Spiru Haret University: Open Journal Systems
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The Effect of Gross Domestic Product, Energy Consumption and Forest Area on Carbon Dioxide Emissions in ASEAN-5
Full text linkDue to human activity-related carbon dioxide emissions, the earth's temperature has increased, resulting in climate change and global warming. The anomaly of climate change, which raises the global average temperature, has shown that environmental damage is genuine. In five ASEAN nations—Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines—between 2001 and 2020, this study will examine the impact of GDP, energy use, and forest area on carbon dioxide emissions. This study's methodology combined quantitative descriptive analysis with panel data regression analysis. The findings indicate that forest area and gross domestic product have a negative and considerable impact on carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, carbon dioxide emissions are positively and significantly impacted by energy usage
A Framework For Overcoming M-commerce Adoption Barriers In Angola
Full text linkAbstract. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy, with brick-and-mortar businesses particularly hard-hit. In Angola, the lockdown imposed in response to the pandemic forced many companies to close their doors, leading to widespread job losses and economic hardship. However, the pandemic also presented an opportunity for businesses that could adopt m-commerce or other alternative sales channels. This study aims to understand the factors that have impeded the adoption of m-commerce by brick-and-mortar retail SMEs in Angola during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also proposes a conceptual framework for overcoming the m-commerce adoption barriers that these SMEs have encountered. The study was conducted using a mixed-method approach, with data collected from 306 retail business managers/owners and professionals through a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study's findings suggest that the factors impeding m-commerce adoption were the lack of experience in using m-commerce, skills to configure forward and backward distribution systems, personnel with IT skills; the cost of m-commerce infrastructure; and the lack of support from the external environment. The study concludes by proposing a framework/strategy for stimulating the adoption of m-commerce in Angola. This strategy includes providing training and support to businesses on using m-commerce, developing a supportive regulatory environment, and investing in m-commerce infrastructure
Assesinng Sustainable Development Goal 11 in South African Context
Full text linkSouth Africa underwent apartheid, a system of racial segregation, during which the country's governance agendas did not offer too much emphasis on environmental issues. The policies implemented during that time were lacking the environment-inclusiveness, and thus regrettably remained unsuccessful in promoting sustainable development. This article aims to review the current state of SDG 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities, in South African context. This research is a qualitative analysis of secondary data obtained through reviewing literature. The data was analyzed using conceptual analysis. The literature review shows that the democratic governance in a post-apartheid era implemented some policies that now regulate various aspects of SDG 11 in the country-specific context. Some of the significant ones are the Housing Act (No. 107 of 1997); Water Services Act (No. 108 of 1997); National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008); Municipal Systems Act (No. 32 of 2000); Breaking New Ground, 2004; and the National Housing Code, 2009. However, despite these legislative frameworks, there are challenges that still hamper the effective achievement of SDG 11. The findings therefore explore these challenges that include insufficient skills, inadequate funding, and inadequate training to develop technical competence, among others. The study provides recommendations for addressing these issues and improving the situation
Revolutionising Organisational Safety and Health Management in the Nigerian Manufacturing Industry via Active Employee Involvement
Full text linkThe concerns with the increasing rate of preventable accidents occurrences in Nigeria's manufacturing sector required a renewed focus on occupational safety and health (OSH). Specifically, despite the number of interventions and the amount of spending on interventions, the effects have remained minimal. Also, despite the efforts of researchers and their suggestions, little or no impact has been noticed as OSH continues to be inadequate. These problems call for a fresh approach and consultation with the individuals who will be utilising these solutions most directly (the workers) to address these issues at their core. This paper is part of a large mixed-method study designed to explore how to improve the efficacy of OSH in Nigeria. However, this present paper reports part of the initial phase as it examines the perception of blue-collar workers in the Nigerian industry to understand how well the existing measures have satisfied their safety needs from the standpoint of available human resource management practices (HRM practices). Hence, this work uses a cross-sectional research design to gather data from both registered and non-registered workplaces located in cities in three Nigerian states, totalling 633 required participants. A mix of simple random and convenience sampling techniques was applied to select the expected samples. SPSS software version 26 was used to analyse the 641 responses. The blue-collar workers constituted the unit of analysis for this phase. The findings indicated that there are diverse opinions among Nigerian manufacturing blue-collar workers regarding the accessibility and applicability of the HR practices under investigation. Based on the findings, recommendations for improving OSH practices in the manufacturing industry is suggested with the hope of maximising employee involvement in strengthening the efficacy of OSH interventions in Nigerian manufacturing workplaces
Benefits and Challenges of Implementing Green Initiatives at Public Universities in South Africa
Full text linkThis article explores the benefits and challenges of implementing green initiatives at South African Universities. The study's objectives are to identify the benefits and to find ways to overcome the challenges preventing green initiative implementation. In a mixed-method approach, eight senior personnel at prominent South African universities were interviewed to identify specific green initiatives and suitable measuring criteria. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was distributed online to other university managers and senior staff. A total of 144 personnel members completed the questionnaire. The results show that the data are reliable (α=0.843), adequate (KMO=0.641), and significant (p≤0.05 at the 95% confidence level. The respondents perceive the barriers to implementing green initiatives at public universities to be significant (≥4.5) and indicate that universities are progressing excellently with implementing some green initiatives (for example, by eliminating paper usage, electronic signing of documents, LED lighting, and paperless IT system applications) (≥4.5). The benefits of green implementation are also significant (≥4.5). Exploratory factor analysis identified three factors each for barriers, implementation, and benefits, explaining a cumulative variance of 56.1%, 82.2% and 54.8%, respectively. Public universities' management can operationalise the results in their green initiatives implementation strategies
Architectural Design and its Impact on PMR Accesibility in Higher Education Institutions
Full text linkThis paper discusses the accessibility of people with reduced mobility (PMR) within public higher education institutions. Several researchers have approached this issue from different angles. They have identified several rights for PMRs, including the fundamental right to education, as recognized by the United Nations.
Accessibility is defined as the ease of movement within the environment, achieved through the removal of architectural and technological barriers in public buildings. This study aims to show the impact of the architectural spatial configuration of the university on the social behavior of PMR accessing education.
To achieve this goal and answer the research problem, a combination of two scientific research methods was used: a qualitative-quantitative method based on sociological surveys and observation, and a second method based on "spatial syntax," a morphological approach that reveals the close relationship between human beings and their built environment. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at Salah Boubnider University in Constantine.
The study concludes that architectural design has a direct impact on the behavior of PMRs and their appropriation of space within the faculty. Designers need to consider measures and design techniques that facilitate access for this social category to higher education institutions in the development of architectural projects
Skills-First Approach in the Context of the Twin Transition
Full text linkSkills, reskilling and higher qualifications have become increasingly important in the labor market as a result of the labor shortage faced by economic agents. This labor shortage is due to the effects of the twin ecological and digital transitions, demographic aging and the speed with which skill requirements in the labor market are changing and will trigger significant changes in the labor market. The aim of the paper is to understand the changes on the labor market in the context of the acceleration of twin transitions and how the skills-first approach could improve this transition in Romania. After reviewing the specialized literature and presenting the theoretical framework, the evolution of the Beveridge Curve in the period 2008-2022 and the social impact of the twin transition will be analyzed. The results underline the maintenance of the low capacity of the economy to create new jobs, as well as the large number of people without a job in the period 2020-2022. The top skill required on the labor market is the use of digital tools and top occupations in this skill are of ICT professionals, researchers, engineers
Unemployment Reduction Targets to Realise NationalL Development Plan Vision 2030
Full text linkOne of the main and most dynamic challenges confronting South Africa is the high unemployment rate, which has been increasing more rapidly than the country’s economic growth. The unemployment rate is increasing every year, supplemented with financial crisis as the South African economy is experiencing a drastic recession and jobs are getting lost. In 2012, the National Planning Commission (NPC) implemented a new long-term strategy, the National Development Plan Vision 2030 (NDP), which is set over an 18-year period (2012 to 2030). The NDP was introduced to meet the government’s objectives, which include economic growth, reducing triple challenges (unemployment, poverty and inequality) and improving service delivery. The main aim of the research is thus to assess the progress of the unemployment reduction targets set by the NDP, as well as recommend strategies that can be implemented to attain the unemployment reduction target and reduce unemployment to (under) 6%. The study employed a qualitative research method and a case study research design. Through literature review, information was compiled through studying budget reviews, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), press releases from international capital markets (International Monetary Fund and World Bank), official government documents, academic/scholarly newspapers, and relevant legislation. The finding explore that many factors hinder or impede the government from achieving its objectives, such as slow economic growth, the impact of Covid-19 on the labour market, skills gap and mismatch, the education system in South Africa and a severe lack of entrepreneurship. The article makes policy recommendations for improvement.One of the main and most dynamic challenges confronting South Africa is the high unemployment rate, which has been increasing more rapidly than the country’s economic growth. The unemployment rate is increasing every year, supplemented with financial crisis as the South African economy is experiencing a drastic recession and jobs are getting lost. In 2012, the National Planning Commission (NPC) implemented a new long-term strategy, the National Development Plan Vision 2030 (NDP), which is set over an 18-year period (2012 to 2030). The NDP was introduced to meet the government’s objectives, which include economic growth, reducing triple challenges (unemployment, poverty and inequality) and improving service delivery. The main aim of the research is thus to assess the progress of the unemployment reduction targets set by the NDP, as well as recommend strategies that can be implemented to attain the unemployment reduction target and reduce unemployment to (under) 6%. The study employed a qualitative research method and a case study research design. Through literature review, information was compiled through studying budget reviews, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), press releases from international capital markets (International Monetary Fund and World Bank), official government documents, academic/scholarly newspapers, and relevant legislation. The finding explore that many factors hinder or impede the government from achieving its objectives, such as slow economic growth, the impact of Covid-19 on the labour market, skills gap and mismatch, the education system in South Africa and a severe lack of entrepreneurship. The article makes policy recommendations for improvement
Sensitivity Analysis for Utility Maximization: A Study on Lagrange Multipliers and Commodity Coupons
Full text linkIn this study sensitivity analysis among Lagrange multipliers and commodity coupons are discussed with detail mathematical analysis. In economics, utility maximization method is essential for the increasing of the sustainable production and profit maximization. Two types of constraints, such as budget constraint, and coupon constraint are used to operate sensitivity analysis; consequently, two Lagrange multipliers are applied for the detail mathematical analysis
English: English
No full textThe paper assesses the importance of the models used to determine the efficiency and the environmental impact of the heating products like heating pumps (HP). An appropriate model of evaluation may help identifying the presence of greenhouse gases and reducing their influence. The paper's novelty resides in the way the hidden sides linked to greenhouse gases' presence, are identified, and eliminated.
The research methodology considers an environmental model linked both to the Global Emission Model for Integrated Systems on energy efficiency indicators and to the break-even analysis for greenhouse gases. The model gives hints on reducing the high costs to upgrade the living conditions in residential buildings. The results illustrate the environmental and societal impact and the social potential and highlight the technical implications for such operating systems. They incite optimizing the Heat Hybrid Pumps' design within decentralized energy systems to strengthen energy networks' flexibility and the environmental convenience. The research straightens out the understanding of heat pumps mechanisms, delineates the efficiency of their increasing use through the block-chain technology outlining its future potential for people and society's health and benefit