scholarly journals THE TECHNOLOGY OF ASSET MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE CULTURE IN ENSURING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khairiah Talha ◽  
KC Leong

Much of the developing world is facing rapid urban development. The UN statistics indicate that 70 per cent of the World's urban population will be concentrated in developing nations by 2030. As cities continue to expand, city governments continuously struggle to provide services to the people. Clean water, sanitation, sewerage services, housing and waste disposal are some of the myriad of services that have to be provided in order to maintain a certain level of acceptable services for human consumption and for the health, safety and comfort of urban dwellers. Yet as city managers continue to expand infrastructure, there is also the hidden but real costs of maintenance of these infrastructure and services. Cities are built environments and so too are the infrastructure that are built to serve commnunities. Thus, communities and infrastructure are intemvined. To achieve quality of life for communities in the urban environ1nent, the service delivery must be there. If there is a break in electricity supply, or there is lack of water supply, or even when a lift within an apartment complex breaks down, the quality of life of its residents deteriorates. As city governments and service providers spend more to upgrade urban service delivery systems, more resources will be used, much more energy and costs incurred to keep the urban assets in working order. This will ultimately lead to unsustainable development. A new technology called Asset Management will be introduced in this paper. Although the technology has been in practice in countries such as Australia and New Zealand in the last 20 years, it remains a new phenomenon in many developed as well as developing nations. This paper will examine the systemic approach in the planning and management of the urban environment, such that this relationship between communities, service systems, quality oflife and urban sustainability, may be revealed.

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khairiah Talha ◽  
KC Leong

Much of the developing world is facing rapid urban development. The UN statistics indicate that 70 per cent of the World's urban population will be concentrated in developing nations by 2030. As cities continue to expand, city governments continuously struggle to provide services to the people. Clean water, sanitation, sewerage services, housing and waste disposal are some of the myriad of services that have to be provided in order to maintain a certain level of acceptable services for human consumption and for the health, safety and comfort of urban dwellers. Yet as city managers continue to expand infrastructure, there is also the hidden but real costs of maintenance of these infrastructure and services. Cities are built environments and so too are the infrastructure that are built to serve commnunities. Thus, communities and infrastructure are intemvined. To achieve quality of life for communities in the urban environ1nent, the service delivery must be there. If there is a break in electricity supply, or there is lack of water supply, or even when a lift within an apartment complex breaks down, the quality of life of its residents deteriorates. As city governments and service providers spend more to upgrade urban service delivery systems, more resources will be used, much more energy and costs incurred to keep the urban assets in working order. This will ultimately lead to unsustainable development. A new technology called Asset Management will be introduced in this paper. Although the technology has been in practice in countries such as Australia and New Zealand in the last 20 years, it remains a new phenomenon in many developed as well as developing nations. This paper will examine the systemic approach in the planning and management of the urban environment, such that this relationship between communities, service systems, quality oflife and urban sustainability, may be revealed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
CATHERINE J. EVANS ◽  
LUCY ISON ◽  
CLARE ELLIS‐SMITH ◽  
CAROLINE NICHOLSON ◽  
ALESSIA COSTA ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bente Birkeland ◽  
Bente Weimand ◽  
Torleif Ruud ◽  
Darryl Maybery ◽  
John-Kåre Vederhus

Abstract Purpose Support from family and other social network elements can be important in helping patients to cope with practical and emotional consequences of diseases. The aim of the study was to examine perception of family and social support and quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). We compared them with patients in treatment for mental disorders (MDs) and physical disorders (PDs). Methods We used data from a national multicenter study that recruited patients (N  =  518) from three treatment domains; SUD treatment units, MD treatment units, and PD treatment units (severe neurological conditions or cancer). Data on family cohesion, social support, and QoL were compared across patient groups. In addition, data on health variables was collected. We used a multiple linear regression procedure to examine how health and support variables were associated with QoL. Results Family cohesion and social support in the SUD and MD groups were rated at similarly low levels, substantially lower than in the PD group. The SUD group exhibited a somewhat lower QoL than did the PD group, but their QoL was still in the near-to-normal range. In contrast, the MD group had markedly low QoL. When examining factors associated with QoL, we found that greater family cohesion and social support were positively associated with QoL. Mental distress was the strongest factor, and was negatively associated with QoL (beta − 0.15, 95% CI  =  − 0.17/− 0.14, p  <  0.001). Conclusion Service providers need to be aware of the weaker networks and less regulatory family and/or social support available to patients with SUDs. Providers should focus consistently on the social networks of patients and include patients’ families in treatment processes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097152312110163
Author(s):  
A. H. M. Kamrul Ahsan ◽  
Peter Walters ◽  
Md. Adil Khan

This study compares the state of city government service delivery for communities living in different areas with different level of affluence in Rajshahi City in Bangladesh. Based on the results of a qualitative study, we found a significant service disparity between the affluent and the poor communities. This disparity is due to the inability of the poor to hold service providers accountable, attributable to a lack of knowledge about services and a lack of social status. Lack of quality monitoring and a marked bias in the quality of interactions between the poor and the affluent contribute to the service disparity This disparity is largely invisible to the poor who, instead of comparing themselves with the affluent citizens, compare themselves with a similar class of people.


Disabilities ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-131
Author(s):  
Natasha Layton ◽  
Natasha Brusco ◽  
Tammy Gardner ◽  
Libby Callaway

Background: For people living with or affected by Huntington’s Disease (HD) to experience a good quality of life, tailored support is required to meet physical, cognitive-behavioral, psychological, and social support needs. Substantial service and knowledge gaps regarding HD exist across support providers and service systems. Measuring unmet needs and what quality of life looks like is a fundamental step required to determine the social impact of service investment and provision. The objectives of this study were to validate and map a draft set of HD Social Impact Domains (HD-SID) against existing national and international outcome frameworks; and evaluate and finalize the HD-SID set using a co-design approach with people with lived experience of, and expertise in, HD. Methods: This research used a qualitative co-design process, with 39 participants across four stakeholder groups (people who were HD gene-positive, gene-negative family members, academics, peak organizations, and service providers) to: (i) map and verify the social life areas impacted by HD; (ii) undertake a rigorous three-phased, qualitative process to critically evaluate the draft HD-SID; and (iii) seek feedback on and endorsement of the HD-SID through this co-design process, with a final set of HD-SID identified. Results: Endorsed HD-SID comprised risks and safety (including housing stability, and economic sustainability) and social inclusion (including health and symptom management, physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, and building resilient relationships). Conclusions: Effective measurement of the impacts and outcomes for people with HD is informed by both extant measures and an understanding of the specific population needs. This qualitative co-design research demonstrates that HD-SID resonate with the HD community.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Asif Salam ◽  
Saleh Bajaba

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of the COVID-19 health-care system quality (HSQ) and its impact on the individual (satisfaction) and social (quality of life [QOL]) outcomes in the context of a transformative health-care delivery system using service-dominant logic (SDL). Design/methodology/approach A sample consisting of 1,008 individuals who have experienced the COVID-19 health-care system was drawn from four different regions of Saudi Arabia using the simple random sampling technique. The survey was conducted using an online survey and 1,008 respondents answered, based on their experience and knowledge of the COVID-19 health-care system. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to test the proposed research model. Findings The study findings suggest that service system satisfaction (SAT) significantly mediates the role of the HSQ in delivering and enhancing the QOL. HSQ also has a significant role to play on the SAT as well as the QOL. These findings contribute to the body of knowledge on SDL in the context of HSQ in understanding the significant role of technologies can play in enhancing service satisfaction and better QOL during a crisis such as COVID-19. This study also improves the understanding of the importance of customer-centricity, real-time visibility through tracking and tracing of service flow, agile decision-making, fewer but better-defined service objectives, and finally shaping mindsets and behaviors of all the relevant parties involved in the HSQ service delivery process. Research limitations/implications One of the major limitations of this study is that, although COVID-19 is an ongoing global pandemic, cross-sectional data were collected in only one country. The findings may not be generalizable across subsequent waves of the pandemic. The best practices of HSQ could be studied around the globe and the results used to support continuous improvement. Originality/value This study advances the understanding of the SDL in the context of a transformative health-care system for a transitional economy by focusing on individual and social well-being during an unexpected crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also contributes toward the understanding of the roles of enabling technologies to improve the service delivery system which results in an improved SAT, as well as better QOL for the society at large. Based on SDL this research validates the HSQ model, relevant measures and its overall impact on SAT and QOL in the context of a transformative health-care service system in Saudi Arabia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Ida Ayu Agung Laksmi ◽  
Made Ani Suprapta ◽  
Ni Wayan Surinten

Long term of heart failure symptoms will affect the patient functional status and ability to do self-care appropriately. Decreasing functional status and self-care ability will certainly affect the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to determine the relationship of self-care with the quality of life of heart failure patients that undergoing treatment at Heart Polyclinic of Mangusada Hospital. The research design was descriptive correlational using cross sectional approach. The study was conducted in January-February 2019. Total respondent participated were 61 respondents and were taken using a purposive sampling technique. Self care of heart index (SCHFI) questionnaire and the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) were used. The results showed that the average of self-care score was 45.25 and the average score of the quality of life was 60.67. Analysis using the Spearman Rank test obtained p-value = 0,000 and r = 0.506. It can be concluded that self care had a significant correlation on quality of life patients with heart failure in Mangusada Hospital. We recommended that nursing service providers play an active role in providing education and motivation to heart failure patients to improve self-care abilities.


2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kruger ◽  
D. Petzer

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to measure tourists' satisfaction with quality of life issues at an arts festival - the Aardklop National Arts Festival in Potchefstroom. Problem investigated: Understanding satisfaction with quality of life issues could assist Festival organizers and other businesses to improve services for tourists by tailoring these to meet their needs. Satisfied tourists spread positive word-of-mouth communication and are more likely to return in the future. Methodology: A self-administered survey developed and validated by Neal, Sirgy and Uysal (1999:156 & 2004:245) was fielded at the 2007 Aardklop National Arts Festival in Potchefstroom. The target population included all visitors to the Festival who were staying for two or more days, and who had travelled to Potchefstroom from elsewhere. Findings and implications: Respondents were satisfied with travel / tourism services and experiences at the Festival, and with their leisure time and life in general. However, certain things at the Festival led to lowered levels of satisfaction. Demographically, respondents did not differ significantly in their levels of satisfaction with travel / tourism services, travel / tourism experiences, leisure life, and life in general at the Festival except in terms of population group and region from which they came. Organizers of the Festival and other businesses should take cognizance of the fact that all parties involved in providing services to tourists attending an arts festival impact on their satisfaction levels with travel / tourism services and experiences - and ultimately also on their quality of life. Tourists attending the arts festival are not homogenous and differ substantially in terms of their demographic profile. Tourist service providers should tailor their offerings in order to satisfy the varied needs of the different types of tourist attending the Festival. Originality and value of the research: This research focused on measuring tourists' satisfaction with quality of life issues at an arts festival. Such research has never before been conducted in South Africa; the results contribute to the deeper insight of interested parties (such as the tourism industry and arts festival managers) into what they need to offer at such events.


Author(s):  
Ennapadam S. Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Vivek Misra

Neuropsychiatry as a medical specialty is significantly underrepresented in India, with neurology and psychiatry giving each other a wide berth in many of the country’s regions. This chapter reviews the state of neuropsychiatric services in India and South Asia, before moving on to explore what constitutes a Comprehensive Neuropsychiatry Programme (CNP). This encompasses education and research into neuropsychiatric outcomes, advocacy at a governmental level, and community-engendered activities, all with a view to attaining optimal levels of participation in activities of daily living (ADLs), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and various social and educational milestones. The model employed by a multidisciplinary team for use in developing nations is then described, along with a case study to demonstrate best practice.


2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Briony Dow ◽  
Betty Haralambous ◽  
Courtney Hempton ◽  
Susan Hunt ◽  
Diane Calleja

ABSTRACTBackground: This paper describes the evaluation of the Memory Lane Café service in Victoria, Australia. The Alzheimer's Australia Vic Memory Lane Café model aims to provide a social and educational service to people living with dementia and their carers, family members or friends. Dementia is a serious health issue in Australia, with prevalence estimated at 6.5% of people over 65 years of age. Living with dementia has significant social and psychological ramifications, often negatively affecting quality of life. Social support groups can improve quality of life for people living with dementia.Methods: The evaluation included focus groups and surveys of people with dementia and their carers, staff consultation, service provider interviews, and researcher observation. The Melbourne Health Mental Health Human Research Ethics Committee approved the project. Participants included people with dementia (aged 60 to 93 years, previously enrolled in the Alzheimer's Australia Vic's six-week Living With Memory Loss Program), their carers, friends and/or family members, staff working in the Cafés, and service providers with links to the Cafés.Results: This evaluation found that Memory Lane Cafés promote social inclusion, prevent isolation, and improve the social and emotional well-being of attendees. However, Cafés did not meet the needs of all potential attendees.Conclusions: The evaluation recommended that existing Café services be continued and possibilities for extending the Cafés be explored. Based on evaluation outcomes, the Department of Health Victoria is funding four additional pilot programs in café style support services.


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