This paper reviews and compares the opportunities and challenges in terms of port and intermodal development in China and India—the two fast-growing economic giants in the world. The study analyzes the future direction of these two countries’ port-hinterland intermodal development from the sustainability perspective. Both China and India face some major opportunities and challenges in port-hinterland intermodal development. The proposal of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), offers plentiful opportunities for China. A challenge for China is that its development of dry ports is still in the infancy stage and thus it is unable to catch up with the pace of rapid economic growth. As compared with China, India focuses more on the social aspect to protect the welfare of its residents, which in turn jeopardizes India’s port-hinterland intermodal development in the economic sense. The biggest challenge for India is its social institution, which would take a long time to change. These in-depth comparative analyses not only give the future direction of port-hinterland intermodal development in China and India but also provide references for other countries with similar backgrounds.
There has been a growing interest in studying dysfunctional personality traits in the workplace. In line with this trend, this study examines how the Dark Triad personalities (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) can predict innovative work behavior. Additionally, the study builds on Trait Activation Theory and proposes a moderating effect of training satisfaction on this relationship. The purpose of this study is to understand if the Dark Triad traits predict innovative behavior while simultaneously examining the role of training satisfaction in channeling these traits toward innovative behavior. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on the five largest telecommunication companies in Pakistan. The data gathered was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results established a positive relationship between each trait of the Dark Triad and innovative work behavior. Moreover, training satisfaction was found to moderate the relationship between the psychopathy trait and innovative work behavior. In light of these findings, the study contributes to personality-behavior research in organizations by demonstrating that the Dark Triad predicts innovative work behavior in managers and that the innovative behaviors associated with the psychopathy trait can be enhanced in the presence of training satisfaction.
The study’s objective is to identify the challenges and limitations faced by the current vocational education system in preparing graduates in the era of the industrial revolution in the evolving job market in Tangerang, Indonesia. The study primarily examines vocational high schools and adopts a quantitative and quasi-experimental research approach, using control groups to conduct pre- and posttests. The experimental group experiences demonstrations, whereas the control group receives explanations. Instructors employ a blend of demonstration and explanation techniques to explain equipment operation before allowing students to engage in vocational training. The study, led by students in various engineering fields, evaluates technical competencies, work ethics, and foundational knowledge using tests and observations. Job preparation is assessed using the minimal completeness criteria (MCC), which focuses on the importance of proper knowledge, attitudes, and skills. The results indicate that vocational teachers have the potential to play a pivotal role in introducing cutting-edge, technology-based teaching methods, therefore enabling students to make well-informed decisions about their careers. This research enhances vocational education by incorporating practical skills and attitudes with academic knowledge, effectively addressing the changing requirements of the work market.
This study aims to investigate the enhancement in electrical efficiency of a polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) module. The performance of a PV module primarily depends upon environmental factors like temperature, irradiance, etc. Mainly, the PV module performance depends upon the panel temperature. The performance of the PV module has an inverse relationship with temperature. The open circuit voltage of a module decreases with the increase in temperature, which consequently leads to the reduction in maximum power, efficiency, and fill factor. This study investigates the increase in the efficiency of the PV module by lowering the panel temperature with the help of water channel cooling and water-channel accompanied with forced convection. The two arrangements, namely, multi-inlet outlet and serpentine, are used to decrease the temperature of the polycrystalline PV module. Copper tubes in the form of the above arrangements are employed at the back surface of the panel. The results demonstrate that the combined technique is more efficient than the simple water-channel cooling technique owing to multi-heat dissipation and effective heat transfer, and it is concluded that the multi-inlet outlet cooling technique is more efficient than the serpentine cooling technique, which is attributed to uniform cooling over the surface and lesser pressure losses.
The research utilizes a comprehensive dataset from MENA-listed companies, capturing data from 2013 to 2022 to scrutinize the influence of capital structure (CapSt) level on corporate performance across 11 distinct countries. This study analyzed 6870 firm-year observations using a quantitative research method through static and dynamic panel data analysis. The primary analysis reveals a positive correlation between the CapSt ratio and company performance using fixed effects (FE) techniques. Hence, the preliminary results were re-examined and affirmed using a two-step system generalized method of moment (GMM) estimator to address potential endogeneity concerns. This finding aligns with most studies conducted in advanced countries, indicating a positive correlation between CapSt and corporate performance. Furthermore, it is also consistent with some research conducted in less-developed markets. This research argues that, in the MENA region, the advantages of debt, such as tax saving, may outweigh the potential financial distress cost. Furthermore, it offers insights into the monitoring role of CapSt in MENA-listed companies. We strengthen our research results by employing various methodologies and using alternative measures of accounting performance and controlling size, notably panel quantile regression analysis.
As the second most polluting industry in the world, the fashion industry has a critical impact on the environment. The development of sustainable fashion is conducive to reducing the environmental pollution caused by the fashion industry. China has the largest consumer market in the world, and the Chinese government and major companies have made considerable contributions to the sustainable development of the fashion industry. However, research regarding young women’s attitudes towards this topic remains under-explored. This study interviewed 30 young women of different ages from different places in China. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), a semi-structured interview was used as a data collection method, and thematic analysis was adopted for data analysis. This paper discusses young Chinese female consumers’ attitudes towards sustainable fashion and analyzes the motivating factors and hindrance factors affecting the consumption intentions of young Chinese female consumers towards sustainable fashion. The research found that young Chinese female consumers generally hold a positive and supportive attitude towards sustainable fashion. Consumers’ perceptions of sustainable fashion, their self-perceptions, and their level of green awareness all significantly impact their attitudes and purchase intentions toward sustainable fashion. Consumers feel low social pressure, and Chinese society demonstrates a high level of acceptance and praise for sustainable concepts. However, the lack of purchasing channels and choices for sustainable fashion in China and the high cost of sustainable fashion products discourage consumers from making purchases. This study will be beneficial as a reference when the Chinese government makes sustainable policies to guide consumers toward sustainable fashion consumption. This study helps enterprises select target markets in China and formulate sustainable fashion marketing strategies and targeted advertising. This study contributes to increasing consumer awareness of sustainable fashion, as well as providing reference and reflective value when consumers purchase sustainable fashion products. Finally, this study will help promote the development process of sustainable fashion in Chinese society, make contributions to reducing the waste of social resources, promoting the recycling of resources, and improving social conditions, and put forward specific solutions and feasible suggestions for the development of sustainable fashion in Chinese society.
Copyright © by EnPress Publisher. All rights reserved.