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Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 January 2023) | Viewed by 42031

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Dr. Gitana Dudzevičiūtė

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Guest Editor

General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: sustainable development; security; economic growth and its determinants; defense economics

Prof. Dr. Ieva Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė

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Guest Editor

1. Research Group on Logistics and Defense Technology Management, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Šilo st. 5A, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania
2. Business Management, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), Sauletekio al. 11, LT-10233 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: logistics; supply chain management; modelling; integrating processes; 3 PL
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of Sustainability entitled “Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability”.

The complex and changing security environment is characterized by the interconnectedness of internal and external threats and risks. Only a secure environment can guarantee the vitality of civil society and sustainable development. Security depends, directly and indirectly, on the long-term challenges posed by globalization processes, military threats, poverty, social exclusion and inequality, demographic trends, environmental factors, state and international emergencies, and irresponsible public attitudes and actions. The current dynamic environment suggests that the complex factors of security should be understood much more broadly than just involving the military. Emerging threats to security have forced many countries to review their budgets and find sources for funding vital issues or unforeseen activities. Due to budgetary constraints, the rising costs of pandemic management or increased defense funding has often forced many countries to cut financial resources for some civilian areas or to borrow more in international markets. Therefore, national security issues have many peculiarities that need to be taken into account when analyzing the implementation of sustainable development goals related to economic, social, and environmental issues. It is notable that in the scientific context, there is a lack of studies focusing on exploration of the relationship between security and sustainability issues.

That is why we have launched this Special Issue, which aims to discuss the security challenges from a sustainable development perspective.

We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue by submitting research articles and empirical studies addressing the alignment of all kinds of security challenges in the context of sustainability and the resulting impacts. The Special Issue is oriented toward (but not limited to) the following topics:

security challenges
security environment
sustainable development
economic and social security
security perception
security policies
security threats and risks
state security
regional security
cyber security
military security
resilience of societies and organizations
sustainable organization
risk management

Dr. Gitana Dudzevičiūtė
Prof. Dr. Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

security challenges
sustainability
defense/military
social resilience
organizational resilience
internal and external threats
risk management
sustainable management

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 1052 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Reservists’ Services: The Effect of Resilience on the Intention to Remain in the Active Military Reserve Using a Parallel Mediating Model

by Svajone Bekesiene, Rosita Kanapeckaitė, Rasa Smaliukienė, Olga Navickienė, Ieva Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė and Ramutė Vaičaitienė

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12048; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912048 - 23 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1408

Abstract

The high priority of military training programs in the army is to improve the resilience of its professional and reserve soldiers. In addition, resilience helps to maintain the optimal cognitive and physical performances necessary for mission success; it also has other positive effects that have not yet been studied. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to understand the effect of psychological resilience (PRE) on the intention of reservists to remain in the active reserve (FMT) after the completion of combat training. In addition, we focus on the motivation (prosocial motivation (PRM) and intrinsic motivation (IMT)) and psychological capital (passion in the pursuit of long-term goals (LTGs), proactivity (PRO), and capability to harness the circumstances (SEF)), and achieved a level of competence after the completion of training (ACH). Building on the perspective of training sustainable reserve soldiers’ capabilities and the theory of psychological resilience, we hypothesize and assess the effect of psychological resilience on the intention of reservists to remain in the active reserve for future military training, as well as the mediating role of psychological capital, motivation, and the obtained training ratings. The study hypotheses are tested on a sample of 345 Lithuanian reserve soldiers. The mediating effects are tested by employing the PROCESS v3.5 macro program developed by Hayes, and bootstrap 10,000. The main findings propose that the total impact of psychological resilience is highly positive (β = 0.659, t = 7.670, p < 0.001) and influences the decision of the reservists to extend their capabilities in future military training. Furthermore, intrinsic motivation (β = 0.691, p < 0.001, and 58.6% of the total effect) and the achieved rating of completed training (β = 0.136, p < 0.01, and 21.2% of the total effect) positively mediate the relationship between psychological resilience and the intention to remain in the active reserve. Selected bootstrap confidence interval and Sobel test statistics with two-tailed probability values evidence the robustness of the mediating results. The significance of the theoretical and practical implications is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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15 pages, 2033 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Socially Vulnerable Communities and Factors Affecting Their Safety and Resilience in Disaster Risk Reduction

by Eliška Polcarová and Jana Pupíková

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11380; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811380 - 10 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3072

Abstract

Human society has been dealing with natural threats since the very beginning of humanity. A society that is better prepared for disasters can better resist the adverse effects of disasters and subsequently adapt to them and thus be prepared in the future for known threats and “new” ones. Level of education, access to information, the income of communities, or social capital are just some factors that can determine the level of safety and preparedness of members of society, especially the vulnerable. For this reason, frameworks and strategies containing disaster risk reduction tools aimed at developing and increasing the level of safety, prevention and preparedness of all states (including island states) for disasters have been created. The article aims to identify vulnerable community members and evaluate the factors that can cause gender inequality in disaster risk reduction and can also significantly influence the increase/decrease of community resilience to disasters. Furthermore, the article presents practical examples from different countries that point to the importance of addressing disaster risk reduction, including global and governmental responses to disasters and the impact of these responses on society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 1372 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Personal Growth under Stress: Mediating Effects of Unit Cohesion and Leadership during Mandatory Military Training

by Svajone Bekesiene and Rasa Smaliukiene

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10389; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610389 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2625

Abstract

This study explores the phenomena of personal growth under stress and investigates the mediating effect of leadership and four elements of group cohesion (social, task, norm, and psychological). Data were collected at the beginning and end of mandatory military training in two units (n = 184), where the first unit was redeployed (transferred from one location to another) in the middle of the training period, and the second remained in the same physical place throughout the training period. Unit leadership and cohesion were found to mitigate the negative effect of perceived stress on personal growth; however, this effect depends on the phases of group dynamics. The modeling of structural equations revealed that social cohesion is a particularly important mediator (impact 71%) in reducing the negative impact of perceived stress on personal growth in a unit without redeployment. Meanwhile, leadership is an important mitigator when a group is in formation (at the beginning of mandatory military training, leadership mediates 15–18% of effects), as well as in the unit where the bonds between group members are weak due to physical disturbance while redeploying the unit to a new location (at the end of service, the effect of leadership is 38% in the redeployed unit). We conclude that leadership can replace a lack of social cohesion in a group with weak ties between group members and reduce the negative effect of perceived stress on personal growth. This is a new insight that allows social cohesion and leadership to be seen not only as complementary factors in group dynamics, but also as substitutes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 11105 KiB

Open AccessArticle

United Nations (UN) Disaster Risk Reduction Framework: Case Study of the Portuguese Army on UN Challenges in the Context of Sustainable Risk Mitigation

by Bruno Martinho and João Reis

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1834; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031834 - 5 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2561

Abstract

The United Nations (UN) in the context of disaster risk reduction has been sensitizing governments and all citizens to the need to develop mechanisms that contribute to preventing risks and reducing vulnerabilities regarding serious accidents or disasters. The search for an adequate response to the different types of accidents is a social demand; leading civil protection authorities, together with other national entities, namely the Armed Forces, to create diverse response mechanisms. This research intends to call the reader’s attention and awareness to disaster risk reduction, characterizing the UN policy, and evaluating the Portuguese Army’s capacity for organizational change. This article follows a case study research strategy, considering a deductive reasoning structure and a qualitative methodological orientation. The evolution of the UN’s growing concern with disaster risk reduction over time will be studied, and the way in which the Portuguese military has adapted to the new challenges promoted by the UN will be discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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30 pages, 5510 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differences in Ethical Viewpoints among Civilian–Military Populations: A Survey among Practitioners in Two European Countries, Based on a Systematic Literature Review

by Amir Khorram-Manesh, Krzysztof Goniewicz, Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen, Lesley Gray, Eric Carlström, Alice Sundwall, Attila J. Hertelendy and Frederick M. Burkle

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031085 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6721

Abstract

Civilian–military collaboration in humanitarian crises has been encouraged globally; however, little is known about their diverse ethical viewpoints towards challenging and critical situations, which may cause difficulties in the partnership, and influence the outcomes of their mutual activities. The aim of this study was to identify the diversity of viewpoints and ethical decision-making during exceptional circumstances among civilian and military populations from two different countries, each with diverse background and healthcare organization structures. Possible scenarios, based on a systematic review of the literature, were introduced to Swedish and Polish civilian and military healthcare providers. Variations in the participants’ viewpoints and approaches to ethical decision-making were analyzed according to their characteristics, organizational belonging, and nationality. There were differences between both populations but also within the military and civilian groups, respectively. One significant factor influencing ethical viewpoints was participants’ nationality. Differences in ethical viewpoints between multiagency organizations should be considered in planning and implementation of future transdisciplinary and international collaboration in disaster and emergency management. Further studies and renewed educational initiatives are necessary to validate these differences and to navigate civilian–military as well as other multinational partnerships. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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13 pages, 620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three-Faceted Approach to Perceived Stress: A Longitudinal Study of Stress Hormones, Personality, and Group Cohesion in the Real-Life Setting of Compulsory Basic Military Training

by Svajone Bekesiene, Rasa Smaliukiene, Ramutė Vaičaitienė, Asta Mažeikienė, Gerry Larsson, Dovilė Karčiauskaitė and Eglė Mazgelytė

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1046; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031046 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2158

Abstract

Compulsory basic military training is characterized not only by being challenging but also by being stressful. Assuming a high frequency of perceived stress events as a negative outcome of training, this article provides evidence on how the perceived frequency of stressful situations is affected by three types of factors: (i) biological stress response variables measured by hair steroid hormone levels, (ii) personality traits measured using the Big Five personality test, and (iii) group cohesion measures in military squads. A total of 112 conscripts in 11 squads participated in the research at the beginning (T1), in the middle (T2), and at the end (T3) of compulsory basic military training. Hair steroid hormone levels (cortisol, cortisone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)) levels were measured by liquid mass spectrometry; other data were collected using self-report questionnaires. The results of the Poisson regression analysis indicated that hair steroid hormone cortisol had a statistically significantly impact and could increase the perceived frequency of stressful situations by up to 1.317 (e^0.275, T2) times. The concentrations of other hormones (cortisone = 1.157, e^0.146, T3 and DHEA = 1.020, e^0.020, T3) also had a statistically significant effect. Other factors had a decreasing effect on the frequency. Extraversion was significant with an effect of 0.907 (e^−0.098, T2) and 0.847 (e^−0.166, T3), while task cohesion had an effect of 0.946 (e^−0.056) and norm cohesion of 0.954 (e^−0.047). The research indicates that the three groups of factors affect the perceived frequency of stressful situations during compulsory basic military training, but their impacts are considerably different. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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15 pages, 1128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Impact of Road Transport Change on the Security of the Urban Social Environment

by Rolandas Vitkūnas, Renata Činčikaitė and Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12630; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212630 - 16 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2046

Abstract

In the context of accelerating urbanisation, cities must ensure a viable economy, social well-being, and a healthy environment. Transport is one of the key conditions for economic development and meeting the needs of countries, regions, and cities. However, transport must meet not only the physiological but also the social needs of society, one of which is environmental security. Urban transport accounts for around 40% of CO₂ emissions and 70% of other pollutants from road transport. Thus, one of the most difficult issues for any city to address when building bypasses is the growing number of cars in the city, traffic congestion, and the reduction of all greenhouse gas emissions. The documents adopted in July 2020 aim to revitalise the EU’s economy by moving towards a green economy and sustainability. In addition to the systematic and comparative analysis of concepts published in the scientific literature, the article also presents an analysis of the concepts of the sustainable city and sustainable transport, as well as a study of the social impact of bypasses and the assessment of the security of the social environment in the Baltic capitals. The aim of the article is to assess the impact of the growing number of vehicles on the security of the city’s social environment. Research results show that the number of pollutants and a direct dependence between the number of pollutants and the driving speed were established. Therefore, it needs to make investments in the transport sector: improving roads, the construction of bypasses, and the technical parameters of purchased cars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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19 pages, 755 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of COVID-19 on Airline Transportation Services: A Study on Service Robot Usage Intention

by Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, Bülent Yıldız, Şemsettin Çiğdem and Renata Činčikaitė

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12571; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212571 - 14 Nov 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3329

Abstract

Robots have started to be used in the service sector as well as in the manufacturing industry. The use of service robots in airport services, tourism, and hospital services also brings many advantages. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing physical contact and providing hygiene are essential benefits of service robots. For this purpose, the effect of COVID-19 fear on perceived trust in service robots and the intention to use them at airports was investigated in this study. For analysis, data were collected from 730 participants from 64 different countries, by questionnaire. The data were analyzed with the SPSS and AMOS package programs. As a result of the structural equation model analysis, it was determined that COVID-19 fear affects perceived trust in service robots and the intention to use them positively, and perceived trust also affects the intention to use service robots positively. In addition, as a result of the Process Macro analysis, it was found that perceived trust has a high mediating effect on the effect of COVID-19 fear on the intention to use. The research results show that people’s attitudes towards COVID-19 shape the perception of robot usage in air transport services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 894 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Military Leadership in Shaping Innovative Personnel Behaviour: The Case of the Lithuanian Armed Forces

by Viktorija Šimanauskienė, Vidmantė Giedraitytė and Olga Navickienė

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9283; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169283 - 18 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3082

Abstract

Innovation is important for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to peace and justice, as well as strengthening defence and security institutions. In view of innovation and the creation of an innovative environment, the influence of leaders not only on the innovativeness of employees, but also of the organization as a whole, is considered one of the most prospective areas of future research. This article explores the influence of leadership behaviour (support for innovation, delegating, intellectual stimulation, and rewards) of top (sample size N = 275) and middle (sample size N = 891) management on the innovative behaviour of military officers. The empirical validation of the selected four leadership behaviours is based on the methodology of quantitative sociological research—a questionnaire. Research results show that strong and statistically significant correlation relationships were established at the level of top managers (commanders) between such factors as Intellectual Stimulation and Delegating, Rewards and Delegating, Delegating and Support for Innovation, as well as Support for Innovation and Rewards. Meanwhile, for middle-level managers (military officers) two strong relationships were found between such factors as Rewards and Delegating, and Delegating and Support for Innovation. Analysis of the compatibility of opinions showed that although commanders and military officers both appreciate the leadership behaviours of the top and middle management of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, it was also found that commanders are more positive about the opportunity to offer new ideas at their military unit. Furthermore, they are more positive about the statement that leadership grants them the right to take decisions and implement them, and they are also more positive about taking the initiative, when they feel support for innovation. The identified difference in the leadership behaviours of top and middle management leads to the conclusion that, at different hierarchical levels of leadership, innovative behaviour of subordinates is influenced differently in the innovation promotion process in the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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22 pages, 3107 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measures for Ensuring Sustainability during the Current Spreading of Coronaviruses in the Czech Republic

by František Božek and Irena Tušer

Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6764; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126764 - 15 Jun 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1656

Abstract

This manuscript focuses on the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the Czech Republic and its impact on economic and social sustainability in this country. The topic of this manuscript is the topical issue of how to manage the outbreak of this infectious disease and thereby reduce any disruption to economic and social sustainability. The aim of the authors was to identify serious risks and to propose priority measures that can lead to their significant mitigation. A modified semi-quantitative three-component probability method Pj, consequences Cj and opinion of evaluators OEj were used to assess active risks. The manuscript also presents risk analysis and risk management and the construction of developmental regression models. The manuscript presents a proposal for preventive measures to mitigate risks in the period of the third wave of the occurrence and spread of the coronavirus. Most of the proposed preventive measures were based on brainstorming of the views and experience of the implementation team. Consultation with and materials by experts in the field of developmental biology, parasitology, epidemiology and virology were also used. As such, this survey provides lessons for other cities and regions involved in coping with COVID-19 infection and implementing the policy of a positive and timely return to work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 1472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Assessment and Sustainability of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation

by Irena Tušer and Alena Oulehlová

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 5120; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095120 - 3 May 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7351

Abstract

Water and water management, which also includes wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), are considered essential elements critical infrastructure. A disruption of their operation can result in the discharge of wastewater into the environment without having been adequately treated. This can cause health problems, contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water, etc. In order to provide operational safety and sustainability of WWTP operation, it is necessary to establish protection against potential risk activation, together with risk minimization and enhanced preparedness to address the risks. The article deals with the application of risk management stages on the selected object of the municipal WWTP facility in the form of a case study. The risk identification phase consisted of the identification of assets and risks. The assets were grouped together due to the complexity of the WWTP operation. A combination of methods, a safety audit, a checklist and semi-structured interviews were used to identify the risks in three iterations. A risk register was created as a result of the risk identification phase. Subsequently, a risk analysis was carried out, in which the scenarios of the risk impact on the assets were examined, the index levels of probability and impacts were determined, and the risk estimate was performed. The Bowtie Analysis Method was used to illustrate the causes and consequences for one of the critical risks. The result of the study is the risk evaluation identified undesirable and unacceptable risks for which risk management methods were proposed Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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22 pages, 2190 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Military Leader Behavior Formation for Sustainable Country Security

by Svajone Bekesiene, Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene and Šárka Hošková-Mayerová

Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4521; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084521 - 19 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2848

Abstract

The continuous improvement of military leadership identity to maintain excellent performance with respect to the promotion of mission success is a highly desired by the Lithuanian Armed Forces. This study seeks to identify the criteria for effective leadership behavior that is appreciated by Lithuanian servicemen. The validated Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ XII) was used to collect data representing followers’ preferences with respect to commander–leader behavior by assessing twelve leadership behavior criteria. Additionally, commander–leaders were chosen as experts to judge the importance of the criteria by pair-wise assessment. Consequently, the Fuzzy Decision Making (FDM) with Fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method based on the new concept of the relationship between the influenced and influencing criteria were employed to analyze the ranking using leadership behavior and to establish the causal relationships among the criteria when the collected data were expressed in trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. This study contributes to military leadership by using a novel approach for identifying and prioritizing the behavior criteria for leaders. The results indicate six “cause” constructs: ability to persuade, taking the lead, result orientation, accurate forecasting, building interpersonal relationships, and cooperation with managers. These findings could assist militaries in designing effective improvement strategies for continuous leadership training. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security Challenges in the Context of Sustainability)

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