Crisis Management Capabilities Research Articles

Exploring the effectiveness of online learning tools and technologies while teaching Maritime English to future ship engineers

Maritime English proficiency is crucial for future ship engineers to effectively communicate, operate, and ensure safety in the globalised marine industry. The study is devoted to analysing the integration of language and technical skills, highlighting their symbiotic relationship in the educational context. This paper explores the development of modern approaches to teaching Maritime English, emphasising continuous assessment and adapting teaching strategies. The assessment and evaluation methods were used to measure language proficiency, demonstrating the importance of ongoing assessment to monitor progress and adapt teaching strategies. Additionally, this article examines the influence of e-learning and digital resources, shedding light on advancements, challenges, and opportunities in Maritime English education. The importance of cross-cultural communication training is discussed, emphasising its role in preparing future ship engineers for an international working environment on a ship. Case studies, best practices, and lessons conducted at Kherson State Maritime Academy (KSMA), Ukraine, are shared to provide practical insights for teachers. The implications of international language proficiency regulations in the maritime industry are also addressed. By analysing the impact of these pedagogical approaches on ship engineers' safety and crisis management capabilities, this article highlights the tangible benefits of effective Maritime English education. For mobile learning app developers, the study suggests integrating features that promote collaborative learning, interactive assessments, and personalised feedback to optimise learning experiences. Overall, integrating online learning tools and technologies (e.g. Moodle LMS) presents a promising avenue for advancing Maritime English education and preparing future ship engineers for the challenges of the marine industry today.

A maturity model to guide inter-organisational crisis management and response exercises

This paper proposes a six-step maturity ladder for inter-organizational collaborative capability in crisis management and response operations. The paper argues that collaborative crisis management and response can be seen as a case of complex adaptive systems, where awareness of the organizational context of crisis response, technical interoperability, and individual relations are drivers that enable rapid and successful mobilization of crisis response. The maturity ladder provides a link between the capabilities necessary for collaboration possessed by individual crisis response entities and the overall system maturity in terms of collaborative crisis management capability. It can inter alia be used as a basis for a discussion when inter-organizational exercises are appropriate and when focus must remain on the development of the capabilities of individual crisis response entities.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional survey from Kiambu County, Kenya.

The knowledge possessed by healthcare workers (HCWs), along with their attitudes and practices play a vital role in effectively managing a pandemic. This is crucial considering that HCWs are exposed to great risk at the forefront of such crises. We aimed to describe the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kiambu county, Kenya. A cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire was conducted from 11th March 2021 to 12th August 2021. Bloom's cutoff points were used to determine KAP scores (>80%: good, 60-79%: medium and <60% poor). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted, calculating adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval. Spearman's rank correlations were used to examine the relationship between KAP scores. 438 HCWs participated in the study, majority of whom were female (64.5%), had obtained a diploma (59.6%) and were informed through government websites (78.6%). 43.0% had good knowledge, 17.5% good attitudes, and 68.4% good practice. 23.0% had medium knowledge, 35.6% medium attitude, 15.7% medium practice, while 34.0% had poor knowledge, 46.9% poor attitude and 15.9% poor practice. Only 68.9% of the caregivers correctly recognized the county's COVID-19 isolation centre and only 7.9% chose the two correct documents for the entry of data for a suspected COVID-19 case. Furthermore, the general attitude towards their own personal safety and their training regarding PPEs (17.8% and 23.8% strongly agreed with the contrary) were less compelling. There was a significant positive association between obtaining information from international government sites [AOR: 1.382 (1.058-1.807); p = 0.0178)] and good knowledge. Referring to local government sites for information regarding COVID-19 produced better attitudes [AOR: 1.710 (1.194-2.465); p = 0.0036] and produced almost twice the odds of having better practice [AOR: 1.800 (1.181-2.681); p = 0.0048]. There was a significant correlation between knowledge and practice (r = -0.330, p = 2.766×10-11), and knowledge and attitude (r = -0.154, p = 6.538×10-3). This study emphasizes the substantial impact that governing bodies have on shaping favorable KAP. As a result, it's crucial for local government platforms to prioritize the dissemination of up-to-date information that aligns with international standards. This information should be tailored to the specific region, focusing on addressing deficiencies in healthcare practices and patient management. The identification of a significant number of HCWs lacking confidence in managing COVID-19 patients and feeling unprotected underscores a clear need for improvement in their understanding and implementation of preventive measures. This gap can be bridged by adequately equipping HCWs with locally manufactured PPEs. This aspect is crucial for pandemic preparedness, and we further advocate for the creation of a locally produced repository of medical equipment. These actions are pivotal in improving future crisis management capabilities.

Tourism takes a hit: The devastating impact of terrorism on iconic destinations

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of terrorism on the tourism economy in 40 destinations and a total of 550 crises, based on the ranking of countries in terms of their economy and popularity. Methodology/Design/Approach – The study employed a quantitative research methodology using multiple linear regression analysis to examine the key predictors of the impact of terrorism on tourism employment growth and tourist arrivals. The analysis considered various relevant variables, including the perceived attractiveness of destinations, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand. Findings – The findings confirm that the rankings of destinations as economically attractive and worth visiting plays an important role in determining tourist arrivals. Moreover, it was found that the type of tourism enterprises and tourists targeted by a destination can predict the growth of tourist arrivals after the crisis. Originality - This study enriches the existing literature by highlighting the importance of destination ranking for post-crisis tourism growth and stability. It offers valuable policy recommendations and highlights the need to increase the resilience of tourism businesses through improved crisis management and security measures. In addition, destinations that rank lower in economic terms or as “must-see” places should place greater importance on crisis management capabilities.

STRATEGIC EDUCATIONAL QUALITY FOR CRISIS ADAPTABILITY

This article examines the central role of educational quality as a linchpin for crisis management in the education sector. Faced with challenges ranging from economic downturns to public health crises, the study seeks to unravel the complex relationship between educational quality and the resilience of educational institutions. Using a comprehensive approach, the paper delves into the multiple dimensions of educational quality, examining indicators such as curriculum design, teaching methods and institutional accreditation. Methodology. The study uses a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative analysis of educational indicators with qualitative assessment of crisis management strategies. Data is collected from a variety of educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities, to provide a detailed understanding of the current situation. Surveys, interviews, and case studies contribute to a comprehensive examination of the dynamic relationship between education quality and crisis response. Results. The findings underscore the critical role of quality education in building resilience to crises. Institutions with a strong emphasis on educational quality demonstrate greater adaptability, use technology for distance learning, implement effective contingency plans, and foster a culture of adaptability among educators and students. The study identifies key indicators that serve as predictors of an institution's ability to successfully manage crises, providing valuable insights for policymakers and educational leaders. Practical implications. The research offers practical implications for educational institutions seeking to improve their crisis management capabilities. Recommendations include the integration of technology for distance learning, the development of comprehensive contingency plans, and the maintenance of a flexible learning environment. The practical strategies outlined in the article aim to enable institutions to respond proactively to crises and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of quality education. Value/Originality. The originality of the research lies in the comprehensive analysis of quality indicators and the identification of practical strategies that can strengthen the education sector against unforeseen challenges.

Business crisis management in wartime: Insights from Ukraine

AbstractOur research documents the experiences of business crisis management in wartime Ukraine. The goal of the paper is to contribute to our understanding of business crisis management in a conflict zone in wartime conditions, a significantly under‐researched area. Based on interviews with the owners and managers of 20 Ukrainian companies spanning sectors and geography of the country, the paper provides insights into the various elements that characterize and distinguish war as a crisis type, including having an unknown end point, and, furthermore, what we can learn from how Ukrainian managers have approached this crisis. Among the key findings are how war situations appear to be “cosmology episodes” for which it is not possible to adequately prepare and for which the end point is unknown, both of which call for emergent, adaptive crisis management capabilities and leadership skills characterized by improvisation and other forms of resilience. Notwithstanding this, company wartime crisis management experiences have stimulated intention to more structured anticipatory and preparedness practices, as well as narratives of future renewal in communications with staff and stakeholders, which serve both as a guidepost and coping mechanism during the current crisis.

Reforming China’s healthcare management in the wake of COVID-19: A psychological well-being perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reevaluation of global health capabilities, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the welfare of frontline healthcare workers. These individuals encountered difficult circumstances on a global scale, including longer work hours, heightened risk of virus exposure, and substantial strain on their mental and physical well-being. Healthcare professionals in China faced similar challenges. This article discusses systemic issues that have been exacerbated by the pandemic and argues for a sustained emphasis on the well-being of healthcare workers, rather than solely addressing it as a crisis response. Given the increasing likelihood of future global pandemics, it is crucial to emphasize the establishment of a durable support system that can enhance resilience and crisis management capabilities. This study examines the systemic challenges of the Chinese healthcare system, with a particular focus on the difficulties encountered during the pandemic. We advocate for a paradigm shift that acknowledges healthcare workers as essential stakeholders within healthcare systems. The objective is to encourage a worldwide conversation for implementing initiatives that transcend national boundaries, with the goal of consistently incorporating a culture of compassion and assistance into healthcare systems. We propose the implementation of a comprehensive support system that encompasses all facets of healthcare, going beyond the mere management of crises. Our vision is for health systems to prioritize the well-being of healthcare workers and the communities they serve, with a focus on resilience.

Comprehensive Assessment Framework for Evaluating the Response of Countries to COVID-19

: In order to analyze the relative success of countries in combating COVID-19, it is imperative to establish a set of criteria for measuring success in this domain. Subsequently, a consensus must be reached on the specific aspects and indicators that define success. Therefore this disease swiftly escalated into a global pandemic, impacting all facets of society and leaving a lasting historical imprint. This study presents a framework for assessing the performance of various countries in their battle against the COVID-19 crisis across four dimensions: healthcare system, crisis management, societal response, and historical perspective. By comparing indicators within each dimension for individual countries separately, we can assess and compare their respective crisis management capabilities while evaluating overall success. However, it is essential to acknowledge that a dichotomy often exists between health-focused solutions and those about economics and politics. Therefore, instead of pursuing an absolute solution or outcome, striving for an optimal balance point is essential. While cross-sectional assessments are necessary during the COVID-19 crisis evaluation process, comprehensive evaluations of the aforementioned dimensions can ultimately determine success levels and identify countries with superior performance.

Ready, set, crisis – transitioning to crisis mode in local public administration

ABSTRACT Local public administrations are typically the first responders during disruptive crisis events. Building on literature on fast-response organizations, this study theorizes on their ability to transition effectively from routine bureaucracy to crisis mode. Empirically, we study early responses to COVID-19 in Germany with agency-level survey data. The findings suggest that an effective switch between practices cannot be explained by crisis severity alone. Instead, organizational, technical, and individual preparedness of local administrations matter. These results provide insights into the conditions that enable administrations to respond effectively to crisis events, offering a comprehensive understanding of crisis management capabilities at the local level.

Interstitial emergence of national defence entrepreneurial firms and re-configuration of the state as a defence actor: the case of Sweden’s Vesper Group

ABSTRACT Does growing reliance on private military and security companies (PMSCs) lead to the re-configuration of the state as a security and defence actor in Europe? Building on the multiple-networks-approach in organisation theory (Padgett and Powell), the current paper develops an analytical approach for studying the rise of new organizational forms in interstitial spaces via mechanisms including extension and differentiation; fusion and hybridity; transposition and refunctionality; and multivocality. The empirical analysis focuses on the rules and practices of Vesper Group - a PMSC working closely with the Swedish government. Several findings are reported. First, a new organizational form seems to be emerging as a result of the ongoing multiple network dynamics – national defence entrepreneurial firm. This is a type of a firm different from mainstream PMSCs in that it is owned by venture capital companies from their home state and also in that it is closely associated with its respective state in terms of its personnel policies, expertise and operational goals and scope. Second, the case of Sweden’s Vesper Group and its cooperation with the Swedish government indicates that some EU member states may also be in the process of structural and institutional mutation as providers of defence and crisis management capabilities.

Organisational learning without fire? Risk analyses as a basis for developing crisis management capabilities

Risk analyses are seen as a vital tool for crisis prevention and developing capability to respond to future crises. In Sweden, all municipalities are required to perform risk and vulnerability analyses as a basis for their crisis management work. The aim of this paper is to study how and why a risk and vulnerability analysis can become a part of an organisational process for learning how to prevent and prepare for crises. This is done through a study of civil servants in Swedish municipalities and county administrative boards about how they develop and use risk and vulnerability analysis for creating a crisis management capability within the organisation. It is shown that the results from risk and vulnerability analyses normally are not transferred within or beyond the municipalities and that the learning within the organisation and within society is thus limited.

Exploring collaborative crisis management: A model of essential capabilities

Crises at the societal level demand responses outside the normal and routine-based. Insufficient ability to handle a crisis risks to negatively affect several societal values, for example human life and health, the functionality of society or democracy. Due to the extent and complexity of these types of crises, they demand adapted collaborative responses based on several actors, which may not commonly act together. Although there is plenty of experience in crisis management, it is still not clear what capabilities enable different actors to jointly act in a coordinated manner when dealing with crises. The objective of this study was to develop a model of capabilities that constitute collaborative crisis management. The study was carried out in three activities: defining capabilities, validating the capabilities, and detailing the descriptions of the capabilities. The result was 14 capabilities categorized as core, supportive, and enabling. This capability model reflects vital capabilities of actual collaborative crisis management. It is applicable to the support of development and maintenance of the collaborative crisis management capability.

An Analysis of the Activities and Performance of Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB)

This study contributes a synopsis of the south Asian countries national tourism board and an analysis of the performance of Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) with other National Tourism Organizations. It is actually an explanatory research and the nature of the data is qualitative. The data are collected from different websites, newspapers, articles, journals, blogs, etc. Every country needs to know its status compare to others to sustain the competitive market. The competitiveness of tourist destinations acts as the pillar for attracting tourists. Generating tremendous jobs, increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP), maintaining the balance of payment, etc. are all possible with the improvement of tourism sector. The development of this sector dramatically depends on the activities and performance of BTB. To measure the present status of BTB as a National Tourism Board (NTO), we need to make an analysis of it with others. The result indicates the inability of BTB to attract a standard number of foreign tourists in Bangladesh compare to other south Asian countries. This study also revealed that its tagline, vision, mission, promotional strategy, website design, policy, crisis management capability, etc. is relatively poor compared to others.

Crisis-as-practice: Conceptualizing the role of everyday work practices in crisis management

Although research on organizational crisis management is vast, it is sometimes insubstantial, particularly in understanding how an organization's routine practices are utilized in crisis management. This article presents a conceptual framework of crisis-as-practice to complement the ‘traditional’ crisis-as-event and crisis-as-process perspectives of crisis management research. By turning to practice theory, it is possible to emphasize the importance of apprehending crisis management as an accomplishment shaped by socially shared practices routinely performed in organizations. This article outlines a framework based on two theoretical constructs: (1) the three-element model of practice, and (2) the distinction between integrative and dispersed practices revealing crisis management capabilities generally invisible in other research. The article concludes with a discussion of how the practice-based framework can widen the understanding of what crisis management is, who is viewed as a crisis manager, what crisis managers do, and what can be grasped through an analysis of crisis managers and their practices.

The Role of Human Resource Governance in Crisis Management Case Study (PEYRISSAC Company)

The study aimed to show the role of human resource governance in crisis management by examining the relationship between it and crisis management. The study used a questionnaire as a means of collecting information, as the study population consisted of employees from PEYRISSAC Company. The study sample was selected to be total of (200) employees from PEYRISSAC Company on the basis of a random sample. The results of the study showed the following: the presence of a statistically significant relationship in improving the effectiveness of human resources and crisis management, the existence of a statistically significant relationship in the effectiveness of continuous improvement in crisis management, the existence of a statistically significant relationship in improving the organization of work in crisis management and improvement in effectiveness in managing Crises, the existence of a statistically significant relationship to improve effectiveness in crisis management and administrative capabilities. The study contain in set recommendations, including: Governance is an important issue for all organizations, especially in our current era that is prone to financial collapse and economic crises, the need to develop an appropriate structure and distribute administrative tasks to employees, which are the most important pillars in which the organization succeeds, in addition to the need to pay attention to good planning and the participation of workers in developing future strategies, In conclusion, the research was able to shed light on all aspects related to the topic "The Role of Human Resources Governance in Crisis Management". Managing human resources and the means and methods by which crises can be avoided and how to deal with them through the use of some previous studies and benefit from the results of studies and their inclusion in the current study.

Organisational Learning Without Fire? Risk Analyses as a Basis for Developing Crisis Management Capabilities

Organisational Learning Without Fire? Risk Analyses as a Basis for Developing Crisis Management Capabilities

ICT Solutions in the Activities of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) as an E-Administration. Evolution During the COVID-19 Epidemic (Case Study)

Purpose: As a case study illustrating the relationship between crisis management capabilities and the use of ICT techniques and technologies in public administration, the following text presents the evolution of selected ICT-based solutions used in the activities of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) as an e-administration and their use in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The article describes chronologically the most important projects in this area implemented and developed at ZUS from 2016 to the end of 2020. Methods: To achieve the objective a case study method has been chosen, i.e. a method of a qualitative nature, which, among other things, allows for: an in-depth description of an atypical phenomenon, and also on a broader and individualized analysis of the problem, allowing for its better understanding. The application of the case study method for presenting the impact of the pandemic (global crisis) on the use of information technology – in accordance with the assumption of using this method in the so-called narrow approach – made it possible to reconstruct the course of this relationship and its conditions. The case description was based on the analysis of legal acts, ZUS documents: annual reports on ZUS activities, strategic studies periodically prepared in ZUS, specifying the current objectives, directions and instruments of its planned development, information publications available on the ZUS website and thematic information available in the media. Findings: Using the example of the changes in the use of new techniques and information technologies in the Social Insurance Institution, it was shown how the process of automation and digitization was accelerated under the conditions of the pandemic. As a result, ZUS played the role of the main entity implementing government aid projects under crisis conditions. It is also a leader in e-administration development. Originality/value: The presented case study is an original paper, drawing attention to the potential of public institutions and conditions of its use in the global crisis situation. The added value of the study is the quotation of unpublished figures made available by ZUS. They enable an objective assessment of changes, the scale of described activities, as well as their effectiveness, measured e.g. by the number of activities, instruments and beneficiaries

Improving Crisis &amp; Emergency Management Capability of Government by Using Big Data Technology: China’s Response to the COVID-19

The purpose of this study is to review the way how to use big data to improve the government’s crisis &amp; emergency management capability to respond to public health crises and to suggest the future directions for improving the scientific application of big data analysis. This study classifies the specific manifestations of big data during the COVID-19 epidemic, and analyzes the advantages of using big data. Using big data to improve the government’s crisis management capabilities is mainly reflected in the following aspects: advancement of precision in response to the epidemic; promotion of the government’s internal and external cooperation; enhancement of the ability to respond to internet public opinion; promotion of the transformation of public decision-making from traditional experience to intelligent and scientific. In order to better integrate big data with public crisis governance, this study is concluded with a discussion of suggestions: improvement of big data application capabilities; enhancement of big data governance; people-oriented and paying attention to internet public opinion; innovation of public decision-making methods for big data governance.&#x0D;

Building resilience for food service businesses in times of crisis: a Four-F action plan

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a “Four-F (finding facts, fostering alternates, fulfilling implementation and feasibility testing)” action plan to global food service businesses (FSB) such as restaurants (dine-in/take away) to build resilience during times of global crises. The 2019 Coronavirus disease and FSBs apply as working examples elaborating the proposed Four-F action plan with several managerial implications for the internal and external stakeholders of FSBs.Design/methodology/approachThe method involves reviewing and coding 108 articles using the PRISMA approach, then applying findings to develop the Four-F action plan integrating multiple theoretical concepts (such as stakeholder, crisis management and dynamic capabilities).FindingsThere are two key findings. First, though all four crisis phases should be considered by decision-makers as part of their contingency planning process, the pre and post-crisis stages need higher attention. Second, the Four-F action plan provides specific recommendations to FSBs stakeholders (consumers, suppliers and government) for each crisis phase (pre-crisis, crisis emergence, crisis occurrence and post-crisis).Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that has incorporated multiple theoretical frameworks (stakeholder theory, crisis management and dynamic capabilities) within the FSBs context and provided the Four-F action plan for decision-makers to understand and manage crisis phases.

Role of effective crisis communication by the government in managing the first wave Covid-19 pandemic - A study of Kerala government's success.

Effective crisis communication is critical for successful crisis management. The current study is an attempt to unravel the public communication efforts of the Kerala government in its successful Covid‐19 crisis management efforts during the first wave of the pandemic. The findings of the study indicate that the government has successfully used pre‐crisis communication to inoculate the stakeholders, ‘steal thunder’, and bolster their crisis management capabilities. Effective crisis communication, by the government, has ensured proper information management, media management, right supportive action, and direct communication with stakeholders. Effective communication has also helped the government in garnering favourable constituent attribution, positive framing, positive affect in stakeholder, and enlist active stakeholder participation in crisis management; resulting in, effective crisis management and enhanced reputation for the government. The study unravels the best practices of the Kerala government, in public crisis communication, during the pre‐crisis and crisis stages of the first wave of the pandemic and proposes a Kerala model of crisis communication. The model can be used as a reference for future government communication efforts during a crisis across geographies.