The freight transport chain brings together several types of players, particularly upstream and downstream players, where it is connected to both nodal and linear logistics infrastructures. The territorial anchoring of the latter depends on a good level of collaboration between the various players. In addition to the flow of goods from various localities in the area, the Autonomous Port of Lomé generates major flows to and through the port city of Lomé, which raises questions about the sustainability of these various flows, which share the road with passenger transport flows. The aim of this study is to analyse the challenges associated with the sustainability of goods flows. The methodology is based on direct observations of incoming and outgoing flows in the Greater Lomé Autonomous District (DAGL) and semi-directive interviews with the main players in urban transport and logistics. The results show that the three main challenges to the sustainability of goods transport are congestion (28%), road deterioration (22%) and lack of parking space (18%).

In the era of artificial intelligence, smart clothing, as a product of the interaction between fashion clothing and intelligent technology, has increasingly attracted the attention and affection of enterprises and consumers. However, to date, there is a lack of focus on the demand of silver-haired population’s consumers for smart clothing. To adapt to the rapidly aging modern society, this paper explores the influencing factors of silver-haired population’s demand for smart clothing and proposes a corresponding consumer-consumption-need theoretical model (CCNTM) to further promote the development of the smart clothing industry. Based on literature and theoretical research, using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and functional-expressive-aesthetic consumer needs model (FEAM) as the foundation, and introducing interactivity and risk perception as new external variables, a consumer-consumption-need theoretical model containing nine variables including perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, functionality, expressiveness, aesthetics, interactivity, risk perception, purchase attitude, and purchase intention was constructed. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the Chinese silver-haired population aged 55–65 using the Questionnaire Star platform, with a total of 560 questionnaires issued. The results show that the functionality, expressiveness, interactivity, and perceived ease of use of smart clothing significantly positively affect perceived usefulness (P < 0.01); perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, aesthetics, and interactivity significantly positively affect the purchase attitude of the silver-haired population (P < 0.01); perceived usefulness, aesthetics, interactivity, and purchase attitude significantly positively affect the purchase intention of the silver-haired population (P < 0.01); functionality and expressiveness significantly positively affect perceived ease of use (P < 0.01); risk perception significantly negatively affects purchase attitude (P < 0.01). Through the construction and empirical study of the smart clothing consumer-consumption-need theoretical model, this paper hopes to stimulate the purchasing behavior of silver-haired population’s consumers towards smart clothing and enable them to enjoy the benefits brought by scientific and technological advancements, which to live out their golden years in comfort, also, promote the rapid development of the smart clothing industry.

The implementation of data interoperability in healthcare relies heavily on policy frameworks. However, many hospitals across South Africa are struggling to integrate data interoperability between systems, due to insufficient policy frameworks. There is a notable awareness that existing policies do not provide clear actionable direction for interoperability implementation in hospitals. This study aims to develop a policy framework for integrating data interoperability in public hospitals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The study employed a conceptual framework grounded in institutional theory, which provided a lens to understand policies for interoperability. This study employed a convergence mixed method research design. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study comprised 144 clinical and administrative personnel and 16 managers. Data were analyzed through descriptive and thematic analysis. The results show evidence of coercive isomorphism that public hospitals lack cohesive policies that facilitate data interoperability. Key barriers to establishing policy framework include inadequate funding, ambiguous guidelines, weak governance, and conflicting interests among stakeholders. The study developed a policy to facilitate the integration of data interoperability in hospitals. This study underscores the critical need for the South African government, legislators, practitioners, and policymakers to consult and involve external stakeholders in the policy-making processes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally transformed the global education landscape, compelling institutions to adopt e-learning as an essential tool to sustain academic activities. This research examines the critical impact of e-learning on arts and science college students in Coimbatore, with an emphasis on its influence on their readiness for campus recruitment. Using a survey of 300 students, this study investigates their perceptions of online education, highlighting both its advantages, such as flexibility and accessibility, and its challenges, including engagement barriers and technical limitations. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using statistical methods to draw meaningful insights. The research also explores the efficacy of online assessments in recruitment processes and assesses students’ awareness of available e-learning platforms and courses. The urgency of this study lies in addressing the pressing need to optimize digital education models as institutions globally transition toward blended learning post-pandemic. The findings underline the dual potential and limitations of e-learning, concluding with actionable recommendations to enhance its effectiveness, particularly in preparing students for competitive employment opportunities.

The centers of trade and economic activities in the region of Southeast Asia rank from a huge and modern to a small and traditional pattern. Malacca and Singapore have been cases in point for huge and modern patterns, while the border areas in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and the Philippines are the cases for small and traditional centers. This paper will argue that with global connectivity and regional dynamics, the small and traditional trade and economic centers could shift to modern ones. History records that the introduction of the Southeast Asian region by the outside world, especially in relation to trade and economic activities, was largely derived from the significant role played by the people in the mainland of Southeast Asia regarding the silk roads route and the role of the people in the insular or islands of Southeast Asia regarding the spice trade route in the premodern time. Later in the modern time in Southeast Asia, the role of Islam, the Europeans and the center trade of Malacca around the 17th and 18th centuries played a significant role. Indeed, huge trade centers like Malacca in the 17th C and 18th C and later by Singapore in the 9th C have been very important throughout the history of trade in the Southeast Asian region. However, we must not ignore the roles of the border areas in the Southeast Asian archipelago, especially in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and the border region of the Philippines which have played a dominant role in trade and economic activities. These activities have been smaller and more traditional than the Malacca and Singapore cases, but economic activities could develop rapidly with the global connection and its interconnectivity. Besides, those border areas have also become an important key for security issues not only in the Southeast Asia region in particular but also in the Asia Pacific or Indo Pacific region as well. The security of the region of Southeast Asia and even Indo Pacific could be affected by the situation in those border areas. Interconnectivity is a challenge as well as an opportunity for these border areas to become the future of trade and economic activities within the region of Southeast Asia that also connects with the region of Indo Pacific, especially China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The planning of Indonesian capital movement to East Kalimantan will add opportunities for those border areas located near the proposed new capital. About the above issues, this paper will address several issues: firstly, the history of trade and economic activities in Malacca, Singapore, and the border areas in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and the Philippines; secondly, the different patterns of trade and economic developments of the Malacca, Singapore, and the border areas in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and Philippines; thirdly, the challenges and opportunities of the border areas in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and the Philippines to develop bigger trade centers in the future; fourth, the interconnectivity of those border areas to Asia Pacific region. This paper uses an interdisciplinary approach in the fields of social sciences and humanities. With this study, it is hoped that a better understanding of regional dynamics will be obtained, especially in the border areas. The period that we use is from 1998 until present time regarding if there was changing policy due to the end of Old Order to the Reformation period of Indonesian government. As a result, the development of border areas had been in existence before the colonial time in which people moved freely and had trade contacts. Even though they used to have the same ethnic linkage, after the formation of a modern state where they have different citizenships, in reality they can relate to each other in harmony and peace because of the similarity of ethnic linkages they had in the past. Colonial powers intended to replace the powers of traditional kingdoms with the idea of civilizing the colonializ

This study investigates the viability and sustainability of proposed landfill sites based on the uncapacitated facility location problem framework utilising the SmartPLS4 Structural Equation Modelling. Investigating the Cape Coast Metropolis, a stratified sampling method selected 400 samples out of which 320 valid respondents were used as the basis for the analysis. Through statistical analysis, significant correlations were identified among community acceptance, environmental impact, facility accessibility, site sustainability, and operational efficiency. However, no significant correlation was found between economic viability and site sustainability. Furthermore, the proposed indirect mediation pathway from operational efficiency to site sustainability via facility accessibility was also statistically insignificant. Employing the use of SmartPLS4 approach in studying the application of uncapacitated facility location problem framework, deepens the understanding of landfill viability and sustainability dynamics. This research contributes to the environmental sciences and sustainability by providing insights into landfill management strategies and emphasising the importance of community engagement and environmental performance in achieving sustainable outcomes. Future research could refine the model by including additional variables like technological advancements and regulatory frameworks, conducting longitudinal studies to track landfill dynamics over time, and undertaking comparative studies across different geographical regions. This could provide insights into management approaches’ applicability. Interdisciplinary collaborations are recommended to address the multifaceted challenges of landfill sustainability.