Existential challenges for business leaders post-pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has been referred to as an 'existential crisis'. It is true to say that for some businesses and organisations the pandemic has indeed been a crisis, and one which they did not survive. It has been an anxious time for business leaders and unfortunately the impact of the pandemic has resulted in many established businesses going under and many people losing their jobs. It is certainly true that the pandemic experience has brought existential issues such as uncertainty, anxiety, time and temporality, meaning, authenticity and relatedness more to the forefront, not just for individuals but also for organisations. The business world, with its five-year plans and milestones, and the conventions of an office based 9-5 business model, has been severely tested by the pandemic. Post-pandemic a company may find that its intangible assets, such as intellectual property, winning brands, innovative ideas and, most importantly, talented staff are now equally, if not more, important that its hard assets. The pandemic has been experienced by some as a loss of freedom. Many found it difficult to take on the freedom and responsibility to structure their own time;they missed colleagues and the ease of immediate consultation and feedback. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Countering Counterfeiters and Diverters

[...]the anticounterfeiting packaging market is projected to grow at a 7.8% compound annual growth rate to USS189.9 billion (€158 billion) in 2026 (1). [...]in anticipation of a spike in counterfeiting, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has launched Operation Stolen Promise 2, to halt the production, distribution, and sale of illicit COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. The fact that the COVID-19 vaccines need to be shipped in stringent cold storage containers with radio frequency identification (RFID) temperature sensors along with specialized transportation methods will make it more difficult for counterfeiters to enter the supply chain, but not impossible." [...]Pitts predicts an increased focus on consumer engagement.

Compassionate Leadership: An Essential Approach Post-COVID

The recent pandemic demonstrated the importance of leading with compassion. Compassionate leaders understand and care for those they lead. Through an analysis of recent publications on compassionate leadership and personal stories of leadership experiences, the author defines what compassionate leadership is, and identifies skills and traits that leaders need to harness to excel in today's changing workplace. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Library Administration is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

'Without music, life would be a mistake': The experience of a musician in Covid-19 times

The history of music and art is interwoven with the history of civilisation itself and how societies develop and ultimately express themselves beyond 'better farming', 'better commerce', or 'better killing of armies'. The relatedness to self as a professional musician, whose music had the potential to cause emotional responses in others and even, occasionally, change lives, was perceived differently by others, most importantly the government. Certainly the sense of authenticity as a musician took some wild turns over the course of 2020. Some of the emotions were universal, while others were specifically linked to the status as a musician. Poet laureate of power, herald of freedom-the musician is at the same time within society, which protects, purchases, and finances him, and outside it, when he threatens it with his visions. How musicians relate to audiences and to the political system was a challenge highlighted by the pandemic. There were new ways of connecting with other artists, and to the 'atomised' audiences of the lockdown. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Toward a new business model of retail industry: The role of brand experience and brand authenticity

While the customer-to-manufacturer (C2M) business model has received increasing attention as a new business model for e-commerce and retail industry, little is still known about it and the effect of its approach. This study aims to understand how brand-related stimuli in C2M environments affect customer responses as the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The outcomes reveal that the Sensory, affective, and intellectual aspects of brand experience positively influence brand authenticity. Brand authenticity has a positive effect on behavioral intention, such as reuse intention and word-of-mouth. Additionally, this research finds that social presence moderates the association between the sensory aspect of brand experience. Thus, this study can suggest a C2M business model as a means of sustainable operation of the retail industry to both researchers and practitioners in relation to the retail industry.

What Good is Organizational Nostalgia in the Time of Pandemic? Unpacking a Pathway from COVID-Related Stress to Authenticity at Work

We propose that COVID-related stress undermines felt authenticity, but also triggers nostalgia. In turn, nostalgia conduces to felt authenticity, thereby counteracting the deleterious impact of COVID-related stress. We tested this regulatory model of nostalgia in two studies. Study 1 was an online cross-sectional study during the pandemic, in which we assessed COVID-related stress, nostalgia, and authenticity. In Study 2, we followed a group of working adults in a daily diary study across five workdays. We assessed COVID-related stress each morning, organizational nostalgia at midday, and authenticity at the end of the workday. The results of both studies were consistent with the palliative role of nostalgia in support of the regulatory model.

Secure NIfTI Image Authentication Scheme for Modern Healthcare System

Advances in digital neuroimaging technologies, i.e., MRI and CT scan technology, have radically changed illness diagnosis in the global healthcare system. Digital imaging technologies produce NIfTI images after scanning the patient's body. COVID-19 spared on a worldwide effort to detect the lung infection. CT scans have been performed on billions of COVID-19 patients in recent years, resulting in a massive amount of NIfTI images being produced and communicated over the internet for diagnosis. The dissemination of these medical photographs over the internet has resulted in a significant problem for the healthcare system to maintain its integrity, protect its intellectual property rights, and address other ethical considerations. Another significant issue is how radiologists recognize tempered medical images, sometimes leading to the wrong diagnosis. Thus, the healthcare system requires a robust and reliable watermarking method for these images. Several image watermarking approaches for .jpg, .dcm, .png, .bmp, and other image formats have been developed, but no substantial contribution to NIfTI images (.nii format) has been made. This research suggests a hybrid watermarking method for NIfTI images that employs Slantlet Transform (SLT), Lifting Wavelet Transform (LWT), and Arnold Cat Map. The suggested technique performed well against various attacks. Compared to earlier approaches, the results show that this method is more robust and invisible.

Authentication of Tinospora cordifolia derived herbal supplements using high resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach – A pilot study

Tinospora cordifolia herbal supplements have recently gained prominence due to their promising immunomodulatory and anti-viral effects against SARS-CoV-2. Mislabelling or diluting Tinospora supplements for profit may harm public health. Thus, validating the label claim of these supplements in markets is critical. This study investigated how high resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and chemometrics can be used to distinguish Tinospora cordifolia from two other closely related species (T. crispa and T. sinensis). The Orthogonal Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) and PLS-DA based chemometric models predicted the species identity of Tinospora with 94.44% accuracy. These classification models were trained using 54 T. cordifolia, 21 T. crispa, and 21 T. sinensis samples. We identified 7 biomarkers, including corydine, malabarolide, ecdysterone, and reticuline, which discriminated Tinospora cordifolia from the two other species. The label claim of 25 commercial Tinospora samples collected from different parts of India was verified based on the relative abundance of the biomarker compounds, of which 20 were found authentic. The relative abundance of biomarkers significantly varied in the 5 suspicious market samples. This pilot study demonstrates a robust metabolomic approach for authenticating Tinospora species, which can further be used in other herbal matrices for product authentication and securing quality. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Corporate social responsibility and customer's responses: CSR authenticity and government intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 had unparalleled social and economic impacts in many countries, including Indonesia. Companies are urged to develop corporate social responsibility (CSR) in this challenging environment to support society. As CSR enters a more developed stage, the government's role in initiating and promoting it has also been recognized. First, this study explores the company's motives for engaging in CSR, as well as the role of government by interviewing three CSR officials. Further, this study investigates the effects of CSR motives, CSR authenticity, and corporate brand image on community well-being and customer citizenship behavior, with government intervention as a moderating variable, by an online survey to analyze nine hypotheses. Using purposive sampling, 652 respondents from five local companies in Indonesia participated in the survey, and the data were analyzed using SmartPLS. The interviews showed two CSR motives and the role of government, and the survey showed mixed results on the impact of CSR motives on CSR authenticity and corporate brand image, the positive impacts of CSR authenticity and corporate brand image on community well-being, and customer citizenship behavior. Although high levels of government intervention are noticeable, this variable was not found to be a significant moderator. This study highlights the importance of how customers perceive CSR motives and authenticity, so companies should consider it when developing CSR activities. Engaging in CSR initiatives during a crisis may improve a company's brand image and customer citizenship behavior. However, companies should appropriately manage their CSR communications to avoid customers' suspicion about the CSR motives.

The Van Gogh Experience Transgressions of Concept, Design, and Writing

This experimental writing both embodies and interrogates how creative work that is re-mixed and re-presented also creates multivalent "experiences.” A menagerie of quotations performs both a narrative-of-thinking and open-ended discursive potential. The work asks: Can this manuscript both analyze and perform a subversion, problematizing notions of authenticity, authorship, ownership, production, distribution, reception, and meaning? Can immersion in fragmented, derivative writing produce an affective experience in line with a contemporary post-pandemic and technologically- and social-media-immersive "structure of feeling”? The excerpts include discussions of Vincent Van Gogh's work recently presented as popular "immersive experiences”;discourse on the commodification, reproduction, and authenticity of art;views on artistic presentation in a pandemic- and technology-infused era;and quotations concerning (and drawn from work in) deconstruction, authorship, and avant-garde fiction, further extending interpretative potential. Where does it start, where does it take you, and where do you feel it?. © 2023 by the Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Examining multiple mediation of authenticity in the relationship between cultural motivation pattern and satisfaction: a case study of Şirince in Turkey

Purpose: This study aims to assess the relationships between cultural travel motivation, two dimensions of authenticity and satisfaction of domestic tourists visiting Sirince in Turkey. Given the structure of the model, authenticity is two latent variables, indirectly affecting satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach: The research takes a predictive and explanatory approach rather than theory confirmation. Partial least squares (PLS) algorithm was used to assess the multiple mediation. The data were collected from 391 domestic visitors through a self-administered questionnaire. Findings: The research highlights that two dimensions of authenticity have a statistically mediating influences on the relationship between cultural travel motivation and satisfaction. Furthermore, while cultural travel motivation is the most important predictor of satisfaction, object-based authenticity has emerged as an antecedent variable that deserves to be given the highest importance. Finally, first time visitors and repeaters did not differ across all relationships in the model. Research limitations/implications: The fact that the data were collected only from Sirince can be considered as geographical limitations of the study. Another limitation is that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the data were obtained only from domestic tourists visiting Sirince. Practical implications: The study on the multiple mediating roles of authenticity in the relationship between motivation factor alongside satisfaction revealed a variety of application opportunities, particularly for destinations attempting to position themselves as authentic. Accordingly, authenticity concept gains significance in tourism industry more often because unique experiences at the visited destinations can satisfy the individuals in search of their self-identity. Social implications: Furthermore, transformation of authentic places into tourism destinations develops cultural values in line with expectations of tourists. However, this transforms domestic cultural factors into commercial products by eroding their significance in the eye of local residents. This invites artificiality by drifting apart from originality of cultural elements. Each element serves as part of authenticity is indeed away from authentic experience even though it is regarded as an authentic experience from tourists' perspective because it diverts from its reality. Establishing balance between tourists' travel motivations and their expectation from authentic destination is substantially important to satisfy their sensational and sentimental expectations. In addition to the ones mentioned above, managers should take an active role in promotion and focus on sponsorship activities to highlight the authenticity of Sirince;begin reconstruction works by considering the original architecture specific to the region;and pay attention to the compatibility of the new architectural texture with the destination character. As stated in the study of Genc and Gulertekin Genc (2021), special attention should be paid to the harmony between the architectural texture and the destination feature. Finally, considering that authenticity has a mediating role between cultural travel motivation and satisfaction, authentic values should be highlighted in promotional videos. Originality/value: There has been very little research into the role of the dimensions of authenticity in mediating the relationship between cultural motivation and satisfaction. Unlike previous studies on authenticity and tourism, this research attempted to examine the relationship between cultural travel motivation and satisfaction by involving two dimensions of authenticity into the model. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

The role of online channel in influencing perceived firm size and brand authenticity in international marketing

PurposeThis research investigates the role of marketing channel selection in influencing brand authenticity and purchase likelihood in the international marketing domain. Further, perceived firm size is identified as a mediator in this regard. The moderating role of consumer skepticism is also considered.Design/methodology/approachThree experimental studies were carried out across three different markets (India, the US and the UK) in the context of South Korean brands.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that firms utilizing (only) online channels are perceived to be smaller than those that utilize hybrid channels (i.e. both online and physical stores) or offline channels (i.e. physical stores). When consumers perceive firms to be smaller, they also report higher levels of brand authenticity, which in turn increases their purchase likelihood. Further, this effect is weaker among consumers with high levels of skepticism.Originality/valueThe findings of the present research contribute to the international marketing literature by demonstrating how consumers perceive online marketing channels, the role of marketing channel selection in driving brand authenticity, as well as providing managerial implications on how to promote products in the international market.

A study of determinants that affect the intention to participate in online tours and the role of constraints under COVID-19 pandemic

To overcome the challenges presented by COVID-19, the tourism sector has introduced online tours to the market, in which tour guides introduce product via video conferencing tools. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing people's behavioral intentions to consume this new product. For this study, we conducted a web-based questionnaire survey in Japan in December 2020. The data analysis results confirm that positive emotions and telepresence positively influence people's intention to participate in online tours. Additionally, we identified that travel constraints did not directly influence participation intention. Alternatively, they have an indirect influence through interactions with other factors. Specifically, structural constraints caused by external factors, such as lack of time, amplified the effect of authenticity, but attenuated the effect of telepresence. In addition, interpersonal constraints, such as incompatibility of schedules with companions, were found to increase the effect of telepresence, but weaken the effect of authenticity. Furthermore, the analysis results suggested that while daily travel constraints indicated a significant mediation influence on tourists' participation intention, COVID-19 constraints indicated no significant influence for either direct or indirect effects. The findings of this study are beneficial in designing online travel experiences that can benefit tourists under travel constraints in the future.

The Role of Digital 3D Models in the Context of Museum Display of Sculpture

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the Zagreb earthquake, the debate on the proper use of digital technologies in museums became increasingly important and heated. Precisely because they are very popular and increasingly available, digital technologies as a tool require a precise methodological basis for their optimal application. This paper specifically tackles the use of virtual 3D models in a museum context by using examples of sculpture as a specifically three-dimensional art form, and attempts to define the role of a 3D model in relation to the original. As a museum exhibit, sculpture seems to receive little attention compared to other art forms. There are multiple reasons for this, but some of the most important ones are the differences in the production of three-dimensional versus two-dimensional artworks, as well as specific difficulties with exhibiting sculptures. Also, the relative unpopularity of sculpture as a three-dimensional medium, especially among the younger generations, should be attributed to the dominant culture of images, especially virtual ones, which are accessible through the ubiquitous screens of smartphones, tablets and similar electronic devices. Museums around the world, and thus in Croatia as well, have readily embraced the possibilities offered by digital technologies to enrich the experience of their visitors. When exhibiting three-dimensional art forms and objects, they frequently use 3D models of exhibits available in the space of the actual museum or on its websites, complex 3D displays of an entire space, or even computer simulations of the so-called virtual or augmented reality (virtual reality — abbreviated VR, and augmented reality — abbreviated AR), with the aim of reconstructing entire historical spaces in which the viewer is "immersed”, thus becoming a part of it. Still, regardless of the range of possibilities, when designing virtual exhibitions as well as in the general use of 3D models in the museum context, the emphasis must be placed on a clear idea that is conveyed by that exhibition and on clear meta- and para-data that facilitates the communication of its message — focus, therefore, must be on the narrative. This is supported by the results of recent research, which showed that the authentic experience of a 3D model increases if, in addition to the element of interactivity (the possibility of manipulating the model), there is also an element of contextualizing the object as widely as possible. Using Ivo Maroević's categorization of replacement museum objects, we viewed 3D models as museum objects in a digital form, intended for display, which serve as an aid in education, presentation and strengthening the communication and interactive potential of the original object. In order to examine whether 3D models have the same effect on observers as the original objects, we used the concepts of an aura, as defined by Walter Benjamin, and authenticity which, following division, we divided into two categories — nominal and expressive. We also used the results of several studies that examined the experience of 3D models in and out of the museum context. Based on the above reasoning, we came to the conclusion that observers can experience a 3D model as authentic and auratic, but that such experience is predicated upon being in a museum and having enough information that contextualize the object. Finally, it is important to highlight the difference between experiencing a sculpture, as a specific type of artwork, and its 3D model, with regard to its material presence in space. Namely, an encounter with a sculpture is a multisensory experience defined by the awareness of one's own body and the kinetic potential of the sculpture located in the same space. In the case of viewing a 3D model on a screen, this experience is absent. That is why we believe that 3D models and the original sculptures definitely cannot and should not be treated the same way: in the right context, 3D models can evoke an impression of auraticity and authenticity, but they find t eir best use as substitute museum objects whose primary role is to enrich the museum experience of visitors through strengthening the interpretation possibilities of the original. © 2022 Institute of Art History. All rights reserved.

Political public relations, leadership, and COVID-19: A comparative assessment of Prime Ministers Ardern and Morrison on Facebook and Twitter

This study develops a definition of political public relations that incorporates concepts from leadership communication and crisis communication. It then applies this theoretical framework to the communication strategies employed by New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison during their early responses to the COVID-19 crisis. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine the frequency of various framing strategies shared via Twitter and Facebook, which aimed to persuade apprehensive citizens to comply with unprecedented stay-at-home orders to suppress virus transmission. The findings revealed that both leaders employed communication strategies consistent with models of effective communication during a major crisis but had notable differences in style, tone, and engagement. For instance, Ardern's greater use of rational strategies, performed authenticity, and empathy in her social media posts enabled her to reach a larger audience than Morrison. Ultimately, this paper argues that political public relations should encompass leadership and leadership communication to better understand how political leaders can manage future crises. • This study develops a definition of political public relaitons, that includes leadership communication and crisis communication. • It analyzes the social media communication strategies of two Prime Ministers during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, assessing their performances. • A core finding is that performed authenticity on social media channels increases message distribution and engagement. • The study provides detailed commentary on a range of rhetorical strategies for enhancing community resilience in crisis scenarios. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Public Relations Review is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Wellness tourism sector in India: A critical perspective

The chapter aims to empirically explore trends and issues concerning Indian wellness services being taken internationally for commercial use by wellness service providers and tourists. The text also highlights how their authenticity gets compromised in place of profitability. The enquiry is approached through a conceptual framework of wellness tourism and subsequent tourism concerns. While scholars have recently turned their attention to tourism challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the perspective of digitalization within tourism can help to nuance this area of concern. Some recommendations for the Indian wellness tourism sector include digital solutions, screen-induced tourism, measures towards tourists' safety, regulations concerning certifications and targeting new client segments. Furthermore, raising greater awareness about the philosophical backdrop of Indian wellness services amongst international tourists would contribute to practice and theory while resurrecting the wellness tourism industry in India. © 2022 Bindiya Dutt.

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

This update covers publications from the second half of 2021 to the middle of 2022. Advances in the application of atomic spectrometry techniques to clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages are reviewed in the text, highlighting their key features. Technical details of sample collection and preparation, as well as progresses with analytical techniques are considered and three tables complement the text, summarising details of a larger spectrum of publications. During this period, the trend toward the application of multi-element techniques, such as EDXRFS, ICP-MS and LIBS continued, in particular for food authenticity studies. Triple quadrupole ICP-MS is becoming increasing popular, as it is less affected by interferences, as well as LIBS and XRF, that require minimal sample preparation. However, AAS is still considered a valid alternative for single or a limited number of elements: as in previous years, numerous pre-concentration techniques were presented, some of which explored "greener” reagents. The interest in NPs continued, both as a potential exposure risk and for their application as tags of biological materials, and led to a wider application of spICP-MS. Chromium speciation in food received more attention than usual during this period, providing evidence that the carcinogenic species CrVI was not present. A number of studies covered the application of atomic spectrometry techniques for the indirect determination of biological macromolecules, including an interesting application of LIBS for the rapid detection of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. © 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

"It's Allowed Me to Be a Lot Kinder to Myself”: Exploration of the Self-Transformative Properties of Solitude During COVID-19 Lockdowns

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) national lockdowns profoundly affected the lives of many, as significant portions of the U.K. population were involuntarily sequestered away from their usual social landscapes into newfound states of solitude. Many millennials (those between the ages of 25 and 40 at the point of study), having lived in an age of constant connection, found themselves in an extended period of solitude for the first time. The current qualitative study explores through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) how some UK millennials were able to harness the unique self-transformative properties of positive solitude during the COVID-19 national lockdowns. Analysis revealed a narrative of self-discovery, as domains of positive solitude granted the participants freedom from the demands of performative social burdens and encouraged opportunities to engage with mindfulness and meaningful introspection. These activities, within the experience of solitude, encouraged an alignment of inward beliefs and outward behaviors for the participants, thus helping them to cultivate a more congruent self-concept and subsequently a heightened sense of authenticity and enhanced psychological well-being. Clinical implications leading on from the current study highlight the importance of mindfulness and other solitude-promoting interventions as a method to ameliorate depressive symptoms and improve psychological well-being. © The Author(s) 2023.

Armchair tourism: Exploring individuals' innovative travel experience in the with-corona era

This study investigates the experiential components of armchair travelling and their effect on the armchair travelers' responses, which include perceived authenticity, destination image, and behavioral intention, by using a mixed-method approach. A total of 414 survey responses collected through an online research panel were analyzed by conducting a confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The analysis reveals that a sense of telepresence and copresence are the major factors, which generate authenticity and a positive destination image. Perceived ease of use influences building a favorable destination image, whereas self-other online interactions significantly create a sense of authenticity with the armchair travel experience. The content analysis for the qualitative data collected using an open-ended question shows that the armchair travelers gain vicarious travel experiences and resolve mental stress through armchair travelling. Based on the results, this study provides meaningful theoretical and practical implications to the armchair tourism literature and industry. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Examining public organization communication misalignments during COVID-19 through the lens of higher education

COVID-19 is forcing alterations to administrative communication. Higher education institutions transitioning online during the pandemic offers a fertile ground to analyze what happens to organizational communication within administration when the mode is primarily remote. Using a content analysis of emails and participant interviews, this work finds that while administrators intend to communicate empathy, messages fall short of fostering connection with faculty due to failing to cultivate buyin through quality feedback channels. The takeaways of this study of remote communication is that despite its mode, communication must be two way, and the authenticity of organizational communication becomes more important under pressure-filled circumstances. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)