovations are transforming healthcare delivery, thereby encouraging rural women entrepreneurs to play a significant part in a nation’s health service milieu. To improve service delivery and outreach, women entrepreneurs are using digital platforms such as AI-based diagnostic tools, blockchain for data confidentiality and authenticity, and e-marketing technologies. The study focuses on how women-led businesses are establishing themselves as important facilitators, filling the disparity between overseas clients and healthcare professionals. The observations evaluate the socioeconomic implications of digital adoption, specifically in terms of employment generation, incorporating gender equality, and improved health care accessibility in less developed rural areas, using a blended research approach that combines descriptive and empirical study observations and findings. The most significant challenges and potential advantages confronting rural women in this growing industry are thoroughly investigated, and practical solutions for promoting the sustainability and scalability of such firms are identified. The chapter also highlights rural women entrepreneurs’ contributions to improving India’s more equitable, technologically equipped, and globally successful health care travel environment.