It's been a good pandemic for me': Working with coaching and psychotherapy clients, with a focus on clients with a diagnosis of pure obsessive compulsive disorder

Many of the coaching clients are high achievers and in most of the prepandemic sessions presented as confident, in control and professional. Their reasons for coaching were often focused on their desire to move to the next level, which called for them to identify their strengths and perceived weaknesses and take action to address the identified gaps in their skills and knowledge through the coaching or through further training. This chapter offers a 'good enough' experience for clients and so, during the pandemic, moved reluctantly to working via online platforms or telephone sessions, depending on the client's preference. During the pandemic it is encouraged to build in the time to take walks before and after online sessions and, when it became possible to do so, to start taking that coffee time again rather than going straight from an online psychotherapy session to online business. The client with a pure obsessive compulsive disorder (POCD) diagnosis also saw benefits to their being-in-the-world from the pandemic. POCD often manifests as intrusive, inappropriate and shameful thoughts on which the person will ruminate. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Supplier change, market competition and enterprise innovation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study enterprise innovation in the perspective of external supplier relationship. On this purpose, this paper examines the impact of supplier change on enterprise innovation with the moderating role of market competition.Design/methodology/approachUsing 2012–2020 empirical data of Chinese listed manufacturing enterprises, this paper investigates the relationship among supplier change, market competition and enterprise innovation through a two-way interaction model.FindingsThe results show that supplier change has a negative impact on enterprise innovation. And market competition intensifies the negative relationship between supplier change and enterprise innovation. Additional analyses indicate that the main effect and the moderating effect are more significant when the enterprise is non-state-owned or has lower ownership concentration.Originality/valueThis paper studies enterprise innovation from the perspective of external stakeholders. It focuses on supplier relationship in a dynamic variation view, instead of the traditional static ones. Moreover, this paper explores the contingency effect of market competition and gives practical implications for managers to adjust innovation strategy flexibly.

Spatial Interactions and the Spread of COVID-19: A Network Perspective

We use unique data on the travel history of confirmed patients at a daily frequency across 31 provinces in China to study how spatial interactions influence the geographic spread of pandemic COVID-19. We develop and simultaneously estimate a structural model of dynamic disease transmission network formation and spatial interaction. This allows us to understand what externalities the disease risk associated with a single place may create for the entire country. We find a positive and significant spatial interaction effect that strongly influences the duration and severity of pandemic COVID-19. And there exists heterogeneity in this interaction effect: the spatial spillover effect from the source province is significantly higher than from other provinces. Further counterfactual policy analysis shows that targeting the key province can improve the effectiveness of policy interventions for containing the geographic spread of pandemic COVID-19, and the effect of such targeted policy decreases with an increase in the time of delay.

Detection of Multiple Structural Breaks in Large Covariance Matrices

This article studies multiple structural breaks in large contemporaneous covariance matrices of high-dimensional time series satisfying an approximate factor model. The breaks in the second-order moment structure of the common components are due to sudden changes in either factor loadings or covariance of latent factors, requiring appropriate transformation of the factor models to facilitate estimation of the (transformed) common factors and factor loadings via the classical principal component analysis. With the estimated factors and idiosyncratic errors, an easy-to-implement CUSUM-based detection technique is introduced to consistently estimate the location and number of breaks and correctly identify whether they originate in the common or idiosyncratic error components. The algorithms of Wild Binary Segmentation for Covariance (WBS-Cov) and Wild Sparsified Binary Segmentation for Covariance (WSBS-Cov) are used to estimate breaks in the common and idiosyncratic error components, respectively. Under some technical conditions, the asymptotic properties of the proposed methodology are derived with near-optimal rates (up to a logarithmic factor) achieved for the estimated breaks. Monte Carlo simulation studies are conducted to examine the finite-sample performance of the developed method and its comparison with other existing approaches. We finally apply our method to study the contemporaneous covariance structure of daily returns of S&P 500 constituents and identify a few breaks including those occurring during the 2007–2008 financial crisis and the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. An package "” is provided to implement the proposed algorithms.

The spread of COVID-19 in stock returns along global value chains

This paper examines the performance of industries in the trade network in international stock markets during the onset of COVID-19. In general, the value of all industries in G20 countries declines significantly in the pandemic. Stock returns of industries in the central positions of global value chains exhibit remarkable resilience despite the economic hardship caused by COVID-19. This pattern is more pronounced when the disruptions caused by social distancing requirements are considered. We postulate that this is related to the essential services provided by the central industries.

Mediating and moderating effects of task interdependence and creative role identity behind innovation for service: evidence from China and Australia

PurposeInnovation for service contributes to service quality and customer satisfaction, and further benefits service-centered organizations to sustain competitive advantages. However, concurrent mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying innovation for service at both the group and individual levels have been scarcely investigated. The purpose of this study is to explore multilevel mediating and moderating mechanisms behind the relationship between dual-level transformational leadership (TFL) and innovation for service at the group and individual levels.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from two countries (i.e. China and Australia). Multilevel structural equation modeling was employed to validate the research model. Bootstrapping with 5,000 replications and latent moderated structural equation modeling were used to respectively examine the mediating and moderating mechanisms.FindingsThe cross-national results showed that task interdependence and creative role identity respectively played as the group-level and individual-level mediating roles between TFL and innovation for service. It was also found that task interdependence played as a cross-level predictor enhancing individual innovation for service. Task interdependence was a moderator on the relationship between individual-level TFL and creative role identity among Australian employees, but not among Chinese employees. The relationship between creative role identity and individual innovation for service was not moderated by task interdependence among both Chinese and Australian employees.Originality/valueThis study contributes to advancing the TFL–innovation research through revealing dual-level TFL as the antecedent of innovation for service at both the group and individual levels. It also extends the understandings of the mediating and moderating mechanisms behind this dual-level relationship between TFL and innovation for service.

A hybrid metaheuristic algorithm for the multi-objective location-routing problem in the early post-disaster stage

Disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, floods and COVID-19 continue to threaten the lives of people in all countries. In order to cover the basic needs of the victims, emergency logistics should be implemented in time. Location-routing problem (LRP) tackles facility location problem and vehicle routing problem simultaneously to obtain the overall optimization. In response to the shortage of relief materials in the early post-disaster stage, a multi-objective model for the LRP considering fairness is constructed by evaluating the urgency coefficients of all demand points. The objectives are the lowest cost, delivery time and degree of dissatisfaction. Since LRP is a NP-hard problem, a hybrid metaheuristic algorithm of Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization (DPSO) and Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) is designed to solve the model. In addition, three improvement strategies, namely elite-opposition learning, nonlinear escaping energy, multi-probability random walk, are introduced to enhance its execution efficiency. Finally, the effectiveness and performance of the LRP model and the hybrid metaheuristic algorithm are verified by a case study of COVID-19 in Wuhan. It demonstrates that the hybrid metaheuristic algorithm is more competitive with higher accuracy and the ability to jump out of the local optimum than other metaheuristic algorithms.

An integrative framework for building organizational resilience through environmental scanning: a view of organizational information processing theory: MRN

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of environmental scanning on organizational resilience through the mediation of organizational learning and innovation based on organizational information processing theory (OIPT) within Egyptian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a cross-sectional design to collect the data used to carry out mediation analysis. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample consisting of 249 Egyptian SMEs. The smart partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was adopted to test the hypotheses.FindingsEnvironmental scanning does not have a direct effect on organizational resilience. However, organizational learning and innovation fully mediate the relationship between environmental scanning and organizational resilience.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size was small, covering only Egyptian manufacturing SMEs. The results may differ in the service sector and other countries. The study was cross-sectional which is limited to tracing the long-term effects of environmental scanning, organizational learning and innovation on organizational resilience. Accordingly, a longitudinal study may be undertaken.Practical implicationsManagers in Egyptian SMEs should use signals from environmental scanning activities as input for learning and transforming business processes through innovation to develop organizational resilience.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate the role of environmental scanning in building organizational resilience through organizational learning and innovation based on the perspective of OIPT within Egyptian SMEs during the COVID-19 crisis.

Economic development in a pandemic: Reflections from Melbourne, ‘the world's most locked-down city'

This paper explores the key principles of economic development in a pandemic. It does so by drawing on the lessons learned through the economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Australian city of Melbourne. Melburnians experienced 263 days largely confined to their homes, one of the longest lockdown periods in the world, resulting in deserted city streets and a devastated central city economy. The experience forced the City of Melbourne to adopt a range of unique and innovative responses, first to keep businesses afloat during lockdown, and then to reactivate the city. Melbourne did this while keeping a focus on longer-term economic development. This somewhat unique experience makes Melbourne a useful case study informing best-practice economic development in a pandemic. Key lessons emerging from Melbourne's experience include the need to respond and iterate rapidly, the importance of collaboration with stakeholders and other tiers of government, and the need to maintain a focus on multiple time horizons, even in the midst of the crisis. These insights are potentially transferrable to economic development responses to other crises, including those catalysed by climate change. © 2023, Henry Stewart Publications. All rights reserved.

A real options approach to growth opportunities and resilience aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeFacing the challenges posed by the pandemic of COVID-19, this paper aims to contribute to the resilience of businesses through the development of a real options approach (ROA) that provides alternatives and opportunities for a decision process under situations when future events and outcomes are unknown and not capable of being known from current information.Design/methodology/approachThis paper involves a stochastic modelling process in generating a set of absolute option values, using available data and scenarios from the COVID-19 pandemic event. The modelling and simulations using ROA suggest how strategic portfolios resolve the growing problem during the endemic to all but in the most isolated societies.FindingsThis study finds the emergent correlation between circuit breakers and lockdowns, which have brought about a "distorted gravity” effect (inverse growth of global businesses and trades). However, "time-to-build” real options (i.e. deferral, expand, switch and compound exchange) start to function in the adaptive-transformative capabilities for growth opportunities of both government and corporate sectors. Significantly, some sectors grow faster than others while the compound exchange remains primarily challenging. Clearly, the government and corporate sectors are entangled, inevitably, the decoherence allows for the former to change uncertainty in the latter;therefore, government sector options change option values in the corporate sector.Originality/valueThe ROA by empirically focusing on both government and corporate sectors demonstrates under conditions of uncertainty how options in decision-making generate opportunities that hitherto have not been recognised and exercised upon by research in the immediate context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, the ROA provides an insightful concatenation (capability–behaviour approach) that drives resilience.

Insights into entrepreneurship: impact of entrepreneur psychological capital and employee well-being on business sustainable performance during and post-Covid-19 era

Since Covid-19 is an enduring disease that pushed the world to reshape business strategies to overcome the unprecedented situations in all sectors such as the sports industry. Although substantial research has been carried out to inspect this phenomenon globally. Nevertheless, how entrepreneurial initiatives can contribute to tackling the situation is still lacking. This study attempts to uncover the relationships between entrepreneur psychological capital (EPC) and business sustainable performance (BSF). Second, this study strives to reveal the relationships between employee wellbeing (EWb) and BSP. In addition, education is treated as a moderating factor to unfold the relationships among factors, i.e., EPC, EWb, and BSF. Data were collected from eight hundred (n = 800) participants who were associated with the Chinese sports industry from March to July 2022. The results demonstrated interesting and fruitful findings based on SEM statistical model. First, a positive connection was found between EPC and BSF. Second, it found a positive link between EWb and BSF. Finally, the study highlighted a significant moderating impact of education among implicit relationships, i.e., EPC, EWb, and BSF. This study provides insights into entrepreneurship, entrepreneur psychological capital, and employee wellbeing on how it can optimize the performance of a business during and post-Covid-19 era. Besides, certain shortcomings along with future potential lines are reported for future researchers. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Market development strategy and process performance of knowledge-intensive SMEs in the epidemic era: a process-oriented perspective

PurposeThis study analyzes in-depth how knowledge-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can achieve higher new product development (NPD) process performance in the epidemic era and examine the internal development mechanism of knowledge-intensive SMEs in the process of continuous digital transformation.Design/methodology/approachThis issue is tested with partial least squares on data collected via a survey conducted from November 2021 to February 2022. The sample comprises 487 knowledge-intensive SMEs operating in China.FindingsThe results indicate that one form of cross-functional ambidexterity, market development strategy (MDS), plays an important role in process performance from an inside-out financial perspective and an outside-in customer perspective. Simultaneously, product innovation efficiency (PIE) mediates the relationship between MDS and the above results. Big data analytics capabilities (BDACs) positively regulate the relationship between MDS and PIE.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors do not consider other contingency factors. Future research should introduce influential factors such as leadership and competitive intensity to further distinguish the effects of MDS on NPD process performance.Practical implicationsThe study findings offer suggestions to help knowledge-intensive SME managers better manage their NPD process by making better use of their limited resources in developing countries such as China.Originality/valueThis study is one of only a few to adopt a process-oriented perspective to specifically examine how one form of cross-functional ambidexterity, MDS, impacts knowledge-intensive SME process performance in the epidemic era. This study also extends the theoretical framework of cross-functional ambidexterity to BDAC research.

Consumers' perceived value and use intention of cashless payment in the physical distancing context: evidence from an Asian emerging market

PurposeCOVID-19 and its measures such as physical distancing have shifted consumer payment behaviors toward cashless payment. Physical distancing is likely to remain a norm for some time to come and will be relevant in any future pandemics. This study aims to examine the impact of consumers' perceived value of cashless payment on their use intention in the physical distancing context, with the mediating role of psychological safety and the moderating role of trust propensity.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a survey method to obtain data from 690 consumers in an Asian emerging market, i.e. Vietnam. The data were analyzed using different statistical methods, including structural equation modeling.FindingsResults show that perceived value of cashless payment positively affects use intention, and this effect is mediated by psychological safety. Furthermore, trust propensity has a positive moderating effect on the link between perceived value and psychological safety.Practical implicationsThis study's findings provide implications for retailers and other stakeholders in implementing and promoting cashless payment systems, especially in the physical distancing context.Originality/valueThis study is among the first attempt to explain the relationships between consumers' perceptions, feelings of psychological safety and use intention toward cashless payment in the physical distancing context. The study's findings may also be relevant to any future pandemics.

Task-Technology Fit and ICT Use in Remote Work Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examines the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in remote work practice during the COVID-19 pandemic by integrating task-technology fit theory and the post-acceptance model of IS continuance into a research framework. In addition, it operationalizes the technological characteristics of TTF (task-technology fit) with the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory. The methodology to test the research model takes support from the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method using a sample of 320 employees. The results show that TAM significantly explains TTF. Furthermore, there is a positive impact of ICT use on individual and organizational performance. User satisfaction has the most significant effect on individual performance, organizational performance, and IS continuance intention. The authors provide some managerial implications for addressing the challenges of remote work related to ICT disruptions for the post-COVID-19 period.

Developing Business Model Competences in the Enterprise

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 saw a growing interest in starting own business: as per the Census Bureau's Business Formation Statistics, the number of applications to form new businesses filed in the U.S. was the highest compared to any other year on record, reaching the total of 5.4 million (Economic Innovation Group, 2022), while in the EU, after an initial downward trend recorded in the first and second quarters of 2020, the number of new business registrations grew again in the third quarter of that year, and this upward trend continued throughout 2021 (Eurostat, 2022). Of course, as a result of Russia's invasion on Ukraine and related economic crisis, a downward tendency could be observed, but business registration levels in the EU in the first quarter of 2022 were still higher than during the pre-COVID 19 pandemic period (2015-2019) (Eurostat, 2022) and online searches indicating and intent to open a business spiked by 76% from 2018 to 2022 (Search Engine Journal, 2022). This shows that despite many external impediments, people are still tempted to start their own business, and many influencers, motivational speakers and coaches, as well as various popular TV shows broadcast worldwide (like the Apprentice, Dragons' Den, Shark Tank or Planet of the Apps) encourage them to do so. Becoming an entrepreneur has become a goal many people, especially 20-, 30- and 40-year-olds, strive to achieve. However, many of those people fail to realise that the very entry in the business register does not automatically make them entrepreneurs or their business successful. Neither does a good (or even excellent and innovative) business idea that attracts customers, as it was in Kodak's, Blockbuster's, or Ask Jeeves' case. What is required, is the ability to stay attractive to existing and prospective customers, i.e., the ability to win and retain customers, and to adapt to the changing demands, trends and economic conditions. All this can be achieved thanks to a meticulously designed and regularly reviewed and updated business model. The aim of this paper is to present and analyse the learning process of acquiring and building competences in the area of business models with the use of different innovative tools. The results presented and discussed in this article come from surveys as well as face-to-face and on-line meetings conducted in the ProBM 2 ERASMUS+ project (Understanding and Developing Business Models in the Era of Globalisation), in which the total of 261 respondents from seven (7) European countries, i.e. Poland, Italy, Greece, Romania, Portugal, Malta, and Switzerland, took part between 2019 and 2022. From the meetings and surveys it follows that much more awareness of business models needs to be encouraged and developed, particularly as regards improving competences helping future business owners and their employees assess profitability and efficiency of their operations and ensure that the business will be a going concern. © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.

Four Legged Parallel Manipulator for Autonomous Delivery Robot

The COVID-19 outbreak has been designated a pandemic and is spreading quickly around the world. The industries most impacted by COVID-19, which has proved a barrier to every major business, were the e-commerce businesses that use door-to-door delivery methods. It's critical to have an unmanned strategy that can be applied to diverse sites during this key time. Although the driverless vehicle is not a novel idea, problems can occur when these systems run into the uneven pavement or unexpected obstacles. The methods for ensuring the stability of the commodities delivered by autonomous robots are discussed in this research. This mechanism guards against product damage. Additionally, a motor that stabilizes a robot's product compartment uses a gyroscope sensor to detect angular rotation and axial movement and preserve the orientation of a quadrupedal leg. In order to conduct trials that mimic problems in the real world, rectify errors, and offer solutions, a prototype model of a robot's stability platform has been created. This type of technological advancement will aid us in future efforts to combat global catastrophes. © 2023 IEEE.

Performance of IPOs During Covid-19 Pandemic and Factors Affecting Investors' Perception

Initial Public Offering (IPO) is a fund-raising tool through which a company gets listed for the first time under SEBI regulation and issues IPOs to raise funds from the public. The shift from a privately-owned to a publicly-owned firm via an IPO is the most significant event in a company's life (Pagano et al., 1998). In an IPO investment, there is limited historical data to analyze and predict the future performance of the company;hence it becomes a risky investment for the investors as they cannot predict how the shares will perform in the future. Most companies that go for an IPO are in the growth or expansion phase so it becomes more difficult to predict their market position and performance in the future, which leads to uncertainty in deriving their future value. Also, most IPOs are of companies going through a transitory growth period, and are therefore subject to additional uncertainty regarding their future value. This study analyzes the performance of the IPOs issued during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the markets across the world faced massive disruptions. The IPOs from various sectors like finance, technology, service, infrastructure, food, pharmaceutical and information technology were considered for the study. The study also analyzes the factors affecting investor perception towards investment in an IPO. The study considered the IPOs issued during the pandemic, and their performance on the listing day was measured by considering issue price, listing price and closing price. It was observed that 90% of the IPOs selected performed well during the listing day and 10% underperformed. It was also found that factors like company brand, company sector, fundamental analysis, company ratings, expert opinion and stock market conditions had a positive impact on the investors' decision to invest in an IPO. The study also revealed that factors like risk factor in primary market, returns on IPO on the listing day and Gray Market Premium have no significant impact on the investors' perception.

The impact of the arts on social and entrepreneurial actions during covid19. Educational perception

The impact of COVID-19 on the way of consuming art has led to changes in behavior to-wards more responsible and sustainable models. Art continues to be a fundamental part of people's lives, and significantly influences the quality of life, both in the educational and work environment. During confinement, the people who have been able to consume art have done so according to different needs and contexts. However, art, beyond its social benefits, has a direct implication both in sustaina-bility and in the business world. This work aims to know the consumption of art during the pandemic and its relationship with social and business responsibility. The methodological approach is quantitative and was based on an ad hoc questionnaire in which a total of 308 people participated. From the results it is clear that through the consumption of art responsible behaviors can be generated in companies. In addition, the relationship established between art and business success is highlighted, as well as the involvement and responsibility in sustainability.

The Antecedents of Consumer Satisfaction Toward OTT Platforms During COVID-19 Lockdown in India

The outbreak of COVID-19 has emerged as the biggest threat to human life. It has changed the entire lifestyle of human beings concerning their emotional stability and cognitive development. Enjoyment is one of the emotions and acts as a positive stimulus that a consumer used to feel and seeks for a balanced life. Since the nationwide lockdown was implemented on March 25, 2020, people have turned restless about how to enjoy themselves at home, as all of their options of going out were being shattered. It was the time when continuous innovations in the form of digital content through over-the-top (OTT) platforms flourished and provided an affordable and diversified entertainment source to consumers. These OTT services help consumers to view the contents via the Internet directly. Furthermore, it has drastically changed people's preferences toward diversified content based on their choices. This study aims to explore the various determinants affecting consumer satisfaction toward the OTT platforms amid COVID-19 crisis in India. The study's main findings revealed that among the demographic variables, age group of the consumer largely influences their satisfaction toward OTT platforms. Moreover, work from home, affordability, convenience, and content quality are the significant determinants affecting consumer satisfaction levels toward OTT platforms. The study is relevant to the current marketing scenario, as it provides useful insights for the content developers of the major OTT platforms such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Voot, and many others to enhance the consumer satisfaction in the terms of digital content consumption.

Women in the Workplace: COVID-19 and Work-Life Balance: JMI

The COVID-19 pandemic has cost the lives of an enormous number of individuals around the world, isolated people, and disrupted businesses. These are the direct and devastating consequences of the disease, however there are other peripheral impacts as well. The pandemic is continuing to threaten the work-life balance (WLB) of employees, disrupting their domestic lives, intensifying their general stress levels, and impacting their ability to focus on their careers. This is a significant problem for both working women as well as men, however this study suggests the negative impact is more disruptive to women. Women represent approximately 46% of the human resources for organizations and they are major contributors to advancements in domains such as healthcare, education, government, and commercial development. Organizations, as a defensive measure, need to adapt policies and procedures in an attempt to moderate the disruptive influences the virus is having on their human resources. This paper explores the extant literature and defragments diverse COVID-19 studies to capture an overall picture of the unique impact the pandemic is having on working women. A qualitative study involving semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 professional women was conducted. Interviews were reviewed holistically with themes across interviews identified. Resulting themes include WLB expectations post-COVID-19, childcare, employers and expectations, and return to work. Thematic findings are discussed and observations relative to organizational implications are provided. Also offered are thoughts and suggestions for the enhancement of WLB, thereby benefiting both women and their organizations.