Planning for relocation in recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Author(s):  
Elizabeth Maly ◽  
Eiko Ishikawa

Purpose – This paper aims to consider the current situation of relocation in Japan after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) in the context of past examples and post-disaster housing relocation projects in other countries. Design/methodology/approach – Information about international cases of post-disaster housing relocation was gathered though desk and literature review, supplemented by field visits to the sites for direct observation and interviews with people involved in the relocation projects. Findings – To be successful, residential relocation must consider livelihood, especially in regards to location. Involvement of the residents in the planning and decision making process creates housing relocation projects that better meet residents’ needs. Japan faces some unique challenges, yet shares commonalities with other countries, for example, in tsunami-stricken fishing areas. Housing relocation in Tohoku must strive to be accountable to the needs of the residents and the specific contexts of their communities. Originality/value – There is still a limited amount of literature in English that considers the issues of relocation in recovery after the GEJE in an international context, especially comprehensive comparisons with multiple countries. Although this paper does not deal with each international case in great detail, the comparison provides a good overview of the key issues for residents in post-disaster relocation, and suggests how lessons from international cases could be applied to the challenges that Japan currently faces in relocation planning in the Tohoku region.

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Tomassi ◽  
Giuseppe Forino

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to aim at exploring the relationship between community building and the changes occurred in the context of a post-disaster self-built ecovillage (EcoVillaggio Autocostruito(EVA)), spontaneously born after the L’Aquila earthquake in 2009. The community eventually dissolved in 2014, following a series of changes in the organization, that resulted in an increasingly centralized decision-making process, and in individual and community relationships, that were fueled by conflicts and contrasts.Design/methodology/approachThrough a self-ethnography method, the paper provides the insider perspective of the lead author who was a part of EVA since the beginning. Self-ethnography allowed developing a narrative of EVA across its life course.FindingsFindings reveal that the community into EVA was initially pursuing community-building goals through self-construction, sustainability, mutuality and reciprocity relationships out of market. However, several events occurred and changed community goals, organization and decision making. Eventually, individual goals and vertical decision making emerged among the community members, leading to the death of EVA.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper just considered those main events that marked the collective and individual life of the lead author since the beginning until the end of the ecovillage. Others events, equally important, were not considered due to word length. In addition, self-ethnography is still considered by some authors as a subjective method.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the few exploring community experiences into post-disaster ecovillages. Moreover, there are no papers investigating post-disaster ecovillages through a self-ethnography approach. Therefore, the paper offers an innovative and original perspective on the under-investigated topic of post-disaster ecovillages and employs a promising research method in disaster studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahbaz Khan ◽  
Mohd Imran Khan ◽  
Abid Haleem

PurposeHigher level of customer satisfaction for halal products can be achieved by the effective adoption of halal certification through assessment and accreditation (HCAA). There are certain issues that seem detrimental towards the adoption of HCAA. The purpose of this paper is to identify the major barriers towards the adoption of HCAA and evaluate inter-relationships among them for developing the strategies to mitigate these barriers.Design/methodology/approachThe barriers towards the adoption of HCAA are identified through an integrative approach of literature review and expert’s opinion. The inter-relationship among the identified barriers is evaluated using fuzzy-based decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (fuzzy DEMATEL) technique, which categorises them into influential and influenced group.FindingsThe evaluation of inter-relationship among barriers using fuzzy DEMATEL indicates four influencing barriers and six influenced barriers towards the adoption of HCAA. Further, findings suggest an extensive government, and management support is vital in terms of commitment, resources and actions to realise the benefits attributed with HCAA.Research limitations/implicationsThe inter-relationship among barriers is contextual and based on the perception of experts which may be biased as per their background and area of expertise. This study pertains to a specific region and can be extended to the generalised certification system.Originality/valueThe empirical base of the research provides the inter-relationship among the barriers towards the adoption of HCAA which can be effectively used as input in the decision-making process by producers, manufacturers and distributor. The policy maker can analyse the cause group and effect group of barriers to formulate policies that would help in the adoption of HCAA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-507
Author(s):  
Ali Asghar Sharifi ◽  
Amir Hossein Farahinia

PurposeThis study aims to render a pattern for heritage restoration in the context of reusing historic buildings, to assist the authorities with decision-making process on the most appropriate time during the building’s life cycle. Here, the adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model is used to find the most appropriate time for adaptive reuse and calculating the useful life as well as the potentiality of the Amir Nezam House so a viable solution can be put forward.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, a quantitative and qualitative method is adopted to evaluate the useful life and potentiality of the Amir Nezam House of Tabriz to determine the most appropriate time for next intervention.FindingsResults show that the potential (ARP score) of the Amir Nezam House is increasing, the value of which will be greater than 50 percent by the next few years. Evaluations show that the most appropriate time for further intervention is the year 2035.Originality/valueThe significance of this research lies within the objective of proposing a preventive and protective schedule for historic buildings before they reach their life expectancy with an emphasis on environmental, economic, social and functional sustainability as well as environmental impacts. ARP model has been applied to implement this concept in the Amir Nezam House, Tabriz, Iran.


Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1721-1740
Author(s):  
Shuaishuai Geng ◽  
Yu Feng ◽  
Yaoguo Dang ◽  
Junjie Wang ◽  
Rizwan Rasheed

Purpose This paper aims to propose an enhanced algorithm and used to decision-making that specifically focuses on the choice of a domain in the calculation of degree of greyness according to the principle of grey numbers operation. The domain means the emerging background of interval grey numbers, it is vital for the operational mechanism of such interval grey numbers. However, the criteria of selection of domain always remain same that is not only for the calculated grey numbers but also for the resultant grey numbers, which can be assumed as unrealistic up to a certain extent. Design/methodology/approach The existence of interval grey number operation based on kernel and the degree of greyness containing two calculation aspects, which are kernel and the degree of greyness. For the degree of greyness, it includes concepts of domain and calculation of the domain. The concepts of a domain are defined. The enhanced algorithm is also comprised of four deductive theorems and eight rules that are linked to the properties of the enhanced algorithm of the interval grey numbers based on the kernel and the degree of greyness. Findings Aiming to improve the algorithm of the degree of greyness for interval grey numbers, based on the variation of domain in the operation process, the degree of greyness of the operation result is defined in this paper, and the specific expressions for algebraic operations are given, which is relevant to the kernel, the degree of greyness and the domain. Then, these expressions are used to the algorithm of interval grey numbers based on the kernel and the degree of greyness, improving the accuracy of the operation results. Originality/value The enhanced algorithm in this paper can effectively reduce the loss of information in the operation process, so as to avoid the situation where the decision values are the same and scientific decisions cannot be made during the grey evaluation and decision-making process.


foresight ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Safdari Ranjbar ◽  
Gholam Reza Tavakoli

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to promote the authors' understanding of technology intelligence by responding to two questions: What is technology intelligence? How is it accomplished? Design/methodology/approach – To respond to the two main questions about technology intelligence in this paper, the authors have studied relevant academic, peer-reviewed journals and books using the literature databases of Google Scholar, Sciencedirect, Inderscience, Wiley and Emerald Insight. They have used few selection criteria to choose papers and books for inclusion in their study. Findings – Enhancing the authors' understanding of the technology intelligence concept by responding to the two main questions (What is technology intelligence? How is it accomplished?), classifying the main studies in the field of technology intelligence and several practical and theoretical implications are the findings in this paper. Practical implications – A number of practical implications related to technology intelligence structure, process, methods, tools and players are suggested to managers of organizations and companies to improve their technology-related planning processes and decision-making. Originality/value – Despite the considerable level of consensus on the necessity of precise scanning and monitoring technological changes and trends, there is still limited understanding of the technology intelligence concept. This paper intends to enhance the authors' understanding of technology intelligence by responding to two questions: What is technology intelligence? And how is it accomplished?


2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Peters

Purpose – This paper is a case study of the decision at Central Michigan University to take librarians off the reference desk. Departmental data on reference desk traffic and other ancillary functions of the reference department was used to make the case for removing the librarians from the desk. Data collected since the decision was made has supported the decision to move to an on-call reference desk staffing model. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The department reviewed and analyzed data on reference desk transactions of all types from previous years to inform its decision making. Data trends and an analysis of the nature of the questions asked at the reference desk were instrumental in the analysis. Findings – The department determined that the statistical data justified the removal of the librarians from the reference desk. Data collected since moving to the on-call model supports the earlier decision. Originality/value – This paper provides libraries considering their own desk staffing models with a discussion of another library’s decision-making process and evidence of a successful migration to a new reference service model.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1092-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junna Meng ◽  
Jinghong Yan ◽  
Bin Xue ◽  
Jing Fu ◽  
Ning He

Purpose The goal of making buy-in decisions is to purchase materials at the right time with the required quantity and a minimum material cost (MC). To help achieve this goal, the purpose of this paper is to find a way of optimizing the buy-in decision with the consideration of flexible starting date of non-critical activities which makes daily demand adjustable. Design/methodology/approach First, a specific algorithm is developed to calculate a series of demand combinations modeling daily material demand for all the possible start dates. Second, future material prices are predicted by applying artificial neural network. Third, the demand combinations and predicted prices are used to generate an optimal buy-in decision. Findings By comparing MC in situation when non-critical activities always start at the earliest date to that in situations when the starting date is flexible, it is found that making material buy-in decision with the consideration of the flexibility usually helps reduce MC. Originality/value In this paper, a material buy-in decision-making method that accounts non-critical activities’ flexible starting date is proposed. A ternary cycle algorithm is developed to calculate demand combinations. The results that making material buy-in decision considering non-critical activities’ flexible starting date can reduce MC in most times indicates that contractors may consider non-critical activities’ flexibility a part of the buy-in decision-making process, so as to achieve an MC decrease and profit increase.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 560-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadeu Fernando Nogueira

Purpose Given the growing recognition that learning plays a crucial role in entrepreneurship, this paper aims to systematically review the literature on entrepreneurial learning (EL), take account of its progress and analyze the unique characteristics of EL as a concept. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a systematic approach to reviewing the literature on EL and critically assess the EL concept through the criteria of resonance, attributes (involving consistency, fecundity and differentiation), domain and causal utility. Findings A synthesis and assessment of extant literature reveals that a key challenge is the clear articulation of EL as a concept. This paper takes the first steps toward the specification of EL through a discussion of its unique properties. In this respect, the paper proposes the understanding of EL as an undertaking of entrepreneurial (i.e. proactive, exploratory and collaborative) learning behaviors (a crucial component of the EL concept) and recommends the context of new venture creation as an appropriate domain for the study of EL. Research limitations/implications This paper paves the way toward a more robust specification of EL as a concept. Originality/value This systematic literature review initiates a discussion about how EL literature can find convergence on key issues, thus helping the field move forward. It does so by articulating central attributes of the EL concept.


2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish K. Mittal

Purpose This paper developed a theoretical and research framework by identifying the behavioral biases in investment decision and by presenting a review of the available literature in the field of behavior finance-related biases. This paper aims to present a compressive review of the literature available in the public domain in past five decades on behavior finance and biases and its role in investment decision-making process. It also covers insights on the subject for developing a deeper understating of the behavior of investor and related biases. Design/methodology/approach The work follows the comprehensive literature review approach to review the available literatures. The review carried out on different parameters such as year of publication, journal of publication, country, type of research, data type, statistical technique used and biases identified. This is a funnel approach to decrease the number of behavior biases up to six for further research. Findings Most of the existing works have summarized behavior finance as an emerging area in finance. This indicates the limited valuable research in developing economy in this area. This literature review helps in identifying major research gap in this domain. It helps in identifying the behavior biases which work dominantly in investment decision-making. It would be interesting to explore the area of behavior biases and their impact on investment decision of individual investors in India. Originality/value This paper worked on literature prevailing on the subject and available on various online research data source and search engines. It covers a long time frame of almost five decades (1970-2015). This paper is an attempt to look at the impact of behavior finance and biases and its role in investment decision-making process of the investor behavior. This study builds up a strong theoretical framework for researchers and academicians by detailed demonstration of available literature on behavior biases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-323
Author(s):  
Tengku Adil Tengku Izhar ◽  
Bernady O. Apduhan ◽  
Torab Torabi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of the organizational goal accomplishment by assessing the reliance relationship between organizational data and organizational goals. Design/methodology/approach The evaluation of the organizational goals is based on design and operational level, which can serve in ranking of the organizational goals achievement and hence assist the decision-making process in achieving the organizational goals. To achieve this aim, the authors propose an ontology to develop the relationship between organizational data and organizational goals. Findings Data goals dependency shows the dependency relationship between organizational data and organizational goals. At the same time, data goals dependency assists the process of identifying data attributes, where the authors suggest that these data attributes are relevant in relation to the organizational goals. Originality/value The contribution of this paper will serve as the first step to evaluate the relevance of organizational data to assist decision-making in relation to the organizational goals.


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