The primary objective of this paper is to explore the impact of household policies in both Saudi Arabia and Nigeria towards achieving efficient and sustainable economic growth in the 21st century. Fundamentally, the objective of the study was sparked by the basic factors of comparison the importance of culture in international relations, challenges related to terrorism which impede adequate implementations of economic policies, trade facilitation and logistics to enhance economic growth and cross-border movement of goods and services. Systematic literature review (SLR) and content analysis (CA) were used as methodological approaches of the paper. The articles explored for review were accessed using visualization of similarities (VOS) by exploring different database such as: journals, core collection of Web of Science (WOS), peer review sources and library sources. The findings demonstrated that Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have different policies regarding households in achieving sustainable economic growth. On one hand, in Saudi Arabia, the focus is on the economic burden associated with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the out-of-pocket spending among individuals diagnosed with these diseases. In addition, the study found that households with older and more educated members, an employed head of household, higher socioeconomic status, health insurance coverage, and urban residency had significantly higher out-of-pocket expenditure in achieving sustainable economic development. On the other hand, Nigeria’s policy is centered around trade liberalization and its impact on household welfare as an integral part of sustainable economic development. The policies implemented in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have implications for the well-being of their citizens. In Saudi Arabia, the household policies have significantly impacted the quality of life (QoL) of households, particularly those with low income, large size, male-led, urban, and with elderly heads. In Nigeria, trade liberalization policies have mixed welfare implications for households in the aspects of real income, they also induce unemployment in key sectors, such as agriculture and industry. To mitigate negative effects, it is suggested that Saudi Arabia should effectively address chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the households while Nigeria should efficiently pursue trade liberalization on a sectorial basis, focusing on sectors that do not severely undermine household welfare.

The rapid development of cities and urbanization in China has forced the growth of new channels for buying agricultural products. The purpose of this research is to examine how Internet of Things (IoT’s) technologies can digitize a traditional fresh food supply chain. Comparative and descriptive analysis methods are used to highlight the major pain points in the traditional supply chains and assess how digital transformation could help. We delve into every part of digital transformation, which includes establishing an information platform based on IoT and developing smart storage options. Our findings revealed that through end-to-end digital integration, supply chain efficiency is improved with shorter lead times and leaner inventories that yield reduced costs as well as fewer losses while ensuring product quality and traceability. In sum, such an approach would enhance sustainability within the fresh food value chain. As such, our article highlights key aspects of transitioning towards a digital environment in this sector for those planning similar ventures.

In this study, the effect of roasting and boiling on the yield and oxidative stability of soya bean oil was investigated. The oil was soxhlet extracted and the oxidative stability was determined by the free fatty acid value, acid value and peroxide value. The results showed that the oil yield, free fatty acid value, acid value and peroxide value were significantly affected by roasting, boiling, and the thermal treatment time. The percentage oil yield in the control oil sample was 18.51%, which increased to 20.24% and 20.73% after boiling and roasting respectively, at 40mins. The corresponding free fatty acid and the peroxide value of the control oil sample were 0.14% and 2.04 meqO₂/kg, which increased to 0.82% and 6.60 meqO₂/kg by roasting, and 0.47% and 5.62 meqO₂/kg by boiling respectively. Thus the oil yield, free fatty acid value, peroxide value, and acid value increased with increasing roasting and boiling time.
The results indicate that roasting provides a higher oil yield than boiling, but boiled oil has higher oxidative stability than roasted oil.

This study evaluates the sustainability and ethical practices of Kerry Logistics Network Limited (KLN), a prominent logistics service provider headquartered in Hong Kong. Using normative ethical theories, stakeholder analysis, and the Circle of Sustainability framework, this research examines KLN’s alignment with global sustainability standards, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings reveal that KLN has achieved significant milestones in environmental management, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 11% from 2021 to 2022 through the deployment of electric trucks and incorporating renewable energy in warehouse operations. KLN has also enhanced social responsibility and governance practices by implementing fair labor policies and establishing a rigorous code of conduct, ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines across its supply chain. However, the study identifies areas for improvement, including biodiversity actions, battery recycling processes, and transparency in stakeholder engagement. Emphasizing the importance of third-party validation, this paper underscores KLN’s leadership in the logistics industry and provides insights for other companies aiming to improve sustainability performance through comprehensive, verifiable practices.

This study examines how economic freedom and competition affect bank stability. We use data from 70 ASEAN-4 banks from 2007 to 2019 using the system generalized technique of moments. Results corroborate competition-fragility hypothesis. Market strength (or less competition) can boost bank stability. However, in the ASEAN-4 area, competition and bank stability have a non-linear relationship, suggesting that bank stability may decline after market strength exceeds a threshold. Financial and economic freedom also boosts bank stability. This implies banks in free financial and economic contexts are more stable. Banks with more market dominance in nations with more economic or financial autonomy may also be more unstable. The findings suggest that authorities should allow some competition and economic flexibility to keep banks stable. The study examined ASEAN-4 economic freedom’s effects empirically for the first time. It illuminates competitiveness and bank stability.

During property renovations, sustainability is increasingly playing a crucial role in reducing environmental impacts, utilizing resources efficiently, and improving the quality of living environments. In our research, we examined the environmentally conscious thinking of potential clients for sustainable renovations, including their requirements for materials, which encompass enhancing energy efficiency, the importance of waste reduction, the significance of using alternative energy, and the application of eco-friendly, durable, and local materials. According to the results of our quantitative survey, respondents recognized the importance of sustainability considerations and expressed their commitment towards energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions, although costs and payback periods continued to be decisive factors. We found that advocates of sustainable property renovations in our sample displayed environmentally conscious characteristics, and environmentally conscious consumers are willing to spend more for significant and long-term results. As part of our research, we conducted in-depth interviews with real estate agents and general contractors to understand sustainability considerations in the decision-making process of property renovations. The key lesson from the interviews was that buyers can be segmented into different groups, with those prioritizing environmental awareness being of significant importance. Based on the findings, sustainability is increasingly coming to the forefront in property renovations. Thus, our publication offers a detailed insight into market trends and practices.