The adoption of electronic documents (e-documents) in logistics has emerged as a critical component for enhancing efficiency, reducing operational costs, and contributing to environmental sustainability. However, despite its numerous advantages, the transition from traditional paper-based systems to e-documents has been sluggish, hindered by a range of barriers including legal and regulatory constraints, lack of standardization, and insufficient system interoperability. This study aims to identify and analyze these barriers, propose relevant policy measures to mitigate them, and evaluate the most effective policy for promoting widespread adoption. Four primary policy strategies were proposed to address the challenges of e-documents in logistics. These policies were assessed using multi-criteria analysis, incorporating fuzzy Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and Axial-Distance-Based Aggregated Measurement (ADAM) methods, to rank their effectiveness in overcoming adoption barriers. The results indicate that the policy ensuring full compliance with regulatory and documentation requirements, through a harmonized approach, offers the most significant potential for driving the adoption of e-documents. This policy emphasizes standardization and mandates compliance, fostering a more robust and efficient transition to digital systems. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the policy measures that can most effectively support the expansion of e-documents in logistics, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability and operational excellence of the sector.
The transition to renewable energy sources (RES) for electricity generation has gained significant momentum due to environmental and sustainability concerns. However, the high initial costs associated with RES implementation remain a critical barrier, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). To address this challenge, a cost-effective optimization framework for the hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) was proposed, integrating advanced decision-making methodologies. The study focused on a case study of an MSME in a rural village in Ludhiana, Punjab, where the feasibility of various HRES configurations was evaluated using HOMER Pro software. The optimization process aims to minimize key financial metrics, including net present cost (NPC), operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the impact of critical parameters such as diesel prices, inflation rates, and system constraints. To rank the HRES configurations, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach is employed, combining the Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC) for weight determination and the Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution (MARCOS) for system ranking. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework effectively identifies the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable HRES configuration, providing a robust decision-making tool for MSMEs. This study not only contributes to the growing body of knowledge on RES optimization but also offers practical insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to promote renewable energy adoption in small-scale industrial settings.
Poverty remains a pervasive and multifaceted challenge in developing countries, posing critical impediments to sustainable economic and social development. In alignment with the core objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the present study aims to identify, evaluate, and prioritize the most effective poverty alleviation strategies within the context of developing economies. Through an extensive review of existing literature and expert consultation, seven primary strategies were identified, encompassing economic growth stimulation, economic and institutional reforms, prioritization of the basic needs of impoverished populations in national development policies, promotion of microfinance institutions and programs, development and improvement of marketing systems, provision of incentives to the private sector, and implementation of affirmative actions such as targeted cash transfers. To systematically assess the relative importance of these strategies, the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) technique was employed within a Fermatean fuzzy (FF) environment. The application of this hybrid method facilitated the extraction of nuanced expert judgments, thereby enhancing the robustness and credibility of the prioritization process. The findings indicate that fostering economic growth, implementing structural economic and institutional reforms, and promoting microfinance institutions and programs represent the most impactful and actionable strategies for poverty reduction. These results offer valuable insights for policymakers, development agencies, and stakeholders engaged in formulating targeted interventions to accelerate poverty eradication. The integration of the FF-SWARA approach further demonstrates its applicability in complex multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) scenarios characterized by uncertainty and imprecise information, particularly in the domain of sustainable development planning.
The policy of "separation of three rights" in China, which distinguishes rural land ownership (collective), contract rights (farmers), and management rights (transferable), has been implemented to optimize resource allocation, advance agricultural modernization, and protect farmers’ interests. To address the persistent issue of arable land abandonment, it is critical that the interactions among local governments, farmers, and agribusinesses be systematically understood. In this study, a tripartite evolutionary game model was developed to investigate the dynamic decision-making behaviors and stabilization strategies of the three primary stakeholders within the framework of three rights separation. The influence of variations in key parameters was quantitatively assessed. The results demonstrate that economic subsidies, cooperation costs, and loss of prestige significantly influence farmland utilization and transfer. It is emphasized that local governments must actively fulfill regulatory and facilitative roles during the pre-transfer phase of arable land, particularly by providing comprehensive economic and infrastructural support. Furthermore, the necessity of enhancing the construction of farmland mobility service systems is underscored, with the aim of reducing transaction barriers and enabling a more effective and sustainable separation of contracting and management rights. These findings offer theoretical and practical insights for strengthening farmland management systems, ensuring long-term farmland productivity, and supporting rural revitalization strategies in China.
Global supply chains face increasing disruption from security-related risks, including cargo theft, illicit trade, document forgery, and cyberattacks—challenges that pose serious threats to sustainable development, especially in vulnerable and emerging economies. This study proposes a comprehensive decision-support framework designed to identify, assess, and rank logistics-related criminal threats, with the goal of strengthening the resilience and sustainability of international logistics systems. The model integrates Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for initial risk detection and prioritization, fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (fuzzy AHP) to determine the relative importance of sustainability-relevant criteria (such as legal, environmental, financial, and reputational impacts), and the Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method to perform final ranking. A real-world case study in international logistics demonstrates the framework’s applicability and robustness. Results highlight how this integrated approach can support informed decision-making by governments, port authorities, and global logistics firms to mitigate risk and enhance supply chain continuity. By aligning technical methods with sustainable risk governance principles, this study contributes practical insights into building more adaptive, secure, and sustainable logistics infrastructures across borders.
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