Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities And Threats Analysis Research Articles

Reptile expos: an analysis and recommendations for control

Reptile expos are typically itinerant events at which live wild-caught and/or captive-bred turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, lizards, and snakes are displayed, sold, or exchanged for pet keeping purposes. We conducted a literature review and analysis of reports regarding animal welfare and public health issues of concern associated with the display and sale of reptiles at expos in Europe and North America. We also conducted a limited survey of several relevant government authorities to briefly appraise existing situations regarding governance and law internationally, and performed a further limited examination of online advertisements in order to estimate the number of events. In addition, we conducted an analysis comparing husbandry standards for reptile expos versus other animal display or sale situations using UK formal legal guidance, which adopts the Five Welfare Needs as a basis. Finally, we also conducted a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of key features associated with reptile expos. We identified at least 10 animal welfare and 5 public health and safety problems as occurring and endemic to the typical operation of reptile expos. Comparisons between the ways in which animal welfare and public health issues are regarded or managed for reptile expos in relation to, for example, traditional zoos, mobile zoos, and pet sales are stark and concerning, with expos constituting the least protective and potentially most harmful situations out of all captive reptile-keeping scenarios. The lack of monitoring and control of reptile expos, combined with their frequent occurrence, strongly indicates the requirement to urgently control and prohibit these events. We recommend that where reptile expos are already essentially prohibited such bans should be immutable and not subject to any weakening provisions. Where reptile expos are permitted and/or subject to limiting conditions, or where reptile expos are not subject to limiting conditions, then our recommended 40 stipulations and overarching control principles should be applied as interim mitigating measures pending the introduction of prohibitions or ‘bans’. Governments should aim to ensure that enforcement of such measures is robust.

IJCM_379A: Inductive Thematic Analysis of responses obtained for SOAR Analysis of self by Community Medicine Professionals enrolled in Foundation Course on Leadership in public Health

Background: Foundation Course on Leadership in Public health is a newer initative of IAPSM association to generate Public Health Leaders. SOAR is an acronym for Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results. Tough SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is a comprehensive approach and SOAR is a positivist approach still it was chosen as the task because aspirational goals are important in initial phase of an organizational or self-leadership. Risk Mitigation as facilitated by SWOT is required at a later stage. Also, SOAR is a proactive approach in interest of initiation of leadership. Also, SOAR is a less used and newer approach so it would have been a new learning for the participants and moderators as well. Objective: To qualiatatively understand responses obtained for self SOAR analysis by the participants. Methodology: The moderators obtained responses of the participants and analysed the exact verbatim as first order themes. further second order and higher order themes were generated by conseus of both the authors. these themes were further classified into SOAR categories. Results: The strengths of SOAR analysis were themed under categories of interpersonal skills, learning and adaptibility, leadership management, adapatbility and flexibilty. Major themes categorised under their aspirations were education, communication and leadership Conclusion: Young Public Health professional are seeking opportunities for career advancement, leadership anf public health research.

ENHANCING STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN STEAM THROUGH GAMIFICATION: A SWOT ANALYSIS

Teungku Chik Pante Kulu Secondary School examines how well gamification-based education strategies can be incorporated into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education. The teacher uses Scratch to assess how gamified learning affects student performance and engagement in this particular educational setting using a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis approach. The study highlights the potential benefits of gamification in STEAM education, including increased student engagement, improved problem-solving abilities, and collaborative learning opportunities catered to the needs of Teungku Chik Pante Kulu students. It does, however, also recognize the difficulties, such as the necessity for teachers to have proper training and resources, as well as any potential issues with sustainability and long-term effects. Furthermore, by taking into account the particular cultural and contextual characteristics of Teungku Chik Pante Kulu Secondary School, the analysis identifies chances for utilizing gamification to satisfy particular learning goals and curriculum requirements. On the other hand, risks like technology limitations and the requirement for ongoing assistance and assessment systems are also covered concerning the educational setting. Through an examination of gamification in the unique context of Teungku Chik Pante Kulu Secondary School, this study provides insightful information for teachers and administrators looking to improve student engagement and performance in STEAM subjects through creative teaching strategies. With the ultimate goal of enabling educators to design engaging learning experiences, this study adds to the expanding corpus of research on successful teaching tactics catered to varied learning settings.

Priority Strategy For Improving Dam Operation and Maintenance Performance (Cacaban Dam Case Study)

Dam operation and maintenance activities are critical, so the dam usually works and provides benefits according to plan. Over time, the performance of the Cacaban Dam has decreased significantly. The physical condition of the main building, supporting buildings, and instruments have experienced damage, which could pose a risk to the dam's safety. The main objective of this research is to determine priority strategies for improving operations and maintenance of the Cacaban Dam. Determining priority strategies for improving operations and maintenance in this research uses the DSS (Decision Support System) method with SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) and QSPM (Quantitative techniques Strategic Planning Matrix). Based on the SWOT analysis results, the resulting strategy is the Diversity Strategy, meaning that the Cacaban Dam is in good internal condition. In contrast, the external condition is not good. The proposed strategy is to minimize external threats/threats with strategic priorities referring to the scoring results using the QSPM method. Meanwhile, from the results of the dam performance assessment, Cacaban Dam obtained an average performance score of 3.45, considered adequate performance. However, if you look at several items of poor performance, there are two items, namely reservoir condition and border and greenbelt conditions, which have poor performance. There are seven components, namely intake buildings, spillway buildings, support hills, dam services, emergency action plans, instrumentation, and surrounding communities, whose performance is quite close to the deficient limit and has the potential for performance to decline. Extra handling is needed to restore the performance of dams and reservoirs.

Educational Approach: Application of SWOT Analysis for Assessing Entrepreneurial Goals in Senior Dental Students.

The SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is a framework used to evaluate a company's competitive position and to develop strategic planning. In the competitive dental sector, it can aid dentists in identifying and analyzing internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. This study focuses on senior dental students of the Department of Dentistry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, aiming to scrutinize their use of SWOT analysis and assess its application as a tool for evaluating entrepreneurial goals and making career decisions in dental entrepreneurship. The research sample comprises 116 senior dental students (N1) in the final undergraduate year of their dental education, with data collection accomplished through the administration of an e-questionnaire during the obligatory course of "Organization and management of dental practices" in December 2023. The data extracted from the SWOT analysis encompass internal and external factors, gender distinctions, and outcomes derived from Stepwise Binary Logistic Regression concerning predictor markers. The results from the SWOT analysis of 114 valid questionnaires (N2), revealed that participants identified communication skills (50%) and organization skills (49.10%) as their primary strengths, followed by favorable personal traits contributing to goal success (36%). Weaknesses predominantly centered around emotional and personal traits like anxiety (41.20%) and other characteristics, alongside practical challenges such as lack of initial capital (24.60%). Main opportunities included collaboration with experienced dentists (33.30%) and access to training programs (27.20%), while economic instability in Greece (77.20%) and the saturated dentist profession (26.30%) were perceived as significant threats. Gender differences were notable, with female dentists more likely to report organization skills as a strength and anxiety as a weakness. Values such as industriousness, persistence, and ethics were commonly shared, with actions focusing on training programs (57.9%) and gaining experience with experienced dentists (29.8%). Cluster analysis identified two subgroups, with one emphasizing utilizing all available options (n = 49) and the other prioritizing on gaining professional skills and experience (n = 65). Logistic regression indicated that participants valuing industriousness were less likely to explore all available options, while those recognizing personal traits were more likely to do so. The study's outcomes highlight key predictor factors linked to a proactive orientation in career decision-making among senior dental students. These insights offer valuable implications for educational institutions and career counselors.

Exploring of the gender variations in 4Cs skills among primary students

The development of 21st-century learning skills must prioritize collaborative problem-solving abilities. These include critical thinking, creativity, cooperation, and communication (4Cs) and the gender-based difference in the proficiencies of these skill have been reported in literature. The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences in 4Cs skills between males and females among the primary students after the execution of an informal program. This research provides an example of a STEM program that uses a problem-solving methodology to encourage students interested in environmental sustainability. The research was conducted with 43 female students and 93 male students. The study used a mixed-method involving qualitative observations of facilitators feedback, quantitative paired t-test and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to evaluate students’ 4C skills. Results of the study revealed that there were statistically significant differences between males and females. The Shapiro-Wilk test for normality revealed that the data did not have a normal distribution, non-parametric analysis, such as the Mann Whitney U test, Spearman's Rho correlation were used. Findings from the Mann-Whitney U test illustrated that males received significantly greater mean score than females on the critical thinking and communications after the program. The females received more score than males on the collaboration and creativity (p < 0.05). The Spearman's Rho correlation analysis reveals that there is a positive correlation between students’ critical thinking and creativity (both male and Female) (p < 0.001). The development of advanced thinking abilities and creativity through facilitation is argued in this study. In summary, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis has demonstrated the effective use of the 4Cs skills throughout the duration of a week-long course. It, thus, can be concluded that the Integrated Problem-solving approach can be used as an alternative approach for empowerment of students’ 4Cs skills. Future research should look at the effects of participants' 4Cs on long-term development in formal education.

A critical review of challenges and opportunities for the design and operation of offshore structures supporting renewable hydrogen production, storage, and transport

Abstract. The climate emergency has prompted rapid and intensive research into sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy alternatives. Offshore wind has developed and exceeded all expectations over the last 2 decades and is now a central pillar of the UK and other international strategies to decarbonise energy systems. As the dependence on variable renewable energy resources increases, so does the importance of the necessity to develop energy storage and nonelectric energy vectors to ensure a resilient whole-energy system, also enabling difficult-to-decarbonise applications, e.g. heavy industry, heat, and certain areas of transport. Offshore wind and marine renewables have enormous potential that can never be completely utilised by the electricity system, and so green hydrogen has become a topic of increasing interest. Although numerous offshore and marine technologies are possible, the most appropriate combinations of power generation, materials and supporting structures, electrolysers, and support infrastructure and equipment depend on a wide range of factors, including the potential to maximise the use of local resources. This paper presents a critical review of contemporary offshore engineering tools and methodologies developed over many years for upstream oil and gas (O&amp;amp;G), maritime, and more recently offshore wind and renewable energy applications and examines how these along with recent developments in modelling and digitalisation might provide a platform to optimise green hydrogen offshore infrastructure. The key drivers and characteristics of future offshore green hydrogen systems are considered, and a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) analysis is provided to aid the discussion of the challenges and opportunities for the offshore green hydrogen production sector.

A Position Paper on Paid Music Therapy Internships: An Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to Initiate Dialogue

The music therapy internship represents the culmination of students’ clinical training. Currently, most music therapy internships are unpaid while other healthcare professions offer paid internship options or do not require an internship. The purpose of this position paper was to conduct a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis and initiate dialogue regarding paid music therapy internships in the United States. Designed to initiate dialogue and conversation, this article is not a research paper. I conducted an initial SWOT analysis on paid music therapy internships. I then shared the analysis with music therapy students, internship directors, clinicians, business owners, and faculty and integrated their feedback. Although the SWOT analysis indicated that the current internship model can result in strong clinicians, there are weaknesses regarding workforce diversity, accessibility, and finances. There may be numerous opportunities for the profession to strengthen itself through paid internships. The profession’s mission and values regarding increased access to music therapy for service users, greater workforce diversity, and quality of care amid escalating tuition and cost of living expenses are consequential factors that may influence paid music therapy internships. Although paid internships may be beyond the control of clinical training directors and thus may not be feasible in all contexts, the large number of unpaid internships may hinder the music therapy profession from thriving and advancing toward its mission. The profession may have an opportunity to use its own agency by valuing itself through paid music therapy internships. Questions and considerations are provided to conclude the paper.

An epidemiological qualitative/quantitative SWOT-AHP analysis in order to highlight the positive or critical aspects of dental implants: A pilot study.

In recent years, dental implants are increasing in popularity due to their high success rate, demonstrated functionality, and aesthetic treatment results. Scientific research is very active in proposing improvements in the quality and survival of implants, taking into consideration various aspects. The objective of this study was to provide a holistic epidemiologic view of the state of dental implants, using a systematic approach based on a multimethod SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis and AHP (analytical hierarchical process) qualitative-quantitative analysis to identify the characteristics that can determine their success or failure. The study used the hybrid method of SWOT-AHP. Analysis of the results showed that among strengths, the skill of the dentist was considered the most important factor, followed by the success of dental implants in the old people; among weaknesses, bruxism and chronic diseases were highlighted; for opportunities, biomechanical behavior, in terms of good mechanical strength and good tribological resistance to chemical and physical agents in the oral cavity, were considered the most important factors; finally, among threats, medical liability and biomechanical problems had equal weight. This study applied a multimethod SWOT-AHP approach to bring out favorable or critical evidence on the topic of dental implants. In accordance with the result of the strategic vector identified in the Twisting zone Adjustment type section, showed that implant surgery is a widespread technique but always needs improvement to increase the likelihood of success and reduce the complications that can lead to implant failure.

On-farm experimentation in agronomic research: an Italian perspective

On-farm experimentation (OFE) renovates agronomic research since it brings researchers out of their experimental field stations to the farms, shaping the direction of research in collaboration with farmers. In the context of increasing interest in OFE, this paper aims to map the current picture of agronomic research articles published on OFE in Italy. We observe that few articles are published on OFE in Italy. Moreover, among these articles, only a few explicitly mentioned farmers’ opinions or involvement, while none of them mentioned digital technologies as enablers of OFE. Therefore, we started a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to identify the main weaknesses and threats limiting OFE developing in Italy, along with the opportunities and strengths enabling OFE development. Despite the time-consuming research underpinning OFE, the lack of recognition by the academic community, the risk of not robust statistic, and difficulties in publishing, there are a series of opportunities emerging at the national level for which the implementation of OFE could be crucial to properly target the scopes set by the EU concerning agricultural research and innovation.

Isolated teratozoospermia: revisiting its relevance in male infertility: a narrative review.

Basic semen analysis is the first step in the evaluation of male infertility. It includes an assessment of sperm morphology which is believed to reflect on overall spermatogenesis and sperm function. Teratozoospermia, defined as abnormal sperm morphology, is frequently present in association with severe oligoasthenozoospermia, but isolated teratozoospermia (in the presence of normal counts and motility) is a poorly understood clinical entity with conflicting implications in terms of fertility potential and treatment strategies. The following paper aims to: (I) discuss the classification of sperm morphology, causes, and molecular mechanism of teratozoospermia; (II) analyze the clinical significance and potential treatment options of isolated teratozoospermia as a cause of male infertility and a predictor of fertility outcome; and (III) provide a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis based on the existing literature on this topic. A comprehensive search from database inception to 25 April 2023 was conducted in PubMed for relevant papers relating to isolated teratozoospermia in male infertility. Finally, seven systematic reviews/reviews/meta-analyses and 81 original articles were synthesized into the current narrative review. Classification of sperm morphology has evolved significantly since the first edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Manual of Human Semen Analysis. Kruger's strict criteria are the most used classification and have been shown to correlate with fertility outcomes. There are many causes of teratozoospermia including genetic and environmental factors and physical conditions like varicocele. Teratozoospermia correlates with sperm DNA damage, elevated oxidative stress, low antioxidant function, and apoptotic alterations, which can result in impaired spermatozoa function and lower pregnancy rates. However, the clinical correlation between teratozoospermia and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome shows conflicting data with recent meta-analyses suggesting that isolated teratozoospermia was not associated with poor fertility outcomes from ART and that intrauterine insemination (IUI) can be an effective option even in the presence of teratozoospermia. There is very limited data on effective therapeutic options to treat idiopathic isolated teratozoospermia. The opportunity for future research is huge to fill the gap in the medical literature on this topic. Contemporary literature on isolated teratozoospermia shows conflicting results in terms of its actual clinical implication in male infertility and the utility of available treatment options. Further research is warranted on this clinical entity to improve sperm function and future paternity.

Robotic systems for upper-limb rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: a SWOT analysis and the synergies with virtual and augmented environments.

The robotics discipline is exploring precise and versatile solutions for upper-limb rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). People with MS can greatly benefit from robotic systems to help combat the complexities of this disease, which can impair the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). In order to present the potential and the limitations of smart mechatronic devices in the mentioned clinical domain, this review is structured to propose a concise SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis of robotic rehabilitation in MS. Through the SWOT Analysis, a method mostly adopted in business management, this paper addresses both internal and external factors that can promote or hinder the adoption of upper-limb rehabilitation robots in MS. Subsequently, it discusses how the synergy with another category of interaction technologies - the systems underlying virtual and augmented environments - may empower Strengths, overcome Weaknesses, expand Opportunities, and handle Threats in rehabilitation robotics for MS. The impactful adaptability of these digital settings (extensively used in rehabilitation for MS, even to approach ADL-like tasks in safe simulated contexts) is the main reason for presenting this approach to face the critical issues of the aforementioned SWOT Analysis. This methodological proposal aims at paving the way for devising further synergistic strategies based on the integration of medical robotic devices with other promising technologies to help upper-limb functional recovery in MS.

Macao's academic book publishing industry: A SWOT and PEST analysis

AbstractMacao's academic book publishing industry has a rich history and has grown significantly over the past two decades. This study employs a semi‐structured in‐depth interview to evaluate the current and prospective state of Macao's academic book publishing industry. The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis and the PEST (Political, Economic, Social, and Technological) analysis are used in this study. The strengths of Macao's academic book publishing industry include that requesting an ISBN in Macao is easy and quick under the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and financial support from the Macao SAR government. However, the industry faces several weaknesses, including an underdeveloped cultural industry, a small seller market and a talent shortage, and less copyright output. Opportunities for the industry exist through constructing a Culture‐based Bay Area in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and developing an international hub for digital trade in the Guangdong–Macao In‐Depth Cooperation Zone–Hengqin. However, Macao's academic book publishing industry is threatened by emerging Internet technologies, such as augmented reality, the metaverse, and ChatGPT. This paper also proposes strategies for future practice, such as taking the initiative to encourage a group of top‐tier publishers to establish branches in Macao and improve publications’ cultural elements. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the strategic management of Macao's academic book publishing industry and will be of interest to publishers, academic researchers, and policymakers.

Bichronous scientific writing course for medical faculty during Covid-19: a SWOT analysis experience

IntroductionWriting and publishing scholarly articles in international peer-reviewed journals can be a challenging undertaking for medical and healthcare professionals in universities, especially in non-English speaking countries. Surprisingly, very few faculty members report receiving guidance on scientific writing. To encourage more faculty engagement in professional development courses aimed at enhancing their writing abilities, we have revamped scientific writing courses to incorporate bichronous (a combination of asynchronous and synchronous) teaching methods.MethodsAfter forming a team, we performed a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) study of the medical faculty’s present programs and proposed alternatives to prior course issues. In this interventional study, fifty-nine eligible medical educators selected by purposeful sampling underwent a two-and-a-half-month bichronous scientific writing course from March to August 2021. The perspectives of the participants were evaluated through a SWOT analysis. The data were collected through online semi-structured interviews, and data collection continued until data saturation was achieved (40 participants). Data were then coded and analyzed based on conventional qualitative content analysis principles.ResultsOur planned blending sequence and e-feedback increased the medical faculty’s drive to learn, self-confidence, and autonomy while improving their writing skills. Poor ICT and network infrastructure hindered course adoption. Due to the course’s time and the faculty’s own online teaching, many battled with computer vision syndrome, self-discipline, and distractions. Our participants struggled with self-discipline and distractions, so setting a daily time limit may help them concentrate.DiscussionGiven the faculty’s demanding professional lives, this designed course provided a learning opportunity for many that would not have been feasible otherwise.

A Descriptive Analysis of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring In India

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has evolved into therapeutic drug management throughout the past three to four decades, becoming a crucial facet of precision medicine. Even though India has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, TDM is not widely used there. At the moment, it is restricted to a small number of teaching hospitals and academic medical institutes. Other therapeutic domains, such anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, and antitubercular medications, have shown considerable promise to enhance patient outcomes in Indian settings, aside from immunosuppressive pharmaceuticals. The population of this subcontinent is unique in terms of the importance of TDM due to factors like the higher prevalence of nutritional deficiencies, tropical diseases, the widespread adoption of alternative medicines, unlike pharmacogenomics, and the scarcity of population-specific data on the therapeutic ranges of multiple drugs.TDM has not gotten the interest it merits in India, despite its vast applicability and influence on clinical science. This study aims to present a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats) analysis of TDM in India so that suitable measures for promoting TDM growth can be envisaged. Forming a collaborative group with all the stakeholders—including TDM experts, physicians, and the government—and coming up with a National Action Plan to support TDM are urgent needs. To determine the country's TDM focus areas, nodal TDM facilities should be formed, and pilot programmes should be launched. Capacity development and awareness rising are also important steps towards integrating TDM into traditional clinical practice.  

How virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality facilitate teacher education: A systematic review

AbstractBackgroundVirtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) have sparked recently in improving the effectiveness of teacher education. However, there is a lack of review regarding the utilisation of these technologies in this field. These three technologies, namely VR, AR and MR, can be collectively referred to as extended reality (XR) (as mentioned in reference Tang et al., 2022).ObjectivesRemarkably, the utilisation of XR‐based technologies in teacher education needs to be explored. Moreover, research questions related to the training objectives, methodological features, and the effects of XR‐based teacher education remain unanswered.MethodsTo this end, the present study conducted a systematic review to analyse 52 articles from six databases (including Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, ERIC, ScienceDirect, and ACM Digital Library).ResultsThe results indicate that XR technologies have been primarily used to train teachers' procedural knowledge, for instance, classroom management. Furthermore, most studies have primarily focused on pre‐service teachers (PSTs) rather than in‐service teachers and utilised small sample sizes, with VR emerging as the most frequently employed tool. Finally, the majority of the studies reported that XR‐based training affected teachers positively.ConclusionsIt urges researchers and developers to consider theory‐driven training design, which increases the potential to better understand what features of XR promote in‐service teachers' and PSTs' learning and how they do so. This article additionally conducts a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of XR‐based teacher education to offer more insightful recommendations and foster further discussion.

BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS (BMC) ANALYSIS IN JUDES CHICKEN RESTAURANT PALEMBANG

Many aspects of daily life, particularly in the professional sphere, have been altered by the worldwide shift toward digital technology. Data Reportal, a research firm, said on its website that as of early 2022, 73.7% of the Indonesian population has access to the internet. When it comes to a company's digital growth, marketing on Instagram is a viable option. The goal of this design is to help grow the market for Palembang's Judes Chicken Restaurant on Jl. Puncak Sekuning by utilizing Instagram and a website built with the help of SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats) and BMC (Business Model Canvas) analysis. Based on the research results, the customer segments of the Judes Chicken Restaurant in Palembang are all genders aged 10 years and over. The value proposition is the unique taste of chili sauce at an affordable price. Customer relationship, namely maintaining the taste of the product and holding promotions every month. Channel, namely implementing promotions on online applications. Revenue streams are cash and credit payments. The key resources owned are the production site, equipment and main materials. Key activities are maintaining the availability of raw materials. Key partnerships are raw material suppliers and plastic packaging suppliers. Cost structure in the form of salary costs, shop rental and raw material costs.

Augmenting the cities’ and metropolitan regional demands for mega rail infrastructure: the application of SWOT and factor analysis

PurposeIn successfully meeting city and metropolitan growth, sustainable development is compulsory. Sustainability is a must-focus for any project, particularly for large and mega rail infrastructure. This paper aims to investigate to what degree social, environmental and economic factors influence the government when planning sustainable rail infrastructure projects. To respond to such a matter, this paper focuses on two Australian mega-rail projects: the South West Rail Link (SWRL) and the Mernda Rail Extension (MRE).Design/methodology/approachAs the basis of an experimental evaluation framework strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and factor analysis were used. These two methods were specifically selected as comparative tools for SWRL and SWRL projects, to measure their overall sustainability effect.FindingsUsing factor analysis, in the MRE, the factors of network capacity, accessibility, employment and urban planning were seen frequently throughout the case study. However, politics and economic growth had lower frequencies throughout this case study. This difference between the high-weighted factors is likely a key element that determined the SWRL to be more sustainable than the MRE. The SWOT analysis showed the strengths the MRE had over the SWRL such as resource use and waste management, and natural habitat preservation. These two analyses have shown that overall, calculating the sustainability levels of a project can be subjective, based on the conditions surrounding various analysis techniques.Originality/valueThis paper first introduces SWRL and MRE projects followed by a discussion about their overall sustainable development. Both projects go beyond the traditional megaprojects' goal of improving economic growth by developing and enhancing infrastructure. Globally, for such projects, sustainability measures are now considered alongside the goal of economic growth. Second, SWOT and factor analysis are undertaken to further evaluate the complexity of such projects. This includes their overall sustainable development vision alignment with environmental, economic and social factors.

Understanding the Potential to Increase Adoption of Orphan Crops: The Case of Lathyrus spp. Cultivation in Greece

Little progress has been made in translating the increased awareness of neglected and underutilized crops into a viable tool for advancing not just sustainable development in rural areas but also sustainable agricultural and secured food systems. This is caused, in part, by a lack of understanding the importance of several underutilized crops that are currently in cultivation. Among underutilized crops, grasspea (Lathyrus sativus) is an orphan legume crop with great agronomic potential due to its suitability for a variety of sustainable food and feed production systems throughout the world’s semi-arid and arid regions and its high protein content. The current study presents a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis to unravel the following: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Lathyrus spp. cultivation, what factors are opportunities or initiatives that encourage the adoption of the crop by growers, and what factors are disincentives or threats that prevent its adoption? What strategies could help expand cultivation? We use data from a questionnaire survey of farmers in Central Greece (Thessaly) to examine their attitudes and perceptions with regards to the above questions. The outcome of this study strongly suggests that farmers are willing to adopt the new Lathyrus spp. cultivation if they are assisted via contractualization, training, and new financial tools.

From catering for death rituals to establishing a restaurant – the journey of KSN Iyengar Catering Service

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes of this case study are to develop an understanding of informal business practices (IBP) from an economic and a behavioural perspective, identify the pros and cons of IBP and how they can hinder the realization of entrepreneurial aspirations, use the effectuation perspective to understand the entrepreneurial journey of the protagonist and apply the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis and effectuation theory to understand the need for transition from informal to formal business practices. Case overview/synopsis KSN Iyengar Catering Services (KSNICS) had gained popularity for cooking and serving traditional “Iyengar” cuisine during festivals, ceremonies and other auspicious occasions. With the passage of time, KSNICS slowly diversified into offering food carrier services, corporate catering and preparation of sweets/savouries during the Diwali festival. The enterprise managed to sustain itself without additional investments from external sources. KSNICS was managed in an informal manner by the protagonist, Krishna Kumar. After almost 30 years of KSNICS’s existence, in 2021, Kumar felt that they should diversify into the restaurant business by establishing an authentic “Iyengar” restaurant. In spite of the unpredictable market and the challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he had somehow managed to sustain his catering business. However, given the informal methods through which he operated his catering services and in the post-COVID-19 pandemic scenario, would it be prudent on his part to establish a restaurant? Complexity academic level This case study is suitable for post-graduate- and executive-level instruction in courses such as managerial skills, entrepreneurship and human resource management. In managerial skills course, it can be used for applying SWOT analysis from a particular perspective for effective decision-making. In entrepreneurship-related courses, it can be used to introduce aspects such as entrepreneurship orientation, effectuation and decision-making. In organizational behaviour and HR-related courses, it can be used to highlight how employees can be trained and motivated and how businesses can be sustained within the scale, especially during challenging times. Irrespective of the course, the IBP discussion would remain a constant point of reference because that was the context under which the current business was operating. Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.