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.

This paper critically reviews the prevailing generalizations in current research on Generation Z (Gen-Z) travel behavior. While various studies have characterized Gen-Z’s transportation preferences as leaning towards sustainable and technology-integrated modes of transport, this paper argues that the findings are largely based on observations from developed countries and may not accurately reflect behavior in developing countries. This paper is written using a narrative literature study approach. Through a comprehensive literature review, the paper highlights the differences in Gen-Z travel patterns across different geographical regions, emphasizing the need for context-specific analysis. The paper addresses often overlooked factors such as economic limitations, infrastructure challenges, and cultural nuances that shape mobility choices. The aim is to dissect the cohort effect and look at its validity across different socio-economic landscapes through existing literature. As such, the paper provides nuanced insights into the heterogeneity of Gen-Z travel behavior and suggests cautioning against over-generalization, as well as advocating for a more localized approach in transportation policy and planning. The paper also encourages similar research in developing countries to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Gen-Z travel behavior globally.

This study aims to identify the risk factors causing the delay in the completion schedule and to determine an optimization strategy for more accurate completion schedule prediction. A validated questionnaire has been used to calculate a risk rating using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method, and a Monte Carlo simulation on @RISK 8.2 software was employed to obtain a more accurate prediction of project completion schedules. The study revealed that the dominant risk factors causing project delays are coordination with stakeholders and changes in the scope of work/design review. In addition, the project completion date was determined with a confidence level of 95%. All data used in this study were obtained directly from the case study of the Double-Double Track Development Project (Package A). The key result of this study is the optimization of a risk-based schedule forecast with a 95% confidence level, applicable directly to the scheduling of the Double-Double Track Development Project (Package A). This paper demonstrates the application of Monte Carlo Simulation using @RISK 8.2 software as a project management tool for predicting risk-based-project completion schedules.

Based on the resource-based view and institutional theory, this study investigates the impact of their environmental management capabilities and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pressure on the non-financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In particular, it examines the interaction effect of ESG pressures on the relationship between SMEs’ environmental management capabilities and non-financial performance. For this study, a total of 1865 SME lists were obtained through Jeonnam Techno Park and Jeonnam Small Business Job and Economy Promotion Agency. Based on this, a total of 127 questionnaires were returned as a result of a telephone, e-mail, and online survey, and finally, an empirical analysis was conducted based on 120 questionnaires. We conducted an empirical analysis of Korean SMEs and obtained the following results: First, environmental management capabilities have a significant, positive effect on SMEs’ non-financial performance. Second, ESG pressure has a significant, negative effect on the non-financial performance of SMEs. Next, we analyzed the moderating effect of ESG pressures and observed that ESG pressures strengthen the positive effect of environmental management capabilities on non-financial performance. Based on the resource-based perspective and institutional theory, this study provides meaningful academic implications by examining environmental management capabilities and ESG pressures, which have not been identified in previous studies, as factors of non-financial performance that are becoming important under the new management paradigm, such as climate change and ESG. Furthermore, while ESG pressure has a significant negative effect on non-financial performance, we find that it is a moderating variable that strengthens the relationship between SMEs’ environmental management capabilities and non-financial performance, which has useful academic and practical implications for ESG and strategic management.

Fungi can be used to remove or degrade polluting compounds through a mycoremediation process. Sometimes even more efficiently than prokaryotes, they can therefore be used to combat pollution from non-biodegradable polymers. Cellulose acetate is a commonly used material in the manufacture of cigarette butts, so when discarded, it generates pollution. The fungus Pleurotus ostreatus has the ability to degrade cellulose acetate through the enzymes it secretes. The enzyme hydrolyzes the acetyl group of cellulose acetate, while cellulolytic enzymes degrade the cellulose backbone into sugars, polysaccharides, or cellobiose. In addition to cellulose acetate, this fungus is capable of degrading other conventionally non-biodegradable polymers, so it has the potential to be used to reduce pollution. Large-scale cultivation of the fungus has proven to be more economically viable than conventional methods for treating non-biodegradable polymers, which is an additional advantage.