Management Activities Research Articles

Abrupt physico-chemical changes in the limnology of Pyrenean mountain lakes necessitate urgent management actions

Mountain lakes are rare ecological niches supporting unique species assemblages and are important sources of safe drinking water for wildlife, livestock and humans. Located at high altitude, these lakes are vulnerable to environmental stressors such as climate or land-use change, impacting their ecosystem functions. However, although trends in water temperature and physico-chemical composition have been fairly well studied in large mountain lakes, the same cannot be said for small- to medium-sized shallow lakes. Here, using measurements of the water chemistry of 25 Pyrenean mountain lakes and temperature records for 14 of them, we show that the environmental conditions which prevail in their littoral zones have undergone rapid changes between 2007 and 2023. Over this 16-year period, we found that, on average, the duration of the ice-cover period decreased by 58.35 days, and the average annual water temperature rose by 1.65 °C. We also found a significant overall decrease in pH, total organic carbon and nitrogen, as well as a significant increase in hardness and dissolved potassium. Our results demonstrate rapid abiotic environmental alterations in mountain lakes, with potential negative implications for humans, wildlife, livestock and ecosystem functioning. Likely consequences include declines in aquatic biodiversity, a degradation in the quality of drinking water and increased health risks from harmful algal blooms. Policy must urgently acknowledge the impacts of global change in mountains in order to take the necessary management actions.

Telecoaching and Migraine: Digital Approach to Physical Activity in Migraine Management. A Scoping Review

Telecoaching and Migraine: Digital Approach to Physical Activity in Migraine Management. A Scoping Review

Spatio-temporal pollution assessment of Kulfo River using CCME-WQI and pollution tolerance index by benthic macroinvertebrates, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.

In developing nations, the biggest threat to public health is the quality of the water. The Kulfo River provides the majority demand of the domestic water and irrigation along its course; however, it is observed that wastes from anthropogenic and natural activities enter the river. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the pollution status by integrating conventional methods with benthic macroinvertebrates. One hundred twenty samples were collected for 15 water quality parameters from five sampling sites during dry and rainy events. The mean concentration of DO, TSS, BOD5, COD, ortho-phosphate, and turbidity did not meet the standard limits in five sampling sites during the rainy season. Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from the left, middle, and right sides of the river for each sampling site and examined using the Benthos Biomonitoring Protocol Network Manual. CCME index and PTI index of benthic macroinvertebrates were used to examine the pollution status of the river. According to CCME index result, S2 (39.79), S3 (38.90), and S4 (37.71) are classified under poor pollution status during the rainy season and S1 (92.13) and S5 (95.70) are categorized as good and excellent pollution status in the dry season, respectively. On the contrary, based on the PTI index result, S2 (7.0), S3 (9.0), S4 (9.0), and S5 (9.0) are classified under poor pollution status during the rainy season, whereas S2 (14.0), S3 (10.0), and S4 (15.0) are categorized under fair, and sampling sites S1 (21.0) and S5 (20.0) have good pollution status in the dry season. Based on study findings, the Kulfo River is contaminated by pollutant intrusion, resulting in a decrease in its quality. Therefore, management of solid, liquid, runoff, and domestic activities is critical in upstream tributaries and Arba Minch town to prevent river water quality deterioration.

Engagement With an Internet-Administered, Guided, Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Parents of Children Treated for Cancer: Analysis of Log-Data From the ENGAGE Feasibility Trial.

Parents of children treated for cancer may experience psychological difficulties including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Digital interventions, such as internet-administered cognitive behavioral therapy, offer an accessible and flexible means to support parents. However, engagement with and adherence to digital interventions remain a significant challenge, potentially limiting efficacy. Understanding factors influencing user engagement and adherence is crucial for enhancing the acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy of these interventions. We developed an internet-administered, guided, low-intensity cognitive behavioral therapy (LICBT)-based self-help intervention for parents of children treated for cancer, (EJDeR [internetbaserad självhjälp för föräldrar till barn som avslutat en behandling mot cancer or internet-based self-help for parents of children who have completed cancer treatment]). EJDeR included 2 LICBT techniques-behavioral activation and worry management. Subsequently, we conducted the ENGAGE feasibility trial and EJDeR was found to be acceptable and feasible. However, intervention adherence rates were marginally under progression criteria. This study aimed to (1) describe user engagement with the EJDeR intervention and examine whether (2) sociodemographic characteristics differed between adherers and nonadherers, (3) depression and anxiety scores differed between adherers and nonadherers at baseline, (4) user engagement differed between adherers and nonadherers, and (5) user engagement differed between fathers and mothers. We performed a secondary analysis of ENGAGE data, including 71 participants. User engagement data were collected through log-data tracking, for example, communication with e-therapists, homework submissions, log-ins, minutes working with EJDeR, and modules completed. Chi-square tests examined differences between adherers and nonadherers and fathers and mothers concerning categorical data. Independent-samples t tests examined differences regarding continuous variables. Module completion rates were higher among those who worked with behavioral activation as their first LICBT module versus worry management. Of the 20 nonadherers who opened the first LICBT module allocated, 30% (n=6) opened behavioral activation and 70% (n=14) opened worry management. No significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics were found. Nonadherers who opened behavioral activation as the first LICBT module allocated had a significantly higher level of depression symptoms at baseline than adherers. No other differences in depression and anxiety scores between adherers and nonadherers were found. Minutes working with EJDeR, number of log-ins, days using EJDeR, number of written messages sent to e-therapists, number of written messages sent to participants, and total number of homework exercises submitted were significantly higher among adherers than among nonadherers. There were no significant differences between fathers and mothers regarding user engagement variables. Straightforward techniques, such as behavioral activation, may be well-suited for digital delivery, and more complex techniques, such as worry management, may require modifications to improve user engagement. User engagement was measured behaviorally, for example, through log-data tracking, and future research should measure emotional and cognitive components of engagement. ISRCTN Registry 57233429; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN57233429.

Help wanted: attracting and keeping retail employees in today’s competitive market

PurposePersonnel, particularly frontline employees, represent the face of retailers and help promote the brand, enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction through positive interactions. This research examines retailing versus non-retailing marketing positions to uncover factors that can increase job satisfaction in retail: work environment factors, job characteristics and psychological factors. These factors allow for a holistic view of today’s competitive market that addresses human motivation theory and reveals important insights for attracting and retaining retail talent who can provide compelling, positive experiences for customers.Design/methodology/approachSurvey research provided the means to collect data and compare retailing versus non-retailing marketing positions. A paid online panel of 2,334 marketing and retail professionals yielded 659 completed surveys. To capture workplace experience of retailers and other marketing professionals, the study measured work environment factors (compensation, customers, recognition received, supervisor support and co-workers), job characteristics (performance feedback, power and control, work variety, autonomy and altruistic opportunity) and psychological factors (job stress, work overload, role conflict and job burnout).FindingsThe findings suggest that job characteristics, psychological outcomes, organizational factors, family support and altruistic opportunity affect retail employee satisfaction. These findings offer actionable responses for retailers in their quest to attract and retain retail employees in today’s competitive job market and, in turn, enrich the customer experience journey.Research limitations/implicationsCompetition for the best marketing people to work in retail and avoiding negative interactions between retail employees and customers can be expected to increase brand competitiveness. This research was based on survey responses of individuals in marketing positions suggesting individuals that care about their marketing careers. This research has implications for marketing leadership with regard to critical issues of today’s retail personnel. There is an opportunity to make a difference. Without highly satisfied employees, retail will continue to face challenges in finding and keeping individuals who enhance the customer journey and promote desirable brand experiences. Research consistently shows that when job characteristics, satisfiers and stress are negative aspects of the job, people shift to other jobs that provide more personal career fulfillment (Leider et al., 2016; Stamolampros et al., 2019). Even carefully executed digital marketing, strategic data analytics, aesthetics and promotions cannot drive customers to become raving fans of a retail brand without satisfied employees. Retail personnel are critical as they represent the brand and have a significant impact on the customer experience. With limited resources available to retail management, a priority could be in recruiting and training managers to attract and retain the best retail workers and improve the customer experience. Creating positive customer connections is critical in retail.Practical implicationsPractically, this research provides insight into specific areas that need strategic management action to make retail more appealing.Originality/valueThe study provides an overview and comparison of the key aspects of job satisfaction in retail marketing positions compared with non-retail marketing positions.

Modelling Water Management using SWAT+ : Application of Reservoirs Release Tables and the New Water Allocation Module in a Highly Managed River Basin

Abstract Incorporating the simulation of water management actions in hydrological models is paramount to enhance their reliability and usefulness. SWAT + (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) includes novelties in this aspect compared to its previous versions: the decision tables and the water allocation module provide enhanced capabilities for configuring management actions. Despite their potential, these features have not yet been applied due to their novelty. This study pioneers the use of SWAT + ’s new features applied in the Upper Tagus River Basin, a densely populated and highly regulated catchment. Irrigation, reservoir management, and various kinds of water transfers were incorporated in a SWAT + model of this basin. The implementation of management actions and their impact on the model performance were evaluated. The model accurately reproduced water demand for irrigation and water transfers, capturing both the demand volume and timing. The water sources were configured to meet most of the demand, with 73% of irrigation and 90% of water transfer requirements being satisfied. Release decision tables were configured for 31 reservoirs, resulting in an accurate simulation of outflow and storage in many of them. Incorporating management actions improved the streamflow simulation at the basin outlet, both considering the hydrograph and performance metrics (e.g., PBIAS was reduced by more than 50%). Some potential improvements in the model configuration and in the code were identified and will be addressed in future studies. This work provides a comprehensive guide to SWAT + ’s new features and the methodology employed, making it valuable for anyone working with the model.

Regulation and Organisation of Housing Management Activities in Germany, Poland and Latvia

Abstract Multi-dwelling buildings are one of the essential infrastructural elements of a residential area. Therefore, qualitative and professional management of such real estate is of importance. The insufficient investment into maintenance and improvement of housing is stated in Latvian policy planning documents as one of the most significant problems, causing risks for achieving the goal of compliance of the housing fund with energy efficiency, construction, safety and amenity standards. The article examines the main aspects of management of residential buildings, identifies the related risks and offers solutions for their prevention. The article aims at emphasising the significance of building maintenance and exploring management processes of residential buildings in Latvia, Poland and Germany, making a comparison that helps to understand the housing management regulation and organisational approach in each country and identify their common and differing features. In the course of the research, the authors of the article review the sources on management activities of residential buildings, identify and assess the management process risks and make a comparative analysis of housing management processes in Latvia, Poland and Germany. Information regarding the housing management field of the countries examined in the article has been obtained by summarising and analysing the policy documents and regulatory enactments, as well as by interviewing Latvian, Polish and German experts. When analysing the obtained results, conclusions have been made with regards to political responsibility, legal regulation and professional competence requirements in the field of housing management.

Unveiling the digital future: perspectives of Hungarian physicians under 35 years old on eHealth solutions

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the emergence of digital solutions in all areas of medicine. Our prior study on the digital health related experiences and opinions of Hungarian physicians highlights the crucial role of age in shaping attitudes towards digital health solutions among medical doctors. Our aim was to examine how under 35-year-old Hungarian physicians relate to digital technologies, the advantages and disadvantages they perceive, and how they would like to incorporate these technologies into their everyday medical practice.MethodsAs part of the “E-physicians and E-patients in Hungary” study, we conducted an online representative survey among medical practitioners in Hungary between July 2021 and May 2022 (n = 1,774). The main target group of our research were physicians under 35 years of age: n = 399 (25.3%). Besides descriptive statistical analyses, cluster analysis and binary logistic regression were applied to analyse the digital health related attitudes of the young age group.ResultsOur cluster analysis confirmed that younger doctors perceived more advantages (on average 7.07 items vs. 8.52 items) and disadvantages (on average 4.06 vs. 4.42) of digital health solutions. They also demonstrated greater familiarity with (8.27 vs. 9.79) and use of (1.94 vs. 2.66) a broader spectrum of technologies. Proficiency and active utilization of diverse technologies correlates with a more comprehensive understanding of both pros and cons, as well as a more realistic self-assessment of areas of further improvement. Doctors under 35 years express a notable demand for significantly increased incentives, both in terms of knowledge transfer/training and infrastructure incentives. Multivariate analyses revealed that young doctors, compared to their older counterparts, perceived enhanced patient adherence as one of the greatest benefits of digital health solutions. Additionally, young doctors expect that digital health solutions could reduce burnout.ConclusionOur results underscore the inevitable transformation of the 21st-century physician role: the success of digital health solutions hinges on active patient involvement and management, which requires proper patient education and professional support in navigating the digital space. Digital health solutions can be a bridge between different generations of doctors, where young people can help their older colleagues navigate the digital world.

Export volume trends and the conservation status of commonly targeted ornamental fishes from Malawi

Abstract The export of ornamental fishes from Malawi has received limited attention regarding its sustainability or the conservation status of any threatened species involved in this trade. To identify any species that require specific management actions, we used a negative binomial regression model to examine the relationship between the number of exported fish and year of export, adjusted for fish prices and the number of fish exporters. We also examined the correlation between export volume trends and the conservation status of fish species. We identified three groups of fish species based on their export volume trends: species with no trends, with decreasing trends and with increasing trends. There was no significant correlation between export volume trends and the conservation status of fish species. The export volume trends of individual species appear to be related to the number of exporters, price and, potentially, anthropogenic factors affecting fish populations. Based on our findings we recommend the inclusion of ornamental fishery management issues in a revised Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy. This should include strategies to control overexploitation of species with declining export volume trends, and conservation of threatened species and a ban on their export. We recommend further research to establish the population status of the exploited fish species and to identify any other factors linked to the volume trends of ornamental fish exports.

Exploring Knowledge Management Practices and Implementation Barri-ers in Sri Lankan IT Projects

Knowledge is a critical asset in an organization. IT projects are purely knowledge base pro-jects. It is important to practicing knowledge management within IT projects to capture, store and review knowledge created while doing the project. The level of Knowledge Management parties within IT projects is unknown and what are the barriers to implement knowledge man-agement within the IT projects is known in Sri Lanka. Further what are the prerequisite need to establish to make the successful knowledge management within IT projects is unknown in Sri Lanka. A qualitative research approach uses in this research and data collected using structured interviews from 15 IT project managers. The data collected from completed IT projects in telecommunication industry. The code matching method use to analyze the data. The results reveal that the level of knowledge management practicing within IT projects is low. Further main barriers to implement knowledge management are, limitation of time, ad-ditional resources required for knowledge management activities, project culture, lack of lead-ership and project organization. When considering the prerequisites to implement knowledge management within IT project environment, it is revealed that designate a knowledge manag-ers role in IT project organization and assign responsibility to capture and manage the knowledge will support to successful knowledge management within IT projects. Further it reveals that when removing barriers to implement knowledge management practices and im-plementing prerequisites will increase the level of project knowledge management practices within IT projects, at the same time it affected the project cost and project timelines. Hence when addressing the barriers to implement knowledge management and addressing prerequi-sites, project managers need to mindful not to compromise the project management perfor-mance.

Current Status of Pulsatilla patens in Latvia—Population Size, Demographic and Seed Viability Indicators, Soil Parameters and Their Relationships

Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. (Eastern pasque flower) is classified as a highly endangered and declining species in Europe. The present research assessed the current status of P. patens in Latvia by collecting data on its distribution in historical places, Natura 2000 territories, and other areas, largely covering the entire country. We aimed to analyze the relationships between P. patens populations size, demographic indicators, and soil parameters, in order to gain knowledge on the impact of local ecological factors and optimal growth conditions, which are important for conservation and potential reintroduction. Although P. patens was not detected in more than a third of the surveyed 624 locations, more than 18 thousand individuals were recorded. Our results indicate that optimal growth conditions for P. patens occurred near highways, forest roads, and paths, that is, in places with reduced competition from other species and improved lighting conditions. The seed viability ranging from 22% to 62% can be considered potentially sufficient for the continuation of the species if enough flowering plants and moss-free spaces for germination are maintained. Although P. patens tolerates a broad soil pH range, in Latvia this species mainly grows in acidic sandy soils with an average pHKCl of 4.07. The soil parameters that most strongly positively correlated with P. patens regional population size and performance included higher soil pH level and plant available nutrient content, particularly P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and B. Increased soil P and Mn levels significantly enhanced flowering, while high organic matter content could be associated with reduced population sizes. Despite its still large current population, long-term risks remain without active management. Conservation measures, such as creating open soil areas, where vegetation is removed and shading is reduced, are necessary to mitigate population decline.

Electroactive Dressing with Selective Sorption of Exudate Enables Treatment of Complicated Wound

AbstractExudate management and cell activity enhancement are vital to complicated wound healing. However, current exudate management dressings indiscriminately remove exudate, which is detrimental to cell activity enhancement. Herein, a novel class of electroactive bilayer (cMO/PVA) dressing is developed by constructing manganese oxide nanoneedle‐clusters decorated commercial carbon cloth (MO), in situ casting polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel, and finally charging. Benefitting from the hierarchical nanoneedle‐cluster structure of MO, abundant active sites are sufficiently exposed to achieve high area‐specific capacitances (e.g., 1881.3 mF cm−2), thereby establishing the long‐lasting electric field for cMO/PVA dressing. Such a unique cMO/PVA dressing can realize extraordinary selective sorption toward noxious substances over nutrient substances during exudate management. Meanwhile, its long‐term electrical stimulation therapy can promote cell proliferation and migration and enhance antibacterial property. As a result, our multifunctional cMO/PVA dressing can rapidly repair full‐thickness wounds in type II diabetic rats, offering an advanced strategy for the treatment of complicated wounds.

ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ЕЛЕКТРОННИХ СОЦІАЛЬНИХ МЕРЕЖ ДЛЯ ФОРМУВАННЯ УПРАВЛІНСЬКОЇ КУЛЬТУРИ МАЙБУТНІХ ЕКОНОМІСТІВ

The article reveals the system of views concerning the problem of training of future economists in the context of managerial activity in the higher educational establishments. The effectiveness of information technologies use, including electronic social networks, in future economists’ educational process has been analyzed. The proportion of teaching staff which use information technologies to form a managerial culture of future economists was found out. The results of students’ questionnaire concerning the social network «VKontakte» are represented. The expedience for creating an internet-club of managerial mastery to form the managerial culture of future economists has been substantiated.

Development Trajectories of Two Industrial Regions in the EU Due to Different Transformation Paths—The Silesian Voivodeship in Poland and North Rhine–Westphalia in Germany

This article compares the socio-economic development of the two industrial EU regions, the Silesian Voivodeship Poland and the Düsseldorf District in North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany, in the last 20 years of the 21st century. The Ninth Cohesion Report, the EU Regional Competitiveness Index 2.0, and the two concepts of the regional development trap and just transition in the EU were used. It investigated whether the applied EU regional policy, cohesion policy, had the expected effect of strengthening sustainable growth in the regions. This article aims to compare development trajectories, identify development traps and barriers, consider the just transition in the analyzed regions, and provide recommendations for regional policy. Those heavily industrialized regions must respond to the demographic challenges of labor shortages and an aging population. In the case of the Silesia region, the indicated course of action includes labor activation of women and migration management. For both regions, improving productivity is the key. The vital economic challenges include: for the Silesian Voivodeship—strengthening innovation; for the Düsseldorf region—maintaining innovation momentum and increasing resilience. Developing skills that meet industries’ needs is essential. Regarding social cohesion, the Silesia region should focus on equality measures. On the other hand, the Düsseldorf region should strengthen social protection against poverty.

(In)completing Accounting: Financial Managers and Quality Reforms in the Danish Health System

This study investigates the way that managers operating in the Danish health system encounter, make sense of, and enact a series of different reforms equipping and encouraging them to attend to and improve the quality of medical care. Our attention focuses on the conditions under which managers are enabled to perceive the incompleteness of the accounting systems and metrics, which shape and are shaped by how the reforms are enacted and what they ultimately mean in practice. On this basis we offer novel insights into the process we refer to as incompleting accounting, which we show involves and relates to managerial actions and intentions, and design characteristics of the accounting systems themselves. Illuminating the relationship between incompleting accounting at the level of practice, and completing quality at the level of policy, also allows us to provide a normative assessment of the different quality improvement regimes. Finally, we contribute to debates about the breaking down of distinctions between medical and managerial forms of knowledge and action, highlighting among other things a new direction of hybridization brought about as an indirect effect of accounting for quality.

Drivers of amphibian species richness in European ponds

Amphibians are commonly occurring inhabitants of most lentic freshwater ecosystems, yet their global populations are in alarming decline. Ponds in particular play a crucial role in supporting amphibian biodiversity. In this study, we identified the main drivers influencing amphibian species richness by conducting a comprehensive ecological characterization in 201 ponds across seven European countries spanning a large latitudinal and longitudinal gradient. The amphibian species richness in each of these ponds was assessed using environmental DNA metabarcoding on water samples. The relative influence of climatic, local abiotic and biotic, and land use variables on variation in species richness across ponds was quantified using boosted regression trees. Our results suggest that local factors, particularly chlorophyll‐a concentration, but also pond area and depth, are the main drivers of amphibian richness, together with climatic variables such as annual mean precipitation and temperature. The highest richness was observed in low‐nutrient, fishless, intermediate‐sized, shallow ponds, located in warmer regions with higher precipitation rates. These potential drivers of amphibian richness should be considered in the planning and implementation of amphibian conservation and management actions.

Behavioral Profiling in Zebrafish Identifies Insecticide-Related Compounds.

Pesticides, including insecticides, are indispensable for large-scale agriculture. Modulating chloride ion channels has proven highly successful as a mode of action (MoA) for insect management. Identifying new ligands for these channels affords opportunities for the potential development of new insecticide products. We discovered an unexpected behavioral response in larval zebrafish exposed to endosulfan, a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channel modulator. At low concentrations, endosulfan increased zebrafish motor activity under strobing blue or green light stimuli. Using this distinct behavioral phenotype as a proxy for similar modes of action, we screened over 9,000 compounds and identified several structurally diverse hits that phenocopied endosulfan's effects in vivo. Nine selected hits were tested in an in vitro GABA receptor (GABAR) oocyte assay, confirming that certain compounds block Drosophila GABAR activation. Subsequent in vivo insect assays revealed that one of these GABAR antagonists showed insecticidal activity against the Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), which is a commercially important pest of corn. Our findings demonstrate a new approach for identifying GABAR-targeting insecticides through behavior-based screening in zebrafish.

Indigenous Knowledge on Shifting Cultivation and Sustainable Agriculture

Indigenous knowledge on shifting mountainous farm management of Arfak farmers is the original culture of Arfak people, held firm passed down to generations. This can be seen in the agricultural activities of Arfak farmers who are still applying indigenous knowledge to this day. Modernization can affect the existence and can also be a threat to the indigenous knowledge of Arfak farmers. The low level of education of farmers, the oral transfer of indigenous knowledge and the absence of written documentation of indigenous knowledge are the causes of indigenous knowledge being swept away in the flow of modernization. Apart from that, the existence of indigenous knowledge is increasingly threatened by the development of plantations and urban areas. Especially the increasing demand for land for plantations, infrastructure, settlements and mining. Based on data from the West Papua Agriculture Service, in 2017 plantation development reached 53,806 ha and mining reached 89,256 ha in the Arfak Mountains. Agricultural modernization and industrialization will certainly reduce shifting cultivation and the value of indigenous knowledge. The high biodiversity makes Arfak Mountains a conservation area and makes this region a center of highland vegetable production in West Papua. In 2021, agricultural sector contributed 33.61% to growth Arfak Mountains Gross Regional Domestic Product. This study aims to describe how Arfak farmers apply their indigenous knowledge, namely the concept of igya ser hanjob in managing land to support sustainable agricultural activities. This research uses qualitative approach with inductive methods and case study techniques to document the knowledge and experience Arfak farmers selected with the snowball technique. Data was collected through interviews and observations. This study found that sustainable land management in agricultural activities is based on the ecological concept of the Arfak people, namely igya ser hanjob. This concept regulates appropriate management areas for agriculture and ensures environment sustainability and family food. This ecological concept was socialized for generations Arfak farming family. However, in reality there is a threat of landslides in agricultural areas due to socio-economic and ecological changes in mountainous farming are of Arfak community.

Oyster reef recovery: Impacts of rotational management and restoration efforts on public fishing grounds.

Coastal ecosystems are degraded worldwide and oyster reefs are among the most threatened coastal habitats. Oysters are a critical ecosystem engineer and valuable fishery species, thus effective management strategies must balance tradeoffs between protecting reef ecosystems and continued human use. Management practices for oysters commonly incorporate shell replenishment (provisioning hard substrates to increase reef relief) and spatial management (rotational harvest areas or sanctuaries); however, the impact of these practices on reef dynamics and fisheries outcomes are poorly understood, particularly on harvested reefs. This project examines the efficacy of shell replenishment and spatial management practices on public fishing grounds by analyzing long term datasets available for the Rappahannock River in the Chesapeake Bay, USA. Using generalized linear mixed effects models, we examine how oyster reef metrics (brown shell substrate L m-2, recruit density m-2, market density m-2) and fisheries efficiency (meeting daily bushel harvest limit or not) respond to management actions. Our results indicate that a 3y rotation maintains the underlying reef structure, enhances recruitment, and increases market sized oyster density by 1.23 oysters m-2 on average. Sanctuaries and harvested reefs had comparable brown shell and recruit density; however, sanctuaries had higher market oyster density on average. Shell replenishment practices directly enhanced harvester efficiency, particularly in harvest areas with poor reef condition. Our results indicate that low levels of replenishment (∼1000 bushels acre-1) provide substantial benefits to oyster reefs and the fishery. This study is the first to evaluate the marginal benefits of replenishment activities for biological and fisheries outcomes, and a novel, real world assessment for oyster restoration practices on public fishing grounds. Cumulatively, our findings show that spatial management and replenishment practices enhance oyster reefs in temperate estuaries and offers a framework applicable to other degraded ecosystems worldwide.

Talent Management Effectiveness in Vietnamese State-Owned Banks

In the constantly changing digital context, state-owned commercial banks have implemented positive changes in their human resource development strategies. To meet the government's objectives for human resource development in the banking field, it is crucial to explore current talent management practices and assess their effectiveness in this industry. This study addresses the identified gap based on the objectives of reviewing the talent management practices employed by Vietnamese banks and evaluating the effectiveness of these activities. This research employed qualitative method as well as quantitative method to serve the research objectives. Twenty semi-structured indepth interviews with middle-level managers from different banks were conducted. Furthermore, 300 quantitative questionnaires containing measurement scales were sent to managers and staff at the banks to assess the efficiency of talent attraction, engagement, development, and retention. Findings reveal that state-owned commercial banks have developed an increasing level of commitment to talent management activities with obtained tangible results. However, there are still downsides related to talent training, engagement, and the measurement of talent management effectiveness for different reasons.