Rescuing High-Tech Sectors from Imminent Disaster, Using Isomorphic Lessons & Organisational Learning Strategies as Prerequisite Tools to Manage Safety

Within high-risk industries, efficient management of safety is an important element of organisational efforts to reduce accidents. Most organisations such as nuclear, aviation and oil and gas sectors have a safety management system (SMS) which provides sequence of organisational procedure to identify hazards, mitigation of risk, measure performance, investigate incidents and maintain an on-going continuous improvement. However, experts believe that when such complex organisations complement safety management system with isomorphic lessons and organisational learning strategies to manage safety, there will be a high propensity to aggressively reduce risk and save cost. Undoubtedly, learning from accidents/incidents is one of many ways to manage safely in any given organisation. As a result, this paper is intended to ascertain if organisations use isomorphic lessons and organisational learning as strong feature of organisation’s practice capable of promoting stronger safety culture;and if lessons learned from other high-risk sectors can help inform risk-based decisions in organisations. Risk experts and by extension the nuclear sector, could have learned from past accident such as the Three Mile Island of 1979 and employ lessons learned to forestall future occurrences. Primary data was gathered via online, and research population are health and safety professionals from aviation, nuclear, and the oil and gas sectors. The sample size recruited are aviation (n = 59, 25%);nuclear (n = 124, 54%);and oil and gas (n = 49, 21%). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse 232 responses used for this paper.

Organisational Hierarchies and Decision Making Process of Chinese Multinational Enterprises in Vietnam

This paper examines the organisational hierarchies and decision making processes of two Chinese multinational enterprises operating in Vietnam—hina Luoyang Floating Glass Corp. （CLFG） and China TCL Holdings Co. Ltd. （TCL）. For this study, research data were obtained from in-depth interviews of more than 20 government officials in E R. China and Vietnam, and managers and staff of those two enterprises. Results indicate that the organisational structures of the two enterprises are still vertical but complex, although moderate changes made to them post the nationwide economic reform of China. Consequently, decision making process follows a ＂top-down＂ model, sometimes, with insufficient grassroots information. Findings are discussed in the light of political, social and cultural milieu, and implications are drawn for the management of Chinese multinational enterprises operating in overseas markets. Both CLFG and China TCL are structured on task specialisations. However, departmentalisation in TCL＇s overseas division in head office is not only based on products, but also on geographical regions of markets. The organisational structure of TCL in Vietnam is less complex than the international division, but it is more centralised. Decision making at TCL combines more traditional Chinese business philosophy with modern western organisational characteristics. TCL has a strong western influence in its management style. However, some traditional characteristics such as ＂hero＂ leadership influence and political influence are involved with decision making at TCL. Amongst others, the transitional economy, social culture, poor management system and political sensitivity have been major elements influencing decision making. In the case of CLFG. some decisions have been made before proper information has been gathered and analysed.

COVID-19 pandemic:Building organisational flexibility to scale transplant programs

The prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has challenged our lives in an unprecedented manner.The pandemic has had a significant impact on transplantation worldwide.The logistics of travel restrictions,stretching of available resources,unclear risk of infection in immunosuppressed transplant recipients,and evolving guidelines on testing and transplantation are some of the factors that have unfavourably influenced transplant activity.We must begin to build organisational flexibility in order to restart transplantation so that we can be mindful stewards of organ donation and sincere advocates for our patients.Building a culture of honesty and transparency(with patients,families,colleagues,societies,and authorities),keeping the channels of communication open,working in collaboration with others(at local,regional,national,and international levels),and not restarting without rethinking and appraising all elements of our practice,are the main underlying principles to increase the flexibility.

Impact of Organisational Distance on Technology Standard Alliance Performance:The Mediating Role of Ambidextrous learning

Technology standards are key elements for enterprises to dominate a market.The globalisation of innovation has intensified standard competition,making it generally difficult for a single enterprise to obtain all the resources needed to develop standards.Therefore,enterprises actively join technology standard alliances(TSAs)to seek collaborative innovation and develop technology standards to gain more competitive advantages.This study addresses a crucial issue for enterprises in TSAs and attempts to help them overcome the confines of organisational distance(OD)and improve technology standard alliance performance(TSAP).Through an empirical study of 325 Chinese information and manufacturing enterprises participating in TSAs,we find that OD negatively affects TSAP,and that exploratory learning(ERL)and exploitative learning(EIL)play mediating roles in the relationship between OD and TSAP.The innovation climate(IC)plays a moderating role in the relationship between OD and ERL,and OD and EIL.The results might deepen the understanding of OD in the context of TSAs and have implications for enterprise standardisation practices.

Agricultural cooperatives and the role of organisational models in new intelligent traceability systems and big data analysis

Traceability systems are key to assuring food safety,creating a benefit for food supply chain components.Currently,the appearance of new technologies such as IoT and Big Data Analysis leads to a new generation of more functional,but complex,traceability systems.Organisational models based on cooperation of multiple small/medium size agents,for example of small/family farming cooperatives,play an important role in high standard agricultural production and commercialization processes.These function as both social and economic networks,with high social and economic impact in the rural areas.The case of Almeria as an example of this model was used to analyze its cooperative model.The actual traceability systems in the Almeria model were studied,taking account of the different networked agents and their interrelation.This study includes two main parts:a)analysis of the net-chains that constitute the food supply chains and their different relationships,and b)actual traceability.The next step studied how the net-chain model,including many diverse agents,may be applied to develop a new generation of traceability systems based of IoT and Big Data.This implies extending the special and functional scope of the actual systems and defining clear rules of exchange of the results of the Big Data Analysis,taking account of the adequate Privacy Rules.This work analyses the current organisation as a base for a new generation of traceability systems considered in the European project IoF2020(Internet of the Food and Farm 2020).Some parallels between Almeria’s model and certain areas in China,mainly in the areas of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Shandong were detected.Another of the objectives of this work is to deepen the understanding of these similarities and analyze the possible adaptation of the results from Almeria to China.

海上液化天然气行业风险分析研究综述

This research presents a review and classification of the published work related to applied risk analysis and risk management in the maritime liquefied natural gas(LNG)sector from 2000 to 2023.The papers are categorised under two primary contexts.The first is the risk analysis theory context which represents the classification with respect to(w.r.t.)the used risk analysis method,the used risk analysis tool,and the objective of risk analysis,whereas the second is the presented case in the risk analysis context which represents the classification w.r.t.the analysed LNG ship type,the analysed operation,and the inclusion level of human error in risk analysis.The above process has revealed that the interest in this domain of research has increased significantly during the past decade.In addition,the use of dynamic risk analysis(DRA)tools,and the inclusion of human error in the risk analysis model have been observed significantly in the past five years,in particular,for modelling the risk of external LNG transfer operations.It is concluded that the inclusion of the effect of human and organisational factors(HOFs)in risk analysis,and the use of DRA methods for modelling the risk of the daily routine operations of the complex maritime LNG systems can improve the management of the operational risk of these systems.

Research on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity among the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation countries

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO)is the most extensive and populous comprehensive regional cooperation organization in the world,covering about half of the world's population,with not only a huge consumer market,but also rich natural resources and strong productivity.As one of the important platforms for the implementation of the Green Belt and Road Initiative,it is an important opportunity for the SCO to actively participate in global governance and contribute to building a community of global life.To investigate the status of biodiversity conservation in the SCO countries,we used literature analysis approach.We surveyed the performance and international cooperation status of the SCO countries in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD),listed facing problems and threats to biodiversity conservation,including not optimistic biodiversity conservation project implementation status,contradiction between ecological protection and economic development,impacts of human activities,lack of funds and talents,etc.,and analyzed the biodiversity protection needs of the SCO countries from the perspectives of project and policy implementation status and international cooperation.According to the cooperation between China and the other SCO countries on biodiversity conservation and the post-2020 global biodiversity framework goals,we gave some recommendations:(1)promoting access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing;(2)integrating multiple funds and innovating the implementation of funding mechanism;(3)developing talent training and exchange programs and deepening multilateral cooperation;(4)strengthening cross-border cooperation and improving cooperation network;and(5)establishing a coordination mechanism for biodiversity conservation within the framework of the SCO.

Trophic Structure of the Fish Community in the Samandeni Reservoir—Burkina Faso

From November 2020 to August 2022, the diet of 12 fish species from the Samandeni reservoir was examined in order to describe the diet and the trophic level of each of them. The analysis of this vital function allows a better knowledge of the concerned ecosystem and gives opportunity for its better management. The fish were sampled with gill nets and cast net. A total of 213 stomach contents of individuals belonging to 12 species grouped in 7 families and 10 genera were analysed. Results showed low to medium vacuity coefficients. The preys were mainly composed of fish, insects, detritus, zooplankton and phytoplankton. Variability in the use of resources by individuals was evident. Thus, the 12 species were classified as fish-eating predators, granivorous, zooplanktivorous, insectivorous and filter-feeding microphages. Then, the fish trophic structure of the Samandeni reservoir was elaborated.

Why Becoming a B Corp?A Discussion and Some Reflections

In the late 1980s,the prevailing corporate model usually depicted companies as economic entities pursuing shareholders’profit maximisation interests without a thought for the consequences of this behaviour on the local community and environment.However,over the last decades,corporate scandals challenged that corporate model’s validity and paved the way for a sustainable corporate model.The latter emphasises a triple bottom line approach that incorporates social,economic,and environmental objectives.By implementing a sustainable corporate model,companies achieve both economic and social goals in a balanced approach.This research investigates the B Corporation(B Corp)certification system,which helps companies implement a sustainable corporate model voluntarily.B Corp certification is a badge signal that companies’business model adheres to ethical standards and meets socially conscious stakeholders’expectations.Our research aims to provide a deep contextual understanding of the determinants and implications of the B Corp certification’s adoption.We adopt a semantic approach to review and systematise management and accounting literature on Certified B Corporations(B Corps)through institutional theory’s lenses,which help us explain why firms decide voluntarily to become B Corps.

Curating Spaces of Hope: Coproducing Shared Values in Uncertain Times

This paper sets out a new paradigm of faith based organisation(FBO)called Curating Spaces of Hope.The paper sets out the paradigm and the interdisciplinary literatures into which the paradigm is applied namely,the diversifying belief landscape in the UK,the postsecular,the redefinition of FBOs,and liminality as the new norm in policy.The paper then turns to ethnographic research to evidence the ability of the paradigm to map and coproduce shared values,before considering applications of Curating Spaces of Hope in post-pandemic contexts in the north west of England through case studies with ecumenical Christian,non-religious,and Turkish Muslim and interfaith contexts.

Higher Education For Sustainability:A Global Perspective

Higher education institutions have an essential role in sustainability.They are key agents in the education of future leaders that will contribute to the successful United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)imple-mentation.The geography of SDGs this implementation is very heterogeneous,but it is clear that higher education institutions contribute decisively to creating a mindset that facilitates the dissemination of SDGs principle.This perspective paper analyses the impacts of higher education on sustainability and the challenges and barriers as-sociated with this process.Higher education contributes decisively to the SDGs implementation,but especially to Goal 1(end poverty in all its forms everywhere),Goal 3(ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages),Goal 5(gender equality),Goal 8(decent work and economic growth),Goal 12(responsible consumption and production),Goal 13(climate change)and Goal 16(peace,justice and strong institutions).As a transfor-mational agent,the higher education sector has a tremendous impact on students’habit and contribution to a prosperous society.However,to establish the required change in education,sustainability principles need to be at the heart of higher institutions strategy(e.g.,curricula,modus operandi)and is key to be incorporated in the organisational culture.Only by leading by example,the external influence in the society will be possible(e.g.,implementing SDGs key aspects such as gender quality,reduce waste reduction and energy consumption).For this to be a reality,different communication methods with students are needed(e.g.,different student academic levels).Nevertheless,critical challenges need to be tackled in the institutions inside and outside the institution environment,such as incorporating sustainability principles,political environment and stakeholders’interest.

Resilience: The New Paradigm in Disaster Management—An Australian Perspective

During past decades, frameworks relating to emergency and disaster management have been based on a risk management approach to prevention/mitigation and preparedness coupled with a strong emphasis on response by police and emergency service organisations. Numerous reviews and inquiries of significant events however have identified significant issues relating to the preparation for such events and the management thereof;in particular, critical shortcomings in the capability of emergency response agencies, their leaders and senior decision-makers. In 2008, the Australian Government, through The First National Security Statement to the Australian Parliament by Prime Minister Rudd, has incorporated non-traditional threats and hazards, such as those posed by the impact of climate change, on the national security agenda. In doing so, the Government has announced a paradigm shift in policy for the nation’s approach to emergency and disaster management, namely a move from “response” to “resilience”. In support of this policy shift, the Australian Government, through the Council of Australian Governments, has endorsed the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience and the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Strategy. These documents make resilience the responsibility of all levels of government, private industry, emergency response agencies, and the community. A review of the reports published following Australian reviews and inquiries into significant events has identified that existing frameworks do not provide the necessary mechanisms for baselining and assessing community resilience, that is, their ability to respond to and recover from significant events. Internationally, indices have been developed for assessing community resilience, however, inherent limitations have also been identified in their scope and application. This paper will review Australian and international events which have led to inquiries that have resulted in criticisms of the emergency and disaster response, as well as introducing the organisational capability and resilience of organisations particularly in the context of climate change.

Implementing Sustainability Reporting （SR）： （Neo-） Institutional Theory Insights in the Analysis of the SGR Group, Italy and CityGas, Bulgaria

The aim of this paper is to investigate how the corporate characteristics and contextual factors influence the choice of managers in initiating the sustainability report/reporting （SR） and to understand the role of organisational dynamics. The research design develops through a deductive and inductive approach. The deductive approach is based on an analysis of the Social and Environmental Accounting Research （SEAR） strands which use the theoretical framework of （neo-） institutional theory to inquire the adoption and diffusion of SR. The inductive method is based on a research case that focuses on the SGR Group. ＂How can the rico-institutional theory help explain the process of SGR＇s SR implementation in Italian and Bulgarian companies＂？ The study identifies both the internal and contextual factors associated with the SR development and the regulative, normative, and cognitive dimensions/factors that affect the implementation and institutionalisation of SR in Italy and Bulgaria, in accordance with the different institutional environments in which the social and sustainability accounting projects are developed.

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis on the Views and Constructs for Knowledge Management in India

For a modem organization, KM （Knowledge Management） plays a critical role in terms of strategy development. Key determinants of KM lead to better understanding of various influences that enable and organisation to face competitors. For this reason, sharing and managing knowledge in an organization involves a series of activities that are related to the specific functional aspects of that organisation. In order to foster KM in an organisation, these functional aspects must be understood properly, and within the context of a given organisation, its geographical location and the cultural aspects of the given organisation. This was the premise on which this study was conducted with Indian organisations. A mixed method approach was used to understand the views of Indian region towards KM in this study, be selecting 400 participants in four major each cities. A second order regression model was built using Structural Equation Model to arrive at nine constructs that are relevant to KM in an organisation.

Establishing Patient Safety in Intensive Care—A Grounded Theory

Background: The modern intensive care unit (ICU) is a complex and high-risk environment, and even small adverse events and changes may deteriorate the patient’s conditions and eventually cause harm. Many factors can potentially be associated within an increased amount of errors, leading to adverse events. Nurses, nurse managers, and other leaders all play important roles in establishing patient safety. Aim: This study aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of leaders’ and nurses’ main concerns in establishing patient safety in Swedish intensive care units. Method: A grounded theory methodology was used. Data from 15 interviews with leaders and nurses involved in critical care in Sweden were collected, analysed and constant compared. Findings: The main concern in establishing patient safety was promoting quality of care, work engagement, and staffs well-being in strained ICUs. The core category building trust explained how the leaders’ and nurses’ strove for quality of care and wished a healthy, safe work environment. This is further explained in the categories “Being an accessible and able leader”, “Creating knowledge and understanding”, and “Establishing collaborative practice”. Conclusion: Establishing patient safety in the ICU requires that staffs enjoy going to work, have good work relations, are committed and want to stay at the unit. A healthy, salutogenetic unit with a work environment marked by trust provides a better opportunity to establish patient safety, and various leaders have potential to achieve this.

Retrospective study on mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms from five European centres

BACKGROUND Mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasm(MiNEN)is a rare diagnosis,mainly encountered in the gastro-entero-pancreatic tract.There is limited knowledge of its epidemiology,prognosis and biology,and the best management for affected patients is still to be defined.AIM To investigate clinical-pathological characteristics,treatment modalities and survival outcomes of a retrospective cohort of patients with a diagnosis of MiNEN.METHODS Consecutive patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of MiNEN were identified at 5 European centres.Patient data were retrospectively collected from medical records.Pathological samples were reviewed to ascertain compliance with the 2017 World Health Organisation definition of MiNEN.Tumour responses to systemic treatment were assessed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours 1.1.Kaplan-Meier analysis was applied to estimate survival outcomes.Associations between clinical-pathological characteristics and survival outcomes were explored using Log-rank test for equality of survivors functions(univariate)and Cox-regression analysis(multivariable).RESULTS Sixty-nine consecutive patients identified;Median age at diagnosis:64 years.Males:63.8%.Localised disease(curable):53.6%.Commonest sites of origin:colon-rectum(43.5%)and oesophagus/oesophagogastric junction(15.9%).The neuroendocrine component was;predominant in 58.6%,poorly differentiated in 86.3%,and large cell in 81.25%,of cases analysed.Most distant metastases analysed(73.4%)were occupied only by a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine component.Ninety-four percent of patients with localised disease underwent curative surgery;53%also received perioperative treatment,most often in line with protocols for adenocarcinomas from the same sites of origin.Chemotherapy was offered to most patients(68.1%)with advanced disease,and followed protocols for pure neuroendocrine carcinomas or adenocarcinomas in equal proportion.In localised cases,median recurrence free survival(RFS);14.0 months(95%CI:9.2-24.4),and median overall survival(OS):28.6 months(95%CI:18.3-41.1).On univariate analysis,receipt of perioperative treatment(vs surgery alone)did not improve RFS(P=0.375),or OS(P=0.240).In advanced cases,median progression free survival(PFS);5.6 months(95%CI:4.4-7.4),and median OS;9.0 months(95%CI:5.2-13.4).On univariate analysis,receipt of palliative active treatment(vs best supportive care)prolonged PFS and OS(both,P<0.001).CONCLUSION MiNEN is most commonly driven by a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine component,and has poor prognosis.Advances in its biological understanding are needed to identify effective treatments and improve patient outcomes.

Value of quality of life analysis in liver cancer: A clinician's perspective

Health related quality of life(HRQOL) is increasingly recognized as an important clinical parameter and research endpoint in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). HRQOL in HCC patients is multifaceted and affected by medical factor which encompasses HCC and its complications, oncological and palliative treatment for HCC, underlying liver disease, as well as the psychological, social or spiritual reaction to the disease. Many patients presented late with advanced disease and limited survival, plagued with multiple symptoms, rendering QOL a very important aspect in their general well being. Various instruments have been developed and validated to measure and report HRQOL in HCC patients, these included general HRQOL instruments, e.g., Short form(SF)-36, SF-12, Euro Qo L-5D, World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment 100(WHOQOL-100), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment abbreviated version; general cancer HRQOL instruments, e.g., the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer(EORTC) QLQ-C30, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy(FACT)-General, Spitzer Quality of Life Index; and liver-cancer specific HRQOL instruments, e.g., EORTC QLQ-HCC18, FACT-Hepatobiliary(FACT-Hep), FACT-Hep Symptom Index, Trial Outcome Index. Important utilization of HRQOL in HCC patients included description of symptomatology and HRQOL of patients, treatment endpoint in clinical trial, prognostication of survival, benchmarking of palliative care service and health care valuation. In this review, difficulties regarding the use of HRQOL data in research and clinical practice, including choosing a suitable instrument, problems of missing data, data interpretation, analysis and presentation are examined. Potential solutions are also discussed.

The Role of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme in Rural Development in the Karakorum, Hindu Kush & Himalayan Region: Examples from the Northern Mountainous Belt of Pakistan

Pakistan is predominantly a mountainous country where rural development activities are characterised by inconsistency, politically motivated short-term projects without proper feedback. Since the inception of the country, the top-down approach has been followed, and the same development plans that were formulated for the plain areas have been extended to the mountains without any modification. In doing so, neither the participation of the local communities was cared for, nor the mountain specificities were considered in the planning process. Moreover, the representation of the local inhabitants was improper and contradictory to the facts. This biased approach has been one of the main causes for the failure of development projects carried out by different agencies of the Government. Contrary to the perception of the state authorities, the mountain communities proved to be more open to accept new approaches and demonstrated the capacity and capability of being a dependable development partner. In this paper, a detailed account of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme （AKRSP） has been presented to assess and evaluate the approach followed by this non-governmental organisation （NGO）, and the response of the local inhabitants as collaborators in the development process. The achievements of the AKRSP from project planning, implementation and monitoring can be adopted as a model for rural development not only in the plains, but also in the mountainous areas of the developing countries in the world.

Impact of nurse staffing on reducing infant, neonatal and perinatal mortality rates: Evidence from panel data analysis in 35 OECD countries

Objectives:To investigate the magnitude of effect nurse staffing had on decreasing the newborn mortality rates in member countries of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD).Methods:The statistical technique of panel data analysis was applied to explore the possibility of association between the number of nurses'density per 1,000 population and infant,neonatal and perinatal mortality rates(IMR,NMR and PMR)per 1000 births.The observations of 35 OECD countries were collected over the period of 2000 through 2016.Results:There were significant associations between nurse staffing and IMR,NMR and PMR i.e.a 1%increase in nurse-staffing level reduced IMR,NMR and PMR by 0.98%,0.97%and 0.96%,respectively.Furthermore,the role of nursing-related services in declining the average of newborn mortality rates were investigated at the highest level in Slovenia(-5.50),Sweden(-3.34),Iceland(-2.51),Czech Republic(-1.86),Japan(-1.64)and Finland(-1.64).Moreover,if the current relationship between nursestaffing level and newborn mortality rates are disturbed with nursing shortage(e.g.in Slovak Republic and Israel),then it takes about 17 years for the mortality rates to reduce and restore back to the previous equilibrium.Conclusions:A higher proportion of nurses'density per 1,000 population is associated with lower newborn mortality rates.In addition,the nursing-related services of Slovenia,Sweden,Iceland,Czech Republic,Japan and Finland with the highest impact on improving the health level of newborns would be good patterns for other developed countries in maternity and child health care.

A Socio-Technical Perspective on the Design of IT Architectures:The Lowlands Lens

The paper aims at developing a more comprehensive design theory for designing effective IT architectures based on organizational design principles.It builds on the sociotechnical systems design theory(STS-D)for the design of work,workplaces,and organizations as developed in the Lowlands(The Netherlands and Belgium).Traditional sociotechnical approaches study the effects of the technical system on the social system and try to jointly optimize both systems by end-users’participation.The Lowlands STS-D approach focuses on creating organizational conditions for developing humane and productive organizations.Organizations are considered as social systems.Technical systems need to support the effective functioning of work and control of work within that social system.Therefore,the division of labour is central in the Lowlands STS-D approach.It is articulated in designing the execution tasks(production structure)and control tasks(control structure).Furthermore,it claims that the design of IT architecture follows after organizational design of the production and control structure.This boils down to the design of provisioning of information needed at workplaces and between workplaces.To understand the Lowlands approach for designing IT architecture,called archipelago,we will first in-depth explain its organizational design principles and sequence,and its application for designing IT architecture,which is becoming ever more feasible with new technologies.Furthermore,with this paper we attempt to bridge the different languages used by organizational and IT designers as they should jointly work on the same outcome:humane and productive organizations.