Platform For Stakeholders Research Articles

Towards digitalization of the circular economy in the furniture industry

Fashionable, cheap furniture of questionable quality is often used for short-term economic gain. If the furniture is not liked, it is quickly discarded. The need to reduce CO2 emissions, dwindling resources and social and political demands contradict this practice and require the implementation of closed-loops material cycles and the introduction of circular business models. A systematic literature review and a case study were conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of current circular economy strategies (e.g. reuse, refurbishment and recycling) implemented in the furniture industry in relation to various key activities of platform companies. As part of the case study, interviews were conducted with stakeholders and experts from the furniture and interior design industry. The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform was also consulted. The literature review and the case study show that the furniture industry is in a state of transition. By incorporating designs that allow for improved remanufacturing, refurbishment and reuse, companies in the industry are increasingly starting to consider circular economy patterns. Increasing digitization and servitization are driving new circular business models. Another key finding is that digital platforms are suitable for connecting stakeholders such as manufacturers, service providers and consumers, taking into account the relevant business models. The study also identified motivations, barriers and requirements for the implementation of circular and digital business models in the furniture and interior design industry. There is still a large gap between what can be achieved with a circular economy and its actual implementation.

Personalized, war and peace journalism on Twitter: The Russo-Ukrainian War through the lens of political journalists

This study compares communication patterns of German political journalists with correspondents assigned in covering Russia/Ukraine regarding the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War discourse on Twitter (now X). During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Twitter has been an important platform for (European) politicians, journalists and other stakeholders to share their views on the war. In general, journalists differ largely in terms of Twitter activity and in posting individual contributions. This comparative research delves into the analysis of journalistic communication in 4,460 tweets, focusing on war and peace journalism framing. The study also investigates the personalization characteristics present in these tweets, considering individual-level influences through the hierarchy of influence model. Specifically, the work employs both peace journalism theoretical framework and the hierarchy of influence model to scrutinize the communication strategies of German political journalists and correspondents covering Russia/Ukraine on Twitter amidst the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War discourse. So far, both approaches have not been combined for the analysis of conflict and war communication in social media. We tracked journalistic tweets for five months from September 2022 to February 2023. Our content analysis shows that, within the journalistic contributions, a peace journalism framework dominates. More than three-quarters of the tweets contain an expression of opinion and around one-third evaluations. Personalization characteristics of politicians are present in almost one-quarter of the tweets.

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY: AN ANALYSIS OF GOOD PRACTICES FOR ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ON THE EUROPEAN CIRCULAR ECONOMY STAKEHOLDER PLATFORM

The pervasive integration of electronic technologies in the contemporary digital landscape underscores the significance of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Beyond their utility in daily life, certain components within EEE, hold classification as critical raw materials (CRMs) and transforms cities into urban mines. This issue highlights the necessity of optimizing its sustainable consumption and production patterns at all stages of the life cycle and across various sectors. The optimization of the complete product life cycle serves as a foundational pillar of the circular economy (CE). While the transition from a linear to a CE has been a longstanding objective promoted by the EU, a comprehensive mapping elucidating potential shortcoming in the effective implementation of this transition in Europe for the field of EEE remains elusive. This paper seeks to investigate the state-of-the-art of CE good practices for EEEs in Europe, shedding light on potential strengths and challenges to be addressed. To obtain an empirical perspective, the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) serves as a tool to delineate the trajectory of progress throughout the transition to a CE. The analysis encompasses both life cycle phases and the production sector. The findings underscore a prevailing focus on the product's end-of-life phase and sectors associated with recycling and waste management, while the initial life cycle phase remains underexplored in terms of eco-design solutions or innovative processes. On a positive note, several instances of new business models have emerged, redirecting consumption emphasis towards services.

COLLABORATIVE PLATFORMS SUPPORTING CIRCULARITY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT. IDENTIFYING STRATEGIC ACTIONS AND REPLICABLE GOOD PRACTICES

This contribution highlights the role that collaborative platforms can offer for the promotion of circularity in the construction sector, through the interaction between different stakeholders and, in particular, through the collection and promotion of good practices. In fact, the work reports the outcomes of stakeholder consultation experiences, developed within the Italian Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, aimed at identifying the strategic areas and priority actions for the scale-up circular solutions to a large scale, and activities of collection, selection and analysis of good practices at different scales (products, buildings, tools) that exemplify the possibility of concretely implementing - in a highly replicable manner - the circular solutions, until now often considered experimental cases that are difficult to be repeated.

Preface

3nd ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) Nusa Dua Bali, Indonesia, 24 August 2023 Accelerating a Just, Secure, and Resilient Energy Transition in ASEAN through Innovation and Interconnectivity Introduction ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organization within ASEAN structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector. With their growing population and economic growth, AMS are expected to be a new global epicentrum of energy market in the future. This trend pushes energy security as one of the highest priorities in energy development in the region. On the other hand, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025, a regional blueprint on energy cooperation, has a theme and sub-theme in which embracing energy transition is one of the key elements to achieve regional energy security and environmental sustainability. To further accelerate the progress towards a sustainable future, enhance collaboration among various sectors, and bridge the gap between academia, policymakers, and businesses, we are delighted to announce that the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) will be hosting the 3rd ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) in conjunction with The ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2023 and The 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) on August 24-25, 2023. These events will offer a platform for academics, practitioners, and stakeholders to network, exchange ideas, and explore innovative solutions to address the challenges of energy and the environment. The conference will take place in Bali, a stunning island renowned for its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage. This unique location will provide participants with a memorable and immersive experience, allowing them to explore the fascinating local culture and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s energy and environmental issues. The event promises to be a remarkable occasion fostering collaboration and driving progress towards a sustainable future. This year’s AICEE is the third edition of the annual flagship conference held by ACE. Under the 3rd AICEE, we received 145 extended abstracts, accepted 96 extended abstracts to be compiled as Conference Proceeding and invited 76 authors to submit their full papers. To proceed with the publication, 59 papers are recommended to be the IOP Publishing process, and 44 papers are accepted for the IOP Publication of 2023 AICEE Volume. The 3rd AICEE was convened in-person presentation in partnership with Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (UNDIKNAS), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Energy Research Institute (ERI) Chulalongkorn University, National Energy Technology Center-National Science and Technology Development Agency (ENTEC-NSTDA), (ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT), Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Hawaii University, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). List of Theme, Topic, Key Dates, Participants, Agenda, Steering Committee, Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee and Documentation are available in this Pdf.

Second International Avian Influenza and One Health Emerging Issues Summit

Dear esteemed guests, distinguished speakers, honorable delegates, and all participants worldwide Welcome to the International Avian Influenza and One Health Emerging Issues Summit, a premier event that brings together leading minds from across the globe to address some of the most pressing challenges in animal and human health. This year's Summit, held as a hybrid event in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA, from September 30 to October 3, 2024, is dedicated to deepening our understanding of the intricate relationships between avian influenza and the broader One Health framework. As we gather in a time of unprecedented change and global interconnectedness, the Summit offers a unique platform for experts, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore the emerging issues that define the landscape of avian influenza. Our discussions will span the latest scientific research, innovative strategies for disease control, and the broader implications for public health, agriculture, and wildlife. Through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, we aim to foster collaboration, share cutting-edge insights, and develop actionable solutions that can address the complex challenges at the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health. This Summit is not just a forum for knowledge exchange but a catalyst for forging the partnerships and policies necessary to protect global health in an increasingly interconnected world. We are excited to embark on this journey with you and look forward to the groundbreaking discussions and discoveries that will emerge over the next few days. Sincerely, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias Chairman

Integrating building information modelling (BIM) and extended reality (XR) in the transportation infrastructure industry

Although building information modelling (BIM) has been widely used in the building industry, its usage in infrastructure projects such as bridges has been very challenging. Extended Reality (XR) that simulates a construction project is still considered a new technology in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. This paper investigates the viability of integrating both BIM and XR technologies into transportation infrastructure projects. A fully integrated workflow for introducing different XR, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR), and BIM technologies using different software for a case study of El-Merghani bridge, a reinforced concrete girder type bridge, was developed. The models for the bridge included GIS integration and geometric road design according to AASHTO, documentation, shop drawings and quantification were developed for the bridge. A hypothetical time schedule was generated in Oracle Primavera P6 elevating the BIM model to 4-D and developing VR and AR virtual experiences with the capability to investigate, visualize, and present the model in a virtual environment, at a high level of immersion. Additionally, the associated risk reduction for the considered XR technology was assessed using Monte Carlo simulation. The workflow and the detailed 3D models developed for the bridge along with the highly immersive VR and AR experiences have provided an interactive platform for engineers and different stakeholders to monitor the project during the design and construction phases. The risk analysis showed that significant cost savings can be achieved with the utilization of VR and AR technology in bridges construction.

Listening to Stakeholders' Voices on Funding Social Inclusion in Sport for People with Disabilities-Proposal for Criteria.

The value of sport is extensively documented; however, there are still groups who do not have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of sport due to lack of investment, particularly important for people with disabilities. A gap persists in understanding the effectiveness of inclusive sport programs in addressing equity-related targets, particularly on the effective methods of financing inclusion in sport for individuals with disabilities. Therefore, providing a platform for stakeholders to express their perspectives becomes crucial. Through focus groups and the World Café approach, the aim of this study was to gather insights from athletes, parents, professionals, and sport club managers regarding the funding of inclusive sport for people with disabilities. A total of 72 participants took part in nine focus groups in Portugal, Slovenia, and Hungary: 27 athletes with disabilities, 22 coaches, other technicians and parents, and 23 club managers/directors. Findings were divided into five topics: (1) perspectives on current funding satisfaction; (2) perspectives on sources and criteria for funding; (3) perspectives on ideal funding; (4) perspectives on ideas to reach decision-makers; and (5) proposals on ideal criteria for funding. Based on these findings, six measurable criteria for fair funding allocation were suggested that could develop a properly weighted system of criteria for decision-makers to assess the allocation of funding among inclusive sport organizations with the potential to catalyze broader policy and societal changes. Additionally, there is a pressing need to develop a funding model for inclusive sport for individuals with disabilities.

In response to global climate change goals, exploring the development strategy for decarbonizing the shipping industry in Taiwan

Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), and other gases are all greenhouse gases. However, the most significant contributor to climate change is CO2. Maritime decarbonization is a complex challenge with multiple pathways at different technological and operational readiness levels. As a concept, green shipping corridors are similar to special economic zones at sea. They provide a platform for stakeholders in the value chain to collaborate and implement new technologies and business models on a large scale. The most significant advantage of such an initiative is to help diverse and fragmented industries align and diversify their collective risks. The article employed a comparative literature analysis and interviewed relevant stakeholders to derive its conclusions. Based on this analysis, it advocates for taking action and implementing these measures by engaging stakeholders. Critical decisions concerning the green components of shipping corridors revolve around viable fuel pathways, policies and regulations, customer demands, and cross-value chain collaboration.

International Bullion Exchange at GIFT IFSC in India- A Descriptive Study

In the global financial arena, the International Bullion Exchange (IBE) in Gujarat's GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec-city City represents a noteworthy advancement. GIFT City, the nation's first operational smart city and hub for international financial services, seeks to establish India as a major player in international finance by fostering an atmosphere that is favorable to global financial services. An essential component that makes it easier to trade precious metals internationally is the IBE. The IBE, which is housed in GIFT City, serves as a marketplace where international buyers and sellers come together to transact in different kinds of precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The exchange provides a smooth and transparent platform for players to participate in price discovery, hedging, and investing activities by utilizing cutting-edge technology and infrastructure. India has a long history of being one of the world's biggest consumers of gold, with a connection spanning across cultural, religious, and economic domains. By offering a strong platform for domestic and international stakeholders to participate in gold trading activities, the IBE takes advantage of India's fondness for gold. The exchange seeks to improve market efficiency and facilitate liquidity in the global bullion market by providing transparent trading procedures, effective price discovery mechanisms, and access to a wide range of market players. This study examines GIFT City's evolution, operating structure, market dynamics, and possible ramifications for the world bullion market. The research aims to add to the conversation about the globalization of financial markets and the changing face of commodities trade in the twenty-first century by illuminating this crucial shift.

Amend: an integrated platform of retracted papers and concerned papers

Abstract Purpose The notable increase in retraction papers has attracted considerable attention from diverse stakeholders. Various sources are now offering information related to research integrity, including concerns voiced on social media, disclosed lists of paper mills, and retraction notices accessible through journal websites. However, despite the availability of such resources, there remains a lack of a unified platform to consolidate this information, thereby hindering efficient searching and cross-referencing. Thus, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive platform for retracted papers and related concerns. This article aims to introduce “Amend,” a platform designed to integrate information on research integrity from diverse sources. Design/methodology/approach The Amend platform consolidates concerns and lists of problematic articles sourced from social media platforms (e.g., PubPeer, For Better Science), retraction notices from journal websites, and citation databases (e.g., Web of Science, CrossRef). Moreover, Amend includes investigation and punishment announcements released by administrative agencies (e.g., NSFC, MOE, MOST, CAS). Each related paper is marked and can be traced back to its information source via a provided link. Furthermore, the Amend database incorporates various attributes of retracted articles, including citation topics, funding details, open access status, and more. The reasons for retraction are identified and classified as either academic misconduct or honest errors, with detailed subcategories provided for further clarity. Findings Within the Amend platform, a total of 32,515 retracted papers indexed in SCI, SSCI, and ESCI between 1980 and 2023 were identified. Of these, 26,620 (81.87%) were associated with academic misconduct. The retraction rate stands at 6.64 per 10,000 articles. Notably, the retraction rate for non-gold open access articles significantly differs from that for gold open access articles, with this disparity progressively widening over the years. Furthermore, the reasons for retractions have shifted from traditional individual behaviors like falsification, fabrication, plagiarism, and duplication to more organized large-scale fraudulent practices, including Paper Mills, Fake Peer-review, and Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC). Research limitations The Amend platform may not fully capture all retracted and concerning papers, thereby impacting its comprehensiveness. Additionally, inaccuracies in retraction notices may lead to errors in tagged reasons. Practical implications Amend provides an integrated platform for stakeholders to enhance monitoring, analysis, and research on academic misconduct issues. Ultimately, the Amend database can contribute to upholding scientific integrity. Originality/value This study introduces a globally integrated platform for retracted and concerning papers, along with a preliminary analysis of the evolutionary trends in retracted papers.

Design and Evaluation of Wireless DYU Air Box for Environment-Monitoring IoT System on Da-Yeh University Campus

This paper presents an original wireless DYU Air Box of an environment-monitoring IoT (EMIoT) system on a campus to offer information on environmental conditions through the public ThingSpeak IoT platform for stakeholders including all the students and employees on the Da-Yeh University (DYU) campus in Taiwan. Firstly, the proposed wireless heterogeneous multi-sensor module aggregates BME680, SCD30, PMS7003, and BH1750 sensors with a TTGO ESP32 Wi-Fi device based on the I2C and UART interface standards of series communication. Through the DYU-802.1X Wi-Fi network with the WPA2 Enterprise security directly, the wireless multi-sensor monitoring module further forwards the observation data of environmental conditions on campus via the DYU-802.1X Wi-Fi network to the public ThingSpeak IoT platform, which is a cloud service platform to aggregate, visualize, and analyze live sensing data of air quality index (AQI), concentrations of PM1.0/2.5 and CO2, brightness, ambient temperature, and relative humidity (RH). The results illustrate the proposed DYU Air Box for monitoring the indoor environmental conditions on campus and validate them with sufficient accuracy and confidence with commercialized measurement instruments. In this work, the wireless smart environment-monitoring IoT system features monitoring and automatic alarm functions for monitoring AQI, CO2, and PM concentrations, as well as ambient illumination, temperature, and RH parameters and collaboration and interoperability through the Enterprise Intranet. All the organizational stakeholders interested in the environmental conditions of the DYU campus can openly access the information according to their interests. In the upcoming future, the information of the environmental conditions in the DYU campus will be developed to be simultaneously accessed by all the stakeholders through both the public ThingSpeak IoT platform and the private EMIoT system.

Western Balkans: It’s Complicated An Inter-ethnic Communication Interdisciplinary Examination

The western Balkans are persistently grappling with its unfavorable inter-ethnic reputation. Although political toleration has been consistently proposed as a solution for inter-ethnic tensions, this paper argues for the adoption of the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) framework, offering a fresh perspective to an old problem. Rooted in the 'communication perspective', CMM provides a crucial platform for stakeholders to interact meaningfully. This study aims to present compelling reasons for embracing dialogical methods in interethnic disagreements. The CMM model focuses on empowering participants with knowledge to collectively shape their social realities. To illustrate, we introduce a visual communication model seamlessly integrating political toleration and CMM concepts. This model establishes a dialogical platform, ensuring equal participation from public and civil society stakeholders, and fostering a harmonious social world. In conclusion, CMM offers an alternative communication perspective crucial for those involved in interethnic dialogue. By adopting this approach, individuals and groups can overcome challenges, opening new avenues for understanding and collaboration in the pursuit of peaceful co-existence.

Indigenous Environmentalism through Dance: The Ohaji-Egbema Experiment in South-Eastern Nigeria

Scholars in the environmental humanities have engaged critically in how literature and the performing arts have absorbed the spirit of environmentalism as other disciplines have done. The greening of the humanities has been a subject of discussion from the last quarter of the 20th century. Ecoliterary discourse, ecofilms and ecomusicology have become buzz concepts in the arena of the environmental discourse. However, we argue in this study, that there is a paucity of critical works on how indigenous dance art forms can be used to communicate environmental stability, ecological consciousness, and be used as a medium to resist anthropocentric ideals. The questions that this paper raises are: In what ways can indigenous dances in Nigeria communicate ecological consciousness in the country? How and to what extent can indigenous dances be employed to discuss culture-nature entanglements in degraded sites? The researchers relied on Indigenous Standpoint theory, existing literature, interviews, and focus group discussions with stakeholders (indigenes, ministry heads, and oil company employees) and visits to oil-degraded sites in Ohaji/Egbema for information on the taxonomy, politics, and conflicts of space and oil in the region. In line with data gathered, indigenous songs and dances were packaged and performed to provide the much-needed platform for stakeholders (indigenes, government and oil firms) to rethink environmentally oppressive actions in the region toward ensuring environmental stewardship. This study examines the ways in which indigenous dance in Igbo land, Nigeria, can embody indices of indigenous environmentalism. It can also be a path towards decolonizing colonial ecological frameworks and epistemologies.

Mediatisation Dynamics and Broadcast News Selection Approaches in Nigeria During the Covid-19 Era

This study examines how the dynamics surrounding mediatisation of COVID-19 narratives significantly impacted broadcast news selection among broadcast media professionals in Nigeria. It conceptually expounds on certain influences that mediatisation dynamics exert on broadcast news stories especially on how they were chosen, framed, and presented to the public. The theoretical foundation of this paper is provided by the Media System Dependency and Mediatisation theories. The study employs Hjarvard, Mortensen, and Eskjaer’s (2015) typologies of media dynamics: amplification, framing, performance avenues, and co-structuring to relate how mediatisation influences broadcast news selection. The study revealed that amplification entails the media’s power to magnify event, focusing predominantly on the negative aspects of the pandemic, such as death tolls and infection rates, which aligns with the typical newsworthiness criteria favouring the extraordinary and negative. Conversely, framing and performance avenues align with the broadcast media’s ability to shape how the pandemic was perceived by selecting terminology and emphasising specific issues. This includes sensitising the public on preventive measures and providing a platform for various stakeholders to communicate their actions. Co-structuring explores how the broadcast media, often controlled by the elite, influence the public agenda and prompt actions from authorities. The paper concludes that broadcast media not only influence society but are also influenced by the concept of mеdiatisation, acknowledging the vital role they play in providing information for societal well-being.

Assembly workshops in virtual reality as an integral part of the assembly planning process

Within the assembly planning process for automotive assembly lines, virtual reality (VR) systems are used mainly on a project-by-project basis. So far, there is no information about the knowledge gained from such workshops and the transferability of the results. Integration of VR as a standard process within the assembly planning has considerable potential. This paper addresses the question of how shopfloor employees and assembly planners can work efficiently in virtual environments on a solution for a concrete planning problem. Existing concepts for virtual workshops are analyzed and a multi-stage procedure for assembly workshops is derived. The assembly workshops in VR are used as a communication platform for different stakeholders, with a focus on the exchange with shopfloor employees. An implementation of the concept concerning its functionality is carried out based on a use case of the design of assembly tools for an automobile assembly line. For this purpose, an assembly platform for the accessibility of an assembly point inside the rear trunk of an automobile is designed in a joint VR workshop and transferred to an operational assembly line. The results show a broad acceptance of the developed solution among the employees.

Optimizing Electricity Infrastructure Management: A Dashboard Approach for Samarkand Region

Electricity infrastructure management plays a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of power distribution systems. In this paper, we present a comprehensive approach to electricity infrastructure management in the Samarkand region through the development and implementation of a dashboard using ArcGIS Online. The dashboard serves as a centralized platform for stakeholders to visualize, analyse, and monitor various aspects of the electricity network. Key features of the dashboard include filters by district and sub-district, as well as options to select specific electricity lines by name and voltage level. This enables users to focus their analysis on specific areas of interest within the region, enhancing the granularity and relevance of the information presented. The implementation of this dashboard represents a significant step towards modernizing electricity infrastructure management practices in the Samarkand region. By leveraging the power of GIS technology and ArcGIS Online, stakeholders are empowered with a user-friendly and intuitive tool for accessing, analysing, and interpreting electricity infrastructure data.

Exploration of Building Information Modeling and Integrated Project Cloud Service in early architectural design stages

In the evolving Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Cloud Service (IPCS) has become crucial. These tools are particularly essential during the early design stages, as they enable comprehensive management and integration of project information, thus promoting effective decision-making throughout project lifecycles. This combined approach enhances inter-organizational collaborations, improves design and construction practices, and creates a communal data platform for stakeholders. This research explores the effectiveness of the BIM-IPCS system in streamlining data exchange and information flow during early design, suggesting ways to minimize errors, speed up processes, and reduce construction costs through dependable networks. Conclusively, this study underscores the significant impact of the BIM-IPCS system on project management, ensuring well-coordinated and informed construction while advocating for its role in driving innovative and efficient project delivery in the AEC industry.

BIM-based design and setup of structural health monitoring systems

The adoption of a BIM-based approach for the design and setup of a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system is an unexplored topic in the scientific literature. This paper presents a methodology designed to optimize the information management of the entire process using Building Information Modeling (BIM), defining the exchange information requirements (EIRs), Process Map, and Levels of Information Need (LoINs).Moreover, to verify the consistency of the information exchanged, this paper employs the information delivery specification (IDS) standard, developing a script that, using LoINs and the BIM model as input, verifies the desired requirements at each stage of the process.The proposed approach is applied to a viaduct on the Naples-Salerno highway, achieving a fully digital and interoperable platform for stakeholders involved in the processes. The results highlight the advantages of the proposed methodology over traditional approaches.

Heatmap Visualization Approach for Descriptive Analytics of Covid-19 Cases in Malaysia

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented unparalleled obstacles to the world, including Malaysia and Indonesia. A visual analytics approach known as the Covid-19 heatmap visualization is proposed to provide relevant and timely information about Covid-19 daily cases and deaths in Malaysia. The aim of this approach is to offer a platform for various stakeholders to make informed decision based on descriptive analytics. The Covid-19 information visualization approach allows users to compare different types of visualizations such as heatmaps, line charts, and bar charts to detect Covid-19 trends or patterns. The approach is implemented as a web-based system using D3 JavaScript library and tested using the data collected from Coronavirus Pandemic Data Explorer. Results show that the Covid-19 heatmap visualization approach is an invaluable approach for understanding pandemic trends as it provides users with easy access to visualizations and fast understanding of Covid-19 situations such as daily cases, deaths and recoveries. The target users for the proposed approach are the National Security Council and Ministry of Health staff, company crews, and the general public. Future upgrades to the approach includes adding additional attributes such as the number of tests and recoveries to assist users in making predictive analytics using machine learning models.