High-level Management Research Articles

Development of integrated FEPs for safety case scenario development

ABSTRACT To establish a deep disposal repository for high-level radioactive waste, it is crucial to develop a safety case, which is comprehensive evidence and arguments supporting the safety of a nuclear facility or activity. The development of safety cases is achieved by creating scenarios based on a comprehensive understanding of the disposal system. Scenarios are developed using Features, Events, and Processes (FEP) and must follow the rules of comprehensiveness, systematic approach, transparency, and traceability (rules for the scenario). Also, scenarios have to be developed in a way that the stakeholders understand the whole development process clearly. In this study, an intermediate step was introduced for the high-level radioactive waste management program to strengthen the rules for the scenario. An intermediate step was established through the integration of FEP. For integrating FEPs, we classified 268 NEA International FEPs into six classifications concerning the relationships between each FEP to scenario and safety objectives. Finally, we selected Repository system evolution FEPs as the target for integration because they can result in significant changes in system performance.

ORPP—An Ontology for Skill-Based Robotic Process Planning in Agile Manufacturing

Ontology plays a significant role in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and robotics by providing structured data, reasoning, action understanding, context awareness, knowledge transfer, and semantic learning. The structured framework created by the ontology for knowledge representation is crucial for enabling intelligent behavior in robots. This paper provides a state-of-the-art analysis on the existing ontology approaches and at the same time consolidates the terms in the robotic task planning domain. The major gap identified in the literature is the need to bridge higher-level robotic process management and lower-level robotic control. This gap makes it difficult for operators/non-robotic experts to integrate robots into their production processes as well as evaluate key performance indicators (KPI) of the processes. To fill the gap, the authors propose an ontology for skill-based robotics process planning (ORPP). ORPP not only provides a standardization in the robotic process planning in the agile manufacturing domain but also enables non-robotic experts to design and plan their production processes using an intuitive Process-Task-Skill-Primitive structure to control low-level robotic actions. On the performance level, this structure provides traceability of the KPIs down to the robot control level.

Negative Auditor-Client Interactions—An Exploration of Power Dynamics During Audit Evidence Collection

SUMMARY Studies show that staff auditors, who often interact with high-level client management, maintain positions of lower power in these interactions. This paper summarizes a study by Carlisle, Gimbar, and Jenkins (2023) who investigate negative and unpleasant client interactions and find a deep-rooted power dynamic between staff-level auditors and their clients, whereby clients maintain the upper hand during the evidence collection process. Their study documents auditors’ concern for their clients’ perception of them and the audit team. Finally, they observe that auditors often struggle to fulfill their professional responsibilities while working to ingratiate themselves to the client. These may lead to audit quality threatening behaviors such as client avoidance and “ghost ticking.” Their results suggest that ongoing power disparities between staff auditors and their clients may impair staff auditors’ operational independence.

MANAGING HUMAN RESOURCES IN CONDUCTING FOREIGN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES: ENSURING FINANCIAL SECURITY IN TOURISM INDUSTRY ENTERPRISES

Within the scope of this article, it is proposed to evaluate human resource management in the context of ensuring financial security at tourism industry enterprises. Accordingly, it is noted that the object of study is the human resource management system and the financial security system. The task is to present a methodological approach that, through surveying, calculating an integral indicator, and evaluating the most significant components, can effectively assess the level of human resource management in tourism enterprises. For this purpose, the methodology adopts several methods including expert analysis and integral evaluation. It is proven that the formation of an appropriate group of indicators and their subsequent grouping will facilitate an effective reflection of a single integral indicator for evaluating human resource management in the context of ensuring financial security at tourism industry enterprises. It is established that tourism industry enterprises are highly active in foreign economic activities, and in this context, the issue of financial security and management systems plays a paramount role. As a result, a group of experts and tourism industry enterprises were selected. The most significant indicators were distinguished and the corresponding calculations were conducted. As a result, it was established that a significant number of tourism industry enterprises fall short of a high level of human resource management, which poses a direct threat to their financial security during foreign economic activities. The presented process of evaluating human resource management in the context of ensuring financial security at tourism industry enterprises may find its practical application in the context of the activities of key security subjects. Limitations include not considering all possible indicators and focusing only on one industry, specifically the tourism industry.

The email notification frustrates me!

Organizations are increasingly relying on computer-mediated communication, thus, understanding this process’s emotion dynamics is critical. For that purpose, qualitative data is collected from 23 participants. Findings reveal that the activation of the negativity effect is triggered by the receiver’s attitude toward the higher-status sender, emanated from earlier unfair behaviors; which will in turn trigger the receiver’s anxiety and frustration. Moreover, emails receivers are found to be also frustrated and angry anytime higher-level managers are copied on the email. Such negative emotions, along with fear are boosted by their reluctance to reply to such emails as they aim to avoid further escalation and possible retaliation from the sender’s side. Indeed, this study has many theoretical and practical implications, and opens doors to future research. Managers should use the “cc” option with caution, knowing that frustrating working environments diminish employees’ commitment and engagement, and consequently the quality of their service performance.

Using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for Developing a Performance Evaluation Model for A Human Resources Department in Private Sector in Saudi Arabia

Evaluating human resource departments discovers weak areas and supports performance measurements and continuous quality improvement. However, most research concentrates on the development of models that primarily assess the performance of individual human resources rather than focusing on the evaluation of the entire department. This study aims to formulate a model for evaluating the performance of human resource departments in Saudi Arabia's private sector. The proposed model studies HR standards using five well-known quality awards excellence models. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was then used to discover the factor structure of this model and examine its internal reliability to identify the underlying relationships between the assessment model criteria (factors). A questionnaire was designed and distributed to middle and high management levels, such as section head positions and above, in different organizations in the private sector in Jeddah. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to quantify the weights of the assessment factors and subfactors. Human resource experts estimated the relative magnitudes of the factors and sub-factors through pairwise comparisons. The results identified six main factors and seventy-eight subfactors for evaluating human resources department performance in any private sector. The findings indicated that the most substantial weight, constituting nearly 50 of the entire modules, was assigned to Factor 2, denoting "Justice and Human Development" (44.746%). This was followed by Factor 5, related to "Job Performance Management" (18.945%), and Factor 6, about "Occupational Safety" (12.554%). The factor with the lowest weight was Factor 1, representing "Career Guidance and Counseling" (7.601%).

Deep learning method for online parameter identification of lithium-ion batteries using electrochemical synthetic data

Accurately sensing the internal state of lithium-ion batteries and identifying parameters is crucial for developing effective battery safety and health management strategies. With the advancement of artificial intelligence, the integration of deep learning (DL) and electrochemical techniques has ushered in new avenues for high-level battery management. However, gaining proprietary battery datasets for neural network (NN) training is difficult at limited data scenarios. To address this problem, a DL method based on synthetic data and convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed to achieve online parameter identification. Firstly, an electrochemical model (EM) considering the impact of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film growth on battery performance is established. Then, nine features strongly correlated with electrochemical parameters are extracted from charge and discharge segments for the construction of CNN. Based on offline identified parameters, substantial electrochemical parameter-feature datasets are further generated through polynomial fitting and model calculations, followed by the application of principal component analysis and density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (PCA-DBSCAN) to filter synthesized data for network training. Finally, the developed online parameter identification method is experimentally validated using full life cycle data of three cobalt-acid lithium (LiCoO2) batteries, confirming reasonable accuracy of the identified battery electrochemical parameters.

Perceptions of Nurses Working in Primary Health Centres on Factors Influencing Their Readiness to Manage Family Violence in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background. Family violence (FV) is a serious public health issue in Nigeria and globally. Despite being a public health issue, there is no literature indicating that FV has ever been investigated in Sabon-Gari, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Aim: This study aimed to assess nurses' perceptions of factors influencing their readiness to manage family violence. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed to collect information from the respondents in the selected primary health care facilities of Sabon-Gari L.G.A, Kaduna state, Nigeria. The collected data were coded, entered, and analysed using SPSS software version 24. Twenty-four (24) registered nurses working in 24 different primary health care centres were purposively selected out of 31primary health care centres of Sabon-Gari local government of Kaduna State Results: The majority of the nurses have a positive perception and high knowledge level on management of family violence victims (aggregate mean=3.4). The highest perception of the nurses was that nurses should be considered as the key figure in the management of family violence patients (mean value= 3.8), and the lowest perception of nurses was “nurses status within health care hierarchy (mean value= 2.9). The study also revealed a poor level of nurses’ involvement in managing family violence victims (aggregate mean= 2.42). Conclusion: The study concluded that despite having a positive perception and high knowledge level of management of family violence victims, nurses have a poor level of involvement in managing family violence victims. Recommendations: It was recommended, among other things, that the government should empower healthcare providers to support victims of family violence beyond counselling and treatment of injuries, expand education and training opportunities about FV, and enforce mandatory reporting policies for nurses and other healthcare providers to involve law enforcement. Keywords: Knowledge, Perception, Family Violence, Nurses involvement, Primary Health Centre.

Results of a Needs Assessment for a DEI Workshop for GME Program Coordinators.

Competency in diversity, equity, and inclusion skills is critical for graduate medical education program coordinators. Coordinators contribute to high-level personnel and program management while also providing informal social support to residents. However, little has been reported about program coordinator learning needs, interest, and self-reported skills and attitudes regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in graduate medical education. This study sought to describe the characteristics, job tasks, attitudes, and learning needs of program coordinators attending a professional development session about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Participants registered for a September 2022 program coordinator professional development workshop on diversity, equity, inclusion, and bias were invited to complete an electronic needs assessment prior to the workshop. Items were based on expert opinion and literature review. We performed descriptive and comparative analysis. The response rate was 54% (106/198); 90% (94/104) of respondents identified as female; 42% (44/104) identified as an underrepresented minority. Fifty-seven percent (63/104) received mandatory training on bias while 13% (14/104) were previously trained on bias at a conference specific to the role of a coordinator. Eighty-nine percent (86/104) of coordinators reported having contact with applicants during recruiting; 67% (63/104) offer informal resident evaluations. Most participants agreed it is the coordinator's professional responsibility to confront colleagues who display signs of discrimination toward women (66%; 62/104) or based on cultural/ethnic identity (65%; 61/104). Program coordinators report visible and impactful roles in the residency leadership and management team. Few coordinators have received diversity, equity, and inclusion training related to their complex work in graduate medical education. Future graduate medical education diversity, equity, inclusion, and bias competency programs should specifically include program coordinators.

Developing a Performance Evaluation Benchmark for Event Sourcing Databases

In the domain of software architecture, Event Sourcing (ES) has emerged as a significant paradigm, especially for systems requiring high levels of auditability, traceability, and intricate state management. Systems such as financial transaction platforms, inventory management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and any application requiring a detailed audit trail can significantly benefit from this approach. Numerous aspects of ES remain unexplored, as they have yet to be thoroughly investigated by scientific research. The unique demands of such systems, particularly in terms of database performance and functionality, are not adequately addressed by existing database benchmarks. By establishing benchmarks, organizations can compare different databases to determine which best meets their needs for applications. This aids in selecting the most appropriate technology based on empirical data rather than assumptions or marketing claims.This paper introduces a novel benchmarking framework specifically designed for evaluating databases in the context of event sourcing. The framework addresses critical aspects unique to ES, including event append performance, efficient handling of Projections (separate databases for read operations), strong consistency, ordered data insertion, and robust versioning controls. Through rigorous testing and analysis, this framework aims to fill the gap in existing database benchmarking tools, providing a more accurate and relevant assessment for ES systems. We also conducted experiments that not only demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach but also yielded meaningful results, substantiating its practicality and applicability.

Public data accessibility and corporate maturity mismatch: Evidence from China

As the importance of public data to the real economy continues to be recognized, this study explores public data accessibility as a determinant of corporate maturity mismatch between investment and financing. Exploiting the staggered establishment of public data open platforms (PDOPs) across different cities in China, we observe a significant reduction in local firms' maturity mismatch following the establishment of PDOPs. The results remain robust even after conducting a battery of robustness tests, including placebo tests, matching analysis, as well as controlling for the influence of other major concurrent reforms and utilizing alternative measures for corporate maturity mismatch. Mechanism analysis indicates that the establishment of PDOPs contributes to an increase in the scale of long-term loans and an extension of the debt maturity structure. This suggests that enhanced public data accessibility effectively strengthens banks' information discernment capabilities. Cross-sectional analysis indicates that the effects are more pronounced in samples of private enterprises, companies with high levels of earnings management, fewer analysts covering, lower collateral values, and a higher proportion of local subsidiaries. Additionally, the economic consequence analysis reveals that the establishment of PDOPs ultimately helps to reduce corporate default risk. Finally, this study finds no evidence of potential spatial spillover effects from the establishment of PDOPs. This study offers a new perspective on understanding changes in corporate maturity mismatch, providing significant policy implications for preventing and mitigating financial risks.

High Involvement Management Practices and Their Impact on Contextual Performance: An Analytical Study in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers

The main objective of this research is to evaluate the integration management at the higher level within the General Secretariat of the Cabinet and identify its role in achieving integration in the work environment through improving relationships between different management levels, facilitating participation and expression of opinions, and enhancing organizational belonging. A statistical approach and SPSS V.25 method were used for data analysis and various measurements. Data was collected from senior managers in the General Secretariat of the Cabinet using 87 distributed questionnaires, with 81 of them collected, resulting in a response rate of 95%. Study results indicate a pattern of integration management practices at the higher level within the General Secretariat, particularly after involving employees in decision-making. These practices contribute to strengthening employees' connection to the organization, enhancing their knowledge and decision-making skills, leading to increased productivity and effectiveness. Furthermore, participation contributes to the implementation of high-level integration management by enabling employees to participate in problem-solving and decision-making, fostering collaboration, coordination, and achieving high employee performance.

Internal Control and Administrative Management of Agricultural Companies in the Majes Distric

Abstract: The problem addressed in this study is the relationship between internal control and administrative management in agricultural companies in the Majes district in 2022. The objective was to determine how these factors correlate and affect organizational performance. The research was conducted using a non-experimental and descriptive correlational design. Data were collected from 28 companies using validated surveys and questionnaires, processed with SPSS v28 software. The results showed that 60.7% of the companies had high levels of internal control and administrative management, while 39.3% did not reach an optimal level. The Pearson correlation test yielded a value of 0.893, indicating a significant and direct relationship between the two variables. This suggests that better internal control management is associated with greater efficiency in administrative management. It is concluded that strengthening internal control can significantly improve administrative management, which is crucial for the sustainability and competitiveness of agricultural companies in Majes. Implementing effective internal control measures can reduce risks and increase operational and administrative efficiency.

Growth Characteristics of Ramet System in Phyllostachys praecox Forest under Mulch Management.

The ramet system is a typical structural type in the life history of clonal plants. This massive structure is formed by many similar ramets connected by underground rhizomes, which are independent and mutually influential. Therefore, the ramet system is unique to bamboo forests, and its role in the construction, maintenance, and productivity of bamboo populations is irreplaceable. Mulch management is a high-level cultivation model for bamboo forests that is used to cultivate bamboo shoots. However, the basic conditions of bamboo ramet systems in this managed model are poorly understood. This study analyzed the underground rhizome morphology, bud bank, and branching of bamboo ramets in a Phyllostachys praecox C.D. Chu et C.S. Chao 'Prevernalis' forest to explore the growth patterns of bamboo ramets in high-level management fields. In mulched bamboo forests, the bamboo rhizomes, distributed in intermediate positions of the bamboo ramet system, were long with many lateral buds and branches, and those at the initial and distal ends were short with few lateral buds and branches. The initial end of the ramet system reduced the ramet system, the intermediate part expanded the ramet system, and the distal end promoted ramet system regeneration. Owing to the continuous reduction, expansion, and renewal of ramet systems, the bamboo rhizome system demonstrates mobility and adaptability. This study found that a higher level of bamboo forest management increased the possibility of artificial fragmentation of the ramet system and that improving the efficiency of the ramet system was beneficial for maintaining its high vitality. Thus, this study provides a crucial reference for guiding the precise regulation of bamboo ramet systems in artificial bamboo forests.

Cattle Artificial Insemination Service in Developing Countries: Efficiency, Major Challenges and Economic Loss: A Review

This review paper summarizes information on the efficiency, major challenges and economic loss of cattle Artificial Insemination (AI) service in developing countries. Efficiency of AI service can be measured by number of services per conception (NSC), conception rate at first insemination, and calving rate (CR). The optimum recommended NSC for profitable dairy cow ranges from 1.0-2.0. The averages of NSC of the conventional AI (1.73) and fixed time AI (1.78) in the reviewed publications were in the ranges of the recommendations of NSC. The NSC varies with animal breeds, animal factor (body condition score, age and parity), semen factor (handling procedure and quality), inseminator factor (knowledge, skill and experience), production systems, management level provided and AI breeding methods. The NSC and calving rate vary with conventional AI and fixed time AI breeding methods. Likewise, calving rate (CR) is influenced by poor semen quality, poor semen handling procedure, inadequate insemination skill, poor oestrus detection and wrong time of insemination. The average success rate (CR) of conventional AI (35.15%) in the reviewed publications is far below the success rates reported in some developing countries. Nevertheless, widespread use and longtime use of AI service on selected genotype(s) can cause cattle biodiversity loss. Dairy producers incur additional costs when cows fail to conceive at their first AI services. Moreover, challenges of AI service comprised of feed scarcity, animal diseases, climate change, poor AI infrastructure, poor livestock husbandry practices, weak livestock extension systems and incapability of Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs). This calls designing suitable interventions to improve the efficiency of AI services. Adequate feed and high level of management should be provided to the breedable cows and heifers. AI service centers should be established as per the recommended number of breedable cows and heifers. AI inputs including AITs should be always available at each AI service center, and proper AI service recording should be practiced. Sexed semen should be used to enhance the number of replacement heifers, and capacity building should be provided to AITs and community cattle breeders. Radio, television and printed medias should be used to enhance the awareness of the community cattle breeders. Frequent extension support is essential for the success rate of the AI service.

Attachment Patterns and their Relationship with Relationship Crisis Management during the Engagement Period in Jordan

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between attachment patterns and the management of relationship crisis between partners during the engagement period in Jordan. Methods: The study employed a descriptive correlational approach. Two scales were used: the Attachment Patterns Scale and the Relationship Crisis Management Scale. The study sample consisted of a convenient sample of 412 engaged individuals in Jordan. Results: The results revealed that the most prevalent attachment pattern among engaged individuals during the engagement period was the secure attachment pattern, with a percentage of 92.7%. The avoidant attachment pattern followed at a percentage of 3.9%, while the least common pattern was the anxious attachment pattern at 3.4%. Furthermore, the results also showed a high level of relationship crisis management among engaged individuals during the engagement period. A positive linear relationship was found between secure attachment style and relationship crisis management, while an inverse relationship was observed between anxious and avoidant attachment patterns and relationship crisis management between partners. Conclusions: The results underscore the importance of considering attachment patterns and relationship crisis management during the engagement period in Jordan and reflect the need for developing educational and therapeutic plans to comprehend attachment patterns and their role in influencing crisis management processes, to arrive at effective solutions for facing and managing crises.

SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE AND LIFESTYLE ON PERSONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF OVERSEAS STUDENTS STUDYING IN MAKASSAR

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of spiritual intelligence and lifestyle on personal financial management of overseas students studying in Makassar. The type of data used in this research is quantitative data taken from migrant students majoring in Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, Muhammadiyah University, Makassar. In this research, the data source used in data collection is primary data through distributing questionnaires. The research instrument used in this research uses the Likert scale method. Based on the results of data research using statistical calculations through the SPSS application regarding the influence of spiritual intelligence and lifestyle on the personal financial management of migrant students studying in Makassar which has been discussed, it shows that the spiritual intelligence variable has a positive and significant influence on personal financial management and the lifestyle variable also has positive and significant influence on personal financial management. Spiritual intelligence will encourage high levels of personal financial management in students. Students must train their spiritual intelligence and avoid excessive lifestyles in order to improve their personal financial management.

Perceptions of South Africa’s higher education leaders on the realisation of sustainable development goal 4 quality education

Purpose Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a key role in facilitating increases in socio-economic growth and economic development. Sustainable development goal 4 (SDG 4): quality education is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. This study aims to gain leadership perspectives on the extent to which South African HEIs are meeting SDG 4 and deliver insights into whether significant variances in progress exist between public and private institutions. Design/methodology/approach Integrating the sustainable development frameworks of the United Nations and times higher education impact rankings in a positivist research design, this study surveyed 16 leaders from public South African HEIs and 59 from private South African HEIs using an online survey platform. Findings Responses indicate underperformance across institutions concerning the following: the prioritisation of SDG 4 at the highest levels of management, the effective inculcation of this agenda across the entire institution, alignment between SDG 4 strategies and staff expectations and education for sustainable development and global citizenship. Public HEIs have progressed towards the realisation of SDG 4 in aspects such as access to scholarships, inclusion of first-generation students and contributions through research output. Originality/value This study contributes to the limited literature on leaders’ perceptions of progress towards SDG 4 among HEIs in developing economies.

Best Agile method selection approach at workplace

Selecting the most suitable agile software development method is a challenging task due to the variety of available methods, each with its strengths and weaknesses. To achieve project goals effectively, factors such as project needs, team size, complexity, and customer involvement should be carefully evaluated. Choosing the appropriate agile method is crucial for achieving high client satisfaction and effective team management, but it can be a challenging task for project managers and higher-level management officials.This paper presents a solution aiming to help them in selecting the most suitable software development method for their project. In this regard, this solution includes a pre-project management approach model and a decision tree that considers the unique requirements of the project. In the proposed solution results, Scrum was found to be suitable for both small and large projects, on the condition that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and that the approach is people-centric. Furthermore, high-risk mitigation measures should be added for small projects. To facilitate the use of our model, a software application has been developed which implements the decision-making tree.

PERSONAL QUALITIES IMPORTANT FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY OF THE MODERN MIDDLE LEVEL MANAGER

The peculiarity of this level of management lies in the fact that the middle level manager is the organizer and supervisor of the process of implementation of decisions and actions taken by high-level managers. The modern management system, along with rapid changes in socio-economic conditions, also makes special demands on the middle level manager. In the conditions of modern imperatives, the focus of attention is on the issue of matching the characteristics of managerial activity and the psychological qualities of the manager, which can be the basis for effective activity and professional development. The professional development of middle-level managers is determined by a unique combination of important professional psychological qualities, namely: emotional intelligence, thinking, voluntary self-regulation, social-communication knowledge. The conducted research works provide an opportunity to state that conscientiousness, self-regulation of behavior, and creativity are important personal qualities for a modern middle level manager. Creativity is also characteristic of middle level managers: it is above average among middle level managers. It means that we can talk about such important professional qualities of a modern middle level manager as conscientiousness, control of behavior and creativity.