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Books in Social sciences and humanities

  • Digital Transformation in Retail Supply Chain Management for Logistics 5.0

    • 1st Edition
    • Adnan Ahmed Sheikh + 3 more
    • English
    Digital Transformation in Retail Supply Chain Management for Logistics 5.0 explains how these technologies are reshaping retail supply chain management. The book elucidates on the digital tools and strategies organizations can employ to optimize their retail supply chain management, minimize costs, enhance customer satisfaction, and achieve sustainability objectives through industry 5.0-enabled technologies. It innovatively blends the details of recent advancements across retail supply chains and supply chain-related digital transformations. Its cutting-edge perspective makes it an invaluable asset for industry professionals, policymakers, business owners, managers, researchers, practitioners, academicians, instructors, and students in retail, logistics supply chain management, digital business, and innovation.The book explores the nuances of the Supply Network 5.0, discussing the synergy between humans and machines, especially in the context of robotic process automation systems and artificial intelligence tools in the “new normal” of retail supply chain management. In addition, it specifically addresses textile products, FMCG, online products, construction, food and beverages, the shoe industry, SMEs, and other manufacturing sectors. Other sections delves into the often-overlooked environmental sustainability ramifications of the Fifth Industrial Revolution.
  • Positioning Your Library for the 21st Century

    Strategies for Engagement, Relevance and Sustainability
    • 1st Edition
    • Cordelia Anderson
    • English
    Positioning Your Library for the 21st Century: Strategies for Engagement, Relevance, and Sustainability identifies and removes hidden barriers, equipping readers to enable libraries to uncover and eliminate operational and communication barriers that limit access, reduce engagement, or disproportionately impact underserved populations. The book provides readers with practical crisis response tools, delivering sample plans, templates, and checklists to help libraries prepare for immediate, emerging, and sustained crises, thus ensuring a confident, coordinated response when it matters most.Sections navigates advocacy and neutrality, enabling readers to support libraries in balancing commitments to equity and social justice with the responsibility to maintain broad public trust across diverse political and cultural perspectives, while also encouraging library leaders to examine the narrative they share with stakeholders and how that narrative supports or undermines long-term goals, relevance, and community support.
  • Empowerment Self-Defense

    Theory, Research and Practice
    • 1st Edition
    • Lindsay M. Orchowski + 1 more
    • English
    Empowerment Self-Defense: Theory, Research, and Practice brings together scholarship on the theory, research, and practice of empowerment self-defense (ESD). ESD is an evidence-based and transformative approach to violence prevention grounded in feminism and social justice. This book assembles leading researchers and practitioners to clearly define ESD and assess its effectiveness.The contributors to this volume frame ESD as a part of a comprehensive approach to sexual assault prevention and document the worldwide implementation of ESD as a part of a larger gender justice movement. This book begins by outlining the fundamental concepts, elements, and theoretical underpinnings of ESD and situates ESD within the long history of feminist collective activism. The second section considers the role of ESD in violence prevention, including its effectiveness for survivors of trauma and its implementation around the world. The third section focuses on the research behind ESD, including an assessment of measurement tools. The fourth section focuses on applications of ESD within specific communities, including indigenous, sexual and gender minority, and disabled populations. The final section of the book addresses the future of ESD, including implementation, dissemination, and future directions for research. Together, these chapters present a compelling case for the essential role of ESD training in violence prevention efforts.
  • Encyclopedia of Ecology

    • 3rd Edition
    • Brian D. Fath
    • English
    Encyclopedia of Ecology, Third Edition, Four Volume Set - with over 300 chapters - once again provides a comprehensive reference work covering the current ideas and practices in ecology.Ecology is the ideal field for studying complex, adaptive, and self-organizing systems and by observing and understanding ecosystems, it provides valuable insights into creating sustainable systems. This knowledge is essential for addressing challenges in areas such as land management, environmental policy development, urban metabolism, industrial symbiosis, the global commons, and renewable energy.Ecology traditionally focused on measuring species abundance and distribution through field observations to establish a baseline understanding of nature. More recently, it emphasizes the relationships within populations, among species, and with their environment—networks of life central to this encyclopedia. Understanding these ecological connections is key to sustainability science and human-nature interactions. Current research spans biodiversity loss, soil conservation, sustainable agriculture, emerging diseases, eco-mimicry, and climate change. Ecological education and environmental literacy are increasingly integrated into curricula.Written and edited by an international team of experts and with special focus on interdisciplinary work in socio-ecological systems, this 3rd edition again links theory with application, and helps allow students needing entry-level summaries of specific ecology topics to create connections and find relevant, more in-depth resources in this exciting field.
  • Health on the Move 3: The Reviews - volume II

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 18
    • English
    Health on the Move 3: The Reviews - volume II series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors.
  • The Economics of News Media

    • 1st Edition
    • Sangwoo Yang
    • English
    The Economics of News Media examines the economic underpinnings that shape news media, providing a comprehensive introduction to the field of news media economics that bridges the gap between economics, media studies, and journalism. Each chapter delves into critical topics, from the structure of news markets to the implications of media bias, competition, and evolving news landscapes in the digital age. By offering empirical studies and theoretical insights, this work not only addresses the needs of researchers and students, but also provides practical tools for professionals grappling with the economic dynamics of news media.This is an essential resource for anyone hoping to understand the economic complexities underpinning the news landscape. With clear explanations and rich, global examples, the book offers practical knowledge and approaches to navigate the multifaceted issues of misinformation, media power, and democratic accountability in today’s media environment.
  • Introduction to International Disaster Management

    • 5th Edition
    • Damon P. Coppola
    • English
    Introduction to International Disaster Management, Fifth Edition, offers an unbiased, global perspective for students and practitioners alike. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the disaster management profession, covering the varied sources of risk and vulnerability, the systems that exist to manage hazard risk, and the many different stakeholders involved, from individuals to global organizations. This text also serves as a reference on scores of disaster management topics, including various technological and intentional hazards, on international disaster management structures and systems, on global humanitarian spending and support, and much more. Taking a real-world approach with considerable illustration through case studies and recent and historical disaster events, this book prepares students interested in joining the disaster management community to understand the work they will be doing. In addition, it assists those who already work with the disaster management community by helping them better navigate this complex environment.Fully updated throughout, the new edition includes revised workflows and communications, coverage of emerging global hazards and recent disaster events, and revised sections on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems, and emerging technologies for disaster risk reduction and resilience. Special emphasis is placed throughout on environmental justice, social justice, gender, and equality in global disaster management approaches. Recent disasters addressed across in-depth case studies include the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Tonga Eruption, regional heatwaves, the Beirut Port Explosion, the 2021 Haiti Earthquake, Typhoon Rai, the 2021 Surfside Condo Collapse, the 2022 South Asia Floods, and notable earthquakes. Another Voice - Expert Input boxes, along with extended exhibits, key word definitions, and chapter summaries enhance understanding, along with updated ancillary materials for students and instructors alike.
  • The Next Frontiers of Quantum Generative Intelligence for Smarter Eco-Cities

    Transforming Environmental Sustainability Through Augmented Deep Generative and Foundation Models
    • 1st Edition
    • Simon Elias Bibri
    • English
    The Next Frontiers of Quantum Generative Intelligence for Smarter Eco-Cities: Transforming Environmental Sustainability Through Augmented Deep Generative and Foundation Models covers advances in the convergence of quantum computing, deep generative models, foundation models, and urban-environmental intelligence to transform sustainable urban development. The book offers conceptual frameworks, theoretical insights, operational models, and empirical case studies that showcase how quantum-enhanced generative intelligence can optimize energy, transportation, mobility, water, waste, air quality, biodiversity, climate resilience, and disaster management in eco-cities. Detailed chapters examine deep generative models, hybrid quantum-classical architectures, quantum GANs and VAEs, diffusion models, transformer-based foundation models, and much more.The text bridges theoretical advances with practical deployment strategies, encompassing policy guidance and system constraints to support evidence-based decision-making in urban sustainability contexts. This resource benefits urban planners, environmental scientists, policymakers, technology experts, city managers, academics, and graduate students by equipping them with innovative tools and frameworks to design, manage, and operate smarter eco-cities.
  • Smart Cities: A System of Systems Perspective

    Engineering, Analytics, and Innovations for Sustainable Urban Development
    • 1st Edition
    • Iman Rahimi + 3 more
    • English
    Smart Cities: A System of Systems Perspective explores System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) in smart cities. Sections address how analytics and innovative technologies can transform urban environments, equipping readers with the knowledge to optimize city operations, enhance public services, and promote sustainable urban growth. The book begins with the foundational concepts of SoSE and key principles of smart cities, exploring emergent behavior and interoperability. It then examines the integration of SoSE within urban infrastructure, highlighting the roles of IoT, AI, and machine learning. Subsequent sections focus on core technologies and analytical tools, including data analytics, predictive modeling, and decision support systems.Readers will also discover innovative solutions to pressing urban challenges, such as sustainability, cybersecurity, and governance, alongside detailed case studies showcasing successful smart city initiatives from around the globe. This book is invaluable for academics and researchers in urban studies, engineering, analytics, IoT, and AI, as well as data scientists and analytics professionals working with urban datasets. Graduate and postgraduate students in engineering, analytics, computer science, or urban studies will also find it a crucial resource.
  • A Pragmatic Approach to Multicultural Counselling and Psychotherapy Skills Acquisition

    • 1st Edition
    • Mkpoikanke Otu
    • English
    A Pragmatic Approach to Multicultural Counselling and Psychotherapy Skills Acquisition is a comprehensive guide crafted for mental health professionals navigating today's diverse landscape. Designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, this book equips therapists with essential tools to engage effectively with clients from varied cultural backgrounds. From addressing the pitfalls of cultural unawareness to empowering counselors with practical strategies for fostering inclusivity, each chapter offers a roadmap for cultivating cultural competence in therapeutic settings. With a focus on fostering meaningful connections and fostering understanding, this indispensable resource lays the foundation for transformative counseling experiences that honor unique identities.The book champions the imperative of cultural sensitivity in mental health care. By confronting the challenges of inadequate training and fostering cultural humility, it catalyzes a paradigm shift towards more inclusive and effective counseling practices. Through case studies and practical insights, this book empowers mental health professionals to navigate the complexities of multicultural interactions with confidence and compassion.