Smallholder paprika farmers in Zimbabwe contribute to local economies and food security but face supply chain challenges like limited market access and poor infrastructure which lead to post harvest losses and unpredictable prices. To survive, these farmers must adopt sustainable value networks to reduce operational costs and improve performance. This study sought to establish the effect of sustainable value networks on the operational performance of smallholder paprika farming in Zimbabwe. This study, using a positivist research philosophy and a quantitative approach, surveyed 288 smallholder paprika farmers in Zimbabwe. Exploratory factor analysis and partial least squares structural equation modelling were used to validate the constructs and test the hypothesised relationships. Results demonstrate a moderate level of implementation of value networks in smallholder paprika farming characterised by successes and challenges. The findings illustrated resource sharing among smallholder farmers, facilitated by initiatives, such as recycled seed exchanges and financial support through village savings and loan associations. However, results show that challenges persist, particularly with market access and financial support. Results indicate that there is a significant awareness and implementation of green supply chain management practices among smallholder paprika farmers even though they do not have access to resources and live in rural areas. The findings demonstrate that value networks significantly influence the adoption of green supply chain management practices, which in turn positively impact operational performance, environmental performance, and social performance. Green supply chain management practices were found to mediate the relationship between value networks and environmental performance, social performance, and operational performance, underlining the critical role of sustainable practices in enhancing performance outcomes. While environmental performance showed a positive effect on operational performance, the direct influence of social performance on operational performance was found to be statistically insignificant, suggesting the need for further exploration of the factors linking social benefits to operational efficiency. The research contributes to both theory and practice by presenting a sustainable value network model for smallholder paprika farmers, integrating value network, green supply chain management practices and environmental performance to enhance operational performance. Practical implications include policy recommendations to strengthen collaboration between smallholder farmers and other stakeholdersand address power imbalances with intermediaries. Future research should extend the study to other agricultural sectors and incorporate more diverse stakeholder perspectives to validate and generalise the proposed sustainable value network model.

The increasing demand for electricity and the need to reduce carbon emissions have made optimizing energy usage and promoting sustainability critical in the modern economy. This research paper explores the design and implementation of an Intelligent-Electricity Consumption and Billing Information System (IEBCIS), focusing on its role in addressing electricity sustainability challenges. Using the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, the system's architecture collects, analyses, and visualizes electricity usage data, providing users with valuable insights into their consumption patterns. The research involved developing and validating the IEBCIS prototype, with results demonstrating enhanced real-time monitoring, load shedding schedules, and billing information. These results were validated through user testing and feedback, contributing to the scientific knowledge of intelligent energy management systems. The contributions of this research include the development of a framework for intelligent energy management and the integration of data-driven insights to optimize electricity consumption, reduce costs, and promote sustainable energy use. This research was conducted over a time scope of two years (24 months) and entails design, development, pilot test implementation and validation phases.

Introduction: Many detrimental effects on employees’ health and wellbeing might result from inadequate illumination in the workplace. Headaches and trouble focusing can result from eye strain brought on by inadequate illumination. The purpose of this study was to simulate and optimize workplace illumination in the ceramic industry. Materials and methods: A common Luxmeter ST-1300 was used to measure the illumination in seven workplaces at a height of 100 cm above the floor. DIALux evo version 7.1 software was used to simulate the illumination of workplaces. To optimize the illumination conditions, a numerical experiment design consisting of 16 scenarios was used for each of the workplaces. Four factors were considered for each scenario: luminaire height, number of luminaires, luminous flux, and light loss factor. The Design-Expert program version 13.0.5.0 was applied for developing the scenarios. Finally, by developing quadratic models for each workplace, the optimization process was implemented. Results: Every workplace had illumination levels that were measured to be between 250 and 300 lux. Instead of using compact fluorescent luminaires, LED technology was recommended to maximize the illumination conditions for the workers. Following optimization, 376 lux of illumination were visible at each workstation in every workspace. For the majority of the workspaces, the simulated illumination was expected to have a desirability degree greater than 0.9. The uniformity and illumination of the workplace were significantly impacted by the two factors of luminaire height and luminaire count. Conclusion: The primary outcomes of this optimization were the environmental, political, and socioeconomic ones, including reduced consumption power, high light flux, and environmental compatibility. Nonetheless, the optimization technique applied in this work can be applied to the design of similar situations, such as residential infrastructure.

The urgency of adapting urban areas to the increasing impacts of climate change has prompted the scientific community to seek new approaches in partnership with public entities and civil society organizations. In Malaysia, Penang Island has developed a nature-based urban climate adaptation program (PNBCAP) seeking to increase urban resilience, reduce urban heat and flooding, strengthening social resilience, and build institutional capacity. The project includes a strong knowledge transfer component focused on encouraging other cities in the country to develop and implement adaptation policies, projects, and initiatives. This research develops a model adopting the most efficient processes to accelerate the transfer of knowledge to promote urban adaptation based on the PNBCAP. The methodology is developed based on a review of literature focused on innovation systems and change theories. The integration of success strategies in adaptation contributes to informing the creation of solutions around the alliance of local, state, and national government agencies, scientific institutions, and civil society organizations, in a new framework designated the Malaysian Adaptation Sharing Hub (MASH). MASH is structured in 3-steps and will function as an accelerator for the implementation of urban climate adaptation policies, with the target of creating 2 new adaptation-related policies to be adopted annually by each city member, based on knowledge gathered in the PNBCAP. It is concluded that, to speed up urban adaptation, it is necessary to reinforce and promote the sharing of knowledge resulting from or associated with pilot projects.

COVID-19 pandemic has caused many design bid build projects to suffer losses. Design bid build or DBB has the disadvantage of depth partnering. The research purpose is to reveal the depth of partnering of DBB, the characteristics of existing partnering in DBB through detection in each project life cycle in DBB, then efforts to increase DBB partnering to partnering in integrated project delivery (IPD). The methodology used is secondary data from three project DBB, then validation using focused group discussions (FGD) with expert judgment, then the Delphi method to analyse and propose recommendations. This project recommends that DBB project can improve the project performance so stakeholder can increase partnering toward integrated project delivery (IPD) partnering. This research can be used for increasing partnering in DBB projects towards partnering in IPD. This research will produce strategic recommendations that can be utilized by stakeholders (owner, contractor, designer) in improving project performance to generate great value for the project, will result in long-term project sustainability, improve relationships, and learn valuable lessons for future projects. DBB projects usually experience many problems due to the competitive nature of partnering for owners, contractors, and designers, so it is necessary to develop an overall strategy as an option to improve partnering in DBB project contracts. This research will help create a sustainable project by the owner, contractor, and designer.