Multi-stakeholder Interactions Research Articles

Optimizing waste management for green shipping: industry commitment through participatory processes in Cyprus

Every year, up to 0.3 million tonnes of waste from the European shipping industry is not properly delivered at ports. Most of the waste produced by the shipping industry is plastic waste, putting plastics at the forefront of the shipping industry’s waste management efforts. In an increasingly connected global economy, concerted actions that encourage and incentivise waste minimisation and waste management optimisation are essential for the reduction of marine litter and the achievement of a circular economy within the shipping industry. Cyprus, an important flag state, can take a leadership role towards this direction. This article presents the results of the implementation of the DeCyDe-4-Shipping decision-support participatory method in Cyprus, which allowed effective multi-stakeholder interactions and resulted in the identification of actions for waste minimisation and waste management optimization that are relevant, effective, implementable, and stem from stakeholder consensus. The method resulted in the definition of yearly action plans with prioritized actions and provided the tools through which to monitor the industry’s annual progress. As the shipping industry is dependent on a global supply chain, DeCyDe-4-Shipping could be replicated at a wider geographic scale, starting with Mediterranean ports, to ensure consistent industry progress towards waste minimization and waste management optimization.

Network Governance: Participatory Approach to Contribute at Singkawang Tourism Policy (Case on Cap Go Meh Event)

This paper tells about Singkawang city which embraces a harmonious multicultural society with three major ethnicities, namely TIDAYU (Chinese, Dayak and Malay) and other entities existing besides government. This area has rich cultural diversities give positive advantages for tourism development and bode well for significant local economic growth. Among others, the Cap Go Meh (Chinese religious tradition) is considered to the biggest and international scale event that involves the all of ethnics participatori through networking resources. This event has unique features that attract Chinese diasporas from other regions in Indonesia and neighboring countries. For that reason, the actors involved in this event constitute various social, economic, and political backgrounds. This paper focused on how Singkawang local government can develop a distinctive tourism policy to address the specific multi stakeholder interactions using a qualitative approach. It found that in the context of Singkawang tourism policy, the interaction and dynamic patterns among policy actors are developed through linear individual cooperation. Within this pattern, the interaction amongst policy actors tend to involve certain individuals who have authority in controlling resources regardless of their origin or organizations. In fact, this pattern is very strongly based on family relationships or friendships found in both public and private domains. It has shown that developing Singkawang tourism policy should be developed based on network governance (participatory from resources) and good stakeholder engagement.

Together4RD position statement on collaboration between European reference networks and industry

Notwithstanding two decades of policy and legislation in Europe, aimed to foster research and development in rare conditions, only 5–6% of rare diseases have dedicated treatments. Given with the huge number of conditions classed as rare (which is increasing all the time), this equates to major unmet need for patients (over 30 million in the EU alone). Worryingly, the pace of Research and Innovation in Europe is lagging behind other regions of the world, and a seismic shift in the way in which research is planned and delivered is required, in order to remain competitive and—most importantly—bring meaningful, disease-altering treatments to those who desperately need them. The European Reference Networks (ERNs), launched in 2017, hold major potential to alleviate many of these challenges, and more, but only if adequately supported (financially, technically, and via robust policies and infrastructure) to realise that potential: and even then, only if able to forge robust collaborations harnessing the expertise, resources, knowledge and data of all stakeholders involved in rare disease, including Industry. To-date, however, ERN-Industry interactions have been largely limited, for a range of reasons (concerning barriers both tangible and perceived). This Position Statement analyses these barriers, and explains how Together4RD is seeking to move the needle here, by learning from case studies, exploring frameworks for collaboration, and launching pilots to explore how best to plan and deliver multistakeholder interactions addressing real research needs.

Governance in socio-environmental research: an analysis of multi-stakeholder cooperation mechanisms in two research laboratories in Yucatan, Mexico

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the governance of socio-environmental research in two laboratories in Yucatan, Mexico, LANRESC and LENERSE, aiming to explore the operation of cooperation mechanisms involving multi-stakeholder interaction processes that support the generation of knowledge and the development of strategies to solve complex socio-environmental issues. The analytical-conceptual framework was that of complex associative systems, a governance approach focused on understanding associative efforts among heterogeneous stakeholders seeking to reach a common objective. The present research was based on two case studies from a comparative perspective. We found that both experiences have involved the development of relatively stable networks adapted to meet their objectives. However, the less conventional LANRESC research scheme has succeeded in producing more innovative structures and mechanisms to operate as non-scientific stakeholders and be recognized as a national laboratory. For their part, the mechanisms of research organization at LENERSE, being more traditional and technocentric in nature, have not been able to fully establish links with social and business actors to participate in the regional energy transition. In the case of LENERSE, the traditional and technocentric evaluation mechanisms in place have inhibited the establishment of links with social and business actors to influence energy transitioning in the region. In both cases, betting on inter- and trans-discipline will be essential for improving their contributions to solving problems such as climate change or oil depletion.

Regulatory, health technology assessment and company interactions: the current landscape and future ecosystem for drug development, review and reimbursement.

Multi-stakeholder interactions have evolved at product and policy levels. There is a need to assess the current and future landscape of interactions between companies, and regulatory and HTA agencies to address challenges and identify areas for improvement. The aims of this study were to review the current interactions within and across regulatory and HTA agencies, and companies' experiences in engaging in these activities; to assess the added value of interactions as well as limitations; to explore the future ecosystem for stakeholder interactions. Three separate questionnaires were developed for companies, regulators and HTA agencies, respectively, to assess their experiences and perceptions. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and discussed at a multi-stakeholder workshop. Key outcomes from the surveys and workshop discussion were reported. All seven regulators and seven HTA agencies in the survey indicated that they had stakeholder interactions. More formal collaboration occurred with regulators compared with HTA agencies. All nine companies have taken early advice but indicated the need for future prioritization. Success indicators can be built at the product and therapy levels, with the added value of faster patient access. Four principles were proposed for the future ecosystem: separate remit and functions between regulators and HTA; align processes; converge evidence requirements where possible; increase transparency. This research brought together regulators, HTA agencies, companies to examine how they interact with one another. We propose measures of value and make recommendations on future evolution to enable better evidence generation and improve regulatory and HTA decision-making.

Governance and Quintuple Helix innovation model: Insights from the local government of East Luwu Regency, Indonesia

Climate change issues pose complex social and ecological challenges to rural communities in East Luwu Regency, Indonesia. This can be overcome through a collaborative, sustainable, and distributed innovation process for regional resilience and independence in each innovation sector. This study examines the concept of rural living as an inter-organizational interaction design and the process of developing sustainable rural innovation, where multi-stakeholder interaction forms the Quintuple Helix innovation model through a multidimensional case study design that focuses on the concept of innovation participation, knowledge production, innovation ecosystem as a social subsystem system, and socioecological transition toward developing independent rural areas, sustainability of rural innovation programs, and disaster preparedness in East Luwu Regency. This research method is qualitative-explorative with a case study approach exploring the social and ecological systems of rural communities in East Luwu Regency, Indonesia to provide a deeper understanding of the rural innovation process to address socio-ecological challenges through the importance of government-public-private-university synergy and its context in the Magani and Sorowako Villages, East Luwu Regency. The results of this study indicate that the strength of the innovation driver resulting from the cooperation between the East Luwu Government and PT Vale Tbk is the key to the sustainability of village innovations that encourage village innovation and village community participation in the village innovation process so that it has an impact on village community independence and environmental sustainability in East Luwu Regency. However, village innovation in East Luwu Regency still needs to be improved in terms of communication and coordination between actors and sectors.

Research on the Transformation and Upgrading of Intelligent Manufacturing from the Perspective of Digital Ecosystems

In the context of a new round of industrial revolution and technological paradigm change, the transformation and upgrading of intelligent manufacturing have become an important research issue. To explore the transformation path and implementation mechanism of intelligent manufacturing in enterprises, Our research takes CRCHI as a case to conduct the transformation and upgrading of intelligent manufacturing based on the perspective of digital ecosystems. The results show that, firstly, Data-Intelligence technology empowers the value co-creation process of multi-stakeholder interaction and resource integration in the enterprise ecosystem, and then realizes the transformation and upgrading of intelligent manufacturing; secondly, the transformation and upgrading of intelligent manufacturing is the transformation and upgrading of industrial chain and value chain, it needs coordination and dynamic management at four levels intelligent designing, intelligent manufacturing, intelligent product-service system, and intelligent management network. Our research systematically discusses the transformation and upgrading path of intelligent manufacturing and the dimension of intelligent manufacturing, which enriches the research on intelligent manufacturing and fills up the research gap. We wish that our research that provide companies with useful managerial insights into management.

Trustworthy AI: Closing the gap between development and integration of AI systems in ophthalmic practice.

An increasing number of artificial intelligence (AI) systems are being proposed in ophthalmology, motivated by the variety and amount of clinical and imaging data, as well as their potential benefits at the different stages of patient care. Despite achieving close or even superior performance to that of experts, there is a critical gap between development and integration of AI systems in ophthalmic practice. This work focuses on the importance of trustworthy AI to close that gap. We identify the main aspects or challenges that need to be considered along the AI design pipeline so as to generate systems that meet the requirements to be deemed trustworthy, including those concerning accuracy, resiliency, reliability, safety, and accountability. We elaborate on mechanisms and considerations to address those aspects or challenges, and define the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders involved in AI for ophthalmic care, i.e., AI developers, reading centers, healthcare providers, healthcare institutions, ophthalmological societies and working groups or committees, patients, regulatory bodies, and payers. Generating trustworthy AI is not a responsibility of a sole stakeholder. There is an impending necessity for a collaborative approach where the different stakeholders are represented along the AI design pipeline, from the definition of the intended use to post-market surveillance after regulatory approval. This work contributes to establish such multi-stakeholder interaction and the main action points to be taken so that the potential benefits of AI reach real-world ophthalmic settings.

Simulating land use and land cover change under contrasting levels of policy enforcement and its spatially-explicit impact on tropical forest landscapes in Ecuador

This study simulates the future impact of land use and land cover (LULC) change and the enforcement of policy bundles on the multi-functionality of tropical forest landscapes. It focusses on the Northern Ecuadorian Amazonas (NEA) which is characterised by high biodiversity and endemism but at the same time is threatened by deforestation and unsustainable land use practices. Scenario simulations mimic LULC change during 2016–2030 at canton-level (area: 2,146 km²) combining explorative with policy-screening components. Scenarios NATIONAL(+)POLICY, NATIONAL(-)POLICY, REGIONAL(+)POLICY, and REGIONAL(-)POLICY are contrasted by varying deforestation trends (high regional demand for agricultural products vs. national-level structural transformations) and the enforcement/ non-enforcement of policy bundles on forest protection, reforestation and restoration. An indicator-based impact assessment analysed in a spatially-explicit fashion for each scenario in 2030 (i) the evolution of agricultural and forestry-related LULC change trajectories, (ii) future hotspots of deforestation, (iii) remaining forest core zones (FCZ) as key element of habitat integrity, and (iv) the provisioning of long-term carbon sinks. Key findings reveal that only NATIONAL(+)POLICY, as the combination of enforced policy bundles and simulated national LULC change trend extrapolating the long-term reference period 1990–2016, lead to an expansion of forest areas and a 2% carbon stock gain in 2030 compared to 2016. When assuming a linear continuation of this trend, it requires 96 years to reach a similar carbon stock level compared to the reference year 1990. Farm area expansion will continue to affect protected forests in case of scenarios NATIONAL(-)POLICY and REGIONAL(-)POLICY but will be avoided in NATIONAL(+)POLICY and REGIONAL(+)POLICY. The simulated persistence of many farming areas reveals that the likelihood to reforest existing agricultural patches will be rather low. Against expectations, scenario NATIONAL(+)POLICY which assumes net zero deforestation by 2030 led to a high level of FCZ fragmentation contrasting its carbon sink potential (27,971 Mio. Mg ha−1) which performed best among all scenarios. Our study depicts a mismatch of future LULC change realities compared to the anticipated future achievements of the Ecuadorian land use policy framework. The simulated variability of forest change patterns (deforestation, reforestation) and farming trajectories (diversification, intensification, rotation) further suggests to foster more cross-sectoral policy approaches that acknowledges the hybrid role of local stakeholders who can be farmers and forest users at the same time. Our study shows that focusing on preserving carbon stocks and their long-term climate mitigation potential only while neglecting other important ecosystem functions or biodiversity can be a short-sighted policy goal if not accompanied by rural development programmes. We further conclude that scenario-based assessments should become an integral part of multi-stakeholder interactions across relevant levels of decision-making. This can support long-term sustainable land use management which is not only relevant for the case of the Northern Ecuadorian Amazons region but for many other landscapes in transition.

A Modified Rainbow-Based Deep Reinforcement Learning Method for Optimal Scheduling of Charging Station

To improve the operating efficiency and economic benefits, this article proposes a modified rainbow-based deep reinforcement learning (DRL) strategy to realize the charging station (CS) optimal scheduling. As the charging process is a real-time matching between electric vehicles ‘(EVs) charging demand and CS equipment resources, the CS charging scheduling problem is duly formulated as a finite Markov decision process (FMDP). Considering the multi-stakeholder interaction among EVs, CSs, and distribution networks (DNs), a comprehensive information perception model was constructed to extract the environmental state required by the agent. According to the random behavior characteristics of the EV charging arrival and departure times, the startup of the charging pile control module was regarded as the agent’s action space. To tackle this issue, the modified rainbow approach was utilized to develop a time-scale-based CS scheme to compensate for the resource requirements mismatch on the energy scale. Case studies were conducted within a CS integrated with the photovoltaic and energy storage system. The results reveal that the proposed method effectively reduces the CS operating cost and improves the new energy consumption.

Environmental governance and social learning: towards more reflexive interactions

Facing the increasing complexity of social and environmental issues, environmental governance configurations are required to adopt increasingly collaborative strategies and reflexive learning oriented practices. The goal of this paper is to present a theoretical discussion about environmental governance and the contribution of the social learning approach to expand the reflexivity potential of multi-stakeholder interaction spaces in governance processes. We argue that social learning practices, understood as interactive and reflective, can broaden the critical responsiveness of participating in environmental governance systems. Social learning-oriented processes are based on the promotion of dialogic spaces in which participants can learn from the diverse views present in the group and critically reflect on the assumptions that underlie decision making, thus creating possibilities for the emergence of innovative practices and new social configurations. We conclude that social learning processes driven by the stakeholders interactions in environmental governance spaces tend to broaden the ability of participants to critically evaluate the governance structure itself, in order to foster arrangements that can effectively promote practices for sustainability.

A paradigm shift in Natech risk management: Development of a rating system framework for evaluating the performance of industry

An increasing trend in the number of reported natural hazard-triggered technological accidents (Natechs) worldwide has led to the development of contributions in Natech risk assessment and management, risk reduction and emergency response strategies, risk communication, risk perception, and risk governance. Yet, although some studies have underscored the need for resilient industries, only recently researchers have called for an area-wide perspective, where a paradigm shift in Natech risk management fosters a holistic systems approach. That approach should contemplate the facilities and their surrounding environment, and encourage multi-stakeholder interaction to advocate for more resilient societies. However, there are currently no methodologies for evaluating, rating, and certifying industrial facilities' level of preparedness to Natech risk; nor are there any tools available to inform the governments and the public, on industry's Natech risk management practices. In response to this need, we propose Natech RateME, a comprehensive, area-wide risk management, and rating system framework. The proposed framework is premised on a probabilistic risk assessment methodology, that can support industrial facilities' management of onsite and offsite risk from complex events and that rates their performance in terms of minimum life losses. By evaluating their safety performance, their engagement to develop cooperation mechanisms with local authorities and neighboring communities, and their commitment to disclose risk information, among other aspects, the framework, and the rating system, seek to contribute to overall territorial resilience. To do so, Natech RateME considers the interaction between infrastructure systems present at industrial parks, the technical and organizational systems, governance, risk communication, and community participation, constituting the first approach to support the strengthening of prevention and mitigation measures by enhancing facilities' and governments' abilities to manage Natech risk comprehensively.

Challenges of network interaction in managing sustainable development projects in developing countries: case of an international consulting company

PurposeThis study aims to explore the challenges and complexities of interaction in international stakeholder networks within the context of projects focused on the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs). In particular, it examines the challenges faced by stakeholders in a network from a developed country during interaction in the context of a developing country.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative approach, this study analyses interview data collected from the key managers of an international consulting company in charge of a water supply and sanitation project in Nepal. The primary data is triangulated with secondary data, such as project reports and related academic articles.FindingsThis study illustrates how interaction in international stakeholder networks affects and is interrelated with SDGs, as well as how aiming to achieve one specific goal can stimulate the implementation of other sustainable goals. Further, this research shows how project managers from a developed country had to adapt to the specifics of the developing country context and how their sustainability project influenced the well-being of local communities by improving environmental and social sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThe research suggests that challenges in stakeholder interaction may arise because of differences in process management methods used by the international stakeholders involved in the project and country-context specifics, such as corruption, imperfect national regulations, cultural specifics, effects of climate change, etc.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature on international multi-stakeholder interaction between actors from developed and developing countries. Furthermore, it adds to the literature on stakeholder networking by highlighting the importance of engaging in a dialogue with local communities during the conceptualisation stages of both sustainability and SDG implementation because of diverging worldviews and practices.

Analysis of Facility and Home Isolation Strategies in COVID 19 Pandemic: Evidences from Jodhpur, India.

PurposeJodhpur administration directed its efforts to control and mitigate COVID 19 infection by implementing and monitoring facility isolation (FI) and home isolation (HI) measures. This study is conducted with a hypothesis that there is no difference in the quality of life and cost-effectiveness of mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic patients in HI and FI.Patients and MethodsA mixed-method study was conducted in Jodhpur in September 2020. The purposive sampling technique was used and data from 120 individuals admitted in HI and FI were collected. The information about the status and functioning of isolation facilities was collected from various sources. Multi-stakeholder interactions with 15 personnel engaged in managing isolation facilities were done. EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L) which consists of the EQ-5D descriptive system and the EQ visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) was used to assess health-related quality of life.ResultsThe strength of HI strategy is demonstrated by its ability to provide psychological and social support with minimal logistic requirements but the issue of sufficient household infrastructure, adequate family and societal support for implementing this strategy is of concern. The strength of FI strategy includes its ability to provide support to patients who have issues of sufficient household infrastructure, adequate family and societal support, but this strategy poses a threat of increasing human resource constraints and financial load on the health system. The respondents from HI obtained a mean EQ-5D index score of 0.90 and a mean VAS score of 85, whereas it was 0.80 and 78.5, respectively, for FI. The cost estimated for home isolation was Rs 549 (7.43 US $) per person, whereas it was Rs 2440 (33.02 US $) for facility Isolation.ConclusionThough HI seems advantageous in terms of a better quality of life and cost-saving over FI, both the strategies are context-specific having their own trade-offs.

A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Food Labelling for Environmental Sustainability: Attitudes, Perceived Barriers, and Solution Approaches towards the “Traffic Light Index”

The so-called “Traffic Light Index” (TLI) is a meta-sustainability label aimed at condensing the information provided by existing sustainability labels into an overarching message on food products’ environmental footprints. Such an overarching message is critical to reduce the confusion caused by existing labels and to foster more sustainable dietary habits among consumers. While research shows that the TLI is a viable and effective choice, its actual development and implementation are impeded by debates between relevant stakeholders in the European food system. This study examines those debates and adopts a multi-stakeholder perspective to address the following question: How do different stakeholder groups involved in the discussion towards a meta-sustainability label inhibit the adoption of the TLI label? Exploratory interviews with representatives from non-governmental organizations, social enterprises, academia, multi-national corporations, and governmental organizations show that each stakeholder group (1) adopts either optimistic or skeptical attitudes towards the TLI label, (2) perceives different types and magnitudes of barriers to its adoption (i.e., cognitive, methodological, and processual), and (3) proposes solutions to overcome those barriers that are either of an entrepreneurial or risk-averse nature. Findings further reveal that multi-stakeholder interactions influence attitudes and thereby inhibit or favor TLI adoption. Hence, entrepreneurial (vs. risk-averse) solutions proposed by optimistic (vs. skeptical) stakeholders may alter the attitudes of skeptical (vs. optimistic) stakeholders and the barriers they perceive to TLI adoption. By responding to calls for holistic approaches towards food labelling, our study shows how the diversity of stakeholders’ perceptions towards the TLI inhibits its adoption. We propose a theoretical framework and a set of propositions that can serve as springboards for policy ideas to propel progress in food labelling for environmental sustainability.

Viewpoint: Repurposing ESD to Help Adapt to a Post-COVID World – Reflections from India and Africa

The world, as we are experiencing it, is in transition because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis has engulfed every aspect of life forcing a re-evaluation of policies, priorities and practices. This viewpoint proposes that community embedded values inherent in some Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) practices could be used in the rebuilding of a post-COVID world. It contends that mere digitalisation of content will not suffice. We need to adopt an approach that considers situated and intergenerational thought and practice. We need to create a world that draws on indigenous knowledge practices and fuses these with the wonders of modern technology and multi-stakeholder interactions. Examples of community projects in Africa and India are used to point to how ESD practitioners could innovate and radically reorient learning environments.

She’s a Rainbow: Forest and water policy and management integration in Germany, Spain and Sweden

This article provides an analysis of cross-sectoral policy integration between two natural resource sectors: forest and water. Policy integration is defined as a vertical and horizontal process and we explore if perceptions of the effects of forest on water affect integration processes. We conducted a survey with forest and water stakeholders in three EU Member States – Germany, Spain and Sweden – with the aim to answer the following research questions: “How are forest and water perceptions distributed across sectors and stakeholders?” and “How do forest and water perceptions affect the process of cross-sectoral policy integration?”. Results show that with regard to the effects of forests on rainfall, there is more disagreement among stakeholders; however, in general, there is a rather positive view of the effects of forest on water. Positive perceptions are found related to increased chances of cross-sectoral collaboration and participation in joint research projects. This article concludes that the participants in our study are not naïve about forest-water interactions and are open and already engaged in cross-scale, cross-sector and multi-stakeholder interactions. This is despite the perception in the literature that administrations are not engaging in the integration of the forest and water sectors, which might be due to the conceptualization of policy integration only as an output while dismissing the relevance of it as a process.

Evaluating trust and shared group identities in emergent social learning processes in the Zambezi river basin

Social learning in natural resource management is considered important for addressing complex problems by supporting multi-stakeholder interactions in problem framing and co-construction of solutions. Despite the considerable progress in the social learning discourse, few scholars have empirically examined relational features in social learning interactions. Relational features such as trust and shared group identities are important for supporting engagement and interaction among actors. This study analyzed emergent social learning processes in transboundary river basin cooperation processes in the Zambezi basin. To do this, data was conducted through in-depth interviews with diverse actors, observations of participatory workshops, and review of documents on transboundary cooperation processes in the Zambezi basin. The study evaluated how trust and shared group identities shaped learning spaces (opportunities for interaction, deliberation and reframing) and in turn impacted transboundary river basin cooperation. The study found that trust and shared group identities had a crucial impact on learning spaces and in turn impacted transboundary river basin cooperation in the Zambezi basin. The results suggest that leveraging on trust and shared group identities can play a critical role in stimulating cooperation processes. However, it is not a guarantee for cooperation. This study highlights that structural-learning spaces such as institutions support the development of binding commitments and enduring shared practices. However, success of such institutionalization is strongly influenced by the prior development of trust and a shared social identity.

Right to be forgotten: european data imperialism, national privilege, or universal human right?

The Digital Age has fundamentally reshaped the preconditions for privacy and freedom of expression. This transpires in the debate about a "right to be forgotten". While the 2014 decision of the European Court of Justice in "Google Spain" touches upon the underlying issue of how increasing amounts of personal data affects individuals over time, the topic has also become one of the salient problems of Internet Governance. On 24th September 2019 the European Court of Justice delivered its judgment in "Google vs CNIL" (C-507/17) which was supposed to clarify the territorial scope of the right. However, this judgment has raised doubts about the enforceability of the General Data Protection Regulation, and reveals the complex, multi-layered governance structure of the European Union. Acknowledging such complexity at a substantive and institutional level, this article starts by analysing the judgment. Additionally, to better understand the current situation in the European Union and its member states, recently produced draft guidelines by the European Data Protection Board are presented and discussed, as well as two judgments of the German Federal Constitutional Court. Subsequently, the European developments are put in international context. Finally, the insights from these sections are combined which allows to develop several conceptual ideas. In conclusion, it is argued that the right to be forgotten remains complex and evolving. Its success depends on effective multi-layer and multistakeholder interaction. In this sense, it has become a prominent study object that reveals potential venues and pitfalls on a path towards more sophisticated data protection frameworks.

Modelling the effect of multi-stakeholder interactions on construction site layout planning using agent-based decentralized optimization

Abstract Construction site layout planning (CSLP) is important to ensure that cost, time, quality and environmental impacts are strictly controlled. Even though extensive research has been conducted on CSLP problems, the effect of the multi-stakeholder interactions on optimal site layout plans has been less studied. Therefore, this paper proposes an agent-based decentralized bi-level mathematical model that incorporates decisions from three stakeholders, to examine the CSLP multi-stakeholder interactions. To solve the model, a particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based solution approach is developed to generate the CSLP, construction material logistics planning (CMLP) and security planning (SP) solutions in an integrated CSLP-CMLP/SP system. Specifically, the stakeholders are modelled as individual agents with respective decisions and objective functions, and the inter-dependencies between the layout planner and the other two stakeholders (i.e. the logistics planner and the safety manager) are simultaneously incorporated and dealt with using the bi-level model. The multi-stakeholder interactions are realized by iteratively updating the individual decisions to determine an optimal integrated solution in which the potential stakeholder conflicts in the construction stage are minimized. A case study is given to validate the practicality of the designed model in addressing the CSLP-CMLP and CSLP-SP interactions. The contributions of this research are its applicability to model the effect of multi-stakeholder interactions in agent-based decentralized models, the design of a PSO-based solution approach to achieve an integrated CSLP-CMLP/SP solution, and the provision of academic and practical guidance for decision makers to further enrich global decentralized CSLP research.