The Impact of Driving Forces and Protection Policies on Future Coastal Landscapes: A Case Study of Latvia

Abstract In the study area of the Sulkov site in the western part of the suburban landscape of the city of Pilsen we focus on detailed historical analysis of the development of the landscape, which has undergone significant changes, and thus clearly demonstrates the impact of the driving forces on both the regional and inter-regional levels. The documented historical development of ecotopes proved that the fundamental changes in the use of the natural potential had been determined by social and economical demand. The specific use of each type of ecotopes of the site was then co-decided by the natural potential of the area and the geographic location with good transport connection, i.e. local and regional factors.

Download Full-text

Competition In The eLearning Industry: A Case Study

Journal of Business Case Studies (JBCS) ◽

10.19030/jbcs.v4i2.4760 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 106

Author(s):

John Kaliski ◽

Jon Kalinowski ◽

Paul Schumann ◽

Tim Scott ◽

Dooyoung Shin

Keyword(s):

Strategic Management ◽

Success Factors ◽

Driving Forces ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Industry Structure ◽

Force Model ◽

Analytical Skills ◽

Competitive Capabilities ◽

The Impact

This paper highlights the structural attributes of the eLearning Industry. The case presents details regarding the evolution of the eLearning market and provides the opportunity for students of strategic management to build critical industry analytical skills by applying a variety of techniques highlighted in the accompanying case teaching note. To obtain a copy of the teaching note, contact the corresponding author by email. The analytical techniques applied include the identification of the chief economic characteristics of the industry, Porters five force model of competition, the impact of driving forces on industry structure, and the identification of necessary competitive capabilities (success factors) for success in the eLearning industry.

Download Full-text

Spatial Determinants of Land Conversion for Various Urban Use: A Case Study of Beijing

ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information ◽

10.3390/ijgi9120708 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 708

Author(s):

Daquan Huang ◽

Erxuan Chu ◽

Tao Liu

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Spatial Autocorrelation ◽

Driving Forces ◽

Municipal Government ◽

Land Use Changes ◽

Construction Land ◽

Different Types ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

The Impact

Studying the factors that influence the expansion of different types of construction land is instrumental in formulating targeted policies and regulations, and can reduce or prevent the negative impacts of unreasonable land use changes. Using land use survey data of Beijing (2001 and 2010), an autologistic model quantitatively analyzed the leading driving forces and differences in four types of construction land expansion (industrial, residential, public service, and commercial land types), focusing on the impact of spatial autocorrelation. The results showed that the influencing factors vary greatly for different types of construction land expansion; the same factor may have a different impact on different construction land, and both planning factors and spatial autocorrelation variables have a significant positive effect on the four types. Accordingly, the municipal government should consider the differences in the expansion mechanisms and driving forces of different construction land and formulate suitable planning schemes, observe the impact of spatial autocorrelation on construction land expansion, and guide spatial agglomeration through policies while appropriately controlling the scale of expansion. The methods and policy recommendations of this research are significant for urban land expansion research and policy formulations in other transition economies and developing countries.

Download Full-text

Dynamic Modeling for Environmental Processes: A Case Study of Lake Engure

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Section B Natural Exact and Applied Sciences ◽

10.2478/prolas-2014-0002 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 68 (1-2) ◽

pp. 20-30

Author(s):

Mārcis Zariņš ◽

Andra Blumberga ◽

Māris Klaviņš ◽

Viesturs Melecis

Keyword(s):

Biological Diversity ◽

Dynamic Models ◽

Driving Forces ◽

Management Practice ◽

Model Development ◽

System Dynamic ◽

Actual State ◽

Environmental Processes ◽

The Impact

Abstract This focus of the study was on system dynamic models that could be useful for modelling environmental processes in Lake Engure. The paper considers the system dynamic model development principles, the most important elements and structure. The aim of the study was to describe possible methods of ecosystem process modelling that allow to represent the actual state of ecosystems and provide opportunities to predict further processes. The methods of ecosystem modelling considered in the paper reveal interactive factors of anthropogenic and environmental processes that influence changes in ecosystems. System dynamic models indicate not only interactions between various factors in the environment but also the most important driving forces. These models are based on flowchart and algorithm systems, which represent changes using mathematical functions in a graphic or tabular form. In the case study of Lake Engure, connections between factors that influence ecosystems in the study area were identified. Specialised software, PowerSim Studio Academic 9.0, was used for modelling. The model consists of qualitative and multifactor data of Lake Engure ecosystems, such as water chemical, physical and hydrological parameters, biological, ornithological and other data collected in the study area. Development of this modelling method will make it possible to evaluate the impact of various processes on biological diversity changes in the study area and to identify the most important problems. Furthermore, this method could improve environmental management practice in the surrounding municipalities, and it will also be possible to make similar models of ecosystem quality in other regions.

Download Full-text

The Stories We Live By and the stories we won’t stand by: Measuring the impact of a free online course in ecolinguistics

Journal of World Languages ◽

10.1515/jwl-2021-0004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Mariana Roccia ◽

Jessica Iubini-Hampton

Keyword(s):

Driving Forces ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Online Course ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Digital Format ◽

Innovative Tool ◽

Stories To Live By ◽

Dominant Narratives ◽

The Impact

Abstract Current dominant narratives of economic growth, consumerism, and anthropocentric views on human existence, to name a few, are behind the driving forces responsible for the increasing destruction of the very own ecological systems that all life depends on. By utilizing tools of Discourse Analysis while adopting an ecological perspective, the free online course The Stories We Live By (TSWLB) offers a practical and accessible framework in which stories can be critically evaluated, questioned, and resisted. Crucially, students are encouraged to apply their newly acquired theoretical insights to search for alternative stories to live by. While current approaches of impact assessment beyond academia can be measured more readily in the sciences, it is harder to assess whether, how, and to what extent humanities research produces change in society; arguably, the digital format of the course adds to the complexity of assessing its impact. In this article, the authors aim to draw attention on the inherent value of the dissemination of traditional academic tools beyond academia. By combining both qualitative and quantitative methodologies in relation to the free online course TSWLB as a case study, the article provides an innovative tool to effectively measure impact which renders itself suitable for a wider range of disciplines across both traditional and digital humanities.

Download Full-text