Anto Arockia Rosaline R., Lalitha R., Hariharan G. and Lokesh N.
Because of the outbreak of Covid 19, the entire world is thinking of new strategies, preventive measures to safeguard the human life from the widespread of the pandemic. The areas…
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the outbreak of Covid 19, the entire world is thinking of new strategies, preventive measures to safeguard the human life from the widespread of the pandemic. The areas where people are affected are marked as containment zones and people are not allowed to exit out of those areas. Similarly, new people are not allowed to enter inside those areas. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology to track the Covid zones, to enhance and tighten the security measures. A geo-fence is created for the containment zone. The person who enters or exits out of that particular zone will be monitored and alert message will be sent to that person’s mobile.
Design/methodology/approach
After tracking the location of a suspicious individual, the geo-fenced layer is mapped in the area and then the virtual perimeter is used for further trapping process. This geo-fenced layer can be viewed by the citizens as soon as it is updated by the Covid monitoring team. The geo-fencing is a concept of building a virtual perimeter area. This virtual perimeter monitoring system helps in monitoring the containment zones effectively. It reduces operational costs by using an automated system based on wireless infrastructure. It also alerts the authorities immediately to catch the violators. Thus, it helps to speed up the process of inspecting the containment zones and monitoring the individuals who violate the rules given by government.
Findings
The proposed methodologies will be an effective way to track the Covid’s communal spread. But the workflow of the system demands the required data sets and permission in legal manner to set up the environment that maintains the constitutional law and order in practice. The application developed was a prototype to display how it works if the required data sets are provided by the government. There are several tracking models that are released across the world such as Aarogya setu (India), Trace together (Singapore) and Hagmen (Israel). All these models are based on Bluetooth proximity identification; though Bluetooth proximity identification is helpful for high range in a short distance, the privacy concern is debatable one. Using modern technology, it is so easy to crack the individual gadgets and with Bluetooth enabling it makes things even worse. Thus, it is important to maintain the tracking a safer and secure one, and another issue with those Bluetooth-based applications is that tracking can be done only if the user enabled the Bluetooth option, if not the entire functioning would become a mess. The proposed methodology of tracking without Bluetooth will ensure data security also.
Originality/value
This was developed as a project by our third-year students of the Department of Information Technology of our college.
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Improper waste management has been a serious issue in many countries, thus, home composting is considered as an effective method in solid waste management (SWM). Based on…
Abstract
Purpose
Improper waste management has been a serious issue in many countries, thus, home composting is considered as an effective method in solid waste management (SWM). Based on qualitative research methods, this study explores peoples' motives to choose composting and main problems confronted by them in home composting in Kaduwela and Moratuwa municipalities in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and proposes policy measures to improve home compositing.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was mainly based on qualitative research methods. A convenient sample of 40 households including 20 households from each municipal council (MC) has been selected using semi-structured interviews. Descriptive methods were used to analyze the data.
Findings
Citizens have chosen to compost mainly, for gardening, the influence of local authorities, economic benefits and environmental and health concerns. Fear of potential health problems, lack of resources, problems caused by animals, problems related to compost bins, limited knowledge and awareness about composting are difficulties encountered during home composting. Providing compost bins to people at a concessionary price or for free of charge, providing required facilities and financial assistance, promoting people's positive attitudes and awareness, encouraging the use of compost in households, improving the standard of composting and making relevant legal and institutional arrangements to promote people's participation in home composting are suggested for encouraging home composting.
Research limitations/implications
This study used a small sample, which is the main limitation of this study.
Practical implications
The policy implication will help to improve composting solid waste practices of the Local Governments.
Originality/value
There is a lack of research on composting related to the selected municipalities. As composting is an effective method in SWM, the findings and the proposed policy measures of this study will help to improve the SWM of the Local Governments of Sri Lanka.
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I.M.S. Weerasinghe and R. Lalitha S. Fernando
The purpose of this paper is to explore the impacts of university facilities on student satisfaction at regional state universities in Sri Lanka.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the impacts of university facilities on student satisfaction at regional state universities in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to accomplish the proposed object quantitative research design was used. All undergraduates at four selected regional state universities, namely, Universities of Ruhuna, Rajarata, Wayamba, and Sabaragamuwa, were the population of the study, in which 650 undergraduates were selected as the sample using the stratified sampling technique. The researcher administrated close-ended questionnaire, which consisted of two parts and 31 items, was used for data collection. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, and a confirmatory factor analysis was applied to ensure the discriminant and convergent validities of the model. Correlation and regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The factors identified as the ones that most strongly influence student overall satisfaction were the lecture room facilities, library facilities, accommodation facilities, employment facilities and entertainment facilities at regional state universities. However, computer facilities did not significantly influence student satisfaction in Sri Lankan context.
Originality/value
This is the first study which comprehensively investigates the impact of university facilities on student satisfaction at regional level state universities in Sri Lanka.
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R. Lalitha S. Fernando, Manjitha Kavindi Siriwardhana, E. Achini Indrachapa Kularathna and H. D. M. Kaushalya Geethamali
The occurrences of disasters have become a common phenomenon in the world and there is evidence that the frequency and intensity of disasters are increasing. There have been more…
Abstract
The occurrences of disasters have become a common phenomenon in the world and there is evidence that the frequency and intensity of disasters are increasing. There have been more than 7,000 disaster events and around 265 million displacements in the period from 2008 to 2018, which constitutes more than three times of conflict and violence-related displacements (Disaster Displacement – A global review, 2019). Natural disasters are responsible for nearly 60,000 deaths per year on average and are responsible for 0.1% of global deaths. Various forms of natural disasters pose significant threats to lives, livelihoods, economic development, and ecological diversity around the world. Similar to the world scenario, Sri Lanka has a similar situation. Sri Lanka has been identified as a drought hot spot. Nearly, 15,000 people per million are at risk of disaster-induced displacement every year in Sri Lanka. During the Tsunami, in 2004, 31,000 human lives were lost, and more than a million people were displaced. Thus, natural disasters cause a huge negative impact on society and the economy in Sri Lanka. In this context, the main objectives of this study are to overview the disasters and displacements that have occurred during the last two decades and to explore the livelihood activities of the affected people and their best practices of disaster resilience. Secondary data were used to overview the disasters and displacements of the last two decades and the related policy framework of the country. Primary data were used to identify livelihood activities and disaster-resilient strategies of the affected people. In-depth interviews were conducted with an unstructured questionnaire from 15 recovered families who have been affected by Tsunami and landslides that occurred in the country. The purposive sampling method was used to select families from the most disaster-affected areas. Descriptive methods were used to analyze the data. The study revealed five recovery strategies followed by displaced people from tsunamis and landslides. Those are continuing with the previous livelihood activities as much as possible, moving to different livelihood activities, moving to different areas to find better jobs, attaining external assistance, and self-management on household finance. Finally, policy guidelines for building resilience in communities that will help to enhance their capacity to cope and recover from vulnerability are proposed in improving their lives.
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Ruchika Jain, Neena Seth, Kiran Sood and Simon Grima
Blockchain technology was once only associated with the financial industry, but it is now being used in a variety of industries, including education. Researchers all over the…
Abstract
Blockchain technology was once only associated with the financial industry, but it is now being used in a variety of industries, including education. Researchers all over the world take a keen interest in studying the various applications of blockchain technology for the last 4–5 years. The current study is a review of previously published studies on blockchain technology’s applicability in the sector of education. The systematic review was used to conduct the qualitative analysis using the PRISMA Framework (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis). For this comprehensive literature review analysis, 99 publications were chosen in the final stage of selection. Bibliometric analysis is employed to analyse the collected data. Authorship analysis, co-authorship analysis, keyword co-occurrences, and important applications of blockchain in education are the primary parts in which the literature’s findings are organised. Important directions are given for researchers and academicians involved in blockchain-related research who may use the bibliometric analysis of the present study as a reference.
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World economies including India have been moving toward recession. To combat this recession more employment generation through investment is required in a highly populated economy…
Abstract
World economies including India have been moving toward recession. To combat this recession more employment generation through investment is required in a highly populated economy like India. Since unorganized manufacturing enterprises (UMEs) provide employment to a huge mass in India, therefore its growth and productivity is a matter of concern in the Indian economy. The present study analyzes the growth and productivity of UMEs on the basis of the latest two rounds of NSSO unit level data incorporating all states and union territories (UTs) of India. It reveals that the growth of UMEs, employment, gross value added (GVA) and fixed assets widely varied across states/UTs, and these growth rates were substantially high in a number of states during 2010–11 and 2015–16. In most of the states/UTs the labor productivity of UMEs has increased significantly but not the capital productivity. Our analysis supports the theoretical relationship among growth of employment, GVA, and labor productivity. Therefore, the government has to make deliberate attempts to increase the growth of UMEs on one side and raise productivities of UMEs through skill developments on the other side to overcome the problem of unemployment in particular and expedite the growth of the Indian economy in general to combat the global economic recession.
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Kanchan Datta and Jannatul Firdous
In the era of globalization, we have large market. Here, each one has to offer something for its survival or sustenance. Now, to capture the market of any product, the customer's…
Abstract
In the era of globalization, we have large market. Here, each one has to offer something for its survival or sustenance. Now, to capture the market of any product, the customer's satisfaction is essential. Government supported higher education institutions or the knowledge providing sectors day by day facing challenges both from nation's private institutions and global academic institutions. Students satisfaction obtained from the outcome or services provided by the institution is essential for its sustenance. Given that education is an experienced good, its efficacy can be measured by evaluating its effect on users, that is, students. Under these circumstances, it becomes very important to measure the level of satisfaction from the angle of the students of higher education institutions specially financed by government. An attempt has been taken in this chapter to measure students' satisfaction in master's level students of the University of North Bengal. This study is completely based on primary data collected from the structured questionnaire. Logistic regression model is used in this study as methodology.
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This study aims to investigate the aspects of perceived quality differences that influence student satisfaction when the mode of learning is changed from the traditional classroom…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the aspects of perceived quality differences that influence student satisfaction when the mode of learning is changed from the traditional classroom to online distance learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used an online survey for data collection by distributing online questionnaires to students at a private university in Indonesia. Convenience sampling was applied as the sample method. A total of 253 valid questionnaires were acquired, and all items were recorded on the seven-point comparative scale. Exploratory factor analysis was adopted to identify the dimensions of perceived quality. Then, multiple regression analysis was used to examine the impacts of these dimensions on student satisfaction.
Findings
Four dimensions of perceived quality differences were identified, namely, the perceived quality of the campus facilities, learning process, teaching staff and administrative staff. Regression analysis results proved that the perceived differences in the quality dimensions between the traditional classroom and online distance learning had positive and significant effects on student satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
As a result of using a convenient sample, this study exhibited a limited sample and context. Therefore, the generalizability of these findings is limited. Future research can use a stratified sample with more diverse categories of respondents.
Practical implications
The findings of this study will help universities that plan to change the mode of learning from traditional classroom to online distance learning. Higher education institutions can gain a deep understanding of these perceived quality attributes that have significant impacts on student satisfaction.
Originality/value
To the author’s best knowledge, this study is the first to address the effect of changing modes of learning from traditional classroom to online distance learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic on student satisfaction in the Indonesian context.