This study aims at exploring the direct impact of positive mental health through 6 factors on quality of life among students with disabilities and diabetes at Saudi universities, as well as the moderating impact of physical fitness on all direct relationships among all variables of the study. Employing a quantitative research methodology, using self-administered surveys distributed to a sample of students with disabilities and diabetes at numerous Saudi Arabian universities. 468 completed surveys were received and subjected to statistical analysis, using PLS-SEM, and the study uncovered significant positive direct relationships between all positive mental health sub factors and quality of life among students. Additionally, the study revealed that physical fitness acts as a moderator in all direct relationships These findings offer valuable insights for universities, in order to develop and implement psychological support and academic adjustments policies ensuring students have access to health and wellness programs, and engage local communities in the creation of policies that can help students with disabilities.
Although various actors have examined the user acceptance of e-government developments, less attention has so far devoted to the relationship between attitudes of certain commuter groups against digital technologies and their intention to engage in productive time-use by mobile devices. This paper aims to fill this gap by establishing an overall framework which focuses on Hungarian commuters’ attitudes toward e-government applications as well as their possible demands of developing them. Relying on a representative questionnaire survey conducted in Hungary in March and April 2020, the data were examined by a machine learning and correlations to identify the factors, attitudes and demands that influence the use of mobile devices during frequent commuting. The paper argues that the regularity of commuting in rural areas, as well as the higher levels of qualification and employment status in cities show a more positive, technophile attitude to new ICT and mobile technologies that strengthen the demands for digital development, with special regard to optimising e-government applications for certain types of commuting groups. One of the main limitations of this study is that results suggest a picture of the commuters in a narrow timeframe. The findings suggest that developing e-government applications is necessary and desirable from both of the supply and demand sides. Based on prior scholarly knowledge, no research has ever analysed these correlations in Hungary where commuters are among the European citizens who spend extensive time with commuting.
Optimizing Storage Location Assignment (SLA) is essential for improving warehouse operations, reducing operational costs, travel distances and picking times. The effectiveness of the optimization process should be evaluated. This study introduces a novel, generalized objective function tailored to optimize SLA through integration with a Genetic Algorithm. The method incorporates key parameters such as item order frequency, storage grouping, and proximity of items frequently ordered together. Using simulation tools, this research models a picker-to-part system in a warehouse environment characterized by complex storage constraints, varying item demands and family-grouping criteria. The study explores four scenarios with distinct parameter weightings to analyze their impact on SLA. Contrary to other research that focuses on frequency-based assignment, this article presents a novel framework for designing SLA using key parameters. The study proves that it is advantageous to deviate from a frequency-based assignment, as considering other key parameters to determine the layout can lead to more favorable operations. The findings reveal that adjusting the parameter weightings enables effective SLA customization based on warehouse operational characteristics. Scenario-based analyses demonstrated significant reductions in travel distances during order picking tasks, particularly in scenarios prioritizing ordered-together proximity and group storage. Visual layouts and picking route evaluations highlighted the benefits of balancing frequency-based arrangements with grouping strategies. The study validates the utility of a tailored generalized objective function for SLA optimization. Scenario-based evaluations underscore the importance of fine-tuning SLA strategies to align with specific operational demands, paving the way for more efficient order picking and overall warehouse management.
The need for forest products, agricultural expansion, and dependency on biomass for the household energy source has largely influenced Ethiopia’s forest resources. Consequently, the country lost its forest resources to less than 6% until the millennium. In this study, quantitative and qualitative historical data analysis was employed to understand the socioeconomic benefits of large dam construction to Ethiopia and downstream countries. Moreover, remotely sensed data was also used to analyze the trends of vegetation cover change in the Nile catchment since the commencement of the dam; focusing on areas where there are high settlement and urban areas. It was identified that Ethiopia has one of the lowest electricity consumption per capita in Africa; about 91% of the source of household energy supply depends on fuelwood today and more than 55.7% of the population does not have access to electricity. The normalized difference vegetation index result shows an increment of vegetation area in the Nile catchment and a reduction of no vegetation area from 2011–2021 by 37.1%; which is directly related to the protection of the dam catchment for its sustainability in the last decade. The hydroelectric dam construction has prospects of multi-benefit to Ethiopia and downstream countries either through the direct benefit of hydropower energy production, related socioeconomic values, and reducing risks of destructive flood from Ethiopian highlands. Generally, it explains the reason why to not say ‘No’ to the reservoir as it is an ever more vital tool for fulfilling growing energy demand and supporting ecological stability.
Ancestral knowledge is essential in the construction of learning to preserve the sense of relevance, transmit and share knowledge according to its cultural context, and maintain a harmonious relationship with nature and sustainability. The objective of this research is to study and analyze the management of ancestral knowledge in the production of the Raicilla to provide elements to rural communities, producers, and facilitators in decision-making to be able to innovate and be more productive, competitive, sustainable, and improve people’s quality of life. The methodological strategy was carried out through Bayesian networks and Fuzzy Logic. To this end, a model was developed to identify and quantify the critical factors that impact optimally managed technology to generate value that translates into innovation and competitive advantages. The evidence shows that the optimal and non-optimal management of knowledge, technology, and innovation management and its factors, through the causality of the variables, permits us to capture the interrelationship more adequately and manage them. The results show that the most relevant factors for adequate management of ancestral knowledge in the Raicilla sector are facilitators, denomination of origin, extraction and fermentation, and government. The proposed model will support these small producers and help them preserve their identity, culture, and customs, contributing greatly to environmental sustainability.
This study aims to develop and validate a strategic model tailored to the unique challenges and contexts faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ecuador, enhancing their operational efficiency and access to financing. Employing a quantitative approach, the research utilized a non-experimental, cross-sectional design to gather data from a sample of 358 companies. The study revealed that MSMEs are significantly hindered by limited access to financing, lack of managerial skills, and technological gaps. Despite these challenges, MSMEs demonstrated considerable adaptability and resilience, underscoring their critical role in the local economy. The strategic model proposed leverages Porter’s Diamond Model to identify and address the specific competitive and operational challenges encountered by these enterprises. Key findings include the necessity for enhanced financial literacy, simplified regulatory frameworks, and the integration of digital technologies to improve competitiveness. The proposed model focuses on strategic training, fostering innovation, and creating a more supportive financing environment. The implications of this study are profound, suggesting that policymakers and practitioners should streamline regulatory processes, enhance financial and technological support frameworks, and provide tailored training programs. These strategies are intended to bolster the sustainability and growth of MSMEs, contributing to broader economic development. This research contributes to the academic literature by providing empirical evidence on the challenges faced by MSMEs in developing economies and proposing a contextually adapted strategic model to mitigate these challenges, thereby enhancing their economic impact and sustainability.
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