This research explores the relationship between the independent variables (need for achievement, risk-taking, family support, economic factors, and the dependent variable of women’s enterprises’ success) and examines the moderating influence of socio-cultural factors. A survey-based methodology was adopted. One hundred sixty-nine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Palestinian West Bank were surveyed using structured questionnaires. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted by using the Smart-PLS program. The results indicate that women entrepreneurs’ success in SMEs is positively and significantly impacted by the need for achievement as an internal factor and economic factors and family support as external factors. Furthermore, sociocultural factors did not show any significant moderating influence. By gaining knowledge about the relationship between internal and external factors and the success of women-owned SMEs, this study adds to the body of literature already in existence. These factors can be considered in the success of these enterprises, particularly in an environment full of political and economic fluctuations. Furthermore, the research is said to be the first of its type in Palestine, particularly concerning SMEs run by women. It also supports entrepreneurs by providing them with resources that might aid in the growth and success of their businesses.

As the aging trend intensifies, the Chinese government prioritizes technological innovation in smart elderly care services to enhance quality and efficiency, catering to the diverse needs of the elderly. This study examines the acceptance and usage behavior of smart elderly care services among elderly individuals in Xi’an, using a modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model that includes digital literacy as a moderating variable. Data were collected via a survey of 299 elderly individuals aged 60 and above in Xi’an. The study aims to identify factors influencing the acceptance and usage behavior of smart elderly care services and to understand how digital literacy moderates the relationship between these factors and usage behavior. Regression analysis assessed the direct effects of Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Social Influence (SI), and Facilitating Conditions (FC) on usage behavior. These dimensions were then integrated into a comprehensive index Service Acceptance to evaluate their overall impact on usage behavior, with behavioral intention examined as a potential mediating variable. Results indicate that EE and SI significantly impact the adoption of smart elderly care services, whereas PE and FC do not. Behavioral intention mediates the relationship between these variables and usage behavior. Additionally, gender, age, and digital literacy significantly moderate the impact of service acceptance on usage behavior. This study provides valuable theoretical and practical insights for designing and promoting smart elderly care services, emphasizing the importance of usability and social promotion to enhance the quality of life for the elderly.

The area of lake surface water is shrinking rapidly in Central Asia. We explore anthropogenic and climate factors driving this trend in Shalkar Lake, located in the Aral Sea region in Kazakhstan, Central Asia. We employ the Landsat satellite archive to map interannual changes in surface water between 1986 and 2021. The high temporal resolution of our dataset allows us to analyze the water surface data to investigate the time series of surface water change, economic and agricultural activities, and climate drivers like precipitation, evaporation, and air temperature. Toward this end, we utilize dynamic linear models (DLM). Our findings suggest that the shrinking of Shalkar Lake does not exhibit a systemic trend that could be associated with climate factors. Our empirical analysis, adopted to address local conditions, reveals that water reduction in the area is related to human interventions, particularly agricultural activities during the research period. On the other hand, the retrospectively fitted values indicate a semi-regular periodicity despite anthropogenic factors. Our results demonstrate that climate factors still play an essential role and should not be disregarded. Additionally, considering long-term climate projections in environmental impact assessment is crucial. The projected increase in temperatures and the corresponding decline in lake size highlights the need for proactive measures in managing water resources under changing climatic conditions.

The study examined the socio-demographic factors affecting access to and utilization of social welfare services in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted to select 570 respondents from the study area. Probability and non-probability sampling techniques were adopted in the selection of communities, and respondents. The quantitative data were analyzed using frequency distribution tables and percentages, while chi-square statistic was used to determine the relationship between socio-demographic variables and access to and utilization of social welfare services. The qualitative data were analyzed in themes as a complement to the quantitative data. This study reveals that although all the respondents reported knowing available social welfare services, 44.3% reported not having access to existing social services due to factors connected to serendipity variables, such as terrain condition, ethnicity and knowing someone in government. Therefore, the study recommends that the government and other stakeholders should push for the massive delivery of much-needed social welfare services to address the issue of welfare service deficit across the nation, irrespective of the ethnic group and whether the community is connected to the government of the day or not, primarily in rural areas.

African air transport is expected to take off after the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) launch in January 2018. Unfortunately, this seems not to be the case, particularly in West Africa, where adequate direct local flight is highly difficult to find. Hence, the fundamental question is: what levers should be activated for an effective revival of this sector? This paper aims to analyze West African air transport competitiveness factors by collecting data physically through surveys in various West African airports (Abidjan, Cotonou, Accra, Lome) also by interviewing professionals in the sector (Air traffic controllers, Air Navigation Service Providers, Air transports Managers, etc.) and among others, SAATM reports to appreciate its implementation. We were able to survey 435 actors (individuals and key informants) from January to July 2023 to evaluate quality of service, airline performance, safety, customer satisfaction etc. Airline operating costs were analyzed to understand the associated bottlenecks. The results show that SAATM is not yet well implemented in all contracting states, travelers are not satisfied with the air supply (airlines, infrastructure and fares) and taxation excessively increases ticket prices. The main factors for West African air transport take-off are liberalization, taxation and infrastructure investments.