Search

Purpose: The situation has been unexpectedly bad with the rise of the global pandemic Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Construction industry has been struck with the challenges like human fatalities, decrease in labor productivity, disrupted material supply, and an unsafe working environment due to COVID. However, some of the major construction projects in the Koshi Province of Nepal were in operation even during COVID. The research aims to compare the safety measures implemented at the site during COVID-19 of Birat chowk- Ghinaghat and Kisan Chowk – Tandi – Ramite khola Road Upgrading Project. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data related to Safety Management Practices of construction projects at pre-COVID and COVID phases were collected by questionnaire survey. Data related to safety practices was collected through a checklist during field observation, questionnaire survey as well as key informant interview. The obtained data were analyzed using statistical tools such as correlation analysis and also general descriptive statistical tools and content analysis were performed. Findings/Result: The safety practices adopted during COVID, both the construction projects were found to have adopted similar measures of precautions to maintain workplace safety. On the other hand, Kisanchowk- Tandi- Ramite Road Upgrading Project seems to be less affected by the pandemic as several indicators remained neutral as compared to earlier conditions. The basic approaches such as masks, face shields, social distancing, hand washing, and sanitization were found to be practiced whereas higher preventions like vaccination for workers, and provision of COVID insurance was not practiced. This indicated that the contractor primarily focused on work completion disregarding the safety of workers at the workplace. On the other hand general safety provisions were found different on comparing the two projects as on seven studied parameters, different parameters were found to be highly differing in rank. Originality/Value: A Comparative assessment of safety during COVID-19 highlights the preparedness needed in a similar pandemic. Paper Type: Research paper

Purpose: The projects at local level in Nepal are found to be executed through users committee or contractors depending upon structure and budget. To assess the existing practice of formation & contractual process of Users Committees while implementing construction projects at Khairahani Municipality Chitwan., Nepal. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was solely the project management practice of the Municipality implementing through UCs using Checklist Survey for projects with cost more than 10 laks. Data of the 33-sample site (different sectors of construction) will be collected and analyzed to obtain the significance. The information collected from the UCs members through the questionnaire and the consultations. The data were also collected from the Engineers, Sub Engineers, Planning officers, Assistant planning officer, Account Officer, Accountant, and elected representatives employed through questionnaire. All the collected data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using bars, graphs & diagrams and comparison with existing laws. Findings/Result: The UCs in the projects of Municipality was formed by the general mass meeting of local beneficiaries without political interferences or biases. For the construction projects implementation through UCs, its formation was through the participatory approach but it was not strictly followed the prevailing acts, rules, guidelines and directives to local bodies for the composition of UCs. The supervision and monitoring mechanism exists but it was not functioning as well. The projects after the work completion had been examined and cleared within the time. The ownership of the projects, O & M fund and handover of the completed projects was not clearly defined. There were very few projects implemented through UCs that have adverse environmental impact, though the environmental impact consideration should be taken. From the study it is found that both the approaches can be suitable depending on the specific conditions and requirements. Each one of them has its own merits and demerits which do not enact in all situation of rural construction work. Originality/Value: The existing practice of formation and contractual process complies with existing laws, bylaws rules, regulations, and guidelines illustrate law binding nature. Paper Type: Research paper

Purpose: To develop a holistic and comprehensive model of the research process which would help Ph.D. scholars in designing a robust and realizable research methodology during their Ph.D. program. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: We determinedly believe that the DDLR model of the research process would cease all the predispositions, misconceptions, and misunderstandings about doctoral-level research and research methodology/design. As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand all the sixteen steps of the DDLR model and make mindful choices in each step they will be able to convert a complicated Ph.D. journey into an intellectually challenging and interesting journey thereby generating original and significant research outputs. Originality/Value: Of course, we have not invented anything new in the DDLR model. But, for sure we have discovered a systematic way of arranging all the available steps of doing research in a well-thought-through process flow that is appropriate and applicable for scholars admitted to Ph.D. programs across disciplines. In addition, the DDLR model would enable Ph.D. scholars in designing a robust and realizable research methodology. There are several books, materials, blogs, articles, etc that are produced by many authors about research methodology. However, they have attempted to focus on a specific step of the research process. Developing the DDLR model is an attempt to collate all the existing knowledge about research methodology that is useful for Ph.D. scholars (to-be-doctorates). Paper Type: Conceptual model.

Purpose: The goal of this study is to determine how digital marketing affected student enrollment at maritime educational institutions in the year COVID 19. Design/Methodology/approach: Students at Chennai's marine educational institutions made up the target demographic. Data gathered from 96 students using an electronic questionnaire. Findings: Results showed that digital marketing is positively related to students' admission to the business administration degree. Practical Implications: This study has specific implications for colleges that will help them create a digital marketing strategy to help them admit more students to their business administration programmes during COVID 19. In order to make it easier for students to enroll in maritime education, it offers advice for maritime educational institutions on how to execute digital marketing extremely efficiently. Originality/Value: This paper makes a significant literary addition to the field of digital marketing. It is distinctive in that it incorporates the use of various marketing techniques with pupils, strengthening the maritime education in the process.

Purpose: There is high demand of aggregates material in the construction industry of Nepal. Till date, river borne aggregate material fulfills major part of the demand. Among various rivers, Biring River is one of the major rivers in Province 1. The objective of this research was to analyze the strength of Aggregate variation along the selected section river basin with a case of Biring. Design/Methodology/Approach: The selected section of Biring River is about 20 Km of Arjundhara Municipality from which 6 sites along the river was selected on the basis of accessibility and deposition for aggregate sources. Lab Test for Physical properties and mechanical properties were conducted on that sample to evaluate their quality for the construction works. Also 18 cubes (3 each from 6 selected sites) were casted to evaluate their compressive strength variation. A linear relationship between the ACV, AIV and LAA value with longitudinal variation of river was established. Also the economic analysis of revenue collected by selling the aggregate of Biring River was done. Findings/Result: After conducting the lab test of physical properties of aggregate, Fineness Modulus, Water Absorption and Specific Gravity were found in the range of (7.16-7.49)%, (0.72-1.15)% and and (2.616-2.712) %. A linear equation for the longitudinal variation in the LAA, AIV and ACV value was established. For a longitudinal variation equation for LAA value y=-0.352x+37.41 ACV value an equation y=-0.212x+29.88 and AIV value an equation y=-0.0189x+27.15 where y = Value of LAA, AIV and ACV value and x = distance in km from upstream origin point. The average compressive strength for 7 and 28 days of all cubes were found to be within standard required. The economic contribution of revenue collected by selling the river bed materials as aggregate of Biring River on the total internal revenue of Arjundhara Municipality was found to be significant that is about 30.86%. Originality/Value: The study contributes that the aggregate material becomes more suitable in their hardness, toughness and strength on moving from upstream towards the downstream along the Biring river. The lower part of stream was assessed to have somewhat better quality of aggregates. Paper Type: Research paper

Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to investigate the impact of emotional labour, job satisfaction, and work-life balance on cabin crews’ job performance. In addition, an attempt was made to evaluate the moderating effect of job satisfaction and work-life balance in lowering the negative repercussions of emotional labour on job performance. Design: 201 responses were obtained from cabin crew members through a primary data collecting survey, which were then analysed using several statistical tools relating to the study's aims, including ANOVA and regression analysis through SPSS 26. Furthermore, secondary data was collected via numerous web platforms such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, Emerald Publications, Tailor and Francis, Srinivas Publications, etc. Findings: The results showed that emotional labour had a significant negative impact on job performance, whereas a high level of work-life balance and job satisfaction mitigated the negative effects of emotional labour on job performance. Finally, the study claimed that job satisfaction and work-life balance have a significant impact on cabin crew performance. Originality/Value: Since flight attendants frequently struggle with the problem of emotional consequences as a result of the nature of their job, this study is critical to the HR of the aviation sector in implementing policies to reduce the negative effect of emotional labour in order to improve job satisfaction and work-life balance, which increases cabin crews' productivity. Type of Paper: Empirical study