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Jun 15, 2023

Socially responsible activities and the economic performance of family businesses

Promoting the idea of socially responsible business is an undeniably important topic that resonates in both theory and practice. Its influence on business performance has been theoretically substantiated and has been confirmed in many empirical studies, though this has been based on research conducted in large companies. It is only recently that studies connecting the principles of CSR and the business activities of SMEs or family businesses that make up a decisive proportion of SMEs have appeared. This article is devoted to research into the implementation of the principles of CSR in family businesses and their economic performance. The research was conducted on the basis of data obtained both from a questionnaire survey among owners of family businesses and from accounting data. The attitudes of owners of family businesses towards activities typical of CSR were proven to be reflected in the economic results of the companies in a sample of Czech family MSMEs. Our research proved that family businesses that support work-life balance and good relations with employees achieve better performance, namely higher profitability and lower indebtedness. These results confirm the positive impact of CSR principles on longterm sustainability of family businesses and their importance to the country’s overall economy.

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Jul 2, 2018

To what extent can long-term investments in infrastructure reduce inequality?

By reviewing US state-level panel data on infrastructure spending and on per capita income inequality from 1950 to 2010, this paper sets out to test whether an empirical link exists between infrastructure and inequality. Panel regressions with fixed effects show that an increase in the growth rate of spending on highways and higher education in a given decade correlates negatively with Gini indices at the end of the decade, thus suggesting a causal effect from growth in infrastructure spending to a reduction in inequality through better access to education and opportunities for employment. More significantly, this relationship is more pronounced with inequality at the bottom 40 percent of the income distribution. In addition, infrastructure expenditures on highways are shown to be more effective at reducing inequality. By carrying out a counterfactual experiment, the results show that those US states with a significantly higher bottom Gini coefficient in 2010 had underinvested in infrastructure during the previous decade. From a policy-making perspective, new innovations in finance for infrastructure investments are developed, for the US, other industrially advanced countries and also for developing economies.

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Sept 4, 2024

Exploring public charging infrastructure development strategies with BBWM-mV integrated multi-viewpoint perspective

To achieve the electrification of private vehicles, it is urgent to develop public charging infrastructure. However, choosing the most beneficial type of public charging infrastructure for the development of a country or region remains challenging. The municipal decision’s implementation requires considering various perspectives. An important aspect of energy development involves effectively integrating and evaluating public charging infrastructure. While car charging facilities have been thoroughly studied, motorcycle charging facilities have been neglected despite motorcycles being a vital mode of transportation in many countries. The study created a hybrid decision-making model to evaluate electric motorcycle charging infrastructure. Firstly, a framework for evaluating electric motorcycle charging infrastructure was effectively constructed through a literature survey and expert experience. Secondly, decision-makers’ opinions were gathered and integrated using Bayesian BWM to reach a group consensus. Thirdly, the performance of the alternative solutions was evaluated by exploring the gaps between them and the aspiration level through modified VIKOR. An empirical analysis was conducted using examples of regions/countries with very high rates of motorcycle ownership worldwide. Finally, comparative and sensitivity analyses were conducted to demonstrate the practicality of the proposed model. The study’s findings will aid in addressing municipal issues and achieving low-carbon development objectives in the area.

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Aug 9, 2024

Effects of change management on public service delivery: The mediating role of organizational culture

Several change initiatives that have been introduced in Ethiopian public organizations to address growing quest for effective public service delivery, have not achieved the desiredoutcomes. Although considerable empirical studies conducted on organizational change, few gave attention to the management of change and its impact on organizational culture and service delivery in the context of public organizations in Ethiopia. By adopting planned change management framework, this study delves into how change management in public organizations affects service delivery directly and indirectly through organizational culture. Using explanatory research design, first survey questionnaires were administered to 301 participants selected through stratified sampling across 16 public organizations in Oromia, the largest state in Ethiopia. Results of astructural equation modeling analysis revealthat change management has no significant direct effect on public service delivery, but has an indirect significant positive effectthrough theorganizational culture which fully mediates the relationship. Subsequent thematic analysis of qualitative interview data collected from 10 managers demonstrate that change management in public organizations is less effective and driven intuitively without any change management framework. The results imply that effective change management significantly improves public service delivery by fostering supportive or constructive organizational culture. The use of change management framework substantively improves change planning, understanding, communication and implementation as well as positive work culture and hence improves effectiveness of service delivery. Accordingly, theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.

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Sept 21, 2022

A social-ecological perspective for emerging cities: The case of Corniche promenade, “urban majlis” of Doha

In the past decade, the capital city of Doha of the State of Qatar has experienced rapid urban expansion and other changes due to globalization, which has caused (i) the loss of a compact urban pattern, (ii) landscape fragmentation, and (iii) deficiency of green spaces. Therefore, as envisioned by Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV-2030), the State of Qatar plans to invest substantial funds into the urban regeneration of the built environment, along with the development of large areas of public parks as a means of promoting more sustainable urban development and enhancing city residents’ well-being. Accessibility contributes to the usability of public facilities on the part of the neighborhood community, thus enhancing city dwellers’ well-being. Nonetheless, the authors argue, the urban network along Doha’s Corniche promenade, the dominant open public space and the spine of the city, lacks connectivity at various scales of space. Therefore, this research study aimed to assess the existing conditions of Doha’s Corniche and recommend strategies for implementing its integration into the newly emerging city’s urban fabric. The findings, revealed through a network-analysis investigation based on graph theory, allowed us to generate a framework for shaping open public spaces, promoting higher living standards through a green network system planned at the city scale. The proposed framework addresses social-ecological challenges of distinctive open public spaces and helps define an approach for (i) tailoring the accessibility of open public spaces to their surroundings, and (ii) enhancing city dwellers’ well-being.

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Nov 21, 2024

Transformative technologies: A global Bibliometrci review of artificial intelligence in infrastructure governance and economic outcomes (2000–2024)

This paper investigates the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing infrastructure governance and economic outcomes. Through a bibliometric analysis spanning more than two decades of research from 2000 to 2024, the study examines global trends in AI applications within infrastructure projects. The analysis reveals significant research themes across diverse sectors, including urban development, healthcare, and environmental management, highlighting the broad relevance of AI technologies. In urban development, the integration of AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is advancing smart city initiatives by improving infrastructure systems through enhanced data-driven decision-making. In healthcare, AI is revolutionizing patient care, improving diagnostic accuracy, and optimizing treatment strategies. Environmental management is benefiting from AI’s potential to monitor and conserve natural resources, contributing to sustainability and crisis management efforts. The study also explores the synergy between AI and blockchain technology, emphasizing its role in ensuring data security, transparency, and efficiency in various applications. The findings underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in AI research and implementation, advocating for ethical considerations and strong governance frameworks to harness AI’s full potential responsibly.

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