Community Quality Of Life Research Articles

Are we ready for technopreneurship

Technopreneurs have become a major driver of innovation, competitiveness, and growth for many developing nations. Technopreneurs help to drive the growth of employment rate and encourage a higher quality of community life. In general, cities in Indonesia are still at the initial stage of formulating the correct recipe for its growth and survival in the digital era. However, Indonesia does not have an ICT-based technopreneur education model that is integrated into high school curriculum. The lack of facilitation hampers the youth in developing their technopreneurial capacity. Thus, to address this problem, this study aims to answer how the local and school ecosystem is prepared to support technopreneurship.

Exploring the connections between participation in and benefits from payments for hydrological services programs in Veracruz State, Mexico

Payments for hydrological services (PHS) programs are expected to confer tangible benefits to households. Impact evaluations of PHS programs, however, find few to no changes in material indicators. One reason for this may be that non-financial motivations and benefits—including environmental or social—influence participation and are important outcomes for households participating in PHS programs. In this paper we test this hypothesis using 56 interviews and 181 surveys from households in Veracruz State, Mexico. Using logistic regression models we find that human, natural, physical and financial capital are important to the decision to participate in PHS, but so are pro-social and pro-environmental motivations. Using counterfactual impact evaluation methods we find few changes in material benefits but do find that PHS participants are more likely to report positive changes in their household and community quality of life over the last five years compared to households not participating in PHS programs. Qualitative information supports these findings. Our results contribute to the evolving theory on PHS that participation is driven by a mix of financial and non-financial motivations and that non-material benefits are an important outcome of these programs.

Examining the Linkages of Community Intervention Strategies and Destination Quality of Ecotourism Destinations

ABSTRACTLocal communities are considered as a stockholder of an ecotourism programs particularly protected area (PA)-based destinations. The purpose of the study is to develop a model of community intervention strategies (CIS) in PA-based ecotourism tourism destinations and to examine the contribution of CIS toward destination quality (DQ). Study adopted exploratory sequential method and administered focus group discussion and expert interview followed by questionnaire survey. Measurement models were drawn with AMOS 22 and employed WarpPLS 6.0 for structural model. The study result indicates that there are three dimensions for CIS, and the quality variables have a strong presence in these destinations. However, the study could not establish a significant and positive relationship between CIS and DQ. Subsequently, investigator adopted a participant observation method and identified local specific reasons such as changes in general consciousness, intervention of related departments and nongovernmental organizations, and destination life cycle, for the same. Study assumes significance in the context of community-based ecotourism programs and indicates the need for strengthening community collaboration for quality destinations. Study extends scope for further research in measuring other perceived linkages of CIS with destination sustainability and quality of community life.

Zoning Transformation at Sport Center and Its Influence Toward Housing-Case Study: Arcamanik Sport Center and Arcamanik Housing in Indonesia

Housing and settlements in Indonesia continue to grow to meet the needs of people in their homes. This increase is growing with other facilities, to become a sports facility, as happened in Arcamanik settlement, in city of Bandung, Indonesia. In development of its housing function, there are other function changes that occur in the residential building. That is a change of dwelling house that develops as a place of business. These housing and settlements prioritize quality of community life by building public and social facilities, especially in the health sector such as the Sport Center area. Activity of this sports center is growing up to the national game in Indonesia. By doing research on the activities of the sports center that occurred, and development of changes in function of housing, the resulting transformation zoning that occurs. Expected to improve the health and success of urban areas.

2304 - Move Utah - Planning for Active, Healthy, and Connected Communities

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has developed the Move Utah program to better work with communities to improve active transportation throughout the state. The Move Utah program is dedicated to providing local governments and municipalities across Utah with technical support and guidance as they pursue their active transportation planning efforts. Our team, along with our partners from the Utah Department of Health (UDOH), the Utah Department of Public Safety, Bike Utah, and the Utah Highway Patrol provides technical expertise, resources and funding opportunities to help communities advance through our Move Utah Community designation process, and to help them develop activities and events that build a solid foundation of community support for active transportation. To provide a better overview of the Move Utah Program, the mission, initiatives, and goals are outlined below: MOVE UTAH MISSION Engaging Utah communities to improve active transportation planning and implementation. MOVE UTAH INITIATIVES Emphasize integrated transportation planning Identify benefits of health and activity Improve quality of life for communities Enhance law enforcement through education Encourage respect between roadway users MOVE UTAH GOALS Help communities identify their benefits of active transportation Guide communities to develop an Active Transportation Plan Encourage partner development and coordination Plan for and/or join community outreach events Assist in building personalized education and safety initiatives The team is currently working with communities throughout the state to achieve a designation status that creates more active, healthy, and connected communities. Move Utah community designation levels (Activate, Ascend and Peak) outlined through the program encourage communities to create walking and biking initiatives that are context-sensitive solutions to a community's needs and desires when it comes to active transportation. Each level has general requirements to meet in order to become a Move Utah Community. The requirements are meant to be flexible enough to fit the context and meet the needs of each individual community. The UDOH is supporting the program through the Utah Comprehensive Cancer Program by providing funding to help communities reach a designation status. The UDOH and UDOT aim to reach multiple communities with diverse contexts and ensure a statewide effort is in place. The creative and interactive presentation will focus on the experiences of working with partners, identifying the champions and outlining the efforts to reach the diverse communities. The obstacles as well as the successes will be delivered to learn from this broad outreach program.

Graciela Tonon (ed): Review of the Book: “Quality of Life in Communities of Latin Countries”. (Community Quality of Life and Well-being Series). Springer, 2017, (ISBN 978-3-319-53183-0)

Graciela Tonon (ed): Review of the Book: “Quality of Life in Communities of Latin Countries”. (Community Quality of Life and Well-being Series). Springer, 2017, (ISBN 978-3-319-53183-0)

THE ROLE OF TRUST AND AFFECTIVE IDENTIFICATION AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN PERCEIVED CSR AND INTENTION

This research about CSR was conducted at educational institutions, where the purpose of this study was to evaluate CSR activities. It is known that CSR activities are an obligation from the government to companies. This study examined CSR being perceived by the participants, where the perception influences trust and affective identification that will ultimately have an impact on intention. Intention means a reaction to attend the training which one matching with what the participants need. CSR activities do not only aim to fulfil the responsibility, but the company sincerely provides training to improve the quality of community life. The rresearch uses smartPLS 3.0. and a total of 100 respondents. The results of this study showed a significant relationship between perceived CSR to the trust as well as affective identification. Trust and affective identification showed a successful mediator between perceived CSR and intention.

Social Thermalism in Brazilian Public Health: perception of the public health secretaries from municipalities with thermal water sources

Given the immense Brazilian potential, social thermalism are little explored practice as a factor for health promotion. In 2006, the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices was created in Brazil, where the Social Thermalism was included as observatories in public health. However, there are still no results materialized in social thermalism in the country, which means that there is a need for more research, not only about the mineralogical characteristics of mineralmedicinal and thermal water sources, but also public management mechanisms for that thermalism is incorporated into the national health system as a structured practice and beneficial to the quality of community life. Within this scenario, the objective of this study was focused on identifying the perception of members of the Municipal Health Secretaries in ten municipalities, in Santa Catarina estate - south of Brazil, thermal source retainers. The present investigation was done in a qualitative and descriptive way by means of surveys recorded and later transcribed. This initiative was approved by the Ethics Committee of the State Secretariat of Health of Santa Catarina. In the ten cities, two managers in charge of primary health care and ten municipal health secretaries were interviewed about their level of knowledge about balneoterapy, the probability of developing the activity in their region and the possible challenges for implementing social thermalism as an local activity. The data obtained through the surveys were worked through the content analysis and the results were segregated into three categories: (1) General knowledge of managers and secretaries of health about social hydrotherapy; (2) potential for insertion / development of social thermalism in the local public health system; and (3) Difficulties in the implementation of social thermalism as a structured practice in the public health system. With that, it was diagnosed that even if there is a lack of known about this practice, all the interviewees agree that the inclusion of thermalism in the structure of public health will be able to provide preventive and strengthening treatment to the quality of life of citizens. However, the constant change of the Municipal Health Secretaries in the ten municipalities was identified as the main weakness for the continuous structuring and financial contribution of the state in the potential projects.

Contribution to Social Innovation Theory and Practice: Lessons from a Portuguese Association

This study aims to analyze how the actions of a non-profit association from Portugal have impacted on development and promotion of social innovations. The literature review discusses origins, concepts and processes of this type of innovation, including criteria for evaluation of its results. The analyses were based on triangulation of semi-structured interviews, direct observation and documentary research data. Results show that, despite not being the focus of the association, actions towards the community quality of life enabled the development of processes and products regarded as social innovations. The main obstacles were financial dependence on state and local subsidies, ingrained habits and customs of the local population, and low levels of active participation from those involved in proposing innovative ideas. However, the association succeeded by relying on creativity, inspiration, engagement and support from its main leaders and on the alignment and support of its human resources in the implementation of strategy.

Transición a la edad adulta en jóvenes vulnerables. Efectos de una intervención sociocomunitaria en el barrio de Las Remudas, Gran Canaria, España

Este estudio analiza el caso de un barrio vulnerable donde se ha desarrollado una intervención sociocomunitaria, entre los años 2002 y 2012, para la mejora de la salud y la calidad de vida comunitaria, especialmente de su población joven. <br />El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la experiencia biográfica de los jóvenes e indagar a propósito de la influencia de la intervención en sus trayectorias de vida. <br />Metodología: Desde una perspectiva cualitativa, a través de la observación participante, entrevistas semiestructuradas y análisis documental, se reflexiona sobre la eficacia social y los beneficios percibidos de la intervención en la comunidad. <br />Los resultados muestran un relevante y positivo impacto sobre la cohesión social y la convivencia comunitaria. En el caso de los jóvenes, se reconoce el cambio de orientación de algunas trayectorias, evitando la exclusión y con una clara mejora de su entorno relacional, de su autoestima y mostrando el desarrollo de habilidades sociales que han favorecido su transición a la edad adulta.<br />Conclusión: Este artículo invita a la reflexión sobre la eficacia las intervenciones destinadas al cambio social, su sostenibilidad en el tiempo y sus limitaciones. Es una propuesta, basada en el ejemplo real, de la aplicación de políticas sociales y de salud dirigidas a la juventud en desventaja social. <br /><br />

Two concepts of community in the Niger Delta

PurposeThis paper aims to understand what two apparently contrasting concepts of communality and place attachment say about the quality of community life in the Niger Delta.Design/methodology/approachThe research for this paper relied on extensive qualitative and quantitative data: qualitative data were collected from five oil-rich and three oil-poor communities across Ogoniland, while quantitative data were collected from four of these communities. Thematic content analysis was used to interpret the qualitative data, while the quantitative data were analysed through Excel.FindingsMost participants from both oil-rich and oil-poor communities strongly reject a social sense of communality and strongly endorse a geographical sense of place.Practical implicationsThe wider implication of this finding is that proponents of community development (CD) have a choice between either the cynical option of noting that Ogoni’s strong sense of place means that they will tolerate limited CD, or the noble option of noting that Ogoni’s strong sense of place is a solid foundation on which to build sustainable CD by empowering citizens to create their own future.Originality/valueThe originality of this study is twofold. First, it shows the complexity of people’s sense of community encompassing widely different and possibly contradictory elements. Second, it reveals the strength and persistence of people’s attachment to place despite its physical shortcomings.

The Implementation of Aerotropolis Concept on New Town Planning and Design in Mebidangro, Sumatera Utara

Mebidangro is a metropolitan area in Sumatera Utara Province that consists of some regencies and cities of Medan, Binjai, Deli Serdang, and Karo. The region becomes one of the national strategic developments that have been assigned by The President. In the planning, a part of the spatial arrangement refers to the role of Kualanamu International airport as the international transportation hub. Meanwhile, PT Angkasapura proposes the aerotropolis, a new town concept that based on the strategic function of the airport. The model is derived from John Kasada’s idea about the airport influence in generating and accelerating economic activity in a “city airport.” The study aims to explore ideas on planning and design a new town in Mebidangro that applies some aerotropolis theories, including spatial structure, land use and urban design guidelines. The result of the study indicates that aerotropolis can fit the vision of Mebidangro development in improving economic activity as well as community quality of life. However, the implementation should deal with some problems of land ownership and the community readiness. The research can contribute to enrich the way to implement any “import” town planning and design theory that corresponds to local environment condition.

Quality-of-Life Determinants of Happiness in Thailand: the Moderating Roles of Mental and Moral Capacities

This study investigates the influences of quality of life (QoL) in Thailand in terms of quality of family life, quality of community life, and quality of work life as determinants of happiness. Additionally, the moderating effects of mental capacity and moral capacity in relation to the influences of different QoL determinants of happiness are also investigated. The results indicate that quality of family life, quality of community life, and quality of work life have positive effects on happiness in Thailand. Further, our results indicate that mental capacity and moral capacity are significant as moderators in relation to the influences of two QoL determinants of happiness: quality of community life and quality of work life.

Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process for Assessing Sustainable Development among Underprivileged Communities

<p>One of the purposes of sustainable development assessment is to identify the most importance criteria and sub-criteria of sustainable development that have the most significant contribution to the local community. To date, few studies have inquired into qualitative methods to assess these criteria and sub-criteria. In response to this gap in the literature, we propose an application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to prioritize thirteen sub-criteria of sustainable development among underprivileged community of Setiu Wetlands Terengganu. Consistency ratio and weighted geometric mean are the two important computation steps of the AHP prior to proposing global weights of sub-criteria. The computational results indicate that ‘Education’ is the most important sub-criteria with 15.4 % of global weight. At the other extreme ‘global economic partnership’ is the least important sub-criteria for this group of community. The outcome of the proposed method is a weight of sustainability for all sub-criteria which offers a guide to government in identifying the appropriate action for uplifting the community quality of life.</p>

A Seat at the Table: Implications of Structure and Diversity in Community Food Assessments

Food insecurity associated with adverse physical and psychological health conditions is an issue faced by 12.5 percent of Canadian households. Current methods of food production and distribution serve to propagate rather than ameliorate these problems. A growing emphasis on the promotion of community food security aims to address not only the challenges of food security but also the underlying inequities and quality of life issues. Community food assessments are being employed in efforts to gain an understanding of the food system and its impacts. Conducted in conjunction with the Saskatoon Regional Food Assessment (SRFA), this study explores structures that contribute value and promote engagement among participants. While implementation is guided by best practices, currently the assessment process lacks theoretical grounding to allow a deeper understanding of the process. SRFA steering committee members were invited to participate in a two-stage interview examining their experience and perceptions of the process. Existing ideological perspectives of committee members played a significant role in their perceptions of the current food system and the effectiveness of implementing community food security approaches. Systemic change for enhanced community quality of life will require a highly structured collaboration and a strong central vision for participants to find common ground for mutual benefit.

Sir Peter Geoffrey Hall

Sir Peter Geoffrey Hall

Rural restructuring and its impact on community recreation opportunities

Access to recreation activities plays an important role in rural community quality of life. Through various types of recreation activities, residents are more likely to create meaningful experiences that enhance their well-being and overall quality of life. However, rural restructuring is challenging the economic and social conditions of communities, thereby impacting community recreation activities. Through a case study of a rural community, this article uses social ecological theory to explore the impact of a pulp and paper mill closure on community recreation opportunities. The findings indicate that the mill's closure negatively impacted community recreation programmes and organization/club participation, and both the family unit and the community's capacity to support recreation. This study highlights specific changes to rural community recreation opportunities and participation as a result of changes to rural family and community life.

English

With growing concerns about the future and security of the world's energy supply, various renewable energy technologies have been used thorough the millennium. Renewable energyproduction for the generation of electricity is very appropriate and rather practical for development particularly in rural areas.Finding alternative sources of electrical energy that are both economical and environmentally sustainable is pivotal for improving the quality of life in communities. Photovoltaic—the direct conversion of solar energy into electricity—has a history of about 50 years. This field of study and the resulting industry have been rapidly growing and improving and are expected to become a significant part of the world's energy future. Additionally, the use of solar energy over the recent years has increased dramatically especially in rural areas. This paper will focus on providinga guideline to help utility companies in area who may consider investing in an appropriate renewable electricity generation project and for the responsible agencies to support such investment.Evaluationof renewable energy in general and photovoltaic in particular to produce electricity in the Eastern Shore of Maryland is undertaken in this study.

Collaborative resource sharing between public and school libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to examine youth service librarians’ use of collaborative collection development (CCD) behaviors and interlibrary loan (ILL) to collaborate with school librarians. Design/methodology – A quantitative design was implemented with a self-administered survey that was placed online. Findings – Public youth services librarians in the USA believe it is important to collaborate with school librarians. However, they are not frequently using collaborative resource sharing strategies. Public youth services librarians that have more experience, understand trends and issues in school libraries and feel they have knowledge of collaborative strategies are more likely to engage in collaborative resource sharing. Research limitations – The study was limited to 265 public librarians serving youth in the USA. This study does not present the perspectives of school libraries. Social implications – CCD and ILL between public and school libraries are overlooked practices for building relationships between public and school librarians that should be explored. Presenting the benefits of these strategies during training programs may increase the resources that youth can access, thus having an overall impact on the quality of life in communities. Collaborating will also help communities understand the value of libraries as institutions for promoting lifelong learning. Originality/value – The results provide evidence that public youth service librarians in the USA believe in the importance of collaborative relationships with school librarians. However, they do not frequently use ILL or engage in CCD behaviors with school librarians. Using ILL and CCD are two strategies that may be used to build stronger relationships.

Sustainable youth entrepreneurship in conditions of global economy toward energy security

Sustainable entrepreneurship is seen today as a cultural and economic phenomenon. Sustainable entrepreneurship through the creation of new businesses that produce new products and services, and thereby ensure public needs, creates new jobs and contributes to the overall economic stimulus and community quality of life, balancing economic gain, regional development needs and environmental issues. Particular attention is given in recent years, to youth entrepreneurship, believing that young people have a lot of potential to create, develop and manage their own businesses, thereby contributing to a variety of social problems such as youth unemployment and unemployment in general, the involvement of anti-social activities, lack of employment to etc. Sustainable youth entrepreneurship is not analyzed much in scientific literature. In the article is defined sustainable youth entrepreneurship, discussed the importance of youth entrepreneurship for sustainability in the context of globalization, provided model of sustainable youth entrepreneurship toward energy security.