Digital transformation is reshaping global operations by integrating technology into business, fundamentally changing how value is delivered. In Sub-Saharan Africa, this shift is altering work processes and job content, impacting the demand for skills and leading to the displacement of certain roles across all industries. Understanding the effects of digital technologies on the future of work in the region is essential for developing effective strategies. It is important to recognise how these changes will affect labour markets and workers' ability to transition to new opportunities. While technology can create new paths and improve access, it also exacerbates existing inequalities. This study aimed to explore the challenges shaping the future of work in Sub-Saharan Africa. A qualitative research approach and inductive thematic analysis were utilised for this study. The findings highlight that the major challenges affecting the future of work are digital skills, followed by Diversity, equity and inclusion- digital divide, gender inequality and discrimination and lack of DEI initiatives and finally, workforce- unemployment and inadequately skilled workforce. In conclusion, while the future of work in Africa presents significant challenges, it also offers great promise. Realising this potential depends on bold and proactive decisions by policymakers, educational institutions, and businesses. Strategic investments made today can empower the next generation of African workers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to thrive in an increasingly digital and competitive global economy.
The purpose of this study was to determine the communication strategy of correctional guardians in shaping the self-concept of child prisoners and to find out the factors that cause negative self-concept in child prisoners while undergoing coaching at the Tangerang Class I Child Special Development Institution. This research uses qualitative research methods with a phenomenological approach. This study concludes that the correctional guardian, in developing a communication strategy, uses the stages of knowing the audience, compiling messages, determining methods, and using media. However, in its implementation, improvement efforts are needed so that the formation of a positive self-concept in child prisoners becomes more optimal. The factors that form the negative self-concept of child prisoners while undergoing coaching are social stigma, lack of closeness with parents, lack of access to psychological support, and not forming warm and personal communication and connections with correctional guardians. It is recommended that the Special Development Institute for Children Class I, Tangerang, in this case, can carry out special training for correctional guardians in communicating effectively with child prisoners.
Keywords : Communication Strategy; Self-Concept; Child Prisoners; Correctional Guardians
Abstract The notion that investors shift to gold during economic market crises remains unverified for many cryptocurrency markets. This paper investigates the connectedness between the 10 most traded cryptocurrencies and gold as well as crude oil markets pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19. Through the application of various statistical techniques, including cointegration tests, vector autoregressive models, vector error correction models, autoregressive distributed lag models, and Granger causality analyses, we explore the relationship between these markets and assess the safe-haven properties of gold and crude oil for cryptocurrencies. Our findings reveal that during the COVID-19 pandemic, gold is a strong safe-haven for Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Monero while demonstrating a weaker safe-haven potential for Bitcoin Cash, EOS, Chainlink, and Cardano. In contrast, gold only exhibits a strong safe-haven characteristic before the pandemic for Litecoin and Monero. Additionally, Brent crude oil emerges as a strong safe-haven for Bitcoin during COVID-19, while West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude oils demonstrate weaker safe-haven properties for Ether, Bitcoin Cash, EOS, and Monero. Furthermore, the Granger causality analysis indicates that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the causal relationship predominantly flowed from gold and crude oil toward the cryptocurrency markets; however, during the COVID-19 period, the direction of causality shifted, with cryptocurrencies exerting influence on the gold and crude oil markets. These findings provide subtle implications for policymakers, hedge fund managers, and individual or institutional cryptocurrency investors. Our results highlight the need to adapt risk exposure strategies during financial turmoil, such as the crisis precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sentagi Sesotya Utami, Winny Setyonugroho, Moch Zihad Islami
et al.
Introduction: Ship-to-shore (STS) crane operators strive for efficiency in their work, but they must take a hard look at their high-risk jobs. It is necessary to learn how to improve occupational safety and health. This study aims to investigate the problems faced by STS crane operators working in container ports and to understand the importance of fit-for-work monitoring procedures, particularly for individuals working in high-risk industries such as STS operators. Methods: This study used a qualitative approach, and data were collected through interviews and observations of STS operators and in-house clinic staff. Nine STS operators, two in-house clinic staff, and two safety, health, and environment (SHE) staff were interviewed. Results: This study found that container terminal companies emphasise two critical aspects for STS operators: productivity and occupational safety and health. STS operators face health problems, including physical and psychological problems, due to the fast-paced work system, sleep patterns, daily activities, and thoughts that are difficult to control. Employees have coping mechanisms to deal with fatigue, and stakeholders have effectively communicated the company's safety and health culture. Most stakeholders in a container terminal company want a fit-for-work monitoring system to make the business efficient and sustainable. Conclusion: The STS industry faces a significant problem with operator fatigue, which can negatively impact safety and productivity. This issue requires a comprehensive strategy, including legislation to regulate working hours and shift patterns, technology to combat fatigue, and operator education and training.
Norah Saleh Alghamdi, Mohammed Zakariah, Achyut Shankar
et al.
Heart disease continues to be a prominent cause of death globally, emphasizing the critical requirement for precise prediction techniques and prompt therapies. This research presents a new method that utilizes the collective capabilities of autoencoder and DenseNet architectures to predict heart illness. Our study is based on the Heart Disease UCI Cleveland dataset, which includes 13 variables that cover clinical and demographic parameters such as age, sex, cholesterol levels, and exercise-induced angina. The dataset presents issues due to its varied attribute types, including category and numerical variables. Furthermore, our approach tackles these difficulties by utilizing a dense autoencoder model, which produced exceptional outcomes. The Model attained a mean accuracy of 99.67% on the Heart Disease UCI Cleveland dataset. Further testing showed it was resilient, with a test accuracy of 99.99%. In addition, the Model demonstrated outstanding macro precision, macro recall, and macro F1 score, with percentages of 99.98%, 99.97%, and 99.96%, respectively. In addition, our results indicate that combining autoencoder and DenseNet designs shows potential for predicting cardiac disease, with substantial enhancements in accuracy and performance metrics compared to current approaches. This methodology can improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes in cardiovascular care by accurately finding and defining complex patterns within the data. Notwithstanding these encouraging outcomes, our investigation has constraints. The specific attributes of the dataset utilized may limit the applicability of our findings. Subsequent studies could examine the suitability of our method for various datasets and analyze supplementary variables that may improve forecast precision. Furthermore, it is necessary to conduct prospective validation studies to evaluate our strategy’s practical effectiveness in clinical environments.
The study explores the influence of vividness, content quality, and system quality in virtual reality (VR) experiences on guests’ behavioural intentions in the hotel industry in the National Capital Region. It specifically examines how these factors affect guests’ engagement and decision-making processes. Using the Partial Least Square with Hierarchical Component Model Analysis, the results highlight the importance of immersive and high-quality VR content in enhancing guest experiences and influencing their future behaviours, such as revisiting or recommending the hotels. Additionally, the study underscores the role of system quality in ensuring a seamless and engaging VR experience. The findings through the use of the mediating effect, suggest that investment in superior VR technology can be a strategic tool for hotels to differentiate themselves in a competitive market and align with evolving consumer preferences as well as the cognitive absorption of the hotel guests.
Hospitality industry. Hotels, clubs, restaurants, etc. Food service, Business
B. K. Shreyamsha Kumar, K. C. Anandakrishan, Manish Sumant
et al.
Wound care is a critical aspect of healthcare that involves treating and managing various types of wounds, typically caused by injuries, surgery, or chronic diseases such as diabetes. Chronic wounds can be particularly challenging to manage and often require 3 to 6 months of long-term care. In a few instances, healing durations are highly unpredictable and can vary depending on the severity of the wound, the patient’s overall health, and other factors such as medication, nutrition, age, comorbidity, environment, etiology, and immune system function. A chronic wound can significantly impact the quality of life, causing pain, discomfort, limited mobility, higher healthcare cost, and even mortality in severe cases. Effective wound care is crucial for promoting complete and timely healing and reducing the risk of complications that may lead to amputation, infection, and other potentially life-threatening outcomes. This work aims to develop a system that automizes to determine the wound boundaries leveraging the DeepLabV3+SE, measures the wound characteristics such as size and area, and wound shape using a pipeline of morphological operations and connected component analysis modules. The proposed system’s performance was evaluated using the publicly available dataset. Results demonstrate that the DeepLabV3+SE has outperformed with significantly high dice and IOU scores of 0.923 and 0.924, respectively, compared with several state-of-the-art methods.
This study aims to analyze the comparison of the resilience of Islamic and conventional banking in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparison of banking resilience was proxied by the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR) factors, Return on Assets (ROA) and Non-Performing Loans (NPL) with the Multiple Discriminant Analysis test. In this case, the emphasis is placed on the patterns by which Islamic and conventional banking in ASEAN weathered the recent financial crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. The explanatory and quantitative analysis also used a purposive sample strategy and SPSS to obtain and analyze data from 120-unit analyses of Islamic and conventional banks, respectively. From 2020 to 2021, traditional banks in the ASEAN region, especially in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam, were emphasized. Moreover, some data were prioritized regarding the Comparison of Resilience of Sharia and Conventional Banking in ASEAN after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that conventional and Islamic banks had different resilience due to the influence of Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR) factors, but there was no significant difference in the Return on Assets (ROA) and Non-Performing Loans (NPL). Based on the accuracy of the average prediction of 80%, conventional and Islamic bank groups had classification values of 48% and 88%, respectively. This indicated that Islamic financial institutions were more successful than conventional groups in implementing banking resilience.
Research Question: The paper investigates various ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) related practices within the leading European banking groups (BGs) present in Serbian banking sector (SBS), including their financial performances. Motivation: The goal of the research was to explore approach habits to sustainable business between the leading European BGs present in the SBS. It should have in mind that SBS are in compliance with their headquarter/major shareholder. The rising global worry about ESG issues and its overall impact forces banking business model to use holistic approach, including the plug-in of sustainability and responsible behaviours. The paper draws on sustainable banking surveys of Aracil et al. (2021) and Stefanovic et al. (2021) in Business-Case domain, applying them on SBS with introduction of 3 comparable sustainable indicators (environmental loans, reduction of tCO2, community investments). It is the first study which takes in respect ESG elements of principal BGs in SBS, with the comprehensive analysis of subject’s legislative framework. Idea: The core idea of the paper was to empirically investigate the sustainable practice in SBS, based on different banks’ reports and publications, including disclosed ESG indicators. E-loans (EL) and profitability indicators were examined individually as dependent variables since other ESG and financial (solvency, financial stability and efficiency) variables served as independent ones. Data: Analysis was conducted using data of 4 European active BGs on SBS, in the period of 2015-2021, due to fact that there was the lack of quantitative metrics and non-uniform reporting practice. Tools: Statistical analysis (descriptive statistics, correlation, regression test utilizing ANOVA), were used to draw conclusions about the relationship variables, particularly correlation between ESG variables and profitability ratios. Findings: The study showed for analyzed BGs that: (1) they had unique ESG practice, based on global standards and EBA (European Banking Authority) regulation; (2) they had good credit risk management including E-risks in practice; (3) sustainability had significant inter-connectedness among ESG constituents, as well as with some of the financial metrics; (4) statistical significance of ESG metrics for EL; however similar findings are missing when it comes to association between financial performance (in terms of profitability) and ESG practice. Contribution: The paper introduces and expands existing research related to sustainable banking on SBS for further education of all stakeholders.
Francisco Segundo Mogollón García, Linda Diana Becerra Rojas, Sonia Magali Núñez Puse
et al.
El objetivo propuesto para esta investigación consistió en explicar cómo el acoso laboral puede convertirse en un elemento predictivo de la depresión en el sector Mype Región Piura-Perú. Para lograr dicho objetivo se utilizó un enfoque cuantitativo, empleando métodos matemáticos para la obtención de los resultados, apoyándose de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales – SEM, en la que participaron 379 empresas (entre dueños, administradores y/o responsables). Los datos fueron cargados en SPSS (para análisis descriptivo) y Smartpls (modelamiento SEM), cuyos resultados estadísticos indicaron que las pruebas de normalidad, fiabilidad, validez (discriminante, convergente) y las pruebas de varianza, han respondido de manera singular (satisfactoria) al planteamiento del estudio, concluyendo que el acoso laboral se comporta de manera favorable como elemento predictivo de la depresión, es decir, el modelamiento basado en ecuaciones estructurales responde satisfactoriamente con la postura del investigador.
Ibrahim M. Fanuel, Silas Mirau, Maranya Mayengo
et al.
This paper presents a system of non-linear differential equations describing the depletion of forest biomass and forest-dependent wildlife population caused by human population and its associated activities. The model incorporates the imprecise nature of the parameters, which are treated as triangular fuzzy numbers to reflect the inherent uncertainty. We utilised α cut to transform these imprecise parameters into intervals. Subsequently, employing the principles of interval mathematics, we effectively converted the related differential equation into a pair of distinct differential equations. By leveraging the signed distance of the fuzzy numbers, we further simplified the equations, resulting in a single differential equation, which led to the formulation of a defuzzified model. The existence of equilibrium points with their stability behaviour is presented. Furthermore, the existence of trans-critical bifurcation is analysed. Through numerical simulations, we observe significant differences between the solutions of system in crisp and fuzzy environments. These findings highlight the importance of using fuzzy models to accurately represent the dynamics of complex natural systems. Consequently, we conclude that fuzzy models provide a trustworthy representation of the dynamics of complex natural systems.
Hafiizh Prasetia, Firman Zulpikar, Jeverson Renyaan
et al.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the seaweed industry and business. The export-import trade is the most severely impacted sector, mainly the raw material export of seaweed. The purpose of this study was to determine how smallholder farmers in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, can survive under adverse conditions and maintain their businesses during a pandemic. The research was conducted through a combination of field surveys and in-depth interviews with respondents. Interviews were performed using a variety of instruments, including questionnaires and cameras. According to the study's findings, smallholder farmers are impacted by a decline in prices and demand. Smallholder farmers in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, are attempting to adapt or adjust their operations to maintain profitability. Seaweed farmers make significant savings and cut their spending in the event of a pandemic. What is intriguing is that respondents did not reduce their spending on food. Instead, they prioritize reducing tertiary needs. Additionally, the same holder farmer borrows from collectors, borrows from the bank, and works side jobs. Thus, seaweed farmers are relatively unaffected by this pandemic and recover more quickly than other types of fishery businesses.
Keywords: Covid 19, seaweed, smallholder farmer, Nusa Tenggara Barat
This article deals with the determination and comparison of different types of functions of the type-2 interval of fuzzy logic, using a case study on the international financial market. The model is demonstrated on the time series of the leading stock index DJIA of the US market. Type-2 Fuzzy Logic membership features are able to include additional uncertainty resulting from unclear, uncertain or inaccurate financial data that are selected as inputs to the model. Data on the financial situation of companies are prone to inaccuracies or incomplete information, which is why the type-2 fuzzy logic application is most suitable for this type of financial analysis. This paper is primarily focused on comparing and evaluating the performance of different types of type-2 fuzzy membership functions with integrated additional uncertainty. For this purpose, several model situations differing in shape and level or degree of uncertainty of membership functions are constructed. The results of this research show that type-2 fuzzy sets with dual membership functions is a suitable expert system for highly chaotic and unstable international stock markets and achieves higher accuracy with the integration of a certain level of uncertainty compared to type-1 fuzzy logic.
Antonija Buljan, Milan Deskar-Skrbic, Mirna Dumicic
In this paper, we provide the first analysis of the level and determinants of sovereign exposure of banking systems in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, thus contributing to the existing literature on sovereign exposures and the sovereign-bank nexus. Results of descriptive analysis showed that exposure to sovereign debt securities in CEE countries is substantially higher than in euro area countries, which can be explained by the lower development of financial markets in this region. We also found evidence of home-bias in CEE and emphasized the role of different monetary policy regimes in explaining differences in exposure among CEE countries. Results of panel analysis showed that changes of debt securities in bank balance sheets in CEE countries are mostly determined by broader macroeconomic conditions and to a lesser extent by their regulatory frameworks. In addition, we did not find evidence of so-called reach-for-yield behaviour. Our results indicate that efforts to reduce sovereign exposure in CEE countries require strong collaboration of not only regulators, but also of fiscal authorities and other policy makers able to contribute to the development of financial markets in this region. Moreover, regulators should especially focus on reducing the home-bias in CEE.
Smart grid has integrated an increasing number of distributed energy resources to improve the efficiency and flexibility of power generation and consumption as well as the resilience of the power grid. The energy consumers on the power grid, e.g., households, equipped with distributed energy resources can be considered as “microgrids” that both generate and consume electricity. In this paper, we study the energy community discovery problems which identify energy communities for the microgrids to facilitate energy management, e.g., load balancing, energy sharing and trading on the grid. Specifically, we present efficient algorithms to discover such communities of microgrids considering both their geo-locations and net energy (NE) over any period. Finally, we experimentally validate the performance of the algorithms using both synthetic and real datasets.
Production of electric energy or power. Powerplants. Central stations, Renewable energy sources
Iustin Emanuel ALEXANDRU, Petru Ciprian BRADU, Alexandru TAȘNADI
The authors start from Einstein’s thought according to which present problems
cannot be solved with the same mind that generated them. In other words, a new approach
is needed. It is shown that the need of change was highlighted also at the World Economic
Forum of Davos (January 2014). The change of mentality determines, in the opinion of the
authors, a chain reaction: change – expectations – attitudes – behavior – performances.
Evolution always supposes a change. Leads of economy, politicians, entrepreneurs
supported the need of adopting new development models, on the ba
Noer Tjahja Moekthi Pratjitana, Kodrat Iman Satoto, Rinta Kridalukmana
The growing market share in many business areas especially in service area is causing the use of conventional accounting system being ineffective. One of the companies which still using the conventional one is a window film set-up service company called HS Auto Film. The process of processing sales data is less accurate and slower in the contrary of the developing sales data. Computer-based window film set-up Sales Information System is built in order to make the processing data more accurate and faster.
The information system is built using Visual Basic programming language along with .NET framework technology and SQL Server database that embedded in the application itself. The making and development process of the Sales Information System is using waterfall method. Waterfall method consists of user requirement, analysis, design, implementation, and testing. Entity Relationship Diagram, Data Flow Diagram and Flowchart are also used in the Information System design.
The output of this application design is a desktop application that can help user to control the set-up of window film, manage payment bill, and manage document in accounting in faster and more accurate way. The information system can be developed later using web-based system so that the development and maintenance can be done easier.