Business Operators Research Articles

Analysis of Food Allergen Labeling Regulations on Consumer Safety in Zimbabwe

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate analysis of food allergen labeling regulations on consumer safety in Zimbabwe
 Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
 Findings: This study addresses the significance of food allergen concerns for consumers and food business operators in Zimbabwe. It acknowledges the adoption of the Codex Alimentarius standard (NL 206) for allergen labeling in the country. However, it highlights a research gap in understanding the knowledge and practices of consumers and FBOs regarding food allergies and labeling. The study aims to conduct surveys in Harare, analyzing compliance with NL 206 for local and imported packaged foods. The goal is to provide insights and recommendations for improving food allergen labeling, consumer safety, and awareness in Zimbabwe.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Health Belief Model (HBM), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) & Diffusion of Innovations Theory may be used to anchor future studies on analysis of food allergen labeling regulations on consumer safety in Zimbabwe. Invest in comprehensive consumer education and awareness campaigns to empower individuals to make safe food choices, contributing to enhanced food safety in practice. Work towards global harmonization of allergen labeling standards as a policy measure to simplify compliance for manufacturers and ensure consistent allergen identification on food labels.

The Influence of Storage Temperature and Packaging Technology on the Durability of Ready-to-Eat Preservative-Free Meat Bars with Dried Plasma.

Food business operators must include the results of shelf life testing in their HACCP plan. Ready-to-eat preservative-free meat products enriched with blood plasma are an unfathomable area of research in food safety. We tested modified atmosphere (80% N2 and 20% CO2) and vacuum packaged RTE preservative-free baked and smoked pork bars with dried blood plasma for Aerobic Plate Count, yeast and mould, lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter spp., and the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. during storage (temperatures from 4 to 34 °C) up to 35 days after production. The obtained data on the count of individual groups of microorganisms were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and statistically tested (Student's t-test with the Bonferroni correction); for temperatures at which there were statistically significant differences and high numerical variability, the trend of changes in bacterial counts were visualised using mathematical modelling. The results show that the optimal storage conditions are refrigerated temperatures (up to 8 °C) for two weeks. At higher temperatures, food spoilage occurred due to the growth of aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and mould. The MAP packaging method was more conducive to spoilage of the bars, especially in temperatures over 8 °C.

Optimizing Operations Management and Business Analytics Strategies under Uncertainty: Dynamic Programming

Dynamic programming is a method used in mathematics, management science, computer science, economics, and bioinformatics to solve complex problems by decomposing the original problem into relatively simple sub-problems. Dynamic programming is often applicable to problems with overlapping subproblems and optimal substructure properties. This paper employs a comprehensive research approach of literature review, as well as empirical analysis and case studies to investigate the topic and demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of dynamic programming in solving complex decision-making problems. However, the curse of dimensionality poses challenges when dealing with high-dimensional decision spaces, requiring approximate dynamic programming methods, including reinforcement learning algorithms. Therefore, when dealing with more complex dynamic programming problems, it is also essential to use program construction tools such as Python to help design a program that can optimize the problem. Therefore, in the learning of dynamic programming, in addition to the correct understanding of basic concepts and methods, specific problems must be analyzed and dealt with in detail, models should be built with rich imagination, and solutions should be solved with creative skills.

Risk management and risk communication of an illegal use of sulphites in meat preparations

Abstract This paper presents a case study on the management of a food fraud associated with health risks: the illegal use of sulphites in meat preparations and minced meat in Slovenia in 2019. The purpose is to highlight the shortcomings of existing systems for ensuring food safety in case of food frauds and highlight challenges for improvements. Sulphites are food additives but also have significant allergenic potential, hence they may cause serious reactions in sensitized consumers. Labelling of foods treated with sulphites is mandatory, and their use in meat and meat preparations in Europe is not allowed. However, certain food business operators may intentionally add sulphites into meat preparations to improve the sensory properties; besides being a food fraud, this exposes unaware consumers to health risks. The case started with the notification of an allergic-like reaction by a consumer following the consumption of a meat product. While the public authorities reacted by intensifying controls on markets and retailers, the analysis of risk management and risk communication aspects showed a number of shortcomings: slow response time; lack of recall of sulphite-treated meat products and of an in-depth risk assessment. The evaluation of this case study identified violations of food law regulations and consumer protection legislation. Effective risk management requires an interdisciplinary approach, integrating timely and targeted official control and risk communication throughout the food chain to protect consumers from unfair practices. Consistent, effective, and transparent communication among all actors who share responsibility in ensuring food safety is necessary to achieve improvements. This serious case of food fraud with actual risks to consumer health provided an opportunity for lessons to be learnt regarding managing health hazards from intervention to prevention.

Influence of Levels of Income on Micro and Small Business Operators’ Participation in Social Security Fund in Moshi Municipality

This research intended to assess the influence of income levels on micro and small business operators’ participation in social security fund (SSF) in Moshi Municipality, Tanzania. This study was guided by the Social Protection Theory (SPT) which described that Social Security Funds provides benefits to both individuals and households to propagate losses of earnings caused by sickness, maternity, employment injury, invalidity, old age or death. This research used a concurrent research design with a mixed research approach. The target population for the study was business operators found in Moshi Municipality totaling to 6,884. A sample size of 378 respondents obtained from Yamane (1964) formula through stratified random sampling and purposive Sampling. A structured questionnaire was administered as the tool for collecting primary data and Key informant Interviews were administered to gather additional qualitative data. Validity was ensured through discussion of the instrument with experts. Reliability of the instruments was obtained having Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.76. Ethical considerations were adhered toward conducting this study. Descriptive statistics and content analysis was used for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The study revealed that level of income affects the way that small or micro business operator perceives the value of social security funds in Moshi Municipality. This study recommends that social security funds should set a minimum income threshold for participation to ensure that micro and small business operators with low level of income participate in the social security funds in Moshi Municipal Council.

Pendampingan Legalitas UMKM Desa Besowo, Kecamatan Kepung, Kabupaten Kediri

The presence of business legality is a fundamental aspect in any enterprise. Business legality serves as a standard that all business practitioners, including those operating small-scale businesses like MSMEs, must meet to have their businesses legally recognized. However, legal aspects of businesses are often overlooked by many business operators, including those in the MSME sector. This serves as the background for the development of the "MSME Legal Support Program" conducted by students from the Collaborative Community Service Program Collaborative 84, hailing from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, IAIN Kediri, UIT Lirboyo, and IAIFA Sumbersari. The program employs the ABCD method and is carried out through observation, interviews, and focus group discussions. The support activities commence with observations of MSME practitioners and are followed by coordination with village officials. The results of the program include enhancing the understanding of MSME practitioners regarding the importance of business legality and the issuance of NIB The long-term impacts of this program encompass the issuance of NIB, which can open up opportunities for collaboration with relevant agencies, as well as grant access to funding sources through government MSME programs. Additionally, this support program forges collaborations with advisors from the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, with the aim of streamlining the business legality registration process for MSMEs in Besowo Village in the future.

주택임대차 시장 상생방안

In South Korea, the domestic housing supply rate has already exceeded 100% since 2008, but the home ownership rate in 2021 still remains at 57.3%. In response to large-scale Chonse fraud, the government has come up with various solutions, but there is criticism that it is insufficient for a fundamental solution. This paper aims to derive a win-win plan between landlords and tenants in the rental market through legal and institutional improvement.
 First, it is necessary to partially restrict private landlords from freely choosing whether to register as rental businesses. Through this, it is possible to prevent a rental business operator who meets the requirements for rejection of the registration application under Article 7 (7) of the Special Act on Private Rental Housing from entering the rental market. In addition, the tenant's right to claim the return of the deposit can be substantially secured by requiring additional asset requirements for rental businesses of a certain size or larger. Although the lease system has positive factors such as a role as a residential stepping stone and a reduction in housing costs, it basically grants the right to freely dispose of a large amount during the lease period, while the legal protection for its return is insufficient. There have been various legal and institutional efforts to compensate for this, but tenants are still not sufficiently protected. The old customary Chonse was incorporated into Article 303 et seq.(Right to registered lease on a deposit basis) of the Korean Civil Code, but Chonsegwon is rarely used in practice. In terms of the protection of tenants, it is reasonable not to allow Chonse Lease. In reality, it is also possible to consider forcing the registration of leaseholds that are paid a certain amount or more of rental deposits. It is necessary to correct the practice that rental deposits are received much more than collateral purposes. Article 551 (1) of the German Civil Code restricts rental deposits not to exceed three times the rent for one month. It may also be considered to force leaseholds that are paid a certain amount or more of rental deposits to be registered.

소규모주택정비사업의 활성화 방안에 관한 연구

As the industry developed and the need for housing increased due to population growth, the housing shortage was solved by constructing houses centered on large-scale apartments. Most of the supply of housing for the common people was achieved by small and medium-sized construction companies building multi-generational and multi-family houses such as villas, which are small houses. It was distributed. The small houses distributed in this way are deteriorating and left empty, damaging the scenery of residential areas, and there are also cases where they are abused as a place for youth to escape. To solve these problems, the government is also recommending the redevelopment and reconstruction of housing. However, the current reconstruction and redevelopment is being carried out focusing on large-scale complexes that can generate a lot of profit based on business feasibility, which makes it difficult for indigenous people to settle down and often turns into a stage for speculators. Therefore, the government in 2018 said, The “Special Act on the Maintenance of Vacant Houses and Small Houses” was implemented to play a role in improving the quality of residential life by stipulating matters and special provisions necessary to efficiently renovate vacant houses and revitalize the maintenance of small houses. However, to date, the improvement of small houses or empty houses has not been promoted as intended by this law. The small house improvement project has the advantage of speeding up implementation by simplifying the project implementation procedures, but there are difficulties in implementing the project in the field. In particular, it is not uncommon for projects to not proceed smoothly due to issues such as the composition of a council before establishing a cooperative and the dispute resolution process between residents who consented without knowing during the process of obtaining consent from residents and residents who expressed their opinion to cancel consent after consenting. It's happening. There is also the problem that it is difficult to make a profit for the developer due to the small size of the complex. Therefore, there are difficulties in selecting a business operator, which is the starting stage of the business. There are some areas where it is difficult to proceed with the project due to difficulties in establishing a cooperative.
 When reorganizing a city, the climate is changed to one in which development is carried out through small-scale housing redevelopment that harmonizes with nature and the environment rather than large-scale redevelopment, so that urban development is not a feast for speculator, but rather the original local residents do not leave and the residential environment is improved. I hope that this will change the perception that urban maintenance is carried out as a result.

APLIKASI SENSOR MOISTURE PADA KAYU DI ROTRA FURNITUR TAHUNAN JEPARA

The drying oven is a primary support in the furniture manufacturing business, which is carried out using simple and natural techniques, namely the use of solar heat. Based on findings at the partner's location, this collaborative research between lecturers and students will focus on wood drying as the main issue with the aim of helping to increase the potential benefits of wood dryness at Rotra Furniture Annual Jepara in order to maximize furniture production. This research is related to the Product Design Study Program roadmap through the development of education, culture, and creative industry that will be implemented at Rotra Furniture, especially in relation to the use of wood raw materials with a national standard dryness level of 12%, which is suitable for the needs of furniture design that is now developing again. The target of this research is to investigate and report the basic principles of the technology for installing moisture sensor devices with the recommended technological concept, targeting TKT at level 1 within one year. This research will continue to TKT targets at levels 2 and 3 with the readiness for implementation and proof of concept of technology on wood furniture business operators directly. The methodology used is experimental to collect performance data based on time and the rate of drying in the wood oven. The experiment was carried out using local teak wood that was wet after sawing division until it reached a level of dryness that was ready to become furniture production material. This study also involves data collection techniques with field study approaches through direct surveys in the field and interviews with the owners of the Rotra Furniture business. The data analysis technique used in this research is an interactive model, including data collection, data reduction, data analysis, and conclusion drawing. This research has been carried out up to 70% of activities and will be continued with further research with the support of various competent parties.

Description of Capital Structure and Financial Performance of Sharia Bank in Indonesia

An optimal capital structure can provide maximum profits for the company. So, it requires company value and reduces the risk of bankruptcy. This paper aims to describe the capital structure and financial performance of Sharia Banks in Indonesia. The method of study and data analysis means this research is included in the descriptive research category, which identifies various variables. The method used is survey research for which secondary data is available. The population used in this research is Sharia Banks listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2022, publish financial reports, and are registered with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) during the 2013-2022 period. The results of the analysis of this research description show that capital market growth has a role in financial performance. This means that the development of the capital market creates wider funding opportunities for Sharia Banks in Indonesia. With more accessible access to the capital market through the issuance of shares or bonds on the capital market, Islamic banks can expand their funding sources to support operational activities and business growth. This can help increase liquidity and financial stability at Sharia Banks in Indonesia to optimize capital market potential. Sharia Banks need to pay attention to and utilize capital market potential effectively. In this case, they can increase collaboration with capital market institutions, carry out a public offering (IPO) program, or use other cap

Exploring the viability of remote work for SME

PurposeThis study aims to identify and examine the relevance of implementing remote work by small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business operators during the post-COVID-19 era in developing nations. Design/methodology/approachThe study utilised a qualitative methodology, conducting interviews with twenty SME businesses, including business leaders and management level employees. It explores the challenges faced by these operators in maintaining remote work and its impact on their business operations. Data was analysed and compiled using ATLAS.ti software. FindingsThe findings indicate that not all SME are capable of sustaining remote working environments. The nature of the business plays a crucial role in providing flexibility to employees in their operations. There are also weaknesses in remote work security that need to be addressed, as they can potentially impact business operations and performance. Research limitations/implicationsThe implications of the pandemic on business operations, regardless of size, are significant globally. This study sheds light on the challenges faced by SME in implementing remote work and its feasibility in the post-COVID-19 period. Originality/valueThe content of this paper is based on information, observations, and discussions with SME operators on how COVID-19 has compelled their businesses to adapt to the changing environment. Previously, there was no urgency for businesses to embrace remote work operations, but the pandemic has forced them to adopt such measures.

Sustainability-Oriented Low-Carbon Innovation in SOEs: A Case Study of Shanghai Metro

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) encounter various constraints on sustainability in low-carbon development due to institutional hybridity. This study aimed to examine how SOEs develop sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) toward low-carbon development. Drawing on a case study of Shanghai Metro, we developed a process model for sustainability-oriented low-carbon innovation (SLI) in SOEs. The model illustrated that implementing a national low-carbon strategy introduces environmental, social, and financial constraints on sustaining value pluralism for SOEs, triggering the actors to develop SLI involving sensing and idea generation, configuration, and transformation, resulting in innovative low-carbon operational processes, products/services, and business models which reconcile environmental benefits, financial returns, and social welfare. This paper enriches the emerging research on SOI and extends the existing understanding of low-carbon innovation. Beyond this, the findings also offer a new lens of SLI to the conventional research and managerial practices concerning SOEs’ hybridity and low-carbon development.

Official Control in Slaughter and Game Handling: Expectations and Prerequisites for Implementation of Remote Meat Inspection in Sweden

Remote meat inspection is currently not permitted under the European Union food control legislation. However, the environmental impact of travelling to and from abattoirs and increasing shortages of qualified veterinary staff make remote controls a potential future scenario. This paper reports the results of a qualitative study conducted with a sample of nineteen official veterinarians and food business operators in Sweden. We investigated attitudes, perceived risks, and prerequisites for remote meat controls in semi-structured interviews.Results indicate both positive attitudes towards remote meat inspection, and concerns related to technical challenges, reliability and security of data transfer, and possibilities of manipulation of the remote system. Respondents also noted both negative effects, such as physical hurdles for good control, and positive impacts on animal welfare, such as shortened waiting times for slaughter. Considering the current regulatory framework, only 21% of the respondents have had any prior experience with (pilot) remote meat inspections and the additional 11% carried out remote inspections of Food Chain Information documents. Nevertheless, all participants, including the majority without any prior experience in remote inspections, assumed that remote inspections would be done via video streaming. The optimal setting for a remote meat inspection, according to our respondents, seems to be a combination of cameras at fixed locations with body cameras worn by assisting abattoir personnel. Overall, remote meat inspections are possible to introduce but not without significant legal and technical adaptations as well as definition of the conditions for this type of control flexibility.

Research on Service Quality Requirements in Camping Area

Abstract This study targeted customers of the W camping area through a questionnaire survey. A total of 75 questionnaires were distributed, and 63 valid questionnaires were issued. According to IPA's analysis, items falling in priority improvement areas include: staff will provide detailed operation instructions, have modern and professional equipment internally, service facilities meet customer needs, and staff can do things right the first time. These four factors are: The item is considered highly valued by customers, but the performance of the W camping area is poor, and the operator should give priority to improvement. In addition, according to Kano analysis, there are 4 efficiency improvement service quality items that can simultaneously increase customer satisfaction and reduce customer dissatisfaction. They are that staff are willing to assist and serve customers, have a bright and clean appearance of facilities, and staff can try their best to assist customers in solving problems. Problems and staff can truly fulfill their commitments to customers. Business operators can continuously improve and maintain good service quality based on these quality items to obtain maximum benefits. JEL classification numbers: M10. Keywords: IPA, Service Quality, Kano Model, Camping Area.

Pendampingan Digital Marketing, Media Sosial Dan Modal Usaha Terhadap Forum UMKM Tajur Halang Kabupaten Bogor

The Tajur Halang SME Forum is an organization that consists of business operators who reside in the Tajur Halang District of Bogor Regency.These operators face challenges in marketing their products, introducing them to customers, and securing business capital for ongoing operations.The aim of this community service is to offer training in digital marketing, social media utilization for product marketing, and accessible methods for acquiring business capital.The approach involves a series of training sessions that start with group forum discussions, a situational analysis of the partners, pre-tests, main training activities, and post-tests.The results of these activities show an improvement in the partners' knowledge, skills, and abilities in digital marketing, using Instagram for branding and brand awareness, managing engagement, and accessing business capital

WHAT S HAPPEN WHEN PIGS OR POULTRY ARE DELIVRED TO SLAUGHTER PRIOR TO THE END OF WITHDRAWAL PERIOD?

"The withdrawal period after treatment with microbials is established to minimize the concentration of residues in meat of treated pigs or poultry. Even Food Chain has very precise rules about sending or not animals to slaughter before withdrawal period thus human errors may occur. In a prior study two questionnaires was distributed to food business operator (FBO) and competent authority (CA) involving 28 countries in and outside Europe (Romania included), involving pig meat production. Then in the second part of the study, the questionnaires were distributed for poultry meat production. The models developed in the previous study were applied for poultry industry and Romanian study case."

PRACTICES AND MODELS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROL OF THE MICROBIAL RESIDUE IN PIGS AND POULTRY APPLIED IN ROMANIA

"Withdrawal periods after antimicrobial treatment have been defined as preventing in meat the presence of residues above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). However, errors can lead to residues above MRLs (Alban et al., 2023). The aim of the study was to perform a microbial risk assessment on pork and broiler carcasses. In the European Union (EU), the antimicrobial is prescribed by a veterinarian and the prescription contains information about the withdrawal period needed before the animal can be sent for slaughter (EU Parliament and Council, 2019). (Background:) Study wants to investigate the best practices applied in our country for monitoring microbial residues in pork and poultry carcasses. Procedures are in place to help avoid delivery of milk to the dairy processor or animals to the abattoir prior to the end of the withdrawal period. Still, residues can occasionally be present in animals sent for slaughter, with potential consequences along the whole meat chain (Arsène et al., 2022). (Methods:) Research was based on a qualitative analysis based on two questionnaires, one for business operators, the other to competent authority distributed to pigs and poultry abattoirs and competent authority. A statistical method was carried out for questionnaires analysis. (Results:) The results showed a variation in small or big facilities, abattoirs placing meat on national markets or to be traded and exported. Two best practices models were developed equal applied for pork and poultry production."

Financial Management Strategies and the Sustainability of Small-Scale Business in River State Public Universities, Nigeria

The study examined financial management strategies and the sustainability of small-scale business in River State public universities, Nigeria. The population of the study comprised sixty-five (65) small-scale business operators that registered with the university management in the study area. A 20-item questionnaire titled “Financial Management Strategies and the Sustainability of Small-Scale Businesses (FMSSSSB)” tool was utilized for data collection. Fifteen (15) small-business owners from the University of Calabar were used to test the internal consistency that produced an overall reliability coefficient of 0.79. The study issues were addressed employing the mean (X) and standard deviations (SD), bar graph, line graph and an independent t-test was employed to assess the null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. Results show that records management techniques and inventory management control influence the Sustainability of Small-Scale Businesses in River State public universities. It was determined that records are crucial to the management of small businesses' sustainability and that they must be treated carefully throughout their creation, maintenance, and disposal. As records are the cornerstone and foundation upon which modern business exists, it was also advised, amid other things, that owners of small businesses try to get involved in the records management process.
 
 Received: 18 August 2023 / Accepted: 21 October 2023 / Published: 5 November 2023

Book Review: The Sustainable Business Handbook: A Guide to Becoming More Innovative, Resilient, and Successful

We are living in an era where the global business terrain is increasingly shaped by environmental, social, and economic chal­lenges. It is important not only to know about sustainable principles, but also to understand how to turn this knowledge into tangible action. The core objective of “The Sustainable Business Handbook: A Guide to Becoming More Innovative, Resilient, and Successful” is to offer practical knowledge and insights to business operators. This book offers compre­hen­sive guidance for organiza­tions and leaders to navigate the complex situations of sustainable business management, transform­ing challenges into opportunities for innovation and success. Several case studies from real world businesses are provided throughout the book. This book has earned noteworthy recognition, being shortlisted for Project Syndicate's Sustainability Book Award 2023, and further acclaimed as the winner of the Business Book Awards 2023 in the Change and Sustainability category. Remarkably, Project Syndicate is a renowned international media organization, widely acknowledged for its role in publishing and syndicating perceptive commentaries and analyses on a diverse array of global subjects (Project Syndicate, 2023).

Mapping ways of detecting and handling antimicrobial residues in pigs and pig meat in- and outside Europe

Withdrawal periods after antimicrobial treatment have been defined as preventing in meat the presence of residues above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). However, errors can lead to residues above MRLs. The RIBMINS COST Action network investigated the question of how detection and handling are applied in different countries, and what the best practices may be, when balancing consumer safety with EU policy on minimising food waste. Two questionnaires were developed focusing on pigs, targeting the competent authority and the food business operator. The survey was undertaken in spring 2022 and resulted in 78 answers representing 27 countries. The results showed that most countries operate their system as a kind of monitoring, where the tested carcass is not detained. We suggest two best practice models where Model A (monitoring) could reflect small abattoirs placing meat on the national market, whereas Model B (surveillance) could reflect abattoirs also trading and exporting. In Model A, detection of a residue above the MRL is interpreted in the same way as a process hygiene criterion, requires on-farm inspection to correct mistakes only, and therefore no retention of tested carcases. In Model B, detection of a residue above the MRL is interpreted as a food safety criterion, requires on-farm inspection and the tested carcass is retained to avoid expensive recalls in case residues are found.