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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 17 September 2020

Karen L. Angus-Cole, Robert Eaton and Matthew Dawes

Embedding citizenship and sustainability into higher education curricula is vital for ensuring that curricula remain up-to-date and support students with the skills and knowledge…

Abstract

Embedding citizenship and sustainability into higher education curricula is vital for ensuring that curricula remain up-to-date and support students with the skills and knowledge they need for our ever-changing world. But the conceptualisation of the term “sustainability” radically affects its perceived relevance for curriculum design, and hence the recognition of where education for sustainability is already embedded within a curriculum. Here we present a student-designed, freely accessible workshop, which can be used by colleagues off-the-shelf to challenge workshop participants to reconsider their understanding of sustainability and recognise its vast scope. The workshop is provocative yet encourages collaboration, drawing on participants' prior experiences to identify sustainability concepts already embedded within their course, and opportunities to further enhance the inclusion of sustainability in the curriculum. The workshop is also fully supportive of the increasing recognition of the value of engaging students, and others, as partners in curriculum development.

Abstract

Details

A Neoliberal Framework for Urban Housing Development in the Global South
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83797-034-6

Book part
Publication date: 14 December 2023

Laban P. Ayiro, Samuel Muriithi and Josephine Munyao

The primary goal of university education globally is to promote research, knowledge, and innovations instrumental for national development and societal transformation. In line…

Abstract

The primary goal of university education globally is to promote research, knowledge, and innovations instrumental for national development and societal transformation. In line with this goal, East African countries, namely Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have invested heavily in university education in the last 60 years since independence. The evidence of this is the increasing number of both private and public universities, and the number of students joining the institutions. While the expansion of university education is to be celebrated, it should not be taken for granted that this expansion indicates development. The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of university education on regional development in the three East African countries, that is, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Data were collected through historical analyses, database searches on electronic and printed sources, and interviews. The study found out that the three African countries have formulated the goals of education toward the achievement of development and that large budgets have been committed to educational expansion in the university in recent years. However, the impact of the universities in the development of the region expected through research and innovation is minimal because of major challenges that include expansion of access without adequate government funding; compromises quality; graduate unemployability and political interference; students’ unrest and strikes; weaknesses in earlier levels of education; regional, gender, and class inequalities; and misalignment of education, development, and contextual strengths. Proposed future strategies included the calls for governments to enhance regional consultations on development and education, the need for specialization in programs rather than duplication, enhancement of international collaborations and networking, rethinking the role of education in development within given contextual and environmental realities, and good governance and adequate funding of education.

Details

Annual Review of Comparative and International Education 2022
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-738-9

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 9 November 2023

Aleksandra Kowalska, Sophia Lingham, Damian Maye and Louise Manning

Applying mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in ‘locking down’ of economies, and disrupted agri-food markets worldwide. Income losses and food price…

Abstract

Research Background

Applying mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in ‘locking down’ of economies, and disrupted agri-food markets worldwide. Income losses and food price increases negatively affected food security. The ‘stay-at-home’ policy led some households towards a positive shift in eating habits and maintaining these changes could contribute to better nutrition. The Russia–Ukraine war and soaring energy and food prices contributes further to the pressure on the global food system and urgency to consider longer term resilience capacities of national food systems.

Purpose of the Chapter

The aim of the chapter is to identify and review food security challenges that governments and societies have faced during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, with specific emphasis on Poland.

Methodology

The methodological approach was to undertake a narrative literature review and to analyse a number of indicators relating to food security at the national level. These were quantified using data from Economist Impact, the World Bank, the European Commission, FAOSTAT and Statistics Poland.

Findings

The 2019–2022 Global Food Security Index for Poland remained quite stable, but the number of food insecure people increased significantly. Hence, urgent government measures are needed to ensure food security for all. Since 2021, high food inflation has reduced food affordability and is expected to remain high due to the Russia-Ukraine war, market pressures on energy prices and climate-related weather conditions. Greater food self-sufficiency in Poland is a key strategy to build up the resilience of the national food system.

Details

Modeling Economic Growth in Contemporary Poland
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-655-9

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 11 July 2023

Hanlie Baudin and Patrick Mapulanga

This paper aims to assess whether the current eResearch Knowledge Centre’s (eRKC) research support practices align with researchers’ requirements for achieving their research…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess whether the current eResearch Knowledge Centre’s (eRKC) research support practices align with researchers’ requirements for achieving their research objectives. The study’s objectives were to assess the current eRKC research support services and to determine which are adequate and which are not in supporting the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses interviews as part of the qualitative approach. The researcher chose to use interviews, as some aspects warranted further explanation during the interview. The interviews were scheduled using Zoom’s scheduling assistant. The interviews were semi-structured, guided by a flexible interview procedure and supplemented by follow-up questions, probes and comments. The research life cycle questions guided the interviews. The data obtained were coded and transcribed using MS Excel. The interview data were analysed, using NVivo, according to the themes identified in the research questions and aligned with the theory behind the study. Pre-determined codes were created in line with the six stages of the research life cycle and applied to group the data and extract meaning from each category. Interviewee responses were assigned to groups in line with the stages of the research life cycle.

Findings

The current eRKC research support services are aligned with the needs of HSRC researchers and highlight services that could be expanded or promoted more effectively to HSRC researchers. It proposes a new service, data analysis, and suggests that the eRKC could play a more prominent role in research impact, research data management and fostering collaboration with HSRC research divisions.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to assessing the eRKC’s support practices at the HSRC in Pretoria, South Africa. A more comprehensive study is needed for HSRC research services, capabilities and capacity.

Practical implications

Assessment of eRKC followed a comprehensive interviewee schedule that followed Raju and Schoombee’s research life cycle model.

Social implications

Zoom’s scheduling assistant may have generated Zoom fatigue and reduced productivity. Technical issues, losing time, communication gaps and distant time zones may have affected face-to-face interaction.

Originality/value

eRKC research support practices are rare in South Africa and most parts of the world. This study bridges the gap between theory and practice in assessing eRKC research support practices.

Details

Digital Library Perspectives, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5816

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2024

Waleed Hemdan and Jian Zhang

This study investigates how to motivate behavioral intentions toward green investment (BIGI) with the moderating effect of social media platforms usage (SMPU) among individual…

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates how to motivate behavioral intentions toward green investment (BIGI) with the moderating effect of social media platforms usage (SMPU) among individual investors in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data and test hypotheses based on a sample of 550 individual investors with investment experience.

Findings

The results show that attitude, subjective norm (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) have a significant relationship with investors' behavioral intention toward green investment. The moderating effect of (SMPU) supported the relationship between (SN), (PBC), and (BIGI), but (SMPU) does not support the relationship between attitude and (BIGI).

Practical implications

This study provides some implications for investment providers, service providers, and policymakers.

Originality/value

Despite the increasing global interest in climate change and its consequent opportunities and challenges for business, previous studies did not strongly emphasize green investment. So, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study sheds light on the motivational factors that may push investors' behavioral intentions toward green investment. With the increasing interest in digital transformation, the study also examined how digital platforms support (BIGI), especially in Egypt as a developing country.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 October 2022

Rubaya Rahat, Piyush Pradhananga and Mohamed ElZomor

Safe-to-fail (SF) is an emerging resilient design approach that has the potential to minimize the severity of flood damages. The purpose of this study is to explore the SF design…

Abstract

Purpose

Safe-to-fail (SF) is an emerging resilient design approach that has the potential to minimize the severity of flood damages. The purpose of this study is to explore the SF design strategies to reduce flood disaster damages in US coastal cities. Therefore, this study addresses two research questions: identifying the most suitable SF criteria and flood solution alternatives for coastal cities from industry professionals’ perspective; and investigating the controlling factors that influence the AEC students’ interest to learn about SF concepts through the curricula.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the analytical hierarchy process to evaluate the SF criteria and flood solutions where data were collected through surveying 29 Department of Transportation professionals from different states. In addition, the study adopted a quantitative methodology by surveying 55 versed participants who reside in a coastal area and have coastal flood experiences. The data analysis included ordinal probit regression and descriptive analysis.

Findings

The results suggest that robustness is the highest weighted criterion for implementing SF design in coastal cities. The results demonstrated that ecosystem restoration is the highest-ranked SF flood solution followed by green infrastructure. Moreover, the results highlighted that age, duration spent in the program and prior knowledge of SF are significantly related to AEC students’ interest to learn this concept.

Originality/value

SF design anticipates failures while designing infrastructures thus minimizing failure consequences due to flood disasters. The findings can facilitate the implementation of the SF design concept during the construction of new infrastructures in coastal cities as well as educate the future workforces to contribute to developing resilient built environments.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 October 2022

Mohammad Nabil Almunawar and Muhammad Anshari

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous businesses have migrated to an online delivery platform (ODP) to survive and reconnect with their customers. This study aims to…

Abstract

Purpose

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous businesses have migrated to an online delivery platform (ODP) to survive and reconnect with their customers. This study aims to focus on how the public perceives ODP. It examined the acceptance of digital platforms for delivering daily necessities, especially food, in Brunei Darussalam during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The online survey collected 350 valid samples, and the online questions were distributed using a snowball sampling method, with the questionnaire’s softcopy prepared in Qualtrics and sent via email and social media as hyperlinks. In 2021, we sent out the questionnaire link via email, WhatsApp and Facebook to people and organizations for about six months.

Findings

According to the findings of the study, product quality is a critical factor that consumers consider while making online purchases of different products. The COVID-19 condition positively affects customer acceptance, performance, effort and product quality. This research indicates that service quality, online habits and trust do not influence customer acceptance of an ODP.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the body of knowledge regarding factors influencing the acceptance of ODPs. The factors that influence people’s acceptance of ODPs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, are assessed as to whether the COVID-19 pandemic influences people’s acceptance and the identified factor that has the strongest influence on the acceptance of digital delivery platforms.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge about how customer behaviors triggered by the COVID-19 condition influence customer acceptance of ODP and how behavior influences customer acceptance of ODP.

Originality/value

This paper is useful to academics, practitioners and policymakers in public administration and policy management. The research provides some insights into massive adoption of ODPs that affects the disruption of conventional business practices.

Details

Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4620

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 May 2021

Olusola Joshua Olujobi

This study aims to investigate why anti-corruption statutes are not efficient in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate why anti-corruption statutes are not efficient in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a doctrinal legal research that embraces a point-by-point comparative methodology with a library research technique.

Findings

This study reveals that corruption strives on feeble implementation of anti-corruption legal regime and the absence of political will in offering efficient regulatory intervention. Finally, this study finds that anti-corruption organisations in Nigeria are not efficient due to non-existence of the Federal Government’s political will to fight corruption, insufficient funds and absence of stringent implementation of the anti-corruption legal regime in the country.

Research limitations/implications

Investigations reveal during this study that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) operations are characterised with poor record-keeping, lack of accountability as well as secrecy in the award of oil contracts, oil licence, leases and other financial transactions due to non-disclosure or confidentiality clauses contained in most of these contracts. Also, an arbitration proceeding limit access to their records and some of these agreements under contentions. This has also limited the success of this research work and generalising its findings.

Practical implications

This study recommends, among other reforms, soft law technique and stringent execution of anti-corruption statutes. This study also recommends increment in financial appropriation to Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions, taking into consideration the finding that a meagre budget is a drawback.

Social implications

This study reveals that corruption strives on feeble implementation of anti-corruption legal regime and the absence of political will in offering efficient regulatory intervention. Corruption flourishes due to poor enforcement of anti-corruption laws and the absence of political will in offering efficient regulatory intervention by the government.

Originality/value

The study advocates the need for enhancement of anti-corruption agencies' budgets taking into consideration the finding that meagres budgets are challenge of the agencies.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 26 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

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