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The research problem was the lack of knowledge regarding how nursing care facility leaders sustained business operations within the climate of adversity created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose was to explore and understand the essence of nursing care facility leaders' perceptions and experiences in maintaining business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conceptual framework was based on resiliency theory. The central research question and subquestion for this qualitative transcendental, phenomenological study focused on what strategies nursing care facility leaders use to sustain business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their perceptions and experiences regarding their response to the pandemic A purposive sample of 10 nursing care administrators in North Carolina participated in semi-structured interviews. The modified Van Kaam method of data analysis was also utilized to create a textural-structural description of the participants' lived experiences, and three themes were revealed. The participants experienced challenges in all areas of business resilience in nursing care facilities, developed diverse strategies to maintain each type of business resilience in response to the pandemic, and perceived that these strategies resulted in improved organizational resilience. The study's findings can promote positive social change by helping other managers and administrators understand and improve organizational resilience in future crises. Managers and administrators at other healthcare organizations can use insights from this study to support disaster planning and management efforts, which benefit society through improved healthcare outcomes resulting from increased strength and resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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In the fourth industrial revolution age, digital transformation is crucial to the sustainable development of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). This study suggests a hierarchical model based on the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) model with three main dimensions and nine sub-dimensions for SMEs that implemented digital transformation in the emerging economy. The fuzzy analytic hierarchical process methodology (Fuzzy AHP) was used to explore and rank determinants of the digital transformation adoption for SMEs. Data were collected by the questionnaires from 72 respondents, who were the leaders of SMEs in Vietnam. The results revealed that the environmental factor was ranked the most important factor in the pairwise comparisons of the hierarchical structure, and the sub-dimension of the customer experience was at the highest ranking of the relative pairwise comparisons of the digital transformation adoption for SMEs, followed by technological compatibility, government support, organizational support, and human resources. This research makes contributions to the topic of digital transformation from both theoretical and practical implications. The result stresses the critical significance of environmental factors in the successful adoption of digital technologies in SMEs, which adds to the perspective in the context of a growing nation.
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With the continuous adoption of sustainable development goals by all countries, there is a rising demand for implementing and disclosing related information by companies. This paper aims to find an idea about the nature of reporting practices related to slavery by listed banking companies of Bangladesh and the relationship between reporting practice and organizational attributes. Existing literature provides the foundation of this study. Annual reports from 2016 to 2021 were collected from the company websites, and content analysis was used to determine the nature and extent of slavery reporting;an index was developed based on content analysis. Independent variables were determined based on the current literature review. Statistical tools, including the test of multicollinearity, heteroscedastic, correlation, and linear regression and panel data analyses were used to determine the fitness of the model and the impact of independent variables on the dependent variable. Content analysis showed a clear picture of the consciousness about slavery accounting as all of the companies reported a minimum of three components of selected targets from SDG8. The evidence says that the quality and quantity of slavery reporting are improving yearly. A satisfactory correlation was found among the variables. Some variables, such as ownership nature, Board Size, etc., have a positive impact, and insignificant impact was found for Age and leverage on slavery disclosure. This paper only examines the banking industry, and it assesses only a few targets of SDG 8. Thus the results obtained from the study may not be similar to other companies. Data collection also has limitations;our target was to study till 2022 but some information requirements of few companies were not available on websites. This research paper is the first attempt to determine the nature of slavery accounting in Bangladesh. It will encourage business organizations to extend their reporting on slavery and SDGs.
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The article examines the features of the financial audit traditional forms transformation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The peculiarities of conducting a financial audit in compliance with quarantine restrictions are considered. The advantages and prospects of implementing agile-audit in Ukraine are analyzed. The need to introduce the institute of electronic audit as one of the methods to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy of Ukraine has been identified. It is noted that one of the elements of combating the consequences of COVID-19 is the use of digital technologies in compliance with tax legislation, namely electronic audit of business entities. It is determined that the content of electronic audit is the use of a specialized tax file Standard Audit File for Tax, which will allow auditors to freely obtain information for tax audits. The current normative and legal regulation of the functioning of the institute of electronic audit in Ukraine is studied, as well as draft laws aimed at improving the normative regulation of electronic audit. A number of measures have been proposed to improve audit processes to prevent the consequences of the pandemic and the full implementation of electronic audit in the traditional system of verification and tax payers activities. It is concluded that the quarantine audit can no longer be performed by traditional methods and it is determined that them a inform of audit is remote audit, which, despite the restrictions, should be conducted in accordance with established international standards, considering pandemic restrictions. It is proposed to consolidate the concept of "electronic audit" at the legislative level to start the functioning of electronic audit in Ukraine;at the regulatory level to determine the structure of the Ukrainian version of the specialized tax audit file SAFTUA, to form a phased procedure for electronic audit;develop an accurate plan for the implementation of electronic audit institute;develop appropriate software for auditors. Among other things, it was deemed necessary to provide special training courses for auditors in order to acquaint the latter with the new audit procedure. It is concluded that conducting an agile audit can allow for an effective audit and become a key element of business success.
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In the context of the war, the external environment is characterized by a growing level of uncertainty. Rising energy prices, the closure of airspace in Ukraine, rising inflation, a 30% decline in GDP in 2022, and the destruction of infrastructure as well as supply chains have necessitated adjustments to the company's operations and changes to its financial plan. The research aims to assess the financial aspects of doing business in the face of unexpected changes. The research methodology is based on the case study of a company that supplies energy resources to Ukraine. The main research methods used are in-depth interviews with the staff to assess the existing strategy, employee motivation system, efficiency of the organizational structure, and financial aspects of the company's activities. The results demonstrate that an important stage in the development of a financial plan in wartime is the audit of business activities. It includes an understanding of the current state of the organizational, financial, and human aspects of the company's functioning. An in-depth interview with the company's personnel shows the level of effectiveness of the interaction of all these aspects of the business. Changes in the financial system involve organizational changes: company structure, motivation system, customer interaction, and service improvement. The study shows that the interaction of organizational, financial, and motivational components contributed to the synergy of the company's resources and their mobilization in the face of the growing risks of a company's crisis. Financial planning by business segments and precision in the distribution of employees' responsibilities increases the level of motivation and involvement of staff in all business processes. Moreover, the distribution of centers and areas of responsibility should be linked to the incentives and motives of employees.
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Digitalization in the crisis has contributed to increasing the level of resilience of business entities to economic downturns and bankruptcy risks. The article aims to empirically study the use of digital tools and crisis management methods in business entities. The research methodology is based on a case study of companies in various sectors of the economy on the integration of technological solutions during the pandemic in 2020. Statistical analysis was used to study the state of information technology financing during the crisis. Results. During the pandemic, since the beginning of 2020, the global level of funding for information technology (IT) by companies of different sizes has been growing. Depending on the size of the business entity, investments in technological solutions and equipment differ in volume: small firms invest more in hardware projects, and large firms - in commercial services. The critical digital tools for crisis management in companies are Big Data / Analytics (64%), Cloud Technology (50%), and Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (44%). Analysis of the volume of different segments of the Enterprise application software market in 2020 shows companies' use of different types of enterprise software for different purposes and management functions. The analysis of companies' cases in using digital technologies during the crisis shows a high return on digitalization in a short time (0.34 years). Business entities are focused on integrating technologies to solve problems related to improving relations with suppliers, and customers, optimizing business processes, personnel management, and increasing operational efficiency. Integration of digital tools into various subsystems of company management (suppliers, customers, staff, shareholders) provides instant qualitative and quantitative effects.
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In the context of the industrial revolution 4.0 that is firmly taking place globally, the digital transformation process is considered a revolution that changes the operating and business model. In Vietnam, logistics is one of eight areas that need to be prioritized in the national conversion program to 2025, the orientation towards 2030 by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 749/QĐ-TTg. Digital transformation is an essential solution that helps businesses improve their competitiveness, increase labor productivity, sustainably develop businesses, and integrate with the global economy. This study analyzes the influencing factors of digital transformation and the situation in Vietnam's logistics enterprises. This paper used a qualitative research method carried out through direct interviews with 20 digital transformation experts in the field of logistics about the current situation, adjusting models and scales, and discussing research results. Quantitative research was conducted online through 258 survey questionnaires of logistics enterprises in the country. The authors performed descriptive statistics, tested the scale, analyzed EFA using SPSS software, and tested the research hypotheses. Research results indicate that five factors—managers, digital transformation human resources, information technology, investment cost, and support services for digital transformation—affect the digital conversion activity in logistics enterprises. Afterward, the research team proposed solutions to promote this operation in Vietnam's logistics enterprises, contributing to implementing critical tasks of the government's digital transformation.
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PurposeThis study aims to examine whether clients' degree of digitalization and audit firms' expertise in information technology (IT) influence audit quality (AQ).Design/methodology/approachData of Chinese A-share firms listed on the primary board of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2011 to 2019 are taken as the sample. All the data are obtained from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research. Clients' digitalization is determined using the keywords "AI technology,” "blockchain,” "cloud computing,” "big data technology” and "digital technology.” Auditor firm's digital expertise is determined by the proportion of higher IT expertise. As the proxy for AQ, this study uses audit fees, given that its quantum reflects the effort auditors expend that in turn affects the AQ.FindingsA fixed-effect regression model shows that clients with high digitalization attain AQ. This study also finds a significant and positive coefficient of audit fees, indicating that AQ is high in the same situation if an audit firm's IT is mature and developed. Furthermore, results confirm the moderating effect of clients' digitalization and auditors' expertise and on AQ. Auditors' expertise in IT mitigates the audit risk and increase AQ.Originality/valueFindings can enhance AQ and corporate governance literature by clarifying how external audits must evolve through digitalization and incorporating newly developed digital tools such as big data, analytics, artificial intelligence and robotic process automation. This study also provides important insights regarding how the development of new digital tools allow the audit profession to perform as a corporate governance mechanism.
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This study analytically develops a new recovery planning optimisation model for managing the impacts of the recent COVID-19 outbreak for online business operations. Firstly, a mathematical model for the ideal plan is designed and then extended to generate a recovery plan in a finite planning horizon that maximises total profit. Recovery plans are generated considering two scenarios, namely the dynamic and uncertain situations. For the dynamic situation, a realistic system with time-dependent and dynamic demand, supply, and warehouse capacity for investigating the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak is developed using several measures, such as collaborating with emergency suppliers, increasing warehouse capacity, and considering back-orders and lost sales to form recovery strategies. For the uncertain situation, demand, supply, and warehouse capacities are considered as uncertain variables. Further, an innovative solution approach using an adapted differential evolution technique, which is capable of (i) generating long-term recovery plans and (ii) solving both small- and large-scale problems, is developed. The results are illustrated using numerical analyses and simulation experiments. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted. In practice, the proposed optimisation model will assist the decision-makers of online business operations facing the COVID-19 outbreak to decide the optimal recovery plans.
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The way COVID-19 impacted every aspect of human life around the world, is now considered more disastrous than the World War II. Both the policy and academic researchers have been contributing to assess its severity and impact on businesses and economies while examining the foci of business researchers in this era of contagion. In this assessment, we have applied the approaches of bibliometric and content analysis on 403 qualified studies, drawn from the Scopus database. The period of data ranges from 2003 to June 2020. We identified 11 different research streams including tourism, supply chain besides economic and finance-related research. We highlighted the sub-streams and main concerns raised in the published literature. The findings of this research indicate that COVID will force the policy makers to come up with strategy and changes in various business fields. The implications of the study may be important for business managers to chalk out a proactive approach for business handling during and post-COVID eras.
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Purpose: The global COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly overwhelmed our societies, shocked the global economy and disturbed normal business operations. While such impacts of COVID-19 are becoming clearer, the effects of the disease on business operations are more common. This study mainly focuses on identifying the factors that affect the smooth operation of businesses during a pandemic situation. Design/methodology/approach: Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to rate the result index. A total of 40 professionals and experts of different businesses were listed on stock exchanges, and asked to rank the key variables with relative indices and weighting methods. Findings: The results of the AHP successfully assigned weighting scores to all key important factors during the COVID-19 pandemic situation that businesses should focus on, with economic factors receiving the highest score of 60%. Likewise, the other factors that impact values for business operations are reported as social (22%), legal (12.2%), technological (5.16%) and political (0.57%). The results of this study also match with the current policies adopted by different government and nongovernment agencies like the guidelines of the World Health Organization and some most recent research results. Originality/value: In the hectic and growing environment under COVID-19 pandemic, more contributions are not enough, and it is helpful for the whole business industry and society by stipulating more views. This study aims to overview the global impacts and challenges of COVID-19 pandemic on business operations. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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Purpose>The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of sustainable business models in building corporate reputation and resilience. Specifically, the financial performance of listed companies will be evaluated following the beginning of the armed conflict in Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Taking as a standpoint the triple bottom line (TBL) theory, the case of firms listed in the Spanish IBEX-35 index is analysed. The present paper evaluates financial performance and corporate reputation, based on the usage of Environment, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) strategies to adhere to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).Design/methodology/approach>To achieve this goal, energy firms operating in Spain are evaluated. Specifically, companies operating in the energy sector listed in the IBEX35, benchmark index of Spain's largest trading platform are considered. The analysis comprises evaluating the fluctuation in the value of their stock and the influence of usage of renewable and other power sources that limit dependency on foreign events. In addition, communication and dissemination of non-financial information, and usage of international standards within these areas, are considered as well.Findings>Results show long-term CSR commitments and ESG strategies significantly impact firm's ability to overcome crises and improve financial performance. Additionally, energy firms that adhered to the energy transition into renewables display stronger performance and lower dependency on uncertain and weakened markets during the Ukraine armed conflict.Practical implications>The results contribute to the advancement of the TBL theory and the creation of sustainable business models. By introducing ESG strategies, firms are able to improve the people-profit-planet balance and at the same time improve their resilience. This contributes to an overall enhancement of their capacity to overcome crises and sustain their financial performance and corporate reputation over time. Policy makers can also benefit from this knowledge, introducing regulation that promotes and supports companies' development of their CSR through ESG strategies, to ensure more sustainable organisations that can support the economy in a context of hardship.Originality/value>The analysis evaluates the results of a firm's long-term commitment to the TBL through adequate ESG strategies when operating in unexpected and unprecedented hostile environments. Previous research has focused on the link between some variables concerning financial performance and ESG strategies yet not considering the specific context of an enhanced crisis (i.e. a pandemic and armed conflict). This can provide significant insight into the contribution that people, profit and planet can provide in building sustainable and successful organisations. Lastly, the paper outlines the key factors that contributed to the firm's ability to overcome extreme hardships, such as operating in an environment affected by a combination of two crises.
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Purpose>There is ambiguity regarding whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a boon or bane for the IT services industry. On the one hand, it has created opportunities, especially with the growth of collaborative technologies. On the other hand, many firms have reduced their IT budgets owing to the ongoing recession. This study explores how IT firms have assessed the risk of the pandemic in the early days and informed capital market participants. In addition, it examines the impact of such online disclosures on information asymmetry.Design/methodology/approach>The authors analysed annual reports of publicly listed firms in the USA filed on the Securities and Exchange Commission website in 2020 and examined whether the disclosure scenario of technology firms was different from that of the other industries. Moreover, the risk sentiment of COVID-19-related disclosures was assessed by employing text analytics. Information asymmetry was measured using the bid–ask spread.Findings>Overall, it was found that IT services firms were less likely to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic in their annual reports. Interestingly, it was observed that technology firms that chose to communicate about the pandemic had a lower incidence of words related to risks. Furthermore, communicating about COVID-19 in annual reports calms investors and improves the information asymmetry situation about the firm. Variation in the severity of the pandemic and the responses of state governments was controlled for by employing state-fixed effects in the empirical models.Originality/value>The authors inform the literature on corporate disclosures and technology and highlight the importance of effectively communicating about the pandemic.
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During the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak, the necessity for companies to re-evaluate and restructure themselves is still not greater. It will make sense for things to change in the business operations. Most companies redesigned current existing ways of running business operations and capacity to make choices to benefit. The present condition sees Artificial Intelligence as a significant facilitator for companies to make their existing situation better (recover from their economic crisis), reconsider (prepare for a long-term change) and reinvent (completely re-engineer) their business model for long-term gain. Automated bots that could identify items and carry out duties that were previously reserved for people would make companies and other infrastructures operational around the clock, through more significant numbers, and at a lower cost. Simulated actual working conditions, including labour forces, would be created by using Artificial intelligence platforms. Businesses would use machine learning and sophisticated business intelligence to use artificial intelligence to explore better market dynamics and provide consumers with "hyper-personalized" goods. Some of the most compelling case studies can have human intelligence and expertise mixed with AI. Many firms should revamp current business processes and capacity to benefit the company in the near future. In this research paper, we have showcased how artificial intelligence would benefit businesses as they adopt with these current developments and during a condition of pandemic without inhibiting their activities. The research is carried in a descriptive way, choosing the diverse sectors in the economy like Banking & Finance, Manufacturing, Education, Retail, Telecommunications, Entertainment and media to make the research more robust and reliable. © 2022 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.
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Teachers' job performance is being determined by so many factors. Researchers have worked on some factors, but much work has not been done on digital leadership and decision-making styles. Thus, a bid to determine public primary school teachers' job performance in Oyo State led to this study. A Multi-stage sampling procedure using a basic Random Sampling technique was employed to select the respondents. A total of six hundred and forty-three (643) respondents from the three senatorial districts participated. Structured Teachers' Questionnaire (TQ) was validated and Cronbach's Alpha was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. Frequency counts, percentages and linear multiple regression (ANOVA) were employed to analyse the data collected. Findings showed that the level of teachers' job performance in Oyo State public primary schools at all times is high, except for the use of instructional material. The most adopted decision-making style is the directive decision-making style. Test of Hypotheses reveals that: there is a combined influence of digital leadership and decision-making styles on public primary school teachers' job performance in Oyo State (F(3,640)=4526.293;P<0.05). It is recommended that school administrators should not rely on a specific decision-making style.
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Purpose>The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of social media, perception, readiness and usage on sustainable growth of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Uganda.Design/methodology/approach>This study is cross-sectional and adopted a mixed method approach. Data was gathered through a questionnaire survey of 212 business owner–managers that are members of the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA) and engaging 8 business managers in the in-depth interviews to support and strengthen the quantitative results. Data analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS.24) and Atlas ti.8.Findings>The study reveals that social media perception, readiness and usage positively influence sustainable growth of MSEs in Uganda. However, the insufficient soft and technical skills, lack of devices such as computers and smartphones and the high cost of Internet data undermine the usage of social media by business owner–managers for sustainable growth of their businesses.Practical implications>The findings demonstrate what policymakers, social media operators and business owner–managers need to do to enhance integration of social media platforms and channels into the operations of MSEs in Uganda.Originality/value>This study adds to existing literature on social media technology in MSEs with evidence from Uganda. The study results are likely to foster usage of social media as policymakers and social media providers will come up with appropriate strategies to unlock the social media potential of the business owner–managers for sustainable business growth in Uganda.
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Purpose>The purpose of this study is to address the problem of a plethora of potential plans related to business continuity and disaster recovery.Design/methodology/approach>A review of the relevant academic articles, standards and guidelines related to business continuity and disaster recovery was conducted, and the discussed plans include critical information infrastructure plans, disaster recovery plans, information system contingency plans, business continuity plans and continuity of operations plans.Findings>The content of each plan is explained. A layered business continuity and disaster recovery model is proposed, which consolidates all plans in a coherent manner.Originality/value>Relationships, similarities and differences among each pair of plans are discussed, and the longitudinal validity and applicability of plans are presented.
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Topics covered include various aspects of e-business, the role of social media, approaches to sustainability, gamification in business, threat modelling, and the evolving role of information technology (IT) strategy, all discussed in specific contexts (industries, enterprises, etc.). [...]advances in technology in recent decades have been intertwined with the growing adoption of sustainability principles in industry, with digital transformation now linked by many authors to the move towards more sustainable business operations and the circular economy. The overall result of the study demonstrates the positive influence of MAR application in enhancing consumers’ purchasing intention, and the authors conclude that “MAR has emerged as a technology that made an innovative and entertaining way of information acquisition possible by superimposing an extra layer of virtual information on top of the perception of the real world in real-time. The authors suggest that value-based frameworks could usefully be deployed to assess the impact of gamification “for a more comprehensive understanding of gamification broadly, and enterprise gamification more specifically” and that “a value perspective to gamification acceptance can benefit explaining gamification’s growing proliferation, academic and practitioner interest, and market value”.
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This study aims to construct a mathematical model to determine the dimensions of an economic, social, and environmental project with the goal of sustainable management. By identifying the optimal weights, the synergy values for sustainable management can be maximized. Taking aesthetic medicine companies as examples, this study attempts to construct the index projects of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable management in an uncertain environment. Linear relationships (a combination of fixed synergistic values and varying synergistic values) are used to calculate the import optimal weight under optimistic, normal, and pessimistic circumstances. This study helped companies to introduce triple bottom line (TBL) indices to plan their issues under sustainable management and development, thus, enabling the parent company to achieve the optimal weight for the project costs to put in its subsidiaries. Additionally, this study prioritizes the weight of the influence on the management of the aesthetic medicine industry according to the risk probabilities, to minimize the uncertainties of risk management in corporate management and reduce the possibility of direct and indirect cost losses caused by financial distress, functional fluctuations, and negative impact on the medical equipment market, thereby maximizing the estimated total project value under sustainable management. This study constructs an aesthetic medicine-specific mathematical model concept using the triple bottom line model as the basis for sustainable corporate management and proposes an approach to obtain sustainable weight in uncertain conditions. By doing so, companies can add various managerial methods for the same industry, and new ideas are provided to the academic community to discuss the development of decision-making assessment criteria for risk assessments in sustainable management.
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Using a university as an example, students located in more rural areas may have issues with internet access or cannot afford to have an adequate computer system at home for participating in required class work (Camera 2020). [...]there is a cost implication for society. [...]of the approach taken, managers can acquire accurate information to make decisions on how to control costs and provide savings for the business or company and they can seek input from employees. Motivation Pre-COVID-19 research suggests remote working can increase an employee's job satisfaction, organizational commitment and help improve employee performance at their job tasks.