Compulsory Vaccination of Government Employees in the Light of Domestic and International Law

COVID-19 disease has shocked the lives of developed and developing societies and has affected various aspects of individual and social life of citizens by creating devastating and irreparable effects. While everyone was counting down the hours to get treatment for the disease, the unveiling of emergency-licensed vaccines sparked a variety of social and legal issues. In Iran, according to the decision of the National Corona Management Headquarters, government employees along with some other groups of people were obliged to be vaccinated, and absenteeism was the punishment of deniers. Consequently, legal validity of these enactments has also been discussed by scholars. Clarifying the position of domestic law and international human rights regarding mandatory vaccination can have an effect on persuading citizens and whether or not to do vaccination. Central issue of the following research is the evaluation of compulsory vaccination according to the provisions of Iranian law and the rules of international human rights. Based on the library resources and in a descriptive-analytical method, it was concluded that according to the laws and regulations of Iran, the obligation to vaccinate and in particular the provision of punishment is within the competence of the Parliament and according to the Charter of Patients' Rights, they were required to provide information about the vaccine and its effects, and to monitor the health status of individuals during and after the injection. In international law, it is also possible to make specific treatments mandatory, such as vaccinations under the right to health, in order to guarantee the right to life in the event of an epidemic. In addition, although this requirement conflicts with citizens' right to privacy, international law provides for restrictions on individual rights to ensure public health, subject to conditions such as appropriateness and necessity. © 2022 Iran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.

The Need for a Paradigm Shift toward an Occupant-Centered Environmental Control Model

Office-based environmental control systems are centralized and designed to control entire spaces, ignoring use dynamics and requirements, and despite being regulated by standardized comfort models, they fail to satisfy real occupants, mainly due to their varied individual characteristics. This research is field-based with a quantitative approach and correlational design. Its objective is to empirically demonstrate that open-plan design, where different users share the same space and generalized environmental conditions, lacks a holistic view of IEQ criteria and the integration of other factors that affect health and well-being. Four buildings are chosen in different Chilean cities, measuring temperatures and CO2 levels at different desks, and applying a survey, which was designed as part of the research to analyze the estimation of relationships between variables and to reveal the factors that cause differences among occupants. The results show that people's satisfaction is multivariable and depends on other factors that positively or negatively stimulate their sensations and perceptions, such as, for example, the option to personally control their environmental conditions. Likewise, it is evident that to achieve comfort, health is being affected while in the building.

COVID‐19 intensity across U.S. states and the liquidity of U.S. equity markets: The Official Publication of the Eastern Finance Association

We study the effects of COVID‐19 intensity on equity market liquidity across U.S. states. We exploit cross‐sectional variation in cases and deaths to investigate any association with the deterioration of stock liquidity of firms whose headquarters or operations are in the corresponding state(s). Our motivation stems from several underlying economic channels such as order processing costs, inventory costs, and adverse selection costs. We find strong negative relations between pandemic intensity and various intra‐day liquidity measures. Our results are more pronounced for firms operating in states with more stringent containment and health measures and within industries with greater risk exposure.

The role of the civil protection system in supporting the healthcare system in the fight against COVID-19

The appearance of the first infected person in Croatia was a sufficient signal for the prompt reaction of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the active involvement of the Civil Protection Directorate and the entire civil protection system in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. During this long and uncertain fight against COVID-19, emphasis was placed on the activation of national and local civil protection headquarters, the establishment of the Logistic Center of the Civil Protection Directorate, the participation in setting up and equipping additional capacities for the needs of medical institutions, the distribution of vaccines and the implementation of vaccinations, timely and transparent crisis communication, continuous supervision over the implementation of measures defined in decisions and on international cooperation within the framework of civil protection. It can be said that Croatia found a way to successfully fight this global health crisis, this was greatly due to by the cooperation of national and local bodies, civil protection headquarters, expert working groups and other experts, and the citizens of the Republic of Croatia. © 2022 Hrvatski Lijecnicki Zbor. All rights reserved.

Strategic tensions in multinational corporations during global disruptions

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate strategic tensions arising between corporate headquarters (CHQs) and a subsidiary during disruptive events. Design/methodology/approach: This study adapted a case study approach combined with action research elements in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The focal company is an US information technology (IT)-company operating in Russia. Findings: During the COVID-19 pandemic, some sectors and industries, such as the IT sector, received a unique impetus for development. At the same time, our subsidiary started to develop and implement a set of measures to explore and exploit nascent business opportunities without waiting for the formal approval of "subsidiary initiatives” by the CHQs or regional headquarters (RHQs). The subsidiary was able to postpone the implementation of corporate-wide projects which it saw as not well suited to the host country market at that time. Originality/value: This study presents subsidiaries not as passive receivers of orders from CHQs or RHQs, but as active partners in the corporate management hierarchy capable to mold effectively certain corporate-wide initiatives and policies. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

COVID-19 intensity across U.S. states and the liquidity of U.S. equity markets

We study the effects of COVID-19 intensity on equity market liquidity across U.S. states. We exploit cross-sectional variation in cases and deaths to investigate any association with the deterioration of stock liquidity of firms whose headquarters or operations are in the corresponding state(s). Our motivation stems from several underlying economic channels such as order processing costs, inventory costs, and adverse selection costs. We find strong negative relations between pandemic intensity and various intra-day liquidity measures. Our results are more pronounced for firms operating in states with more stringent containment and health measures and within industries with greater risk exposure.

Explaining the role and responsibilities of the National Anti-Coronavirus Headquarters in prevention and emergency response to pandemics in the workplace: a qualitative study on COVID-19 experience in Iran.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have greatly affected the safety of life and the economy. Taking rapid measures to reduce these problems requires effective and efficient decisions by various departments and headquarters in a country. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and responsibilities of the National Anti-Corona Headquarters (NACH) in the workplace during the pandemic. METHODS: This study was a qualitative study conducted using a triangulation approach. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 18 participants with a purposive sampling technique as well as the review of related documents and records in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The inductive and deductive approach was used for the content analysis of data in the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model of the ISO45001 management system. RESULTS: Based on the results, four themes (plan, do, check, and act) were considered as the main domains. Subthemes include understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties; specific policy-making for organizations/workplaces; leadership and organizational commitment; addressing risks and opportunities; providing resources; competence of individuals and organizations; awareness; communication; information documentation; emergency response; monitoring, analyze, and evaluate performance; management review; non-compliance and corrective action; and improvement in pandemic control. CONCLUSION: To ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations to deal with pandemics, the NACH must implement these responsibilities and play a pivotal role in responding to pandemics and using the participation of other government agencies and society. The findings of this study can be useful from national to local levels.

Still in command and control? Hong Kong’s headquarters economy in the changing global and regional context

One of the defining features of being a global city is its attractiveness to transnational corporations and global business and professional service providers to set up their headquarters there. Such clustering of headquarters in global cities enhances its function of command and control of business and professional services. Upon survey data gathered by the HKSAR Government on non-local corporations' establishment of regional headquarters, regional offices, and local offices, this paper analyses Hong Kong's attractiveness and competitiveness as one of the key strategic sites for transnational corporations' coordination of business activities in Asia. We shall look at the trend of development before and after 1997. More importantly, we shall examine Hong Kong's future as an international and regional business hub in the context of the rise of China, the changing domestic conditions within the Special Administrative Region, and the impacts of COVID-19.

Guest editorial: Co-working spaces after COVID-19. The differences between sharing office spaces in urban cores and peripheral locations

[...]looking to the future, the sector will also see several new trends take root like the competition between different localities, operators prioritising offers that enhance wellbeing during working hours to satisfy the revived attention for this matter and consequent growth in demand, or companies turning to co-working spaces – or “flex” spaces – to optimise their operations within some specific or riskier sectors of the business that require a more innovative approach and working environment. [...]we consider – at least for traditional investors in commercial real estate – the growth of a real estate market for peripheral co-working spaces as a less likely scenario in the post-pandemic, unless a social value element is also attached to this type of investments. [...]the development of models such as “neighbourhood co-working”, “near working” or “commuter co-working” could represent an opportunity for those who choose to live in suburban areas.

Coronavirus: The Headquarters, Media, and Discourse of Militarization in Croatian Society

This paper aims to analyse and interpret a specific public-media discourse that was formed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic in Croatia. We traced utterances related to the covid-crises that carried war-and-military features, as a specific discourse. Selected utterances of members of The National Civil Protection Headquarters were the focal point, defined as specific communicative events that emerged within mediated communication, situated between media content production and consumption. In a wider perspective, this was related to sociocultural practices of language use, more specifically to power relations and ideology. Therefore, the theoretical frameworks of biopolitics and critical discourse analysis will be used in the analysis of defined phenomena. The articulation of war-and-military discourse in public communication had three socio-political functions: discipline;public support to the Government and its decisions;and the nation.

Cracking the hybrid work culture conundrum: how to create a strong culture across a workforce you may never even see

Purpose>The purpose of this paper is to look at how workplaces can create a healthy corporate culture as a hybrid way of working comes into force. The pandemic has made many businesses rethink their corporate culture strategy, and this study addresses how to regain and sustain a positive long-term culture. This is done by exploring aspects of pre-pandemic work life, how businesses can continue this going forward, and additional ways to ensure employees are fulfilled – all while providing a safe environment to work in.Design/methodology/approach>The author analyses pre-pandemic working culture, impartial report findings, third-party research, and her deep understanding and domain expertise in human resources (HR) to guide the reader in identifying key components of an effective corporate culture during this fast-paced, disruptive era. The study provides background context and offers three main ways on how to successfully achieve this.Findings>The findings from this study demonstrate three main ways in which HR leaders can enhance the working environment and how this can have multiple positive business outcomes. Driving and living core values from the most senior positions all the way through the workforce, changing values which are no longer fit for purpose, creating new workplace networking opportunities and recognising colleague contributions, especially during times of uncertainty, are all critical components of long-term culture success. The findings demonstrate how this is not only beneficial for a business but for the workforce too – helping retain important talent and also attracting new employees.Originality/value>The study fulfils an identified need to analyse and inform on forward-looking corporate culture trends and challenges amid the pandemic.

The NEHA Office Has Moved!

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is excited to announce the new location of the Denver office. We have moved from our suite of offices on the 10th floor to a new suite on the 1st floor of the same building. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Denver NEHA staff were working in the office 4-5 days a week, with most staff having individual offices. With the growth of the association and in anticipa...tion of the upcoming lease ending on December 31, 2021, NEHA leadership started to explore office space needs. After surveying the staff and assessing needs, it appeared that NEHA would need to find a space larger than the 12,000 ft2 it was currently using.

Global talent management and multinational subsidiaries' resilience in the Covid-19 crisis: Moderating roles of regional headquarters' support and headquarters-subsidiary friction.

Resilience is central to developing organizational capability to respond to global crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic. To date, few studies have examined the relationship between global talent management (GTM) and the organizational resilience of multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiaries during crises. This study contributes to the GTM and crisis management literature by examining the role of GTM in MNE subsidiaries' resilience during the Covid-19 crisis. Based on the sample of 166 Korean MNEs and their 1227 foreign subsidiaries, including 293 regional headquarters, operating in 49 host countries, this study shows a positive and significant impact of GTM on the resilience of Korean MNEs subsidiaries. Drawing on agency problems at the subsidiary level and bounded rationality at the headquarters level as factors that may bring about failure in TM in MNEs, as well as a core competence perspective, we shed light on the importance of the three-layered governance structure of MNEs in the analysis of GTM and MNE subsidiaries' resilience. The study has practical implications for Korean MNEs and the organizational resilience of MNEs' subsidiaries during crises more generally.