Management Tool Research Articles

Do Vegetation Fuel Reduction Treatments Alter Forest Fire Severity and Carbon Stability in California Forests?

AbstractForest fire frequency, extent, and severity have rapidly increased in recent decades across the western United States (US) due to climate change and suppression‐oriented wildfire management. Fuels reduction treatments are an increasingly popular management tool, as evidenced by California's plan to treat 1 million acres annually by 2050. However, the aggregate efficacy of fuels treatments in dry forests at regional and multi‐decadal scales is unknown. We develop a novel fuels treatment module within a coupled dynamic vegetation and fire model to study the effects of dead biomass removal from forests in the Sierra Nevada region of California. We ask how annual treatment extent, stand‐level treatment intensiveness, and spatial treatment placement alter fire severity and live carbon loss. We find that a ∼30% reduction in stand‐replacing fire was achieved under our baseline treatment scenario of 1,000 km2 year−1 after a 100‐year treatment period. Prioritizing the most fuel‐heavy stands based on precise fuel distributions yielded cumulative reductions in pyrogenic stand‐replacement of up to 50%. Both removing constraints on treatment location due to remoteness, topography, and management jurisdiction and prioritizing the most fuel‐heavy stands yielded the highest stand‐replacement rate reduction of ∼90%. Even treatments that succeeded in lowering aggregate fire severity often took multiple decades to yield measurable effects, and avoided live carbon loss remained negligible across scenarios. Our results suggest that strategically placed fuels treatments are a promising tool for controlling forest fire severity at regional, multi‐decadal scales, but may be less effective for mitigating live carbon losses.

A STUDY ON COLD CHAIN MAINTENANCE AND VACCINE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF URBAN GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES IN JABALPUR DISTRICT, INDIA

Introduction: Efficient cold chain and vaccine logistics management are made possible by the health system's processes, practices, and policies, which are evaluated by Effective Vaccine Management, a diagnostic tool. A significant number of urban Jabalpur children receive vaccinations from a government health facility.The aim of the study wasto Assessthe cold chain maintenance and vaccine management practices at urban government Cold Chain Points of Jabalpur district.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out at all of 13 urban government ColdChain Points across Jabalpur district. Globally validated World Health Organization -United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund Effective Vaccine Management tool was used for this study. Criteria wise and Consolidated Effective Vaccine Management scores were calculated as per World Health Organization guidelines. Results: All the urban service point stores or cold chain points scored more than the target 80% in two criteria: storage capacity and building. The consolidated criteria score of all the cold chain points in urban Jabalpur, criteria like maintenance, stock management, management information system, and supportive functions, were lagging behind the 80% mark. Low scores in maintenance, stock management, and management information system and supportive functions criteria are somehow a setback for all the preparationand hard work done towards optimal vaccine management and supply chain in the area. Conclusion: The overall performance of the urban cold chain points in Jabalpur district was far better as compared to the state-level effective vaccine management assessment done in Madhya Pradesh in 2011 and 2016. Planned preventive maintenance for buildings and equipment needs to be strengthened. Issues like Lack of information for stock management, need for periodic refresher trainings are to be emphasized.

Sea turtle density surface models along the United States Atlantic coast

Spatially explicit estimates of marine species distribution and abundance are required to quantify potential impacts from human activities such as military training and testing, fisheries interactions, and offshore energy development. There are 4 protected species of sea turtle (loggerhead, green, Kemp’s ridley, and leatherback) commonly found along the east coast of the USA, our study area, and which require impact assessments. Data from 7 different survey organizations were used to create density surface models for the 4 sea turtle species utilizing 1.2 million km of line-transect surveys. A substantial portion (29.7%) of available sightings were not identified to the species level. Not including these sightings would underestimate density, so a conditional random forest model was used to assign unidentified sightings to species. Higher densities of loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were predicted south of the Outer Banks in cool months, transitioning northwards in late spring to occupy seasonal neritic habitats. The highest leatherback densities were predicted off the coasts of Georgia and Florida. Leatherbacks were also predicted throughout offshore areas. The predicted distribution patterns generally matched satellite tracking and strandings data, indicating the models reproduced established seasonal movements. Surveys rarely detect sea turtles smaller than 40 cm, so these age classes are not represented. The models are the first for the study area to apply availability bias estimates developed in or near the study area and attempt to classify unidentified sightings to the species level, providing an updated, critical tool for conservation management along the eastern seaboard.

The Role of Digital Media on Students’ Management in Higher Vocational College

This study uses a combination of empirical analysis to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the role of digital media and student management in higher vocational colleges. The results show that the current application status of digital media in student management shows extensive and profound impact. With the rapid development of information technology, digital media has become an important tool for student management in higher vocational colleges, covering many aspects such as course management, attendance management, and student information inquiry, greatly improving management efficiency and convenience. By establishing a digital system, the school has achieved comprehensive coverage of student information management and online education. At the same time, digital media also plays an important role in students' social interaction and has become an indispensable part of students' daily lives. However, digital media applications also bring some problems. Information overload and distraction can make it difficult for students to focus, while security risks threaten student privacy. Solving these problems requires schools to take effective measures, such as improving information literacy and security awareness, and establishing a complete information security system. The impact of digital media on student development is complex and diverse. Its advantage lies in providing a broad learning space and diversified learning methods to promote students' communication and socialization. However, negative effects such as information overload and Internet addiction cannot be ignored. In order to better guide students to use digital media, schools and families need to strengthen digital media literacy education, pay attention to students' mental health, and strengthen network security. In student management, the advantages of digital media are mainly reflected in improving efficiency and interactivity, and promoting management innovation and development. However, the popularization of digital media needs to face issues such as technical and device support, security and privacy protection. By strengthening measures such as construction, training, supervision and management, schools can better leverage the advantages of digital media and improve management efficiency and service quality. Going forward, digital media will play an even more important role in student management. Intelligent management, expanding management fields and promoting student self-management will be the direction of future development. However, the security and popularity of digital media remain challenges that need to be addressed. By strengthening comprehensive measures such as construction, training, supervision and management, schools can better guide the future development of digital media in student management, provide students with more intelligent, personalized and efficient services, and promote their all-round development.

Integrated project delivery (IPD) capabilities on reducing claims in urban underground projects: A hybrid FAHP-FTOPSIS approach

Participatory planning practices - associated with integrated project delivery (IPD) can influence the cost and time claims of construction projects. However, there is a lack of research providing a quantitative holistic assessment of implementing IPD practices for reducing claims. In order to fill this knowledge gap, the present study aims to present a hybrid prioritization model to assess and mitigate the impact of claims on urban underground projects using IPD capabilities. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS) methods are combined to prioritize traditional project delivery systems claims and rank IPD capabilities to reduce critical claims. FAHP identifies eight critical claims, including incorrect selection of the project contract system, lack of use of legal experts in setting contracts, exchange rate fluctuations and changes in currency conditions, lack of manpower skilled personnel in the region, ambiguities and shortcomings in the contract, restrictions on the supply of materials, machinery and equipment, delays in payments and financial obligations of the employer and lack of equipment and machinery appropriate to the type of work in the region. FTOPSIS ranks organizational and leadership, planning enhancement, and appropriate technology as the most effective capabilities in reducing claims. These capabilities should be implemented according to the obtained ranking to accept IPD in reducing the conventional claims future projects. The main innovation lies in the development of a hybrid prioritization framework to evaluate conventional contractual claims and rank IPD capabilities. The framework proposed in the study provides a valuable tool for construction managers to make informed decisions and mitigate the impact of contractual claims during the project delivery phase.

An Importance-Performance Analysis of Accessible Tourism: A Tourist and Resident Perspective with Empirical Insights from Phuket

The fundamental principle of accessible tourism revolves around advocating for the inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities, aiming to facilitate complete engagement for individuals with disabilities within tourism experiences. Previous research established a five-dimensional exploratory framework revealing several barriers that prevent Phuket Island from fully engaging in accessible tourism and increasing its global market share in this emerging market segment. This study sought to build upon previous findings by empirically investigating these barriers through the utilization of the importance-performance analysis method. Methodologically, survey data was collected from 391 tourists and residents in Phuket. The findings align with previous research, highlighting the preparedness of Phuket's international airport, diverse luxury accommodation options, and internationally accredited medical facilities. These elements stand out as exemplary in meeting the needs of accessible tourism. Conversely, the present infrastructure, insufficient transportation systems, and limited recreational options pose significant challenges, marking them as pivotal bottlenecks. The article discusses practical implications to rectify these limitations and advances the discussion about using the importance-performance analysis as a managerial tool to evaluate the quality of tourism experiences in the context of accessible tourism.

Mangrove community-based management in Eastern Africa: experiences from rural Mozambique

IntroductionThis study investigated a community-based management model in a mangrove-dependent community in central Mozambique and its adequacy as a management tool for conservation.MethodsSatellite images were used to map changes in mangrove cover between 1996 and 2017. Individual interviews and Focus Group Discussions were conducted with community members to understand the mangrove restoration processes and management models.Results and discussionAfter unsustainable exploitation that led to mangrove deforestation, the local community engaged in a restoration and management program that started in the late 1990s. Local norms were delineated by the Natural Resources Management Committee (NRMC) aiming at (1) reducing extractive uses by introducing alternative income generating activities; (2) awareness and mangrove planting and (3) law enforcement. Ten hectares of forest were rehabilitated. However, the management system fails to exclude illegal cutters and to enforce regulatory and sanctioning mechanisms, due to resource limitations. More involvement from government authorities and other stakeholders is needed to enhance law enforcement and explore opportunities for carbon trading, tourism and payment for ecosystem services. Additional recommendations are to develop a community management plan and create alternatives to mangrove products and income. Mangrove community-based management is increasingly advocated in many developing countries to promote sustainable utilization of resources and conservation. Understanding the reasons behind the limited success and lessons learnt at this site will guide similar programs elsewhere in Mozambique and other parts of the globe.

ACCOUNTING OF CAPITAL RESERVES AS A RISK MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR PROTECTING THE CAPITAL OF THE ENTERPRISE

The activities of business entities are conducted in conditions of uncertainty, which leads to the emergence of various types of business risks. The accounting system plays an important role in the information provision of risk management.Reliable accounting data can be a reliable source of information when making decisions on economic risk management both by the managers of the enterprise and by other parties interested in its activities.The article is devoted to the study of the accounting provision of capital reserves as a risk management tool for the protection of the capital of the enterprise.In the classification of capital reserves, an additional feature is distinguished by the identification of risks for the management of which the reserves are formed. It has been established that the risks of enterprises are the subject of the formation of reserves, and therefore it is advisable for the enterprise to create specific types of reserves that are necessary to cover the types of risks that are inherent in its activities.

A Risk-Based strategy for the Scour Analysis around bridge piers

Local scour around bridge piers, especially during high floods, has been a critical issue for both the safety and serviceability of bridge foundations for decades. The objective of this study is to implement a risk-based strategy to account for local scour near the bridge piers. The methodology comprises of four fundamental steps wherein the first step involves evaluating hydrological hazards of an extreme nature. To precisely estimate the behavior of the river, the second phase uses several flow properties and depth of scour. In the third phase, the risk of scour connected with the bridge is evaluated by comparing the scour depth (DT) with foundation depth (DF) with a prioritizing factor (PF) which aids in determining the qualitative assessment of the scour risk. Lastly, an assessment of the risk of scour rating is assigned to find out the severity of the scour risk for the bridge piers. The present research discusses the incorporation of uncertainty in hydrological modeling through a predictive approach in the definition of the return period. To simulate flow parameters and assess bridge scour, the HEC-RAS program is utilized which incorporates a scour module. The study concludes with a qualitative evaluation of the impact of scouring on bridge susceptibility and safety. A case study on the Netaji Subhas Bridge across the Gomati (Gumti) river, Tripura served to validate the risk-based technique and it has been suggested that it can be effectively integrated into routine schedules for bridge examinations as a reliable risk management tool to avoid disastrous incidents.

On the Efficiency Impacts of Berthing Priority Provision

Facing intensified interport competition in the global container shipping market, an increasing number of ports choose to offer berthing priority for carriers to increase their attractiveness. This study is the first to theoretically analyze the efficiency impacts of such prioritization. Specifically, this study models the steady-state dynamics for each terminal in a biterminal port as a prioritized queuing system. We explore the equilibrated shipping flow distribution and resulting total system cost (i.e., bunker consumption cost and waiting time cost) with and without priority provision, along with their major analytical properties. Then, we examine the “second-order” effects of these priority schemes on just-in-time (JIT) arrivals, an increasingly popular green port management tool. Specifically, we investigate how the equilibrium state associated with JIT arrivals could change with priority berthing. These analyses generate some interesting results, including (1) the total system cost increases or remains unchanged when a priority scheme is implemented under a symmetric port with equal service capacities for both terminals; (2) under the asymmetric biterminal case, however, it is also possible that berth prioritization could reduce the total system cost, and such phenomenon occurs only if the terminal which offers prioritization owns larger service capacity; (3) the results indicate that the “price of prioritization” could reach [Formula: see text] in port operation when the berth loading is heavy, implying that priority provision may significantly harm the operational efficiency; and (4) lastly, priority provision has a negative second-order effect on JIT strategies in a symmetric port, and such negative effect may neutralize the positive ones. Those theoretical results are validated by numerical experiments, and some of them are also supported by empirical data. The results provide important practical implications for the decision making of the port (or terminal) agencies. Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72371143 and 72188101]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0411 .

Satellite imagery as a management tool for monitoring water clarity across freshwater ponds on Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Water clarity serves as both an indicator and a regulator of biological function in aquatic systems. Large-scale, consistent water clarity monitoring is needed for informed decision-making. Inland freshwater ponds and lakes across Cape Cod, a 100-km peninsula in Massachusetts, are of particular interest for water clarity monitoring. Secchi disk depth (SDD), a common measure of water clarity, has been measured intermittently for over 200 Cape Cod ponds since 2001. Field-measured SDD data were used to estimate SDD from satellite data, leveraging the NASA/USGS Landsat Program and Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, spanning 1984 to 2022. Random forest machine learning models were generated to estimate SDD from satellite reflectance data and maximum pond depth. Spearman rank correlations (rs) were “strong” for Landsat 5 and 7 (rs = 0.78 and 0.79), and “very strong” for Landsat 8, 9, and Sentinel-2 (rs = 0.83, 0.86, and 0.80). Mean absolute error also indicated strong predictive capacity, ranging from 0.65 to 1.05 m, while average bias ranged from −0.20 to 0.06 m. Long- and recent short-term changes in satellite-estimated SDD were assessed for 193 ponds, selected based on surface area and the availability of maximum pond depth data. Long-term changes between 1984 and 2022 established a retrospective baseline using the Mann-Kendall test for trend and Theil-Sen slope. Generally, long-term water clarity improved across the Cape; 149 ponds indicated increasing water clarity, and 8 indicated deteriorating water clarity. Recent short-term changes between 2021 and 2022 identified ponds that may benefit from targeted management efforts using the Mann-Whitney U test. Between 2021 and 2022, 96 ponds indicated deteriorations in water clarity, and no ponds improved in water clarity. While the 193 ponds analyzed here constitute only one quarter of Cape Cod ponds, they represent 85% of its freshwater surface area, providing the most spatially and temporally comprehensive assessment of Cape Cod ponds to date. Efforts are focused on Cape Cod, but can be applied to other areas given the availability of local field data. This study defines a framework for monitoring and assessing change in satellite-estimated SDD, which is important for both local and regional management and resource prioritization.

Implementation of financial control tools in the adaptive management of enterprise financial security

The results reported here proved the necessity of introducing financial controlling tools into the system of adaptive management of the company's financial security, which is inextricably linked with technology transfer. The object of the study is the movement of technology with the application of any information on ensuring the implementation of financial controlling tools in the process of managing the financial security of enterprises. We analyzed theoretical approaches to adaptive management of financial security of enterprises. The principles, functions, and types of financial controlling were considered. The expediency of researching the financial security of enterprises using financial controlling as a functional system of adaptive management of deviations has been proven. A systematic approach was used to study scientific approaches to adaptive management of financial security based on financial controlling. Considerable attention was paid to the analysis of the functions and tasks of financial controlling under today's unstable conditions of the economic development of enterprises. Using the method of system analysis, theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding the essence of financial controlling in the adaptive management of financial security of enterprises were evaluated. Peculiarities in the scientific approaches of various scientists regarding the essence of the financial security of enterprises have been revealed. The role and significance of adaptive management of the financial security of enterprises with the help of a modern toolkit of financial controlling, which consists of contractual obligations that make it possible to ensure an effective mechanism for making managerial decisions regarding the enterprise and its counterparties or other financial institutions, is revealed. The extended capabilities of the financial controlling toolkit are useful for analysts and enterprise managers to justify and improve the quality of adaptive management of the enterprise's financial security in modern conditions of technology transfer

Quality Management in Pharmaceutical Development of Biotechnology-Derived Medicinal Products: Implementation and Evaluation

SCIENTIFIC RELEVANCE. One of the challenges associated with the development of medicines lies in creating a quality management system (QMS) and tools to assess its performance.AIM. The study aimed to propose a QMS model for the development of biotechnology-derived medicinal products and a performance evaluation tool for this QMS universally applicable in the research centre of the company regardless of the specific activities of its individual divisions.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study analysed internal audit outcomes, noncompliance responses, and the document flow of the research centre. Parameter values for quality index (QI) calculations were entered into validated Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Data analysis and visualisation involved using the Microsoft Power Business Intelligence (BI) business analytics platform (mainly, the Power BI Desktop and Power BI Service components).RESULTS. The QMS was implemented, and the authors proposed their QMS performance evaluation tool universally applicable to all the divisions of the research centre. CONCLUSIONS. The authors proposed their QMS model for the development of biotechnology-derived medicinal products and the QI tool for collecting digital data, carrying out standardised monitoring, and tracking QMS status changes. The QI tool is universal for all company departments regardless of their requirements, easy to use, and customisable by adding individual company-specific quality parameters. This makes the QI tool applicable not only to drug development departments but also to other research units.

Adult genital psoriasis: An updated review for clinicians.

Genital psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that has been reported in up to 63% of patients with psoriasis on other parts of their skin. It has a profound impact on quality of life and sexual function which is often overlooked by current severity scores. Despite its prevalence and disease burden, genital psoriasis remains largely under-reported and under-treated. Historically, this was due to the impracticality and limited efficacy data of standard psoriasis treatments when applied to genital skin. However, there have been recent advancements with several new agents currently being developed and evaluated for genital psoriasis. This clinical review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence regarding the clinical features of genital psoriasis, available management options and tools for assessing patients' quality of life. Key takeaways from this review emphasise the recognition of genital psoriasis as a chronic and debilitating condition, unique in its impact on patients' quality of life, necessitating sensitive and attentive approaches to address their needs.

Ageing and performance in professional bus driving – A case study from Chile

The influence of age on driving is of great concern worldwide. Also, older people who are involved in traffic are more vulnerable than younger people, thus in the event of a traffic accident, they are at greater risk of dying. The purpose of this article is to explore the association between age and driving performance of professional bus drivers. A negative binomial regression model and the incidence rate ratio was used to explore the association between variables. The population studied consisted of the company records from 2005 to 2021, with 515 professional bus drivers. We found that the age of professional bus drivers was related to a statistically significant 4 % decrease in self-report of replacement requests. Also, we found that the incidence rate ratio of speeding in professional bus drivers aged 45–59 years and 60–77 years was 1.41 and 1.8 times the incidence of bus drivers aged 28–44 years. Bus drivers’ age was related to a statistically significant 2 % increase in the incidence of minor accidents. Finally, results show a 1 % decrease in incidence of accidents for every one year of age in the group of professional drivers. However, that association was not statistically significant. Older drivers are more likely to engage in minor accidents and speeding-related violations than younger drivers. Additionally, an infrequent use of the fatigue management tool by older drivers was confirmed during the analyzed period. Thus, we concluded that education and training are needed to decrease the observed trends.

Diagnosing category management in a pharmacy retail chain

The object of this study is the growing interest of the target audience in the introduction of category management tools to the business processes of pharmacy retail. In pharmaceutical practice, the methodical toolkit for the study of the category management system is not sufficiently widely presented. That is why, using the theoretical and methodological basis and conceptual principles of product category management, the evaluation methodology of the MARS Category Management Profile was devised. The purpose of the work is to introduce new approaches to the formation and management of the pharmacy assortment based on the concept of category management and to determine ways to increase the level of efficiency of its work. As a result of the research, the quantitative value of the existing and optimal result of category management in the network of pharmacies was determined. The calculations show that in the current state the goal orientation is 36 points, and in the optimal state this characteristic will be equal to 27 points, while the analysis orientation is 21 and 28 points, respectively. It has been established that categorical management is focused precisely on the analysis and adherence to research tools, and not on the uncontrolled achievement of the goal. The proposed organizational model of functional interaction of specialists in pharmacy retail could ensure the implementation of principles and the performance of complex tasks facing the category manager. The described components of the MARS category management profile will be used in practice to improve approaches to planning, information and analytical support, and control over the main management processes of the enterprise under study. This could avoid disagreements between management and medical specialists

Lake Tanganyika basin water storage variations from 2003–2021 for water balance and flood monitoring

Lake Tanganyika in East Africa contains 17% of the free freshwater on the Earth's surface and provides important ecosystem services to ∼13 million people in the region. It is one of the great lakes in East Africa for which a significant rise in water level between 2019 and 2020 led to flooding, with major environmental consequences and social impacts. This study focused on the Lake Tanganyika basin water balance between 2003 and 2021 to assess the influence of recent climate variability on lake water level variations (due in particular to the floods of 2020 and 2021) and to explore early warnings of flooding in the lake's surrounding lowlands. This process is performed using remote sensing data. For the computation of the basin's water balance, we compared variations in the watershed total water storage (TWS) with the basin water flux calculated using rainfall, evaporation (E), evapotranspiration (ET) and discharges data. The space–time variations in rainfall, E and ET were analyzed by decomposing their time series into trend and seasonal signals and applying (only for rainfall) multivariate statistical analysis to the decomposed signals. For flood mapping, we calculated the MNDWI spectral water index from Sentinel–2 images acquired between 2017 and 2022. Our study showed that the basin water balance is closed when rainfall from Era5 is combined with E and ET from GLEV and MOD16A2, respectively. During the 2003–2021 period, over the entire watershed, water losses of ∼70 km³ due to lake E were offset by an increase in water inflows of ∼100 km³ in the rest of the watershed. During the period from 2003 to 2021, the E rate from the lake was stable overall, while the ET and rainfall mainly in the Malagarasi basin increased significantly. The surface water storage (SWS), which represents the variation in lake water volume derived from altimetry measurements, corresponds to 41.8% of the TWS, groundwater storage corresponds to 57.7% of the TWS, and the soil moisture is less than 0.5%. The TWS strongly correlated with the SWS (∼91%), with a one-month lag in the SWS variations in response to the TWS fluctuations. Therefore, the SWS in May, when the flood risk is the highest, was estimated using TWS in February, March and April with accuracies of 85%, 94% and 95%, respectively. This valuable information could be integrated into flood management tools, particularly for areas such as Gatumba city and the Ruzizi Delta Nature Reserve, which were heavily affected by the May 2021 floods.

Human resource management using motivation and incentive tools

In business practice, it is impossible to reassess the role of the personnel motivation and incentive system in a company, since it allows you to smooth out the main conflicts between an employee and an employer, meeting the needs and interests of both sides as much as possible. The importance of this area of management is also due to its close relationship with other areas of work with human resources — adaptation, loyalty and engagement, etc. This article reflects the processes of human resource management in the organization through the use of motivation and incentive tools. The methodological characteristics of motivation and stimulation are given. The forms and means of encouraging employees have been defined. The current approaches and ways of stimulating employees are identified, which are used by modern organizations to increase the efficiency of using human resources and achieve the goals of the organization.The subject of the research in the article is the tools of human resource management in the organization. The research results are to identify modern ways of motivating and stimulating the work of employees to increase the competitiveness of the organization. The necessity of interconnection of these tools for the effective performance of labor functions by the organization’s personnel, as well as the possibilities and results of their use, is substantiated.

The contribution of public-private partnership (PPP) to sustainability: governance and managerial implications from a literature review

Purpose Based on the theoretical background of stakeholder capitalism, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to the scientific debate on the topic of public–private partnerships (PPPs), considering in particular how this governance structure relates to the pursuit of sustainable development. Specifically, this objective will be pursued with a focus on stakeholder relations and governance aspects, to highlight enablers and barriers in change for sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The systematic literature review is applied starting with the use of keywords in Web of Science, which leads to the extrapolation of 629 articles on the topic of “PPP and sustainability”. Subsequently, through various skimming steps, 75 papers are sampled. A mixed (quantitative-qualitative) approach is then followed: a co-word semantic network to identify the pattern of discourse and a more in-depth and explanatory analysis of the papers. These quantitative and qualitative tools synergistically work together to evidence the main aspects related to the aim of the paper. Findings With reference to the governance structure and stakeholders of PPPs, the analyses highlight the shift towards a triadic type of relational governance that considers stakeholders (especially the community) in addition to public–private partners. This can improve the partnership's performance (particularly in sustainable development) and social legitimacy. With reference to the role of PPPs in the implementation of sustainable development, they have positive potential in terms of implementing sustainability and raising stakeholder awareness of it. Nevertheless, PPPs may entail risks to the implementation of sustainability. The findings lead to some concluding remarks on future research opportunities. Research limitations/implications The research leads to some managerial implications, such as the need to follow a competitive collaboration approach among stakeholders, to develop relational governance skills and related managerial tools and to incorporate sustainability aspects starting from the design of PPPs. Originality/value The originality aspect of this research is the consideration of a PPP by relating it to the pursuit of sustainability. Such an inter-organizational structure could be suitable to deal with the complexity inherent in the implementation of sustainability and is peculiar in terms of governance and stakeholder relations, considering that it is characterised by the presence of several partners of different nature (public and private).

Mitigating drought mortality by incorporating topography into variable forest thinning strategies

Abstract Drought-induced productivity reductions and tree mortality have been increasing in recent decades in forests around the globe. Developing adaptation strategies hinges on an adequate understanding of the mechanisms governing the drought vulnerability of forest stands. Prescribed reduction in stand density has been used as a management tool to reduce water stress and wildfire risk, but the processes that modulate fine-scale variations in plant water supply and water demand are largely missing in ecosystem models. We used an ecohydrological model that couples plant hydraulics with groundwater hydrology to examine how within-stand variations in tree spatial arrangements and topography might mitigate forest vulnerability to drought at individual-tree and stand scales. Our results demonstrated thinning generally ameliorated plant hydraulic stress and improved carbon and water fluxes of the remaining trees, although the effectiveness varied by climate and topography. Variable thinning that adjusted thinning intensity based on topography-mediated water availability achieved higher stand productivity and lower mortality risk, compared to evenly-spaced thinning at comparable intensities. The results from numerical experiments provided mechanistic evidence that topography mediates the effectiveness of thinning and highlighted the need for an explicit consideration of within-stand heterogeneity in trees and abiotic environments when designing forest thinning to mitigate drought impacts.