Disruptive Changes Research Articles

Toward residential decarbonization: Analyzing social-psychological drivers of household co-adoption of rooftop solar, electric vehicles, and efficient HVAC systems in Georgia, U.S.

The marketplace of climate solutions has grown considerably. Three technologies, in particular, exhibit strong potential for disruptive change and advancement in the residential sector: electric vehicles (EVs), rooftop photovoltaics (RPVs), and efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Many scholars have studied the adoption of these technologies; we address their co-adoption. Using a survey conducted in Georgia, we examine pro-environmental behavior, risk tolerance, and energy-related knowledge as social-psychological drivers for the co-adoption of RPVs, EVs, and efficient HVACs (including heat pumps). We conclude that some but not all of these drivers are relevant to the adoption and co-adoption of the three transformational climate solutions. Pro-environmental behaviors, for instance, appear to create conditions for “positive spillover,” propelling consumers toward adopting multiple climate solutions, whereas energy knowledge has no clear relationship with co-adoption. At the same time, the = influence of these drivers are unique to different combinations of technologies – one notable example is the significance of risk tolerance when RPV is added to technology bundles. Our paper contributes to the literature by broadening the understanding of the adoption of bundled (or co-adopted) climate solutions.

Enabling successful change in a high-demand working environment: a case study in a health care organization

PurposeThe anticipation of organizational change and the transition process often creates uncertainty for employees and can lead to stress and anxiety. It is therefore essential for all organizations, especially those that operate in high-demand working environments, to support the well-being of staff throughout the change process.Design/methodology/approachResearch on how employees respond to the organizational change of relocating to a new work space is limited. To fill this gap in the research, we present a case study examining the well-being of clinical and health care employees before and after a disruptive change: relocation in workplace facilities. In addition, factors that enabled successful change in this high-stress, high-demand working environment were investigated. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants before the relocation and 11 participants after relocation. Following an inductive approach, data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes.FindingsOur findings suggest that a supportive team, inclusive leadership and a psychologically safe environment, may buffer negative employee well-being outcomes during disruptive organizational change.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the literature on successful organizational change in health care by highlighting the resources which support well-being throughout the change process and enabling the successful transition to a new facility.

RESEARCH ON KEY INFLUENCING FACTORS OF DT OF SMEs IN CHINA

With the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating and leading various aspects of society toward digital transformation (DT). With the widespread application of digital technologies such as big data and cloud computing, the DT process of enterprises is constantly accelerating, and disruptive changes have occurred in product services, business processes, and so on. This article provides a systematic review of existing research on DT and identifies the influencing factors from the organizational level, management level, and environmental level based on the Strategic Change framework of Rajagoralan &Spertizer (1997). Subsequently, an integrated analysis framework was proposed that includes five configuration factors: digital transformation infrastructure, employee skills, management support, market uncertainty, and technology uncertainty. This article not only deepens the understanding of the causal complexity issues behind the success of SMEs’ DT but also provides some beneficial insights for the practice of SMEs’ DT.

Difficulties in emotion regulation and well-being in breast cancer

ABSTRACT Objective: Breast cancer is responsible for disruptive changes in women’s lives, causing them to experience diverse and intense negative emotions that can affect their perception of well-being. The present study aimed to characterize difficulties in emotion regulation (ER), according to Gratz and Roemer’s multidimensional assessment, in women with breast cancer and to relate them with General Well-Being and its different domains: Physical, Social/Familial, Emotional, and Functional. Method: Ninety-five Portuguese women with breast cancer aged between 32 and 75 years answered a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and the Portuguese versions of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General. Data were collected in an oncology public hospital. Results: In general, difficulties in ER presented negative correlations with General Well-Being and its domains. The multiple regression analysis findings indicated that two specific types of difficulties, Limited Access to ER Strategies and Lack of Emotional Clarity, play a significant role in predicting well-being, especially in the Emotional domain, which was most compromised in these patients. Conclusions: These difficulties should be approached within psycho-oncological interventions as they are essential contributors to improving emotional and general well-being and fostering psychological adaptation to breast cancer.

Imaging quantitative changes in blood-brain barrier permeability using [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-sorbitol ([18F]FDS) PET in relation to glial cell recruitment in a mouse model of endotoxemia

The quantitative relationship between the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the recruitment of glial cells was explored in a mouse model of endotoxemia. [18F]2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-sorbitol ([18F]FDS) PET imaging was used as a paracellular marker for quantitative monitoring of BBB permeability after i.v injection of increasing doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle (saline, n = 5). The brain distribution of [18F]FDS (VT, mL.cm−3) was estimated using kinetic modeling. LPS dose-dependently increased the brain VT of [18F]FDS after injection of LPS 4 mg/kg (5.2 ± 2.4-fold, n = 4, p < 0.01) or 5 mg/kg (9.0 ± 9.1-fold, n = 4, p < 0.01) but not 3 mg/kg (p > 0.05, n = 7). In 12 individuals belonging to the different groups, changes in BBB permeability were compared with expression of markers of astrocyte (GFAP) and microglial cell (CD11b) using ex vivo immunohistochemistry. Increased expression of CD11b and GFAP expression was observed in mice injected with 3 mg/kg of LPS, which did not increase with higher LPS doses. Quantitative [18F]FDS PET imaging can capture different levels of BBB permeability in vivo. A biphasic effect was observed with the lowest dose of LPS that triggered neuroinflammation without disruptive changes in BBB permeability, and higher LPS doses that increased BBB permeability without additional recruitment of glial cells.

Improving Roof Surface Temperature Control Using Heat-Reflective Inorganic Composition for Paint and Coating Application

Abstract The increasing global temperatures and thermal islands have made cooling living spaces a pressing issue. Climate change and global energy use cause thermal islands. Greenhouse gas emissions and increasingly expensive and scarce energy supplies are causing disruptive global climate change. The use of energy, heat production, and greenhouse gas emissions caused by building air-conditioning increase the demand for cooling in developed environments. The dearth of sufficient electrical infrastructure for cooling buildings has increased summertime fatalities, including in places such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Energy efficiency mitigates the rising cost of energy by reducing those emissions. The rise in surface temperature due to sunlight absorption needs to be reradiated to the sky, or it will conduct through roof spaces toward the ceiling and radiate downwards through insulation batts. Passive cooling technologies, which are environmentally friendly substitutes for extensions of aggressive cooling techniques can solve these problems. In this instance, we focus on the passive daytime radiative cooling of building envelopes and suggest that inorganic composition-based paints are well-suited for use in buildings worldwide. Selective absorption or scattering of light alters the appearance of the coating through inorganic composition. The present investigation focuses on incorporating various inorganic compositions into paint and reducing surface temperature after applying it to walls.

Occupational Health and Safety Digitalization in Thailand: A Framework and Case Study.

Disruptive technological change plays a major role in the development of not only the global economy and traditional business operations but also in occupational health and work safety. Many countries, including Thailand, use digital technology to improve the quality of life of their citizens. This paper aims to describe digitization in Thailand and the digitalization of occupational health and safety in Thailand. We also provide a case study in which the Internet of Things (IoT) was applied to forklift management to improve occupational health and safety and productivity outcomes.

Transition Pains: Recognizing Employee Reactions to Organizational Realignment in a Disruptive Context

This paper introduces the use of a pain analogy in exploring employee reactions in organizational change processes. Perceiving the signaling function of an individual pain experience as a call to action, we present a conceptualization of transition pains: emotional pain experienced by organizational members related to processes of change in the context of disruptive external change (i.e., transition). The transition context leads to realignment of strategy, policies and work organization. When these are not aligned or even contradictory, this creates confusion and an individual can experience incongruences. Pain symptoms such as tension or stress may act as signals that there is an imbalance between job demands and resources. This perspective supports practitioners in the interpretation of responses during a change process and offers interventions focused on developing resources and reducing incongruences.

The Potential Health Benefits of Urban Tree Planting Suggested through Immersive Environments

Disruptive change in urban landscapes, such as large-scale tree planting, is complicated by the different priorities of the wide range of urban stakeholders. Here, we demonstrate an approach to the planning of urban green spaces using virtual reality simulations. We evaluate the health benefits (restorative benefits) and safety concerns of participants using virtual reconstructions of 10 urban parks in Bradford, UK, to simulate changes in woodland cover. Participants experienced each of the 10 parks as immersive environments with each of three scenarios: (i) no trees, (ii) real tree distribution, and (iii) doubling of tree numbers. Participants answered a short questionnaire while in each virtual park to quantify their feelings of safety and the restorative benefit that they thought they would experience. The results show that our VR approach produces reported restorative benefits that are not significantly different from those reported in the physical parks during visits by participants. We then demonstrate that increased tree cover is associated with significant increases in perceived restorative benefit, with some evidence of saturation at higher tree densities. Reductions in tree cover lead to a reduction in reported restorative benefit. We suggest that immersive technologies present a useful tool for the consultation and co-design of urban landscapes.

Adapting an Organizational Culture to Stay Abreast of Technological Changes in Indonesia’s Government Scientific Sector

This research navigates the disruptions the government science sector faces in an era of rapid technological change, examining the interplay of government science funding, information technology integration, and research collaboration networks. The study employs a cross-sectional design, exploring the impact of government scientific communication policies and access to advanced research technologies as independent variables, mediated by a researcher's digital literacy and skills, on the dependent variable of innovation resilience in government science. Additionally, the moderating role of government scientific infrastructure and capabilities is investigated. A comprehensive survey was administered to participants within the government science sector in Indonesia, encompassing diverse demographics and scientific disciplines. Results reveal a significant positive association between transparent government communication policies and innovation resilience, highlighting the pivotal role of effective communication in fostering adaptability. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of government initiatives in building digital literacy and skills among researchers. The positive impact of communication policies on digital capabilities emphasizes the need for proactive strategies to enhance workforce proficiency in a technologically dynamic environment. The conceptual framework, validated through empirical findings, introduces the central construct of innovation resilience in government science, emphasizing adaptability to disruptive changes and consistent innovation.

Quality indicators for ambulatory colectomy: literature search and expert consensus

BackgroundCare for patients undergoing elective colectomy has become increasingly standardized using Enhanced Recovery Programs (ERP). ERP, encorporating minimally invasive surgery (MIS), decreased postoperative morbidity and length of stay (LOS). However, disruptive changes are needed to safely introduce colectomy in an ambulatory or same-day discharge (SDD) setting. Few research groups showed the feasibility of ambulatory colectomy. So far, no minimum standards for the quality of care of this procedure have been defined. This study aims to identify quality indicators (QIs) that assess the quality of care for ambulatory colectomy.MethodsA literature search was performed to identify recommendations for ambulatory colectomy. Based on that search, a set of QIs was identified and categorized into seven domains: preparation of the patient (pre-admission), anesthesia, surgery, in-hospital monitoring, home monitoring, feasibility, and clinical outcomes. This list was presented to a panel of international experts (surgeons and anesthesiologists) in a 1 round Delphi to assess the relevance of the proposed indicators.ResultsBased on the literature search (2010–2021), 3841 results were screened on title and abstract for relevant information. Nine papers were withheld to identify the first set of QIs (n = 155). After excluding duplicates and outdated QIs, this longlist was narrowed down to 88 indicators. Afterward, consensus was reached in a 1 round Delphi on a final list of 32 QIs, aiming to be a comprehensive set to evaluate the quality of ambulatory colectomy care.ConclusionWe propose a list of 32 QI to guide and evaluate the implementation of ambulatory colectomy.

Developing a Business Maturity Framework (BMF) in the Oil and Gas Industry

This study explores the utility of business maturity models in navigating dynamic business landscapes. It assesses existing models, develops an industry-specific Business Maturity Framework (BMF), and emphasizes foundational considerations for effective implementation aligned with organizational goals. The study concludes by highlighting the perpetual nature of business maturity and the BMF's efficacy in enhancing operational excellence, competitiveness, and sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector. The paper contributes to specialized literature by introducing a novel dimension that evaluates market and customer readiness for future digitalization levels, thereby providing a comprehensive approach to business maturity.&#x0D; Keywords: business transformation, digital process maturity, business maturity framework (BMF), incremental changes, maturity assessment, disruptive changes, oil and gas industry

A survey of autonomous vehicles for traffic analysis

Autonomous vehicles stand at the forefront of technological advancement, promising to alter fundamentally how we navigate, with implications for everything from intercity logistics to daily commuting. The expected benefits of this technology include advancements in safety protocols, streamlining of traffic flow, and superior comfort for those onboard. However, the path to widespread integration is paved with significant barriers that need to be overcome. This article provides a thorough review of the historical development of autonomous driving technologies, beginning with the early vehicles powered by internal combustion engines and extending to the present excitement over Apple’s Project Titan. Rumors suggest this particular project involves the creation of an electric vehicle fully capable of operating without traditional manual controls, including steering wheels and seats. The article concludes by spotlighting the potential for autonomous vehicles to enable disruptive changes in the transport sector, while also considering the myriad of challenges that must be surmounted for their adoption on a grand scale.

Digital Health, Telemedicine, and Patient-centeredness: New Trends for Italian Healthcare after COVID-19

The Covid-19 pandemic is generating disruptive changes in the healthcare sector, drastically transforming the functioning of its organizational arrangements. In the light of recent developments and the adoption of new digital technologies in the healthcare system, we aim at exploring new trends adopted within the Italian healthcare setting in response to the pandemic crisis. Specifically, through the methodology of Web Content Analysis, it is possible to identify the most relevant emerging healthcare responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, that is digital health, telemedicine, and patient-centeredness, that suggest a roadmap to follow within the healthcare system. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Making Big Bets and Leaning into Operational Excellence: Building the Future of Cultural Heritage Institutions

This theoretical article and applied case study examines the concept of academic research libraries adopting concepts that emphasize building the future rather than passively reacting through incrementalism and risk aversion which is standard practice. These include Peter Thiel’s “Zero to One” theory, Power Law concepts, and Nassim Taleb’s Black Swan theory, with the application of Lean Kaizen toward foundational existing systems. These concepts, taken together, catalyze the preparation for inevitable disruptive change. With them, there exists an opportunity to reduce the current climate of risk aversion and persistent incrementalism, stagnated growth, ineffectual leadership, and decreased morale and talent retention currently present within the industry. In a time where all industries are facing constant disruption that continues to compound, libraries and other cultural heritage institutions must take the initiative to challenge and change internally by building our future before we are disrupted by other more undesirable forces. In shifting away from incrementalism and risk-aversion, and focusing on building the future through calculated risks, constant experimentation, groundbreaking ideation, operational excellence, and strategies, libraries can redefine their roles, ensure relevance, and achieve long-term success in an ever-evolving ecosystem. This article introduces a 13-point comprehensive framework that integrates the preceding applicable theories that emphasize local innovation, agility, operational excellence, and a focus on embracing the Power Law, which contends that positive outcomes in every system are heavily skewed, and to win big we need to embrace these outliers and take balanced and calculated risks to succeed in an unknown future. This holistic approach empowers academic research libraries to revolutionize their operations, proactively address disruptions and build their future.

AOA Critical Issues Symposium: The Dynamic Environment of Health Care.

The dynamic health-care environment continues to undergo disruptive change. As the health-care system emerges from the pandemic, underlying issues have progressively become critical. Private equity acquisition is dramatically increasing, and consolidation in the entire health-care system limits choice and access. Challenges in the workforce and supply chain persist, adding pressure on already strained health-care organizations. Innovative solutions are required to provide equitable value-based access to orthopaedic care.

Lessons in resilience from the illegal wildlife trade during COVID-19 lockdowns

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unexpected event with far-reaching long-term economic, political, and social consequences, entailing disruptive changes with potentially existence- and livelihood threatening consequences. Lessons in resilience from illegal economies such as the illegal wildlife trade could help society better cope with harms and risk from global environmental change. We critically review the Frictions and Flows framework and the case of the illegal wildlife trade—a globally distributed form of nature crime—in South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia—countries with different responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Diverse frictions and flows were, and continue to be, documented in the illegal wildlife economies of each country through and after pandemic lockdowns, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and innovation. We point to market features and characteristics prevalent in the anthroposphere that appear to render actors and markets more resilient, shock-resistant, and flexible. Without advocating for operating outside the rule of law and with overt recognition for the destructive impacts of illicit trades on sustainable development, political stability, and global security, we identify three observations relevant to resilience and global environmental change that scientists of the total environment may be critically missing.

Exploring the impacts of built environment on bike-sharing trips on weekends: The case of Guangzhou

Shared mobility has brought many disruptive changes to urban transportation systems all over the world. Shared bikes have proven to be among the most successful and influential travel tools in attempting to alleviate the last-mile problem – the difficulty in getting people from transportation stations to their final destinations. This study aims to investigate the impacts of built environment factors on bike-sharing trips. Although many studies have explored these impacts, most have focused on the impacts of urban function, and have paid insufficient attention to the cycling environment. This study used multi-source data, including street view images (SVIs), points of interest (POIs), digital elevation models (DEMs), and road networks, to fully identify the influences of the built environment from five dimensions. The multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) method was used to investigate the impacts of the urban built environment on bike-sharing usage. The results found that high-density roads, recreational POIs, and residential POIs all had positive impacts on the volume of bike-sharing trips in residential areas on weekends, whereas urban greenness negatively impacts bike-sharing usage in parks, because of strict regulations promulgated by local governments. Moreover, the impacts of high-density street networks and residential communities had strong spatial non-stationarity, while the influences of other built environment factors, including road gradient, eye-level greenness, and urban function mixture, were demonstrated spatial stationarity. These findings can facilitate local governments’ and enterprises’ efforts to improve the cycling environment and ensure the efficient management of shared bikes.

Sustainable Design Process Management in a VUCA-World – A Survey on Risk and Technical Change Management in Automotive Industry

Being sustainable is one of today’s greatest challenges in the design process for the automotive industry. Upcoming trends in market and technology, disruptive changes (i.e., autonomous driving) as well as VUCA-factors aggravate the demand for flexibility, resilience, and sustainability in a system development. Sustainability in engineering and product design also requires corresponding processes to establish a framework and moreover a guideline.This exploration represents results out of a survey as part of a wider research. The investigation is based on state-of-the-art literature resulting in an empirical study. Objective is the development of a sustainable process orientated method for risk and technical change management for system development projects in a VUCA-world. The considered aspects are complexity, (re-) action, quality, Generic Systems Engineering, and VUCA. The involvement of a transdisciplinary system development team supports the creation of a powerful method: Combining experiences, different perspectives, as well as considering existing pain points and hints of optimisation potentials. In summary, this elaboration presents information on the current situation as well as applicability of defined aspects for a powerful method.Concluding, this publication provides information on the considering elements to design a sustainable process model for risk and technical change management, for system developments in automotive industry.

Strategic Blends of Spirituality, Humanity, and Digitality for Strengthening the Resilience of Small-Scale Family Business

As a capability to survive, awaken, and grow better after crisis, resilience has become a pivotal factor in dealing with disruptive changes. This article aims to elaborate about resilience in the context of small-scale family businesses (SSFB). By utilizing a survey-based quantitative study which involved 522 owners and/or managers of SSFB, this article has examined six hypotheses. The analysis results explain that business resilience is influenced positively, directly, and significantly by digitality and humanity. Meanwhile, spirituality has an indirect effect on business resilience. For developing resilience in SSFB, a synchronized combination on digitality, humanity, and spirituality is a recommended strategy