Economic and Social Factors Impacting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Israel

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-193
Author(s):  
Guy Damari
Keyword(s):  
Urban Culture ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Place Of Residence ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Fabric ◽  
Chain Stores ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

"The development of local entrepreneurship has become an integral part of the urban culture, creating an interest in the impact of small and medium-sized enterprises on the local economy, the satisfaction of the residents and their desire to remain in the city and bring up the next generation in their place of residence. A qualitative research approach, using semi-structured interviews with stakeholders of small and medium-sized enterprises in several cities in Israel was adopted to examine the situation of small and medium-sized enterprises from an economic, and social perspective. The findings indicated that while the local businesses fulfill a role in the social fabric of the city by connecting residents to their urban place of residence, the small and medium-sized enterprises are struggling economically, since they are faced with heavy competition from chain stores, malls and trading centers established in the peripheral regions. Keywords: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), economy, central authority, local authority, entrepreneur "

scholarly journals The locals and their new university – A case study of social innovation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katalin R Forray ◽  
Tamás Kozma
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Main Research ◽  
The Social ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Do So

AbstractWhat happens, if a university moves to a town that never had a higher education institution previously? What is the impact of this development both on the community and the institution? The aim of this paper is to answer this question. The authors use the concept of ‘social innovation’ for understanding the developments. An institute may initiate, organise and coordinate all kinds of learning that takes place in a given community (Bradford, 2003). To do so, the institute may have to change its missions (not only its third, but also its first, second and third ones. These developments could be interpreted as a ‘social innovation’ during which the local economy and society was challenged and they looked for new responses. As suggested in the ‘social innovation’ literature the main research method was participatory research, combined with structured and semi-structured interviews, story-telling and narrative analyses. As a result, three interest groups could be described with various requirements different demands toward the university; while the university had to modify its structure, curriculum and communications. The main lesson to learn is that ’social innovation’ as a frame of interpretation can be used to understand the developmental processes that occurred between the locals and a new university.

scholarly journals The impact of Impucuko (modernisation) of rural homestead living spaces on the dwellers in a selected area of Umbumbulu, South of Durban

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Hlengiwe Mlambo
Keyword(s):  
Study Data ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Building Shape ◽  
The Social ◽  
Rural Context ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Rural Dwellers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Interpretative Research

This study discusses the impact of modernisation of rural homestead living spaces on dwellers in a selected area of Umbumbulu, south of Durban Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa. The study was conducted after a change was noticed within the rural homesteads built environment. Factors responsible for the changes in building/ dwelling shape, size, style, as well as the choice of materials (SSSM) used were discussed. The study further examined the impact of the listed changes within the social context of Umbumbulu’s rural dwellers, while addressing in-depth questions around the topic of modernisation, especially within the confines of rural homesteads and living spaces. A qualitative research approach was employed where an interpretative research paradigm was chosen as a theoretical framework for the study. Data consisted of seven semi structured interviews. The research design consisted of themes, the analysis, as well as the findings in relation to literature. The conclusion showed what the rural dwellers understand about modernisation in a rural context, as well as how it has impacted the changes in building/ dwelling shape, size, style, as well as in the choice of materials used. Three identifiable themes were discussed namely: 1. modernisation; 2. change in building shape, style, size and materials; and 3. positive living experience. Links were made between the themes which in turn indicate how modernisation has had an impact on rural homestead living spaces and dwellers.

scholarly journals Les entreprises marocaines et le développement durable: défis et enjeux. Illustration par le cas de l’OCP (site de Youssoufia)

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (29) ◽  
pp. 307
Author(s):  
Rachid Zammar ◽  
Noureddine Abdelbaki
Keyword(s):  
Urban Sprawl ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Leaders ◽  
The Social ◽  
Développement Durable ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City ◽  
Environmental Level ◽  
Social Level

This article analyzes the challenges that the Moroccan companies namely Morocco's Office Cherifien of Phosphate (OCP) in the Youssoufia site have to address in order to move towards sustainable development. It examines the necessary strategies for the implementation of such an approach and highlights the issues necessary for such a vision. It aims to answer the following question: what is the impact of the projects introduced by the OCP on the development of the city of Youssoufia? The research is based on a qualitative study conducted with some group leaders and directors of public institutions in the city of Youssoufia through semi-structured interviews. The main results of the evaluation are as follows: -at the environmental level: though the group has carried out several projects they do not help improve air quality nor reduce urban sprawl; - at the social level: the group has conducted several civic actions that are limited in time and do not help those who really need help. However, funding for associations' activities remains reserved and unsustainable, many unfulfilled commitments as the schools that have no adequate water facilities.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Retail Structure in Barcelona: From Tourism-Phobia to the Desertification of City Center

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8215
Author(s):  
Lluís Frago Clols
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Real Estate Market ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
City Center ◽  
Urban Theory ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Tourist Flows ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

COVID-19 has meant major transformations for commercial fabric. These transformations have been motivated by the collapse of consumer mobility at multiple scales. We analyzed the impact of the collapse of global tourist flows on the commercial fabric of Barcelona city center, a city that has been a global reference in over-tourism and tourism-phobia. Fieldwork in the main commercial areas before and after the pandemic and complementary semi-structured interviews with the main agents involved highlight the relationship between global tourist flows and commercial fabric. The paper shows how the end of global tourism has meant an important commercial desertification. The end of the integration of the city center into global consumer flows has implications for urban theory. It means a downscaling of the city center and the questioning of traditional center-periphery dynamics. It has been shown that the tourist specialization of commerce has important effects on the real estate market and makes it particularly vulnerable. However, the touristic specialization of commercial activities as a strategy of resilience has also been presented. This adaptation faces the generalized commercial desertification that drives the growing concentration of consumption around the online channel.

scholarly journals Lockdowns, lives and livelihoods: the impact of COVID-19 and public health responses to conflict affected populations - a remote qualitative study in Baidoa and Mogadishu, Somalia

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorien H. Braam ◽  
Sharath Srinivasan ◽  
Luke Church ◽  
Zakaria Sheikh ◽  
Freya L. Jephcott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Authorities in Somalia responded with drastic measures after the first confirmed COVID-19 case in mid-March 2020, closing borders, schools, limiting travel and prohibiting most group functions. However, the impact of the pandemic in Somalia thereafter remained unclear. This study employs a novel remote qualitative research method in a conflict-affected setting to look at how some of the most at-risk internally displaced and host populations were impacted by COVID-19, what determined their responses, and how this affected their health and socio-economic vulnerability. Methods We conducted a remote qualitative study, using Katikati, a 1-to-1 conversation management and analysis platform using short message service (SMS) developed by Lark Systems with Africa’s Voices Foundation (AVF), for semi-structured interviews over three months with participants in Mogadishu and Baidoa. We recruited a gender balanced cohort across age groups, and used an analytical framework on the social determinants of health for a narrative analysis on major themes discussed, triangulating data with existing peer-reviewed and grey literature. Results The remote research approach demonstrated efficacy in sustaining trusted and meaningful conversations for gathering qualitative data from hard-to-reach conflict-affected communities. The major themes discussed by the 35 participants included health, livelihoods and education. Two participants contracted the disease, while others reported family or community members affected by COVID-19. Almost all participants faced a loss of income and/or education, primarily as a result of the strict public health measures. Some of those who were heavily affected economically but did not directly experienced disease, denied the pandemic. Religion played an important role in participants’ beliefs in protection against and salvation from the disease. As lockdowns were lifted in August 2020, many believed the pandemic to be over. Conclusions While the official COVID-19 burden has remained relatively low in Somalia, the impact to people’s daily lives, income and livelihoods due to public health responses, has been significant. Participants describe those ‘secondary’ outcomes as the main impact of the pandemic, serving as a stark reminder of the need to broaden the public health response beyond disease prevention to include social and economic interventions to decrease people’s vulnerability to future shocks.

scholarly journals Multi-Criteria Analysis of the Mass Tourism Management Model Related to the Impact on the Local Community in Constanta City (Romania)

Inventions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Catalin Anton ◽  
Angela-Eliza Micu ◽  
Eugen Rusu
Keyword(s):  
Black Sea ◽  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Management Model ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Mass Tourism ◽  
Tourism Management ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Traditionally and socially, the tourism in Constanta is considered to be important to the local economy. Sun and beach locations are both a draw for locals and tourists to the city, on the Black Sea. However, vacation-oriented activities in the city only have a seasonal cycle. In this paper, we proposed to analyze the mass tourist activity in Constanta, taking into account economic, social, and environmental conditions. Additionally, we attempted to build a model based on the data available. The model was developed using a PESTEL analysis to determine the supportability factor of the indicators identified. We also set out to create a projection of the activities proposed for analysis by 2050. To create a model for coastal areas, the data used in this research must be accurate and consistent. Furthermore, correctly identifying indicators and their relationships is a critical step in conducting a thorough study. Last but not least, finding the calculation coefficient for the activity in question is critical, as collecting data from various activities might be challenging when trying to find a feasible model.

17. Covert Feminism: Female Activists on the Field of Play

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Feminist Activism ◽  
Social Fabric ◽  
Sport Policy ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Status ◽  
Impact Sport ◽  
The Impact

Because of feminist activism, what were once considered incompatible entities, women and sport, have come to be united within the social fabric of the 21st century. Recent generations of women are the first to experience sport as a commonplace reality that is largely taken for granted. After initial exclusion from the first and second wave feminist agendas, many activists now recognize sport as a vehicle for the advancement of women. The female athlete has been described by some academics as a type of “stealth feminist” who can support key feminist causes without arousing a knee-jerk social response. Although female sport participation and the status of female athletes have improved significantly, the impact this has had in the lived experience of women remains to be understood. This research project seeks to conduct focus groups with female athletes to better understand their relationship with the topic of feminism and to explore the impact sport participation has had within their lives. Deeper comprehension and documentation of sport from the perspective of female participants may not only serve to help guide sport policy and programing, but may also serve to foster a united, feminist consciousness that is capable of expanding the possibilities for female athletes and for women more broadly. 

scholarly journals SUSTAINING THE CULTURAL VITALITY OF URBAN PUBLIC MARKETS: A Case Study of Pasar Payang, Malaysia

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalilah Zakariya ◽  
Zumahiran Kamarudin ◽  
Nor Zalina Harun
Keyword(s):  
City Planning ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Local Identity ◽  
Cultural Participation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Public Markets ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Public Market ◽  
The City

The development of a public market in the city planning is pivotal in supporting the growth of the local economy. The market is also a place where the culture of the locals evolves daily. However, the unique qualities of the market are vulnerable to the redevelopment process. This study examines the cultural aspects of Pasar Payang in Terengganu, Malaysia, as one of the well-known markets among the locals and the tourists, which will soon be redeveloped. The aim of this paper is to identify the tangible and intangible qualities of the market, so that it can sustain its cultural qualities in the future. The methods adopted for this study comprise of conducting a survey among 497 visitors, and semi-structured interviews among 19 market vendors. The findings reveal that the cultural vitality of the market can be sustained by strengthening its local identity through its products and culture, providing spaces that can facilitate tourist activities and cultural participation, and enhancing the development of the local businesses.

scholarly journals RELIGIOSITY AND CONSUMER BEHAVIOR: A STUDY OF CONSUMPTION PATTERNS FOR ALCOHOLIC AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AMONG ANIMIST, CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM CONSUMERS IN THE CONTEXT OF GHANA

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-261
Author(s):  
Dr. Théophile Bindeouè Nassè ◽  
Naab Francis Xavier ◽  
Bismark Boateng ◽  
Nicolas Carbonell ◽  
Justice Agyei Ampofo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Voice Recorder

Researchers' interest in consumer religiosity and behavior is explained by the fact that religion influences not only the social behavior of individuals, but also their consumption behavior. Most of the studies on the subject come from Western and Asian countries with a few of such studies been conducted in Africa and particularly in Ghana. The aim of this paper is to explore the concepts of religiosity and consumer behavior in Ghana, in order to consider the role of culture in the management and marketing of industrial products. Ghana is a country where religion plays an important role in shaping lives and ensuring community cohesion. However, a determined part of the believers contributes to increasing the consumption of industrial beverages, and the obliviousness in the marketing sector also seems to be a barrier that slows the production and consumption of non-alcoholic industrial beverages. The research approach is exploratory and qualitative. The collection of qualitative data is done with the aid of a SONY voice recorder through some semi-structured interviews. Then, the qualitative data are transcribed manually and verbatim analyzed. The results show that in the context of Ghana, religiosity of believers affects the behavior of the consumer and that consumer behavior towards non-alcoholic industrial beverages affects religiosity. Keywords: Religiosity, Consumer Behavior, Industrial Beverages, Consumption, Marketing, Ghana.

scholarly journals Housing and living conditions of working youth in the plants of Buryat-Mongolian ASSR during the Great Patriotic War

2020 ◽  
pp. 86-93
Author(s):  
Anastasiya Nikolaevna Soboleva
Keyword(s):  
Living Conditions ◽  
Industrial Plant ◽  
The Social ◽  
Critical Problems ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Poor Nutrition ◽  
The City

The object of this research is the youth of Buryat-Mongolian ASSR as most active social group within the social structure of 1941 – 1945, which was the major source for replenishment of labor reserves. The subject of this research is the examination of core financial and social problems faced by the youth working at the defense industry plants of the republic. Special attention is given to analysis of the impact of wartime struggles and hardships upon household and food procurement. It is noted that shortage of housing, low salaries, insecure life, poor nutrition, deficit of clothing and footwear often led breach of employee discipline. The article explores the important vectors in the activity of Komsomol with regards to housing and living conditions, as well as various forms of financial and psychological incentives that promote adaptation of youth to working at the industrial plant. The scientific novelty consists in introduction into the scientific discourse of a number of previously unpublished source that were collected specifically for this research. As a result of the conducted research, it was established that working youth, who for the most part came from rural localities to the city, were put in quite difficult social and living conditions, experiencing critical problems in the process of adaptation; however, they accomplished significant labor achievements and made their contribution to the common Victory.

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