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1 – 10 of over 8000Ravindu Udayantha Jayasekara, Gaindu Saranga Jayathilaka, Chandana Siriwardana, Dilanthi Amaratunga, Richard Haigh, Chaminda Bandara and Ranjith Dissanayake
The current National Early Warning System for Sri Lanka (NEWS: SL) was established after the devastations of the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. Although early warning (EW) systems…
Abstract
Purpose
The current National Early Warning System for Sri Lanka (NEWS: SL) was established after the devastations of the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. Although early warning (EW) systems and evacuation procedures are in place, several areas which need improvements have been emphasized in recent studies carried out in the country. Therefore, this paper aims to outline the gaps in existing EW and EP related to tsunami and other coastal hazards with a special focus on the use of social media for disaster communication based on age groups.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has drawn on a review of past studies carried out by the same research team to identify the scope of the study. In addition to that, a conceptual framework was developed for the use of social media in the event of a disaster. Based on this conceptual framework, an online questionnaire was administered to identify the current status of the use of social media in Sri Lanka during a disaster situation. In total, 408 responses were collected and analyzed using the binary logistic regression method to evaluate the variation of different predictors associated with the use of social media for disaster communication.
Findings
Findings of the study revealed that the use of social media for disaster communication depends on the previous experience of users and their age. The gender of users does not affect the use of social media for disaster communication. Therefore, the accuracy and timeliness of disaster information distributed via social media should be improved further to enhance the use of social media for disaster communication. Moreover, the findings have highlighted unaddressed issues in areas such as governance; communication of technical agencies; evacuation and shelters; and response of the community.
Originality/value
This paper has identified key areas that need attention in the process of enhancing the use of social media for disaster communication. More use of technological platforms such as social media for receiving disaster-related information can address issues such as bottlenecks in communication, poor awareness and lack of last-mile dissemination. Furthermore, this paper has proposed recommendations for addressing the identified gaps in the overall EW mechanisms and EP pertaining to tsunamis and other coastal hazards to enhance the coastal disaster resilience in Sri Lanka.
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Faye Chadwell and Shan C. Sutton
The purpose of this article is to provide a vision for how academic libraries can assume a more central role in a future where open access (OA) publishing has become the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to provide a vision for how academic libraries can assume a more central role in a future where open access (OA) publishing has become the predominant model for disseminating scholarly research articles.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyze existing trends related to OA policies and publishing, with an emphasis on the development of repositories managed by libraries to publish and disseminate articles. They speculate that these trends, coupled with emerging economic realities, will create an environment where libraries will assume a major role in the OA publishing environment. The authors provide some suggestions for how this major role might be funded.
Findings
The trends and economic realities discussed will lead to new roles for academic librarians and will change the existing roles.
Originality/value
This article provides insights for academic libraries and their institutions to consider a dramatic shift in the deployment of subscription dollars from a dysfunctional and largely closed scholarly communication system to one that provides open, unfettered access to research results.
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I. Chaston, B. Badger, T. Mangles and E. Sadler‐Smith
Organisational learning is increasingly being mentioned in the literature as a mechanism for assisting the market performance of small firms. There exists, however, limited…
Abstract
Organisational learning is increasingly being mentioned in the literature as a mechanism for assisting the market performance of small firms. There exists, however, limited empirical evidence on either the benefits conferred by organisational learning and the learning systems utilised to manage the process. A survey of small UK manufacturing firms was undertaken to acquire data on whether a relationship exists between learning style and the competencies exhibited by organisations. The survey also sought to determine the nature of learning systems used by small manufacturing firms. The results suggest that as firms move from a lower‐level to a higher‐level learning style, this is accompanied by competence enhancement that can contribute to improving organisational capability. It also appears that a higher‐level learning style is accompanied by the adoption of a more formalised learning system inside the organisation. The implications of these findings are discussed and proposals presented on the needs for further research.
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I. Chaston, B. Badger and E. Sadler‐Smith
In the literature, relationship orientated firms are being advised to exploit organizational learning as a route through which to acquire the knowledge required to survive in…
Abstract
In the literature, relationship orientated firms are being advised to exploit organizational learning as a route through which to acquire the knowledge required to survive in rapidly changing and/or highly competitive markets. There is, however, only limited anecdotal evidence of the positive contribution that organizational learning can make to enhancing the performance of firms. To acquire additional empirical data, a survey of learning style and perception of competences relative to competitors in small manufacturing firms was undertaken. Results concerning organizational learning style appear to indicate the firms who exhibit a relationship marketing style tend to adopt a double‐loop (or table8.TIFigher order) learning style; whereas transactionally orientated firms appear to be single‐loop learners. When compared with transactional firms, relationship orientated respondents also reported higher competences for some areas of marketing, HRM and information management practices. This conclusion was further validated through telephone interviews. The implications of these findings are discussed and proposals presented on the need for further research.
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Yongjian Li, Dan Shi, Xiang Li and Wen Wang
This paper aims to analyze the situation of knowledge dissemination in Chinese rural areas and explore factors that affect the efficiency of knowledge dissemination, to provide…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the situation of knowledge dissemination in Chinese rural areas and explore factors that affect the efficiency of knowledge dissemination, to provide some suggestions for further improvements.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted to collect data in 17 provinces of China, with 267 questionnaires returned out of 300. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis with LISEREL 8.8.
Findings
The results show that factors of knowledge such as government participation, dissemination capability, learning motivation and trust have a positive effect on knowledge transfer. By contrast, factors of knowledge such as complexity and richness of knowledge carriers do not have a significant correlation with the knowledge sharing level.
Research limitations/implications
This paper conducts a cross-sectional analysis while ignoring the longitudinal effects of some factors on knowledge dissemination, such as the reform and opening policy in China. An analysis on a more concrete problem could be conducted for future study.
Practical implications
This paper proposes some suggestions to enhance the efficiency of knowledge dissemination in rural areas from the knowledge dissemination mode, knowledge products and the role of government playing.
Originality/value
This paper is among the first attempts to conduct comprehensive and systematic research on the influential factors of knowledge dissemination. It contributes to literature by offering a systematical empirical study with the consideration of the role of government in knowledge dissemination.
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Walaa M. El-Sayed, Hazem M. El-Bakry and Salah M. El-Sayed
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are periodically collecting data through randomly dispersed sensors (motes), which typically consume high energy in radio communication that mainly…
Abstract
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are periodically collecting data through randomly dispersed sensors (motes), which typically consume high energy in radio communication that mainly leans on data transmission within the network. Furthermore, dissemination mode in WSN usually produces noisy values, incorrect measurements or missing information that affect the behaviour of WSN. In this article, a Distributed Data Predictive Model (DDPM) was proposed to extend the network lifetime by decreasing the consumption in the energy of sensor nodes. It was built upon a distributive clustering model for predicting dissemination-faults in WSN. The proposed model was developed using Recursive least squares (RLS) adaptive filter integrated with a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter, for removing unwanted reflections and noise accompanying of the transferred signals among the sensors, aiming to minimize the size of transferred data for providing energy efficient. The experimental results demonstrated that DDPM reduced the rate of data transmission to ∼20%. Also, it decreased the energy consumption to 95% throughout the dataset sample and upgraded the performance of the sensory network by about 19.5%. Thus, it prolonged the lifetime of the network.
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Xiangchun Li, Yuzhen Long, Chunli Yang, Yinqing Wang, Mingxiu Xing and Ying Jiang
Effective safety supervision plays a crucial role in ensuring safe production within coal mines. Conventional coal mine safety supervision (CMSS) in China has suffered from the…
Abstract
Purpose
Effective safety supervision plays a crucial role in ensuring safe production within coal mines. Conventional coal mine safety supervision (CMSS) in China has suffered from the problems of power-seeking, excessive resource consumption and poor timeliness. This paper aims to explore the Internet+ CMSS mode being emerged in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The evolution of CMSS systems underwent comprehensive scrutiny through a blend of qualitative and quantitative approaches. First, evolutionary game theory was used to analyze the necessity of incorporating Internet+ technology. Second, a system dynamics model of Internet+ CMSS was crafted, encompassing a system flow diagram and equations for various variables. The model was subsequently simulated by taking the W coal mine in Shanxi Province as a representative case study.
Findings
It was revealed that the expected safety profit from the Internet+ mode is 296.03% more than that from the conventional mode. The precise dissemination of law enforcement information was identified as a pivotal approach through which the Internet+ platform served as a conduit to foster synergistic collaboration among diverse elements within the system.
Practical implications
The outcomes of this study not only raise awareness about the potential of Internet+ technology in safety supervision but also establish a vital theoretical foundation for enhancing the efficacy of the Internet+ CMSS mode. The significance of these findings extends to fostering the wholesome and sustainable progress of the coal mining industry.
Originality/value
This research stands out as one of the limited studies that delve into the influence of Internet+ technology on CMSS. Building upon the pivotal approach identified, to the best of authors’ knowledge, a novel “multi-blind” working mechanism for Internet+ CMSS is introduced for the first time.
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Heng Li, Zhigang Jin, Vera Li, Guiwen Liu and R.M. Skitmore
The purpose of this paper is to provide a new type of entry mode decision‐making model for construction enterprises involved in international business.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a new type of entry mode decision‐making model for construction enterprises involved in international business.
Design/methodology/approach
A hybrid method combining analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE) is used to aid entry mode decisions. The AHP is used to decompose the entry mode problem into several dimensions and determine the weight of each criterion. In addition, PROMETHEE method is used to rank candidate entry modes and carry out sensitivity analyses.
Findings
The proposed decision‐making method is demonstrated to be a suitable approach to resolve the entry mode selection decision problem.
Practical implications
The research provides practitioners with a more systematic decision framework and a more precise decision method.
Originality/value
The paper sheds light on the further development of entry strategies for international construction markets. It not only introduces a new decision‐making model for entry mode decision making, but also provides a conceptual framework with five determinants for a construction company entry mode selection based on the unique properties of the construction industry.
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Ishani Shehara Pitigala Liyana Arachchi, Chandana Siriwardana, Dilanthi Amaratunga and Richard Haigh
It is significant to assess the societal trust toward the new advancements in multi-hazard early warnings (MHEW) with the focus on disaster risk reduction (DRR). Based on this…
Abstract
Purpose
It is significant to assess the societal trust toward the new advancements in multi-hazard early warnings (MHEW) with the focus on disaster risk reduction (DRR). Based on this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of societal trust behavior along with the parameters such as mode of communication and institutions of issuing early warnings (EWs).
Design/methodology/approach
A field questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the extent of societal trust. This was conducted in ten selected Grama Niladari divisions in Sri Lanka based on a developed hazard matrix. The fuzzy logic approach was applied to examine the trust level of collected 323 responses obtained through this. The analysis was done based on the responses on mobile-based platforms in EW and the credibility level of the warnings received through different institutions.
Findings
The analyzed survey responses indicated that society has a higher extent of trust toward the EWs disseminated through mobile-based platforms. Moreover, these represent a strong positive correlation among the societal trust level and the level of importance of EW dissemination through mobile-based platforms. Further, in terms of trusted stakeholders in issuing EW alerts, Disaster Management Center, Sri Lanka Police and Media ranked the highest in the Sri Lankan context. Overall, findings were visually mapped through the causal loop diagrams (CLDs).
Practical implications
In enhancing the effectiveness of the existing MHEW mechanism, the policy implications could be done, based on the results obtained from this research study. These could be altered with the implementation of DRR strategies with a community focus.
Originality/value
The fuzzy logic approach was used in the determination of the societal decision-making on the extent of trust level. Fuzzy triangulation is mainly applied in the interpretation of the results. Further, overall parameters that determine the community trust on MHEW are represented through CLDs through system dynamics application.
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Zhong Wang, Hongbo Sun and Baode Fan
The era of crowd network is coming and the research of its steady-state is of great importance. This paper aims to establish a crowd network simulation platform and maintaining…
Abstract
Purpose
The era of crowd network is coming and the research of its steady-state is of great importance. This paper aims to establish a crowd network simulation platform and maintaining the relative stability of multi-source dissemination systems.
Design/methodology/approach
With this simulation platform, this paper studies the characteristics of “emergence,” monitors the state of the system and according to the fixed point judges the system of steady-state conditions, then uses three control conditions and control methods to control the system status to acquire general rules for maintain the stability of multi-source information dissemination systems.
Findings
This paper establishes a novel steady-state maintenance simulation framework. It will be useful for achieving controllability to the evolution of information dissemination and simulating the effectiveness of control conditions for multi-source information dissemination systems.
Originality/value
This paper will help researchers to solve problems of public opinion control in multi-source information dissemination in crowd network.
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