scholarly journals Landscape aesthetics, tourism, and change: Case studies in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jharna Joshi

<p>This research explores how residents and tourists perceive landscape aesthetics in tourism-based landscapes that are continuously changing. Three case study sites in Nepal are examined. Landscapes are dynamic, multifunctional and an amalgamation of natural and human-made components that are constantly evolving, both naturally and due to human activities. Landscape aesthetics, related to experiences within and with multiple dimensions of landscape that engage all human senses, are perceived differently by different groups of people and have implications for their preservation and modification. Tourism, an integral part of contemporary society, reflects and influences changes in society and the landscape. The interrelationships amongst landscapes, change, perceptions and tourism are complex with paradoxical tensions that arise from their interconnections and interdependence.  Researchers have studied and interpreted the interrelationship between landscape and tourism from different perspectives that are sometimes contradictory. The literature is fragmented with similar aspects of the landscape-tourism relationship described and conceptualized using different terminologies (landscapes, cultural landscapes, environment, place, space, nature) and with an absence of an integrated approach and a holistic concept of landscape. This research addresses this fragmentation and multiple interpretations to build an integrated approach of landscape taken as a holistic entity, where the natural, cultural, social and economic dimensions, including tourism, interact, integrate and overlap. This study adds a new perspective by looking closely at landscape aesthetics and its relation to change and tourism incorporating the perspectives of both residents and tourists.  This research adopts a qualitative methodology using case studies in three geographically, culturally and contextually different locations in Nepal (Ghandruk, Bandipur and Sauraha). A multi-layered approach is used to explore the dynamic nature of landscape and nonlinear drivers of change that add layers and dimensions to landscape aesthetics and how it is perceived by different residents and tourists, both domestic and international. This research applies an interpretivist paradigm using in-depth interviews with photo-elicitation (incorporating past and repeat photographs with in-situ interviews), field observations and visual data analysis.  Different themes emerged when the data were analysed but the overarching one was the often-antagonistic relationship between conservation and development. Participatory conservation and local development were key in Ghandruk, while the emphasis was on built heritage and expansion in Bandipur with the national park and indigenous Tharu traditions clashing with current landscape use in Sauraha. Key findings also indicate that the residents perceive landscape aesthetics holistically incorporating multiple dimensions that include traditions, culture, food, occupation and historical associations as well as contemporary societal changes and modern conveniences interwoven into their everyday landscapes. The tourists, with their fleeting presence, focus on the visual aesthetics, engaging with the non-material values of landscapes through different activities and are often accommodating of landscape changes perceived as improvements based on their background and worldview. The pace of change in the present context of globalisation influences the perceptions of both tourists and residents that are reflected in the landscapes and landscape aesthetics. In order to effectively manage landscape change and tourism development, it is pertinent to understand drivers of change and the society within a holistic concept of landscape.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jharna Joshi

<p>This research explores how residents and tourists perceive landscape aesthetics in tourism-based landscapes that are continuously changing. Three case study sites in Nepal are examined. Landscapes are dynamic, multifunctional and an amalgamation of natural and human-made components that are constantly evolving, both naturally and due to human activities. Landscape aesthetics, related to experiences within and with multiple dimensions of landscape that engage all human senses, are perceived differently by different groups of people and have implications for their preservation and modification. Tourism, an integral part of contemporary society, reflects and influences changes in society and the landscape. The interrelationships amongst landscapes, change, perceptions and tourism are complex with paradoxical tensions that arise from their interconnections and interdependence.  Researchers have studied and interpreted the interrelationship between landscape and tourism from different perspectives that are sometimes contradictory. The literature is fragmented with similar aspects of the landscape-tourism relationship described and conceptualized using different terminologies (landscapes, cultural landscapes, environment, place, space, nature) and with an absence of an integrated approach and a holistic concept of landscape. This research addresses this fragmentation and multiple interpretations to build an integrated approach of landscape taken as a holistic entity, where the natural, cultural, social and economic dimensions, including tourism, interact, integrate and overlap. This study adds a new perspective by looking closely at landscape aesthetics and its relation to change and tourism incorporating the perspectives of both residents and tourists.  This research adopts a qualitative methodology using case studies in three geographically, culturally and contextually different locations in Nepal (Ghandruk, Bandipur and Sauraha). A multi-layered approach is used to explore the dynamic nature of landscape and nonlinear drivers of change that add layers and dimensions to landscape aesthetics and how it is perceived by different residents and tourists, both domestic and international. This research applies an interpretivist paradigm using in-depth interviews with photo-elicitation (incorporating past and repeat photographs with in-situ interviews), field observations and visual data analysis.  Different themes emerged when the data were analysed but the overarching one was the often-antagonistic relationship between conservation and development. Participatory conservation and local development were key in Ghandruk, while the emphasis was on built heritage and expansion in Bandipur with the national park and indigenous Tharu traditions clashing with current landscape use in Sauraha. Key findings also indicate that the residents perceive landscape aesthetics holistically incorporating multiple dimensions that include traditions, culture, food, occupation and historical associations as well as contemporary societal changes and modern conveniences interwoven into their everyday landscapes. The tourists, with their fleeting presence, focus on the visual aesthetics, engaging with the non-material values of landscapes through different activities and are often accommodating of landscape changes perceived as improvements based on their background and worldview. The pace of change in the present context of globalisation influences the perceptions of both tourists and residents that are reflected in the landscapes and landscape aesthetics. In order to effectively manage landscape change and tourism development, it is pertinent to understand drivers of change and the society within a holistic concept of landscape.</p>


Author(s):  
Alan Treadgold ◽  
Jonathan Reynolds

The retail industry globally is in an era of profound, perhaps unprecedented, change, change which has been further accelerated for many by the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic and its attendant health and economic crises. This book is intended to serve as a wide-ranging, robust, practical guide to leaders of enterprises tasked with understanding and delivering success in the new landscape of retailing. Part 1 describes the major directions and drivers of change that define the new global landscape of retailing. Accelerating changes in technology, the rise to prominence globally of internet enabled shoppers and the rapid emergence of entirely new retail enterprises and business models are combining to re-shape the very fundamentals of the retail industry. The new landscape of retailing is unforgiving: success can be achieved more quickly than ever before but failure is equally rapid. Opportunities in the new landscape of retailing are profound, but so too are the challenges. Part 2 discusses the structures, skills and capabilities that retail enterprises will need to be successful in this new landscape and the skills and capabilities required of the leaders of retail enterprises. More than 25 detailed case studies of innovative, successful enterprises internationally and more than one hundred smaller examples, all updated and many new since the first edition, are used to illustrate the themes discussed. Frameworks are presented to provide practical guidance for enterprise leaders to understand and contextualize the nature of change re-shaping retail landscapes globally. Clear guidance is given of the capabilities, skills and perspectives needed at both an enterprise and personal leadership level to deliver success in the new landscape of retailing.


Hygiene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-68
Author(s):  
Cinzia Casu ◽  
Giovanna Mosaico ◽  
Valentino Natoli ◽  
Antonio Scarano ◽  
Felice Lorusso ◽  
...  

The tongue is able to quickly reflect the state of health or disease of the human body. Tongue inspection is an important diagnostic approach. It is a unique method that allows to explore the pathogenesis of diseases based on the guiding principles of the holistic concept that involves the observation of changes in the lining of the tongue in order to understand the physiological functions and pathological changes of the body. It is a potential method of screening and early detection of cancer. However, the subjective inspection of the tongue has a low reliability index, and therefore computerized systems of acquisition of diagnostic bioinformation have been developed to analyze the lining of the tongue. Next-generation sequencing technology is used to determine the V2–V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA to study the microbiota. A lot of neoplasms are identified only at an advanced phase, while in the early stages, many subjects remain in an asymptomatic form. On the contrary, the early diagnosis is able to increase the prognosis of cancer and improve the survival rates of subjects. Evidently, it is necessary to develop new strategies in oral medicine for the early diagnosis of diseases, and the diagnosis of the tongue as a minimally invasive method is certainly one of them.


2005 ◽  
Vol 04 (02) ◽  
pp. 95-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuan Yew Wong ◽  
Elaine Aspinwall

To date, very few publications have been found that describe how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are adopting knowledge management (KM). The same is true concerning attempts to develop a framework to help them implement it. To redress this, this paper presents the results of four case studies conducted in UK SMEs to examine their KM implementation effort. In addition, a new integrated framework developed by the authors was evaluated to determine its applicability in this business sector. The methodology employed to conduct the studies is described and each of the cases is then presented. The results are analysed and key lessons or findings gathered from the companies are highlighted. Comments received from the companies with respect to the integrated framework were positive and favourable. It is hoped that the information accrued from the case studies, together with the integrated framework, will help to pave the way for SMEs to accomplish KM.


1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Baglioni ◽  
S Vicari

In this paper three case studies of urban development policies are outlined in order to advance two models of the diverse structuring of interaction between business and politicians. The three cases concern the Italian cities of Pavia, Parma, and Modena. For each city we describe the economic and political context and review the planning policy, focusing on specific decisionmaking processes. This sets the stage for an analysis of the interaction between political and economic actors and for an evaluation of the results of that analysis with respect to the effectiveness of the decisionmaking and implementation processes of urban policy. Those factors which account for the relative strength of business interests and elected officials and favor their engaging in the bargaining relationships are discussed, and two contrasting models of their interaction are presented.


Author(s):  
Lara Chaplin ◽  
Simon T.J. O’Rourke

Purpose It seems to be the consensus (Zhang et al., 2012; George et al., 2003; Arumugam et al., 2013) that Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has become a beneficial improvement initiative used in a variety of industries. There is a move towards integrating any high-level business improvement methods holistically throughout the whole organisation. Indeed, Hoerl (2014) explored the idea that when using LSS for business improvement, the programme should engage the whole organisation in much the same way as the financial function is present throughout each department. The purpose of this paper is to posit that using the lean and green agenda may be the driver to achieve integration. Design/methodology/approach The research adopted a subjective ontological perspective with the researcher using participant observation as the main research instrument. Denzin and Lincoln (2005) note that it is now common for scholars to argue that the only relevant data are those based upon the personal experience of the researcher; this served as an informing foundation for the approach for the exploration of the topic. Based on multiple case studies, chosen because they operate in different sectors, the paper adopted an extended case method (Burawoy, 1998) to analyse and gather the research. The organisations were chosen because they both were at a similar stage in their continuous improvement (CI) journey. The main reasoning behind the selection of the two different organisations is to reach “Thick Description” (Geertz, 1973, p. 3, 2001). Findings The findings suggest that there are still significant benefits of implementing a large-scale lean agenda in particular when using an LSS methodology. The paper finds that there are also significant gaps in achieving full integration within the organisation and argues that lean and CI are still the remit of the operations manager. The document goes on to argue that if the CI initiative is driven by the corporate social responsibility (CSR) plan, then any lean/lean green implementation will enable the company to drive CI integration with all stakeholders. Research limitations/implications The research has implications for those responsible for the CSR function within the organisation and the operations manager who is charged with implementing any lean/lean and green CI. Practical implications The paper argues that the lean and green agenda can drive integration of any CI activity throughout the organisation and suggests that the way this can be achieved is any CI activity that is included in the wider CSR plan. Social implications This paper contributes to the “lean and green” agenda and offers a solution for the problem of integrating LSS activities throughout the whole organisation by placing CI and LSS within the CSR remit. Originality/value There is little consensus how this holistic integrated approach should be implemented by the company. This research uses multiple case studies to critically examine the application of LSS as an improvement programme within two large UK-based organisations, each company operating in very different industry sectors to identify the benefits of LSS but also the missed “green/societal” opportunities and argues that if any lean and lean and green agenda is to be holistically adopted, then any CI activity should be driven by the CSR department.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S260-S260
Author(s):  
Zumer Jawaid ◽  
George Crowther ◽  
Syeda Ashar

AimsGeneral hospital based Health Care Professionals (HCPs) use very varied language to describe behaviour in dementia. Lessons from medicine and other professions tell us that non-uniform communication is a source of error and subsequent poor decision making. Knowing how HCPs communicate behaviour in dementia in a hospital setting may help better understand these potential sources of communication error and identify training needs.BackgroundAround 25% of hospital beds occupied with people living with dementia. Hospitalised patients with dementia have a high prevalence of distressing symptoms (pain 70%, delirium 66%, depression 35%, anxiety 34%, hallucinations 14% delusions 11%). These symptoms often displayed as behaviour can be challenging for HCPs to interpret. Variations in communicating behaviour may lead to inconsistent understanding of the need, with the potential for missing treatable conditions that drive the behaviour. Standardizing communication and documentation have the potential to improve the quality of information handed over between HCPs which may improve the quality of care and patient outcomes.MethodQualitative methodology including photo elicitation was used. A purposive sample of 59 HCPs was selected. This was identified from a range of professional backgrounds, experience levels and medical specialities. They were presented with a photograph and case vignettes depicting 4 behaviours associated with distress (aggression, depression, delirium and psychosis). HCPs were asked to respond to the scenarios as if they were handing over to colleagues or documenting in the medical record. Data were analysed by thematic analysis.Result59 HCPs were interviewed with photo-elicitation. Participants recorded their responses in limited time to reflect time constraints in a busy ward environment. 2 HCPs declined to participate in research.When describing behaviour associated with aggression and depression HCPs were consistent with the language used (49/57). When presented with a delirium less consistency was observed (31/47). While describing psychosis each HCP chose either paranoia or suspiciousness among other descriptions.ConclusionOverall there has been consistency in describing the distress experienced by the patient even though HCPs came from very different roles and specialities. Doctors, Nurses, CSWs and dieticians all described the behaviour alike. Newer staff were more accurate which could be due to dementia training within National Dementia Action Alliance.


2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 629-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Ioppolo ◽  
Giuseppe Saija ◽  
Roberta Salomone

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 566-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Karampela ◽  
Thanasis Kizos

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