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Article
Publication date: 17 June 2021

Sahar Kousari, Sepehr Ghazinoory and Fatemeh Saghafi

This study aims to investigate the probable future scenarios of nanotechnology development and their implications in Iran considering anticipatory knowledge, suitable methodology…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the probable future scenarios of nanotechnology development and their implications in Iran considering anticipatory knowledge, suitable methodology and integral perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used framework morphology, a method for creating scenarios and their implications developed by the Delphi method that covers the consistent morphological space and make contact with previous scenario work, as well as the current and projected research and policy situation in Iran.

Findings

The study identified five scenarios, namely, “no nano” scenario headlines picturing a future society that there is no impact of nanotechnology in it. The “nano flow” scenario and indicates prospering nanotechnology in the full sides of the market. The “no nano contact” scenario suspecting that apart from the already banned nanotechnological applications in food, cosmetics, clothes and agricultural applications might bear equally unacceptable risks. The “hidden nano” scenario by pointing out the effects of accidents and crimes traced back to intended or unintended misuse of nanotechnological applications. Then finally, the “red nano” scenario illustration headlines the prospects of medical, energy system efficiency and nanotechnological applications in information and communication technologies.

Practical implications

The policymakers could use the scenarios and their implications as part of its considerations in strategic planning.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first time that a framework for societal implications has been applied to nanotechnology development topic in Iran.

Details

foresight, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 February 2019

Vishal Singh

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical analysis of the commonly projected visions on the future of built environment, focusing on transformative research. The primary…

2203

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical analysis of the commonly projected visions on the future of built environment, focusing on transformative research. The primary question is will the construction sector be able to make the projected transformative leap even if the history of technology adoption in construction suggests otherwise? And, what role can academic research play?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a reflective research and qualitative review of academic articles, white papers and reported projections for the future of construction. The reflections are based on discussions with colleagues and students, including thought experiments.

Findings

There is a general agreement across various sources about the key technical and social drivers for the future of construction. However, these projections seem to be emanating from industry insiders, and more diversity and creativity is needed in exploring alternative possibilities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper should be useful for researchers in assessing their research strategy, especially those aiming to focus on the future of construction and transformative research. The findings of this paper suggest the need for collaboration and explorations with diverse disciplines, including those that may not appear immediately connected to digital construction.

Practical implications

The paper should be useful for individuals and organizations, especially start-ups that are seeking novel opportunities to disrupt the future of construction.

Originality/value

The originality and value of this research lies in a timely critique of the commonly projected trends in the future of digital construction. The use of reflective research and thought experiments emphasizes the need for divergent thinking and creative research methods in construction research.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 April 2018

Sanja Stojkovic Zlatanovic, Milan Stojkovic and Mihailo Mitkovic

The purpose of this paper is to set out the policy guidelines and recommendations to harmonise the Serbian water legislation with European Union standards in the area of water…

1848

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set out the policy guidelines and recommendations to harmonise the Serbian water legislation with European Union standards in the area of water system management as impacted by climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

The EU Water Framework Directive is analysed in the context of implementation of the integrated water management policy presented in the Serbian Water Law (2010), as well as the National Water Management Strategy (2016). It has been found that the water management legislation that deals with the impact of climate change on water resources is incomplete. Although there are numerous challenges related to research of climate change and water systems, water policy and legal aspects cannot be neglected. The so-called soft law instruments represented in a form of strategy documents could be a valuable response in terms of an adaptive and integrated water policy approach.

Findings

The research is applied to a case study of the Velika Morava River Basin, at Ljubicevski Most hydrological station. Long-term projections suggest a decrease in annual precipitation levels and annual flows up to the year 2100 for climatic scenarios A1B and A2, accompanied by a rapid increase in air temperatures.

Originality/value

This study proposes a water management policy and provides recommendations for the Velika Morava River Basin as impacted by climate change, according to the European Union legislation.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 10 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Tze Huey Tam, Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman, Sobri Harun, Shamsuddin Shahid, Sophal Try, Mohamad Hidayat Jamal, Zamri Ismail, Khamarrul Azahari Razak, Mohd Khairolden Ghani and Yusrin Faiz Abdul Wahab

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of climate change on the flood hazard potential in the Kelantan River Basin using current and future scenarios.

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of climate change on the flood hazard potential in the Kelantan River Basin using current and future scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

The intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) was used to estimate the current 50- and 100-year return period 24-h design rainfall, and the climate change factor (CCF) was used to compute the future design rainfall. The CCF was calculated from the rainfall projections of two global climate models, CGCM1 and CCSM3, with different pre-processing steps applied to each. The IDF data were used in the rainfall-runoff-inundation model to simulate current and future flood inundation scenarios.

Findings

The estimated CCF values demonstrate a contrast, whereby each station had a CCF value greater than one for CGCM1, while some stations had a CCF value of less than one for CCSM3. Therefore, CGCM1 projected an aggravation and CCSM3 a reduction of flood hazard for future scenarios. The study reveals that topography plays an essential role in calculating the CCF.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to examine flood projections in the Kelantan River Basin. It is, therefore, hoped that these results could benefit local managers and authorities by enabling them to make informed decisions regarding flood risk mitigation in a climate change scenario.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2007

Hermann Kuehnle

The paper intends to contribute to interpretations of present and future developments in manufacturing and manufacturing research. It designs hypothetical expert consolidated…

1484

Abstract

Purpose

The paper intends to contribute to interpretations of present and future developments in manufacturing and manufacturing research. It designs hypothetical expert consolidated projections for the future of manufacturing with the focus on social impacts from information and communications technologies (ICT).

Design/methodology/approach

In order to obtain valid projections, Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions has been applied to production sciences. Since, the paradigm shift to post mass production has become evident, it is clear that manufacturing will be of network type. Since, the point of a “normal science” (Kuhn) is not yet reached, empirical and methodical work is exploited, especially expert discussion results, technology forecasts and field surveys, to draw the baselines for further developments, focussing on development lines on global, regional as well as company scale.

Findings

The paper sketches organisational set ups and ICT applications for future manufacturing in order to be able to point out induced effects on other trends and drivers (especially social and societal). Major changes in role and future behaviour of manufacturing could be verified.

Research limitations/implications

The paper assumes a specific driver/impact constellation, which emphasises socio‐technical relations and focuses on organisation and ICT use in manufacturing environments as decisive and limiting influences. Other socio/technology interrelations are not regarded as intensively and could be future research fields. Implications on the methods and the instruments to be used for production networks could be sketched.

Practical implications

Some of the methodologies may be downscaled and applied for companies in order to define future strategies. On global, on regional as well as on company level, relevant results may be considered as elements of a future networked manufacturing world.

Originality/value

Trends and drivers for future manufacturing have been newly put into network interrelations in order to obtain impact priorities and interaction hypotheses. Ongoing developments are envisioned as embedded in a general paradigm change. The paper draws from extensive research work on the field. It addresses researchers as well as practitioners dealing with manufacturing companies' strategy development.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 18 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1995

John D. Wong

Fiscal stress has forced local governments to pay increasing attention to revenue trends and has increased the importance of financial forecasting in local government. After…

231

Abstract

Fiscal stress has forced local governments to pay increasing attention to revenue trends and has increased the importance of financial forecasting in local government. After reviewing the role of revenue forecasting in financial planning and discussing the use of regression and econometric analysis in revenue forecasting, this article applies this technique to forecast several key revenue components in a medium-sized city. Three general conclusions may be drawn: (1) systematic revenue forecasting and long-range planning are necessities, not luxuries, (2) risk aversion to "technical" revenue forecasting can be overcome, and (3) the implementation of a systematic revenue forecasting system does not require a battery of "rocket scientists." As municipal revenue bases come to rely less on relatively stable property taxes and more on less stable sources such as sales taxes, fees, and charges, the use of a regression and econometric based model should prove increasingly fruitful.

Details

Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1096-3367

Content available
Article
Publication date: 9 September 2024

Siying Zhu and Cheng-Hsien Hsieh

Maritime transportation plays an important role in facilitating both the global and regional merchandise trade, where accurate trend prediction is crucial in assisting…

Abstract

Purpose

Maritime transportation plays an important role in facilitating both the global and regional merchandise trade, where accurate trend prediction is crucial in assisting decision-making in the industry. This paper aims to conduct a macro-level study to predict world vessel supply and demand.

Design/methodology/approach

The automatic autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) is used for the univariate vessel supply and demand time-series forecasting based on the data records from 1980 to 2021.

Findings

For the future projection of the demand side, the predicted outcomes for total vessel demand and world dry cargo vessel demand until 2030 indicate upward trends. For the supply side, the predominant upward trends for world total vessel supply, oil tanker vessel supply, container vessel supply and other types of vessel supply are captured. The world bulk carrier vessel supply prediction results indicate an initial upward trend, followed by a slight decline, while the forecasted world general cargo vessel supply values remain relatively stable. By comparing the predicted percentage change rates, there is a gradual convergence between demand and supply change rates in the near future. We also find that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the time-series prediction results is not statistically significant.

Originality/value

The results can provide policy implications in strategic planning and operation to various stakeholders in the shipping industry for vessel building, scrapping and deployment.

Details

Maritime Business Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2397-3757

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 October 1988

James A. Lee

America’s patent rate (per 100,000 population) rose steeply to 34 from 1820‐1885, hovered between 28‐36 for the next 40 years then started its plunge to the present 18. This…

Abstract

America’s patent rate (per 100,000 population) rose steeply to 34 from 1820‐1885, hovered between 28‐36 for the next 40 years then started its plunge to the present 18. This article examines the numerous possible causes often found in the literature ‐ expenditures on R&D, poor patent protection, high fees and pendency delays, decline in education in sciences and engineering, etc. While there is some evidence to support each of these, none is as important as the decline in our immigrants from Europe. Projections of possible improvements in our creativity and innovation in sciences and technology are bound in the characteristics of our present and future immigrant streams, and these are not expected to replace the role played by our previous immigrant streams.

Details

American Journal of Business, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1935-5181

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2017

Rachel Ivy Clarke

The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of critical design as an approach for considering the future of libraries.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of critical design as an approach for considering the future of libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes a specific instance of critical design: timeline of the far future of libraries.

Findings

Reflections on the critical design are presented.

Originality/value

This paper offers the first application of critical design in the context of librarianship.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 34 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2002

Frank Shaw

It is said that the ageing population in developed countries will cause state pension systems to collapse, cripple national health services and place unacceptable burdens on the

5104

Abstract

It is said that the ageing population in developed countries will cause state pension systems to collapse, cripple national health services and place unacceptable burdens on the state in terms of social benefits. This article challenges several prevalent myths about population ageing and repudiates the idea that ageing is a major economic and social burden. While it is indisputable that all advanced industrialised societies are ageing, this social fact has become a kind of mantra for opponents of the welfare state and for a collection of alarmists.

Details

Foresight, vol. 4 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

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