This study examined the impact of transition programs on the post-school outcomes of Saudi adolescents with special needs. The study examines the impact of vocational training, career counseling, and community participation on job outcomes, the pursuit of further education, and the acquisition of independent living skills. The research is conducted on a diverse sample of 500 students (260 girls and 240 boys). The data is analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and ANOVA, revealing positive perceptions of transition services and identifying significant predictors of post-school performance. Post-hoc testing enhances understanding of nuanced differences between groups. The findings underscore the need for tailored transition programs that prioritize the extent of vocational training and apply culturally responsive approaches. Proposed approaches include enhancing vocational training programs, enhancing career counseling services, encouraging community involvement, and performing continuous research and evaluation. This study makes substantial additions to the current corpus of knowledge and provides crucial information to influence policy and practice in Saudi Arabia.

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 global COVID-19 crisis has precipitated an economic downturn in many countries, subsequently raising concerns about the potential challenges faced by marginalized populations, such as refugees, in accessing essential healthcare, hygiene facilities, and critical health information and safety guidelines within the context of Jordan. Consequently, it is of paramount importance to investigate and evaluate the specific economic hurdles related to COVID-19 that refugees are encountering. This inquiry will serve as a valuable foundation for shaping public health interventions aimed at containing the virus’s spread and guiding policymakers on strategies to enhance the well-being of refugees in Jordan. This paper offers a comprehensive examination of Syrian refugees in Jordan, including an analysis of the policies implemented by Jordan concerning Syrian refugees in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the report assesses whether international assistance, both through bilateral and multilateral channels, can mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Jordan’s capacity to continue hosting Syrian refugees. It also delves into the economic consequences of COVID-19, covering aspects such as poverty, education, the health sector budget, healthcare accessibility, essential needs, livelihoods, the labor market, and food security among Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Sustainability is a top priority for municipal administrations, particularly in large urban centers where citizens rely on transportation for work, study, and daily errands. Public transportation faces a significant challenge beyond availability, performance, safety, and comfort: balancing the cost for the city with fare attractiveness for passengers. Meanwhile, bicycles, supported by public incentives due to their clean and healthy appeal, compete with public transit. In Curitiba, the integrated transport system has been consistently losing passengers, exacerbated by the pandemic and the rise in private vehicle usage. To address this, the city is expanding bicycle infrastructure and electric bike rental services, impacting public transit revenue, and prompting the need for financial compensation to maintain affordable fares for those reliant on public transport. Therefore, this study’s objective is to analyze the bicycle’s impact on public transportation, considering the impact of public policies on economic and social efficiency, not just ecological and environmental factors. Data from six main bus lines were collected and analyzed in two separate linear regression models to verify the effects of new bicycles in circulation, bus tariffs, and weather conditions on public transportation demand. Research results revealed a significant impact of bus tariffs and fuel prices on the number of new bicycles that are diverting passengers from public transportation. The discussion may offer a different perspective on public transport policies and improve city infrastructure investments to strategically change the urban form to address social and economic issues.

The low-carbon economy is the major objective of China’s economy, and its goal is to achieve sustainable economic development. The study enriches the literature on the relationship between digital Chinese yuan (E-CNY), low-carbon economy, AI trust concerns, and security intrusion. The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) offered more ways to achieve a low-carbon economy. The digital Chinese yuan (E-CNY), based on the AI technique, has shown its nature and valid low-carbon characteristics in pilot cities of China, it will assume important responsibilities and become the key link. However, trust concerns about AI techniques result in a limitation of the scope and extent of E-CNY usage. The study conducts in-depth research from the perspective of AI trust concerns, explores the influence of E-CNY on the low-carbon economy, and discusses the moderating and mediating mechanisms of AI trust concerns in this process. The empirical data results showed that E-CNY positively affects China’s low-carbon economy, and AI trust concerns moderate the positive impact. When consumers with higher AI trust concerns use E-CNY, their feeling of security intrusion is also higher. It affects the growth of trading volume and scope of E-CNY usage. Still, it reduces the utility of China’s low-carbon economy. This study provides valuable management inspiration for China’s low-carbon economy.

This study investigates the role of property quality in shaping booking intentions within the dynamic landscape of the hospitality sector. A comprehensive approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies, is employed, utilising Airdna’s dataset spanning from July 2016 to June 2020. Multiple regression models, including interaction terms, are applied to scrutinise the moderating role of property quality. The study unveils unexpected findings, particularly a counterintuitive negative correlation between property quality and booking intentions in Model 7, challenging conventional assumptions. Theoretical implications call for a deeper exploration of contextual nuances and psychological intricacies influencing guest preferences, urging a re-evaluation of established models within hospitality management. On a practical note, the study emphasises the significance of continuous quality improvement and dynamic strategies aligned with evolving consumer expectations. The unexpected correlation prompts a shift towards more context-specific approaches in understanding and managing guest behavior, offering valuable insights for both academia and the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry.