Disruption Time Research Articles

Reassessing fossil fuels in a time of disruption: hydrogen, natural gas and future possibilities

Reassessing fossil fuels in a time of disruption: hydrogen, natural gas and future possibilities

Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening Adherence During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Cohort at Increased Inherited Cancer Risk in the United States.

We examined neighborhood characteristics concerning breast cancer screening annual adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed 6673 female patients aged 40 or older at increased inherited cancer risk in 2 large health care systems (NYU Langone Health [NYULH] and the University of Utah Health [UHealth]). Multinomial models were used to identify predictors of mammogram screening groups (non-adherent, pre-pandemic adherent, pandemic period adherent) in comparison to adherent females. Potential determinants included sociodemographic characteristics and neighborhood factors. Comparing each cancer group in reference to the adherent group, a reduced likelihood of being non-adherent was associated with older age (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95, 0.99), a greater number of relatives with cancer (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.86), and being seen at NYULH study site (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.60). More relatives with cancer were correlated with a lesser likelihood of being pandemic period adherent (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81, 0.97). A lower likelihood of being pre-pandemic adherent was seen in areas with less education (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.96) and NYULH study site (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.55). Finally, greater neighborhood deprivation (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.01) was associated with being non-adherent. Breast screening during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with being older, having more relatives with cancer, residing in areas with less educational attainment, and being seen at NYULH; non-adherence was linked with greater neighborhood deprivation. These findings may mitigate risk of clinically important screening delays at times of disruptions in a population at greater risk for breast cancer.

Causal Inference in Supply Chain Management: How Does Ever Given Accident at the Suez Canal Affect the Prices of Shipping Containers?

In March 2021, the Ever Given, a colossal 4000-meter-long container ship with a capacity of 20,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units), became lodged in the Suez Canal for six days, causing a significant disruption. This accident blocked approximately 400 ships, impacting not only the vessel itself and the canal but also global trade and the already strained global supply chain post-pandemic. Our research leverages causal inference techniques to rigorously assess and quantify the causal effects of the Ever Given accident on the World Container Index (WCI). We conducted experiments using time series data from eight major global shipping routes, achieving statistically significant results with a confidence level of 99.89%. This research conclusively demonstrates that the Ever Given incident at the Suez Canal had a substantial impact on shipping container prices, quantifying the effect as a remarkable 40% price increase post-exposure. By offering companies the ability to apply causal inference in understanding cause-and-effect dynamics within their supply chain networks, this study equips them with the knowledge needed to make well-informed decisions, especially in times of disruption, thus facilitating the optimization of their supply chain configuration and operations.

Reassessing fossil fuels in a time of disruption: hydrogen, natural gas and future possibilities

Reassessing fossil fuels in a time of disruption: hydrogen, natural gas and future possibilities

Business Continuity Innovation in Disruption Time: Sociotechnical Systems, Business Analytics, Virtual Business, and Mediating Role of Knowledge Absorptive Capacity

The continuity strategy of business innovation to deal with the disruption condition, it is still many to be designed and explained. Referring to a sociotechnical systems (STSs) approach, this article conceptualizes and practically examines the business analytics, virtual business, and knowledge absorptive capacity that increase and produce the continuity capability of business innovation in uncertain business environment (e.g., COVID-19). We used SmartPLS to empirically evaluate the model based on 145 companies in a developing country of Indonesia that is currently under high disruption. Drawing a technical perspective, business analytics has successfully enhanced business continuity innovation and knowledge absorptive capacity. In a socio perspective, knowledge absorptive capacity significantly produces business continuity innovation. Business continuity innovation suffers if firms adopt virtual business without increasing their knowledge capabilities. Furthermore, mediating effects present higher support from management level to knowledge absorptive capacity strategy, a bigger impact for business analytics, and virtual business to improve and increase the goals opportunities of business continuity innovation. A novel contribution is the integration of STSs (business analytics, virtual business, and knowledge absorptive capacity) that drives business continuity innovation to deal and recover from uncertain environment. Our efforts also align several fields such as information technology-business alignment strategy, knowledge management, and knowledge-business services. Future research would be worthwhile and interesting whether our framework will suitable to different companies/respondents, business context, industry area, and crisis condition.

Development and Application of a Timekeeping System to Maintain Lean Development Processes

The pressures of global competition and shorter product lifecycles, along with a growing number of product variations, necessitate companies to continually decrease their development times. Therefore, the most effective use of development time must be guaranteed. To enhance time management, it is necessary to recognize and minimize wastage in the development process. "Timekeeper" gadgets allow developers to decentrally measure interruptions in the development process and then automatically display them using a data processing system. Gadgets and data processing system complying with data protection regulations have produced a mobile and widely applicable time measurement system. Disruption times can be recorded e.g. as part of SixSigma activities. This enables prompt response to acute events and the monitoring of the success of implemented measures based on figures, data and facts. The timekeeping system allows numerous employees to record their time individually and concurrently, enabling its use over an extensive duration without external consultants. Unlike selective time recording, which is only useful in serial production, this system can also aid administrative areas that regularly handle activities with varying durations, such as the design of both small and large assemblies. This publication outlines the development, application and evaluation of the Timekeeping system.

Sourcing Decisions With Time-Varying Emergency Order Costs and Production Disruption During Environmental Enforcement Campaigns

This study investigates a retailer's sourcing decisions from two different suppliers (i.e., compliant and substandard suppliers) during environmental enforcement campaigns. The compliant supplier spends more on environmental protection and will supply products stably at a higher price, whereas the substandard supplier is cheaper but less environmentally friendly. Due to environmental issues, the substandard supplier is at risk of production disruption, which makes the supplier partially deliver the order with the quantity related to the disruption time. When the disruption occurs, an emergency ordering opportunity is provided at a cost that increases with the disruption time. We derive optimal order quantities and threshold conditions regarding supplier selection. If the order cost of the substandard supplier (or compliant supplier) is relatively small (or large), the compliant supplier will always be abandoned regardless of the increasing rate of the emergency order cost. Otherwise, the compliant supplier will be selected only if the increasing rate is large. The impacts of loss aversion are also investigated. Loss aversion will inhibit the retailer's willingness to place an emergency order and may increase the retailer's preference for the substandard supplier rather than the compliant supplier. Numerical experiments are conducted based on the sourcing problem of the company Mengniu.

A Procurement Advantage in Disruptive Times: New Perspectives on ESG Strategy and Firm Performance

A Procurement Advantage in Disruptive Times: New Perspectives on ESG Strategy and Firm Performance

Telemedicine in the age of the pandemics: The prospects of web-based remote patient monitoring systems for orthopaedic ambulatory care management in the developing economies.

The goal of this research was to demonstrate the efficacy of telemedicine via design, implementation and evaluation of a web-based remote patient monitoring system (WB-RPMS) across the tertiary/university teaching hospitals in a developing country Nigeria, as a tool to continue to expand access to an affordable and resilient tertiary healthcare system through the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic or any future disruptions. This research employed an agile and human-centred design thinking philosophy, which saw the researchers iteratively collaborate with clinicians across the system development value chain. It also employed qualitative and quantitative research methods for new system evaluations. After the system's development, a 20-patient sample was randomly selected from members of the National Youth Service Corp to evaluate the WB-RPMS Patient Portal for usability and user experience through a survey based on the system usability scale. Again, the COREQ standards for reporting research result were adopted for this study. The evaluation of the WB-RPMS Patient Portal by a select patient sample showed that 95.0% of the respondents believed that they would like to use the system frequently. It was also discovered that 90.0% of all respondents also indicated that they found the Patient Portal to be simple; 85.0% of the respondents believed and indicated that the WB-RPMS Patient Portal was easy to use. The result of the usability evaluation of the developed WB-RPMS Patient Portal showed that it was well received by the select patient sample and by the clinicians who participated in the development process. In fact, the performance of the system shows that it has the potential to remotely support and sustain improved access to affordable healthcare for outpatients in developing countries even during times of uncertainties and disruptions as recently occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

Permanent Distortions in Times of Pandemic and Social Disruption: A New Risk Society on the Horizon

Permanent Distortions in Times of Pandemic and Social Disruption: A New Risk Society on the Horizon

Why go to University? Forming academic friendships at Tyndale University, a private Christian university in Ontario, Canada

This paper considers why Christian Higher Education could offer a hopeful, if metaphysical, answer to the question, “Why go to university”? The paper draws on two examples to argue that a greater diversity of higher education institutions in Ontario would tell a bigger story about what going to university is for. The first example is historic and introduces four female philosophers whose academic friendship impacted postwar moral philosophy in Britain and North America. The second example is contemporary: Tyndale University is a private Christian university in Toronto. The paper argues that Tyndale University is an example of the kind of small to mid-size universities capable of fostering the academic friendships necessary to preserve diversity, resilience and alternate imaginations during times of global disruption.

The effects of knowledge spillovers, digital capabilities, and innovation on firm performance: A moderated mediation model

Despite the growing importance of implementing digital technologies in business contexts, empirical research relating to digital capabilities, innovation, and business performance still remains scarce, particularly relevant in these times of disruption. This study proposes a mediated-moderated framework to describe, according to the level of economic development of the country of firm location, the direct and indirect effects (mediated by digital capabilities and innovation) of knowledge spillovers on firm performance. We carried out a quantitative study deploying the longitudinal World Bank Enterprise Surveys for 2019, 2020 and 2021 in a dataset that included 27,727 firms from 41 countries and territories. We applied the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) methodological approach to test the mediated-moderated model that explains business performance. The results identify how knowledge spillovers positively influence firm performance through digital capabilities and innovation. Furthermore, we empirically demonstrate that the national level of economic development moderates the direct and indirect impacts of knowledge spillovers on firm performance.

‘A freedom of students to choose’: Student and staff perspectives on the future role of online learning in higher education

ABSTRACT COVID-19 represented a time of disruption and innovation, with online learning ensuring students could still engage with their studies. With the pandemic stabilised, survey data (N > 600) were used to examine ongoing use and perceptions of online learning at a UK university. Despite some reversion to in-person practice, online provision still plays a significant role. These data indicated students are more likely to hold positive perceptions of online learning, identifying benefits such as enhanced accessibility and skill development. They also believed it reduces teaching costs, raising questions about student knowledge regarding the investment needed to development online provision. Students evidenced exhibiting choice over how they engaged with their studies. Finally, students with barriers to campus attendance (e.g. commuters) were more positively disposed to online provision than peers who relocated for their studies. This study highlights the need for universities to calibrate student and staff expectations regarding the role of online learning.

Teleconference group singing programs for well‐being of healthy older adults and persons with neurocognitive disorders during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractBackgroundDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, older adults experienced a marked decline in well‐being, attributed largely to social isolation (Tilburg et al, 2021; Krendl et al, 2021). Previous literature shows that participatory musical interventions, like group singing, improve well‐being and provide social and emotional support (Pentikäinen et al, 2021; Johnson et al, 2020). However, the pandemic highlighted the need for research on how such programs may be administered in an online setting. The enforced shutdown of in‐person choirs in 2021 provided an opportunity for such assessment.MethodTwo types of group choir programs were conducted via teleconferencing. One program engaged participants in sing‐along to familiar music only, offered weekly (52 in 2021). The other involved structured rehearsals (14 sessions) where participants learned choir music, culminating in a recorded "virtual concert”. Program participants were 55 and older, divided into persons with neurocognitive disorders (NcD) and cognitively healthy individuals (CH). Self‐report assessments of the programs were solicited. Four Likert scale questions covered anxiety, social connections, physical well‐being, and “other” areas of well‐being. Two free response questions requested elaboration on other well‐being improvement.ResultResults of Likert scales indicated at least moderate improvements in all measured aspects of well‐being. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive (>95%). Free response analysis revealed 7 themes, the most prominent being emotional, social, and intellectual well‐being. 87% of respondents mentioned positive effects on well‐being. Intellectual well‐being was mentioned with significant frequency by choir participants versus sing‐along (p = 0.02). While the NcD choir group was small, hampering statistical power, clear trends were present; 40% of participants in the NcD choir highlighted social well‐being (25‐29% in other groups), and 20% discussed improvements to physical well‐being (0‐6% in other groups).ConclusionOnline group music programs administered during the COVID‐19 pandemic showed improvements in overall measures of well‐being, with different programs and participants highlighting specific aspects. These results establish feasibility for such programs as a method for providing meaningful improvement to well‐being in older adults, providing stability and connection amidst a time of disruption and isolation.

2502. Best Practice Alert for Hepatitis C Virus Screening Demonstrates Importance of Reminders during Disruptive Times (COVID-19)

Abstract Background In 2015, a Best Practice Alert (BPA) was implemented into our electronic health record that prompts ordering of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibody (Ab) screens for unscreened patients born between 1945-1965 (baby boomers: BB). The BPA begins the first step of the three-step care cascade, after which follow-up is needed for RNA testing if Ab-positive and HCV clinic visit if RNA-positive (figure 1). Prior studies found a 3.5-fold increase in HCV Ab screening after BPA implementation. We sought to understand the BPA’s role in cascade navigation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial BPA is triggered, which leads to subsequent steps including HCV antibody testing, HCV RNA testing, and ending with a clinic visit for treatment initiation. Methods This retrospective study included BB receiving their first BPA between 7/1/18-12/31/19 (pre-pandemic: PP) and 1/1/20-7/1/21, (intra-pandemic: IP), excluding patients with a death date ≤ 180 days after their BPA. Patients were followed for 180 days for each step and were marked unsuccessful if it was not completed. Successful navigation (SN) was defined as completing all steps or testing negative at any step. Hazard ratios for completion of each step were calculated via Cox Proportional Model. Clinical and demographic predictors of SN were examined via multivariable logistic regression in each cohort. Results Overall, 14,236 unscreened BB had a BPA (8,090 PP, 6,146 IP) fire during the study periods. The cohorts were similar, except for an increase in share with county financial assistance and those cared for by advanced practice providers in the IP cohort (table 1). An increase in HCV Ab screening (aHR 1.31 [95% CI: 1.25, 1.38]) and decreases in HCV RNA testing (aHR 0.79 [0.65, 0.96]) and clinic visits (aHR 0.43 [0.28, 0.66]) were seen in the IP cohort (figures 2A, B, and C). Hispanic patients had increased odds (aOR: 1.25 [1.02, 1.54]) of SN in the IP cohort (figures 3A and B). Compared to family medicine, those cared for in geriatric clinics had lower odds (aOR 0.75 [0.62, 0.91]) of SN in the IP cohort. Lower odds were also seen for those with Charlson Index ≥ 2 (aOR 0.85 [0.74, 0.98]) compared to 0.Table 1.Cohort Demographics.Baseline demographic, comorbidity, and provider factors for the pre-pandemic and intra-pandemic cohorts. Figure 2. Survival-Time Analysis of the HCV Care Cascade. Kaplan-Meier curves with 95% confidence intervals depicting time to completion by day after step initiation in each cohort. Data for the HCV antibody screening (A), HCV RNA testing (B), and liver clinic visit (C) steps are each shown separately. Log-rank test p-values are shown. Figure 3. Logistic Regression Forest Plots Forest plots showing the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for successful cascade navigation in the pre-pandemic (A) and intra-pandemic (B) cohorts. Odds ratio less than 1 indicates lower odds of successful navigation during that period. Odds ratio greater than 1 indicates higher odds of successful navigation. Conclusion The BPA increased the durability of HCV Ab screening rates during the pandemic compared to other steps in the cascade. Disparities in completing all steps of the cascade persisted and likely worsened in some groups during the pandemic. Overall, electronic reminders lessen impacts of disruptions in healthcare services. Disclosures Mamta K. Jain, MD, MPH, Gilead Sciences: Grant/Research Support|Laurent: Grant/Research Support

An off-axis relativistic jet seen in the long lasting delayed radio flare of the TDE AT 2018hyz

ABSTRACT The Tidal Disruption Event (TDE) AT 2018hyz exhibited a delayed radio flare almost three years after the stellar disruption. Here, we report new radio observations of the TDE AT 2018hyz with the AMI-LA and ATCA spanning from a month to more than four years after the optical discovery and 200 d since the last reported radio observation. We detected no radio emission from 30–220 d after the optical discovery in our observations at 15.5 GHz down to a 3σ level of <0.14 mJy. The fast-rising, delayed radio flare is observed in our radio data set and continues to rise almost ∼1580 d after the optical discovery. We find that the delayed radio emission, first detected 972 d after optical discovery, evolves as t4.2 ± 0.9, at 15.5 GHz. Here, we present an off-axis jet model that can explain the full set of radio observations. In the context of this model, we require a powerful narrow jet with an isotropic equivalent kinetic energy Ek, iso ∼ 1055 erg, an opening angle of ∼7°, and a relatively large viewing angle of ∼42°, launched at the time of the stellar disruption. Within our framework, we find that the minimal collimated energy possible for an off-axis jet from AT 2018hyz is Ek ≥ 3 × 1052 erg. Finally, we provide predictions based on our model for the light curve turnover time, and for the proper motion of the radio emitting source.

Quality 4.0 in higher education: reinventing academic-industry-government collaboration during disruptive times

PurposeThis study aims to explore the conditions of successful implementation of Quality 4.0 in higher education institutions (HEIs) and the key factors affecting it, as well as the role of the Triple Helix collaborative (THC) framework in enhancing the integration of Quality 4.0 principles and Industry 4.0 technologies.Design/methodology/approachA survey-based strategy was adopted, adopting questionnaires distributed amongst researchers chosen based on their publications related to the aforementioned fields.FindingsThe successful integration of disruptive technologies, Quality 4.0 and THC in HEIs heavily relies on educators' continuous learning and professional development. Faculty members must acquire digital skills and competencies to effectively adopt disruptive technologies and implement Quality 4.0 principles in their teaching practices. HEIs should provide opportunities for faculty members to engage in ongoing training programmes, workshops and communities of practice that focus on enhancing their technological proficiencies, pedagogical strategies and collaborative skills.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported study linking the concepts of Quality 4.0 and the Triple Helix of Innovation in HEIs.

Ensuring turing – lessons learned for international short-mobilities during a time of travel disruption

ABSTRACT The ‘See the World – Winchester’ programme was funded by the UK Turing scheme in 2021–2022 and aimed to broaden the horizons of historically marginalised students who may not otherwise have had access to extracurricular opportunities such as international travel. The purpose of this article is twofold. Firstly, the authors reflect on the successes, failures and challenges involved with running internationalisation activities during a time of travel disruption. Secondly, this article presents findings from a small-scale evaluation that sought to measure the impact of short-term mobility with historically marginalised or under-represented students. The paper is useful for institutions looking to run international mobilities with students during a period of travel disruption using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. In addition, the findings highlight the experiences and benefits to students participating in short mobilities, which include, a cultural experience, opportunity for personal growth and development, enhanced employability, and ultimately, broader horizons.

How Much Did Urban Park Use Change under the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Comparative Study of Summertime Park Use in 2019 and 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The importance of urban parks was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a number of restrictions on social gatherings were in place and people's movements were often restricted to their local neighbourhood. This study examined the changes in patterns of park use before and during COVID-19 to understand how the pandemic influenced such use. The methods involved behaviour observation and mapping, to offer a comparison of the use of parks in Edinburgh, Scotland, before and in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show an overall increase in use of urban parks during COVID-19, as expected, with significantly higher use in social areas, sports and fitness areas, and playground areas. However, while there was an overall increase in people visiting parks with others during COVID, in woodland areas there was an increase in lone visitors. This study shows the importance of parks for socialisation, exercise and children's play, but also for spending time alone in natural areas during COVID-19. The value of urban parks at a time of social disruption, such as the pandemic, is highlighted, and their role in supporting a variety of urban dwellers' needs points to priorities for future park planning, design and management.

Intelligent manufacturing for strengthening operational resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A dynamic capability theory perspective

The occurrence of unexpected crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, creates a serious disruption in business operations, causing many companies to reassess the way they operate and seek new ways to enhance efficiency and resilience. Intelligent manufacturing may provide greater flexibility and adaptability, but less is known about whether and how intelligent manufacturing improved operational resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to address this gap in knowledge by comparing the operational resilience before and after the pandemic between companies that adopted intelligent manufacturing and those that did not. Drawing upon dynamic capability theory, this study explores the impact of intelligent manufacturing on operational resilience via ambidextrous capability during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the moderating role of managerial myopia. To test hypotheses, this study used the difference-in-differences (DID) approach by collecting 3960 observations from 1980 Chinese listed companies in 2019–2020. The findings suggest that intelligent manufacturing aids companies in developing operational resilience in times of crisis. It also enables companies to develop ambidextrous capability which further enhances operational resilience. However, managerial myopia tends to weaken the positive effect of intelligent manufacturing on operational resilience. The findings extend the current understanding of enhancing operational resilience and provide insights for companies to adopt intelligent manufacturing to improve their operational resilience during disruptive times.