Organizational Structures Research Articles

Fraud Prevention Strategies and Financial Stability of Insurance Companies in Kenya

Insurance companies play a crucial role in reducing risks and uncertainties, making them a vital part of the economy. However, they are vulnerable to various types of fraudulent activities, such as false claims, premium misuse, and financial record manipulation. While efforts have been made to address these challenges, more investigation is needed to determine the effectiveness of fraud prevention methods in maintaining financial stability. This research project aims to bridge this gap by exploring the empirical connections between internal control frameworks, transaction monitoring processes, financial audit procedures, and the overall financial stability of insurance companies in the Kenyan market. The goal is to understand how these techniques can deter fraud, promote regulatory compliance, and strengthen the organizational structures in the industry. Additionally, the study examines established theories like agency theory, risk management theory, institutional theory, and game theory to clarify the theoretical basis supporting these tactics and their impact on the financial stability and longevity of insurance companies. The conclusion of the study offers valuable insights regarding the correlation between fraud prevention measures and financial stability within the insurance sector.

Nanoscale dynamics and localization of single endogenous mRNAs in stress granules.

Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoprotein granules transiently formed in stressed mammalian cells. Although SG components have been well characterized, detailed insights into the molecular behavior inside SGs remain unresolved. We investigated nanoscale dynamics and localization of endogenous mRNAs in SGs combining single mRNA tracking and super-resolution localization microscopy. First, we developed a methodology for tracking single mRNAs within SGs, revealing that although mRNAs in SGs are mainly stationary (∼40%), they also move in a confined (∼25%) or freely diffusing (∼35%) manner. Second, the super-resolution localization microscopy showed that the mRNAs in SGs are heterogeneously distributed and partially form high-density clusters. Third, we simultaneously performed single mRNA tracking and super-resolution microscopy in SGs, demonstrating that single mRNA trajectories are mainly found around high-density clusters. Finally, a quantitative analysis of mRNA localization and dynamics during stress removal was conducted using live super-resolution imaging and single-molecule tracking. These results suggest that SGs have a highly organized structure that enables dynamic regulation of the mRNAs at the nanoscale, which is responsible for the ordered formation and the wide variety of functions of SGs.

3D-/2D-covalent organic framework (COF) bilayered membranes for efficient pharmaceutical purification

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), with their regularly organized structures and solvent resistance, offer distinct advantages for constructing liquid-phase separation membranes. In nearly a decade of development, research has mainly focused on two-dimensional (2D) COFs, which yet give insufficient molecular selectivity due to inherent large pores. Here, we present a mixed-dimensional strategy of growing three-dimensional (3D) COFs on 2D COFs to build bilayered membranes for efficient organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN). The pores of 3D COFs interlace with those of 2D counterparts, resulting in a subnanoporous composite. We develop this 3D-/2D-COFs composite as robust membranes with a nanoscale thickness. The optimal bilayered membrane yields ethanol permeance of 12.2 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 with a molecular weight cutoff as low as ∼400 g mol−1, surpassing conventional COF-based OSN membranes. Importantly, the designed 3D-/2D-COFs membrane exhibits stable separation performance and excellent sieving ability to discriminate molecular mixtures. This exceptional molecular selectivity ultimately allows the separation of bioactive pharmaceuticals from impurities through our membrane. Overall, this work provides a design strategy for producing mixed-dimensional COF membranes to advance molecular separation in liquids.

Toward a policy landscape to support the product‐as‐a‐service design process for a circular economy

AbstractDespite the widely recognized potential of product‐as‐a‐service (PaaS) business models to contribute to the circular economy, many industrial case studies have reported that several systemic factors tend to hinder product manufacturers from effectively designing such solutions. More specifically, factors such as linear value chains, organizational structures, and market and financial conditions tend to restrict the freedom of product manufacturers to design circular PaaS solutions effectively. In this article, we take a novel approach to advance the body of knowledge concerning the interactions between policies and circular PaaS designing. We first explore the potential of the existing policy landscape to support designing for a circular economy in the manufacturing industry. The results suggest that the existing policy landscape is primarily focused on regulating product design outcomes and is thus deemed unsuitable for supporting circular PaaS designing. Subsequently, we investigate the literature to uncover how internal and external systemic factors may hinder the implementation of the key facets of circular PaaS designing in the manufacturing industry. Based on these findings, we propose a prospective policy framework that includes a mix of complementary policy interventions that systemically target the identified internal and external factors to support the implementation of the key facets of circular PaaS designing.

The Structuration of Positive Communication Experiences: The Case of the Great Resignation

The Great Resignation and COVID-19 pandemic are two extended crises marked by organizational change and employee turnover. This study examines the positive organizational communication experiences that influenced employee retention during this time of organizational crisis. Data for this research were collected through 25 semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a phronetic iterative approach. Through the use of structuration theory, the findings indicated that participants’ positive experiences of organizational communication transformed into reasons to stay with their workplaces during a time of extended crisis. Participants identified how organizational structures were reaffirmed or changed as employees and leaders utilized different resources and created new rules for interaction. Findings of this study show how positive organizational communication experiences can mitigate negative experiences and strengthen employee retention. During crises, organizations and their leaders should focus on fostering connection, belonging, and open communication among all employees.

Navigating Alert Fatigue: A Case Study in Electronic Health Record Alert Design Optimization.

Clinical decision support (CDS) systems play a crucial role in enhancing patient outcomes, but inadequate design contributes to alert fatigue, inundating clinicians with disruptive alerts that lack clinical relevance. This case study delves into a quality improvement (QI) project addressing nursing electronic health record (EHR) alert fatigue by strategically redesigning four high-firing/low action alerts. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analysis, empathy mapping sessions, and user feedback, the project sought to understand and alleviate the challenges posed by these alerts. Virtual empathy mapping sessions with clinical nurses provided valuable insights into user experiences. Qualitative findings, CDS design principles, and organizational practice expectations informed the redesign process, resulting in the removal of all four identified disruptive alerts and redesign of passive alerts. This initiative released 877 unactionable disruptive nursing hours, emphasizing the significance of proper alert design and the necessity for organizational structures ensuring sustained governance in healthcare system optimization.

Enabling radical and potentially disruptive innovations through interdisciplinarity: challenges and practices in industrial companies

The motivation behind this paper and the underlying research is to shed light on how companies deal with interdisciplinary innovation activities, especially looking at the development of radical and potentially disruptive innovations. This includes the analysis of methods, processes, and organizational structures applied to support interdisciplinary innovation activities as well as challenges faced. Whereas this thematic field has been widely investigated for academic institutions and, in companies on a team level, there is only a little information on industrial companies’ current state. This understanding is especially important as shortening development cycles, and technological convergence combined with intersectoral innovations might lead to increases in radical and potentially disruptive innovations and thereby create the need for improved methods and structures throughout the innovation process. To gain insights into challenges and current practices of interdisciplinary collaboration in innovation activities, semi-structured exploratory interviews were carried out with representatives from seven industrial companies. Among others, the results of the study revealed that whereas many methodologies are said to support interdisciplinary innovation activities, a wide majority of these methodologies are applied for other reasons which make supporting interdisciplinarity seem like a kind of byproduct.

Gnao1 is a molecular switch that regulates the Rho signaling pathway in differentiating neurons

GNAO1 encodes G protein subunit alpha O1 (Gαo). Pathogenic variations in GNAO1 cause developmental delay, intractable seizures, and progressive involuntary movements from early infancy. Because the functional role of GNAO1 in the developing brain remains unclear, therapeutic strategies are still unestablished for patients presenting with GNAO1-associated encephalopathy. We herein report that siRNA-mediated depletion of Gnao1 perturbs the expression of transcripts associated with Rho GTPase signaling in Neuro2a cells. Consistently, siRNA treatment hampered neurite outgrowth and extension. Growth cone formation was markedly disrupted in monolayer neurons differentiated from iPSCs from a patient with a pathogenic variant of Gαo (p.G203R). This variant disabled neuro-spherical assembly, acquisition of the organized structure, and polarized signals of phospho-MLC2 in cortical organoids from the patient’s iPSCs. We confirmed that the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 restored these morphological phenotypes. Thus, Gαo determines the self-organizing process of the developing brain by regulating the Rho-associated pathway. These data suggest that Rho GTPase pathway might be an alternative target of therapy for patients with GNAO1-associated encephalopathy.

Blending and separating dynamics of RNA-binding proteins develop architectural splicing networks spreading throughout the nucleus

The eukaryotic nucleus has a highly organized structure. Although the spatiotemporal arrangement of spliceosomes on nascent RNA drives splicing, the nuclear architecture that directly supports this process remains unclear. Here, we show that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) assembled on RNA form meshworks in human and mouse cells. Core and accessory RBPs in RNA splicing make two distinct meshworks adjacently but distinctly distributed throughout the nucleus. This is achieved by mutual exclusion dynamics between the charged and uncharged intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of RBPs. These two types of meshworks compete for spatial occupancy on pre-mRNA to regulate splicing. Furthermore, the optogenetic enhancement of the RBP meshwork causes aberrant splicing, particularly of genes involved in neurodegeneration. Genetic mutations associated with neurodegenerative diseases are often found in the IDRs of RBPs, and cells harboring these mutations exhibit impaired meshwork formation. Our results uncovered the spatial organization of RBP networks to drive RNA splicing.

Rejecting the Radical New Left: Transformations in Japanese Social Movements

After a disastrous period of New Left political violence in the late 1960s and early 1970s, followed by two decades of abeyance, Japan has experienced a renewed era of social movement activity since the 1990s. These new movements explicitly seek to avoid contamination by the earlier period, even when their participants know little about it except for fear perpetuated by media portrayals of senseless violence. We analyze ethnographic accounts of contemporary groups engaged in collective action, ranging from small informal groups in Japan’s invisible civil society; groups trying to mobilize laborers who fall outside Japan’s traditional enterprise unions; and groups reviving and revitalizing older movement networks to deal with new threats; to new right-wing challengers and their counter-movements; and those making innovative use of cultural resources. They all seek alternatives to earlier social movements that engaged in political violence, by creating very different organizational structures and relations to ideology, relying on social media for communication, and developing new forms of collective action. They foreground cultural and expressive repertoires, and seek to establish the movement as a place of personal and social belonging. As was true of the New Left social movements in the mid-20th century, these new groups are closely attuned to movement developments around the world, even as they craft their responses to specific historical conditions in Japan.

Rising sun in the cyber domain: Japan’s strategic shift toward active cyber defense

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of Japan’s evolving cyber defense capabilities and explores its future challenges. National security has transformed in the twenty first century, with cyberspace becoming a key conflict domain. Japan, like other nations, has adapted to these changes. In 2022, the Japanese government introduced its active cyber defense concept. The National Security Strategy of 2022 stated the government’s posture for active cyber defense, which pre-emptively neutralizes adversary computers. This marked a turning point in Japan’s security and defense. This strategic shift, which occurred notably between 2000 and 2022, exemplifies Japan’s transition in the cyber domain. The scope of protecting cyberspace has evolved from primarily safeguarding civilian infrastructure to adopting proactive measures. This evolution is analyzed in the paper, which contrasts Japan’s approach with Western nations’ military-driven cyber policies. Additionally, the multifaceted challenges and opportunities arising from this paradigm shift in cyber capability development are explored. The analysis encompasses key aspects, including the policy formation, international cooperation, budgetary allocations, and the progress of organizational structures regarding the cyber domain. Furthermore, the study explores Japan’s future trajectory in cyber defense, with a particular focus on its role within the ‘Multi-Domain Defense Force’ and the dynamics of the Japan-US alliance.

An Overview of the Eurasian Economic Union as an Economic Integration Supranational Organization

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), founded on May 29, 2014, represents a significant effort to enhance economic growth and prosperity among former Soviet states, notably Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Russia. Tracing its origin from the dissolution of the USSR and the subsequent establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1991, the EAEU emerged after overcoming initial challenges faced by the CIS, formalizing its structure in 2015. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the EAEU's historical evolution, institutional framework, and the dynamics of its economic integration. By examining the EAEU's impact on member economies, including achievements like the creation of a unified labour market and increased trade volumes, the study stresses its role in advancing regional economic cooperation. It also addresses persistent challenges such as disparities in energy resources and the union's limited supranational authority. Furthermore, this paper draws comparisons between the EAEU and the European Union (EU), offering perceptions into their differing organizational structures and levels of integration. Through this comparative lens, it elucidates how each union shapes regional dynamics and influences global economic relations.

The Process of Becoming Prefigurative: Fighting for Organizational Values to Transform Organizational Structures

This study analyzes how contemporary collectives that grow fast in scale organize their actions. We conducted a qualitative study of the largest contemporary social movement FridaysForFuture. Our findings reveal that the collective was calling others for change, but their own structures and values only become prefigurative over time. In the beginning, FFF set up hierarchical structures by orienting towards past patterns of actions. This was not a rational planned consideration but a quick response to the overwhelming increase in membership. However, as hierarchical structures have naturally emerged, the collective began to fight against the very same structures because they seemed to be unfitting their collective value “basic democracy.” Hence, they turned towards the future to imagine alternative patterns of actions, fighting against the initial hierarchical structure for a flatter heterarchy. Our findings contribute to research on collective action by highlighting the process of becoming prefigurative.

Fabrication of beeswax/plant sterol ester-gelatin/whey protein isolate bigels with dual gelation effects as substitutes for traditional solid fats

This study developed bigels as substitutes for solid fats, utilizing beeswax/plant sterol esters oleogel and gelatin/whey protein isolates hydrogel. Analysis focused on the effects of varying hydrogel to oleogel ratios on their microstructure, textural properties, and stability. As the oleogel content surpassed 50 wt%, a shift from O/W to W/O type was observed. Bigels with 60 wt%-80 wt% oleogel content exhibit higher hardness, ranging from 298.53 ± 30.33g to 376.55 ± 30.43g. Those with 50 wt% oleogel content show a peak shear strength of 8067.18 ± 17.41 g.sec. The melting temperatures of the bigels ranged from 52.218 to 109.423 °C, higher than the single oleogel at 45.934 °C. X-ray diffraction revealed a polycrystalline structure with α, β, and β′ polymorphs in the W/O bigels, indicating a more organized structure with increased oleogel. During the sensory evaluation, bigels with 60 wt% oleogel content (8.22 ± 0.22) closely resembled butter (8.58 ± 0.14), achieving the highest overall acceptability. After 30 days at room temperature (25 °C), the bigels with 60 wt% oleogel content exhibited excellent water retention (83.78 ± 3.70%) and oil retention (80.05 ± 1.93%), promising for the design of sustainable, low-calorie fat alternatives.

Work Motivation and Job Satisfaction among Primary Healthcare Workers in Georgia

Motivation is defined as human effort, striving, stimulation process for successful work, and achievement of organizational goals. The purpose of the research is to study the factors determining the motivation and job satisfaction of primary healthcare personnel in Georgia. The relevance of the issue is indicated by the poorly development of the primary healthcare system in Georgia, which is confirmed by the fact that the number of referrals to outpatient medical institutions is 3.6 per capita per year, while it reaches 7.5 in European countries. A quantitative study was conducted in this research. As a result of the research, it was determined that motivation and job satisfaction are complex constructs. The following main factors that influence the job satisfaction of employees in primary care organizations were identified: individual characteristics, financial and non-financial incentives, organizational structures and processes, including supervision, leadership, fairness, and responsibility for the distribution of resources, staff dynamics, and team cohesion, relationships with colleagues and management, relationships with patients, intellectual stimulation, opportunities for continuing medical education. A family physician’s and family nurse practitioner’s job satisfaction significantly improves the services and has a positive impact on the patient’s well-being. Health policymakers and managers need to critically analyze the importance of providing additional incentives. In order to improve the job satisfaction of primary health care workers, in addition to salary, special emphasis should be placed on supporting family life, creating decent living conditions, adequate free time, educational prospects, and better opportunities for professional development and promotion.

Educator wellbeing and family engagement in Australian early learning settings: perspectives of early childhood educators and families

AbstractWhile the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it multiple challenges for families and the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) workforce, it also highlighted the essential role of ECEC in the lives of children and families and presented unique opportunities for innovation and learning. The current study sought to explore learnings from this uniquely challenging period, including the factors and strategies that best supported educator wellbeing and family engagement in ECEC settings, from the perspectives of families, centre directors and educators. In 2021, 104 Centre Directors/Educators and 102 families completed online surveys exploring wellbeing and educator–family relationships. Correlations suggest that robust professional wellbeing and resilience are potential enabling factors for strong family engagement, and that supportive organisational structures in ECEC settings are a protective factor for both educator wellbeing and family engagement. In addition, five effective family engagement strategies were derived from the qualitative data: (1) drawing on personal and professional knowledges to enrich children’s learning at home; (2) prioritising regular and reliable communication with families; (3) maintaining familiar relationships and a sense of community; (4) providing person-centred support and a bridge to other services; and (5) nurturing mutually supportive educator–family relationships. Learnings provide important insights that may inform ongoing quality improvements across different ECEC contexts, and to help safeguard against the negative impacts of future global crises.

Observations of Cu-Granules-coated graphite particles for characteristics of Cu-Graphite sintered composite

Cu-graphite sintered composites synthesized by flake powder metallurgy process are evaluated according to microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties. Impact of processing parameters and correlation between the reinforcement for the synthesized composite are discussed in detail. Obtained results showed an effect of un-melted Cu granules, which develop better stable and organized composite structure. The metallization graphite surface significantly improves the wettability between Cu and graphite.

Exploring nurse practitioners’ collaboration with general practitioners in Norwegian homecare services: a qualitative study

Objective Nurse practitioners (NPs) have recently been introduced in Norwegian homecare services. The NP role is still in an early implementation phase without standardized role descriptions. NPs are dependent on collaborating with general practitioners (GPs) in the care and treatment of patients. However, little is known about how NPs in Norway experience this collaboration. This study aims to explore how NPs working in homecare services describe their collaborative experiences with GPs, and what influence this collaboration. Design The study had a qualitative descriptive design, applying individual, semi structured interviews to generate data from five Norwegian nurse practitioners working in homecare services. Data were analyzed using systematic text condensation. Findings The NPs had varied experiences regarding the collaboration with GPs. NPs stated their role as unclear, lacking standards and job descriptions. The NPs experienced that some GPs were uncertain about the NPs competence, which inhibited collaboration and restricted the NPs utilization of their full capability. NPs experienced a higher degree of collaboration with GPs they knew, and they indicated that trust was the key to facilitate collaboration. The NPs also noted the challenges of establishing relationships with GPs due to the lack of formal meetings and the physical separation of their workplaces. Conclusion Interpersonal dynamics, organizational structures and systemic frameworks influenced the collaboration between GPs and NPs in homecare services. Trust was identified as an important prerequisite for collaboration.

An overview of human and organizational determinants in business intelligence adoption

Business intelligence (BI) attracts both researchers and practitioners due to its ability to analyze data and generate critical insights that support informed business decisions. However, despite its acknowledged value, Business intelligence adoption (BIA) rates and the consistency of success stories vary considerably across countries. The literature over the past decade has shown that BI adoption has increased, but there is a significant lack of success. The objective of this study is to understand the factors influencing business intelligence adoption, especially considering the changes in organizational structures and human characteristics imposed by relevant changes and requirements. This paper is a comprehensive review of articles published between 2012 to 2022 in leading academic databases such as ScienceDirect and Web of Science aimed at investigating the factors influencing BI adoption. The PRISMA model and Kitchenham's guidelines deployed for the selection of these articles. The selected articles summarized and analyzed using content analysis. This study identified over fifty key determinants, with a specific focus on organizational and human aspects. Organizational size, top management support, and organizational readiness are the most frequently mentioned organizational factors. As for human factors, perceived ease of use, educational level, and computer literacy were prominent. By outlining these critical factors, this research will help managers and researchers make informed decisions that facilitate successful business intelligence system (BIS) implementation.

Metode moderne de predare a limbajului de specialitate

In the educational process, both the teacher and the student act using teaching and learning methods that influence the quality of work and the efficiency of the learning process. The methods used in higher education, namely teaching specialized language in a foreign language, vary from classical to modern ones, adapted to the specific context. Innovative methods involve learning through communication and collaboration, facilitating the confrontation of ideas and opinions, and creating learning situations focused on cooperation and active participation. Among the modern teaching methods are also the cluster method and mind mapping, which are used to channel students' creativity and to organize and synthesize knowledge. The cluster method is an interactive technique for learning vocabulary, which encourages association and expansion of vocabulary in a visual and interactive way. On the other hand, mind mapping is a graphic representation of ideas, providing a more organized and hierarchical structure. Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them may depend on preferences and the specific purpose of use in the learning process.