Internal Infrastructure Research Articles

Navigating Uncertainty: Adapting Guidance for Mental Health During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency & the Crucial Role of Bi-directional Feedback.

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, state and local mental health authorities rapidly developed and disseminated guidance to community mental health agencies. While tailored communication is effective to reach target audiences under usual circumstances, strategies to facilitate the implementation of guidance amidst a rapidly evolving public health emergency are not well understood. This project sought to understand factors informing decision-making about adaptations to guidance, and strategies used to disseminate and facilitate guidance implementation among system-level community partners in OnTrackNY Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) programs for early psychosis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH) state and local mental health authorities including state leaders (n = 3) and NYS OMH field office directors (n = 4), OnTrackNY program directors (n = 4), and leadership and trainers of an intermediary organization, OnTrack Central (n = 12). Interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Code reports relevant to guidance decision-making and dissemination were reviewed to identify emerging themes. For state and local mental health authorities, decision-making was influenced by changing COVID-19 risk levels, need for alignment between federal and local guidance, and balancing support for workforce capacity and mental health service continuity. For OnTrackNY program directors, decision-making was influenced by internal infrastructure and processes (e.g., program autonomy), availability of resources (e.g., technology), and perspective on managing risk and uncertainty (e.g., COVID-19, regulatory waiver expiration). For OnTrack Central, decision-making focused on balancing CSC model fidelity with OnTrackNY team capacity and resources. Dissemination of guidance consisted of mass and targeted strategies. Information flow was bidirectional such that top-down dissemination of guidance (e.g., from state mental health authorities to providers) was informed and refined with bottom-up feedback (e.g., from providers to state leadership) through surveys and professional forums (e.g., COVID-19 town halls, provider learning collaboratives). Unlike a planned approach to disseminate new policies, public health emergencies create variable landscapes that may warrant a deeper understanding of how guidance may be adapted to fit rapidly evolving community partner needs. Findings may inform efforts to identify processes that contribute to adaptation and dissemination of guidance for mental health during future public health emergencies.

An optimized intelligent open-source MLaaS framework for user-friendly clustering and anomaly detection

As data grow exponentially, the demand for advanced intelligent solutions has become increasingly urgent. Unfortunately, not all businesses have the expertise to utilize machine learning algorithms effectively. To bridge this gap, the present paper introduces a cost-effective, user-friendly, dependable, adaptable, and scalable solution for visualizing, analyzing, processing, and extracting valuable insights from data. The proposed solution is an optimized open-source unsupervised machine learning as a service (MLaaS) framework that caters to both experts and non-experts in machine learning. The framework aims to assist companies and organizations in solving problems related to clustering and anomaly detection, even without prior experience or internal infrastructure. With a focus on several clustering and anomaly detection techniques, the proposed framework automates data processing while allowing user intervention. The proposed framework includes default algorithms for clustering and outlier detection. In the clustering category, it features three algorithms: k-means, hierarchical clustering, and DBScan clustering. For outlier detection, it includes local outlier factor, K-nearest neighbors, and Gaussian mixture model. Furthermore, the proposed solution is expandable; it may include additional algorithms. It is versatile and capable of handling diverse datasets by generating separate rapid artificial intelligence models for each dataset and facilitating their comparison rapidly. The proposed framework provides a solution through a representational state transfer application programming interface, enabling seamless integration with various systems. Real-world testing of the proposed framework on customer segmentation and fraud detection data demonstrates that it is reliable, efficient, cost-effective, and time-saving. With the innovative MLaaS framework, companies may harness the full potential of business analysis.

Trends and prospects for the development of the derivatives market in Russia under sanctions

Aim. To analyze trends on the derivatives market in Russia under sanctions and identify prospects for its development.Objectives. To study the theoretical basis and functions of the derivatives market; to analyze its current state in Russia, to assess the impact of sanctions on the dynamics and structure of the derivatives market; to identify trends and determine scenarios for its development in the Russian state under sanctions; to develop recommendations to improve the efficiency and development of the derivatives market under external pressure.Methods. The author applied the methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization, comparison, analogy, historical analysis. The analysis of publications with the subsequent interpretation has been carried out, the results of research have been summarized, on the basis of which the author’s understanding of the derivatives market development trends has been derived. Comparison of the existing opinions concerning the considered problems was carried out, statistical data were investigated.Results. Under the conditions of sanctions Russian banks, financial organizations, exporters and importers faced restricted access to international markets, there were changes in demand, there were needs for new instruments. Sanctions contribute to the development and implementation of new instruments in the derivatives market. The main scientific result of the work is to identify effective approaches to the development of the derivatives market under external pressure. The results of the study can be used in the practice of financial institutions, banks and government agencies to develop strategies and development of operations with derivatives.Conclusions. The derivatives market plays an important role in the Russian economy, performing the functions of risk hedging, price formation and contributing to the predictability of financial flows, which is especially important in the conditions of sanctions pressure. An assessment of the current state of the derivatives market in Russia has revealed significant changes in its structure and dynamics. The introduction of sanctions led to the introduction of new financial instruments, sanctions stimulated innovation and development of domestic infrastructure. The role of financial market infrastructural organizations, state institutions and the Bank of Russia is increasing. There is a growing interest in local and regional hedging instruments, increasing importance of the domestic market and markets of friendly countries. The prospects for the development of the derivatives market in the Russian state look promising if a number of steps are realized. Possible development scenarios include: further strengthening of internal infrastructure, simplification of accounting procedures, development of new financial products adapted to current conditions.

GENESIS OF RECREATIONAL SETTLEMENTS IN THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The article examines the phenomena of the emergence and spontaneous evolution of a new type of recreational facilities for the Ukrainian Carpathians region – multi-format recreational settlements that combine private rental residential units with their partial functioning, in the form of rental recreational housing, in the structure of a management company. The prerequisite for the emergence of this type of recreational facilities was the construction of a large ski complex in Bukovel. Accommodation in this complex offered both traditional hotels and comfortable single-family cottages. And these cottages turned out to be the most popular among vacationers and it were they that became a clear example for residents of surrounding villages and towns, who quickly adapted their own surroundings “for tourists.” After russia's occupation of Crimea in 2014, a significant number of the Ukrainian population redirected their holidays to the Carpathian region. The summer holiday season in the mountains has become as widespread and crowded as the winter season. Consequently, recreational facilities in the Ukrainian Carpathians over the course of 1- 2 years were transformed from single-season to year-round establishments, and the summer season surpassed the traditional winter season in terms of profitability. The global Covid 19 pandemic with strict long-term quarantine, psychological stress, and total remote work became the next strong impetus for popularizing the idea of owning a single-family cottage in the environmentally friendly, safe Carpathians. At that time, quarantined Europe and open Ukraine, a visa-free regime and the opening of a number of low-cost airlines to the Gulf countries also resulted in the appearance of a huge number of tourists from the Arab world in the Carpathians.The desire to own a single-family cottage in the Carpathians grew stronger after the large-scale russian invasion in February 2022, as all the delights of the Carpathians added to the feeling of safety from bombings and missile attacks. The response to this demand was the offer of private estates, apart-hotels, small cottage communities, and entire recreational settlements with developed internal infrastructure. The owner of such a building in a recreational settlement can live in it all the time. However, during absence, the management company of a recreational settlement has the right to rent out its building to third parties under the terms of a preliminary agreement with its owner. Thus, this property passively generates income for the owner during the period when he and his family are in another place. Technical issues of maintaining or repairing a building, providing energy resources, developing the territory, landscaping, etc. provided by the management company. Taking this into account, investing capital in exactly this type of real estate in the Ukrainian Carpathians is quite promising and relevant in our time.

EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN ASSAM: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS USING THE IPRS FRAMEWORK

This paper evaluates the performance of 11 industrial infrastructural establishments in the Kamrup and Kamrup Metro districts of Assam, using the Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) framework. The study focuses on four key pillars: internal infrastructure and utilities, external infrastructure and connectivity, business support services, and environment and safety management. Primary data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to MSME owners and managers, while secondary data was gathered from government reports and industrial policies. The findings reveal that while the basic infrastructure—such as uninterrupted power supply, piped water, and street lighting—is robust, significant gaps remain in advanced utilities, such as sewage treatment plants and renewable energy systems. Furthermore, inadequate business support services, including the absence of skill development centers and online land allotment systems, create operational challenges for MSMEs. Environmental and safety measures, such as disaster management protocols and rest areas for women workers, are also lacking. These deficiencies impact the overall efficiency and sustainability of the industrial estates. The study concludes with recommendations for enhancing both infrastructural quality and support services to foster a more competitive and sustainable industrial environment in Assam, thereby boosting MSME growth and economic development in the region.

Управление устойчивым развитием предприятия с использованием инструментов социального инвестирования и «зелёных» финансов при реализации концепции социально-этического маркетинга

This work examines the implementation by commercial enterprises and organizations of the concept of sustainable development, which is so relevant at present, with the help of such innovative financial instruments as “green” financing and social investment; the possibility and effectiveness of their use in the practice of managing a commercial organization is substantiated. The purpose of the presented research is to determine the possibility and economic feasibility of using such financial instruments as “green” finance and social investment in the practice of managing a commercial organization. The object of the study is the EFKO group of companies (RF, Belgorod region) – one of the largest food companies in the Russian Federation, the subject is “green” finance and social investments as innovative financial instruments that ensure the sustainable development of a commercial organization and an indicator of its effective management. According to the results of the study, it was established that for 30 years the company under study has been carrying out effective commercial activities, while carrying out active social investment, the object of which is both the internal environment of the organization (personnel, internal infrastructure, etc.) and the external environment (active environmental management, development territories, charity, etc.), ensuring the implementation of the concept of sustainable development. At the same time, it has been established that against the backdrop of an increase in the volume of investments for the implementation of social goals and objectives, there is a positive trend in the main indicators of economic activity and basic financial indicators. The forecast of the main performance indicators of the Group of Companies also allows us to draw a conclusion about the feasibility of implementing social investment, in general, and “green” financing, in particular, since against the backdrop of growing investments in their implementation, the forecast is positive. Undoubtedly, the practice of “green” financing and social investment is a tool for creating and maintaining a positive image and business reputation of the company, which is confirmed by the high results of an independent rating assessment, which has a positive effect on the investment attractiveness of the company and its competitiveness, and allows for a permanent increase in operational efficiency.

Analysis of Operational Performance of Intermodal Transport Terminals in Slovakia in the Context of Intermodal Transport Infrastructure Development in EU Countries

The development of intermodal transport and the increase in transport performance in this segment of the transport market are, among other factors, determined by the quality of transportation infrastructure. Transportation infrastructure for intermodal transport includes not only transportation routes but also nodal points where a change of transport mode occurs. These nodal points of transport mode change are intermodal transport terminals. The throughput capacity of individual components of the internal infrastructure of a terminal can be a limiting factor in determining its performance, such as the number of transshipped intermodal transport units. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the current state of operational performance of functional terminals in Slovakia and compare it with the anticipated customer requirements. Based on this analysis, it will be possible to determine the capacity utilization of terminals and, if necessary, decide either on densifying the existing network of terminals or on the relevant development of selected components of the internal infrastructure of existing terminals. The analysis is primarily focused on a critical element of the internal infrastructure of terminals, which is the performance of transshipment facilities.

Organization of the internal infrastructure of the preschool educational organization, taking into account the purpose and principles the purpose and principles of the federal educational program of preschool education.

The article presents the experience of a phased system of work on the organization of the internal infrastructure of a preschool educational institution, taking into account the purpose and principles of the federal educational program of preschool education. Recommendations are given on how to differentiate all manuals and toys by educational areas. The article will be of interest to managers, senior educators or educators of preschool educational institutions.

Спец(труд)поселки как населенные пункты в 1930-е годы (на материалах Республики Коми)

In 1930-1931 in the Komi Autonomous Region, special settlements were organized for special settlers – “former kulaks” who were forcibly expelled from their places of permanent residence from areas of complete collectivization. Able-bodied forced migrants and members of their families were transferred to the Komiles Trust to work in logging. In the logging areas of the region, more than 40 special settlements were organized in hard-to-reach places, isolated from local settlements. Problems associated with the lack of roads, remoteness from regional centers, insufficient supplies, and the organization of settlements in swampy areas led to the liquidation of individual special (labor) settlements and a reduction in their total number by the end of the 1930s. Despite the low level of residential premises construction, forced migrants also built buildings for socio-cultural institutions, schools, hospitals, clubs and others, which made it possible to create the internal infrastructure of the settlements.

Public participation in the social sustainability evaluation of smart city infrastructure in the context of big data: a critical review

Purpose The current booming development of smart cities poses new requirements and challenges for their internal infrastructure development. This article aims to explore the questions of: What is the level of social sustainability of smart city infrastructure today? and What are the core contents and paths to improve this level?Design/methodology/approachWith the theme of public participation in the social sustainability evaluation of smart city infrastructure in the context of big data, this study mainly makes a systematic literature review of the Web of Science's Science Citation Index Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index databases. After collection and screening, 199 documents were finally obtained.FindingsIt is found that the level of social sustainability of smart city infrastructure is still low, and public participation can provide solutions to the difficulties and challenges involved in its development, while big data technology can broaden the channels for public participation and promote the development of smart city-related components in the process, including smart city infrastructure.Originality/valueThis article summarizes the internal mechanisms of smart cities at the theoretical level and analyzes the social sustainable development of smart city infrastructure. In practice, the shortcomings in this field are identified and suggestions are provided on how to carry out digital public participation, which has practical reference value.

Infrastructure Requirements for Clear-Fell Harvesting of Small-Scale Plantation Forests in New Zealand

Background: Small-scale forests (woodlots) increasingly account for a greater proportion of the total annual harvest in New Zealand. There is limited information on the extent of infrastructure required to harvest a woodlot; road density (trafficable with log trucks), landing size, or the average harvest area that each landing typically services. Methods: This study quantified woodlot infrastructure averages and evaluated influencing factors. Using publicly available aerial imagery, roads and landings were mapped for a sample of 96 woodlots distributed across the country. Factors such as total harvest area, average terrain slope, length/width ratio, boundary complexity and extraction method were recorded and investigated for correlations. Results: The average road density was 25 m/ha, landing size was 3000 m2 and each landing was serviced on average 12.8 ha. Notably, 15 of the 96 woodlots had no internal infrastructure, with the harvest completed using roads and landings located outside of the woodlot boundary. Factors influencing road density were woodlot length/width ratio, average terrain slope and boundary complexity. Landing size was influenced by average terrain slope, woodlot length/width ratio, and woodlot area. Conclusion: The results provide a contemporary benchmark of the current infrastructure requirements when harvesting a small-scale forests in New Zealand. These may be used at a high level to infer the total annual infrastructure investment in New Zealand's woodlot estate and also project infrastructure requirements over the foreseeable future.

Spatial Variation Characteristics of Housing Conditions in China

The evaluation of housing conditions is a crucial aspect of determining the well-being of residents and the sustainable development of settlements. Assessing housing conditions at a macro-level is imperative to understand the differences in well-being and livability among residents in various regions within a country. Unfortunately, the spatial variation characteristics of housing conditions in China have not been extensively studied at the county scale. Thus, this study examines the housing conditions in China by using 2846 counties as the basic research unit. A housing condition evaluation index system, comprising seven indicators, is constructed based on three aspects: housing spaciousness, internal facilities, and elevator configuration. The entropy value method is used to determine the weights of the indicators, and the spatial difference patterns and spatial autocorrelation characteristics of the housing conditions and types of housing conditions in China are analyzed. The correlation analysis method is used to analyze the correlation between the subtypes of housing conditions and county fundamentals (population density, urbanization, foreign population, and rental housing). The results show that: (1) the configuration of elevators is the most important indicator of the differences in housing conditions in China; (2) the better housing conditions in China are distributed on the southeast side of the “Hu Line”, while the worse areas are distributed on the northwest side of the “Hu Line”, showing significant spatial clustering characteristics, while the distribution of the different subtypes of housing conditions and their distribution in the H–H and L–L zones also have significant variability; (3) housing conditions in China’s urban areas are generally better than those in non-urban areas, and the internal infrastructure conditions of urban housing and the degree of elevator configuration are better than those in non-urban areas; and (4) the correlation between housing conditions and county fundamentals varies depending on the regional level. At the national and urban levels, a negative correlation exists between county fundamentals and housing spaciousness, although a positive correlation exists with internal infrastructure and elevator configuration. Urbanization has the greatest impact on housing conditions in these areas. In non-urban areas, there is significant variability in the correlation between county fundamentals and housing conditions.

Health tourism and government supports

PurposeHealth tourism is a relatively new branch of international tourism that has developed more rapidly than other tourism sectors in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the effect of government supports on health tourism development by considering the mediating role of internal and external infrastructures.Design/methodology/approachThe study population consisted of all experts of two hospitals in Iran, which are frequently visited by foreign tourists (N = 151). A questionnaire, developed by combining standard and researcher-made questionnaires, was used to collect the data. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model was developed in SmartPLS 3 to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe main hypothesis test results indicated that government supports positively affect the development of health tourism. Internal and external infrastructures were also found to mediate the relationship between government supports and health tourism development. In addition, the sub-hypothesis test results showed that internal and external infrastructures are positively affected by government supports, which puts forth the development of health tourism. As the results explained, the most important aspects of internal infrastructures affected by government support were health service quality, cost of health services and applying advanced medical technologies, respectively. Also, different aspects of external infrastructures affected by government supports are as follows: economic, infrastructures and cultural factors.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind to examine the impact of both medical and non-medical factors on health tourism and signifies the crucial role of governments in the development of health tourism.

Modeling the Growth of Technology Units for Health Technology Incubators Suitable for Low-Income Areas

Background. This research aimed to optimize the technology policy and reduce the costs of technology growth centers at medical sciences universities. Identifying the effective factors in the expansion of technology units facilitates the development and advancement of innovative entrepreneurs through incubators. Methods. The current qualitative research analyzes data collected through structured interviews with 31 individuals from growth centers, administrators of units located in growth centers, and health entrepreneurship experts. In three stages of categorization, the main and sub-categories have been identified. The relationships between the research components were determined using the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) technique. Results. Based on the results of the ISM, "modeling of technology units for health technology incubators in poor areas" we identified 213 codes of verbal propositions, 25 components and 8 categories which was classified into three levels. The first level is the growth of technological units; the second level includes the infrastructure and planned growth; and the third level includes the indicators of external infrastructure, internal infrastructure, acceptance plan, growth plan, and exit plan. Conclusion. This study determined the framework and relationships between variables that influence the growth of technology units in health technology development centers at universities in disadvantaged areas. This is the first study to incorporate the internal infrastructure as an independent variable, indicating the effect of compensating for regional infrastructure weaknesses.

МЕХАНІЗМ УПРАВЛІННЯ ТОВАРНОЮ СПЕЦІАЛІЗАЦІЄЮ АГРАРНИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ

The article reveals the organizational and economic principles of building a mechanism for managing the commodity specialization of agricultural enterprises. Factors affecting the reproduction of production resources as agricultural production factors are defined. It has been established that they have both a general economic character and are manifested at the level of subjects of agricultural management, are subjective or objective. The factors that determine the need for systemic legal influence on the management of commodity specialization of agricultural enterprises have been determined. The elements of the architecture of the organizational and economic mechanism of managing commodity specialization of agricultural enterprises have been developed and substantiated. The conceptual basis of the commodity specialization management mechanism assumes the definition of principles, goals, and tasks, as well as a set of tools for the agricultural specialization management mechanism, which is aimed at achieving sustainable functioning and development of enterprises. The specified concept takes into account the trends in the formation of economic potential, the internal infrastructure of the enterprise, the leading architectural solutions, and standards, the management model and requirements for management processes, and also defines the principles of transition from the existing state of the enterprise to the target one. It has been proven that this mechanism allows the implementation of adaptive strategies for the development of industrial and commercial activity due to the careful consideration of the effects of external and internal environmental factors when mobilizing the components of production and economic potential, as well as determining the configuration of product specialization management systems in enterprise management.

Understanding the Factors Promoting Sustainability in the Indian Pharmaceutical Sector Through ESG Approach

The ESG model, which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, is becoming increasingly important in the pharmaceutical sector. The pharmaceutical industry is under scrutiny from various stakeholders, including customers, investors, and regulatory bodies, to improve their ESG practices. The ESG model is a framework that helps companies assess and report on their performance in these three areas. ESG approach of operation brings stakeholders’ faith in organizational affairs. Indian pharmaceutical companies are facing big challenges in several fronts in meeting ESG principles for balancing social, environmental and economic goals. The balancing of these three goals by following ESG approach of operation will bring sustainability in organizational existence. Several broad areas need serious look-over. Sourcing of raw ingredients, clinical trials and associated costs, product quality and information, product pricing, internal infrastructure robustness and security, organizational culture and disclosure and compliances are areas where pharma companies are confronting ESG principles. In the pharmaceutical sector, the Environmental aspect of the ESG model focuses on reducing the environmental impact of their operations and products, such as reducing carbon emissions, waste management, and water conservation. The Social aspect involves ensuring ethical business practices, such as fair labor practices, supply chain management, and community engagement. Finally, Governance involves ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making processes, as well as maintaining high ethical standards and preventing corruption. Pharmaceutical companies that implement ESG practices can not only benefit from improved reputations but can also attract investors who prioritize ethical and sustainable investing. Additionally, companies that prioritize ESG practices are better positioned to adapt to changes in the regulatory landscape, such as the increasing focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Overall, the ESG model provides a comprehensive framework for pharmaceutical companies to assess their environmental, social, and governance practices and ensure they are operating ethically and sustainably, which can lead to long-term success and positive impact on society.

Addressing hypertension among Haitian adults with insufficient access to quality healthcare: A discursive review.

The purpose of this article is to summarize research targeting hypertension and healthcare access among adults living in rural Haiti. Hypertension is a significant public health problem that impacts one in five persons globally. It is the leading cause of cardiovascular-related conditions such as stroke and myocardial infarction and accounts for most global non-communicable disease-related deaths. Limited healthcare access and social determinants of health are known contributors to poor health outcomes among persons with hypertension. Among Haitians, there are stark health disparities between those who live in urban versus rural areas. A discursive review. Several issues are identified as barriers to proper hypertension prevention and management. However, after examining the effective interventions, we found that social determinants of health such as transportation costs, lack of field care facilities close to patients, roadway conditions, political disturbance, and ineffective leadership and policies are major barriers to controlling hypertension in Haiti. Although Haiti has received help from international organizations, strengthening its internal infrastructure is paramount in improving healthcare access. The review concludes that Haitians living in rural parts of Haiti are less likely to receive healthcare to manage non-communicable diseases such as hypertension. Similar to other developing countries, a heightened awareness is needed to address the lack of healthcare access for those living in rural communities. Nurses and other healthcare professionals working with populations in Haiti should become aware of the barriers and facilitators that promote sufficient healthcare access. To achieve this goal, nurses must understand the social determinants and other factors that serve as barriers for achieving access to quality care for this vulnerable population. There was no patient or public involvement in the design or drafting of this discursive paper.

MiniLab - Agile underwater platform with integrated sensors for environmental and visual applications

The Fraunhofer “Smart Ocean Technologies” (SOT) research team extends its range of services towards underwater technology by developing new internal infrastructure. To test sensor technology and materials, empirical underwater data is required to evaluate new technology within realistic conditions. Various external factors like swell, wind, and the underwater environment itself complicate stable framework conditions during the measurements. For this purpose, a test platform called MiniLab was developed which can be extended by modules with respect to common interfaces. It serves as a base frame for internal as well as external projects. The MiniLab consists of an underwater unit and an on-ground unit. Both are connected via a hybrid underwater cable. In addition to the environmental conditions, camera live streams can be transmitted. The MiniLab service platform is currently being used in the Warnow River and in the Digital Ocean Lab (DOL) in the Baltic Sea. However, it is available for observations in other waters (Fraunhofer, 2021a).

The Case Study of Los Angeles City & County Fraud, Embezzlement and Corruption Safeguards during times of pandemic

This exploratory qualitative case study analyzes the risks of misappropriation of COVID-19 relief funds managed by public agencies in the County of Los Angeles. This study documents deviance, sources of misbehavior, vulnerability factors and mitigation strategies in place to prevent fraud and corruption. Results indicate that loopholes in benefits eligibility certification led to massive levels of fraud, and that internal infrastructure and the work climate within public institutions exacerbated fraud risks. Institutional fragmentation, political pressures and human resources practices hindered the effectiveness of prevention mechanisms. Recommendations to strengthen accountability systems and institutional safeguards against fraud and ethical deviance are proposed.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVING THE SEAPORTS PRODUCTIVITY

The object of the study is a seaport as a transport hub with an internal infrastructure consisting of various departments whose actions are coordinated by the management system. It is noted that the introduction of information systems into the port management structure allows coordinating actions between port departments and external partners. The seaport is considered as a system consisting of subsystems, information about the state of which allows to streamline the processes of cargo movement, to carry out the activities of the port for a certain planning period and to make decisions in case of non-standard situations. It is noted in the paper that loading and unloading operations in the port are carried out by means of lifting and transport equipment, which has recently been produced with automatic and automated control. Attention is drawn to the fact that automated loading and transport equipment and related technologies for processing and tracking storage locations of processed goods contribute to improving the seaports efficiency. It is emphasized that the use of information technologies in seaports reduces the errors probability that may occur due to the human factor, contributes to the optimization of technological processes and reduces vehicle downtime. It is particularly noted that the development of information systems contributes to the integration of the cargo plan of the seaport with the shift-daily plan and the arrival of vehicles for processing, which allows for the operational management of the seaport. These data indicate that information resources are an economic value and act as one of the factors of seaport management. The information technologies used in the transport industry are considered and trends in the development of information systems of the port economy are identified in the paper. Based on the analysis of literary sources, it is concluded that the introduction of information technologies in ports contributes to increasing productivity and strengthening cooperation between interested parties in the transport sphere of activity. Smart ports will allow the port industry to interact with external enterprises with higher accuracy, openness and transparency, thereby improving relations and efficiency.