5,650 research outputs found

    Tourism and heritage in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone

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    Tourism and Heritage in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) uses an ethnographic lens to explore the dissonances associated with the commodification of Chornobyl's heritage. The book considers the role of the guides as experience brokers, focusing on the synergy between tourists and guides in the performance of heritage interpretation. Banaszkiewicz proposes to perceive tour guides as important actors in the bottom-up construction of heritage discourse contributing to more inclusive and participatory approach to heritage management. Demonstrating that the CEZ has been going through a dynamic transformation into a mass tourism attraction, the book offers a critical reflection on heritagisation as a meaning-making process in which the resources of the past are interpreted, negotiated, and recognised as a valuable legacy. Applying the concepts of dissonant heritage to describe the heterogeneous character of the CEZ, the book broadens the interpretative scope of dark tourism which takes on a new dimension in the context of the war in Ukraine. Tourism and Heritage in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone argues that post-disaster sites such as Chornobyl can teach us a great deal about the importance of preserving cultural and natural heritage for future generations. The book will be of interest to academics and students who are engaged in the study of heritage, tourism, memory, disasters and Eastern Europe

    Continuous Professional Development and Work Conditions for English-Language Teaching Practitioners in Ireland: Where do we go from here?

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    In Ireland, English-language schools have historically constituted a lucrative sector for their owners and the Irish exchequer. However, teachers of English as a foreign language have not reaped financial rewards on an equitable scale. Two online surveys were conducted in 2020 and 2021 to ascertain teachers’ attitudes to continuous professional development and to their workplace conditions in privately-run schools. Findings from both surveys reflect a highly skilled, highly qualified and highly motivated cohort with a strong commitment to engaging in continuous professional development and a keen sense of their own professionalism. However, this was not found to be reflected in their work conditions. The results raise integral questions on stakeholder status

    Science and corporeal religion: a feminist materialist reconsideration of gender/sex diversity in religiosity

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    This dissertation develops a feminist materialist interpretation of the role the neuroendocrine system plays in the development of gender/sex differences in religion. Data emerging from psychology, sociology, and cognitive science have continually indicated that women are more religious than men, in various senses of those contested terms, but the factors contributing to these findings are little understood and disciplinary perspectives are often unhelpfully siloed. Previous scholarship has tended to highlight socio-cultural factors while ignoring biological factors or to focus on biological factors while relying on problematic and unsubstantiated gender stereotypes. Addressing gender/sex difference is vital for understanding religion and how we study it. This dissertation interprets this difference by means of a multidisciplinary theoretical and methodological approach. This approach builds upon insights from the cognitive and evolutionary science of religion, affect theory and affective neuroscience, and social neuroendocrinology, and it is rooted in the foundational insights of feminist materialism, including that cultural and micro-sociological forces are inseparable from biological materiality. The dissertation shows how a better way of understanding gender/sex differences in religion emerges through focusing on the co-construction of biological materiality and cultural meanings. This includes deploying a gene-culture co-evolutionary explanation of ultrasociality and an understanding of the biology of performativity to argue that religious behavior and temperaments emerge from the enactment and hormonal underpinnings of six affective adaptive desires: the desires for (1) bonding and attachment, (2) communal mythos, (3) deliverance from suffering, (4) purpose, (5) understanding, and (6) reliable leadership. By hypothesizing the patterns of hormonal release and activation associated with ritualized affects—primarily considering oxytocin, testosterone, vasopressin, estrogen, dopamine, and serotonin—the dissertation theorizes four dimensions of religious temperament: (1) nurturant religiosity, (2) ecstatic religiosity, (3) protective/hierarchical religiosity, and (4) antagonistic religiosity. This dissertation conceptualizes hormones as chemical messengers that enable the diversity emerging from the imbrication of physical materiality and socio-cultural forces. In doing so, it demonstrates how hormonal aspects of gender/sex and culturally constructed aspects of gender/sex are always already intertwined in their influence on religiosity. This theoretical framework sheds light on both the diversity and the noticeable patterns observed in gender/sex differences in religious behaviors and affects. This problematizes the terms of the “women are more religious than men” while putting in place a more adequate framework for interpreting the variety of ways it appears in human lives

    Technologies and Applications for Big Data Value

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    This open access book explores cutting-edge solutions and best practices for big data and data-driven AI applications for the data-driven economy. It provides the reader with a basis for understanding how technical issues can be overcome to offer real-world solutions to major industrial areas. The book starts with an introductory chapter that provides an overview of the book by positioning the following chapters in terms of their contributions to technology frameworks which are key elements of the Big Data Value Public-Private Partnership and the upcoming Partnership on AI, Data and Robotics. The remainder of the book is then arranged in two parts. The first part “Technologies and Methods” contains horizontal contributions of technologies and methods that enable data value chains to be applied in any sector. The second part “Processes and Applications” details experience reports and lessons from using big data and data-driven approaches in processes and applications. Its chapters are co-authored with industry experts and cover domains including health, law, finance, retail, manufacturing, mobility, and smart cities. Contributions emanate from the Big Data Value Public-Private Partnership and the Big Data Value Association, which have acted as the European data community's nucleus to bring together businesses with leading researchers to harness the value of data to benefit society, business, science, and industry. The book is of interest to two primary audiences, first, undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers in various fields, including big data, data science, data engineering, and machine learning and AI. Second, practitioners and industry experts engaged in data-driven systems, software design and deployment projects who are interested in employing these advanced methods to address real-world problems

    Spatial Analysis for Landscape Changes

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    Recent increasing trends of the occurrence of natural and anthropic processes have a strong impact on landscape modification, and there is a growing need for the implementation of effective instruments, tools, and approaches to understand and manage landscape changes. A great improvement in the availability of high-resolution DEMs, GIS tools, and algorithms of automatic extraction of landform features and change detections has favored an increase in the analysis of landscape changes, which became an essential instrument for the quantitative evaluation of landscape changes in many research fields. One of the most effective ways of investigating natural landscape changes is the geomorphological one, which benefits from recent advances in the development of digital elevation model (DEM) comparison software and algorithms, image change detection, and landscape evolution models. This Special Issue collects six papers concerning the application of traditional and innovative multidisciplinary methods in several application fields, such as geomorphology, urban and territorial systems, vegetation restoration, and soil science. The papers include multidisciplinary studies that highlight the usefulness of quantitative analyses of satellite images and UAV-based DEMs, the application of Landscape Evolution Models (LEMs) and automatic landform classification algorithms to solve multidisciplinary issues of landscape changes. A review article is also presented, dealing with the bibliometric analysis of the research topic

    A systemic approach to the prevention and management of the causes of Hotel Environmental Sustainability Strategy Execution Failure (HESSEF)

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    Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Our world is at risk due to unprecedented anthropogenic global warming leading to climate change. From pre-industrial period (1850-1900) to 2006-2015, global mean surface (land and ocean) temperature (GMST) and mean land surface air temperature (MSAT) respectively increased by 0.87°C and 1.53°C, leading to increasing occurrence of severe natural disasters. Hotels (184 thousand with 17 million hotel rooms in 2018) enable significant economic growth and social progress within international tourism, the third largest industry in the world. In 2018, this industry was worth USD 1.7 trillion, contributed 10.4 per cent to world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), cared for 1.4 billion tourists, and employed 319 million persons (one in ten jobs). Unfortunately, hotels also have negative environmental impacts and account for one to two per cent of the five per cent global carbon dioxide emitted by the tourism industry. Hotels hence contribute to the global warming and climate change. There is a need to curb hotels’ carbon dioxide emissions with appropriate strategies. However, properly formulated strategies do not guarantee effective execution. Strategy Execution (SE) is difficult to achieve and execution failure is possible. The execution of Hotel Environmental Sustainability Strategies (HESS) is not an exception. A Hotel Environmental Sustainability Strategy Execution (HESSE) paradigm shift and behaviour change, with subsequent habits of effectiveness are hence required. The aim of this study is to address the following research problem: “There is no model that can assist hotel practitioners (HP) and academics with a systemic approach to the prevention and management of the causes of Hotel Environmental Sustainability Strategy Execution Failure (HESSEF).” The primary objective of the study is the development of the Seven Habits of Effective HESSE (7HoE HESSE) model to address this problem. In support to the primary objective, a number of secondary objectives are pursued. First, the world sustainability challenges and initiatives are described. Second, the challenges of environmental sustainability within the context of hotel management are understood and opportunities for improvement are identified. Third, the challenges of HESSE are understood. Fourth, the escalation of HESSEF is analyzed and possible HESSE paradigm shift and behaviour change for systemic HESSE enhancement are studied. Fifth, the 7HoE HESSE model for HESSE systemic enhancement is conceptualized and operationalized. Sixth, the model is verified. Seventh, the model is validated through face to-face structured interview of HP and feedback used for the model improvement. The 7HoE HESSE model is described by HP as the way forward for sustainability as it provides a good approach towards sustainability. HP highly appreciated the model describing it as a great tool, highly suitable to the hospitality industry, interesting model, straight-forward, easy to understand and well structured with appropriate monitoring HESSE processes. HP expressed high willingness to experience the 7HoE HESSE model which properly summarizes and contextualizes their reality. They are willing to experience the model as they believe it will be very useful for favouring collaboration and commitment of all hotel stakeholders. They expressed the views that the model could ensure successful execution of sustainability projects in the hotel industry.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die planeet word bedreig deur ongekende vlakke van aardverwarming wat lei tot klimaatsverandering. Die gemiddelde Land en Oseaan temperature of the wel (GMST), sowel as gemiddelde Land en Atmosfeer temperatuur of te wel (MSAT) het onderskeidlik met 0.87 grade celcuis en 1.53 grade celcuis toegeneem sedert die pre-industrieĂ«le periode (1850- 1900). Klimaatsverandering gee aanleiding tot natuur rampe. Die hotel industrie het ‘n positiewe impak op ekonomies groei en sosiale ontwikkeling. Daar is tans nie minder as 184 duisend hotelle and 17 miljoen hotel kamers. Toerisme was pre-Covid die derde grootste industrie ter wĂȘreld en was in 2018 USD 1.7 triljoen werd. Die industrie was verantwoordelik vir 10.4 persent van die wĂȘreld se Bruto Nasionale Produk, en het werk verskaf aan 319 miljoen mense (een uit elke 10 werk geleenthede op aarde). Hotelle het ongelukkig ook ‘n baie negatiewe impak op die omgewing en is verantwoordelik vir tot 40 present van alle CO2 wat deur die toerisme bedryf geproduseer word. Dit is dus baie belangrik vir hotelle om strategieĂ«. te onwikkel wat hierdie potensiele nagatiewe impak kan verlaag. Strategie Uitvoering (SU) in die algemeen is moeilik en mislukking is baie moontlik. Die uitvoer van ‘n Hotel Omgewings Volhoubaarheid Strategie (HOVS) is nie ‘n uitsondering nie. ‘n Paradigma skuif en gedragsverandering is dus noodsaaklik om effeftiewe HOVS Uitvoering (HOVSU) te verseker. Dit is dus verdermeer nodig om effektiewiteits gewoontes te kweek. Die oogmerk van hierdie studie is om die volgende navorsingsprobleem aan te spreek: “Daar bestaan tans geen model wat Hotel Operateurs (HO) en akademici kan bystaan om deur middel van ‘n systematiese benadering die oorsake van Hotel Omgewings Volhoubaarheid Strategie Uitvoerings Mislukking (HOVSUM) te verminder en te bestuur nie.” Die primĂȘre doelwit van die studie is die ontwikkeling van ‘n gedragsveranderingsmodel wat sal aanleiding gee tot die kweek van Sewe HOVSU gewoontes (7HoE HESSE). In ondersteuning tot die primĂȘre doelwit is ‘n aantal sekondĂȘre doelwitte geformuleer. Eerstens is die aard en omvang van die planeet se volhoubaarheidsuitdagins en inisiatiewe beskyf. Tweendens is die omgewingsvolhoubaarheiduitdagings wat hotelle in die gesig staar beskryf. Derderds is die problematiek aangaande HOVSU ondersoek en beskryf. Vierdens is die verloop van HOVSUM en moontlikhede aangaande gedragsverandering en gewoonte vorming beskryf. Die vyde sekondĂȘre doelwit was die formulering en operasionalisering van die 7HoE HESSE model. In die sesde plek is die model geverifieer en in die sewende plek is die model gevalideer tydens indiepte onderhoude met Hotel Operateurs en bestuurders sowel as industrie kundiges. Die terugvoer van beide operateurs en kundiges is besonder positief en die model word beskryf as ‘n eenvoudige en prakties implementeerbare instrument om die problematiek wat verband hou met die uitvoer van omgewingsvolhoubaarheid strategieĂ« binne hotelle die hoof te bied.Master

    Covid-19 and Capitalism

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    This open access book provides a comprehensive analysis of the socioeconomic determinants of Covid-19. From the end of 2019 until presently, the world has been ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the cause of this is (obviously) a virus, the extent to which this virus spread, and therefore the number of infections and deaths, was largely determined by socio-economic factors. From this, it follows that the course of the pandemic varies greatly from one country to another. This observation applies both to countries’ resilience to such a pandemic (which is mainly rooted in the period preceding the outbreak of the virus) and to the way in which countries have reacted to the virus (including the political choices on how to respond). Meanwhile, research has made it clear that the nature of this response (e.g., elimination policy, mitigation policy, and proceeding herd immunity) was, on the one hand, strongly determined by political and ideological factors and, on the other hand, was highly influential in the factors of success or failure in combating the pandemic. The book focuses on the situation in a number of Western regions (notably the USA, the UK, and the EU and its Member States). The author addresses the reasons why in many Western countries both pandemic prevention and response policies to Covid-19 have failed. The book concludes with recommendations concerning the rearrangement of the socio-economic order that could increase the resilience of (Western) societies against such pandemics

    The Multifaceted Nature of Food and Nutrition Insecurity around the World and Foodservice Business

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    The international concept of food security is a situation where all people have physical, social, and economic access at all times to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. All four parameters (availability, access, utilization, and stability) should therefore be measured to determine food security status.Taking into account these premises, this book aims to present original research articles and reviews concerning the following: Agriculture and food security; Agri-tourism and its potential to assist with food security; Business–science cooperation to advance food security; Competing demands and tradeoffs for land and water resources; Consumer behavior, nutritional security and food assistance programs; Food and health; Global and local analyses of food security and its drivers; Global governance and food security; Infectious and non-infectious diseases and food security; Reducing food loss and waste; Reducing risks to food production and distribution from climate change; Supply chains and food security; Technological breakthroughs to help feed the globe; Tourism food security relationship; Urbanization, food value chains, and the sustainable, secure sourcing of food; Food and service quality at food catering establishments; Consumer behavior at foodservice operations (restaurants, cafĂ©s, hotels)
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