Respective Stakeholders Research Articles

A route for energy recovery from municipal solid waste and developing a framework for waste management in Brunei Darussalam

Brunei, similar to other nations, encounters difficulties in effectively managing solid waste, with 70% of the waste ending up in landfills, 2% through composting, and the remainder being disposed of through conventional methods. The current landfill site is anticipated to reach its maximum capacity in 2025. Energy recovery from waste is crucial for Brunei since it can improve waste management, mitigate environmental consequences, produce economic advantages, bolster energy security, and promote a circular economy. This study aims to identify the potential for energy recovery through landfill gas generated from solid waste disposal in Brunei Darussalam. The study finds that Brunei Darussalam can produce 129 thousand tonnes of CO2e/year landfill gas. Utilising gas to generate electricity of 367 GWh could save 1.6 million USD annually. In addition, it also identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the existing solid waste management in Brunei Darussalam. Furthermore, it formulates a waste management policy in Brunei Darussalam by identifying relevant stakeholders to overcome the weakness. Lastly, the framework for waste management is designed to consider short-, intermediate- and long-term goals and targets, with actions to be taken by respective stakeholders.

Effectiveness of femvertising communications on social media: how brand promises and motive attributions impact brand equity and endorsement outcomes

PurposeWith the growing importance of conscientious branding, companies are increasingly adopting messages of female empowerment in their social media communications. However, this is not without risk, as stakeholders may be suspicious of femwashing. Therefore, companies need to develop appropriate messaging strategies to increase the effectiveness of their femvertising communications.Design/methodology/approachA between-subjects 3 × 1 online experiment was conducted to examine the influence of different messaging strategies (symbolic, philanthropic and explicit brand promises) and respective stakeholders' attributions of a company’s femvertising motives on brand equity and endorsement outcomes.FindingsThe results show that philanthropic and explicit brand promises have more positive effects on brand equity and endorsement outcomes than symbolic brand promises. In addition, motive attributions towards the firm’s femvertising messages were found to moderate the influence of message strategies on endorsement outcomes.Originality/valuePrevious research on the effects of femvertising has been inclined towards short-term performance factors like purchase intentions. This study contributes to the literature by examining its impacts on more strategic intangible assets such as brand equity. Furthermore, while prior studies on femvertising effects have so far focused primarily on the influence of recipients’ characteristics and less on the side of the communicators, this study illuminates the potential of different messaging strategies for effective femvertising communicating.

Investigation of Heavy Metal Composition and Associated Health Risks from Selected Groundwater Wells in Temeke, Dar-es-Salaam

Water quality continues to be the challenge to residents in Dar es Salaam due to various anthropogenic activities in the city. This study was conducted to assess groundwater quality by determining concentrations of heavy metals. Both probability and Nonprobability sampling techniques were used to collect samples from 40 groundwater wells in 24 wards of Temeke municipal and analysed using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (Agilent 4210 MP-AES) at the Geochemistry Laboratory of the University of Dar es Salaam. Results indicated varying heavy metal concentrations ranging from 0.71 ± 0.08 to 6.64 ± 0.21 mg/l for As, 0.02 ± 0.01 to 0.07 ± 0.01 mg/l for Co and 0.16 ± 0.01 to 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/l for Pb. The As, Co and Pb concentrations exceeded (P < 0.05) the recommended TBS standards of 0.05 mg/l, 0.003 mg/l and 0.01 mg/l respectively. Other concentrations ranged from 0.01 ± 0.01 to 0.88 ± 0.01 mg/l for Cu, 0.02 ± 0.01 to 3.55 ± 0.02 mg/l for Fe, 0.00 ± 0.00 to 4.63 ± 0.03 mg/l for Mn and 0.01 ± 0.01 to 3.00 ± 0.01 mg/l for Zn. The Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations were below (P > 0.05) the allowable TBS limits of 0.05 mg/l, 0.3 mg/l, 0.1 mg/l and 3 mg/l respectively. Health risk analysis revealed potential adverse health effects from long term consumption of As, Mn and Pb with Hazard Quotient exceeding 1 (HQ > 1). The Hazard Index (HI) for all groundwater samples was also above 1 (HI > 1) indicating a higher likelihood of adverse health effects. The study concluded that groundwater wells in Temeke Municipal are affected through natural and anthropogenic activities leading to high levels of heavy metal concentrations. Also, this study provides valuable information on risk associated by continued usage of groundwater in Temeke region and hence informs respective stakeholders on groundwater quality and potential risks thereby emphasizing the need for remedial measures and stricter regulations to safeguard public health. The study recommends the need for regular groundwater quality and safety monitoring to assess the levels of heavy metals concentrations and implement sustainable groundwater management strategies to address the increasing water demand in Temeke municipal, Dar es Salaam.

Framework Model for Financing Sustainable Water and Sanitation Infrastructure in Zimbabwe

Financing frameworks for Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are lacking in developing countries. This study aims to develop a financing framework for adoption for water and sanitation PPP infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe. Using data covering a 25-year period from 1996 to 2021, Tobit econometric models are applied to the secondary data collected from both international and domestic sources. The results of this study confirm that capital market variables, bank market development, and economic affluence drive the financing of water and sanitation Public–Private Partnership infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe. It was also established that both public and private sources of finance are instrumental in financing water and sanitation PPP projects. The results inform our eventual framework model, which integrates the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) models, sources of finance for water and sanitation PPPs, and the drivers of water and sanitation PPP finance. This study recommends the application of the developed framework in the water and sanitation Public–Private Partnership infrastructure financing policy of developing countries so as to capitalise on the strengths, resources, and networks of the respective stakeholders in the PPPs.

Global Initiative for Children's Surgery (GICS) Pediatric Trauma Care Initiative: A Call for a Comprehensive Approach to a Global Problem.

Trauma is a major problem which has a significant health, social, and economic impact. Particularly, pediatric trauma carries substantial mortality and morbidity. This is a great concern for subspecialized general and pediatric surgeons. Therefore, a global initiative for pediatric trauma care is warranted and should be initiated. The international association "Global Initiative for Children's Surgery" (GICS) would like to propose and organize a children's trauma care (CTC) initiative. This initiative should comprehensively address pediatric trauma management globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative seeks to achieve a structured cooperation and collaboration with respective sister organizations and local stakeholders. The initiative will address these relevant aspects: 1. first aid; 2. prehospital primary trauma care; 3. hospital primary trauma care; 4. advanced care (ATLS); 5. diagnostic facilities; 6. operation room (OR) equipment; 7. specialized surgical services; 8. rehabilitation; 9. registry, research, and auditing; 10. specialization in pediatric trauma; 11. capacity and confidence building in pediatric trauma; 12. The GICS CTC provided activities have been recorded and evaluated in a structured manner. This statement paper is based on data of a narrative review as well as expert opinions. The Trauma Working Group of GICS provided specialized trauma prevention leaflets available for translation to different languages. A one-day children's primary trauma course has been designed to be delivered at the physical GICS meetings. Exercising advocacy, the group addressed several meetings on prevention of pediatric trauma, which included the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) (2020), GICS IVth meeting in Johannesburg (2020), Norwich (UK) Joint SPRINT Symposium on Pediatric Surgery for Pediatricians (2021), the second online Pan African Pediatric Surgical Association (PAPSA) meeting (2021), the seventh World Congress of the World Federation of Associations of Pediatric Surgeons (WOFAPS) in Prague (2022), and GICS pediatric trauma webinar (2023). Additionally, the working group participated in the preparations of a pediatric trauma module for the World Health Organization (WHO) and published several related studies. The contents of the selected articles added relevant information to the categories stated above. The CTC initiative of GICS is proposed as a mean to address pediatric trauma comprehensively through a process of collaboration and advocacy with existing organizations to achieve awareness, health education, prevention, health, and training. Further, it will support the provision of suitable facilities to health institutions. The establishment of a specialization in pediatric trauma is encouraged. GICS CTC initiative aims to improve pediatric trauma care in LMICs by developing injury prevention strategies; optimizing the use of locally available resources; obtaining commitment by LMICs governments; improvement in all fields of hospital care; improvements in infrastructure, education and training, and attention to data registry and research.

Ethical and Legal Implications of Data Sharing in SaaS Laboratory Management Systems

Over the years, the use of Software as a Service (SaaS) in a laboratory information management system has transformed sharing and management in the latter system. Such a transformation, however, brings along complex ethical and legal challenges for which scrutiny is supposed to be considered. Implication for adopting SaaS platforms includes fundamental concern about data privacy, security, and the overall integrity of scientific research. The paper systematically analyses ethical and legal implications associated with data sharing through SaaS platforms in the management of laboratories. This thus revolves around the understanding of how these systems can handle key aspects such as data ownership, respect for privacy, and compliance with international laws, and the resultant effects these would have on respective stakeholders across the scientific community. We, in this approach, have reviewed a wide range of literature, including fine details of case studies and views by experts, in light of current practices and challenges within SaaS-based laboratory management. We incorporate all these methods within the research to provide an integral view of the multidimensional ethical and legal landscaping, therefore delivering an approach with both depth and context to the analysis. It was mainly, regarding informed consent, and a very complex legal challenge emphasized in this study for compliance with GDPR, along with data confidentiality, respectively, for compliance with HIPAA. The study focused on the non-existence or lack of uniformity of regulatory frameworks that can provide for the special characteristics of SaaS data management and cross-border data flows.

Critical success factors and collaborative governance mechanism for the transformation of existing residential buildings in urban renewal: From a social network perspective

The renovation of urban residential buildings in the context of urban renewal presents social challenges due to the involvement of diverse stakeholders and complex interest relations. This study identifies 28 critical success factors (CSFs) and 9 stakeholders, drawing insights from literature and on-site research of 45 old residential renewal projects in Jiangsu Province, China. Employing social network analysis, the intricate interplay between CSFs and stakeholders is explored, emphasizing the imperative for collaborative governance and elucidating governance mechanism principles. Focusing on stakeholders' resource contributions to transformation projects, the study devises a collaborative governance mechanism based on the specific types of resources required to support each CSF. This approach ensures that CSFs receive the necessary resources, enhancing project success. The paper concludes by outlining nine governance mechanisms and their implementation paths, anchored in the relationships between 13 CSFs and their respective stakeholders.

Essentials of Functional Whole-of-Government Monitoring and Evaluation Systems: The Zambian Case

Since the turn of the 21st century in the year 2000, it has become increasingly impossible to design and implement a development intervention, be it a project, programme or policy without articulating a sound monitoring and evaluation framework. More demanded are functional monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems. It is for that reason that governments, civil society organisations, non-governmental organizations, bilateral and multilateral agencies have all adopted the agenda of strengthening their systems for M&E. Among others, known benefits from implementing sound M&E include enhancing accountability, feedback and learning. This paper articulates essentials development agencies, and their respective stakeholders need to put in place for their M&E systems to function well. More so, focus is on building stronger whole-of-government M&E systems. Essentially, a typical M&E system would have two sides, both of which would be crucial for a successful and functional whole-of-government M&E system. These are the supply-side and the demand-side. In addition, there are known essentials deemed crucial to a successful whole-of-government M&E system. These include the political and technical issues associated with implementing country systems for M&E. Another essential is the ownership of M&E systems. Further, the paper also presents a comprehensive section showing the fundamental ten steps for building a functional whole-of-government M&E system. When these aspects are understood by governments and carefully institutionalised across structures, M&E would prove to be a useful tool to promote accountability, feedback and learning. It also goes without saying, that, in the absence of a stronger system for M&E, governments will most likely not tell success from failure, not see success and would fail to reward it. As such, governments would probably never recognize its failures, thus failing to correct it and ultimately fall short of demonstrating development results. Once these happen, such governments would not win public support.

Sea Bed Mining

The seabed is surely one of the last mining frontiers on earth remaining for mankind, to extract economic mineral deposits. It is hence imperative that India with its Obvious Geological Potential (OGP) area on the land surface amounting to 0.57 million km, for which baseline geoscience data has been generated and mineral exploration activities are ongoing, needs to be supplemented with mineral wealth on our sea beds, within our Territorial Waters (TW) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Studies by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and other agencies for mineralized horizons in the terrestrial OGP areas have been a continuous process. The baseline geoscience and mineral exploration data are published regularly by GSI and Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and made available to respective stakeholders. India has a 2.02 million km area under its TW and EEZ. Our East and West Coasts of the Peninsular India are endowed with phosphate, manganese nodules, lime mud and monazite sands with rare earth elements (REE) and thorium that have been surveyed by the Marine and Coastal Survey Division (MCSD) of the GSI with their research vessels to establish the potentiality. According to the data available, 1,53,996 million tons of lime mud within the EEZ off Gujarat and Maharashtra coasts, 745 million tons of construction grade sand, off Kerala coast, 79 million tons of heavy mineral placers in the inner-shelf and mid-shelf, off Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, phosphorite in the Eastern and Western continental margins, polymetallic ferromanganese nodules and crusts in Andaman Sea and Lakshadweep Sea have been reported. The CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography has been embarking on research for seabed mineral deposits. The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, passed by Lok Sabha on 01.08.2023, has amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, OAMDR Act (Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India, 2002). It envisages major initiatives to allow auction of mineral blocks 45° X 45° (latitude and longitude) in respect of any mineral or prescribed group of associated minerals, under one or more operating rights (taken together). The Act has a provision for setting up of a non-lapsable Offshore Areas Mineral Trust to maintain a fund under the Public Account of India. This fund will be financed by a yet to be determined, additional levy on the production of offshore minerals that will be used for exploration, research, disaster relief and for mitigation of adverse impacts of seabed mining. We have the National Exploration Trust and the District Mineral Foundation Trust funds, to which royalties are paid by stakeholders for onshore mining.

Diplomacy of Indonesia’s Natuna National Geopark toward a UNESCO Global Geopark

This article explains the current overview of the UNESCO Global Geoparks condition in Indonesia as well as putting public diplomacy of Indonesian UNESCO Global Geoparks into a global context. This article will be useful for all stakeholders involved in developing Indonesian UNESCO Global Geoparks in the future. An analysis of the challenges and lessons learned from Natuna is combined in this study with the views of individual stakeholders in Indonesia. Contextual information about the importance of Indonesian tourism of UNESCO Global Geoparks is derived from many references as well as documents. The research adopts a qualitative method. The analysis explains the circumstances of lack of enthusiasm at this time toward the UNESCO Global Geoparks concept by respective stakeholders in Indonesia. There is a need to see UNESCO Global Geoparks as part of efforts to achieve some of the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. The Indonesian government accepts the idea of UNESCO Global Geopark growth, which can become an approach in post-COVID-19 tourism recovery planning as well as part of the SDGs’ 2030 goals in Indonesia. Future development of Indonesian UNESCO Global Geoparks in the global context is important for Indonesian public diplomacy and very significant for the COVID-19 recovery of the Indonesian leisure industry and in line with the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

A Scenario-Based Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Allocation of Pistachio Processing Facilities: A Case Study of Zarand, Iran

Site selection and allocation of manufacturing and processing facilities are essential to sustainable economic productivity of a given product while preserving soil, the environment, and biodiversity. An essential criterion when evaluating various approaches to model land suitability for pistachio processing facilities is their adaptability to accommodate diverse perspectives and circumstances of managers and decision makers. Incorporating the concept of risk into the decision-making process stands as a significant research gap in modeling land suitability for pistachio processing facilities. This study presents a scenario-based multi-criteria decision-making system for modeling the land suitability of pistachio processing facilities. The model was implemented based on a stakeholder analysis as well as inclusion of a set of influential criteria and restrictions for an Iranian case study, which is among the top three producers. The weight of each criterion was determined based on the best-worst method (BWM) after the stakeholder analysis. Then, the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) model was used to prepare maps of spatial potential for building a pistachio processing factory in different decision-making scenarios, including very pessimistic, pessimistic, intermediate, optimistic, and very optimistic attitudes. Finally, the sensitivity analysis of very-high- and high-potential regions to changes in the weight of the effective criteria was evaluated and proved that the most important criteria were proximity to pistachio orchards, proximity to residential areas, proximity to the road network, and proximity to industrial areas. Overall, 327 km2 of the study area was classified as restricted, meaning that they are not suitable locations for pistachio processing. The average estimated potential values based on the proposed model for very pessimistic, pessimistic, intermediate, optimistic, and very optimistic scenarios were 0.19, 0.47, 0.63, 0.78, and 0.97, respectively. The very-high-potential class covered 0, 0.41, 8.25, 39.64, and 99.78 percent of the study area based on these scenarios, respectively. The area of suitable regions for investment decreased by increasing risk aversion in decision making. The model was more sensitive to changes in the weights of proximity to residential areas, proximity to pistachio orchards, and proximity to transportation hubs. The proposed approach and the achieved findings could be of broader use to respective stakeholders and investors. Given the suitability of arid regions for planting pistachio and its relatively high profitability, the local authorities and decision makers can promote further expansion of the orchards, which can lead to better welfare of farmers and reducing rural-urban migration in the region.

Diversity of medium and large-sized mammal species in Chilimo Forest, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract Investigating species distribution and diversity patterns is vital for conservation efforts in biodiversity-rich countries such as Ethiopia. The present study examined the diversity of medium and large-sized mammal species in the Chilimo forest, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. It was conducted from January 2022 to October 2022 by stratifying the study area into three habitat types: natural forest, plantation, and human-modified forest. A fixed-width line transect sampling method was used to collect the mammalian data. A total of 14 medium and large mammal species belonging to 11 families and six orders, were recorded in the forest during the study period. Of these, 11 were medium, and 3 were large-sized mammals. The Olive Baboon (Papio anubis) was the most abundant mammal species, accounting for 41.7 % of the total abundance. The abundance of medium and large-sized mammals varied significantly among the three habitat types (Species × Habitat; Chi-square test of independence; χ2 = 163.385, df = 26, p < 0.001) and between the wet and dry seasons (Species × Season; Chi-square test of independence; χ2 = 43.753, df = 13, p < 0.001). During the dry season, species diversity was the highest in the natural forest and plantation habitat (H’ = 1.76 in both). The natural forest also supported the highest species diversity during the wet season (H’ = 1.57), followed by the plantation and human-modified habitats (H’ = 1.54 in both). An 88% similarity in species composition was observed between the natural and human-modified forests. The occurrence of 14 species of medium and large-sized mammals in the study area calls for immediate conservation actions in collaboration with respective stakeholders to protect the area’s biodiversity.

Adapting to the digital age: Investigating the frameworks for financial services in modern communities

AbstractThe digital age has brought about a revolution in the way we manage our finances, with more and more financial services moving online. However, not all communities have the same level of digital competency, leading to disparities in access to financial services. This study delves into the digital competencies' framework necessary for financial services to sustain vulnerable communities in the digital era. The COVID‐19 pandemic has accelerated the digital shift, leaving many communities struggling to adapt. The study aims to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by this shift, and how key stakeholders can support disadvantaged communities in developing their digital skills and accessing resources. The “Digital Financial Services Consumer Competency Framework” was identified as most appropriate for the study. Respective governments and other key stakeholders must assist with the development of digital hubs, from which vulnerable communities can access digital skills and resources. The research method used is a systematic literature review of 19 published papers, which were analyzed to generate statistics, visualization maps, and theories for the study. The findings of the study will be used to guide the development of policies to necessitate and encourage community ICT adoption.

Hardware start-ups and manufacturing innovation

ABSTRACT This paper provides firstly an overview of the literature on hardware start-ups, which are also related to manufacturing innovation. It continues with a framework, based on an interview series with hardware start-ups and their respective stakeholders. It includes a discussion about the relevant challenges and success factors, along with a potential set of metrics that can be of help for the evaluation of start-ups.

“Smart Cities”: Legal Regulation and Potential of Development

Objective: to research the trends of development of the “smart cities” concept and their legal regulation.Methods: general scientific (induction, deduction) and special (systemicstructural, comparative-legal analysis) methods were used. Also, review analysis was applied to analyze the status quo of “smart cities”. Innovative research approaches are still rare in considering the “smart cities” concept, as well as the prospects referring to targeted knowledge management and cooperation between the respective stakeholders. As for the special research methods for studying digital relations, we used content analysis (the method of creating reproducible and substantiated conclusions from texts (or other meaningful materials) in the context of their use). As the results of previous research and concepts referring to “smart cities” are available, we also used deductive content analysis.Results: a characteristic is given to public relations formed within the process of development of “smart cities” concept. The key legal acts, principles of formation and functioning of “smart cities” are identified, taking into account the Russian and foreign experience. In this connection, the examples of successful practices are given, of the activities of both Russian and foreign municipal entities, taking into account the competitions held and rankings determined by the central structures. The popular directions are summarized, which are broadly introduced at the local level, and the probable problems are identified in the sphere of implementation of this project in our state.Scientific novelty: the article carries out an analysis of the current legal regulation and the results of introducing the “smart cities” concept. The promising technologies and methods are identified, which are necessary to achieve the tasks of the concept implementation. The elements are specified, which ensure sustainability of “smart cities” complying with the future demands. An author’s position is expressed regarding a close interrelation of this phenomenon with the institute of local self-government in the context of possible development of the latter into the process of making managerial decisions involving artificial intelligence. This concerns, first of all, using the potential of the Internet of Things. In practice, a lot of problems occur, associated with the implementation of normatively stipulated provisions, which implies the need to perform further research in the sphere under study.Practical significance: is due to the insufficient development of data about the features and prospects of introducing the idea of “smart cities”. The provisions of the research performed will allow effectively improving the mechanisms of legal regulation and broad implementation of the concept under study.

Green SPACs

AbstractWe examine the structural characteristics of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) focused on green causes. We explain their ecosystem, primary determinants of initial public offering (IPO) size, and speed of going public, and we calculate their returns around merger announcements and subsequent acquisition. Green SPAC size depends on CEO characteristics, choice of exchange and specialisation of respective stakeholders. The speed to IPO is related to the respective concentration of legal counsel. Green SPACs exhibit cumulative market‐adjusted returns in the range 6%–12% around the merger announcement. Merger returns are positive at the merger date but quickly become negative (−1% to −9%) and decline further with time.

Demonstration of Improved Banana (William-1 Variety) Production and Commercialization in Nyanghtom District of South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

A demonstration of improved banana production and commercialization was conducted in the Nyanghtom district of the South Omo Zone to enhance the livelihoods of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the area. One improved banana variety (Wiliyams-1) was used for the demonstration and planted on one hectare of land after training was given for purposively selected 25 trial pastoral agro-pastoral research and extension groups and 7 nontrial agro-pastorals from land preparation to harvesting. Relevant data through individual interviews and measurement of agronomic parameters were collected. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Likert scale measurement of agro-pastoral preference. Based on the results, the mean banana fruit produced was 28.4 ton ha–1 under agro-pastoral management and also agro-pastoral preference indicated that the variety Wiliyam-1 was the first choice of agro pastorals in all parameters except drought resistance. Cost-benefit analysis results indicated that the average net income obtained from banana production was 209,647 Ethiopian Birr ha–1. The cost-benefit ratio of 2.95:1 indicated that the benefit of production was nearly three times higher than the cost of production. However, agro-pastoral raised the frequent breakdown of water pumps, lack of operation and maintenance skills, and the high cost of fuel to operate generators and tractors were major bottlenecks to sustaining production. Therefore, strong efforts of respective stakeholders are needed to resolve irrigation water access problems for sustainable banana production and commercialization to ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of women and agro-pastorals.

Understanding tour operators’ perception and behaviour towards shopping streets: a qualitative perspective

PurposeThe importance of shopping streets has long been considered a critical aspect of urban tourism. However, limited exploration focuses on the supply side, especially from the tour operator’s (TO) perspective. This paper aims to investigate TOs’ perceptions and attitudes towards packaging Tuanku Abdul Rahman Street (TARS) as an urban shopping spot in Kuala Lumpur.Design/methodology/approachStudy data is gathered through qualitative in-depth interviews among 25 TO managers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The coding process was done manually, followed by qualitative data analysis using ATLAS.ti version 8 software.FindingsThe results show that the TOs regarded TARS as a must-visit shopping spot for international tourists. They argue that TARS’s competitiveness as a shopping street depends on the supporting infrastructure and safe environment, which are currently neglected by the relevant authorities and jeopardise the sustainability of TARS as a must-visit shopping street in the future.Practical implicationsThis study’s findings generate value-added information on the potential of shopping tourism and TARS as must-visit shopping streets in Malaysia. On the other hand, the TOs’ concern about the lack of supporting infrastructure and unsafe environment generates varying consequences and implications for the individual TOs, tourism policymakers and government-related authorities.Originality/valueThis study offers new insight for urban tourism policymakers, managers and entrepreneurs to capture the attributes of a vibrant shopping street. There is exclusive potential for local tourism operators to take greater responsibility in shopping tourism planning processes and management operations through trustworthy planning partnerships among respective tourism stakeholders related to the shopping street domain.

Waste management in primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia: a policy analysis

ABSTRACT Medical waste poses high risks to healthcare workers, patients, the environment, and public health. Governments have adopted measures and enacted policies to ensure proper medical waste management. Through a retrospective policy analysis, we analyzed the waste management policy for primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia. By adopting Walt and Gilson’s health policy analysis framework, we conducted a thematic analysis of documents to analyze the policy context, process, actors, and content. Contextual factors including accreditation, the Saudi Vision-2030 and the healthcare transformation plan contributed to the development of the policy. The policy was adapted from a regional policy that was enacted about 15 years ago. The policy content overlooked components relevant to the specific context of primary healthcare centers. Lack of training and cooperation among stakeholders challenged successful implementation and thus compliance with the policy. Respective stakeholders must take further actions to ensure implementation fidelity and sustainability of the policy.

Public Consultation in Kosovo

The primary aim of the paper is to explore whether the public consultation system in Kosovo enables respective stakeholders to contribute and protect their interests during the process of drafting government policies and legislation. Based on the analysis of Kosovo’s legal framework in place, and findings from the empirical research with CSOs, we can conclude that Kosovo has undertaken substantial legislative steps and introduced new tools and guidelines to improve the public consultation system at the central and municipal level of government. Therefore, from the legal point of view, minimum standards for the consultation process are established under Kosovo’s legal framework. Considering the role of civil society organisations and their influence on policymaking in Kosovo, particular attention has been paid to the CSOs’ perception of this issue. The analysis of a sample of documents and CSOs’ responses reveals concerns on whether stakeholders are enabled to contribute to the drafting of policies and legislation. A major issue of concern with regard to the effectiveness of the current consultation system in Kosovo is the low response rate from stakeholders as compared to the number of documents open to consultation. The study demonstrates a lack of clarity about how institutions select, invite and involve stakeholders, whether they select the appropriate stakeholders to participate in the drafting and consultation process, and whether sufficient information and feedback is provided to them about the individual consultations.