Altered signaling pathways are key regulators of cellular functions in tumor cells. Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 and -5 may be involved in tumor formation and progression. We have investigated the role of STAT5 in cutaneous melanoma metastases using various RNA and protein techniques. In melanoma specimens, Stat5b transcripts were upregulated approximately 3.8-fold. In 13 of 21 (62%) human melanoma metastases, STAT5 was phosphorylated in comparison to normal human melanocytes and benign nevi. The STAT5 target gene Bcl-2 was frequently upregulated. The investigation of the underlying mechanism revealed specific STAT5 activation by recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rEGF). rEGF-induced activation of STAT5 occurred in vitro through the non-receptor tyrosine kinases transforming gene (src) of Rous Sarcoma virus and Janus kinase 1. Inhibition of Stat5b expression by small interfering RNA strongly reduced the expression of Bcl-2 and led to decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in the melanoma cell lines A375 and BLM. Transfection with dominant-negative Stat5b caused enhanced cell death and G1 arrest in A375 cells. Our study identifies phosphorylated STAT5 in melanoma and shows regulation through rEGF; STAT5 may thus act as a survival factor for growth of human melanoma and may represent a potential target for molecular therapy.

Sustainable manufacturing practices seek to optimize production efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Nowadays, the implementation of sustainable manufacturing practices in companies has increased. By implementing sustainable manufacturing practices, firms can gain better access to international markets; enhance business profile, consumer perceptions and corporate reputation and increase the manufacturing capacity. However, the implementation of sustainable manufacturing practices is posed to many drivers and barriers in light of the benefits manufacturing firms stand to gain from this initiative. This paper aims to investigate the drivers and barriers of sustainable manufacturing implementation in Malaysia. In this study, data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaires. The result shows that the increment in the overall cost of implementation is regarded as the main barrier to implementing sustainable manufacturing practices while environmental regulation and top management commitment are regarded as the main drivers. This research has been able to highlight the important barriers and drivers of implementing sustainable manufacturing practices through which industries can improve the manufacturing practices to offset the negativity on the environment.

From the past literature, the relationship between quality practices and sustainable performance has not adequately been explored. Hence, this research attempted to further investigate the impacts of other variables that may proffer better explanation to the nature of the relationship. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the mediating and moderating effect of organizational excellence and environmental regulation and policy (ERP) on the relationship between TQM (quality practices) and sustainable performance by proposing an inclusive research model comprising the antecedent factors in food and beverage industry of Malaysia. Questionnaires were distributed to 303 Malaysian food and beverages companies while 168 questionnaires were returned (response rate above 50%) and PLS-SEM was used to analyze the data in order to assess the validity and reliability of the instrument. This study serves as a validation process for the developed instruments of the research with the identified constructs of the study while the preliminary analysis and results are shown. Also, the result reveals that the instruments are reliable and the analysis indicates a strong evidence of rational validity. Similarly, it reaffirms the importance of excellence for any successful strategic implementation in enhancing sustainable performance through the implementation of quality practices.

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Establishing equilibrium between business growth and environmental sustainability is one of the core focuses of green entrepreneurship. However, the scarcity of resources, ecological concerns, business growth, and survival are among the issues that are recognized by entrepreneurs. In the light of the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Dynamic Capability View, this study aims to examine the effects of Green Innovation Performance (GIP) on Green Entrepreneurship Orientation (GEO) and Sustainability Environmental Performance (SEP). As advocated by NRBV, this study emphasizes the importance of pursuing the three types of distinct yet interrelated environmental strategies and its association impact on GEO. The results indicated that internal green dynamic capabilities, namely, green absorptive capacity, environmental cooperation, and managerial environmental concern to have significant positive effects on GIP, where GIP positively impacted GEO and SEP. Besides, GIP partially mediated the relationship between internal green dynamic capabilities on GEO and SEP. The results also demonstrated that environmental regulations significantly moderated the relationship between GEO and SEP. Furthermore, by linking these three concepts in a single model, this study theoretically pioneering and responding to bridge significant gaps emerged in the NRBV theory. This study provides crucial practical implications for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and academicians. Limitations were also discussed.