Abstract: Waste Load Allocation (WLA) strategies usually
intend to find economic policies for water resource management.
Water quality trading (WQT) is an approach that uses discharge
permit market to reduce total environmental protection costs. This
primarily requires assigning discharge limits known as total
maximum daily loads (TMDLs). These are determined by monitoring
organizations with respect to the receiving water quality and
remediation capabilities. The purpose of this study is to compare two
approaches of TMDL assignment for WQT policy in small catchment
area of Haraz River, in north of Iran. At first, TMDLs are assigned
uniformly for the whole point sources to keep the concentrations of
BOD and dissolved oxygen (DO) at the standard level at checkpoint
(terminus point). This was simply simulated and controlled by
Qual2kw software. In the second scenario, TMDLs are assigned
using multi objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) method
in which the environmental violation at river basin and total treatment
costs are minimized simultaneously. In both scenarios, the equity
index and the WLA based on trading discharge permits (TDP) are
calculated. The comparative results showed that using economically
optimized TMDLs (2nd scenario) has slightly more cost savings rather
than uniform TMDL approach (1st scenario). The former annually
costs about 1 M$ while the latter is 1.15 M$. WQT can decrease
these annual costs to 0.9 and 1.1 M$, respectively. In other word,
these approaches may save 35 and 45% economically in comparison
with command and control policy. It means that using multi objective
decision support systems (DSS) may find more economical WLA,
however its outcome is not necessarily significant in comparison with
uniform TMDLs. This may be due to the similar impact factors of
dischargers in small catchments. Conversely, using uniform TMDLs
for WQT brings more equity that makes stakeholders not feel that
much envious of difference between TMDL and WQT allocation. In
addition, for this case, determination of TMDLs uniformly would be
much easier for monitoring. Consequently, uniform TMDL for TDP
market is recommended as a sustainable approach. However,
economical TMDLs can be used for larger watersheds.
Abstract: Waste load allocation (WLA) policies may use multiobjective
optimization methods to find the most appropriate and
sustainable solutions. These usually intend to simultaneously
minimize two criteria, total abatement costs (TC) and environmental
violations (EV). If other criteria, such as inequity, need for
minimization as well, it requires introducing more binary
optimizations through different scenarios. In order to reduce the
calculation steps, this study presents value index as an innovative
decision making approach. Since the value index contains both the
environmental violation and treatment costs, it can be maximized
simultaneously with the equity index. It implies that the definition of
different scenarios for environmental violations is no longer required.
Furthermore, the solution is not necessarily the point with minimized
total costs or environmental violations. This idea is testified for Haraz
River, in north of Iran. Here, the dissolved oxygen (DO) level of river
is simulated by Streeter-Phelps equation in MATLAB software. The
WLA is determined for fish farms using multi-objective particle
swarm optimization (MOPSO) in two scenarios. At first, the trade-off
curves of TC-EV and TC-Inequity are plotted separately as the
conventional approach. In the second, the Value-Equity curve is
derived. The comparative results show that the solutions are in a
similar range of inequity with lower total costs. This is due to the
freedom of environmental violation attained in value index. As a
result, the conventional approach can well be replaced by the value
index particularly for problems optimizing these objectives. This
reduces the process to achieve the best solutions and may find better
classification for scenario definition. It is also concluded that decision
makers are better to focus on value index and weighting its contents
to find the most sustainable alternatives based on their requirements.
Abstract: The largest share of policy and money within the
European Union goes to agriculture. The Union’s Common
Agricultural Policy has undergone several transformations in the last
five decades, with the main change taking place in the 1990s. This
change influenced agriculture in the Czech Republic, inasmuch as the
fledgling republic was preparing to join the European Union and
adopt its policies. In the 1990s, Czech agriculture passed from
a centrally planned economy to a market economy and subsequently
adopted the terms of the Common Agricultural Policy. The Czech
Republic is also characterized by a significant diversification of
landscape sphere. Agricultural entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic
are still not accustomed to the possibility of grants from the European
Union. They focus rather on national or regional subsidies. Only half
of all agricultural entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic use European
subsidies. This article focuses on the introduction of the Common
Agricultural Policy to the Czech Republic and its subsequent
influence on Czech agriculture. It is demonstrated through the
implementation rate of the CAP in the EU Member States and
a closer focus on Czech integration.
Abstract: Turkish migrants constitute the largest group among
people with migration background living in Germany. Turkish
women’s labor market participation is of significant importance for
their social and economic integration to the German society. This
paper thus aims to investigate their labor market positions. Turkish
migrant women participate less in the labor market compared to men,
and are responsible for most of the housework, child care, and elderly
care. This is due to their traditional roles in the family, educational
level, insufficient knowledge of German language, and insufficient
professional experience. We strongly recommend that wide-reaching
integration policies for women are formulated, so as to encourage
participation of not only migrant women but also their husbands,
fathers and/or brothers, and natives.
Abstract: This paper argues nation-building theories that
prioritize democratic governance best explain the successful postindependence
development of Botswana. Three main competing
schools of thought exist regarding the sequencing of policies that
should occur to re-build weakened or failed states. The first posits
that economic development should receive foremost attention, while
democratization and a binding sense of nationalism can wait. A
second group of experts identified constructing a sense of nationalism
among a populace is necessary first, so that the state receives popular
legitimacy and obedience that are prerequisites for development.
Botswana, though, transitioned into a multi-party democracy and
prosperous open economy due to the utilization of traditional
democratic structures, enlightened and accountable leadership, and an
educated technocratic civil service. With these political foundations
already in place when the discovery of diamonds occurred, the
resulting revenues were spent wisely on projects that grew the
economy, improved basic living standards, and attracted foreign
investment. Thus democratization preceded, and therefore provided
an accountable basis for, economic development that might otherwise
have been squandered by greedy and isolated elites to the detriment
of the greater population. Botswana was one of the poorest nations in
the world at the time of its independence in 1966, with little
infrastructure, a dependence on apartheid South Africa for trade, and
a largely subsistence economy. Over the next thirty years, though, its
economy grew the fastest of any nation in the world. The transparent
and judicious use of diamond returns is only a partial explanation, as
the government also pursued economic diversification, mass
education, and rural development in response to public needs.
As nation-building has become a project undertaken by nations
and multilateral agencies such as the United Nations and the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization, Botswana may provide best practices
that others should follow in attempting to reconstruct economically
and politically unstable states.
Abstract: The Markov decision process (MDP) based
methodology is implemented in order to establish the optimal
schedule which minimizes the cost. Formulation of MDP problem
is presented using the information about the current state of pipe,
improvement cost, failure cost and pipe deterioration model. The
objective function and detailed algorithm of dynamic programming
(DP) are modified due to the difficulty of implementing the
conventional DP approaches. The optimal schedule derived from
suggested model is compared to several policies via Monte
Carlo simulation. Validity of the solution and improvement in
computational time are proved.
Abstract: We are facing serious problems related to long-term
depopulation and an aging society with a falling birth rate in Japan. In
this situation, we are suffering from a shortfall in human resources as
well as a shortage of workforce in rural regions. In addition, we are
struggling with a protracted economic slump and excess concentration
of population in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. It is an urgent national
issue to consider how to live in this country and what kind of structure
of society and administration policy is needed. It is necessary to clarify
people’s desire for their way of living and social assistance to be
provided. The aim of this study is to clarify the characteristics of
regional issues and the degree of their seriousness in local
municipalities of Japan. We conducted a questionnaire survey about
regional agenda in all local municipalities in Japan. We obtained
responses concerning the degree of seriousness of regional issues and
degree of importance of policies. Based on the data gathered from the
survey, it is apparent that many local municipalities are facing an
aging population and declining population. We constructed a model to
analyze factors for declining population. Using the model, it was
clarified that a population’s age structure, job opportunities and
income level affect the decline of population. In addition, we showed
the way of the evaluation of state of local municipality.
Abstract: Contemporary city is a subject to rapid economic and
social changes. Therefore, it requires an active policy designed to
meet the diverse needs of their residents, build competitive position
and capacity to compete with other cities. Competitiveness of cities
depends largely on their resources but also to a large extent, on the
policies and performance of local authorities. Cooperation with social
sector also plays an important role, as it affects the use of resources
and builds an advantage over other cities.
The subject of this article is city's contemporary problems of
development with particular emphasis on central areas. This issue is a
starting point for reflection on the process of urban regeneration in
medium size cities in Poland, as well as cooperation between various
actors and their roles in the revitalization processes of Polish cities'
centers.
Abstract: MSMEs are regarded as the sunrise sector of the
Indian economy in view of its large potential for growth and likely
socio economic impact specifically on employment and income
generation. In today’s competitive business environment, global
competition forces companies to continuously seek ways of
improving their products and services. The pressure on organizations
to adapt to new technologies and external threats requires
resourcefulness, creativity and innovation. Market has become more
open, competitive and customers more demanding. Without
continuous technology innovation, no organization can ever remain
competitive. Innovations reflect a critical way in which organizations
respond to either technological or market challenges. The need of the
market is to deliver high quality products through continuous
changing in features in product, improve existing products, reduce
their cost, and improve employee skills, training, technology
infrastructure and financial policies. Therefore, the key factor of
organization’s ability to change is innovation. The study presents a
detailed review of literature on the role of technology innovation in
improving manufacturing performance of industries.
Abstract: This paper analyzes the political and economic issues
that people with disabilities face related to globalization; how people
with disabilities have been adapting globalization and surviving under
worldwide competition system. It explains that economic
globalization exacerbates inequality and deprivation of people with
disabilities. The rising tide of neo-liberal welfare policies emphasized
efficiency, downsized social expenditure for people with disabilities,
excluded people with disabilities against labor market, and shifted
them from welfare system to nothing. However, there have been
people with disabilities' political responses to globalization, which are
characterized by a global network of people with disabilities as well as
participation to global governance. Their resistance can be seen as an
attempt to tackle the problems that economic globalization has
produced. It is necessary paradigm shift of disability policy from
dependency represented by disability benefits to independency
represented by labor market policies for people with disabilities.
Abstract: This paper examines how “Zakat” provides fair
income redistribution and aids the struggle against poverty. Providing
fair income redistribution and combating poverty constitutes some of
the fundamental tasks performed by countries all over the world.
Each country seeks a solution for these problems according to their
political, economic and administrative styles through applying
various economic and financial policies. The same situation can be
handled via “zakat” association in Islam. Nowadays, we observe
different versions of “zakat” in developed countries. Applications
such as negative income tax denote merely a different form of
“zakat” that is being applied almost in the same way but under
changed names. However, the minimum values to donate under zakat
(e.g. 85 gr. gold and 40 animals) get altered and various amounts are
put into practice. It might be named as negative income tax instead of
zakat, nonetheless, these applications are based on the Holy Koran
and the hadith released 1400 years ago. Besides, considering the
savage and slavery in the world at those times, we might easily
recognize the true value of the zakat being applied for the first time
then in the Islamic system. Through zakat, governments are able to
transfer incomes to the poor as a means of enabling them achieve the
minimum standard of living required. With regards to who benefits
from the Zakat, an objective and fair criteria was used to determine
who benefits from the zakat contrary to the notion that it was based
on peoples’ own choices. Since the zakat is obligatory, the transfers
do not get forwarded directly but via the government and get
distributed, which requires vast governmental organizations. Through
the application of Zakat, reduced levels of poverty can be achieved
and also ensure the fair income redistribution.
Abstract: The concept of urban transformation came about
through interventions aimed at bringing socially and economically
problematic areas of cities into use. The issue of urban transformation
arose frequently during the post-2000 period in particular, and legal
regulations on this matter were also developed in Turkey. Urban
transformation project would be a focal point for the formation of the
city in the near future. Izmir, which is third largest city of Turkey, is
an important trade and port city. But, assessment of the current
situation shows that, the majority of existing residential areas was
formed with squatters and unplanned settlements in Izmir city center.
Therefore an important part of these areas have significant problems
in terms of the quality of life, safety and environmental quality. In
this study, the central policies in Turkey and local policies in Đzmir
about urban transformation will be considered. In addition, urban
renewal projects that are being implemented in Izmir were discussed
and suggestions will be developed in accordance with this policy.
Abstract: Kazakhstan is currently one of the dynamically
developing states in its region. The stable growth in all sectors of the
economy leads to a corresponding increase in energy consumption.
Thus country consumes significant amount of energy due to the high
level of industrialisation and the presence of energy-intensive
manufacturing such as mining and metallurgy which in turn leads to
low energy efficiency. With allowance for this the Government has
set several priorities to adopt a transition of Republic of Kazakhstan
to a “green economy”. This article provides an overview of
Kazakhstan’s energy efficiency situation in for the period of 1991-
2014. First, the dynamics of production and consumption of
conventional energy resources are given. Second, the potential of
renewable energy sources is summarised followed by the description
of GHG emissions trends in the country. Third, Kazakhstan’ national
initiatives, policies and locally implemented projects in the field of
energy efficiency are described.
Abstract: This paper will examine the need for more aggressive
public policies around bodily, reproductive and sexual health
education for young people with disabilities in the United States.
This paper will consider the policies around sexuality education
for students in the United States and the recommendation for national
standards around sexuality education. We will investigate the
intersection of these policies and recommendations for students with
disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA): what this means for students with disabilities’ access to
comprehensive sexuality education and how it affects their behaviors
and outcomes.
Abstract: The article deals with one of the most significant
issues concerning the functioning of the public sector in the European
Union. The objectives of good governance were formulated by the
EU itself and also the Scholars in reaction to the discussion that
started a decade ago and concerned the role of the government in 21st
century, the future of integration processes and globalization
challenges in Europe. Currently, the concept of good governance is
mainly associated with the improvement of management of public
policies in the European Union, concerning both domestic and EU
policies. However, it goes beyond the issues of state capacity and
effectiveness of management. Good governance relates also to
societal participation in the public administration and verification of
decisions made in public authorities’ (including public
administration). Indirectly, the concept and practice of good
governance are connected to societal legitimisation of public bodies
in the European Union.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the possible
link between employee and customer satisfaction. The service
provided by employees, help to build a good relationship with
customers and can help at increasing their loyalty. Published data for
job satisfaction and indicators of customer services of banks were
gathered from relevant published works which included data from
five different countries. The scores of customers and employees
satisfaction of the different published works were transformed and
normalized to the scale of 1 to 100. The data were analyzed and a
regression analysis of the two parameters was used to describe the
link between employee’s satisfaction and customer’s satisfaction.
Assuming that employee satisfaction has a significant influence on
customer’s service and the resulting customer satisfaction, the
reviewed data indicate that employee’s satisfaction contributes
significantly on the level of customer satisfaction in the Banking
sector. There was a significant correlation between the two
parameters (Pearson correlation R2=0.52 P
Abstract: In this study which has been conducted in Akçasu
Forest Range District of Devrek Forest Directorate; 3 methods (weed
control with labourer power, cover removal with Hitachi F20
Excavator, and weed control with agricultural equipment mounted on
a Ferguson 240S agriculture tractor) were utilized in weed control
efforts in regeneration of degraded oriental beech forests have been
compared. In this respect, 3 methods have been compared by
determining certain work hours and standard durations of unit areas
(1 hectare). For this purpose, evaluating the tasks made with human
and machine force from the aspects of duration, productivity and
costs, it has been aimed to determine the most productive method in
accordance with the actual ecological conditions of research field.
Within the scope of the study, the time studies have been conducted
for 3 methods used in weed control efforts. While carrying out those
studies, the performed implementations have been evaluated by
dividing them into business stages. Also, the actual data have been
used while calculating the cost accounts. In those calculations, the
latest formulas and equations which are also used in developed
countries have been utilized. The variance of analysis (ANOVA) was
used in order to determine whether there is any statistically
significant difference among obtained results, and the Duncan test
was used for grouping if there is significant difference. According to
the measurements and findings carried out within the scope of this
study, it has been found during living cover removal efforts in
regeneration efforts in demolished oriental beech forests that the
removal of weed layer in 1 hectare of field has taken 920 hours with
labourer force, 15.1 hours with excavator and 60 hours with an
equipment mounted on a tractor. On the other hand, it has been
determined that the cost of removal of living cover in unit area (1
hectare) was 3220.00 TL for labourer power, 1250 TL for excavator
and 1825 TL for equipment mounted on a tractor.
According to the obtained results, it has been found that the
utilization of excavator in weed control effort in regeneration of
degraded oriental beech regions under actual ecological conditions of
research field has been found to be more productive from both of
aspects of duration and costs. These determinations carried out
should be repeated in weed control efforts in degraded forest fields
with different ecological conditions, it is compulsory for finding the
most efficient weed control method. These findings will light the way
of technical staff of forestry directorate in determination of the most
effective and economic weed control method. Thus, the more actual
data will be used while preparing the weed control budgets, and there
will be significant contributions to national economy. Also the results of this and similar studies are very important for developing the policies for our forestry in short and long term.
Abstract: Endowed of renewable energy sources (RES) are the
advantages of ASEAN, but they are using a low amount of RES only
to generate electricity because their primary energy sources are fossil
and coal. The cost of purchasing fossil and coal is cheaper now, but it
might be expensive soon, as it will be depleted sooner and after.
ASEAN showed that the RES are convenient to be implemented.
Some country in ASEAN has huge renewable energy sources
potential and use. The primary aim of this project is to assist ASEAN
countries in preparing the renewable energy and to guide the policies
for RES in the more upright direction. The Green-Y model will help
ASEAN government to study and forecast the economic concept,
including feed-in tariff.
Abstract: Accounting policies are a set of solutions compliant
with legal regulations that an entity selects and adopts, and which
guarantee a proper quality of financial statements. Those solutions
may differ depending on whether the entity adopts national or
international accounting standards.
The aim of this article is to present accounting principles (policies)
in Polish and international legal regulations and their adoption in
selected Polish companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The
research method adopted in this work is the analysis and evaluation
of legal conditions in Polish companies.
Abstract: Due to growing concern about environmental and
social consequences throughout the world, a need has been felt to
incorporate sustainability concepts in conventional manufacturing.
This paper is an attempt to identify and evaluate drivers in
implementing sustainable manufacturing in Indian context. Nine
possible drivers for successful implementation of sustainable
manufacturing have been identified from extensive review. Further,
Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL)
approach has been utilized to evaluate and categorize these identified
drivers for implementing sustainable manufacturing in to the cause
and effect groups. Five drivers (Societal Pressure and Public
Concerns; Regulations and Government Policies; Top Management
Involvement, Commitment and Support; Effective Strategies and
Activities towards Socially Responsible Manufacturing and Market
Trends) have been categorized into the cause group and four drivers
(Holistic View in Manufacturing Systems; Supplier Participation;
Building Sustainable culture in Organization; and Corporate Image
and Benefits) have been categorized into the effect group. “Societal
Pressure and Public Concerns” has been found the most critical driver
and “Corporate Image and Benefits” as least critical or the most
easily influenced driver to implementing sustainable manufacturing
in Indian context. This paper may surely help practitioners in better
understanding of these drivers and their priorities towards effective
implementation of sustainable manufacturing.