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This paper describes a two-month summer intensive course designed to introduce participants with a hands-on technical craft on robotics and to acquire experience in the low-level details of embedded systems. Attendants started this course with a brief introduction to robotics; learned to draw, design and create a personalized 3D structure for their mobile robotic platform and developed skills in embedded systems. They were familiarize with the practices used in robotics, learning to connect all sensors and actuator, developing a typical application on differential kinematic using Arduino, exploring ROS features under Raspberry Pi environment and Arduino – Raspberry Pi communication. Different paradigms and some real applications and programming were addressed on the topic of Artificial Intelligence. Throughout the course, participants were introduced to programming languages (including Python and C++), advanced programming concepts such as ROS, basic API development, system concepts such as I2C and UART serial interfaces, PWM motor control and sensor fusion to improve robotic navigation and localization. This paper describes not just the concept, layout and methodology used on RobotCraft 2017 but also presents the participants knowledge background and their overall opinions, leading to focus on lessons learned and suggestions for future editions.

This study investigates the role of collaborative spaces as organizational support for internal innovation through cross-functional teams and for open innovation with external stakeholders. In particular, the study focuses on collaborative spaces as tools for multiplex (i.e., simultaneous internal and external boundary management in innovation projects).

The authors conducted a qualitative study in a multi-divisional organization that set up in its headquarters a collaborative space for collaborative product development. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and participant observations.

Findings highlight that the relation between expectations and experiences about the collaborative space impact on employees' ability to perform boundary work inside and outside the organization. In addition to the collaborative space's affording role for expectations about hands-on collaborative innovation (space as laboratory), the study also highlights a set of collaboration constraints. These latter are generated by perceived boundary configurations (i.e. degree of boundary permeability and infrastructure in internal and external collaborations) and by discrepancies between expectations (space as laboratory) and actual collaboration experiences in the space (i.e. space as maze, cloister, showcase and silo). We show that space-generated constraints slow down internal and external boundary work for innovation and generate a trade-off between them.

Using the process-based perspective of boundary work, the paper connects studies on cross-functional teaming and open innovation through the concept of “multiplex boundary work.” It also contributes to the literature on boundary work by showing the challenges of using collaborative spaces as organizational support tools for multiplex boundary spanning.

This study investigates the impact of large-scale teaching in higher education on students’ preparedness for the workforce within the context of evolving labour market demands, the expansion of higher education and the application of high-impact teaching strategies. It synthesizes perspectives on employer work readiness, the challenges and opportunities of large-scale teaching and strategies for fostering a dynamic academia-industry feedback loop. This multifaceted approach ensures the relevance of curricula and graduates’ preparedness while addressing the skills gap through practical recommendations for aligning teaching methodologies with employer expectations.

The research methodically examines the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in large-scale teaching. It focuses on sustaining student engagement, maintaining educational quality, personalizing learning experiences and cultivating essential soft skills in extensive student cohorts.

This study highlights the critical role of transversal skills in work readiness. It also uncovers that despite its challenges, large-scale teaching presents unique opportunities. The diversity of large student groups mirrors modern workplace complexities, and technological tools aid in personalizing learning experiences. Approaches like peer networking, innovative teaching methods, real-world simulations and collaborative resource utilization enrich education. The importance of experiential learning for augmenting large-scale teaching in honing soft skills is emphasized.

This manuscript contributes to the discourse on large-scale teaching, aligning it with employer expectations and the dynamic requirements of the job market. It offers a nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities this educational approach presents, providing insights for crafting engaging and effective learning experiences in large cohorts. The study uniquely integrates experiential learning, co-creation in education and industry-academia feedback loops, underscoring their importance in enhancing student work readiness in large-scale teaching.

Green consumption is fundamental to sustainable development, as it involves adopting practices and technologies that reduce the environmental impact of human activities. This study aims to analyze the influence of consumers’ green orientation on their environmental concerns and green purchase decisions. Furthermore, the study investigates the mediating role of consumers’ environmental concerns in the relationship between pro-sustainable orientation and green purchase decisions.

This study uses a quantitative methodology, applying the partial least squares method to a sample of 927 Portuguese consumers of green products. The sample was collected through an online survey.

Perceived benefits and perceived quality of products play a positive and significant role in influencing green behavior, especially when consumers are endowed with greater environmental concerns. In addition, consumers’ awareness of the prices of green products and their expectations regarding the future benefits of sustainable consumption positively impact green consumption behavior, further intensifying their environmental concerns.

According to the present findings, companies should adopt a holistic and integrated approach to promote green consumption. This means creating premium eco-friendly products, communicating their benefits, addressing the cost factor, emphasizing the future impact of eco-friendly options and raising consumers’ environmental awareness.

It is critical that environmental education is a priority in schools and that there are political incentives for green behaviors. In addition, media campaigns can be an important tool to raise awareness in society.

The results of this study provide important insights for companies on consumer engagement in the circular economy. Deepening knowledge of the antecedents of consumers’ environmental concerns contributes to a deeper understanding of green purchasing decision behavior, allowing companies to support new business strategies.

Background: Amid increasing leadership failures in the global business context, the mining industry is one of the industries with many adverse incidents, affecting employee safety, the environment, and surrounding communities. Emerging economies tend to have unique socio-economic challenges and greater relative economic dependence on mining, presenting unique challenges to leaders. The purpose of this research was to study the realities of responsible leadership in the mining industry in an emerging economy.

Methods: A qualitative research study, consisting of semi-structured interviews was conducted. Nine senior mine managers were selected to represent perspectives from different operations and mining houses. Data was gathered from August to October 2020 in South Africa, an emerging economy with significant mining operations. A thematic analysis of interview transcripts was conducted through the use of software, rendering five themes, with 12 sub-themes.

Results: The research found that requirements on mining leaders in emerging economies demand consistent balancing of a complex set of competing risks, whilst attending to paradoxical requirements among operations, and internal and external stakeholders. Leaders face several competing requirements from stakeholders, the environment, mining practices, and time frames. Responsible leaders must navigate a paradoxical maze of needs and time horizons, with several conflicting forces and dilemmas, and dichotomous relationships. Responsible leadership in the mining industry of an emerging economy is a proverbial minefield of paradoxes and dilemmas between responsible intentions and practical realities. These paradoxes and dilemmas are specifically acute in the context of emerging economies due to the dire socio-economic situations. A total of 10 competencies emerged as essential responsible leadership requirements in this context.

Conclusions: The study provides an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of responsible leadership in the mining industry of an emerging economy. This understanding will contribute to capacitating leaders in the mining industries of emerging economies to act responsibly.

The quantity of e-taxi in Bangladesh is increasing day by day, especially in the municipality area. With the increase of this e-taxi quantity, it becomes hard to provide parking space for these consequences the illegal parking on road. This parking consequences traffic congestion on the road and obstructs the free flow of traffic. So, this paper aims to investigate the present scenario of this e-taxi parking problem and provides a solution by finding out a suitable location for an e-taxi station by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach.

For the study, both primary and secondary data were collected. Primary data on existing parking points on the road of e-taxi which consequences traffic congestion are collected from the Municipality area. Secondary data on the existing road network of the Pabna Municipality has collected from the MIDP data also from the literature review. For the suitability analysis process for establishing an e-taxi station, six variables were determined. These variables are determined from the previous studies and the expert opinion survey. The six variables are land use of the study area, road network of the study area, proximity to the office area, proximity to the educational facilities, proximity from the market and finally,proximity from the hospital. After the selection of the variables ranking value was determined from the expert opinion. Then using The AHP method final weight value is determined and, finally, with the assist of geographical information system.

From the resulting total 4,285 spots were found as optimally suitable spots are found which is almost 21% of the suitable spot. No mostly suitable spots are found from the GIS analysis. The moderately suitable spots were found in the prime number of 14,817 spots, almost 75% of the suitable spot. Likely the most suitable spots no partly suitable spots were found but the number of very few suitable spots was found in the number of 918, 4% of the suitable spot. A total of 20,020 spots was found as suitable for the construction of E-taxi station.

Finding out a suitable spot for e-taxi stand the traffic congestion can be solved, accident risk can be minimized during loading and unloading of passengers and the municipality authority can find a permanent solution for the traffic congestion problem.

Pabna is suffering from waterlogging problems from ancient times. The previous Drainage Master Plan was failed due to the lack of reflection of the general people of Pabna Municipality. As a result, this study focuses on identifying the causes of waterlogging in people's eyes. This paper will help the local authority and planners eradicate the waterlogging problem and build a planned and resilient community.

Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Present drainage pattern, topology climatic elements were collected from the journals, websites and Municipal Ingratiated Development Plan (MIDP), Pabna-2008. The sample size was 246, and this respondent was surveyed. By the survey, the people's perception of waterlogging was collected. For that, five independent variables and one dependent variable were determined. These variables were determined by previous studies, reconnaissance survey of the study area. It used multiple linear regression and the correlation method; the causes of waterlogging were determined.

The study found solid waste disposal into the drainage, absence of operation and maintenance system, small discharge capacity with blocked in the current drains, nonappearance of combined drainage network of roadside drains and unplanned drainage system as the leading causes of waterlogging from the perception of the people. Also found that the absence of operation and maintenance system, solid waste disposal into the drainage and unplanned drainage system as the influencing causes on small discharge capacity with blocked in the current drains.

This study has focused on people's perceptions rather than secondary data. That is why this study will significantly impact eradicating the waterlogging problem from the Pabna Municipality and will carry out the core problems without any bias. This will lead to a sustainable, planned and resilient community.

Human fascination in the unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and alien paranormal phenomenon is rich in history, explored widely in popular culture and many personal beliefs exist across society. The tourism industry offers a range of places where consumers can encounter such a phenomenon. Reports continue to highlight the growth in consumers participating at UFO and alien tourism attractions and locations. Significantly, the purpose of this paper is to shine a light on the relationship between UFOs, aliens and the tourism industry.

This paper takes a pragmatic philosophical approach by embracing a multi-disciplinary analysis. This study examines a range of secondary data information, statistics, reports and research studies.

By identifying the current impotence of the UFO and alien tourism markets and the growing consumer participation in it, this paper presents a theoretical starting point in the form of a model, which maps the current landscape of the industry from supply and demand perspectives. This study should be seen as a stepping stone towards further research into the UFO and alien tourism industry and provide researchers with a theoretical platform and novel ideas through which to explore the subject.

The phenomenon includes an established eclectic mix of attractions and likewise tourist motivations for visiting are wide and diverse. However, the subject lacks academic consideration. Thus, this paper presents original research and timely discussions on the topic.

It can be difficult for students to digest and learn complex theories of organizational culture and change without being able apply the steps to a real or imagined scenario. Oftentimes, they lack experience and can’t imagine the components of each phase or step without a practical example. This article discusses the theoretical background of leading positive organizational change and then uses a case study to help students apply their knowledge. It highlights the fictional leadership dilemma of a young Army officer, First Lieutenant Jordan Baker, upon arrival to her new duty location. Instructors can use the case to teach the 4-Phase Leading Change Framework which incorporates Kotter’s eight-step model to enact positive change. The purpose of this case is to give instructors a framework to teach students in a stepwise fashion, making concepts easier for students to visualize.

This paper aims to consider the realities and problematics of applying a grounded theory (GT) approach to research, as a novice, within a mixed methods study during post graduate research. Its intention is to provide the novice user with a framework of considerations and greater awareness of the issues that GT can expose during research activity.

Using empirical evidence and a comparative approach, the paper compares the efficacy of both the classic Glaserian and Straussian models. It observes the effects of a positivist academic environment upon the choice of approach and its application. This study was specific to design education; however, its reliance upon a social science epistemology results in findings beneficial to research novices across broader disciplines.

GT presents the novice researcher with several potential pitfalls. Most problematic were the immutable, positivist institutional requirements, researcher a priori knowledge, the reliance upon literature for the research proposal and structure of the proposal itself. These include suspension of the notion that the purist use of either model can be applied in the current academic environment, the need for a close relationship with the data and toleration of a non-linear process with unexpected results.

The practicalities of GT research are often reflected upon by the academy, but use by novice researchers is little considered. The findings from this study provide a novel set of guidelines for use by those embarking on GT research and particularly where the requirements of formal education may cause a conflict.