This study explored the relationships between college students’ indecisiveness, anxiety, and career decision-making ability. Using the convenience sampling method, 1072 college students at a college in Hunan Province, China completed a questionnaire online that included the Indecisiveness Scale, Career Exploration and Decision Self-Efficacy Scale, and Generalized Anxiety Scale-7. Participants reported their gender and place of origin (rural or city). They indicated whether they were an only child, were left behind, and liked the major they were studying. The t-test was used to identify differences in indecisiveness, career decision-making ability, and anxiety according to demographic characteristics. Correlations were calculated between the main variables of interest. Regression analysis was conducted to test the mediation model. Participants who liked their major were significantly more indecisive than those who did not like their major. Career decision-making ability was significantly higher among men than women, participants from urban areas than those from rural areas, participants who were an only child than those with siblings, and among non-left-behind participants than those who were left behind. Anxiety was significantly lower in participants who liked their major than those who did not like their major. In addition, anxiety partially mediated the relationship between indecisiveness and career decision-making ability. College students’ indecisiveness and career decision-making ability are affected by sociocultural background, gender, family background, and career interest. Anxiety partially mediates the relationship between indecisiveness and career decision-making ability. Implications of the findings for counseling college students are discussed.
Technological advancements are transforming agriculture, yet adoption rates among agricultural extension officers, especially in regions like West Java, remain modest due to several challenges. This study applies the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to investigate factors influencing the adoption of agricultural technologies by agricultural extension officers in West Java. Specifically, we explore the role of socialization, training, access to technology, cost, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness in shaping behavioral intention and actual adoption. Data were collected from 295 agricultural extension officers via structured surveys and analyzed using SmartPLS 4 software. The findings indicate that socialization and training collectively enhance both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, while Technology Investment Worth specifically enhances perceived usefulness by emphasizing the value of the investment. Access to technology also plays a critical role in increasing ease of use perceptions. Both perceived ease of use and usefulness positively influence behavioral intention, which in turn is a strong predictor of actual adoption. The results provide valuable insights for policymakers aiming to increase technology uptake among agricultural extension officers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices through improved access, support, and cost reduction initiatives.
To increase inter-region connectivity, the Indonesian government initiated infrastructure projects such as toll roads, airport, highways, as well as agriculture ones throughout the countries. One of the big projects in road infrastructure was the Cikampek–Palimanan (Cipali) toll road in West Java with a budget of more than USD1 billion which started to operate in July 2015. This paper is aimed to evaluate the impact of the toll road on accessibilities, trades, and investments in the region it traverses. To carry out the analysis, we used qualitative approach, difference-in-difference approach, and ANOVA, utilizing three kinds of data. The first data is collected from a survey of 331 small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the logistics and the hotel and restaurant industries. The second one is bank loan data sourced from Bank Indonesia, while the third one is investment data from Investment Coordinating Board of Indonesia (BKPM).
After two years of its operation, Cipali toll road has increased accessibility, mobility, trade, and investment in the region it traverses. The travel time was reduced by 39%, while the cargo volume of the local businesses increased by 30% to 40%. These led to an improvement of wholesale trade volume in almost all regencies. However, SMEs in the hotel and restaurant industry along the traditional northern coastal highway in Subang, Indramayu, and Brebes experienced a decline due to the traffic shifting. Meanwhile, investments from national companies especially those of labor-intensive manufacturing industries flowed significantly especially to Subang and Majalengka, which reflected a “sorting effect”. However, investments from local and foreign businesses did not increase significantly yet after 2.5 years of toll operation.
To reap the benefit from the presence of Cipali toll road, the local governments should improve the ease of doing business to attract investments that boost employment in return. In addition, given a better accessibility from Greater Jakarta and a large number of potential visitors passing through the toll road, local businesses in the trade sector would benefit if they could promote the local attractions such as in tourism activities supported by the local government. The latter strategy should also be implemented by the local governments and local businesses in the northern coastal traditional route to minimize the negative impact of the toll road due to the traffic shifting. This strategy should be strengthened through increasing connectivity from the toll exits to local business areas and through increasing the ease of doing business.
The covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the sustainability of micro and small enterprises (MSEs), with a particularly pronounced impact in Central Java. Entrepreneurs who struggle to adapt to reduced consumer purchasing power and the increasing reliance on digital technology are at heightened risk of business closure. Despite these challenges, inclusivity remains a crucial element for MSEs in fostering local economic development. Accordingly, this study seeks to examine the role of inclusivity in the sustainability of MSEs that are based on digital technology. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. Respondents were digital-based MSEs entrepreneurs from five selected regions, with Central Java having the largest number of digital media users. Key informants included experts from Diponegoro University, the International Council of Small Business (ICSB), the Department of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises at the provincial and district levels, and non-governmental organizations. The collected data was analyzed using the Rapid Appraisal for Micro and Small Enterprises (Rap-MSE’s) method. To assess the sustainability status, the study utilized several dimensions, including economic, environmental, social, institutional, technological, and inclusivity factors. Both multidimensional and individual analyses indicated that the sustainability status was relatively robust. MSEs that integrated digital technology into their operations were able to withstand the challenges posed by covid-19 and adapt to the new normal. In conclusion, the inclusivity dimension in the adoption of digital technology has gained increased importance in driving local economic development.
The article highlights Malaysia’s multicultural history, the advancement of Internet technology, and the worldwide appeal of Chinese food, all of which serve as a good basis for the project. This study focuses on Malaysian Chinese takeout systems. The research’s primary goals include developing new business options for the Chinese food sector, as well as enhancing customer happiness and efficiency of takeout systems. As a result, the project intended to create a Web-based system for managing several tasks associated with meal ordering by users. For the system development, an Object-Oriented System Development (OOSD) methodology was used, mostly with the Java programming language. Model-View-Control (MVC) framework was employed throughout development to improve system administration. Redis and HTTP session technologies were included for user login to increase system security. For database operations, MyBatis and MyBatis Plus were also employed to enhance ease and security. The system adheres to design principles and leverages technologies like ElementUI and jQuery to further fulfill this criterion to provide a user-friendly interface. The results of this study demonstrate significant improvements in the overall efficiency of the takeout process, leading to enhanced user experiences and greater customer satisfaction. In addition to streamlining operations, the system opens new avenues for the Malaysian Chinese food industry to capitalize on the growing demand for online food ordering. This research provides a solid foundation for future innovations in takeout systems and serves as a reference point for enhancing the Chinese gastronomy sector in a rapidly digitizing world.
This study aims to examine the mediating role of institutional trust (IT) between perceived corruption and subjective well-being (SWB) using data from 1566 households in a developing country. It deploys ordinary least square (OLS) and an ordered logit model within the generalized structural equation model. Results show that individuals who perceived no corruption in a country report more IT and higher levels of SWB. Furthermore, the direct effects of good governance, perceived IT, and the absence of corruption on SWB is also positive. Moreover, satisfaction with hospital services also improves happiness and life satisfaction levels. This study improves and validates how corruption is assessed to support future measures that reduce its harmful effects. Moreover, the masses must have widespread awareness about the critical nature of corruption and IT relative to well-being. This study also highlights the need to develop strong institutions to improve trust and minimize corruption.
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