Implementation Of Management Practices Research Articles

Physics-informed machine learning algorithms for forecasting sediment yield: an analysis of physical consistency, sensitivity, and interpretability.

The sediment transport, involving the movement of the bedload and suspended sediment in the basins, is a critical environmental concern that worsens water scarcity and leads to degradation of land and its ecosystems. Machine learning (ML) algorithms have emerged as powerful tools for predicting sediment yield. However, their use by decision-makers can be attributed to concerns regarding their consistency with the involved physical processes. In light of this issue, this study aims to develop a physics-informed ML approach for predicting sediment yield. To achieve this objective, Gaussian, Center, Regular, and Direct Copulas were employed to generate virtual combinations of physical of the sub-basins and hydrological datasets. These datasets were then utilized to train deep neural network (DNN), conventional neural network (CNN), Extra Tree, and XGBoost (XGB) models. The performance of these models was compared with the modified universal soil loss equation (MUSLE), which serves as a process-based model. The results demonstrated that the ML models outperformed the MUSLE model, exhibiting improvements in Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of approximately 10%, 18%, 32%, and 41% for the DNN, CNN, Extra Tree, and XGB models, respectively. Furthermore, through Sobol sensitivity and Shapley additive explanation-based interpretability analyses, it was revealed that the Extra Tree model displayed greater consistency with the physical processes underlying sediment transport as modeled by MUSLE. The proposed framework provides new insights into enhancing the accuracy and applicability of ML models in forecasting sediment yield while maintaining consistency with natural processes. Consequently, it can prove valuable in simulating process-related strategies aimed at mitigating sediment transport at watershed scales, such as the implementation of best management practices.

Soil hydro-physical variables and crop residues determinate runoff, soil loss, and glyphosate and AMPA concentration in the aqueous phase under simulated rainfall events.

Soil structural degradation and water erosion processes were observed even in no-tillage schemes in the Pampas region. Within these conservation systems, agrochemical application per hectare is one of the highest globally. Thus, this entails a serious risk of water contamination. The objectives of this study were to (1) test the hypothesis that the hydrological dynamics and sediment concentration related to surface runoff were conditioned by soil structure regardless of the presence of maize (Zea mays L.) crop residue and (2) assess the incidence of maize crop residue on glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) concentration in runoff. The soil under study corresponded to Arroyo Dulce Series (Typic Argiudoll silty loam soil). Rain simulations were performed in the laboratory on undisturbed soil samples. Total runoff and infiltration rate were similar between treatments with C(+) and without C(-) maize crop residues (C(+) 1381.40mL and 14.27mm h-1, C(-): 1529.70mL and 21.67mm h-1). The C(-) treatments showed a higher sediment concentration than C(+) (1.58 and 0.42g 100mL-1, respectively). Glyphosate and AMPA average values in runoff were 15.9 and 33.9µg L-1. High variability of the hydro-physical properties and occurrence of soil structure, particularly platy ones, were detected. The hydrological variables were conditioned mainly by the occurrence of platy structures regardless of crop residue presence. Glyphosate concentration was increased in the first runoff event by the presence of corn residues, while AMPA concentrations were higher in the second runoff event in both residue treatments. In this study, maize residue on the soil surface protected the soil from sediment detachment but did not change runoff or infiltration. Thus, the implementation of agricultural management practices that promote vegetative residue cover has shown positive results to erosion.

Bulk water services delivery challenges in the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district municipality in South Africa's North West Province

AbstractThis study thoroughly examines the difficulties in providing bulk water services in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district municipality in the North West Province, with the end goal of giving comprehensive suggestions for operational and strategic improvements. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, employing semistructured interviews for gathering data from officials of various municipalities responsible for overseeing infrastructure within the geographical confines of the municipalities they serve. The findings identified themes indicative of the focus areas contributing to the bulk water services delivery challenges. These emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative work environment, thus promoting organizational learning, and implementing effective change management to elevate service delivery standards. It identifies the necessity for heightened operational efficiency and advocates for a cultural shift within municipal operations. Strategic planning, marked by the creation and regular refinement of master plans, is highlighted alongside the implementation of robust project management practices. The study emphasizes the critical need for synchronizing municipal planning processes with statutory requirements and the changing demands of the local community. The research advocates for a flexible and responsive approach to master planning, which is indispensable for adapting to shifts in administrative frameworks and community needs. The study recommends the development of a dynamic master plan for water services, one that is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the evolving legislative landscape and community priorities. It also suggests that municipal authorities should ensure that the planning process remains inclusive and responsive to the residents' needs. Furthermore, training and capacity‐building initiatives for municipal officials could be instrumental in enhancing their ability to adapt to these changing demands and legislative environments.

The mediating role of job satisfaction and competitive advantage between quality management practices and sustainable performance: Case of hospitals in Guangxi, China

BACKGROUND: Ensuring medical quality and safety is the perpetual focus of healthcare management. Hospitals must prioritize quality management for sustainable growth. However, the complexity of quality management in hospitals, coupled with evolving practices, presents challenges. Achieving the integration of economic, environmental, and social benefits for high-quality development remains difficult. While quality management practices are acknowledged as strategic tools, their impact on job satisfaction, competitive advantage, and sustainable performance is not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to empirically demonstrate the relationship between quality management practices, job satisfaction, competitive advantage, and sustainable performance. METHODS: The study uses a quantitative research method. A questionnaire survey was conducted in Guangxi, China, among 171 quality management executives in secondary and tertiary hospitals, and the proposed research model was validated using PLS-SEM. RESULTS: The results showed that quality management practices have positive direct and indirect effects on sustainable performance, confirming the partial mediating role of job satisfaction, and competitive advantage in the relationship between quality management practices and sustainable performance. CONCLUSIONS: This study addresses a gap in quality management literature by exploring the relationship between quality management practices, job satisfaction, competitive advantage, and sustainable performance. Findings reveal that higher implementation of quality management practices correlates with increased job satisfaction, stronger competitive advantage, and enhanced sustainable performance in hospitals. These results suggest that implementing quality management practices can boost job satisfaction, enhance competitive advantage, and promote sustainable performance, offering valuable insights for hospital leaders.

Implementation of School-Based Management of School Administrators and Teachers-Directed Instructional Practices in Selected Public Schools in Rizal

This study investigates the level of implementation of School-Based Management (SBM) practices among school administrators and evaluates the instructional practices of teachers. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from surveys and qualitative insights from interviews. The respondents included school administrators and teachers from various educational institutions. The study's findings reveal that the implementation of SBM practices is highly effective, with curriculum and instructional management, human resource management, financial planning and budgeting, facilities management, and community engagement all being rated as highly implemented. The overall mean score for SBM implementation was 3.688, indicating a strong adherence to SBM principles across the board. The highest-rated individual practices included the provision of professional development opportunities, efficient financial resource allocation, and the establishment of clear safety protocols. In assessing instructional practices, teachers reported a high level of practice in areas such as dissemination of content, procedural instruction, practice and repetition, teacher monitoring and assistance, and focus on procedural fluency. The overall mean score for instructional practices was 3.608, highlighting a generally effective teaching environment. However, performance orientation was identified as an area needing improvement, with a mean score of 3.380. The study also explored differences in SBM implementation and instructional practices based on demographic variables such as sex, age, years in service, and highest educational attainment. The results indicated no significant differences in SBM implementation across these variables, suggesting consistent application of SBM practices. However, there were notable differences in instructional practices based on years in service and highest educational attainment, with less experienced teachers and those with bachelor's degrees placing greater emphasis on procedural fluency. The study concludes with a comprehensive SBM Educational Model designed to enhance school management and instructional practices. The model integrates the highest-ranked indicators from the study, emphasizing continuous improvement, professional development, community engagement, and effective resource management. This model provides a structured framework for schools to implement SBM practices more effectively, ultimately leading to improved educational outcomes for students.

Assumptions about Human Motivation have Consequences for Practice

AbstractManagement practice is informed by fundamental assumptions about human motivation. We review two contrasting perspectives: agency theory – which assumes that humans are self‐interested rational beings whose actions should be constrained to achieve organizational goals (which are opposing) – and self‐determination theory – which assumes that individuals will thrive when they have autonomy to pursue activities and can internalize external goals when their needs are satisfied. We highlight how the assumptions of agency theory continue to dominate the design and implementation of management practices and management education, despite decades of evidence that individuals are not solely driven by economic rationality. We suggest that attempts to refine these assumptions have so far fallen short of adequately representing human motivation and highlight an important aspect of self‐determination theory which is often neglected from these debates: how people come to internalize goals. Placing motivation internalization as more central to management thinking yields practices that more effectively align the interests of employees and organizations.

The Potential of Community Forest Development through Agroforestry Pattern of Medicinal Plants on Marginal Land in Lombok Tengah, Indonesia

Abstract Lombok Tengah Regency has community forest areas that have the potential to be developed. Current conditions show that many community forests in Lombok Tengah have been developed on marginal land and generally have not implemented intensive land management practices. Thus, land productivity has not been achieved optimally. Improving the quality of marginal land requires intensive land management practices to achieve a balance of ecological, social, and economic functions. The agroforestry pattern is an effort that can be implemented to increase the land productivity of community forests in Lombok Tengah. Agroforestry is a land management system that has great potential to be developed in community forests because it can improve ecological, social, and economic functions. However, not all farmers know the appropriate pattern to increase the productivity of their land. The study aims to determine appropriate land management patterns to be developed in community forests in Lombok Tengah. The method is a focus group discussion (FGD) with 40 farmers in Emboan, Mangkung Village, Lombok Tengah Regency. The study results showed that 78% of farmers in Emboan choose an agroforestry pattern with medicinal plants, especially rhizome types. In comparison, 22% of farmers choose to plant multi-purpose tree species (MPTS) and food crops. Ginger/jahe (Zingiber officinale), galangal/lengkuas (Alpinia galanga), and lemongrass/serai (Cymbopogon citratus) are the most suitable medicinal plants based on biophysical and socio-economic conditions to be developed on community forest in Emboan, Mangkung Village, Lombok Tengah Regency.

Implementation of Green Supply Chain Management Practices in Zimbabwean Organizations

Implementation of Green Supply Chain Management Practices in Zimbabwean Organizations

Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education: A Brave New World?

Abstract: Higher education leaders anticipate various ways in which Artificial Intelligence will be applied within their institutions. There can be substantial value in data analysis, supplemental applications for educational and developmental processes, and complex problem solving. Decision-makers must be mindful of problems that may arise from the implementation of hyper-rational management practices, extensive surveillance systems, and applications that could control and narrow the experience of students physically, emotionally, and intellectually. AI offers valuable tools but also significant risks. Institutional leaders face complex and highly consequential decisions about how such technology will be deployed and shape the ongoing evolution of colleges and universities.

Causal inference approaches reveal both positive and negative unintended effects of agricultural and urban management practices on instream biological condition

Agricultural and urban management practices (MPs) are primarily designed and implemented to reduce nutrient and sediment concentrations in streams. However, there is growing interest in determining if MPs produce any unintended positive effects, or co-benefits, to instream biological and habitat conditions. Identifying co-benefits is challenging though because of confounding variables (i.e., those that affect both where MPs are applied and stream biota), which can be accounted for in novel causal inference approaches. Here, we used two causal inference approaches, propensity score matching (PSM) and Bayesian network learning (BNL), to identify potential MP co-benefits in the Chesapeake Bay watershed portion of Maryland, USA. Specifically, we examined how MPs may modify instream conditions that impact fish and macroinvertebrate indices of biotic integrity (IBI) and functional and taxonomic endpoints. We found evidence of positive unintended effects of MPs for both benthic macroinvertebrates and fish indicated by higher IBI scores and specific endpoints like the number of scraper macroinvertebrate taxa and lithophilic spawning fish taxa in a subset of regions. However, our results also suggest MPs have negative unintended effects, especially on sensitive benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and key instream habitat and water quality metrics like specific conductivity. Overall, our results suggest MPs offer co-benefits in some regions and catchments with largely degraded conditions but can have negative unintended effects in some regions, especially in catchments with good biological conditions. We suggest the number and types of MPs drove these mixed results and highlight carefully designed MP implementation that incorporates instream biological data at the catchment scale could facilitate co-benefits to instream biological conditions. Our study underscores the need for more research on identifying effects of individual MP types on instream biological and habitat conditions.

Implementation of low carbon supply chain management practices (LCSCMP) in Indian manufacturing industries using ISM-DEMATEL

Implementation of low carbon supply chain management practices (LCSCMP) in Indian manufacturing industries using ISM-DEMATEL

Works councils as gatekeepers: Codetermination, management practices, and job satisfaction

This paper analyzes the role of works councils as gatekeepers safeguarding employee's interests in the adoption of management practices to monitor employee performance and provide feedback. We first introduce a formal model predicting that (i) the introduction of such management practices leads to a stronger increase (or weaker decrease) in job satisfaction when a works council is in place, (ii) that this effect should be larger the lower the prior level of employee participation and (iii) that works councils increase the likelihood of the implementation of these practices at the level of individual employees. We provide evidence in line with these hypotheses, using linked-employer-employee panel data from Germany. We indeed find that the adoption of formal performance appraisals and feedback interviews is associated with a significantly larger increase in job satisfaction when there is a works council. This pattern is driven by establishments without collective bargaining agreements. The evidence also suggests that works councils indeed facilitate the implementation of such management practices, as codetermined firms have a higher likelihood that a practice implemented on the firm level is actually applied by middle management.

Wainganga River Back Water Environmental Impact Assessment in Gose Dam

The construction of Gose Dam along the Wainganga River has given rise to a significant backwater area, prompting a comprehensive assessment of its environmental impacts. This multidisciplinary study examines ecological, hydrological, and socio-economic dimensions to unravel the complexities of the altered ecosystem. Ecological analyses reveal shifts in habitat structure, biodiversity, and water quality, while hydrological assessments scrutinize changes in flow patterns, sediment dynamics, and flood regimes. Socio- economic investigations explore the ramifications on local communities, including shifts in livelihoods and land use practices. Through field surveys, remote sensing techniques, and stakeholder consultations, this assessment aims to inform evidence-based decision-making and facilitate the implementation of sustainable management practices. By elucidating both challenges and opportunities, this study contributes to the conservation of the Wainganga River ecosystem, ensuring its resilience and well-being for future generations.

Analysis of Determinants Factors Affecting Organizational Citizenship Behaviour in Post-Merger Sharia Banks

Purpose: This study investigates the determinants of Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB), focusing on the relationship between Organizational Culture, Organizational Commitment, Career Development, and OCB. Method: Using a Literature Review approach, this study analyzes scholarly articles published from 2016 to 2020 to identify gaps in research and explore the mediation effect of Career Development on the relationship between Organizational Culture and Organizational Commitment in influencing OCB. Results and conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of Organizational Culture, Organizational Commitment, and Career Development in shaping OCB. While existing literature extensively examines OCB's relationship with organizational factors, such as culture and commitment, this study emphasizes the need for further research on the mediating role of career development. It also suggests that OCB is influenced by changes in organizational strategy and the implementation of human resource management practices, particularly in Indonesian companies. Research implications: The study provides theoretical insights into OCB determinants and practical implications for organizational management in fostering OCB. It underscores the significance of considering career development alongside cultural and commitment factors. Originality/value: This research contributes to the literature by addressing gaps in research and emphasizing the importance of career development in shaping OCB. It offers valuable insights for organizational management and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in organizational behavior and human resource management.

Perceived likelihood of standard employment by client organizations and the career mobility of outsourced employees: a self-driving human capital increment model

Externalized employment, aimed at reducing labor costs, is becoming increasingly prevalent. However, the effective implementation of management practices to improve the career mobility of outsourced employees remains unknown. Drawing from social cognitive theory, this study constructs a self-driven career mobility model for outsourced employees. What’s more, this study proposes the concept of differentiation in perceived organizational supports (DPOS), that is ‘the relative degree of outsourced employee’s perception of support from client organizational exceeds that from supplier organization in triangular employment relationships’, and regards it as a key boundary condition for outsourced employees to interpret the cognition of employment opportunities. Data were collected from a three-wave survey of 271 outsourced employees from 52 interorganizational teams. Results showed that the perceived likelihood of standard employment (PLSE) by client organizations positively predicts outsourced employees’ turnover intention from supplier organization. Job-related human capital development (JRHCD) and occupational self-efficacy play a chain mediating role between PLSE and turnover intention. DPOS moderates the relationship between PLSE and JRHCD, and also moderates the mediating and chain mediating effect of JRHCD and occupational self-efficacy. We discuss the implications of findings for outsourcing management research and practice.

Assessing the Impact of Integrated Dogwood Disease Management Practices on Labor Needs and Production Costs in Tennessee Nurseries

Early and accurate detection of diseases, and implementation of efficient disease management practices are crucial to reducing the economic impact associated with plant disease outbreaks. Based on survey responses from dogwood nursery growers in Tennessee, USA, scouting was identified as an important disease management practice adopted by a majority of growers for disease management in field-grown, container-grown, and pot-in-pot production systems. Our results show a significant positive correlation between disease severity and scouting frequency for dogwood plants grown in container and pot-in-pot production systems. Our efficiency measure is a self-rated efficacy scale perceived by the nursery growers about their existing disease management system in nursery plants. A significant positive correlation was found between the efficacy of disease management and the number of workers involved in scouting and a negative association between the worker hours spent in scouting and the grower's experience/exposure to other disease detection methods. The majority of nursery growers followed a set spray schedule between May and October, with applications scheduled every other week. In addition, our results showed significant positive correlations between efficacy and spray-related factors, such as disease severity and worker hours spent in spraying; efficacy of disease management and spraying frequency in field-grown dogwoods; and foliar spray costs and efficacy of disease management. We estimated ≈$379/acre per year average costs for dogwood disease management, which the growers find to be one of the major components of the dogwood production budget. Moving to automated systems of disease scouting and management has the potential to reduce the cost of these labor-intensive disease management practices of dogwood production.

The factors contributing to better workplaces for farmers on pasture-based dairy farms

Herd size expansion, combined with the reduced availability of people to work on farms, has led to an increased focus on techniques that can improve dairy farm social sustainability. Effective work organization is one such entity, which could influence farm social sustainability; focusing on having a productive, flexible and standardized farm workload. The objective of this study was to examine the factors that contribute to better workplaces for the farmer using a survey of representative pasture-based dairy farms in Ireland. Potential contributing factors to better workplaces for farmers were identified, namely; farm and farmer characteristics, working day structure, farmer attitudes, farm facilities, labor efficient practices and human resource management practices. A survey was completed by 313 Irish dairy farmers between 20 November and 3 January 2019 to capture relevant information. One proxy indicator was selected to represent each of productivity, flexibility and standardization within the workplace, and each of the 313 farms were categorized into quartiles based on their ranking for these 3 indicators (1 = most effective quartile to 4 = least effective quartile). The average farmer that completed the survey was 51 years old, milked 125 cows, reported to work 69.6 h/ week, take 10.3 d of holidays/ year and had a finish time of 19:52 in spring. The quartile of farms with the most effective farmer workplace reported reduced hours worked per week (58.6 v 82.6 h per week), more holiday days (16.6 v 5.1 d) and weekends off (8.3 v 2.4) per year, and earlier finish times (18:41 v 21:14 in spring) compared with the least effective quartile. Similarly, the most effective farms reported better facilities, and greater implementation of labor efficient and human resource management practices compared with the least effective farms. The most effective quartile for farmer workplace effectiveness were more positive about the industry's potential to offer an effective work-life balance, would be more likely to encourage young people to pursue careers in dairy, and had more positive attitudes toward attracting and retaining workers compared with the least effective quartile. The study highlighted the range of factors contributing to more effective workplaces for farmers, indicating scope for improvement on many farms, and challenges across all farms when compared with other industries in the case of some indicators (e.g., time-off). The results can support the continued extension of concepts regarding work organization to assist farms in alleviating social sustainability challenges; highlighting the differentiating factors between the most and least effective farmer workplaces.

Paisaje Agrario: Producción Agrícola Familiar en la Campaña Dange-Quitexe 2019-2022

Family farming in Angola has pre-colonial historical roots. It faced challenges during the colonial period and the war of independence, but after 1975, the government promoted it as essential for economic development. Despite the obstacles, the province of Uíge plays a crucial role in food security and rural development, receiving investment for strengthening and sustainable growth. The aim of the research was to analyse the influence of agricultural practices on food availability in the region and to represent the temporal evolution of land use and land cover in the agricultural production of families in the municipality of Dange-Quitexe. The methodology used was a temporal land use study, involving the collection of data on traditional agricultural practices, analysing soil conditions, defining sustainability goals and implementing management practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, water management and soil conservation techniques. The results of this study offered a deeper understanding of family farming over the two agricultural seasons, and provided valuable information to guide future actions and initiatives in the area of agriculture and regional development, land use revealed significant improvements in productivity and resilience, the implementation of sustainable practices, such as crop rotation, intercropping and water management, resulted in healthier harvests and more stable yields over time, in addition, it presented the level of production for food security in the municipality of Dange-Quitexe-Uíge in the 2019-2022 agricultural seasons.

Integrating quantitative microbiological risk assessment and disability-adjusted life years to evaluate the effects of urbanization on health risks for river recreationists

Urban rivers provide an excellent opportunity for water recreation. This study probabilistically assessed health risks associated with water recreation in urban rivers in the Bitan Scenic Area, Taiwan, by employing quantitative microbial risk assessment and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Moreover, the effects of urbanization on the health risks of river recreation induced by waterborne pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) were investigated. First, data on river E. coli levels were collected in both the Bitan Scenic Area and the upstream river section, and model parameters were obtained through a questionnaire administered to river recreationists. Monte Carlo simulation was then employed to address parameter uncertainty. Finally, DALYs were calculated to quantify the cumulative effects in terms of potential life lost and years lived with disability. The results indicated that the 90 % confidence intervals for the disease burden (DB) were 0.2–74.1 × 10−6, 0.01–94.0 × 10−6, and 0.3–128.9 × 10−6 DALY per person per year (pppy) for canoeing, swimming, and fishing, respectively, in the Bitan Scenic Area. Furthermore, urbanization near the Bitan Scenic Area approximately doubled the DB risks to river recreationists in upstream rural areas. At the 95th percentile, the DB risks exceeded the tolerances recommended by the World Health Organization (1 × 10−6) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1 × 10−4). The findings suggest that the simultaneous implementation of effluent sewer systems and best management practices can reduce health risks to river recreationists by at least half, reducing the DALY levels below 1 × 10−4 or even 1 × 10−5 pppy.

Conventional agricultural management negatively affects soil fauna abundance, soil physicochemical quality and multifunctionality

Agricultural intensification is one of the major drivers of biodiversity decline and the losses of its functions in the soil. For soil health and sustainability planning, it is important to understand the effects associated with agricultural management on soil function and biodiversity. This study explored soil fauna, physicochemical properties, soil quality and multifunctionality and how they are affected by agroecosystem management in four different land uses i.e., conventional agriculture, livestock-integrated agriculture, conservation agriculture and natural grassland. The conventional land use favoured some nutrients, however soil of both the integrated and conservation land uses had physical and chemical properties indicative of good soil quality e.g. low compaction, low C:N ratio and stable aggregates. Soil fauna abundance was more responsive to land use and the soil environment compared to species diversity which did not show significant responses as expected. Tillage is known to negatively influence soil fauna, soil functions and physicochemical properties through intense soil structure disruption. Here, its detrimental effect is reflected by the lowest record of soil fauna, poor soil physicochemical quality and low multifunctionality observed within the conventional landuses managed under deep tillage, compared to other land uses which are under zero tillage. Overall, the study shows that the implementation of sustainable soil management practices which improves the physical and chemical status will not only be beneficial for productivity but also for the promotion of important soil fauna, better soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality.