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.

Manyanda tradition, a tradition of taking over social roles after death, in addition to successfully maintaining social continuity in the family structure, is also a potential capital in strengthening social cohesion. However, this context has not been discussed comprehensively in previous studies so it is very important to explain. In addition to responding to the shortcomings of previous studies, this study also aims to explain the mechanisms, factors and implications of the practice of this tradition as a reflection of social cohesion based on customary and religious values. By using a qualitative descriptive case study approach, this study shows three important findings. First, the spontaneity of the community and traditional leaders when hearing the news of death and social activities forty days afterwards. Second, the dominance of spiritual and cultural factors in addition to social and structural factors that encourage the community to preserve this tradition. Third, the Manyanda tradition has implications for strengthening the community’s commitment and belief in the meaning of death, the importance of a replacement figure who takes over social roles and strengthens the tribal identity of the Nagari (local village) community. This study recommends the importance of this tradition to be preserved as the root of social cohesion.

Culture is a cohesive system of values, meanings, and behaviors. This study follows Hofstede’s framework of cultural dimensions, which is widely studied in different contexts. Although culture is a subject of extensive research, few recent studies evaluate culture between countries. This study analyzed the cultural dimensions identified in two Latin American countries: Colombia and Chile. In addition, it evaluated differences in both countries by sex. The study was conducted with 382 workers from Chile and 617 from Colombia. Significant differences were found between Colombia and Chile in power distance, paternalism, and masculinity-femininity. This exploratory study may contribute to discussing the role of culture and sex in organizations operating in different countries.

This study investigates the evolution of monetary policy in Ghana and explores the potential of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), specifically the e-Cedi, as a tool to enhance financial inclusion and modernize the country’s financial system. Ghana’s monetary policy framework has undergone significant transformations since the establishment of the Bank of Ghana in 1957, with notable achievements in stabilizing the economy and managing inflation. However, large segments of the population, particularly in rural areas, remain unbanked or underbanked, highlighting the limitations of traditional monetary tools. The introduction of the e-Cedi presents an opportunity to bridge these gaps by providing secure, efficient, and accessible financial services to underserved communities. The study employs a qualitative research design, integrating historical analysis, case studies, and thematic analysis to assess the potential benefits and challenges of CBDCs in Ghana. Key findings indicate that while the e-Cedi could significantly enhance financial inclusion, challenges related to technological infrastructure, cybersecurity, and public trust must be addressed. The study concludes that a balanced approach, which prioritizes digital infrastructure development, strong cybersecurity measures, and collaboration with financial institutions, is essential for maximizing the potential of CBDCs in Ghana. Recommendations for future research include a deeper exploration of the impact of CBDCs on financial stability and further analysis of rural adoption barriers.

Helical deep hole drilling is a process frequently used in industrial applications to produce bores with a large length to diameter ratio. For better cooling and lubrication, the deep drilling oil is fed directly into the bore hole via two internal cooling channels. Due to the inaccessibility of the cutting area, experimental investigations that provide information on the actual machining and cooling behavior are difficult to carry out. In this paper, the distribution of the deep drilling oil is investigated both experimentally and simulatively and the results are evaluated. For the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation, two different turbulence models, i.e. the RANS k-ω-SST and hybrid SAS-SST model, are used and compared. Thereby, the actual used deep drilling oil is modelled instead of using fluid dynamic parameters of water, as is often the case. With the hybrid SAS-SST model, the flow could be analyzed much better than with the RANS k-ω-SST model and thus the processes that take place during helical deep drilling could be  simulated with realistic details. Both the experimental and the simulative results show that the deep drilling oil movement is almost exclusively generated by the tool rotation. At the tool’s cutting edges and in the flute, the flow velocity drops to zero for the most part, so that no efficient cooling and lubrication could take place there. In addition, cavitation bubbles form and implode, concluding in the assumption that the process heat is not adequately dissipated and the removal of chips is adversely affected, which in turn can affect the service life of the tool and the bore quality. The carried out investigations show that the application of CFD simulation is an important research instrument in machining technology and that there is still great potential in the area of tool and process optimization.

The food and beverage sector played a big part in contributing to the economic growth in Malaysia hence there was a major increase in the numbers of restaurants opening up for businesses. This study therefore examines factors with the aims of ensuring a sustainable development in full-service restaurants in West Malaysia. The results of this study have made a substantial contribution to restaurant owner’s’ comprehension of the fundamental components that underlie customer satisfaction and loyalty. By examining the moderating effect of the customer’s gender in full-service restaurants in West Malaysia, the objective of this study was to ascertain the relationships between the three variables (quality of the food served at the restaurant, service quality, and environment), as well as the degree to which each attribute was able to relate to diner satisfaction. The underpinning theory for this study was the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Quantitative methods according to descriptive research and convenience sample strategy were utilized in this cross-sectional study. Questionnaires were distributed to 264 respondents through various online platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and email. Data collection was evaluated using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. In order to examine the connection between the three factors and diner’s satisfaction, various tests such as the multiple regression analysis, One-way ANOVA and Beta Coefficient test were carried out. The findings gave current restaurant owners and potential restaurant owners an overview of the different attributes influencing diner’s satisfaction at full-service restaurants in West Malaysia and also the extent of the moderating effect of diner’s gender had on each attribute. The outcome of this paper is expected to provide a sustainable growth in this industry.