The impact of business process modelling on the companies' efficiency under Covid-19 conditions

The purpose of this study is to form a methodological approach to assessing the impact of the effectiveness of business process modelling under the COVID-19 pandemic, which creates an opportunity to diagnose the impact of business modelling results on the company's activities, as well as to make justified management decisions concerning the integrated development of the most relevant and significant business components of the model. The research methodology consists of correlation and regression analysis, scenario modelling, and hierarchical synthesis. The research was carried out according to the materials from 16 road transport companies in Ukraine engaged in cargo transportation. Determination of the effectiveness indicators of business processes modelling per their quality, cost, and speed made it possible to identify leaders and outsiders among the companies under study based on the specified parameters. Regression analysis proves that the speed of business processes is the most significant factor in modelling efficiency for the surveyed companies. According to the determination of the impact of the business processes modelling effectiveness on the companies' financial efficiency and productivity, the connection between these indicators was diagnosed under the COVID-19 pandemic. The most effective scenario for the vast majority of the studied companies under the pandemic circumstances is one that focuses on the cost and speed of business processes. Modelling business processes based on the scenario of concentration on the cost and speed indicators of business processes have the highest positive effect of their modelling, which contributes to increasing the financial efficiency and productivity of the companies under study. The study confirms the need for integrated business processes modelling, which considers different combinations of the resulting indicators and contributes to increasing the efficiency of business processes modelling and the companies' financial efficiency and productivity under the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

The Role of Wannabes in the Digital Nomad Ecosystem in Times of Pandemic

The purpose of this paper is to reveal a set of new results obtained from an ongoing investigation focused on the way that the particular characteristics which are inherent to 'wannabe' digital nomads' activities contribute to the sustainability of the whole digital nomad ecosystem. In line with the premise of this research, we assume the importance of understanding the impacts that are being felt in the personal knowledge management ecology practices and routines of digital nomads as experienced by a specific online population (i.e., Reddit user base), together with a deep and wide examination of their preferences and expectations regarding the technology-mediated work-life issues that exert a direct influence on the digital nomad community. To this end, we gathered and further processed text posts and comments from users in the '/r/digitalnomad' subreddit. From a sociotechnical standpoint, the empirical data extracted from this sample population about the wannabe/how to be digital nomad symbiotic ecosystem can provide insightful information for researchers worldwide about future design-level interventions. © 2022 IEEE.

Pre- and post-pandemic travel behaviour and intentions: Clustering: Portuguese Generations

The paper examines generational travel behaviour and intentions of Portuguese tourists before and after the pandemic. The comparisons established a framework to understand what really has changed. The sample includes 490 Portuguese tourists. Our analysis revealed three clusters which are distinct in terms of generation belonging and distance travelled, among other variables. The results suggest that the willingness to travel is higher than previously, working as a kind of revenge to mitigate the isolation times. Strategical implications for practitioners are outlined.

Digital Nomads during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Narratives on Reddit discussions

In this paper, we report on new findings about the results of an empirical study which aims to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has been shaping nomadic work practices and also challenging the lifestyles of digital nomads (DN). To do this, we collected textual data from posts in a Reddit community. We argue that, in order to understand how to design technical solutions for the so-called 'new normal' working conditions, one way to approach this is to understand how digital nomads are being impacted in their work practices and routines, and also how they are seeing the future of their technology-mediated work-life space. Finally, we show how evidence collected from DNs about their experiences and difficulties perceived during the pandemic period can inform CSCW researchers worldwide about future design-oriented strands. © 2022 IEEE.

The travel dream experience in pandemic times

This study was developed to understand how tourists feel after dreamed travel experiences ended up cancelled. The orchestra model that considers experiences as an intermingled process was applied to analyse the negative feelings experienced by tourists during these pandemic times. Through web scraping, over 40 thousand comments from 600 threads discussing the pandemic impact on tourists' inability to concretize their dreams were extracted from the TripAdvisor forum. Those comments were subjected to data mining techniques, including the generation of topic modelling and analysis of sentiment scores across continents vis-a-vis reported cases and fatalities. Results suggested that despite the disillusion for not being able to travel, tourists were understanding and mostly concerned with the health of their peers.

International entrepreneurship and the impacts of catastrophes on the tourism sector. (Edi....o Especial: Covid-19.)

Humanity experiences the catastrophic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. In view of this scenario, studies are needed to understand the impacts of catastrophes in the most varied dimensions. The tourism sector emerges as one of the most affected economic segments when disasters occur. For companies in the sector that operate globally, the consequences influence the actions of international entrepreneurs. This study aims to conduct a theoretical discussion of the relationship between catastrophe impacts in the tourism sector and international entrepreneurship. From this purpose, impacts of catastrophes on the tourism sector are identified, as well as the reactions of international entrepreneurship in this context. Therefore, from the literature, impacts of catastrophes on the tourism sector are observed, as in the case of the crisis in the hotel sector. In addition, it results in the main reactions of entrepreneurs in the face of catastrophes.

Respiratory And Non-Respiratory Symptoms In Health Care Professionals Infected With Sars-Cov-2 – Reported Cases In The First Wave Of Covid-19 In A Portuguese Occupational Health Service

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare professionals are among the main risk groups for COVID-19 and can also be a source of transmission to patients to whom they provide care. The identification of symptoms is important in the clinical presumption of COVID-19. However, the infection may be asymptomatic or paucysymptomatic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with retrospective analysis of the clinical records of health professionals who went by self-initiative to the Occupational Health Service of a University Hospital Center, between March and August 2020, for presenting symptoms, risk contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or by both and, who in this context, performed the RT PCR SARS-CoV-2 test. RESULTS: 613 professionals were evaluated. Of the 420 symptomatic professionals, in 27 COVID-19 was confirmed, while only 3 of the 193 asymptomatic professionals being positive (95% CI, p = 0,009). In turn, of the 371 who had respiratory symptoms, 19 were positive for COVID-19, versus 11 among the 242 who had no respiratory symptoms, not being difference statistically significant (95% CI;p = 0,75). Nasal congestion and rhinorrhea were the respiratory symptoms with the highest proportion of positive cases (11,43% and 8,97%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although COVID-19 is typically associated with respiratory symptoms, not all these symptoms were predictive of disease. It becomes crucial to value mild symptoms among healthcare professionals, even in the absence of risk contact.

Anaesthetic approach in pregnants infected with COVID-19 in a tertiary maternity

Background and AimsThe authors analyse the anaesthetic approach in pregnants infected (PI) with COVID-19 admitted in a tertiary maternity (TM) during 12 months. They report and compare data from three-month period and data from not infected pregnants (NIP).MethodsDescriptive and retrospective observational study, with no need to ethical approval according to local committee. Data from a sample of 2288 pregnants (April 1,2020 – March 31,2021). Variables and their associations were analysed with statistical tests using the SPSS tool.Results2.8% of pregnants were infected with COVID-19. 11% of these were admitted in the 1st quarter, 2% in 2nd, 29% in 3rd and 58% in 4th.The anaesthetic approach was, with statistically significant, different between PI and PNI(p<,001). Use of neuraxial labour analgesia/anaesthesia in PI increased (42,9% -1st vs 65,8% -4th). General anaesthesia decreased (10,5% -1st vs 5,3% -4th). Comparing deliveries, there was a statistically significant difference(p=0.01): 38% of births were caesarean section (CS) in PI vs 23% in PNI. In PI there was a decrease of 8,7% in CS between the 1st and 4th quarter. The need for emergency surgery (ES) had statistically significant difference(p=0.02), 26.2% of ES in PI vs 15.1% in PNI. In PI there was no statistically significant difference(p>0,05) when comparing the occurrence of ES in the different quarters.ConclusionsAn increase of neuraxial labour analgesia/anaesthesia and decrease in GA was verified, despite the higher percentage of ES in PI. This can be related to increase in experience and knowledge, demostrating that neuraxial thecniques are safe/recommended in pregnants infected with COVID-19.

Dietary advice in hemodialysis patients: Impact of a telehealth approach during the covid-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Telehealth technologies are being implemented widely and can be used to provide education and self-management support to help and sustain lifestyle changes, namely in patients with chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a telehealth-delivered nutritional intervention, via the telephone, in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients during the coronavirus outbreak. METHOD: This was a multicenter observational prospective longitudinal study of a cohort of 156 patients in maintenance HD from 15 dialysis units conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. We assigned patients to receive dietary counselling, through a phone call, according to their biochemical and nutritional parameters (potassium >5.5mEq/L;phosphorus >5.5mg/dL or <3.5mg/dL;interdialytic weight gain percentage (%IDWG) >4.5%). Dry weight, %IDWG, body mass index, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, calcium/phosphorus product, normalized protein catabolic rate, albumin and hemoglobin were recorded at baseline and 1 month after the nutrition counselling. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistical significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of patients with hyperkaliemia and hyperphosphatemia decreased significantly after the dietary advice (50% vs. 34.6% and 36.5% vs. 19.2%, respectively). A statistical significant reduction in serum potassium (mEq/L) [median: 6.2 (IQ:6.0-6.5) vs. 5.7 (IQR:5.3-6.1)] and phosphorus (mg/dL) [median: 6.5 (IQR: 6.1-7.2) vs. 5.5 (4.7-6.1)] was observed in patients receiving counselling for hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia. In addition, there was a statistical significant decrease in the prevalence of patients with hypophosphatemia (28.8% vs. 18.6%). There was also a significant decrease in the %IDWG [(median: 4.8% (IQR: 4.2-6.8) vs. 4.4% (IQR: 3.8-6.2)], although no statistically significant differences were observed in the prevalence of patients with high %IDWG. Regarding the person contacted by telephone, data showed statistically significant differences in potassium (mEq/L) [patient-median: 6.2 (IQR:6.1-6.4) vs. 5.7 (IQR: 5.4-6.0);caregiver-mean: 6.3±0.3 vs. 5.7±0.7] and phosphorus (mg/dL) [patient -median: 6.5 (6.1-7.2) vs. 5.6 (4.9-6.1);caregiver-mean: 6.7±0.8 vs. 5.1±1.5] values when the contact was with the patient or the caregiver. In relation to hypophosphatemia (mg/dL) (mean: 2.4±0.7 vs. 3.0±0.9) and %IDWG [median: 4.6% (IQR: 4.1-7.1) vs. 4.1% (IQR: 3.5-6.6)], the main statistically significant differences were only observed when the contact was done directly with the patient. No differences were seen whenever the contact was with the nursing homes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that telehealth-delivered dietary interventions can improve clinical and nutritional parameters in HD patients. Therefore, it may be an effective strategy to promote a continuous nutritional monitoring in these patients, at least, when or where the face-to-face option is a critical factor.

Unboxing organisational complexity: how does it affect business performance during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Purpose This study aims to distinguish businesses by their degree of complexity and to analyse the influence of complexity on the performance of firms during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 468 businesses, and various multivariate statistical techniques were used. Initially a factor analysis was conducted, organising variables into five factors. A discriminant analysis, performed with the five factors, allowed discriminating firms based on whether they internationalise or not. A linear regression was performed in order to estimate the contribution of each factor in the business performance. Findings The results suggest the existence of additional variables for measuring the complexity. From the factorial analysis it is possible to conclude that business complexity can be explained by size, indebtedness and profitability, internationalisation, number of employees, and age and leverage. Total assets, indebtedness and age are the variables that contribute the most to business performance. On the other hand, indebtedness, internationalisation, age and leverage are the independent variables that most contribute to explain business performance. Originality/value This paper presents advances in two ways. First, it proposes measures of complexity (highly debatable in the literature). It also proposes internationalisation as an explanation of complexity. Second, this paper sheds light on businesses decisions to grow, taking into account how complexity may affect performance.

Predictors of self-reported impact of COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis

Background and aims: COVID-19 disease has quickly evolved into a full-scale pandemic. Little is known about the predictors of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients' lives. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted from 21st December 2020 through 3rd January 2021. Patients with MS followed-up at Egas Moniz Hospital (Lisbon) were invited to participate. We assed participants self-reported impact of COVID-19 pandemic in their lives. The effect of the demographic, clinical and psychosocial factors was analyzed through univariable and, when applicable, multivariable analysis. Results: We obtained 256 valid responses (response rate 81%). The median age of the participants was 45 years [18- 77] and most of them were females (187, 73.0%). Overall, 205 (80.1%) patients reported that COVID-19 has had a substantial impact in their lives - extreme (40, 15.6%) or high (165, 64.5%). In the univariate analysis, greater impact from COVID-19 was associated with female gender(p=0.011), age (p=0.026), being professionally active(p<0.010), having more concerns about the pandemic (p<0.001), reporting a higher perceived risk to get a future COVID-19 infection (p=0.002) and a possible severe infection (p=0.008). The multivariate regression analysis revealed that factors predicting greater impact from COVID-19 were age <45 years (OR 2,409;CI95% 1.112- 5.220;p=0.026), being professionally active (OR 2.374 CI95% 1.139-4.947;p=0.021) and having more concerns about the pandemic (OR 17.928 CI95% 7.020-45.790;p<0.001). Conclusion: Younger and professionally active MS patients are suffering from COVID-19 pandemic. Although they could be at lower risk of severe infection, doctors should be aware of their concerns.

COVID-19 as Opportunity to Test Digital Nomad Lifestyle

We report the first findings of an empirical study aimed at investigating how COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the work practices and lifestyles of digital nomads (DN). To do this, we analyzed messages, questions and comments posted by digital nomads in a specific online discussion community of the Reddit social network. Preliminary findings indicate COVID-19 as an opportunity to test DN lifestyle by aspiring digital nomads who want to plan their careers and also present evidence of an overload of online channels for actual DNs. On the other hand, we found that much of the literature on digital nomadism is fragmented and scattered through different disciplines and perspectives, with a strong focus on digital nomads' lifestyles. In order to obtain a holistic and unified understanding of digital nomads, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to further conceptualize the phenomenon under study. © 2021 IEEE.

Impact of Non-Monetary Factors on Retention of Higher Education Institues Teachers Through Mediating Role of Motivation

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effects of non-monetary factors, including three sub-domains, i.e., opportunity for career advancement, recognition and development opportunity on employee retention through a mediating role of motivation. Convenience sampling was used, and data were collected from higher education institutes located in Pakistan's different cities. The analysis was conceded out using SmartPLS software v.3.0 and sample size calculated through G* power software. Due to Covid-19 pandemic data also collected online through email/Google survey form. The result revealed that non-monetary factors have a significant and positive influence on employee retention. Also, motivation significantly mediates the relationship between non-monetary factors and employee retention. These study findings can augment the existing body of the literature and oblige as a preliminary point on which upcoming studies can be built. Expectancy theory revealed that when non-monetary factors increase in the organization, negotiation and conflict occurs among leaders and employees because of nepotism. Lastly, theoretical and practical implication and future recommendation were discussed. © 2021. Academy of Strategic Management Journal. All Rights Reserved.

The COVID-19 Impact in Hospital Healthcare Workers: Development of an Occupational Health Risk Management Program

As with the SARS-CoV-1 outbreak in 2003-2004 and the MERS outbreak in 2012, there were early reports of frequent transmission to healthcare workers (HCW) in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Our hospital center identified its first COVID-19 confirmed case on March 9, 2020, in a 6-day hospitalized patient. The first confirmed COVID-19 case in a HCW happened 3 days later, in a nurse with a probable epidemiological link related to the first confirmed patient. Our study's first objective is to describe and characterize the impact of the first 3 months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN). Our second objective is to report the performance of the CHULN Occupational Health Department (OHD) and the impact of the pandemic on CHULN HCW and its adaptation across national, regional, and institutional epidemiological evolution. Over the first 3 months, 2,152 HCW were screened (which represent 29.8% of the total HCW population), grouped in 100 separate identifiable clusters, each one ranging from 2 to 98 HCW. The most prevalent profession screened were nurses (n = 800;37.2%) followed by doctors (n = 634;29.5%). The main source of potential infection and cluster generating screening procedures was co-worker related (n = 1,216;56.5%). A patient source or a combined patient co-worker source was only accountable for 559 (26%) and 43 (2%) of cases, respectively. Our preliminary results demonstrate a lower infection rate among HCW than the ones commonly found in the literature. The main source of infection seemed to be co-worker related rather than patient related. New preventive strategies would have to be implemented in order to control SARS-CoV-2 spread.

Analyzing Tourism Agents’ Perceptions of the Use of Artificial Intelligence

In Tourism, artificial intelligence already has numerous applications, facilitating processes, adding value to experiences, and improving competitiveness. However, its use raises several questions for companies and tourist destinations. As this research subject in tourism is still limited, the present study, based on nine semi-structured interviews, aims to identify and analyze the perceptions of tourist agents (companies and destinations) about the advantages and/or disadvantages, challenges, implications of use, and also of non-use, of artificial intelligence in the current situation of COVID-19 and in the future. The results underline the unanimous perception of the importance of using technology that does not replace the human component but adds value to it. The implications and suggestions for future work will also be presented. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Implications of COVID-19 pandemic in Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic determined a modification in the approach to Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA), promoting the safety of providers and maintaining effectiveness of resuscitation. Before the orientations from ERC, AHA and UKRC were published, in Portugal the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) developed clinical recommendations based on the available scientific evidence, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and management of OHCA (surgical mask for patients, chest compressions, oxygen by nasal cannula without ventilation as well as rational use of airway and ventilation management techniques). To evaluate the impact of the referred measures a retrospective observational study analysed the data collected from the Portuguese's National Registry of Cardiac Arrests between March 1 and May 31 of 2020 and compared with the homologous period of 2019. During the referred period were registered in 2020 a total of 4673 cases of OHCA, 11% more than in 2019 during the same period (n = 4201). No gender or age differences were found between the two samples. The cause of OHCA showed no major differences concerning cardiac (48.92% vs. 49.41%) or respiratory causes (4.78% vs. 4.39%). Basic life support was performed in 74.93% of OCHA cases in 2020, 6.17% less than in 2019 (68.76%). From these, ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) was obtained in fewer cases in 2020 (8.45% vs. 4.17%). The recommendations issued determined safety as during the referred period INEM had 0.9% (18/1936) of providers infected with COVID 19. Considering the results (11% more of OHCA, 6.17% less life support manoeuvres and 4.28% less of ROSC) the effectiveness of modifications addressing OCHA needs a more profound analysis namely the relation between time of arrival at the scene and donning of PPI as well as the correlation of ROSC and the medical decision not to perform advanced life support.

Be the hero: Evaluation of the quality of basic life support manoeuvres by school-age children

Background: Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) is the third leading cause of death in developed countries, with a survival rate less than 10%. Actually, although 70% of OHCA episodes are witnessed by laypeople only a third receive Basic Life Support (BLS). In Portugal, bystander-performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) rate is still below 17%, with a survival rate of 4%. One of the most effective ways to increase bystander CPR is by training school-age children in BLS and Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Aims: Evaluate the capacity to learn and the quality of BLS maneuvers performed by school-age children. Methods: During a four-month period (interruption due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic), BLS-AED teaching sessions were provided across schools in Oeiras, Portugal. It is considered that children older than 14 years old are able to perform quality chest compressions. Thus, classes from 14 to 18 years old were selected. Each session lasted 100 mins and was provided by nurses, with a ratio of one nurse to six students. Laerdal Medical's QCPR® software was used to measure and collect data of the quality of chest compressions. According to QCPR®, CPR is considered high quality if the final score is higher than 84%. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 734 young people were trained, with a median score of 97% (89–99) on the final QCPR® score. All students were able to provide chest compressions with the appropriate depth (>5 cm), 82% (44–96) provided chest compress at the recommended rate (100–120 bpm), and median compression rate of 112 (106–119) cpm. Male students performed deeper and more successful compressions but with less recoil than female students. Conclusions: School-age children aged 14–18 years old were able to learn and perform high-quality BLS maneuvers. We consider these results can have relevant public-health implications.

[Social determinants of the incidence of Covid-19 in barcelona: a preliminary ecological study using public data.]

OBJECTIVE: Social determinants and health inequalities have a huge impact on health of populations. It is important to study their role in the management of the Covid-19 epidemic, especially in cities, as certain variables like the number of tests and the access to health system cannot be assumed as equal. The aim of this work was to determine the relation of social determinants in the incidence of Covid-19 in the city of Barcelona. METHODS: An observational retrospective ecological study was performed, with the neighbourhood as the population unit, based on data of cumulative incidence published at May 14th, 2020 by the Public Health Agency of Barcelona. Covid-19 incidence disparities depending on the income of the neighbourhoods, the Pearson linear correlation of the variables selected (age, sex, net density, immigrants, comorbidities, smokers, Body Mass Index [BMI] and Available Income per Family Index [AIFI]) with the incidence and the correlation with a multivariant Generalized Linear Model (GLM) were estimated. RESULTS: It was found that neighbourhoods belonging to the lowest quintile of income had a 42% more incidence than those belonging to the highest quintile: 942 cases per 100,000 inhabitants versus 545 per 100,000 inhabitants of the highest quintile. The Pearson correlation was statistically significative between the incidence of Covid-19 and the percentage of population over 75 (r=0.487), the percentage of immigration of the neighbourhood and the origin of the immigrants (r=-0.257), the AIFI (r=-0.462), the percentage of smokers (r=0.243) and the percentage of people with BMI over 25 (r=0.483). The GLM showed that the most correlated variables with the incidence are the percentage of people over 75 (Z-score=0.258), the percentage of people from Maghreb (Z-score=-0.206) and Latin America (Z-score=0.19) and the percentage of people with BMI over 25 (Z-score=0.334). The results of the GLM were significative. CONCLUSIONS: Social determinants are correlated with the modification of the incidence of Covid-19 in the neighbourhoods of Barcelona, with special relevance of the prevalence of BMI over 25 and the percentage of immigrants and its origin.