Dredging and reclamation operations are pivotal aspects of coastal engineering and land development. Within these tasks lie potential hazards for personnel operating dredging machinery and working within reclamation zones. Due to the specialized nature of the work environment, which deviates from conventional workplace settings, the risk of workplace accidents is significantly heightened. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis of the safety aspects related to dredging and reclamation activities, with the goal of enhancing safety and minimizing the frequency and severity of potential dangers. This research comprises a thorough risk analysis, integrating meticulous hazard identification from sample projects and literature reviews. It involves risk assessment by gathering insights from experts with direct working experience and aims to assess potential risks. The study focuses on defining effective risk management strategies, exemplified through a case study of a nearshore construction project in Thailand. The study identified numerous high and very high-risk factors in the assessment and analysis of occupational safety in dredging and reclamation work. Consequently, a targeted response was implemented to control and mitigate these risks to an acceptable level. The outcome of this study will provide a significant contribution to the advancement of guidelines and best practices for improving the safety of dredging and reclamation operations.
This study aimed to gain insights into the attitudes and strategies of top management regarding workplace happiness within a semi-government organization in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Six senior managers at the organization were interviewed to explore their perspectives on employee happiness and the initiatives implemented to enhance it. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed several key findings. Top managers demonstrated strong commitment and willingness to prioritize employee well-being through long-term research-driven improvements. A variety of strategies incorporating personal, organizational, and Human Resources Management (HRM) factors known to impact happiness were utilized. Religious considerations and empowerment initiatives respect personal values while fostering intrinsic motivation. Top leaders modeled strategic priorities through their conduct, emphasizing visible support. The organization balanced individual needs with organizational goals respectfully. The findings provide practical implications for optimizing retention and performance outcomes through dedicated strategic happiness efforts guided by empirical research. However, more extensive research across diverse populations could further advance understanding in this field.
Consumers, particularly women, pursue beauty and health in order to uphold their image within society, which has contributed to consistent demand for cosmetics. The cosmetics market, driven by globalization and cultural exchange, sees Thai cosmetics gaining popularity among Chinese women. There has been a significant rise in the popularity of Thai cosmetics, known for their natural ingredients and innovative formulations. With a growing interest in cross-cultural consumer behaviour, particularly in the context of skincare and make-up products, understanding how different age groups perceive and choose Thai cosmetics is crucial for effective marketing strategies. The main issue is the development of consumer preferences over time among Chinese women who have only recently been given the opportunity to choose among many brands. This qualitative study explores the intergenerational differences in Chinese female consumers’ preferences for Thai cosmetics, aiming to uncover rich insights into their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours. The target population is female Chinese who have visited Thailand and purchased or used Thai-branded cosmetics. Key themes emerge regarding the perception of product efficacy, the cultural authenticity and the role of digital media and trends in influencing product choices. Findings highlight nuanced generational preferences, with older cohorts emphasizing trust and familiarity with established brands, while younger cohorts prioritize innovation, sustainability, and personalized beauty experiences. These insights provide valuable implications for marketers seeking to tailor strategies and product offerings to engage effectively diverse generational segments within the competitive cosmetics market.
The study’s objectives are to investigate the relationships between earnings management, government ownership, and corporate performance in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region during the period 2017–2021, utilizing a dataset comprising 188 companies. It further explores the moderating role of government ownership in the association between earnings management and company performance. The study used the panel regression data analysis to investigate the relationship between the variables under the study. Employing linear regression and moderated linear regression, the research discerns notable patterns. The result shows a positive effect emerges between government ownership and corporate performance. Conversely, the result shows a negative association is observed between earnings management and corporate performance. Finally, the moderating role of government ownership in GCC countries is a good governance mechanism to mitigate the agency problem.
This study aims to guide future research by examining trends and structures in scholarly publications about digital transformation in healthcare. We analyzed English-language, open-access journal articles related to this topic from the Scopus database, irrespective of publication year. Using tools like Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer, and Scopus Analyzer, we found a growing research interest in this area. The most influential article, despite being recent, has been cited 836 times, indicating its impact. Notably, both Western and Eastern countries contribute significantly to this field, with research spanning multiple disciplines, including computer science, medicine, engineering, business, social sciences, and health professions. Our findings can help policymakers allocate resources to impactful research areas, prioritize multidisciplinary collaboration, and promote international partnerships. They also offer insights for technology investment, implementation, and policy decisions. However, this study has limitations. It relied solely on Scopus data and didn’t consider factors like author affiliations. Future research should explore specific collaboration types and the ethical, social, policy, and governance implications of digital transformation in healthcare.
Entrepreneurial intentions, considered to be the best predictor of entrepreneurial behaviour, have attracted extensive attention among academics, practitioners, and policymakers. This study examines the mediating role of the theory of planned behaviour between university students’ proactive personality, entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial opportunities, and entrepreneurial intentions. The results of this study showed that both attitudes toward entrepreneurship and perceived behavioural control mediated these relationships, except that perceived behavioural control did not mediate the effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intentions, and subject norm did not mediate any relationship. Lastly, this study guides universities, policymakers and practitioners to fully focus on developing attitude entrepreneurship and perceived behaviour control through education and training among graduates and employees. Suppose there is a presence of good entrepreneurial opportunities. In that case, they will form stronger intentions to start new businesses and expand their businesses to drive socio-economic growth, innovation and job creation among graduates.
The fifth-generation technology standard (5G) is the cellular technology standard of this decade and its adoption leaves room for research and disclosure of new insights. 5G demands specific skillsets for the workforce to cope with its unprecedented use cases. The rapid progress of technology in various industries necessitates a constant effort from workers to acquire the latest skills demanded by the tech sector. The successful implementation of 5G hinges on the presence of competent individuals who can propel its progress. Most of the existing works related to 5G explore this technology from a multitude of applied and industrial viewpoints, but very few of them take a rigorous look at the 5G competencies associated with talent development. A competency model will help shape the required educational and training activities for preparing the 5G workforce, thereby improving workforce planning and performance in industrial settings. This study has opted to utilize the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) to investigate and evaluate the perspectives of a group of experts, with the aim of proposing a 5G competency model. Based on the findings of this study, a model consisting of 46 elements under three categories is presented for utilization by any contingent of 5G. This competency model identifies, assesses, and introduces the necessary competencies, knowledge, and attributes for effective performance in a 5G-related job role in an industrial environment, guiding hiring, training, and development. Companies and academic institutions may utilize the suggested competency model in the real world to create job descriptions for 5G positions and to develop curriculum based on competencies. Such a model can be extended beyond the scope of 5G and lay the foundation of future wireless cellular network competency models, such as 6G competency models, by being refined and revised.
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship among higher vocational college (HVC) students’ social support (SS), learning burnout (LB), and learning motivation (LM), and to further explore the influence regulation mechanism. By analyzing the questionnaire survey data of 500 HVC students, this study found some important conclusions. First, a positive correlation is found between SS and LM, whereas LB exhibits a negative correlation with LM. Second, regression analysis results indicate significant influences of SS and LB on LM, with the latter serving as a partial intermediary between SS and LM. Lastly, analysis of group disparities reveals noteworthy distinctions in SS, LB, and LM across students of varying grades. These discoveries underscore the pivotal roles of SS and LB in molding the LM of HVC students, offering valuable insights for educational practices and policy recommendations. This study benefits the understanding of the key factors in the learning process of HVC students and provides a new direction for further research.
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