Beirut port blast: an escapable disaster in more than one way

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Roula Al Daia ◽  
Hala Khayr Yaacoub
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Management ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Transformational Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Leadership ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
The People ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
The Government

Complexity academic level The blast at Beirut Port on the 4th of August was the cherry on the cake in a series of disastrous governmental failures manifested in the of lack of trust, an unprecedented economic crisis, hyperinflation, financial fallout, political bottle necks, toxic environmental situation and a vertical cleavage between the government and the people. The blast resulted in billions of dollars in losses both at the port and the surrounding Beirut area, destroyed more than 300,000 housing units, displaced their residents, ruined many artifacts of cultural heritage, injured thousands of people and killed hundreds. Definitely, it was a case of negligence in the storage of the Ammonium Nitrate, corruption, irresponsible leadership or all of these together. However, investigations are still underway to pinpoint the responsible individuals and to bring them to justice. This case looks at potential ways that could have prevented the blast, by questioning the reasons behind the non-voicing out of objections against the nature of the material stored unsafely for several years in Container 12 at the Port. Through the lens of Hadi Karim, a fictional character, the authors lead the readers to consider the disaster’s characterization, as well as applicable disaster management frameworks. The case also emphasizes the role of public leadership and leads the readers to consider measures and processes that could have been abided by to prevent the disaster. Case overview Against the backdrop of the recent Beirut Port explosion, this case examines how events unfolded leading up to the tragedy, highlighting how it could have been avoided, as well as the managerial and ethical dimensions involved. Leaning objectives At the end of the case, students will be able to: 1. Characterize the disaster in terms of type and nature. 2. Analyze the blast by referring to the relevant disaster management frameworks. 3. Analyze the critical role of ethical and transformational leaders pre and post disaster. 4. Reflect on the role of employees in preventing disasters mainly through whistleblowing. Social implications Shedding the light on an avoidable disaster, drawing lessons to avoid the occurrence of such events in the future, and raising awareness on disaster management and on whistleblowing as a tool in the ethical leader’s toolbox. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 10: Public Sector Management.

Rebel with a cause

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilson Wong ◽  
May Chu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
The People ◽  
Crony Capitalism ◽  
Democratic System ◽  
Structural Roots ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the cause and nature of the 2014 Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong and the role of the youth in the movement. Design/methodology/approach This paper analyzes the relationship between the serious social and economic problems in Hong Kong, of which the youth often feel the greatest impact, and the demands for a real democratic system made by the Umbrella Movement. It examines the structural roots of the Movement and the role of youths in it. Findings The Umbrella Movement is not simply a movement of anger and frustration, but also a movement reflecting some of the serious and legitimate concerns of the people of Hong Kong, especially the youth, who have a high and growing sense of local identity and citizenship. The movement links the major policy and social problems of the post-Handover era to its root cause, which is an undemocratic political system combined with crony capitalism. Unfortunately, the approach taken by the government toward the Movement has been to emphasize its illegal nature and to attempt to divide the opposition by adopting “united front” strategies that pay no serious attention to the problems the Movement has raised. Eventually, this approach will only lead to an outcome of “strong government, weak society” where strong government action in opposition to reformers will weaken the cohesion of society and expose the actual weakness of the state that has no popular legitimacy, going on to create more chaos as a result of its weak governance. Originality/value This paper will help both scholars and policymakers to understand the structural and root causes of the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong and explain why Hong Kong is suffering from a serious problem of weak governance.

scholarly journals Faizal & Shabana Foundation: a venture philanthropic approach to education

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Sreevas Sahasranamam ◽  
Sumit Mitra
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Venture Philanthropy ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
The Government

Learning outcomes Learning outcomes are as follows: understand venture philanthropy in India; discuss in what ways venture philanthropy is different from charity; identify the aims of venture philanthropy and the strategy adopted to achieve those objectives; analyze the role of the unique structuring of a venture philanthropy working in tandem with the government to achieve its objectives; identify the nature and source of dilemmas of disengagement from a project by the venture philanthropist; and understand the role of antecedents and outcomes on how a firm views its social impact initiative (in the Indian context). Case overview/synopsis The Faizal and Shabana Foundation (F&SF) made one of the largest philanthropic investments in Kerala, India for the redevelopment of Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls, Nadakkavu. The foundation applied a strategic approach to their philanthropic investment making it a unique case of venture philanthropy. The uniqueness of this case lies in the fact that, this is one among those rare cases where venture philanthropy has been successfully implemented within a government educational context. This case highlights how a private philanthropic organization went about executing a project and faced several challenges of scaling up the redevelopment model to other government schools. The other salient aspect is that this case delves into the dilemma faced by a philanthropist of either using the existing model for scaling up or adopting a totally different model. Complexity academic level Undergraduate and postgraduate business management courses. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS: 11: Strategy.

The 2016 Police and Crime Commissioner elections

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Joyce
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Source Material ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the 2016 elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and to compare them with those that took place in 2012. It seeks to evaluate the background of the candidates who stood for office in 2016, the policies that they put forward, the results of the contests and the implications of the 2016 experience for future PCC elections. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based around several key themes – the profile of candidates who stood for election, preparations conducted prior to the contests taking place, the election campaign and issues raised during the contests, the results and the profile of elected candidates. The paper is based upon documentary research, making particular use of primary source material. Findings The research establishes that affiliation to a political party became the main route for successful candidates in 2016 and that local issues related to low-level criminality will dominate the future policing agenda. It establishes that although turnout was higher than in 2012, it remains low and that further consideration needs to be devoted to initiatives to address this for future PCC election contests. Research limitations/implications The research focusses on the 2016 elections and identifies a number of key issues that emerged during the campaign affecting the conduct of the contests which have a bearing on future PCC elections. It treats these elections as a bespoke topic and does not seek to place them within the broader context of the development of the office of PCC. Practical implications The research suggests that in order to boost voter participation in future PCC election contests, PCCs need to consider further means to advertise the importance of the role they perform and that the government should play a larger financial role in funding publicity for these elections and consider changing the method of election. Social implications The rationale for introducing PCCs was to empower the public in each police force area. However, issues that include the enhanced importance of political affiliation as a criteria for election in 2016 and the social unrepresentative nature of those who stood for election and those who secured election to this office in these contests coupled with shortcomings related to public awareness of both the role of PCCs and the timing of election contests threaten to undermine this objective. Originality/value The extensive use of primary source material ensures that the subject matter is original and its interpretation is informed by an academic perspective.

Institutionalization and Evangelization in the Argentine Church: Córdoba Under Zenón Bustos, 1905-1919

1989 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-381
Author(s):  
Arthur R. Liebscher
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Central City ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
The People ◽  
National Leadership ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Church

To the dismay of today's social progressives, the Argentine Catholic church addresses the moral situation of its people but also shies away from specific political positions or other hint of secular involvement. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the church set out to secure its place in national leadership by strengthening religious institutions and withdrawing clergy from politics. The church struggled to overcome a heritage of organizational weakness in order to promote evangelization, that is, to extend its spiritual influence within Argentina. The bishop of the central city of Córdoba, Franciscan Friar Zenón Bustos y Ferreyra (1905-1925), reinforced pastoral care, catechesis, and education. After 1912, as politics became more heated, Bustos insisted that priests abstain from partisan activities and dedicate themselves to ministry. The church casts itself in the role of national guardian, not of the government, but of the faith and morals of the people.

Public leadership behaviors of school principals: does it affect teacher motivation and job satisfaction in Turkish culture?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bünyamin Han ◽  
Rasim Tösten ◽  
Zakir Elçiçek
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Teacher Motivation ◽  
School Principals ◽  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Leadership ◽  
Mediating Role

PurposeThe aim of this research is to examine the public leadership (PL) behaviors of principals working in public schools and its effect on teacher motivation (M) and job satisfaction (JS). Moreover, the mediating role of JS in the relationship between PL and M is also explored.Design/methodology/approachThis research is quantitative and designed in relational survey model conducted with 327 teachers working in Siirt/Turkey in 2020. In the research, Public Leadership Scale, Teacher Motivation Scale and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire were used. Descriptive analyses were used in data analysis. Moreover, mediating role of job satisfaction between public leadership and teacher motivation was tested.FindingsAccording to the results, the public leadership behaviors of school principals, motivation and job satisfaction of teachers are high according to teacher opinions. Additionally, public leadership behaviors of school principals have an effect on teacher motivation and job satisfaction. On the other hand, this study found a negative effect between public leadership and motivation when the effect of job satisfaction is controlled. The possible reasons for this situation were discussed in term of cultural differences.Practical implicationsThe results of this study imply that the leadership behaviors of school principals have cultural elements. Future research should be careful in measuring the political loyalty dimension of the public leadership and should take cultural element into consideration.Originality/valueAlthough there are many types of leadership, the type of leadership differs depending on the purpose of the organization, environmental conditions and culture. The lifestyle of the society, current developments and the structure of the organization are effective in interpreting the leadership needed in the organization. When looking at the models created about leadership in organizations, the effect of this type of leadership on organizational behavior is generally tried to be explained. This is also the case for motivation or job satisfaction. Therefore, this study also focuses on the effect of public leadership in explaining the job satisfaction and motivation of employees in educational organizations. However, another distinctive aspect of this research is that the cultural structure of the society is emphasized in the model to be created.

Understanding destination evangelism: a social media viewpoint

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Purvendu Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Role Of Information

PurposeThe present research aims to introduce and understand the promising nature of destination evangelism in the context of social media-based tourism communities (SMTCs). Further, factors that influence evangelism and information-seeking behaviors on SMTCs are examined.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model is developed that features an interplay of destination distinctiveness, destination evangelism, travel commitment and information-seeking engagement. Data were collected from 215 active users of SMTCs and analyzed using structural equation models.FindingsThe research findings indicate that destination distinctiveness and information-seeking positively lead to destination evangelism. Information-seeking is found to mediate the relationship between (1) destination evangelism and travel commitment and (2) destination evangelism and distinctiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThe research offers meaningful insights into exploring constituents of destination evangelism. The research also understands and highlights the critical role of information-seeking engagement about distinct destinations.Practical implicationsThis research highlights key areas to build, improve and inspire destination evangelism on SMTCs.Originality/valueThis study offers a fresh contribution to tourism literature by investigating destination evangelism and its drivers. This is explained by closely uniting vital research streams of evangelism, tourism and engagement. It further highlights the dual mediating role of information seeking, suggesting that these engagements are critical to evangelizing destinations.

The South African public service wage bill deadlock in 2021: living on the edge

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Marianne Matthee ◽  
Albert Wöcke
Keyword(s):  
Fiscal Policy ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Finance Minister ◽  
The Government

Subject area Macro-Economics. Study level/applicability Undergraduate and MBA. Case overview The COVID 19 pandemic-related restrictions devastated South Africa’s economy in 2020 and although the restrictions were generally less damaging than in 2020, the government had to budget for vaccinations and rebuild the economy. Public service unions had just announced that they were demanding an increase of 4% above inflation for their members and that they were preparing for a strike. They were bitter about the fact that the South African Government had withdrawn from the last year of a three-year wage agreement in February 2020 and their members had not received an increase for the two years. These demands and Finance Minister Mboweni’s response to them had to consider the structural and cyclical impact on the fiscus and economy. Expected learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: understand the general objectives of fiscal policy and stakeholders’ interests; understand the tradeoffs in fiscal policy and the implications of taking a position; and make recommendations based on reasoned judgements about those recommendations. Complexity academic level Undergraduate and MBA level courses on Macro Economics. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 10: Public Sector Management.

COVID-19, migration and inclusive cities through e-governance: strategies to manage asylum seekers in Durban, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Kariuki ◽  
Maria Lauda Goyayi ◽  
Lizzy Oluwatoyin Ofusori
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Public Services ◽  
City Government ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Strategies ◽  
The Government ◽  
The City

Purpose This paper aims to examine the role of electronic governance (e-governance) in enabling asylum seekers’ access to public services in the city of Durban, South Africa. Because of COVID-19, the government scaled down its operations, limiting access to public services, including among migrants. Design/methodology/approach Because of COVID-19-related restrictions, a systematic review was conducted of the relevant academic literature as well as the information portals of relevant government departments, municipalities and research reports on migration and refugees in South Africa. A total of 320 peer-reviewed research articles were identified. These were filtered and 68 relevant articles were selected. Findings The study found that asylum seekers have limited access to public services via information communication technology-enabled mechanisms. Whilst the city government has embraced e-governance, it is still in its nascent stages. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to a desktop one because of COVID-19 restrictions and it focused exclusively on asylum seekers. Therefore, its findings can only be generalised to this category of people. Practical implications Future studies on this subject should gather data from all categories of migrants to gain in-depth perspectives. Social implications All spheres of governance in South Africa should recognise asylum seekers as a constituency that deserves access to public services. E-governance can facilitate easier access to these services, and policies need to be aligned with this reality. Originality/value This study examined the efficacy of e-governance in enabling access to government services by asylum seekers during COVID-19. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other study on this subject was conducted during this period.

From Vulnerable Health Habitus to Tough Health Habitus Against Covid-19 in Inang-Inang at The Traditional Markets in Medan, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-111
Author(s):  
Hadriana Marhaeni Munthe ◽  
Lina Sudarwati
Keyword(s):  
Family Members ◽  
Economic Resilience ◽  
Health Security ◽  
Traditional Markets ◽  
Urban Markets ◽  
The People ◽  
Traditional Market ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
The Government

The term, 'inang-inang pasar' is referred to Bataknese market female vendors who sell basic commodities in the traditional urban markets. They have the image of hard working and tough vendors who fight against poverty in towns. Their activities as vendors in traditional markets indicate their strategic role of women as the agents of economic resilience and the agents of health security in their families. Here, their toughness in supporting their families by being vendors at Sembada traditional market, Medan. However, their toughness becomes a dilemma caused by Covid-19 pandemic. In this case, the government implement prokes (health protocol) from 3Ms to 5 Ms (wearing masks, washing hands, doing social distancing, avoiding crowd, and staying home), including in the area of the traditional markets where they sell their merchandise. The Prokes of Covid-19 in traditional markets have caused various responses from them. The reality is that they have not been ready to practice the policy on this 5 M Prokes since most of them lack of awareness of adhering to it due to the vulnerable of their health habitus. It seems that they can become the carriers and local transmitters of Covid-19. This situation worsens their condition and the people surrounding them such as their own family members. Keywords: Habitus, Covid-19, Inang-Inang, Traditional Market

scholarly journals Creating Ecotourism in Costa Rica, 1970–2000

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
GEOFFREY JONES ◽  
ANDREW SPADAFORA
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Knowledge Spillovers ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
National Image ◽  
Positive Externalities ◽  
Resource Endowment ◽  
The Government ◽  
New Industry

Between the 1970s and the 2000s, Costa Rica became established as the world’s leading ecotourism destination. This article argues that although Costa Rica benefited from biodiversity and a pleasant climate, the country’s preeminence in ecotourism requires more than a natural resource endowment explanation. While previous literature has emphasized the efforts of the government and nongovernment organizations, this article demonstrates the critical role of small entrepreneurs in the co-creation of the industry. Making extensive use of oral history, the article explores the role of tour companies in drawing affluent Western ecotourists to the country, and of the creators of ecolodges and other forms of accommodation in providing them with somewhere to stay. Clustering created positive externalities, drawing new entrepreneurs into the industry who could also learn from knowledge spillovers. There were downsides to the new industry. The creation of the national image of a natural paradise enabled many businesses which were not environmentally sustainable to free ride on the green image.

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