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The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for the assessment of service quality of bus fleet services based on the service quality influencing factors. The paper also tries to evolve a quantitative measure for fleet service quality in the form of a fleet service quality index.

A graph theoretical approach is employed in this paper for bus fleet service quality assessment. Modelling of fleet service quality factors and their interrelations with due attention towards their structure is achieved through graph theory. A directed graph (digraph) of the service quality is developed, where its nodes represent factors influencing the quality while its edges show the degree of interrelationships. A matrix, which is equivalent to the digraph, is established that will generate a service quality function that will result in the development of a fleet service quality index (FSQI).

Attaining customer satisfaction through assurance of quality is the cornerstone of the existence and survival of any business organization, and bus fleet services are no exception to this. Several influential factors are there for the bus fleet service quality. This research paper has identified factors such as fleet management practices, operational characteristics, safety and reliability features, travel comfort, bus maintenance and environmental concerns that affect fleet service quality. Every factor is composed of distinct sub-factors. Furthermore, these factors are linked with one another. A higher value of the fleet service quality index indicates the adequate performance of the bus fleet service organization.

The methodology is useful for not only evaluating but also for comparison of service quality of different fleet agencies or organizations. The perceptions would be useful to the fleet service managers to create procedures and arrangements for improving the service quality.

The paper identifies various service quality factors of the bus fleet and an evaluation scheme for those factors has been developed. Based on these, a framework had been developed for the assessment of the service quality of different fleet service providers.

This study uses big data analysis aimed at discovering city bus passenger ridership patterns. Hence, marketing managers can get sufficient insights to formulate effective business plans and make timely decisions about company operations.

This study uses a mixed-method analysis to analyze the results. First uses the RFM (recency, frequency, and monetary) model combined with a big data technique (K-means) to analyze bus passenger boarding behavior. In order to improve the validity and quality of the research, this study also conducted interviews with senior managers of the bus company from which the data was obtained.

The study identifies six distinct groups of passengers with different boarding behaviors, ranging from “general passengers” to “most valuable passengers”. General passengers constituted the largest group. As such, they should be the main target for municipal governments when promoting bus ridership as part of energy conservation and carbon-reduction activities. This group of passengers should be encouraged to take public transport vehicles more, instead of relying on personal vehicles. The fourth group identified included elderly passengers with hospitals as their destinations. Bus companies can cooperate with municipal government to provide morning “medical bus” services for the elderly. Interviews with bus company managers confirmed that the analytical results of this study correspond with the observations, experiences, and actual business operating plans of bus companies.

Only few studies have analyzed passengers' boarding behavior applying a mixed-method analysis.

Waiting for a bus may represent a period of intense exposure to traffic particles in hot and noisy conditions in the street. To lessen the particle load and tackle heat in bus stops a shelter was equipped with an electrostatic precipitator and a three-step adiabatic cooling system capable of dynamically adjust its operation according to actual conditions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Airbitat Oasis Smart Bus Stop, as the shelter was called, to provide clean and cool air.

The particle exposure experienced in this innovative shelter was contrasted with that in a conventional shelter located right next to it. Mass concentrations of fine particles and black carbon, and particle number concentration (as a proxy of ultrafine particles) were simultaneously measured in both shelters. Air temperature, relative humidity and noise level were also measured.

The new shelter did not perform as expected. It only slightly reduced the abundance of fine particles (−6.5%), but not of ultrafine particles and black carbon. Similarly, it reduced air temperature (−1 °C), but increased relative humidity (3%). Its operation did not generate additional noise.

The shelter's poor performance was presumably due to design flaws induced by a lack of knowledge on traffic particles and fluid dynamics in urban environments. This is an example where harnessing technology without understanding the problem to solve does not work.

It is uncommon to come across case studies like this one in which the performance and effectiveness of urban infrastructure can be assessed under real-life service settings.

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the spin-off policy which includes clarity of objectives and criteria, implementation and monitoring and evaluation functions.

The method used is a qualitative method with a theme approach and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Data were obtained from the results of focus group discussions and AHP questionnaires with informants from Indonesian Sharia Insurance Association (AASI), the sharia life and general insurance industry, the Sharia Supervisory Board, the government and regulators.

The results of the research are the effectiveness of the clarity of goals and criteria has not been realized optimally, the effectiveness of increasing profitability has not been realized, and the effectiveness of the monitoring and evaluation functions by the government and regulators has been realized. The supporting factor that has the highest level of importance is the role of the government and regulator.

The limitation of this research is that it has not used a wider range of profitability test tools and projections. The theoretical implication of this research is as a reference for robust research in identifying spin-off success factors because this study uses a mixed method where qualitative methods are used in the study using data from theory and expert informants from three parties: regulatory parties, associations (AASI) and the insurance company (life insurance and general insurance). These results form the basis for compiling a questionnaire with a quantitative method so that the data is become relevant based on theory (design) and practical side.

Practical implication of the study is that the Islamic insurance industry has to prepare to achieve condition of Tabarru funds and the investment reaches 50% of the main insurance fund. AASI, as the sharia insurance industry organization, continues innovating the most suitable form of spin-off that can be achieved by the Sharia business unit and also continues to coordinate with regulators to discuss existing problems. The government and regulators also support the implementation of the spin-off by providing convenience in various aspects such as spin-off period relaxation and government incentive and relaxation to enhance sharia insurance industry.

The contribution of the results of this research for the government and regulatory agencies is as input in setting policies and regulations related to spin-offs, for the industry is expected to be more prepared in terms of resources, commitment and strategy.

Our present quest for sustainable cities requires a holistic understanding of city construction and people’s well-being. Feminist scholars have shown that urban space does not attend to women’s needs. This study focuses on women’s everyday life in Athens, Greece in late-1980s. This is a unique spatio-temporal point since it is located at the edge of several prevailing dichotomies – geopolitical, cultural and temporal. It examines how women use, experience and reconstitute public spaces in the city and aims to understand both how public spaces – with their material and social dimensions – restrict women’s lives, and how women reappropriate and (re)constitute urban space. It is based on in-depth interviews with women from three areas of Greater Athens, with different social class profiles. It focuses on neighborhood as a physical space, women’s social networks in the neighborhood and women’s mobility. The main findings include that the nexus of gender and class is inscribed in public spaces so that these restrict women and their right to the city; the organization of public spaces ignores women’s reproductive responsibilities; women participate in the public sphere, but gender hierarchies have not been eliminated; while local social networks are fundamental for women in their efforts to reappropriate public spaces. It concludes that the transition to sustainable – enjoyable – inclusive cities will benefit from incorporating women’s experiences and needs; adopting a socio-spatial perspective that focuses on everyday life; a focus on social reproduction too; and an explicit aim to eliminate gender hierarchies (rather than inclusion).

The purpose of this study was to explore how transport companies in Uganda execute strategies in a turbulent business environment.

The study adopted an exploratory qualitative methodology using the data collected through an open-ended instrument. Utilizing the qualitative data analysis software QSR NVivo9, the data were analyzed following the Gioia's methodology. Verbatim texts were used to explain the emergent themes.

The study's findings show that to successfully execute strategies, companies in Uganda communicate, coordinate and put control systems in their operations. The activities undertaken include customer care, timely settlement of complaints, comfortable seats, playing local music, partnerships with reliable fuel stations, setting up strategic offices, cost management, use of experienced drivers, sub-renting vehicles and inspections.

The study produces a pioneering result of how transport companies execute strategies in a turbulent business environment, an aspect that has not been adequately highlighted in previous studies.

The document underscores the need for systematic smart mobility policies to advance smart cities, addressing resource waste and environmental issues. Recognizing challenges in adopting efficient smart mobility, the paper seeks to fill a literature gap by identifying governance-related best practices and success factors. The objective is to develop a clear framework for smart mobility adoption with policy implications, especially for Euro-Mediterranean (EuroMed) Smart Cities, reducing congestion and costs while promoting sustainability through data-driven decision-making and integration models.

To conduct the study, we adopt a multiple-case approach, examining different smart mobility applications in three of the world's most relevant smart city contexts according to international rankings, namely New York, Copenhagen and Singapore. Starting with the framework emerging from the research sample, which is representative of three different continents and cultures, a comparative assessment is then made with two EuroMed Smart Cities, highlighting their relative gaps.

The paper presents an innovative framework for smart mobility that highlights five key success factors. In addition to highlighting related gaps with a sample of EuroMed Smart Cities, it offers guidelines and implications for administrators, policy makers and mobility managers.

This success framework is a powerful tool, framework and guideline with numerous theoretical and managerial implications. Indeed, it directs policymakers, policymakers and mobility managers toward creating innovative business models for sustainable smart mobility, maximizing the efficiency of the centralized urban system, reducing negative externalities, breaking down barriers and pursuing greater efficiency, resilience and equity in the accessibility, mobility and sustainable livability of smart cities.

With more cities aiming to achieve climate neutrality, identifying the funding to support these plans is essential. The purpose of this paper is to exploit the present of a structured green bonds framework in Sweden to investigate the typology of abatement projects Swedish municipalities invested in and understand their effectiveness.

Marginal abatement cost curves of the green bond measures are constructed by using the financial and abatement data provided by municipalities on an annual basis.

The results highlight the economic competitiveness of clean energy production, measured in abatement potential per unit of currency, even when compared to other emerging technologies that have attracted the interest of policymakers. A comparison with previous studies on the cost efficiency of carbon capture storage reveals that clean energy projects, especially wind energy production, can contribute to the reduction of emissions in a more efficient way. The Swedish carbon tax is a good incentive tool for investments in clean energy projects.

The improvement concerning previous applications is twofold: the authors expand the financial considerations to include the whole life-cycle costs, and the authors consider all the greenhouse gases. This research constitutes a prime in using financial and environmental data produced by local governments to assess the effectiveness of their environmental measures.

The presence of green spaces plays a vital role in promoting urban sustainability. Urban green parks (UGPs) help create sustainable cities while providing fundamental ecological functions. However, rapid urbanization has destroyed crucial green areas in Ranchi City, endangering inhabitants’ health. This study aims to locate current UGPs and predict future UGP sites in Ranchi City, Jharkhand.

It uses geographic information system (GIS) and analytical hierarchical process (AHP) to evaluate potential UGP sites. It involves the active participation of urban communities to ensure that the UGPs are designed to meet dweller’s needs. The site suitability assessment is based on several parameters, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land use and land cover (LULC), population distribution, PM 2.5 levels and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. The integration of these factors enables an evaluation of potential UGP’s sites.

The findings of this research reveal that 54.39% of the evaluated areas are unsuitable, 15.55% are less suitable, 12.76% are moderately suitable, 11.52% are highly suitable and 5.78% are very highly suitable for UGPs site selection. These results emphasize that the middle and outer regions of Ranchi City are the most favorable locations for establishing UGPs. The NDVI is the most important element in UGP site appropriateness, followed by LULC, population distribution, PM 2.5 levels and the UHI effect.

This study improves the process of integrating AHP and GIS, and UGPs site selection maps help urban planners and decision-makers make better choices for Ranchi City’s sustainability and greenness.

This paper aims to identify challenges and facilitating factors in interorganizational knowledge acquisition. For this purpose, the interorganizational settings of the Orange Line Metro Train System and Sustainable bus rapid transit (BRT) Corridor in Pakistan are examined.

This study uses an exploratory multiple case study approach. The empirical data encompasses semi-structured interviews and archival documents. Within and cross-case analyses are used for analyzing the data.

The findings identify challenges such as time pressure, knowledge hiding, finding credible information sources, organizational red tape and facilitating factors such as clear objectives, individual interest and personal commitment, and revisiting the organizational culture and environment in which interorganizational knowledge acquisition takes place.

By examining knowledge acquisition in interorganizational projects, this study contributes to the literature on knowledge-based theory.