Products Sector Research Articles

Can the Forestry Sector in Jiangsu Province Gain Competitiveness Under Impoverished Forest Resources?

Jiangsu province’s forestry industry offers valuable insights for resource-poor regions in China. This study aims to determine the competitiveness of different forestry sectors in Jiangsu province and identify the industrial structural changes in this context. The shift-share method is employed to analyze the primary, secondary, and tertiary forestry industries, encompassing 17 sub-sectors, and investigate the industrial regional types. By combining location quotient values and inter-sector characteristics, the leading sectors are identified. The findings reveal that the Kuznets facts and the Engel effect in the industry structure have facilitated the process of increasing the value of ecological products; this is particularly evident between 2002 and 2018, as well as in 2021. Within the primary forestry industry, the Flower cultivation sector and the Economic forest product sector emerge as the leading sectors, outperforming the national growth effect by 7.18 and 1.02 times, respectively. In the secondary forestry industry, the Wood processing sector, the Furniture manufacturing sector, the Wood paper-making sector, and the Non-timber forest product sector mostly show the Progressive types as the leading sectors from 2006 to 2020. The tertiary industry’s regional types fluctuate from the Progressive type to the Medium type, with the Forestry tourism sector, the Ecological service sector, and the Non-forestry service sector displaying leading industry characteristics. Recommendations for enhancing inter-sector integration include fostering collaborative agglomeration, unlocking the potential value of wetland resources, and strengthening cross-industry integration through e-commerce clusters to improve the forester’s e-commerce operational capabilities.

A bibliometric study of financial innovation development trends

Object: The purpose of this article is to identify and analyse the most influential authors, publications, countries, journals on financial innovation and the key trends in their development of financial innovations using bibliometric method based on Web of Science Core Collection data using VOSviewer. Methods: This study used the quantitative and qualitative method. The PRISMA approach helped to sort out 942 articles on the financial innovation topic. The science mapping analysis as the citation analysis of documents, authors and countries, and co-occurrence analysis of all keywords was applied to show the main research trends in financial innovation field. Results: The most productive country is the USA. The most productive author is Oskooee, Mehdi Bahmani. The Journal of Banking Finance published the greater number of papers which is 29. The trends were specified using the clusters. So, business innovation, economic growth, fintech, corporate innovation and financial inclusion are popular trends in financial innovation development. Conclusions: Financial innovation influence our daily life through financial sector, specifically banking sector and fintech products and services. Popularity increases in the fintech products and services, eco and green innovation that affect the company’s performance and image. Developed countries have greater impact to promote this topic.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN RUBBER PRODUCT MARKETING

The rubber products industry has always been part and parcel of most manufacturing industries, offering critical inputs into sectors such as the automobile, aerospace, healthcare, and construction sectors, among others. Traditionally, the marketing of rubber products had been done through traditional forms of marketing like trade shows, printed advertisements, and door-to-door selling. However, the revolution within the digital age has emerged with a new epoch in the practice of marketing where technologies are used for increased access, interaction, and operation effectiveness. The process of digital transformation in marketing involves the integration of digital technologies into every phase of marketing, thereby transforming the nature and the way business is done and adding value to customers. This kind of transformation is more about adopting new technologies as well as a change in culture towards data-driven decision-making, customer-centric approaches, and innovative business models. This paper will try to explain the impact of digital transformation on the marketing of rubber products. Based on the implementation of digital technologies and methodologies, this paper tries to focus on the benefits, challenges, and future trends of this dynamic environment. The paper is central in arguing that digital transformation needs to be implemented by the rubber product sector to maintain competitiveness and evolve according to new market conditions.

Empowering Global Reach: The Tripod Strategy for SME Internationalization in the Natural Products Sector

This study analyzes the implementation of the tripod strategy—encompassing resource-based view (RBV), institution-based view (IBV), and industry-based view (IBD)—to support the internationalization process of SMEs, with a case study on Agronesian Indonesia, an SME operating in the natural agricultural products sector. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing a case study design where data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis to gain a holistic understanding of how these three perspectives are applied. The findings indicate that integrating RBV, IBV, and IBD enables Agronesian to overcome resource constraints, leverage institutional support, and adapt products to international market demands, especially regarding sustainability. Theoretical implications of this study strengthen the literature on SME internationalization by highlighting the value of a combined approach, while practical implications provide a framework for other SMEs to design adaptive and structured internationalization strategies. The limitations of this research include a focus on a single case and reliance on qualitative methods, which restrict broader generalization. Future studies are recommended to involve a wider range of SMEs from various industries and to explore the influence of global shifts, such as trade policies and sustainability trends, on the effectiveness of the tripod strategy for SME internationalization.

Review on Digital Twin in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

The rise of Industry 4.0 technologies fosters the creation and use of digital twins (DT), which aids in transforming the manufacturing sector into a more responsive and intelligent domain. DTs are digital replicas of physical systems that emulate the behavior and dynamics of those systems. A comprehensive DT integrates physical elements, virtual components, and the data exchange between them. Integrated DTs are being utilized across various processes and product sectors. Although the pharmaceutical industry has recently progressed by adopting Quality-by-Design (QbD) initiatives and is in the midst of a digital transformation to integrate Industry 4.0, there has yet to be a complete DT implementation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Consequently, it is essential to evaluate the advancements of the pharmaceutical sector in adopting DT solutions. This narrative literature review aims to provide an overview of the current state of DT development and its application in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical production. Additionally, it addresses the challenges and opportunities for future research in this area.

Resolving contradictions in green supply chain management: A combined TRIZ and DEMATEL approach

Companies are increasingly required to adopt green supply chain practices to enhance their ecological footprint and financial viability, driven by global environmental concerns. This research focuses on resolving the contradictions faced in green supply chain management (GSCM) implementation through a combined application of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) and the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods. Five key contradictions were identified: regulatory enhancements vs. resource limitations, technological unreadiness vs. regulatory refinement, profitability vs. customer trust, collaboration vs. competitiveness, and green material prioritization vs. scarcity. The study proposes 18 inventive principles to address these contradictions, including strategies such as flexible technology adoption and market segmentation. DEMATEL is then applied to analyze the interactions between these principles, offering a structured model for strategic decision-making. The DEMATEL analysis revealed that government support plays the most critical role in driving green supply chain adoption, influencing other strategies significantly. This integrated approach provides practical guidance for stakeholders, helping to shape policies and improve GSCM implementation in industries, particularly within the packaging and paper products sector in Indonesia.

Competition and Specialization Analysis of N11 Countries in the EU Market According to Net Trade Index

This study aims to reveal the level of specialization in foreign trade of N11 countries (Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iran, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam) by using the Net Trade Index (NTI) with data for the period 2000-2022. In this context, the level of specialization in the foreign trade of these countries is analyzed sectorally on the basis of technology according to ISIC Rev. 3 classification. A few of the countries examined were able to gain competitive advantage and comparative advantage in foreign trade only in certain product sectors during the period under review. The disadvantage in other products negatively affects the competitiveness of the countries in foreign trade throughout the period analyzed. When we make an analysis for the future periods, it is concluded that if a few of the countries invest in technology-intensive sectors, they can gain a comparative advantage in the framework of foreign trade.

Analysis of Dark Side Analysis of Brand and Brand Hate

Objectives: This study primarily focuses on the causes and effects of brand hatred as well as the differences between brands in the service and product sectors. Methods: 400 samples each from both sectors will be collected using the judgment sampling method. Quantitative methodology is adopted for the study with analysis conducted through statistical methods such as multiples correlation and ANOVA. Results: It is anticipated that this study will identify the causes of brand hate, including bad experiences, ideological disagreements, corporate misconduct, and poor relationship quality, as well as the consequences, including anger, disgust, and contempt, symbolic incongruity, fear, disappointment, dehumanization, rumors, complaints, protests, brand avoidance, brand switching, retaliation, discontent, bad word of mouth, and brand reprisal. Conclusion: This cross-sectional proposal will also examine variations regarding the intensity of hate factors and the consequences of brand hate between insurance and packed food sector brands. Here the findings will contribute to the conceptual development of brand relationship studies as well as brand management initiatives of marketers.

Optimizing Transportation Costs for Distribution of Food Products Using the Modified Distribution (Modi) Method in Medan City (Case Study: Pt. Indomarco Adi Prima)

Every company in the world always hopes for the maximum possible profit so that the company's life cycle runs well. For this reason, the company must be able to manage the costs used in such a way so that there is a gap between the company's expenses and income. PT. Indomarco Adi Prima is one of the companies operating in the food products sector which still finds it difficult to determine the right method for optimizing transportation costs. Therefore, this research aims to obtain optimal transportation costs at PT. Indomarco Adi Prima in the city of Palu using the Modified Distribution (MODI) method. The results of this research show that before implementing the Modified Distribution (MODI) method the transportation costs incurred by PT. Indomarco Adi Prima, which is IDR. 61,510,000 and the resulting transportation costs after using the Modified Distribution (MODI) method are IDR. 55,565,000. This shows that PT. Indomarco Adi Prima can optimize transportation costs for the distribution of food products in December 2023 with distribution cost savings of IDR. 5,945,000 or around 10.7%.

Innovation to Achieve Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Processed Fishery Products Sector in Central Java

Innovation to Achieve Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Processed Fishery Products Sector in Central Java

Exploring Gumuruh Village's Upcycling Potential Using Creative Innovation To Turn Plastic Waste Into Commercial Products

Plastic waste presents a major environmental challenge worldwide, with improper disposal endangering ecosystems. Upcycling offers a solution by conserving natural resources, reducing carbon emissions, and minimizing waste, all while lowering the demand for new production. Additionally, recycling generates significant economic benefits, particularly by producing high-quality commercial products in sectors like furniture. In Gumuruh Village, Bandung, the community actively participates in recycling efforts, including the processing of organic waste, to create sustainable products. Through the Design Thinking approach and Service Learning, academics and local SMEs collaborate to design and develop products that directly benefit the community.

The influence of business intelligence on the effectiveness of supply chain management in the Nigerian consumer goods sector

Business performance depends on supply chain management (SCM), which can be enhanced through digital transformation to enable quick decisions to increase market share. By enabling informed decision-making, business intelligence (BI) can facilitate this improvement in SCM effectiveness and competitive edge. Real-time production and inventory level monitoring is made possible by BI capabilities, which help organisations adapt to changing market trends and meet customer demands. Particularly, BI technology can increase the SCM of enterprises in the consumer products sector by providing value-added and financial gains, enabling speedy industry adoption and rapid industry growth. The study employed a quantitative methodology for gathering data, and a simple random sampling method was employed to prevent sample bias. The study considered linear curve estimation (LCE) as a method of data analysis. The results of the model estimations showed that BI recorded positive and significant influence on SC visibility, flexibility, and resilience in the Nigerian consumer goods sector. The study concludes that BI increased the effectiveness of supply chain management (SCM) by improving visibility, anticipating demand, increasing resilience, optimising processes, and boosting productivity. SCM effectiveness depends on the efficient handling of disruptions and uncertainty. The study highlights the practical policy implications following the findings of the study.

Green Marketing Dynamics in the Food and Beverage Product Sector: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Influence on Consumer Loyalty

This bibliometric study explores the evolution and dynamics of green marketing within the food and beverage industry, with a specific focus on its influence on customer loyalty. Utilizing VOSviewer for network visualizations, the research maps the interconnectedness of key themes and authors over a significant period, highlighting the transition from traditional sustainability practices to more sophisticated, consumer-focused strategies that integrate service quality, customer satisfaction, and relationship marketing. The study reveals an evolving landscape where foundational marketing principles merge with modern green marketing needs, emphasizing the importance of genuine, consumer-centric approaches in fostering customer loyalty. The findings advocate for an interdisciplinary approach in research and suggest directions for future studies to further examine the empirical impacts of green marketing strategies, the role of digital technologies, and the global scalability of these practices.

A novel green approach for reactive printing of cotton/cellulosic regenerated blended fabrics using trisodium nitrilotriacetate

Owing to their comfort, handle, and aesthetic characteristics, cotton fabrics will always be the first and primary choice for clothing and apparel. In recent years, regenerated cellulosic fabrics like bamboo, Tencel, and modal fabrics have had many natural advantages. Fabrics based on blending cotton fibres with regenerated cellulosic fibres are considered promising products in textile industry sectors. Use of urea poses ecological problems associated with the high nitrogen content of the printing effluent. Therefore, urea reduction or elimination in reactive dye print pastes is of ecological interest. We report the use of trisodium nitrilotriacetate as a complete substitution of urea and alkali in the conventional reactive printing of cotton/cellulosic regenerated blended fabrics. CI Reactive Black 5 was selected for the present study. Three different print pastes containing urea/alkali, trisodium nitrilotriacetate/alkali and trisodium nitrilotriacetate without alkali were thoroughly investigated. Different factors that may affect the printability of cotton/cellulosic regenerated blended fabrics, such as the concentrations of dye, trisodium nitrilotriacetate, urea, absence or presence of alkali and steaming time in the prints obtained, were evaluated concerning colour strength, dye fixation, dye penetration, levelling, colure, and fastness properties. All printed fabrics using three print pastes obtained excellent to good fastness. The results proved the viability of using TNA as an environmentally friendly approach for urea/alkali-free printing of cellulosics with reactive dyes.

Foreign direct investment in Singapore: the case of Pharmaceutical & Biological Products sector

Motivation: The motivation for the study was the fact that despite of being a small country Singapore is one of the largest recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the world. It is also the location of the largest multinational enterprises (MNEs) in the Pharmaceutical & Biological Products sector.Aim: The objective of this article is to identify and assess the FDI scale and structure in Singapore in the years 1990–2022, with a focus on the Pharmaceuticals & Biological Products sector, and to show Singapore as an FDI location against the background of Asia and the world.Materials and methods: The article uses secondary data from the World Investment Report published annually by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and statistics published by the Department of Statistics Singapore (DOS). The study uses statistical and economic analysis, comparison, analogies, synthesis, and the method of measuring and aggregating data.Results: Singapore is one of the largest recipients of FDI not only in Asia, but also in the world. In 2022, Singapore’s share of FDI inflows to Asia was 21.3%, and its share of global FDI inflows was 10.9%. From 1998 to 2007, FDI stock in the Pharmaceuticals & Biological Products sector accounted for a significant share of total FDI stock in Singapore and the manufacturing industry, reaching over 40% in 2007. Since then, the share of the analyzed sector has been seeing a downfall. At the end of 2022, the share of FDI in analyzed sector was 4.9% of the FDI in the manufacturing industry and 0.6% of the total FDI.

8Rs for circular water and sanitation systems: Leveraging circular economy thinking for safe, resilient and inclusive services

To achieve their normative health, environmental and social objectives, water and sanitation services must be safely managed, inclusive and climate resilient. Meeting these imperatives presents a need and opportunity for innovative thinking about water and sanitation service systems. Circular economy concepts are being applied across a multitude of product and service sectors with the aim to facilitate regenerative flows of resources. Given the dependence on water resources, associated climate risks, and the generation of reusable waste products in water and sanitation service delivery, circular economy concepts can be usefully leveraged to drive sustainability outcomes. This article contributes a heuristic in the form of a conceptual framework for applying circular economy concepts in the design and delivery of water and sanitation services in diverse Global South contexts. The framework seeks to drive multiple outcomes relevant to water and sanitation initiatives: safely managed services, social inclusion, and climate resilience. Co-developed by an international research team applying a theoretical multiplicity approach and collaborative sensemaking, the heuristic takes the form of a suite of eight adapted circular economy ‘R strategies’ for water and sanitation. The R strategies were selected and articulated to reflect theory-based principles of circular economy, climate resilience and inclusion. They are intended to prompt thinking and action in pursuit of safely managed, climate resilient, inclusive water and sanitation services that align with the broader sustainability directions that circular economy narratives aspire to. The heuristic offers a conceptually rigorous, practical tool that can support collaborative, deliberative processes to realise the potential benefits of circularity in water and sanitation service systems.

Opinion Piece: New Plant-Based Food Products Between Technology and Physiology.

The rapid growth of product sectors for plant-based meat and dairy alternatives has raised significant scientific interest in their nutritional and ecological benefits. Here, it outlines the fractionation of plant-based raw materials and describes the technologies applied in the production of meat and dairy substitutes. Moreover, the study describes the effects of these new products on human nutrient supply and metabolic responses. Examples of meat-like products produced by extrusion technology and dairy alternatives are provided, addressing production challenges and the effects of processing on nutrient digestibility and bioavailability. In contrast to animal-based products, plant-based protein ingredients can contain many compounds produced by plants for defense or symbiotic interactions, such as lectins, phytates, and a wide range of secondary metabolites. The intake of these compounds as part of a plant-based diet can influence the digestion, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability of essential nutrients such as minerals and trace elements but also of amino acids. This is a critical factor, especially in regions with limited plant species for human consumption and inadequate technologies to eliminate these compounds. To fully understand these impacts and ensure that plant-based diets meet human nutritional needs, well-controlled human studies are needed.

DESIGNING A MICROSERVICES BASED ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE USING TOGAF 10: A CASE STUDY APPROACH

PT Umbara Karya Sejati, operating in the home living and industrial product sectors, faced significant digital transformation challenges, marked by inefficiencies due to system integration issues and vendor dependencies that incurred cost penalties of 10-15% each month. Addressing these challenges, this research developed an Enterprise Architecture using TOGAF 10's Microservices Architecture (MSA) from the Preliminary Phase to Phase F: Migration Planning. This approach aimed to enhance system integration and operational efficiency, thereby improving modularity and scalability while reducing reliance on external vendors. A pivotal component of this architecture, an API gateway, provided robust monitoring capabilities for integration processes, enabling quick identification and prioritization of critical issues, which will assist the internal IT team's workflow. Furthermore, the research planned the establishment of a DevOps team, incorporating Agile methodologies, and scheduled IT governance and data security training to prepare for future policy development and strengthen internal controls. This strategic design equips the organization to navigate the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) of market demands with agile and effective responses, projecting a 10% increase in both operational and cost efficiency for PT Umbara Karya Sejati.

INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES IN MARKET SQUARES

The article examines market squares as connecting points between rural and urban areas, hosting diverse activities. Focused on Colombia and Mexico, the research employs qualitative methods, including case studies and direct observation, with analysis through Atlas.Ti. It highlights the positive impact of farmers' markets on strengthening the productive system and rural development, contributing to the urban food system, and creating opportunities for social innovation. Market management is based on a model of spontaneous relationships, emphasizing exchange and coexistence, especially in fresh and locally harvested products. Trade, centered on primary sector products, supports the transitioning peasant economy. The prevalence of informality, socially approved, is acknowledged. The SWOT analysis reveals weaknesses requiring innovative strategies, especially in environmental aspects such as organic waste management and noise pollution. These challenges require attention for future improvements.

Effect of inflation adjustments on inventories<sup></sup>

This study examines the effect of inflation accounting, which has been brought to the agenda again due to the increasing inflation in recent periods, on inventories, which is one of the non-monetary items. The case study method was used. Based on the Borsa Istanbul sector index, the inventories item in the financial statements of 6 enterprises operating in the Forestry Products and Furniture sector was subjected to inflation adjustment with the simple average method according to the producer price index 2022. As a result of the inflation adjustment, it was observed that the inventory item increased, and the same increase caused an increase in the equity item.