scholarly journals The New "Covid-19" Home Office Worker: Evolving Computer-Human Interactions and the Perceived Value of Workplace Technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 575-581
Author(s):  
Jamie Kelly

The context for this paper is the ongoing Covid-19 Global Pandemic and the guidance from the majority of nation-state governments for all central office based type workers to completely shift to working from home, advice which business and organisations adopted. Recent European research has established that 85% [1]  of knowledge workers up to the Covid-19 Pandemic worked 80% or more of their time in a central office environment.   Suddenly these office workers had to relocate their work into their homes without any opportunities for their employers to plan this move. Part of the challenge was access to the right technology. This problem was quickly resolved by the purchase of the relevant technology but not necessarily the new human-computer interaction mode. The focus of the field research was to assess the evolving human-computer of the office-based worker before the Covid-19 Pandemic. The paper has two intended outcomes. First, to provide short term insights to better understand the impact of rapid change of physical and technology-centric workspaces, due to Covid-19 on user behaviours and experience. Second to use the research to deliver better user experience design and collaboration and how technologies such Augmented Reality could enhance that experience.

Author(s):  
Ni Luh Suriani

The parameters developed in organic farming are the use of vegetable pesticides and compost and liquid organic fertilizer. Some research has been done but it needs deeper research to get the right product. The purpose of this study was to determine the inhibitory activity of Piper caninum extract against the fungus Pyricuaria oryzae causing blast disease in rice, and to find out how much the impact of compost on increased crop yield after being combined with the extract. This research is a field research located in the village of Senganan, Penebel Tabanan Bali. With the following treatment Fo = control (100% soil). F1 = (soil 90% + compost 10% + extract 0.5%). F2 = (soil 80% + compost 20% + extract 1%) F3 = (soil 70% + 30% + extract 1.5%). F4 = (soil 60% + compost 40% + 2% extract), do repeat 4 times. The results showed that P. caninum extract effectively inhibited blast disease and could reduce the intensity of blast disease. The combination with compost can significantly increase yields (67.62%), reduce empty grains, and increase rice size.


Author(s):  
Kholil . ◽  
Diah Prinajati ◽  
Nikki Astarina Annisari

Flooding is a regular annual disaster in Jakarta, especially in December to February. Geographical position of Jakarta which is 40% below sea level, causes flooding not only from rain, but also from rob due to rising sea levels. In the last 5 years the impact of flooding became more serious, leading to economic and human losses. This study aims to determine the right strategy of flood mitigation by public involvement in the digital era. The method used includes combination of quality input data from experts representing BNPB (National Disaster Agency), Local Goverment, Academics, Community Leaders, Businessmen, and Practitioners, in addition to vulnerable field research. Data analysis uses the ECM (Exponential Comparison Method) and SAST (Strategic Assumption Surfacing and Testing). The result of the study indicates that the most appropriate strategy to mitigate flood disaster is establishment of “Disaster Information Center” and "Disaster alert groups” involving every stakeholder from the community. Utilization of social media, especially WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram has been very helpful to share information of flood, especially how to prepare an emergency action to reduce economic and human losses.


Author(s):  
Subramanian Veerasingam ◽  
Jassim A Al-Khayat ◽  
Ponnumony Vethamony

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. The personal protection equipment (PPE), especially medical face masks and N95 filtering face piece respirators (FFRs) are typically worn by people at home/office/working place/outside to protect from infection. Thus, the increase in consumption of facemasks and FFRs across Qatar has given rise to a new environmental challenge, adding to the vast plastic waste in the environment. Our team has already established the baseline levels of marine litter (ML) including plastic waste along the west coast of Qatar based on November 2019 ML survey (Veerasingam et al., 2020a). To study the impact of COVID-19 on ML, we have conducted another survey along the west coast of Qatar in July 2020. The distribution of PPE is higher on the southern part of west coast of Qatar than the northern part. Attenuated total reflectance - Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the polymer types of surgical facemasks, N95 FFRs and gloves. Polypropylene (PP) and polyamide (PA) were the abundant polymer types of PPEs. This study confirmed that the PPE could be a potential source for microplastic contaminant in the environment, especially if the present situation continues. Therefore, proper waste removal measures have to be followed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 01018
Author(s):  
Crina Ionescu ◽  
Mihaela Iordache ◽  
Emilia Țițan

Research background: As COVID-19 is posing unprecedented challenges, the governments as well as the individuals have to adapt to the shift towards a new lifestyle. The preventing measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus has important consequences on economy sectors both at global and national level. In this regard, it is the right time to accelerate the development of the digital tools and technologies that can help neutralize or at least mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19. Purpose of the article: Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the current situation of digitization, focusing on the main transformations in recent months. Methods: Throughout the paper, there can be distinguished both qualitative and quantitative approach. The methods used include a secondary research from official information and primary quantitative research obtained from a conducted survey that explains the importance and the impact of digitization on economy in the face of a global pandemic. Findings & Value added: The article highlights the impact of digitization on the economy by comparing the findings from Romanian economy with other EU countries. It is noted that in areas where the digitization was more developed or where the adaptation to the new conditions imposed by the crisis generated by COVID-19 has been faster, the impact was significantly lower as well.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-47
Author(s):  
Pinurba Parama Pratiyudha

Right to the city become one of essential point in New Urban Agenda discussion, as the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals which includes point 11 on Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements. Right to the city is a concept which encloses political power, land ownership, and social justice within globalized cities which run into rapid change. Lefebvre describes the right to the city as people cry and demand a transformed and renewed urban life. Participation is seen as a basic right in the concept of the right to the city. This article drawing on a study case of relocation of Malioboro’s parking attendants. The relocation itself was one of the policies to revitalize tourism area along Malioboro street. In the process, there are some resistances from Malioboro’s parking attendants emerge as their concern on their sustainability after the relocation into the new place. Based on the field research, this article concludes that the process of participation that occurs does not meet up with parking attendants aspiration and the process is ruined by the government. Public participation is ineffective at the process and ruined as the government intervention in Malioboro parking attendants organization. The ineffectiveness of public participation is due to the logic of technocratic participation and the government's informal approach to some parking attendants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-87
Author(s):  
Luisa Pandolfi ◽  
Emmanuele Farris

This paper derives from the activities of the University Penitentiary Center of the University of Sassari and aims to explore the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on university teaching in prison. The subject of penitentiary university teaching is innovative and relevant for educational research and brings into play different skills, professionals, services and institutions. The theoretical framework describes how the right to study in prison is declined on a methodological level. The field research carried out in Sardinia has tried to give the student's voice in prison and the point of view of educators on the educational and organizational impact on university study paths during the pandemic; it is a voice that returns the complexity of a difficult moment, but which also offers useful ideas and stimuli for a more aware restart of the limits and challenges to be faced, as well as good practices to be developed, particularly at the interface between different public institutions as the University and the Penitentiary Administration are.   La didattica universitaria in carcere nell’ambito del Polo Universitario Penitenziario di Sassari: pratiche, ricerca e sviluppi ai tempi della pandemia.   Il presente contributo nasce nell’ambito dell’attività del Polo Universitario Penitenziario dell’Università di Sassari e si propone di esplorare l’impatto della pandemia da Covid 19 sulla didattica universitaria in carcere. Il tema della didattica universitaria penitenziaria è innovativo e rilevante per la ricerca educativa e chiama in gioco diverse competenze, professionalità, servizi e istituzioni. Il quadro teorico e normativo di riferimento traccia le coordinate in cui si inserisce il diritto allo studio in carcere e ne declina i significati e le implicazioni sul piano metodologico. La ricerca sul campo realizzata in Sardegna ha cercato di dar voce agli studenti detenuti e agli educatori in merito alle ricadute a livello educativo ed organizzativo sui percorsi di studio durante la pandemia; una voce che restituisce la complessità di un momento difficile, ma che offre anche spunti e stimoli utili per una ripartenza più consapevole dei limiti e delle sfide da affrontare, così come delle buone prassi da sviluppare soprattutto all’interfaccia tra istituzioni pubbliche, quali sono l’Università e l’Amministrazione Penitenziaria.


2020 ◽  
pp. 65-70
Author(s):  
O.I. Kyselova ◽  
I.V. Kordunian

In this article, the impact of the global pandemic on the organization of work at enterprises in Ukraine, and the protection of workers’ labor rights during the quarantine was overviewed. The grounds for dismissal of employees in Ukraine, which are provided in the Labor Code of Ukraine, were analyzed. Such forms of termination of the employment contract as dismissal at the employer’s initiative, termination of the employment contract at the employee’s initiative, and by agreement of the parties were explored. When terminating an employment contract at the employee’s initiative and by agreement of the parties, the main condition is the desire of the employee. The employer cannot force him/her to resign voluntarily. It was found that dismissal can be considered legitimate if there are two conditions: there must be one of the grounds for dismissal provided by the Labor Code, and the dismissal procedure must be followed. The dismissal procedure includes the need to acquaint the employee with the dismissal order, compliance with the deadlines for payment upon dismissal, and compliance with the deadlines for the issuance of employment records. The scope of employees’ rights during quarantine and the scope of guarantees provided in the event of dismissal of an employee was determined. If the employee works at an enterprise, institution, organization, the employer must provide appropriate working conditions, for example, provide the employee with personal protective equipment (masks). The law provides a number of guarantees for employees who have been fired (depending on the grounds for dismissal): payment of severance pay, the possibility of transfer to another position, compensation in case of violation of the terms of issuance of the employment record book, etc. The new legal framework, which was created to regulate labor relations during the quarantine, such as Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Aimed at Preventing the Occurrence and Spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID ‑ 19)” № 530 ‑ IX of March 17, 2020, and Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts Aimed at Providing Additional Social and Economic Guarantees in Connection with the Spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID ‑ 19)” № 540 ‑ IX of March 30, 2020, were analyzed. Such forms of organization of work at the enterprise in the conditions of quarantine as a remote mode of work, a temporary mode of downtime, etc. were overviewed. It was found out that vacation leave is an employee’s right, not an obligation, so the employer cannot force the employee to go on leave. In case of illegal dismissal, the employee has the right to file a lawsuit with a request to reinstate, change the formulation of the reasons for dismissal or make the payment of average earnings during the forced absence. It is important to follow the deadlines for applying to the court. For example, in the case of dismissal, this period is one month from the date of delivery of a copy of the dismissal order or from the date of issuance of the employment record.


2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-76
Author(s):  
Romeo Drobarov ◽  
Biljana Popovska ◽  
Igor Gelev

Authors of the study have tried to outline the impact of COVID 19 over the civil society sector in the Republic of North Macedonia. In this complex situation of a global pandemic they have focused on the allocation of funds. In addition, the cooperation between government institutions and citizens' associations in carrying out activities to deal with pandemic has also been examined. Content analyses have been applied to examine the regulations in which participation of the citizens' associations in the context of the pandemic is determined. In addition, comparative methods have also been applied to determine the degree of NGOs involvement in the use of budget and other donated funds. Finally, qualitative methods are also used to evaluate whether these funds have been the right choice of the associations in context of their sustainability to create opportunities to carry on with activities. When reviewing the whole paper, an impression is created that more comprehensive research with a larger number of respondents / NGOs is needed. Thus, through a case study answers will be provided to the issue of whether these NGOs are really non-profit or not. Also, whether in a certain period they fulfill certain government goals or other interests while profiting directly or indirectly on different bases. Finally, the authors in specific conclusions and recommendations determine a possible course of further action in terms of more transparent, more efficient and more comprehensive work of the NGOs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslaw Wyczesany ◽  
Szczepan J. Grzybowski ◽  
Jan Kaiser

Abstract. In the study, the neural basis of emotional reactivity was investigated. Reactivity was operationalized as the impact of emotional pictures on the self-reported ongoing affective state. It was used to divide the subjects into high- and low-responders groups. Independent sources of brain activity were identified, localized with the DIPFIT method, and clustered across subjects to analyse the visual evoked potentials to affective pictures. Four of the identified clusters revealed effects of reactivity. The earliest two started about 120 ms from the stimulus onset and were located in the occipital lobe and the right temporoparietal junction. Another two with a latency of 200 ms were found in the orbitofrontal and the right dorsolateral cortices. Additionally, differences in pre-stimulus alpha level over the visual cortex were observed between the groups. The attentional modulation of perceptual processes is proposed as an early source of emotional reactivity, which forms an automatic mechanism of affective control. The role of top-down processes in affective appraisal and, finally, the experience of ongoing emotional states is also discussed.


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