Organizational Risk Readiness, Exposure and Practices of Microfinance Institutions in Ilocos Norte: Basis for Strategic Risk Management Framework

BackgroundEvidence-based and evidence-informed interventions designed to address gaps in the HIV care continuum have the potential to improve HIV care and treatment. However, inadequate organizational readiness can derail intervention uptake, prevent the integration of interventions, and contribute to suboptimal HIV treatment outcomes. This study sought to understand organizational readiness to implement bundled interventions for Black women with HIV and inform facilitators and barriers to implementation.MethodsWe conducted a mixed methods readiness assessment across 12 sites participating in the Black Women First (BWF) initiative to gauge preparedness to implement bundled interventions. Readiness was assessed using the organizational readiness for implementing change (ORIC) scale, and two open-ended questions examined facilitators and barriers. Associations between participant and organizational level factors were evaluated using linear models with clustering by site at baseline, 6- and 12-months. Pre-implementation interviews were conducted with staff virtually and transcripts were managed in NVivo. Directed content analysis was used to explore implementation barriers and facilitators.FindingsSites demonstrated high levels of organizational readiness at baseline; overall organizational readiness for implementing change (ORIC) (mean 56.4, median 59, interquartile range [IQR] 5) and subscales of the ORIC change efficacy (mean 32.4, median 35, IQR 4), change commitment (mean 24, median 25, IQR 1), which is consistent with willingness and capability to implement bundled interventions for Black women with HIV. Organizational readiness remained high at 6- and 12-month follow-up periods. Staff role was significantly associated with organizational readiness (p = 0.007), change efficacy (p = 0.006), and change commitment (p = 0.020) at 6 months. Qualitative analysis indicated strategic planning and assessment (e.g., team coordination and the development of workflows to support implementation); organizational change through network weaving across silos within the organization, and communications systems that engage external partners, as well as resources available for hiring and training, supported readiness. Collaborative leadership and organizational buy-in, staff motivation, and partnerships facilitated implementation processes.ConclusionsOrganizations in the BWF initiative have high levels of organizational readiness reflecting willingness and capability to implement bundled interventions for Black women with HIV. Future research should examine the relationship between readiness and clinical outcomes.

Although many positive psychology interventions like mindfulness-based treatments (MBTs) for youth have been used with a wide array of risk exposed populations (children living in poverty, victims of violence, displaced persons, children with disabilities, etc.), the efficacy of MBTs with regard to the level and domain of risk exposure has been largely overlooked. This oversight contributes to a perception of positive psychology as being decontextualized. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to better understand how a young person’s level and domain of risk exposure influences the efficacy of MBTs. Published studies were included if participants were children or adolescents, were RCTs or cluster RCTs, and focused on the effect of an MBT or an MBT component. Specifically, 58 studies were qualitatively analyzed and 42 were quantitatively analyzed. The qualitative analysis evidenced a lack of objectivity in the assessment of risk exposure, with many papers providing very little or no detail on participants’ level or domain of risk exposure (whether threats to psychological wellbeing originate with the individual’s biology or cognitions, or the social, built or natural environment). Our quantitative analysis showed that MBTs significantly improved main outcomes relative to the control conditions, with a small-to-moderate effect size. Where it was possible to identify the level of risk exposure, we found that MBTs positively moderated treatment response, with better response among those participants with a higher level of risk. We conclude that future Positive Psychology research will need to better account for risk exposure if the discipline is to improve our understanding of which populations benefit most from interventions that promote mindfulness.

Introduction: Nursing is a profession whereby trained personnel (nurses) provide care for patients. Nurses are considered as the backbone of healthcare, However, during the fulfilment of their duties and responsibilities, nurses are continuously exposed to occupational dangers and risks which affect their health and nursing quality. The objective of this study was to investigate health risk perception and exposure among nurses in healthcare facilities of senatorial areas of Bayelsa state. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional survey design was adopted to investigate the health risk perception and exposure among 289 nurses in healthcare facility of central senatorial area in bayelsa state. Data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire. with a reliability coefficient of 0.70 and analyzed with the aid of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive results were presented in frequencies and percentages using tables and charts. Inferential statistics of binary logistic regression and chi-square test were employed in analyzing the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. Result: The study found that the majority of respondents had a high level of health risk perception (57.4%) and exposure (60.4%). There was no statistical significant difference found in health risk perception of the respondents based on years of work experience and educational status. Respondents in the casualty unit had higher health risk perception [OR:4.606 (95% CI= 1.487-14.265)]. Those with 6-10 years of work experience had higher health risk exposure [OR:0.012 (95% CI= 0.002-0.065)]. Respondents with B.ScN were also had higher health risk exposure [OR:1.597 (95% CI= 0.823-3.101)]. Respondents in theatre and casualty units had high health risk exposure. The result revealed that respondents in the theatre (P<0.01) and casualty (P<0.05) units did significantly exhibited high level of health risk exposure. The odds ratio revealed that respondents in theatre are 0.123 times had high health risk exposure while respondents in the casualty unit are 0.050 times exhibited high level of health risk exposure. Conclusion: The study concluded that nurses are aware of the health risks they can be exposed to in the course of carrying out their duties, hence the need to encourage them to ensure adherence to safety and protection measures to reduce health risks exposures. The study recommended that hospital management of various health care institutions should provide adequate and complete PPE, to encourage safety practices and reduce occupational health risks.

Erratum: Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (The Lancet (2018) 392(10159) (1923–1994), (S0140673618322256), (10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32225-6))

Objectives To identify the risk exposure level of nursing tasks and explore the association with ergonomic factors such as biomechanical, organisational, psychosocial, and environmental job factors. Also, the association among the risk exposure level of nursing tasks among nurses with the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), activity limitation, and physician visits for the past 12 months were analysed. Methods In phase one, 68 registered nurses (median age: 33.5 years, females: 89.70%, males: 10.20%) completed the standardised Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) and ErgoEnf questionnaire on ergonomic risk factors. In phase two, 25 participants were observed at inpatient care using the workplace ergonomic risk assessment tool (WERA) to profile the risk exposure levels during nursing tasks. Results In the patient repositioning task, 24% of the nurses scored low, 76% scored medium-risk exposure level, and none of the nurses obtained a high-risk exposure level. Biomechanical, environmental, and organisational factors were significantly associated with risk exposure levels (p < .05), while no association was found with the psychosocial factors. Conclusions This study showed a significant association between nursing task-specific risk-exposure scores, ergonomic risk factors and the prevalence of WMDs. The risk exposure scores were significantly associated with the reported WMSDs of the lower back, neck, and hip/thigh regions; these prevented normal activities at least once in the last 12 months. Possible interventions are discussed in the realms of human factors framework.

Operational risk has been receiving increasing attention, both in academic research and in practice. We discuss ways of quantifying operational risk with a specific focus on manufacturing companies. In line with interpretations that depict the operations of a company using material, financial and information flows, we extend the idea of overlaying the three flows with risk flow to assess operational risk. We demonstrate the application of the risk flow concept by discussing a case study with a consumer goods company.We implemented the model in six phases using discrete-event and Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Results from the simulation are evaluated to show how specific parameter changes affect the level of operational risk exposure for this company. Inventory as a means of risk mitigation in the network is discussed and results are presented.

The current study investigated how risk exposures, risk perceptions of COVID-19, and negative attitudes toward general vaccination were related to COVID vaccine acceptance among college students. Cross-sectional study. Data was collected by online survey using RedCap among college students in South Carolina between September 2020 and October 2020. 1062 college students in South Carolina. risk exposures to COVID-19, perceived severity of COVID-19, perceived susceptibility of COVID-19, negative attitude toward general vaccination, vaccine acceptance of COVID-19. Hierarchical linear regression was used to examine the association of these factors with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance controlling for key demographics. Perceived severity of COVID-19 was positively associated with vaccine acceptance (ß = 0.19, p < 0.001). Higher level of risk exposures (ß = -0.08, p = 0.007) and negative attitude toward general vaccination (ß = -0.38, p < 0.001) were associated with low vaccine acceptance. We need tailored education messages for college students to emphasize the severity of COVID-19, address the concerns of side effects of general vaccines by dispelling the misconception, and target the most vulnerable subgroups who reported high level of risk exposures while showed low intention to take the vaccine.

This study investigates how disclosure of the board of directors’ leadership and role in risk oversight (BODs oversight disclosure) influences investors’ judgments when information on risk exposures is disclosed. The theoretical lens through which we examine this issue involves negativity bias. Sixty-two stock market investors who engage in the evaluation and/or investment of stocks on a regular or professional basis participated in our study. Our results reveal that the addition of BODs oversight disclosure (positive information) does not carry significant weight on investor judgments (i.e., attractiveness and investment) when financial statement disclosures indicate a high level of operational and financial risk exposures (negative information). In contrast, under the condition of a low level of risk exposures, BODs oversight disclosure causes investors to assess higher risk in terms of worry, catastrophic potentials and unfamiliarity about risk information and, in turn, make less favorable investor judgments. Our findings add to the literature on negativity bias and contribute to the debate on the usefulness of disclosures about risk.

Commercial banks in Pakistan are confronted by increasing market volatility, regulatory challenges, and rapid technological changes. Each of these is a financial stability and adaptiveness forgoer, and further explanation is needed regarding how organizational readiness and digital financial innovation will enhance financial resilience. Therefore, the study aims to examine the impact of Organizational Readiness (OR) on Financial Resilience (FR) in the commercial banks of Pakistan. Additionally, the study investigate the mediating role of Digital Financial Innovation (DFI) between OR, and FR for the target population. In order to achieve the aims of the study, the data was collected from managerial employees of commercial banks in Pakistan using self-administrative surveys. The researcher used Partial Least Squares (PLS) method of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) for testing the hypothesis of the study. The findings indicate that OR (change valences, change efficacy, and contextual factors) has a substantial influence on FR. In Pakistan’s banking sector, DFI mediates between OR and FR. The study concludes that organizational readiness comprising change valences, change efficacy, and contextual factors makes a significant addition towards financial resiliency improvement in commercial banks of Pakistan. This study further portrays that the proposed relationship mediates with the inclusion of digital financial innovation, which underpins the decisive role of technology in bridging organizational readiness and financial stability in the evolving financial environment. The findings provide theoretical implications as per Organizational Readiness theory as well as practical implications for the banking sector of Pakistan. The findings are specific to the financial industry in Pakistan. For greater generalizability, future research might conduct cross-national studies

BackgroundMedical societies around the world are exploring strategies to reduce their carbon footprint. In this context, organizational readiness can serve as an important facilitator for the success of change. In this study we assessed whether a series of educational interventions improved anesthesia departments’ organizational readiness for climate change mitigation.MethodsAnesthesiologists at three German university hospitals were asked to complete a survey on their departments’ organizational readiness for climate change mitigation before and after an educational intervention bundle featuring lectures, posters and stickers was conducted. The second survey included additional questions about the use of climate-friendly low-flow and minimal-flow techniques.ResultsA total of 422 questionnaires were completed, 256 of them prior to the interventions. Most participants noticed the interventions and mostly rated them as “good” or “rather good”. We found high overall levels of organizational readiness. Agreement to statements in the subcategories of cultural and staff readiness increased from a low baseline level. Participants reported an increased use of minimal-flow techniques (51.6% vs. 66.3% endotracheal tube) and of low-flow techniques (41.0% vs. 57.8% laryngeal mask) during inhalational anesthesia.ConclusionFollowing our educational intervention bundle, organizational readiness at the participating institutions increased and a reduction in consumption of volatile anesthetics was reported. Pending proof of causality, these results encourage further exploration and the application of educational interventions on climate change mitigation in anesthesiology.Graphic abstractSupplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00101-025-01590-x) contains the questionnaire, the detailed results, and an overview of the interventions. Please scan the QR code.

This chapter introduces risk aversion, a departure from previous assumptions of risk-neutrality. It models risk aversion by representing expected payoffs as a "good" and risk exposure as a "bad," a more general approach than restricting it solely to diminishing marginal utility of income. The chapter explores how various costly actions or policies, including linear taxes proportional to realized income, can function as forms of insurance to reduce an individual's level of risk exposure. Problems in this chapter illustrate how risk aversion influences individual choices, such as a farmer's harvest strategy or a student's education path. They also address the societal implications of risk, particularly in the context of financing public goods like education. The chapter demonstrates that egalitarian redistribution, through linear taxes and lump-sum transfers, can paradoxically decrease risk exposure and thereby increase risk-taking, even with constant or decreasing absolute risk aversion, challenging the notion of an "equality-efficiency trade-off".

This study determined the effects of the products and services of Microfinance Institutions on the economic development of their members in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The descriptive correlational research design was adopted using a survey questionnaire to gather data. A total of 603 respondents were involved. They were taken from the members of two Microfinance Institutions (CARD Bank Inc. and ASA Philippines Foundation Inc.,) in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Philippines who have been a member for at least two years. The study was delimited into the top three barangays with the most members which are composed of Barangays Parut, Alejo Malasig, and Pedro F. Alviar. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, Chi-square test, and Pearson r of correlation were used to analyze and interpret the data gathered. The following were the highlights of the findings of the study. The MFIs are giving their members quality products offered on loan applications and loan features as manifested by a very satisfied and satisfied rating of their members, respectively, as it is significantly and positively related to their economic development. The MFI members’ economic development in terms of financial, personal, and business status are significantly and highly related to their level of satisfaction with the customer services offered by the MFIs. The MFI’s services offered have met the satisfaction level of their members as expressed by a rating of very satisfied and satisfied on customer service and non-financial services, respectively. It was recommended that: On the part of Microfinance Institutions, they should consider the financial status of their members in terms of the reasonable service fee, and allow repayment and reasonable penalties for nonpayment/default to lessen their burden on their expenses, microfinance institutions should also conduct community development projects in different municipalities to increase their members' economic development, and microfinance institutions should provide business training to improve or expand their members’ business strategies. On the part of the members, they should pay their payments on time and actively participate in the activities of the MFIs. On the part of future researchers, they may also conduct studies in other places that offer products and services of Microfinance Institutions, they may also consider other variables, such as their incentives and benefits.

Asset ownership is a significant cost to Fremantle Ports and developing a best practice strategic asset management (SAM) framework that provides a simple, logical and innovative approach for optimising the whole of life cycle cost of asset delivery in meeting the agreed levels of service and risk exposure has been a corporate priority over the past years. With the development and implementation of the SAM framework well underway, Fremantle Ports now focuses on the integration of asset management practices across the business, from operational through to tactical and strategic planning. A pilot project has been proposed to assess and improve asset management practices across one of Fremantle Ports’, most critical asset classes, the wharves and jetties. This paper reviews the findings and challenges of this project and the various tools that were developed, including a life cycle cost model. This model is based on asset condition and related deterioration curves that allow for the estimation of remaining life. In addition, the model enables the selection of most cost effective rehabilitation strategies while considering risk profile and available funding, assisting Fremantle Ports in optimising the decision making process by providing an actual and an optimised life cycle cost plan.

Asset ownership is a significant cost to Fremantle Ports and developing a best practice strategic asset management (SAM) framework that provides a simple, logical and innovative approach for optimising the whole of life cycle cost of asset delivery in meeting the agreed levels of service and risk exposure has been a corporate priority over the past years. With the development and implementation of the SAM framework well underway, Fremantle Ports now focuses on the integration of asset management practices across the business, from operational through to tactical and strategic planning. A pilot project has been proposed to assess and improve asset management practices across one of Fremantle Ports' most critical asset classes, the wharves and jetties. This paper reviews the findings and challenges of this project and the various tools that were developed, including a life cycle cost model. This model is based on asset condition and related deterioration curves that allow for the estimation of remaining life. In addition, the model enables the selection of most cost effective rehabilitation strategies while considering risk profile and available funding, assisting Fremantle Ports in optimising the decision making process by providing an actual and an optimised life cycle cost plan.

Determinants of commodity price risk exposure in the restaurant industry: An analysis by commodity price cycles