After a period of rapid growth, China’s pharmaceutical industry is facing multiple challenges, including insufficient innovation and severe pollution. Current research on the efficiency of pharmaceutical companies in China primarily focuses on financial or innovation aspects. Therefore, a holistic approach to operational efficiency is needed. To measure the operational efficiency of pharmaceutical companies in China more accurately and holistically, while accounting for environmental pollution, this study employs a three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model with undesirable outputs to evaluate efficiency across five dimensions: market performance, profitability, financial risk control, innovation, and sustainability. This approach integrates financial, innovation, and sustainability indicators to provide a more industry-specific framework for efficiency measurement. Furthermore, integrating with Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) allows for revealing the impact of environmental factors on efficiency. The results show that both technical efficiency (TE) and pure technical efficiency (PTE) are relatively low in the first and third stages, with significant regional disparities. After excluding environmental factors, some regions—typically economically developed areas—showed improved overall efficiency. This indicates that the local environment in these regions is not conducive to the development of pharmaceutical enterprises. The SFA results further demonstrate that investments in education and high-level talent significantly enhance efficiency, whereas pollutant emissions and per capita income reduce operational efficiency. The findings suggest that local governments should enhance the operational efficiency of pharmaceutical enterprises by investing in education, attracting skilled talent, and improving waste infrastructure. Additionally, less efficient firms are encouraged to optimize resource allocation to achieve higher efficiency.

The pharmaceutical industry is a cornerstone of national economies and plays a critical role in public health. However, China’s pharmaceutical industry faces significant challenges, including regional disparities in development. The existing research on operational efficiency evaluation primarily focuses on financial or innovation metrics, lacking a comprehensive approach. Moreover, studies on the environmental impact on operational efficiency often rely on a limited set of indicators, failing to offer a holistic understanding of how environmental factors influence efficiency. This study aims to address these gaps by comprehensively evaluating operational efficiency and analyzing the impact of broader environmental factors on efficiency. To achieve these objectives, the study employs a Three-Stage Data Envelopment Analysis method combined with Principal Component Analysis to evaluate the operational efficiency of the pharmaceutical industry across 31 provinces in China, considering both financial and innovation dimensions.The findings reveal that overall efficiency has improved annually, with regional disparities gradually narrowing. Specifically, innovation capability and innovation environment have a positive impact on operational efficiency, while living standards and openness exhibit a negative correlation. Additionally, the current environmental conditions in the northwestern region are found to be conducive to the development of the pharmaceutical industry. This study is the first to integrate three-stage data envelopment analysis with principal component analysis, constructing a comprehensive framework for analyzing the relationship between environmental factors and operational efficiency. The results provide empirical evidence for policymakers aiming to enhance the efficiency of the pharmaceutical industry.

This research investigates the service quality attributes of PT and the influence of the attributes on users’ satisfaction. Improving public transport (PT) facilities such as road networks and connectivity systems must align with service quality aspects. This research investigates the service quality attributes of PT and the influence of the attributes on users’ satisfaction. A survey was conducted to examine users’ perceptions of the service quality of PT in Sarawak, Malaysia. Service quality indicators have been chosen based on service quality attributes in previous research and analyzed using factor analysis (FA) to group the indicators into service quality attributes. Conformity Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to determine which attributes could significantly impact users’ satisfaction. Based on the survey results, the service quality of PT services in Sarawak is average, as most of the mean scores for each indicator of service quality and user satisfaction are less than 4.0. Four service quality attributes have been obtained from FA, i.e., vehicle condition, customer service, travel experience, and accessibility. The CFA analysis and structural model results showed that the attributes of vehicle condition, customer service, and accessibility significantly positively impact users’ satisfaction. The findings in this research can be used as references for PT providers, policymakers, and the government in improving the service quality of PT in Sarawak State.

Food safety is a crucial issue in every country. Without a good food safety system, a country will suffer economically and socially. This paper aims to revisit the literature on food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice in Malaysia and globally. Foodborne illnesses are caused by food that has been contaminated at any stage of the food production, delivery, and consumption chain. Non-compliance with food handling guidelines linked to a lack of food safety awareness was the leading cause of foodborne illnesses. This paper highlighted consumers’ role in preventing foodborne diseases by following food safety recommendations when preparing food at home. Hence, studies on consumers' food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice are very important for future development programs on food safety guidelines, and to ensure successful implementations.

Objectives: This study investigates the effects of four customer relationship management (CRM) dimensions—customer orientation, knowledge management, CRM organisation, and technology-based CRM—on firm performance in the banking sector of Shandong Province, China. It also explores how CRM practices contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Theoretical Framework: Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV), CRM capabilities are conceptualized as strategic resources that enhance competitiveness and sustainability. The framework integrates responsible consumption principles to explain how customer-focused and technology-driven CRM can improve efficiency and support sustainable banking. Method: Data were collected from 400 banking employees in 2024 using a structured questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to assess measurement validity and test hypothesized relationships among CRM dimensions and firm performance. Results and Discussion: Findings show that customer orientation, CRM organisation, and technology-based CRM significantly enhance firm performance, while knowledge management has a weaker effect. The results highlight the importance of digital transformation and organizational support in fostering responsible consumption and production. Research Implications: Banks should strengthen customer-oriented strategies, promote sustainable CRM initiatives, and leverage technology to optimize resource use and service quality. Originality/Value: This study extends CRM and sustainability literature by linking CRM capabilities with firm performance and responsible consumption, offering theoretical and managerial insights into sustainable banking transformation.