The Role of Digital Transformation in Enhancing SME Resilience: Evidence from Post-Pandemic Business Recovery in the United Kingdom

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The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted major weaknesses in the resilience of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom, particularly in relation to financial stability, operational continuity, and their ability to respond to sudden disruptions. As SMEs make up the vast majority of the UK firms and a significant share of private-sector employment, the crisis generated substantial economic strain. Many of these businesses confronted severe challenges such as interruptions in supply networks, reduced consumer activity, and government-mandated shutdowns. In adapting to these conditions, a considerable number of SMEs accelerated their use of digital technologies including online sales platforms, cloud services, digital communication tools, and remote-working solutions.

This study explores how digital transformation contributes to strengthening SME resilience during the post-pandemic period. A quantitative methodology was used, drawing on a simulated survey of 500 SME leaders from a range of industries. The survey assessed the extent of digital integration alongside indicators of organisational resilience, managerial support for digital initiatives, and employee capability in using digital tools. The results show that firms with more advanced digital adoption demonstrated greater resilience, quicker recovery trajectories, and stronger adaptive capacity. Furthermore, leadership commitment and workforce digital proficiency significantly influenced how effectively digital tools contributed to resilience.

The research advances current academic discussions by offering empirical insights into the link between digital transformation and SME resilience. It also presents actionable recommendations for policymakers and support agencies seeking to promote digital uptake and reinforce the long-term sustainability of SMEs. The findings provide valuable guidance for improving organisational preparedness for future crises.

Functional and Radiological Outcomes of Closed Ankle Fractures Managed Non-Operatively Among Adults at Mulago National Referral Hospital Six Months Post-Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Background: Non-operative management is a common approach for treating closed ankle fractures at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH) due to its potential benefits, including shorter hospital stays and the absence of surgical risks. Evaluating functional and radiological outcomes is essential for determining the success of this treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes of ankle fractures managed non-operatively and to identify the factors associated with these outcomes.

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 93 adults with ankle fractures managed non-operatively at six months post-injury at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, while radiological outcomes included fracture union and ankle alignment parameters. Data were analyzed using STATA, and modified Poisson regression was applied to identify factors associated with functional and radiological outcomes.

Results: The mean age and standard deviation were 41+/-12 years. More females, n=49(52.7%), had ankle fractures. The commonest fracture type was Weber B n=65(69.9%)> Weber C n=16(17.2%)> Weber A n=12 (12.9%). The mean AOFAS-AH score was 82.9 ± 14.9. Patients had an AOFAS-AH score categorized as good (54.8%)>excellent (23.7%)>fair (16.1%)>poor (5.4%). Eight-six (92.5%) had radiological union, and 7(7.5%) had nonunion. 97.7% of the patients had a normal MCS, 80.2% normal TFO, 50% normal TCA, and 13.9% normal TFCS. Significant predictors of poor functional outcomes included being HIV-positive, Weber B fractures, and Weber C fractures. Predictors of good functional outcomes included receiving physiotherapy and initiating weight bearing at 4-6 weeks or after 6 weeks

Conclusion: The majority of participants achieved radiological union, though all united fractures resulted in malunion. Worse functional outcomes were associated with Weber classifications B and C, as well as HIV-positive status.

Tamarind Juice Assisted Benign Synthesis Of 2,3-Dihydro-1h-Perimidine Derivatives

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A green and efficient way to make 2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidine derivatives is through a one pot reaction of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene with different aromatic aldehydes using tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) juice. The reactions were carried out in mild conditions, giving us the desired products in good or excellent yields with short reaction times. Tamarind juice was inexpensive, and easily available, and it was a metal-free and eco-friendly catalyst. The protocol is easy to follow, easy to separate products, low amount of catalyst, and does not include hazardous chemicals and chromatographic purification. This green way shows that tamarind juice is a good green catalyst for biologically important perimidine derivatives.

The Effects of Mind Mapping on English Paragraph Writing among Vietnamese High School Students

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Writing English paragraphs remains a challenge for many EFL high school students, particularly in organizing ideas, developing relevant content, and producing coherent written texts. Mind mapping has been suggested as a useful pre-writing technique because it helps learners generate ideas visually and arrange them before drafting. This study investigated the effectiveness of mind mapping on Grade 10 students’ English paragraph writing at a high school in Hai Phong, Vietnam. A quasi-experimental research design was employed with 77 Grade 10 students from two intact classes. The experimental group consisted of 37 students who were taught paragraph writing through mind mapping, while the control group included 40 students who received conventional writing instruction. Data were collected through a pre-test, progress test, post-test, and a questionnaire. The writing tests were assessed according to five criteria: content, grammar, mechanics, organization, and vocabulary. The findings showed that the experimental group improved more clearly than the control group, especially in organization, content, mechanics, and total writing scores. Questionnaire results also revealed that students generally perceived mind mapping as simple, visually interesting, and useful for generating and organizing ideas. However, some students reported challenges related to time management, selecting relevant ideas, and converting keywords into complete sentences. The study suggests that mind mapping can be an effective pre-writing technique for improving English paragraph writing when implemented with appropriate teacher guidance.​

Association of Sociocultural Factors and Health Literacy Levels with Cervi-cal Cancer Early Detection Among Women in Reproductive-Age Couples in the Service Area of the Laosu Community Health Center in 2025

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Background: Cervical cancer remains a major cause of death among women, particularly in settings where early detection coverage is low.

Objective: This study analyzed the association of sociocultural factors and health literacy with cervical cancer early detection among women in reproductive-age couples in the Laosu Community Health Center service area in 2025.

Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study involved 278 respondents selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4 software.

Results: Sociocultural factors had a significant positive effect on health literacy (β = 0.323; t = 4.539; p = 0.000) and early detection of cervical cancer (β = 0.112; t = 4.962; p = 0.000). Health literacy did not significantly affect early detection (β = -0.007; t = 0.351; p = 0.726) and did not mediate the relationship between sociocultural factors and early detection (β = -0.002; t = 0.325; p = 0.745). The R-square values were 0.104 for health literacy and 0.159 for early detection, indicating limited explanatory power. Only 21 respondents (7.55%) had undergone early detection, while 257 respondents (92.45%) had not.

Conclusion: Early detection of cervical cancer remained very low. Sociocultural factors, particularly stigma and shame within the final measurement model, were more directly associated with screening behavior than health literacy. These findings indicate a knowledge-behavior gap and suggest that culturally sensitive interventions should accompany health literacy improvement to increase cervical cancer screening uptake.

From Poetry to Opera: Pushkin And Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin in A Holistic Accordance

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The present article examines Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin to demonstrate how a holistic approach can deepen the performance of opera; the approach integrates the composer’s dramaturgical strategies, the literary source, and critical scholarship into a unified interpretive framework. The discussion focuses on Onegin’s rejection aria and establishes that Belinsky’s characterisation of Onegin as an “involuntary egoist” reshapes the performer’s vocal and dramatic choices. By tracking how contextual understanding directly informs decisions of vocal colour, articulation, and phrasing, the article illustrates the practical necessity of a holistic approach in which interpretation and technical execution are inseparable.

Motor Vehicle Growth in Guyana (2000–2025): Statistical Trends, Forecasting, And Infrastructure Implications

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Motor vehicle registrations are a key indicator of transport demand, economic development, and infrastructure pressure. This study examines long-term trends in motor vehicle registrations in Guyana from 2000 to 2025 and generates forecasts for 2026–2030 using time-series modelling, including an ARIMA (0,1,0) model with drift.

The results show a strong and sustained increase in total vehicle registrations over the study period, rising from relatively low levels in the early 2000s to 38,346 vehicles in 2025. Growth is characterised by marked year-to-year volatility but a clear upward structural trend, particularly after the mid-2010s and the post-2020 period. Private cars remain the dominant category throughout, followed by motorcycles, both of which drive the overall expansion of motorisation. Commercial and specialised vehicle categories such as lorries, vans, buses, and hire cars show more moderate and stable growth patterns, reflecting their close link to economic activity.

Correlation analysis reveals consistently strong positive relationships across vehicle categories, indicating broad-based expansion of motorisation rather than isolated growth. Forecast results suggest that total vehicle registrations will continue to rise steadily, increasing from approximately 39,666 in 2026 to 44,948 in 2030. Diagnostic tests confirm the adequacy of the ARIMA model, with residuals behaving as white noise and acceptable forecast accuracy.

Overall, the findings indicate structurally persistent motorisation in Guyana, with significant implications for road infrastructure capacity, transport planning, and sustainable mobility policy.

Economic Aspects of the Essence of Sustainable Marketing

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Sustainable marketing is a strategic approach that combines the economic objectives of businesses with responsibility towards society and the environment. It promotes long-term value creation through ethical business practices, efficient resource management, and the development of trust between companies and consumers. In the context of the modern economy, sustainable marketing has become an essential factor for competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable development. By integrating ecological and social considerations into marketing strategies, organizations can improve their public image, strengthen customer loyalty, and contribute positively to society and the environment.

English Major Students’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness and Usability of ChatGPT in Learning English Writing Skills

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The rapid development of artificial intelligence has created new opportunities for English language learning, particularly in the development of writing skills. In EFL contexts, ChatGPT has increasingly been used by students to generate ideas, revise drafts, improve language accuracy, and receive immediate writing support. This study investigates English major students’ perceptions of the effectiveness and usability of ChatGPT in learning English writing skills. The participants were 45 English major students from Year 1 to Year 3 at a technology university in the north of Viet Nam. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire focusing on two main areas: students’ perceptions of ChatGPT’s effectiveness in supporting English writing development and their attitudes toward its general usability. The findings showed that students generally perceived ChatGPT as an effective tool for learning writing skills, particularly in generating ideas, revising drafts, improving grammar accuracy, developing vocabulary, enhancing sentence structures, understanding writing mistakes, and increasing writing confidence. In terms of usability, students reported positive attitudes toward ChatGPT because it was easy to use, convenient, fast, accessible, and useful for independent writing practice outside class. However, some concerns were also identified, including the possibility of inaccurate or unsuitable suggestions and students’ over-dependence on AI-generated support. The study concludes that ChatGPT can be a useful supplementary tool in English writing learning when used critically and ethically. It also highlights the important role of teacher guidance in helping students use ChatGPT effectively while maintaining independent thinking and responsibility for their own writing development.

 

The Role of Competitive Advantage in Mediating the Causal Relationship Between Business Innovation, Entrepreneurial Orientation, And MSME Performance

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In the Strategic Management Accounting paradigm, entrepreneurial orientation and innovation do not automatically translate into high financial performance; both must first be translated into a real competitive advantage. Management accounting validates this advantage by comparing competitor accounting—evaluating whether innovation has successfully positioned the MSME’s cost structure lower than competitors’ (cost leadership) or created unique value that justifies a premium price in the market. This study aims to provide empirical evidence on the causal relationships among the constructs of competitive advantage, entrepreneurial orientation, business innovation, and MSME performance. This research was conducted through a survey, with questionnaires distributed to respondents who met the purposive sampling criteria. The data used in this study are classified as primary data. The objects of this research are four latent variables/constructs, each with 20 reflective indicators. This study explores the perceptions of respondents, comprising MSME entrepreneurs at the managerial level (owners or managers) engaged in the culinary business, fashion, basic necessities, and household utensils. The survey was conducted on MSMEs operating in the provinces of Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, and East Java. A total of 88 valid data points were collected and are ready for processing. This research applies a structural equation model with partial least squares. MS Excel and SmartPLS-v. 3.29 applications were used in data processing and hypothesis testing. All hypotheses regarding the direct effect of exogenous constructs on endogenous constructs have been significantly supported. Regarding the mediating construct, the empirical findings in this study demonstrate that competitive Advantage mediates the causal relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, business innovation, and MSME performance.