Role In Management Research Articles

Sustainable human resource management: the perspectives of Italian human resource managers

Over the past two decades, sustainable human resource management (sustainable HRM) has emerged as a new approach to human resource management. Sustainable HRM takes a stakeholder-inclusive perspective to ensure the sustainable development of organizations along multiple objectives (financial, social, environmental, and organizational). Human resource (HR) managers are key actors in sustainable HRM implementation. However, how these important stakeholders perceive sustainable HRM remains understudied in the growing literature. This qualitative study explores how 32 HR managers in Italy construct the meaning of sustainable HRM and perceive their roles in and the barriers to implementing a sustainable HRM strategy. The findings reveal that Italian HR managers interpret sustainable HRM in line with the triple bottom line sustainability framework but give particular prominence to the social dimension. We develop a framework of HR managers’ roles in the sustainable HRM paradigm comprising sustainability strategy owners, social innovators, corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnership architects, genuine employee champions, and administrative experts. Additionally, we develop a model of the barriers to sustainable HRM adoption. This study advances the sustainable HRM literature by providing a contextualized, country-specific understanding of sustainable HRM and frameworks for the roles of HR managers under a sustainable HRM paradigm and the barriers to its adoption.

Flood Susceptibility Mapping Using SAR Data and Machine Learning Algorithms in a Small Watershed in Northwestern Morocco

Flood susceptibility mapping plays a crucial role in flood risk assessment and management. Accurate identification of areas prone to flooding is essential for implementing effective mitigation measures and informing decision-making processes. In this regard, the present study used high-resolution remote sensing products, i.e., synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images for flood inventory preparation and integrated four machine learning models (Random Forest: RF, Classification and Regression Trees: CART, Support Vector Machine: SVM, and Extreme Gradient Boosting: XGBoost) to predict flood susceptibility in Metlili watershed, Morocco. Initially, 12 independent variables (elevation, slope angle, aspect, plan curvature, topographic wetness index, stream power index, distance from streams, distance from roads, lithology, rainfall, land use/land cover, and normalized vegetation index) were used as conditioning factors. The flood inventory dataset was divided into 70% and 30% for training and validation purposes using a popular library, scikit-learn (i.e., train_test_split) in Python programming language. Additionally, the area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the models. The accuracy assessment results showed that RF, CART, SVM, and XGBoost models predicted flood susceptibility with AUC values of 0.807, 0.780, 0.756, and 0.727, respectively. However, the RF model performed better at flood susceptibility prediction compared to the other models applied. As per this model, 22.49%, 16.02%, 12.67%, 18.10%, and 31.70% areas of the watershed are estimated as being very low, low, moderate, high, and very highly susceptible to flooding, respectively. Therefore, this study showed that the integration of machine learning models with radar data could have promising results in predicting flood susceptibility in the study area and other similar environments.

The Role of Digital Media on Students’ Management in Higher Vocational College

This study uses a combination of empirical analysis to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the role of digital media and student management in higher vocational colleges. The results show that the current application status of digital media in student management shows extensive and profound impact. With the rapid development of information technology, digital media has become an important tool for student management in higher vocational colleges, covering many aspects such as course management, attendance management, and student information inquiry, greatly improving management efficiency and convenience. By establishing a digital system, the school has achieved comprehensive coverage of student information management and online education. At the same time, digital media also plays an important role in students' social interaction and has become an indispensable part of students' daily lives. However, digital media applications also bring some problems. Information overload and distraction can make it difficult for students to focus, while security risks threaten student privacy. Solving these problems requires schools to take effective measures, such as improving information literacy and security awareness, and establishing a complete information security system. The impact of digital media on student development is complex and diverse. Its advantage lies in providing a broad learning space and diversified learning methods to promote students' communication and socialization. However, negative effects such as information overload and Internet addiction cannot be ignored. In order to better guide students to use digital media, schools and families need to strengthen digital media literacy education, pay attention to students' mental health, and strengthen network security. In student management, the advantages of digital media are mainly reflected in improving efficiency and interactivity, and promoting management innovation and development. However, the popularization of digital media needs to face issues such as technical and device support, security and privacy protection. By strengthening measures such as construction, training, supervision and management, schools can better leverage the advantages of digital media and improve management efficiency and service quality. Going forward, digital media will play an even more important role in student management. Intelligent management, expanding management fields and promoting student self-management will be the direction of future development. However, the security and popularity of digital media remain challenges that need to be addressed. By strengthening comprehensive measures such as construction, training, supervision and management, schools can better guide the future development of digital media in student management, provide students with more intelligent, personalized and efficient services, and promote their all-round development.

Institutional Arbitrageurs: The Role of Product Managers as a Locus of Change in Journalism

The modern news industry demands a continuous stream of products ready to meet audience needs; the emergent newsroom role of product manager serves to prioritize them by providing a holistic perspective on an organization’s goals. Product professionals bring in new skill sets and help to bridge the divide and align the priorities among editorial, business, and technology functions, serving as a locus of change in journalism. This sets the stage for institutional complexity where actors struggle to make decisions due to competing logics, which are socially constructed rules created to normalize behavior. This article thus focuses on the dynamics of change in a complex environment by examining news product professionals as institutional arbitrageurs, which are actors who bring competing logics together to create value during a time of complexity. This framing raises questions regarding the locus of change in journalism and aims to further understand the tactics used by actors in a complex environment such as the field of journalism. A qualitative study using interviews with digital journalism’s product professionals is used to address this phenomenon, which allows for a theoretical contextualization of the dynamics of change in journalism and specifically, how product managers act as a locus of change using their roles to manage complexity by bringing incompatible logics together to leverage differences between them.

Pediatrik Hastalarda Kardiyovasküler Semptomların Ve Hastalıkların Yaygınlığı Ve Şekli: Yaş Ve Cinsiyete Odaklanan Tek Merkezli Gözlemsel Bir Çalışmadan Elde Edilen Veriler

Bakground/Aims: This single-center, cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of cardiovascular symptoms and findings among pediatric patients aged 1-18 years, focusing on age and gender as potential influencing factors. Methods: Pediatric patients aged 1-18 with cardiovascular symptoms were studied, categorized by age (1-6, 7-12, 13-18) and gender (male and female) using electronic medical records, undergoing comprehensive clinical assessments including examinations, ECGs, and echocardiograms. Statistical analyses unveiled prevalence trends. Results: 720 patients were included the study and 53.9% of them were female. The prevalence of symptoms and diseases varied by age. Chest pain was common in 13-18 group; murmurs linked to congenital defects in 1-6 group. Valve and pericardial/myocardial diseases in 7-12 group, tied to rheumatic risks. Gender had minimal impact on patterns. Conclusion: The study underscores tailored management, age-specific considerations, and gender's minor role in pediatric cardiovascular symptoms and diseases.

Driving sustainable growth in SME manufacturing: The role of digital transformation, project, and capture management

In the landscape of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the manufacturing sector, achieving sustainable growth amidst increasing competition and evolving market demands presents a significant challenge. This abstract delves into the pivotal role of digital transformation, project management, and capture management in fostering sustainable growth for SME manufacturers. Digital transformation has emerged as a transformative force, offering SME manufacturers unprecedented opportunities to optimize processes, enhance efficiency, and expand their market reach. Through the adoption of advanced technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud computing, SMEs can streamline operations, improve product quality, and swiftly adapt to changing consumer preferences. Moreover, effective project management plays a crucial role in driving sustainable growth by ensuring timely delivery of products, cost optimization, and resource utilization. By implementing robust project management methodologies such as Agile or Lean, SME manufacturers can mitigate risks, enhance collaboration, and accelerate innovation, thereby gaining a competitive edge in the market. Furthermore, capture management, encompassing the identification, qualification, and pursuit of business opportunities, is instrumental in securing long-term growth for SME manufacturers. By strategically identifying target markets, understanding customer needs, and developing tailored solutions, SMEs can effectively capitalize on emerging opportunities and strengthen their market position. However, harnessing the synergies between digital transformation, project management, and capture management requires a comprehensive strategic approach. SME manufacturers must invest in cultivating a culture of innovation, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and nurturing talent equipped with the requisite digital and managerial skills. Driving sustainable growth in SME manufacturing necessitates a holistic approach that integrates digital transformation, project management, and capture management strategies. By embracing technological advancements, optimizing operational processes, and seizing market opportunities, SME manufacturers can embark on a trajectory of sustained success in the ever-evolving landscape of manufacturing.

The Influence of Foreign Directors on Cross-Border M&A Completion

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the influence of foreign directors on the likelihood of cross-border merger and acquisition (CBMA) deal completion, and to investigate the moderating effect of past M&A experience. Despite the significant influence that board diversity can have on M&A decisions and its role as a decision-maker, insufficient research has been conducted on the impact of boards on M&A completion. Foreign directors, as a representative proxy for board diversity, can bring broader perspective and knowledge about a foreign environment when firms pursue CBMAs. In addition, they can provide strategic advice and counsel to a firm by objectively evaluating the information necessary for the processing of CBMAs, thereby enhancing the quality of CBMA decision-making. This study expects that the resources that foreign directors possess may have a positive influence on the CBMA process, improving the acquirer’s ability to find a more suitable target and reducing country differences that may arise during the negotiation process. Moreover, the study also expects that this effect is strengthened within an acquirer that has prior M&A experience since the firm can gain knowledge and accumulate the capabilities essential to pursuing subsequent M&As. Design/Methodology – Using a sample of 460 CBMA deals conducted by 377 publicly listed Chinese acquirers between 2009 and 2017, we employ logistic regression to examine our hypotheses. The study utilized the dummy variable of whether a CBMA deal is completed as the dependent variable, foreign directors on board of directors as an independent variable, and past M&A experiences as moderating variables. Findings – The study shows the positive role of foreign directors within an acquirer in enhancing the likelihood of CBMA deal completion. Additionally, the result also shows that the acquirer’s past M&A experience positively moderates the influence of foreign directors on the likelihood of CBMA deal completion. Originality/value – The study emphasizes that the international experience and knowledge brought by foreign directors to underwriting firms in pursuing and executing CBMA deals, characterized by high uncertainty and risk, can effectively mitigate these challenges.

Implementation of financial control tools in the adaptive management of enterprise financial security

The results reported here proved the necessity of introducing financial controlling tools into the system of adaptive management of the company's financial security, which is inextricably linked with technology transfer. The object of the study is the movement of technology with the application of any information on ensuring the implementation of financial controlling tools in the process of managing the financial security of enterprises. We analyzed theoretical approaches to adaptive management of financial security of enterprises. The principles, functions, and types of financial controlling were considered. The expediency of researching the financial security of enterprises using financial controlling as a functional system of adaptive management of deviations has been proven. A systematic approach was used to study scientific approaches to adaptive management of financial security based on financial controlling. Considerable attention was paid to the analysis of the functions and tasks of financial controlling under today's unstable conditions of the economic development of enterprises. Using the method of system analysis, theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding the essence of financial controlling in the adaptive management of financial security of enterprises were evaluated. Peculiarities in the scientific approaches of various scientists regarding the essence of the financial security of enterprises have been revealed. The role and significance of adaptive management of the financial security of enterprises with the help of a modern toolkit of financial controlling, which consists of contractual obligations that make it possible to ensure an effective mechanism for making managerial decisions regarding the enterprise and its counterparties or other financial institutions, is revealed. The extended capabilities of the financial controlling toolkit are useful for analysts and enterprise managers to justify and improve the quality of adaptive management of the enterprise's financial security in modern conditions of technology transfer

Telemedicine's role in transforming healthcare delivery in the pharmaceutical industry: A systematic review

Telemedicine has emerged as a pivotal technology in transforming healthcare delivery, particularly within the pharmaceutical industry. This systematic review aims to evaluate the extent of telemedicine's impact, its applications, and the challenges it faces in this sector. By synthesizing data from peer-reviewed articles, reports, and case studies published up to 2023, this study adopts a comprehensive methodology to assess telemedicine's role in pharmaceutical care, patient management, and drug delivery systems. Key findings indicate that telemedicine significantly enhances patient access to pharmaceutical care, especially in remote and underserved areas. It facilitates real-time patient-pharmacist consultations, remote monitoring, and personalized medication management, thereby improving medication adherence and patient outcomes. Moreover, telemedicine platforms have been instrumental in streamlining drug development processes and clinical trials through virtual patient engagement and remote data collection. However, the review also identifies several challenges, including regulatory hurdles, privacy concerns, and the need for technological standardization across the industry. Despite these obstacles, the potential of telemedicine to revolutionize healthcare delivery in the pharmaceutical industry is undeniable, offering a more patient-centered, efficient, and cost-effective model of care. Telemedicine represents a transformative force in the pharmaceutical industry, promising to reshape the landscape of healthcare delivery. Its continued integration and adoption hinge on addressing existing challenges and leveraging technological advancements to fully realize its potential benefits for patients and healthcare providers alike.

The role of accounting in mitigating food supply chain risks and food price volatility

The global food supply chain is a complex network of interconnected processes and actors that play a critical role in ensuring food security and stability. However, this intricate system is susceptible to various risks and challenges, including natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, market fluctuations, and regulatory changes. These risks often result in food price volatility, which can have profound implications for both consumers and producers worldwide. In this context, accounting emerges as a vital tool for mitigating risks and managing food price volatility within the supply chain. Accounting serves as a cornerstone in providing accurate, timely, and reliable financial information essential for decision-making at every stage of the food supply chain. Through effective financial reporting and analysis, accounting enables stakeholders to identify, assess, and respond to potential risks proactively. By employing risk management techniques such as scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and hedging strategies, accounting professionals can help organizations anticipate and mitigate supply chain disruptions, thereby reducing the impact of food price volatility. Furthermore, accounting facilitates transparency and accountability within the food supply chain, enhancing trust and cooperation among stakeholders. Through comprehensive cost accounting and performance measurement systems, organizations can identify inefficiencies, optimize resource allocation, and enhance operational resilience. Moreover, accounting frameworks such as sustainability accounting enable businesses to assess and report the environmental and social impacts of their operations, fostering sustainable practices across the supply chain. In addition to its role in risk management and performance optimization, accounting contributes to regulatory compliance and governance within the food industry. By adhering to accounting standards and regulations, organizations can ensure integrity and accuracy in financial reporting, thereby enhancing investor confidence and mitigating legal and reputational risks. Moreover, accounting professionals play a crucial role in designing and implementing internal control systems to prevent fraud, errors, and misconduct, safeguarding the integrity of the supply chain. Accounting plays a multifaceted role in mitigating food supply chain risks and food price volatility. By providing financial insights, promoting transparency, and ensuring compliance, accounting empowers organizations to navigate challenges and promote stability in the global food system.

The Physiological Basis of Alfalfa Plant Height Establishment.

Plant height plays an important role in crop yield, product quality, and cultivation management. However, the physiological mechanisms that regulate the establishment of plant height in alfalfa plants remain unclear. Herein, we measured plant height traits, leaf characteristics, photosynthetic physiology, cell wall composition, and endogenous hormone contents of tall- and short-stalked alfalfa materials at different reproductive periods. We analyzed the physiology responsible for differences in plant height. The results demonstrated that the number of internodes in tall- and short-stalked alfalfa materials tended to converge with the advancement of the fertility period. Meanwhile, the average internode length (IL) of tall-stalked materials was significantly higher than that of short-stalked materials at different fertility periods, with internode length identified as the main trait determining the differences in alfalfa plant height. Leaf characteristics, which are closely related to photosynthetic capacity, are crucial energy sources supporting the expression of plant height traits, and we found that an increase in the number of leaves contributed to a proportional increase in plant height. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between plant height and leaf dry weight per plant during the branching and early flowering stages of alfalfa. The leaves of alfalfa affect plant height through photosynthesis, with the budding stage identified as the key period for efficient light energy utilization. Plant height at the budding stage showed a significant positive correlation with soluble sugar (SS) content and a significant negative correlation with intercellular CO2 concentration. Moreover, we found that alfalfa plant height was significantly correlated with the contents of indole-3-acetic acid in stem tips (SIAA), gibberellin A3 in leaves (LGA3), zeatin in stem tips (SZT), and abscisic acid in leaves (LABA). Further investigation revealed that SS, SIAA, and LGA3 contents were important physiological indicators affecting alfalfa plant height. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the formation of alfalfa plant height traits and for genetic improvement studies.

A comprehensive retrospective analysis of interfascial plane blocks and peripheral nerve blocks at a tertiary research hospital: Single center experience

Aim: This study aimed to analyze regional anesthesia practices at a tertiary research hospital as a single center during a one-year period (January 2022 to January 2023).Materials: Data on over 2,000 nerve blocks were retrospectively reviewed, including: type of nerve block performed (peripheral nerve vs. fascial plane, location of block (upper vs. lower extremity), purpose of block (anesthesia or analgesia) and outcomes.Method: Data was analyzed to assess trends in block utilization, identify preferred block types and locations, and compare the use of peripheral nerve blocks versus fascial plane blocks for anesthesia and analgesia. Additionally, the potential opioid-sparing benefits of fascial plane blocks were evaluated.Results: The analysis revealed a notable shift towards fascial plane blocks (61%) compared to peripheral nerve blocks (39%). Lower extremity blocks were more common (56%), with sciatic, saphenous, and femoral nerve blocks being the most frequently used. In the upper extremity (44%), infraclavicular and interscalene brachial plexus blocks dominated. Interestingly, fascial plane blocks were primarily employed for analgesia, while peripheral nerve blocks served both anesthetic and analgesic purposes. The study identified opioid-sparing advantages associated with fascial plane blocks, highlighting their potential role in multimodal pain management strategies.Conclusions: Based on these findings, areas for improvement in regional anesthesia practices were identified. Educational programs will be adjusted accordingly. Future research will delve deeper into patient characteristics, block selection rationale, and incorporate patient-reported outcomes alongside opioid consumption and pain scores. This study serves as a foundation for future enhancements in regional anesthesia practices, aiming to optimize patient care and outcomes.

Do newer maize hybrids grow roots faster and deeper?

AbstractUnderstanding historical changes in root depth attributes is needed for crop productivity and sustainability assessments, but such information is rare. We explored whether newer maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids grow roots faster and deeper than older hybrids and quantified the role of management and environment on root trait expression. We measured root front velocity (RFV) and maximum root depth in 11 Bayer Crop Science legacy hybrids released from 1983 to 2017 across five environments in the US Corn Belt during 2021 and 2022. Root depth was measured weekly during vegetative stages with manual probes and the maximum root depth at crop harvest with a Giddings probe. Results indicated that the RFV and maximum root depth slightly increased with the year of hybrid release (0.13% per year, p = 0.1) at 8.7 plants m−2. Historical increases in plant density from 4.7 to 8.7 plants m−2 lowered RFV and maximum root depth, but the new hybrids compensated for this loss, resulting in 4% higher RFV and 3% higher maximum depth when comparing systems from 1983 to 2017. The environment strongly influenced root trait expression (>41%). Rain anomaly and soil bulk density explained a portion of this variation. We found a linear relationship between root depth and leaf number (R2 = 0.95) and a nonlinear relationship between RFV and maximum root depth (R2 = 0.77), which can stimulate crop model improvements. Faster and deeper roots were not correlated with maize yields in our environments. This study enhances our understanding of maize breeding impacts on root traits.

Empowering urban sustainability: unveiling the crucial role of project managers in attaining Sustainable Development Goal 11

PurposeThis paper explores project managers' (PMs') role in contributing to and achieving sustainability within construction projects, particularly focusing on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 PMs working with construction firms in the UK. Thematic analysis was also performed on the qualitative data retrieved using the NVivo software.FindingsThe study’s findings revealed that PMs working on construction projects considered various sustainable construction processes in attempts to solve problems with traditional construction technology. Furthermore, it was revealed that the PM’s role was key in achieving the SDGs in general and SDG 11 in particular through the process of perfecting the client brief, ensuring the client’s financial stability and creating an environment of teamwork. In terms of specific competencies, sustainability leadership and sustainable innovative capability were revealed to suggest that a PM is the leader of change.Originality/valueThe study highlights the essential role of the PM in delivering sustainable construction projects as part of the drive to achieve SDG 11. The study impacts the construction industry in developing strategies and training programs that build PMs' competencies and skills for contributing to the world we want.

Project management as a value creator agent of innovation and business ecosystems

This study introduces a structural model that examines the intricate correlation between innovation and business ecosystems, with a special emphasis on the role of project management as a pivotal integration factor. Furthermore, we propose an exploration of how this model aligns with the life cycle of products, services, or outcomes. In this research, we employ a hybrid methodology that seamlessly combines content and network analysis, bibliometrics, and statistical techniques to provide theoretical underpinnings for our correlation model. Our investigation reveals a robust correlation between the nature of a given ecosystem and the interconnections that companies within it establish. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the overall health and vitality of an ecosystem are closely linked to its specific type. We acknowledge that certain limitations within this study stem from the methodological choices made by our research team. This research underscores several practical advantages, including the potential for value creation through the development of novel products and services, as well as the enhancement of existing projects, all while minimizing waste and optimizing profitability. However, it should be noted that one limitation of our study is the absence of real-world application of the framework to validate our theoretical-conceptual construct. The concept of Innovation Ecosystems continues to garner significant attention among practitioners, academics, and businesses alike, offering a promising avenue for the rapid and flexible development of innovative solutions within existing markets.

Coronary chronic total occlusion on coronary CT angiography: what radiologists should know?

Coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) often occurs in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease, which remains one of the greatest challenges for interventional cardiologists. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with its emerging post-processing techniques can provide a detailed assessment of CTO lesions before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), playing an important role in the clinical management of CTO PCI, from early diagnosis, pre-procedural outcome prediction, the crossing algorithm planning, intraprocedural guidance, and finally post-procedural assessment and follow-up. In addition, the feasibility of CT perfusion (CTP) in patients with CTO has been validated. Combined CCTA and CTP have the great potential to be the one-stop-shop imaging modality for assessing both anatomy and function of CTO lesions. This review aims to make radiologists understand the role of CCTA in the diagnosis and assessment of CTO lesions, thus assisting interventionalists in optimizing CTO PCI crossing strategies with the expertise of radiologists.Critical relevance statement The anatomical features of CTO on CCTA can reveal the complexity of CTO lesions and are associated with CTO PCI outcome, thus helping interventionalists optimize CTO PCI crossing strategies.Key points • CTO is the common lesion in invasive coronary angiography, and CTO PCI is technically difficult and its success rate is relatively low.• Length, collaterals, and attenuation-related signs can help distinguish CTO from subtotal occlusion.• The anatomical features of CTO lesions can help grade the difficulty of CTO PCI and predict procedural outcomes and long-term outcomes of CTO PCI.• The real-time fusion of CCTA with fluoroscopic angiography can be applied in highly complicated CTO lesions.• After CTO PCI, CCTA can help guide a second CTO PCI re-entry or followup stent patency.

Navigating Digital Transformation in Alignment with Vision 2030: A Review of Organizational Strategies, Innovations, and Implications in Saudi Arabia

This review paper explores the landscape of digital transformation within Saudi Arabian organizations, focusing on strategies, innovations, and implications in alignment with Vision 2030. Drawing from a wide array of literature, it examines the drivers and barriers of digital transformation, emphasizing the role of organizational culture, leadership, and change management. Discussions encompass innovative technologies, such as e-commerce, AI, and IoT, and their impact on various sectors. The paper also analyzes how digital transformation initiatives contribute to Vision 2030 objectives, including economic diversification, innovation, and social development. By synthesizing existing research, the paper offers insights for stakeholders to navigate digital transformation while advancing Vision 2030's goals for a diversified, knowledge-based economy.

How Successful Are Veterinary Weight Management Plans for Canine Patients Experiencing Poor Welfare Due to Being Overweight and Obese?

Overweight and obesity is one of the most significant health and welfare issues affecting companion animals and are linked to several serious medical conditions, reduced welfare, and shortened lifespan. The number of overweight and obese pets increases every year. Overweight and obesity are associated with multiple chronic diseases. Underlying causes include human-related and animal-related factors. Veterinarians encounter overweight and obese canine patients in daily practice and they play an important role in weight management. This research examines the level of veterinary engagement and the success of veterinary management plans for overweight and obese canines over a five-year period. Electronic medical records (EMRs) were collected for 500 canine patients assessed as either overweight or obese and statistically analyzed for level of veterinary engagement (VE), weight loss success, prescription weight loss diet (RX) use, and comorbidities. The average age at the beginning of the study was 61.5 months. A starting Body Condition Score (BCS) of 6 or 7 was most common (87.2%). Twelve different small and large dog breeds were most highly represented (61.1%). Average weight loss rates were low and more dogs gained rather than lost weight (56.5% vs. 43.5%). While VE is important, this study suggests current VE levels are not adequate to successfully combat overweight and obesity or result in improved animal welfare.

The role of a management programme in the development of management competences

This paper aims to examine the role of management programmes in students’ development of management competences. Data were drawn from supervisors’ assessments of the actual achievement of these competences among students on the IQS Undergraduate Programme in Tourism and Hospitality Management. The results over a sample of 121 students show that students develop management competences excellently. Furthermore, mean comparison analyses carried out to explore possible differences in students’ achievement of management competences show that students’ gender and internship subsector are in some cases significant. These findings indicate that the degree programme’s academic curriculum fulfills its core objective of adequately preparing future leaders for management roles in the sector.

A Review of Medical Thoracoscopy and Its Role in Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion is the most common disease among all pleural diseases and affects 1.5 million patients per year in the United States. Different interventions can be performed when dealing with pleural effusions. In this review, we present medical thoracoscopy as a minimally invasive procedure with both diagnostic and therapeutic utility in the management of pleural disease. It has a higher diagnostic yield than commonly performed percutaneous procedures (thoracentesis, closed pleural biopsy) and simultaneously offers many of the therapeutic benefits of more invasive procedures, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, with a lower risk profile. The role of medical thoracoscopy is evolving and will likely continue to expand as more centers start performing the procedure nationwide.