Proposal of strategies for the implementation of the Spanish construction companies in India

[EN] The economic crisis that began in Spain in 2008 has led to the collapse of the construction sector. The large Spanish construction companies, which already had a wide dedication to the international market, have seen their only way out for survival was to increase turnover abroad. On the other hand, medium and small size construction companies have also seen the need to internationalize as the only solution to the crisis. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world now. According to industry estimates, the Indian construction industry was worth US $161.22 billion in FY2016-17. The Twelfth Five-year Plan envisions investment of approximately US$1 trillion in Indian infrastructure between 2012 and 2017. With the relentless pursuit of new markets of Spanish construction companies, this project is to make a study of the Indian market, studying their evolution, changes and policies that come taking these last years in construction, proposing strategies to minimize weaknesses and threats, and strategies maximize the strengths and opportunities in the sector.[CA] La crisi econòmica que va començar a Espanya en 2008 ha provocat l'afonament del sector de la construcció, tant d'edificació com d'obra civil. Les grans empreses constructores espanyoles, que ja comptaven amb una àmplia dedicació al mercat internacional, han vist que la seua única eixida per a la supervivència era incrementar la facturació en l'exterior. D'altra banda, també les empreses constructores de mitjà i xicoteta grandària, s'han vist en la necessitat d'internacionalitzar-se com a única eixida a la crisi. Índia és una de les economies de més ràpid creixement en el món hui en dia. Segons estimacions de la indústria, la indústria de la construcció indi vàlua US $161,22 bilions en FY2016-17. El dotzé Pla quinquennal preveu la inversió d'aproximadament US$ 1 trilió en infraestructura indi entre 2012 i 2017. Amb la incessant busca de nous mercats, en este projecte es planteja fer un estudi del mercat indi, estudiant la seua evolució, els canvis i les polítiques que vénen portant estos últims anys en construcció, proposant estratègies que minimitzen les debilitats i amenaces, i estratègies que maximitzen les fortaleses i oportunitats del sector.[ES] La crisis económica que comenzó en España en 2008 ha provocado el desplome del sector de la construcción, tanto de edificación como de obra civil. Las grandes empresas constructoras españolas, que ya contaban con una amplia dedicación al mercado internacional, han visto que su única salida para la supervivencia era incrementar la facturación en el exterior. Por otro lado, también las empresas constructoras de mediano y pequeño tamaño, se han visto en la necesidad de internacionalizarse como única salida a la crisis. India es una de las economías de más rápido crecimiento en el mundo hoy en día. Según estimaciones de la industria, la industria de la construcción indio valía US $161,22 billones en FY2016-17. El duodécimo Plan quinquenal prevé la inversión de aproximadamente US$ 1 trillón en infraestructura indio entre 2012 y 2017. Con la incesante búsqueda de nuevos mercados, en este proyecto se plantea hacer un estudio del mercado indio, estudiando su evolución, los cambios y las políticas que vienen llevando estos últimos años en construcción, proponiendo estrategias que minimicen las debilidades y amenazas, y estrategias que maximicen las fortalezas y oportunidades del sector.Khan, N. (2017). Proposal of strategies for the implementation of the Spanish construction companies in India. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/88720.Archivo delegad

Attendance Matters: Student Performance and Attitudes

Most academics consider class attendance as key to performance, using various strategies to encourage students to attend classes and engage more fully with the course, often with limited if any success. In Part 1 of this paper, we investigate the relationship between student attendance and performance based on two units. In the first unit, students scanned their student-cards before entering the lecture venue; in the second unit, attendance was based on tutorial attendance records. For each unit, attendance records were merged with performance and demographic data from the university records. The data were analysed using statistical modelling to determine the effect of attendance on performance. In Part 2, we report on surveys of academic staff and students administered across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, Europe and the US. In particular, we investigate the relationship between attitude towards attendance and importance of attendance to student performance and demography. Similarly, we investigate the relationship between attitudes of staff towards attendance to staff demography. Some qualitative analyses of open-ended comments from both staff and students were also performed. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between attendance and performance, with an increase of 0.52% per lecture and 1.7% per tutorial attendance respectively for the two units. Further, students in Mathematics and Statistics, Arts, and Medicine and Dentistry thought lecture attendance was important, while staff overwhelmingly agreed that class attendance was important

Wernicke Encephalopathy Following Gastric Bypass: A Case Report

Bariatric surgery is used as a treatment for morbid obesity and often results in rapid weight loss. This procedure has been associated with postoperative nutritional deficiencies. Neurological complications due to nutritional deficiencies include Wernicke encephalopathy, a disorder that affects the central and peripheral nervous system due to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Wernicke encephalopathy can lead to irreversible consequences if not treated early. Here, we present a case of a 40-year-old woman that developed Wernicke encephalopathy two months after gastric bypass surgery, with additional findings of flat affect and concurrent polyradiculopathy. Her diagnosis was delayed due to unique symptoms and an initial workup with negative imaging findings, making the identification of this disorder more complex

The importance of Mathematics and Statistics in Engineering

Mathematics is traditionally considered necessary for engineering courses. Over the last three decades the mathematics requirements for entry into engineering programmes has steadily weakened in Australia. Further, the mathematics component of engineering programmes has progressively decreased. This research aims to investigate the following two questions. Firstly, is mathematics a barrier for students to complete an engineering programme? And secondly, is performance in mathematics associated with performance in engineering? We investigated the significant factors associated with the weighted average mark (WAM) and completion status of engineering studies at both undergraduate and Masters level. Of particular interest was the students’ mathematical background. Furthermore, a survey of students enrolled in engineering at The University of Western Australia was conducted to obtain more in-depth views of student attitudes and perceptions towards how mathematics and statistics has affected their engineering studies. Binary logistic models were fitted to the survey data. Additionally, focus group interviews were conducted to gain student insight into how effectively mathematics was taught in their courses. The results are discussed in relation to the importance of mathematics and statistics for the engineering curriculum

Quadratic equations with absolute values: An example of developing proof in mathematics students

Proof is perhaps the most important and fundamental aspect of mathematics. However, it is generally agreed by mathematics teachers at upper high school and first year university that students lack the ideas of proof. How to develop this in students is a common, difficult and perennial problem. In this presentation, we develop some ideas of proof based on the number of solutions of an equation involving a quadratic polynomial and absolute values of linear functions. We begin with the simple idea of making more precise a question that is posed, investigating the problem through exploration, and arriving at some conjectures. We proceed to determine ways to prove the conjectures and thus convert them into theorems. The question discussed in this paper arose in a session for high school students held at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Western Australia. The result is an excellent and interesting illustration of problem posing and solving in Mathematics that underpins mathematical thinking. The paper is accessible to final year high school and first year university mathematics students. It is expected that it will serve as a resource for, and inspire further ideas and examples for, mathematics teachers for teaching proof to students

Using community-based interviews to determine population size, distribution and nest site characteristics of Pallas's fish eagle in north-east Bangladesh

Pallas's fish eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus was recategorized from Vulnerable to Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2017 because of evidence that there is only a single population, which is declining as a result of continuous, widespread loss and degradation of freshwater wetlands. To determine the species’ status in Bangladesh, we conducted a large-scale community-based interview survey in north-east Bangladesh in 2017–2020. We also examined nest site habitat characteristics through field surveys and remotely sensed data. We conducted a total of 955 interviews in an area of 4,150 km2, through which we were able to determine the presence of 53 breeding pairs at a mean density of 1.2 nests per 100 km2. There was a higher nest density (3.7–4.8 nests per 100 km2) in some locations, which we identify as priority conservation areas. The majority of nests (62.2%) were close together and on tall trees with an open canopy structure. Nests were located within or close to (< 100 m) human settlements, and within 500 m of wetlands and rivers. Felling of nest trees, removal of nests by local people and loss of permanent wetlands (14.6% during 2010–2020) appeared to be the main threats. High nesting density in our study area suggests that the freshwater wetlands in north-east Bangladesh possibly hold the largest population of Pallas's fish eagle globally

Assessments: an open and closed case

Open book assessment is not a new idea, but it does not seem to have gained ground in higher education. In particular, implementing this in mathematics and statistics courses seems infeasible. There is not much literature on such applications. This paper is on the experience of open book assessments in a first-year business statistics course. I will outline my approach and discuss the findings. Data over three semesters of open book assessments provided some interesting results when compared with the closed book assessment regime

I have totally flipped—finally!

ABSTRACT No I am not crazy! But I have flipped. In stages. And now I have totally flipped! So how is the world of teaching and learning looking upside down? Did I cover the syllabus? Did it take more work? Was it more rewarding? Were the classes disorganized? Did the students love it or hate it? Did attendance improve? Did student learning improve? If you have never flipped, or have thought about it but were not sure how it would work, or wanted to flip but were scared of the unknown, come and hear the story of my journey to the dark side

FACTORS DETERMINING CUSTOMERS’ ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS ISLAMIC BANKING PRACTICES IN MALAKAND DIVISION

Islamic banking, being an integral component of Islamic financial system, gained an exceptional popularity over the last three decades. The higher rate of growth of Islamic banking has proved it as a best alternative to Riba based banking. Like the other industries; in Islamic banking industry, customers are the most integral part of the organization strategies. Various authors endured to examine the perception and attitude of customers from one aspect or another. It is evident form the literature that the determining factors of attitude and perceptions are varying from country to country. Keeping in view the phenomenon under question, the basic objective of this study is to examine the factors determining customers’ attitude and perception towards Islamic banking practices in Malakand division. Previous studies focused on the urban areas and big cities of Pakistan, Malakand division is selected as study region as majority of the population lives in rural areas of the country. Three districts of Dir (lower), Malakand and Swat are selected as sample for data collection. Data is collected through survey questionnaires from 300 customers of Islamic banking branches operating in the study region. Questionnaire is adapted from previous studies. Correlation, and Regression are used for analysis the data.Results of the study show that all five variables have significant positive relationship with customers’ attitude. However, awareness and Shariah compliance show a negative relationship with perceptions of customers. Furthermore, Religiosity is the most dominant determinant of the customers’ attitude and perception, followed by bank image & reputation and social Influence. Customers give lesser importance to Shariah compliance and awareness as determinant of their attitude and perception towards Islamic banking practices.The results of the study are expected to benefit the banking industry in general and bankers in specific. The bankers would be able to attract more and more customers by focusing on the key determinants. The results assist the policy makers in designing, revision and implementation of the policies to satisfy the needs of the customers of the region.  The study is also beneficial to the society at large, as more and easy investment and financing facilities would be available to them. Furthermore, due to awareness and information to the bankers and customers; more and more job or business opportunities would be available to the local community and thus unemployment would be eliminated

FACTORS DETERMINING CUSTOMERS’ ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS ISLAMIC BANKING PRACTICES IN MALAKAND DIVISION

Islamic banking, being an integral component of Islamic financial system, gained an exceptional popularity over the last three decades. The higher rate of growth of Islamic banking has proved it as a best alternative to Riba based banking. Like the other industries; in Islamic banking industry, customers are the most integral part of the organization strategies. Various authors endured to examine the perception and attitude of customers from one aspect or another. It is evident form the literature that the determining factors of attitude and perceptions are varying from country to country. Keeping in view the phenomenon under question, the basic objective of this study is to examine the factors determining customers’ attitude and perception towards Islamic banking practices in Malakand division. Previous studies focused on the urban areas and big cities of Pakistan, Malakand division is selected as study region as majority of the population lives in rural areas of the country. Three districts of Dir (lower), Malakand and Swat are selected as sample for data collection. Data is collected through survey questionnaires from 300 customers of Islamic banking branches operating in the study region. Questionnaire is adapted from previous studies. Correlation, and Regression are used for analysis the data.Results of the study show that all five variables have significant positive relationship with customers’ attitude. However, awareness and Shariah compliance show a negative relationship with perceptions of customers. Furthermore, Religiosity is the most dominant determinant of the customers’ attitude and perception, followed by bank image &amp; reputation and social Influence. Customers give lesser importance to Shariah compliance and awareness as determinant of their attitude and perception towards Islamic banking practices.The results of the study are expected to benefit the banking industry in general and bankers in specific. The bankers would be able to attract more and more customers by focusing on the key determinants. The results assist the policy makers in designing, revision and implementation of the policies to satisfy the needs of the customers of the region.  The study is also beneficial to the society at large, as more and easy investment and financing facilities would be available to them. Furthermore, due to awareness and information to the bankers and customers; more and more job or business opportunities would be available to the local community and thus unemployment would be eliminated