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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 6 October 2023

Anna Sandler, Amir Shani and Shahar Shilo

Home-based commercial hospitality (HBCH) is the focus of this study. This community-based tourism (CBT), which has received little research attention, is examined to reveal the…

Abstract

Purpose

Home-based commercial hospitality (HBCH) is the focus of this study. This community-based tourism (CBT), which has received little research attention, is examined to reveal the meaning of commercially hosting visitors in private homes for experiential meetings on a variety of topics such as food, art, culture, folklore and various workshops.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research method was adopted, using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with HBCH providers in the desert town of Arad, located in southern Israel.

Findings

The study reveals the impact of this unusual occupation on the host's quality of life, the factors that encourage and suppress involvement in this entrepreneurship, as well as the positive and negative consequences of HBCH on the local environment.

Practical implications

The findings could offer important guidelines to municipalities and local governments seeking to encourage CBT and sustainable micro-enterprises.

Originality/value

HBCH is a recent phenomenon and, as such, has been little researched. This study of one community raises issues that may be shared by HBCH enterprises. The findings could contribute to developing such initiatives elsewhere, avoiding the obstacles faced in this pioneering effort.

Details

International Hospitality Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-8142

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 October 2022

Jacqui-Lyn McIntyre, Duane Aslett and Nico Buitendag

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his 2018 State of the Nation Address, stated that “Thieves who are stealing public funds should be arrested and prosecuted”, and called for lifestyle…

1467

Abstract

Purpose

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his 2018 State of the Nation Address, stated that “Thieves who are stealing public funds should be arrested and prosecuted”, and called for lifestyle audits of public-sector employees. The gross misuse of COVID-19 relief funds by public officials indicated the urgent need to execute these audits as an anti-corruption measure. This paper aims to provide a review of the existing state of affairs with regard to the application of lifestyle audits in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper critically analyses the literature available on the current position of South Africa concerning lifestyle audits in the public sector, based on the mandates of some of the anti-corruption agencies that could be responsible for the conducting and processing of such audits.

Findings

South Africa has only recently seen a framework for applying lifestyle audits, developed by the Department of Public Service and Administration. Although these first steps in developing a standard practice are laudable, the practical process of dealing with misconduct and/or criminal matters remains to be seen. It is recommended that South Africa consider a legislative approach to dealing with unlawfully obtained wealth by either criminalising the act of illicit enrichment (per the United Nations Convention Against Corruption) or creating an Unexplained Wealth Order, as seen, for example, in the UK.

Originality/value

South Africa is in dire need of addressing corruption in the public sector. Despite lifestyle audits being called for, the lack of proper implementation is negating any positive outcomes. Therefore, alternative solutions should be investigated.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 November 2022

Inimbom Walter Isang and David Ojimaojo Ebiloma

Covid-19 pandemic have raised serious health concerns, work disruptions and job loss. Thus, Nigeria’s Covid-19 challenges can hinder project performance in the construction…

2758

Abstract

Purpose

Covid-19 pandemic have raised serious health concerns, work disruptions and job loss. Thus, Nigeria’s Covid-19 challenges can hinder project performance in the construction sector. By integrating the principle of sustainable construction, it can minimise the environmental and socio-economic impact of Covid-19. This research therefore aims at developing strategies to achieve sustainable project performance in the post-Covid era in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research method was used. Data was collected from 13 stakeholders in the built environment. Percentages and thematic analysis were used to analyse data from the interviews.

Findings

The study reveals that stakeholders are encountering operational and financial challenges: Increased price of materials, labour and material shortage and project delays were key operational challenges. The financial challenges were related to increased construction cost, reduced profit and payment delays. To address these challenges, the study developed managerial, contractual and governmental strategies: Market survey and bulk purchase, remote working and adherence to Covid-19 protocols were among the key managerial strategies. For the contractual strategies: contracts reviews, smart contracts, working overtime and night shift were developed, while governmental strategies included provision of funds, loans and incentives for workers.

Originality/value

The study deduced that while environmental sustainability was employed to address the Covid-19 challenges, the economic and social aspects were found to be under-utilized. Therefore, the study concluded that a holistic application of environmental, economic and social sustainability themes while incorporating managerial, contractual and governmental strategies is significant for achieving sustainable project performance in the post-Covid era in Nigeria.

Details

Frontiers in Engineering and Built Environment, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2634-2499

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 July 2021

Jon S.T. Quah

The purpose of this paper is to identify the five mistakes made by political leaders in Asian countries in combating corruption. These mistakes constitute the cycle of failure…

3811

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the five mistakes made by political leaders in Asian countries in combating corruption. These mistakes constitute the cycle of failure which must be broken for Asian countries to succeed in fighting corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on the comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of the anti-corruption measures adopted by various Asian countries.

Findings

The cycle of failure in combating corruption in Asian countries arises from their governments’ reliance on corrupt political leaders and the police, and multiple anti-corruption agencies as attack dogs or paper tigers.

Originality/value

This paper would be of interest to those policymakers, anti-corruption practitioners, and scholars, who are concerned with enhancing the effectiveness of anti-corruption strategies in their countries by breaking the cycle of failure.

Details

Public Administration and Policy, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1727-2645

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 July 2023

Guido Veronese, Anas Ismail, Fayez Mahamid, Basel El-Khodary, Dana Bdier and Marwan Diab

This study aims to explore the effect of mental health in terms of depression, anxiety, stress, fear of COVID-19 and quality of life (QoL) on the reluctance to be vaccinated in a…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the effect of mental health in terms of depression, anxiety, stress, fear of COVID-19 and quality of life (QoL) on the reluctance to be vaccinated in a population of Palestinian adults living in occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors recruited 1,122 Palestinian adults who consented to participate in the study; 722 were females, and the mean age of the sample was 40.83 (SD 8.8). Depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS), World Health Organization QoL-BREF, FCov-19 and reluctance to the vaccine scale were administered; hierarchical regression analysis was applied to test vaccine reluctance as a dependent variable, and mental health, fear of COVID-19 and QoL as independent variables. This study hypothesized influence of such variables on the vaccine choice with differences due to the participants’ geographical locations.

Findings

Findings showed an effect of mental health, particularly depression, QoL and fear of COVID on vaccine reluctance, with depression and fear of COVID in the West Bank and Gaza, while in Israel, QoL played a role in vaccination choices.

Research limitations/implications

The future needs to be comprehended more thoroughly to discover mutations and fluctuations over time in vaccine hesitancy and the increasing role of psychological distress, diminished QoL and fear of Covid-19. Online recruitment might not have allowed the study to include the most disadvantaged strips of the Palestinian population.

Practical implications

Human rights perspectives must be considered in public health and public mental health policies to ensure the QoL and well-being for the Palestinian population during and following the pandemic.

Social implications

The crumbling of the Palestinian health-care system exacerbated the sense of dread among the population and made them less likely to vaccinate. The pandemic-like spread of Covid-19 prompts a plea for the global community to actively advocate for the urgent re-establishment of equity, autonomy and durability of the medical infrastructure in the occupied territories and equal entitlements for the Palestinians in Israel.

Originality/value

The results demonstrated the importance for public mental health to consider the multiple levels implied in the vaccine refusal in Palestine and Israel among the Palestinian population.

Details

Journal of Public Mental Health, vol. 22 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5729

Keywords

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