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This study provides an in-depth analysis of the factors that impede the economic sustainability of former female migrant workers in Sumbawa Regency. The research seeks to identify both cultural and structural barriers that hinder their economic stability, while proposing alternative solutions to enhance their economic resilience in line with the development goals of Sumbawa Regency. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the study identifies two primary categories of obstacles: cultural and structural. Cultural barriers include personal financial mismanagement, high familial dependency, and widespread fatalistic attitudes among former migrant workers. Structural barriers are primarily linked to exploitative practices by recruitment agents, such as unclear contracts, irresponsible conduct, agent-related debts, withheld wages, and a lack of accountability. These challenges are further exacerbated by limited government support, inadequate banking services, and restricted access to financial institutions. As potential solutions, the study proposes skills-based economic empowerment, improved access to capital, the development of social networks and community support, enhanced financial literacy and planning, and strengthened policy frameworks and legal protections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogen economy faces significant challenges that cannot be addressed by market forces alone. High production costs, distribution logistics, and expensive utilization technologies hinder hydrogen's competitiveness. Additionally, economic and political interests that favor fossil fuels, the preservation of ruling elites, and colonial legacies, combined with media biases against hydrogen, further obstruct progress. This is evident in the backward-looking developments in Australia. Increased public awareness and support are crucial to drive government intervention, including subsidies and infrastructure investment, to overcome these barriers and facilitate hydrogen's integration into the global energy market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for electricity, which is expected to double by 2030 and quadruple by 2050 compared to 2000, underlines the urgent need for widespread deployment of renewable energy sources (RES) such as wind, solar, bioenergy, hydro and geothermal ones. Initiatives of many countries reflect the growing recognition of the need of transition to sustainable energy systems. According to the UN, Sustainable Development Goal 7 is "to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all". The paper examines the foreign experience of mixed energy development strategies and discusses the hypotheses of RES impact on key processes taking place in various spheres of life. In Ukraine, the transition to renewable energy is vital due to not only ecological or economic necessity, but also to a strategic one. According to the updated energy strategy of Ukraine until 2030, alternative energy should make up 25% of the total energy production, which corresponds to the country's obligations to the European Energy Community. But Ukraine faces a number of economic barriers that prevent deployment of renewable energy sources. These include high initial investment costs, unstable public policy frameworks and limited access to necessary financing, which together create a difficult investment climate that discourages domestic and foreign investors. By the start of the war in 2022, renewable energy sources accounted for about 13.4% of total energy production in Ukraine. However, the destruction of energy infrastructure throughout the country, including that of the renewable energy sector, led to a sharp decrease in this indicator up to 5-6%. A special attention in this study is paid to the use of the System Dynamis (SD) concept of simulation in RES research. Analysis of the latest publications and reference models testify to the effectiveness of the SD methodology and allowed to form the base model assumptions. Paper presents a structural SD model for the analysis of the implementation of renewable energy in Ukraine, taking into account the complex interaction of economic, social and environmental challenges to assess the long-term potential consequences of the transition to RES.

Housing industry is one of the major threats to global environment and resource depletion. Particularly in China, it is regarded as a major challenge due to massive population growth. The most common barriers involve; economic barriers and environmental barriers. Therefore, to promote sustainable housing development, the management of these barriers is most crucial. This study is an attempt to overcome these barriers with the help of financial institutions in the context of China. The sample of the study are construction sector employees which are selected through simple random sampling method. Partial Least Square (PLS) is employed as statistical tool to analyze the primary data. Results revealed the positive role of financial institutions to overcome the challenges related to the economic barriers and environmental barriers. Financing from banks for the sustainable housing schemes can reduce the economic barriers and help to fulfil the sustainable housing criteria. Similarly, the environment requirements can also be achieved through environmental policy developed by the banks in China. This study recommended the Chinese government to promote sustainable hosing development through the promotion of bank financing and implementation of banks environmental policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this article is the issue of short food supply chains. The research problem formulated in the paper aims to address whether short food supply chains ensure the sustainable development of rural areas and whether they are being displaced by longer chains for narrowly defined economic reasons. The research was conducted based on a critical analysis of literature on short food supply chains and statistical data. The findings of the research indicate that short food supply chains are a necessary condition for the sustainable development of rural areas. Unfortunately, there is a conflict between the pursuit of narrowly defined economic efficiency of farms and the preservation of the social potential of rural areas, which stems from the fact that the principle of price competition does not favor the development of local supply markets, especially when it comes to high-quality food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, specifically cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes are the main reason for more than two-thirds of global deaths, in which the unhealthy diet is one of the primary risk factors. The golden solution to reducing obesity and CVD linked to an unhealthy diet is to reduce calories, salt, sugar, and fat intake. Besides, activities highlighting lifestyles that contain healthy diets usually focus on reducing salt, sugar, and saturated fat consumption. As a result, the researchers aimed to study the gaps and economic barriers to recommended consumption of salt, sugar, and fat in Iran, based on WHO recommendations. Methods This is a qualitative study. We conducted semi-structured and in-depth interviews with 30 stakeholders, including academics, experts, and key informants in different sectors from December 2018 until August 2019 in Tehran, Iran. We used a purposeful and snowball sampling method to select participants. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using MAXQDA 11. Results Economic problems and inflation in Iran caused people to eat more unhealthy foods, while a healthy diet consumption was reduced due to higher prices. Unfair political sanctions imposed on the country caused economic pressure and adversely affected family nutrition. Worse still, despite legal bans, advertising unhealthy foods via media, mainly to generate revenue, encouraged more consumption of unhealthy food. The lack of targeted subsidies and failure in tax legislation and implementation related to the unhealthy products deteriorated the conditions. Conclusion Some economic barriers have hampered plans to reduce salt, fat, and sugar consumption in Iran. Fundamental reforms in the tax and subsidy system are required to improve people’s eating habits. In particular, citizens’ income that has been continuously shrinking due to economic conditions, imposed sanctions, and the inevitably high inflation needs to be addressed urgently. Unless the government of Iran deals with the economic barriers to healthy nutrition, the pathway for implementing the national action plan for prevention and control of NCDs toward a 30% mortality reduction due to NCDs by 2030 looks unlikely to reach.

The study presents an overview of theories related to e-learning barriers and e-learning behavior. Research and synthesize relevant studies at home and abroad. From related studies, identify barrier factors affecting the online learning behavior of students. Then, the research model and hypotheses for the study are presented. In this study, the author identified 5 barriers affecting students' online learning behavior in Ho Chi Minh City: economic barriers (ECOB), interaction barriers (IB), psychological barrier (PB), environmental barriers (ENI), and regulatory institutional barriers (RIB). Previous studies revealed that using linear regression. The paper uses the optimum selection by Bayesian consideration for e-learning barriers and e-learning behavior. Get the results, then make recommendations and solutions to help educational administrators reduce barriers to increase students' effectiveness in online learning in a better way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research was conducted with the aim of identifying the factors inhibiting the development of the potato value chain in Hamadan province. This research was survey and descriptive. The participants of this study were potato growers from which 386 people that selected as a sample. The research tool was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed based on the opinions of the research team and its reliability was evaluated and confirmed by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.722. Data were analyzed with SPSS26 software and exploratory factor analysis method. The results showed that, six factors inhibit the development of the potato value chain in Hamadan province including, educational-promotional, infrastructural, input supply, managerial, economic and environmental problems and obstacles, and these factors, these factors explained 60.22% of the total variance. The most important barriers, in order of the highest average, include, the high price of fertilizer, the high price of seeds, the high cost of packaging, price instability, the high price of machinery, the decrease in soil quality and the presence of water problems in the region. Therefore, according to the obtained results, policymaking, planning, investment and monitoring the process of various activities and updating the technologies used in different links of the value chain, are among the mechanisms which can accelerate the development of the value chain with the participation of the government and the private sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the barriers to the sharing economy are significant. They present a hurdle to attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs) and require the focus of policymakers and researchers. Hence, this article investigates the influence of removing economic, social and technical barriers on the achievement of SDGs. A supportive organizational climate is considered as a mediator, and its impact on the link between removing economic, social and technical barriers and SDG achievement in the tourism industry of ASEAN countries is examined. Adapted questionnaires are used to gather data from respondents, and Smart-PLS is applied to analyse the data. The findings show that removing economic, social and technical barriers positively influences the achievement of SDGs. The results also indicate that a supportive organizational climate positively and significantly mediates the association between removing economic, social and technical barriers, and the achievement of SDGs. The current research provides guidelines for regulators developing policies related to SDG achievement by removing the economic, social and technical barriers to the sharing economy.

One of the important areas of the energy transformation is the citizens involvement in the energy production process. This is a prerequisite for maintaining the security of supply and price stabilization. In order for all citizens to have equal opportunities to use green energy, regardless of financial and housing opportunities, energy cooperatives are established in many countries. In Poland, the first renewable energy cooperatives emerged in 2021 but, unfortunately, their role in the energy transformation process will be rather limited in the near future. This is mainly due to the numerous legal, economic and social barriers that hinder their creation. This article adopts the hypothesis that there are too many barriers in Poland that discourage the creation of energy cooperatives or other forms of collective prosumption. The main obstacle is the limitations of installed power, coerced by the poor condition of the network infrastructure. The aim of the article is to answer the question of whether, given the current legal and economic conditions, a large-scale development of energy cooperatives is possible in Poland, or will the existing barriers make this development limited and not contribute to the country's energy transformation? To answer this question, primary and secondary sources were used. Primary research relied on interviews in all cooperatives operating in Poland. Based on the literature on the subject, reference was made to the experiences of other EU countries. The research shows that there are strong economic, legal and mental barriers to the development of cooperatives in Poland. Overcoming them requires changes in the law, in the energy policy including decentralization of the energy market and increased public confidence in collective forms of prosumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In The Birthright Lottery, I explored how birthright access to citizenship operates as a distributor (or denier) of opportunity on a global scale. Today, 97 percent of the global population gains access to citizenship solely by virtue of where or to whom they are born. This article shifts the gaze from the automatic transmission of citizenship (which I call the initial allocation), to deciphering the code, or underlying logic, that governs the secondary allocation: the process of naturalization. Counter to predictions of waning sovereignty, tremendous investment is placed on regulating mobility, migration, and access to membership. I identify three core sorting mechanisms that produce overt and covert inequalities in the acquisition of citizenship, which I call the trinity of the territorial, the cultural, and the economic. These intersecting yet analytically distinct dimensions allow governments to develop sophisticated ways to 'filter' admission of different populations, placing a heavy burden on those seeking it. The discussion lays bare the mistaken assumption that we live in a world wherein mobility is purely chosen and easily available—irrespective of race, gender, class, power, and legal regulation. It further suggests ways of reinvigorating the political imagination for rewriting the rules governing access to membership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research aims to identify barriers to sustainable supply chain management implementations in the Egyptian fashion industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: A systematic literature review over a period of 17 years was conducted to identify the barriers to the implementation of a sustainable supply chain in Egypt, which included 29 publications published in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and book chapters. Findings: The economic, social, and environmental barriers to sustainable supply chain management were highlighted and summarized from previous studies indicating whether these barriers are inside or outside each organization. However, it was discovered that most of the production is carried out by the developing countries where limited research on sustainable supply chain barriers and consequently in the fashion industry in particular. This gap is considered the main research findings, where authors worked on highlighting and classifying sustainable supply chain barriers in the fashion industry in developing countries. Research Implications/Limitations: Due to the limited studies on both topics, barriers to sustainable fashion supply chain and sustainability barriers in Egypt as a developing country, this study is a systematic review of the literature; nevertheless, an empirical study may be undertaken in the future. The systematic review covers the years 2005 to 2022, and identifies the barriers to implementing sustainable supply chain management in the Egyptian fashion industry. Practical Implications/Limitations: This study provides academics with a consistent representation of sustainability barriers in the Egyptian fashion sector to motivate additional academic research and assistance for managers to create company sustainability competency by highlighting economic, social, and environmental challenges to implementing sustainable supply chain. Originality: This research classifies the sustainable supply chain barriers into internal and external barriers and moreover as economic, social, and environmental at the same time. It is one of the few studies that explore sustainable fashion supply chain management in developing countries, particularly Egypt. Also, this is the first research about Egypt that classifies sustainability barriers into economic, social, and environmental barriers, and discusses the Egyptian sustainable supply chain barriers for implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afghanistan after 2001 is a new stage in securing women's political rights, especially in the legal field. The new constitution of Afghanistan, which has been drafted in the last twenty years, essentially recognizes the rights of women and provides equal and equal status for women in human dignity and human rights. The Afghan constitution recognizes the cultural and other rights of women, including the right to freedom of expression and other related rights, the right to education, the right of parents to choose the kind of education given to their children, and the right of minorities to Respect for their identity, language, tradition and cultural heritage; The right to equal enjoyment of the common heritage of humanity. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine, identify and rank the barriers to women's political presence in post Taliban Afghanistan. The present study is a descriptive-field study. The statistical population of the study includes 109 experts and political activists related to the Afghan Consulate in Iran. Based on simple random sampling method and Morgan table, the sample size was estimated to be 85 people. Findings show that cultural barriers with a coefficient of 6.9, social barriers with a coefficient of 4.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Psychology & Sociology is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This work aims at analyzing if the perception of success and barriers of lean projects varies with the managers working position, measuring the perception's bias of the success and barriers of company managers. The research questions answered by this work are the following ones: is the perception of lean projects' success and lean practices implementation level biased by the position recovered by the respondent? Do respondents present a different perception of barriers experienced during lean project deployment, depending on their working position? A survey was carried out collecting information from top, middle and non-managers from 171 firms from 23 countries. Data were analysed through a Multiple Analysis of Variance in order to discover differences and similarities in lean projects' evaluation among various categories of managers and employees. Moreover, as existing literature highlighted that difficulties vary with the project progress, the Multiple Analysis of Variance was separately conducted for the start-up and the sustaining phase of the projects. Useful managerial advice can be extracted from the results since they evidence the existence of significantly different perceptions: the higher is the managerial position, the lower is the direct involvement in lean projects and the perception of success and barriers, and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose- The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize the obstacles to capacity development in gardening exploitations of the villages of Padena Olya in Semirom County. Design/methodology/approach- The present study has been done with causal -descriptive research method and the data has been completed using questionnaire and interview tools. In addition, 273 samples were chosen (using Cochran formula) from the family farming of Padena Olya Village as the statistical population and it has been completed by the random sampling method. Data analysis is done using both quantitative method, including descriptive and inferential statistics (path analysis and structural equation modeling using Amos Graphic software), and qualitative method, including Atlas software. Findings- The analysis of qualitative findings based on semi-structured interviews and focus groups showed that the main obstacles related to capacity development are of social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Data coding based on the grounded theory also showed the most important obstacles in marketing categories, the environmental obstacles, the obstacles of participation, also and educational and promotional obstacles. Finally, the quantitative data analysis using structural equation modeling, in addition to the obstacles presented in the qualitative model, has estimated production capacities and empowerment as mediating variables in the final model of capacity development obstacles in the study area. The economic obstacles with 0.33 and environmental obstacles with 0.17 have the greatest effect on the lack of capacity development of the exploitations in the study area, respectively. Research limitations/implications - They include the lack of cooperation of relevant organizations in the presentation of information, as well as the low interest of operators to participate in the interview and cooperation to collect the qualitative data which led to an increase in the duration of attendance within the study area, held more group sessions, and thus slowed down the process of study. Practical implications- We propose a plan for increasing government support to gardener in various affaires, such as increasing the share of insurance premiums. It is also advisable to attempt to determine the fair price or the guarantee purchase of the gardeners' products and create cooperatives to manage the sales and marketing of the product to remove the brokers and dealers. Originality/value- The present study stresses the capacity development process of horticulture through identifying and analyzing the effects of obstacles and capacity building and empowerment of farmers. This research explores the hidden variables and the barriers to capacity development in gardening exploitations.

Background: Maternal health services refer to the promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative care of mothers. Antenatal care is the care of women during pregnancy the main aim of care is to achieve at the end a healthy baby from healthy mother. Antenatal mothers should be educated regarding regular antenatal checkups, diet, personal hygiene, adequate rest, sleep, exercise, immunization, warning signs of pregnancy and child care. Methods: Descriptive study to assess the knowledge, barriers of non- utilization regarding Maternal Health services. The data was collected using structured knowledge questionnaire and utilization and barriers to non-utilization checklist from 60 postnatal mothers up to 3 months after delivery. Result: The study result showed that women 78.34% had average knowledge and 21.66% had good knowledge regarding maternal health services. Social barriers for non-utilization were family pressure, shyness, poor transportation and illiteracy. Economic barriers for non-utilization were health expenditure perceived as waste, unemployment, low socio economic status and large family size respectively. Cultural barriers for non-utilization were lack of formal education and religious practices respectively, family members disapproved superstition. There was no significant association between knowledge, utilization and barrier on non-utilization of maternal health services and selected demographic variables. Conclusion: The study concluded that postnatal mothers had average knowledge and there is need to create awareness on maternal health services launched by the government of India. Low socioeconomic condition, early marriage and pregnancy, inappropriate antenatal health check-up, and cultural taboos were significant factors affecting the satisfactory utilization of services among mothers. Hence, there is a need to emphasize on utilization and eradicate barriers related to non-utilization of maternal health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining insights from the history of citizenship with contemporary legal analysis, this article both highlights and problematizes what we may call sorting strategies – restrictive closure and selective openness – which rely on 'varieties of affluence' (income, wealth, equity, credit, and the like) in shaping possibilities for entry, settlement, and naturalization. By emphasizing the growing significance of income barriers and thresholds on the one hand, and fast-tracked investment-based entryways on the other, this article investigates the role of wealth as both accelerator and barrier to citizenship, contributing to the varied toolbox used by governments to advance goals that may at times appear contradictory; these tools both tighten and relax the requirements of access to membership at the same time. These new developments represent different facets of the same trend. Without explicitly stating as much, programs that turn wealth into a core criterion for admission conceptually reignite an older, exclusive, and exclusionary vision according to which individuals must hold property (in land, resources, or in relation to one's 'dependents,' including women, slaves, and children) in order to qualify as a citizen. While such a trajectory is no stranT8ger to ancient models, it raises profound challenges to modernist accounts of political membership that place equality at their core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the experiences of poor households who have been 'left behind' in their access to safe drinking water in Ghana. Using a cross-sectional survey of seven communities in the Offinso-North District, we identify physical and economic barriers that make it difficult for households to collect sufficient water for use. Efforts to leave no one behind in water access and use should target these barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to discuss the differences between emergency remote education (ERE) and distance education (DE), by means of the analysis of the digital information and communication technologies (DTIC) as a possible cause of confusion between such teaching modalities. Besides that, this paper also analyzed the risks and estimated possible impacts resulting from the economic, technical and cultural barriers imposed on students and DE itself due to the adoption of emergency remote education because of the social distance related to the pandemic of COVID-19. To this end, initially, a bibliographic survey was fulfilled to obtain the theoretical foundation on the differences between DE and ERE, based on the use of the DTIC, considering the existence of a possible confusion between such teaching modalities. Next, a quantitative data survey was carried out based on the information available in the distance learning census of the Brazilian Association for Distance Education and the National Continuous Household Sample Survey of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, so that it was possible to analyze the risks and estimate possible impacts arising from the first order barriers imposed on students and DE itself due to social distance. Among other results, it was possible to see that the ERE is unlikely to be able to provide average results for Brazilian education. This disregards the effects of second-order barriers that are commonly imposed on the use of DTIC in communication between schools and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iranian Journal of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (IJMAPR) is the property of Research Institute of Forests & Rangelands and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Men have a lot of influence on their partners’ and children’s health. However, studies have shown their involvement in antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) is relatively low owing to several factors. Aim: To explore the barriers to men’s involvement in ANC and PNC in Butula sub-county, western Kenya. Setting: Butula sub-county, Busia county, western Kenya. Methods: A mixed methods study design, descriptive in nature, was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 96 men were selected to participate in the surveys. Also, four focus group discussions and four key informant interviews were conducted. Results: We found out that some men still participate in ANC and PNC despite the barriers. The perception that maternal health is a women’s domain and existence of alternative traditional maternal services were key cultural barriers. The men’s nature of work, low income and expenses incurred at ANC/PNC clinics were significant economic barriers. The lack of services targeting men, provider attitude, non-invitation to the clinic, time spent at the clinic and lack of privacy at the clinics were key facility-based barriers. Conclusion: A myriad of cultural, economic and health-facility barriers hinder men from active involvement in ANC and PNC. Awareness creation among men on ANC and PNC services and creating a client-friendly environment at the clinics is key in enhancing their involvement. This should be a concerted effort of all stake holders in maternal health services, as male involvement is a strong influencer to their partners’ and children’s health outcomes.

If solar panels and wind turbines can generate direct current (dc) voltage, and all electrical and electronic loads can operate directly off dc voltage, why is the distribution network within the built environment an alternating current (ac) system? In a world where carbon footprint is in focus, why are systems dc–ac–dc and not dc–dc–dc? Historically, voltage drop and therefore the need for larger gauge wiring were seen as technical and economic barriers to extra-low dc voltage systems. However, prices and power needs have lowered, it is now technically and economically feasible to use dc systems for the built environment. Such systems can provide energy independence and energy security. Examples of niche usage of solar photovoltaics that are providing electricity in the developing world are used to show that distributed dc voltage can have direct positive impacts on many of the UNs, sustainability development goals. Given the advantages of distributed dc electricity systems over centralised ac systems, it is concluded that policy makers and NGOs have to take on board dc as a sustainable solution to help the billions of people that either are not connected to electricity or use fossil fuels that are adversely effecting there health.

Alternative energy policies targeting the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) could have significant positive impacts on Malaysia's ability to meet both its carbon reduction goal and its energy security needs. The transport sector generally contributes heavily to carbon emissions, and is also difficult to decarbonize because of the costs associated with many greener options. This study explores the possibility of decarbonizing the Malaysian transport sector by promoting the use of hydrogen vehicles, and analyzes the adoption challenges and economic obstacles (especially public acceptance) associated with introducing HFCVs. This study contends that the adoption challenges of this new technology can be overcome through the use of development strategies outlined. This study also addresses the regulatory framework that Malaysia (and other countries) might use to overcome common policy adoption challenges of HFCVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If solar panels and wind turbines can generate direct current (dc) voltage, and all electrical and electronic loads can operate directly off dc voltage, why is the distribution network within the built environment an alternating current (ac) system? In a world where carbon footprint is in focus, why are systems dc–ac–dc and not dc–dc–dc? Historically, voltage drop and therefore the need for larger gauge wiring were seen as technical and economic barriers to extra-low dc voltage systems. However, prices and power needs have lowered, it is now technically and economically feasible to use dc systems for the built environment. Such systems can provide energy independence and energy security. Examples of niche usage of solar photovoltaics that are providing electricity in the developing world are used to show that distributed dc voltage can have direct positive impacts on many of the UNs, sustainability development goals. Given the advantages of distributed dc electricity systems over centralised ac systems, it is concluded that policy makers and NGOs have to take on board dc as a sustainable solution to help the billions of people that either are not connected to electricity or use fossil fuels that are adversely effecting there health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Research Papers of the Wroclaw University of Economics / Prace Naukowe Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wroclawiu is the property of Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny we Wroclawiu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Manure treatment technologies have been developed in Europe to better use animal manures and to reduce their environmental impact, but the adoption of these technologies in practice is regionally diverse and still limited. Also, little is known about the opinions of stakeholders towards manure treatment. This study aimed to identify stakeholder perceptions of (1) which factors can facilitate and hinder the implementation in practice, (2) which technologies have the most potential for successful adoption, and (3) how farm characteristics and scale of treatment operations affect priorities for technology adoption. This analysis used data from a survey of various stakeholders engaged in manure treatment in four European countries (Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) that have large areas of high animal density, but diverse socio-economic, political and environmental conditions. Pressure from governmental regulations was perceived as a key factor that stimulated manure treatment in all four countries (70% of respondents). Processing manure to produce bioenergy was considered important in Denmark and Italy, but less important in Spain and the Netherlands. The major barriers to technology adoption were related to economic factors -lack of investment capital (60% of respondents), high processing cost (52%) and a long payback period (45%), while there was relatively little concern regarding transport and noise burden and health risks. Slurry separation and anaerobic digestion were perceived to have the greatest potential for a common adoption. Other preferred technologies were more country-specific (e.g. acidification in Denmark, composting in Spain, and drying and reverse osmosis in Netherlands). Manure treatment was considered to be less applicable at small livestock farms. Separation, composting and acidification were perceived to be more applicable at farm scale, while drying, anaerobic digestion, reverse osmosis at large, industrial scales. Our results imply that manure treatment will remain a regional activity. Policy measures and outreach strategies to alleviate the main barriers to the adoption of manure treatment are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper summarizes the results of a survey of enterprises-residents in the special technology-innovative zone «Dubna». Problems of functioning of special technology-innovative zones are considered, and proposals to improve their performance are formulated. The role of special economic zones as innovation growth centers is studied

In India, men own around 70% of mobile phones, creating a gender digital divide for the most widely owned information and communication technology (ICT) in the world. This study investigates the factors responsible for the inability of 245 female slum-dwellers in India earning less than $2 a day to own a mobile phone. Open, axial and selective coding of survey responses shows that socio-cultural, economic, demographic, psychological, communication-related, and health related inequalities in the lives of the respondents create eight economic barriers precluding respondents from owning some of the least expensive mobile phones worth $15 or so on installments of $1 a month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biggest problem in transition from traditional agriculture to modern and up-to-date agriculture is the lack of land consolidation of the fields. The present study aimed to analyze the barriers to effective land consolidation of fields in the city of Urmia. This study is a descriptive survey research. It is practical and data was gathered by field study. Data was gathered by a questionnaire which its content validity was approved by supervisors and consultants and its reliability was approved with Cronbach's alpha with the value of 0.837. The statistical population was all the landowner farmers of Dehestans (A type of administrative divisions of Iran. It's above the village and under the Bakhsh) of Urmia, Iran, of which 330 were randomly selected with Morgan's Table and cluster sampling. The Pearson correlation coefficient results showed that there is a 1% statistical significance between the variables of economic barriers, social barriers, political and governmental barriers, domestic and natural barriers, and field structure and failures in land consolidation and multiple regression analysis indicated that the economic, social, political, governmental, domestic, and natural barriers and field structure have a%69 effect on failures in land consolidation. Significant positive effect of different barriers on land consolidation is as follows: Economic barriers, 47.4%; social barriers, 23.2%; political and governmental barriers, 21.1%; domestic barriers, 10.5%; and natural barriers and land structure 9.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic barriers play the most significant role in precluding women from owning ICTs in developing nations. This qualitative study explores the factors responsible for creating economic barriers for 245 women in India, which prevent them from owning a mobile phone. Study findings reveal the specific ways in which cultural factors like (i) the long power distance between men and women, (ii) the gender role defined by Indian society for women, (iii) women’s attitudes of avoiding uncertainty, and (iv) collectivistic practices, create economic barriers for the financially independent study participants. Due to the unfair economic disadvantages generated by the above cultural factors, it becomes challenging for the participants earning a little less than $2 a day to own some of the least expensive mobile phone handsets worth $15 or so on installments of $1 a month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change provides both risks and opportunities in the surrounding areas of the North Pole. Melting icebergs and glaciers increase the environmental risks to the ecosystem. Simultaneously the extraction of natural resources in the region and the use of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) seem easier than before. Those countries and companies that would utilize these opportunities have begun competing to take initiative for the development of the region. For instance, a Korean shipping company operated a test navigation between Russia and Korea through the NSR in 2013, while others did not. What are the drivers and barriers of sailing the NSR? This study aims to address this question by identifying the economic, external, and internal drivers and barriers to voyage through the NSR, from the perspective of shipping companies. Comparative case studies, using interviews and document analysis, suggest that the differences between shipping companies that consider voyaging the NSR mainly lie in companies' perceptions of economic opportunities and their internal factors. Despite economic and external policy barriers, a company's financial capacity and leadership played a key role to explore the new route, seeking potential of shipping resources from the Arctic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the conclusions of four national Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) processes in Latin America (2011-2013), as applied to the electricity sector. The primary focus is on the financial and economic barriers identified by countries to the transfer of prioritized low-carbon energy technologies. While many electricity markets in Latin America were liberalized during the 1990s and 2000s, such market-driven reform policies were far from uniform and in reality there exist a diversity of governance frameworks for national electricity markets, exemplified here by Argentina, Cuba, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. As such, we compare the identified barriers against the key characteristics of the national electricity sectors and natural resource base, in order to evaluate the relative significance of these barriers. In doing so, we make an indicative contribution to the debate about the relationship between financial and economic barriers to technology transfer and electricity market structures, based on a new round of country-driven priorities and analysis, in support of the UNFCCC process on climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections cause major health problems in China. The Expanded Program of Immunization has succeeded in reducing infection rates among infants and children, but HBV vaccination coverage rates among adults remain low. Objective The objective was to investigate how individual adult HBV vaccination decisions are influenced by economic factors, socioeconomic status, and demographic characteristics, and to assess how potential vaccination policies could affect HBV vaccination coverage rates among adults. Methods We interviewed 22,618 adults, aged 15–59 years, from 7948 households, in 45 villages from 7 provinces. A questionnaire was used to collect information. The actual vaccine status was modeled using a polychotomous logistic regression with three outcomes; unvaccinated, partial vaccination, and complete vaccination. A subsample of unvaccinated adults gave responses to a hypothetical vaccination policy that offered HBV vaccination free of charge and various amounts of money to compensate for direct and indirect vaccination-related costs. Results The polychotomous logistic regression results suggest that vaccination user fees, time needed to get a vaccination, and vaccination-related travel costs were negatively associated with HBV vaccination coverage rates. Higher income was associated with higher coverage rates, and coverage rates decrease with age, with no significant difference between the genders. In the subsample that responded to the hypothetical policy, 55–72% (depending on the amount of money offered as compensation) stated they would accept a vaccination if it was offered free of charge. Conclusions Our polychotomous logistic regression results suggest that higher HBV vaccination coverage rates among adults are obtainable and that user fees, time needed to get a vaccination, and travel costs have acted as economic barriers to vaccination. This is supported by the responses to the hypothetical policy, which suggest that adult coverage rates could surge if HBV vaccine is offered at no cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the reasons why evidence of clinical effectiveness is not enough to facilitate adequate adoption of robotic technologies for upper-limb neurorehabilitation. The paper also provides a short review of the state of the art technologies. In particular, the paper highlights the barriers to the adoption of these technologies by the markets in which they are, or should be, deployed. On the other hand, the paper explores how low rates of adoption may depend on communication biases between the producers of the technologies and potential adopters. Finally, it is shown that, although technology-efficacy issues are usually welldocumented, barriers to adoption also originate from the lack of solid evidence of the economic implications of the new technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the causal relationships among 'institutional', 'economic', 'social' and 'environmental' sustainability barriers in addition to assessing their effects on sustainable housing. A questionnaire survey was conducted with professionals in the regulated sector of the Ghanaian housing market. Data collected were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Results revealed the following significant paths among the barriers: 'institutional barriers' to 'economic barriers' path is supported at a significance level of p <.05 at a t-value of 2.125; 'institutional barriers' to 'social barriers' path is also supported at a significance level of p <.05 at a t-value of 2.132 and likewise 'institutional barriers' to 'environmental barriers' path of p <.01 at a t-value of 3.740. Between the barriers and sustainable housing, both 'institutional barriers' and 'environmental barriers' have significant impacts on sustainable housing at t-values of 3.673 and 1.790 supported at p <.01 and p <.10, respectively. Three underlying barriers, viz: 'bureaucratic delays', 'policy instability' and 'weak enforcement of development control on land' accounted for all the significant paths of the 'institutional barriers'. Among them 'policy instability' has the highest loading, suggesting that it is the biggest barrier to sustainable housing. Essentially, the findings unraveled the causal-effect relationships among the four categories of barriers and a predictive model between the barriers and sustainable housing. Accordingly, the 'institutional barriers' are causal barriers that have multiplier effects on 'economic', 'social' and 'environmental' barriers. The findings of this study contribute to the global body of knowlege on housing by investigating the interactive effects of institutional, economic, social and environmental sustainability barriers on sustainable housing. This equips policymakers and practitioners with deeper knowledge, enabling effective decisions, policies and strategies to overcome the barriers and promote sustainable housing development and supply. • This paper employs partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). • Four barrier categories were established, viz: 'economic', 'social', 'environmental' and 'institutional' sustainability barriers. • Findings of the study revealed that institutional barriers have significant impacts on the other barrier categories. • Both the institutional barriers and environmental barriers have significant impacts on sustainable housing. • Among underlying institutional barriers, 'policy instability' has the highest loading; thus, it is the biggest barrier to sustainable housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]