International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Abstract As a communication link between suburban and urban roads, terminals prevent buses from entering the cities, thus, they play an important role in improving traffic flow, reducing urban environmental pollution. Clearly, proximity of te rminals to cities will bring about environmental pollution in different forms (soil, water, air and wastewater). The current study tries to investigate the environmental management solutions for Tehran West Terminal. For this purpose, all the environmental aspects of bus terminals, including air, water, soil and traffic were investigated. Then, with respect to the primary assessments, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed among drivers and terminal staff. According to the obtained results, a SWOT matrix was designed and implemented after completing the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The results of soil sampling showed that pollutants like heavy metals and volatile organic matters (Benzene and Toluene) were above the standards set by the Iran Department of the Environment. In terms of air pollutants, all the gases and particles were above the standards set forth by Iran Department of the Environment.  According to SWOT analysis, the aggressive scenario strategies obtained the highest scores. They included periodic trainings for the managers, drivers and other terminal staff (5.31), constant monitoring by Iran Department of the Environment (4.72), establishing internal environmental regulations (4.44), forbidding unauthorized car repairs especially oil Chang outside the repair shops (3.93), and supervision of cooperative managers on controlling vehicles and their drivers (3.73), were selected as superior strategies, respectively. 

Abstract Urban branding, as a new approach toward urban development, improves marketing of the city image in different ways by changing the visual image of the city into a brand image. This paper aims to survey the element of urban branding strategies in Iranian cities by examining the criteria of urban branding theory in Iranian cities. The main goal of this investigation is to describe how the cities become branded, how branding succeeds, and how a viable city image is created. This study is an applied research and descriptive-analytical method conducted in five steps: 1) identifying the study area, 2) identifying economical capabilities of branding in study area, 3) identifying the spatial level of potential using a specific questionnaire, 4) selecting the capabilities with a higher average score as superior capabilities for strategic planning, and 5) performing a strategic planning. The paper explores the concept of urban branding from theoretical, analytical, and practical viewpoints. In practical terms, a questionnaire is administrated to planners and designers to identify the stages by which an Iranian city (Qazvin) might be effectively branded. The results showed that the QPSM method and its integration with the SWOT method have a high ability to extract urban branding strategies and can be used in this field.

Abstract The current study presents an investigation on the waste management in the cattle slaughterhouse by the following objectives: a) to identify the existing waste management practices in relation to sources, quantity and characteristic of wastes; b) to identify the situation of production, collection, storage, transportation, processing and recycling, and final disposal of wastes and the problems of existing waste management practices. In order to obtain reliable information and filling the check list, site surveys were conducted when the management of the slaughter-house was interviewed in waste management practices. The total produced industrial waste in studying units' was found to be 10252 tons/year. The per capita waste generations were reported to be 54.6 kg/cattle/day and 11.1 kg/sheep/day. Also, more than 98% of the hazardous waste produced can be infectious. However, it is important to keep in mind that setting an operational program and careful monitoring of its optimal execution by the slaughterhouse manager is necessary. Consequently, findings provide useful inputs for decision making processes around construction slaughterhouses waste management.
 

Abstract In today’s leading organizations, employees’ empowerment is considered as a significant issue in human resource management cycle and it has become a central theme of management functions and practices. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between empowerment of staffs and organizational commitment with organizational health mediation. The results showed that there is a relationship between staffs empowerment and organizational commitment, and the aspects of empowerment (competence, effectiveness, autonomy, trust, choice right) are also associated with organizational commitment and that the variable of organizational health plays a mediation role in the relationship between staffs’ empowerment and organizational commitment in the office of revenue recognition and collection in Tehran Municipality. This research is of descriptive type. To analyze the data, initially the normality of data was examined by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and then assumptions were evaluated by using the model of structural equations and LISREL software.

Abstract Quality of urban environment as a subset of quality of life now represents the search for happiness and personal satisfaction in urban environment and is a broad concept which is concerned with the overall well-being in urban environment. The purpose of this study was to investigating the quality of urban environment according to the 5 urban landscape indicators; Land use, Green space, Population and Floor density, Accessibility and physical quality in Noor Town of Tabriz. In order to achieve this goal, the two-step research method has been used. The first step was field observation and conduction an organized interview with the citizens and the next step was the implementation of the results on the map using Geographical Information System analysis. The results of the research showed that the highest quality of urban environment related to green space and people are satisfied with the availability of green space in Noor Town. In contrast, the lowest quality of urban environment was related to the aspects of land use, such as the existence of wastelands in the southern parts of the study area and existence some industrial sites as air pollution sources near to the study area.

Abstract Heavy metal pollutionis one of the largest problems in the Environment and human being. In industrial and urban areas trees can give better quantifications for pollutant concentrations and atmospheric deposition than non-biological samples. In order to know ability of Fraxinus excelsior­ (Ash tree) to reduce the concentrations of heavy metals and compared with the concentration of these pollutants in falling dust urban green belt. The results showed that the concentration of Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Lead, and Cadmium in falling dust respectively were the highest to the lowest. The distance from the highway in the concentration of pollutants in leaves and bark of the Ash tree showed significant results. Also, the effect of pollutant in the leaf of this plant was higher than that of bark, except for Cobalt. Concentrations of Zinc, Cobalt, and Nickel, increased with increasing distance from the road due to multi-directional winds and the presence of other contaminants. The Pearson correlation analysis between heavy metals found in the falling dust and Ash tree showed that the input and controlling factors of these elements in the Ash tree are probably the same as the dust. The results showed that the Fraxinus excelsior leaf with the amount of accumulation index of 1607 mg/kg has more ability to simultaneously absorb different metals. As a result, since this green belt surrounds Yazd urban area, it is hoped that a significant amount of heavy metals will be absorbed by these trees.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Organizational culture is a topic that has recently emerged in management knowledge and in the domain of organizational behavior. Following new theories and research in management, organizational culture has become increasingly important and has become one of the central focus of management. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensions and indicators affecting organizational culture in order to improve organizational culture and productivity based on the Denison Model in District 19 of the Municipality of Tehran, Iran.
METHODS: The research method was descriptive-correlational and Denison's organizational culture questionnaire which assesses organizational culture based on four dimensions of involvement in work, compatibility,  adaptability and, mission were used. Each of these four dimensions has three defined indicators. The statistical population of the study consisted of all employees of District 19 of Tehran Municipality, 148 of whom completed the questionnaire. After analyzing the data, the frame of the organizational culture of the district was formed.
FINDING: The results showed that the mission and involvement in work have the mean scores of 3.14 and 3.01, respectively while adaptability and compatibility showed the mean score of 3.12 and 3.07.
CONCLUSION: The municipality of District 19 in terms of its organizational missions and strategic goals needs a well-constructed plan

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Entrepreneurship has become mandatory for different societies because not only does entrepreneurship make it possible for individuals to access the financial resources generated by the idea but it also facilitates the development of a country by solving problems in a new way. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to explore and determine the relationship between entrepreneurial skills on job performance of managers and deputies working in the municipalities of Hormozgan province located in the south of Iran.
METHODS: The present study is a descriptive-practical correlation in terms of how data was collected. The collected data were based on the quantitative research method used to measure job performance by means of the Standard 15 Questionnaire. For evaluating the entrepreneurship skills, the 20 researcher-made questionnaire with 20 statements was used based on the research literature. The statistical population of the study consisted of 350 managers and deputy mayors of Hormozgan province. By applying the Cochran's formula, 182 people were selected as the statistical sample. Data analysis was performed by means of SmartPLS3 software.
FINDINGS:The results of the research indicate positive relationships among entrepreneurial (3.695), managerial (5.680) and technical (7.369) skills concerning job performance. Therefore, these hypotheses were confirmed and, on the contrary, the hypothesis related to the relationship between personal skills and job performance (1.774) was rejected.
CONCLUSION: According to the findings, the development of the relationship between entrepreneurial skills on job performance of managers and deputy mayors of Hormozgan province improves the competitive performance of organizations.

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 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.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Global Warming is expected to induce grave effects around the world. It is predicted that many communities, mostly in the third world, experience numerous consequences because of climate change. Therefore, effective action is needed and universities play a huge role in addressing Global Warming issues and their impacts through research and innovations. Hence, assessing the extent to which African university students understand climate change and its impacts shows the extent of hope in mitigating the climate related risks. This Case study assesses how deep is the knowledge of young educated Africans on Global Warming causes and risks, how committed they are on fighting the issue and applying solutions.
METHODS: A hypothesis testing and descriptive statistics models were employed to analyze a qualified data set collected through an online interview survey among young educated Africans taken from a sample of oversea students in Chinese state universities. After a consistency study, Out of 250 questionnaires received, 224 were useful data, and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.75. Participants were taken from 34 different African nationalities. All analyses were conducted using SPSS24.
FINDINGS: The results have shown that 39% of the students are very familiar with the topic, and 33% consider it as a known issue and the participants mostly rely on social media to get information about Global Warming. Two hypotheses were tested at 95% level of confidence; the critical statistic was 41.3 against a 51.2 calculated chi square for H01: Young educated Africans don’t have significant knowledge on Global Warming causes. Similarly, a critical value of 36.4 was compared to a calculated chi-square of 40.6 for H02: Young educated Africans don’t have significant knowledge on Global Warming risks. Hence, both hypotheses were rejected. Consequently, it was deduced that young Africans students do have general knowledge on GW risks and causes, even if some deep aspects are still unclear for some. It was revealed that most of the students (81%) are ready to take actions against climate change, and some have even started to do so; besides, they mostly believe that the solutions should come from every human being at any age or background. Using these results, recommendations were given to different stakeholders.
 
CONCLUSION: In Africa, where education about climate change is generally low, the findings in this study may provide all stakeholders with crucial information for better understanding of Global Warming risks and effective response plans. This study has shown that Young educated Africans report a general sense that global warming can negatively impact people’s lives, but relatively few are willing to personally get involved in the response. Therefore, there is need for practical climate change health and safety education leading to improve behaviors among the most remote communities.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In cities with a hot and harsh climate, defining space and territory in a sustainable and environmentally manner in urban management and human capital is critical. Cultural values and climatic adaptation played a prominent role in the neighborhood's basic elements. The main objective of the research is to identify and clarify the semantic foundations of neighborhood design in desert cities of Iran, which will be used in future improvement and rehabilitation plans.
METHODS: Naeen City, which has a particularly integrated neighborhood design structure, was chosen as the case study to support this concept. The grounded theory has been used to conduct this qualitative research and neighborhood design as a text has been considered in five physical, social, environmental, functional and aesthetic categories and identified in detail 73 themes as first level open coding. These themes were interpreted under each of the three classes of social, scientific, and aesthetic. Then as the second level open coding, 29 topics are identified in 5 categories. Finally, 10 core themes have been recognized as the Sustainable Semantic foundations of the traditional neighborhoods in the desert cities of Iran after integrating and reflecting on the collected themes.
FINDINGS: The results showed that in the category of physical structure, a focal point and hierarchy in neighborhoods; in the category of social structure, social capital and human and religious values; in the category of functional structure, functional stability and climate adaption; in the category of aesthetic structure, physical and visual identity are the most important factors in the neighborhood design in desert cities of Iran.
CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that the neighborhood in traditional Iranian cities was formed by the connectivity of physical and social elements and components, and it was the community of these neighborhoods that gave meaning to the Iranian city. Cities and neighborhoods are defined in perfect agreement with their surroundings. Neighborhoods, unlike residential units, do not require physical boundaries, and the services that people require are supplied with an emphasis on ease of access. Both as a municipal center and as an informal arena for public gatherings, the neighborhood center has been highlighted and exploited. The concentration is on common public areas that have given neighborhoods a sense of life.

Abstract ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest urban center, is experiencing rapid urbanization, which, combined with a growing student population, has led to an increased demand for student housing. This study aims to assess the current state of student housing in Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on the gap between housing supply and demand in the context of the city’s urban development and sustainability goals.
METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was utilized to analyze the student housing landscape in Ho Chi Minh City. Qualitative data were obtained through secondary document analysis, including a review of scholarly articles, government reports, and statistical data. Quantitative data were collected via an online survey of 88 first- and second-year students at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, designed to capture a broad range of housing experiences and preferences. This comprehensive approach allowed for a thorough understanding of the needs and challenges associated with student housing in the city.
FINDINGS: The analysis revealed that 51.1% of students preferred renting rooms, while 48.9% chose to stay in university dormitories. A significant portion of students (44.3%) spent less than 1 million VND per month on housing, often sharing with 2-4 roommates to reduce costs. The survey indicated that students primarily relied on social media (61.4%) and referrals (53.4%) for finding housing. Issues of security and safety were highlighted, with only 45.5% of dormitory residents and 31.8% of off-campus residents reporting satisfaction with their housing security and safety.
CONCLUSION: The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners in addressing the student housing shortage in Ho Chi Minh City. The study emphasizes the need to integrate sustainable practices into housing development, such as implementing green building standards and enhancing safety measures. Encouraging partnerships between universities, government bodies, and private developers is crucial for creating sustainable, affordable, and secure housing solutions that meet the needs of the growing student population amidst the city’s ongoing urban expansion.
 

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vandalism or intentional destruction of public property and belongings is one of the social hazards that always leads to huge jeopardy and damage to municipal facades, furniture, municipal spaces and distorts the beauty of the city. In this regard, the present study investigated vandalism and its impacts on urban beauty in the city of Chenaran.
METHODS: The research methodology applied in this study was mixed (qualitative-quantitative). At the outset, the qualitative section was conducted in a semi-structured interview with 16 people who were graduates of geography, urban planning and sociology in 4 focus groups of 4 people. Following that, by applying the information of this section, the main examples and cases of vandalism (destructive vandalism and written vandalism), various types of vandalism (recreational, property, ideological and vindictive vandalism), the effects of urban beauty vandalism (destruction of facades, destruction of furniture and destruction of urban spaces) as well as factors affecting vandalism (individual and social) were identified. Analyzes were performed in NVIVO 7 software. Then, by using the findings of the qualitative section and theoretical studies, a questionnaire (Based on the Likert scale) was prepared and distributed among the sample size of the quantitative section (382 citizens of Chenaran). Questionnaire analysis was performed with Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis model in SPSS software.
FINDINGS: The findings demonstrated that factors like socio-economic status, degree of socialization, feelings of injustice and discrimination, association with vandals and individual factors are influential in vandalism. The results of regression analysis also illustrated that 63% of the alterations in vandalism are as a result of the relationship between a linear combination of independent variables and the remaining 37% or "Coefficient of Non-Determination" is as a consequence of other factors which were not considered in this study. Feelings of injustice and discrimination (0.168) and association and communication (0.161) have a direct impact, but the socio-economic status (-0.166), the degree of socialization (-0.154) and individual factors (-0.145) have the opposite effect.
CONCLUSION: Vandalism affects the beauty of the city in several ways, including feelings of abuse and discrimination with a value of 0.168 and then meetings and communication with a value of 0.161 in which factors such as alteration of people's notions, reconstruction and fixing damaged equipment and the participation of citizens are crucial.

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 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.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Management experts believe that in order to achieve competitive advantage, Human resource management is the most important factor, because human capital according to characteristics such as: scarcity, value creation, irreplaceability and imitation, it is different from other organizational assets. Due to the importance of human resource management, this study seeks to describe the 100-year historical trend of human resource management in the world, Iran and Municipality of Tehran.
METHOD: In this research, the philosophy of interpretive research, inductive research approach, historical research strategy are selected and the method of data collection is library and field with document review tools and semi-structured interviews. The historical sources studied in this research include: theoretical literature of human resources, laws and regulations of human resources in different periods of the municipality, employment regulations, strategic documents and human resources and five-year development plans of Tehran. For this purpose, non-random and purposeful sampling was performed from the research community, which includes senior managers of human resources of Municipality of Tehran, who have been in charge since 1987. In this way, 10 people were interviewed. Data analysis was performed by qualitative content analysis.
FINDINGS: Human resource management in the world can be divided into 10 periods: before the Industrial Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, the emergence of modern companies, scientific management, social welfare movement, industrial psychology, World War I. After World War II, industrial relations divided the emergence of the field of human resource management, strategic focus on human resource management and human resource management in the era of cloud and mobile technology. The study of the historical trend of human resource management in Iran has been influenced by the employment laws of the country in 1922, 1966 and 2007 and according to it, the country is witnessing a change in human resource management from traditional (administrative and recruitment) to specialized and professional (strategic). Human resource management in Municipality of Tehran in the framework of the mission, development programs and development documents of human resources in the direction of playing administrative (recruitment, selection, promotion) and executive roles (training, development, empowerment, succession) has taken many steps and with simultaneous focus on inside and outside the organization, has moved towards urban Human resource management.
CONCLUSION: The results of the research provide important information about the historical course of Human resource management in three levels of the world, Iran and Municipality of Tehran, and by studying it, the gap between human resource management activities and measures are achieved.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Road traffic noise is a matter of challenge for both people and policymakers. For instance, the price of lands/houses which are close to road traffic noise is reduced. The key objective of this study is to propose a conceptual model to illustrate details of a road traffic noise model, along with its policy and societal relevance. The second objective is to consider the honking of horns in such a conceptual model, as honking is a remarkable traffic noise factor, however, it has been neglected in some noise abatement policies.
METHODS: By the use of previously proposed traffic noise models, some attempts were made to figure out how the models were applicable in minimizing road noise and how they would be helpful for environmentalists in conducting Environmental Impact Assessment. The proposed models were used to design a conceptual model explaining how policymakers and people in the urban areas may implement the traffic noise models. 
FINDINGS: 5 groups of policymakers including roadway engineers, acoustical engineers, acoustic specialists, expert witnesses, and traffic engineers; and 5 groups in the society comprising drivers, people, health practitioners, property owners, and ecosystem may benefit from the traffic noise models. Finally, a conceptual model entailing 3 actors of a traffic noise model (meteorological, traffic, and infrastructure factors) and its 2 outputs i.e. equivalent and maximum noise levels were obtained. 
CONCLUSION: Given the conceptual model derived from the road traffic noise models, one is capable of understanding their policy and societal relevance. It is recommended dynamic road noise maps of urban areas be obtained using the models during various times of day and night so that number of inhabitants in different noise spectrums of the map to be specified. Such a noise map is beneficial for both people and policymakers.  

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To date, much of the research has addressed the question of how sustainability can be achieved through innovative environmental projects proposed by concepts and theories in the field of sustainable development. This case study reflects the new formation of ecologically valid guidelines. Ecological intelligence caused by the impact of the environmental changes and the related risks. Modern developments and implementation of innovations support the achievement of the sustainable development goals. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of youth value orientation and ecological intelligence towards innovations in the realization of the sustainable development goals, development, and implementation of innovations depending on the differentiations of priorities of these goals.
METHODS: The methodology of this study presents the thematic overviews on the subject, related to the study conducted, statistics data and the qualitative research on the online questionnaire designed to collect data. The respondents' answers showed awareness of the problems facing the inhabitants of planet Earth today, and the importance of introducing innovations to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
FINDINGS: The information obtained in the survey on the differentiation according to the priority of the SDGs for the development and implementation of innovations showed that solutions to the problems of environmental sustainability are considered a priority by one in four of the respondents participating in the survey (82.9%). At the same time, in the implementation of the SDGs that focus on achieving environmental sustainability, the fight against change is considered more important. The fact that none of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals has a priority score of 0 indicates that innovation and implementation are needed to achieve each goal.
CONCLUSION: Without ecological intelligence and value orientations on the importance of innovative developments, it is impossible to understand the consequences of human impact on the environment and the importance of developing and implementing innovations for the continuation of life on planet Earth. That's the point why over one-third of respondents consider additional environmental knowledge to be significant, regardless of future profession. The study may interest philosophers, sociologists, psychologists and anyone concerned with the stability of planet Earth.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The long-term nature and capitalization of projects as well as the risks of the country's economic environment have made the provision of proper infrastructure as a permanent problem for national and local governments. Governments prefer to outsource the development and exploitation of capital assets to the private sector due to several reasons. In this matter, government institutions, due to their weaknesses in both technology and financing, are willing to create some optimal policy frameworks to utilize financial instruments to encourage private sector participation, as well as increase the share of revenues from the urban projects.The aim of this paper is to use the auction theory to improve the current mechanisms of public asset allocation.
METHODS: This paper investigated the legal framework to design an allocation mechanism for the public assets using a qualitative approach. This qualitative method is based on the case study. This paper works on a series of library studies in order to analyze and familiarize with the problems, shortcomings, and inadequacies in the allocation of public assets exploitation plans in the Municipality of Tehran.
FINDINGS: The obtained results indicate that the current rule can be improved in terms of choosing the process holding model, bidding criteria, and focusing on sharing future revenues in order to strengthen both the optimality and efficiency of outputs
CONCLUSION: This paper proposed the bidding mechanisms that can be employed based on the current rules. After determining the qualifications of the contractors, a two-step model can be utilized to provide the set of assets. The mechanism of holding bidding was provided based on the results of previous researches as well as the features of the current rule in the form of two stages of price detection and the First Price Sealed Bid Auction mechanism.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The strategic choice of where to locate a hydropower plant affects both the facility's financial performance and the long-term sustainable growth of the surrounding area. This study aims to evaluate the accurate location planning of power plant establishment for electricity production in western Mazandaran.
METHODS: The Analytical Hierarchy Process is used to assess feasibility, identify the optimal location, and determine the most suitable type of green energy plant. Cost analysis is also conducted to identify the location minimizing energy consumption and associated risks. Finally, recommendations for the most suitable location are presented. Based on this, 6 cities located in the west of Mazandaran province have been selected as case studies. The research was conducted between 2020 and 2023. This research involved preparing a topographic map and using software to determine green locations for electricity production in western Mazandaran, based on a 15-year return period. A comparison is made between the electricity generation system from green energy and the electricity generation system from fossil sources. This comparison examines net production cost, sensitivity analysis, and environmental pollution for both green and fossil fuel systems. The feasibility and effectiveness of a green energy system are then evaluated based on geographical conditions and year-round electricity consumption profiles. Finally, using the Analytical Hierarchy Process hierarchical analysis results, we identify the most optimal location for equipment installation, considering economic efficiency, geographical conditions, and year-round electricity consumption.
FINDINGS: The findings reveal that downstream areas with a low slope are best suited for green and sustainable energy production due to their hydrological characteristics and potential for a sustainable supply chain. While eastern regions have high hydropower potential, construction costs are also high. The total cost for a green and sustainable power plant is 2.2 billion Tomans, while sustainable and uneconomical options cost 14 billion Tomans and 24.3 billion Tomans, respectively. Finally, to propose optimal locations for green and sustainable power plants, three precise coordinates for points A, B, and C have been identified.
CONCLUSION: This study identifies 40 potential locations for green and sustainable power plants, with additional locations identified for sustainable and non-economic options. Cost and time comparisons show significant advantages for green and sustainable plants. Three specific locations (A, B, and C) with precise coordinates are recommended for further development. This research concluded that eastern areas in the west of Mazandaran, particularly near rivers, are generally well-suited for constructing hydropower plants.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:  In the state of Florida there are more than 2.5 million acres of fresh water available; rivers, streams, springs, artificial canals, wetlands, and lakes. Polk and Osceola Counties are under a class III classification, which means that are considered recreational waters, and people can carry out fishing and/or swimming activities within the facility. Some of the problems these lakes face is eutrophication due to pollutants such as phosphorous, nitrogen, and growth of cyanobacteria, impacting directly the quality and public health. The aim of this analysis is evaluating the effect of the presence of Total phosphorus and Total nitrogen in the water quality, and an indirect analysis of cyanobacteria by the evaluation of Secchi Disk and Chlorophyll-a analysis, in order to identify statistically differences between two counties in Florida state, to contribute with a possible improvements and ecological buffer plan to be used to reduce pollution in the lakes of the state of Florida.
METHODS: Based on this premise, it is intended to analyze secondary data on the quality of the water in the lakes of Polk and Osceola counties by evaluating the trophic status in each lake, and statistically evaluated using ANOVA, histograms and pareto analysis.
FINDINGS: Results obtained determined that lakes from Osceola County are more contaminated that lakes from Polk County since it has three lakes in eutrophic status vs two lakes in eutrophic conditions at Polk County (from 52-69 for Osceola County and 42-59 for Polk County). Similar pattern is observed when evaluating histograms and pareto plots for each parameter between the counties. ANOVA test showed that F>F critical and p-value<α, demonstrating that there is difference between both counties.
CONCLUSION: After the analysis was completed, it is recommended an evaluation by zone and improve water quality. It has been demonstrated that there is a need of new alternatives for the conservation and preservation of lakes in the state of Florida. Buffer zones are an alternative that can be very beneficial to conservation of lakes functioning also as a natural home for the flora and fauna. For the zone studied, it is recommended the use of Riparian buffers. These systems are known to improve and maintain water quality; at the same time protecting and improving fish and wildlife habitat.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Land use change can directly affect rainfall-runoff relationships. The change in land use is an essential factor in runoff production. This research evaluated the effect of urban development scenarios of land use change on runoff in Gonabad city of Iran. The innovation and importance of this work are to determine which land use changes have the greatest impact on the flood discharge in this urban area. Also, determine how much the minimum development of urban green space is to control and reduce peak flood discharge in this city that is located in a dry area.
METHODS: The effect of urban development scenarios on runoff was evaluated by the WinTR-55 model in 5 sub-basins of Gonabad city. The main data required for inputting to the WinTR-55 model are sub-area and reach characteristics, curve number, and storm data. The storm data in TR-55 are 24-hour rainfall amounts in a return period of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years. The changes in the maximum flood discharge and flow hydrograph in each sub-area and return period were calculated by the WinTR-55 model under existing land use conditions and 9 scenarios of urban development.
FINDINGS: The greatest increase in runoff production was related to the conversion of abandoned fallow and agricultural lands to residential. Also, the most effective increase or decrease of land cover change in peak flow discharge and total flow volume was at the 2-year return period. The decreased effect of the development of green spaces and urban gardens on peak flow discharge and total flow volume was seen only if their development was more than 50%. The average maximum decrease in peak discharge and total flow volume was 22.7% and 16.1%, respectively. While the average maximum increase in peak discharge and total flow volume was 84.4% and 53.9%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The effect of increasing green spaces and urban gardens on the reduction of peak discharge and volume of runoff was also evident in the study area. Land management and preventing the conversion of permeable land uses such as agricultural, gardening, fallow lands, and rangeland will be much simpler and less costly. Urban land use management to prevent urban floods requires the expansion of permeable surfaces, especially green spaces, and urban gardens. These are the important novelty of this research that can be beneficial for future urban developments of Gonabad city and its flood management activities.

Abstract ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Supervisory activities and interactions with employees affect employee performance. Moreover, every organization tries to enhance the supervisor's supportive behavior in the work environment. Consequently, the main aim of this study is “to determine the impact of organizational work-family culture on the family-supportive supervisor behavior of employees in Sri Lanka's footwear industry”. Based on a thorough review of existing literature and industry challenges, the study identifies organizational work-family culture as the independent variable and family-supportive supervisory behavior as the dependent variable.
METHODS: The study sampled 377 employees from a population of 20,000 footwear workers in Sri Lanka. Adopting a positivist research philosophy, the study grounded in existing knowledge, is set to achieve its aims and framework. A quantitative research approach was employed for both data collection and analysis, utilizing deductive methods to systematically investigate the research objectives. A survey research study was conducted and the data were gathered from respondents within a defined cross-sectional period, ensuring a broad representation of the target population.
FINDINGS: The study found that the supportive supervisory behavior of employees in Sri Lanka's footwear sector was influenced by organizational family culture as 52% of the Organizational Work-Family Culture of employees working in the Sri Lankan footwear industry.
CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that if the organization has a better working environment, the supervisors in the working environment help their employees manage their family responsibilities over work responsibilities. Thus, companies should create an employee recognition program, accept, and use employee feedback, and be flexible to improve supervisors' family-supportive behavior.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Decentralized waste governance in resource-constrained regions presents complex challenges where infrastructural expansion alone does not guarantee systemic resilience. Banyumas Regency, Indonesia, provides a critical case: following the abrupt landfill closure in 2018, the local government launched the “Sumpah Beruang” program, which initially reduced landfill-bound waste by over 90 percent. However, persistent inefficiencies such as underutilized facilities, stockpiled refuse-derived fuel, and declining digital engagement exposed governance and market fragilities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Banyumas’s Zero Waste strategy by examining its institutional adaptability, financial resilience, and stakeholder dynamics, while situating its relevance within broader circular economy transitions in decentralized settings.
METHODS: A convergent mixed-methods approach was applied, combining policy content analysis, institutional scoring, and financial benchmarking. Primary data were obtained through 20 semi-structured interviews with government officials, waste operators, community-based waste groups, and industrial off-takers. Secondary data included facility operations, household surveys, and municipal records. Comparative benchmarking with international refuse-derived fuel systems and institutional frameworks was undertaken. Triangulation ensured validity across qualitative narratives, operational statistics, and economic indicators.
FINDINGS: Results show significant upstream-midstream trade-offs. While landfill diversion exceeded 90%, facility utilization averaged only 58.25%, and over 160,000 tons of refuse-derived fuel remained unsold due to unstable quality and limited market absorption. This paradox underscores the fragility of end-of-pipe solutions in circular economy contexts. Institutional assessment revealed the local public service agency governance model scored substantially higher (4.35/5) compared to the technical implementation unit system (2.7/5), suggesting improved fiscal autonomy and partnership flexibility. Stakeholder mapping highlighted asymmetrical power: cement factories and the state electricity company dominate refuse-derived fuel markets, while community-based waste management groups and households remain marginal actors. Financial analysis showed revenue dependency on household fees (more than 85%), leaving the system vulnerable to non-compliance. Scenario modeling indicated that refuse-derived fuel co-firing could reduce up to 140,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, representing United States Dollar 0.7–1.4 million in potential climate finance revenue if integrated with global carbon markets.
CONCLUSION: The study reveals that transforming the current technical implementation unit model into a public service agency significantly enhances fiscal autonomy and stakeholder coordination. We propose an integrated framework combining institutional reform, digital citizen engagement, and climate finance instruments. As a single case study focused on Banyumas Regency, the findings may have limited generalizability to regions with different governance or market contexts.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Analyzing the flood scenario can help identify opportunities and difficulties for enhancing urban catastrophe management procedures and creating more resilient cities facing environmental threats like climate change. The primary goals of the case study were to summarize the key elements of the flood incidents in India between 2000 and 2016 and discuss the 2023 flood scenario in Chennai. This study also suggested technological interventions to ensure preparedness innovatively and recommended a strategic plan to address the issue that would evolve the involvement of all stakeholders in disaster management. 
METHODS: A flood disaster analysis was based on meta-analytic and visualization methods. The factors contributing to effective mitigation for such unexpected and unforeseen happenings were considered for elaborate discussion and highlighted in this study. The urban development initiatives and their impact, especially during flood occurrences, were kept for discussion and analysis. The methodology is more qualitative, with references as the basis of analysis and further discussion. The meta-analytic approach ensures to cover all the frames of references that are notable from the perspective of contributing to urban development since urban areas contribute a lot to a nation’s economic growth and other developmental aspects.
FINDINGS: The meta-analytic review of the case study contributes to the overall 75 percent of the cases by focusing on governance-level initiatives, precautionary measures, and post-situational steps that were taken to mitigate the issue in a congenial manner. This study identified the consequences and factors that contributed to such occurrences, primarily due to certain factors relevant to urbanization and encroachment effects, as well as other contributing factors that were found common in all occurrences. A framework or model used in this study for urban recovery was also formulated by the authors of this study.
CONCLUSION: These findings enable those strategic decision-makers to support the facts of such occurrences (especially in suburbs or urban areas) or any other incidents of disaster or crisis with crucial information that would pave the way for effective management of incidences and also help in framing policies with developmental perspectives in place while planning to convert suburbs to urban development shortly. The finding of the study supports the gap in overall studies based on flood occurrences and suitable remedies as well.

Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Forest honey is a non-timber forest product that supports community welfare while maintaining ecosystem biodiversity. This study aimed to evaluate the level of sustainability of forest honey production in Riau Province by determining and analyzing the sustainability index.
METHODS: Data were collected through literature review, focus group discussions, and expert questionnaires involving practitioners and stakeholders with more than five years of experience in forest honey production and management. The data obtained were then analyzed using a multidimensional scale technique covering environmental, economic, social, technological, and institutional aspects. Monte Carlo analysis and the alternating least-squares algorithm were used to examine the sustainability status and significant characteristics.
FINDINGS: The results showed that the sustainability index reached 76.26 percent, categorized as highly sustainable. The environmental, economic, and social dimensions were found to be sustainable, while institutional and technological aspects remained moderately sustainable and need further strengthening. Key attributes influencing sustainability include distribution systems, product prices, training opportunities for honey collectors, digital marketing, and product certification.
CONCLUSION: Strategic recommendations include improving institutional capacity, expanding the use of digital technology, continuous technical training, and developing long-term business strategies. This study introduces a multidimensional sustainability assessment model that integrates ecological, economic, social, technological, and institutional aspects, offering a replicable framework for sustainable forest honey management in Indonesia and beyond.