• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.219-226
• /
• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to explain the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) gap between the poorest and the wealthiest quintiles in the capitals of Kermanshah and Kurdistan Provinces (Kermanshah and Sanandaj), in western Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 1772 adults. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (SES), lifestyle factors, body mass index, and HRQoL of participants were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The slope and relative indices of inequality (SII and RII, respectively) were employed to examine socioeconomic inequality in poor HRQoL. Blinder-Oaxaca (BO) decomposition was used to quantify the contribution of explanatory variables to the gap in the prevalence of poor HRQoL between the wealthiest and the poorest groups. Results: The overall crude and age-adjusted prevalence of poor HRQoL among adults was 32.0 and 41.8%, respectively. The SII and RII indicated that poor HRQoL was mainly concentrated among individuals with lower SES. The absolute difference (%) in the prevalence of poor HRQoL between the highest and lowest SES groups was 28.4. The BO results indicated that 49.9% of the difference was explained by different distributions of age, smoking behavior, physical inactivity, chronic health conditions, and obesity between the highest and lowest SES groups, while the remaining half of the gap was explained by the response effect. Conclusions: We observed a pro-rich distribution of poor HRQoL among adults in the capitals of Kermanshah and Kurdistan Provinces. Policies and strategies aimed at preventing and reducing smoking, physical inactivity, chronic health conditions, and obesity among the poor may reduce the gap in poor HRQoL between the highest and lowest SES groups in Iran.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
• /
• 2011.10a
• /
• pp.192-194
• /
• 2011

With the huge tendency of users toward online web sites, many issues regarding the user behavior interacting with these websites are yet still underestimated and not addressed in all aspects from software developers or business organizations. In this paper, we solely focus on the usability analysis of social network websites to enhance and improve the use of these social websites for more effective and motivational interaction. We use T-Model procedure as a mechanism of this research. Subjects with variation of expertise are contributed to the research of this paper. Minor quantitative analysis will be employed to test the hypothetical of this research in the further research. Result and its implications will be discussed profoundly at the end of this research.

• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology
• /
• v.5 no.5
• /
• pp.659-670
• /
• 2018

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) confronts industrial manufactures with economic, ecological, as well as social benefits and challenges, referring to the Triple Bottom Line of sustainability. So far, research has mainly investigated its dimensions in isolation or economic aspects have not been compared with ecological and social perspectives. Further, research misses studies that are devoted to the special characteristics and requirements of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study aims to contribute to close this research gap, providing a research context that encompasses all three dimensions of sustainability. The results are based on data obtained from 329 SMEs, 222 in Germany and 107 in China, therefore allowing for a comparison of the concepts "Industrie 4.0" and "Made in China 2025" in the context of SMEs. In general, German SMEs expect a lower impact through "Industrie 4.0", perceiving the concept as more beneficial for larger enterprises. We further find that Chinese SMEs foremost see social benefits. Challenges whilst introducing "Industrie 4.0"by German SMEs as well as several frame conditions are perceived more relevant than for "Made in China 2025", as seen by Chinese SMEs. The paper closes with implications for research and practice based on these findings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.419-424
• /
• 2016

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to study the relationship between exposure to nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) in the ambient air and breast cancer incidence. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was performed based on the MOOSE guideline for review of observational studies. We searched five online databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Scopus) from their conception to June 2014. A pooled estimate of the correlation between $NO_2$ exposure and breast cancer incidence was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 654 titles were retrieved in the initial search of the databases. Further refinement and screening of the retrieved studies produced a total of five studies from four countries. The studies included three ecological studies (aggregate level) and two individual based studies (one prospective cohort and the other one a case-control study). The ecological studies were pooled and the meta-analysis of correlation coefficient without z transformation showed a pooled estimate of r = 0.89 with 95% CI of 0.84 to 0.95. Using z transformation, the pooled r was 1.38 with 95%CI of 1.11 to 1.59. No significant heterogeneity between studies was observed. Following a sensitivity analysis and the removal of each study from pooled analysis we did not see any significant change in the pooled estimate. Conclusions: It was concluded that there is a tendency toward a weak association between exposure to $NO_2$ in ambient air and breast cancer at the individual level and a significant association at the aggregate level.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.1729-1736
• /
• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations among the internal health locus of control, depression, perceived health status, self efficacy, social support, and health-promoting behavior in Iranian breast cancer survivors and to determine influential variables. Materials and Methods: A predictive design was adopted. By convenient sampling the data of 262 breast cancer survivors in Iran were collected by questionnaires during 2014. Data were analyzed applying descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The internal health locus of control, depression, perceived health status, self efficacy, social support and undergoing chemotherapy all correlated significantly with the health-promoting lifestyle. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that social internal health locus of control, depression, perceived health status, self efficacy and social support and chemotherapy accounted for about 39.8% of the variance in health promoting lifestyle. The strongest influence was social support, followed by self efficacy, perceived health status, chemotherapy and depression. Conclusions: The results of the study clarifed the seriousness of social support, self efficacy, perceived health status and depression in determining the health-promoting lifestyle among Iranian breast cancer survivors. Health professionals should concentrate on these variables in designing plans to promoting a healthy lifestyle.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.31-45
• /
• 2016

Purpose - This study develops a simulation model that looks at the dynamics between social capital and business performance in strategic networks to understand their behaviors in relation to each other, and to suggest dynamic relationship strategies. Research design, data, and methodology - Based on existing literature, this study identifies the complex causal loop diagram on social capital and business performance in strategic networks, and converts them into a simulation model for observing how the changes in business environment and relationship dependency affect social capital and business performance. Results - The simulation results showed that, first, the formation in social capital and business performance of networks with low relationship dependency was less affected by the changes in business environment. Second, the formation in social capital and business performance of networks with high relationship dependency was negatively impacted by the changes in business environment. In other words, higher relationship dependency strengthened the impact of changes in business environment on business performance. Conclusions - Thus, this study confirmed that in strategic networks, the changes in business environment and the degree of relationship dependency dynamically affect business performance, and that relationship dependency mediates the degree in which changes in the business environment affect business performance. The results of the simulations were further verified through actual business cases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.21
• /
• pp.9475-9478
• /
• 2014

Cancer is the third highest cause of premature mortality in Iran. We aimed to determine trend of common cancers in Khuzestan province, Iran. Methods: It was a hospital based survey on 4065 subjects from their hospital files, those had registered as cancer case in Shafa hospital which has known as a biggest center of cancer in khuzestan province, Iran during 2005-2011.All data has entered by SPSS (version 19), descriptive statistic and adjusted odds ratio of common cancers for age and sex were calculated from multiple logistic regression model. Results: From all subjects; (51% & 49%) were male and female respectively. The most frequent age group was 60-50 years and common cancers were breast 16%, colorectal 6.3%, blood 2%, lung 8% and stomach 8%. Conclusion: Prevalence of cancers has increased markedly with age in Khuzestan Providence. Therefore, it is essential to prevent through early prevention, using screening and identifying cases in initial stages.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.261-271
• /
• 2019

The study aims to investigate corporate social responsibility (CSR) best practices of the world automotive industry - Peugeot, BMW, Ford, Hyundai and Toyota among others - and recommend that they plan their business strategies and managerial responses accordingly. Based on the comparative research and case studies, this research finds that all five automobile manufacturers have taken very similar measures and actions in order to establish and maintain a high level of CSR practices. Sustainability was a core value in all five companies and served as a guiding principle in every aspect and approach of their business. This study finds that all five companies have CSR strategies in place to increase energy efficiency as well as reduce the usage and wastage of water in their production and plants. This research also finds that all companies monitor their suppliers and their own production process to ensure that they maintain their CSR standards. More impressively, this sustainable management practice is transferred along the companies' supply chain through education and training. Their suppliers and business partners are closely monitored to make sure that their high CSR standards are respected and followed. However, we find that there also are some differences in terms of their CSR deliveries and activities.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.19 no.12
• /
• pp.57-69
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study aims to measure whether the business performance of Padang restaurants in North Jakarta is primarily affected by service distribution strategy and other factors, specifically the local-based organizational culture and entrepreneurial orientation. Research design, data and methodology: This quantitative research has used Structural Model-Partial Least Square (PLS-SEM) with SMART PLS 3.0 as the analytical tool. The study's sample focus is the owner or person in charge of the Padang restaurant business in North Jakarta. Data has been collected using a questionnaire instrument with a Likert scale scale ('1-strongly disagree' to '5-strongly agree'). A total of 86 samples with a random technique were obtained from three areas in North Jakarta: Kelapa Gading, Pademangan, and Penjaringan. Results: Interestingly, this research finds that service distribution strategy does not affect business performance, either directly or indirectly. Business performance in this study is affected by entrepreneurial orientation. In additional results, the local organizational culture significantly affects the entrepreneurial orientation, but does not affect the business performance in terms of management process. Conclusions: This study provides practical implications for restaurant businesses regarding the use of local cultural concepts to consider strategies for survival in today's challenging times while continuing operations during limitations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.177-181
• /
• 2016

This cross-sectional descriptive and qualitative study was aimed to study the people participation and their approaches toward the human carcinogenic liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, prevention and control in Ban Chaun sub-district administrative organization (BCSAO) and Bamnet Narong sub-district municipality (BNSM), Bamnet Narong district, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand between June 2013 and February 2014. Participants were purposive selected, included chiefs of sub-district administrative organizations, sub-district municipalities, sub-district health promotion hospitals (SHPHs), heads of village, and a further sample was selected with a multi-stage random sampling for public health volunteers, and villagers. The pre-designed questionnaire contained items for individualized status and the participatory steps of sharing ideas, decision-making, and planning, procession, evaluation, and mutual benefit, for the project O. viverrini prevention and control (POPC). In-depth interviews were used for collection of need approaches to POPC. With 375 participants who completed the questionnaire, it was found that people had a high level regarding to participate in the POPC, particularly in the process stage ($\bar{X}=3.78$, S.D. = 0.56), but the lowest level was found in sharing ideas, decision making, and planning step ($\bar{X}=3.65$, S.D. = 0.63). By comparison, participant status and organization did not significantly differ with people participation. In each step, Ban Chaun sub-district had a high level of participation in the step of sharing ideas, decision making, and planning toward POPC, more than Bamnet Narong sub-district municipality (t=2.20, p=0.028). Approaches for POPC in Ban Chaun sub-district and Bamnet Narong sub-district municipality included requirements for budget support, annual campaigns for liver fluke prevention and control, campaign promotion, risk group observation, home visiting, community rules regarding reducing raw fish consumption in their communities, and a professional public health officer for working in their communities, BCSAO, BNSM, and SHPH, for O. viverrini prevention and control. This study indicates that people realize that eradication of the liver fluke needs a continuous people participation for O. viverrini prevention and control in their communities.