TRAFFIC CONGESTIONS, TIME SPENT AT THE EXPRESSWAY JUNCTIONS, AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTIVITY: A PERCEPTION STUDY OF ILESA-OWO-BENIN EXPRESSWAY IN AKURE ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

The importance of the free flow of traffic, time spent in traffic at junctions, and individual productivity of road users along the Ilesa-Owo-Benin expressway in Akure Ondo State, Nigeria, cannot be overstated. While extant literature has shown that traffic congestion on roads significantly influences how road users perform their duties, few studies have explored the part played by the length of time they spend at junctions and how it impacts individual productivity. We collected data using a Questionnaire survey, comprising questions associated with traffic congestion at junctions of 203 respondents from across the residents (and travellers through Agbogbo/Irese/Futa junctions along Ilesa-Owo-Benin expressway in Akure). With an analysis of variance (ANOVA), we identified the differences in road users' perception of traffic congestions at junctions. We investigated the impact of traffic congestion on the productivity of road users. Finally, we identified potential solutions to the persistent traffic congestion experienced at the junctions. This paper offers a traffic congestion community with a better understanding of traffic congestions on road networks and aid in developing suitable methods and policies for road traffic congestion management.

Working from home and productivity under the COVID-19 pandemic: Using survey data of four manufacturing firms

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the world economy in various ways. In particular, the drastic shift to telework has dramatically changed how people work. Whether the new style of working from home (WFH) will remain in our society highly depends on its effects on workers’ productivity. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effects of WFH on productivity are still unclear. By leveraging unique surveys conducted at four manufacturing firms in Japan, we assess within-company productivity differences between those who work from home and those who do not, along with identifying possible factors of productivity changes due to WFH. Our main findings are as follows. First, after ruling out the time-invariant component of individual productivity and separate trends specific to employee attributes, we find that workers who worked from home experienced productivity declines more than those who did not. Second, our analysis shows that poor WFH setups and communication difficulties are the major reasons for productivity losses. Third, we find that the mental health of workers who work from home is better than that of workers who are unable to work from home. Our result suggests that if appropriate investments in upgrading WFH setups and facilitating communication can be made, WFH may improve productivity by improving employees’ health and well-being.

Indoor environment and student productivity for individual and collaborative work in learning commons: a case study

PurposeThis study investigates the relationships between the built environments of learning commons and user productivity, such as collaborative and individual work productivity and overall environmental satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachA case study was conducted in a learning commons building at a higher education campus in the USA. The data collection and analysis were conducted with the survey responses of satisfaction with indoor environments and perceived productivity as well as the objective indoor environmental quality (IEQ) measurements. Statistical analysis was performed, including descriptive analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), regression analysis and ANOVA test.FindingsThe study presents that satisfaction with noise level is positively associated with individual productivity. The results imply that the spatial properties of open-plan commons, such as visibility and accessibility, are associated with space users' interactions and collaborative productivity. Overall satisfaction is in a positive relationship with lighting satisfaction, study supporting artifacts and furniture configuration. The results of this study reveal the importance of meeting the standards in IEQ factors on individual productivity and the spatial features preferred by space users that facilitate tasks and activities.Originality/valueThe mixed-method approach, including subjective and objective data collection of IEQ, is rarely utilized to show the relationships with perceived productivity. This study investigates a unique building design feature such as step seats in relation to space use and perceived productivity. The findings inform library leadership about environmental characteristics related to the user experience in learning commons, a new format of academic libraries.

Synchronized Bursts of Productivity And Success In Individual Careers

Despite a significant understanding of epidemic processes in biological, social, financial, and geophysical systems, little is known about the contagion behavior in individual productivity and success. Here we uncover synchronized bursts in individual productivity and success. We introduce an epidemic model to study the contagion of scholarly productivity and YouTube success. Our analysis reveals the strong influence of network externalities in individual careers. The observed synchronization of individual productivity and success is likely mediated by sustained flows of information within the network.

Agrobiological parameters of various varieties and hybrids of sweet sorghum

Purpose. To reveal the features of agrobiological parameters formation of sweet sorghum various varieties and hybrids in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. During 2018–2020 twenty-one varieties and hybrids of sweet sorghum of various ecological and geographical origins (Ukraine, Russia, USA, France, Germany, Hungary, Brazil) were studied in the field. Parameters like plant height and indices of their individual productivity (grain weight per panicle, 1000 grain weight, etc.), yield of dry biomass and grain, content of sugar in juice and protein in grain, as well as estimated sugar and protein yield in a crop. The counts were carried out in the phase of physiological ripeness of the culture. Results. In the group of Ukrainian varieties and hybrids, the plants were from 272 to 306 cm high, in the foreign group – from 274 to 412 cm. Varieties ‘Red Amber’, ‘Sioux’, ‘Affas CJ 899’, ‘Freed’ and ‘Early Orange’ are of high value for breeding practice, their plants were the tallest – from 388 to 412 cm. The panicle length of sweet sorghum cultivars of Ukrainian breeding ranged from 16.0 to 17.3 cm, foreign – from 11.0 to 19.4 cm. Grain weight from one panicle varied from 32.8 to 41.6 g and from 29.2 to 43.5 g, respectively. In a wide range, depending on the varietal characteristics, the indicator of the number of grains per panicle also varied from 1338 to 1708 pcs. The mass of 1000 grains of sweet sorghum ranged from 28.0 to 31.0 g in varieties and hybrids of Ukrainian breeding, in foreign ones – from 19.3 to 31.0 g. The yield of dry vegetative mass of cultivars of Ukrainian breeding was at the level of 8.24–9.11 t/ha. The highest rates were shown in hybrid ‘Mamont’ and ‘Huliver’ variety – 9.05 and 9.11 t/ha, respectively. For cultivars and hybrids of foreign breeding, this indicator varied from 7.00 to 12.17 t/ha. Significantly higher biomass in comparison with the standard variety (‘Sylosne 42’) was produced by ‘Vorai Sumac’, ‘Sorgo Cucre’, ‘Sioux’, ‘Freed’, ‘Red Amber’, ‘Mohavk’, ‘Affas CJ 899’, ‘Early Orange’ – 9.03–12.17 t/ha. The sugar content in sweet sorghum juice varied from 15.2 to 17.2%. The estimated sugar yield in Ukrainian cultivars was at the level of 0.82–0.89 t/ha, in foreign ones – from 0.72 to 1.18 t/ha. In all studied varieties it was the highest in ‘Sorgo Cucre’, ‘Sioux’, ‘Freed’, ‘Red Amber’, ‘Mohavk’, ‘Affas CJ 899’, ‘Early Orange’ – 0.94–1.18 t/ha. Conclusions. The productivity of sweet sorghum varies greatly depending on the origin of the variety and hybrid. In the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe, in order to obtain a high sugar yield, it is advisable to grow ‘Sylosne 42’, ‘Favoryt’, ‘Troistyi’, ‘Dovista’, ‘Huliver’ varieties and ‘Ananas’, ‘Medovyi’, ‘Mamont’ hybrids. Varieties ‘Vaconia Orange’, ‘Vorai Sumac’, ‘Sorgo Cucre’ and hybrids ‘Ald Sorghum’, ‘Sioux’, ‘Freed’, ‘Red Amber’, ‘Mohavk’, ‘Affas CJ 899’, ‘Early Orange’ provide high yields of vegetative masses. Hybrids ‘Freed’, ‘Affas CJ 899’ and ‘Early Orange’ produce a large vegetative mass (11.08–12.17 t/ha), grain yield (8.00–8.15 t/ha) and a high protein content (9.8–11.3%).

Productivity of garden strawberry and breeding possibilities to improve it

The information on the productivity trait of garden strawberry Fragaria × ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier has been summarized on the basis of literary sources. The productivity trait has a complex polygenic character. Independent inheritance of individual productivity components allows modeling their optimal combination in a new variety. The creation of highly productive varieties of strawberries is based on intraspecific hybridization. The established positive correlation between the size of berries and the yield indicates the possibility of increasing the productivity of varieties by using large-fruited forms in breeding. At present, in various zones of horticulture, researchers distinguish large-fruited varieties of domestic breeding: ‘Atlas', ‘Bereginya', ‘Vityaz', ‘Grenada', ‘Zabelinskaya', ‘Kemiya', ‘Nashe Podmoscovie', ‘Nelly', ‘Pervoklassnitsa', ‘Rusich', ‘Solnechnaya Polyanka', ‘Solovushka', ‘Festivalnaya Romashka', ‘Fruktovaya', ‘Tsaritsa', ‘Yaponka', and foreign breeding: ‘Alba', ‘Asia', ‘Elsanta', ‘Finesse', ‘Florense', ‘Vivaldi', ‘Galia', ‘Jive', ‘Joly', ‘M. Champion', ‘Merced', ‘Murano', ‘Onda', ‘Roxana', ‘Rumba', ‘Tarda Vicoda', ‘Vima Kimberly', ‘Vima Tarda', ‘Vima Rina', ‘Vima Xima'. It was noted that when using the inbreeding method, it is possible to achieve a heterotic effect on the basis of the productivity trait. The method of genetic modifications of plants is of great importance for breeding of complex quantitative traits of productivity, including yield. Expansion of the genetic base of garden strawberry by means of octoploid and polyploid forms of wild species will ensure an increase in the productivity of new varieties due to the inclusion of traits of adaptability to biotic and abiotic factors in the genotype. The use of modern research methods (screening of the metabolomic and biochemical profile, DNA certification, molecular labeling) increases the objectivity of research and the efficiency of the breeding process.

The prospective applicability of the strengths-based approach to managing and developing employees in small businesses

PurposeThe strength-based approach is promulgated as a management practice that improves individual productivity and performance. This study's purpose is to explore the prospective applicability of the strengths-based approach to managing and developing employees in small businesses. The study focuses on four domains of practice: selection, training, performance evaluation and task assignment.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed semi-structured, face-to-face interviews to obtain data. The units of analysis were managers and employees of small businesses. Eleven managers and 19 employees were interviewed. Data analysis involved thematic analysis with the NVivo 12 software program.FindingsFirst, the small businesses used a strengths-based approach for employee selection during employees' temporary status of employment and in employee task assignment. However, managers did not employ a strengths-based approach to employee selection during selection interviews, training or performance evaluations. Second, the managers perceived strengths identification as a difficult task. Based on personal observations, they perceived employees' positive character traits, job-related skills and work-related efficiency as employee strengths.Practical implicationsThis study informs managers about a potential alternative to the traditional weakness-based management practice. The findings and conceptual arguments suggest that a strengths-based approach can provide a cost-effective alternative to the resource-intensive approaches commonly employed to enhance employee productivity and performance.Originality/valueThe study provides the first empirical evidence on the prospective applicability of the strengths-based approach to small businesses and explores conceptually the suitability of the said approach to this context.

The path forward for sustainability of the pension system in a historical context

The long-term sustainability and stability of the pension insurance system can be provided on the basis of a pay-as-you-go system, specifically the NDC variant, which can combine the main type of solidarity (between those who can and want to be gainfully active and those for whom the insured event has occurred) with income solidarity. When reforming the pension system in this manner the opportunity arises to begin gradual changes through fully merit system reform and therefore significantly motivating of extending the period of productivity (putting off retirement) through the upgrade of this system for persons who have reached the retirement age as specified by law.This paper aims to substantiate and explore possible changes in this direction that will not endanger anyone’s entitlements when the reforms are implemented (they have got the form of Pareto improvement), as they derive their funds by extending the time of individual productivity. To this end, the possibility of introducing an extension on top of current system of pay-as-you-go insurance, which could be entered voluntarily by persons who have already reached or are near statutory retirement age, is proposed, and modeled. The extension would operate on the principle that the paid premiums will be transformed into a lifetime annuity. The system would be significantly motivating which for most people means extending life at the fullest, associated with the option to retain beneficial social contacts and gradually relax their gainful activity without experiencing an untoward decrease in income.

LOVE AS INFORMATION AND ENERGY UNIT OF PERSON’S HAPPINESS

Love is a core of personality. Love is foundation and systemicity that integrates in itself motivations, content and purpose. Love is all-embracing and represents actuality of happiness. The top experience of love is what is called “experience of flow” in the contemporary psychology. A person is excited and driven by the flow of life itself. Goals, strivings and anticipations disappear – everything submits to the flow, the motion that becomes the most important and essential itself. Keywords: happiness, development, love, dynamics, becoming, an individual, productivity.