Levels Of Organization Research Articles

Rethinking the Overwork Culture: Practical Strategies for Creating Sustainable Change

This article provides organizational leaders seeking to disrupt entrenched cultures of overwork with practical strategies drawn from academic literature and consulting experiences. It explores key drivers of overwork at both the organizational level, such as a lack of boundaries between work and personal time, perceptions of overwork as a requirement, pressure from leadership, and lack of alternative policies, and at the societal level. Concrete steps are then outlined for establishing sustainable change, like setting clear boundaries on availability and working hours, empowering employees with flexible arrangements, disconnecting from technology after hours, shifting perceptions of productivity away from face time, increasing transparency from leadership, and building in recovery periods. Case studies from Buffer and Mailchimp demonstrate success. The article advocates a holistic, systems-level approach led by committed executives to alter cultural norms and mindsets over the long run through fostering autonomy, flexibility and trust in order to enhance both performance and well-being. Leaders are encouraged to customize strategies to their contexts while continuously measuring impact and refining approaches, with the ultimate goal of empowering employees to bring their full selves each day.

When project outcomes matter: Organizational integration in managing long-term target benefits

We build on the research on managing long-term benefits by focusing on the management of outcomes during project execution through the theoretical lens of organizational integration research. Our research question is as follows: How can organizations arrange integration among organizational levels, functions, and projects to ensure the effective development of project outcomes and long-term target benefits? To address this question, we conducted a single case study with the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) and four defense system projects as embedded cases. Our study provides new knowledge on project benefits management in three distinct areas: the integration mechanisms connecting projects, executives, and functions throughout project execution; effective information processing mechanisms for managing the development of outcomes; and the rhythmic initiation of new projects based on improved knowledge from ongoing projects. Based on our findings, we develop a model that covers project-to-organization, organization-to-project, and project-to-project interactions.

Chronic mistimed feeding results in renal fibrosis and disrupted circadian blood pressure rhythms.

Circadian disruption is a disturbance in biological timing, which can occur within or between different organizational levels, ranging from molecular rhythms within specific cells to the misalignment of behavioral and environmental cycles. Previous work from our group showed that less than 1 wk of food restriction to the light (inactive) period is sufficient to invert diurnal blood pressure rhythms in mice. However, kidney excretory rhythms and functions remained aligned with the light-dark cycle. Shift workers have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease that may different between sexes and often have irregular mealtimes, making the possibility of mistimed feeding as a potential contributor to the development of kidney disease. Thus, we hypothesized that chronic mistimed food intake would result in adverse cardiorenal effects, with sex differences in severity. Here, we show that chronic circadian disruption via mistimed feeding results in renal fibrosis and aortic stiffness in a sex-dependent manner. Our results indicate the importance of meal timing for the maintenance of blood pressure rhythms and kidney function, particularly in males. Our results also demonstrate that females are better able to acclimate to circadian-related behavioral change. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Circadian disruption through mistimed feeding resulted in nondipping blood pressure, renal fibrosis, and arterial stiffness that were less severe in females versus males. Mice fed exclusively during the daytime maintain their circadian rhythms of locomotor activity regardless of their loss of blood pressure rhythms. Although these mice ate less food, they maintained body weight, suggesting inefficiencies in overall metabolism. These findings demonstrate the importance of maintaining optimal food intake patterns to prevent cardiorenal pathophysiology.

Fighting Medical Misinformation: What Physician Leaders Need to Know

The dangerous rise of misinformation and disinformation about health and healthcare undermines the work of physicians and other healthcare workers. Physicians are well-positioned to counter inaccurate information because their patients put a high degree of trust in them. Strategies at the individual and organizational levels are discussed.

Ludogenic innovation: How playing incentivizes technological innovation

Play has been an essential element of culture. It comprises forms and parts that intertwine to form complex and meaningful interactions. As an artifact, in the form of games (or video games), it created a massive following and interests, both on personal and organizational levels. An introduction to the term Ludogenic, which blends “ludus” (Latin for play) with “genic” (producing or generating), suggesting the creation or generation of playful and innovative experiences, was proposed as a new paradigm for future technological development in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). This article explores how play and games influence and impact technological advancement and contemporary innovation, eliciting the transformative potential of ludogenic innovation in reshaping technological development, offering insights into future directions for research and application in addressing complex global challenges, and highlighting the enduring impact of play on technological innovation.

Achieving and sustaining reduction in hospital-acquired complications in an Australian local health service

BackgroundReducing the prevalence of hospital-acquired complications (HACs) is paramount for both patient safety and hospital financial performance because of its impact on patient’s recovery and health service delivery by diverting...

Organizational Conflict and Productivity Level of Academic Staff in Selected Universities in Nigeria

The study specifically examined the effect of organizational conflict on quality assurance, students’ academic performances, and the reduced rate of plagiarism among academic staff of the University of Calabar and the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. The survey research design was used while data were collected from 282 academic staff of the selected universities. The simple regression and independent t-tests were used for the hypotheses test. It was discovered that organizational conflict significantly affects the quality assurance of academic activities of the universities [tcal = 42.730 > t 0.05 = 1.96] and organizational conflicts lead to a reduced rate of plagiarism among academic staff of the universities. Discovered also was that the performance of the academic staff members during the pre-conflict era was low (M=1.3298, SD=.47266) compared to the performance of the staff in the post-conflict (M= 3.5765, SD=.56267). It was concluded that tertiary institutions should occasionally stimulate conflict by encouraging divergent views and rewarding staff and units/departments for outstanding performance.

A multi-case study exploring the effect of interventions on food safety culture maturity

In each food business, a food safety culture (FSC) with a certain maturity level prevails. Previous research has demonstrated that the maturity level of the prevailing FSC can be assessed, but empirical proof of FSC maturity improvement remains limited especially in food processing companies. This study aimed to zoom in on the food safety culture improvement trajectory of four food processing case studies, focusing on human-organizational dimensions of food safety culture. First, a pre-assessment of the maturity of the prevailing food safety culture was executed in each case company (assessment time 1) by application of a validated mixed-methods methodology which includes three different tools (the food safety climate questionnaire, management interview, and on-site evidence collection visits). Based on this pre-assessment, underdeveloped dimensions or gaps in the prevailing food safety culture were identified to find improvement needs. In each of the 4 included distinct case companies, an intervention was implemented. In the first case company, case 1, a food safety key performance indicator (KPI) system was implemented as the intervention, with shared monitoring and shared responsibilities for KPI improvement. Coincidentally, case company 2 and case company 4 selected the same intervention. Case 2, as well as case 4, decided to implement structured group discussions with operators to collect input for collaborative action point selection, aiming for their active involvement in food safety. In case 3, a food safety culture check system was implemented for systematic reward and recognition. After intervention implementation, the post-assessment was conducted (assessment time 2), applying the exact same methodology as the pre-assessment. To investigate the extent of improvement, comparison of the pre- and post-assessment in each of the four cases was first done descriptively by comparing the means. Next, data collected via the food safety climate questionnaire was compared statistically via Mann-Whitney U tests. Analyses showed a substantial objective and subjective (employees’ perceptions) improvement of the targeted food safety culture gaps in companies 1 and 2, demonstrating that food safety culture improvement was achievable through a science-based and cocreated intervention process and implementation plan compliance. In cases 3 and 4, marginal improvements and unchanged scores were revealed. Comparison of cases’ trajectory characteristics and resulting success rates demonstrated that senior management involvement was essential for interventional success, as well as implementing culture interventions on an organizational or group level, instead of only including selected employees.

Expansion and evaluation of level II and III recovery residences for people taking medications for an opioid use disorder: project HOMES (Housing for MAR Expanded Services) study protocol

IntroductionAs the US continues to battle the opioid epidemic, recovery residences remain valuable services for people in recovery. While there is a growing body of literature describing positive outcomes experienced...

Genomics-Informed Range Predictions Under Global Warming Reveal Reduced Adaptive Diversity Whilst Buffering Range Shifts for a Marine Snail.

Understanding the genetic basis of local adaptation in thermal performance is useful for predicting species distribution shifts under anthropogenic climate change. Many species are distributed across multiple biogeographic regions, and the uniquely adapted populations in each region may respond to future ocean warming with distinct distribution changes. In the present study, we investigated phylogeographic patterns, thermal sensitivity, and genetic differentiation in the intertidal snail Littorina brevicula along China's coast. Whole-genome sequencing results based on a newly assembled chromosome-level genome revealed two genetic lineages, with a north-south divergence that is linked to the thermal environment. Within each lineage, individuals could be further subdivided into genetic subgroups that differ at key genomic loci underpinning differences in upper heat tolerance. Heat stress drives adaptive divergence across multiple levels of organization, from the individual to the biogeographic level. Taking into account genetic diversity associated with variation in heat tolerance, a physiological species distribution model (pSDM) was applied to predict the distributions of the different genetic subgroups in response to climate change. Both northern and southern lineages were predicted to experience declines in habitat suitability under a 4°C future warming scenario, and that a genotypic subset of snails from the southern lineage may even be driven to extinction. These findings illustrate that even when a species' range is maintained, it can nonetheless experience a significant decrease in adaptive diversity as a result of climate change. The integrated approach presented here, which considered both physiological and adaptive genetic variation at the level of individuals within a biogeographical context, provided new insights into how marine species can respond to global warming.

Diagnosing leadership – construction and validation of the leadership impact inventory

PurposeThe purpose is to examine the connection between leadership and its proximal and distal outcomes on employee, team and organization-level outcomes. As a more practical endeavor, a leadership measurement is constructed and validated.Design/methodology/approachThe study takes a quantitative approach, statistically analyzing 301 online survey responses to a survey of leader attributes and their organizational impacts.FindingsThis study shows that the impact of leadership is associated more with actionable behaviors than personality traits. More specifically, leader success leans on leader dependability, management mode, emotive skills and coaching style, which relate to organizational outcomes. Additionally, preventative conflict management belongs to immediate supervisory foci, whereas already escalated conflicts ought to be outsourced to e.g. HR. Further, the findings verify that management is even more about communication than previously understood. Interestingly, employee satisfaction does not predict willingness to stay and is therefore irrelevant as a predictor of employee retention. This verifies the role of satisfaction as a proximal outcome and a post-goal state. Finally, the role of psychological safety is incoherent and equivocal in relation to organizational outcomes.Practical implicationsAs a practical ramification, we devise an instrument, the Leadership Impact Inventory, for (1) diagnosing the quality and effect of organizational leadership in an easy-to-adopt, cost-effective and quick manner and (2) analyzing the influence of various leadership dimensions on satisfaction and goals on individual, team and organizational levels.Originality/valueThis study expands the earlier body of research on leader influence to factors promoting not only proximal outcomes that are typically post-goal states but also distal outcomes. Further, it examines outcomes on all organizational levels, as an extension to prior studies which are typically limited to the entire organization. Finally, the study does not explore leadership as a force or process separate from culture but rather appreciates their synergy through the inclusion of cultural features. This is achieved by monitoring leader success with such subjective aspects describing employee experience and organizational culture that are associated with follower performance.

Factors Influencing Radiation Protection Behavior of Nurses in Intensive Care Units

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence the behavior of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses regarding radiation protection, and to provide basic data to improve radiation protection educational programs. Methods : This descriptive research study included 143 nurses working in ICUs. Data were collected through a self-reported structured questionnaire and analyzed using t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results : Radiation protection environment (<i>β</i>=.35, <i>p</i>=.001), radiation protection self-efficacy (<i>β</i>=.25, <i>p</i> =.002), type of hospital (<i>β</i>=-.25, <i>p</i>=.002) and experience in ICU (<i>β</i>=-.18, <i>p</i>= .022) affected the radiation protection behavior of ICU nurses. The total explanatory power of model was 60.0% (R<sup>2</sup>=.64, Adj. R<sub>2</sub>=.60, F=17.71, <i>p</i>＜.001). Conclusion : In order to enhance the standards of radiation protection behavior among intensive care unit nurses and improve radiation protection self-efficacy, educational and training programs should be developed. Additionally, administrative support should be considered to create environments with better radiation protection at the organizational level.

How About Enhancing Organizational Security

Despite its importance, there is little research on how organizations perceive information security management. This study classified critical success factors in information security management at the organizational level. A performance model was designed to empirically test the validity of these factors. Data were collected through an online questionnaire from prominent information technology managers and specialists who worked in Saudi organizations and contributed to decision making about information security. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The selected constructs—business alignment, top management support, information security awareness, and security controls—appeared to significantly influence information security management, with the balanced scorecard shown as an effective way of measuring performance.

A Stacking Ensemble Based on Lexicon and Machine Learning Methods for the Sentiment Analysis of Tweets

Sentiment is employed in various fields, such as collecting web-based opinions for the formulation of governmental policies, measuring employee and customer satisfaction levels in business organizations, and measuring the sentiment of the public in political and security matters. The field has recently faced new challenges since algorithms must operate with highly unstructured sentiment data from social media. In this study, the authors present a new stacking ensemble method that combines the lexicon-based approach with machine learning algorithms to improve the sentiment analysis of tweets. Due to the complexity of the text with very ill-defined syntactic and grammatical patterns, using lexicon-based techniques to extract sentiment from the content is proposed. On the same note, the contextual and nuanced aspects of sentiment are inferred through machine learning algorithms. A sophisticated bat algorithm that uses an Elman network as a meta-classifier is then employed to classify the extracted features accurately. Substantial evidence from three datasets that are readily available for public analysis re-affirms the improvements this innovative approach brings to sentiment classification.

Brief History of the Uncontrolled Manifold Hypothesis and Its Role in Motor Control

BACKGROUND: The apparent problem of motor redundancy was replaced by the principle of abundance and turned into a theoretical framework and associated toolbox for exploration of performance-stabilizing synergies. AIM and METHOD: We review briefly the development of the main methods within the UCM framework and some of the main findings, both basic and clinical. The UCM framework is naturally merged with the theory of hierarchical movement control with spatial referent coordinates. RESULTS: The UCM framework has established itself as a productive framework for the analysis of movement control, in particular as related to stability of salient performance variables. It led to the discovery of novel phenomena such as trade-offs within hierarchical systems, anticipatory synergy adjustments, synergies within systems of different complexity from single muscles to the whole body. It has also led to promising results offering sensitive biomarkers to various neurological disorders. Recent experiments suggest the existence of three main levels of organization of performance-stabilizing synergies tentatively associated with cortical, subcortical, and spinal circuitry. CONCLUSION: Currently, this approach is in its adulthood. Further progress may be expected in focusing on spaces of neural control variables, developing the method for analysis across species, and expanding the range and depth of clinical studies.

Determinants of knowledge transfer activities among university researchers: a systematic review

Purpose This systematic review aims to identify the key determinants of knowledge transfer (KT) activities among researchers. Design/methodology/approach This study systematically reviewed KT literature in academic settings from 1995–2023. The authors searched Web of Science and Scopus using predefined keywords, following PRISMA guidelines for screening and eligibility assessment. From 158 selected articles, the authors extracted data and conducted a descriptive analysis to map KT activities’ evolution. A narrative synthesis approach categorized determinants of researchers’ KT activities. Findings The systematic review findings revealed a general conceptual framework that categorizes the identified determinants of KT into four categories. At the individual level, the factors are related to the sociodemographic characteristics of the researcher (e.g. gender, age, experience), their psychological aspects (e.g. attitude, intrinsic motivation, intention) and personal characteristics (e.g. self-efficacy, communication skills). At the research team level, leadership style and team dynamics. At the organizational level, the findings emphasize university characteristics (e.g. size, structure and ranking), KT culture installed and university resources. At the inter-organizational level, the key determinants were funding sources, network strength and trust. Research limitations/implications The studies included in our database were different in terms of contexts, country of the study, the disciplines of KT and the types of KT activities examined. This variety restricts the direct comparison of research findings thus the generalizability of our conclusions. Future research should focus on specific contexts, disciplines, countries or types of KT activities to provide generalizable findings. Practical implications A better understanding of all the factors influencing KT among university researchers is essential for several reasons. First, it will enable the government to develop effective policies to promote KT ecosystems. Second, universities can create strategies, policies and programs to support researchers’ engagement in KT activities. Finally, researchers can be more strategic in their KT efforts. Originality/value This systematic review contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive conceptual framework that identifies KT determinants at different levels and fills a gap in the existing literature that only addresses specific aspects of KT determinants. This framework can be a theoretical reference for future empirical studies. Furthermore, it practically provides recommendations for different actors including, government, universities and researchers.

Implementation of Measurement-Based Care in Mental Health Service Settings for Youth: A Systematic Review.

Measurement-Based Care (MBC) is the systematic use of patient-reported data to inform care decisions and monitor treatment progress. MBC has been shown to improve patient outcomes across medical and mental health treatment settings for adults and youth. While many studies have examined the use of MBC in specific care settings, few have focused on the implementation of MBC among youth populations or across care settings. While a review has shown that use of MBC benefits youth, no published reviews exist that summarize the successful strategies and barriers to implementation models across studies in youth service settings. To address these gaps, the present systematic review (N = 25 studies) focuses on the implementation of MBC across four youth service settings, including outpatient mental health centers, medical centers/pediatric clinics, schools, and clinical psychology training clinics. Results suggest that few studies employ consistent implementation models or strategies to guide efforts. Further, there is significant overlap in the successful strategies employed as well as the barriers to implementation of MBC across youth service settings, at the client, clinician, and organizational levels. Broadly, the authors recommend on the basis of findings that future implementation work in youth service settings: incorporate comprehensive training in the use of MBC for clinicians; incorporate stakeholder feedback into the implementation process for initial and sustained use; employ digital measurement feedback systems to deliver MBC that allow for real-time feedback and continuous technical support; and employ a health equity lens in implementation efforts to help address disparities in access to and use of MBC so that all youth and families may benefit from this evidence-based practice.

Individual and organizational interventions to reduce burnout in resident physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundBurnout among resident physicians during training has been prevalent, prompting training centers to introduce interventions at the individual or organizational level. However, empirical evidence is crucial before implementing such programs in practice.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of individual and organizational interventions in reducing burnout among resident physicians. Searching was done across five databases—PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Embase, and Cochrane Library from 1 December 2023 to 26 August 2024. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used for our reporting of study selection process. Eligibility criteria were randomized or non-randomized designs, with prospective intervention, with a comparator group focused on individual or organizational interventions reducing burnout, in any language and publication date. The Maslach Burnout Inventory scores for emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA) were the three outcome measures. Two investigators independently extracted the data. The risk of bias was evaluated using Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2) and non-randomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I). Cohen’s d and heterogeneity was estimated using a random-effects DerSimonian-Laird model and visualized by forest plots. Sensitivity analyses were carried out by leave-one-out meta-analysis.ResultsWe identified 33 eligible studies (n = 2536), comprising 25 (75.8%) individual intervention studies and 8 (24.2%) organizational intervention studies. Cohen’s d for individual intervention versus control were as follows: EE -0.25 (95% CI -0.40 to -0.11, p < 0.01, I2 = 49.3%), and DP -0.17 (95% CI -0.32 to -0.03, p = 0.02, I2 = 50.0%). The organizational intervention showed no significant association with any domain. Sensitivity analyses were robust in all outcomes, with differences in intervention description and design identified as potential contributors to heterogeneity.ConclusionsVarious interventions, including individual coaching, meditation, and organization interventions, have been implemented to improve resident burnout. The effectiveness of intervention demonstrated none to small practical significance in improving burnout. Data inconsistency and high risk of bias across studies limited the validity of the pooled results. Further studies should focus on a combined approach.RegistrationThe study was registered on PROSPERO, under PROSPERO registration number CRD42022349698.

Leveraging the cultural intelligence of sport employees in the globalized sports industry

PurposeIn the contemporary globalized sports industry, it is crucial for sport employees to cultivate an essential capability – cultural intelligence (CQ) – to excel in culturally diverse sport environments. The purpose of this study is to propose a comprehensive conceptual framework of sport employees' CQ for enhancing management practices in sport organizations.Design/methodology/approachBy conducting a thorough literature review of relevant business and sport management literature, this research offers a synopsis of CQ and advocates for the advancement of a developed conceptual framework for sport employees' CQ (CQ-SE).FindingsThe conceptual framework of CQ-SE is proposed to facilitate employees’ effective integration into diverse environments within sport organizations. This framework identifies predictors that enhance sport employees’ CQ, moderating factors to provide deeper insights into these relationships and outcomes at individual, group and organizational levels. We additionally elaborate on the anticipated benefits for stakeholders, given the services provided by sport practitioners.Originality/valueThis study is one of the initial endeavors to conceptualize the concept of CQ for sport employees. This study contributes to the literature on sport organizational culture and human resource management by emphasizing the pivotal role of sport employees’ CQ in promoting greater inclusivity in sport organizations. We encourage sport management researchers to explore the application of CQ in sport contexts and empirically test the relationships proposed in this framework.

Provider perspectives on maternal care challenges for Black and Latine Women in Indiana: a qualitative interview study

Indiana consistently ranks among the states with the highest maternal and infant mortality in the United States, particularly affecting Black and Latine communities, endangering their right to safe and respectful maternal care. Providers working with these communities are crucial in identifying challenges faced by their clients, and to inform programmes and policies. We interviewed 32 clinical and community-based providers to understand their perspectives on the challenges faced by their Black and Latine clients from February to April 2021. Participants were identified through online sources and referrals. Interviews, conducted over online video, were recorded, transcribed, and analysed following a six-step thematic approach. Six areas of challenges emerged: non-medical infrastructure and policy problems, effects of systemic racism and bias, insecurity of the Latine community, dissatisfaction with maternal care delivery, issues in navigating maternal healthcare, and limitations to holistic models of care. The results demonstrate the interconnected structural, organisational, and interpersonal nature of the challenges. Though challenges were described at structural and organisational levels, the focus of state maternal care programs is largely at personal and interpersonal levels. Obstetric racism, citizenship restrictions, shortage of Black and Latine providers, and transportation issues are complex problems, requiring multilevel interventions and policies to ensure Black and Latine women can exercise their right to safe and respectful maternal care. A rights-based approach centring the needs of Black, Latine and other minoritised communities should be implemented to make effective changes with an equity focus.