Institutional forms of social innovation

This paper offers a critique of the contemporary institutional discourses in social innovation theory and practice. It synthesises these discussions into the assumptions of replicability, durability and resistance of socially innovative actions and initiatives. Using the example of Orangi Pilot Project (OPP), the paper makes a case for alternative dimensions to these assumptions in the form of adaptability, sustainability and institutional resilience for addressing the socioeconomic needs of individuals and communities. From this perspective, the institutional setup of OPP emerges as a form of social innovation that has proved sustainable and resilient over time by sticking to its core ethics, sustaining its network of institutions, and adapting to the changing needs and demands of local communities. In conclusion social innovation is emphasised as a catalyst for social and institutional transformation

Characterization, Modeling And Implementation Of Esd Protection Of An Rf Circuit

In this research an attempt has been made to fully characterize a diodes array in shunt configuration as ESD protection circuit in order to maximize ESD performance of the products in IBM SOI 0.18um technology. For full characterization of ESD protection of RF circuit, HBM and TLP tests and simulation have been conducted and discussed in detail. Test results for HBM and TLP are summarized and grouped according to their stack number. Simulations on HBM and TLP were carried out using Cadence Spectre environment and compared to the tests for HBM and TLP obtained using Celestron I. To consider the RF part, small signal analysis and large signal analysis are done in Advanced Design System. Small signal extracts the black box capacitance using S-parameter in ADS and compares with test results obtained using Murray Microwave system. Also large signal analysis is carried out to see the nonlinearity of the ESD protection device. In large signal analysis input power is swept and output power is observed on different harmonics caused by the inherent nonlinearity of the device. Again large signal simulation results were compared with test results obtained from Murray Microwave System. Lastly, this research has been conducted to fully characterize the diodes array as ESD protection in shunt configuration and to produce a predictive ESD model

Identity, location and query privacy for smart devices

In this thesis, we have discussed three important aspects of users\u27 privacy namely, location privacy, identity privacy and query privacy. The information related to identity, location and query is very sensitive as it can reveal behavior patterns, interests, preferences and habits of the users. We have proposed several techniques in the thesis on how to better protect the identity, location and query privacy

Desvio, problematização e solidariedade como atributos de criação de lugares sustentáveis

This paper aims to progress a conceptual and analytical view to the appreciation and connectivity of spaces, places and nature in reconceptualising and progressing sustainability transitions. We look at the interrelationships between the distinct approaches of deviant mainstreaming of socially innovative practices, problematisation through innovative translation, and anchoring sustainable translations through solidarity assemblages. These three dimensions allow us to develop a neo-Callonist perspective for sustainable placemaking and translation in sustainability science. We refer to some empirical experiences to appreciate these interrelationships that contribute to new realities and create new spaces and places of innovation.Este artículo pretende avanzar en una visión conceptual y analítica de la valoración y la conectividad de los espacios, los lugares y la naturaleza en la reconceptualización y el progreso de las transiciones hacia la sostenibilidad. Se examinan las interrelaciones entre los distintos enfoques de la integración desviada de las prácticas socialmente innovadoras, la problematización a través de la traducción innovadora y el anclaje de las traducciones sostenibles a través de los ensamblajes solidarios. Estas tres dimensiones nos permiten desarrollar una perspectiva neocallista para la creación de lugares sostenibles y la traducción en la ciencia de la sostenibilidad. Nos referimos a algunas experiencias empíricas para apreciar estas interrelaciones que contribuyen a nuevas realidades y crean nuevos espacios y lugares de innovación.Este documento tem como objetivo avançar uma visão conceptual e analítica da apreciação e conectividade dos espaços, lugares e natureza na reconceitualização e progresso das transições de sustentabilidade. Analisamos as inter-relações entre as abordagens distintas de integração de práticas socialmente inovadoras, problematização através de traduções inovadoras, e ancoragem de traduções sustentáveis através de assembleias solidárias. Estas três dimensões permitem-nos desenvolver uma perspectiva neocallonista para a construção de um lugar e tradução sustentáveis na ciência da sustentabilidade. Referimo-nos a algumas experiências empíricas para apreciar estas inter-relações que contribuem para novas realidades e criam novos espaços e lugares de inovação

Challenges of research in rural poverty: Lessons from large field surveys

We highlight the lessons learnt during the data collection of two large field surveys as part of the ongoing ‘Sindh Union Council and Economic Strengthening Support’ (SUCCESS) programme, in southern Pakistan. The experience is discussed in terms of the language barriers, education status of the households, dealing with people’s expectations and refusals, and the weather. In addition, we highlight the practice of public sharing of data in real-time to improve design and implementation of future surveys especially those measuring poverty and quality of life

Of resilient places: planning for urban resilience

This paper argues that resilience of a place cannot necessarily be associated only with the level of its vulnerability to the environment or security. A place-based perspective to resilience helps understand the capacity of communities to withstand or adapt with change. Resilience of a place does not only refer to contingencies—such as formulating immediate responses to crisis situations or incidents such as earthquakes, floods or other disasters in vulnerable areas—but also considers long-term mitigation and adaptation strategies to face social, economic and environmental challenges. To this purpose, the paper applies an evolutionary resilience framework to the case of Transition towns in the UK as resilient places in terms of their capacity for learning, robustness, ability to innovate and adaptability to change. In conclusion, socially innovative actions and initiatives are found to be a primary source of resilience through bottom-up creativity among communities and stakeholders to help improve social relations, support socio-political empowerment and fulfil the basic needs of the people

Credit risk, energy gap and institutional investors: An empirical analysis on Pakistani conventional banks

The stability of banking sector in Pakistan is relatively weak. Nonperforming loans (NPL) is one of the prime focus among Financial Stability Indicators (FSI). Empirical studies suggested that the factors affecting NPL can broadly be divided into external and internal elements. This study attempted to examine the selected factors from these elements as predictors of NPL for conventional banks. An unbalanced panel of 20 banks over a period of 12 years (2006-2017) with a total of 235 observations were formed. Panel corrected standard errors estimator (PCSE) was used to control the panel data issues. All identified factors were found to have significant influence on NPL. Specifically, energy gap, corruption, political instability as well as bank credit to private sector are the novel contributor to the variability in NPL. Besides, the hierarchical multiple moderated regressions were used to examine the moderating effects of the prevailing management structure in Pakistani banking sector. Based on the result, institutional investors (II) moderates all three internal factors namely capital adequacy ratio (CAR), loan-to-deposit ratio (LTD) and return on assets ratio (ROA). This study recommended that Pakistan should improve ownership structure in the banking sector in order to control the stake of institutional investors. Also, the regulators should devise policies with autonomy and responsibility to control corruption and political interference in lending. Lastly, the Pakistani government needs to ensure a conducive environment in which sufficient electrical energy can be properly supplied. This will facilitate the lending process of the lending sector to the affected sectors and indirectly help boost the country's economic growth

On the history and potentials of evolutionary metaphors in urban planning

This article looks at the history of evolutionary thought in urban planning. It classifies the use of evolutionary metaphors in three broad theoretical streams. The first stream of thought considers the existence of vital forces and energy flows (vitalism) in an urban form. The second stream provides a holistic-organic (organicism) perspective to the city. The third stream, contemporarily very popular in social sciences, is based on the natural evolutionary theories of Lamarck and Darwin to look at urban dynamics. It is suggested that the flexible-adaptive and self-regulatory nature of evolutionary metaphors can support a holistic-integrative perspective to urban and regional planning

Agency, structure, institutions, discourse (ASID) in urban and regional development

This paper presents the relations among agency (A), structure (S), institutions (I), and discourse (D) and their analytical relevance for socio-economic development. It argues that an adequate account of these relations must recognize their inherent spatio-temporality and, hence, their space–time dynamics. This is not an optional extra but a definite descriptive and explanatory requirement. Moreover, while structure is recognized as a product of path-dependent institutionalization and path-shaping (collective) agency, agency is seen in turn as discursively and materially reproduced and transformed. This approach treats structure in terms of a differential spatio-temporal configuration of constraints and opportunities, reference to which informs the empirical analysis of strategic agency within the overall agency, structure, institutions, discourse (ASID) heuristic. The paper concludes with an eightfold typology of particular combinations of ASID features to guide analyses of socio-economic development in all its (dis-)junctural complexity