ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
Z. Sadreazam Nouri; J. Nouri; F. Habib; M. Rafieian
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban river valleys are so important with regard to their benefits and functions, including air temperate, microclimate creating, landscape, fresh water supplement. Urban development over considering environmental issues, population density, constructions, solid waste or effluent ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban river valleys are so important with regard to their benefits and functions, including air temperate, microclimate creating, landscape, fresh water supplement. Urban development over considering environmental issues, population density, constructions, solid waste or effluent discharging, especially in quantitative and qualitative river boundaries and land taking of their beds, are significant reasons to decline cities functions and ecosystems degradation. So, natural ecosystems should be restored and a thorough strategic planning is necessary for their conservations. METHODS: With regards to managerial aspects involving ecological, spatial, economic, socio-cultural, and managerial- executive dimensions integrated management model has been recommended for Farahzad River Valley in Tehran city as a case study via Urban River Survey and Geographic Information System. Finally, effective and efficient strategically management plan was suggested by implementing SWOT, QSPM and Analytical Hierarchy Process.RESULTS: Amongst 12 identified strategies regulation settings, “correlation between green space and the surrounding park”, and “preventing the increase of residential” and “the expansion of recreation” are prioritized as most significant strategies, scores have been calculated 5.616, 5.589, and 5.375 on QSPM matrix or 0.256, 0.192, and 0.133 by AHP method, respectively.CONCLUSION: in overall, systemically, multi dimensional and holistic decision of river valleys environmental management is a magnificent example that provides essential tools to urban planners. Environmental and ecological approaches of the model are counted as a main key of succession to sustainable development achievement and its advantage to other past studies.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Information and communications technology in Urban Management
F.E.A. Afridi; B. Ayaz; M. Irfan
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Increase in online banking activities has been observed in the new normal of the Covid-19 pandemic. Previous studies argued that fraudsters tend to prey on unexpected events. This threat is also frightening online consumers of retail banking. Therefore, this study aimed to ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Increase in online banking activities has been observed in the new normal of the Covid-19 pandemic. Previous studies argued that fraudsters tend to prey on unexpected events. This threat is also frightening online consumers of retail banking. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how online retail banking users can be motivated enough to avoid online banking fraud threats while no compromise on health. METHODS: The population of the study is online banking customers in Pakistan. This study obtained data from 470 respondents who used online banking services by using questionnaires through an online survey. The structure Equation Modeling approach is used to investigate the relationship among study research variables. FINDINGS: Findings from a nationwide online survey confirmed the impact of the pandemic on consumer responses for online retail banking intention. Structure Equation Model results found that Perceived Vulnerability β = 0.24, Perceived Severity β = 0.31, and Response Efficacy β = 0.32 has significant impact on precautionary behavior. Surprisingly, Self-Efficacy was not significant to consumer precautionary behavior during the new normal of COVID-19.CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the literature on online banking and protection motivation theory. Results imply that bankers must invest in online banking and provide a secure environment that prioritizes the safety of the online transaction and create awareness to decrease the threat of fraud during the uncertain situation. The findings of this study particularly call for bankers, retailers’ attention to online management of security systems.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Human capital in urban management
A. Heravi; A. Zamani Moghadam; S.A. Hashemi; Y. Vakil Alroaia; A. Sajadi Jagharg
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to analyze the factors influencing human resource development for state-owned enterprises.METHODS: This research was an applied study concerning its objective with a descriptive-exploratory type. The study was conducted by two quantitative and qualitative ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to analyze the factors influencing human resource development for state-owned enterprises.METHODS: This research was an applied study concerning its objective with a descriptive-exploratory type. The study was conducted by two quantitative and qualitative approaches. The research statistical population included two groups for both approaches. In the qualitative approach, 22 experts were selected to design the model using fuzzy Delphi methods, structural-interpretive modeling. In the quantitative approach of 360 employees of state-owned enterprises companies were selected from the statistical population of 2738 people by the stratified random sampling method. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data and in the quantitative method used interpretive structural method, analytic network process and MICMAC.FINDINGS: The result of determining the relationships revealed that organizational factors, job factors, behavioral factors, and empowerment factors affect human resource development, respectively. The findings of weighting the factors by fuzzy network analysis process indicated that empowerment factors with a weight of 0.361 among the dimensions and the knowledge management factor with a weight of 0.132 among the components have the highest importance in the development of human resourceR. CONCLUSION: The variable “human resource empowerment” leads to success in human resource development, which needs to be improved quickly to bring success to the organization and improve its performance. The managers should pay attention to the high levels of the model and improve the relationships set between the factors to improve this factor. Considering the high significance of the “knowledge management” component, the managers’ most important measure should be focused on improving this factor followed by continuous efforts in this context since paying attention to knowledge management has the greatest impact on the success of human resource development and requires special attention.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
C. Karani; E. Gido; H. Bett
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whereas management of waste in urban areas across the globe is essentially a public service, there is dearth of knowledge on waste management efforts at the household level in developing countries. The study aimed to avail crucial information on the largely informal management ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whereas management of waste in urban areas across the globe is essentially a public service, there is dearth of knowledge on waste management efforts at the household level in developing countries. The study aimed to avail crucial information on the largely informal management of agro-food waste that is practiced in low- and lower middle-income countries. Insights of safety measures adopted in the utilization of agro-food wasteamong urban agro-producers were explored empirically.METHODOLOGY: An electronically-structured questionnaire was administered on a sample of 456 urban agro-producer households for data collection.Descriptive as well asMultivariate Probit models were employed for analysis.FINDINGS: The results indicated significant disparities in management options and safety risk management practices between the participating and non-participating livestock and mixed producers. Waste reduction (86%), utilization (86%), segregation (63%) and composting (58%) were the most preferred waste management practices. Waste disposal (18%) and mixing with salt/dry feeds (24%) were lowly preferred methods. Whereas the regression models showed disparities in the contextual factors influencing management options and safety risk measures, the knowledge variables (waste sorting and urban agriculture knowledge) had greater influence across these agro-food waste aspects. This implies that implementation of education programs in agro-food waste management and safety risk management practices among urban agro-producer households by urban authorities would enhance sustainable food safety in urban food supply chains.CONCLUSION: The findings could inform self-management efforts of agro-food waste in small-urban agribusinesses thus increasing economic benefits and improving environmental wellbeing.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Sustainable urban infrastructure
H. Faramarzi; M. khakzand; M.H. Talebian; M. Masoudinejad
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Abadan oil industry in Iran is very significant due to its various valuable layers as a part of national memory and identity. Therefore, to protect and reuse this industrial heritage, the adaptive reuse strategy by means of the landscape is considered. The purpose of this study ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Abadan oil industry in Iran is very significant due to its various valuable layers as a part of national memory and identity. Therefore, to protect and reuse this industrial heritage, the adaptive reuse strategy by means of the landscape is considered. The purpose of this study is to achieve urban sustainability through a landscape adaptable to the oil industry heritage.METHODS: This research is descriptive-correlational and has been done through a survey. The statistical population of this research consists of pundits and experts of Abadan’s oil industry and the sample size is 88 people. In the analytical section, while using documentary studies, a questionnaire with 21 closed questions was used for data collection. After collecting the data, its validity and reliability were measured and confirmed.FINDINGS: In this study, the relations between nine environmental, historical, economic, social, cultural, policy, technology, physical, and infrastructure factors were measured as the factors affecting the landscape adaptable to the oil industry heritage.CONCLUSION: The results showed that the completion and facilitation of policies lead to the creation and strengthening of opportunities for cultural and social interactions in the industrial landscape. Also, the impact of physical factors on infrastructure, economic, and environmental leads to strengthening economic factors and infrastructure reuse in urban development. Findings indicated that the impact of environmental factors on economics and policy by using landscape leads to success in the mentioned fields.
CASE STUDY
Urban management and public health
N.Y. Guerrero Del Castillo; J.C. Musa Wasil; K.J. Malavé Llamas; C. Morales Agrinzoni
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The lakes in the state of Minnesota (MN) have undergone accelerated changes with the passing of time, where cattle ranching, agriculture, the increase of industrial jobs and urban area development have changed their condition from pristine to critical. To evaluate this problem, ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The lakes in the state of Minnesota (MN) have undergone accelerated changes with the passing of time, where cattle ranching, agriculture, the increase of industrial jobs and urban area development have changed their condition from pristine to critical. To evaluate this problem, secondary data obtained from the public domain of three lakes from a county used for a long period for agriculture and cattle (Carver County) and three lakes from a county where the land has been used more for housing and industrial economy (Hennepin County). The aim of the study was to use the information to evaluate the trophic status, and compare the results of the lakes of rural areas versus lakes in urban areas in order to create a possible mitigation plan to improve the condition of the area.METHODS: Trophic status was determined to evaluate the water quality of each lake. ANOVA analysis was employed to analyze the data set obtained from the public domain in the official webpage of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.FINDINGS: Data results for total phosphorus, Secchi Disk and Chlorophyll-a, showed that all lakes are under eutrophic-hypereutrophic status with Trophic State Index (TSI) results between 59 to 80. Hennepin County had two of the three lakes evaluated in hypereutrophic states when compared with Carver County lakes. Carver County has only one lake out of the three evaluated under hypereutrophic conditions. Statistical analysis showed that p <α. The results demonstrated that lakes near areas used mainly for urban/industrial purposes are more contaminated than lakes near areas used for agriculture/livestock.CONCLUSION: The restoration of wetlands that are near the lakes is proposed as a possible bioremediation method to improve water quality. Alternatively, an artificial wetland could be implemented in the lakes that do not have this natural system. Placing a Subsurface Flow System (SFS) artificial wetland in parallel trenches, which bypasses the lake and/or into the mouth of the river, would allow the sedimentation process to occur in these spaces. In addition, the use of Phosphor-Accumulator Organisms (PAO) and specialized aquatic plants, such as Hydrodictyon reticulatum, Elodea canadensis, Eichhornia crasspies, Eleocharis plantaginea, Pistia stratiotes and Hydrilla verticillate will trap contaminants and aid in their removal.
REVIEW PAPER
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
H. Samari; S. Delangizan; K. Soheili
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: According to the path of economic growth theories, especially the introduction of endogenous growth theories to address the shortcomings of extrinsic theories, the economic systems in order to achieve long-term economic growth goals need to drive stimuli and improve endogenous ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: According to the path of economic growth theories, especially the introduction of endogenous growth theories to address the shortcomings of extrinsic theories, the economic systems in order to achieve long-term economic growth goals need to drive stimuli and improve endogenous components that originate, crystallize, and evolve within these systems. Some endogenous growth models have stated that one country could be more successful than another if it devoted more resources to innovation. So today, the study of how to create innovation in various economic systems has become a challenging issue in the world’s economic circles.METHODS: Using the Meta- synthesis method, 19645 sources were collected between 1997 and March 2020 related to the urban innovation system, and after 7 steps and classification of resources, finally, 10 sources were selected and based on the coding method, the ten mentioned sources were coded. The estimated kappa coefficient indicates the reliability of the selected codes.FINDINGS: The paradigm model of the urban innovation system was extracted based on the performed codes. This model can be used as a pivotal model in future studies.CONCLUSION: An innovation system that can be implemented and applied in urban geography overcomes many urban, regional, and even national problems. Since this study examines the theory of Urban Innovation System, it can be expected that the results of this study can bring a positive step to determine the specifications and measures needed to create, sustain, and expand urban innovation systems.
CASE STUDY
Urban communications and services
H.M. Alhanatleh
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This research targets at investigating and identifying the factors affecting electronic loyalty (E-loyalty) of electronic banking services (E-banking services) in Jordanian bank sector from clients' point of view. The scale of eTailQ was appointed to accomplish the research ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This research targets at investigating and identifying the factors affecting electronic loyalty (E-loyalty) of electronic banking services (E-banking services) in Jordanian bank sector from clients' point of view. The scale of eTailQ was appointed to accomplish the research objectives. The procedures of current research were conducted under COVID-19 pandemic conditions such data collection, access the sample and different aspects. The model of current research was adopted based on three stages which are aiming at measuring the level of influence of independent determinants; that are subject norms, value perception, web design, reliability, customer support security; through mediation determinants; that are Electronic-satisfaction (E-satisfaction) and Electronic-trust (E-trust); on the E-loyalty of E-banking services usage.METHODS: The population of the current research was the Jordanian clients who use the E-banking services, the sample size was 403 client. Structural Equation Model was declared to be a methodology of research to acquire the research outcomes.FINDING: Depending on the obtained outcomes, Reliability, Customer support, Value Perception, and Subject Norms have a positive effect on E-satisfaction with the .484, -.166, .281, and .249 scores respectively. Moreover, Web design, Reliability, Customer support, and Security/privacy a positive effect on E-trust with 199, .719, -.017, and .463scores, respectively. The results also indicated that E-satisfaction and E-trust have a positive effect on E-loyalty with the .441 and .515 scores, respectively.CONCLUSION:The focal result of present study is that scale of eTailQ is an optimal measurement for determining the factors that impact the clients E-loyalty of E-banking services usage in Jordanian banks. The present study is encouraged the related specialists to conduct many investigations attached to E-banking services and the development process of E-loyalty.
CASE STUDY
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
S. Sharifkazemi; M. Ghalambor dezfuli
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban space is like a living thing that affects the behavior of participants and is also influenced by their behavior, whether it affects the body or the meaning of the space. The importance of this issue has laid the foundation of environmental psychology, so that it has attracted ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban space is like a living thing that affects the behavior of participants and is also influenced by their behavior, whether it affects the body or the meaning of the space. The importance of this issue has laid the foundation of environmental psychology, so that it has attracted the attention of designers and urban planners to the application of the basic components of this branch of psychology in the design of urban spaces and public open environments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of environment and behavior synomorph on the type of activity of users. The case study was Enghelab Street as an urban space has a historical background and a trans-regional functional scale was located in center of Tehran is suitable for examining patterns of environmental psychology, types of activities and their behaviors, as well as suggestions from field studies conducted.METHODS: This research is a descriptive-analytical research based on the basic-applied purpose. In data collection, quantitative-qualitative method was performed using exploratory studies and questionnaire analysis with SPSS software and analysis (version 22.0).FINDINGS: The growing number of participants respectively, make use of this space for compulsory, social, and optional activities. According to the required activities such as roundtrip time from work, most periods are between 7 to 11 a.m. after 6 to 9 p.m. The results obtained from the implementation of the Kruskal-Wallis test on the data show that the use of sample space for doing purpose compulsory, optional, and social activities is of equal importance in the sense that designing urban space following behavior and need is equally important among the users of space who choose with different purposes of social, optional, and compulsory activities. In more detail, the differences in the indicators were in the intimacy component (Sig: 0.024).CONCLUSION: These findings may provide that it is not important in what propose person use the place, the quality of urban place should be presented in the design of all public spaces of the city.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Human capital in urban management
S. Amani; M. Mosakhani; k. Daneshfard
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Today, creative and innovative human resources play a crucial role in the optimal performance and achievement of long-term goals of organizations. Therefore, organizations must use different methods to lay the groundwork for innovative activities, one of the most important ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Today, creative and innovative human resources play a crucial role in the optimal performance and achievement of long-term goals of organizations. Therefore, organizations must use different methods to lay the groundwork for innovative activities, one of the most important of which is the use of strategic human resource management measures. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to design a model of strategic human resource management with the approach of promoting innovation in Municipality of Tehran.METHOD: The present study from the purpose point of view is applied-development study and is in the mixed research category. In the qualitative stage of the research, the theme analysis method was used. Participants in the present study included 13 university professors and 19 senior managers of Tehran Municipality, who were interviewed to the point of saturation. Based on the results of the qualitative stage of the study, a model for strategic human resource management with the approach of promoting innovation capability was designed. In a quantitative step, in order to validate the model, the structural equation modeling method and smartPLS software were used. For this purpose, 169 managers and experts working in Municipality of Tehran, who were randomly selected were interviewed using a questionnaire.RESULTS: Based on the findings, the relationship between strategic human resource management subsystems; including employee recruitment, supply and adjustment system, performance management system, human resource development system, service compensation and reward system, job analysis and design system, talent and succession management system and employee relations and innovation management system were approved. Also, the results showed that the coefficient of determination for the variable of strategic human resource management was 0.649 and for the variable of innovation capability improvement was 0.578 which were significant. Therefore, it can be concluded that 57.8% of changes in innovation capability can be predicted by strategic human resource management measures.CONCLUSION: The results showed that by using the capacity of strategic human resource management subsystems, innovation capability and innovative performance in Municipality of Tehran and the results of the research, in general, can be applied to organizational units with almost similar and with the same structure and missions.
