Sneha Krishnan, Robert Soden, Bhen Aguihon, Rongkun Liu and Pradip Khatiwada
Rethinking participation in disaster research and practice could be facilitated when practitioners are provided with opportunities to pause and reflect deeply on their work…
Abstract
Purpose
Rethinking participation in disaster research and practice could be facilitated when practitioners are provided with opportunities to pause and reflect deeply on their work outside of the context of their own individual projects and organizational networks. The article draws from an extended collaboration between researchers from multiple countries and disciplines in a working group, which aimed at exploring ethics, participation and power in disaster management.
Design/methodology/approach
Under responsible engineering science and technology for disaster risk management, the authors undertook weekly meetings over four months to discuss various facets of adopting participatory methods in their individual projects in Nepal, India, the Philippines and the USA. The article develops a critical reflection of practice using an auto-ethnographical and poly-vocal approach.
Findings
The voluntary, digital, sustained, unstructured, recurring and inter-disciplinary characteristics of the authors' working group created an opportunity for researchers and practitioners from different fields and different national, cultural and linguistic backgrounds to come together and collectively issues related to participation, ethics and power.
Research limitations/implications
In the paper, the authors do not offer a systematic evaluation of what was a fairly unique process. The paper offers no evaluation of the working group or others like it that focus on questions of replicability, scale and sustainability.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, the current work is a unique paper that focuses on situating multi-disciplinary practice within disaster risk management (DRM) and enhancing networks, capacities and expertise for professional education for engineers, physical and social scientists who are involved in research and practice. The polyvocal character of the presentation will help readers access the particular experiences of the participants, which reflect the deeply personal character of the subject matter.
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The integrated and coordinated development of the manufacturing and logistics industries is crucial for promoting deep integration and innovative development between the two…
Abstract
Purpose
The integrated and coordinated development of the manufacturing and logistics industries is crucial for promoting deep integration and innovative development between the two sectors. It aids in reducing costs and enhancing efficiency, which is significant for high-quality economic growth and the acceleration of modern industrial system construction.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper explores the integrated development status of the two industries in Shandong and Jiangsu provinces. Based on the relevant data of 44 indicators from the manufacturing and logistics industries in these provinces from 2010 to 2021, a comprehensive evaluation index system is constructed. The study employs coupling coordination degree and grey correlation models to comparatively analyze the integrated development status of the two industries in the provinces.
Findings
The findings indicate that the coupling coordination degree of Jiangsu and Shandong provinces has shown a gentle spiraling upward trend. By 2021, Jiangsu province had achieved intermediate coordination, and Shandong province had achieved good coordination. The grey correlation degree is within the moderate and strong correlation range, but the impact of efficiency indicators is weak.
Research limitations/implications
The research has limitations, including a focus on specific provinces, potential data constraints and a need for further exploration of the dynamic and influencing factors of the industries' coordinated development for more comprehensive conclusions.
Practical implications
The research provides practical significance by offering insights into the coordinated development of manufacturing and logistics industries, which can inform policymaking and strategic planning for regional economic integration and supply chain efficiency.
Social implications
The study’s findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, promoting regional economic synergy and supply chain optimization. It emphasizes the crucial role of industry integration in advancing high-quality economic growth, aligning with modern industrial system development goals.
Originality/value
This research’s innovation lies in its comprehensive evaluation index system and the application of coupling coordination degree and grey relational analysis models, offering a nuanced assessment of the integrated development between manufacturing and logistics industries in Jiangsu and Shandong provinces. It provides valuable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance regional economic integration and supply chain efficiency.
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Ziwang Xiao, Fengxian Zhu, Lifeng Wang, Rongkun Liu and Fei Yu
As an important load-bearing component of cable-stayed bridge, the cable-stayed cable is an important load-bearing link for the bridge superstructure and the load transferred…
Abstract
Purpose
As an important load-bearing component of cable-stayed bridge, the cable-stayed cable is an important load-bearing link for the bridge superstructure and the load transferred directly to the bridge tower. In order to better manage the risk of the cable system in the construction process, the purpose of this paper is to study a new method of dynamic risk analysis of the cable system of the suspended multi-tower cable-stayed bridge based on the Bayesian network.
Design/methodology/approach
First of all, this paper focuses on the whole process of the construction of the cable system, analyzes the construction characteristics of each process, identifies the safety risk factors in the construction process of the cable system, and determines the causal relationship between the risk factors. Secondly, the prior probability distribution of risk factors is determined by the expert investigation method, and the risk matrix method is used to evaluate the safety risk of cable failure quantitatively. The function expression of risk matrix is established by combining the probability of risk event occurrence and loss level. After that, the topology structure of Bayesian network is established, risk factors and probability parameters are incorporated into the network and then the Bayesian principle is applied to update the posterior probability of risk events according to the new information in the construction process. Finally, the construction reliability evaluation of PAIRA bridge main bridge cable system in Bangladesh is taken as an example to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the new method.
Findings
The feasibility of using Bayesian network to dynamically assess the safety risk of PAIRA bridge in Bangladesh is verified by the construction reliability evaluation of the main bridge cable system. The research results show that the probability of the accident resulting from the insufficient safety of the cable components of the main bridge of PAIRA bridge is 0.02, which belongs to a very small range. According to the analysis of the risk grade matrix, the risk grade is Ⅱ, which belongs to the acceptable risk range. In addition, according to the reverse reasoning of the Bayesian model, when the serious failure of the cable system is certain to occur, the node with the greatest impact is B3 (cable break) and its probability of occurrence is 82%, that is, cable break is an important reason for the serious failure of the cable system. The factor that has the greatest influence on B3 node is C6 (cable quality), and its probability is 34%, that is, cable quality is not satisfied is the main reason for cable fracture. In the same way, it can be obtained that the D9 (steel wire fracture inside the cable) event of the next level is the biggest incentive of C6 event, its occurrence probability is 32% and E7 (steel strand strength is not up to standard) event is the biggest incentive of D9 event, its occurrence probability is 13%. At the same time, the sensitivity analysis also confirmed that B3, C6, D9 and E7 risk factors were the main causes of risk occurrence.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a Bayesian network-based construction reliability assessment method for cable-stayed bridge cable system. The core purpose of this method is to achieve comprehensive and accurate management and control of the risks in the construction process of the cable system, so as to improve the service life of the cable while strengthening the overall reliability of the structure. Compared with the existing evaluation methods, the proposed method has higher reliability and accuracy. This method can effectively assess the risk of the cable system in the construction process, and is innovative in the field of risk assessment of the cable system of cable-stayed bridge construction, enriching the scientific research achievements in this field, and providing strong support for the construction risk control of the cable system of cable-stayed bridge.
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Eefje Hendriks, Laura Marlene Kmoch, Femke Mulder and Ricardo Fuentealba
Revathi Nuggehalli Krishna, Caroline Spencer, Kevin Ronan and Eva Alisic
Children can play an active and valuable role to minimise disaster risks and vulnerabilities. Yet, peer-reviewed literature on child participation in Disaster Resilience Education…
Abstract
Purpose
Children can play an active and valuable role to minimise disaster risks and vulnerabilities. Yet, peer-reviewed literature on child participation in Disaster Resilience Education (DRE) is lacking. This knowledge gap is larger in low- and middle-income countries, especially related to vulnerable communities. The current study explores how child participation in developing and delivering a DRE intervention is associated with their mental well-being and resilience.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study is part of a larger project where a DRE intervention was co-developed and delivered by children in the informal settlements in Chennai, India, using a participatory approach. This project used qualitative methods including interviews and focus group discussions with children who co-developed the intervention, their parents and staff members of the collaborating Non-Government Organisation (NGO) to understand their experiences and inform its processes.
Findings
The children involved in the development and delivery of the intervention reported that not only did they learn the skills necessary to prepare for hazards in the future, it also increased their confidence, self-worth and self-efficacy. This was also observed by parents and staff members of the collaborating NGO. They expressed pride towards the children and applauded their ability to communicate key Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) messages with assertiveness.
Research limitations/implications
There is a dearth of empirical papers on child participation in DRR activities, and this study fills some of that gap by reporting the perceived impact of children's participation on their mental well-being and resilience. Furthermore, this study can act as a roadmap for researchers aiming to do action research with children.
Practical implications
DRR is more effective when all stakeholders, especially the affected and at-risk children, and communities are closely involved in structuring, planning, developing and delivering key disaster preparedness messages. This study serves to show that children's participation in DRR activities not only impacts their preparedness but that it helps children in disaster recovery as well, in addition to building their resilience and overall improvement in their mental well-being.
Social implications
Given the participatory nature of this study, it involves children closely in the development and delivery of DRE intervention. The communities involved in this study had complex vulnerabilities including poverty, marginalisation and based in a low-and-middle income country, India. Oftentimes, these communities are not represented in scientific literature, and this study attempts to bridge that gap.
Originality/value
This study presents a multi-stakeholder perspective on child participation in its potential impact on children's mental well-being and resilience. The DRE intervention was co-developed and delivered by children in the community making it unique in its development process as well as the context it was developed in – informal settlements in Chennai, India.
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Richard G. Brody and Robert Luo
This paper sets out to discuss white‐collar crime and fraud in China and to draw implications for Western businesses wishing to enter the Chinese market.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper sets out to discuss white‐collar crime and fraud in China and to draw implications for Western businesses wishing to enter the Chinese market.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides examples of recent frauds committed in China and also provides a brief review of the literature. It traces the development of China's economy, describing China's modern‐day economy, and also looks at cultural issues and differences between Western and Chinese attitudes.
Findings
Western businesses planning to enter the Chinese market need to do their due diligence before committing resources. What works in Western society may not work in another culture, like China's. However, gaining an understanding of the culture and general way of life will go a long way towards laying the groundwork for success.
Research limitations/implications
Additional focus should be placed on examining how cultural differences affect judgments and behaviors.
Originality/value
From a practical standpoint, the paper provides insights into possible areas of disagreement between employees from different cultures that can result from their divergent opinions about individuals' responsibility for fraudulent acts.