Critical Management Research Articles

The assessment of groundwater reserves, quality, and balance in Quang Nam region, Vietnam: using MIKE BASIN and MODFLOW models

Abstract This comprehensive study examines the groundwater reserves and quality within the Quang Nam region, Vietnam, utilising the integrated MIKE BASIN and MODFLOW models. The research systematically analyses the coastal and key economic zones, covering 259,039 hectares, including urban and rural districts. The study delineates the region's hydrogeology, revealing a significant volume of groundwater reserves with a static water level, suggesting robust aquifer systems, particularly in the Dien Ban and Thang Binh districts. Furthermore, hydrogeochemical analysis assessed groundwater quality, indicating suitability for agriculture, which accounts for 81% of the region's water demand and other uses. The study's novelty lies in its dual approach of quantifying groundwater reserves and evaluating their quality, addressing a critical regional water resource management gap. The findings present an optimistic scenario for the current and future sustainability of water resources, with the calculated groundwater reserves demonstrating ample capacity to support the varied needs of the region. This research establishes a foundational understanding of Quang Nam's hydrological system. It provides strategic insights for sustainable water management in response to socio-economic development and climate change projections up to 2030. Climate projections for Quảng Nam province under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios indicate significant increases in rainfall, temperature, sea level rise, and saltwater intrusion, highlighting the critical need for adaptive strategies to protect local ecosystems and communities from these escalating climate threats.

Intercultural training as paradigm juxtaposition, and the need to differentiate critical cross-cultural management studies: The example of ‘managing Muslim minorities at work’

Intercultural training as paradigm juxtaposition, and the need to differentiate critical cross-cultural management studies: The example of ‘managing Muslim minorities at work’

Marine litter along the Peruvian coast: spatiotemporal composition, sources, hazard, and human modification relations.

Marine litter (ML) represents an escalating environmental issue, particularly in Latin America, where comprehensive studies are scarce despite critical solid waste management challenges and continuous human modification occurring on the coasts. To contribute to the knowledge of ML in the southeast Pacific, this study examined contamination across 10 beaches on Peru's extensive coast. Overall, ML contamination was categorized as moderate (with an ML concentration of 0.49 ± 0.64 items∙m-2), while significantly differing between summer (dirty with an ML concentration of 0.56 ± 0.66 items∙m-2) and winter (moderate with an ML concentration of 0.47 ± 0.60 items∙m-2). Three beaches were extremely dirty (concentrations of ML exceeded 1.0 items∙m-2). Predominant materials, items, and sources were plastic, cigarette butts (CBs), and mixed packaging. The Peruvian coast faced CB leachate impact (CBPI = 3.5 ± 3.5), reaching severe levels on two beaches, with considerable hazardous litter (HALI = 3.0 ± 2.9). Additionally, a higher degree of human modification was associated with higher ML levels along the coast.

A Simplified Failure Assessment to Identify Crack Growth Behavior in the Gas Pipeline by Post-Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure tests on pipelines have been found to be an inadequate means of critical integrity management due to the frequency of false negatives, which result from the inability of these tests to detect crack growth. It can be argued that focusing on pipe leakage does not guarantee future operability. A study presents a failure assessment methodology based on the failure assessment diagram (FAD), which aims to predict crack growth during hydrotesting. The calibrated pipe spool is validated by the application of data from hydrostatic tests and analytical techniques to ascertain the potential growth in circumferential surface cracks. A variety of factors, including pressure, material grades, flaw dimensions, and elliptical flaw angles, were examined in an effort to assess cracks. The results demonstrate that there is no pipeline leakage and minimal trapped air. Despite its location within the plastic zone, with a normalized pressure index of ≤1, the pipeline is deemed to be within acceptable limits according to the criteria established by the FAD. The assessment point was found to be predominantly influenced by the toughness ratio of the material grade. The crack propagated in the opposite direction with a maximum length a/c= 0.125 and a crack depth a/t= 0.2, which limited the toughness ratio. The load ratio indicates uniformity in elliptical angle flaw results. In this simplified failure assessment, the parameter describing the flaw size, which exhibits a strong correlation with the toughness ratio, plays a pivotal role. Further research and recommendations are also proposed.

QUALITY ENHANCEMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN CAMBODIA

Quality improvement is critical for both public and private colleges in Cambodia. The purpose of this study is to identify common quality management practices in Cambodian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), measure the relationships between quality management and quality assessments (internal and external), and evaluate the relationships between quality assessments and HE quality enhancement. A quantitative research approach was used in this study to evaluate the factors between quality enhancement and quality management for their significant implications. This study used simple and multivariate regressions to look at how quality assurance variables affect higher education quality. The study developed accurate questionnaires for 337 people from Cambodia's private and public higher education colleges and institutes, including academics and management staff. According to the findings, the majority of institutions regarded academic curriculum, facilities, educational management, academic staff and teaching methodologies, and student evaluation as critical quality management measures. However, they placed less emphasis on cooperation. The multiple regression analysis revealed that factors related to internal quality assessment (IQA), external quality assessment (EQA), and HE quality enhancement were consistent, indicating that academic curriculum, student assessment, facilities, support staff, and collaborations were potential factors for improving higher education quality. The emphasis on Internal Quality Assessment (IQA) and External Quality Assessment (EQA) resulted in dramatically enhanced higher education quality. Highly ranked institutions tended to have a better IQA and EQA system, and IQA and EQA played an important role in conducting frequent examinations of quality management methods.

A global analysis of the effects of forest thinning on soil N stocks and dynamics

Forest thinning is a critical management measure for changing the forest community structure and improving the soil microclimate and nitrogen (N) cycle. However, differences in forest types, thinning intensity, recovery time, and climate conditions make the accumulation of soil N under forest thinning uncertain; especially the soil N accumulation rate is still lacking. This study systematically discusses the effects of forest thinning on the rate of soil N stock change (RNC) and analyzes the relationship between the RNC and the rate of soil carbon (C) stock change (RCC) by synthesizing 387 global data points. Forest thinning significantly increased the soil N stock, with the RNC being +0.07 Mg/ha yr−1. The RNCs in coniferous and mixed forests (+0.07 and +0.09 Mg/ha yr−1, respectively) were higher than that in broadleaf forest (−0.03 Mg/ha yr−1). Heavy forest thinning inhibited soil N accumulation; however, light forest thinning and long-term recovery were more conducive to improving it. The RNC decreased with increasing precipitation and temperature under forest thinning. Additionally, the RNC was positively correlated with the RCC. Overall, heavy forest thinning decreases the soil N accumulation rate in the global forest ecosystem; conversely, long-term recovery increases it. Reducing the forest thinning intensity and extending the recovery time can accelerate soil N accumulation and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Analysis Of Soft Skills Of Students Of The Faculty Of Economics, Jakarta State University In Facing The World Of Work

This research aims to determine the soft skills needed by students at the Faculty of Economics, Jakarta State University in facing the world of work. This research uses qualitative research methods, where the data collection process is carried out through filling out questionnaires, interviews and observations. The analysis technique used is data collection, data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The validity of the data was tested using triangulation techniques. Based on research results, currently students have mastered several soft skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, public relations, problem solving, team work and time management. Meanwhile, the soft skills that students need in the future to face the world of work are team work, problem solving, public relations, public speaking and leadership. When compared with the soft skill indicators used in this research, in general students have three of the five abilities needed to face the world of work, where these three abilities are emotional intelligence, problem solving, and leadership. Currently, students need to focus on improving the soft skills they already have to be truly ready to enter the world of work.

Enhancing IT maturity in the Devops focus area: a comprehensive assessment with COBIT 2019

The research will investigate the following research inquiries: by utilizing the COBIT 2019 design toolkit, what is the level of DevOps maturity within the company according to COBIT 2019, and what recommendations are required to enhance the maturity level in DevOps. The researchers conducted a collaborative workshop with the critical management team to obtain reliable and accurate information. The workshop engaged participants from the development and operations teams to gather and analyze data about current DevOps practices. Based on the data, it is known that out of the 26 processes within the DevOps focus area, they have been measured and resulted in a maturity level of 3.15. The value of 3.15 indicates that the DevOps maturity level falls under the ''Defined'' category, meaning that the processes within the DevOps focus area have been implemented consistently. The case study research has reached its outcomes, and the researcher can conclude that the study has successfully achieved its objectives and benefits. This research has conducted an assessment of the maturity level for the DevOps focus area using the Process Assessment Model (PAM) as a measurement tool.

A Comparative Analysis of the Impact of Two Different Cognitive Aid Bundle Designs on Adherence to Best Clinical Practice in Simulated Perioperative Emergencies.

Background: Stress and human error during perioperative emergency situations can significantly impact patient morbidity and mortality. Previous research has shown that cognitive aid bundles (CABs) minimize critical misses by 75%. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two different CAB designs with the same content in reducing missed critical management steps for simulated perioperative emergencies. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled simulation-based study was conducted including 27 teams, each consisting of three participants; each team performed four simulation scenarios. In the first scenario for each team (Scenario 1), no CAB was used. Scenarios 2 and 3 were randomly allocated to the groups, with either a branched, clustered design (CAB-1) or a linear, step-by-step design (CAB-2) of the cognitive aid. In Scenario 4, the groups used one of the previously mentioned CABs according to their own preference. The primary outcome was the difference in the percentage of missed critical management steps between the two different CABs. Secondary outcomes included user preference for one CAB design and the reduction in percentage of missed critical management steps using any CAB versus no CAB. Results: Twenty-seven teams simulated 108 perioperative emergency situations. The percentage of missed critical management steps was similar between CAB-1 and CAB-2 (27% [interquartile range (IQR) 20-29] versus 29% [IQR 20-35], p = 0.23). However, most participants favored the branched, clustered design CAB-1 (77.8%). Additionally, employing any CAB reduced the percentage of missed critical management steps by 36% (33% missed steps vs. 21% missed steps, p = 0.003). Conclusions: While the two CAB designs did not differ significantly in reducing missed critical management steps, the branched, clustered design was perceived as more user-friendly. Importantly, using any CAB significantly reduced the percentage of missed critical management steps compared to not using a cognitive aid, emphasizing the need for CAB use in the operating room.

Industry 4.0-Compliant Occupational Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevention: Literature Review and Future Directions.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is among prevalent occupational diseases, causing early retirement and disabilities. This paper looks into occupational-related COPD prevention and intervention in the workplace for Industry 4.0-compliant occupation health and safety management. The economic burden and other severe problems caused by COPD are introduced. Subsequently, seminal research in relevant areas is reviewed. The prospects and challenges are introduced and discussed based on critical management approaches. An initial design of an Industry 4.0-compliant occupational COPD prevention system is presented at the end.

Anti-resorptive medications and periodontitis: critical appraisal, clinical management and ONJ risk

Purpose: This manuscript critically appraised the literature on, and analyzed the clinical scenario of, osteo-metabolic patients affected by periodontitis. Methods: A brief narrative review of literature was performed. The link between periodontitis and osteoporosis, the impact of anti-resorptive (AR) medications on the treatment of periodontitis, and the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) in different clinical scenarios were discussed. Results: Data suggest a bidirectional link between periodontitis and osteoporosis. Patients affected by osteoporosis showed higher risk of periodontitis and periodontitis-induced tissue destruction. Even though treatment with AR medications has been hypothesized to reduce inflammatory periodontal bone resorption, it may not be suggested as an adjunctive intervention in the treatment of periodontitis. Four clinical scenarios were identified: patients waiting for AR treatment, patients treated with bisphosphonates for less than three years, patients treated with bisphosphonates for more than three years, and patients treated with denosumab. The risk of osteonecrosis in each of these cases is described and practical clinical recommendations are provided. Briefly, both non-surgical and surgical treatment of periodontitis may be beneficial for these patients. Conclusions: Periodontitis treatment may be safe and predictable in patients treated with AR medications, keeping the MRONJ risk very low over time. KEY WORDS: Anti-resorptive medications, bisphosphonate, periodontitis, MRONJ.

Using feminist critical management studies to examine LGBTQ+ women’s experiences of inclusion and exclusion in rugby

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to examine the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, gay, takatāpui, queer, and allies (LGBTQ+) women in rugby in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Using Feminist Critical Management Studies (FCMS) the research shows the potential of these experiences to inform the development of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in sports organisations. FCMS places feminism at the centre of organizational research and seeks to disrupt hegemonic masculinity. This means that DEI policy and practice generation, and implementation, are informed by the knowledge experiences of a marginalized group, in this case, LGBTQ+ women. Mixed methods were used, comprising an online Qualtrics survey, which enabled the collection of descriptive quantitative data about 143 respondents’ demographics and experiences. The quantitative data revealed that women’s rugby is generally inclusive for LGBTQ+ community members. Of the 143 respondents, 69 also provided open text qualitative responses. The qualitative results were thematically analysed, revealing further details, such as inclusion as personal support; and inclusion as rugby culture. Constraints to inclusion were identified, as well as exclusion through traditional club environments. The respondents provided thoughts on future inclusion through the development of education and awareness. The research contributes to DEI in sport management by asking questions about how DEI knowledge is created in sport organisations, who are the guardians of that knowledge, and whether and how might sport managers adapt their practices to respectfully ensure that marginalized peoples’ views inform DEI.

Determining a Fuzzy Model of Time Buffer Size in Critical Chain Project Management

Abstract Elaborating and applying a new model for estimating the time buffer size of a project programme, which shall guarantee a 90 % probability of timely project execution. The research included source text analysis to provide information on a research gap and the identification of the research problem. The research problem was identified: the time buffer size in a critical path programme does not guarantee a 90 % probability of timely project execution. A new model was then elaborated to estimate the buffer size; it was applied in a technical production preparation project. An additional comparative analysis was performed using the following methods to verify the model more accurately: half of the time total of a path, the sum of squares (SSQ), and the root square error method (RSEM). The application of the fuzzy model to estimate the buffer size in a critical chain programme offers can shorten the total planned project duration. It has a higher probability of timely project execution than other methods for estimating the buffer size. It guarantees a 90 % probability of timely project execution, keeping aggressive task times, which eliminates unwanted situations such as student syndrome, Parkinson’s law, overestimating task duration, and multitasking. Project programming is an inherent part of the project planning stage in project management. Recently, project management has been increasingly developing, which has been confirmed by the article’s source literature analysis. The analysis revealed a research gap in models estimating project buffer size, which might guarantee a 90 % probability of timely project execution. Thus, a fuzzy model for estimating time buffer size in a critical chain was developed, constituting added value to the science of management and quality of production engineering (currently, mechanical engineering). The fuzzy model for estimating time buffer size was applied in one Polish enterprise in a project for a new product’s technical production preparation. The fuzzy model for estimating time buffer size permits the shortening of the duration of tasks to aggressive times, guaranteeing a 90 % probability of project timely execution. The elaborated model for estimating time buffer size may be applied further in practice in projects programmed using the critical chain method.

Comprehensive Study of Critical Areas of Change Management as a Starting Point for Leaders in the Area of Managing Human Resources in Organizations: The Case of the Visegrad Four

(1) Background: This research deals with an element of strategic management, namely corporate changes. It applies to production enterprises operating in the countries of the Visegrad Group. Since similar studies in the area of change management in the V4 environment are absent, we consider the research to be beneficial for the subject area. The aim of the paper is to identify key elements in change management that would contribute to improving the work of leaders. (2) Methods: We conducted the research on a sample of 318 manufacturing companies operating in V4 countries. We verified the obtained data using several tests, including Chi-square tests and Fisher’s exact test or binomial test, through which we verified established research hypotheses. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was also used, which made it possible to identify critical factors in the area of change management. (3) Results: Critical change management factors emerged from the research, and we also determined the preconditions for successful management of these initiatives. We consider the results significant for change management leaders. (4) We consider the findings to be a contribution to the given field of management, as similar studies are absent in it, which creates a gap in this field.

THE INFLUENCE OF CRITICAL RISKS ON THE MECHANISM OF DEFENCE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The continuation of warfare in the territory of the country causes many economic, environmental and social problems. That is why it is important to study the influence of critical risks on the mechanism of managing defence resources, which the state’s ability to withstand in difficult times and to ensure the protection of state borders depends on. The main purpose of the paper is the evaluation of scientific and practical principles of determination and analysis of critical risks in the defence industry.Subject to the foregoing, the paper investigates the main scientists’ approaches to the definition and classification of critical risks, which affect the mechanism of defence resource management. It also provides a multiple-factor analysis of critical risks, which affect the mechanism of defence resource management. An effective system for managing critical risks that affect the mechanism of defence resource management was developed in the work. It gives recommendations aimed at reducing the degree of influence of critical risks on the mechanism of defence resource management.The study uses general and special methods of scientific research, in particular, the method of scientific abstraction to timely find and use in practice the indicators of evaluation of critical risks and effective methods of their reduction; the methods of comparative and structural factor analysis to evaluate the indicators under study; the method of logical generalization to provide directions and recommendations for reducing the influence of critical risks on the defence resource management system.The paper is the first to comprehensively analyze the influence of critical risks on the mechanism of defence resource management. The authors highlighted the concepts of responding to critical risks that influence the mechanism. The practical importance of the paper is that the introduction of an effective critical risk management system will allow improving the efficiency of this mechanism.

A bioeconomic model for a multispecies small-scale fishery system

A fishery encompasses various interconnected systems, including ecological, socioeconomic, and governing systems. Managing fisheries requires the simultaneous consideration of all these systems, making it a challenging endeavor. To address these challenges, fisheries bioeconomic models have emerged as a crucial tool. They are particularly valuable in the context of small-scale fisheries, which are often complex, overlooked and poorly understood. Thus, this paper presents a dynamic multispecies and multigear bioeconomic model that can illuminate the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of small-scale fisheries under different management scenarios. The model was applied to a small-scale fisheries system in Southern Brazil that has as a notable feature a cooperative fishing behavior between dolphins and fishers. Three scenarios were explored: the base scenario (status quo), the optimal management scenario, and the constrained optimal management scenario. The model outputs demonstrated a clear tradeoff between labour effort, species conservation, and economic rent. Shifting from the base to an optimal management scenario would result in a labour employment reduction within the system but concurrently yield higher stock levels, economic rent, and wages. These results illustrate how our model can explore critical management scenarios across the multiple dimensions of fisheries systems. In essence, this research offers a novel contribution in the form of a bioeconomic model tailored for small-scale fisheries involving multiple species.

Absent Algorithm

If your medium is shaped by an algorithm, then what reason would you have to hide it? This article explores the topic of how the algorithmic shaping of communication on enterprise social media (ESM) is in turn communicated by platform developers to potential customer organizations. Specifically, the article analyzes how this topic is usually not discussed and why. As a case study, the author performs a qualitative analysis of the corporate communication surrounding the ESM Workplace from Meta, analyzing the 23 podcast episodes and 123 online videos produced by Meta on this topic. The case is selected due to the prolific discussion of algorithmic curation in other Meta products, and the presence of such algorithmic underpinnings on Workplace itself. Despite this, Meta’s emphasis is usually on more explicit examples of artificial intelligence in the form of communicative bots, and especially on how these may circumvent algorithmically curated or individualized communication patterns of employees. Drawing on critical management and organizational studies, the author discusses possible explanations relating to the distribution of power between organizations and platforms.

Effective Critical Risk Management in Welding Operations for Mining: A Case Study on Incident Reduction

Effective Critical Risk Management in Welding Operations for Mining: A Case Study on Incident Reduction

Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 Among Health Care Providers: A Case Study of Kalulushi General Hospital in Kalulushi District, Zambia

Coronavirus disease 2019 is an infectious disease which was first identified in Wuhan a City in the Peoples Republic of China in December 2019. The aim of this study was to establish the mental health effects of COVID 19 on the frontline health care providers at Kalulushi General Hospital in Kalulushi district of Zambia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed to assess the mental health effects of COVID 19 on the frontline health care providers at Kalulushi General Hospital in Zambia. The study used simple random sampling technique to select 122 respondents to participate in the study. Data was collected from study participants using structured questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and MS excel and was presented using tables, bar charts and pie charts. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and mental health effects of COVID-19 parameters. The ethical approval was gotten from Lusaka Apex Medical University Biomedical Research Ethics Committee, Kalulushi General Hospital and Kalulushi District Health Office respectively. The study revealed that, most of the respondents (31%) were afraid of contracting COVID-19, while 27% of study participants claimed that COVID 19 was a propaganda and that no one knew when it would end. The study also found that, a small proportion of study participants reported a decline in work morale (17%), likely associated with witnessing numerous deaths (19%) and the added stress of inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) experienced by 15%. The study further demonstrated that 58% of the respondents accepted that working in a COVID-19 environment affected their mental health while 42% of the respondents did not accept that working in the COVID-19 environment did affect mental health of frontline healthcare providers. The study further revealed that, most of the respondents were using handwashing or sanitizers, facemasks and protective clothing (27%) to cope with COVID-19 pandemic. The study also showed that, a few respondents were practicing social distancing (22%), and having healthy diet (19%) in order to cope with COVID-19. Marital status and religion were found to have significant association with copying strategies of frontline healthcare providers against COVID-19 pandemic at Kalulushi General Hospital in Kalulushi District of Zambia (P < 0.05). WHO, CDC, and Zambian Ministry of Health should prioritize implementing Critical Incident Stress Management protocols, develop culturally sensitive mobile applications to offer self-guided interventions, and promote healthy coping mechanisms among frontline healthcare providers.

TARGETED TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT AT 36°C IMPROVES SURVIVAL AND PROTECTS TISSUES BY MITIGATING THE DELETERIOUS INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE FOLLOWING HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK.

Hemorrhagic shock (HS) is a life-threatening condition with high mortality rates despite current treatments. This study investigated whether targeted temperature management (TTM) could improve outcomes by modulating inflammation and protecting organs following HS. Using a rat model of HS, TTM was applied at 33°C and 36°C after fluid resuscitation. Surprisingly, TTM at 33°C increased mortality, while TTM at 36°C significantly improved survival rates. It also reduced histological damage in lung and kidney tissues, lowered serum lactate levels, and protected against apoptosis and excessive reactive oxygen species production. TTM at 36°C inhibited the release of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), a key mediator of inflammation, and decreased proinflammatory cytokine levels in the kidneys and lungs. Moreover, it influenced macrophage behavior, suppressing the harmful M1 phenotype while promoting the beneficial M2 polarization. Cytokine array analysis confirmed reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines with TTM at 36°C. These results collectively highlight the potential of TTM at 36°C as a therapeutic approach to improve outcomes in HS. By addressing multiple aspects of injury and inflammation, including modulation of macrophage responses and cytokine profiles, TTM at 36°C offers promising implications for critical care management after HS, potentially reducing mortality and improving patient recovery.