Abstract: This study attempts to consider the linkage between management and computer sciences in order to develop the software named “IntelSymb” as a demo application to prove data analysis of non-energy* fields’ diversification, which will positively influence on energy dependency mitigation of countries. Afterward, we analyzed 18 years of economic fields of development (5 sectors) of 13 countries by identifying which patterns mostly prevailed and which can be dominant in the near future. To make our analysis solid and plausible, as a future work, we suggest developing a gateway or interface, which will be connected to all available on-line data bases (WB, UN, OECD, U.S. EIA) for countries’ analysis by fields. Sample data consists of energy (TPES and energy import indicators) and non-energy industries’ (Main Science and Technology Indicator, Internet user index, and Sales and Production indicators) statistics from 13 OECD countries over 18 years (1995-2012). Our results show that the diversification of non-energy industries can have a positive effect on energy sector dependency (energy consumption and import dependence on crude oil) deceleration. These results can provide empirical and practical support for energy and non-energy industries diversification’ policies, such as the promoting of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), services and innovative technologies efficiency and management, in other OECD and non-OECD member states with similar energy utilization patterns and policies. Industries, including the ICT sector, generate around 4 percent of total GHG, but this is much higher — around 14 percent — if indirect energy use is included. The ICT sector itself (excluding the broadcasting sector) contributes approximately 2 percent of global GHG emissions, at just under 1 gigatonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2eq). Ergo, this can be a good example and lesson for countries which are dependent and independent on energy, and mainly emerging oil-based economies, as well as to motivate non-energy industries diversification in order to be ready to energy crisis and to be able to face any economic crisis as well.
Abstract: The aim of this research is to understand how the
emerging power bloc BRICS employs infrastructure development
narratives to construct a new world order. BRICS is an international
body consisting of five emerging countries that collaborate on
economic and political issues: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South
Africa. This study explores the projection of infrastructure
development narratives through an analysis of BRICS’ attention to
infrastructure investment and financing, its support of the New
Partnership on African Development and the establishment of the
New Development Bank in Shanghai. The theory of Strategic
Narratives is used to explore BRICS’ commitment to infrastructure
development and to distinguish three layers: system narratives
(BRICS as a global actor to propose development reform), identity
narratives (BRICS as a collective identity joining efforts to act upon
development aspirations) and issue narratives (BRICS committed to a
range of issues of which infrastructure development is prominent).
The methodology that is employed is a narrative analysis of BRICS’
official documents, media statements, and website imagery. A
comparison of these narratives illuminates tensions at the three layers
and among the five member states. Identifying tensions among
development infrastructure narratives provides an indication of how
policymaking for infrastructure development could be improved.
Subsequently, it advances BRICS’ ability to act as a global actor to
construct a new world order.
Abstract: Discussing the nexus between global health policy and local practices, this article addresses the recent Ebola outbreak as a role model for narrative co-constructions of epidemic risk. We will demonstrate in how far a theory-driven and methodologically rooted analysis of narrativity can help to improve mechanisms of prevention and intervention whenever epidemic risk needs to be addressed locally in order to contribute to global health. Analyzing the narrative transformation of Ebola, we will also address issues of transcultural problem-solving and of normative questions at stake. In this regard, we seek to contribute to a better understanding of a key question of global health and justice as well as to the underlying ethical questions. By highlighting and analyzing the functions of narratives, this paper provides a translational approach to refine our practices by which we address epidemic risk, be it on the national, the transnational or the global scale.
Abstract: Purpose: The key aim of the research was to identify
the secondary stressors experienced by businesses affected by single
or repeated flooding and to determine to what extent businesses were
affected by these stressors, along with any resulting impact on health.
Additionally the research aimed to establish the likelihood of
businesses being re-exposed to the secondary stressors through
assessing awareness of flood risk, implementation of property
protection measures and level of community resilience. Design/methodology/approach: The chosen research method
involved the distribution of a questionnaire survey to businesses
affected by either single or repeated flood events. The questionnaire
included the Impact of Event Scale (a 15-item self-report measure
which assesses subjective distress caused by traumatic events). Findings: 55 completed questionnaires were returned by flood
impacted businesses. 89% of the businesses had sustained internal
flooding, while 11% had experienced external flooding. The results
established that the key secondary stressors experienced by
businesses, in order of priority, were: flood damage, fear of
reoccurring flooding, prevention of access to the premise/closure,
loss of income, repair works, length of closure and insurance issues.
There was a lack of preparedness for potential future floods and
consequent vulnerability to the emergence of secondary stressors
among flood affected businesses, as flood resistance or flood
resilience measures had only been implemented by 11% and 13%
respectively. In relation to the psychological repercussions, the
Impact of Event scores suggested that potential prevalence of posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) was noted among 8 out of 55
respondents (l5%). Originality/value: The results improve understanding of the
enduring repercussions of flood events on businesses, indicating that
not only residents may be susceptible to the detrimental health
impacts of flood events and single flood events may be just as likely
as reoccurring flooding to contribute to ongoing stress. Lack of
financial resources is a possible explanation for the lack of
implementation of property protection measures among businesses,
despite 49% experiencing flooding on multiple occasions. Therefore
it is recommended that policymakers should consider potential
sources of financial support or grants towards flood defences for
flood impacted businesses. Any form of assistance should be made
available to businesses at the earliest opportunity as there was no
significant association between the time of the last flood event and
the likelihood of experiencing PTSD symptoms.
Abstract: E-government has been adopted and used by many governments/countries around the world including Ghana to provide citizens and businesses with more accurate, real-time, and high quality services and information. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the Government of Ghana’s (GoG) adoption and implement of e-government and its usage by the Ministries, Departments and its agencies (MDAs) as well as other public sector institutions to deliver efficient public service to the general public i.e. citizens, business etc. Government implementation of e-government focused on facilitating effective delivery of government service to the public and ultimately to provide efficient government-wide electronic means of sharing information and knowledge through a network infrastructure developed to connect all major towns and cities, Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other public sector organizations in Ghana. One aim for the Government of Ghana use of ICT in public administration is to improve productivity in government administration and service by facilitating exchange of information to enable better interaction and coordination of work among MDAs, citizens and private businesses. The study was prepared using secondary sources of data from government policy documents, national and international published reports, journal articles, and web sources. This study indicates that through the e-government initiative, currently citizens and businesses can access and pay for services such as renewal of driving license, business registration, payment of taxes, acquisition of marriage and birth certificates as well as application for passport through the GoG electronic service (eservice) and electronic payment (epay) portal. Further, this study shows that there is enormous commitment from GoG to adopt and implement e-government as a tool not only to transform the business of government but also to bring efficiency in public services delivered by the MDAs. To ascertain this, a further study need to be carried out to determine if the use of e-government has brought about the anticipated improvements and efficiency in service delivery of MDAs and other state institutions in Ghana.
Abstract: The overall goal of this paper is to examine the
suitability and potential of the policies addressing the sustainability
and affordability of housing for returnees, and to determine the impact
of this policy on housing delivery for Afghan refugees. Housing is a
central component of the settlement experience of refugees. A positive
housing situation can facilitate many aspects of integration.
Unaffordable, and unsafe housing, however, can cause disruptions in
the entire settlement process. This paper aims to identify a suite of
built forms for housing that is both affordable and environmentally
sustainable for Afghan refugees. The result was the development of a
framework that enables the assessment of the overall performance of
various types of housing development in all zones of the country.
There is very little evidence that the present approach of housing
provision to the vagaries of market forces has provided affordable
housing, especially for Afghan refugees. There is a need to incorporate
social housing into the policy to assist people who cannot afford to
have their own houses.
Abstract: With the advancement of knowledge about the utility
and impact of sustainability, its feasibility has been explored into
different walks of life. Scientists, however; have established their
knowledge in four areas viz environmental, economic, social and
cultural, popularly termed as four pillars of sustainability. Aspects of
environmental and economic sustainability have been rigorously
researched and practiced and huge volume of strong evidence of
effectiveness has been founded for these two sub-areas. For the social
and cultural aspects of sustainability, dependable evidence of
effectiveness is still to be instituted as the researchers and
practitioners are developing and experimenting methods across the
globe. Therefore, the present research aimed to identify globally used
practices of social and cultural sustainability and through evidence
synthesis assess their outcomes to determine the effectiveness of
those practices. A PICO format steered the methodology which
included all populations, popular sustainability practices including
walkability/cycle tracks, social/recreational spaces, privacy, health &
human services and barrier free built environment, comparators
included ‘Before’ and ‘After’, ‘With’ and ‘Without’, ‘More’ and
‘Less’ and outcomes included Social well-being, cultural coexistence,
quality of life, ethics and morality, social capital, sense of
place, education, health, recreation and leisure, and holistic
development. Search of literature included major electronic
databases, search websites, organizational resources, directory of
open access journals and subscribed journals. Grey literature,
however, was not included. Inclusion criteria filtered studies on the
basis of research designs such as total randomization, quasirandomization,
cluster randomization, observational or single studies
and certain types of analysis. Studies with combined outcomes were
considered but studies focusing only on environmental and/or
economic outcomes were rejected. Data extraction, critical appraisal
and evidence synthesis was carried out using customized tabulation,
reference manager and CASP tool. Partial meta-analysis was carried
out and calculation of pooled effects and forest plotting were done.
As many as 13 studies finally included for final synthesis explained
the impact of targeted practices on health, behavioural and social
dimensions. Objectivity in the measurement of health outcomes
facilitated quantitative synthesis of studies which highlighted the
impact of sustainability methods on physical activity, Body Mass
Index, perinatal outcomes and child health. Studies synthesized
qualitatively (and also quantitatively) showed outcomes such as
routines, family relations, citizenship, trust in relationships, social
inclusion, neighbourhood social capital, wellbeing, habitability and
family’s social processes. The synthesized evidence indicates slight
effectiveness and efficacy of social and cultural sustainability on the
targeted outcomes. Further synthesis revealed that such results of this
study are due weak research designs and disintegrated implementations. If architects and other practitioners deliver their
interventions in collaboration with research bodies and policy
makers, a stronger evidence-base in this area could be generated.
Abstract: The question of legal liability over injury arising out
of the import and the introduction of GM food emerges as a crucial
issue confronting to promote GM food and its derivatives. There is a
greater possibility of commercialized GM food from the exporting
country to enter importing country where status of approval shall not
be same. This necessitates the importance of fixing a liability
mechanism to discuss the damage, if any, occurs at the level of
transboundary movement or at the market. There was a widespread consensus to develop the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety and to give for a dedicated regime on liability
and redress in the form of Nagoya Kuala Lumpur Supplementary
Protocol on the Liability and Redress (‘N-KL Protocol’) at the
international context. The national legal frameworks based on this
protocol are not adequately established in the prevailing food
legislations of the developing countries. The developing economy
like India is willing to import GM food and its derivatives after the
successful commercialization of Bt Cotton in 2002. As a party to the
N-KL Protocol, it is indispensable for India to formulate a legal
framework and to discuss safety, liability, and regulatory issues
surrounding GM foods in conformity to the provisions of the
Protocol. The liability mechanism is also important in the case where
the risk assessment and risk management is still in implementing
stage. Moreover, the country is facing GM infiltration issues with its
neighbors Bangladesh. As a precautionary approach, there is a need
to formulate rules and procedure of legal liability to discuss any kind
of damage occurs at transboundary trade. In this context, the
proposed work will attempt to analyze the liability regime in the
existing Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 from the applicability
and domestic compliance and to suggest legal and policy options for
regulatory authorities.
Abstract: A myriad of environmental issues face the Nigerian
industrial region, resulting from; oil and gas production, mining,
manufacturing and domestic wastes. Amidst these, much effort has
been directed by stakeholders in the Nigerian oil producing regions,
because of the impacts of the region on the wider Nigerian economy.
Although collaborative environmental management has been noted as
an effective approach in managing environmental issues, little
attention has been given to the roles and practices of stakeholders in
effecting a collaborative environmental management framework for
the Nigerian oil-producing region. This paper produces a framework
to expand and deepen knowledge relating to stakeholders aspects of
collaborative roles in managing environmental issues in the Nigeria
oil-producing region. The knowledge is derived from analysis of
stakeholders’ practices – studied through multiple case studies using
document analysis. Selected documents of key stakeholders –
Nigerian government agencies, multi-national oil companies and host
communities, were analyzed. Open and selective coding was
employed manually during document analysis of data collected from
the offices and websites of the stakeholders. The findings showed
that the stakeholders have a range of roles, practices, interests, drivers
and barriers regarding their collaborative roles in managing
environmental issues. While they have interests for efficient resource
use, compliance to standards, sharing of responsibilities, generating
of new solutions, and shared objectives; there is evidence of major
barriers and these include resource allocation, disjointed policy,
ineffective monitoring, diverse socio- economic interests, lack of
stakeholders’ commitment and limited knowledge sharing. However,
host communities hold deep concerns over the collaborative roles of
stakeholders for economic interests, particularly, where government
agencies and multi-national oil companies are involved. With these
barriers and concerns, a genuine stakeholders’ collaboration is found
to be limited, and as a result, optimal environmental management
practices and policies have not been successfully implemented in the
Nigeria oil-producing region. A framework is produced that describes
practices that characterize collaborative environmental management
might be employed to satisfy the stakeholders’ interests. The
framework recommends critical factors, based on the findings, which
may guide a collaborative environmental management in the oil
producing regions. The recommendations are designed to re-define
the practices of stakeholders in managing environmental issues in the
oil producing regions, not as something wholly new, but as an
approach essential for implementing a sustainable environmental
policy. This research outcome may clarify areas for future research as
well as to contribute to industry guidance in the area of collaborative
environmental management.
Abstract: With the introduction of cash-less society policy by
the Central Bank of Nigeria, the concept of e-banking services have
over the years’ experience a significant improvement. Today quite a
number of people are embracing e-banking activities especially
ATM, thereby moving away from the conventional banking system.
This paper presents a review of the underlying Architectural Layout
of Intra-Bank and Inter-Bank ATM connectivity in Nigeria. The
paper further investigates and discusses factors affecting the Intra-
Bank and Inter-Bank ATM connectivity in Nigeria. In addition, as
well possible solutions to these factors affecting ATM Connectivity
and Operations are proposed.
Abstract: In 2009, the new HRM policy was implemented in
Qatar for public sector organisations. The purpose of this research is
to examine how Qatar’s 2009 HRM policy was significant in
influencing employee retention in public organisations. The
conducted study utilised quantitative methodology to analyse the data
on employees’ perceptions of such HRM practices as Performance
Management, Rewards and Promotion, Training and Development
associated with the HRM policy in public organisations in
comparison to semi-private organisations. Employees of seven public
and semi-private organisations filled in the questionnaire based on
the 5-point Likert scale to present quantitative results. The data was
analysed with the correlation and multiple regression statistical
analyses. It was found that Performance Management had the
relationship with Employee Retention, and Rewards and Promotion
influenced Job Satisfaction in public organisations. Relationship
between Job Satisfaction and Employee Retention was also observed.
However, no significant differences were observed in the role of
HRM practices in public and semi-private organisations.
Abstract: Agricultural machinery industry plays an important
role in the industrial development especially the production industry
of the country. There has been continuing development responding to
the higher demand of the production. However, the problem in
agricultural machinery production still exists. Thus, the purpose of
this research is to investigate problems on fundamental factors of
industry based on the entrepreneurs’ point of view. The focus was on
the small and medium size industry receiving factory license type
number 0660 from the Department of Industrial Works. The
investigation was on the comparison between the management of the
small and medium size agricultural industry in 3 provinces in the
central region of Thailand. Population in this study consisted of 189
company managers or managing directors, of which 101 were from
the small size and 88 were from the medium size industry. The data
were analyzed to find percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard
deviation with independent sample T-test at the statistical
significance .05. The results showed that the small and medium size
agricultural machinery manufacturers in the central region of
Thailand reported high problems in every aspect. When compared the
problems on basic factors in running the business, it was found that
there was no statistically difference at .05 in managing of the small
and medium size agricultural machinery manufacturers. However,
there was a statistically significant difference between the small and
medium size agricultural machinery manufacturers on the aspect of
policy and services of the government. The problems reported by the
small and medium size agricultural machinery manufacturers were
the services on public tap water and the problem on politic and
stability of the country.
Abstract: Now, the use of renewable energy power generation
has been advanced. In this paper, we compared the usable amount of
resource for photovoltaic power generation which was estimated using
the NEDO formula and the expansion support policy of photovoltaic
power generation which was researched using Internet in the
municipality level in Hokkaido and Aichi Prefecture, Japan. This
paper will contribute to grasp the current situation especially about the
policy. As a result, there were municipalities which seemed to be no
consideration of fitting the amount of resources. We think it would
need to consider the suitability between the resources and policies.
Abstract: Political participation involves voluntary and
deliberate efforts by the members of a political system to determine
the kinds of political institution and individuals that will govern them
and equally influence the mobilization and allocation of the available
societal resources. Over the years, youths in Nigeria participate
actively in political party rallies and voting to elect their leaders and
representatives in governance. This paper examines categories and
nature of participation in politics as well as factors that drive youths
into politics in Sokoto State. A survey conducted, through focus
group discussions, interviews and questionnaire, in the six sampled
Local Government of Sokoto State identifies three category of
political participation; namely, active, moderate and apathetic
participation. The findings reveal that 63.57% of respondents are
apathetic to politics in the State and unemployed youth constitutes
34.74% of the entire responses. The paper establishes that lack of
attainment of need (63.22%) is one of the reasons that make youths
engage into participatory activities that encourage political thuggery
and manipulation of electoral outcomes. The paper recommends that
youths should be engaged into positive rational participatory
activities that ensure inclusiveness and promotion of good
governance in Nigeria. It is hoped that this will enlighten youths and
policy implementers on the constructive strategies in controlling
youths’ negative participation in politics in Nigeria.
Abstract: Cooperative groups through much research have been
recognized to churn remarkable achievements instead of solitary or
individualistic efforts. Based on Johnson and Johnson’s model of
cooperative learning, the five key components of cooperation are
positive interdependence, face-to-face promotive interaction,
individual accountability, social skills, and group processing. In
2011, the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
introduced the Holistic Student Development policy with the aim to
develop morally sound individuals equipped with lifelong learning
skills. The Community Service project was included in the
improvement initiative. The purpose of this study is to assess the
relationship of team-based learning in facilitating particularly
students’ positive interdependence and face-to-face promotive
interaction. The research methods involve in-depth interviews with
the team leaders and selected team members, and a content analysis
of the undergraduate students’ reflective journals. A significant
positive relationship was found between students’ progressive
outlook towards teamwork and the highlighted two components. The
key findings show that students have gained in their individual
learning and work results through teamwork and interaction with
other students. The inclusion of Community Service as a MOHE
subject resonates with cooperative learning methods that enhances
supportive relationships and develops students’ social skills together
with their professional skills.
Abstract: The importance of agribusiness development is
proved in accordance with the trends in the agricultural sector of
Georgia. Agribusiness environment and the consequences of the
agricultural reforms are evaluated. The factors hindering the
development of agribusiness are revealed and the ways for
overcoming these problems are suggested. SWOT analysis is done in
order to identify the needs of agribusiness. The needs of agribusiness
development in Georgia are evaluated by priorities: prevention of
diseases and reduction of the harm caused by these diseases,
accessibility of long-term agricultural loans with low interest rates,
improving qualification of farmers, the level of education and usage
of modern technologies, changes in legislation, accessibility to high
quality agricultural machinery, and the development of infrastructure.
Based on the outcomes of the research, agribusiness development
strategies in Georgia are suggested and appropriate priorities of
economic policy are determined. Conclusions are made and based on
these conclusions, some recommendations are suggested.
Abstract: Economic development and growth are significantly
linked to the consistent and sustainable sector of small and medium
enterprises (SMEs). Banks are the frontrunners in financing and
advising SMEs. The main objective of the study is to assess the
tendency of SMEs to use the Islamic bank. Model was developed
using quantitative method with a hypothetical-deductive testing
approach. Model (N = 364) used primary data on the tendency of
SMEs to use Islamic banks gathered from questionnaire. It is found
by Mann-Whitney test that the tendency to use Islamic bank varies
between those firms which consider formal financing with the ones
relying on informal financing with the latter tends more to use
Islamic bank. This study can serve academic researchers, policy
makers, and developing countries as a model of SMEs’ desirability to
Islamic banking.
Abstract: This research tested the performance of alternative
warehouse designs concerning the picking process. The chosen
performance measures were Travel Distance and Total Fulfilment
Time. An explanatory case study was built up around a model
implemented with SIMUL8. Hypotheses were set by selecting
outcomes from the literature survey matching popular empirical
findings. 17.4% reductions were found for Total Fulfilment Time and
Resource Utilisation. The latter was then used as a proxy for
operational efficiency. Literal replication of theoretical data-patterns
was considered as an internal validity sign. Assessing the estimated
changes benefits ahead of implementation was found to be a
contribution to practice.
Abstract: South Africa is in its post-industrial era moving from
the primary and secondary sector to the tertiary sector. The study
investigated the impact of the disaggregated energy consumption
(coal, oil, and electricity) on the primary, secondary and tertiary
sectors of the economy between 1980 and 2012 in South Africa.
Using vector error correction model, it was established that South
Africa is an energy dependent economy, and that energy (especially
electricity and oil) is a limiting factor of growth. This implies that
implementation of energy conservation policies may hamper
economic growth. Output growth is significantly outpacing energy
supply, which has necessitated load shedding. To meet up the excess
energy demand, there is a need to increase the generating capacity
which will necessitate increased investment in the electricity sector as
well as strategic steps to increase oil production. There is also need to
explore more renewable energy sources, in order to meet the growing
energy demand without compromising growth and environmental
sustainability. Policy makers should also pursue energy efficiency
policies especially at sectoral level of the economy.
Abstract: An integrated modeling approach was used in this study for energy planning and climate change mitigation assessment. The main objective of this study was to develop various green-house gas (GHG) mitigations scenarios in the energy demand and supply sectors for the state of Florida. The Long range energy alternative planning (LEAP) model was used in this study to examine the energy alternative and GHG emissions reduction scenarios for short and long term (2010-2050). One of the energy analysis and GHG mitigation scenarios was developed by taking into account the available renewable energy resources potential for power generation in the state of Florida. This will help to compare and analyze the GHG reduction measure against “Business As Usual” and ‘State of Florida Policy” scenarios. Two master scenarios: “Electrification” and “Energy efficiency and Lifestyle” were developed through combination of various mitigation scenarios: technological changes and energy efficiency and conservation. The results show a net reduction of the energy demand and GHG emissions by adopting these two energy scenarios compared to the business as usual.