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Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 18 November 2024

David Gomez-Schwartz, Mauricio Castillo-Vergara, Oscar Contreras González and Cesar Espíndola Arellano

The prolonged drought in Chile’s Coquimbo region has created a permanent state of emergency, forcing the state to spend millions each year distributing drinking water to rural…

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Abstract

Purpose

The prolonged drought in Chile’s Coquimbo region has created a permanent state of emergency, forcing the state to spend millions each year distributing drinking water to rural communities. The purpose of this article is to detail a study focused on optimizing the supply of drinking water through trucks in the 15 communes of the region and how the problem was faced in a context of a slowonset disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

A geo-referenced census and optimization analysis of the 5.541 households that receive drinking water was conducted to determine the feasibility of removing trucks from the system. To generate a greater reduction in distribution costs, it was suggested to incorporate water distribution infrastructure projects, changing the concept of ‘expenses’ to ‘investment’.

Findings

The study was born out of the concern for the increased demand for drinking water from rural areas. The proposed and implemented framework allowed an additional 20% reduction in the initial transportation costs; this confirmed the assumption that the proposed optimization model alone would not offer a robust solution and was complemented and integrated with this type of alternative, forming an “integrated model”.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has implications for the resilience of territories affected by climate change.

Practical implications

The methodology can be replicated in other areas where similar interactions occur.

Social implications

Families impacted by drought can improve their quality of life and reduce distress in the face of the constant emergency.

Originality/value

This research aims to contribute knowledge from the perspective of a slow-onset disaster where water resources are scarce. It presents a framework where two disciplines converge, resulting in an “integrated model” that, through its implementation, reduces the costs of resource delivery while simultaneously improving the sanitary conditions of the beneficiary families.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 31 January 2025

Oscar Espinoza, Catalina Miranda, Noel McGinn, Bruno Corradi, Luis Sandoval and Luis González

This study seeks to assess the impact of three factors related to graduates’ situation in the labor market on their satisfaction with university education. The dimensions are: (1…

8

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to assess the impact of three factors related to graduates’ situation in the labor market on their satisfaction with university education. The dimensions are: (1) the gender of the graduates; (2) the institutional features of the institution attended, such as the selectivity of the university, and (3) the work experiences of young graduates once employed.

Design/methodology/approach

Responses from a sample of 718 graduates from 11 Chilean universities surveyed in 2021 were used to estimate the association between sociodemographic and institutional characteristics and satisfaction. The data analysis was carried out in two steps. First, nonlinear principal component analysis (PCA) assessed the variance shared by the three ordinal variables measuring satisfaction. In the second step, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis assessed the relative contribution of the independent variables to scores on the satisfaction variable.

Findings

The main results emphasize the relevance of two main influences on satisfaction with their university education. These were the selectivity of the university and the graduates’ experiences in the labor market. Graduates from the most selective universities tend to show a higher level of satisfaction with their university education. Satisfaction is also highest among those graduates who rapidly entered the workforce and secured employment closely aligned with their degree.

Originality/value

This is the first study in Chile on the satisfaction of graduates conducted in a representative number of universities.

Details

Education + Training, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 February 2025

Mahesh Babu Purushothaman, Funmilayo Ebun Rotimi, Samadhi Samarasekara and Ali GhaffarianHoseini

This paper aims to highlight the factors affecting health and safety (H&S) and the SMART Technologies (ST) used to mitigate them in the construction industry through a range of…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the factors affecting health and safety (H&S) and the SMART Technologies (ST) used to mitigate them in the construction industry through a range of selected papers to encourage readers and potential audiences to consider the need for intelligent technologies to minimize the risks of injuries, illnesses and severe harm in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a double systematic literature review (SLR) to analyse studies investigating the factors affecting H&S and the ST in the construction industry using databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct and Emerald Insight publication.

Findings

The SLR identified “fatal or focus five factors” that include objects Fall from heights (FFH) and trapped between objects; Falls, Trips and slips (FTS); Machinery/Equipment Malfunction and Moving Equipment; Pollutants: Chemicals, Airborne Dust, Asbestos; and Electrocution. The ST includes Safety Boots/SMART Glasses/SMART Helmet/SMART Vests/SMART PPE/SMART Watch, Mobile Apps, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Wearable Technology/Mobile Sensors help mitigate the risk posed by “Fatal five”. However, other factors within the scope of ST, such as Weather Conditions, Vibrations, Violence, Disease and illness, Fire and Explosion and Over Exertion, are yet to be adopted in the field.

Research limitations/implications

SLR methodology limitations of not obtaining the most updated field knowledge are critical and are offset by choosing 72% of H&S and 92% of SM review literature post-2017. Limitations to capturing articles because of the restriction of database access: only English language search and journals that are not a part of the databases selected are acknowledged. However, key database search that recognizes rigorous peer-reviewed articles offset these limitations. The researcher’s Bias is acknowledged.

Practical implications

This paper unravels the construction H&S factors and their interlinks with ST, which would aid industry understanding and focus on mitigating associated risks. The paper highlights the Fatal five and trivial 15, which would help better understand the causes of the H&S risks. Further, the paper discusses ST’s connectivity, which would aid the organization’s overall H&S management. The practical and theoretical implications include a better understanding of all factors that affect H&S and ST available to help mitigate concerns. The operating managers could use the ST to reduce H&S risks at every construction process stage. This paper on H&S and ST and relationships can theorize that the construction industry is more likely to identify clear root causes of H&S and ST usage than previously. The theoretical implications include enhanced understanding for academics on H&S factors, ST and gaps in ST concerning H&S, which can be expanded to provide new insights into existing knowledge.

Originality/value

This paper highlights all factors affecting H&S and ST that help mitigate associated risks and identifies the “Fatal five” factors. The paper is the first to highlight the factors affecting H&S combined with ST in use and their interactions. The paper also identified factors within the ST scope that are yet to be explored.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

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