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Purpose: First, the key vulnerability factors from the literature are identified. Second, using the vulnerability factors as indicators, a composite index is developed. Last, from the index values, a set of vulnerability knowledge maps, showing the vulnerability hotspots, are prepared. Design/methodology/approach: This study aims to develop a pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation index to support the strategic decision-making efforts of authorities. Findings: Ten indicators are identified as vulnerability factors that could significantly impact the virus spread risks. Verifying the identified hotspots against the recorded infected cases and deaths has evidenced the usefulness of the index. Determining and visualising the high-vulnerability locations and communities could help in informed strategic decision-making and responses of the authorities to the pandemic. Originality/value: The study demonstrates that the developed pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation index is particularly appropriate in the context of Australia. Nonetheless, by replicating the methodologic steps of the study, customised versions can be developed for other country contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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PurposeFood festivals are prevalent for those passionate about food experience globally. More importantly, feedback from food reviewers on mass media platforms has been becoming a critical factor in facilitating the decision-making process of tourists in particular cities. Moreover, stimulating local tourism activities, thanks to food festivals, prove advantageous to the well-being of local habitants. The purpose of this paper is to provide readers with a general overview of food festival research trends in tourist cities, as tourism has the potential to contribute to targets in Goals 8, 12 and 14 on sustainable consumption and production and the sustainable use of resources, respectively, (UNWTO: World Tourism Organization).Design/methodology/approachThis study searched and filtered documents from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, as well as used bibliometric analysis and other mathematical and statistical methods, to better understand the food festival research context between 1970 and 2021. The carriers with mathematical and statistical methods. VOSviewer algorithm was used to identify critical input for visualizing bibliometric networks and to create a framework for this academic food festival research.FindingsThe findings are primarily related to pre and post-COVID-19 research on food festivals worldwide. Furthermore, using an inductive approach, this paper reveals the impact of food festivals in cities and tourist behaviors. According to the findings, the food festival research trends are about "food festivals,” "slow food festivals” and "local food festivals.” Factor analysis is one of the most common analyses in this type of research. Other studies could use the findings and limitations to select appropriate themes and analysis approaches for their research topics.Research limitations/implicationsResearch data sets are mainly from articles that may not account for all actual trends during this pandemic.Originality/valueThis review expects to provide insights into food festivals and help future researchers to recognize several research gaps such as the lack of research on food festival manufacturers and producers or the consistency in visitors' aspect research of quality service, visitors' loyal intentions, satisfaction and culinary experience. The tourism industry can find research trends of food festivals and issues following COVID-19 to find their management styles to fit the context of the post-COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating organizing a safe and effective food festival.
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Strategic management has applications in many areas of social life. One of the basic steps in the process of strategic management is formulating a strategy by choosing the optimal strategy. Improving the process of selecting the optimal strategy with MCDM methods and theories that treat uncertainty well in this process, as well as the application of other and different selection criteria, is the basic idea and goal of this research. The improvement of the process of the aforementioned selection in the defense system was carried out by applying a hybrid model of multicriteria decision-making based on methods defining interrelationships between ranked criteria (DIBR) and multiattributive ideal-real comparative analysis (MAIRCA) modified by triangular fuzzy numbers–"DIBR–DOMBI–Fuzzy MAIRCA model.” The DIBR method was used to determine the weight coefficients of the criteria, while the selection of the optimal strategy, from the set of offered methods, was carried out by the MAIRCA method. This was done in a fuzzy environment with the aim of better treatment of imprecise information and better translation of quantitative data into qualitative data. In the research, an analysis of the model's sensitivity to changes in weight coefficients was performed. Additionally, a comparison of the obtained results with the results obtained using other multicriteria decision-making methods was conducted, which validated the model and confirmed stable results. In the end, it was concluded that the proposed MCDM methodology can be used for choosing a strategy in the defense system, that the results of the MCDM model are stable and valid, and that the process has been improved by making the choice easier for decision makers and by defining new and more comprehensive criteria for selection.
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Since the early 2000s, emerging markets have become the heart of global supply chains hosting a large volume of industrial productions. The second article looked into the barriers to attaining sustainability in supply chain of the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical sector and developed a hierarchical structure of those barriers using interpretive structural modeling and MICMAC analysis. The eleventh article explored a new way to assess suppliers' suitability by considering pseudo-resilience factors to achieve SSC in the post-COVID-19 era using an analytical hierarchy process and R. It also provided a case study of three smartphone processor suppliers (Jessin et al., 2023).
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Evaluation and selection of eco-innovation strategies is a significant and complex strategic decision, and despite the relevance and interest in the field of eco-innovation, the area of eco-innovation strategies has not been explored in depth in the scientific literature. Therefore, in this study, we propose an integrated approach to evaluating eco-innovation strategies from the perspective of strategic green transformation that helps decision-makers evaluate and select eco-innovation strategy aiming to achieve a competitive advantage. For this study, we adopted a validated multi-criteria decision-making methodology (MCDM) by combining Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The reliability of the proposed framework was tested and applied in the context of the Lithuanian furniture industry. This study offers three contributions and provides a comprehensive and profound insights into eco-innovation strategies. First, this study conceptualizes eco-innovation strategy from the perspective of strategic green transformation and proposed a novel definition and classification of eco-innovation strategies leading to competitive advantage. Second, this study proposes a novel approach to the evaluation of eco-innovation strategies taking into account micro-, meso-, and macro-level environmental factors. Third, the findings of this study provide implications for scholars and decision-makers in the field of eco-innovation strategy and set an agenda for future research.
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Examining best practices in using the functional service provider model for clinical operations, pharmacovigilance, regulatory, and other areas The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that there's a lot more flexibility in clinical trial systems than what was realized in the past. Some of these and other aspects leading to the rise of FSP outsourcing in drug development has been shared by other experts as well.3 Key functions and sub-functional areas within clinical development that have been outsourced as part of FSP model include: * Clinical monitoring (CM) * Clinical data management (CDM) * Biostatistics, statistical programming (BS&P), data standards, conversions (e.g., CDISC) * Medical writing (MW) * Pharmacovigilance/drug safety (PV) * Regulatory affairs (RA) Based on our experience in advising clients and providing FSP/CRO services over the past 20 years, we have seen the creative bundling of some of these functions as part of the extended FSP partnership model. * Combination of CDM, BS&P, and data conversions * Extension of the CDM, BS&P, and MW into a "clinical data services' package * Combination of clinical monitoring, CDM, BS&P, and medical monitoring into a "centralized monitoring team" (potential future services) * Combination of PV and regulatory activities due to regional synergies and submission/compliance requirements (potential future services) To ensure that the FSP model is strategic and provide the sustainable mode of partnership, we have shared some of the best practices ahead (and summarized in Figure 1 above) that can be leveraged and further customized as needed by sponsors: 1.Functional sourcing strategy: Sponsors must include specific criteria as part of their evaluation of service providers for the FSP sourcing plan (some of these are also typically done during a full-service CRO outsourcing process): Size and geography focus of provider that needs to be aligned with the strategic plans of the sponsor (e.g., where they plan to conduct trials to meet their regulatory needs or the size of stud ies). Team strength, capacity, and experience with both FTE and unit/deliverables-based pricing models of delivery. * Commitment to deliver year-over-year productivity gains using automation, digital/AI/ML technologies, and other approaches. * Partnership approach to play a critical role in initiating, driving/participating in innovation, and transformation initiatives of the sponsor. * Past client and employee turnover (attrition) that should be on par or below benchmark for the same function and similar type of service. * Executive commitment to participate actively in joint-governance discussions that ensures proactive monitoring and tracking of the program milestones and drive mitigatory actions, should milestones not be delivered on time, quality, and cost. 4.RFI/RFP process, joint solution development, and rigorous scoring of proposals and solutions:
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PurposeGovernments around the world have shown poor capabilities in responding effectively to the COVID-19 health emergency outbreaks. After the declaration of COVID-19 as an international pandemic by the World Health Organization on January 31, 2020, three countries experienced the greatest initial impact in Europe. Sequentially Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom (UK) were hit by the highest numbers of contagion and death in the first few months in Europe. The aim of this paper is to assess how information channels and sources influenced the public's evaluation of the three government's communication response strategies.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted between March 14 and April 14, 2020, during the first wave of lockdowns and declarations of States of Emergency in the three countries.FindingsFindings show particularities for the different countries, but also similarities in response and reactions of the public in the three scenarios. The response strategy of the UK Government was the most untrusted and criticized by citizens. In contrast, the Italian and Spanish Governments, which both chose to respond with the severest restrictions, attracted more support from citizens, especially in Italy, which was the first to close borders and impose lockdowns for the population.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the national differences in the preference of information channels and sources, overall, an empirical relationship between government communication assessment and media use were found in all the scenarios.Practical implicationsThis empirical study has theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, findings will add evidence of implications of the Channel Complementary Theory to the field of risk, crisis and emergency communication. The results also provide insights for communication practitioners in the public sector on how forms of information and trust in sources influence the public's assessment of authorities' communication.Originality/valueImplications for theory and empirical research about communication during a health pandemic are identified and discussed.
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Most companies have been severely affected by various business risks due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Their limited resources during this adverse period have forced them to be more concerned with their companies' survival than making sustainability initiatives that incur extra costs. Consequently, companies have faced a challenge in reporting imposed-sustainability statements. According to Wenzel et al. (2020) and Zharfpeykan and Ng (2021), companies can innovatively improvise the regular sustainability reporting to become a strategic tool to portray to stakeholders how companies respond to and address sustainable matters during a crisis period. Thus, this paper presents the concept of sustainability reporting as a strategic crisis response mechanism and proposes a model and matrix that maps the stakeholder engagement disclosure strategy with quality disclosure. Moreover, the paper discusses how this reporting can be influenced by internal governance mechanisms. The paper further suggests the moderating role of enterprise risk management (ERM) in this relationship. This concept can potentially guide managerial decisions on ideal sustainability practices that may not impair companies' capacity to survive during future crises. It may act as an effective instrument in meeting stakeholders' expectations of companies to perform their roles as good corporate citizens during a crisis. © 2023 The Authors.
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Improving the process of strategic management in hospitals preparation and equipping the intensive care units (ICUs) and the availability of medical devices plays an important role for knowing consumer behaviour and need. This cross-sectional study was performed in the ICU of Farhikhtegan Hospital, Tehran, Iran for a period of six months. During these months, ten medical devices have been used 5,497 times. These devices include: ventilator, oxygen cylinder, infusion pump, electrocardiography machine, vital signs monitor, oxygen flowmeter, wavy mattress, ultrasound sonography machine, ultrasound echocardiography machine, and dialysis machine. The Apriori algorithm showed that four devices: ventilator, oxygen cylinder, vital signs monitoring device, oxygen flowmeter are the most used ones by patients. These devices are positively correlated with each other and their confidence is over 80% and their support is 73%. For validating the results, we have used equivalence class clustering and bottom-up lattice traversal (ECLAT) algorithm in our dataset.
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This unprecedented time of the COVID-19 outbreak challenged the status-quo whether it is on business operation, political leadership, scientific capability, engineering implementation, data analysis, and strategic thinking, in terms of resiliency, agility, and innovativeness. Due to some identified constraints, while addressing the issue of global health, human ingenuity has proven again that in times of crisis, it is our best asset. Constraints like limited testing capacity and lack of real-time information regarding the spread of the virus, are the highest priority in the mitigation process, aside from the development of vaccines and the pushing through of vaccination programs. Using the available Chest X-Ray Images dataset and an AI-Computer Vision Technique called Convolutional Neural Network, features of the images were extracted and classified as COVID-19 positive or not. This paper proposes the usage of the 18-layer Residual Neural Network (ResNet-18) as an architecture instead of other ResNet with a higher number of layers. The researcher achieves the highest validation accuracy of 99.26%. Moving forward, using this lower number of layers in training a model classifier, resolves the issue of device constraints such as storage capacity and computing resources while still assuring highly accurate outputs. © 2022 IEEE.
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This study extends prior work by developing a comprehensive framework examining how leadership and organizational learning facilitate the achievement of high performance in organizations. Following quantitative approach, this study used survey questionnaire to collect data from leaders in the tourism sector. SmartPLS was applied to perform PLS-SEM statistical techniques with 638 responses collected. The findings revealed that high performance of tourism firms was directly and indirectly affected by leadership traits, leadership competencies, complexity leadership and organizational learning. This study has a significant contribution to leadership, organizational learning, and organizational high performance literature by providing a comprehensive framework of the relationships among these phenomena. Significant implications for both theory and practice were provided.
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PurposeA proliferation of articles surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is calling for new insights through review. This paper aims to bibliometrically analyze the current progress of research around hospitality and tourism to define the research directions on herd immunity and the prevention of disease under the "new normal.”Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyzed 326 articles regarding COVID-19 published in SSCI hospitality, leisure and tourism journals in 2020 and 2021 by combining manual analysis and bibliometrics to reveal research topics and to gain insight into research structures.FindingsThe results of this paper summarized topics related to stakeholders' mentality and behavior, responses of travel suppliers to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic impact and demand forecasting, social issues of human rights and racism and reflection on tourism and transformation of the industry. More research is called for in the future to focus on a better response to the crisis, including crisis management education and training and the improving the resilience of small- and medium-sized enterprises.Research limitations/implicationsA three-dimensional consideration was proposed to promote the sustainable development of hospitality and tourism.Originality/valueIn the "new normal” phase of herd immunity and disease prevention, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper that provides an up-to-date systematic overview of the evolution of COVID-19 research in tourism and hospitality and encourages more conceptual, practical and futuristic studies.
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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the radio frequency identification (RFID) strategic value attributes (RFIDSVAs) mechanism selections preferences and also integration of RFID tags with technology coordination tools (IRTWTCTs) alternatives ranking performance decisions in supply chain management (SCM). RFID-enabled techno-economic feasibility decisions are enhancing the SC visibility in apparel supply chains (ASCs). The RFIDSVAs mechanism selections have performed significant agility to strategic competitive advantages, namely, inventory visibility, multi-tags ownership transfer within trusted third party, etc.Design/methodology/approachFuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) and FAHP-fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS) approaches have been used to evaluate the quantitative assessment of RFIDSVA mechanisms selection decision based on weight priority orders and IRTWTCTs alternatives selection in ASC networks. The comparison of FAHP and FAHP-FTOPSIS approaches to evaluate the integrated framework develop in RFIDSVAs mechanisms and IRTWTCTs alternatives selection decisions in Indian multi-tier ASC networks.FindingsThe result found that the FAHP-FTOPSIS approaches have used to prioritizing the RFIDSVA mechanism selection weights and also identify the IRTWTCTs alternatives ranking preferences order in apparel SCM. The comparison between the FAHP and FAHP-FTOPSIS approach to quantitative assessments from RFIDSVA mechanisms and IRTWTCTs alternatives selection decisions, which enable them SC agility potential across multi-tier visibility in ASC networks. ASC stakeholders can be benefited by techno-economic feasibility decisions, RFID-enabled shop floor activities, multi-tags ownerships transfer in SCs and knowledge-based cryptography tags/items separation in SCs.Research limitations/implicationsThe research work has considered only five RFIDSVA mechanisms and also three integration of RFIDTWTCTs alternatives in multi-tier ASC. The strategic competitive advantages are achieved by RFID-enabled break-even tags price decisions and also techno-economic feasibility decision by contractual design multi-tier SC stakeholder's involvements.Practical implicationsThe pilot project study explores that the quantitative assessment decision has based on RFID-enable techno-economic feasibility in ASCs. Stakeholders can be benefited by inventory control of the financial losses, reducing the inventory inaccuracies and multi-tags ownership transfer within trusted third-party traceability in ASC networks.Originality/valueThis study explores the RFID-enabled apparel SC process and activities visibility (natural fibre's fibre producer, fibre dyeing producer, yarn spinning producer, knitting and finishing producer).
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PurposeThis study analyses how latent variables: environmental hostility, entrepreneurial orientation and dynamic capabilities are demonstrated in practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming from mixed-method research, which is an explanatory sequential research design;this paper aims to provide only the qualitative, practical manifestations and validations of the variables previously tested and analysed quantitatively.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was used whereby open-ended, semi-structured series of interviews was conducted to extract narratives from two owner–managers of medium-scale manufacturer-exporter agro-processing firms in the Philippines. Thematic analysis using deductive reasoning was used to analyse the collected narratives.FindingsThe analysis showed qualitative evidence of a possible intervention of entrepreneurial orientation and dynamic capabilities between the effects of the hostile environment brought about by the pandemic on the firms' export performance. In addition, organisational resilience was observed to possibly moderate the relationship between the firm's entrepreneurial orientation and dynamic capabilities. Resilience takes time (years) to develop;with an entrepreneurial behaviour, a continuous enhancement and acquisition of resources, capabilities, knowledge reflects a robust and adaptive organisation during adversity.Social implicationsThe role of education and research institutions was highlighted in the development of dynamic capabilities of firms. The entrepreneurial resilience, however, reflects the individual characteristic of the owner–managers that manifests in the firm's overall posture toward the overall goal of protecting the industry from its downfall.Originality/valueQualitative evidences composed of direct experiences from key informants served valuable and contextual (Philippine agro-processing industry) validations to the theoretical relationships of variables being analysed.
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The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has been forcing organizations to search for the provision of uninterrupted modes of operation for both their internal workers and external stakeholders. Basically, enterprises had to enter in an overextended state of organizational agility by swiftly revisiting their business strategies, offerings, and services;simultaneously, the time to assess the procurement of new IT solutions that could support their new state of doing business had to be reduced significantly. This continuous process to ascertain the long-term sustenance of the organization by means of matching the business with proper IT strategies and configurations is known as the Business IT Alignment (BITA). Despite the plethora of academic studies addressing the topic of BITA, to this day, the theoretical concocting of such studies makes it difficult for organizations to find a way to operationalize them. Additionally, the existence of many alignment evaluation frameworks seems to be countered by their offering of a series of complicated assessment procedures that are difficult to be implemented. Thereby, organizations are forced to create and use ad-hoc assessment methods for their BITA analysis. For this reason, we perform an exploratory case study negotiating the conduct of in-depth semi-structured interviews within three companies operating in Belgium, to investigate the need for an operationalized version of the alignment-measuring model, created by Luftman. The development of a methodology for an operationalized version of such a model could facilitate the swift determinization of the overall strategic alignment maturity level for every organization, regardless of their size, location, context or business domain. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.
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Strong collaboration critical as trial development advances Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, biotech and emerging biopharma companies were increasingly turning to contract research organizations (CROs) to contain costs and secure therapeutic and clinical trial expertise to help meet their individual objectives. Therapeutic and clinical trial expertiseWith exploratory drug development often focused on multiple indications, a CRO with depth of tic expertise optimize clinical delivery enhancing quality and reducing timelines. Furthermore, years of therapeutic expertise and interaction with investigational sites ensure site engagement with heightened interest and attention to the target patient population.
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IMPACTThis article's conceptual model provides a holistic lens for exploring the work environment of emotional labour (EL). Research has demonstrated high levels of burnout and mental health issues among EL workers. The negative outcomes associated with EL work are even more pronounced in the present Covid-19 landscape. By understanding EL workers' cognitive processes, organizations stand a better chance of promoting work engagement, well-being, and effective organizational functioning. Practically, organizations may have to provide training and support to line managers to enable them to evolve within the same mindset as EL workers. Senior managers also have to exhibit visible support to workplace initiatives to allow for consistent implementation of job resources.
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Dynamic capabilities (DCs) are a growing field of research within the scope of theoretical structures based on resource and strategic management. Given the demonstrated impact of DCs on company performance, it is important to study the effects of DCs on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, this research evaluates the role of DCs during the pandemic and its impact on the performance levels of SMEs. Analysing the responses of 209 SMEs using a structural equations model, we report that DCs positively affect company performance both prior to and during the pandemic. However, we also verify that while prior to the pandemic companies placed greater emphasis on the search for new opportunities, following the onset of the pandemic the focus shifted to getting their products to the market. These results contribute to the literature on strategic management and the DC based approach during periods of turbulence and pandemics.
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The state of Rio de Janeiro has come to be considered the state with the highest lethality rate, with one death for every 20 infected by the "new virus", according to bulletins from the Ministry of Health (BRASIL, 2021). The first phase of the vaccination campaign against the disease in the state had only 488,320 doses of the immunizer. Given the scarcity of resources, public managers had the challenge of prioritizing the distribution of vaccines among age groups in order to minimize the impacts of mortality. Therefore, it became imperative to identify to which age group the initial vaccine supply should have been prioritized in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The objective of the research is to provide information to support the problems encountered by the public administration regarding the management of immunizers. The study area is the state of Rio de Janeiro, where data from the main epidemiological observatory sites in the state of Rio de Janeiro at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic were used, using statistical techniques such as tabular and parametric description, measures of central tendency, percentages, and the linear interpolation method to calculate the population estimate by age. The distribution of the first batch of vaccines was simulated proportionally across the respective age groups. The study variables were lives saved and years saved, and simulations of 81 scenarios were performed, distributing the vaccines among the 10 possible age groups. The results obtained showed that by concentrating the application of available vaccines in the older population, a greater number of lives saved are obtained, regardless of the effectiveness of the immunization. As for the variable years saved, it can be seen that the population between 70 and 79 years old is the one that presents the best result in relation to the other age groups. It is suggested that further studies be carried out to empirically estimate the efficacy against death of available vaccines, due to the existence of an increasingly robust database.