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Rafiaani, P.; Kuppens, T.; Thomassen, G.; Van Dael, M.; Azadi, H.; Lebailly, P.; Van Passel, S. |
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Title |
A critical view on social performance assessment at company level : social life cycle analysis of an algae case |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
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Year  |
2020 |
Publication |
International Journal Of Life Cycle Assessment |
Abbreviated Journal |
Int J Life Cycle Ass |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM) |
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Abstract |
Purpose Social indicators are not easy to be quantitatively analyzed, although at the local scale, the social impacts might be relevant and important. Using the existing approaches for both quantitative and semi-qualitative measurements, this study aims to assess the social impacts of a company working on algae production systems in Belgium through social life cycle analysis (SLCA). By highlighting the opportunities and challenges on the way of applying the existing SLCA approaches at company level, the objective of this study is to contribute to the development of a suitable and clear SLCA approach when a company is considered as the unit of analysis. Methods Based on the list of potential social impact categories suggested by the United Nations Environment Program/Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (UNEP/SETAC) guidelines (2009) for SLCA, three stakeholder groups (workers, consumers, and local community) and three subcategories associated with each stakeholder group were identified as the most relevant for carbon capture and utilization technologies. Company and sector level data were collected using existing documents and reports, and the data were analyzed and scored using a combined quantitative and semi-quantitative approach to develop a social assessment model for the case study. Results and discussion The company appears to perform well for all the evaluated social indicators except the one related to the subcategory “equal opportunity/discrimination for workers” for which the share of women employed is lower compared with the sector-level data. The results of our assessment were further discussed regarding the challenges and limitations of performing SLCA at the company level. Based on our experience, the validity of the outcomes is significantly influenced by the data availability, the generality of the indicators introduced within the UNEP/SETAC guidelines, and the subjectivity in data collection for the semi-quantitative assessment among others. Conclusions By highlighting the difficulties and challenges of applying the SLCA at the company level, our study provides a starting point for improving the quantitative assessment and monitoring social implications at the company level within a regional foreground in Europe. |
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Wos |
000492643600001 |
Publication Date |
2019-10-26 |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0948-3349; 1614-7502 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Impact Factor |
4.8 |
Times cited |
1 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: 4.8; 2020 IF: 3.173 |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:164676 |
Serial |
6141 |
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Author |
Rafiaani, P.; Dikopoulou, Z.; Van Dael, M.; Kuppens, T.; Azadi, H.; Lebailly, P.; Van Passel, S. |
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Title |
Identifying Social Indicators for Sustainability Assessment of CCU Technologies: A Modified Multi-criteria Decision Making |
Type |
A1 Journal Article |
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Year |
2020 |
Publication |
Social Indicators Research |
Abbreviated Journal |
Soc Indic Res |
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Volume |
147 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
15-44 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ; |
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Abstract |
Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies capture CO2 waste emissions and utilize them to generate new products (such as fuels, chemicals, and materials) with various environmental, economic, and social opportunities. As most of these CCU technologies are in the R&D stage, their technical and economic viability are examined with less attention to the social aspect which is an important pillar for a holistic sustainability assessment. The lack of systematic social impact research is mainly due to the difficulty of identifying and quantifying social aspects through the entire life cycle of products. We will fill this gap for CCU technologies and identify the main social indicators. A multi-criteria decision making tool: TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) was applied to empirically determine which indicators are more relevant for assessing the social impact of a company operating CCU activities within a European context. First, seeing that social impact categories are linked to key stakeholder groups, we considered workers, consumers, and local communities as relevant stakeholders. Second, the main social impact categories and their potential performance indicators associated to each group of stakeholders were listed using the United Nations Environment Program/Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (UNEP/SETAC) guidelines. In the third step, an online questionnaire was distributed to identify the main social categories and indicators for CCU, to which 33 European CCU experts responded. Finally, a modified TOPSIS was applied to rank the indicators based on their relevance. We found that the indicators related to “end of life responsibility” and “transparency” within a CCU company achieved the highest rank affecting the consumers group, whereas “fair salary” and “equal opportunities/discriminations” were determined as the most relevant impact categories for the workers. For the local community group, “secure living conditions” and “local employment” received the highest priority from the experts’ point of view. Furthermore, “health and safety” considerations were identified as one of the most important criteria affecting all three groups of stakeholders. The ranking list of the main social indicators identified in our study provides the basis for the next steps in the social sustainability assessment of CCU technologies; that is, data collection and impact assessment. Our outcomes can also be used to inform the producers regarding the most and least relevant social aspects of CCU so that the potential social impacts caused by their production activities can be improved or prevented. |
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Wos |
000511863600002 |
Publication Date |
2019-07-06 |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0303-8300 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Impact Factor |
1.743 |
Times cited |
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Open Access |
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Notes |
We would also like to thank James Morrison from the JamesEdits agency for proof reading and editing the article. |
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Most recent IF: NA |
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Call Number |
ENM @ enm @c:irua:166591 |
Serial |
6354 |
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Author |
Kuppens, T.; Rafiaani, P.; Vanreppelen, K.; Yperman, J.; Carleer, R.; Schreurs, S.; Thewys, T.; Van Passel, S. |
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Title |
Combining Monte Carlo simulations and experimental design for incorporating risk and uncertainty in investment decisions for cleantech : a fast pyrolysis case study |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2018 |
Publication |
Clean Technologies And Environmental Policy |
Abbreviated Journal |
Clean Technol Envir |
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Volume |
20 |
Issue |
6 |
Pages |
1195-1206 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
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Abstract |
The value of phytoextracting crops (plants cultivated for soil remediation) depends on the profitability of the sequential investment in a conversion technology aimed at the economic valorization of the plants. However, the net present value (NPV) of an investment in such an innovative technology is risky due to technical and economic uncertainties. Therefore, decision makers want to dispose of information about the probability of a positive NPV, the largest possible loss, and the crucial economic and technical parameters influencing the NPV. This paper maps the total uncertainty in the NPV of an investment in fast pyrolysis for the production of combined heat and power from willow cultivated for phytoextraction in the Belgian Campine. The probability of a positive NPV has been calculated by performing Monte Carlo simulations. Information about possible losses has been provided by means of experimental design. Both methods are then combined in order to identify the key economic and technical parameters influencing the project's profitability. It appears that the case study has a chance of 87% of generating a positive NPV with an expected value of 3 million euro (MEUR), while worst-case scenarios predict possible losses of 7 MEUR. The amount of arable land, the biomass yield, the purchase price of the crop, the policy support, and the product yield of fast pyrolysis are identified as the most influential parameters. It is concluded that both methods, i.e., Monte Carlo simulations and experimental design, provide decision makers with complementary information with regard to economic risk. |
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000439453500007 |
Publication Date |
2018-05-25 |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1618-954x |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Impact Factor |
3.331 |
Times cited |
5 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: 3.331 |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:152385 |
Serial |
6169 |
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Author |
Azadi, H.; Keramati, P.; Taheri, F.; Rafiaani, P.; Teklemariam, D.; Gebrehiwot, K.; Hosseininia, G.; Van Passel, S.; Lebailly, P.; Witlox, F. |
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Title |
Agricultural land conversion : reviewing drought impacts and coping strategies |
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A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2018 |
Publication |
International Journal Of Disaster Risk Reduction |
Abbreviated Journal |
Int J Disast Risk Re |
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31 |
Issue |
31 |
Pages |
184-195 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM); Government and Law |
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Abstract |
This paper aims to review the impacts of drought on agricultural land conversion (ALC) on the one hand and the impacts of ALC on intensifying drought on the other. The paper further investigates coping strategies at three levels; i.e., micro (local), meso (national), and macro (international), in order to mitigate drought impacts that are classified as economic, social, and environmental. This paper shows that ALC, drought and coping strategies are in a reciprocal relationship and can have either a positive or negative influence on each other. The paper concludes that the complex and multidimensional nature of drought requires the development of an integrated approach that focuses on the governments collaboration with different stakeholders. Such an integrated approach can improve drought risk management implementations, decrease vulnerability and construct resilience and coping capacity at all levels in order to deal with droughts. |
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Wos |
000446353300020 |
Publication Date |
2018-05-04 |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
2212-4209 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Impact Factor |
1.603 |
Times cited |
7 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: 1.603 |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:154142 |
Serial |
6149 |
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Author |
Rafiaani, P.; Kuppens, T.; Van Dael, M.; Azadi, H.; Lebailly, P.; Van Passel, S. |
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Title |
Social sustainability assessments in the biobased economy : towards a systemic approach |
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A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2018 |
Publication |
Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews |
Abbreviated Journal |
Renew Sust Energ Rev |
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82 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
1839-1853 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
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Abstract |
The majority of impact assessments for the biobased economy are primarily focused on the environmental and (techno-)economic aspects, while social aspects are rarely considered. This study proposes a modified systemic approach for a social sustainability impact assessment of the biobased economy, based on a review on the common methodologies for assessing social impacts. Accordingly, the proposed approach follows the four general iterative steps of social life cycle analysis (SLCA) as it considers all life cycle phases of the biobased economy. The systemic approach considers the potential social impacts on local communities, workers, and consumers as the main three groups of the stakeholders. The review showed that the most common social indicators for inventory analysis within the biobased economy include health and safety, food security, income, employment, land- and worker-related concerns, energy security, profitability, and gender issues. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was also highlighted as the broadly utilized methodology for aggregating the results of impact assessments within the biobased economy. Taking a life cycle perspective, this study provides a holistic view of the full sustainability of research, design, and innovation in the biobased economy by suggesting the integration of the social aspects with techno-economic and an environmental life cycle assessment. Our proposed systemic approach makes possible to integrate the social impacts that are highly valued by the affected stakeholders into the existing sustainability models that focus only on environmental and techno-economic aspects. We discuss the steps of the proposed systemic approach in order to identify the challenges of applying them within the biobased economy. These challenges refer mainly to the definition of the functional unit and system boundaries, the selection and the analysis of social indicators (inventory analysis), the aggregation of the inventory to impact categories, and the uncertainties associated with the social sustainability evaluation. The result of this review and the proposed systemic approach serve as a foundation for industry and policy makers to gain a better insight into the importance of social sustainability impacts assessment within the biobased economy. |
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Wos |
000423371300014 |
Publication Date |
2017-08-01 |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1364-0321; 1879-0690 |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Impact Factor |
8.05 |
Times cited |
28 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: 8.05 |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:149031 |
Serial |
6250 |
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Author |
Fatemi, M.; Azadi, H.; Rafiaani, P.; Taheri, F.; Dubois, T.; Van Passel, S.; Witlox, F. |
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Title |
Effects of supply chain management on tomato export in Iran : application of structural equation modeling |
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A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2018 |
Publication |
Journal of food products marketing |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
24 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
177-195 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM); Government and Law |
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Abstract |
Although Iran is one of the top 10 countries in the world that produce tomatoes, the level that they are exported into the global market is low. This issue may have resulted from a major problem within tomatoes supply chain management. This paper aims to develop an empirical model of the supply chain management (SCM) of tomato companies. Throughout the reviewed literature, a SCM construct with different six indicators has been developed, including information sharing, long-term relationship, cooperation, quality, flexibility, and delivery. In this study, the influence of the SCM components on tomato export was identified through the use of empirical data that were collected from 20 different tomato companies in Northeast Iran. Using structural equation modeling, the major elements of SCM were found to have significant impacts on the export of tomatoes. The results also showed that information sharing, cooperation, flexibility, quality, and delivery had significant positive effects on the export of tomatoes. |
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Wos |
000424803000004 |
Publication Date |
2017-03-06 |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1045-4446 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Impact Factor |
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Times cited |
2 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:149044 |
Serial |
6192 |
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Author |
Azadi, H.; Akbar Barati, A.; Rafiaani, P.; Raufirad, V.; Zarafshani, K.; Mamoorian, M.; Van Passel, S.; Lebailly, P. |
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Title |
Agricultural land conversion drivers in Northeast Iran : application of structural equation model |
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A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2016 |
Publication |
Applied Spatial Analysis And Policy |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl Spat Anal Polic |
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Volume |
9 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
591-609 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM) |
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Abstract |
Identifying driving forces behind agricultural land conversion (ALC) remains one of the most difficult challenges that agricultural and environmental scientists must continually deal with. The difficulty emerges from the fact that in ALC, multiple actions and interactions between different factors (i.e., economic, political, environmental, biophysical, institutional, and cultural) exist and make it difficult to understand the function of the processes behind the changes. The phenomenon of ALC in different countries is varied in terms of intensity, trends and drivers. The main goal of this study was to understand these drivers in Northeast Iran through applying structural equation model (SEM). Using multi-stage stratified random sampling, 101 executive officers participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. A multi-stakeholder analysis and a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) approach were applied. Results revealed that not only from the policy makers perspective but also based on the SEM, economic, political, technological, social and environmental factors should respectively be the five major drivers of ALC. The results also showed that among other drivers, more profitability of non-agriculture sectors, excessive rising of land prices, farmers income instability, land fragmentation, urban sprawl and inheritance laws are the main six causes of ALC. Hence, it can be concluded that policy-makers and planners need to take these drivers and subsidiaries more into consideration in order to properly respond to ALC. |
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Wos |
000387410900008 |
Publication Date |
2015-06-04 |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1874-463x |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Impact Factor |
1.825 |
Times cited |
6 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: 1.825 |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:136749 |
Serial |
6148 |
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