Organizational Priorities Research Articles

Logistics Management and Service Delivery in Humanitarian Organisations in Kenya: A Case Study of Kenya Red Cross Society

The goal was to assess the effects of supplier management and information management on the KRCS’s service delivery. Goal-Setting Theory is the main theory, supported by resource-based view and institutional theory. The study targeted a population of 300 individuals using a descriptive research approach. A total of 171 individuals were chosen for the sample size using stratified random sampling. Data was acquired by means of surveys. Basic statistics were used to assess the quantitative data, and SPSS version 27 was used for data analysis. Tables were used to display the data. Inferential statistics were used to illustrate the link between the variables. Throughout the course of the study, the research investigation was guided by a few ethical criteria. The R2 values for the relationship between supplier management and service delivery were 0.642, indicating a positive association, and 0.499, suggesting that changes in supplier management may account for 49.9% of the variation in service delivery. fundamental correlation between service delivery and information management (R = 0.595), with an R2 value of 0.431, while the DV was service delivery. To ensure successful logistics management and service delivery, KRCS should improve supplier management and service delivery, which is necessary, and that they can balance organizational goals and priorities with the supplier's perspective on challenges. This will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the processes that the KRCS and communities in need of support use. KRCS service delivery can be increased by using auto- technologies. Independent variable technologies are welcomed since they will make product marking more accurate and efficient, which will improve operations.

Evaluation of the Staff Educational Components of the PROMOTE Program to Improve Resident Hydration

Background/Objectives: Inadequate fluid intake is prevalent among older adults living in care settings and can lead to dehydration-related events such as falls and hospitalization. Staff knowledge and confidence using diverse strategies is needed to provide adequate hydration to residents. PROMOTE is a multicomponent intervention designed to support staff to increase resident fluid intake between meals. This study evaluated the educational components of PROMOTE. Methods: Participants (n = 87) working in long-term care or retirement homes completed an online pre-/post-test evaluation of a 7 min educational video. Key informant participants (n = 13) reviewed all educational materials, evaluated their usefulness and feasibility, and were interviewed to identify how to improve the materials. Results: The educational video improved knowledge (e.g., self-rating of knowledge pre-test median 8, standard error of the mean (SEM) 0.18; post-test median 9, SEM 0.13) and confidence. Participants intended to use PROMOTE strategies in their work with residents (1 [very likely] to 10 [very unlikely] median 2.0 SEM 0.27). Key informants rated the hydration of residents as an organizational priority (median 9.0 SEM 0.42) and all indicated that they would use the educational video in their future training. Less feasible educational components as rated by key informants included huddle discussions and email pushes. Posters were seen as feasible (54%) but only somewhat useful (77%). Conclusions: Brief educational videos can improve staff knowledge and confidence regarding providing adequate hydration to residents. Having several educational components that can be used with this video was viewed positively. Recommendations were made to improve the materials.

Linking theory and practice to advance sustainable healthcare: the development of maturity model version 1.0.

Climate change and increased awareness of planetary health have made reducing ecological footprints a priority for healthcare organizations. However, improving healthcare's environmental impact remains difficult. Numerous researchers argue these difficulties are caused by healthcare's environmental impact being multidimensional, influenced throughout the healthcare chain, and often has downstream consequences that are hard to identify or to measure. Even though existing research describes many successful approaches to reduce healthcare's environmental impact, a robust multidimensional framework to assess this impact is lacking. This research aims at developing a maturity model for sustainable healthcare that could be used for self-assessment by healthcare professionals to identify improvement actions and for sharing best practices in environmental sustainability. A design-oriented approach for maturity model development was combined with an expert panel and six case studies to develop, refine and expand the maturity model for environmentally sustainable healthcare. A maturity model was developed containing four domains: 'Governance', 'Organization Structures', 'Processes', and 'Outcomes and Control'. Applying the model in real-world environments demonstrated the model's understandability, ease of use, usefulness, practicality and ability to identify improvement actions for environmental sustainability in healthcare organizations. This study found that healthcare practitioners could apply the maturity model developed and tested in this study in several hours without training to help them gain valuable insights into the environment footprint of the healthcare setting they worked in. Systematically implementing the model developed in this study could help address the urgent need to mitigate the substantial environmental impact of healthcare. These implementations can help evaluate and improve the maturity model.

Urban Pigeons as Reservoirs of Critical Pathogens: Improved protocol for sequencing pigeon faeces in disease monitoring

The spread of pathogens by animals is a serious issue around the world that causes a severe threat to human health. Feral pigeons (Columba livia forma domestica) that live in urban areas are zoonotic carriers of various pathogens that can be transmitted to humans by faecal contamination. This study aimed to detect the presence of bacterial, viral, and specifically fungal pathogens in pigeon faeces based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) priority pathogen list published in 2022. Fresh faecal samples were collected at Uppsala, Central Station, and Svandammen, the pigeons' most relevant gathering spots and feeding sites. Genomic DNA was directly extracted from these samples, and ScilifeLab performed High throughput sequencing through Oxford Nanopore Technologies(ONT) (PromethION). Metagenomic analysis revealed that most of the critically prioritized viral and bacterial pathogens listed by WHO were present in pigeon faeces. Regarding fungal pathogens, which were the main objective of this study, samples from both studied locations contained all critical, high and, medium-important fungal pathogens published in the WHO list, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Candida auris, Cryptococcus neoformans, Nakaseomyces glabratus, Candida tropicalis, and Cryptococcus gattii. These fungal pathogens pose the risk of invasive fungal diseases and severe infections in low-immunity individuals and vulnerable populations. The findings indicate the importance of conducting further research to comprehensively understand potential exposure to feral pigeons. Furthermore, keeping pigeons away from sensitive areas, such as hospitals, and implementing measures to control pigeon populations can significantly decrease the spread of pathogens.

International Centre for Academic Integrity Canadian Consortium

Academic integrity serves as a critical foundation for learning in post-secondary institutions. However, educational organizations continuously face challenges that threaten efforts to uphold and promote academic integrity. While global collaborations focused on policies, procedures, activities, and research dedicated to academic integrity are valuable, it is equally important to recognize the unique contexts of groups of educational organizations, which are influenced by things like organizational culture, missions, geography, priorities, and specialties, to name a few. Consortiums that meet the specific needs of groups of organizations play a crucial role in this endeavour. This article will highlight one such consortium that is working to establish a Canadian presence in academic integrity and is affiliated with the International Center for Academic Integrity.

THEORETICAL DIMENSIONS FOR INTEGRATING RESEARCH ON ANTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE, SCIENTIFIC FORESIGHT AND SUSTAINABLE S&T PUBLIC POLICY DESIGN

The future of Science and Technology (S&T) is a continuous and strategic priority for governments, universities, and organizations, driving societal benefits through innovation, sustainability, and development. However, there is a gap—and a critical opportunity—for research on architectures supporting Anticipatory Governance (AG) that integrates Scientific Foresight (ScF) and the design of sustainable S&T policies, especially at federal and state levels in emerging countries. In this context, this paper aims to enhance understanding of the theoretical dimensions essential for integrating AG, ScF, and sustainable S&T policy design, proposing an emergent systemic framework. Adopting a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), the analysis identifies seven theoretical dimensions that unify these three themes, opening new possibilities for integrated research. This method also supported the development of a systemic framework for Anticipatory Governance, Scientific Foresight, and Sustainable S&T Policy Design, setting up foundational components for further testing, development, and providing a research agenda. Implications for systemic and institutional innovation in public management are discussed, indicating that evolving these frameworks could strengthen complex decision-making around public policies and investments in strategic S&T areas involving multiple stakeholders in Foresight and Policy Design, particularly those addressing pressing societal challenges.

Implementing universal maternal depression screening in head start: A convergent mixed methods study

AimsImplementing maternal depression screening in child-serving programs can help ensure that more mothers receive mental health services. This study examined the implementation of universal maternal depression screening in community-based Head Start programs. MethodsQuantitative and qualitative data were merged in a convergent mixed method design to assess four domains from the RE-AIM implementation science framework (Reach, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance). Qualitative data included interviews with stakeholders and meeting minutes from the implementation period. Quantitative data included intervention outcomes and administrative data. ResultsIn terms of reach, 85% of eligible Head Start mothers were screened for depression, and English-speaking mothers were more likely to refuse screening than Spanish-speaking or bilingual mothers. Barriers to screening included lack of availability, stigma, privacy concerns, lack of interest, and lack of trust. In terms of adoption, all sites and staff adopted screening due to organizational mandates. In terms of implementation, there was wide variation in rates of positive screenings across staff completing the screening (ranging from 0% to 46%), and barriers included concerns about staff role and lack of training. In terms of maintenance, screening was not sustained after the study period due to organizational priorities and lack of buy-in from staff. ConclusionUniversal maternal depression screening has the potential to reach low-income Head Start mothers, but additional efforts should be made to build staff capacity to engage mothers in screening.

Choosing the best artificial intelligence tools for human resource management

The article presents a comprehensive review and comparative analysis of modern artificial intelligence (AI)-based platforms used in human resource (HR) management. Tools such as HireVue, Pymetrics, Eightfold.ai, Workday, and Textio are reviewed. Their functionality, usability, integration with existing systems, data security, cost, and user support are discussed. The article provides practical recommendations for selecting optimal AI solutions, taking into account the specific needs and priorities of different organizations. It also explores the prospective directions of AI development in HR and the ethical aspects of their implementation.

What makes proactive behaviors at work effective? Perspectives of health care executives.

Proactive behaviors at work refer to behaviors that are self-starting, future focused, and change oriented. Proactive behaviors are generally thought of as positive and desired and can benefit both the employee (e.g., job promotion) and organization (e.g., innovation). These behaviors can, however, backfire (e.g., due to unintended consequences), reflecting the "initiative paradox." The aim of this study was to investigate, through the perspectives of health care executives, how employees can be more effective when engaging in proactive behaviors. We used the episodic narrative interview method. Health care executives narrated instances of perceived effective and ineffective proactive behaviors among employees. We then performed an inductive qualitative analysis of these episodes to identify emerging themes and dimensions. The effectiveness of proactive behaviors among health care employees is shaped by three dimensions: managerial expectation (in)congruence (e.g., knowledge of expectations, engagement with chain of command), organizational priority (in)congruence (e.g., degree of alignment between individual and organizational benefits), and boundaries of action and change (e.g., nonadherence to regulatory or financial conditions). Among the dimensions, managerial expectations may be the most challenging for employees to navigate. Engaging in proactive behaviors is not a straightforward process. Navigating multiple dimensions is necessary for health care employees to be effective. Employees should be equipped with knowledge on relevant expectations, priorities, and boundaries when engaging in proactive behaviors at work. Health care leaders and managers should aim to clarify and periodically reassess these dimensions to facilitate effective proactive behaviors and to generate benefits for employees and the organization.

Association between gender inequality and climate adaptation across the global

Abstract Introduction Climate change has a disproportionate impact on women in comparison to men and women have a key role to play in climate adaptation. However, evidence is lacking on how gender inequalities may be associated with climate vulnerability and ability to respond at country level. Methods This ecological study investigated the association between climate adaptation, measured by the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Country Index (ND-GAIN), and gender inequality, measured by the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) developed by the World Economic Forum and the Gender Inequality Index (GII) developed by the United Nations. Simple linear regression was used to estimate the associations between the indices and their subdomains for 146 countries. Results There was an approximately linear association between the GGGI and climate adaptation. Each 1% increase in gender equality was associated with a 0.6% increase in the ND-GAIN score (slope 0.59, 95% confidence interval [0.33 to 0.84]). This was driven by a negative association between gender equality and vulnerability (-0.41 [-0.62 to -0.20]), and a positive association between gender equality and readiness (0.77 [0.44 to 1.10]). Gender equality in the education domain of the GGGI had the strongest association with climate adaptation. There was a strong negative linear association between the GII and climate adaptation, which explained most (87%) of the between-country variation in climate adaptation. Each 1% increase in gender inequality was associated with a 0.5% decrease in the ND-GAIN score (-0.53 [-0.57 to -0.50]). The association between gender inequality and readiness was stronger than the association with vulnerability (0.40 [0.37 to 0.44] for vulnerability versus -0.67 [-0.72 to -0.61] for readiness). Conclusions Gender inequality measured broadly across different domains of life is associated with climate adaptation at country level, both in terms of vulnerability to impact and readiness to respond. Key messages • Gender inequality, considered broadly across multiple domains of life, is associated with increased vulnerability to climate change and poor readiness to respond. • Addressing gender inequality needs to be a priority for governments and inter-governmental organisations if populations worldwide are to adapt to climate change.

Quantitative evaluation of anti-biofilm cavitation activity seeded from microbubbles or protein cavitation nuclei by passive acoustic mapping

Bacterial biofilms represent a major challenge for effective antibiotic therapy as they confer physical and functional changes that protect bacteria from their surrounding environment. In this work, focused ultrasound in combination with cavitation nuclei was used to disrupt biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both of which are on the World Health Organization's priority list for new antimicrobial research. 
Approach: Single species biofilms were exposed to ultrasound (0.5 MHz centre frequency, 0.5-1.5 MPa peak rarefactional pressure, 200 cycle pulses, 5 Hz repetition frequency, 30 s duration), in the presence of two different types of cavitation nuclei. Quantitative passive acoustic mapping (PAM) was used to monitor cavitation emissions during treatment using a calibrated linear array. 
Main Results: It was observed that the cumulative energy of acoustic emissions during treatment was positively correlated with biofilm disruption, with differences between bacterial species attributed to differences in biofilm morphology. PCaN provided increased biofilm reduction compared to microbubbles due in large part to their persistence over the duration of ultrasound exposure. There was also good correlation between the spatial distribution of cavitation as characterized by PAM and the extent of biofilm disruption observed with microscopy. 
Significance: Collectively, the results from this work indicate the potential broad applicability of cavitation for eliminating biofilms of priority pathogens and the opportunity presented by Passive Acoustic Mapping for real-time monitoring of antimicrobial processes.

Assessing the Climate Readiness of Physician Education Leaders in Graduate Medical Education.

Climate change affects patient health through an array of exposures, including increasing heatwaves, extreme weather events, poor air quality, and expanding vector-borne illnesses. Physicians are at the forefront of addressing the health consequences of these exposures with patients, and environmental sustainability has become a priority for health care organizations. Accordingly, climate change and health is becoming a critical area for graduate medical education (GME). As GME leaders design and drive education in residency and fellowship programs, understanding those leaders' baseline knowledge on this topic and its alignment with their organizations' priorities is an essential step in the development of climate and health education programs. A search of existing climate and health knowledge assessments revealed an array of tools, yet most had limited applicability for physicians. We systematically created a brief GME climate and health baseline assessment requiring less than 10 minutes of users' time. The assessment was administered anonymously via an online survey tool to GME leaders at three sponsoring institutions across three states within our health care system. Responses from 115 of 155 individuals (74% response rate) yielded an average 62% correct (standard deviation = 16%) and a score range of 10% to 90%. This baseline assessment identifies GME leaders' knowledge gaps about climate change and its impacts on health, the role of health care organizations in producing planet-warming pollution accelerating climate change, and the prioritization of these issues within our organization.

A Simulation-based Education Platform for Security Investments Through Culture and Knowledge Convergence

Cybersecurity is one of the most critical sectors of information systems and is considered a strategic priority for many Organizations. Information security investments are a crucial aspect of cybersecurity. However, it often happens that the economic decisions, which aim to improve information security, have poor efficiency. One reason is the lack of background on economics of the Chief Information Security Officers who are often not familiar with the evaluation of the non-technical aspects of security, e.g. economics. The other reason is the cultural gap between the different persons related to business management and administration. In this paper we present an interactive - simulation software designed to familiarize the aforementioned persons with information security investments. The software is actually a game that aims to boost learning for all the stakeholders who are involved in the investment process. Α better understanding of the processes, the technical, economic and human factors, along with the cultural convergence of the stakeholders will help boost the efficiency of investments. Design Science is used as the research method. The creative method, a brainstorming technique, is combined with the five steps of Design Science, i.e. explicate the problem, define the requirements, design and develop the artefact, demonstrate the artefact, and evaluate the artefact, to develop a process framework that will be able to cope with this problem. The artefact is an interactive-simulation platform in which a person could take the decision maker role and (a) deal with events that happen and (b) investigate different aspects of information security investment complexity. The evaluation of the artefact is made with a case study in the Industry, where real world data are used to feed the simulation and real-world decision makers play the game in order to better understand the different aspects of the problem and help us trim and enhance the functioning of the platform. Finally, limitations are elaborated and future work is also discussed.

Regulatory Compliance in Financial Services: How Software Can Simplify Adherence to Regulations

The financial services industry's growing complexity in terms of regulatory requirements has made compliance a top priority for organizations across the globe. With the compliance requirements implemented by regulators becoming more stringent, financial institutions are continuously opting for software products to enable and support their compliance processes. This research explores the role that software plays in helping financial institutions comply with regulatory requirements, focusing on specific categories of compliance software, their operational competencies, and the benefits each category offers. It also discusses the difficulties encountered by financial institutions in implementing these tools, as well as the future of RegTech. This research clearly explains the added value of embedding technology in the evolving world of regulation by exploring the potential for streamlining efficiency, accuracy, and transparency through software solutions in fulfillment of compliance needs.

Methodology for detecting anomalies in cyber attack assessment data using Random Forest and Gradient Boosting in machine learning

Objective. The research aims to detect anomalies in data using machine learning models, in particular random forest and gradient boosting, to analyze network activity and detect cyberattacks. The research topic is relevant as cyber attacks are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated. Developing effective methods for detecting anomalies and protecting against cyber threats is becoming a priority for organizations. Method. The research is carried out using two machine learning algorithms: Random Forest and gradient boosting. The process includes analyzing important metrics, visualizing solutions, evaluating the performance of each model, and analyzing error matrices for attack categories. Result. The Random Forest model showed an accuracy of about 94% when using the top 10 important features. The graph provides insight into how the model makes decisions based on features. The Xgboost gradient boosting model achieved high accuracy and reliability of results. The report provides a description of the model's performance for each category. Conclusion. The work done is the result of a comprehensive analysis of a machine learning model designed to detect cyberattacks. It includes several key steps and methods that allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of the model, identify important features, and analyze performance for various attacks.

Clinicians’ perspective of the opioid analgesic stewardship in acute pain clinical care standard

Objectives. Opioid analgesics are high-risk medicines, widely used in hospitals to manage pain. To improve the use of opioids in Australia, The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care released the first national Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Care Standard (Opioid Stewardship Standard). The objective of this study was to explore clinicians’ perspectives of the implementation of the Opioid Stewardship Standard to understand factors that may impact this process.Methods. Qualitative one-on-one interviews were conducted with clinicians, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and patient safety officers. The interview guide was developed based on the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research. Interview transcriptions were thematically analyzed using an inductive approach to identify common themes.Results. In total, 32 clinicians were interviewed, including 10 doctors, 10 pharmacists, and 12 nurses from 26 sites across Australia. Themes identified included: (i) Organizational priorities, (ii) organizational capacity for implementation, (iii) changing prescribing practices, and (iv) the Opioid Stewardship Standard.Conclusions. Clinicians’ perceptions were categorized into four themes regarding the implementation of the Opioid Stewardship Standard. Key findings from this study included the importance of local data to increase organizational prioritization, availability of resources and staffing to increase organizational capacity for implementation to implement the Opioid Stewardship Standard. Future studies should evaluate the impact of such strategies on implementation.Public Interest Summary: Health professionals need more support from the health system to deliver health care that aligns with policies such as the Opioid Stewardship Standard. Organisations within the health system should consider providing support such as staffing to meet these needs.

Uncovering the Paradox: Exploring the Departure of Exceptional Employees from Supposedly 'Exceptional Cultures'

While companies spend significantly on hiring top talent, retaining high performers remains a challenge even in strong workplace cultures. This article explores common reasons talented employees leave seemingly positive company cultures and provides recommendations for improvement. It discusses how misalignment of organizational and individual values and priorities can create cognitive dissonance over time. Lack of growth opportunities and autonomy are also cited as major factors, with high performers needing new challenges and independence. Issues like opaque decision-making, inconsistent policies, and lack of work-life balance further undermine engagement. The article analyzes real examples where misalignment of priorities, lack of development pathways, micromanagement, unfair processes, and inflexible work policies drove away satisfied employees. It concludes that ongoing assessment of dissatisfaction drivers is needed to refine cultures and meet the evolving needs of all employees, including top performers, for long-term retention success.

Drawing together the micro and macro politics of pedagogy as a formative cultural technology

ABSTRACT This paper considers how a formative approach to pedagogy might intervene in the conditions of higher education teaching practices, discourses, and organisational priorities today. While the higher education sector is resolutely turned towards the accumulation of skills or ‘content’ to produce a credentialed job-ready graduate, we do these graduates a disservice if how we educate fails to take account of their formation as persons, citizens, workers, neighbours, and indeed as graduates. This is a focus on what education philosopher Gert Biesta calls subjectification. Through education’s contribution to the making of populations, the neglect of this formative role of pedagogy has wider significance in the knowledge societies in which universities are operating. We first lodge the mattering of pedagogy within a contemporary moment in which calls to reform capitalism and redress democratic deconsolidation butt up against the fortunes of public knowledge and the consequences of hyper-individualist cultures. We then outline pedagogy as a formative cultural technology and provide examples and discussion from our own classroom practice.

Exploring Job Satisfaction and Caring Behaviors among Critical Care Nurses: A Descriptive Analytic Study

Introduction: Caring behaviors are actions that prioritize the welfare of patients. Job satisfaction is one factor that can influence nurses' caring behaviors, as nurses with higher job satisfaction tend to exhibit more positive caring behaviors.Objective: The study aimed to assess critical care nurses' job satisfaction levels, explore the dimensions of their caring behaviors, investigate the relationship between their caring behaviors and job satisfaction, and identify the significant independent predictors of nurses' job satisfaction and caring behavior in critical care units.Method: The study used a descriptive-analytic, correlational, cross-sectional research design. It was conducted at the critical care units of King Fahd Military Medical Complex in Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of 112 registered nurses completed an online survey that included the Job Satisfaction Survey and the Caring Behavior Inventory.Results: The majority of respondents fall under the category of Ambivalent job satisfaction, constituting 67.9% of the total nurses. The analysis indicated a moderate job satisfaction level and a high caring behavior among critical care nurses. The study found a positive correlation between nurses' job satisfaction and caring behaviors. Factors such as working hours, work unit, and years of experience were significantly associated with nurses' job satisfaction. However, factors like operational procedures, co-worker relationships, nature of work, and working hours were significant predictors of nurses' caring behavior.Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of addressing job satisfaction factors to enhance critical care nurses' caring behaviors, which can ultimately improve patient outcomes. Strategies to enhance nurses' job satisfaction and support their caring practices should be a priority for healthcare organizations

Thirty (30) years of circular economy (CE) collaboration in Zimbabwe: success factors and barriers of networks in the Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe (BCSDZ)

Over a period of 30 years from 1993 to 2023, the Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe (BCSDZ) network has implemented Circular Economy (CE) initiatives in different sectors in Zimbabwe, but has not evaluated its impact. This research aims to assess the success factors and barriers of network collaboration. Case Study design and data collection methods including questionnaires, interviews, direct observation and content analysis are used. Performance of the association is analysed over a 30-year period to derive a time-series analysis. The research concludes that the BCSDZ promotes CE through training, capacity building, workshops, demonstration projects and field visits. Success factors include a wide stakeholder network, presence of Group Standards at Multinationals and affiliation with international organisations as it is the interconnection and integration between various actors (nexus). Furthermore, international agreements and national laws, have had an effect of increasing the demand for collaboration. Barriers include lack of financing and different organisational priorities. The research concludes that in order to overcome barriers, blended financing models are required.