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In 2007, the European Union (EU) intended to become a water-efficient community. Yet, despite the EU's commitment to the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs), relevant insights based on scientific research are still sparse. This study presents a pan-European water use performance evaluation, considering differences in production technologies and potential efficiency determinants. The empirical results are obtained by analysing country-level panel data from 2011 to 2020. Our paper provides more instructive and encompassing findings to inform holistic policy formulation and management practices than prior studies that have typically relied on partial-factor indicators with limited explanatory power. We find that European countries are subject to technological and efficiency heterogeneity, and our production function and inefficiency equation estimations attest to the existence of divergent cause-effect relationships, calling for decentralised, customised solutions. Arguably, our comparative benchmarking analysis constitutes the first comprehensive cross-country investigation for Europe of its kind, underscoring the importance of impactful science in fostering the preservation of high civilisation in line with the theme of this special issue.

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the factors influencing the disclosure of intellectual capital (IC) information in the Malaysian initial public offering (IPO) prospectus using multiple regression analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consists of 130 companies in the technology and industrial products sectors of Bursa Malaysia that went through an IPO between 2004 and 2008. Initially, the extent of the IC disclosure index is quantified using content analysis methodology. The multiple regression analysis is then used to examine the associations of nine potential explanatory variables with IC disclosure level.FindingsIn general, the results provide evidence that board size, board independence, age, leverage, underwriter and listing board significantly influence the extent of IC disclosure in an IPO prospectus. Nonetheless, the effect of each explanatory variable may vary in each estimated parameter of the multiple regression models. Three variables, board diversity, size and auditor, were not significant.Originality/valueAlthough many studies have examined the content of and reasons for IC disclosures, this study provides empirical evidence in this specific area, i.e. to explore the determinants of IC disclosure, particularly from the perspective of IPO prospectuses, in emerging countries such as Malaysia.