GUINEA: Repression of the political class may backfire
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-ES270786
ISSN: 2633-304X
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Geographic
Topical
Edgardo Molina, Alpha Diallo and Zhigang Zhu
The purpose of this paper is to propose a local orientation and navigation framework based on visual features that provide location recognition, context augmentation, and viewer…
Abstract
Propose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a local orientation and navigation framework based on visual features that provide location recognition, context augmentation, and viewer localization information to a blind or low‐vision user.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors consider three types of “visual noun” features: signage, visual‐text, and visual‐icons that are proposed as a low‐cost method for augmenting environments. These are used in combination with an RGB‐D sensor and a simplified SLAM algorithm to develop a framework for navigation assistance suitable for the blind and low‐vision users.
Findings
It was found that signage detection cannot only help a blind user to find a location, but can also be used to give accurate orientation and location information to guide the user navigating a complex environment. The combination of visual nouns for orientation and RGB‐D sensing for traversable path finding can be one of the cost‐effective solutions for navigation assistance for blind and low‐vision users.
Research limitations/implications
This is the first step for a new approach in self‐localization and local navigation of a blind user using both signs and 3D data. The approach is meant to be cost‐effective but it only works in man‐made scenes where a lot of signs exist or can be placed and are relatively permanent in their appearances and locations.
Social implications
Based on 2012 World Health Organization, 285 million people are visually impaired, of which 39 million are blind. This project will have a direct impact on this community.
Originality/value
Signage detection has been widely studied for assisting visually impaired people in finding locations, but this paper provides the first attempt to use visual nouns as visual features to accurately locate and orient a blind user. The combination of visual nouns with 3D data from an RGB‐D sensor is also new.
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Guinea's political impasse.
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB232205
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Despite the crackdown, FNDC-led protests are likely to intensify to try to disrupt the October 18 poll. However, Conde’s main concern is not the recurring protests, but rather…
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB256622
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Outlook for the mining sector in Guinea.
Lavagnon A. Ika, Amadou Diallo and Denis Thuillier
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the empirical relationship between project management (PM) efforts (the extent to which national project coordinators (NPCs) – the project…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the empirical relationship between project management (PM) efforts (the extent to which national project coordinators (NPCs) – the project managers in the aid industry sector – make use of available PM tools), project success, and success criteria.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected by way of questionnaires delivered by mail to 600 recipients in 26 different countries in Africa.
Findings
The research results suggest that project success is insensitive to the level of project planning efforts but a significant correlation does exist between the use of monitoring and evaluation tools and project “profile,” a success criterion which is an early pointer of project long‐term impact.
Research limitations/implications
This paper contributes to PM research by exploring the relationship between the use of PM tools and project success in the non‐traditional PM – although project oriented – aid industry sector. The paper highlights self‐perceptions of NPCs and should not be interpreted in other ways.
Practical implications
This paper highlights the importance of PM tools in practice. Further, it suggests that NPCs (who are in fact only involved in project execution) put a lot of effort into monitoring and evaluation. In so doing, they strive to ensure project performance and accountability throughout project lifecycle, and this contributes to project “profile.”
Originality/value
This is the first study that offers insights into the relationship between PM efforts and project success in the aid industry sector. The paper calls for further research on PM practices in the aid industry sector where projects remain important instruments for aid delivery.
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GUINEA: Opposition may have little room for manoeuvre
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-ES257427
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Somnoma Edouard Kaboré and Seydou Sané
The effects of opportunism have been examined before, but not in specific contexts dominated by a collectivist culture. Thus, this research aims to examine the influence of…
Abstract
Purpose
The effects of opportunism have been examined before, but not in specific contexts dominated by a collectivist culture. Thus, this research aims to examine the influence of opportunism on the success of International Development (ID) projects by incorporating a moderating factor – the collectivist dimension of national culture.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on a primary database collected by questionnaire from 76 ID project coordinators in Burkina Faso (West Africa). The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Method (PLS-SEM) was used to test our hypotheses.
Findings
Our results show that opportunism has a direct negative impact on the success of ID projects. Similarly, the collectivist cultural context is to be considered as an independent variable and not a moderating factor. Indeed, the collectivist cultural context has an important positive influence on the project success. Our results call for the implementation of governance mechanisms (especially relational) to prevent opportunistic behaviour.
Originality/value
Until now, the study of the role of culture in the relationship between opportunism and project success has been neglected. Syntheses of the scientific literature on this topic do not mention any studies that have explored the moderating role of collectivist culture on the relationship between opportunism and project success. This is, to our knowledge, the first study conducted in Africa to examine these relationships in the context of ID projects.
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GUINEA: Conde's re-election is most likely outcome
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-ES205918
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
GUINEA: Opposition divides complicate anti-Conde push