Recycling Pesticide Plastic Containers in Indonesia: An Evaluation of Technical, Economic, and Regulatory Impact Feasibility

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This study explores the feasibility of recycling pesticide plastic packaging in Indonesia, focusing on technical, economic, and regulatory aspects. Technical feasibility analysis highlights challenges in material composition and pesticide residue removal, emphasizing the effectiveness of a cleaning process to ensure safety and quality of recycled materials. Economically, the study demonstrates significant cost savings when incorporating at least 40% recycled material into new packaging, enhancing market competitiveness. The regulatory analysis emphasizes the recommendation to the Indonesian government to reclassify waste pesticide containers from hazardous to non-hazardous materials following the validation of the triple rinsing trial’s effectiveness in removing pesticide residue. Reclassifying the containers as non-hazardous will reduce transportation costs from the source locations, such as plantations or farming areas, to the waste processing plant, thereby improving the economic feasibility of the pesticide plastic container recycling. Recommendations include conducting production trials with larger container sizes and adjusting the recycled material percentage, as well as exploring performance-enhancing additives for recycled plastics. Industries are advised to align with regulations by adopting best recycling practices and establishing robust compliance processes. Strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and supporting advanced recycling infrastructure development are critical steps. These measures will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of recycling programs, ensuring regulatory compliance and promoting sustainable waste management. The study concludes that recycling pesticide plastic packaging is feasible and beneficial, provided that technical and economic challenges are effectively addressed with at least 40% recycled material content. The economic viability of recycling pesticide plastic containers will be further enhanced if the Indonesian government reclassifies the waste containers as non-hazardous, after triple rinsing process, thereby reducing transportation costs.

Examining Clinical Practice and Short-Term Results in Ventral Hernia Repair

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Background and Objectives: This prospective observational study conducted at Parul Sevashram Hospital, Vadodara aimed to examine the diversity in surgical techniques used for primary and incisional ventral hernia repair (VHR).

Methods: Twenty-five elective VHR patients treated from January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023, were enrolled. Patients were monitored for 90 days post-surgery. Exclusion criteria included patients under 18 years old and those undergoing emergency surgeries. The primary objective was to compare surgical approaches between primary and incisional hernia repairs. Secondary objectives focused on intraoperative procedures such as mesh selection, fixation techniques, and drain placement, as well as evaluating postoperative outcomes at 3 months, including infection rates, surgical site issues, mortality, and readmission rates within 90 days.

Results: Data from 25 patients were analysed: 14 (58%) had primary hernias (PH) and 11 (42%) had incisional hernias (IH), including 1 (9.09%) recurrent case.

– PH Group: Procedures included 6 (42.85%) open Onlay, 4 (28.57%) open Sublay, 1 (7.14%) intraperitoneal Onlay meshplasty (IPOM), and 3 (21.42%) suture repairs. Complications: 7% seroma, 0% surgical site infection (SSI), 0% recurrence.

– IH Group: Procedures included 7 (63.63%) open Onlay, 3 (27.3%) open Sublay, and 1 (9.09%) suture repair. Complications: 9% seroma, 9% hematoma, 0% SSI, 9% wound sinus, 0% recurrence.

Conclusion: Onlay meshplasty emerged as the predominant procedure for both primary and incisional hernias. However, open Sublay repair showed promising results with fewer seroma-related complications. Standardizing guidelines could optimize outcomes in VHR.

An Analysis of the Role of Work Motivation and Work Discipline in Improving Employee Performance: Job Satisfaction as a Mediating Factor (Case study on PT Prima Sejati Sejahtera I)

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This study analyzes how worker motivation and discipline affect performance through job satisfaction. Using primary data, this study is quantitative. This study took a sample of all workers totaling 48 people because the population was below 100. Path analysis and multiple linear regression are used. The hypothesis of this study produces the following conclusions: work motivation, discipline, and job satisfaction improve employee performance at PT Prima Sejati Sejahtera I. Work motivation and discipline increase job satisfaction in employees. PT Prima Sejati Sejahtera I workers will be more productive when job satisfaction is high, because they can moderate the relationship between work motivation and work discipline.

Business Solution for Profit Optimization at PBS Clinic

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Health service profitability is an important factor for the sustainability and growth of clinics such as PBS Clinic. PBS Clinic, like many other healthcare providers, faces challenges in balancing quality of service with financial viability. These issues collectively contribute to suboptimal profitability, requiring thorough investigation and strategic intervention. This research aims to determine the root cause of declining profits at the PBS clinic and propose a business solution to increase revenue and reduce costs in the PBS clinic. This research will use a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Quantitative data will be collected through financial performance data, patient volume statistics, and satisfaction surveys. Qualitative data will be obtained from interviews and focus groups with staff. The results of the review found that The root causes of declining profits at the PBS clinic include: inappropriate practice hours that reduce patient visits, an inefficient IT system that hinders operational efficiency and service delivery, insufficient staff training affecting the quality of care, ongoing construction limiting space and services, issues with insurance payments constraining financial flexibility, and weak marketing efforts diminishing the clinic’s visibility and attractiveness in a competitive healthcare market. The proposed solutions include expanding clinic services, improving staff training and facilities, simplifying insurance payment processes, and leveraging digitalization. This research is critical because it addresses the urgent need for clinics to adapt to changing healthcare demands and economic pressures.

Evaluating Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Customer Service Training Programs: A Study of IOH Outlets in Jakarta

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In the dynamic telecommunications market of Indonesia, quality customer service is pivotal for sustaining competitive advantage. IOH faces persistent challenges in meeting customer service expectations, evidenced by consistent customer complaints regarding the customer service representative performance despite extensive training programs for their representatives. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of IOH’s customer service training programs in Jakarta, identifying key factors influencing training effectiveness and proposing improvements. Utilizing a quantitative approach, a survey was conducted among 49 customer service representatives, and the data were analyzed using spearman rank correlation. The results revealed that training content, method, schedule, and facilities significantly impact training effectiveness, with training content identified as the most influential. Improved training content to be more relevant with the needs of representatives, implement the diverse and interactive methods, well-structured schedules, and utilize the high-quality facilities can enhance the effectiveness of training programs. These strategies will enhance the competency and confidence of customer service representatives, ultimately improving customer satisfaction. Future research should explore personalized training approaches tailored to individual needs and assess the long-term impacts of training programs and expanding the study beyond Jakarta will provide a more comprehensive understanding of training effectiveness across different regions. By addressing these recommendations, IOH can significantly improve their customer service training programs, leading to higher service quality and customer satisfaction.

Combustion Properties of Biochar Briquettes Blend of Goat Manure Charcoal, Saboak Shell and Other Biomass

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This study aims to determine the quality of combustion properties of biochar briquettes mixed with goat manure charcoal, lontar shell and other biomass. The completely randomized design was applied with 4 different combinations tested, as follows: T1= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% lontar male fruit; T2= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% lamtoro twigs; T3= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% rice husk and T4= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% corn cob. The variables studied were combustion temperature, combustion rate, combustion resistance, flame color and combustion smoke. The average values obtained consecutively from T1-T4 are as follows: combustion temperature 272.9; 231.5; 228.8 and 280.8˚C; combustion rate 2.03; 1.61; 1.67 and 2.03 g/min; combustion resistance 210.0; 205.0; 195.0 and 225.0 min; flame color and combustion smoke 3.70; 3.65; 3.60 and 3.75. The results of variance analysis showed that the treatment had a very significant effect (P<0.01) on combustion temperature, but no significant effect (P>0.05) on combustion rate, combustion resistance, flame color and combustion smoke. It was concluded that the biochar briquettes produced had good combustion properties with indications of high combustion temperature (253.5°C), slow combustion rate (1.83 g/min), long combustion resistance (208.75 min), bluish red flame colour and no smoke emitted (score 3.68). The best treatment was shown in the mixture of 50% goat dung charcoal + 40% palm shell charcoal +10% corn cob charcoal (T4).

Marketing Strategy for QRIS Cross Border as A Feature for FILPay App

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In the modern era, the popularity of digital payment methods is rising, including in Indonesia. As a result, financial institutions are creating their own digital payment method channels. It is not uncommon to see multiple QR codes in one cashier. To streamline these methods, Bank Indonesia launched QRIS, integrating all QR codes issued by financial institutions, banks, and e-wallets. Bank Indonesia has further advanced this initiative by facilitating transactions between ASEAN countries, collaborating with the central banks of Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore to establish QRIS Cross Border. This allows users to utilize their home country’s financial institution apps across these regions.

As one of Indonesia’s leading e-wallets, FILPay needs to develop a targeted marketing strategy to introduce the QRIS Cross Border feature to its users. In order to do so, FILPay need to find out what is the trigger for FILPay users to choose a certain payment channel on their travel to Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, the gap between user expectation for the payment method in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia versus available QRIS Cross Border feature, and the effective key message and channel to introduce the feature to FILPay user.

Through questionnaires and focus group discussions, insights were gathered on users’ payment method choices in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The most preferred payment method is cash in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, followed by card. User also already figuring out what kind of payment method they want to use before the trip, finding information from social media, friends and family recommendation, and the banner promotion in merchants’ point of transaction. While most FILPay users are aware of the QRIS Cross Border feature, barriers such as previous transaction failures, uncertainty about merchant acceptance, and the perceived ease of alternative methods hinder its use. FILPay user for now cannot see QRIS Cross Border as the most preferred payment method, but they do see the potential of its use on transaction with low basket size.

To address these concerns, FILPay need to create a marketing strategy emphasizing the seamless payment capabilities in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore using QRIS. The strategy involves utilizing various channels aligned with user touchpoints when selecting payment methods. FILPay’s communications focus on the feature’s ease of use, convenience, and real-time transaction capabilities. To reach users effectively, FILPay employs multiple marketing channels, including their app and social media platforms. The marketing strategy focus on education FILPay user on QRIS Cross Border and invite user to engage with the marketing materials  to increase consideration. Some in-app channels are also used in order to increase after-transaction interactions.

Proposed Marketing Strategy to Increase Revenue Through Product Differentiation (Case Studyat Cement Inc.)

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The cement industry is currently facing intense competition due to the lack of significant recovery in retail demand following the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with an increasing number of competitors. This has resulted in a surge in oversupply, reaching up to twice the demand, and a decline in utilization to 52%. In order to survive, cement companies release their own economy brands, including Cement Inc. In 2020, Cement Inc. released its fighting brand in Java to fight the eco-brands, using their current premium brand from Sumatra, Semen PDG. Cement Inc. will also release Semen MDK in late 2022 to counteract market confusion about Semen Padang. The total number of brands to compete in the last decade has increased tremendously due to the rising eco-brand trend. In three years, Cement Inc.’s fighting brand portion has grown to 24.6%, indicating a shift in the market towards more economical products. This situation is leading to a decrease in the Cement Inc. revenue, as there is no product differentiation between the premium and fighting brands.

We conducted this study to explore potential solutions to increase revenue by implementing a fighting brand strategy that incorporates product differentiation. The research address three critical questions: (1) What is the internal and external analysis? (2) What is the proposed recommendation for marketing strategy to increase for Cement Inc. through product differentiation of Fighting Brand? (3) What is the implementation plan for the marketing strategy?

The investigation began by examining the cement market condition, evaluating Cement Inc.’s strengths and weakness, as well as the market’s opportunities and threats, using quantitative and qualitative approach to investigate internal and customer’s understanding about the difference between main brand and fighting brand, as well as the expected differences. By the internal and external analysis, the study proposed the new segmentation, targeting, and positioning to propose the new marketing strategy using marketing mix 4Ps through product differentiation for fighting brand to increase Cement Inc.’s revenue in both premium brand and fighting brand. This study limited on retail market in Java, which is characterized by intense rivalry.

Assessment of the Relationship between Sleep Hygiene Practices, Quality of Life and Academic Performance among Medical Students at the University of Lusaka, Zambia

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Influencing daily functioning, mental well-being, and overall quality of life, sleep quality is crucial to human physiology. Medical students, facing intense academic demands, often grapple with sleep disturbances, impairing their performance. This study at the University of Lusaka delves into the relationship between sleep hygiene, quality of life, and academic performance, drawing insights from esteemed organizations like the Institute of Medicine Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research (2006) and the World Health Organization (1999). Alarming results show 44.23% of students had poor sleep, averaging 6.7±1.6 hours. These challenges affected attention and cognitive functions adversely. Urgent interventions focusing on sleep quality and overall well-being are imperative, promising improved attendance, attention, and academic accomplishments, nurturing a healthier learning atmosphere and holistic student growth. The main objective of the study will be to investigate the relationship between sleep hygiene practices, quality of life and academic performance of medical students at the University of Lusaka in Zambia. The study had a sample of 497 participants that included diverse young adults (32.2% aged 18-25, 59.4% aged 26-35) with balanced gender representation (40.8% male, 59.2% female). Highest participation was noted in the lower academic year, Year 111 (17.9%). Prevalent issues in sleep hygiene (irregular schedules – 49.3%, excessive daytime napping – 58.4%) and stress-related factors (60.2%) affected participants. Positive social satisfaction (43.3% rated as 4) and effective stress management (36.4% rated as 5) were observed. Burnout was common (75.9% sometimes, 16.7% frequently), highlighting the need for mental health support. Participants showed dedicated study habits (55.5% studied 4-6 hours daily) and achieved notable academic results (39.6% received B+ in previous exams). Interventions addressing sleep hygiene, stress, and mental health are crucial for enhancing well-being and academic success. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the critical issue of poor sleep hygiene among medical students at the University of Lusaka, revealing its detrimental impact on their academic performance. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive interventions tailored to enhance students’ sleep hygiene and overall well-being.

Barriers for Business to Engage in Carbon Trading Through the Indonesian Carbon Exchange: An Analytical Hierarchy Process Approach

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This study investigates the barriers faced by businesses in participating in carbon trading through the Indonesia Carbon Exchange (IDXCarbon). Although Indonesia has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 31.89% with national efforts and 43.20% with international assistance, participation in IDXCarbon is still limited. Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, this study identifies and ranks barriers based on expert evaluation in four main criteria:  Impact on Risk Management and Uncertainty; Impact on Business Operation and Strategy; Impact on Financial and Profitability, and Impact on Regulatory Compliance and Stakeholder Engagement. The main barriers identified were Concern Over Loss of Sustained Revenue; Lack of Company Understanding and Capability; Additional Explicit Costs; Bureaucratic Complexity; Low Level of Transparency; and Limited Trading Volume. The results of this study are expected to guide policymakers and business leaders in improving their effectiveness and participation in carbon trading, thereby contributing to Indonesia’s ambitious emissions reduction targets.