Sustainable cruise ship employment for the Caribbean region – a conceptual perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheree-Ann Adams
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cruise Ships ◽  
Training Standards ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Cruise Lines

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities and approaches needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of cruise companies as a source of employment for Caribbean nationals. Design/methodology/approach The format is one of a concept paper and not a review of primary data collected, but based on the authors observations, industry knowledge and review of secondary literature available in the public domain. Findings Some recommendations are made as to the facilitation of this concept in sustainable cruise employment for the Caribbean region that will provide not only economic sustainability but also social benefits to the Caribbean region at large through poverty reduction through employment and global travel exposure. Practical implications The paper puts forth a proposal for a centralized organization representative of the multiple stakeholders within the Caribbean Cruise community: to manage and facilitate a fund to assist Caribbean nationals desirous of working on cruise ships and to meet the necessary standards of training not only in hospitality qualifications but also in basic training standards of safety, security and watch keeping for seafarers. Social implications The employment opportunities for Caribbean persons on cruise ships have not been fully exploited with the majority of Caribbean nationals working on cruise ships found predominately within the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Carnival Corporation brands based in the USA. Originality/value This paper provides readers with insight into the existing Caribbean employment and shipboard employment scenarios, with the view of presenting an option for stimulating and supporting sustainable employment on cruise ships for Caribbean nationals.

Regulatory issues in blockchain technology

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Yeoh
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Eu

Purpose This paper aims to examine the key regulatory challenges impacting blockchains, innovative distributed technologies, in the European Union (EU) and the USA. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative perspective underpins the study. This paper relies on primary data from applicable statutes and secondary data from the public domain including relevant case study insights. Findings The smart regulatory hands-off approach adopted in the EU and the USA to a large extent bodes well for future innovative contributions of blockchains in the financial services and related sectors and toward enhanced financial inclusiveness. Practical implications The paper’s findings provide support for blockchain technology to advance with minimum regulatory brakes for greater value-adding and efficiency advancement, especially for financial services, thereby expanding accessibility and therefore financial inclusiveness. Originality/value This paper helps to draw greater attention to the technology underpinning virtual currencies. It also highlights other economic potentials flowing from blockchain advancement.

How do Latin American migrants in the USA stand on schooling premium? What does it reveal about education quality in their home countries?

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 855-879
Author(s):  
Daniel Alonso-Soto ◽  
Hugo Nopo
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Education Quality ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Latin American Countries ◽  
Former Soviet Republics

Purpose Indicators for quality of schooling are not only relatively new in the world but also unavailable for a sizable share of the world’s population. In their absence, some proxy measures have been devised. One simple but powerful idea has been to use the schooling premium for migrant workers in the USA (Bratsberg and Terrell, 2002). The purpose of this paper is to extend this idea and compute measures for the schooling premium of immigrant workers in the USA over a span of five decades. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors focus on the schooling premia for the Latin American and the Caribbean region and compare them to those of migrants from other regions, particularly from East Asia and Pacific, India, Northern Europe and Southern Europe, all relative to immigrants from former Soviet Republics. The available data allow us to measure such premia for workers who graduated from school, either at the secondary or tertiary levels, in their home countries between 1940 and 2010. Findings The results show that the schooling premia in Latin America have been steadily low throughout the whole period of analysis. The results stand after controlling for selective migration in different ways. This contradicts the popular belief in policy circles that the education quality of the region has deteriorated in recent years. In contrast, schooling premium in India shows an impressive improvement in recent decades, especially at the tertiary level. Originality/value In this paper, the authors extend the idea of computing schooling premium for migrant workers in the USA (Bratsberg and Terrell, 2002) and present comparative estimates of the evolution of schooling premia in 17 Latin American countries for both secondary and tertiary schooling levels.

How to shape a vision for 2025 based on key lessons learnt from past tourism of Guyana

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 532-544
Author(s):  
Donald Sinclair ◽  
Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena
Keyword(s):  
Significant Degree ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Interview Method ◽  
The Past ◽  
Adventure Travel ◽  
Special Value ◽  
The Caribbean

Purpose This paper provides the backdrop to the other seven articles in this WHATT 2018 theme issue dedicated to Guyana. This paper looks back and ahead at the development of tourism in Guyana. The purpose of this paper is to enable the reader to have a clear understanding of the provenance of the industry over the past 50 years and how that evolution informs the possible direction and future of the industry up to the year 2025 and beyond. Design/methodology/approach As would be expected of any study that examines the antecedence of a phenomenon, there is reliance to a significant degree upon historical material and interviews. The former comprises studies done by tourism consultants and researchers in Guyana, as well as publications from government agencies and sources. Further, especially in the quest for information relating to contemporary policies and developments, the interview method has been used. Findings This paper establishes that the evolution of tourism in Guyana is a movement from obscurity and insignificance to prominence and vibrancy. From being off the tourism map for many decades, Guyana is now enhancing its profile in the Caribbean region and carving a “green niche” for itself in the nature and adventure travel market. Originality/value This paper provides special value to persons working in the development of tourism, in either the public or private sector.

Impassioned leadership effectiveness: an assessment of leadership styles of top leaders in Caribbean healthcare systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-144
Author(s):  
Paul Pounder ◽  
Damian Eisenghower Greaves
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Healthcare Delivery System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Caribbean

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore effective leadership based on information collected from leaders in the healthcare delivery system within the Caribbean. It assesses leadership challenges and the ability to perform based on balancing limited resources.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used grounded theories as the basis for data gathering and formulating a strategy for thematic analysis. The researchers analyzed the data through identifying, synthesizing and evaluating codes. The sample comprised 20 senior officials from 7 ministries of health, 7 permanent secretaries and 6 chief medical officers across the 12 island states in the Caribbean region.FindingsThe findings are broken down into two main areas: first of these is the competency areas and the second part is the personal characteristics. The first part highlighted the Leader's ability to lead others or projects. The second part assessed the leaders' personality traits and distinguishing qualities that are embodied in the individual leaders.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is exploratory; given that this is the first time that such research has been done within the healthcare sector of the Caribbean region. Because of the chosen research approach, interviewees' comments within the paper may be biased based on their specific situation and exposure.Practical implicationsThe study highlights that there is a need for more training in leadership and other management competencies to assist in the decision-making process within the healthcare section of the public sector.Social implicationsThe study highlights that there is a need for better understanding of the inter-connectivity of the public service culture, global health governance and healthcare delivery. This paper provides a basis to help academics and practitioners think through leadership styles and strategies; plus, identify suitable best practices to lead more effectively in a social care field.Originality/valueThe study assesses the effectiveness of the leadership styles in the healthcare sector within the context of the Caribbean and it contributes by adapting and extending the literature on leadership in the study. Further, the paper contributes to the discourse on the demands on leadership for developing countries.

The identity crisis of sustainable development

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catalin Ratiu ◽  
Beverlee B. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Identity Crisis ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Larger Sample ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – There are many different conceptualizations to sustainable development and these different approaches may have led to confusion amongst the public. The purpose of this paper is to explore the identities of the term and how the confused identity may be leading to problems for sustainable development efforts. Design/methodology/approach – The design is exploratory, using both secondary and primary data to understand the different sustainable development concepts. Findings – There is no consistent understanding or use of the term “sustainable development” among various groups. Research limitations/implications – Future research should include a larger sample that is more representative of people from different backgrounds and geographical areas. Practical implications – The public is generally willing to support only projects that it understands. Without a clear understanding of sustainable development, the public will be less inclined to support these efforts. Originality/value – This study examines the perceptions and understandings of the term by the general public representing different generations.

Assessing the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program as a conditional income transfer: a search for a conceptual framework

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alhassan Abdul-Wakeel Karakara ◽  
Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Transfer Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Poor

Purpose Ghana has implemented different kinds of pro-poor program and policies since its independence to reduce poverty. The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) is one of such program. LEAP is a social cash transfer program and its implementation has been under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection since 2008. It provides direct cash and health insurance coverage for extremely poor households across the country to alleviate short-term poverty and encourage long-term human capital development. This paper examines the LEAP program in terms of how it has achieved its aim and the opportunities for improvement.Design/methodology/approach Primary data were obtained from interviews of 110 beneficiaries of the program. The study proposes a conceptual framework that links poverty reduction and social policies to assist researchers analyze pro-poor or social cash transfer program.Findings The findings show that the program is challenged with administrative bureaucracies, irregular inflow of funds, perceived political interferences, inconsistent implementation strategies and low value of the cash transfer (which results in little or no impact on consumption). However, the data also show that LEAP has positive impacts on nonconsumption spending like children's schooling. The program' exit strategy does not impact much on beneficiaries to allow them exit without the tendency of being poor.Practical implications This paper discussed the LEAP program as a social cash transfer to the poor in Ghana. The study constructed a conceptual framework to help researchers and practitioners analyze the implementation of pro-poor interventions. This conceptualization allows for cash transfer program to empower beneficiaries and exits them to allow for other beneficiaries to enroll, ensuring reduction in poverty over time. Generally, the beneficiaries have benefited from the LEAP in the areas of consumption, education and healthcare with few beneficiaries being able to accumulate some few assets. The LEAP program has no exit plan.Originality/value This study adds to literature by offering a conceptual framework to help researchers and policy makers in dealing with social assistance policies to the poor. The study also gave an insight into how pro-poor policy strategies could be crafted.

Opportunities for academic smart libraries in the Caribbean

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian St. Patrick Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Access ◽  
The Body ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
The Caribbean

Purpose The purpose of this paper hinged on the concept of smart libraries and their development for the furtherance of information access, dissemination and information resources and services delivery in Caribbean libraries. Design/methodology/approach To conduct this research, the literature of smart libraries and technologically driven and their application in libraries were reviewed by examining existing literature on information and communication technologies and technology in libraries. Findings The literature highlighted that this technological advancement is not yet fully on stream in academic libraries of the Caribbean owing to the lack of financial, technological and organizational resources. It further outlined that certain aspects of library automation are fostered through the inclusion of technology. Research limitations/implications The limitation of this study is that only academic libraries of the Caribbean region were assessed. Other regions should be explored in future research. Originality/value The concept of smart libraries is an emerging issue with limited scope for scrutiny; a systematic and extensive review of recent research on smart in libraries is unavailable. This paper presents an overview of smart libraries or technologically driven libraries, its findings for potential research opportunities and development for academic libraries. In addition, it will build on the body of knowledge that is presently non-existent on smart libraries in the Caribbean.

Not over my backyard: the regulatory conflict between 5G rollout and environmental and historic preservation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin W. Cramer
Keyword(s):  
Historic Preservation ◽  
Telecommunications Policy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Property ◽  
5G Network ◽  
Local Areas ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Critical Policy ◽  
Near Future

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the environmental and historic preservation precedents that have been adopted and acknowledged by telecommunications firms when expanding their physical infrastructures. Design/methodology/approach This paper will conduct a policy analysis of contradictory regulatory goals that are expected to arise during the near-future rollout of 5G in the USA. This will be done via traditional legal research combined with a critical policy focus. Particular attention will be given to the public interest remedies that have been established for companies that have used private or public property. Findings Due to the spatial requirements of 5G network infrastructure, telecommunications policy (in which network development is paramount) is expected to conflict with land use-oriented regulations (environmental and historic preservation) in places where new 5G infrastructure must be approved and built. Social implications Ultimately, the paper will argue that conflicts will arise in local areas where the 5G rollout is expected to impact environmentally pristine areas or historic buildings. Originality/value Research in the environmental effects of 5G technology in general is becoming common, but conflicts between network construction and particular environmental or historic preservation regulations has not been the topic of organized research thus far.

Impacts of electronic monitoring on the community life: blessing or disguise?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarína Vitálišová ◽  
Kamila Borseková ◽  
Anna Vanˇová ◽  
Samuel Koróny
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Electronic Monitoring ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Community Life ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate critically the impacts associated with the implementation of electronic monitoring (EM) of accused and convicted persons on society based on the foreign experience and compare these findings with the original research results on EM in the Slovak Republic. Design/methodology/approach This paper elaborates the secondary data of previous researches in Scotland, Sweden and Florida in the USA. Secondary research is based on in-depth analysis of articles, reports and studies searched via database of Google, Scopus and Science Direct. Based on the studies processed by a causal and qualitative analysis, the authors identify the benefits and risks of EM influencing community life in Europe and the USA. The additional sources of secondary data are the Statistical Yearbook of Ministry of Justice of Slovak Republic, the content of the original law (including relevant amendments) that introduced EM into the Slovak criminal justice system and data on the application of EM in Slovakia provided by the Ministry of Justice. Subsequently, this paper presents the original research findings about the EM implementation in the Slovak Republic. The primary data were conducted via interviews with the representatives of Ministry of Justice, and through the national survey of opinions of judges, probation and mediation officers. The authors used the descriptive statistics and the statistical deduction methods. Findings The key finding of the paper is that there is a very narrow border between EM as blessing and disguise for community involved. Setting proper measures to protect the community, targeted communication and support with attendance of professionals (e.g. mediator and psychologist) for community members might help to avoid possible risks and support the benefits related with EM implementation, namely, social and economic inclusion of offenders, maintaining family and community tights, reducing recidivism or protection of sensitive sites. Practical implications To support the acceptation of EM by local community, the authors recommend to perceive sensitively community involvement and consider potential risks related with EM implementation; to suggest the proper measures to protect the community; and to develop better or targeted communication oriented towards increasing awareness or establishment supporting groups with attendance of professionals (e.g. mediator and psychologist) that might help to avoid possible risks and support the benefits related with EM implementation. Originality/value This paper compares experience with EM based on the secondary data of previous researches in Scotland, Sweden and Florida in the USA. Subsequently, it presents the unique data about the implementation of EM in the Slovak Republic. The topic of EM is still vastly underrated in the literature, and there is a lack of empirical data, so this paper as a combination of case studies and original research could be very helpful in the efficient implementation of EM and setting the proper measures.

Onboard activity choice of Chinese cruise tourists

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-506
Author(s):  
Na Li
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Activity Choice ◽  
Cruise Ships ◽  
Consumption Values ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Chinese Tourists ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Cruise Lines

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the onboard activity choice of Chinese cruise tourists on three international cruise ships departing Shanghai, China. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research method was adopted for this study. Data was collected using participant observation, casual conversation and semi-structured in-depth interviews from 76 Chinese cruise respondents. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Chinese cruise tourists were offered various onboard activities, most of which were Western. Booking these activities involved tourists searching information and assessing and choosing what appealed to them. They chose these activities according to the consumption values, and their decision was influenced by both context-dependent variables—the variety and style of the activities and their capacity to appeal, and the personal variable—age. Chinese tourists were satisfied with the array of onboard activity options and viewed them as an opportunity to experience Western culture. However, when they were unfamiliar with or did not understand some activities, they preferred Chinese activities. Originality/value This study formulates propositions to underlie a conceptual framework of how cruise tourists choose an onboard activity. The findings derived from the data will be valuable to cruise lines seeking to better manage tourists’ onboard experiences.

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