COVID-19 Health Crisis Research Articles

MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE IN A BULLISH MARKET DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

Active funds vs passive funds represent one of the most prominent investment decisions that ought to be undertaken by investors over the decades. Our paper seeks to offer an insight into the average performance of equity mutual funds during the period when there were roughly 70 ‘all-time-highs’ recorded by S&P 500 amid the COVID-19 health crisis. Additionally, our paper aims to explore the robustness and persistence of the explanatory powers of Morningstar sustainability globes, ratings from agencies and growth tilt during the health crisis. Our results indicated that the benchmark indexes seemed to dominate mutual funds in most cases during our sampling period. The ratings from Morningstar and/or Lipper together with growth investing appeared to be ideal elements to contemplate when making investment decisions during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Spatial analysis of public attitudes towards domestic leisure tourism in Bulgaria

Tourism is a very important sector for the Bulgarian economy with its GDP share varying between 10 and 13% before the COVID-19 health crisis. In 2021 domestic tourism accounted for 89% of the personal travel expenditures of Bulgarians. The purpose of the present paper is to analyse public attitudes towards the domestic leisure tourism in Bulgaria and its spatial distribution at the NUTS-2 regions and the residence place type level. The data used in the research are from a national representative survey based on a two-staged random sample stratified by the Bulgarian districts and the residence place type (capital, district administrative centre, town and village). The methodology includes: literature review, descriptive analysis, spatial analysis, average values, building one- and two- dimensional frequency distributions, statistical hypothesis testing, etc. The indicators used in the paper are: practices for domestic leisure tourism, stay duration in domestic resorts, frequency of domestic leisure tourism, people not practicing domestic leisure tourism, domestic leisure tourism average satisfaction level. The obtained results show the differences between those indicators in NUTS-2 and residence place type level, as well as between summer and winter leisure tourism. The presented results are of particular importance, since some of these differences are significantly large.

Determinants of residents’ support for urban tourism in times of uncertainty: Exploring the case of the city of Madrid

Residents are key actors in the management of tourist destinations, especially in times of uncertainty such as those that characterize the current context of multidimensional crisis (ecological, political, social or economic). The role of tourism in these crises, its contribution to their acceleration or its work in recovery, makes it necessary to deepen the support of residents for tourism in complex times such as the present. The context generated by the COVID-19 health crisis is a good framework for this reflection, although it has not been sufficiently explored. This article draws on Social Exchange Theory to explain residents' support for tourism in urban destinations during periods of uncertainty such as those generated by the health crisis, focusing on factors that have so far been little explored: risk perception, community involvement and the management of tourism constraints. A structural multiple indicator multiple cause (MIMIC) model is proposed to test the theoretical model. Using data derived from a survey of 342 residents in the city of Madrid (Spain), the results show that, in addition to benefits as a predictor of residents' support for tourism in contexts of uncertainty, risk perception and the management of tourism constraints are also relevant determinants of this support. The findings have important implications for decision-makers and public managers of urban destinations in the current period of multiple crises.

Contribution of peer group supervision to nursing practice: An interpretive phenomenological study

AimTo provide insight into peer group supervision practices through understanding the lived experience of community health nurses. BackgroundThe recent Covid-19 health crisis highlights the importance of supportive mechanisms to sustain and retain nurses in the workforce. While the support of quality clinical supervision for registered nurses is recognised, the benefits and challenges of peer group supervision are less clearly articulated. DesignNurses’ experiences of peer group supervision in an Australian tertiary health service were explored using a Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutic approach. MethodSemi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted in 2021 and provided nurses with the opportunity to share their experiences of using the New Zealand Coaching and Mentoring Model of peer group supervision. The study included a total of 31 nurse participants across multiple community health contexts. Interview data were analysed using a hermeneutic approach from which themes arose. FindingsThe findings demonstrated that strong peer group supervision foundations that include personal and professional preparation and active participation are essential. Dual pillars of “the unique individual” and “the unique group” with responsibilities identified in each pillar that enable interactions and worthiness in peer group supervision practice. The foundations and pillars support peer group supervision in nursing practice to provide a mechanism for reflection, support and professional guidance. ConclusionsPeer group supervision is a worthy, contributory process in community health nursing when implementation processes are supported and teams are educated and prepared. Perceptions of peer group supervision are unique and varied across individuals. The individual experience has an impact on the group experience and vice versa. Knowledge of the process and group by participants is required to enable professional reflection through nursing peer group supervision.

Safe Haven for Crude Oil: Bitcoin or Precious Metals? New Insight from Time Varying Coefficient-Vector Autoregressive Model

This paper investigates the safe haven property of Bitcoin and the main precious metals in a state of crisis. This study focuses mainly on two critical periods, namely the COVID-19 health crisis and the Russian-Ukraine conflict. To achieve this objective, we first use the DCC-GARCH model to study the dynamic correlation between the returns of oil and the main precious metals. Then, we use a bivariate specification and a Bayesian specification to estimate the TVC-VAR model. The results of this study indicate the existence of similarity between Gold and Bitcoin in hedging capabilities. In fact, both have been weak havens during the COVID-19 health crisis and strong havens during the Russian-Ukrainian war period. On the other hand, the results suggest that ruthenium and iridium yields are uncorrelated or negatively correlated with Brent yields. In this respect, investors are called upon to keep their treasury in the form of iridium and ruthenium during this period of war. Similarly, investors were required to invest in these two assets during the COVID-19 period.

The dynamic impact of oil shocks on the Saudi stock market: new evidence through dynamic simulated ARDL approach

PurposeThe paper investigates the dynamic relationship between oil prices, the USA dollar exchange rate and the Saudi stock market index.Design/methodology/approachThe authors perform a novel dynamic simulated the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) on weekly data from 2010 to 2021.FindingsThe authors' work reveals three main results: First, a cointegration relationship exists between oil prices and the Saudi stock market index. Second, the Saudi stock market is strongly affected by fluctuations in oil prices in both the short and long run. Third, the exchange rate of the USA dollar has a slight influence on the movements of the Saudi stock market. The simulations show that the Saudi stock market index has a long-run upward trend after an oil price shock, while the dollar index rises moderately after a similar shock. Moreover, the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with a significant decline in the Saudi stock market index, particularly the substantial drop in oil prices.Practical implicationsThese findings encourage domestic and foreign investors to benefit from an upward trend in oil prices, especially after the opening of the Saudi market to foreign investment. On the other hand, it raises questions about the Saudi economy's dependence on oil as the sole vehicle for output growth. It highlights the urgent need for diversification and productivity growth in the non-oil sector and other renewable natural resources to increase Saudi competitiveness.Originality/valueThe novelty of the research lies in the following. First, the authors apply one of the latest developments in time-series modeling techniques. This dynamic ARDL simulation model provides a worthwhile alternative way to explore dynamic correlations in the short and long run and assess the choc effects. Secondly, the study would enable us to track the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on the Saudi stock market.

Maximizing the “disposable enemies” through the health crisis of covid-19: the (selective) control of borders and the disposable life of migrants as biopolitical practices of the brazilian state

Resumo Os deslocamentos humanos foram diretamente impactados pelas medidas necropolíticas adotadas pelos Estados para conter a pandemia da COVID-19. O Brasil, especialmente, adotou medidas seletivas, excludentes típicas de um (permanente e generalizado) estado de exceção, que impactaram de forma severa e desproporcional em especial os migrantes de nacionalidade venezuelana. Como metodologia, utiliza-se o método dedutivo, partindo-se do estudo do controle seletivo de fronteiras como prática do estado de exceção e a compreensão do migrante internacional como um refugo humano, para, a partir disso, estudar a (des)proporcionalidade das medidas (necropolíticas) adotadas pelo Estado brasileiro para conter a expansão do novo coronavírus, em especial, a destinada aos fluxos venezuelanos ao país. Como método de procedimento, o histórico, e a técnica de pesquisa, a documentação indireta. Assim, evidenciou-se que por meio do controle seletivo de fronteiras o estado brasileiro buscou, como respostas à crise sanitária da COVID-19, oportunamente, impedir o acesso daqueles desinteressantes ao país e, em nome do controle e proteção de algumas “vidas superiores”, discriminou e promoveu a descartabilidade daquelas “inferiores”, como as de nacionalidade venezuelana.

Musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life for Chilean teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic at the academic year-end.

Schoolteachers have reported multiple demands contributing to poor perceptions regarding their quality of life and high rates of musculoskeletal disorders. However, there are few studies about the association between musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life from the end of the academic period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluate musculoskeletal disorders rates and their association with quality of life perceptions among teachers from the last academic period during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total sample of 161 Chilean schoolteachers was included in a cross-sectional study musculoskeletal disorders prevalence was evaluated using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, and quality of life was evaluated through the Short-Form 12 Health Survey Instrument. A logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association between musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life perceptions adjusted by gender, age, and contract type. 98% of teachers have suffered from some type of musculoskeletal disorders during the last 12 months, and 64% have had six or more painful regions. Women showed a higher musculoskeletal disorders rate than men. The group of teachers with the most musculoskeletal disorders (≥p50) saw significantly greater risk of low scores on the physical (OR: 2.16; p < 0.05) and mental components (OR: 4.86; p < 0.01) of quality of life, regardless of gender, age, and contract type. High musculoskeletal disorders rates suggest that preventive and informative actions must be taken regarding these disorders in order to protect teachers' mental and physical health, considering the effects of the school year and the COVID-19 health crisis.

Presidential election results in 2018-2022 and its association with excess mortality during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilian municipalities.

We evaluated the hypothesis of an association between excess mortality and political partisanship in Brazil using municipal death certificates registered in the Brazilian Ministry of Health database and first-round electoral results of Presidential elections in 2018 and 2022. Considering the former Brazilian President's stance of discrediting and neglecting the severity of the pandemic, we expect a possible relationship between excessive mortality rates during the COVID-19 health crisis and the number of municipal votes for Bolsonaro. Our results showed that, in both elections, the first-round percentage of municipal votes for Bolsonaro was positively associated with the peaks of excess deaths across Brazilian municipalities in 2020 and 2021. Despite the excess mortality during the pandemic, the political loyalty to Bolsonaro remained the same during the electoral period of 2022. A possible explanation for this is linked to the Brazilian political scenario, which presents an environment of tribal politics and affective polarization.

Scapegoating and Antisemitism During the COVID-19 Health Crisis: A Critique of Jewish Identity in Germany

Scapegoating and Conspiracy Theories during COVID-19 Antisemitism has unfortunately persisted throughout history, and the COVID-19 pandemic has not been an exception to this troubling trend. The conditions created by the pandemic, such as fear, uncertainty, and anxiety, have fueled the emergence and spread of conspiracy theories targeting various groups, including Jewish communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a plethora of baseless beliefs and conspiracy theories about its causes, which have contributed to the rise of antisemitism during this time. Pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, inherently create anxiety and uncertainty among populations. This change has affected many areas, both political and social. Conspiracy theories that base the cause of the emergence of COVID-19 on Jewish identity are an essential factor for this study. Tendencies toward antisemitism and scapegoating have supported these conspiracy theories. In this study, how antisemitism manifested itself in media and online discourse during COVID-19 and how Jewish identity is affected by the process.

The management of the Covid-19 pandemic and its potential for the relaunch of Latin American and Caribbean regionalism

Covid-19 became a global public health problem of enormous dimensions. Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) governments reacted to prevent the spread of the virus unilaterally in most cases, but some responses were proposed at the regional and subregional levels. The region saw the pandemic emerge in a context of ideological polarization between governments, as a bad omen for its numerous and overlapping regional groupings, which already showed weaknesses and limitations. However, the broad impact of a public health crisis could give regional organizations the opportunity to push for the achieving of a collective agreement that might drive the process further. This paper focuses on the response of Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and Central American Integration System (SICA) in the face of the pandemic and beyond. Our main argument is that the public health crisis of Covid-19 entailed a potential for the relaunch of regionalism improving cooperation, unity and other advanced forms of regionalism. Case studies indicate that the active regional response to the coronavirus owed much to previously installed institutional and political capacity. In CARICOM and SICA, the political will of the presidents coincided with a semi-autonomous activation of the institutional response, leading to optimal results. Still, political leadership may compensate for institutional weakness. The experience of CELAC revealed that leadership in agenda-setting with a technical focus can help promote dialogue and cooperation in a context of ideological polarization.

Understanding the Educational Innovation Practice in Teaching and Learning among Economic Teacher’s in Klang Valley

The global health crisis of COVID-19 has transformed the global education landscape, shifting towards digital-based education for teaching and learning. Consequently, the predominant medium for teaching and learning practices is now digital technology. However, the utilization of digital technology, particularly innovations in teaching and learning, is not widely embraced in economic education. This study aims to explore the factors contributing to the limited innovation among economics teachers in the classroom and suggests measures to foster innovation in economic learning. Using a cross-sectional survey design with a qualitative research approach, the research sample involved 12 informants with over 10 years of teaching experience in form colleges around the Klang Valley. Semistructured questions were employed for data collection, and thematic analysis was used to address the study objectives. The results revealed 11 sub-themes within 4 categories representing obstacles to cultivating innovation among economics teachers. Additionally, 5 sub-themes within 2 categories highlighted measures to empower innovation in economics teaching. The study’s findings can serve as a reference for colleges, heads of economic education modules, and the Malaysian Ministry of Education to promote the digitalization and innovation of the economic field.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of secondary school students towards COVID-19 in Sana'a City, Yemen: A cross-sectional study.

Understanding of public awareness on public health issues is very crucial, including the current health crisis of COVID-19. This research aimed to examine the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Students towards COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among secondary school students in grades 10-12. Proportional sample allocation was used in 16 randomly selected schools. Moreover, the schools were recruited by using a systematic random sampling technique. Socio-demographic data and questions of the knowledge, attitude and practice were collected by interview. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the associated factors and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Among the 357 participants the level of good knowledge, positive attitude, and optimal practice were 65.2%, 66.7% and 89.4% respectively. Regression analyses showed that being in the adolescent age group (15-16 years old), living with >5 family size, and family with a good income effectively predicted knowledge level. Attitudes towards COVID-19, male students were pessimistic about COVID-19 prevention and control measures as opposed to their female counterparts [aOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.21-0.71). Students with awareness of the virus demonstrated greater (two-fold) odds of a positive attitude as opposed to their less-conscious counterparts. The urban-area male students were demonstrated a higher (three-fold) odds of good practice level towards COVID-19 prevention and control measures as opposed to their rural-area female counterparts. A good knowledge level denoted a positive attitude despite the lack of information. Meanwhile, good preventive measure practices and behaviours reflected high levels.

What about the Effect of Work-Team Identification on Mental Health One Year after the Onset of the COVID-19 Health Crisis?

What about the Effect of Work-Team Identification on Mental Health One Year after the Onset of the COVID-19 Health Crisis?

Dependence structure between NFT, DeFi and cryptocurrencies in turbulent times: An Archimax copula approach

This paper investigates the connectedness among eighteen cryptocurrency assets including NFT, DeFi, gold-backed cryptocurrencies, and traditional cryptocurrencies. We also compute the Optimal hedge ratio for each pair of (gold-backed) cryptocurrency-NFT/DeFi and assess their hedge effectiveness. To this end, we use a combination of econometric methods. Our sample period goes from 01/11/2021 to 21/02/2023, making the empirical analysis insightful and interesting as it includes the Covid-19 health crisis and the Russia–Ukraine war. Our empirical findings highlight the dissimilarities between different cryptocurrencies in terms of connectedness with NFT/DeFi assets. They also reflect the diversification benefits generated by the inclusion of gold-backed cryptocurrencies into NFT/DeFi portfolios, in particular in times of unprecedented events. These findings could be useful for crypto-investors who search to diversify their portfolios.

Organisational Resilience as a Business Strategic Imperative in Times of Crisis: Case of Hikma Pharma Algeria

In light of the COVID-19 health crisis, organisational resilience appears more than ever to be a necessity, a strategic imperative for companies during this unprecedented crisis. Companies that were able to adapt their business model to the particular circumstances created by the COVID crisis are those that were able to adjust quickly to deal with the emergency by developing new working practices or by responding flexibly to customer needs. Thus, organisational resilience refers to the ability of organisations to resist and overcome crises by developing resilience mechanisms that enable them to achieve high performance and ensure their sustainability. The main objective of this research is to explain, through a case study, the importance of organisational resilience for a pharmaceutical company in times of crisis, how the company demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 health crisis and to identify the company’s resilience mechanisms. To achieve this objective, we conducted a qualitative study based mainly on document analysis and semi-structured interviews with managers of the pharmaceutical company Hikma Algérie, a subsidiary of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, a Jordanian generic pharmaceutical company based in London. Like other sectors, the pharmaceutical industry has also been impacted in its operations by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has faced significant challenges, including limited availability of workers, reduced working hours and export restrictions on certain pharmaceutical ingredients, and has therefore had to organise itself to avoid disruptions in the supply of medicines. The results of the study identify various resilience factors that helped propel the company through the pandemic, such as capital resilience, strategic resilience, relational resilience and cultural resilience. It resulted in increased sales, a stronger strategic position and market share gains, demonstrating the strategic importance of organisational resilience to the pharmaceutical company in times of crisis.

Researching approach toward circular economy on human resource performance management

BACKGROUND: The Industry 4.0 and 5.0 models are dynamic, still under research and unsolved implementation for industrial manufacturers. The paradigm “Green Deal” goals launched by the European Commission is apparently difficult to define concrete action plans. The good practices of the manufacturing industry are punctual. The health crisis of COVID-19 proves the necessity of a solid economy, with customized fields of industry-engines, located on countries proximity or associated. The productive operational chain with a multi-sequence activity processed by human labor becomes critical. OBJECTIVE: The paper aims to identify Industry 4.0 and 5.0 concepts in both scientific character and pragmatic relevance, useful for productive organizations performing in the current business with difficult predictability environment. METHODS: The methodology approach the grounded theories, combining the inductive and deductive methods. Next to the data collection provided from other authors research, a qualitative method apply to several case studies as empirical methodology to explore the situations in which the designed model has not a single set of outcomes. RESULTS: The principles CE become useful by transferring their meaning of waste reduction from material resources to human resources whether measuring tools are applied. I4.0 and I5.0 technical factors become means to recuperate the human factor within a culture of human centricity values. CONCLUSIONS: By applying the CE principles, a mutual benefit organization-society is revealed, organization add values by hiring smart specialist from society I5.0 previously trained by organizational professional reconversion with technical support I4.0. The contribution is measured by reducing the waste, hence the cost of community unemployment rate.

Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Spanish healthcare workers: a systematic review of prevalence and wave-based patterns

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of the entire population, and especially of the healthcare, due to their close contact with the virus and the health emergency. However, the diversity of studies makes it difficult to determine the prevalence of mental health problems in Spanish healthcare workers. This study aims to examine the studies carried out during COVID-19 with the Spanish healthcare population to determine the prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and burnout symptomatology. A systematic search of the articles in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases was performed following PRISMA criteria. Pooled prevalence was obtained for all the mental health symptomatology from moderate to severe, as well as divided by wave. Our data revealed that 50.54% of healthcare workers reported stress, 41.02% burnout, 35.25% anxiety, 29.76% depression, and 25.82% PTSD symptomatology. Anxiety, depression, PTSD and burnout symptomatology diminished in the second and/or the third waves but increased in the following waves. However, stress showed the maximum prevalence during the second wave. Our study highlights a significant impact on the mental health of healthcare workers during health crises, and emphasizes the immediate need for mental health support for healthcare workers during and after pandemics. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout symptomatology exhibit a “valley” effect, initially decreasing but increasing with prolonged exposure to the COVID-19 health crisis. This underscores the necessity to implement prevention strategies to enhance stress management, emotional regulation skills, and coping abilities.

The impact of the introduction of telework on Moroccan employees

Since the spread of the COVID-19 health crisis, teleworking has become an alternative way of ensuring and maintaining the sustainability of organisations at national and international level. Developments in technology and information systems, such as Big Data and artificial intelligence, have contributed to a revolution in the traditional work system. In particular, this revolution has made it possible to improve social relations and the performance of organisations through the adoption of teleworking. In fact, the aim of our work is to study the effect of the generalisation of telework on the performance of organisations in the Moroccan context. For this purpose, a review of the literature was used to define the concept of telework, to determine the tools used, to analyse hierarchical relations and to evaluate the productivity of teleworkers. With this in perspective, we conducted a questionnaire survey of Moroccan teleworkers, from which we found that the use of telework influences the performance and intrinsic relationships of employees.

The impact of Covid-19 on the behavior of actors and the regulation of the Moroccan stock market

Purpose: This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on the behavior of actors and legislation on the Moroccan stock market. Research Methodology: This study uses the collection and exploitation of data from key institutional reports and legal data limited to certain laws and regulations (excluding relevant case law and doctrine) attesting to the orientations of capital market authorities following the declaration of a state of health emergency. Results: The analysis revealed that the measures taken by the government, central bank, and AMMC helped curb the capital market and provide investors with the tools they need to strengthen the resilience of Morocco's capital market. Limitations: The first concerns the difficulty of analyzing the long-term effects of a health crisis. The second limitation concerns the existing models, theories, and methodological limitations. Contribution: This documentary study synthesizes the psychic reactions and behaviors of Moroccan stock exchange market actors in times of crisis. In addition, it enables researchers to better understand the legal interventions taken to regulate and redirect behaviors influenced by the pandemic in the Moroccan capital market.