Adapt and Flex or Die: A Systems Approach to an Unhealthy Healthcare Supply

Healthcare supply chains are becoming increasingly complex and characterized by rapid and unpredictable changes, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. This unpredictability means supply chains are challenged from all levels. Patients, employees and society are all sources of uncertainty resulting with the need for supply chains to be healthier. This research explores the need for healthcare supply chains to be more adaptable and flexible. A literature informed design science approach was adopted as the methodology. We propose a systems view of an adaptive and flexible healthcare supply chain. Furthermore, we build system dynamic models to illustrate an unhealthy healthcare supply chain and a healthy healthcare supply chain. Theoretical supply chain conceptual frameworks and information systems concepts were synthesized to propose models that look to solve some of the supply chain problems arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. © 2021, ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering.

Evolution of serious games to support lifelong learning and decision making: Design and implementation of a financial literacy game

Considering the economic changes of recent times, financial literacy arises as a focal point of interest. COVID-19, coupled with the culmination of other societal issues, underlines the importance of understanding sensible personal finance. Nationwide lockdown and other economic constraints put us in immobilised positions to confide in safe and accessible entertainment havens such as games. Herein lies an interesting research opportunity to progress personal wellbeing and capability despite the extant issues of recent times. The paper demonstrates the design and implementation of an evolving serious game that supports lifelong learning and decision making relating to personal finance. The example is a useful account of serious games' evolutionary potential to incrementally support users through lifelong learning. The game's holistic design incorporates autonomy, motivation, and support structures to ensure that lifelong learning and decision making is effectively managed through an evolving system. The corresponding implementation evidences the sheer potential of serious games. © 2021 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.