Relationship between Narcissism and Selfie Posting Behavior; Mediating Role of Loneliness and Self-esteem among Adolescents

Narcissism is characterized by an abnormally high sense of self-importance that leads to different mental health issues. The current study was aimed at observing the mediating role of loneliness and self-esteem between narcissism and selfie-posting behavior among adolescents. To examine the psychometric properties of scales, a sample of 300 students was collected and further divided into two groups of male (n = 193) and female (n = 107) participants by using a convenient sampling strategy. The age range of participants was from 18 to 35 years old. Urdu-translated versions of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory by Raskin and Hall (1988), the Selfitis Scale by Amna Amjad (2017), the UCLA Loneliness Scale by Russell, Peplau, and Cutrona (1980), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale by Rosenberg (1965) were used to analyze the constructs of this study. The findings of the current study show a significant relationship between variables such as narcissism that is positively correlated with selfie-posting behavior, loneliness, and self-esteem. Regression analysis revealed that narcissism significantly predicts selfie-posting behavior. Mediation analysis shows the significant mediation of loneliness between narcissism and selfie-posting behavior. Mediation results are non-significant in the case of self-esteem. The implications of the current study suggest the need for interventions to deal with loneliness and alleviate the potentially detrimental effects of narcissism on the behaviors associated with selfie posting. These interventions may encourage healthy online behaviors among adolescents by encouraging social bonds and lowering loneliness. Further limitations of the study are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided

An integrated sustainability-management approach for universities

Sustainability has become a recognised important sector and a main concern in modern life. The attention towards sustainability was particularly increased when the UN set the target of achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The role of universities cannot be ignored in promoting sustainability, but to play this role effectively, universities first need to be sustainable. This paper aims to describe a sustainability framework and suggests a process for using the proposed sustainability framework. A qualitative research method using a systematic review approach, semi-structured interviews and email interviews was adopted to achieve the aims and objectives of this research. The initial data were collected from 39 papers extracted from four main databases. Then, semi-structured interviews were held with a total of 11 sustainability experts working in different universities globally. A framework for sustainability in universities consisting of three main components related to the environment, social responsibility and teaching and research is finally developed and validated through email interviews held with 19 heads of different universities around the world. Each of the main sustainability components is divided into subfactors. Longitudinal studies are recommended to evaluate the impact of the proposed framework on university sustainability

Key factors influencing the implementation of three-dimensional printing in construction

Due to its wider applications and advantages, three-dimensional (3D) printing has attracted the attention of various industries in the past years. Although the implementation of 3D printing in many industries still has challenges, progress in the construction industry is particularly slow. This paper explores the key factors that influence 3D printing adaptation and implementation in construction. A qualitative research method considering a systematic review was adopted to achieve this aim. Relevant data spanning over a period of 20 years (2000–2019) considering four main databases were collected using specified keywords. A total of 137 published articles were downloaded, and 43 were finally selected after the screening criteria had been imposed. The results from this review enabled categorisation of the derived factors broadly into four categories: technology, organisation, environment and cost. Each of these main factors is constituted by subfactors. An understanding of these factors will be helpful in developing effective strategies towards adaptation and implementation of 3D printing in the construction industry. Since industry characteristics vary from region to region, the significance of these factors in various regions could be different and needs to be investigated further

Briefing : Towards a sustainable energy : the potential of biomass for electricity generation in Oman

Oman, like other Arabian Gulf countries, depends on oil and gas to produce electricity. However, these resources are not guaranteed to last forever and constitute one of the energy security issues in the country. This paper explores the potential of using biomass energy resources for electricity generation in Oman. Energy from biomass resources is counted as a type of renewable energy, which means that its availability is not affected by the lack of sources and the increasing price of fossil oil. The review of biomass energy shows that waste from different sources such as wood and woody plants and their wastes, agricultural crops and residues, municipal solid organic wastes, animal wastes, sewage, waste from organic industrial processing and food processing, and aquatic plants and algae can be used for electricity generation. Biomass from animal manure and waste water are reported as having potential for electricity generation. The results show that a total of 2651·81 GWh/year electricity can be produced from animal manure and waste water, which corresponds to 10% of the total electricity consumption in Oman. Although there is potential to use biomass for sustainable electricity generation, several environmental, social and technological factors associated with biomass energy need to be considered before adopting such resources

A review of Occupational Safety and Health regulations in Oman

The poor occupational safety and health (OS&H) results in an economic burden of 4% of the total world Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The effective OS&H regulations and it implementation are one of the main factors to achieve an improved safety performance. Different industries are rapidly growing in Oman, for instance, it is expected that the construction industry value in Oman will research to 6.88 Billion Omani Rial which was 2.26 Billion Omani Rial in 2016. Similarly, the construction GDP will research to 15.4% of the total GDP by 2026 (BMI, 2018). There have been evidences which reflect that cost related to OS&H is rapidly increasing in Oman. Statistics published by Public Authority of Social Insurance in Oman which register Omani citizens shown that the expenditures related to OS&H rose from 1 Million OMR in 2012 to 2.9 Million OMR. Although the number of active insurees also increased in this period from 172066 in 2012 to 227193 in 2016 which represent a growth of 32%; however the increase in OS&H expenditures in the same period was 200%. Ministry of Manpower Oman, which is mandated for the implementation current OS&H regulations, data reveals that a total of 1328 inspections were made in the year 2016. A total of 569 warning notices were issued to the companies which were found not complying with the regulations, which is comparatively more than the 2015 where the total number of warning notices stood at 555. The total cases which were referred to the court of law in 2016 were 6, while in 2015 there was only one case which was referred to the Court of law (MoM, 2015, MoM, 2016). One of the possible reasons for this might be a lack of awareness of current OS&H regulations and its effective implementation in Oman

Frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal solid waste in Oman

Purpose The Gulf Cooperation Council member countries not only generate the highest quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) per capita when compared globally, but also in most of these countries, such waste is just dumped at different landfill stations. In Oman, the total quantity of MSW stood at 2.0 million tons per year. The emission from this waste is estimated at 2,181,034 tons/year (carbon dioxide equivalent). This article attempts to develop frameworks that considered landfilling, composting and recycling of MSW. Design/methodology/approach To know the composition of the municipal solid waste in Oman, a quantitative research method was employed. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from MSWM in this study focus on three major gases, CO2, CH4 and N2O. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 model is used to calculate GHG emissions from landfills and composting (IPCC, 2006). Four frameworks – baseline F0, framework F1, framework F2 and framework F3 – are outlined in this paper. The F0 represents the current situation of the MSW in which most of the waste goes to landfills and dumpsites. In F1, improved MSW collection service and landfilling are incorporated and open burning is restricted. The F2 considered landfilling and composting, while F3 is based on landfilling, composting and recycling. Findings The framework F2, which proposes the composting process for the organic waste which normally goes to landfills, results in the reduction of emissions by 40% as compared to landfill practice. Similarly, the samples of MSW collected in Oman show a good amount of recycling waste. The framework F3, which considers the landfill, composting and recycling, reduced the total GHG emissions from 2,181,034 tons/year to 1,427,998 tons/year (carbon dioxide equivalent), representing a total reduction of 35% in emissions. Research limitations/implications Different values such as CH4 correction factor, the fraction of degradable organic carbon and the fraction of DOC used to determine the GHG emissions from MSW considering landfilling, composting and recycling based on the IPPC model and existing literature review. The actual determination of these values based on the Oman conditions may result in more accurate emissions from MSW in Oman. Practical implications Different frameworks suggested in this research have different practical implications; however, the final framework F3, which produces fewer emissions, required a material recovery facility to recycle the MSW in Oman. For framework F3, it is important that the residents in Oman have enough knowledge and willingness to do the waste segregation at the household level. Apparently, such knowledge and willingness need to be determined through a separate study. Originality/value The frameworks F2 and F3 are considered to be more suitable solutions compared to the current practices for Oman and other gulf countries to reduce its per capita emissions from MSW and protect its local environment. There is a potential for further work that needs to explore the possible solutions to implement the suggested frameworks

Causes of delay in construction projects in Oman

Construction projects are full of risk and uncertainties and delays can have negative economic consequences and can create bad image for all the parties involved in the project. Delays in construction projects have several causes associated with owner, consultant and contractors. This paper aims to explore the causes of delays in construction projects in Oman. The causes of delays in construction projects are firstly discussed with a review of different published literature. The results of interviews with experienced construction professional working with client, consultant and contractor are reported. Results reveal that contractual issues, workforce, materials, coordination between construction parties, and external factors are the main factors which cause delay to construction projects in Oman. This research work is exploratory in nature and provides basic causes of delays in construction project in general. Further research is recommended to explore project's specific causes of delay in construction in Oman

Rooftop solar photovoltaic energy : a case study of India

Photovoltaic (PV) devices generate electricity directly from sunlight through an electronic process that occurs naturally in certain types of materials called semiconductors. The electrons in these materials are freed by solar energy and can be induced to travel through an electrical circuit, powering electrical devices or sending electricity to the grid. Rooftop solar PV systems that allow consumers to generate electricity at the point of consumption, and send any excess to the grid, have emerged as an attractive option. This paper discusses the government of India’s demonstration and commitments to rooftop solar PV by setting ambitious targets by 2022. India aims to hit a solar capacity of 100 GW, 40 GW of which is to come from rooftop systems. The state of Karnataka has set an ambitious goal of its own, 400 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV by 2018. The Indian rooftop solar PV system could be a model for other developing countries facing energy crises

Cost of accidents in construction in Oman

In this article, the ongoing and planned projects for financial year 2015-2016 in different sectors in Oman are presented. While specific focus is on the construction industry, the costs of accidents associated with projects in different sectors are estimated by two criteria, considering the number of workers and projects values. These costs of accidents are although the accumulating huge amount, however construction organizations and the government can play their role in reducing the cost of accidents. Construction organizations need to improve their safety performance and government can establish safety and health regulatory organizations for conducting inspections and enforcement of safety and health law. Such organizations will not only improve the safety and health performance in construction and other sectors, but will also be a source of revenue and a support to the country’s economy. Although there are no construction specific OSH regulations, the review of current OSH regulations, which applies to all industries is given is this article. The availability of construction specific OSH regulations and enforcement will be key to reduce the costs associated with accidents in construction

Challenges of BIM implementation in GCC construction industry

Purpose: In some regions including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region where construction is one of the main industries, the implementation of BIM is still at a slow rate. This article attempts to know the current situation of BIM and explore the challenges in the BIM implementation in the GCC construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed research approach that includes a systematic literature review and a survey questionnaire was adopted to achieve the aim of this research. For the systematic review, four main databases were search considering a period of 2010–2019 to identify the main challenges in the BIM implementation. A total of 39 different challenges from 47 documents were classified into four main categories. A structured questionnaire developed on these challenges was sent to 206 selected from the top construction organizations from all over the GCC region. Findings: A total of 39 different challenges from 47 documents were classified into four main categories. The respondents for the questionnaire were selected from the top construction organization from all over the GCC region. A large number of the respondents (69.79%) reported that their organizations are planning for BIM implementation in their future projects. The results show that top challenges fall under the main categories of “Organization”, “Technical”, “Government and Legal” and “Environment”. Research limitations/implications: While the paper provides an overview of BIM in a global context, however, the dynamics and maturity of the construction industry in different regions are quite different from each other. Since the data collected in this research is from the GCC region, the results are more relevant to the GCC region. Practical implications: The finding of this research identifies the main challenges which GCC construction is facing in the implementation of BIM. The finding will, therefore, be useful for the key stakeholders to develop strategies to overcome these challenges and pave the road to take the advantages of BIM implementation in construction. Social implications: The BIM implementation in the GCC construction industry will not only improve the performance of the industry but will also open the doors for new opportunities and employment. The BIM implementation in construction will help the region to achieve Goal 9 (industrial innovation and improved infrastructure) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Originality/value: The results of this study help to understand the overall situation including the challenges in the BIM implementation in the GCC construction industry. This study will be helpful for all the stakeholders to develop strategies for the effective implementation of BIM in the GCC construction industry