Change Management Research Articles

Psychological distances to climate change and public preferences for biodiversity-augmenting attributes in family-owned production forests

Understanding public perceptions on how management can help adapt forests to climate change is fundamental to the design of socially-acceptable policies. A binary discrete choice experiment in Norway and Sweden was conducted to elicit public preferences for biodiversity-augmenting changes in three forest management attributes (set-aside, proportion of uneven-aged tree stands, and number and type of tree species) compared to typical status quo conditions in family-owned production forests. Importantly, how self-constructed psychological (spatial, social, temporal and hypothetical) distances to climate change were associated with management preferences was investigated. Following integrated choice and latent variable modeling approaches to account for their latency, our econometric results show that closer psychological distances to climate change were associated with increased support for biodiversity-augmenting changes in management attributes from status quo conditions of family-owned production forests. On average, the Norwegian public preferred larger set-asides and introducing one more broadleaved species, while the Swedish public favored changes in all attributes. The highest utility was derived from increasing set-aside areas from the status quo (5%) to 10% and 20% in both countries with respective average WTP of about 10 to 11 EUR/month in Norway, and approximately 10 to 14 EUR/month in Sweden. Findings point to universal acceptability of increasing set-aside areas in both nations, and public approval for uneven-aged and mixed forest management in Sweden.

Change management towards good university governance in Indonesia: study at Islamic religious universities based on BLU mandate

Change management towards good university governance in Indonesia: study at Islamic religious universities based on BLU mandate

Retrospective analysis of the main feedstocks for animal feed in the world: How the green revolution has affected their environmental performance over the last 60 years, from 1961 to 2021

At the end of the 1950s, studies began to create high-yield cultivars with the aim of increasing the supply of basic foods in the world, this action was called “green evolution”. It was associated with the increase in the use of inputs to increase production levels, leading agriculture to a possible increase in environmental impacts and “harmful habits” of management. To characterize the historical damage of this action, it is necessary to use methods that generate universal results, capable of representing the world. Then, we use Life cycle assessment (LCA) to estimate the historical evolution of the environmental impacts of the two main feedstock for feed in the world, soybeans, and corn, from 1961 to 2021. To better understand the variation in their impacts, we consider the change in agricultural management when we use as a functional unit the amount of area needed to produce 1 kg of grain. Although emissions and impacts from agriculture, by area, have increased each decade, when considering productivity through the area/production ratio, we note that a number of emissions were avoided, along with impacts in all categories evaluated. Therefore, the development and use of technologies that modify the area/production ratio can contribute to avoiding environmental impacts.

Australian human-induced native forest regeneration carbon offset projects have limited impact on changes in woody vegetation cover and carbon removals

Carbon offsets are a widely used climate policy instrument that can reduce mitigation costs and generate important environmental and social co-benefits. However, they can increase emissions if they lack integrity. We analysed the performance of one of the world’s largest nature-based offset types: human-induced regeneration projects under Australia’s carbon offset scheme. The projects are supposed to involve the human-induced regeneration of permanent even-aged native forests through changes in land management. We analysed 182 projects and found limited evidence of regeneration in credited areas. Changes in woody vegetation cover within the areas that have been credited also largely mirror changes in adjacent comparison areas, outside the projects, suggesting the observable changes are predominantly attributable to factors other than the project activities. The results add to the growing literature highlighting the practical limitations of offsets and the potential for offset schemes to credit abatement that is non-existent, non-additional and potentially impermanent.

Environmentally driven migration in EU discourse: norms, policies and realities.

For decades, the European Union (EU) has been addressing issues related to climate change and ecological degradation as a self-proclaimed pro-environmental and human rights-oriented actor. Correspondingly, the topic of the so-called environmentally driven migration entered the EU discourse at the dawn of the new millennium. Considering the EU's interest in the human rights and environmental/climate issue areas, I argue it is important to ask what the Union's approach to this matter has been. Thus, this article assesses the European Union discourse related to the topic of environmental migration over the past 20-year period. Through the theoretical lens of the Copenhagen School of Security Studies and the normative power EU conception, this paper critically analyses the EU's securitisation of climate change in relation to persons referred to as environmental migrants. Based on a qualitative discourse analysis, the preliminary results imply that the topic has been receding into the background of the EU agenda. In line, environmental migrants have been pushed aside by a multiplicity of other subjects threatened by climate change, thus receiving lesser attention in the EU climate change and migration management policies. Overall, the findings show a shift from an alarmist discourse to more pragmatism on the EU's behalf and a larger focus on adaptation and resilience in most affected areas. With this in mind, this article questions the normative standard the EU sets for itself when it comes to the case of environmental migrant protection.

Knowledges Integration in Philippine Policies for Disaster and Climate Change Management: A Critical Policy Analysis

Knowledges Integration in Philippine Policies for Disaster and Climate Change Management: A Critical Policy Analysis

THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN A MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: ANALYSIS, CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES

The contemporary business world is characterized by rapid changes, globalization, and digital transformation, demanding adaptability and an innovative approach to resource management from organizations. Among these, human resources stand out as a key asset that determines an organization’s ability to develop, compete, and achieve sustainable success. This academic paper profoundly analyzes the significance of human resources in the modern organizational context, emphasizing their strategic importance and impact on achieving organizational goals. The paper reveals the concept of human resources, encompassing not only recruitment and staff administration but also their development, motivation, performance evaluation, and well-being. It extends beyond traditional personnel management to include aspects of organizational culture, leadership, and change management. Significant attention is given to the role of multicultural human resources in a globalized world, their impact on innovation, creativity, and enhancing an organization’s global competitiveness.Analyzing various approaches and definitions, the author emphasizes the necessity of integrating strategic human resource planning with cultural awareness and effective communication strategies to achieve the company’s strategic goals. The influence of digital technologies on human resource management is discussed, including the challenges of remote work and the need to ensure productivity and engagement in the digital era.The work underscores the importance of a deep understanding of cultural differences, the ability to create an inclusive work environment, develop intercultural interaction skills, and adaptability. This approach enables companies to better understand and meet the requirements of a diverse clientele, fosters innovation, and opens new opportunities for growth. The conclusions of the study highlight that successful human resource management in today’s dynamic and complex business environment requires a comprehensive approach that considers both traditional aspects and contemporary challenges. A profound understanding and effective management of human resources are crucial for ensuring competitiveness, innovative development, and sustainable success of organizations.

COMPETITIVENESS OF ENTERPRISES OF THE TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SYSTEM IN THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT

Despite the number of scientific developments related to the theory of competition and factors that affect the competitiveness of enterprises, the problem of their determination for enterprises of the transport and logistics system in the conditions of digitalization and rapid varia­bility, uncertainty of the environment, remains relevant. Based on the theoretical studies of scien­tists in various fields, including transport and logistics, which relate to the impact of digitalization on the competitiveness of enterprises, it is determined that factors that comprehensively cover the possibilities of digitalization and the influence of VUCA and BANI of the world on enterprises and consumer behavior in the digital environment require further consideration. In the article, the theoretical definition of factors affecting the competitiveness of enterprises of the transport and logistics system was further developed, which, unlike the existing ones, comprehensively take into account such components as changes in technologies, equipment, enterprise management, consu­mer behavior, and marketing activities. Among the identified factors, considerable attention is paid to innovation, both in engineering and technology, and in enterprise management and marketing activities. An important place among the factors of competitiveness of enterprises is the stakeholder approach to management and marketing, which provides an opportunity to comprehensively take into account the interests of stakeholders, among whom the main ones are consumers of transport and logistics services. Changes in their behavior in the modern world are considered. Factors related to the internal management system that affect the competitiveness of enterprises are also determined. Thanks to a comprehensive approach to determining competitiveness factors and changes occurring in the digital environment, enterprises of the transport and logistics system will be able to form their strategy and tactics in certain aspects, which will increase the level of their competitiveness. The results of the study provide an opportunity to further systematize and detail the factors that affect the competitiveness of enterprises of the transport and logistics system and affect the sustainability of the enterprise in conditions of rapid changes.

Microbial contribution to the carbon flux in the soil: A literature review

ABSTRACT Carbon flows into and out of the soil are important processes that contribute to controlling the global climate. The relationship between soil organisms and the climate is interdependent since the organisms that contribute to carbon and greenhouse gas fluxes are simultaneously affected by climate change and soil management. Temperature, soil moisture, pH, nutrient level, redox potential and organic matter quality are key elements affecting the microorganisms involved in organic carbon flows in the soil. Climate, topography (slope and position in the landscape), soil texture, soil mineralogy and land-use regulate those key elements and, thus, the C fluxes in the pedosphere. Soil microbes can increase carbon influx and storage by promoting plant growth, mycorrhizal establishment, and particle aggregation. Conversely, microorganisms contribute to carbon efflux from the soil via methanogenesis, rhizospheric activity, and organic carbon mineralization. Nevertheless, strategies and management practices could be used to balance out carbon emissions to the atmosphere. For example, carbon influx and storage in the soil can be stimulated by plant growth promoting microorganisms, greater plant diversity via crop rotation and cover crops, cultivating mycotrophic plants, avoiding or reducing the use of fungicides and adopting organic farming, no-tillage crop systems and conservative soil management strategies. Therefore, this review aimed to shed light on how soil microorganisms can contribute to increase C influxes to the soil, and its significance for climate change. Then, we also seek to gather the practical actions proposed in the scientific literature to improve carbon sequestration and storage in the soil. In summary, the review provides a comprehensive basis on soil microorganisms as key to carbon fluxes and helpers to lessen climate change by increasing carbon fixation and storage in agroecosystems via stimulation or application of beneficial microorganisms.

Increased nutrient retention and cyanobacterial blooms in a future coastal zone

Climate change and coastal management directly affect the magnitude of nutrient loads and the functioning of the coastal zones. In this novel approach, a coastal-zone-model was used to study future retention capacity of nitrogen and phosphorus loads and changes in cyanobacterial blooms in an archipelago in a eutrophied coastal sea. By conducting projections under the combined impact of changing climate and nutrient loads we demonstrate that i) future filter efficiency of the archipelago increases compared to present day regardless of the nutrient load projection, ii) the cyanobacteria biomass increased 5-fold in a worst-case nutrient load projection and iii) resulting in an increased spread of bottom anoxia and hypoxia. However, the phytoplankton biomass and hypoxia/anoxia will remain stable if the planned mitigation is successfully implemented. This study highlights the importance of nutrient load management and the need to understand more about the complex interactions taking place in the coastal systems.

Using stink bug migration behavior for physical exclusion.

Stink bugs have become an increasing concern for tree fruit growers due to changing management strategies and the introduction of an invasive species. The use of broad-spectrum insecticides for stink bug control disrupts biological control and leads to secondary pest outbreaks. To seek alternative tactics, we investigated the physical exclusion of native stink bugs with single-wall net barriers at orchard borders. First, stink bug capture on clear sticky panels along orchard edges showed that movement between the native shrub-steppe vegetation and the orchard occurs for much of the growing season instead of the presumed single migration event in August. Most stink bugs were captured between 1 m and 3 m heights, signifying a 4 m exclusion barrier would intercept migrating bugs. We tested large net barriers (4 m × 23 m) constructed of plain netting with or without deltamethrin-infused netting in flaps compared to a no-net control. The capture of target and nontarget arthropods was determined with plastic tarps below the nets or on the open ground of the control. Net barriers did not directly affect stink bug densities in the orchards, although orchard populations were low overall. Barriers did intercept stink bugs, and the addition of deltamethrin flaps enhanced stink bug mortality but at the price of nontarget arthropod mortality. Our results indicate that stink bug management efforts should focus earlier in the growing season and given the long period of migration, barriers are a more sustainable way of slowing movement into the orchard than the current sole reliance on chemical control.

Are radiographs overutilized in pediatric orthopaedic emergency room care?

BackgroundIt is estimated that $12.8 billion to $28.6 billion is wasted annually on unnecessary imaging studies and treatment in the United States. This is especially important to the pediatric population, which is unable to make decisions for themselves and vulnerable to radiation exposure. We hypothesized that a significant number of unnecessary radiographs are performed in the pediatric emergency department, leading to excessive time, cost, and radiation exposure to pediatric patients. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 406 patients who were evaluated in a pediatric emergency department (ED) for possible fracture at a single institution during the 2020 calendar year. Records were reviewed for demographics, history and physical exams, as well as the sequential order that radiographs were performed. All radiographs were evaluated by the senior author to determine if they resulted in a change in management. All data was recorded and analyzed by the senior author and our statistician using Student’s t-test. Results406 patient encounters were included. 2807 radiographs were deemed unnecessary, with an average of 6.9 radiographs per patient. $454,734 were spent on radiographs that ultimately did not change management. A total of 216 hours and 43 minutes were spent in the x-ray suite alone, for an average of 32 minutes per patient. The estimated amount of radiation exposure that did not change management was potentially as high as 69 millirem per patient. ConclusionsThere is an excessive amount of monetary waste, radiation exposure, and encounter time spent in pediatric orthopedic patients in the ED. There are several potential strategies to alleviate this problem, which we hope can be taken into consideration to help address this widespread healthcare issue.

Coordination of Emergent Demand Changes via Value-Based Negotiation for Supply Chain Management (Student Abstract)

We propose an automated negotiation for a reinforcement learning agent to adapt the agent to unexpected situations such as demand changes in supply chain management (SCM). Existing studies that consider reinforcement learning and SCM assume a centralized environment where the coordination of chain components is hierarchical rather than through negotiations between agents. This study focused on a negotiation agent that considered the value function of reinforcement learning for SCM as its utility function in automated negotiation. We demonstrated that the proposed approach could avoid inventory shortages under increased demand requests from the terminal customer.

Biodesalination of saline aquaculture wastewater with simultaneous nutrient removal and biomass production using the microalgae Arthrospira and Dunaliella in a circular economy approach

Freshwater scarcity is escalating due to factors such as climate change, droughts, increased demand, population growth, and poor water management practices. A promising sustainable solution to this challenge is biodesalination using microalgae. We demonstrate that Arthrospira platensis and Dunaliella salina can thrive in saline aquaculture wastewater, reducing both its salinity and the concentration of nutrients. The salinity removal ability was quantified through measurements of electrical conductivity (EC) and ICP-OES, revealing reductions in EC by up to 45 % (from 31.5 to 17.2 ms/cm) for A. platensis and 35 % (from 31.5 to 20.5 ms/cm) for D. salina. FESEM indicated the formation of a salt layer on the surface of both microalgae, suggesting biosorption and bioaccumulation as likely mechanisms. FTIR spectroscopy analysis demonstrated the binding of functional groups within the cell wall of A. platensis and the cell membrane of D. salina with the ions present in the medium. Scaling up the cultivation of A. platensis in a photobioreactor under non-sterile conditions validated the processes' potential for industrial-scale biodesalination. Although the treated water did not reach the standards for irrigation or potable use, this approach provides a preliminary desalination step, reducing burden on subsequent treatments and simultaneously providing nutrient removal and biomass production.

Using Change Management to Implement a Novel End of Shift Assessment for Emergency Medicine Residents

Using Change Management to Implement a Novel End of Shift Assessment for Emergency Medicine Residents

The event‐driven social responsibility in small and medium‐sized enterprises

AbstractSince the survival and growth of small firms depend largely on their ability to acquire legitimacy within the institutional environment, social responsibility plays an important role in their lives. The aim of this study was to investigate how a disruption in the normal course of business can lead to an evolution and change in the social responsibility activities of small and medium‐sized enterprises. Such disruptions, called critical incidents, interrupt the normal functioning of the business. The case‐based exploratory study found that such critical events can have a positive impact. In particular, they can initiate the integration of socially responsible business practices. This is a journey from philanthropic donations to fully integrated socially responsible practices, often driven by internal triggering events such as organisational growth, unanticipated changes in management, or generational change, which allow new values to be brought on board. When such an internal event is followed by a highly critical but external event, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic, the transformation gains momentum. The findings also suggest that social responsibility can be a new source of competitive advantage.

Changes in multi-modality management of acromegaly in a tertiary centre over 2 decades.

Acromegaly is a rare disease associated with chronic multisystem complications. New therapeutic strategies have emerged in the last decades, combining pituitary transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), radiotherapy or radiosurgery (RXT) and medical treatments. This retrospective monocentric study focused on presentation, management and outcome of acromegaly patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2020, still followed up in 2020, with a minimum follow-up of 1year, and comparison of the first vs. second decade of the study. 275 patients were included, 50 diagnosed before 2010 and 225 after 2010. 95% of them had normal IGF-1 levels (with or without treatment) at the last follow-up. Transsphenoidal surgery was more successful after 2010 (75% vs. 54%; p < 0.01), while tumor characteristics remained the same over time. The time from first treatment to biochemical control was shorter after 2010 than before (8 vs. 16months; p = 0.03). Since 2010, RT was used less frequently (10% vs. 32%; p < 0.01) but more rapidly after surgery (26 vs. 53months; p = 0.03). In patients requiring anti-secretory drugs after TSS, the time from first therapy to biochemical control was shorter after 2010 (16 vs. 29months; p < 0.01). Tumor size, tumor invasiveness, baseline IGF-1 levels and Trouillas classification were identified as predictors of remission. The vast majority of patients with acromegaly now have successful disease control with a multimodal approach. They reached biochemical control sooner in the most recent half of the study period. Future work should focus on those patients who are still uncontrolled and on the sequelae of the disease.

The Utilization Contestation of Indonesian Inland Waters (Case: Lebak Lebung dan Sungai (L3S) Auction in Ogan Komering Ilir District, South Sumatera)

Some of the Lebak Lebung and river public water areas in South Sumatra are governed by an auction system that has been carried out for a long time by the local community based on clans, namely "Lelang Lebak Lebung dan Sungai" (L3S). After 1982, the authorities implemented an auction system that transferred the implementation of the auction system to the management regime of the district government to apply regional autonomy. This transition provided governance changes, especially for the increasingly complex actors involved and competing in the L3S battle arena. This article aimed to analyze actor battles in the L3S arena by analyzing specifics about the regime transition change before and after the management of L3S applied, the institutionalization of patronage that was formed, and the social conflicts that occurred. This study used a constructivist paradigm and qualitative research methods. We identified 39 informants as research subjects who were chosen deliberately and analyzed the data using three stages: data reduction, presentation, and conclusion. The study results show that changes in L3S management are dominated by changes in rules and authority holders, which encourage access domination by entrepreneurs/non-fishermen. New working relations are formed by placing local fishermen as laborers and new non-fishermen actors as buyers. As a result, conflicts have occurred between actors.

Exploring patient reported quality of life in lung cancer patients: A qualitative study of patient-reported outcome measures.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally and provides a major disease burden likely to substantially impact quality of life (QoL). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been identified as effective methods of evaluating patient QoL. Existing lung cancer-specific PROMs however have uncertain utility and minimal patient involvement in their design and development. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate the patient perspective of existing PROMs and to explore their appropriateness for population-based descriptions of lung cancer-related QoL. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted consisting of semi-structured interviews with 14 patients recruited from the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry and Alfred Hospital using purposive sampling. Interviews first explored the factors most important to lung cancer patients QoL, and second, patient's perspectives on the appropriateness of existing PROMs. Thematic analysis was used to develop themes, and content analysis was conducted to determine PROM acceptability. Five novel themes were identified by patients as being important impacts on QoL: Personal attitude toward the disease is important for coping; independence is valued; relationships with family and friends are important; relationships with treating team are meaningful; personal and public awareness of lung cancer is limited. These patient-identified impacts are poorly covered in existing lung cancer-specific PROMs. Patients welcomed and appreciated the opportunity to complete PROMs; however, they identified problems with existing PROMs relevance, tone, and formatting. Existing lung cancer PROMs poorly reflect the five themes identified in this study as most important to lung cancer patients QoL. This study reaffirms the need to review existing PROMs to ensure utility and construct validity. Future PROM development must engage key patient-generated themes and evolve to reflect the changing management and therapeutic landscape.

Transforming diagnostics: The implementation of digital pathology in clinical laboratories.

Digital pathology (DP) has emerged as a cutting-edge technology that promises to revolutionise diagnostics in clinical laboratories. This perspective article explores the implementation planning and considerations of DP in a single multicentre institution in Canada, the University Health Network, discussing benefits, challenges, potential implications and considerations for future adopters. We examine the transition from traditional microscopy to digital slide scanning and its impact on pathology practice, patient care and medical research. Furthermore, we address the regulatory, infrastructure and change management considerations for successful integration into clinical laboratories. By highlighting the advantages and addressing concerns, we aim to shed light on the transformative potential of DP and its role in shaping the future of diagnostics.