Adoption Issues Research Articles

Toward an omniopticon: the potential of blockchain technology toward influencing vulnerable populations in contested markets

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the use of blockchain technology in contested markets. The authors specifically consider the development and utilization of this accounting system as a device that might democratize contested markets for vulnerable populations, supporting contested entrepreneurs while “cooling” the moral contestation to the market.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzes the relationship between vulnerable populations and contested market activities, the inclusive development and potential trust created by a blockchain accounting information system and how this interaction potentially creates support for economic and social systems.FindingsThis paper demonstrates that, in an era of decreased trust especially as it relates to a digital, globalized marketplace, blockchain has the potential to create democracies of access, trust and agency. This system overcomes many of the deficiencies associated with transparency and accountability and connects market participants with society, strengthening its potential to bridge two opposing vulnerable population viewpoints necessary for possible contested market development.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of emerging technologies in the interconnectedness between vulnerable populations in a contested market. Recognizing that blockchain is an imperfect version of its ideal intention, the authors also discuss the limitations of the system with respect to corruption, collusion and potential issues of adoption, and how this reduces the influence of blockchain as a “cooling” device within contested markets.Practical implicationsThe authors provide an illustrative example whereby an entire industry might be persuaded from avoidance to promotion of new traceability devices and supported in the development of an accessible market.Social implicationsGlobal government's economic support for social systems continues to experience significant declines. With ever-degrading healthcare, infrastructure, public education, childcare, etc., new sources of economic influx are often desired. One potential source of additional funds is from the tax revenues derived from contested market transactions, those stigmatized industries often operating illegally. With substantial public distrust, blockchain potentially provides such industries with democratization and the trust necessary to transition the industry into a legal environment, with tax revenues benefiting various social systems.Originality/valueThis study goes beyond the preliminary discussions of the benefits and consequences of blockchain. Instead, the authors focus on the use of blockchain within contested markets and its ability to influence vulnerable populations. The authors also consider the use of blockchain-based accounting information systems to provide a holistic and more democratic platform from a regulatory, market participant and societal standpoint.

Using Neural Networks in Order to Analyze Telework Adaptability across the European Union Countries: A Case Study of the Most Relevant Scenarios to Occur in Romania.

Our study addresses the issue of telework adoption by countries in the European Union and draws up a few feasible scenarios aimed at improving telework’s degree of adaptability in Romania. We employed the dataset from the 2020 Eurofound survey on Living, Working and COVID-19 (Round 2) in order to extract ten relevant determinants of teleworking on the basis of 24,123 valid answers provided by respondents aged 18 and over: the availability of work equipment; the degree of satisfaction with the experience of working from home; the risks related to potential contamination with SARS-CoV-2 virus; the employees’ openness to adhering to working-from-home patterns; the possibility of maintaining work–life balance objectives while teleworking; the level of satisfaction on the amount and the quality of work submitted, etc. Our methodology entailed the employment of SAS Enterprise Guide software to perform a cluster analysis resulting in a preliminary classification of the EU countries with respect to the degree that they have been able to adapt to telework. Further on, in order to refine this taxonomy, a multilayer perceptron neural network with ten input variables in the initial layer, six neurons in the intermediate layer, and three neurons in the final layer was successfully trained. The results of our research demonstrate the existence of significant disparities in terms of telework adaptability, such as: low to moderate levels of adaptability (detected in countries such as Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Italy); fair levels of adaptability (encountered in France, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, or Romania); and high levels of adaptability (exhibited by intensely digitalized economies such Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, etc.).

Issues in Adoption of Drip and Conventional Irrigation Methods in Banana: A Socio-Economic Analysis of South Gujarat Region

Issues in Adoption of Drip and Conventional Irrigation Methods in Banana: A Socio-Economic Analysis of South Gujarat Region

English

The role of bioengineering in industrial processes cannot be ignored, especially in circumstances where the processes are uneconomical, demand high energy, use finite resources and emit huge amounts of carbon dioxide. Ethylene is a two-carbon unsaturated hydrocarbon that is industry's most important building block for polyester fibres, plastics, and ethylene glycol. For decades, ethylene production has relied on steam-cracking without many improvements, especially on issues of environmental impact and adoption of appropriate renewable approaches. This paper discusses selected microbial pathway modifications as novel approach to developing systems that could be alternatives to conventional ethylene production systems. Bioengineering of the ethylene pathway is suggested in view of the need to meet the criteria of high efficiency, increase sustainability and ensure product qualities and quantities that can exceed the existing approach.   Key words: Ethylene, crude glycerol, tolerance, synthesis, bioengineering.

Post-Secondary Food Service Manager Perspectives on Fruit and Vegetable Nudging Strategies: Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACTBackgroundChanging the choice architecture in post-secondary food service contexts to “nudge” customers to choose more fruits and vegetables (FV) shows promise in intervention studies to date. If such approaches are to become more widely adopted, they must be feasible and acceptable to food service managers. Among possible early adopters, managers of food services in post-secondary education institutions may have unique insights on implementation of such approaches, as they have dual mandates to support student health and maintain profitability.ObjectiveThe goal of this exploratory study was to examine current knowledge, practice, facilitators, and barriers to uptake of nudge strategies promoting FV in a sample of post-secondary food service managers.MethodsA qualitative telephone interview study was undertaken with food service managers across Canada (n = 10 institutions), recruited from a national professional organization. One or more representatives from each institution completed the interview. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and underwent framework descriptive and interpretative content analysis in NVivo (QSR International). Münscher's Taxonomy of Choice Architecture and the Ottawa Model for Research Use guided development and analysis.ResultsManagers from 9 universities and 1 technical college participated. Local context, governance, and resources varied widely. Eight of 10 institutions used some form of FV nudging as part of their marketing and health promotion, most commonly to reduce the effort associated with choosing FV. Nudging strategies aimed at increasing the range and composition of FV offerings, providing a social reference (opinion leaders) for choosing FV, and changing consequences with loyalty cards were also common. Other nudging strategies were used infrequently. Cost, operational ease of implementation, and students’ privacy and choices were critical issues in adoption.ConclusionsThe results can inform development and testing of locally adapted nudge interventions. It is critical that managers be involved from the outset of any planned academic implementation study.

Descriptive literature review of human resource information systems (HRIS) adoption issues in the health sector, South Africa

No organisation is ever static. For several reasons, each organisation reviews its aims and objectives from time to time. These reasons may be internally or externally driven. They could also be politically, economically and or socially motivated. Research has established that most of the attempts at bringing about change are based on the needs of employees and customers. Essentially, for the purposes of better management of employees and customers, human resource information systems (HRIS) are touted as the panacea for effective and efficient health sector service delivery. Focusing on South Africa, this paper used the descriptive literature review method to determine HRIS adoption issues within the health sector of South Africa. As an important sector in any growing economy, the health sector in our view benefits from a constant review of its mission. Within the context of South Africa, substantial emphasis is yet to be placed on health sector effectiveness. Elsewhere, in other regions and continents, research on HRIS adoption within the health sector suggests that its adoption is problematic but useful. The South African health sector is yet to fully embrace this technology and as a result is suffering from employee dissatisfaction, brain drain, and general maladministration. Investment in HRIS research is therefore instructive especially within the context of South Africa. What we have found through this review is that investing in HRIS is crucial; however, it requires thorough consideration for its funding, infrastructural support, and skilled manpower among others.

With Great Hopes Come Great Expectations: Access and Adoption Issues Associated With COVID-19 Vaccines.

Although COVID-19 vaccines are becoming increasingly available, their ability to effectively control and contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly contingent on an array of factors. This paper discusses how limitations to vaccine accessibility, issues associated with vaccine side effects, concerns regarding vaccine efficacy, along with the persistent prevalence of vaccine hesitancy among the public, including health care professionals, might impact the potential of COVID-19 vaccines to curb the pandemic. We draw insights from the literature to identify practical solutions that could boost people’s adoption of COVID-19 vaccines and their accessibility. We conclude with a discussion on health experts’ and government officials’ moral and ethical responsibilities to the public, even in light of the urgency to adopt and endorse “the greatest amount of good for the greatest number” utilitarian philosophy in controlling and managing the spread of COVID-19.

Challenges of Applying AI in Healthcare in India

With the advent of digitalization, upcoming technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) are being utilized by healthcare services to manage various healthcare services to mimic human cognitive functions. This technology is expected to bring about a massive change in healthcare. Patient management, clinical decision support, patient tracking, and health care services are the four main AI-enabled fields of the healthcare industry. The method carrying out the study was based on secondary research by the themes of the studies performed earlier using Artificial intelligence in healthcare sector, through observations, interviews and valid documentations from prominent databases, by means of challenges and its analysis and the last by the issues associated with the study and the target groups are the front line workers in healthcare sectors. The AI applications in health care have gathered much attention, but AI's adoption issues have not been significantly tended. There are several challenges of its implementation, such as resolving the unequal relationship between trained physicians and patients and increasing physicians' efficiency to be more effective in their work; providing AI-enabled healthcare equipment in rural communities; and educating physicians or doctors in handling it. AI technologies have the potential to enhance patient outcomes. Still, they may also pose significant risks in terms of inadequate patient risk assessment, medical error, and suggestions for treatment, privacy violations, and others.

Commercialization, Diffusion and Adoption of Bioformulations for Sustainable Disease Management in Indian Arid Agriculture: Prospects and Challenges.

Trichoderma spp. is one of the most popular genus of fungi commercially available as a plant growth promoting fungus (PGPF) and biological control agent. More than 80 species of Trichoderma are reported in the literature. However T. asperellum, T. harzianum, T. viride, and T. virens are most commonly utilized as biocontrol agents. Studies were initiated to explore the potential of biocontrol agents in order to develop a cost effective and practical management strategy. Analysis of large number of soil samples collected from western parts of the region led to isolation of native biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus versicolor, and Bacillus firmus from different agricultural systems. These biocontrol agents have proved their antagonistic ability in laboratory tests and field trials. In India, two species of Trichoderma i.e., T. viride and T. harzianum are commercially registered for usage against soil borne plant pathogens mostly as a seed treatment or soil application. There are published scientific papers on the efficacy of T. asperellum and T. virens in India for suppressing pathogens but these are not yet registered under Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC). This review article focuses on the uses, commercialization and adoption issues of various fungal and bacterial consortium products in sustainable disease management.

Assessing off-site readiness in construction organisations: cases from India

PurposeThis paper aims to present factors affecting the Indian construction organisations in adopting off-site construction (OSC) methods.Design/methodology/approachAn existing readiness maturity model has been used to assess three large organisations in different parts of India. A case study methodology has been adopted in this paper to highlight critical issues in OSC adoption in India.FindingsThis paper presents three case studies and concludes the Indian construction sectors readiness to adopt the OSC methods. Through the case studies, different issues related to the adoption of OSC have been identified and highlighted for the Indian construction sector. Although the three companies are large, there are several small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) operating in India's construction sector, and future research shall be needed to review these SMEs.Research limitations/implicationsThis research study is broadly focused on developing and assessing an OSC readiness framework for Indian construction organisations. The research scope and the population for data collection are limited to large construction organisations in India only.Practical implicationsThe proposed OSC readiness maturity model guides construction practitioners in India through a structured process to assess their OSC readiness in the market. This assessment enables them to evaluate and benchmark their processes through the strategic and operational phases. This research will add to the existing knowledge of OSC in India by mapping issues relevant to India's construction industry. The research has provided background on the status of OSC, the drivers and barriers affecting the implementation of OSC techniques in the Indian construction industry.Originality/valueThrough the three case studies, several factors related to the implementation of OSC methods have been identified and highlighted within the Indian construction sector. Although the model has been applied to the Indian construction sector, it can easily be modified to fit into other areas and similar dynamics and business conditions.

Mining Transition and Hydropower Energy in Greece—Sustainable Governance of Water Resources Management in a Post-Lignite Era: The Case of Western Macedonia, Greece

The present study explores the process of Greece’s current decarbonisation transition and its energy policy regarding the country’s two coal-mining areas. Using the Region of Western Macedonia as a case study, we aimed at providing a holistic approach—as until now only few attempts have been made to systematise the ‘Just Transition Plans’ in European Union (EU)—for raising awareness on issues related to water resource management in post-lignite areas and analysing the use of hydropower in Greece. Our research draws on a flexible method approach, serving as a tool to identify gaps in current knowledge and practices, based on two stages—first the analysis of existing literature, reviews, and sources from government’s core strategies, as well as policy and decision-making papers, and then formulating research questions by synthesising relevant data. In Greece, both ‘Just Transition Development Plan of Lignite Areas’ and hydropower production practices overlook water resources management. By summarising our findings and identifying gaps that remain in current approaches, this work indicates future directions by suggesting processes necessary for addressing the complex issue of adoption of sustainable water resources management measures in post-lignite eras in accordance with EU’s water policy.

Tool acceptance and acceptability: insights from a real tool use activity.

The issue of tool adoption has been the subject of many investigations, which focus either on acceptability (evaluating intention to use, a priori) or acceptance (evaluating real tool use, a posteriori). There are many criteria in the literature explaining why a tool is accepted or rejected by users, but behavioral observations are rare. This work aims to study the relationship between acceptability and acceptance and to find out if there is a hierarchy between the criteria that lead a user to use a particular tool. We exposed participants to eight xylophones varying according to three criteria: Ease of use, Utility, and Aesthetics. We assessed acceptability and judgment of participants about xylophones with questionnaires, based on tool use observation in a video session, and after a short-term use (Experiment 1); we also measured acceptance after long-term use of five sessions during which participants learned to play xylophone (Experiment 2). The results suggested that previous exposure to the tool influenced the judgment of the user, indicating a difference between acceptability and acceptance and between observation and use of a tool. The results also indicate differences in the hierarchy of criteria. In the acceptability phase, user judgments are guided by Ease of use. However, during the acceptance phase, the Utility criterion has the greatest influence, whether in terms of tool preference, or time spent using tools.

Considerations on the Issues of Adoption from the Perspective of ECHR Reglementations

Abstract The legal issue of adoption has an obvious complex character, a circumstance that involves increasing the effort of in-depth analysis of regulations in the field, both for their correct interpretation and application, and for identifying possible inaccuracies or legislative gaps and substantiating relevant legislative proposals for their elimination. Since the entry into force of the current Civil Code (2011) until now, in the Romanian doctrine, one cannot identify a scientific paper with a monographic character in which the theoretical and practical issues of the legal regime of adoption in the Romanian system of law are analyzed and deepened. The paper presents a series of opinions on possible corrections in the legal regime of adoption from the perspective ofECHR regulations.

An Analysis of IB Program Adoption Issues in Public Education in Korea

목적 이 연구의 목적은 국제 바칼로레아(IB)의 국내 공교육 도입에 대해 개진한 내용을 분석하여 찬반 쟁점의 기준 영역과 하위범주를 드러내는 데 있다.방법 이를 위한 자료 수집 및 분석은 두 단계로 이루어졌다. 1단계에서는 언론 보도 기사 270건과 학술 논문 및 연구보고서 33건, 총 303건의 원자료를 처리하고 분석하여 찬반 쟁점 개념을 도출하였다. 2단계에서는 1단계에서 도출된 개념의 공통된 성질들을 묶어 하위범주로 범주화하고, 하위범주를 쟁점 기준 영역인 상위범주로 범주화하였다.결과 연구 결과, 쟁점의 기준이 될 수 있는 영역을 교육철학, 교육사회학, 교육정책학, 교육평가로 설정하였다. 각 영역에 따른 하위범주는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 교육철학적 쟁점으로는 2015 개정 교육과정 대 IB 교육과정 실행 문제와 학생의 학습 측면, 둘째, 교육사회학적 쟁점으로는 교육격차⋅교육 불평등⋅교육 양극화 문제, 사교육 발생 문제, 셋째, 교육정책학적 쟁점으로는 단위학교의 교육과정 운영 자율성 및 교육 거버넌스 주권 침해 문제, 교육예산 배분의 형평성 문제, 교원 수급 문제, 넷째, 교육평가 쟁점에서는 대입제도와의 연계 문제, IB 평가 결과에 대한 공정성과 신뢰성 보장 문제이다.결론 IB의 국내 공교육 도입에 있어 쟁점 기준과 하위범주를 도출하기 위해 303건의 자료를 분석하여 쟁점 기준 영역을 4가지로 범주화하고, 각 기준 영역에 따른 하위범주별로 찬반 내용을 구체적으로 비교하여 제시하였다. 연구 결론을 통해 자기주도적인 학습 능력을 갖춘 창의융합형 인재 양성이 절실한 불확실한 국제화 시대에 IB가 우리나라 공교육에 주는 영향력이 큼을 유념하여 지속적인 관심을 가져야 함을 제언하였다.

COVID-19 and the future of work in the hospitality industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the hospitality industry. This research combines different data to examine the US labor market trends during COVID-19. It is found that low-preparation jobs in leisure and hospitality are the hardest hit and slow to recover. The pandemic has highlighted growing issues in workplace safety, skill gaps, technology adoption, and work reorganization in the hospitality industry. This paper develops two propositions about preparing hospitality workers for the future of work and providing flexible work arrangements.

BIM Adoption Issues in Infrastructure Construction Projects: Analysis and Solutions

The objective of this paper is to assess and outline both the value and inefficiencies of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within Construction Infrastructure projects, and to provide a comparative and conclusive analysis via the underpinning academic literature and industrial reporting respectively. Further, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a range of industry experts to add greater evidence at the application and execution stage, leading onto the proposal of a framework solution to gain advantage due to the implementation of BIM and counter some of the outlined inefficiencies and issues raised. The aims and objectives of the research study were to develop a methodology that brings to the forefront issues with the adoption of BIM, and to propose a framework in order to provide clarity on resolving these issues to gain an advantage. The methodology consists of four parts which are: 1) Undertaking a systematic literature review of academic and a critical review of industrial literature 2) Analysing, contesting and supporting literature by undertaking a data collection exercise with a range of industry experts who are delivering construction projects and in particular infrastructure via BIM 3) Providing a comparative analysis between data collection, academic and industrial literature in a holistic format 4) Proposing a framework focused on countering the disadvantages and inefficiencies in the adoption of BIM. There is also evidence of a disconnect due to both the overwhelming nature of BIM (acronyms, competing standards and technology) in that people are unsure what to implement and when, with a lack of objective focus on what the goals and advantages at a project level. The research concludes with a comparative synthesis of results and by outlining a framework solution focused on applying objective focus as part of the application process and requirements, supporting goal attainment and appropriate/agreed measurements of BIM.

Investigating the Institutional Blended Learning Adoption Framework in Higher Education

There are limited studies that concern the institutional policies and issues of blended learning adoption. By using a case study, this study explores blended learning implementation and three main issues of adoption. The issues are “institutional strategy, structure, and support that portrayed the stages of the blended learning adoption. The data indicated that the blended learning implementation of learning increases the involvement use of technology by the learner. But there is still no proportionality in the enforcement between F2F and online learning goals and activities. The data were obtained by observation, semi-structured interview, and documentation. Based on the result, the institution under investigation still in stage 1 (awareness/exploration stage) of the blended learning adoption stage. By doing the research on the three participants who adopt blended learning, it can be concluded that the institution has not met the requirements for implementing blended learning at higher stages because many aspects have not been fulfilled and need to be improved for future implementation. Therefore, the researchers expect that this research can be a reference regarding aspects that must be fulfilled for better implementation.

A strategy to improve expert technology forecasts

Forecasts of the future cost and performance of technologies are often used to support decision-making. However, retrospective reviews find that many forecasts made by experts are not very accurate and are often seriously overconfident, with realized values too frequently falling outside of forecasted ranges. Here, we outline a hybrid approach to expert elicitation that we believe might improve forecasts of future technologies. The proposed approach iteratively combines the judgments of technical domain experts with those of experts who are knowledgeable about broader issues of technology adoption and public policy. We motivate the approach with results from a pilot study designed to help forecasters think systematically about factors beyond the technology itself that may shape its future, such as policy, economic, and social factors. Forecasters who received briefings on these topics provided wider forecast intervals than those receiving no assistance.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILDRENADOPTION LICENSING IN THE BENGKULU PROVINCE BASED ON GOVERNMENT REGULATION NUMBER 54 OF 2007 CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILDREN ADOPTION

The State and the Government are obliged and responsible for the orderliness of children adoption practices, both in terms of administration and legal certainty. Therefore several policies were issued through legislation and jurisprudence that regulates and handles the issue of children adoption. The implementation of children adoption must be based on Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 54 of 2007 concerning Children Adoption. This study aims to get an overview and explanation of the Implementation of Licensing for ChildrenAdoption in Bengkulu Province Based on Government Regulation 54 of 2007 concerning the Implementation of Children Adoption. The children adoption process requires regulations that are in accordance with the Laws and Government Regulations and needs control of how they are implemented in the field. In addition to the Social Department of Bengkulu Province as the technical executor of adoption activities, it is necessary to establish a Regional Consultation Team for Children Adoption (known as PIPA in Indonesian abbreviation), to avoid irregularities in the process of implementation of children adoption, such as the adoption of children carried out without proper procedures, falsification of data and the existence of child trafficking, so the goal of adopting a child for the best interests of the child is not achieved. In analyzing the data in this thesis, the researcher applied a qualitative juridical analysis approach that describes the picture of the data obtained by researcher in the field and connects with each other to get a general conclusion. From the results of the qualitative juridical analysis, it can be seen and obtained inductive conclusions, namely the way of thinking in taking conclusions in general was based on facts that are specific. Data collection methods in this study were done through in-depth interview techniques, observation and documentation.The informants in this study were determined by selecting informants who comprehended and were directly involved in the implementation of child adoption programs. The informants consisted of the Head of Social Rehabilitation Division at the Social Department of Bengkulu Province, Head of Children and Elderly Social Rehabilitation Section at the Social Department of Bengkulu Province, Head of ChildrenProtection Section of the Women Empowerment Department and Children Protection in Bengkulu Province, Children Social Workers and Parents or Prospective Adoptive Parents who follow procedural for children adoption in accordance with applicable regulations. Data processing and analysis were conducted through data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawing.

ЕРДАН ФОЙДАЛАНИШ ВА МУҲОФАЗА ҚИЛИШ СОҲАСИДА ДАВЛАТ БОШҚАРУВИНИНГ ИЛМИЙ-ҲУҚУҚИЙ АСОСЛАРИ

The article explains the concept of state management in the sphere of land use and protection, based on the existing legal documents, scientific and theoretical foundations. Also land reform in the Republic of Uzbekistan is treated as one of the main directions of state public administration. The author investigates land management as a type of environmental control and describes organizational and legal basis for land protection in urban planning. The article considers the issues of adoption by government administrationof normative acts on land use and protection on safeguard and rational use of lands; establishment of standards on environmental protection, maintenance of state registration of lands and state cadastre; rational use of lands and planning oftheir protection; distribution and redistribution ofland; landscape design;