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Article
Publication date: 26 October 2012

Christopher O. Odudu and Modupe M. Omirin

Urban crop farming as a variant of urban agriculture is a rising phenomenon in food and income generation especially in the developing countries. It is useful in fresh food…

Abstract

Purpose

Urban crop farming as a variant of urban agriculture is a rising phenomenon in food and income generation especially in the developing countries. It is useful in fresh food supplies, recycling of urban wastes and poverty alleviation. However, as an informal activity, the greatest challenge it faces is accessibility to land. This tends to undermine the numerous contributions it can make to a city's development in terms of social, economic and environmental developments particularly its influence on climate change, fresh air supply and healthy living of the teaming urban population. There is therefore an urgent need to examine the potentials and risks associated with urban crop farming in order to identify factors that can enhance its productivity and economic viability by improving practitioners’ access to land. The purpose of the paper is to do this.

Design/methodology/approach

The study therefore conceptualized that land accessibility among urban crop farmers can be predicted from identified constraint variables. Respondents in some locations where urban crop farming was found to be thriving well within the Lagos Metropolis were randomly selected and administered with structured questionnaires.

Findings

The data collected were analyzed using factor (principal component) analysis which enabled the construction of a constraints analysis equation or regression equation.

Originality/value

The study identified five constraints affecting land accessibility among urban crop farmers with the most critical factors being affordability and security of tenure.

Details

Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-0839

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2015

Pallab Sikdar and Munish Makkad

The study considers a five-factor model toward online banking adoption in the context of banking customers in India and validates the proposed model. In addition, the authors…

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Abstract

Purpose

The study considers a five-factor model toward online banking adoption in the context of banking customers in India and validates the proposed model. In addition, the authors consider the impact of validated factors on overall satisfaction of customers.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-factor online banking adoption model has been tested for reliability and validity by confirmatory factor analysis. For determining contribution of factors toward overall satisfaction level of banking customers structural equation modeling has been adopted. Four explanatory variables have been used to assess the overall satisfaction level of online banking users. A structured questionnaire incorporating variables identified from literature has been used as survey instrument for the study. Final respondent sample was 280 banking customers.

Findings

Trust, Usage Constraint, Ease of Use, Accessibility and Intention to Use as reliable and valid factors determining internet banking adoption among customers in India. Accessibility, Usage Constraints, Intention to Use portrayed strong and significant relationship with overall customer satisfaction. Trust and Ease of Use are relatively weaker and insignificant contributors toward overall customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

The existing studies in the context of e-banking in general and online banking in particular have been majorly confined to proposing key drivers toward adoption of such alternate banking mediums. By providing an insight towards satisfaction level of customers adopting online banking the proposed model attempts to fill this gap. As the study relates to banking customers in India, findings will be of particular value to domestic and foreign banking entities looking to leverage technology as a tool to attain stronghold with an emerging economic set-up.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 August 2020

Rajali Maharjan, Yashaswi Shrestha, Biplob Rakhal, Saurav Suman, Jurgen Hulst and Shinya Hanaoka

The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology which amalgamates quantitative and qualitative approaches to determine the best placement of mobile logistics hubs (MLH) to…

3708

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology which amalgamates quantitative and qualitative approaches to determine the best placement of mobile logistics hubs (MLH) to be established in different parts of Nepal as a part of real-life project, “Augmentation of National and Local-Level Emergency Logistics Preparedness in Nepal” (2017–2020), implemented by the World Food Programme in cooperation with the Government of Nepal.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a methodology using a combination of a modified version of the maximal covering location problem (MCLP) and focus group discussion. The MCLP model is used to determine the optimal number and spatial location of MLHs, and focus group discussion is used to identify the five first-priority strategic MLH locations using expert knowledge.

Findings

The authors identify the five first-priority locations for establishing MLHs using an amalgamation of quantitative approach (mathematical model) and qualitative approach (focus group discussion). By amalgamating mathematical model with expert knowledge, findings acceptable to a wide range of stakeholders are obtained. The focus group discussion helps to pinpoint the location of MLHs to city-level granularity which is otherwise impossible with data available on hand.

Research limitations/implications

Although multiple experts’ judgements were obtained via focus group discussion, subjectivity and possible bias is inevitable. Overall, the quantitative results of the study are purely based on the data available during the study period; therefore, having updated data could possibly improve the quality of the results.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind that uses an amalgamation of mathematical model and expert knowledge to determine the strategic locations of MLHs and has been successful to an extent that the selected locations have been vetted by the government of Nepal for establishing MLHs and are undergoing implementation in real life. This study also considers multiple disaster scenarios and employs the concepts of human development, disaster risk and transportation accessibility to reflect Nepal's socioeconomic, geo-climatic and topographical features.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 10 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2019

Hadi Mahami, Farnad Nasirzadeh, Ali Hosseininaveh Ahmadabadian, Farid Esmaeili and Saeid Nahavandi

This paper aims to propose an automatic imaging network design to improve the efficiency and accuracy of automated construction progress monitoring. The proposed method will…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an automatic imaging network design to improve the efficiency and accuracy of automated construction progress monitoring. The proposed method will address two shortcomings of the previous studies, including the large number of captured images required and the incompleteness and inaccuracy of generated as-built models.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the proposed method, the number of required images is minimized in two stages. In the first stage, the manual photogrammetric network design is used to decrease the number of camera stations considering proper constraints. Then the image acquisition is done and the captured images are used to generate 3D points cloud model. In the second stage, a new software for automatic imaging network design is developed and used to cluster and select the optimal images automatically, using the existing dense points cloud model generated before, and the final optimum camera stations are determined. Therefore, the automated progress monitoring can be done by imaging at the selected camera stations to produce periodic progress reports.

Findings

The achieved results show that using the proposed manual and automatic imaging network design methods, the number of required images is decreased by 65 and 75 per cent, respectively. Moreover, the accuracy and completeness of points cloud reconstruction is improved and the quantity of performed work is determined with the accuracy, which is close to 100 per cent.

Practical implications

It is believed that the proposed method may present a novel and robust tool for automated progress monitoring using unmanned aerial vehicles and based on photogrammetry and computer vision techniques. Using the proposed method, the number of required images is minimized, and the accuracy and completeness of points cloud reconstruction is improved.

Originality/value

To generate the points cloud reconstruction based on close-range photogrammetry principles, more than hundreds of images must be captured and processed, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. There has been no previous study to reduce the large number of required captured images. Moreover, lack of images in some areas leads to an incomplete or inaccurate model. This research resolves the mentioned shortcomings.

Article
Publication date: 7 October 2019

Io Vassiliadou, Esther Tolani, Lindsay Ip, Abigail Smith and Iliatha Papachristou Nadal

Recent models of care incorporate service user involvement within the development and sustainability of a quality improvement project. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate…

Abstract

Purpose

Recent models of care incorporate service user involvement within the development and sustainability of a quality improvement project. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the significance of working with patients and members of the public for the integration of psychosocial care into long-term condition (LTC) management.

Design/methodology/approach

Research shows that mental health difficulties are more prevalent in people with LTC. The three Dimensions for Long-term Conditions (3DLC) is a patient-centred multidisciplinary service which integrates psychological and social care into the usual physical care. Thematic analysis was conducted on the discussions of the two patient and public involvement workshops that were facilitated by the service. The workshops included healthcare professionals, patients with LTC and their carers.

Findings

Several themes and subthemes emerged which highlighted the importance of discussing and treating mental health in a physical health setting, the challenges that both the patients and healthcare professionals encounter and the ways in which an integrated care service may address these barriers. The findings show that there was an emphasis on patient-centeredness, accessibility of services and the need for better communication.

Practical implications

People with LTC can be empowered to better self-manage their condition, whilst having access to all types of care, physical, social and psychological. By involving service users in the implementation process of the 3DLC service, the components of an effective integrated service are delineated.

Originality/value

The service users have identified barriers and facilitators of integrating a biopsychosocial model in care pathways. This has helped the 3DLC team to further develop the model to ensure improvements in condition-specific outcomes, quality of life and healthcare utilisation.

Details

Journal of Integrated Care, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1476-9018

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2004

Lisa C. Wilson, Andrew Alexander and Margaret Lumbers

Decentralisation of many food retailers to edge‐of‐town and out‐of‐town locations has resulted in some older people experiencing difficulty in accessing food shops and those…

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Abstract

Decentralisation of many food retailers to edge‐of‐town and out‐of‐town locations has resulted in some older people experiencing difficulty in accessing food shops and those experiencing the greatest difficulties in food shopping are considered to be at the greatest nutritional risk. The present study examines how and to what extent usage of, and physical access to food shops might influence dietary variety. Shopping behaviour and dietary variety are investigated using focus groups, a consumer questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). A dietary variety score system, developed from the FFQ, is employed in this study. Neither usage of (particular) food shops nor basic accessibility variables are found to have a direct effect on dietary variety. Yet, coping strategies employed by older consumers to obtain food are revealed to be important. This suggests that more complex access factors remain an important issue for study in relation to the shopping experience of a proportion of the older population.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 December 2022

Carlos Alberto Rojas Trejos, Jose D. Meisel and Wilson Adarme Jaimes

The purpose of this paper is to review the relevant literature in order to identify trends and suggest some possible directions for future research in the framework of…

2424

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the relevant literature in order to identify trends and suggest some possible directions for future research in the framework of humanitarian aid distribution logistics with accessibility constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a systematic literature review to study the state of the art on distribution logistics considering accessibility constraints. The electronic databases used were Web of science, Scopus, Science Direct, Jstor, Emerald, EBSCO, Scielo and Redalyc. As a result, 49 articles were reviewed in detail.

Findings

This study identified some gaps, as well as some research opportunities. The main conclusions are the need for further studies on the interrelationships and hierarchies of multiple actors, explore intermodality, transshipment options and redistribution relief goods to avoid severe shortages in some nodes and excess inventory in others, studies of the vulnerability of transport networks, correlational analysis of road failures and other future lines.

Research limitations/implications

The bibliography is limited to peer-reviewed academic journals due to their academic relevance, accessibility and ease of searching. Most of the studies included in the review were conducted in high-income countries, which may limit the generalizability of the results to low-income countries. However, the authors focused on databases covering important journals on humanitarian logistics.

Originality/value

This paper contextualises and synthesises research into humanitarian aid distribution logistics with accessibility constrains, highlights key themes and suggests areas for further research.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 January 2024

Samwel Sanga Alananga

The purpose of this study is to examine households’ behavior towards dirty cooking energy utilisation in an environment where relatively higher accessibility to clean energy is…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine households’ behavior towards dirty cooking energy utilisation in an environment where relatively higher accessibility to clean energy is noted. Although the low utilisation rate of clean energy can partly be attributed to utility gains anticipated in dirty energy mixes (DEMs) arising out of accessibility constraints, affordances and enablers, it is still unclear on the extend at which each of these contributes towards DEMs manifestation among the seemingly well-to-do households with higher levels of clean energy mixes (CEM) access. This study, therefore, hinges on scrutinising on this lower utilisation patterns despite a seemingly higher accessibility of CEMs, specifically liquified petroleum gases (LPG).

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a household’s survey that was carried out in 2018, reaching a sample of 393 households using questionnaires in four wards of the Kigamboni district in Tanzania. Subsequent analyses were descriptive as well as inferential based on binary logistic regression analysis where utilisation of DEMs was predicted for both the high and low social economic status (SES) households by incorporating accessibility constraints, affordances and enablers.

Findings

The results show, first, if one assumes energy stacking is not an issue, as households become more constrained towards CEMs utilisation, they shift towards DEMs suggesting that the overall effect is a substitution, and second, the complementarity effect ultimately outweighs the substitution effect as households do not shift from DEMs to CEMs rather stack multiple energy. DEMs flourish in this case study area because those with high income are among those in the lowest SES, and some of those with the highest SES are from among the lowest income category, and all of them end up with more DEMs because shifting towards CEMs require income to complement SES.

Practical implications

Policy-wise, removing hurdles in accessing CEMs such as LPG subsidy programme, gas stove provision to the poor, and enhanced LPG awareness will most likely benefits only those who do not stack energy in cooking while strategies targeting those at the lowest SES such as higher education attainment, empower women as a family decision maker, encourage co-occupancy to enlarge the household size and contain urban growth within certain perimeter will have a significant impact only if they raise both incomes and SES.

Originality/value

Despite of the dominance of DEMs for cooking such as charcoal and firewood in Tanzania, CEMs such as LPG, have emerged as complements or alternatives in the household energy basket. The utilisation of such CEMs is, however, still very low despite the accessibility, cost, environmental and health advantages they offer. Accessibility is not the only factor fuelling CEMs; a complementarity must exist between SES and income for the positive transition towards CEMs to be realised.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Access to Destinations
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-08-044678-3

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