The exploitation of timber has had a profound impact on tropical forest areas and their structures. This study assessed the effect of selective logging on natural regeneration and soil characteristics in post-loading bay sites at the Pra-Anum forest reserve in Ghana, West Africa. The results showed no difference in the number of species enumerated in the loading bays and the undisturbed area. More trees were observed in the RAT and RNT plots than in the undisturbed area. Relative to the RAT plot, species on the RNT and the undisturbed area were less diverse and less evenly distributed. Mean tree height, diameter, and basal area were higher in the RAT and RNT plots than in the undisturbed plots. Soil bulk density was lower in the RAT and undisturbed plot than in the RAT plot and increased with increased depth. Soil organic matter was 44% and 27% more in the undisturbed and RAT plots, respectively, than in the RNT plot and accounted for 84.75%, 83.97% and 45.33% of variations in soil bulk density, pH, and CEC. The study provides insight into the need to rehabilitate highly disturbed areas in forests, particularly the addition of topsoil on loading bays, skid trails, roads, and gaps after logging to improve the productivity of the forest soils.
This study rigorously investigates the Starlink Project’s impact on Thailand’s legal frameworks, regulatory policies, and national security concerns. Utilising a well-structured online questionnaire, we collected responses from 1378 Thai participants, meticulously selected to represent diverse demographics, technology usage patterns, and social media interactions. Our analytical approach integrated binary regression analysis to dissect the intricate relationships between various predictor variables and the project’s potential effects. Notably, the study unveils critical insights into how factors such as age, gender, education level, income, as well as specific technology and social media usage (including laptop, smartphone, tablet, home and mobile Internet, and TikTok), influence perceptions of Starlink’s impact. Intriguingly, certain variables like Twitter and YouTube usage emerged as non-significant. These nuanced findings offer a robust empirical basis for stakeholders to forge targeted strategies and policies, ensuring that the advent of the Starlink Project aligns with Thailand’s national security, legal, and regulatory harmony.
The integration of digitalization and servitization has become a significant trend in transforming the manufacturing industry due to digital intelligence technology. This paper examines the impact of the integration of digitalization and servitization on the performance of manufacturing companies and how small-scale enterprises can promote digital transformation leading to servitization. The study involved surveying 331 manufacturing companies in China using a seven-point Likert scale questionnaire. Measurement scales were validated using confirmatory factor analysis and discriminant validity tests. Mediation analysis assessed digitalization’s impact on servitization and firm performance. The study’s findings emphasize the significant impact of digitalization and servitization on enterprises’ performance. Digitalization plays a crucial role in mediating this relationship. The study highlights three critical dimensions of digital variables, including digital technology, digital labor, and digital relationship resources, essential in enabling effective servitization. Manufacturing enterprises generally prefer aligning their technology investments and organizational changes within the digitalization framework to implement servitization successfully. The study suggests two integration strategies, namely conservative and aggressive. The finding emphasizes that the convergence of digitalization and servitization leads to a new manufacturing production mode called digital servitization.
This study is based on the theory of planned behaviour, and its aim is to understand the impact of doctoral pursuit intention on the doctoral preparatory behaviour of female teachers in independent colleges in China, as well as to determine the moderating effect of perceived risk between doctoral pursuit intention and doctoral preparatory behaviour. The participants in the study were female teachers from independent colleges in China, who were recruited between February and March 2024 based on convenience sampling. 776 valid questionnaires were obtained, and the data were analyzed using a hierarchical regression method. According to the results, a doctoral pursuit intention has a significant and positive predictive effect on doctoral preparatory behaviour, while the perceived risk has a significant and negative moderating effect between doctoral pursuit intention and doctoral preparatory behaviour. This indicates that female teachers with high doctoral pursuit intention more actively prepare to pursue a doctoral degree when the perceived risk is low, whereas the doctoral preparatory behaviour of those with high perceived risk shows a limited increase as their doctoral pursuit intention increases. Therefore, female teachers’ pursuit of a doctoral degree should be supported on an individual basis and analysed within the broader context of the transformation of independent colleges.
This research aims to identify best practices and policy guidelines that foster sustainable urban ecotourism. As urban areas continue to expand, integrating ecotourism into urban planning emerges as a critical approach to sustainable development. This paper compares the policies and practices of urban ecotourism development in Thailand and China, aiming to construct a sustainable framework applicable to urban ecotourism development. Employing a comparative literature review, this research synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed journals, governmental reports, and case studies published between 2000 and 2024. The analysis focuses on the policies and practices adopted by Thailand and China to promote urban ecotourism, examining their effectiveness, challenges, and outcomes. The review shows distinct approaches in the two countries, with Thailand emphasizing community-based practices and stakeholder involvement and China primarily focusing on top-down policy initiatives for urban ecotourism development. Despite differing strategies, both countries demonstrate a commitment to integrating ecotourism into urban development plans. From the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic three dimensions, key successes include enhanced biodiversity conservation, increased local community participation, and improved tourist satisfaction. Challenges such as inadequate policy implementation, environmental degradation, and the sustainability of ecotourism practices are also discussed. The conclusion is that a holistic approach to urban ecotourism development that aligns policy and practice with the principles of sustainability is meaningful. The proposed framework offers actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and ecotourism practitioners aiming to use the potential of ecotourism as a tool for sustainable urban development in Thailand, China, and beyond.
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