This investigation evaluates the effectiveness of budgeting as a mechanism for internal controls within manufacturing firms, with a specific focus on Pepukai Plastics Industries. The impetus for this research derived from the observed inability of Pepukai Plastics Industries to meet its organizational objectives and goals in recent years, particularly in terms of revenue generation and profit maximization. The study utilized a descriptive research design, employing a mixed-method approach to cater to the qualitative and quantitative nature of the research. The research encompassed a target population of 28, utilizing a census methodology. Data collection was executed through questionnaires and one-on-one interviews, with the results presented via tables and graphs. Key findings indicate that Pepukai Plastics Industries lacks the implementation of variance analysis, forecasting, and coordinated planning in its production processes, adversely affecting profit control. The study reveals that the firm's budgeting practices are predominantly based on estimates, proving to be time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, these practices primarily focus on financial outcomes, overlooking other critical aspects of organizational performance. Notably, the firm does not employ incremental budgeting techniques, a factor that could potentially enhance the efficacy of its budgeting process and, by extension, its internal controls. The study concludes that the absence of comprehensive budgeting strategies, including incremental budgeting, impairs the overall effectiveness of internal controls within Pepukai Plastics Industries. This conclusion underscores the vital role that a robust budgeting system plays in reinforcing internal controls, thereby contributing to the attainment of organizational objectives within the manufacturing sector.
In the context of the free trade port initiative, an in-depth investigation into the pricing strategies of Hainan's travel agencies was conducted, focusing on the pivotal role of customer value. This study employed empirical analytical methods, including questionnaire surveys and data analysis, to rigorously test hypotheses related to customer value-oriented pricing strategies. It was discovered that customers exhibit a predominant preference for pricing strategies anchored in their value perceptions, notwithstanding the variations in their assessments of diverse tourism products. Strategies grounded in customer value were found to be more effective in fulfilling customer requirements and augmenting satisfaction levels. The research accentuates the crucial importance of aligning pricing strategies with customer value in the context of tourism product pricing. This approach holds significant theoretical relevance and practical utility for the evolution of Hainan's tourism industry. The findings offer fresh perspectives and strategic directions for the tourism sector in Hainan, contributing to its sustainable growth and the enhancement of its competitive stature.
In the context of the increasingly aging rural population in China, this study investigates the implications of this demographic shift on the nation's agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP). Utilizing panel data from 30 provinces spanning 2005 to 2019, the AGTFP was quantified employing the slacks-based measure (SBM)-global Malmquist-Luenberger (GML) model. The investigation employed a dynamic panel model, a mediation effect model, and a threshold effect model to elucidate the relationship between rural population aging and AGTFP. Additionally, the potential influence of labor transfer thresholds on this relationship was examined. It was found that: (a) AGTFP in China has exhibited a fluctuating yet ascending trajectory, with an average annual growth rate of 1.55%. The advancement of agricultural green technology has been identified as the primary driver of this growth. (b) The aging rural population significantly and positively influences AGTFP, with notable regional disparities. (c) The positive impact of rural aging on AGTFP has been facilitated through human capital accumulation, land transfer, and agricultural mechanization. (d) This beneficial effect of rural aging on AGTFP is moderated by a single threshold of labor transfer. These findings underscore the complex interplay between demographic trends and agricultural productivity, highlighting the necessity for tailored policies that accommodate the unique characteristics of rural aging in China.
This study examines the aspects that can impact an organization's cloud security posture and the consequences for their cloud adoption strategies. Based on a thorough examination of existing literature, a conceptual framework is developed that includes several aspects such as organisational, technical, regulatory, operational, and human elements. The cloud security readiness is influenced by these five types of characteristics. A research instrument is utilised to evaluate the hypotheses pertaining to those aspects. The pilot survey showcases the research tool within the framework of a representative sample of organisations. In addition to conducting instrument testing, the initial responses also validate the importance of several elements that impact cloud security. The prominence of technical capabilities as a key factor underscores their vital contribution to bolstering cybersecurity readiness. Regulatory factors have a significant role in emphasising the necessity of compliance in cloud security. Organisational elements, such as managerial support, training, budget allocation, policy adherence, and governance, have a moderate impact. The presence of human elements also appears to contribute to and emphasise the necessity of promoting security awareness and alertness. This study enhances the existing body of knowledge on cloud security by offering insights into the various complex issues involved. The results can provide guidance to professionals seeking to enhance the cloud security of enterprises and scholars studying the changing cloud environment.
This investigation underscores the pivotal role of managerial sustainability and ethical practices in enhancing corporate success. Utilizing a comprehensive approach, the study amalgamates, interprets, and exemplifies pertinent data to delineate the influence of these key elements on business performance. The primary methodology encompasses a meticulous compilation, whereby the effects of sustainability and ethical conduct in management on corporate achievements are scrutinized through an analysis of current and credible resources. This synthesis not only identifies but also elucidates the core components of managerial sustainability and ethics. Furthermore, the study adopts an interpretative lens to explicate this data, thus facilitating its dissemination within the commercial sector. A methodical discussion on various approaches, including case studies and success narratives, concretizes the subject matter, offering pragmatic insights into the application of sustainability and ethics in business contexts. Contemporary businesses are challenged to transcend mere profit-seeking endeavors by embracing ethical norms and principles of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. These facets are identified as crucial determinants for long-term corporate prosperity. Notably, there exists a discernible gap in comprehending how corporations can refine their management practices to effectively incorporate sustainability and ethical considerations. A profound understanding of the interplay between these aspects and business success remains a critical area of exploration. The focus of this study is to bridge this gap by elucidating the synergistic relationship between managerial sustainability, ethics, and corporate success. Intended to spark interest among business managers, sustainability experts, ethicists, and academicians, this review presents an in-depth analysis of managerial sustainability and ethics. The findings serve as a valuable guide for business leaders, scholars, and policymakers, advocating for the integration of sustainable and ethical principles into business strategies. This alignment is posited as a catalyst for constructing a sustainable future, yielding long-term benefits for both the business sector and society at large, thus advancing the vision of a sustainable global community.
Through a mixed-methods research approach, this study investigates the factors influencing the ethical conduct of Internal Auditors (IAors) in Malta, assesses their awareness of ethical dilemmas and threats alongside their obligations under the Institute of Internal Auditors' Code of Ethics (the Code), and evaluates how frequently and under what circumstances IAors refer to the Code. Interviews were conducted with twenty-two participants, including nine internal auditors from Maltese listed organizations (MLEreps), five from government entities (Govtreps), and eight outsourced auditors (Outreps). The analysis reveals that IAors' commitment to ethical principles is primarily driven by personal integrity rather than mere obligation to the Code, with personality and character standing out as the foremost predictors of ethical behavior. Nonetheless, the significance of a well-articulated Code of Ethics, organizational culture, the efficacy of the audit committee, and auditors' experience in shaping ethical conduct was also noted. It was found that internal auditors, especially those within government organizations, are more frequently confronted with ethical dilemmas than their external counterparts due to the nature of their work involving scrutiny of colleagues' actions. Outsourced auditors (Outreps) face distinct challenges in maintaining confidentiality. Across all groups, the threat of over-familiarity was identified as a substantial risk to ethical integrity, with government auditors (Govtreps) additionally perceiving intimidation as a significant concern. Despite these challenges, the Code was viewed by many, particularly MLEreps, as insufficient in addressing the ethical issues and risks encountered. Although a majority of IAors exhibit a willingness to comply with the Code, only a small fraction actively consults and reference it in their reports. This has led to calls among Maltese IAors for an enhanced Code and clearer guidelines, highlighting a reliance on the Code of Ethics for Warrant Holders for further direction due to the lack of practical examples in the current framework.
In this study, a novel methodology is proposed for ranking the knowledge economies of European Union (EU) countries, leveraging their positioning within the global knowledge index (GKI). The GKI, encompassing seven pivotal indicators, serves as a benchmark for assessing a nation's knowledge economy. The EU, a prominent political and economic conglomerate, forms the focal point of this analysis. A multi-criteria analysis approach is adopted, wherein the Entropy method is utilized to determine the significance of individual GKI indicators. Additionally, the CRADIS (Compromise Ranking of Alternatives from Distance to Ideal Solution) method is employed for the ranking of these nations. The Entropy method, renowned for its efficacy in subjective weight determination, and the CRADIS method, a novel multi-criteria analysis tool yielding results based on deviations from the ideal and anti-ideal solutions, are integrated. This integration is pivotal, as it offers results comparable with other multi-criteria methodologies. The analysis reveals that Research Development and Innovation emerges as the most critical indicator. According to the CRADIS method, Sweden is identified as the leading country in terms of GKI indicators, followed by Finland and Denmark. This trend underscores a superior performance of the northern EU countries. Conversely, Eastern EU countries are observed to lag in their GKI standings. These findings are corroborated through comparative and sensitivity analyses, highlighting the influence of normalization on country rankings and pinpointing specific indicators necessitating enhancement for bolstering the knowledge economy. This research not only aids EU countries in identifying their strengths and weaknesses in the realm of knowledge economy but also serves as a strategic guide for policymakers. It provides actionable insights for fostering knowledge economy development, emphasizing the need for strengthening existing advantages and addressing shortcomings. Such strategic initiatives are crucial for enhancing global market competitiveness. The study's outcomes, therefore, offer valuable resources for decision-making in policy and economic development contexts.
Recent advancements in non-destructive testing methodologies have significantly propelled the efficiency of bearing defect detection, vital for maintaining optimal final quality standards. This study introduces a novel approach, integrating an Optimized Continuous Wavelet Transform (OCWT) and a Non-Local Convolutional Block Attention Module (NCBAM), to elevate fault diagnosis in motor bearings. The OCWT, central to this methodology, undergoes fine-tuning through a newly formulated metaheuristic algorithm, the Skill Optimization Algorithm (SOA). This algorithm bifurcates into two critical components: the acquisition of expertise (exploration) and the enhancement of individual capabilities (exploitation). The NCBAM, proposed for classification, adeptly captures long-range dependencies across spatial and channel dimensions. Furthermore, the model employs a learning matrix, adept at synthesizing spatial, channel, and temporal data, thus effectively balancing diverse data contributions by extracting intricate interrelations. The model's efficacy is rigorously validated using a gearbox dataset and a motor bearing dataset. The outcomes reveal superior performance, with the model achieving an average accuracy of 94.17% on the bearing dataset and 95.77% on the gearbox dataset. These results demonstrably surpass those of existing alternatives, underscoring the model's potential in enhancing fault diagnosis accuracy in motor bearings.
Reducing the devastating effects of earthquakes is the main objective of planning for earthquake response. The decision-making process is essential to this attempt. However, it is particularly difficult because of the inherent uncertainties. A sophisticated methodological approach was proposed to handle these uncertainties in this study. The approach makes use of Fermatean probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets (FePHFSs), and emphasizes the resilience of algebraic operations and their crucial role in improving the effectiveness of decision-making. In particular, a noteworthy development in the field of multiple attribute decision making (MADM) is the introduction of novel probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets (PHFSs) aggregation operators, which are created by carefully synthesizing algebraic operations with the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) method. A key component of this technique is the application of the CoCoSo strategy, which is well known for its resilience in optimal goal selection and uses various aggregation strategies to effectively navigate the complex, multicriteria decision-making environment. A thorough numerical case study illustrates the adaptability and efficacy of this method and highlights its potential in practical settings. Decision-makers now have a new and effective tool that helps them make better informed and trustworthy decisions even in the face of uncertainty by combining PHFS with the CoCoSo technique. This method offers real-world implications for improving disaster response plans in addition to advancing the theory of decision support systems.
Currently, the primary focus of the poverty discourse is around the concept of "the feminization of poverty". Similar to other countries, a significant factor contributing to women's poverty in Turkey is the limited availability of employment alternatives that enable women to generate income. Given the escalating prevalence of women's impoverishment, it is evident that the anti-poverty measures implemented by governments often fall short of being enough. Various institutions and groups are introducing alternative financial services in this particular setting. An effective approach to address women's poverty in Turkey is the implementation of the "micro credit" program. Microcredit offers modest financial resources that enable economically disadvantaged women to independently participate in income-generating endeavors. The concept of "microfinance" is crucial in recognizing the significance of capital in combating poverty. Hence, the United Nations designated 2005 as the year of "Microcredit." Microfinance is regarded as a crucial instrument in attaining the Millennium Development Goals of alleviating poverty worldwide by 2015. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Microcredit provided by the Turkish Grameen Microfinance Program (TGMP) on the empowerment of women in their efforts to combat poverty, specifically in relation to women's entrepreneurship and their socio-economic well-being. The study was done using surveys administered to a sample of 250 women who utilized microcredit in the Eskişehir province as part of the TGMP program. The data collected were subjected to analysis using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the one-way ANOVA approach, which is a parametric testing procedure. The second phase of the analysis involved the utilization of the semi-structured survey methodology, which is a qualitative research method. This approach was administered to a sample of 50 women participating in the study. During the interview, the questions from the initial survey were discussed and further explored, along with the underlying reasoning behind them. The findings indicate that the effects of microcredit on women's entrepreneurship and socio-economic status following microcredit utilization differ based on factors such as women's educational attainment, the nature of the business founded, the extent of income growth, the loan amount, and the number of times the loan is utilized. Conversely, every participant expresses support for microcredit; the majority perceive them as beneficial and motivating. The prevailing opinion among them is that universal benefits should be extended to all individuals. According to their statement, the rise in income resulting from the enterprises they created and expanded using microcredit had a significant role in their family's finances (80%), enabling them to spend more comfortably (20%). Most of them stated that they possess a budget that prioritizes both savings and revenue growth.
In the realm of sustainable development, the integrity and transparency of data play pivotal roles. This study investigates the utility of blockchain technology in augmenting the monitoring and auditing facets of sustainable development initiatives. It is posited that blockchain's inherent attributes—namely its robustness in ensuring data integrity and fostering trust—hold substantial promise in enhancing environmental performance and informed decision-making. Specifically, applications in environmental impact reporting and supply chain management are examined. The findings suggest that blockchain technology can significantly contribute to these areas by offering unprecedented levels of transparency and reliability in data handling. However, the potential of blockchain is not without its challenges. The study underscores the imperative of addressing network security and data privacy concerns. It is argued that effective governance structures and risk management strategies are essential to fully leverage the benefits of blockchain, whilst concurrently mitigating inherent risks. The integration of blockchain into risk management processes notably impacts environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) objectives. A critical analysis of the risks associated with blockchain-based processes is conducted, culminating in the development of strategic recommendations aimed at minimizing these risks. The ultimate goal is to bolster corporate effectiveness, efficiency, and yield cost benefits through the deployment of secure and reliable blockchain solutions. The study posits that the judicious integration of blockchain technology can lead to substantial improvements in organizational performance, particularly in the context of sustainable development. Emphasis is placed on the need for continual analysis and refinement of risk management strategies in the evolving landscape of blockchain technology, to ensure that its application remains both impactful and responsible.
The quest for superior wear-resistant coatings has led to significant advancements in laser cladding technology, yet the escalating requirements for durability under operational conditions challenge the efficacy of existing solutions. This investigation delves into the enhancement of wear resistance in coatings through the integration of particle reinforcement phases, identified as a cost-effective strategy for augmenting coating performance. Emphasis is placed on the systematic classification of particle reinforcements and the methodologies employed for their incorporation. The focus is particularly cast on the incorporation of hard and self-lubricating particles into laser-clad wear-resistant coatings, highlighting innovations in particle addition techniques. An examination of the mechanisms through which hard particles—comprising oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, and their multifaceted compounds—reinforce coatings is presented, delineating the influence of particle content, size, and morphology on wear resistance. Additionally, the paper explores the state of research on the self-lubricating properties imparted by sulfides, fluorides, graphite, and MAX phase particles under varied thermal conditions. A critical analysis of the benefits and limitations associated with the use of hard and self-lubricating particles in the enhancement of coating durability is conducted. This comprehensive review serves not only to elucidate the current landscape of particle-reinforced, laser-clad coatings but also to inform future research directions aimed at developing coatings capable of withstanding high temperatures and exhibiting exceptional hardness. The commitment to leveraging in situ synthesis for the development of these advanced materials underscores the potential for significant breakthroughs in the field of wear-resistant coatings.
Open Access
