The study examined the mediating role of supply chain security performance on the relationship between supply chain security practices and supply chain disruptions occurrences in the manufacturing industry in Ghana. Drawing on a survey of 336 manufacturing firms, dynamic capability, and contingency theories were applied using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the conceptual model. It was discovered that both direct and indirect hypotheses supported the findings of the study. The results indicate that Ghanaian manufacturing firms have made progress in implementing supply chain security measures. The findings revealed that the adoption of comprehensive supply chain security practices is positively associated with improved performance metrics, including reduced inventory losses and damages, faster order fulfillment and delivery times, lower costs related to security incidents, and enhanced brand reputation and customer trust. Policymakers can leverage these insights to develop support programs aimed at strengthening the security capabilities of manufacturing firms, ensuring they are equipped to compete effectively in both local and global markets, improving security performance, and reducing the likelihood and impact of supply chain disruptions. In the quest of bridging the gap between theory and practice, this research contributes valuable knowledge to the discourse on supply chain security in developing countries, offering a roadmap for enhancing resilience and performance in the manufacturing sector.
The improper disposal of litter by tourists poses a significant threat to tourism destinations worldwide, including in Indonesia. To mitigate marine litter, promoting eco-friendly behavior (EFB) among tourists is essential. This study applies the extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which posits that an individual’s behavior is driven by their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, to better understand the factors influencing eco-friendly behavioral intentions. In this research, ecological consciousness and ecological knowledge were added to the traditional TPB framework to gain deeper insights into tourist behavior. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 876 visitors to Lake Singkarak, Indonesia. The findings demonstrate that the inclusion of ecological consciousness and ecological knowledge significantly enhances the predictive power of the TPB model in explaining eco-friendly behavioral intentions. Based on these results, raising public awareness, improving government management, and enhancing the quality of lake attractions are recommended to encourage responsible tourism. These measures can reduce litter and conserve lake habitats, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of tourism in the region.
This research aims to investigate the impact of knowledge-based human resource management (KBHRM) practices on organizational performance through the mediating role of quality and quantity of knowledge worker productivity (QQKWP). The data were collected from 325 employees working in different private universities of Pakistan by using convenience and purposive sampling techniques. The quantitative research technique was used to perform analysis on WarpPLS software. The result revealed that only knowledge-based recruiting practices have a positive and significant direct effect on organizational performance. While knowledge-based performance appraisal practices, training and development practices and compensation practices all were insignificant in this regard. However, through mediator QQKWP, the knowledge-based recruiting practices (KBRP), knowledge-based training and development (KBTD), and knowledge-based compensation practices (KBCP) all were positively and significantly influencing organizational performance but only knowledge-based performance appraisal (KBPA) was insignificant in this mediating relationship. Lastly, the current study provides useful insights into the knowledge management (KM) literature in the context of private higher educational institutes of developing countries like Pakistan. The future studies should consider the impact of KBHRM practices on knowledge workers’ productivity and firms’ performances in the context of public universities.
Use of technologies and online presence is now almost inevitable in language learning. The practice of virtual exchanges (VEs) has been receiving a lot of attention among educators at all levels over the past years. This research paper sheds light on 13 VEs carried out in pre-service teacher education in the last six years and proposes its own VE design based on recommendations from the literature with the future perspective of designing a specific VE for the research. The aim of the systematic review was at first to determine the exchange and interaction set-ups and the potential gains in the terms of pre-service teachers’ skills development. Afterwards, we identified areas for improvement and proposed our design of a VE between pre-service teachers of English in Slovakia and Turkey. Some of the expected contributions of the proposed VE design are development of a linguistic and intercultural communicative competence, digital literacy, and other competences relevant for development of VEs.
To address gaps in practical skills among Public Health and Preventive Medicine graduates, an ‘open collaborative practice teaching model’ integrating medicine, teaching, and research was introduced. A cross-sectional study surveyed 312 Preventive Medicine undergraduates at a Yunnan medical university from 2020 to 2023, utilizing satisfaction scores and analyses (cluster, factor, SWOT) to assess the impact of the reform. Satisfaction scores from baseline, mid-term, and end-term assessments showed minor variations (4.30, 4.29, 4.36), with dissatisfaction primarily related to teaching content and methods. Key influences on satisfaction included teaching content, methods, and effectiveness. The SWOT analysis highlighted the importance of continuously updating teaching strategies to meet changing student expectations. This study suggests that the model has the potential for wider use in enhancing public health education, particularly in regions facing similar challenges.
The safeguarding of agricultural land is rooted in national land surveys and remote sensing data, which are enhanced by contemporary information technology. This framework facilitates the monitoring and regulation of unauthorized alterations in cultivated land usage. This paper aims to analyze land policies at the national, provincial, and local levels, investigate the cultivated land protection strategies implemented within the research region, where the policies have gained societal acceptance, and propose recommendations and countermeasures to enhance the development and utilization of land resources. The central issue of this study is to identify the challenges in achieving a balance between human activities and natural ecosystems. To address this issue, the research employs a combination of literature review, semi-structured interviews, text analysis, and content analysis, emphasizing the integration of empirical fieldwork and theoretical frameworks. Key areas of focus include: (a) the current state of the farmland protection system, (b) the legal foundations for local enforcement, (c) the systematic mechanisms for implementing arable land protection, and (d) the coordinated oversight system involving both the Party and government. Notably, the practice of cultivated land protection faces several challenges, primarily stemming from two factors. Firstly, there exists a disconnect between the economic interests of certain illegal land users and the objectives of land management, which hinders effective enforcement. Secondly, environmental repercussions arise from misinterpretations of land policy or non-compliant land development practices aimed at profit, which contradict the goals of ecological sustainability. The study examines two approaches to address the issue: the distribution and effective use of land resources, and the capacity for monitoring and early warning systems. Findings indicate that Dongtai City in Jiangsu Province has rigorously implemented all national land management policies, while also preserving the adaptability of local townships in practical applications, thereby ensuring the consistency of both the quality and quantity of arable land.
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