Md. Shamim Hossen, AKM Mahmudul Haque, Imran Hossain, Md. Nuruzzaman Haque and Md. Kamal Hossain
Despite city authorities in Bangladesh being concerned about urban sustainability, they often face difficulties in addressing predominant urban challenges threatening urban…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite city authorities in Bangladesh being concerned about urban sustainability, they often face difficulties in addressing predominant urban challenges threatening urban sustainability, due to limited relevant literature. To reduce this gap, this study aims to address the predominant urban challenges and assess their severity levels in four city corporations of Bangladesh, e.g. Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barishal, and Gazipur.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a mixed-method approach, this study rigorously analyzed field-level data obtained from 1,200 residents across selected cities using diverse statistical techniques. The quantitative analysis included descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and chi-square tests, whereas qualitative insights were derived through thematic analysis.
Findings
The study uncovered nine predominant urban challenges under two crucial factors “Feeble Urban Management” and “Illicit Activities” that collectively explain 62.20% variance. “Feeble Urban Management” explains 44.17% variance, whereas “Illicit Activities” accounts for 18.13%. Within these challenges, uncontrolled urban sprawl, inadequate disaster management, congested roads, and shabby drainage and waste management pose significant threats to urban sustainability. Illicit activities, manifested by encroachment on water sources, grabbing roadside, destruction of natural properties, and activities undermining social security, compound the urban sustainability issue. Severity analysis reveals Sylhet (54.5%), Rajshahi (46.4%), and Barishal (31.2%) as highly impacted, whereas Gazipur exhibits moderate severity (66.7%).
Originality/value
The findings of this study reveal intrinsic insights into urban challenges in Bangladesh that will provide valuable guidance to city authorities, equipping them to implement integrated and effective initiatives and programs that overcome these predominant urban challenges, with a specific focus on Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Barishal city corporations.
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Md Reiazul Haque, Saiful Islam, Sourav Paul Chowdhury, Md. Alamgir Hossain and Md Ziaul Hassan
This study aims to investigate the potential link between prior-year banking performance and a change in the number of board of directors’ meetings in the current year and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the potential link between prior-year banking performance and a change in the number of board of directors’ meetings in the current year and understand how changes in board meetings might impact subsequent bank performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample is drawn from 42 banks in Bangladesh from 2011 to 2019, and the data are analyzed using multivariate regressions. Potential endogeneity concerns are addressed using the entropy balance matching approach.
Findings
This study presents two key findings: first, the change in the number of board meetings in a year is influenced by bank performance in the last year, where poor performance leads to more meetings, and second, an increase in the number of board meetings contributes to enhanced bank performance.
Originality/value
This is one of the few studies to explore the reasons behind changes in the board of directors’ meeting behavior and whether such changes benefit banks. The results highlight that a decline in bank performance prompts the board to meet more often, and this proactive response helps banks overcome the poor performance problem. Thus, this study underscores the significance of the board’s adaptive behavior in tailoring the number of meetings according to the bank’s specific circumstances.
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Md. Nazmul Haque, Mustafa Saroar, Md. Abdul Fattah and Syed Riad Morshed
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. PPP has been an important instrument to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs…
Abstract
Purpose
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. PPP has been an important instrument to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level. However, the role of PPP at the subnational level is often scarcely studied. Using Khulna city of Bangladesh as a case, this paper aims to assess the role of PPP projects in the attainment of SDGs.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was conducted in the Central Business District (CBD) of Khulna, on a total of 4.6 kilometers stretches of road medians in the CBD where landscaping was done through the PPP approach. Besides the collection of secondary data from official records, primary data were collected through site visits, field surveys and interviews of PPP project partners.
Findings
The result shows that 89 percent of the respondents (road users) were pleased with the landscaping done on the road medians. Similarly, about 86 percent of the respondents felt more comfortable and safer to use the roads. Well-maintained road medians allow road-crossing at a regular interval which reduces the chance of an accident. The private parties have installed promotional billboards on the road medians and saved BDT 10.82 million a year. The public authority saves the maintenance budget amounting to BDT 23 million a year. The project achieves a triple-win situation. Despite some limitations, this PPP project has taken Khulna a step forward to achieve SDGs.
Originality/value
The findings have policy implications as the PPP project has enhanced the resilience of Khulna by addressing the relevant SDGs.
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Marwa Mohammad Masood and Md. Mahmudul Haque
Critical digital pedagogy (CDP) is an emerging field in education. The basic tenet of CDP involves taking learners' experiences into account and engaging them in critical thinking…
Abstract
Purpose
Critical digital pedagogy (CDP) is an emerging field in education. The basic tenet of CDP involves taking learners' experiences into account and engaging them in critical thinking about social oppression. With the outbreak of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, CDP has got more currency and appropriacy in the current paradigm shift in learning and teaching.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper scrutinizes different aspects of CDP including its origins, theoretical underpinnings and its implementation in different contexts. It also critically reviews Freire's (1972) problem-posing education and Morris and Stommel's (2017) model of CDP.
Findings
The article proposes a CDP model based on the previous ones, which includes the core concepts and criteria of CDP and focuses on EFL classrooms.
Research limitations/implications
One of the limitations of CDP is gaining the learners' approval in creating an environment of co-constructing knowledge moving away from traditional practices. In addition to that, the use of new media in the classroom can be intimidating for students and stakeholders alike. The lack of logistic support in many rural, remote and underdeveloped contexts cannot be ignored either
Practical implications
The paper provides recommendations for future research in CDP.
Originality/value
Critical pedagogy (CP) is a teaching approach in which the oppressed are basically focused and teachers and learners construct knowledge together. Recently, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, global education had to go online. Consequently, traditional teaching and learning had to undergo a paradigm shift. Along with other changes in traditional teaching and learning practices, there has been a significant change in teaching philosophy. This is how the CDP finds its currency in this emerging unprecedented teaching and learning situation.
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Md. Abdul Fattah, Syed Riad Morshed, Gitisree Biswas, Md. Nazmul Haque, Saifullah Bin Ansar, Md. Mojammel Hoque, Fahmida Yeasmin Sami and Asma Amin Rimi
Khan Jahan Ali (KJA) Bridge was constructed to promote industrial and commercial activity and improve economic and employment activity for local people. This study assessed the…
Abstract
Purpose
Khan Jahan Ali (KJA) Bridge was constructed to promote industrial and commercial activity and improve economic and employment activity for local people. This study assessed the post-socioeconomic and environmental impacts of KJA Bridge on the inhabitants living adjacent to 2 Km from the bridge. As there is a slum adjacent to the bridge, the bridge has impacted much on the improvement of the social economic condition and lifestyle of the slum people.
Design/methodology/approach
The study approached a questionnaire-based field survey data collection through interviewing the people in the surrounding areas. To assess the environmental impacts, land cover change (LCC), carbon emissions and land surface temperature (LST) data were derived from Landsat images and processed in geospatial environment.
Findings
The study suggests that after bridge construction, 84% people have new jobs and about 87% people's income level has been increased. As a tourist spot, the bridge served employment opportunities for the 12% of the inhabitants. About 83% house structures have been improved, where the percentages of pucca and semi-pucca houses increased by 11% and 23%, respectively. The frequency of school-going children and literacy rate also increased. Despite all the socioeconomic development, 7.48% agricultural, 9.75% vegetation, 1.74% waterbodies were declined. Net carbon emissions increased to 13,432.39 tons from 3,323.46 tons; average LST increased from 25.750 to 32.550°C after the bridge construction.
Originality/value
This study focused on descriptive statistical analysis and portrayed the impact of the bridge on social, economic and environment from a micro point of view.
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Md. Rabiul Awal, Md. Shakhawat Hossain, Tahmina Akter Arzin, Md. Imran Sheikh and Md. Enamul Haque
Online shopping around the world is growing exponentially, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine how an online customer's purchasing experience…
Abstract
Purpose
Online shopping around the world is growing exponentially, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine how an online customer's purchasing experience influences his/her buying intention and willingness to believe in fraud news, as well as the ripple impact of satisfaction and trust, with gender as a moderator in an emerging economy during COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the underpinning of the stimulus-organism-behavior-consequence (SOBC) theory, the research model was developed, and collected data from 259 respondents using convenience samples technique. Next, the data were analyzed using partial least squares-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and Hayes Process Macro.
Findings
The study results confirmed that the online shopping experience (OSE) has positive impact on customers' satisfaction (CS), purchase intention (PI) and customer trust (CT); CS has positive effects on trust toward online shopping and their future product PI; future product PI significantly affects customers' propensity to believe and act on fraud news (PBAFN). The finding also states that gender moderates the relationships of CS to PI, OSE to PI and PI to PBAFN, but doesn't moderate the CT to PI relationship.
Originality/value
The study findings will assist policymakers and online vendors to win customers' hearts and minds' through confirming satisfaction, trust and a negative attitude toward fake news, which will lead to customer loyalty and the sustainable development of the industry. Finally, the limitations and future research directions are discussed.
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Md. Nazmul Haque, Mustafa Saroar, Md. Abdul Fattah, Syed Riad Morshed and Nuzhat Fatema
This paper aims to assess the progress in the provision of basic services in urban slums in Bangladesh during the transition period of millennium development goals (MDGs) to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to assess the progress in the provision of basic services in urban slums in Bangladesh during the transition period of millennium development goals (MDGs) to sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a mixed method of research. The empirical part of the research was conducted in three Blocks of Rupsha slum in Khulna city. Randomly selected 120 households were interviewed through a structured questionnaire; three focus group discussion sessions (FGDs) were also conducted. Progress in the slum residents’ access to basic services during the transition from MDGs to SDGs is tacked based on primary data. The User Satisfaction Index (USI) and Network Analysis tools in ArcGIS are used to identify the gaps in service provision.
Findings
Findings show that a very significant proportion of families (56.67%) encounter an acute level of difficulties to gain smooth access to water services. About 89% of respondents have only access to a common or shared toilet facility where one common toilet is used by 20–25 persons. About 31% of families are unable to send their children to primary school even after four years of the adoption of SDGs. Achievements in most indicators of basic services in the slum are in general lower than the national level. Moreover, there exists spatial variability within the same slum. After four years of the transition from MDGs to SDGs, most of the services are poorly satisfying the residents of the Rupsha slum, and water service provision is in worse condition. The findings of this study have unveiled that while achievement in target areas is appreciable at the macro level, at the micro-level; however, good achievement in the provision of few basic services in the low-income settlement is more rhetoric than reality. Therefore, a lot more work needs to be done during the SDG phase to give the slum residents a decent quality of life as they have missed the MDGs’ train.
Originality/value
Study single-out works need to be done during the SDGs phase to give the slum residents a decent quality of life as they have missed the MDGs’ train.
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Md. Jahir Uddin, Md. Nymur Rahman Niloy, Md. Nazmul Haque and Md. Atik Fayshal
This study aims to determine shoreline change statistics and net erosion and accretion, along the Kuakata Coast, a magnificent sea beach on Bangladesh’s southernmost point.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine shoreline change statistics and net erosion and accretion, along the Kuakata Coast, a magnificent sea beach on Bangladesh’s southernmost point.
Design/methodology/approach
The research follows a three stages way to achieve the target. First, this study has used the geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) to detect the temporal observation of shoreline change from the year 1991 to 2021 through satellite data. Then, the digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS) has also been explored. What is more, a prediction has been done for 2041 on shoreline shifting scenario. The shoreline displacement measurement was primarily separated into three analytical zones. Several statistical parameters, including Net Shoreline Movement (NSM), Shoreline Change Envelope (SCE), End Point Rate (EPR) and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) were calculated in the DSAS to quantify the rates of coastline movement with regard to erosion and deposition.
Findings
EPR and LRR techniques revealed that the coastline is undergoing a shift of landward (erosion) by a median rate of 3.15 m/yr and 3.17 m/yr, respectively, from 1991 to 2021, 2.85 km2 of land was lost. Naval and climatic influences are the key reasons for this variation. This study identifies the locations of a significantly eroded zone in Kuakata from 1991 to 2021. It highlights the places that require special consideration while creating a zoning plan or other structural design.
Originality/value
This research demonstrates the spatio-temporal pattern of the shoreline location of the Kuakata beach, which would be advantageous for the region’s shore management and planning due to the impacts on the fishing industry, recreation and resource extraction. Moreover, the present research will be supportive of shoreline vulnerability. Hence, this study will suggest to the local coastal managers and decision-makers for particularizing the coastal management plans in Kuakata coast zone.
Details
Keywords
Mustafizur Rahman, Md. Enjamamul Haque Emon, Mehedi Hasan Antor, Sifat Ajmeer Haque and Subrata Talapatra
The purpose of the research is to recognize and rank the barriers preventing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) adoption in Bangladesh’s food and beverage industries. It aims to highlight the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the research is to recognize and rank the barriers preventing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) adoption in Bangladesh’s food and beverage industries. It aims to highlight the major difficulties the sector is currently facing and offer a hierarchical framework for evaluating these barriers.
Design/methodology/approach
An exhaustive literature review was conducted along with expert interviews with academics and industry professionals to identify and assess the barriers. The interpretive structural modeling and Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement (ISM-MICMAC) approach was used to classify the identified barriers based on driving and dependent power and understand the interrelationships among them.
Findings
A total of 20 barriers to I4.0 adoption in the food and beverage sector of Bangladesh were identified. The top tier of significant barriers includes “Financial constraints,” “Lack of management support,” “Lack of research and development team,” “Lack of adequate skills in the workforce,” “Lack of digital strategy alongside resource scarcity” and “Employee resistance to change.”.
Practical implications
The created hierarchical framework offers a useful tool for dealing with the noted barriers and assisting with the successful adoption of I4.0 in the food and beverage sector. Businesses can overcome financial constraints by allocating enough resources and obtaining management support. By creating a focused research and development team and giving the workforce the necessary training, the lack of knowledge and skills can be overcome. By developing a thorough digital strategy and making sure that the necessary resources are available, resource scarcity can be overcome. Furthermore, effective change management methods can support the adoption of I4.0 technologies by overcoming employee resistance to change.
Originality/value
By concentrating specifically on the difficulties encountered by the food and beverage industries in Bangladesh as it attempts to adopt I4.0, this study contributes to the body of existing literature. The study’s originality lies in its thorough analysis of barriers and the use of the ISM-MICMAC approach to comprehend how these barriers interact with one another.
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The recent Covid-19 crisis has exposed the limitations of inventory leanness (i.e. keeping fewer inventories than expected), leading its followers to question whether it is the…
Abstract
Purpose
The recent Covid-19 crisis has exposed the limitations of inventory leanness (i.e. keeping fewer inventories than expected), leading its followers to question whether it is the end of inventory leanness. This study aims to answer that question from a financial perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
This study considers 2019, 2020 and 2021 as the pre-, during- and post-Covid periods, respectively, and compares the financial performance and risks of firms that followed a lean inventory strategy (lean firms) to those that do not (non-lean firms). The sample is drawn from manufacturing firms in the USA, and the data are analyzed using univariate tools (such as a t-test) and multivariate regressions.
Findings
The results show that the financial performance of lean firms was better than that of non-lean firms under normal operating conditions in 2019, which continued to sustain during the crisis and post-crisis operating conditions in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Lean firms were also less risky than non-lean firms, except for in 2020, where they were equally risky.
Practical implications
A financial perspective suggests that managers of lean firms who might be thinking of changing over to a non-lean or more conservative strategy in the post-Covid era in relation to their firms' level of inventories do not need to do so unless otherwise required.
Originality/value
This is the very first study that shows the implications of inventory leanness for firms across three operating conditions: pre-crisis (normal business condition), crisis (abnormal business condition) and post-crisis (sub-normal business condition).