Providing and using energy efficiently is hampered by concerns about the environment and the unpredictability of fossil fuel prices and quantities. To address these issues, energy planning is a crucial tool. The aim of the study was to prioritize renewable energy options for use in Mae Sariang’s microgrid using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to produce electricity. A prioritization exercise involved the use of questionnaire surveys to involve five expert groups with varying backgrounds in Thailand’s renewable energy sector. We looked at five primary criteria. The following four combinations were suggested: (1) Grid + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS); (2) Grid + BESS + Solar Photovoltaic (PV); (3) Grid + Diesel Generator (DG) + PV; and (4) Grid + DG + Hydro + PV. To meet demand for electricity, each option has the capacity to produce at least 6 MW of power. The findings indicated that production (24.7%) is the most significant criterion, closely followed by economics (24.2%), technology (18.5%), social and environmental (18.1%), and structure (14.5%). Option II is strongly advised in terms of economic and structural criteria, while option I has a considerable advantage in terms of production criteria and the impact on society and the environment. The preferences of options I, IV, and III were ranked, with option II being the most preferred choice out of the four.

The area of lake surface water is shrinking rapidly in Central Asia. We explore anthropogenic and climate factors driving this trend in Shalkar Lake, located in the Aral Sea region in Kazakhstan, Central Asia. We employ the Landsat satellite archive to map interannual changes in surface water between 1986 and 2021. The high temporal resolution of our dataset allows us to analyze the water surface data to investigate the time series of surface water change, economic and agricultural activities, and climate drivers like precipitation, evaporation, and air temperature. Toward this end, we utilize dynamic linear models (DLM). Our findings suggest that the shrinking of Shalkar Lake does not exhibit a systemic trend that could be associated with climate factors. Our empirical analysis, adopted to address local conditions, reveals that water reduction in the area is related to human interventions, particularly agricultural activities during the research period. On the other hand, the retrospectively fitted values indicate a semi-regular periodicity despite anthropogenic factors. Our results demonstrate that climate factors still play an essential role and should not be disregarded. Additionally, considering long-term climate projections in environmental impact assessment is crucial. The projected increase in temperatures and the corresponding decline in lake size highlights the need for proactive measures in managing water resources under changing climatic conditions.

The transition to sustainable agricultural practices is critical in the face of escalating climate challenges. Despite significant advances, the integration of green technologies within agribusiness remains underexplored. This study undertakes a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, utilizing data from the Web of Science Core Collection (1990–2023), to elucidate the integration of green technologies within agribusiness strategies. The research highlights key trends, influential authors, prominent journals, and significant thematic clusters, including biogas, biochar, biotech remediation, sustainable agriculture transition, low-carbon agriculture, and green strategies. By employing R, Bibliometrix, and VOSviewer, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the research landscape, emphasizing the critical role of strategic planning, policy frameworks, technological innovation, and interdisciplinary approaches in promoting sustainable agricultural development. The findings underscore the growing scholarly interest in sustainable practices, driven by global initiatives such as the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. This study contributes to the literature by offering qualitative insights and policy implications, highlighting the necessity for a holistic integration of green technologies to enhance the environmental and economic viability of agribusinesses.

The government’s increased cigarette tariff aims to lower smoking rates and avoid adverse impacts. This study’s goal was to offer process innovation for lowering Asian’ smoking behavior. The participants were chosen by stratified random selection from a total of 738 people residing in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The instrument was a questionnaire. A software programmer was used to examine descriptive and inferential statistics using EFA and one-way ANOVA techniques. A strategic framework guideline using a SWOT analysis and TOWS matrix to encourage smoking reduction was proposed. The findings revealed two components: smoking behavior change and continues smoking that were based on SWOT analysis and TOWs matrix. There were nine strategies for the excise department to consider for the adjustment of the next policy in terms of reducing the number of smokers. The practical and policy suggestions could help reduce the negative impact of the cigarette industry on public health and increase government revenue while addressing weaknesses and threats in the industry.

In the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era, the rapid digitalisation of services poses both opportunities and challenges for the banking sector. This study addresses how adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and online and mobile banking advancements can influence customer satisfaction, particularly in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Despite significant investments in AI and digital banking technologies, banks often struggle to align these innovations with customer expectations and satisfaction. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), this research investigates the impact of customer satisfaction with online banking (C_O) on AI integration (I_A) and mobile banking convenience (C_M). The SEM model reveals that customer satisfaction with online banking significantly influences AI integration (path coefficient of 0.40) and mobile banking convenience (path coefficient of 0.68). These results highlight a crucial problem: while technological advancements in banking are growing, their effectiveness is highly dependent on customer satisfaction with existing digital services. The study underscores the need for banks to prioritise enhancing online banking experiences as a strategic lever to improve AI integration and mobile banking convenience. Consequently, the research recommends that Nigerian banks develop comprehensive frameworks to evaluate and optimise their technology integration strategies, ensuring that technological innovations align with customer needs and expectations in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

SMEs are characterized by a number of flaws that threaten their survival and counteract them from reaching high levels of growth and development. Access to finance is the primary problem facing these companies in the Moroccan context. Aware of the effective and potential impacts of SMEs on the country as a whole, the Moroccan Government through a variety of actors has mobilized its efforts in a number of ways to support this population of companies. This study assesses the extent to which actors within the Moroccan SMEs’ financing ecosystem align to support these companies and develop their ability to access external financing. Using the MACTOR model, based on an in-depth contextual analysis and expert interviews, our findings suggest that Morocco’s SMEs’ financing ecosystem is skewed, with high levels of convergence between its components.