Role of social resilience in mitigating disasters

Author(s):  
N. Nirupama ◽  
T. Popper ◽  
A. Quirke

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze a few recent earthquakes, gain insights into the role of social resilience in the severity of disaster impact and offer plausible approaches to mitigate future disaster impact. Managing and alleviating social and psychological harm among people, in the face of recurring disasters in the world, is very important. Design/methodology/approach – An approach of event comparison has been adopted in this paper. Three recent earthquake events, the 2012 event in Haida Gwaii, Canada, the 2010 event in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami have been examined through the lens of social resilience of affected population. Findings – Japanese people illustrated patience, tolerance and consideration for other impacted people, proving that it is an effective and efficient approach to dealing with a disaster. New Zealand’s resilience can be attributed to having a governance that is well aware of the hazards in the country. In Canada, however, as of 2001, there are barely any government-funded programs geared toward seismic risks research. Although economically, politically and technologically similar countries can easily learn from this review on resilience, it is important to recognize that there are limitations. Originality/value – The research provides a unique point of view into three different cases of earthquake occurred recently in developed economies. The analysis presented in the paper focuses on social resilience, governance and people’s reaction to the disaster which is vital for disaster risk reduction strategies and programs development as well as implementation.

Author(s):  
V.B. Belov

The article examines the results of the last Bundestag elections. They marked the end of the Angela Merkel era and reflected the continuation of difficult party-political and socio-economic processes in the informal leader of the European Union. The main attention of the research focuses on the peculiarities of the election campaign of the leading parties and of the search for ways of further development of Germany in the face of urgent economic and political challenges. These challenges include the impact of the coronavirus crisis, the impact of the energy and digital transition to a climate-neutral economy, and the complex international situation. Based on original sources, the author analyzes the causes of the SPD victory and the CDU/CSU bloc defeat, the results of the negotiations of the Social Democrats with the Greens and Liberals, the content of the coalition agreement from the point of view of the prospects for the development of domestic and foreign policy and the economy of Russia's main partner in the west of the Eurasian continent. The conclusion is made about the absence of breakthrough ideas, the consistent continuation of the course started by the previous government for a carbon-free economy and the strengthening of the role of Germany in Europe and the world. For this course, conflicts and problems in achieving the set goals will be immanent due to the compromising nature of the coalition agreements.


Significance Developed economies have implemented fiscal support measures worth over 16% of their GDP to combat the pandemic's impacts. To pay off the resulting debt and to ensure sufficient revenue in the face of a fragile and uneven recovery, new taxes and higher rates are being considered. Impacts Levying a wealth tax on productive firms risks starving them of capital for the future. If levied too high or too long, people would sell assets to pay, depressing asset prices, reducing investment and prompting outflows. Criticisms of wealth taxes mean that a one-off surcharge on investment income above a certain threshold would be easier and more popular.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (11) ◽  
pp. 1330-1346
Author(s):  
Bipin Sony ◽  
Saumitra Bhaduri

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of information asymmetry in the equity issue decision of two categories of Indian firms with distinct levels of information asymmetry – levered firms and unlevered firms. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a novel empirical approach to compare these two categories of firms. Levered firms exposed to the debt markets are under the scrutiny of lenders, reducing their information asymmetry problems. On the other hand, unlevered firms, which are smaller firms with fewer tangible assets and no credit history suffers more information problems. The authors use a propensity score matching method to identify firms that share similar firm-specific characteristics in these groups and compare equity issues to analyze the impact of information asymmetry. Findings The results show that information asymmetry plays a key role in the equity issue decision of Indian firms. Additionally, the authors find that the trends and characteristics of low-leverage (LL) firms in India are comparable to the LL from developed economies, which is consistent with the findings that they face more information problems. Originality/value Unlike the conventional approach of using proxy variables to capture information asymmetry, this study uses a novel framework where the authors compare the equity issue decision of similar firms in two categories with different degrees of information asymmetry.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1898-1903
Author(s):  
Seema Bahatkar ◽  
Rajiv Tarpe ◽  
Kinjal H. Daiyya

Ardita is considered as one amongst the vata nanatmaj vyadhis described in Ayurvedic classics. Ardita is a condition caused due to the unusual functioning of vata dosha which results in loss of functioning of one half of the face. It can be correlated with Bell's Palsy from modern perspective. This disease proves to be disturbing from a functional and cosmetic point of view. A 27year old male patient came to OPD with a chief complaint of difficulty in closing right eye, angle deviation of the mouth towards left, difficulty while eating, unable to whistle as well as puffing of cheeks, drooling of saliva, etc. from 20 days. History and examination lead to the diagnosis of Bell's Palsy. Consid- ering the signs and symptoms, the patient was treated as per the ayurvedic line of treatment for Ardita. The patient was admitted and ayurvedic treatment (Panchakarma + Oral medications) i.e. Nasya, Pindasweda, Kukkutanda sweda, Akshitarpan was given for 21days. The patient had great relief with marked improvement in the above said symptoms. Thus, Ayurveda is fruitful in treating patients with Ardita. Keywords: Ardita, Nasya, Pindasweda, Kukkutanda sweda, Akshitarpan


Author(s):  
Sandra Castro-González ◽  
Belén Bande

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the nature and the organizational role of salespeople and, in particular, underscore the change in salespeople’s management in the current business context. Design/methodology/approach The paper briefly explains the role of salespeople in an organization and how salespeople are gaining prominence in customer management. From this point of view, the paper suggests steps to achieve the sale. Findings It is evident that salespeople must change the way they achieve sales goals within the organization. Currently, they need to adopt a more customer-centric approach, and the paper suggests how to do this. Practical implications The paper aims to provide key points for understanding and managing the sales force within the organization. Findings are relevant for those who must manage these workers or those who simply want to know more about the characteristics of the sales force. Originality/value The paper highlights the importance of salespeople in organizations and describes how they should be managed. In addition, in some ways, the paper helps improve readers’ perception of the sales position.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulla Runesson

Purpose – It has been suggested that, if pedagogical and learning theories are integrated into lesson and learning study, a systematic construction of pedagogical knowledge is possible (Elliott, 2012). In this Special Issue, it is reported how theory and theoretical concepts can add value to lesson and learning study. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Special Issue and explore the above concepts. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents the Special Issue papers thematically and the main issues are discussed. Findings – Together the papers suggest that pedagogical theories and theorizing practice may contribute to the improvement of teachers’ practical knowledge and knowledge about teachers’ professional tasks and objects. Furthermore, some theories and theoretical concepts hitherto under-exploited in lesson and learning study are presented and discussed from the point of view how these might improve the quality of the studies. Originality/value – As a total, this collection of papers bring out issues about the role of pedagogical and learning theories and how these could inform lesson and learning study.


Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodica Ianole-Calin ◽  
Elena Druica ◽  
Geoffrey Hubona ◽  
Bingyi Wu

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between different categories of motivation and the intention to engage in collaborative consumption (CC), using attitude as a mediator. Design/methodology/approach The authors extend an existing measurement scale focused on sustainability, enjoyment, reputation and economic benefits, as factors relevant in shaping how people perceive CC. The extension includes the role of personal beliefs and social relationships. The authors conduct a mediation analysis using partial least squares path modelling. Findings This study partially confirms existing literature: sustainability and enjoyment are positively related and statistically significant in predicting attitude towards CC, while only enjoyment impacts behavioural intention; attitude further impacts behavioural intention. Further, reputation and economic benefits positively and significantly impact attitude; economic benefits are not significant for behavioural intention in this study’s Romanian sample, but reputation is. Neither beliefs nor relationships are significantly associated with behavioural intention. Originality/value The authors investigate CC determinants in a post-communist economy, a novel setting for the development of sharing economy, as most studies focus on traditionally developed economies.


Author(s):  
Nisamar Baute-Díaz ◽  
Desiderio Gutiérrez-Taño ◽  
Ricardo Díaz-Armas

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the role of social interaction and reputation when reviewing experiences on the Airbnb platform. Recent studies have suggested that social interaction and aspects related to reputation may encourage positive bias in the case of online ratings and comments.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research method was used. In total, 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with non-professional Airbnb hosts and guests resident on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands).FindingsFace-to-face interaction between the host and guest could lead to the moderation or omission of negative comments by guests. Reputation is a relevant factor that affects the behaviour of the users on the platform. Users are expected to behave in accordance with certain conventions learned when using the platform.Research limitations/implicationsThe exploratory analysis must be complemented by other quantitative research. The hosts interviewed are not professional hosts.Practical implicationsIt is recommendable for hosts offering average accommodation to pay special attention to welcoming and assisting their guests, with the aim of boosting their reputation on the platform.Originality/valueThis is the first qualitative study to deal with the effect of social interaction and reputation from the point of view of hosts and guests when reviewing experiences on the Airbnb platform.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1137-1154
Author(s):  
Syed Hasanat Shah ◽  
Hafsa Hasnat ◽  
Delpachitra Sarath

PurposePakistan suffered with the menace of terrorism for long and become a front line state in the “War on Terror”. Terrorism shattered Pakistan economy and rendered her external sector vulnerable to instability and uncertainties.Design/methodology/approachTherefore, using system generalized method of moment (GMM), this paper investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on exports, imports and trade deficit in the face of unabated terrorism in Pakistan.FindingsThe findings of the paper suggest that as terrorism in Pakistan increased, FDI contribution to Pakistan exports decreased while FDI contribution to Pakistan imports significantly increased. Terrorism also disrupted the chain of local production and increased Pakistan reliance on imports. Thus terrorism widened Pakistan trade deficit of Pakistan and expose Pakistan to external imbalances.Originality/valueDespite rise in organized acts of terrorism and its adverse impact on various departments of economy, hardly any study bothers to check its impact on trade and investment nexus. This is the first study of its nature that looks deep down to understand how terrorism affects the relation of major economic variables.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-97
Author(s):  
Flippa Watkeys ◽  
Suzanne Morton

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to argue that recent attention has been focused on inpatient services at the expense of community mental health teams and that it is time to redress the balance. Design/methodology/approach – This is a personal viewpoint. Findings – In writing this piece it has enabled us to focus on just how widespread the issues are regarding the lack of focus on community services, and that the view and paradigm needs to change on all levels/structures. Services need to recognise the wide scope of community services and the part they inevitably play in someone’s recovery journey. It also throws the spotlight on services working too often in silos deeply affecting people in receipt of the services. Originality/value – To stimulate debate about the role of community mental health teams.


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