Assessment of critical risk and success factors is essential for successful execution of construction projects. This paper aims to identify the critical risk and success factors that affect the performance of the supply chain in the construction projects of Pakistan. For this purpose, a methodology was developed to identify risk and success factors. A questionnaire was designed to obtain the opinions of contracting companies, consulting firms, and project managers. Data were collected from 259 respondents and were analyzed statistically. The results of this study identified the top five critical risk factors that were prioritized based on the severity index. The most critical risk factors identified were, funding with a highest percentage of 93.89%, followed by shortage of material/equipment, cash flow, and bad weather. Among success factors, the communication has the highest severity index of 93.23%, followed by trust with a supplier, risk allocation, problem-solving, and joint working. These factors were discussed with implications that affect and impact the performance of the construction industry. The findings of this research can be used to guide the improvements in the construction industry in Pakistan, and other terror hit countries.

Integrating sustainability, a flexible manufacturing system, and Industry 4.0 resolves the issues of fluctuating market demand arising from customization requirements. Modular products allow flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and optimize resource utilization. In this study, a method was proposed and applied to two products, i.e., a 3D printer and an electric toothbrush featuring modular architecture, multiple product versions, and customization, to contribute to the development of sustainable flexible manufacturing systems. From the results of the two case studies nine modules were identified that contain specific functions and related interface information. From these modules, one platform was developed that comprises common entities used in all variants of the products. This platform was further extended to product families. From the modules, product architecture was developed that supports the product and process relationships. These relationships can be developed concurrently, enabling product features to be linked to the manufacturing setup. Thus, when a modular architecture is developed, the factory has to be reorganized accordingly, or reconfiguration is possible. Hence, the main aim of the research was to develop modular product architecture to identify product and process relationships for a sustainable flexible manufacturing system.

Corona pandemic has revealed that the uncertainty associated with disaster management has rippling effects, resulting in severe human suffering across the globe. The severity and complexity of the relief operations increase the authority’s response time. The Humanitarian Supply Chain (HSC) can be helpful and is one of the critical branches of Operations Research. This paper presents a systematic literature review using PRISMA in the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) for HSC papers published in SCOPUS and Web of Science databases during the last two decades. It aims to classify and review the literature on VRP models in HSC using fifteen (15) different categorizations. This paper extensively describes objective functions and solution methodologies, including heuristics, commercial and exact solvers, uncertainties, resource types, and vehicle types. Several research questions are framed using the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study) tool. Future research directions are accordingly proposed based on objective functions, uncertain approaches, heuristic approaches, vehicle types, resource types, model dimensions, sustainability, and scheduling. The results of this study show that there is still plenty of room for research and development in VRP for HSC.

In recent times, the globalization of markets due to the improvement of utilization of resources has significant impact on the manufacturing systems. International competition forced companies to establish efficient and effective production facilities that provide best possible outcome in terms of profitability, throughput and lead time. In this background, every industrial facility is in competition to remain competitive in the market and be flexible for future changes. It is not easy to change the environment of any facility in order to check the results beforehand therefore simulation is a viable option. Simulation tools are used to help analyze performance measures for improvement. This paper presents a case by analyzing a facility in order to improve its production using simulation tool. In this study, simulation model for the production facility of Fort Ceramic Company is developed from its current state and then changes are made to its inter-arrival time. Models for both improved and current systems are developed in the simulation tool. Data analyzed in the simulation tool shows better results that represent a significant improvement in productivity, cycle time and throughput time to optimize the system.It is also observed that by decreasing the inter arrival time there is increase in the throughput which improves the revenue.

Rapid urbanization and population growth have intensified solid waste management (SWM) challenges in developing countries, where institutional capacity and stakeholder participation remain limited. Existing studies, particularly in the context of Pakistan, largely examine isolated technical or environmental aspects, with limited integration of sustainability dimensions and stakeholder dynamics. This study develops and empirically validates an integrated structural equation modeling (SEM) framework to examine the interrelationships among sustainable solid waste management systems (SSWM), stakeholder engagement (SE), and solid waste management strategies (SWMS). Primary data were collected from 420 stakeholders representing diverse groups. The measurement model demonstrated strong reliability and validity, while the structural model exhibited excellent fit indices. Results indicate that economic, social, technical and environmental and institutional dimensions significantly shape SSWM. Structural path analysis reveals that SSWM significantly influences SE and SWMS, while SE has a significant effect on SWMS. Mediation analysis confirms that SE partially mediates the relationship between SSWM and SWMS, highlighting the critical role of participatory governance. The findings demonstrate that achieving sustainable waste management requires the integration of system-level capacity, stakeholder engagement, and strategic implementation. This study contributes to the sustainability literature by providing a holistic framework and providing understanding for policymakers to promote circular economy practices and resource efficiency in developing countries.

The demand for natural raw products is increasing worldwide, especially in areas that prioritize health and wellness. Jaggery, a non-refined natural sweetener, has emerged as an economic and ecological alternative to processed white sugar. Despite Pakistan’s notable production capacity, the inconsistent quality, inefficient processing technologies, and government policies are hindering its export potential. This study employs the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to identify and prioritize key factors that influence jaggery export potential. The data for AHP were extracted from a structured questionnaire, which was completed by 100 respondents, including producers, exporters, and farmers. The insights from the analysis revealed that skilled labor, mechanized crushers, and quality of raw material are the most critical factors. However, government policies, water consumption, water wastage, carbon emissions, carbon credits, fair trade, and sustainable fuel are undervalued, which pose a long-term threat to this industry. By prioritizing challenges, decision makers can amicably enhance the sector’s viability. This paper contributes to agro-industrial development by offering recommendations for sustainable jaggery production and export.