Burning Assets? Designing Wood Fuel Energy Strategies in Mozambique

Author(s):  
Ricardo Martins

Getting wood for cooking, heating, processing into charcoal and/or selling is a fundamental part of most household survival strategies in Developing Countries. Entangling in complex and dynamic ways local and global ecosystems, poverty, technology and business Wood Fuel Energy Systems (WES) are fundamental and require simple to use design tools to support the strategic and optimised used of available socio-ecological resources/assets. However, there are very few tools able to support relevant actors (e.g. charcoal makers, experts, policy makers) in that task. To bridge that gap the 2MBio, a participatory conceptual design tool to support the strategic design of WES, is introduced and its practical results in Mozambique presented. The 2MBio explicit in a simple and intuitive layout the set of necessary and sufficient resources/assets required to produce comprehensive and meaningful WES designs/strategies, which represent in themselves a strategic asset, while further stimulates knowledge and creativity as a tacit asset.

2020 ◽  
Vol V (I) ◽  
pp. 572-585
Author(s):  
Ayaz Khan ◽  
Zahoor Ul Haq ◽  
Javed Iqbal

We estimate the public debt sustainability for 53 developing countries divided into different regions using data from 1996 to 2017. Sustainability of public debt calculation is based on theoretically derived models with necessary and sufficient conditions. Current study empirically validates the importance of least evident saving-investment gap along with other variables in public debt sustainability issue. Findings show that current account, fiscal account and saving-investment gap imbalances cause unsustainable public debt for all different regions which is a matter of great concern for each region. Policy makers of the developing countries must bring policies to promote investment activities backed by saving not by debt.


1983 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk C. Bos

The revival of interest in using models for developing countries for planning and policy advice makes it desirable to draw lessons from past experience. Simple models, focussed on specific issues, are to be preferred to large and comprehensive models. More empirical research is needed on supply and production functions for developing countries. Not statistical criteria but developmental considerations must determine the conclusions to be drawn from models. More explicit explanations of assumptions and modesty in presenting results of modelling work to policy makers are desirable.


Author(s):  
Charles B. Moss ◽  
Andrew Schmitz

Abstract The question of how to allocate scarce agricultural research and development dollars is significant for developing countries. Historically, benefit/cost analysis has been the standard for comparing the relative benefits of alternative investments. We examine the potential of shifting the implicit equal weights approach to benefit/cost analysis, as well as how a systematic variation in welfare weights may affect different groups important to policy makers. For example, in the case of Rwandan coffee, a shift in the welfare weights that would favor small coffee producers in Rwanda over foreign consumers of Rwandan coffee would increase the support for investments in small producer coffee projects. Generally, changes in welfare weights alter the ordering for selecting investments across alternative projects.


SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401769715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Foghani ◽  
Batiah Mahadi ◽  
Rosmini Omar

This research attempts to explore the importance of cluster-based systems in preparation for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to go global, and it is an ongoing research. The findings of this research are aimed at providing insights to policy makers, academicians, and practitioners with the objective of creating initiatives, strategies, and policies, which reflect the primary aim of supporting SMEs in managing global challenges. SMEs that are cluster-based have the potential to facilitate the successful inclusion of SMEs in the growth of productivity and networks of global distribution. Most Asian developing countries are in the dark when it comes to this matter. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relations between the capabilities of the networks and clusters in developing SMEs’ preparedness in facing business players in the global arena. This study’s scope includes specific Asian developing countries. Even though the issue of clusters in SMEs has been well researched in developed countries, such empirical studies are still lacking in the Asian region despite its prevalent collectivism practice. In the concluding analysis, the study intends to develop a model emphasizing the cluster-based industrial SMEs toward globalization.


Author(s):  
Cari R. Bryant ◽  
Matt Bohm ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Daniel A. McAdams

This paper builds on previous concept generation techniques explored at the University of Missouri - Rolla and presents an interactive concept generation tool aimed specifically at the early concept generation phase of the design process. Research into automated concept generation design theories led to the creation of two distinct design tools: an automated morphological search that presents a designer with a static matrix of solutions that solve the desired input functionality and a computational concept generation algorithm that presents a designer with a static list of compatible component chains that solve the desired input functionality. The merger of both the automated morphological matrix and concept generation algorithm yields an interactive concept generator that allows the user to select specific solution components while receiving instantaneous feedback on component compatibility. The research presented evaluates the conceptual results from the hybrid morphological matrix approach and compares interactively constructed solutions to those returned by the non-interactive automated morphological matrix generator using a dog food sample packet counter as a case study.


Author(s):  
Gary A. Gabriele ◽  
Agustî Maria I. Serrano

Abstract The need for superior design tools has lead to the development of better and more complex computer aided design programs. Two of the more important new developments in application tools being investigation are Object Oriented Languages, and HyperMedia. Object Oriented Languages allow the development of CAD tools where the parts being designed and the design procedures specified are conceptualized as objects. This allows for the development of design aids that are non-procedural and more readily manipulated by the user trying to accomplish a design task. HyperMedia allows for the easy inclusion of many different types of data, such as design charts and graphs, into the tool that are normally difficult to include in design tools programmed with more conventional programming languages. This paper explores the development of a computer aided design tool for the design of a single stage gear box using the development HyperCard® environment and the HyperTalk® programming language. The resulting program provides a user friendly interface, the ability to handle several kinds of design information including graphic and textual, and a non-procedural design tool to help the user design simple, one stage gear boxes. Help facilities in the program make it suitable for undergraduate instruction in a machine elements design course.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nella Hendriyetty ◽  
Bhajan S. Grewal

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review studies focusing on the magnitude of money laundering and their effects on a country’s economy. The relevant concepts are identified on the basis of discussions in the literature by prominent scholars and policy makers. There are three main objectives in this review: first, to discuss the effects of money laundering on a country’s macro-economy; second, to seek measurements from other scholars; and finally, to seek previous findings about the magnitude and the flows of money laundering. Design/methodology/approach In the first part, this paper outlines the effects of money laundering on macroeconomic conditions of a country, and then the second part reviews the literature that measures the magnitude of money laundering from an economic perspective. Findings Money laundering affects a country’s economy by increasing shadow economy and criminal activities, illicit flows and impeding tax collection. To minimise these negative effects, it is necessary to quantify the magnitude of money laundering relative to economic conditions to identify the most vulnerable aspects of money laundering in a country. Two approaches are used in this study: the first is the capital flight approach, as money laundering will cause flows of money between countries; the second is the economic approach for measuring money laundering through economic variables (e.g. tax revenue, underground economy and income generated by criminals) separately from tax evasion. Originality/value The paper offers new insights for the measurement of money laundering, especially for developing countries. Most methods in quantifying money laundering have focused on developed countries, which are less applicable to developing countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nnedinma Umeokafor ◽  
Chioma Okoro ◽  
Ikechukwu Diugwu ◽  
Tariq Umar

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical opportunities for design for safety (DFS), the potential statutory (and non-statutory) health and safety (H&S) responsibilities of designers including DFS and its workability in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted among 28 multi-designers including Architects, Civil Engineers and Builders and the data was analysed thematically.FindingsThe study revealed that the likelihood of designers, clients, etc. inclining to change because of the infancy stage of H&S in developing countries, making it “fallow” for H&S was a barrier. The opportunities for DFS include the willingness of designers to develop DFS skills and knowledge, which results in a welcoming attitude towards DFS. Further, the success recorded by professional bodies on other regulatory matters and designers' greater inclination to comply with DFS when professional bodies are involved in the regulatory process of DFS remain key opportunities for DFS.Practical implicationsFor statutory-backed DFS to achieve the objective at the optimum level, the role of professional bodies in the regulatory and sensitisation processes, geographic differences in DFS legislation enforcement, nuanced and strategic design and enforcement of any legislation that will support DFS should be taken into consideration.Social implicationsA grassroots collaborative approach to developing and implementing DFS in the country and the exploitation of the zeal of designers to have DFS-related knowledge, is recommended.Originality/valueTo the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study that examines the opportunities for DFS in developing countries when it is (or not) supported by statute and the need to advance the understanding of DFS in developing countries through qualitative enquiry.


Assimilation of relevant information within a labour observatory is a key to success of an observatory. Management of such relevant information and its dissemination to the right audience at the right time is also important. In this regard, a labour observatory plays a very important role for successful operationalization of agricultural policies within developing countries. Historical information regarding soil, crop varieties, agricultural practices, and skill of agricultural labourers needs to be maintained by a labour observatory. Information from the observatory has to be communicated to policy makers for making a pragmatic decision in developing countries with large agriculturally dependent populations. These decisions can impact the lives of this population and can impact the sustainable development of these countries. Initiatives related to labour observatory started more than a decade back in developed countries. It has now begun in parts of Africa, too. The chapter highlights these developments and contextualizes the association between these observatories, agricultural policymaking, and sustainable development.


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