The total capacity of ambulances in metropolitan cities is often less than the post-disaster demand, especially in the case of disasters such as earthquakes. However, because…
Abstract
Purpose
The total capacity of ambulances in metropolitan cities is often less than the post-disaster demand, especially in the case of disasters such as earthquakes. However, because earthquakes are a rare occurrence in these cities, it is unreasonable to maintain the ambulance capacity at a higher level than usual. Therefore, the effective use of ambulances is critical in saving human lives during such disasters. Thus, this paper aims to provide a method for determining how to transport the maximum number of disaster victims to hospitals on time.
Design/methodology/approach
The transportation-related disaster management problem is complex and dynamic. The practical solution needs decomposition and a fast algorithm for determining the next mission of a vehicle. The suggested method is a synthesis of mathematical modeling, scheduling theory, heuristic methods and the Voronoi diagram of geometry. This study presents new elements for the treatment, including new mathematical theorems and algorithms. In the proposed method, each hospital is responsible for a region determined by the Voronoi diagram. The region may change if a hospital becomes full. The ambulance vehicles work for hospitals. For every patient, there is an estimated deadline by which the person must reach the hospital to survive. The second part of the concept is the way of scheduling the vehicles. The objective is to transport the maximum number of patients on time. In terms of scheduling theory, this is a problem whose objective function is to minimize the sum of the unit penalties.
Findings
The Voronoi diagram can be effectively used for decomposing the complex problem. The mathematical model of transportation to one hospital is the P‖ΣUj problem of scheduling theory. This study provides a new mathematical theorem to describe the structure of an algorithm that provides the optimal solution. This study introduces the notion of the partial oracle. This algorithmic tool helps to elaborate heuristic methods, which provide approximations to the precise method. The realization of the partial oracle with constructive elements and elements proves the nonexistence of any solution. This paper contains case studies of three hospitals in Tehran. The results are close to the best possible results that can be achieved. However, obtaining the optimal solution requires a long CPU time, even in the nondynamic case, because the problem P‖ΣUj is NP-complete.
Research limitations/implications
This research suggests good approximation because of the complexity of the problem. Researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. In addition, the problem in the dynamic environment needs more attention.
Practical implications
If a large-scale earthquake can be expected in a city, the city authorities should have a central control system of ambulances. This study presents a simple and efficient method for the post-disaster transport problem and decision-making. The security of the city can be improved by purchasing ambulances and using the proposed method to boost the effectiveness of post-disaster relief.
Social implications
The population will be safer and more secure if the recommended measures are realized. The measures are important for any city situated in a region where the outbreak of a major earthquake is possible at any moment.
Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to study the operations related to the transport of seriously injured people using emergency vehicles in the post-disaster period in an efficient way.
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This paper aims to take stock of current knowledge on chief executive officers (CEOs) speaking out on societal issues and to position the phenomenon with and against the relevant…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to take stock of current knowledge on chief executive officers (CEOs) speaking out on societal issues and to position the phenomenon with and against the relevant literature on CEO communication. Ultimately, the paper seeks to arrive at a better conceptual understanding of CEO advocates and activists from a communication science perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is conceptual and considers findings from the literature on personalization, reputation, issues and topic management.
Findings
The paper reflects media, receptive and strategic implications for CEO advocates and activists and derives four workable propositions. It lays the foundation for treating CEO advocacy and activism as a form of strategic topic management that harnesses personalization to address a new set of stakeholder demands.
Practical implications
The insights gained from this paper may help researchers and practitioners understand when CEOs should speak up, what to communicate and how. The human element behind this kind of communication echoes new expectations, demands and values from stakeholders, shareholders and society at large.
Social implications
Understanding the specific interdependencies between personalization, reputation, issues and topic management underlying CEO advocacy and activism can help to improve a CEO's relationship with stakeholders and guide the public discourse to actively bring about positive societal change.
Originality/value
The paper fills a gap by providing an understanding of advocate and activist CEOs from a communication science perspective. The insights from this paper can be used as a starting point for further research on this subject.
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This paper explores the historical roots of accounting for biodiversity and extinction accounting by analysing the 18th-century Naturalist's Journals of Gilbert White and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores the historical roots of accounting for biodiversity and extinction accounting by analysing the 18th-century Naturalist's Journals of Gilbert White and interpreting them as biodiversity accounts produced by an interested party. The authors aim to contribute to the accounting history literature by extending the form of accounting studied to include nature diaries as well as by exploring historical ecological accounts, as well as contributing to the burgeoning literature on accounting for biodiversity and extinction accounting.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors’ method involves analysing the content of Gilbert White's Naturalist's Journals by producing an 18th-century biodiversity account of species of flora and fauna and then interpretively drawing out themes from the Journals. The authors then provide a Whitean extinction account by comparing current species' status with White's biodiversity account from 250 years ago.
Findings
This paper uses Gilbert White's Naturalist's Journals as a basis for comparing biodiversity and natural capital 250 years ago with current species' status according to extinction threat and conservation status. Further the paper shows how early nature diary recording represents early (and probably the only) forms of accounting for biodiversity and extinction. The authors also highlight themes within White's accounts including social emancipation, problematisation, aesthetic elements and an example of an early audit of biodiversity accounting.
Research limitations/implications
There are limitations to analysing Gilbert White's Naturalist's Journals given that the only available source is an edited version. The authors therefore interpret their data as accounts which are indicative of biodiversity and species abundance rather than an exactly accurate account.
Practical implications
From the authors’ analysis and reflections, the authors suggest that contemporary biodiversity accounting needs to incorporate a combination of narrative, data accounting and pictorial/aesthetic representation if it is to provide a rich and accurate report of biodiversity and nature. The authors also suggest that extinction accounting should draw on historical data in order to demonstrate change in natural capital over time.
Social implications
Social implications include the understanding gleaned from the authors’ analysis of the role of Gilbert White as a nature diarist in society and the contribution made over time by his Journals and other writings to the development of nature accounting and recording, as well as to one’s understanding and knowledge of species of flora and fauna.
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge this is the first attempt to analyse and interpret nature diaries as accounts of biodiversity and extinction.