Behavior Analysis and Modeling of Stakeholders in Integrated Water Resource Management with a Focus on Irrigated Agriculture

The scarcity of freshwater resources in the Sultanate of Oman, makes it essential that both surface and groundwater resources are carefully managed. Introducing new water demand management tools is important, especially for the coastal agricultural areas (e. g. Al Batinah coastal region) which are affected by sea water intrusion. Based on a social survey performed during this work, the existing situation generates conflicts between different stakeholders (SHs) which have different interests regarding water availability, sustainable aquifer management, and profitable agricultural production. The current aim is to evaluate the implementation potential of several management interventions and their combinations by analysing opinions and responses of the relevant stakeholders in the region. Influencing the behavior and drivers affecting farmers’ decision-making manner, can be a valuable tool to improve water demand management. The work also introduces the use of a participatory process within the frame of an integrated water resources management (IWRM) to support decision makers in taking better informed decisions. Data were collected by questionnaires from different groups of stakeholders. These data were analysed statistically for each group separately as well as relations amongst groups by using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) software package. Differences were examined between opinions of farmers and decision makers (DM’s) regarding potential interventions. Farmers’ frequency curves showed differences in opinions in some interventions, while differences in opinions were not so high within the group of DM’s. Therefore, Cross Tabulation and Discriminant Analysis (DA) were performed to identify the drivers influencing farmers’ opinions regarding the intervention measures. As an advanced step, a Bayesian Networks (BNs) approach is used for mapping stakeholders’ behaviors and to show the strength of a relationship between dependent and predictor variables. By using BNs it is possible to analyse future scenarios for implementation and acceptance of interventions

Challenges Associated with Records Management in Sunyani Technical University

The paper investigate the challenges of record management in Sunyani Technical University using standard Ordinary Least Square method (OLS), One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and the central tendency (Mean). The findings of the study show that record management in the institution is challenged by improper records management; inadequate proper security for records; inadequate professionally trained records managers; there are inadequate resources to facilitate proper records management practices in the institution; insufficient space for records management; misplacement of vital records in the institution; loss of vital records in the institution; inadequate computer terminals; lack of record keeping policy; lack of record retention; lack of disposition schedule in the institution; ineffective means of retrieving record; improper records management in the institution. The managements of the institution should consider the findings of the study and address these challenges for proper record management and the benefits associated with such benefits

Challenges Associated with Records Management in Sunyani Technical University

The paper investigate the challenges of record management in Sunyani Technical University using standard Ordinary Least Square method (OLS), One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and the central tendency (Mean). The findings of the study show that record management in the institution is challenged by improper records management; inadequate proper security for records; inadequate professionally trained records managers; there are inadequate resources to facilitate proper records management practices in the institution; insufficient space for records management; misplacement of vital records in the institution; loss of vital records in the institution; inadequate computer terminals; lack of record keeping policy; lack of record retention; lack of disposition schedule in the institution; ineffective means of retrieving record; improper records management in the institution. The managements of the institution should consider the findings of the study and address these challenges for proper record management and the benefits associated with such benefits

An Empirical study of the Role of Demographics in Job Satisfaction of Sunyani Technical University staff

The paper analyses the effects of demographic variables on overall job satisfaction and satisfaction elements for Sunyani Technical University using standard Ordinary Least Square method (OLS). The estimates of the regression analysis indicate that demographic variables have insignificant positive and negative effect on overall job satisfaction. However, the estimates show significant positive and negative effect of demographic variables on some elements of job satisfaction. Managements of academic institutions should take into account the findings of the study to ensure that workers are well satisfied with their job so that productivity will not be affected. Future study should replicate the current study in a comparative study of private and public academic institutions

E-Waste Recycling Behavior in the United Arab Emirates: Investigating the Roles of Environmental Consciousness, Cost, and Infrastructure Support

This study examines whether consumers’ behavior affects e-waste recycling in the UAE. This paper provides a theoretical model of e-waste recycling behavior based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and it goes on to analyze the impact of environmental consciousness, infrastructural support, and costs in e-waste recycling. To assess this study’s constructs, a survey instrument is created. The theoretical model is tested using data gathered from a survey of UAE residents. PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equations modeling) is used to assess the data. The results support the use of the TPB in the e-waste recycling behavior context. Furthermore, this study shows intriguing findings regarding the effect of environmental consciousness, perceived infrastructural support, and the cost of e-waste recycling. Environmental consciousness shows a positive moderation effect on the association between e-waste recycling attitudes and intentions. This finding implies that the environmental consciousness of residents should be increased to translate e-waste recycling intentions into behavior. Environmental consciousness can be enhanced through training programs. Furthermore, special sustainability courses in higher education that focus on improving environmental awareness among students will have a lasting impact. This study supports the positive moderation effect of perceived infrastructure support on the association between recycling intentions and behavior

What is the effect of wages and supervision on productivity? The perspective of Sunyani Technical University staff

The study examines the influence of wages and supervision on employee’s productivity for Sunyani Technical University using standard Ordinary Least Square method (OLS). The findings of the study indicate that wages and supervision have influence on productivity; however, supervision is ranked higher to influence productivity than wages. The management of higher institutions should consider the findings of the study to ensure that workers are appropriately supervised, and well paid to improve productivity and performance. Further studies should replicate the current study in a comparative study using private and public institutions in a causal study using structural modelling method

What is the effect of wages and supervision on productivity? The perspective of Sunyani Technical University staff

The study examines the influence of wages and supervision on employee’s productivity for Sunyani Technical University using standard Ordinary Least Square method (OLS). The findings of the study indicate that wages and supervision have influence on productivity; however, supervision is ranked higher to influence productivity than wages. The management of higher institutions should consider the findings of the study to ensure that workers are appropriately supervised, and well paid to improve productivity and performance. Further studies should replicate the current study in a comparative study using private and public institutions in a causal study using structural modelling method

An empirical study of Job satisfaction of university staff

The paper examined university staff overall job satisfaction in Sunyani Technical University in a survey of 100 respondents in a cross-sectional study and a quantitative design. Using standard ordinary least square (OLS) method the findings of the study show that employees are satisfied with overall job satisfaction, and satisfied with the elements of satisfaction identified in the survey, with salary and workload been the most satisfied elements. The findings of the research in addition, indicate that elements of job satisfaction influence overall job satisfaction. Management of higher institutions should take into account the findings of the current study in motivating employees for enhance performance resulting from better service and quality service, since university workers are the first members of the community in dealing with students who are junior members of the community

Behavior Analysis and Modeling of Stakeholders in Integrated Water Resource Management with a Focus on Irrigated Agriculture

The scarcity of freshwater resources in the Sultanate of Oman, makes it essential that both surface and groundwater resources are carefully managed. Introducing new water demand management tools is important, especially for the coastal agricultural areas (e. g. Al Batinah coastal region) which are affected by sea water intrusion. Based on a social survey performed during this work, the existing situation generates conflicts between different stakeholders (SHs) which have different interests regarding water availability, sustainable aquifer management, and profitable agricultural production. The current aim is to evaluate the implementation potential of several management interventions and their combinations by analysing opinions and responses of the relevant stakeholders in the region. Influencing the behavior and drivers affecting farmers’ decision-making manner, can be a valuable tool to improve water demand management. The work also introduces the use of a participatory process within the frame of an integrated water resources management (IWRM) to support decision makers in taking better informed decisions. Data were collected by questionnaires from different groups of stakeholders. These data were analysed statistically for each group separately as well as relations amongst groups by using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) software package. Differences were examined between opinions of farmers and decision makers (DM’s) regarding potential interventions. Farmers’ frequency curves showed differences in opinions in some interventions, while differences in opinions were not so high within the group of DM’s. Therefore, Cross Tabulation and Discriminant Analysis (DA) were performed to identify the drivers influencing farmers’ opinions regarding the intervention measures. As an advanced step, a Bayesian Networks (BNs) approach is used for mapping stakeholders’ behaviors and to show the strength of a relationship between dependent and predictor variables. By using BNs it is possible to analyse future scenarios for implementation and acceptance of interventions

IKEA: GROWING THE MARKET IN INDIA – AN INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDY

India is a rapidly growing emerging economy with a $2800 billion GDP and a 1.2 billion population (Trading Economics, 2020). The Indian furniture industry is worth$32.61 B USD with an expected growth rate of 13.38% (India’s Furniture Market, 2019). IKEA is a 77-year old global Swedish furniture manufacturer with a revenue of 41.3B € (O’Connell, 2019) and a presence in 52 countries (Owuor, 2019). IKEA’s key competitive advantages have traditionally been low priced, modern, furniture of high quality and durability. The very first IKEA was set up in India in 2018 (Tandon, 2018), however, face many challenges such as, space constraints for large stores, generating revenue, and cultural concerns. (France-Presse, 2018). Due to space constraints, multi-generational Indian families live in very small homes and so rooms often serve multiple purposes (Agarwal & Bellman, 2018) and Ikea’s furniture needs to cater to such unique needs and lifestyles. Ikea faces strong competitors such as Pepperfry, India’s largest online furniture retailer and presently the top furniture retailer (Bushe & Joshi, 2019). IKEA also faces stiff competition from small mom & pop stores that dominate over 90% of the Indian retail market and offer low priced, custom made furniture. The overhead costs of these stores are less than half that of major retailers and so Ikea cannot use its “low price” positioning in India (Horvat, 2018). This case study examines the many challenges that IKEA faces in India and suggests changes to its marketing mix. Keywords: IKEA, Sweden, design, furniture retail, international marketing, case study, India, consumer attitudes, emerging markets, pricing Note: References available on reques