Practical Business Research Articles

Saudi Universities as Catalysts for Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to investigate how Saudi universities foster innovation and entrepreneurship, how effective their programs are at improving entrepreneurial skills, and how they contribute to Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (DSGs), specifically in terms of economic diversification and societal progress. Theoretical Framework: From the standpoint of resource-based view theory (RBV), the paper endeavors to highlight the influence of the entrepreneurial programs and their outcomes on the learners’ ability to identify, launch, and grow their business. Method: A mixed-method approach was used, with both qualitative and quantitative studies. Surveys were issued to current and former Saudi university students to assess their perceptions of entrepreneurial programs. Results and Discussion: According to the survey, university programs led to considerable gains in entrepreneurial abilities and confidence for 80.6% of respondents. Access to capital, a supportive network, and practical business planning and execution tools were all critical success elements. Research Implications: The results highlight the crucial importance of higher education in creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem. The findings underline the importance of colleges serving as innovation hubs by bridging the gap between academics and industry, equipping students with practical tools, and cultivating a creative culture. Originality/Value: This study offers a unique perspective by combining theoretical insights with empirical data to assess Saudi institutions' role as catalysts for innovation. Unlike previous research, it combines an exhaustive study of the entrepreneurial ecosystem with a detailed analysis of individual institutional initiatives, providing actionable recommendations for improving higher education's impact on economic growth.

Assessing business management factors in young agricultural entrepreneurs in Indonesia

Indonesia faces a pressing challenge in its agricultural sector: the declining participation of young workers due to limited entrepreneurial opportunities and inadequate business management skills. This study investigates the factors influencing business management among young agricultural entrepreneurs participating in the growth of young agricultural entrepreneurs (PWMP) program at Politeknik Pembangunan Pertanian (Polbangtan) Medan, Indonesia. Utilizing a descriptive quantitative approach, data were gathered through questionnaires and analyzed using Likert scale measurements and multiple linear regression tests. The findings highlight that business management capabilities were categorized as high (79.68%), supported by strong personality traits (84.30%), high knowledge levels (83.05%), extensive experience (81.13%), a supportive family environment (75.80%), and a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem (79.78%). Regression analysis revealed that personality, experience, family environment, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem significantly impacted business management capabilities, while knowledge had no notable effect. These results underscore the importance of structured interventions, such as internships and business incubation programs, to enhance practical business skills and foster entrepreneurial success.

Value of Personal Branding in COVID-19 Era

Purpose – This article aims to bring focus to the practical scenarios, individuals and businesses can use to build a strong Personal Brand. It raises directions on how PB can lead to business success, both financial and business goals-wise. Methodology/Approach – A sentiment analysis is used for understanding what strong Personal Branding is that serves as an quantitative indicator for this study. This article follows their traits in order to drive future research directions. Findings – An indisputable growth is shown of Personal Branding as an academic phenomenon. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified its importance in both digital and offline words. Furthermore, the principles of the circular economy provide a framework for sustainable personal branding, emphasizing resource efficiency and long-term adaptability. The article shows connections to employee branding, as well as methodological approaches and metrics that might be used for standardized measurement.

Entrepreneurship Learning by Making Tire Polish as a Practical Business Skill for Mothers in RT 04 RW 15 Tuah Madani Subdistrict

Industri semir ban mengalami kemajuan pesat, inovasi terkini mencakup penggunaan nanoteknologi untuk meningkatkan daya tahan dan performa, serta pengembangan bahan ramah lingkungan guna mengurangi dampak negatif terhadap lingkungan. Sebagai ibu, peran kita tidak hanya sebagai pendukung keluarga tetapi juga sebagai potensi wirausaha yang luar biasa. Terlibat dalam dunia kewirausahaan, khususnya dalam pembuatan semir ban, tidak hanya memberikan peluang finansial, tetapi juga memungkinkan kita meraih kemandirian dan meningkatkan keterampilan bisnis praktis. Pembelajaran Kewirausahaan dengan Pembuatan Semir Ban sebagai Keterampilan Bisnis Praktis bagi Ibu-Ibu didesain khusus untuk memberikan panduan langkah demi langkah dalam memahami, merencanakan, dan menjalankan usaha pembuatan semir ban yang praktis. Berdasarkan hasil pembahasan diperoleh mitra pembuatan semir ban setelah penyuluhan Pengetahuan tentang Definisi Bahan Kimia 100%, Pengetahuan tentang Definisi Semir Ban 94,7%, Pengetahuan tentang Manfaat Semir Ban: 100%, Pengetahuan tentang Bahan Utama Pembuatan Semir Ban 100%, Pengetahuan tentang Proses Pembuatan Semir Ban 94,7%, Pengetahuan tentang Keamanan Selama Pembuatan Semir Ban 94,7% dan Kepuasan terhadap Pelaksanaan Acara setelah Pelatihan sebesar 100%.

Competitive Strategies of Building Material Stores in Facing Retail Industry Competition: A Case Study of XYZ Building Material Store

The retail industry in Indonesia has experienced rapid growth, especially in the building materials sector. This research aims to analyze the competitive strategies implemented by XYZ Building Store in the face of increasing competition in this sector. This research uses a case study approach, collecting qualitative data through in-depth interviews, direct observation, and analysis of company documents. The findings show that there is an adoption of a combination of cost advantage, differentiation, and focus strategies to maintain its position in the market. External factors such as fluctuating raw material prices, government policies, and technological advancements also have a significant impact on competitive dynamics. In addition, this study highlights inter-store or retail competition, the existence of supplier monopolies, and the procurement of development plans that are often won by certain stores. Digital transformation and innovation are proving crucial in improving operational efficiency and market reach. The insights gained from this research make a valuable contribution to academic literature and practical business strategy development, offering guidance for building materials retailers to improve their competitiveness in an ever-evolving market.

How cardiac computed tomography angiography and positron emission tomography play complementary roles in a Practice's business model.

Cardiovascular imaging is fundamental and crucial for providing accurate diagnosis and guiding treatment. There are unique clinical benefits and uses of Cardiac CT as well as cardiac PET. There have been advances in cardiac PET as well as Cardiac CT which have led to novel applications. These novel applications also expand clinical practice and increase downstream referrals, testing and procedures which therefore increases business revenue. Cardiac CT adoption in practice expands business by incrementally increased use in a larger patient population. Cardiac CT does not decrease utility of other imaging modalities but ensures more appropriate use of other imaging modalities. There are upfront costs that need to be considered when adopting cardiac CT or cardiac PET. Although the upfront costs for both modalities are high and the Medicare reimbursement of cardiac CT relative to cardiac PET is lower, the ability to perform five times more cardiac CT studies per day compared with cardiac PET studies offsets the decreased reimbursement for cardiac CT. Additionally, there is a good return on investment for cardiac CT especially resulting from increased downstream testing and referrals for procedures and cardiology clinic follow up and from more efficient use of cardiac catheterization lab resources. Cardiac PET also allows for more targeted revascularization in multivessel CAD. Adopting both modalities improves patient outcomes, streamlines care, and increases downstream revenue.

Training to Build a Creative and Innovative Young Entrepreneur Mindset

The community service activity Training to Build a Creative and Innovative Entrepreneurial Mindset for Young Entrepreneurs aimed to enhance innovation and creativity among beginner entrepreneurs in Banda Aceh. The program involved 100 participants and was conducted using the service learning method, which included practical sessions, group discussions, and business simulations. Pre-test and post-test evaluations showed an average improvement of 40% in understanding innovation concepts, technology adoption, and strategic business planning. Despite challenges such as limited digital infrastructure, the results demonstrated that participants were able to develop innovation-driven business plans. This program contributes to achieving the SDGs, particularly in the areas of decent work and economic growth, as well as industry, innovation, and infrastructure. It is hoped that this activity can serve as a model for future community service programs focused on entrepreneurial development.

Real-Time People Counting System

This paper introduces an advanced system for real-time people counting, utilizing live video streams or IP cameras. The core of this system is the Single Shot Multibox Detector (SSD) framework, enhanced with MobileNet architecture to ensure precise object detection. To continuously track detected individuals, we employ a centroid tracking algorithm. The system's design prioritizes scalability, making it ideal for various business applications, such as monitoring foot traffic in stores, buildings, and shopping malls. A key feature of our system is its ability to send immediate alerts when the number of people exceeds a set threshold. This functionality is crucial for managing crowd control and adhering to safety protocols, particularly in scenarios like the COVID-19 pandemic. We have optimized the system’s performance with threading, which improves its responsiveness and efficiency. By integrating advanced machine learning techniques with practical business applications, our real-time people counting system offers a dependable and scalable solution for contemporary crowd management challenges. Features like real-time alerts, automatic scheduling, and comprehensive data logging highlight its effectiveness in enhancing operational efficiency and safety across various settings.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship Development Training for Sindangheula Community in Utilizing Village Potential

Sindangheula Village is one of the villages in Indonesia that has great local economic potential, especially as a center for producing broomsticks. However, although broomstick production in Sindangheula Village has great market potential, business management and development still face various challenges, especially in terms of product innovation, business management, and effective marketing strategies. Based on these potentials and challenges, this study aims to measure the extent to which this training has an impact on improving the economic and social welfare of the village community. The community service method used in sustainable entrepreneurship training in Sindangheula Village consists of initial observation, theory and practice training, business mentoring, and evaluation. The implementation of the community service program in the form of sustainable entrepreneurship training for the Sindangheula Village community has had a positive impact, namely increasing community understanding of entrepreneurship, technical skills, product innovation, and digital marketing strategies. With the formation of business groups, collaboration occurs between community members in the production process, distribution, and product marketing.

Challenges and Opportunities of The Circular Economy for Sustainability Based on Reverse Logistics

Goal: This article's main objective is to analyze the trends and challenges associated with the circular economy (CE) and reverse logistics (RL), with an emphasis on RL's role as a fundamental component of the CE. Theoretical framework: The study's theoretical basis focused on the dimensions and analytical categories of the circular economy and reverse logistics as fundamental elements of environmental sustainability. The analysis considered reverse logistics an integral part of the circular economy to identify its challenges and opportunities. Method and material: The method used was bibliographic. Data were collected from the Google Scholar, Elsevier, and Scielo databases to construct answers to three guiding questions related to a) the trends of the circular economy that allow understanding its integrative vision, the role of reverse logistics in the circular economy, and what are the challenges in implementing the circular economy. Twenty-eight articles on CE and 18 on RL were selected. The definition of the sample considered criteria of relevance, timeliness, and academic impact in articles published in the last fifteen years in high-impact journals. Furthermore, the studies were assessed for their thematic relevance, methodological robustness, and contribution to the development of the field of study. The results were generated using semantic and content analyses. Results and Conclusion: The results found were that a) the trends of the circular economy are the regeneration of resources as a central priority, design is now occupying a central place in sustainability, and the change from ownership to performance, which structure the new human mentality; b) the role of reverse logistics in the circular economy is to promote sustainability in business in practice, mainly through legal structuring, as is the case of the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS); and c) the main challenges in implementing the circular economy are the lack of understanding of its principles and the lack of cooperation between organizations, governments and consumers. Research implications: It is necessary to start legally structuring and practicing reverse logistics now so that the collective mentality can soon collaborate effectively with sustainability. Originality/value: The study shows that the degree of collaboration between governments, organizations, and consumers is crucial for overcoming the challenges and seizing the opportunities of reverse logistics.

Insight into soft binary piecewise lambda operation: a new operation for soft sets

AbstractThe notion of soft set operations is one of the key concept for soft set theory as the theory has been progressing, both theoretically and practically, based on this notion. As proposing new soft set operations, deriving their algebraic properties, and studying the algebraic structure of soft sets from the perspective of soft set operations offer a comprehensive understanding of their applications as well as the appreciation of how soft set algebra can be applied to classical and nonclassical logic, in this study, a new soft set operation, called the “soft binary piecewise lambda operation" is proposed. Since one of the the main objective of abstract algebra is to analyze the properties of the operations defined on a set to classify the algebraic structures, the operation’s full properties and its distributions over other soft set operations are investigated to reveal which algebraic structures the operation forms individually, and together with other soft set operations in the collection of soft sets over the universe. It is showed that the operation forms a noncommutative semigroup and a right-left system, besides semi-rings and near-semi-rings together with certain types of soft set operations under certain conditions in the collection of soft sets over the universe. Since such in-depth analyses advance our knowledge of the applications of soft sets over a range of field, this novel operation may serve as an inspiration to create new perspectives for addressing issues related to parametric data, soft set-based cryptography, or decision-making techniques in practical settings, business, and technology.

Promoting Effect of Art Design Competition on Teaching Reform of Visual Communication Design Specialty

The art and design competition has brought more practical project experience to graphic communication design. Traditional design education often focuses on teaching theoretical knowledge and basic skills, while practical business projects and design challenges are rarely introduced into the classroom. This paper will introduce the basic concepts and characteristics of art design competition and its application in teaching visual communication design. Through the case analysis of various art and design competitions, we can see how these competitions stimulate students’ innovative thinking, improve students’ design skills, and help students establish professional design concepts. Art and design competitions can not only improve students’ design skills but also help teachers understand the latest trends in the industry. Suggestions have been put forward on how to better utilize art and design competitions to enhance professional level. These suggestions include how to choose a suitable competition project, how to organize and guide students to participate in the competition, and how to transform the results of the competition into teaching resources. Art and design competitions help improve students’ practical abilities and innovative thinking. Compared to traditional teaching methods, art and design competitions place more emphasis on practice and innovation. During the competition, students need to apply their theoretical knowledge, combine it with practical needs, unleash innovative thinking, and complete works with practical application value. This form of competition can encourage students to transform theoretical knowledge into practical abilities, cultivate their innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Multiobjective Route Optimization for Multimodal Cold Chain Networks Considering Carbon Emissions and Food Waste

The cold chain logistics industry faces significant challenges in terms of transportation costs and carbon emissions. It is imperative to plan multimodal transportation routes efficiently to address these issues, minimize food waste, and reduce carbon emissions. This paper focuses on four key optimization objectives for multimodal cold chain transport: minimizing total transportation time, costs, carbon emissions, and food waste. To tackle these objectives, we propose a high-dimensional multiobjective route optimization model for multimodal cold chain networks. Our approach involves the development of a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm, utilizing Monte Carlo simulation and a one-by-one selection strategy. We evaluate the proposed algorithm’s performance by analyzing various convergence and distribution indicators. The average values for the minimum total transportation time, transportation cost, carbon emission cost, and cargo loss rate derived from the proposed algorithm ultimately converge to 6721.7, 5184.4, 301.5, and 0.21, respectively, demonstrating the effectiveness of the algorithmic solution. Additionally, we benchmark our algorithm against the existing literature to showcase its efficiency in solving high-dimensional multi-objective route optimization problems. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of different parameters, such as carbon tax rates, temperature, and cargo activation energy, on carbon emissions, and food waste. Moreover, we conduct a real-world case study to apply our approach to solving a practical business problem related to multimodal cold chain transportation. The insights gained from this research offer valuable decision-making support for multimodal carriers in developing low-carbon and environmentally friendly transportation strategies to efficiently transport perishable goods.

Foreign Language Anxiety Phenomenon and Coping Strategies among Students in Business English Audio-Visual and Speaking Courses

As a course that emphasizes practical international business communication skills, Business English Audiovisual Speaking requires students not only to master language skills, but also to be able to apply them flexibly in a real business environment. However, this highly practical and professional requirement often causes students to encounter difficulties in language comprehension, expression and failure to keep up with the progress in the learning process, thus triggering foreign language anxiety. Such anxiety not only affects students' learning efficiency, but also may lead them to fear negative evaluations and even refuse to communicate in a second language when necessary. Based on the theory of foreign language anxiety, this study takes students majoring in Business English in College G as the research object and analyzes in depth the phenomenon of students' foreign language anxiety in Business English Audiovisual Speaking course. It is found that students generally have moderate to severe foreign language and listening anxiety in this course. To this end, targeted coping strategies were proposed, including students' self-regulation strategies and teachers' effective teaching methods. These strategies aim to help students alleviate their foreign language anxiety, thereby improving their language learning, and ultimately cultivating high-quality talents who are competent in the international business environment. Through this study, we hope to provide an empirical basis for the field of business English education and contribute to the reduction of students' foreign language anxiety and the improvement of teaching quality.

Bridging Theory and Practice: Applying Vrio and Pest to Foster Digital Transformation in Kadin Bandung City Msmes

ABSTRACT The data indicates that approximately 70% of MSMEs in Indonesia operate within the food and beverage sector, with 99.5% falling under the MSME classification. Despite being perceived as having numerous advantages, MSMEs face several limitations that hinder their ability to enhance competitiveness and growth. The PKM program is designed to equip participants with relevant knowledge and skills, aiming to improve product quality, expand market access, and implement effective digital strategies. The approach employed involved direct counseling and mentoring sessions for 20 women-led MSMEs supported by KADIN Bandung City. The most notable improvement was observed in participants' understanding of the benefits of digital transformation, along with a strong motivation to apply it within their business practices. Overall, the counseling and mentoring activities demonstrated their effectiveness in enhancing participants' comprehension and motivation to implement the three concepts presented in a practical business context. Keywords: PEST Analysis, VRIO Analysis, Digital Transformation

Customer-Centricity as a Vector of Trust Economy

At present, quite a lot of research has been conducted in the field of trust economy by both well-known economists and sociologists and political scientists. And everyone emphasizes the importance of this socio-economic phenomenon for improving people’s lives, forming a sustainable society and the economy of countries. The work is devoted to the study of the trust economy as an environment that promotes the growth of economic benefits and the role of the client-centric approach within the framework of the “State for People” concept. The methodological basis of the study were the theoretical provisions of institutional economics, applied research in the field of game theory (using the example of the “prisoner’s dilemma” game) and behavioral economics, as well as practical examples and business solutions. The study considers aspects of the trust economy from the point of view of the importance of forming social capital. Models of various aspects of the trust economy are presented as fragments of the system of socio-economic relations. The model of the internal dynamics of the client-centric approach shows that the implementation of the approach itself and its formal consolidation in corporate activities is important, but not sufficient for forming a trust environment. No less important is the restructuring of mental models of all participants in economic relations. The importance of the information environment and the corresponding feedback between all actors is shown. It is described that information is also an economic good that is subject to formation, exchange and accumulation. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that in the center of economic relations for the formation of economic goods, and in particular, in the relationships “person — state”, “citizen — state” is the person himself as an individual with certain mental models. The definition of the economy of trust as a synthetic added value (environment) to the relationship of economic agents, a citizen and the state, business and the state is proposed. The role and importance of social capital as a system of relationships in the creation and exchange of economic goods is noted. Client-centricity is defined as an information vector that has a specific direction and certain objective and subjective limitations.

Effects of pulsed magnetic field intensity on the freezing rate and heat loads reduction of harvested mango and tomato

PurposeFresh fruits and vegetables (FV) are crucial global food resources, but the presence of heat loads during harvest adversely impacts their shelf life. While freezing technology provides an effective means of removing heat loads, it is an energy-intensive process and may consequently prove too costly for practical business viability. The growing interest in utilizing magnetic field (MF) technology during the freezing of fresh FV enhances the freezing rate and rapidly removes the heat loads of products.Design/methodology/approachIn the present study, pulsed magnetic field (PMF) pretreatment employing specific field strengths (9 T, 14 T and 20 T) was examined as a preliminary step before freezing mango and tomato and compared to the conventional freezing method (untreated) at − 18 °C.FindingsPMF pretreatment prior to freezing demonstrated a noteworthy enhancement in freezing rate by around 10 and 12% when compared with the conventional (untreated) freezing, which exhibited freezing rates of −0.08 °C/min and −1.10 °C/min for mango and tomato, respectively. The PMF pretreatment (at 20 T) provided a higher freezing rate (at p = 0.05) than the conventional freezing method reduced heat loads amounting to 1.1 × 107 J/kg oC and 2.9 × 106 J/kg oC, significantly (at p = 0.05) from mango and tomato, respectively. These reductions in heat loads were approximately more than 5% of the calculated heat loads removed during conventional freezing.Research limitations/implicationsMango and tomato samples were only tested; the results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test for other products for further studies.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications for the development of a rapid freezing technique, the development of “pulsed magnetic field” and for eliminating the problem associated with conventional (slow) freezing.Originality/valueThe study holds significance for the production of postharvest freezing technology, providing insightful information on the PMF-assisted freezing of cellular foods.

Pink tax: Challenges faced by Indonesian women as consumers of personal care products

The phenomenon of pink tax is a gender inequality issue that discriminates women in the purchase of goods or services by producers. The objective of this research is to identify the pink tax phenomenon in Indonesia, encompassing its existence, influencing factors, and the urgency of the related issue. Additionally, this study aims to analyse the role of the government through policies regarding the emergence of the pink tax phenomenon. Policies closely associated with the pink tax include Law Number 8 of 1999 on Consumer Protection, Law Number 5 of 1999 on the Prohibition of Monopoly Practices and Unfair Business Competition, and Law Number 7 of 2014 on Trade. The research methodology employed in this study is qualitative, involving literature review, documentary analysis, and interviews. The findings of this research indicate that the pink tax exists in Indonesia, yet awareness of this issue is not evenly distributed across all layers of society. While some institutions have acknowledged the existence of this problem, there have been no concrete steps taken to reduce or address this gender-based price discrimination. Furthermore, current policies are deemed inadequate in addressing gender-based price discrimination practices and protect women’s consumer. This is attributed to the fact that gender equality elements are not fully encompassed in the existing policies.

Market concentration and implicit taxes: analyzing Brazilian firms

Purpose This study aims to explore the interplay between market concentration and implicit tax burdens in Brazil, offering a fresh perspective on the conventional belief of perfect competition. Design/methodology/approach Data was sourced from Brazilian firms on the B3 stock exchange between 2011 and 2021. Multiple linear regression techniques were employed to analyze the relation of explicit tax rates to firms’ pre- and post-tax returns. Findings Dominant firms in the market tend to bear a lower implicit tax burden and have the capacity to extend tax incentive benefits to shareholders. Research limitations/implications The findings highlight Brazil’s intricate corporate tax fabric, particularly regarding implicit taxes. They provide a foundation for deeper inquiries into how market dominance, taxation policies, and corporate strategies converge. Practical implications Regulators and business leaders can harness this knowledge to recalibrate tax strategies and market regulations. Specifically, a closer examination of the dynamics that permit reduced implicit tax implications in monopolized markets is essential for equity. Social implications Companies with pronounced market concentration can mitigate their implicit tax burdens, potentially offloading them to consumers and suppliers. This points to potential inequities in current tax structures. Originality/value This research unveils nuanced insights into Brazil’s multifaceted interrelations between corporate influence, taxation strategies, and market forces.

Using Interdisciplinary Approach in Business English Courses for China's English Majors

ABSTRACTThis study reports an empirical case study about using interdisciplinary approach in business English courses with 41 English majors in the Chinese university context. The methodologies are two‐stage surveys, teacher reflection and participant observation. The results show that participants most preferred using specialist vocabulary and cross‐cultural business communication as learning activities in using interdisciplinary approach. The challenges and difficulties in interdisciplinary learning included lack of professional vocabulary, business or interdisciplinary knowledge, business thinking skills and inadequate language skills. A majority of the participants perceived the interdisciplinary approach as effective, as they had improvements in business language, knowledge, communication and English ability. For improving and refining the interdisciplinary approach, participants suggested more practical and detailed business knowledge, practice‐based activities, oral simulation and role‐play activities, more detailed guidance and feedback in the writing tasks, more business cases with interesting videos, increasing Chinese native language explanation and producing a business English language corpus.