ABSTRACT
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic having affected the lives of all citizens, some groups, as people with disabilities (PwD), have felt its effects more intensely, specifically due to social distancing measures adopted. However, PwD are a heterogeneous group and the impacts of COVID-19 are, therefore, experienced differently. Blind people (BP) face considerable challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, since they "access the world” through touch, something strongly discouraged in order to control the spread of the virus. Nevertheless, no studies are known which analyze the constraints experienced by BP during COVID-19 on participating in recreation and tourism activities. To extend knowledge in this field, the intention of this study is to examine the constraints faced by BP during COVID-19 on participation in outdoor recreation and tourism activities and the strategies used to overcome these constraints. A qualitative methodology (in-depth interviews with BP) was used. The results reveal that during the COVID-19 pandemic, BP faced several constraints that made their participation in outdoor recreation and tourism activities difficult. The paper ends with a discussion of the strategies used by BP to overcome these constraints.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to reflect on the challenges of Health Information Systems in Portugal at a time when technologies enable the creation of new approaches and models for care provision, as well as to identify scenarios that may characterize this practice in the future. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A guiding research model was created based on an empirical study that was conducted using a qualitative method that integrated content analysis of strategic documents and semi-structured interviews with a sample of fourteen key actors in the health sector. FINDINGS: Results pointed to the existence of emerging technologies that may promote the development of Health Information Systems oriented to "health and well-being" in a preventive model logic and reinforce the social and management implications. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The originality of this work resided in the empirical study carried out, which allowed us to analyze how the various actors look at the present and the future of Health Information Systems. There is also a lack of studies addressing this subject. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The main limitations resulted from a low, although representative, number of interviews and the fact that the interviews took place before the pandemic, so the digital transformation that was promoted was not reflected. Managerial implications and social implications: The study highlighted the need for greater commitment from decision makers, managers, healthcare providers, and citizens toward achieving improved digital literacy and health. Decision makers and managers must also agree on strategies to accelerate existing strategic plans and avoid their implementation at different paces.
ABSTRACT
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic having affected the lives of all citizens, some groups, as people with disabilities (PwD), have felt its effects more intensely, specifically due to social distancing measures adopted. However, PwD are a heterogeneous group and the impacts of COVID-19 are, therefore, experienced differently. Blind people (BP) face considerable challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, since they "access the world" through touch, something strongly discouraged in order to control the spread of the virus. Nevertheless, no studies are known which analyze the constraints experienced by BP during COVID-19 on participating in recreation and tourism activities. To extend knowledge in this field, the intention of this study is to examine the constraints faced by BP during COVID-19 on participation in outdoor recreation and tourism activities and the strategies used to overcome these constraints. A qualitative methodology (in-depth interviews with BP) was used. The results reveal that during the COVID-19 pandemic, BP faced several constraints that made their participation in outdoor recreation and tourism activities difficult. The paper ends with a discussion of the strategies used by BP to overcome these constraints. Management implications: Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on the recreation and tourism practices of blind people, and the constraints that they face as a consequence of this pandemic, this study provides relevant implications managers for public and private tourism supply agents. Therefore, managers and planners can use the findings of this study to design strategies to overcome the strong constraints faced by blind people due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to minimize risk exposure and to increase their quality of life. Thus, the type of activities offered and the marketing strategy should be rethought to increase the engagement of blind people in recreation and tourism experiences in an "untouchable world."
ABSTRACT
While industry tends towards mass personalisation and instant deliveries, the last mile of urban logistics is being challenged to decrease the number of vehicles in circulation and the distances they travel in city centres. The COVID-19 pandemic helped expose the inefficiency of cities in fulfilling citizens' real-time needs. Moreover, the first aim of this paper is to understand the barriers which policymakers face in providing a personalised response to citizens' needs and the second to ascertain how they can proactively serve their communities. In line with these concerns, empirical evidence was collected through a questionnaire to Portuguese policymakers, and the results were discussed in a focus group with experts. The results suggest a lack of tools to enable real-time visualisation and study of scenarios for implementing and organising means of delivery and storage. Moreover, although policymakers feel confident in their capacity to manage the last mile, they would struggle to operate autonomously. Therefore, this paper conceptualises an initial algorithm based on the dynamic collaboration of stakeholders and sharing of resources to guarantee fulfilment of citizens' necessities. Furthermore, future discussions shall emerge about the relationships and technical standards between stakeholders to provide the necessary logistical means for city management and operations.
ABSTRACT
Recent events such as Covid-19 vaccine distribution issues and the blockage of the Ever Given ship in the Suez Canal raised concerns about how fragile the traditional supply chain is. Last-mile personalized fulfillment can have a catalyst role in the proliferation of the Industry 4.0. This growing trend will reduce standard production, bringing manufacturing closer to the client and, ultimately, boiling down the supply chain to the last mile. However, the literature is not clear about the breakdown of the supply chain to enhance cities' sustainability and reducing the number of transports and circulating vehicles. Stemming from an empirical study to simulate the existing gap in the market and the development of a case study through structured interviews with privileged interlocutors complemented by the document analysis, this paper highlights how the integration of local stakeholders can efficiently enhance a personalized service based on dynamic collaborations to set up the supply chain, by introducing the Last-Mile-as-a-Service (LMaaS) concept. This concept relies on a revenue-sharing framework based on an open marketplace composed by last-mile manufacturing, transport, and storage assets and stakeholders to disrupt the supply chain, enabling any company to provide personalized products in almost real-time to any location.