ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Human capital in urban management
U. Udin; G. Rakasiwi; R. Dananjoyo
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As organizations seek effective ways to lead in a dynamic world, servant leadership will likely remain relevant. Servant leaders focus on serving others and nurturing the growth of employees to create positive work environments. However, there still exists a gap in the literature ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As organizations seek effective ways to lead in a dynamic world, servant leadership will likely remain relevant. Servant leaders focus on serving others and nurturing the growth of employees to create positive work environments. However, there still exists a gap in the literature on the link between servant leadership and work engagement. Thus, this study aims to investigate the relation between servant leadership and work engagement by exploring the mediating role of affective commitment and job satisfaction.METHODS: Using a purposive sampling process, self-administered questionnaires are distributed to 154 employees working in Central Java – Indonesia public health institution from March to June 2023. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 3.0 software is utilized to analyze the data.FINDINGS: The results indicate that servant leadership has a significant direct effect on affective commitment (β = 0.321, t-statistic = 3.226, p < 0.05) and job satisfaction (β = 0.429, t-statistic = 5.556, p < 0.05). Furthermore, it is found that affective commitment (β = 0.527, t-statistic = 8.518, p < 0.05) and job satisfaction (β = 0.306, t-statistic = 4.275, p < 0.05) significantly affect work engagement. This study, upon further investigation, reveals that affective commitment (β = 0.170, t-statistic = 3.079, p < 0.05) and job satisfaction (β = 0.131, t-statistic = 3.179, p < 0.05) significantly mediate the relationship between servant leadership and work engagement.CONCLUSION: The results from PLS-SEM analysis reveal no direct relationship between servant leadership and work engagement. Additionally, the roles of affective commitment and job satisfaction are found to mediate the relationship between servant leadership and work engagement of employees in public health institution. When employees are satisfied and feel emotionally connected to their leader and organization, they are more likely to find their work meaningful and enjoyable, leading to higher levels of work engagement.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
N. Ezadbin; H. Mahmoudzadeh; R. Ghorbani
Abstract
BACKGROUNS AND OBJECTIVES: As an integral component of urban space, green space assumes a pivotal role in the purification and filtration of air, provision of recreational opportunities, and augmentation of the aesthetic allure of the urban landscape. In contemporary urban settings, the significance ...
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BACKGROUNS AND OBJECTIVES: As an integral component of urban space, green space assumes a pivotal role in the purification and filtration of air, provision of recreational opportunities, and augmentation of the aesthetic allure of the urban landscape. In contemporary urban settings, the significance of urban green spaces is widely acknowledged and embraced as an indispensable facet of the city. The consequences of urban expansion and the resulting environmental problems have indefinitely made the presence of green spaces and their proper distribution essential. Meanwhile, it is necessary to pay attention to achieving spatial balance in the distribution of urban parks, as they are an important component of urban green spaces, particularly in large cities. The population in Karaj city in Iran, has experienced an excessive increase, particularly in the last three decades. This has resulted in the rapid expansion of urban areas the destruction of the natural landscape and the structural pattern of both natural and artificial ecosystems. The city of Karaj, formerly known as Baghshahr, has transformed into a metropolis, with only a few traces of its once abundant urban green spaces remaining. This research aims to evaluate the demand for green space and the distribution capacity among the districts of 3 and 8 of Karaj city. The objective of the current study is to provide solutions based on spatial justice to increase the use of green space.METHODS: The current research utilizes a combination of descriptive-analytical and critical methods, as well as documentary and survey methods. To analyze and evaluate the condition of green spaces and their mapping, information, and data from relevant organizations and satellite images have been utilized within specific spatial-temporal scales and GIS software.Results: The results showed that the highest weight obtained was related to participation, with a weight of 0.118. This was followed by social capital, with a weight of 0.116 percent. The lowest weight was related to public services, with a weight of 0.040.CONCLUSION: District 3 has more green space than District 8 due to the presence of gardens and trees planted by the municipality on the outskirts of the district. Additionally, the political ecology in these neighborhoods has not been impacted by District 3. However, Jahanshahr and Molana neighborhoods in District 8 have a high per capita population due to their small population and large areas of parks. Additionally, the presence of Family, fruit, Fateh and small Iran Gardens, contribute to the high population density in these neighborhoods. However other areas in the district experience a significant shortage of urban green spaces and are affected by the influence of political ecology at both the neighborhood and regional levels.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
Sh. Hosseini; M.J. Amiri; Y. Moarrab
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 ...
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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.
CASE STUDY
Urban and municipalities management
M. Eshghizadeh
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 ...
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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.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Urban and municipalities management
S. Mahdinezhad; M.H. Boochani; A.A. Malekafzali
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The importance of integrated urban management has become increasingly evident in today's world, particularly for large cities facing physical, spatial, and demographic growth and complexity. In Iran, the lack of effective citizen participation and integrated management has ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The importance of integrated urban management has become increasingly evident in today's world, particularly for large cities facing physical, spatial, and demographic growth and complexity. In Iran, the lack of effective citizen participation and integrated management has posed a significant challenge to the urban management system. To address this issue, this research focuses on the role of citizens and urban activists in various levels of Tehran metropolis management, including policy making, planning, supervision, and control. It also evaluates the legislative and executive layers to emphasize their importance in achieving effective urban management.METHODS: The present study adopts a qualitative research design, with a practical orientation in terms of its objectives, and an analytical-exploratory approach for data collection. The study focuses on experts and city managers as the statistical population of interest. To gather data, a questionnaire was developed and distributed among the target community. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which yielded a high value of 0.97. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics, including frequency, frequency percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics, specifically the one-sample t-test. The statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS software package.FINDINGS: According to the findings, 31.4% of the responses identified the citizens and 25.7% of the responses identified the municipality as the owner of the city. 68.6% of the answers have identified the municipality as the manager of Tehran city. Also, 80% of the respondents said that management fragmentation is the biggest challenge of urban development in Iran. The most influential institutions in the process of urban management are Tehran Municipality at the policy-making level, self-governing experts and researchers at the planning level, the Tehran Islamic Council at the monitoring and control level, the Islamic Council at the legislative level and Tehran Municipality at the executive level, while the citizens are the last.CONCLUSION: The present urban management approach faces significant obstacles in the form of fragmentation and inadequate coordination among decision-making entities. These challenges result in disarray, duplication of efforts, and squandering of resources. Consequently, the absence of transparency and lucidity in the roles of city proprietors and managers, coupled with the lack of precise delineations for the engagement of organizations, individuals, and institutions in the urban management process, could impede the attainment of sustainable development objectives and curtail the capacity of civil society to comprehend and partake in effective urban governance.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Information and communications technology in Urban Management
H. Sofyani
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several investigations were previously conducted on the crucial role of Accounting Information System in enhancing organizational performance and accountability. However, there is a limited amount of knowledge regarding the factors that influence the quality of Accounting information ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several investigations were previously conducted on the crucial role of Accounting Information System in enhancing organizational performance and accountability. However, there is a limited amount of knowledge regarding the factors that influence the quality of Accounting information system, especially when considering their application in local government settings in developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the factors determining Accounting information system quality in local government of Indonesia, including availability and functions of network, hardware, and software. The mediating role of accounting competency was also explored using resource orchestration theory.METHODS: This study adopted a questionnaire survey method and conducted statistical hypothesis testing using Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) method. The data were obtained from local government organization staff in Yogyakarta Special Region, selected based on involvement in using software.FINDINGS: The results showed that availability and functions of network and software, as well as accounting competency, were positively correlated with Accounting information system quality, with p-values of 0.000, 0.023, and 0.000, respectively. Meanwhile, availability and functions of hardware did not show a significant correlation, as evidenced by p-value of 0.375. Accounting competency significantly mediated the relationship between availability and functions of network, software, and Accounting information system quality, with p-values of 0.032 and 0.001, respectively. Moreover, Adj. R2 was 0.467 (medium level), and the SRMR value assessed the model fit at 0.079 (good model fit).CONCLUSION: This study contributed a novel framework related to the determinants of improving Accounting information system quality in local government setting and addressed the debate surrounding the role of accounting competency in the system development. Moreover, there were emphases on the significant mediating role of accounting competency as a prerequisite for other determinants (availability and functions of network, hardware, and software) to promote better Accounting information system quality.
CASE STUDY
Human capital in urban management
M. Alizadeh; S. Ramezanzadeh
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Star Employees are high performers who have little chance of staying with an organization unless they can get more value than what they have created. Identifying and keeping star employees is the concern of many organizations today. This research seeks to identify the factors ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Star Employees are high performers who have little chance of staying with an organization unless they can get more value than what they have created. Identifying and keeping star employees is the concern of many organizations today. This research seeks to identify the factors that Retention organizational stars.
METHOD: This research was conducted using a mixed method. First, using the qualitative method of content analysis, the dimensions of the star employee model and their retention techniques were identified, and then confirmed by the structural equation modeling method of the star employee model, and finally, after identifying the star employees, the retention techniques was extracted using the fuzzy Delphi technique. The statistical population of this study consists of Petroleum engineering and development company managers and their subordinate Star employees. To collect data, the purposeful sampling method was used with 8 selected experts through a questionnaire in person.
FINDINGS: Research findings showed that the Star employees are people with six characteristics: performance (β = 0.865, p < 0.01), visibility (β = 0.737, p < 0.01), social capital (β = 0.537, p < 0.01), status (β = 0.891, p < 0.01), creativity (β = 0.905, p < 0.01) and rareness and inimitability (β = 0.913, p < 0.01). Also, 16 indicators were identified as the retention factors of Star employees by fuzzy Delphi method. These factors were classified in the form of two dimensions "focus on the individual/organization" and "short-term/long-term time".
CONCLUSION: Based on the research results, in order to retention star employees, organizations should use different techniques: job design in such a way that there is freedom of action, work independence and flexibility, creating a flexible and creative work environment, creating a flexible and agile organizational structure and to benefit from a learning organization with a suitable social position, so that they can benefit from their capabilities and capacities in realizing organizational goals.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Urban and municipalities management
V. Dhenge; G. Nimbarte
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Smart cities are technology-driven urban agglomerations. Sustainability, competitiveness, and quality of life are the three cardinal principles for smart cities. The available studies specific to smart cities are related to smart technologies, innovations, smart infrastructure, ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Smart cities are technology-driven urban agglomerations. Sustainability, competitiveness, and quality of life are the three cardinal principles for smart cities. The available studies specific to smart cities are related to smart technologies, innovations, smart infrastructure, etc., and limited studies are conducted from citizens’ perspectives. The present study aims to assess the impact of governance, general well-being, also called ease of living of citizens, and citizens’ perception of smart cities on their quality of life in mid-sized smart cities of India. The innovation and novelty of present study is that it attempts to fill the research gap in studies on smart cities by adopting the citizen-centric approach rather than infrastructure and technology-centric approach in developing countries. METHODOLOGY: Three Indian mid-sized smart cities, Pune, Nagpur, and Indore were identified for the study. For the purpose of this study, a few hypotheses were developed and a structured questionnaire was prepared from the literature review. The data was collected from Pune, Nagpur, and Indore smart cities and it was analyzed by performing factorial analysis and Structural Equation Modelling using appropriate statistical package software.FINDINGS: The findings from the statistical analysis validated the hypotheses. The results of the study indicate a strong positive impact of citizens’ perception of smart cities on quality of life (Standardized Estimates = 0.66) while governance (Standardized Estimates = 0.11) and ease of living (SE=0.46) presented low to medium impact relationship with citizens’ quality of life.CONCLUSION: The findings of this study concludes that citizens’ perception has highest influence on their quality of life. Considering these findings in the context of mid-sized smart cities, this study significantly contributes in existing research on tools and indicators of quality-of-life assessment in urban centers specifically in developing countries. This research article attempts to provide a substantial theoretical and practical contribution to urban studies.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Human capital in urban management
S.S. Madani; H. Kamelnia; A. Ghalehnovi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is important because of their impact on preserving the city's identity and urban integrity, as well as their hidden capabilities and values. In recent years, one of the adaptive reuse projects in existing factories around the world and also ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is important because of their impact on preserving the city's identity and urban integrity, as well as their hidden capabilities and values. In recent years, one of the adaptive reuse projects in existing factories around the world and also in Iran is transforming them into innovation centers. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the effective indicators of designing innovation centers and adapting the industrial heritage buildings to these criteria. This study aims to investigate and prioritize the criteria and indicators of designing innovation centers with industrial heritage renovation.METHODS: The current study is performed in two phases. First, the related literature was studied and criteria regarding industrial heritage and innovation centers were distinguished. In the next phase, post-occupancy evaluation of two cases of innovation centers in Tehran and Mashhad (Azadi innovation factory and Mashhad innovation factory) was carried out and the results were gained by applying structural equation modeling method using SmartPLS software. Thus, users’ satisfaction level of these criteria and the importance of each criterion from the users' point of view were investigated.FINDINGS: The results revealed that, for designing innovation centers in industrial heritage sites, four main criteria such as environment, technology and energy, aesthetics and socio-cultural could be discussed. According to the presented structural equation modeling, according to users’ opinion, environment criteria with Path coefficients of 0.4 in both cases is the most important factor while technology criteria with Path coefficients of 0.3 ranks after it. The factor loadings show that attention should be paid to the appropriate dimensions of work spaces (0.8), flexible and appropriate furniture (0.7-0.9), and providing service areas (0.8). Also, creating a sense of place and increasing productivity and improving social interactions were very important from the users' point of view while designing adaptively reused heritage as innovation centers.CONCLUSION: For designing innovation centers the environment criteria are more important in users’ opinion and more attention should be paid to greenery, space and mass and access to the complex. The environmental comfort factors for users are also of high importance and the users’ satisfaction level reveals that in these two cases users are almost satisfied with the design.
