International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Abstract ABSTRACT: Overall plant growth and microbial biomass can be effected by dust accumulation. The chloroform fumigation-extraction method was used to evaluating the effect of cement dust pollution emitted from Kurdistan cement factory on soil microbial biomass carbon. Chlorophyll content (a, b and total) of plants species was measured in different distance from cement factory. Microbial biomass C (C_mic) amounts ranged from 0.138 to 1.102 mg/g soils in the polluted sites and from 0.104 to 1.283 mg/g soils in the control area. Soils polluted with alkaline cement dust resulted in meaningful reduction in C_mic levels compared to control soils. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) show C_mic was positively correlated to soil CaCO₃ content (r = 0.09). C_mic/C_org ratio was 2.54 and 1.92 in the control and cement polluted sites, respectively. Reduction in this ratio can be resulted from soil degradation in cement polluted soils. A significant decrease in the C_mic/C_org ratio in cement dust-polluted soils illustrated that this factor can be applied as a good indicator of soil quality. In the case of chlorophyll content of plant species, maximum reduction of total chlorophyll for Triticum aestivum L. was 45% compared to Hordeum vulgare L. with 60%. Therefore, results show higher sensitivity of H.vulgare than to T. aestivum.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: While innovation in some circumstances is detrimental to a number of urban civil development cooperatives many have benefited from the use of innovation strategies around the world. Therefore, this study sought to analyze the effective factors of organizational innovation on the performance of members in urban development cooperatives.
METHODS: The statistical population of this study is all urban civil development cooperatives and the sample size consisted of 384 members of these civil cooperatives who were selected using stratified-random sampling method. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire which validity using content validity and construct validity and reliability using Cronbach's alpha coefficient has been reviewed and approved. In order to analyze the data, inferential statistical tests including Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student t-test, correlation test and structural equation modeling technique were used.
FINDING: The results of data analysis showed that the research variables including organizational innovation and members performance in urban development cooperatives are in good condition (β= 0.76 and φ=0.68).Also, according to the research findings, organizational innovation and its four dimensions, including production (ρ=0.72), administrative (ρ=0.75), process (ρ=0.68) and technological innovation (ρ=0.76), has a positive and significant effect on the performance of members in urban civil development cooperatives.
CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the development of innovations requires specific organizational resources and capabilities so that the organization can benefit from innovation and its benefits.

Abstract In the current period, followed by the industrial revolution, the damaging effects of the one-dimensional attitude towards the environment caused by human have had countless hazards. To cope with these risks, the respect and protection of environmental values has attracted today's urban human attention once again and the issues about the human right to a decent, safe and healthy environment which is called briefly" environmental rights ", have widely been discussed. In fact, this research is formed on the basis of the principle that the right to a healthy environment, must be respected in the design of public spaces and the legal aspects of this principle must be considered in dealing with these spaces, so one of the necessary contexts to the conversion of today’s public spaces to valuable urban places would be provided. Therefore, in this study the human right to a healthy, safe and decent environment and the related concepts has been reviewed and the role of the environment in the process of transforming urban spaces to urban places has been discussed. This study also emphasizes on the role of the noise pollution of the urban public spaces as one of the threatening factors of the right to the environment, in the inefficiency and disorder in the process of the conversion of these spaces to public places and while reviewing the laws to reduce such pollution in urban public spaces, it stresses the necessity of considering these rules in designing the urban public spaces. This study uses descriptive and analytic research methodology and investigation techniques of literature review by using library studies.

Abstract Human Resource Architecture, one of the components of organizational architecture, is the process of identifying and combining the appropriate elements of human resource management to create and present a vision of human resources in the organization. Organization in which there is a coordination between employee behavior, human resource systems, resource activities, and the mission and goals of the organization. Governance is also an economic and political means of exercising power in a country's economic, political and social institutions, or as a set of traditions and institutions in which a sovereign operates, or for managing all relationships, and is defined as an executive term at all levels. The purpose of this study is to investigate the architectural performance of human resource management in municipalities.
METHODS: This study is quantitative and developmental research. In this study, non-interactive method and thematic analysis of documents were used. Initially, 30 documents were identified and examined, and then the text reading table using the Scopus index identified 7 fully related documents. Next, three open, axial and selective encodings are performed on the specified documents. MAXQDA2020 software was used for data analysis. Then, to verify the validity of the identified components of the cryptographic output, its validation was performed using a distribution of 75 questionnaires among middle and senior managers of the Municipality of Tehran, using LISREL software.
FINDINGS: Considering the coding, finally, human resource architecture with a governance approach in four dimensions (partnership and network governance; contractual and joint governance from above; outsourcing and job-oriented governance and hierarchical and knowledge-based governance) and 15 components of the category was classified. In partnership and network governance, the most repetition in component-related documents emphasizes on joined-up management (5 repetitions) and in contract and partnership governance, the most repetition is related to the commitment and accountability components (5 repetitions) and outsourced and job-oriented government with private component. (6 repetitions) and hierarchical and knowledge-based governance with an internalization component (4 repetitions). Based on the findings of confirmatory factor analysis, only the internalization component (T-Value <1.96) was not approved in the Municipality of Tehran.
CONCLUSION: From the coding, it is finally concluded that the human resource architecture with a four-way governance approach  of the partnership and network architecture; contractual and joint governance from above; Outsourcing and job-oriented architectures as well as hierarchical and knowledge-based architectures have  the most iterations in the reviewed literature.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A relatively large number of historic (traditional and old) houses have been restored in Iranian cities in the recent period. Of increasing demand in the era of the experience economy, many are used as cafes, restaurants, galleries, ecolodges, etc. Cultural heritage and urban policies have further provided a general framework and some incentives for the restoration and reuse of these houses. Leveraging a tourism development framework, this paper investigated how authenticity could be achieved in practice in the restoration and reinvention of historic houses.
METHODS: A flexible policy research approach was employed to probe the current framework governing the restoration of historic houses. Another part of the analysis was based on a set of semi-structured interviews and field observations targeting restored historic houses in the city of Shiraz. Specifically, interviews were conducted with owners/operators of the most significant category of reused old houses—those turned into ecolodges—along with visitors.
FINDINGS: Based on the fieldwork results, five general recommendations were provided for owners/operators of restored historic houses/ecolodges toward realizing authenticity: there is a need for pre-planning and employment of adequate knowledge and knowhow to provide authentic experiences to visitors; objective elements should leverage creativity, balance tradition and modernity, and give the establishment its own personality; subjective elements should be reflective of local culture, history, and hospitality; a major aim is to have tourists emotionally engaged with the place and easily interact with people, places, and things; and allowing for co-creation could instill an enduring sense of belonging into visitors.
CONCLUSION: Notwithstanding recommendations for owners/operators of restored historic houses, tourism and urban authorities must focus on the creation of a policy framework that encourages the delivery and management of authenticity. Adopting a stronger socio-cultural approach should help to achieve additional regeneration objectives of local economic development through increased interaction among public-sector agencies, non-governmental institutions, local populations (property-owners or tenants), and investors.

Abstract  In contrast to existing trends and expected deteriorating water quality in the river Yamuna in Delhi which carries potential cultural economical and health importance, March 2016 water data showing improvement despite large public gathering at river bank during Cultural Festival. The reasons and factors were investigated. The paper presents the test reports of eco- enzyme which was found to be used during the event of World Culture Festival at the river bank in March 2016. The eco- enzyme is found to positively affect pH (from 6.7 to 7.2) reducing solids (from 884 to 745) suspended solids-(from 121 to 47) hardness and chlorides in a stable water body- Pond. The eco- enzyme testing in drain water showed optimum water cleaning effect on 0.5% concentration by showing the reduction of Biological Oxygen Demand  from 690 to 231, Chemical oxygen demand from 537 to 384, nitrates (from 5.54 to 3.39) Coliform count by 10%. Considering cost-effectiveness of the enzyme it is considered feasible technique to mitigate polluted water bodies.

Abstract Integrating a geographic information system and multi-criteria decision making methods have been lead to provide spatial multi-criteria decision making methods. In this study, the spatial potential of flooding was determined based on analytic network process and analytic hierarchy process. At first, six factors of flooding were determined as criteria. The criteria were the slope, hill-slope aspect, curve number, snow, and rainfall on snow and land use. Also, 25 sub-criteria were determined for them. Then, the criteria and their sub-criteria were weighted based on the analytic network process and the analytic hierarchy process methods. In the next stage, were integrated the weights of the criteria and sub-criteria on their layers in the IlWIS 3 and were calculated the relative weighted average of flooding as the spatial potential of flooding. The results showed that analytic network process and the analytic hierarchy process methods have a high capability to estimate the potential of flooding. The analytic hierarchy process method had calculated the relative weighted average of flooding in the control and sample sub-catchments 26 and 23 percent, respectively. Also, the analytic network process method had calculated it 25 and 21 percent. Based on the results, the both methods have the same capability to estimate the potential of flooding, but for comparison of sub-catchments, the analytic hierarchy process method is recommended, whereas the analytic network process method is recommended for studying one sub-catchment and spatial variations of flooding. Moreover, the analytic hierarchy process method is simpler than analytic network process method to estimate the potential of flooding.

Abstract Climate displaced persons generally follow the same trails as other migrants, but climate-induced displacement is adding to the pace and scale of human mobility. The prime aim of the study was to investigate the rural to urban migration of climate induced displacement in coastal area of Bangladesh addressing to risks and opportunities. The study mainly based on primary data and secondary data was used for validation. The study reveals that after displacement nearly 89% displaced people migrated from rural (Kutubdia Island) to Cox’s Bazar urban area. Consequently, meantime their monthly income, occupational status, housing and sanitation condition, source of drinking water and health care facilities were changed positively but in most cases they are dissatisfied. Because they lost their traditional and indigenous occupations system and their housing pattern and conditions become worsen. Availability of water and sanitation facility and healthcare seeking behavior changed positively in the urban area. Finally, the study revealed that there is risk and opportunity for climate displaced people in urban migration. However, planned/fair migration of climate displaced people can reduce the risk factors in the urban setting.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Bangladesh government declared a general holiday beginning on March 26, 2020 aimed to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of the general holiday on air quality in Dhaka city area of Bangladesh.
METHODS: Hourly PM_2.5 (aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm) data was collected from publicly available World's Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index Project from March 1 to May 16 for the five years 2016 to 2020. Tukey Multiple Comparison test was conducted to address the observable level of air quality changes between the years. Additionally, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer using the Aerosol Optical Depth with 550_nm wavelength was analyzed during the same time period.
FINDING: This Study found that, between April 7 and May 16, the mean daily reading of PM_2.5 was less in 2020 when compared to previous years. The mean hourly reported PM_2.5 during working hours of 6AM and 8 PM for 2020 was statistically lower (at α= 0.01 level) than all other years 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016.  The mean hourly reported PM_2.5 for 2019 was statistically higher (at α = 0.01 level) than all other years 2020, 2018, 2017, and 2016.  The Bus Rapid Transit and Mass Rapid Transit Construction in 2019 contributed between 24.2% and 38.6% of the PM_2.5 dust during this period. The elimination of diesel bus traffic during working hours in 2020 reduced the dust levels between 15.9% and 36.3% compared to the previous four years.  A declining trend of AOD₅₅₀ values was observed from April 7 to May 16, 2020 compared to previous four years (2016-2019).
CONCLUSION: During the general holiday period in Dhaka, the daily and working hour PM_2.5 as well as daily Aerosol Optical Depth were reduced compared to previous four years (2016-2019). Government action is recommended to reduce dust created during major construction projects. It is recommended the government authorize the replacement of buses with less polluting vehicles.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban ecosystem services are provided by a multitude of habitats, including green and water spaces. Such services are commonly under the control of heavy demand raised by the large number of beneficiaries. In this context, urban green spaces viz. parks and gardens supply these services for city residents. From this perspective, this study is to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in the ecosystem servicevalue of urban green spaces in Districts 1 and 14 (out of 22) of Tehran Municipality, Tehran, Iran. The level of resilience (namely, capacity and adaptability) of these districts, once confronted with climate change and environmental degradation, particularly carbon sequestration, is then investigated. As an innovation, the current study ultimately assesses the ecosystem services value of urban green spaces with higher accuracy to exert more actions to improve these spaces.
METHODS: This library-based documentation study utilized spatiotemporal modeling with reference to software packages and field visits. In the first step, remote sensing was applied to create land-use maps using ENVI 5.3 software package and its formulas, algorithms, and extensions. In the second step, the InVEST software and model were used to model carbon sequestration in selected districts. To assess carbon sequestration and its changes over time, land-cover maps were generated for three 10-year periods (2003, 2013, and 2023) with 30 m accuracy via Landsat satellite-based program. The maps were classified in ENVI 5.3, and the net carbon sequestration in land, along with the market size of carbon sequestration, was estimated using the InVEST model, incorporating land-use maps, land-cover types, and carbon sequestration in reservoirs. Organic carbon content was determined based on other carbon reservoirs, previous surveys, and available data. Each carbon reservoir unit was valued in dollars, and discount rates and annual changes in carbon value were calculated based on global and local conditions surveys.
RESULTS: The study results obtained from land-cover/use maps produced during 2003, 2013, and 2023 in the selected districts, demonstrated a diminishing trend of green spaces and barren lands, while the area of ​​built land has increased over time. The numerous changes in land use in the company of construction in green spaces and barren lands in District 1 from 2003 to 2013 had further led to 191401608 tons of emission, including 179114669 tons of carbon, valued 49056267 and 4636422 million Dollars, respectively. In District 14, the emission during 2003-2023 was also equal to 18.3644 tons of carbon, and that was 3444.14 tons of carbon for the period of 2013-2023, worth 1873871 and 1749769 thousand Dollars, in that order.
CONCLUSION: Indiscriminate construction and development of built-up areas in Tehran have undermined green spaces and barren lands, negating the benefits of green infrastructure efforts. This has resulted in a reduction in urban green spaces, hampering their capacity for carbon absorption and sequestration. Consequently, reduced carbon deposition will contribute to higher temperatures, diminishing the resilience of these urban areas.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Quality of Work-Life is a dynamic construct shaped by various individual, demographic, occupational, organizational, psychological, and social factors. It encompasses job satisfaction, work-life balance, stress management, participation, engagement, and commitment. This study aims to develop a comprehensive Quality of Work-Life model for the employees in the Tehran municipality through the Lens of Job Demands-Resources theory, which posits that job resources can mitigate job demands and enhance employee well-being. The research assesses the current Quality of Work-Life status within this organizational context.
METHODS: In this study, a sequential qualitative-quantitative mixed method was utilized. The qualitative section employed a systematic review, with its findings informing the hypotheses for the quantitative section. The quantitative segment involved survey methodology, with data analysis conducted using SmartPLS and SPSS software. A hybrid cluster-stratified sampling was used. About 1372 employees sent their answers, and after data cleansing, 1343 answers were analyzed and interpreted.
FINDINGS: The results indicate that Organizational Employer Brand (SM = 0.198, p < 0.05), Organizational Work-Life Balance (SM = 0.429, p < 0.05), Organizational Psychological Atmosphere (SM = -0.151, p < 0.05), Salaries and Benefits (SM = 0.133, p < 0.05), and Social aspect - Communication with Coworkers (SM = 0.066, p < 0.05) have a significant direct effect on Quality of Work-Life and no direct relationship between Job factors and Quality of Work-Life (SM = 0.074, P= 0.068) between Organizational - Physical Conditions and Quality of Work-Life (SM = 0.029, P= 0.344) and between Social aspect - Communication with Managers and Quality of Work-Life (SM = -0.026, P=0.412). Additionally, it is found that Organizational - Physical Conditions (SM = 0.300, p < 0.05), Organizational Work-Life Balance (SM = 0.281, p < 0.05), Social aspect - Communication with Coworkers (SM = 0.291, p < 0.05), and social aspect - Communication with Managers (SM = 0.209, p < 0.05) significantly affect Organizational Psychological Atmosphere and indirect effect on Quality of Work-Life.
CONCLUSION: Findings from the Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling analysis reveal no direct effect of physical conditions, job factors, or communication with managers on the Quality of Work-Life, although indirect relationships were supported. Direct relationships were noted between psychological atmosphere, communication with coworkers, salary, and benefits, organizational branding, and work-life balance with Quality of Work-Life. According to the Job Demands-Resources theory, this study highlights that resources like organizational branding, psychological atmosphere, work-life balance, and communication significantly enhance the Quality of Work-Life in Tehran municipality, illustrating their essential role in promoting employee well-being.
 

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Social resilience is one of the ways to reduce social problems and is a factor for the success of social welfare programs, increasing trust and social capital; therefore, in recent years, more attention has been paid to the issue of social resilience. The present study deals with theoretical and experimental analysis of social resilience.
METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of social resilience in region one of Karaj city by descriptive-analytical method. The statistical population consisted of residents of District one of Karaj city, 384 of whom were randomly selected. The researcher-made questionnaire was confirmed by face validity and Cronbach's alpha of 0.85.
FINDING: Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS software. The results showed that the confidence component was 2.53, 1.73, 2.52, 4.14, 4.01 and 8.86 that all coefficients were higher than 2.59 at the significance level of 0.01. For the social capital component was 1.65, 6.14, 07.03, -1.01, and -0.35, which showed that all coefficients were higher than 2.59 (14, 15) at the significance level of 0.01. For the component of commonalities between residents component was 7.87, 11.74, 7.21, 0.85-1.17, 2.93, showing that all coefficients were higher than 2.59 at the significance level of 0.01.   Also, the structural model of social cohesion, the criteria of goodness of fit index and the adjusted fit index were equal to 0.79, which indicates that the model has a moderate fit.
CONCLUSION:The purpose of this study was to investigate and measure the criteria of social resilience among the four dimensions of resilience in the settlement. As one of the most important ideas in urban planning is to create resilient cities that are resilient to social crises, therefore, paying attention to the dimensions of social cohesion, including: trust, social capital and commonalities between residents can ensure that a high level of social resilience is created and effectively operates in accordance with sustainability in society.

Abstract : Social capital represents the set of interpersonal relationships which provide resources that create value for individuals in organizations. The present paper aims at investigating the relationship between Information Justice and social capital in Islamic Azad University South Tehran Branch. The method of the research is descriptive-correlational and regarding the aim it is functional. The means of information gathering from the studied population is questionnaire. The number of sample population was 250 and they were selected by simple accidental sampling method. From the distributed questionnaires, 240 ones were gathered.  To study the Relationship between Information Justice and social capital, the model of structural equation was applied.  The output of LISREL software indicates that the fitted structural model is appropriate for hypothesis testing.  In other words, observed data is, to a great extent, compatible with conceptual model of research.  So, there is a significant relationship between Information Justice and social capital.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The roots of Performance Management can be traced to ancient civilizations; however, the industrial revolution marked a turning point in this field, introducing concepts such as systematic evaluation, management by objectives, and excellence models. In modern times, PM has evolved to emphasize process analysis, self-assessment, benchmarking, and workforce development as core components. Despite these advancements, there is still a notable gap in the availability of a comprehensive, visually intuitive, and step-by-step framework to guide managers in implementing a holistic PM system. This manuscript aims to address this gap by introducing a detailed, graphical, and systematic PM model that provides clear guidance for practitioners.
METHODS: This study reviews various performance and excellence models to propose a novel conceptual framework. The proposed model is evaluated using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, Data Envelopment Analysis, and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution.
FINDINGS: The study constructs a new PM system by integrating an organization’s mission, vision, strategies, processes, and stakeholder perspectives into Key Performance Indicators. It involves collecting relevant data, applying a scoring mechanism, calculating departmental efficiency, and ranking organizations to establish a data-driven decision-making framework. A case study is presented to illustrate the model’s application, revealing that while DEA assigned 100% efficiency to two distinct organizations, TOPSIS yielded scores of 94.67% and 46.86%, with different rankings. The reasons for these discrepancies are thoroughly examined and discussed.
CONCLUSION: This manuscript introduces a conceptual model for PM, structured around eight key steps. These steps include team formation, indicator development, Balanced Scorecard development, weight calculation, scoring system design, data collection, data analysis, and feedback and continuous improvement. The model classifies KPIs into three main categories: specialized KPIs that are derived from missions, visions, strategies, critical success factors, and core processes. Self-assessment KPIs, developed based on established excellence models, and customer survey KPIs, designed to capture external stakeholder feedback. AHP is employed to determine the weights of the KPIs and BSC aspects, ensuring a systematic and objective prioritization. DEA is utilized for efficiency calculations, while the TOPSIS method is applied to analyze the results and derive actionable managerial insights. To demonstrate the model's applicability, it is implemented in a hypothetical municipality using arbitrary data, showcasing its capability to provide a comprehensive and structured approach to performance management.

Abstract Environmental impacts assessment may be some measures to offset the impact to an acceptable level or explore new solutions. The research was conducted with the aim of assessing the socio-economic, cultural, physical and ecological impacts of Kavar irrigation and drainage network in Fars Province (Iran). In this study, Environmental impacts assessment was undertaken by ICOLD matrix. The ICOLD matrix is one of the flexible methods that converted qualitative data into quantitative data. In this method, the effect of the project activities on the environmental components were assessed in two stages; project construction and operation based on physical, ecological, socio-economic and cultural aspects. The findings indicated that positive effects will be generally exerted on the region environment by establishing and operating irrigation and drainage network in Kavar plain. In other words, substantial positive impacts will be seen in the region consequently; such as improving the average level of aquifer, enhancement of agricultural wells, and agriculture development in the region. However, in order to alleviate the negative impacts of the projects processes, it is suggested that presented environmental training to farmers, collaborating and further communicating with other relevant organizations and institutions.
 

Abstract The social dynamics of cities have long been dependent on their spaces and places. On the one hand, human interactions, and relationships are formed by the city form and on the other hand, the body recovers its identity from existing social life. The more a city can communicate with its citizens through physical features, the more it will affect their social identity. Thus, the city form can have a considerable effect on the relationships and social capital among humans. Karaj city is the second immigrant city because of being close to Tehran Capital of Iran. Nowadays, the slumming phenomenon in Karaj has become a fundamental problem that the physical distinctions of the slum districts seem to have led to a change in the social capacities of the district. Based on the survey and using processed data extracted from the questionnaire in a quantitative model through SPSS software, physical characteristics and architectural spaces of Zurabad neighborhood of Karaj contribute to the decline in social capital of the people in this neighborhood to 79%, resulting from reducing people's trust in the neighborhood up to 84%, its people’s security up to 85%, its people’s sense of belonging up to 72% and in its people’s participation up to 75%.  These results indicate the urgent need for immediate attention to the body and context of this region that shapes each individual's social and individual identity over time.

Abstract In a new era, the organizational climate has built as the norms, values, beliefs, traditions, and ceremonies where people work together to solve problems and face challenges. This study was to determine whether there is a relationship between each of the three dimensions of organizational climate (supervisory support, autonomy, and goal direction) and Organizational Citizenship Behavior-Individual and Organizational Citizenship Behavior-Organizational on a non-supervisory staff of Bank Simpanan National in Malaysia. Nevertheless, the framework of this study was discussed based on the suitable underpinning theory of organizational climate and how the organizational climate theory relates to organizational citizenship behavior. The population of employees in Bank Simpanan National was 7,000. Samples taken amounted to 99 (Male=52; Female=47) of the non-supervisory staff, respondents of the total population of 7,000, through sampling techniques, namely purposive sampling. Respondents' were selected among non-supervisory employees in this study. This study was examined using the quantitative method. In this study data analysis is done by IBM Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) program for windows version 22. Data collection techniques used the form of a 7-Likert scale of organizational climate and organizational citizenship behavior. It was examined using correlation analysis. This study revealed a significant association between organizational climate and organizational citizenship behavior on non-supervisory employees of Bank Simpanan National in Malaysia. The hypotheses further showed a significant positive relationship between 2^nd order construct of organizational climate and organizational citizenship behavior and organizational citizenship behavior-Organizational. This research recommended that all banks' need to demonstrate a positive organizational climate among employee's to increase organizational citizenship behavior.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Climate change is one of the existential threats of modern times, which deserves urgent attention by policymakers. The objective of this paper is to comprehend the impact of climate change on the Gambian economy both in the short and long-run.
METHODS: This paper analyses time series data from 1969 to 2016. The study incorporated rainfall and temperature as proxies of climate change into the Cobb-Douglas production function. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller and the Phillips-Perron stationarity test for unit root found that the growth rate of rainfall is not statistically significant with the Mackinnon approximate p-value for z (t) =0.2306. The first lag is significant at 5% and 10% but has a negative coefficient in the first differential up to the fourth lag. In contrast, the growth rate of temperature is statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0196.
FINDING: The findings revealed that human capital growth is not significantly related to economic growth in The Gambia. In the long-run, the growth rates of climate change variables are all statistically significant and associated with a negative impact on economic growth. For the short-run, the lag difference of rainfall against its own lag is statistically significant and has a positive impact on economic growth. The lag difference in the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product is not statistically significantly related to the growth rate of rainfall.
CONCLUSION: The Gambia is vulnerable to climate change shocks, consequently climate change will negatively impact economic growth resulting in high unemployment, low productivity, and high poverty rate.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Leadership styles will have different effects on company performance, so many literatures in China study the relationship between leadership styles and company performance in manufacturing. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between leadership styles and company performance in Chinese manufacturing. As a result of ineffective management in leading employees, China is currently experiencing poor financial and marketing performance, which has resulted in poor business operations and lower productivity, both of which have a direct impact on the company's performance in China's manufacturing industry.
METHODS: This study adopts quantitative research method to collect data of factors affecting company performance through questionnaires, the sampling technique is snowball sampling. A total of 450 questionnaires were sent out to the respondents, and a total of 384 questionnaires were returned. Among them, 290 questionnaires were usable. A preliminary study was conducted to ensure that the adjusted questionnaire items were appropriate and valid for the study. In actual data collection, 290 responses were successfully collected in this study, with a response rate of 65%. The SPSS software was utilized to analyze the data in this study.
FINDINGS: Based on the quantitative data analysis, the findings found that dictatorial leadership style paternalistic leadership style, autocratic leadership style, and laissez-faire leadership style insignificantly correlated with company performance in China. Democratic leadership style significantly correlated with company performance in China. Further, research findings have been discussed in the discussion of results.
CONCLUSION: These findings may provide the purpose of this study that characterize company performance, confirm leadership style in the Chinese manufacturing sector, and apply performance theory to further analyze the effect of leadership style. The Tannenbaum and Schmidt leadership styles should suggest that leadership behaviour varies along a continuum, with a level of follower participation and involvement in decision-making growing as leaders move away from the authoritarian extreme.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Air pollution and its associated health impacts have become a major concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Anthropogenic activities were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for the opportunity for source reduction of air pollutants. A number of studies have been conducted in Dhaka, but most of them are concentrated on a single ground-monitoring station, making it impossible to draw a comprehensive pollution scenario for the entire city. In contrast, this study evaluated the spatio-temporal changes of urban Particulate Matters (PM) in 70 locations from five different land use categories. Hence, this study investigated the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on PM₁ (aerodynamic diameter ≤1 µm), PM_2.5 (aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm) and PM₁₀ (aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm) concentration during three specific time frames: November 2019 (Pre-lockdown), April 2020 (During lockdown), and November 2020 (Post-lockdown).
METHODS: The data were collected through portable air quality meter (AEROQUAL 500) during lockdown (April 2020) and post-lockdown (November 2020) period.  Data set of pre-lockdowns (November 2019) was collected from Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS). The Tukey’s Post Hoc Multiple Comparison Test was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSSv26) to address the significant changes in air quality between the periods. Additionally, the GIS (Geographical Information System) platform was used to see the spatial and temporal variations of PMs over the city.
FINDINGS: The study found that average ground level PM₁, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentration reduced by 75.1, 75.4, 69.6% and 41.1, 32.6, 29.2% respectively during lockdown compared to pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods. Moreover, the reduction during lockdown was significant at α=0.05 level. The highest reduction was seen in residential areas from the pre-lockdown to lockdown period, whereas in the lockdown to post-lockdown phase that was found in the industrial areas. Interestingly, the northern part of Dhaka city was less polluted than the southern part in all three studied periods. Besides, the Dhaka city dwellers enjoyed comparatively good quality air in lockdown.
CONCLUSION: This study suggested that land use-based source apportionment is required to eliminate the particulate concentration from Dhaka city. Besides, 24 hours continuous data is also important to understand the interaction between particulate concentration and climatic forces. Promoting cleaner transportation options, such as electric vehicles and public transportation is recommended as a means of reducing vehicle emissions. Furthermore, governments could consider implementing emissions regulations, setting limits on emissions, or mandating the use of cleaner fuels and technologies to reduce industrial pollution.

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 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.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Solar panels are always installed at an angle in which receive the maximum amount of energy. Small and even 1-degree changes in the angle of the installed panel have a significant impact on the annual energy received. The objective of this study was to study the evaluation of change in the sun's radiant energy on the surface perpendicular to the radiation during the day.
METHODS: Calculations of changes in the intensity of radiation on the surface of the panel are generally performed by assuming that the intensity of solar radiation is constant on the surface perpendicular to the radiation during the day (choosing the solar constant) and multiplying it by the cosine of the azimuth angle (which varies during the day). Since the sun's rays travel different lengths in the atmosphere at different times of the day, the intensity of the sun's radiation on the surface perpendicular to the radiation varies throughout the day. In this study, the effect of daily changes in the intensity of solar radiation on the surface perpendicular to the radiation, on the optimal angle of the solar panel has been investigated.
FINDING: The results showed that the daily optimal angle difference reported in this study compared to previous studies is more than 5 degrees in some cases. Also, installing the panel under the optimal daily angle (for day number 100) and the correct yearly angle resulted in receiving 128.56 kilowatts per square meter and 2.977 megawatts per square meter more energy, respectively.
CONCLUSION: According to the results of this research, the annual optimal angle for a geographic latitude of 30 degrees, taking into account the changes in solar radiation energy on the surface perpendicular to the radiation, is 26 degrees, which is 4 degrees different from the geographic latitude. Also, the results show that if the panel is installed at an angle of 30 degrees, the energy received annually is 16.122 megawatts per square meter less than if the panel is installed at an angle of 26 degrees.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study explores the influence of collective decision-making on mitigating key cognitive biases—namely, overconfidence, optimism, and anchoring effects—among managers in Iranian state-run organizations. Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that impair judgment and decision quality, often leading to suboptimal outcomes in organizational contexts. Given the high stakes and complexity of managerial decisions in public sector settings, identifying mechanisms to reduce such biases is both practically and theoretically significant. The primary objective of this research is to determine whether collective decision-making, characterized by collaborative deliberation and shared responsibility, can serve as an effective tool for bias reduction.
METHODS: A quantitative survey methodology was employed, utilizing a structured Likert-scale questionnaire distributed among 152 managers at different hierarchical levels in governmental institutions. The instrument's internal consistency was verified with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.857, indicating high reliability. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, mean comparisons against scale midpoints, and significance testing using inferential methods.
FINDINGS: Findings revealed that collective decision-making significantly reduced the levels of overconfidence, unrealistic optimism, and anchoring bias among participants (p < 0.05). These results suggest that involving multiple perspectives in decision processes enhances rationality by exposing individual assumptions to group scrutiny, thus improving the quality and accuracy of managerial judgments.
CONCLUSION: The implications of this study are particularly relevant for organizational leadership and policy-making in public institutions. Encouraging collective decision-making not only minimizes the costs associated with biased decisions but also fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared learning. This approach can reduce psychological stress related to decision-making responsibilities and improve overall organizational performance. By highlighting the cognitive benefits of group-based decision strategies, the study contributes to the broader literature on decision science, organizational behavior, and public management, offering practical insights for managerial training and institutional reform

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Global events in recent months, such as the (COVID-19) pandemic, have put pressures on the public budget Especially in municipalities that have made it more difficult to understand and measure. Meanwhile, Fiscal discipline as one of the most basic concepts of optimal management of resources and expenditures requires purposeful research and in this regard, the present study was conducted to identify and ranking the factors affecting the fiscal discipline of Municipalities to improve financial aspects of urban management.
METHODS: In this research, the mixed exploratory approach has been used so that the qualitative method has played an exploratory role and the quantitative method has played a confirmatory role. Also, in the qualitative stage, the Meta-Synthesis Method and in the quantitative stage, the Shannon entropy method have been used to ranking the factors.
FINDINGS: By reviewing 34 studies out of 114 initial studies, researchers identified 14 indicators and 110 codes as factors affecting the Fiscal discipline of Municipalities mentioned in various studies during the years 2000 to early 2021; Identified and categorized in the form of four balanced scorecard (BSC) perspectives.
CONCLUSION: The results of this research, in addition to the richness of the literature on the concept of fiscal discipline, assist municipalities in managing fiscal discipline and supervisory institutions in assessments by providing a categorized checklist of factors.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Innovation can help the human capital of teachers to work more creatively. The job atmosphere consists of the physical environment in which teachers work and the psychological or social-emotional climate created by the interactions and relationships between teachers, students, and school officials. The study focused on the teaching environment of public tertiary teachers and their association with innovation.
METHODS: The study employed a descriptive research method to examine the relationship between the teaching environment and innovation among tertiary teachers. 196 teachers and 28 superior respondents filled out the survey questionnaire. The instrument used the percentage and frequency to analyze the respondent’s profile data and verbal descriptions and weighted mean to describe the variables. It used the following scale: Never, Seldom, Sometimes, Often, and Always.
FINDINGS:
The respondent profile reveals that 53.1% are females and 46.9% are males. 36.7% of respondents have five years of teaching experience, and 30.6% have a master's degree, while 22.4% have a doctorate degree. Regarding challenging work, teachers and their superiors responded "always" to opportunities to express their ideas, with a mean rating of 4.25 and 4.29, respectively. Teachers also use innovative strategies to improve student performance, with mean ratings of 4.15 and 4.35. Teachers are recognized for a job well done in terms of organizational encouragement, with mean ratings of 3.98 and 4.14, respectively. Teachers possess the professional skills required for resources, with mean ratings of 4.05 and 4.54. Their superiors appreciate extra effort in supervisory engagement, with mean ratings of 4.20 and 4.43. Peers are supportive, with mean ratings of 4.23 and 4.25. Organizational independence was rated "seldom" by superiors on the item that some teachers ingratiate themselves with school officials to the disadvantage of their co-teachers, with a mean rating of 2.43. The result in the Culture of Innovation category shows that school officials allow teachers to try new ideas or strategies, as rated "always" by teachers and their superiors.
CONCLUSION: These findings may provide teacher’s human capital development program to align the faculty in their field of specialization, minimize inbreeding and raise the quality of faculty members, and encourage senior faculty to undergo leadership capability training to prepare them how to handle sensitive positions in the university, to give opportunities to be more innovative, to engage them in high-quality research.