Here, we consider the generalized travelling salesman problem (GTSP), which is a generalization of the travelling salesman problem (TSP). This problem has several real-life applications. Since the problem is complex and NP-hard, solving this problem by exact methods is very difficult. Therefore, researchers have applied several heuristic algorithms to solve this problem. We propose the application of genetic algorithms (GAs) to obtain a solution. In the GA, three operators—selection, crossover, and mutation—are successively applied to a group of chromosomes to obtain a solution to an optimization problem. The crossover operator is applied to create better offspring and thus to converge the population, and the mutation operator is applied to explore the areas that cannot be explored by the crossover operator and thus to diversify the search space. All the crossover and mutation operators developed for the TSP can be used for the GTSP with some modifications. A better combination of these two operators can create a very good GA to obtain optimal solutions to the GTSP instances. Therefore, four crossover and three mutation operators are used here to develop GAs for solving the GTSP. Then, GAs is compared on several benchmark GTSPLIB instances. Our experiment shows the effectiveness of the sequential constructive crossover operator combined with the insertion mutation operator for this problem.

One of the primary goals of optimization approaches is to strike a balance between exploitation and exploration strategies, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the search process. To improve this balance, considerable research efforts have been directed towards refining these strategies. This paper introduces a novel exploration approach for the Black Widow Optimization (BWO) algorithm, termed Improved BWO (IBWO), aimed at achieving a robust equilibrium between global and local search strategies. The proposed approach tracks and remembers the effective research areas during the research iteration and uses them to direct the subsequent research process toward the most promising areas of the search space. Consequently, this method facilitates convergence towards optimal global solutions, leading to the generation of higher-quality solutions. To evaluate its performance, IBWO is compared with five optimization techniques, including BWO, GA, PSO, ABC, and BBO, across 39 benchmark functions. Simulation results demonstrate that IBWO consistently maintains precision in performance, achieving superior fitness values in 87.2%, 74.4%, and 69.2% of total trials across three distinct simulation settings. These outcomes underscore the efficacy of IBWO in effectively leveraging prior search space information to enhance the balance between exploitation and exploration capabilities. The proposed IBWO has broad applicability, addressing real-world optimization challenges in pilgrim crowd management and transportation during Hajj, supply chain logistics, and energy distribution optimization.

This research introduces a comprehensive scheme to tackle the Mixed-Model Assembly Line Balancing Problem (MALBPLW) within manufacturing contexts. The primary aim is to optimize assembly line task assignments by integrating both the learning effect and worker prerequisites. The learning effect recognizes the enhanced efficiency of workers over time due to learning and experience. A novel mathematical model and solution approach are proposed, encompassing factors like cycle time, task interdependencies, worker classifications, and the learning effect. The model endeavors to minimize the overall costs related to both workers and workstations while simultaneously maximizing production efficiency. Experimental assessments are conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this proposed approach. Diverse manufacturing scenarios are inspected, comparing and analyzing cost reductions and production efficiency. The outcomes highlight the effectiveness of this approach in achieving enhanced cost-effectiveness and resource utilization in contrast to conventional methods. This study contributes significantly to advancing assembly line balancing and production planning techniques by presenting a pragmatic framework for optimizing resource usage and reducing costs in manufacturing environments. The knowledge extracted from these discoveries can significantly assist professionals in the industry seeking to improve manufacturing processes and strengthen competitiveness.

It is crucial to identify alternative energy sources owing to the ever-increasing demand for energy and the other environmental problems associated with using fossil fuels. Biomass as a source of bioenergy is considered a promising alternative to fossil fuels. This study aims to optimize the biomass supply chain by developing an integrated model incorporating typical tactical supply chain decisions based on market or demand selection decisions. To this end, a novel mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is proposed to maximize the profit of the corresponding biomass supply chain and to commercialize electricity production by selecting electricity demand and making supply chain decisions regarding power plant operations, biomass feedstock purchase and storage, and biomass transport trucks. Owing to the intricacy of the MILP model, a fix-and-optimize-based solution strategy is developed and validated by applying it to several instances of a real-world case study. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can significantly reduce computational time while preserving high solution quality. Additionally, it helps improve planning and decision-making as it reveals the effect of essential biomass logistics characteristics on routing outcomes.

The economic landscape of Saudi Arabia has undergone significant changes in recent years, largely due to various administrative law reforms. The aim of this research paper is to examine the administrative law reforms in Saudi Arabia and their impact on the country's business environment. Based on the findings, the law reforms made in Saudi Arabia include initiating businesses, safeguarding the interests of minority investors, facilitating trade, ensuring contract enforcement, providing access to electricity, facilitating credit acquisition, granting construction permits, and resolving insolvency. Saudi Arabia should take steps to raise public awareness about corruption and establish more robust laws to safeguard whistleblowers. The country should also allocate resources to training programs and establish partnerships with advanced, specialized courts. Creating entrepreneurship programs and workshops to promote an entrepreneurial mindset in schools and the community is crucial. Saudi Arabia can create a favorable environment for economic growth and development by implementing these measures.

This study aims to investigate the strategies employed by halal food manufacturers in Malaysia to mitigate operational supply risks. This study selected a sample of 369 respondents using a simple random sampling method to participate in the main survey. The collected dataset was analysed using covariance-based software (AMOS-SEM)) to test the study hypotheses. The findings of this research highlight that halal food manufacturers in Malaysia proactively adopt measures to manage operational supply risks from suppliers. Notably, they utilize behaviour-based and buffer-based strategies to effectively minimize the impact of these risks. This study focused on supply-related risks. To secure the integrity of halal, the firms must address demand-related risks and governmental and organizational risks to ensure the halalness of halal products. Therefore, it is crucial to consider risk management for all parts of the supply chain to guarantee the halal compliance of food products. The study highlights halal firms' need for behaviour-based and buffer-based risk management strategies to mitigate price, quality, and delivery risks while ensuring brand reputation and consumer trust through collaboration, information sharing, and supplier performance evaluation. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the operational supply risks faced by halal food manufacturers, offering insights into the unique challenges and vulnerabilities within the halal food supply chain. By specifically focusing on Malaysia, this research contributes to the limited existing literature in this specific context, further enriching our knowledge in this field.

In this charge we designated a Hilbert-Johnson process by coupling of heterocyclic N-silylated with benzyl chloride at 100°C using the calcined red algae (CRA) doped with ammonium sulfate (AS), AS@CRA as a heterogeneous catalyst. The resulting examination systems, which included atomic absorption, BET methodology and X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), were employed to describe these catalysts. The effect of catalyst and alkylated agent were extensively studied. This catalyst can also be recycled several times in this condensation, and lastly, we suggested a probable answer mechanism for this process. Moreover, our molecular docking investigation revealed the anti-tuberculosis potential of the synthesized compounds. Notably, the drug isoniazid exhibited higher binding energies compared to the products 2a, 2b, and 2c. Additionally, the ADME study suggests that highly efficacious synthetic compounds may possess anti-tuberculosis properties.

This study aims at exploring the effect of marketing 5.0 as a whole construct on marketing performance and the moderating role of customer resources between these two variables. Moreover, the study aims at examining the effects of marketing 5.0 dimensions, i.e., predictive marketing, contextual marketing, augmented marketing, and agile marketing on marketing performance as well as the moderating role of customer resources in the effect of each dimension on marketing performance. Collecting data by a closed-end questionnaire from a sample consisting of 186 managers and sales persons in clothing shops, the results pointed out that there is a statistically significant effect of marketing 5.0 on marketing performance and there is a statistically significant moderating effect of customer resources between marketing 5.0 and marketing performance. Furthermore, the results revealed that three dimensions of marketing 5.0, i.e., predictive marketing, contextual marketing, and augmented marketing, exerted significant effects on marketing performance. As well, customer resources significantly moderated the effects of predictive marketing and augmented marketing on marketing performance. Such results contribute to marketing performance literature through highlighting the importance of both marketing 5.0 and customer resources together in enhancing marketing performance.

The agriculture sector and other agribusinessescan have a long-lasting effect on the environment. The present studyinvestigates the effect of Agricultural Supply Chain Management (ASCM), fromproducer to consumer, on Environmental Sustainability (ES) in the Alkharj governorateby collecting primary data from 312 respondents in the ASCM in Alkharj and byapplying Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Moreover, the moderating roles ofeconomic and social sustainability in the nexus between ASCM and the ES arealso tested. The results of the analyses show that ASCM directly improves theES in the agriculture sector. Moreover, ASCM also improves both economic andsocial sustainability. Consequently, economic and social sustainability improvesthe ES. Thus, economic and social sustainability have positively moderated therelationship between ASCM and the ES. The results suggest that the governmentof Alkharj governorate should further improve the economic sustainability ofagribusinesses in Alkharj by providing incentives. Moreover, education andtraining programs should be initiated to improve social sustainability. Thus,both improved social and economic sustainability of agribusinesses could encouragesustainable practices to promote the ES in the whole ASCM in Alkharj.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct effects of environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) on green supply chain management (GSCM), ESO on sustainable performance (SP), and GSCM on sustainable performance (SP). It also examines the indirect effect of GSCM on SP through the mediating role of GSCM. Moreover, it tests the moderating role of environmental collaboration (EC) between GSCM and SP. A total of 155 survey questionnaires were collected from firms with ISO 14000 certification in the manufacturing sector in Algeria. The gathered data was examined using (PLS-SEM) model. The findings showed positive effects between ESO, GSCM, and SP. However, no such effect was detected for the moderating role of environmental collaboration on the links between GSCM and SP. The limitation of this study was the use of only firms with ISO 14000 certification, so future studies should consider a wider range of firms and different scales. Regarding environmental problems, firms in Algeria can apply ESO and GSCM to achieve sustainable performance.