Organizational Responses Research Articles

Competing frames of STI policy: uncovering ‘fragmented cohesion’ in reorganization of public research funding

Abstract Despite variation across Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policies, project-based public research funding allocation models, characterized by a complexity of policy objectives, are becoming increasingly prevalent. This article examines the emergence of such a development within a specific context through a case study on the policy process leading to the establishment of Finland’s Strategic Research funding instrument. Drawing on the policy proposal, organizational responses, and interviews, it explores five frames for and against the proposal and its development into a decision. Based on the empirical analysis, I propose the notion of ‘fragmented cohesion’ to characterize how several stakeholder organizations employed framing as an argumentative tool to valorize the proposal’s objectives, while selectively justifying and opposing the proposed methods of achieving them. I argue that this dynamic increased the likelihood of policymakers embracing one-size-fits-all models across diverse sectors, as originally outlined, rather than case-by-case consideration.

Managerial Competencies Critical for Enhancing Organisational Responsiveness and Agility in Digital Transformation of SMEs: A Qualitative Study

Managerial Competencies Critical for Enhancing Organisational Responsiveness and Agility in Digital Transformation of SMEs: A Qualitative Study

Circular Economy Practices in Manufacturing SMEs: Exploration of Stakeholder Pressure, Managerial Perception, and the Mediating Role of Circular Economy Orientation

This study delves into the dynamics of Circular Economy (CE) practices in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), acknowledging their essential contribution to promoting sustainability. As we explore the various influences on SMEs' adoption of CE, we closely examine the distinct impacts of internal and external stakeholder pressure. Additionally, we highlight the role of positive managerial perceptions and introduce a fresh perspective by framing CE orientation as a mediating force. Employing a survey methodology, our data collection spanned three phases, resulting in 196 responses from the Estonian SMEs. The results challenge the assumptions of uniform stakeholder pressures, unveiling nuanced effects on CE practices. Significantly, a heightened CE orientation emerges as a driving factor in enhancing organisational responsiveness to external stakeholder pressure. This study advances our understanding of the intricate relationships between stakeholder dynamics, managerial perceptions, and CE practices, providing valuable insights essential for SMEs to navigate the path towards sustainable practices. This study presents both theoretical and practical contributions and suggests avenues for future research to further explore the multifaceted nature of the relationships uncovered in this study.

Perubahan Pengambilan Keputusan Secara Mendalam Mengubah Prinsip Manajemen di Satuan Pendidikan

This study examines how deep decision-making changes can transform the fundamental principles of management within educational institutions. The issue arises from the increasingly complex challenges faced by educational leaders, necessitating a shift in the way decisions are made. The research aims to explore the impact of in-depth decision-making processes on management principles in educational settings. Using a qualitative approach, this study involved interviews and observations with school leaders and administrative staff to gather insights into the evolving decision-making dynamics. The results indicate that adopting a more reflective and comprehensive decision-making process leads to significant shifts in management strategies, fostering more adaptive, inclusive, and participatory leadership practices. The study concludes that by altering decision-making mechanisms, educational institutions can enhance their organizational efficiency and responsiveness to change, ultimately improving the quality of education.

Mitigating process improvement project failures: leveraging organizational responses and lessons learned

PurposeDespite technological advancements within process improvement (PI) projects, two out of three PI projects failed. This paper aims to identify the critical failure factors (CFFs) linked to PI projects and propose suitable mitigation strategies. It also examines how PI practitioners can leverage unsuccessful projects to stimulate learning from failure, turning them into opportunities for development and growth.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews with 21 PI professionals was utilized to capture the CFFs and their corresponding mitigation best practices.FindingsThe study reveals 14 CFFs spanning from issues at the top-level management, down to challenges at the project level and shortcomings at the individual level. We uncover new evolving factors related to “big data analysis and technology implementations”, “project scope complexity”, “unrealistic goal setting”, “frequent shifts in management priorities”, “unclear problem definition” and “prolonged execution duration”. Moreover, results emphasize the significance of fostering a “culture of learning from failure” and “transparency in failure acknowledgment” to avert failures.Originality/valueThis study is the first to provide real-world solutions and guidelines to proactively mitigate PI failures. It offers insights for PI practitioners and broadens their view on emerging factors to implement preventive strategies, building on learning from failures and those of others.

Race, homosexuality, and AIDS in London: the response of British AIDS voluntary organizations to Black gay men’s sexual health needs during the AIDS crisis (1980s–2000)

Abstract Focusing on three specific organizations—The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), Blackliners, and The NAZ Project (Naz)—this article explores the different ways in which voluntary organizations responded to Black gay men (BGM) in Britain during the AIDS crisis from the 1980s to 2000. Illustrating how the place of BGM in Britain at this time was multidimensional and often contradictory, the first section demonstrates how they required safer-sex messaging that took account of the heterogeneous ways in which they experienced the intersection of racism and homophobia. Situated in this context, the second section explores for the first time the well-documented work of THT as it applied to BGM. It shows how although the Trust increasingly recognized the need to reach BGM, white activists struggled to grapple with issues of race. It demonstrates how their work on race was shaped by the broader context of changes to voluntary organizations’ relationship to the state. In doing so, it makes clear the challenges of intersectional activism with communities of colour for white-dominated organizations and sheds light on how the HIV/AIDS voluntary sector responded to communities with particular needs. Taking Black AIDS organizations as its focus, the final section uncovers how Blackliners and Naz centred gay men in their work and reveals their nuanced and culturally sensitive initiatives. By tracing the contrasting ways in which these organizations navigated contested understandings of race in the final decades of the twentieth century, this article demonstrates the real-world consequences of the fragmentation of political conceptions of Blackness.

Enhancing corporate accountability through covert situational integrity testing (CSIT)

ABSTRACT This article explores the potential of ‘covert situational integrity testing’ as a mechanism for assessing corporate/organisational compliance with legal rules and standards, the goal being to enhance corporate/organisational accountability. There are major challenges to holding corporations/organisations to account for non-compliance: low detection levels, incomplete understanding of the inner workings of organisations, and the modest power of current social scientific research methodologies. This article argues there is scope for methodological innovation through the use of covert situational integrity testing, a variation of mystery shopping methodologies, to address some of these gaps, with a focus not on service quality or customer satisfaction but on compliance with regulatory and legal requirements, and as a data gathering tool on secretive and difficult to access areas of business operation. We focus on two examples: AML compliance by challenger banks, and the promotion of aggressive tax avoidance schemes. Our core argument is that covert situational integrity testing provides a research mechanism through which robust and systematic observational data can be collected and scrutinised by independent, third-party assessors to understand levels of organisational/corporate compliance with legal rules and standards, and by doing so, identify critical vulnerabilities and strengths in the compliance responses of organisations and industries.

Resilience in local Finnish health systems: how are leaders’ approaches to change manifested in organisational crisis responses?

PurposeLocal health systems form the basis for health system resilience. Leaders’ standpoints are crucial in advancing resilience capacities and change. This study analysed how local health system leaders’ approaches to change reflect health system resilience capacities. Furthermore, we explored what triggers and hinders change during a crisis.Design/methodology/approachThe data consist of purposively sampled interviews with 14 local Finnish health system leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using abductive content analysis, examples of resisting, absorbing, adapting and transforming were identified. Contextual triggers and hindrances for the initiation of change processes were analysed to support understanding of health system resilience capacities at the local level.FindingsResilience capacities were manifested by doing standard things faster (absorption), engaging in collaborative reflections (adaptation) and reforming organisational boundaries and services (transforming). “Resisting” leaned on varied levels of reflection, with mixed responses. Triggers and hindrances varied situationally and highlighted the roles of a changing operational environment, existing practices and the social dimension (e.g. building a shared understanding).Originality/valueLeaders’ standpoints and their approaches to change are rarely the focus of attention in system-centred conceptualisations of health system resilience. Leaders’ awareness of their approaches to change can affect organisational responses and health system resilience. This should be more clearly acknowledged in theoretical frameworks, leadership training, preparedness planning and crisis governance. Health system resilience capacities form intertwined, nonlinear processes that are reshaped throughout a crisis. Analysis of resistance can enrich the understanding of local-level processes.

Supporting Nurses’ Commitment Towards Voluntary Error Reporting: A discursive paper of current policies and recommendations

Medical error is a serious public health concern and undermines healthcare organizations' commitment to drive safe, high-quality patient care. Voluntary error reporting (VER) is one key solution to address this concern because it is through conducting root cause analysis that constructive retrospective learning can take place to improve future practice. Nurses form the largest health workforce and are key stakeholders contributing to the institutional error management culture. While the significance of VER and nurses' role in driving this initiative cannot be further emphasized, studies revealed that nurses failed to engage in VER due to less positive experiences towards VER. Nurses' negative attitude towards VER can be attributed to unsupportive organizational responses to their act of VER, underpinned by the endorsement of blame, shame, and punitive culture consistent with the human approach to error management. This induces fear of speaking up for error among nurses, creating a culture of silence. This paper examines and discusses current policies underpinning the error management system and identifies the contemporary factors that challenge these policies, followed by proposing recommendations to support these policies to drive nurses' commitment to VER and improve the overall error management system.

Integrating Innovation and Virtue: Strategic Responses of Private Organizations Amidst Environmental Shocks

Environmental shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic force private service sector organizations to innovate while upholding virtuous practices. How do these organizations balance innovating their service with maintaining their core values during crises? Through an inductive, longitudinal case study of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital (SSSSH), a private healthcare organization offering free paediatric cardiac care in India, we explore how it responded to the pandemic. Drawing from archival data and field observations, we develop a process model demonstrating how SSSSH navigated the crisis by combining external innovation pressures with an internal culture of resilience, empathy and integrity. The model reveals an iterative process where external shocks catalyze internal virtuous responses, leading to adaptive innovations such as telemedicine and strategic resource utilization in resource-constrained environments. This dynamic interplay between external pressures and internal virtues challenges the traditional linear views of crisis management. It suggests that virtuousness embedded in an organization’s culture enables sustained innovation during extreme challenges. Our findings contribute to research on organizational responses to crises and the role of internal virtues in shaping adaptive strategies. This study advances the understanding of how private healthcare institutions can transform external challenges into opportunities while maintaining high standards of care and ethical responsibility.

Lessons from a crisis: occupational stress in healthcare workers in an acute paediatric teaching hospital in Ireland

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic placed increased pressure on service provision and healthcare worker (HCW) wellness. As the crisis of the pandemic receded, paediatric healthcare staff required an appropriate response to facilitate...

Persecution, a Church Council and the Shaping of the Church of Uganda, c. 1884 - 1888

In July 1885, the Church Missionary Society (CMS) mission in Uganda formed a church council comprised of twelve baptized Ugandans as an organizational response to persecution. Faced with a reign of terror that had begun with the enthronement of a new king following the death of the one who had invited them, English missionaries believed that the council was the only way their work would continue if the new king expelled them. In this paper, I argue that although formed as a response to persecution, the council had a far greater impact on the emergence of the Church of Uganda.

Transforming performance: how agility, response, resilience and support shape success in digital strategies

PurposeEvolving business landscapes have highlighted the crucial role of innovative digital transformation strategies (DTSs) in reimagining organisational operations and responses to optimise performance, regardless of organisational size or employee composition. The study suggests that DTS is a process that occurs continuously, rather than being a one-time event. It also underscores the critical role of personal resilience and organisational support in achieving job performance goals.Design/methodology/approachUsing a survey analysis, this study examines the impact of organisational response and agility, as fundamental components of DTS, on employees' job performance. In addition, it investigates how boundary conditions of personal resilience and organisational support moderates the relationship between (1) organisational agility and job performance, and (2) organisational response and job performance.FindingsThe research findings demonstrate the impact of DTS on job performance. It highlights the mediating roles of organisational support and agility in improving employees' performance. The study also discusses the critical role of personal resilience and organisational support in navigating the insightful impacts of organisational agility and organisational response on the job performance.Originality/valueThis paper presents a theoretical framework that integrates the dynamic capabilities of employees and organisations, providing academics and practitioners with a comprehensive perspective on the growth of employees' dynamic capabilities. By offering insightful discussions, the study highlights that, while creating new DTS, organisations not only improve their dynamic capabilities but also enhances the people’s dynamic capabilities and make them more resilient.

Organizational responses to non-financial reporting legislation in Germany and Poland—Qualitative study and explanatory framework

Organizational responses to non-financial reporting legislation in Germany and Poland—Qualitative study and explanatory framework

Efficiency of Information Systems: Influence on Collective Intelligence and Organizational Agility

The main objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of information systems (IS) and its influence on collective intelligence and organizational agility within companies. In particular, the research explores how a well-designed and high-performing IS can facilitate collaboration between employees, improve knowledge sharing, and strengthen organizational responsiveness to market changes. The study also seeks to understand the extent to which collective intelligence acts as a mediator between IS effectiveness and organizational agility. A mixed approach was used in this study, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon. A sample of 150 companies was selected to answer a structured questionnaire measuring the effectiveness of their IS, their level of collective intelligence and their organizational agility. In addition, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with company managers to deepen the understanding of the organizational dynamics around IS and their impact on internal collaboration and flexibility. Quantitative data were analyzed using multiple regressions and correlations, while qualitative data were explored using thematic analysis. The results reveal a significant correlation between IS effectiveness and collective intelligence (0.62), as well as between collective intelligence and organizational agility (0.58). The study shows that companies with effective information systems benefit from better collaboration between their teams. This promotes collective decision-making and strengthens their ability to react quickly to changes in the market. The qualitative analysis confirms that IS facilitates knowledge sharing and allows for greater transparency in decision-making processes, which improves organizational responsiveness. Moreover, it has been found that collective intelligence acts as a key mediator between IS efficiency and agility, increasing the flexibility and adaptability of companies. The theoretical implications of this study reinforce existing work on information systems, showing how they promote collective intelligence and organizational agility. From a practical perspective, the results indicate that companies need to invest in flexible and collaborative information systems to improve their overall performance. Information systems that facilitate knowledge sharing and cross-functional communication within teams are strategic assets for organizations looking to increase their responsiveness and competitiveness in ever-changing environments. It is also essential to promote a culture of collective intelligence to maximize the impact of information systems on organizational agility.

Integrative Multi-Omics Approach in Vascular Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome: Further Insights into the Disease Mechanisms by Proteomic Analysis of Patient Dermal Fibroblasts

Background: Dominant mutations in COL3A1 are known to cause vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (vEDS) by impairing extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis. This disruption leads to the fragility of soft connective tissues and a significantly increased risk of life-threatening arterial and organ ruptures. Currently, treatments for vEDS are primarily symptomatic, largely due to a limited understanding of its underlying pathobiology and molecular mechanisms. Methods: In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the intracellular proteome of vEDS fibroblasts, integrating these findings with our previous transcriptome results to identify key molecular pathways that drive the disease. Additionally, we explored the therapeutic potential of inhibiting miR-29b-3p as a proof of concept. Results: Our integrative multi-omics analysis revealed complex pathological networks, emphasizing the critical role of miRNAs, particularly miR-29b-3p, in impairing ECM organization, autophagy, and cellular stress responses, all of which contribute to the pathogenesis of vEDS. Notably, the inhibition of miR-29b-3p in vEDS fibroblasts resulted in the upregulation of several differentially expressed target genes involved in these critical processes, as well as increased protein expression of essential ECM components, such as collagen types V and I. These changes suggest potential therapeutic benefits aimed at improving ECM integrity and restoring intracellular homeostasis. Conclusions: Overall, our findings advance our understanding of the complex biological mechanisms driving vEDS and lay a solid foundation for future research focused on developing targeted and effective treatment strategies for this life-threatening disorder.

ENHANCING PRODUCT CREATIVE AND INNOVATION THROUGH ADAPTIVE CAPABILITY: A LEARNING ORGANIZATION THEORY PERSPECTIVE

Adaptability and innovation are crucial for company success in today's competitive global era. This research indicates that creativity and adaptive capability are essential components for driving product innovation. The methodology employed is quantitative research with a survey and non-probability sampling, involving 150 participants through purposive sampling. Data analysis was conducted using Smart-PLS 3.0. The study results show that creativity enhances organizational flexibility and responsiveness, enabling effective responses to market changes and challenges. Explicit knowledge, team dynamics, and a supportive work environment are proven to contribute to more adaptive and innovative products. Therefore, to achieve optimal innovation outcomes, organizations should focus on creating an environment that supports creativity and adaptive capability. This study underscores that the combination of creativity and adaptability enables companies to remain relevant and competitive. Managers and leaders must recognize the importance of investing in programs that enhance both aspects for long-term success. However, it should be noted that the findings of this study might be specific to certain industries or regions and may not necessarily be generalized to all types of companies or global markets.

Impact of Gold Nanoparticles and Ionizing Radiation on Whole Chromatin Organization as Detected by Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy.

In radiation tumor therapy, irradiation, on one hand, should cause cell death to the tumor. On the other hand, the surrounding non-tumor tissue should be maintained unaffected. Therefore, methods of local dose enhancements are highly interesting. Gold nanoparticles, which are preferentially uptaken by very-fast-proliferating tumor cells, may enhance damaging. However, the results in the literature obtained from cell culture and animal tissue experiments are very contradictory, i.e., only some experiments reveal increased cell killing but others do not. Thus, a better understanding of cellular mechanisms is required. Using the breast cancer cell model SkBr3, the effects of gold nanoparticles in combination with ionizing radiation on chromatin network organization were investigated by Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) and applications of mathematical topology calculations (e.g., Persistent Homology, Principal Component Analysis, etc.). The data reveal a dose and nanoparticle dependent re-organization of chromatin, although colony forming assays do not show a significant reduction of cell survival after the application of gold nanoparticles to the cells. In addition, the spatial organization of γH2AX clusters was elucidated, and characteristic changes were obtained depending on dose and gold nanoparticle application. The results indicate a complex response of ALU-related chromatin and heterochromatin organization correlating to ionizing radiation and gold nanoparticle incorporation. Such complex whole chromatin re-organization is usually associated with changes in genome function and supports the hypothesis that, with the application of gold nanoparticles, not only is DNA damage increasing but also the efficiency of DNA repair may be increased. The understanding of complex chromatin responses might help to improve the gold nanoparticle efficiency in radiation treatment.

The Impact of Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment on Employee Turnover Intentions in the Malaysian Manufacturing Industry

One of the primary resources of an organization that can provide a worthy contribution to the achievement of the organization’s strategies is human resources. A significant problem in most manufacturing organizations is the desire to leave. Given this, the objective of this study will be to assess and measure the impact of job satisfaction and organizational commitment on employee turnover intention in the manufacturing sector. Of 200 questionnaires, 179 were filled out by a manufacturing organization (response rate = 89.5%). Demographic profiles were described using frequency count and percentages of the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted for the analysis of specific data gathered. Regarding inferential statistics, the measure used in the study was the Pearson Correlation Coefficient, which was used to determine the strength of the relationship between dependent and independent variables. According to the results of the analysis, it can be concluded that the independent variable job satisfaction is related to the sub-variable satisfaction with compensation and satisfaction with career development opportunities, which has a low negative correlation with employees' turnover intention. However, no significant relation was found between organizational commitment and the turnover intention of employees within the organization. This research offers valuable information to organizations within the manufacturing industry regarding the factors influencing turnover intention, including job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

An Organizational Framework for Microenterprises to Face Exogenous Shocks: A Viable System Approach

This study examines how integrating the critical components of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) can improve the adaptability of microenterprises by applying the Viable System Model (VSM). Given the crucial role of microenterprises in job creation, entrepreneurship promotion, and social cohesion, the need for approaches that ensure their success in turbulent environments is highlighted. We applied Social Network Analysis (SNA) to analyze a co-occurrence network to identify critical EO factors relevant to microenterprises and to understand how authors relate them to the structure of the VSM using a Californian microenterprise as a conceptual model. These factors include innovation, autonomy, control implementation, market orientation, and change management, organized into the five functions of the VSM. The results suggest that this conceptual framework strengthens organizational responsiveness in disruptive environments, promoting internal cohesion and more informed decision-making. Although the specific characteristics of each microenterprise require adjusting the VSM to their particular needs, this study provides a solid basis for applying the key elements of EO in the VSM, underscoring the need for further research to adapt this approach to different contexts to improve organizational agility in the face of exogenous shocks.