Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities And Threats Research Articles

Investigation of the impacts of the deployment of autonomous vehicles on first responders

Purpose The purpose of this study is to address the significant impact AVs will have on public services and the ability of first responders to conduct their jobs safely and effectively. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are expected to drastically change the transportation industry, and it is vital that first responders be equipped to integrate them into their occupational responsibilities. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review was conducted, and following a multistep exclusion process, 161 articles were selected for detailed review. The impacts of AVs on first responders were identified, classified and categorized into lists of challenges and opportunities. Based on the findings of the literature review, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis was conducted, and stakeholder management strategies were designed. Findings Through the examination of the impacts of AVs on first responders, 17 identified challenges and opportunities were classified into the following categories: AV-related emergency response and training, perceptions and acceptance of AVs, technology development and laws and regulations. The study revealed that the optimal benefits of AVs would require stakeholders to focus more on how they interact with first responders; thus, 14 stakeholder management strategies were identified. First responders, AV manufacturers, legislators and future research paths will all benefit from this study, as it can facilitate smooth interactions between AVs and first responders. Originality/value A range of studies have been published on the safety of AVs and the public’s perceptions of this new technology; however, the integration of AVs and their interactions with first responders has been neglected. The goal of this study was to fill that research gap by providing a thorough synthesis of autonomous driving systems in the context of their interactions with first responders.

Proposed Business Strategic Improvement to Accelerate Waste Management Business Unit at Building Materials Company (Case Study at Cement Inc)

The rising environmental concerns and regulatory measures in Indonesia have created new opportunities for the expansion of waste management services in the cement sector, specifically by utilizing thermal technology. The Waste Management Unit (WMU) of Cement Company presents substantial strategic opportunities for expansion and development. After undergoing a merger and acquisition, Cement Inc experienced a transformation and has now become a state-owned firm. This change offers WMU Cement Inc further opportunities for growth and expansion. The objective of this research is to identify the most effective strategy for the Waste Management Business Unit within the Cement Company using the Analytical Hierarchy Process. The study explores three fundamental research question: (1) What is the current situation for WMU Cement Inc in terms of market, money, customer, and organization? (2) What are the obstacles inside the organization and in the external environment that hinder the acceleration of waste management services in Indonesia, resulting in limited value creation for the company? (3) What are the suggested recommendations and strategic choices for the company to enhance its value absorption? The study used the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) framework to perform a comprehensive evaluation and evaluate three strategic options for the waste management division: retaining it within the cement firm, expanding it to the cement group as a whole, or establishing it as an independent entity. The results of this study indicate that the most favorable choice (40.6%) is to establish WMU as a separate entity, which offers greater advantages compared to fully integrating with the parent company (30.9%) and keeping the current business operations (28.4%). By creating WMU as an independent organization, it may effectively avoid market and pricing cannibalization amongst its subsidiaries and optimize operations. WMU Cement Inc possesses the capacity to assume a leading role in waste management services by offering waste solutions to all SIG subsidiary plants and other cement makers, including ITP. The benefits of this method include autonomous operations, targeted management, rapid decision-making, and varied income streams achieved via the cultivation of specialized skills and expertise in waste management. This decision presents a chance to attract targeted investments and collaborations that promote innovation and expansion in waste management.

Switching to hydrogen fuel adoption in developing economies: A case study of Vietnam

ABSTRACT Extensive research has been conducted on the transition to environmentally friendly fuels in developed countries worldwide. However, there has been a significant lack of attention given to this crucial topic in developing countries. The study aims to bridge this gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the existing obstacles and prospects associated with transitioning to hydrogen fuel, with a specific focus on Vietnam. To achieve this objective, a rigorous SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis approach is employed, drawing upon an extensive literature review and the insights of selective experts in the field. Additionally, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is utilized to effectively prioritize the identified factors from the SWOT analysis through eigenvalue calculation. As a result, the weaknesses are the highest first-class priority factors, with “Dedicated infrastructure for the transition to hydrogen fuel” and “Technological capacity for converting to hydrogen fuel” taking the next priorities in the second class. The outcomes of this research serve as a valuable resource for Vietnam and other developing countries, guiding policy-making and practical applications in the pursuit of transitioning to hydrogen fuel. Furthermore, this paper establishes a robust framework that can guide future studies in this specific area of research.

Opportunities and risks of the blue economy for innovative companies in the sustainable aquaculture sector

The oceans play a crucial role in the global ecosystem and offer solutions to meet the growing demand for food, water, and energy. However, a new economic concept is needed to regulate and sustainably exploit the maritime resources offered by the marine ecosystem to ensure sustainable development. It is in this initiative that the concept of the blue economy has emerged, in response to the inadequacy of measures taken by States to meet their obligations and achieve their objectives in terms of marine biodiversity conservation. This is how the blue economy concept was born, in response to the inadequacy of state measures to conserve marine biodiversity. This concept proposes an innovative solution integrating aquatic and human resources into sustainable economic activities. The aim of this study is to understand the opportunities and threats that the blue economy represents for innovative companies. This short literature review, based on a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) diagnosis of innovative companies, identified a number of obstacles to the development of the blue economy, such as climate change, lack of financing and the lack of instruments for measuring the performance of the blue economy. Action strategies could be implemented to mitigate risks, threats and hazards, and consider an economic approach that reconciles marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Application and Efficacy of Virtual Sailing as an Exercise Therapy: A Narrative Review

Abstract Purpose The concept of virtual exercise is still a nascent domain for therapeutic intervention. In light of the importance of exercise and the fast development of digital technologies, virtual exercise possesses a promising potential for future development. Sailing is a recreational exercise that has helped the rehabilitation of patients with neurological and physiological disorders and improved their quality of life. However, challenges exist in implementing physical sailing as an intervention, due to the cost and the extent of uncertainty of this sport. While studies remain limited, over the past twenty years, simulated sailing that combines virtual reality with complex motor learning and optimum decision-making is emerging as a potential digital exercise that possesses broad therapeutic applications for future exploration. This review aims to have a more complete understanding of the clinical application of virtual sailing as an emerging exercise therapy. Methods Literature searches were performed using PubMed, EMBASE and MEDLINE bibliographic databases for research articles published from January 1994 to January 2024 (inclusive). We performed a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis to evaluate the implementation of virtual sailing as a new therapeutic intervention, opening unanswered questions for future investigation. Results Out of 205 articles searched from databases, 31 advanced to full-text screening and 7 articles were eligible for inclusion in this narrative review. This review summarises the application and therapeutic efficacy of virtual sailing in improving both motor and psychosocial functions. We also shared our perspectives on developing virtual sailing as an exercise therapy for treating neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on pre-clinical and clinical evidence as well as the proposed mechanism by which virtual sailing could influence neural plasticity in the central nervous system. Conclusion Virtual sailing is a promising exercise therapy feasible for future implementation, although large-scale trial studies involving a diverse range of clinical conditions are required.

Generative Artificial Intelligence: Analyzing Its Future Applications in Additive Manufacturing

New developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly finding their way into industrial areas such as additive manufacturing (AM). Generative AI (GAI) applications in particular offer interesting possibilities here, for example, to generate texts, images or computer codes with the help of algorithms and to integrate these as useful supports in various AM processes. This paper examines the opportunities that GAI offers specifically for additive manufacturing. There are currently relatively few publications that deal with the topic of GAI in AM. Much of the information has only been published in preprints. There, the focus has been on algorithms for Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative adversarial networks (GANs). This summarised presentation of the state of the art of GAI in AM is new and the link to specific use cases is this first comprehensive case study on GAI in AM processes. Building on this, three specific use cases are then developed in which generative AI tools are used to optimise AM processes. Finally, a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis is carried out on the general possibilities of GAI, which forms the basis for an in-depth discussion on the sensible use of GAI tools in AM. The key findings of this work are that GAI can be integrated into AM processes as a useful support, making these processes faster and more creative, as well as to make the process information digitally recordable and usable. This current and future potential, as well as the technical implementation of GAI into AM, is also presented and explained visually. It is also shown where the use of generative AI tools can be useful and where current or future potential risks may arise.

CONTACTLESS DONATIONS COLLECTION IN MOSQUES: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

The mosque is more than just a symbol for Muslim society. It establishes an identity and strengthens Muslim values. Changes in market trends as a result of digital transformation have an impact on industries and people's lifestyles, including non-profit organizations such as mosques. Adoption of cashless payments and usage such as credit cards, online banking, and e-wallets has increased and grown in popularity among Malaysia's tech-savvy consumers, driven by the rise of digital trends. Therefore, this study investigates the challenges and prospects of using e-wallets in donation collections in Malaysian mosques, as well as the implications for mosques and donors. This study analyses the e-wallet phenomenon using a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to assess the potential usage of e-wallets in mosques. Suggested here are also strategies to leverage the strengths and opportunities as well as overcome the weaknesses and threats.

SWOT analysis of risk prevention and control of microorganism pollution in shopping malls and supermarkets

To understand the status and problems of microbial pollution in shopping malls and supermarkets in China. Microbial pollution in shopping malls and supermarkets was assessed by literature search, key information extraction and analysis. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats(SWOT) of risk control of pathogenic microorganisms in shopping malls and supermarkets were analyzed by SWOT analysis. Common bacteria in the indoor air of shopping malls and supermarkets included staphylococcus and Bacillus, and common fungi include Aspergillus and Penicillium. The bacteria detected in dust samples, escalator surfaces and floor surfaces were mainly Proteobacteria and Actinomyces. The complete public places laws and regulations, standards and health supervision system were the advantages of the risk prevention and control countermeasures of microbial contamination in shopping malls and supermarkets. At the same time, it also had the disadvantages of incomplete microbial-related indexes in the premises, and insufficiently detailed countermeasures for prevention and control in the premises. There were opportunities for multi-sectoral participation and post-licensing risk prevention, and it was also facing challenges brought by many factors affecting the health microenviroment and over-disinfection. The main sites for microbial risk prevention and control in superstore-type public places included high-frequency contact areas, key public supplies and utensils, indoor air, etc. , which could be prevented and controlled through a variety of measures such as controlling the release of the source, dilution and reduction, disinfection and denaturation, etc. , and exploring a comprehensive prevention and control system that involves the autonomy of the organization, industry self-regulation, collaboration of multi-government departments, and participation of the whole society.

Sustainable energy in Zimbabwe - status, challenges and solutions

A potential solution to Zimbabwe's energy issues could be harnessed from the country's growing interest in renewable energy systems (RES) for use in industry. Energy security, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and promotion of sustainable industrial growth could be achieved by tapping into the nation's abundant renewable resources, which include hydroelectric power, solar power, and wind power, among others. Potential benefits to the environment, grid reliability, and energy costs could accrue from the incorporation of RES. However, challenges like upfront costs, power grid integration issues, and the need for supportive legislation should be addressed. The use of RES could provide Zimbabwe with a future energy that is safer, more sustainable, and more cost-effective. Owing to the dearth of studies considering RES integration across the different sectors in Zimbabwe, hence, this presents the status and energy policy evolutions, a concise strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) framework with outstanding challenges, and proposed solutions for sustainable energy development in Zimbabwe.

The conversion of abandoned Italian holidays colonies into condhotels. A SWOT analysis approach

The purpose of this paper is to use well-established methodology strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis, in order to identify the most important factors which could enter into the potential conversion of former holidays colonies into condhotel, an alternative hospitality concept, proposed by Regione Emilia-Romagna in Italy. Three different SWOT analyses are used in order to investigate the compatibility of this conversion with typological characteristics, tourism demand and current accommodation supply in the Riviera Romagnola. An in-depth understanding of each colony site and its socio-cultural and economic context must be evaluated in order to advance proposals on their conversion, also considering alternative uses.

A SWOT Analysis of the Green Hydrogen Market

Since the Industrial Revolution, humanity has heavily depended on fossil fuels. Recognizing the negative environmental impacts of the unmoderated consumption of fossil fuels, including global warming and consequent climate change, new plans and initiatives have been established to implement renewable and sustainable energy sources worldwide. This has led to a rapid increase in the installed solar and wind energy capacity. However, considering the fluctuating nature of these renewable energy sources, green hydrogen has been proposed as a suitable energy carrier to improve the efficiency of energy production and storage. Thus, green hydrogen, produced by water electrolysis using renewable electricity, is a promising solution for the future energy market. Moreover, it has the potential to be used for the decarbonization of the heavy industry and transportation sectors. Research and development (R&D) on green hydrogen has grown considerably over the past few decades, aiming to maximize production and expand its market share. The present work uses a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis to evaluate the current status of the green hydrogen market. The external and internal factors that affect its market position are assessed. The results show that green hydrogen is on the right track to becoming a competitive alternative to fossil fuels soon. Supported by environmental benefits, government incentives, and carbon taxes, roadmaps to position green hydrogen on the energy map have been outlined. Nevertheless, increased investments are required for further R&D, as costs must be reduced and policies enforced. These measures will gradually decrease global dependency on fossil fuels and ensure that roadmaps are followed through.

Cambodian Green Economy Transition: Background, Progress, and SWOT Analysis

A green economy is not a common economic practice. This leads the governments in many countries to focus on institutional arrangement and policy development. The institutional arrangement is one of the main significant factors, while green economy policies have to be well developed to support stakeholders and put less pressure on local communities. Hence, this research aims to understand green economic development in Cambodia by focusing on institutional arrangements and green economic development policies. Thus, this research’s priority was to evaluate their background and progress, and a comprehensive SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis was conducted based on their progress/transition. This research conducted background, progress, and SWOT analyses based on (i) the government’s documents, including the code, laws, royal decrees, sub-decrees, prakas, policies, strategic plans, roadmaps, and reports; (ii) development partners’ reports from reliable sources, such as UN agencies, UN Programs, ASEAN, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank; and (iii) existing literature. This research presented the results and discussed the findings encompassed by political and economic conditions, institutional arrangement and capacities, policy development and coordination, and participation of the public and stakeholders, as well as global green cooperation and funding, which were conditioned by the experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties resulting from global geopolitical conflicts, such as the Russian–Ukrainian conflicts. Moreover, this research discussed weaknesses against strengths and threats against opportunities to suggest solutions or implications.

The potential impact of EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM): an Australia-China relationship perspective

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the multifaced aspects and consequences of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from an Australia-China Relationship perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis paper leverages the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to examine both the internal and external factors that affect Australia and China in the context of the CBAM. In addition, we employ the PEST (Political, Economic, Social and Technological) framework to identify effective strategies for Australia-China cooperation following the implementation of the CBAM.FindingsOur analysis reveals numerous mutual interests and opportunities for bilateral collaboration, despite challenges and threats, positioning the CBAM as a potentially significant catalyst for joint initiatives.Practical implicationsThis paper proposes 10 potential areas for Australia and China cooperation from the political economic social and technological PEST dimensions.Originality/valueThis paper makes a pioneering attempt to explore potential strategies, both individually, and together, that Australia and China can adopt to manage the impact and consequence of CBAM.

Analisis SWOT Wisata di Kampung Pasir Angling Desa Suntenjaya

Pasir Angling Village has tourism potential that can be developed as an agro-tourism destination in West Java, especially in the Lembang area. However, many tourist attractions in this village have not been managed optimally so they have not attracted many tourists. This Community Service Program aims to analyze and identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of each tourism potential in Pasir Angling Village, as well as formulate effective suggestions and recommendations to overcome weaknesses and threats in the context of revitalizing the Agroedutourism Village. Data collection methods include interviews, discussions, filling out questionnaires, and direct observation at each tourist attraction in Pasir Angling Village. Observation results show several potential tourist attractions in Kampung Pasir Angling, including Curug Luhur Cibodas, Jaipongan and Pencak Silat Cultural Tourism, Sheep Farming and Cow Milking Tourism, Strawberry Picking Agrotourism, Bincarung Campground Park, as well as community MSMEs for souvenirs tourists such as Angling Caramel Candy, Angling Banana Sale, Lemon Slice, and Angling Coffee. After carrying out a SWOT analysis, it was found that this village has strengths and opportunities such as adequate tourist capacity, many tourist destinations, and the availability of clean water. Pasir Angling Village only needs more intense and focused development and management so that its tourist value becomes higher quality in the eyes of tourists. However, there are several weaknesses and threats that need to be corrected, such as less strategic location, lack of public transportation, lack of labor, lack of directional facilities, and competition with other tourist locations in the local area. This program is expected to increase public awareness of existing tourism potential, the importance of maintaining this potential, and promoting it to the general public.

Strategic analysis and recommendations of the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva (SEPD) regarding population-based screening programs for colorectal cancer in Spain.

population-based screening programs are effective to reduce colorectal cancer-related mortality and incidence. However, given their complex development, sound organization and design do not warrant success. This study provides a strategic analysis of the Spanish programs, as well as recommendations in an attempt to contribute to their optimization. a multidisciplinary panel of researchers, supported by the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva (SEPD), has performed a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, from which a proposal of recommendations was developed; their adequacy was judged using an adapted version of the RAND/UCLA method. 5 weaknesses, 3 threats, 5 strengths and 5 opportunities were identified, and a total of 15 recommendations were developed emphasizing aspects with room for improvement in program orientation, particularly the need to increase participation, fight variability and inequities, improve information processes and systems quality, ensure specific, adequate funding, and evaluate health results. promoting an operational collaboration framework between all the public health and care levels involved should facilitate effective communication with society regarding the benefits of taking part in population screening programs while persuading decision and policy makers of the critical importance of taking an active, determined stance regarding its implementation.

Evaluating future strategies for sustainable growth of fiberglass composites industry in developing countries: A novel hybrid SWOT-Fuzzy extended PIPRECIA approach

The global fiberglass-composite market is expanding tremendously due to its extensive applications in the construction and automotive sector. The progress in low-medium income developing countries is slow. This study explores an exclusive hybrid model of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis and Fuzzy extended PIPRECIA (pivot pairwise relative criteria importance assessment) to evaluate the strategies for sustainable development of fiberglass composites industry in Pakistan as a representative of low-medium developing countries. SWOT analysis is employed for examining the factors and sub-factors which have been extracted from a real-time industrial survey. While internal and external factors are also critically established to formulate a TOWS matrix comprising nine proposed strategies. Later the preferences as proposed by experts are evaluated by Fuzzy extended PIPRECIA i.e., a MCDM (multi-criteria decision making) model. Finally, SWOT factors, sub-factors and strategic choices are orderly ranked and presented. The results of the study reveal that development of a suitable environment to attract investors for the advancement and growth of the local fiber composites manufacturing industry (WO2 i.e., 0.175) is a most desirable and highly prioritized strategic choice. While maximizing environmental research to reduce environmental impact and better management of resources (WT2 i.e., 0.076) is the least favorable. The application of this exclusively developed MCDM model will provide an insight to the policy makers and assistive in strategic management and sustainable development of composite industry in developing countries. While this model can also be effective for other complex planning and decision-making processes.

An Analysis of Goldfish Hatchtery Business in the Situjaya Group of Situraja Village, Sumedang Regency, West Java

The purposes of this study were (1) To analyze the prospect of goldfish hatchery business in Situ Jaya Group, judged from the financial aspect. (2) To formulate any goldfish hatchery alternative strategy in Situjaya Group. The eligibility analysis criteria that is applied to analyze the business feasibility are Net Benefit Cost Ratio (Net B / C), and Payback Period (PP). Furthermore, the methods which are applied to identify the factors that influenced the business development using Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) matrix, the EFE matrix, the Strategic Matrix, and the Matrix Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), on the final phase resulted in creating alternative development strategies. Data collection method was conducted by using census method. The number of respondents were 8 people in all members of the Situ Jaya Group. Based on the non-financial feasibility analysis, the hatchery business is still weak on all non-financial aspects. Based on the results of financial analysis, it yields worth 100%. The entire value of Net B / C that obtained is greater than 1, i.e. 1.67. All PP value that obtained is 6 years 11 months 27 days. Based on the Matrix Strategy analysis that can be applied is market penetration and product development. Based on the SWOT analysis, the strategy that needs to be done is aggressive strategy which means that the business is in steady and excellent condition so it is possible to continue to expand, enlarge the growth and achieve maximum progress. While the Alternative Strategy for business development is the application of Weaknesses-Opportunities Strategy.

Strategic alternatives for Muslim-friendly homestay in Sabah Malaysia: a SWOT/TOWS analysis

PurposeThis study aims to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the Muslim-friendly homestay business in Malaysia to help identify and recommend practical strategies to capitalize on the strengths and potentials while overcoming the current shortcomings and threats.Design/methodology/approachThe Muslim-friendly business owner and operators in Sabah, Malaysia, were the subject of a series of focus groups and expert opinion interviews. The data was transcribed, and then the variables were categorized into the four SWOT categories using content and thematic analysis. Meanwhile, threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths (TOWS) analysis is used to identify the best strategy alternatives.FindingsThe SWOT analysis identifies several strengths (e.g. diverse and unique Islamic culture and heritage [S1], iconic Islamic landmarks [S2], rich natural beauty [S3], well-established halal tourism industry [S4]); weaknesses (e.g. limited awareness [W1], limited infrastructure and facilities [W2], limited human resources and trained personnel [W3], lack of Islamic tourism products and experiences [W4]); opportunities (e.g. growing demand for Islamic tourism [O1], increasing disposable income [O2], potential for collaborations [O3], potential for partnerships [O4], potential for expanding Sabah’s halal tourism offerings [O5]); and threats (e.g. competition [T1], political instability [T2], economic downturns [T3] and environmental and social challenges [T4]).Practical implicationsThis paper could serve as a guideline and supplementary information for stakeholders in the homestay industry to grasp their business environment better.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its type to blend SWOT and TOWS analysis with the sector of Muslim-friendly homestays. Hence, the findings might expand understanding of the Muslim-friendly homestays industry and aid businesses in penetrating this growing market.

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of artificial intelligence adoption in nursing care

The primary objective of this commentary was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of AI technologies, uncover opportunities for improvement, and recognize potential threats that could impede their successful implementation in nursing care. This commentary involved constructing a SWOT matrix to analyze AI adoption, identifying internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats. The analysis revealed several strengths of AI adoption in nursing care, including enhanced data analysis capabilities, improved patient monitoring, and increased efficiency in routine tasks. However, weaknesses such as the high initial costs of implementation and concerns about data security were identified. Opportunities included the potential for AI to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. Nonetheless, threats such as resistance to technological change and ethical dilemmas related to AI decision-making processes were recognized as potential barriers to successful adoption. This article sheds light on the intricate landscape of AI adoption in nursing care. While AI brings forth substantial strengths, it simultaneously poses challenges that healthcare systems should confront. To fully harness AI's potential, healthcare organizations should thoughtfully deliberate on the identified weaknesses and threats, actively seeking avenues for seamless integration. In this concerted effort, the healthcare industry is poised to unlock the transformative capabilities of AI, elevating nursing care standards, and ultimately, advancing patient outcomes.

Driving factors for developing integrated farming: Multi-criteria decision-making analysis

Integrated farming (IF) by temporal and spatial mixing of crops, livestock, fishery, and allied activities in a single farm, is considered a critical multifunctional option for smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Indian agriculture, to ensure sustainable livelihoods, the productivity of agricultural enterprises, stability of farm income, food and nutritional security. However, the adoption of IF still remains low. To explore the critical factors of IF systems and prioritize them for stakeholders’ decision-making and development of strategies, the current research was undertaken to integrate SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) - AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) analysis. We used a multi-stage sampling to select 60 practicing IF adopters in West Bengal state of eastern India for the collection of pair-wise comparison data on 32 SWOT factors using a close-ended questionnaire and subjected to AHP analysis to understand the quantitative importance of each factor of SWOT. Results of the multi- criteria analysis showed the total priority weight of the opportunity component (0.450) was the highest, followed by strength (0.341), weakness (0.114), and threat components (0.095). Based on the global priority weight of all 32 SWOT factors, sustainable livelihood security” was the key driving factor (0.081) followed by promotion of organic farming (0.072), better risk management (0.063) and incorporation of high-value crops (0.063) of opportunity component. Increased farm production and productivity (0.058) and enhancement in income (0.055) of strength component also played as vital driving factors. There was no factor of weakness and threat components within the first 10 important factors. The insights of this study may help improve extension services to smallholder farmers for prioritizing strategies in the adoption process of IF. Additionally, it can also help policymakers to design targeted policies, remove barriers, foster innovation, and promote sustainable practices, contributing to food security and environmental sustainability.