Search results

1 – 4 of 4
Article
Publication date: 18 September 2023

Kavita Sohal, Suresh Renukappa, Subashini Suresh, Panagiotis Georgakis and Nici Stride

The anticipated strong growth of the infrastructure industry over the coming decades will require more modern, digital approaches to create data-centric infrastructure that allows…

Abstract

Purpose

The anticipated strong growth of the infrastructure industry over the coming decades will require more modern, digital approaches to create data-centric infrastructure that allows infrastructure to be monitored and managed throughout its lifecycle. Digital twins (DTs) are currently at an early stage in terms of their implementation on infrastructure projects across the United Kingdom (UK). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current uptake of DTs in delivering infrastructure sector projects and how DTs can help contribute towards strengthening the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review approach has been conducted with the research questions derived from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) article screening tool. In addition to this, inclusion and exclusion criteria have been used to screen irrelevant information and help streamline research documents. Following a screening of relevant information, 36 pieces of literature were reviewed in order to identify the key drivers, barriers, enabling technologies and use cases.

Findings

DTs have the potential to transform asset design, production and maintenance. However, to further advance the digital innovation in the UK infrastructure sector, further study is necessary. An emerging technology must be considered on a broader scale than just its technical aspects, particularly when it comes to DTs. With enabling technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), the uptake of DTs appears promising. While current literature indicates that DTs offer clear benefits in the infrastructure sector, the uptake is low and hindered by both technical and non-technical challenges.

Originality/value

This paper provides a rich insight into the understanding and awareness of the DTs in delivering infrastructure sector projects and how the infrastructure sector has evolved in order to develop new ways of designing, constructing, operating and monitoring infrastructure assets. This study contributes towards informing leaders in the sector of the current uptake of DTs within the UK's infrastructure sector as well as how DTs can contribute towards strengthening the industry.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1998

Brian H. Kleiner

Presents a special issue, enlisting the help of the author’s students and colleagues, focusing on age, sex, colour and disability discrimination in America. Breaks the evidence…

5425

Abstract

Presents a special issue, enlisting the help of the author’s students and colleagues, focusing on age, sex, colour and disability discrimination in America. Breaks the evidence down into manageable chunks, covering: age discrimination in the workplace; discrimination against African‐Americans; sex discrimination in the workplace; same sex sexual harassment; how to investigate and prove disability discrimination; sexual harassment in the military; when the main US job‐discrimination law applies to small companies; how to investigate and prove racial discrimination; developments concerning race discrimination in the workplace; developments concerning the Equal Pay Act; developments concerning discrimination against workers with HIV or AIDS; developments concerning discrimination based on refusal of family care leave; developments concerning discrimination against gay or lesbian employees; developments concerning discrimination based on colour; how to investigate and prove discrimination concerning based on colour; developments concerning the Equal Pay Act; using statistics in employment discrimination cases; race discrimination in the workplace; developments concerning gender discrimination in the workplace; discrimination in Japanese organizations in America; discrimination in the entertainment industry; discrimination in the utility industry; understanding and effectively managing national origin discrimination; how to investigate and prove hiring discrimination based on colour; and, finally, how to investigate sexual harassment in the workplace.

Details

Equal Opportunities International, vol. 17 no. 3/4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0261-0159

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 January 2009

Annemijn van Gorp and Carleen Maitland

The purpose of this paper is to show that, while in many low income countries inefficient regulatory regimes have been blamed for impeding ICT market development, Tanzania

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that, while in many low income countries inefficient regulatory regimes have been blamed for impeding ICT market development, Tanzania constitutes a remarkable exception. This study aims to identify the organizational and contextual factors that have enabled the Tanzanian Communications Regulatory Agency (TCRA) to implement innovative regulations, including a fully converged licensing framework as the first country on the continent, and how subsequently these regulations have influenced market development.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on case study data gathered through 20 face‐to‐face interviews in 2006 as well as secondary data gathered from government documents, news reports and company web sites.

Findings

The research finds that the market developments and regulatory innovations were due in part to Tanzania's Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)'s high level of autonomy, afforded by independent funding mechanisms and lack of capacity of the Ministry, which pressed the regulator to play a greater role in policy making than is found in other countries. Further, TCRA's significant internal focus on capacity building has also enabled strong regulatory governance.

Practical implications

The results provide further evidence of the role that institutional endowments and regulatory governance play in fostering policy reform.

Originality/value

The research examines regulatory innovations in a region typically associated with regulatory inefficiencies. It identifies institutional factors and subsequently shows how in a very low income country they may be conducive to effective regulatory governance and market development.

Details

info, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 July 2008

Stephen M. Mutula

The purpose of this paper is to compare the e‐government status of sub‐Saharan African countries with developed and transitional countries.

2735

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the e‐government status of sub‐Saharan African countries with developed and transitional countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an analysis of eRepublic.org web directory and desk research. Besides, analyses of global e‐government, digital opportunity and information society indices are used.

Findings

Wide disparities in e‐government exist within regional trading blocs in sub‐Saharan Africa with Southern Africa far ahead of east and west Africa regions. Compared with other continents, sub‐Saharan Africa lags far behind Europe, North America and Asia in e‐government. Several barriers including infrastructure, policy, legal and skill factors are identified as limiting the opportunity for sub‐Saharan Africa to move government services online.

Research limitations/implications

Providing an accurate comparative picture of e‐government of sub‐Saharan Africa with developed and transitional economies is difficult because most e‐government studies hardly cover Africa. Besides, there is a general lack of reliable data about e‐government status in Africa as most government web sites are undeveloped.

Practical implications

Africa must invest more in infrastructure and enhance a legislative and policy framework to effectively compete with developed and transitional nations not only in e‐government, but also in international economy.

Originality/value

e‐Government comparative assessment of sub‐Saharan Africa with developed and transitional economies is based on several indices, thus providing a more informative picture of e‐government status in Africa. Africa can learn from the experiences and best practices of developed and transitional countries in e‐government development.

Details

Information Management & Computer Security, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-5227

Keywords

1 – 4 of 4