Industry Institutions Research Articles

Enhancing seafood traceability: tracking the origin of seabass and seabream from the tuscan coast area by the analysis of the gill bacterial communities

BackgroundThe seafood consumption and trade have increased over the years, and along its expected expansion pose major challenges to the seafood industry and government institutions. In particular, the global trade in fish products and the consequent consumption are linked to reliable authentication, necessary to guarantee lawful trade and healthy consumption. Alterations or errors in this process can lead to commercial fraud and/or health threats. Consequently, the development of new investigative tools became crucial in ensuring unwanted scenarios. Here we used NGS techniques through targeted metagenomics approach on the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA genes to characterize the gill bacterial communities in wild-caught seabream (Sparus aurata) and seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) within different fisheries areas of the “Costa degli Etruschi’’ area in the Tuscan coast. Our challenge involved the possibility of discriminating between the microbiota of both fish species collected from three different fishing sites very close to each other (all within 100 km) in important areas from a commercial and tourist point of view.ResultsOur results showed a significant difference in the assembly of gill bacterial communities in terms of diversity (alpha and beta diversity) of both seabass and seabream in accordance with the three fishing areas. These differences were represented by a unique site -related bacterial signature, more evident in seabream compared to the seabass. Accordingly, the core membership of seabream specimens within the three different sites was minimal compared to the seabass which showed a greater number of sequence variants shared among the different fishing sites. Therefore, the LRT analysis highlighted the possibility of obtaining specific fish bacterial signatures associated with each site; it is noteworthy that specific taxa showed a unique association with the fishing site regardless of the fish species. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of target-metagenomic sequencing of gills in discriminating bacterial signatures of specimens collected from fishing areas located at a limited distance to each other.ConclusionsThis study provides new information relating the structure of the gill microbiota of seabass and seabream in a fishing area with a crucial commercial and tourist interest, namely “Costa degli Etruschi”. This study demonstrated that microbiome-based approaches can represent an important tool for validating the seafood origins with a central applicative perspective in the seafood traceability system.

Industrial Sector Growth and Institutional Quality in Nigeria: Comparative Analyses of Economic, Financial, and Political Institutions

Industrial Sector Growth and Institutional Quality in Nigeria: Comparative Analyses of Economic, Financial, and Political Institutions

Implementation Of Central Aceh Regency Government Policy In Ecotourism Development

The Aceh Tengah Regency ecotourism development policy is based on the Qanun RIPPARDA since 2018-2025. On its way, the development of ecotourism over the past five years has not had a significant impact. The formulation of the problem in this study is how the implementation of the Aceh Tengah regency government policy in the development of ecotourism and what are the obstacles faced by the Aceh Tengah regency government in implementing the policy. The aim in this this research are to find out and explain the implementation of the policy of the Central Aceh district government in the development of ecotourism and provide an overview of the obstacles experienced by the Central Aceh district government in implementing policies on ecotourism development. This research is a qualitative research by applying descriptive analysis method and empirical juridical approach. The results showed that the ecotourism development policy in Central Aceh Regency has not been supported by separate implementing regulations such as regulations within the scope of tourism destinations, tourism industry, marketing and tourism institutions based on the provisions of tourism legislation. Constraints faced in policy implementation include, among others, a regulatory vacuum that has an impact on the emergence of illegal businesses, the non-absorption of local revenue in the field of tourism to the maximum, and the emergence of ecotourism businesses that do not rely on environmental protection, the high cost of licensing administration in the field of environmental impact control and the behaviour of people who are not friendly to tourists

Credit Cars: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Auto Loans

Drawing on trade publications, contemporaneous newspaper stories, and other historical sources from the early twentieth-century United States, this article explains how installment plans overcame moral and business concerns to become the standard way people bought cars. Prominent figures in the automobile industry and financial institutions initially denounced the idea of selling cars on credit, and many banks declined to extend credit to would-be auto buyers. However, the relevant legal infrastructure heavily favored creditors, allowing them to circumvent usury laws and guaranteeing their right to repossess assets if borrowers missed payments. When the profit-making that these aspects of the law enabled became clear, moral objections to the idea of selling cars on credit yielded to a new moral consensus among powerful actors that valorized buying cars on credit and concentrated disapprobation on just those borrowers who defaulted on their payments. Thus, the characteristics of the legal infrastructure functionally presupposed the resolution of the erstwhile debate about the fundamental morality of selling cars on credit. Ultimately, lending practices building on the legal and moral foundation established in the early twentieth century led to the establishment of subprime auto lenders whose business model revolves around exorbitant interest rates, high fees, and aggressive repossession.

Revealing the Supply Chain 4.0 Potential within the European Automotive Industry

With the rapid advancements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and the widespread enthusiasm of both theoreticians and practitioners, the broader transition to Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in major industries appears imminent. This empirical study analyzes business data from 1140 automotive companies operating in Europe, utilizing various business intelligence platforms and employing decision tree analytics to establish connections between enablers, drivers, company size, and financial resources. The goal is to identify persistent barriers hindering the rational transition to Industry 4.0. The findings reveal an uneven transformation within the industry nexus. While larger companies possess the financial means to allocate collective intelligence, technical resources, and drive necessary for fulfilling I4.0 requirements, smaller members of the nexus lag behind despite their enthusiasm and intent. This imbalanced evolution poses a threat to the comprehensive transformation required for realizing all the benefits of Industry 4.0 within the sector. The primary discovery indicates that small to medium-sized enterprises do not exhibit the same rates of Industry 4.0 adoption, a lag highly correlated with their available financial and human resources for digital transition. The decision tree proposed in this study offers guidelines for achieving an Industry 4.0-compliant nexus. Given its diversity and substantial global impact, the case study from the automotive industry proves intriguing and may later be generalized to other sectors. The study’s outcome could empower engineering managers and researchers to implement, execute, and assess the impact of digital strategies based on the financial capabilities of industrial institutions.

Voices Unheard: Enhancing English-Speaking Skills among Technical Learners at Industrial Training Institute by Implementing Task-Based Language Teaching

ITIs offer practical training in various technical trades, which enables students to enter the workforce faster than other traditional degrees. However, graduates from ITIs often need better communication skills to advance in their careers, leading to stagnant pay scales. To tackle this issue, a study was conducted to improve English-speaking skills among ITI students by implementing a task-based language teaching approach. A true experimental design was used for this study. The sample consisted of 76 ITI students who were randomly assigned to two groups: control (n=38) and experimental (n=38). Technical learners were given ample opportunities to practice their English-speaking skills and receive instructors feedback. The study showed significant improvement in the student’s ability to communicate professionally. This study suggests that incorporating task-based language teaching into the ITI curriculum can significantly benefit students by enhancing their employment prospects and potential for career growth. Since the allocated tasks replicate the practical training, technical learners perceive them as readily achievable.

Weathering intermediated temporary labour mobility: social partners in Central and Eastern Europe after EU enlargement

This article highlights the growing significance of intermediated temporary labour mobility, and how it has put further pressure on industrial relations institutions in Central and Eastern Europe since EU enlargement. The social partners’ modest regulatory role has been further challenged and reconfigured by the spread of labour market intermediaries. In their struggle to maintain a degree of regulatory influence in the face of unilateral government regulation and the dominance of intermediaries, social partners have shifted their positions between entrenched consent and antagonism and/or protagonism. Our two case studies of Hungarian temporary agency work in metal manufacturing and posted workers in Slovenian construction show similar labour market pressures on sectoral industrial relations in the two countries, but different responses by social partners, indicating different prospects for national industrial relations. The state has retained the decisive regulatory role in both cases, but the Slovenian social partners, in contrast to their Hungarian counterparts, still have some regulatory influence.

Reviewing the advancements in offshore drilling technologies in the USA and their global impact

This study provides an overview of the significant advancements in offshore drilling technologies within the United States and their consequential global impact. As the world's leading innovator in the energy sector, the USA has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of offshore drilling, pushing the boundaries of technological capabilities and fostering sustainable practices. The review begins by highlighting the evolution of offshore drilling technologies in the USA over the past decade. Innovations such as advanced drilling rigs, smart sensors, and real-time data analytics have revolutionized the industry, enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. These technological breakthroughs have not only increased the depth and reach of offshore drilling but have also significantly reduced exploration risks and minimized the environmental footprint. The global impact of these advancements is explored, emphasizing the ripple effect on international energy markets, geopolitical dynamics, and environmental stewardship. The USA's expertise in developing cutting-edge technologies has been instrumental in influencing global industry standards and best practices. International collaborations, knowledge exchange, and technology transfer have facilitated the adoption of these advancements in offshore drilling practices across the globe. Furthermore, the study addresses the role of regulatory frameworks and industry collaborations in shaping the trajectory of offshore drilling technologies. The USA's commitment to stringent safety and environmental regulations has set a benchmark for responsible offshore exploration, influencing other nations to implement similar standards. The study concludes by highlighting the future prospects and challenges in offshore drilling technologies. As the energy landscape continues to evolve, the USA remains at the forefront of research and development, driving innovation towards cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable offshore drilling solutions. The ongoing collaboration between industry stakeholders, government bodies, and research institutions is crucial for addressing emerging challenges and ensuring the continued positive global impact of USA's advancements in offshore drilling technologies.

Industrial relations, the New Right and the praxis of mismanagement

PurposeThe purpose of the article is to outline the insights provided by Alan Fox in Man Mismanagement in relation to the rise of the New Right political economy and the spread of unitarist managerialism. The article assesses the contemporary work and employment relations implications of mismanagement arising from a “second wave” of the New Right ideology from 2010 in the UK.Design/methodology/approachResponding to the Special Issue on Alan Fox, the article focuses on Alan Fox's book Man Mismanagement, considering industrial relations developments arising between the 1st (1974b) and 2nd (1985) editions relating to the political rise of the New Right. It reviews various literature that illustrates the contemporary IR relevance of the book and Fox's insights.FindingsThe New Right’s ideology has further fragmented work, disjointed labour rights and undermined collective industrial relations institutions, and macho mismanagement praxis is even more commonplace, compared to when Fox wrote Man Mismanagement. The stripping away of the institutional architecture of IR renders the renewal of pluralist praxis, like collective bargaining and other forms of joint regulation of work, a formidable task.Originality/valueThe value of the article relates to the identification of dramatic historical industrial relations events and change in the UK in Alan Fox's book Man Mismanagement, most notably relating to the rise to power of the Thatcherite New Right in 1979. Originality is evidenced by the authors’ drawing on Fox's ideas and assessing the implications of the “second wave” of the New Right in the contemporary industrial relations (IR) context of the 2020s under the conceptual themes of fragmented work, disjointed labour rights and undermined collectivism.

Application of Interactive Teaching Method in Digital Media Technology Teaching in Chengdu, China

Background and Aim: This study explored the influences on the intention of undergraduate students majoring in digital media technology to participate in interactive teaching methods in three of the most representative universities in Sichuan Province. The objective of the research is to determine the extent to which each variable influences the use of interactive teaching methods. The latent variables investigated in the study include social influence (SI), trust (TR), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitude (AT), behavioral intention (BI), and usage behavior (UB) of interactive teaching methods. The population of the research is freshmen to Juniors of digital media technology departments from three target universities, namely Chengdu University, Chengdu Institute of Technology, and Sichuan Institute of Industry and Commerce. The 504 samples were proportionally drawn from the mentioned three universities. Materials and Methods: In this paper, a total of 504 data were collected through questionnaires, and data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Model. Results: The results of the data analysis found that the effects of perceived usefulness and trust on attitude were not significant, and all other hypotheses were verified. Among them, perceived ease of use had the greatest effect on attitude. Conclusion: For undergraduate digital media technology students to recognize and use interactive teaching methods, university administrators and teaching staff need to simplify the interactive teaching process and pay attention to the factors that have a significant effect on behavioral intentions.

Is labour migration disrupting dual vocational education and training systems? Empirical evidence from the Danish and Norwegian construction sectors

This article studies how labour migration affects dual vocational education and training (VET) systems. We argue that because dual VET systems rely on employers engaging in training, an alternative source of labour – such as labour migrants – may make employers less likely to train, especially when pressure on industrial relations institutions makes it possible for employers to use migrant labour as low-wage labour. Drawing on linked employer-employee register data from Denmark and Norway, we us logistic and Poisson regression to analyse whether changes in the level of labour migration in regional subsectors of the construction sector in these two countries affects firms’ hiring of apprentices. We find that despite dissimilar developments in the labour migration level, these levels nonetheless correlate with the intake of apprentices in both countries. The results suggest that labour migration into countries with dual VET systems may have long-term effects on their skill formation systems.

PERANCANGAN SISTEM PENGURUSAN PRESTASI PENILAIAN INTERIM BAGI PRESTASI PEGAWAI PERKHIDMATAN PENDIDIKAN BERTERASKAN MODEL QUADRUPLE HELIX [DESIGN OF INTERIM PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES BASED ON THE QUADRUPLE HELIX MODEL

The performance evaluation management system is the proper handling of employee assessments, allowing workers to reach their full potential in their jobs. Performance evaluation is the process where employers assess employees' job performance to encourage high-quality productivity by rewarding good employees and assisting in improving performance when needed. Therefore, this article aims to enhance the quality of performance in educational service officers (PPP) by using the relevant concept of interim assessment integrated into the existing performance assessment. Transforming performance assessment on an interim basis can optimize the measurement and evaluation of educational service officers in a more structured and systematic manner. This paper discusses the interim performance evaluation process to enhance competence and maximize the abilities of educational service officers, especially in the education sector. The article also discusses the expected transformation of interim employee performance assessment for education services based on the Quadruple Helix Model. This model is highly suitable for adapting into performance management planning and assessment transformation systems to enhance the competence of employees, as it involves interactions among government, industry, community, and higher education institutions in improving performance management.

Development of the Oil and Gas Potential of the Arctic Region: Issues of Methodology and Practical Implementation

In the development of methodological provisions for the integrated development of hydrocarbon resources are considered issues of improving the subsoil use of the Arctic and continental shelf of Russia. State support measures provide for the introduction of advanced technological solutions, that meet the highest environmental requirements, in all stages of the production processes of oil and gas enterprises. The application of various methodological tools to shelf projects taking into account internal specifics are justified. This contributes to formation of oil and gas centers in the Arctic region, becoming of the Northern Sea Route as a global transport route. The key areas of practical implementation of the state Arctic policy are related to the solution of infrastructure, logistics and socio-economic issues in the Arctic regions, the development of related industries. Strengthening the energy potential of the region provides the adoption of verified state and management decisions, the creation of special legal conditions for the integrated development of oil and gas fields, aimed at stimulating internal mechanisms of economic growth, preserving the unique ecosystem and biological diversity in the Arctic. To a certain extent, this is facilitated by the cluster form of development, the involvement of the largest scientific and industry institutions in the implementation of Arctic projects, which leads to improving professional competencies, and the implementation of a flexible technological policy. The complex development of hydrocarbon reserves of the Arctic and continental shelf makes a significant contribution to the achievement of technological sovereignty of the domestic economy and the advanced technological development of the oil and gas complex.

Risk management of supply chain finance in the new energy vehicle industry: A comprehensive evaluation model

In recent years, the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry has rapidly grown and become a vital part of the automotive sector. Supply chain finance plays a critical role in the NEV industry as it affects the operation and development of the entire industry chain. The supply chain of NEVs is different from the traditional automobile industry due to its complexity, fragility, and forecasting difficulties. Managing the risks associated with supply chain finance in the NEV industry presents new challenges. Commercial banks need to establish scientific risk assessment models and take preventive measures to ensure the provision of financial services while safeguarding their funds. This study focuses on the supply chain financial services of NEVs provided by commercial banks. It employs various methods to assess financial risks, establishes a risk index model, and uses the analytic hierarchy process, entropy weight method, and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to determine weights and provide risk assessment opinions. The proposed evaluation model effectively assesses risks and provides preventive measures with potential practical applications. Future research can further refine and apply this model to benefit enterprises and financial institutions in the NEV industry.

Standard Occupational Classification Codes: Gaps in Federal Data on the Public Health Workforce.

Objectives. To determine whether US Department of Labor standard occupational classification (SOC) codes can be used for public health workforce research. Methods. We reviewed past attempts at SOC matching for public health occupations and then used the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System (NIOCCS) to match the actual job titles for 26 516 respondents to the 2021 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) with SOC codes, grouped by respondents' choice of job category in PH WINS. We assessed the accuracy of the NIOCCS matches and excluded matches under a cutpoint using the Youden Index. We assessed the percentage of SOC matches with insufficient information and diversity of SOC matches per PH WINS category using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. Results. Several key public health occupations do not have a SOC code, including disease intervention specialist, public health nurse, policy analyst, program manager, grants or contracts specialist, and peer counselor. Conclusions. Without valid SOC matches and detailed data on local and state government health departments, the US Department of Labor's data cannot be used for public health workforce enumeration. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(1):48-56. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307463).

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ КЛАСТЕРНОГО АНАЛИЗА ДЛЯ ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ СЕЛЕКЦИОННОЙ ЦЕННОСТИ ЧЕЧЕВИЦЫ (Lens culinaris Medik)

The article presents the results of a study of agronomic characters of lentil, carried out in the fields of the A.I. Barayev Scientific and production center for grain farming JSC in 2021-2023. The objects of the study were 100 varieties from the genetic collections of lentil from the Institute of Plant Industry, ICARDA and foreign varieties (Turkey, Canada, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus). The Shyraily variety was adopted as a standard for large-seeded lentils, and the Krapinka variety – for small-seeded lentils. As a result of the research, sources of certain agronomic characters of lentils in the conditions of the Northern Kazakhstan were identified. Hierarchical clustering of the main components based on important agronomic characters revealed the presence of five groups with different breeding values. The most promising in practical and breeding terms are the samples belonging to the first cluster, which exhibit the highest expression of such quantitative characters as optimal yield and seed weight per plant. The second cluster includes productive and earlymaturing samples, while the samples in the third cluster can be used as sources of high protein content. Lentil samples from the fourth and fifth clusters may serve as promising parent material for the development of new lentil varieties.

Knowledge map of thrombopoietin receptor agonists: A bibliometric analysis

BackgroundThrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) have been widely used to treat thrombocytopenia, however, a scientometric profile of TPO-RAs research is lacking. Methods: This study uses VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R software to provide an overview of current research, highlight study hotspots, and predict future research directions of TPO-RAs. Results: One thousand seven hundred and nineteen relevant studies from 1993 to 2022 with 43962 citations were identified from the Web of Science Core Collection. Over three decades, the USA has been leading TPO-RAs publications. Industries and academic institutions have been actively involved in TPO-RAs research, with funding provided by pharmaceutical companies and public funding bodies. The most productive and cited journals are British Journal of Hematology and Blood, respectively. When author keywords were categorised into three clusters, i.e., cluster 1 (immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)), cluster 2 (avatrombopag, lusutrombopag, and thrombocytopenia), and cluster 3 (TPO-RAs for ITP and off-label drug use), ITP was found to be the current research hotspot, while oral TPO-RAs and licensed or unlicensed drug indications of thrombocytopenic diseases require further investigation. Conclusion: This study has generated the knowledge map of TPO-RAs, which provides a dynamic roadmap for future research in this field.

Асимметричная конкуренция: классические университеты и борьба за научное лидерство в позднесоветский период

The article characterizes the process of universities' struggle for scientific leadership during the late Soviet period, in light of government approaches to the allocation of resources for the development of the research sphere. In the 1930s, the Soviet government gave universities their own unique identity, but priority in organiz-ing and financing advanced scientific research was given to the Academy of Sciences and industrial research institutes. This imbalance continued throughout the Soviet period. Under these circumstances, universities faced asymmetric competition. They needed to find additional funding by following the dominant ideas of the Soviet establishment about the criteria for useful scientific research – one that gives quick results with a noticeable im-pact on the national economy. In this struggle, a few leaders emerged (no more than 10% of all universities), among which a number of old Russian universities, such as those in Moscow, Leningrad, Kazan, Tomsk, etc., occupied a prominent place. As a result, there was a bias towards applied developments, and little support was given to fundamental and especially humanities research. This was due to universities seeking their place in changing political and public context. This feature is characteristic of post-Soviet universities, which, after find-ing their niche in the Soviet apparatus empire, moved away from the canonical image of a classical university. This shift seems paradoxical, because often this image has pushed universities towards the path of struggle for scientific leadership.

The Relationship among Socioeconomic Factors in the Western Region and Eastern Region of Indonesia

The research aim was to study the influence of industrial development, wages, education, training institutions and MSMEs on unemployment in the western and Eastern regions of Indonesia. Indonesia is can be divided into two regions, western Indonesia and eastern Indonesia to make comparisons regarding economic growth and unemployment. The results of the analysis show that the industrial developments have no influence on economic growth in either the western region or the eastern region. Industrial development has a significant positive influence on unemployment both in Western and Eastern Indonesia. Economic growth has a significant negative influence on unemployment both in Western Indonesia and Eastern Indonesia. Apart from that, wages have an insignificant positive influence on economic growth and unemployment in both Western and Eastern Indonesia. The influence of education on economic growth is positive and significant in Western Indonesia but has no effect in Eastern Indonesia. Furthermore, the effect of education on unemployment is positive and very significant in both regions of Indonesia. On the other hand, training has no effect on economic growth and unemployment in the two regions of Indonesia. Lastly, Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) had a positive effect on economic growth and unemployment in western Indonesia but had no influence in western Indonesia

ПРЕДПОСЫЛКИ УСТОЙЧИВОСТИ И ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ РАЗВИТИЯ МАШИНОСТРОЕНИЯ В УСЛОВИЯХ САНКЦИОННОГО ДАВЛЕНИЯ

The article examines in detail the impact of sanctions pressure from Western countries on the state of the domestic industry as a whole and its separate branch - mechanical engineering. The purpose of the study was to analyze the current state of mechanical engineering in Russia in order to identify existing problems, determine optimal directions and formulate proposals for achieving sustainable economic development of the Russian Federation. The objectives of the study were: analysis of the current state of mechanical engineering; identification of problems of the efficiency of mechanical engineering development; determination of directions of development of the mechanical engineering industry in the Russian Federation; development of measures for import substitution in the mechanical engineering complex. The study used the methods of scientific knowledge: analysis and synthesis, monographic, methods of statistical and economic analysis, graphical method, system-structural and formal-logical methods. The information base was the data of Rosstat, the Industrial Development Fund and the Institute for Statistical Research and Economics of Knowledge, presented on the official website and scientific materials of domestic and foreign researchers. We identified the optimal directions for the development of the mechanical engineering industry of the Russian Federation: overcoming the technological gap and increasing demand for machinery and equipment manufactured in the Russian Federation; Innovation-oriented integration into import substitution processes; Creation of modern and progressive technologies in mechanical engineering; Digitalization of business processes and implementation of the Industry 4.0 production management technology; Establishment of cooperation with domestic and friendly foreign enterprises; Increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of mechanical engineering enterprises, etc. The following measures are proposed for import substitution in the mechanical engineering complex: Purchase of components in friendly countries; Cooperation with manufacturing enterprises; Preferential lending by industrial development institutes; Creation by executive authorities of a unified information and industrial system to solve logistics problems; Placement of production segments of the mechanical engineering industry; Stabilization of the domestic product market and Development of cooperative interaction between industries. It is recommended to focus mechanical engineering production on the implementation of priority projects, development projects, projects for the digitalization of industry and SPIC, financed by the FRP, which will allow bringing the enterprise to a modern level and improving the state of the industry as a whole. The directions of future research will be the mechanisms of technological development of the domestic mechanical engineering. The conducted research and its results can be applied by researchers and students in economic fields interested in the state of mechanical engineering in Russia.