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Promoting the use of assistive technology (AT) is crucial for the health and well-being of users, but there is a huge global problem of unmet need for AT. In this context informal (unregulated) providers of AT play a significant role of meeting AT user need, particularly in less-resourced settings. This study draws on research into formal and informal AT provision in low-income urban communities in Indonesia and Sierra Leone to explore the potential of informal providers in addressing unmet need. Specifically, it looks at the different performance of formal and informal providers regarding the availability and the adequacy of AT that they provide. The study concludes by proposing further research into the scope for coproduction of AT between formal and informal providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the essence of social responsibility of business and its role in the development of the national economy, in facilitating the solution of social problems at various stages of ethical views formation regarding the organization of business, both in the world and in Ukraine. Peculiarities of the manifestation of social responsibility in different territories of our country, which in certain historical periods were part of different countries, are studied. It is revealed the influence of national culture and worldview, as well as political circumstances and restrictions on the identification and self-expression of Ukrainians in various aspects of social life, including economic one, on the formation of economic and socially responsible centers, the main goal of which is the support and social protection of the Ukrainian population, the revival of the economy and education in Galicia. The traditions of Ukrainian patronage, thanks to which the population of Left-bank Ukraine revived their language, culture, writing and painting, and had access to educational and medical services are mentioned. The negative impact of the colonial enslavement of Ukraine by the Soviet Union on the development of social responsibility is considered, primarily due to the destruction of the institution of private property and the introduction of command-administrative management methods. That later served as one of the reasons for the emergence of such processes as shadow economy, corruption, unscrupulous business conduct, tax evasion, noncompliance with legislation, and thus violation of the basic principles of ethics and social responsibility of business at the first stages of the revival of the national economy of Ukraine. However, the article substantiates those similar negative processes took place in most of the modern economically developed countries of the world, during the period when they passed the stage of «wild capitalism», which lasted until the second quarter of the 20th century. Ukrainian society passed this stage in a very quick period, in ten years. And already in 2000, Ukrainian business began to revive ancient Ukrainian traditions of patronage and moved to the next stage of the formation of social responsibility of business – local care, and now to full social management. Analyzing the tragic events and challenges faced by Ukrainian society during the modern Russian-Ukrainian war, the article reveals the extraordinary activity, initiative, and variety of social responsibility projects of domestic businesses that operate in various spheres of activity and on various forms of organization. At the same time, the article substantiates the need to improve conditions for doing business, improve legislation and the judicial system, as one of the components of encouraging entrepreneurs to expand their social responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an analysis of climate change's impact on small businesses in the Madang Lagoon area. The study used quantitative methodology. The quantitative data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The study used non-probability sampling which combined convenience and snowball sampling that are popular sampling techniques. The completed questionnaires were retrieved and coded on an ordinal scale of 1 to 5 manually on the questionnaire and entered the codes into a specially designed excel spreadsheet and raw data were transferred to the Scientific Package for Social Science (SPSS) software and generated the reports. The study found that majority of the small businesses were affected by climate change and some businesses have had to close operations and others diversify into other small businesses. About 78% of businesses were owned and operated by women who support their family to meet the daily needs. All the small businesses were classified as being in the informal sector. The study also found that the environmental impact of climate change is evident in the study areas but little or nothing is done to prevent further damage caused by coastal erosion. As per responses from respondents, there is a plan, but nothing has been done so far to mitigate and adapt to climate change challenges. The study provides a better understanding of climate change impacts on the natural environment and small businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Business in the urban informal economy can be seen as a challenging terrain with enormous hurdles for women entrepreneurs. This paper explores major barriers that obstruct smooth development of women entrepreneurship in Uganda’s urban informal economy. The study provides some useful academic insights and offers some practical suggestions for improving policy for women entrepreneurs. The value of this research lies in providing significant insights related to the initiation of policies and programs for entrepreneurship development, but also in increasing women’s involvement in the urban informal economy through a better understanding of the gender-based barriers to entrepreneurship. It is hoped that the study will influence business development in the urban informal economies of Uganda in particular, and Africa in general. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article reports on a study that explored income generating opportunities and activities for people living in the Lagoon area of Madang. A survey was conducted of people living in Siar, Sek, Kranket, and Riwo village communities. Males and females were equally represented in the sample. Almost all respondents reported working in the informal sector of PNG's economy with betel-nut and fish sales dominating other forms of income generation. However, the study found that people were taking advantage of being close to a major town and using their income to start small businesses such as public motor vehicles, accommodation rental, trade stores, fuel sales, alcohol sales and street stalls. The study explored people's reasons for starting businesses and their plans for future developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis from research and practice in Africa shows that fishing communities are hardly reached by HIV-related services, education, and business services, partly because of the efforts and costs involved and a lack of good practice in reaching out to these often remote areas. At the same time, fish traders, especially women, travel regularly to remote fishing camps to purchase fish. Although female fish traders may be exposed to HIV, violence and abuse in their interactions and relationships with fishermen, economic necessity keeps them in this trade. Good health among fisherfolk is a basic mainstay of productive and sustainable fisheries, providing food and income to fishing communities and the nation at large. However, these benefits are severely at risk as per-capita fish supplies in several African countries are declining, and fisherfolk are among the populations most vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. Under the regional programme 'Fisheries and HIV/AIDS in Africa: Investing in sustainable solutions,' the WorldFish Center conducted a socioeconomic assessment in the Kafue Flats fishery in Zambia to identify factors related to HIV/AIDS vulnerability among people in the fishing communities, particularly female fish traders. The study identified a variety of factors, hence the 'Fish Trader+' model of intervention was developed to reduce female fish traders' vulnerability to HIV by building on their economic rationale through the formation of savings groups. This article outlines the implementation of the Fish Trader+ model in Zambia and examines its potential to empower female fish traders so as to reduce poverty and vulnerability to HIV in fishing communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Significant spatial and structural changes have occurred in the business sector of intermediate-sized cities in South Africa since the mid-1990s. These changes can largely be ascribed to responses of entrepreneurs, from both formal and informal sectors, to the profound changes that have taken place in business markets in those cities over the period. This paper addresses the question how the business environment has changed in three rather representative intermediate-sized cities in the North West Province of South Africa since the demise of apartheid and what economic, environmental, social and political key factors may have played a role in those changes. It analyses changes in the spatial distribution of formal and informal businesses in those cities and, based on that, identifies general trends in the structural changes that have become apparent in them since the political transition. Some general conclusions are drawn from our survey results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts on planning literature which include approaches to empirical work in regional economics, understanding the barriers to social adaptation, and management of large city regions.

The article presents abstracts on topics related to history and planning including attitudes towards menstruation in Elizabethan England, sexual fantasy in modern America, and feminism.

Although there has been an extensive discussion about the appropriateness of the adoption of private sector service relation strategies in the public sector, only a few studies have investigated the extent of the convergence between private and public sector service practices. Therefore, an in-depth comparison between organizations from both sectors was conducted, exploring prevalent service orientations and service relation strategies. The main contribution of this article is that it provides empirical evidence for inter-sectoral assimilation of service aspirations and practices induced by increasing pressure on private and public services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross‐border informal trade is one of the most important issues between India and Bangladesh. It takes place between people who live a short distance apart, but who find themselves separated by an international boundary. The people of international border areas believe that cross‐border informal trade is a process to maintain a sustainable livelihood because it provides a livelihood to the unemployed. This research has analysed the nature and impact of informal border trade between India and Bangladesh. It has highlighted the sources of security and insecurity through the process of informal border trade. It also analyses the different socio‐economic conditions of informal border trade in border trade prone areas. This research argues that although informal border trade is considered illegal, it is necessary for the maintenance of the livelihood for the poor in the bordering areas. The state failures in fulfilling the needs of the poor force them to involve themselves in informal border trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Develops a model of an economy with underground production and trade. Consideration of the influence of the bargaining over trade terms between agents and trading partners in the black economy; Focus of the model on the links between individual underground economic activity movements and earnings capacity; Relationship between taxes and tax enforcement; Debate on the data's effectiveness as interpreters on underground economics.

This article gives a personal perspective on a programme in which UNIFEM has been involved, which aimed to strengthen the capabilities of governmental and non-governmental organisations working on micro-enterprise, and to make the services they provide sensitive to gender concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]