Venkatesh Kodur, Puneet Kumar and Muhammad Masood Rafi
The current fire protection measures in buildings do not account for all contemporary fire hazard issues, which has made fire safety a growing concern. Therefore, this paper aims…
Abstract
Purpose
The current fire protection measures in buildings do not account for all contemporary fire hazard issues, which has made fire safety a growing concern. Therefore, this paper aims to present a critical review of current fire protection measures and their applicability to address current challenges relating to fire hazards in buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
To overcome fire hazards in buildings, impact of fire hazards is also reviewed to set the context for fire protection measures. Based on the review, an integrated framework for mitigation of fire hazards is proposed. The proposed framework involves enhancement of fire safety in four key areas: fire protection features in buildings, regulation and enforcement, consumer awareness and technology and resources advancement. Detailed strategies on improving fire safety in buildings in these four key areas are presented, and future research and training needs are identified.
Findings
Current fire protection measures lead to an unquantified level of fire safety in buildings, provide minimal strategies to mitigate fire hazard and do not account for contemporary fire hazard issues. Implementing key measures that include reliable fire protection systems, proper regulation and enforcement of building code provisions, enhancement of public awareness and proper use of technology and resources is key to mitigating fire hazard in buildings. Major research and training required to improve fire safety in buildings include developing cost-effective fire suppression systems and rational fire design approaches, characterizing new materials and developing performance-based codes.
Practical implications
The proposed framework encompasses both prevention and management of fire hazard. To demonstrate the applicability of this framework in improving fire safety in buildings, major limitations of current fire protection measures are identified, and detailed strategies are provided to address these limitations using proposed fire safety framework.
Social implications
Fire represents a severe hazard in both developing and developed countries and poses significant threat to life, structure, property and environment. The proposed framework has social implications as it addresses some of the current challenges relating to fire hazard in buildings and will enhance overall fire safety.
Originality/value
The novelty of proposed framework lies in encompassing both prevention and management of fire hazard. This is unlike current fire safety improvement strategies, which focus only on improving fire protection features in buildings (i.e. managing impact of fire hazard) using performance-based codes. To demonstrate the applicability of this framework in improving fire safety in buildings, major limitations of current fire protection measures are identified and detailed strategies are provided to address these limitations using proposed fire safety framework. Special emphasis is given to cost-effectiveness of proposed strategies, and research and training needs for further enhancing building fire safety are identified.
Details
Keywords
Hajira Birungi, Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, Ahmed Kitunzi Mutunzi and Yusuf Kiwaala
The purpose of this paper was to determine which entrepreneurial ecosystem pillars matter most in enhancing the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Uganda.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to determine which entrepreneurial ecosystem pillars matter most in enhancing the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Uganda.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive cross-sectional survey of 310 SMEs in manufacturing sector were sampled. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed because of the population’s homogenous characteristics. Data was collected using a Self-Administered Questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS version 23.
Findings
The results indicate both institutional arrangements and resource endowments significantly influence performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector of Uganda. However, institutional arrangements have a stronger predictive power on performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Uganda as compared to resource endowments.
Research limitations/implications
The data was cross-sectional in nature thus limiting monitoring changes in the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector over a long period of time. Besides, the study concentrated on SMEs in the manufacturing sector which is just subset of the industrial sector leaving other sectors like trade and services.
Originality/value
An empirical study on entrepreneurial ecosystem pillars in a strategic and important sector – SMEs manufacturing sector, at a micro-level, and being done in Uganda is a contribution to existing literature. This is because, most entrepreneurial ecosystem studies are largely conceptual and are normally done at macro and meso-levels targeting SMEs generally and mostly in developed countries which have completely different business environment compared with developing countries.
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Shakir Ullah, Usman Khan, Abida Begum, Heesup Han and Abdullah Mohamed
This paper explores the indigenous climate knowledge (ICK) of the Gwadar fishing community in Pakistan. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the accuracy of ICK and how…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores the indigenous climate knowledge (ICK) of the Gwadar fishing community in Pakistan. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the accuracy of ICK and how climatic change brings changes to it and the social lives of local fishers.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative research methods, including participant observation, in-depth interviews and oral histories, were used to collect the data.
Findings
Finding from this long fieldwork shows that this fishing community has a harmonious relationship with nature and local ecology. Their knowledge of local ecology enables them to have equal access to natural resources, sustainable resource management, disaster risk reduction and strong social organization on the coast of Gwadar. Recently their deep relationship with local ecology and sociocultural organization has been disturbed due to huge climate changes caused by human manipulation of the environment. Their ability to foresee climatic events has been reduced. They are finding it impossible to estimate fish availability due to massive climate changes. Local communities are losing their traditional livelihoods and socioeconomic autonomy as a result of growing climate change. Climatic change adds to the existing poverty situation and increases political instability in the region.
Practical implications
The study suggests using the fishermen’s valuable indigenous knowledge of local ecology, climate and its ties to local traditions, culture and resource management for a scientific understanding of climate change and marine resource management in Gwadar, Pakistan.
Originality/value
This is an ethnographic study based on a long term field work. Fishing community is passing through catastrophic climatic changes in the region. This community has been ignored by both government and researchers to record their problems and bring them to academia and media. Therefore, this study will help them raise their voices.