Consumers waste significant amounts of food. Food waste presents a substantial problem for the environment, society and economy. Addressing the food waste challenge is crucial for fostering sustainable behavior and achieving the Sustainability Development Goal 12.3 agenda. Norms are a significant determinant in motivating consumers to prevent food waste and could be activated by other factors. Religiosity has the potential to influence norms related to food waste behavior. This study investigated how religiosity affects the intentions of consumers to minimize food waste. The interplay of religiosity, personal norms, subjective norms, and intention to avoid food waste was examined by the extended norm activation model. Data were obtained from Muslim consumers in Indonesia. Structural equation modeling evaluation showed that religiosity positively affects the intention to prevent food waste. The intention to avoid food waste is more closely associated with personal norms compared to subjective norms. Personal norms mediate the religiosity and food waste reduction intention relationship. Consumer awareness activates personal norms by making them feel accountable for food waste’s negative impact. These findings provide insights to stakeholders in developing policies to mitigate the food waste issue.
The telecommunications services market faces essential challenges in an increasingly flexible and customer-adaptable environment. Research has highlighted that the monopolization of the spectrum by one operator reduces competition and negatively impacts users and the general dynamics of the sector. This article aims to present a proposal to predict the number of users, the level of traffic, and the operators’ income in the telecommunications market using artificial intelligence. Deep Learning (DL) is implemented through a Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) as a prediction technique. The database used corresponds to the users, revenues, and traffic of 15 network operators obtained from the Communications Regulation Commission of the Republic of Colombia. The ability of LSTMs to handle temporal sequences, long-term dependencies, adaptability to changes, and complex data management makes them an excellent strategy for predicting and forecasting the telecom market. Various works involve LSTM and telecommunications. However, many questions remain in prediction. Various strategies can be proposed, and continued research should focus on providing cognitive engines to address further challenges. MATLAB is used for the design and subsequent implementation. The low Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values and the acceptable levels of Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), especially in an environment characterized by high variability in the number of users, support the conclusion that the implemented model exhibits excellent performance in terms of precision in the prediction process in both open-loop and closed-loop.
Recognizing the importance of competition analysis in telecommunications markets is essential to improve conditions for users and companies. Several indices in the literature assess competition in these markets, mainly through company concentration. Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as an effective solution to process large volumes of data and manually detect patterns that are difficult to identify. This article presents an AI model based on the LINDA indicator to predict whether oligopolies exist. The objective is to offer a valuable tool for analysts and professionals in the sector. The model uses the traffic produced, the reported revenues, and the number of users as input variables. As output parameters of the model, the LINDA index is obtained according to the information reported by the operators, the prediction using Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) for the input variables, and finally, the prediction of the LINDA index according to the prediction obtained by the LSTM model. The obtained Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) levels indicate that the proposed strategy can be an effective tool for forecasting the dynamic fluctuations of the communications market.
The fifth-generation technology standard (5G) is the cellular technology standard of this decade and its adoption leaves room for research and disclosure of new insights. 5G demands specific skillsets for the workforce to cope with its unprecedented use cases. The rapid progress of technology in various industries necessitates a constant effort from workers to acquire the latest skills demanded by the tech sector. The successful implementation of 5G hinges on the presence of competent individuals who can propel its progress. Most of the existing works related to 5G explore this technology from a multitude of applied and industrial viewpoints, but very few of them take a rigorous look at the 5G competencies associated with talent development. A competency model will help shape the required educational and training activities for preparing the 5G workforce, thereby improving workforce planning and performance in industrial settings. This study has opted to utilize the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) to investigate and evaluate the perspectives of a group of experts, with the aim of proposing a 5G competency model. Based on the findings of this study, a model consisting of 46 elements under three categories is presented for utilization by any contingent of 5G. This competency model identifies, assesses, and introduces the necessary competencies, knowledge, and attributes for effective performance in a 5G-related job role in an industrial environment, guiding hiring, training, and development. Companies and academic institutions may utilize the suggested competency model in the real world to create job descriptions for 5G positions and to develop curriculum based on competencies. Such a model can be extended beyond the scope of 5G and lay the foundation of future wireless cellular network competency models, such as 6G competency models, by being refined and revised.
In the fast-paced modern society, enhancing employees’ professional qualities through training has become crucial for enterprise development. However, training satisfaction remains under-studied, particularly in specialized sectors such as the coal industry. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the impact of personal characteristics, organizational characteristics, and training design on training satisfaction, utilizing Baldwin and Ford’s transfer of training model as the theoretical framework. The study identifies how these factors influence training satisfaction and provides actionable insights for improving training effectiveness in China’s coal industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: A cross-sectional design that allowed the study to capture data at one point in time from a large sample of employees was employed to conduct an online survey involving 251 employees from the Huaibei Mining Group in Anhui Province, China. The survey was administered over three months, capturing a diverse sample with nearly equal gender distribution (51% male, 49% female) and a majority aged between 21 and 40. The participants represented various educational backgrounds, with 52.19% holding an undergraduate degree and most occupying entry-level positions (74.9%), providing a broad workforce representation. Findings: The research indicated that personal traits were the chief predictor of training satisfaction, showing a beta coefficient of 0.585 (95% CI: [0.423, 0.747]). Linear regression modeling indicates that training satisfaction is strongly related to organizational attributes (β = 0.276 with a confidence interval of 95% [0.109, 0.443]). In contrast, training design did not appear to be a strong predictor (β = 0.094, 95% CI: [−0.012, 0.200]). Employee training satisfaction was the principal outcome measure, measured with a 5-point Likert scale. The independent variables covered personal characteristics, organizational characteristics, and training design, all measured through validated items taken from former research. The consistency of the questionnaire from the inside was strong, as Cronbach’s alpha values stood between 0.891 and 0.936. We completed statistical testing using SPSS 27.0, complemented by multiple linear regression, to study the interactions between the variables. Practical implications: This research contributes to the literature by emphasizing the necessity for context-specific training approaches within the coal industry. It highlights the importance of considering personal and organizational characteristics when designing training programs to enhance employee satisfaction. The study suggests further exploration of the multifaceted factors influencing training satisfaction, reinforcing the relevance of Baldwin and Ford’s theoretical model in understanding training effectiveness. Ultimately, the findings provide valuable insights for organizations seeking to improve training outcomes and foster a more engaged workforce. Conclusion: The study concluded that personal and organizational characteristics significantly impact employee training satisfaction in the coal industry, with personal characteristics being the strongest predictor. The beta coefficient for personal characteristics was 0.585, indicating a strong positive relationship. Organizational characteristics also had a positive effect, with a beta coefficient of 0.276. However, training design did not show a significant impact on training satisfaction. These findings highlight the need for coal companies to focus on personal and organizational factors when designing training programs to enhance satisfaction and improve training outcomes.
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