Guojun Wang, Xing Su and Alan Hatton‐Yeo
The article's aim is to provide an overview of how care will be financed in the future in China as a consequence of changes in society.
Abstract
Purpose
The article's aim is to provide an overview of how care will be financed in the future in China as a consequence of changes in society.
Design/methodology/approach
The article is a descriptive review describing the responses and systems of funding that are being developed in China to address changes in care support structures and systems particularly in response to the single child policy and the impact of the increased financial aspirations of young Chinese people.
Findings
Traditional systems of support for elders have been weakened by changes in social structure and there is a need to develop new models of care and methods to finance this through both the state and insurance schemes. One consequence of change has been increasing numbers of elders living by themselves.
Social implications
The one child policy has not only reduced the capacity of families to support their elders but has also caused an imbalance in the ratio of male to female children. It has now become essential to develop models of non‐familial support for elders to complement traditional systems.
Originality/value
The article provides an insight into the challenges facing China around elder care as a consequence of social policy change and increased economic mobility.
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Guojun Wang and Xing Su
During the early 1970s, faced with the serious demographic situation, China began to fully implement the policy of family planning in urban and rural regions. Nowadays, the…
Abstract
Purpose
During the early 1970s, faced with the serious demographic situation, China began to fully implement the policy of family planning in urban and rural regions. Nowadays, the problems of pension and medical care for aged parents confronted by the first generation of the one‐child family have begun to gradually appear. Meanwhile, China's population and the family planning are also faced with some problems that are difficult to solve, including unbalanced fertility rate of urban and rural population, the gender imbalance, the difficulty of the risk diversification in a one‐child family, as well as the profound contradiction between the stability of the family planning policy and the drive of administrative measures. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the integrated‐scheduled life security system of the one‐child family in urban and rural areas, in order to overcome the problems and to promote the transformation of the family planning policy. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the life security system for China's one‐child families.
Design/methodology/approach
The life security system for the one‐child family proposed by this paper consists of three issues: the basic security based on the level of social security, the additional security of the policy insurance and the supplementary security of the commercial insurance. The paper begins with the history of the family planning policy in the first section and then go through some relevant articles regarding complementary measures such as maternity insurance, rural endowment insurance that only focused on one aspect of issues associated with the family planning. In section three, four typical problems are listed for the purpose of following discussion of corresponding solutions which are full of deficiency in section four. In part five, the integrated planning of the life security system for Chinese one‐child family is elaborated with risk and fund management. In the last part, we conclude that the family planning policy maintains stable, whereas measures to be taken are adjusted along with changeable new problems.
Findings
The policy insurance plays an increasingly important role in dealing with the life security of older people in one‐child families. It may be better to promote the kind of insurance.
Originality/value
The paper comprehensively discusses the life security system for Chinese families in compliance with the family planning policy.
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Hubo Cai, Asadur Rahman, Xing Su and Hongtao Zhang
The purpose of this study is to create a framework that integrates GIS and microscopic simulation to optimize the placement of road barriers in emergency evacuation and assess the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to create a framework that integrates GIS and microscopic simulation to optimize the placement of road barriers in emergency evacuation and assess the effectiveness via simulation. Human populations are at risk from many hazards including man-made and natural disasters, sudden events that are difficult to predict and prevent, but have catastrophic consequences. A critical issue in disaster management is timely evacuation that considers the dynamic traffic demand and congestions under dynamic hazard conditions. University campuses face a unique challenge in developing effective emergency evacuation plans due to their complex site configurations, high-dense buildings and dynamic spatial-temporal distribution of population.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework was implemented and tested on the main campus of the Western Michigan University to optimize the placement and configuration of road barriers to achieve an effective utilization of road network when the demand way exceeds the capacity. The resulting system was also used to test the effectiveness of the phased evacuation notification strategy, both with and without the optimal road barrier strategy.
Findings
It concluded that the newly created framework and its implementation could assist emergency evacuation planning for university campuses. It also concluded that placing road barriers at appropriate locations could reduce the evacuation time by 20 per cent or more under a variety of evacuation scenarios.
Originality/value
The originality of this research lies in three aspects of: a university campus context, the integration of GIS and microscopic simulation in emergency evacuation and the simulation based turn restriction strategy.
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Gaurav Duggal, Manoj Garg and Achint Nigam
In this chapter, we explore the dark side of the metaverse and the need for user protection. While the metaverse offers multiple opportunities it also poses significant risks for…
Abstract
In this chapter, we explore the dark side of the metaverse and the need for user protection. While the metaverse offers multiple opportunities it also poses significant risks for users, such as privacy concerns, addiction, harassment, and cyberbullying. First, we discuss the various threats that users may encounter such as online harassment, assaults, cyberbullying, hate speech, identity theft, and virtual property theft. As per the Center for Countering Digital Hate, an incident of violation occurs every seven minutes within VRChat, a popular virtual reality game. The level of misconduct in the metaverse can surpass the extent of internet harassment. Virtual reality gaming has been associated with various health issues like sleep deprivation, and insomnia as well as mental health concerns such as depression, anger, and anxiety. We examine how these issues may impact user’s physical and mental health. The sensors and devices used in the metaverse collect a vast amount of user biometric data and spatial data. Interactions between users and metaverse could be leaked. We examine different methods that improve user protection, including everyone from enhanced security protocols via the application of privacy-enhanced technology to several avatars, two-factor authentication, and user educational and awareness programs. Moreover, we explore how the newest technologies, like blockchain and artificial intelligence, play a role in making user safety more important. We finished the course with the study of the case of Second Life, the virtual reality gaming platform, and pointing out some of the problems that exist within it.
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Anubha Anubha, Govind Nath Srivastava and Daviender Narang
The Metaverse and Internet of Things (IoT) have emerged like a tidal wave, and it is creating a transformative impact on society and industry. The metaverse and IoT changed the…
Abstract
The Metaverse and Internet of Things (IoT) have emerged like a tidal wave, and it is creating a transformative impact on society and industry. The metaverse and IoT changed the way companies were operating earlier and customers were living their lives. On the other hand, Metaverse enriches the customer experience by offering a matchless virtual experience using augmented reality and state-of-the-art technology. The metaverse and the IoT can be used in various sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, retailing, health care, banking, and automobiles to make cities smart. Metaverse and IoT provide real-time data, reduces operational cost and errors, improves efficiency, and helps industries to make intelligent decisions. Although the IoT and Metaverse offer significant benefits, it is not free from limitations. Ethical dilemmas, privacy issues, data breaches, and difficulty in extracting relevant data impose serious challenges that need to be addressed. There is an urgent and dire need to create a trade-off between the interest of the business and the privacy and security of customers. This chapter aims to discover the potential of Metaverse and IoT in various sectors (e.g., healthcare, transportation, and electronics). This study will bring significant insights to researchers and policymakers by exploring the likely benefits of IoT and metaverse in diverse sectors to develop smart cities. This chapter will also explain the challenges of metaverse and IoT, which can be addressed by integrating data analytics tools optimally and efficiently.
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This chapter examines the significant role of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology in fostering a sustainable economy in the metaverse. Blockchain allows the…
Abstract
This chapter examines the significant role of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology in fostering a sustainable economy in the metaverse. Blockchain allows the saving and transfer of decentralized and secure data. As a primary component of the metaverse economy, NFTs are distinct and secure virtual assets saved on the blockchain. These assets facilitate possessing, trading, and monetizing digital assets. These advancing technologies have also revolutionized the method by which creators and artists test and exchange their digital work, introducing a novel period of ownership and value in the digital realm. However, the negative environmental effects of some blockchain technologies constitute a considerable constraint, pushing a shift to a sustainable economy. Platforms like The Sandbox have implemented initiatives to address environmental concerns. As a case study, The Sandbox play-to-earn model with tokenized assets showcases its ability to create value and encourage user participation. It shows the ability of NFTs and blockchain to support a sustainable economy.
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Arjun J. Nair, Sridhar Manohar and Rishi Chaudhry
The discourse traverses the intricate landscape of the metaverse, exploring its evolution, intricacies, and the symbiotic integration of artificial intelligence (AI). The…
Abstract
The discourse traverses the intricate landscape of the metaverse, exploring its evolution, intricacies, and the symbiotic integration of artificial intelligence (AI). The metaverse, a virtual realm where individuals interact with digital entities, burgeons from a decades-old concept to a contemporary reality, captivating attention with its immersive potential. The union of AI and the metaverse heralds unprecedented possibilities and challenges. It fuels personalized recommendations, realistic avatars, intelligent Non-Playable Character (NPCs), and predictive analytics. However, concerns loom, spanning addiction, privacy, and security, as users immerse themselves in virtual realms, potentially neglecting real-world responsibilities and sharing sensitive information has been discussed in this chapter. The narrative further delves into the metaverse's anatomy, delineating its infrastructure, hardware, software, content creation, and commerce. The integration of AI into metaverse security epitomizes a confluence of innovation and growth. Balancing the potential benefits and risks, stakeholders embark on a journey toward a secure, immersive digital realm. The discourse advocates for proactive and responsible AI usage, encompassing transparency, accountability, and trustworthiness. Regulatory frameworks and standards emerge as essential guardrails, protecting user privacy and forestalling AI misuse.
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Gaurav Duggal, Manoj Garg and Achint Nigam
In this chapter, we describe the importance of good governance in the metaverse. It offers unlimited opportunities and presents unique governance challenges. First, we describe…
Abstract
In this chapter, we describe the importance of good governance in the metaverse. It offers unlimited opportunities and presents unique governance challenges. First, we describe the concept of good governance and its relevance to the metaverse. We emphasize that the speed of metaverse adoption depends upon the presence or absence of effective governance. Recognizing the metaverse as the next iteration of the internet, we present significant governance issues. Some issues such as interoperability, security, safety, privacy, law, and digital inequality are critical governance issues in the metaverse. Next, we explore the diverse governance frameworks to ensure the implementation of policies and regulations. These frameworks include decentralized governance, cross-sector collaboration, and standards-based governance. We also describe the best practices which are essential for good governance. To materialize the concepts and principles discussed, we present a compelling case study centered on Decentraland. This insightful exploration dissects a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO)-based governance structure, offering valuable insights into the intricacies and stages of governance proposals. We acknowledge both the merits and potential drawbacks inherent to this approach. This chapter aims to offer an all-encompassing view of metaverse governance, essentially serving as a comprehensive roadmap for traversing the multifaceted landscape of this digital frontier.