Theory Of Processes Research Articles

Метод определения эффективности вариантов организации перевозок барже-буксирными составами

A study has been conducted on the method of evaluating options for organizing cargo transportation by barge-tow trains based on determining their effectiveness. Using the methods of the classical theory of transport processes, this problem has no quantitative solution, since it is not possible to take into account the regrouping of the composition during the passage of the route. To overcome this problem, additional mathematical tools have been developed for constructing integral time and velocity matrices, an objective function and graphs of the ratios of the total volume of transported cargo to the time it was en route. The consistent implementation of the proposed tools ensures the coherence of the calculation methods for determining the effectiveness of a flight with and without regrouping on the route, and also makes it possible to select the most appropriate option for organizing transportation. The cumulative result allows us to reflect the method of evaluation, comparison and selection of the most effective option for organizing a flight / group of flights, taking into account the ability to set individual parameters for the movement of the train and cargo. An example of approximation of the coordinate points of the route from the Nizhne-Svirsky shipping lock to Lake Ladoga is illustrated, as well as an example of discretization of an inland waterway section according to a three-level model. The parameters of equalization of the objective function of determining the efficiency of cargo transportation are considered. It is concluded that the optimal transportation option can be carried out on the basis of a combined approach, when several parameters are taken into account or sequentially set in the process of modeling the operation of ships. Graphs have been built that demonstrate the differences between the ways of organizing flights.

Emergent facilitation and glassy dynamics in supercooled liquids

In supercooled liquids, dynamical facilitation refers to a phenomenon where microscopic motion begets further motion nearby, resulting in spatially heterogeneous dynamics. This is central to the glassy relaxation dynamics of such liquids, which show super-Arrhenius growth of relaxation timescales with decreasing temperature. Despite the importance of dynamical facilitation, there is no theoretical understanding of how facilitation emerges and impacts relaxation dynamics. Here, we present a theory that explains the microscopic origins of dynamical facilitation. We show that dynamics proceeds by localized bond-exchange events, also known as excitations, resulting in the accumulation of elastic stresses with which new excitations can interact. At low temperatures, these elastic interactions dominate and facilitate the creation of new excitations near prior excitations. Using the theory of linear elasticity and Markov processes, we simulate a model, which reproduces multiple aspects of glassy dynamics observed in experiments and molecular simulations, including the stretched exponential decay of relaxation functions, the super-Arrhenius behavior of relaxation timescales as well as their two-dimensional finite-size effects. The model also predicts the subdiffusive behavior of the mean squared displacement (MSD) on short, intermediate timescales. Furthermore, we derive the phonon contributions to diffusion and relaxation, which when combined with the excitation contributions produce the two-step relaxation processes, and the ballistic-subdiffusive-diffusive crossover MSD behaviors commonly found in supercooled liquids.

Gas Sorption Characterization of Porous Materials Employing a Statistical Theory for Bethe Lattices.

In the present work, a recently developed statistical theory for adsorption and desorption processes in mesoporous solids, modeled by random Bethe lattices, has been applied to obtain pore size distributions and interpore connectivity from sorption isotherms in real random porous materials, employing a robust and validated methodology. Using the experimental adsorption-desorption N2 isotherms at 77.4 K on Vycor glass, a porous material with random pore structure, we demonstrate the solution of the inverse problem resulting in extracted pore size distribution and interpore connectivity, notably different from the predictions of earlier theories. The results presented are corroborated by the analysis of 3D digital images of reconstructed Vycor porous glass, showing excellent agreement between the predictions of geometric analysis and the new statistical theory.

Deterministic and stochastic analysis of a coral reef ecosystem with grazed macroalgae

Based on the work of Mumby et al. [Thresholds and the resilience of Caribbean coral reefs, Nature 450 (2007) 98–101], this study is devoted to investigate the deterministic and stochastic features of a coral reef ecosystem in which macroalgae and coral compete to occupy algae turfs, and the macroalgae are grazed by parrotfish. By taking the grazing rate as the focused parameter, we completely analyze the global dynamics of the deterministic coral reef ecosystem, including bistable phenomenon, linear equilibria and degenerate attractor. It is found that for different grazing rates, the coral reef system may exhibit rich dynamics which are closely dependent on the initial values. Furthermore, we derive a stochastic coral reef model in the form of continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC), and estimate the extinction probabilities of macroalgae and coral by using the branching process theory. Analytical results reveal that the macroalgae or coral species will go to extinction in a positive probability, even if it can survive in the deterministic environment.

Implementing an educational resource for patients participating in cancer clinical trials during the pandemic.

This research is centred in the specialty of early phase cancer research - the branch of clinical research that focuses on phase one and phase two clinical trials. The aim was to gain an understanding of the complexity of work involved in implementing an educational intervention within the clinical pathway for newly referred early phase cancer clinical trial patients. The May and Finch Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) was used to understand, develop and evaluate the process of embedding an educational resource at referral hospital sites. Elements emerged from the evaluation that provide insights into the complexity of the implementation work that took place. The main elements were: pandemic-related challenges, change management, leadership, shared purpose, teamwork, workforce capacity and patient outcomes. The findings shed light on the barriers to or facilitators of the implementation of the educational resource.

HR analytics and the data collection process: the role of attributions and perceived legitimacy in explaining employees’ fear of datafication

PurposeThis paper analyzes employees’ perceptions of data collection processes for human resource analytics (HRA). More specifically, we study the effect that information sharing practices have on employees’ attributions (i.e. benevolent vs malevolent) through the perceived legitimacy of data collection and monitoring processes. Moreover, we investigate whether employees’ emotional reaction (i.e. fear of datafication) depends on their perceived legitimacy and attributions.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a sample of 259 employees operating for an Italian consulting firm that developed and implemented HRA processes in the last 3 years. The hypothesized model has been tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) on Stata 14.FindingsThis paper demonstrates the mediating role of perceived legitimacy in the relationship between information sharing practices and employees’ benevolent and malevolent attributions about data collection and monitoring processes for HRA practices. Results also reveal that perceived legitimacy predicts employees’ fear of datafication, with benevolent attributions that partially mediate this relationship.Practical implicationsThis research indicates that employees perceive, try to make sense of and emotionally react to HRA processes. Moreover, we reveal the crucial role of information sharing practices and perceived legitimacy in determining employees’ attributions and emotional reactions to data collection and monitoring processes.Originality/valueCombining human resource (HR) attributions, HR system strength, information processing and signaling theories, this work explores employees’ perception, attributive processes and emotional reactions to data collection processes for HRA practices.

An incoming threat: the influence of automation potential on job insecurity

PurposeIn today’s digital age, news and social media are abuzz with ChatGPT and a myriad of advanced AI tools. Experts from disciplines like computer science and socioeconomics have discussed the profound transformations AI can bring. While certain industries have embraced AI, its penetration across all sectors remains uneven. Yet, even with this limited adoption, the psychological ramifications it presents for workplace employees are profound. Our study integrated social information processing and transactional stress theories to analyze the effect of automation brought by AI on job insecurity. Our study also considers whether moderating factors like supervisor–subordinate relationships and social media engagement can alleviate the adverse consequences of automation.Design/methodology/approachWe empirically test our research hypotheses with longitudinal data from the US General Social Survey (GSS).FindingsUsing US General Social Survey data, our findings indicate that employees in industries with high automation potential are more susceptible to job insecurity. Interestingly, social media engagement appears to dampen this relationship, while the quality of the supervisor–subordinate relationship shows negligible impact.Originality/valueThis study provides valuable insights into the effects of automation potential and the role of social media engagement in coping with it, making a meaningful contribution to the existing literature in this area.

Leaders’ experiences of embedding a simulation-based education programme in a teaching hospital: an interview study informed by normalisation process theory

There is limited research on the experiences of people in working to embed, integrate and sustain simulation programmes. This interview-based study explored leaders’ experiences of normalising a simulation-based education programme in a teaching hospital. Fourteen known simulation leaders across Australia and North America were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis sensitised by normalisation process theory, an implementation science theory which defines ‘normal’ as something being embedded, integrated and sustained. We used a combined social and experiential constructivist approach. Four themes were generated from the data: (1) Leadership, (2) business startup mindset, (3) poor understanding of simulation undermines normalisation and (4) tension of competing objectives. These themes were interlinked and represented how leaders experienced the process of normalising simulation. There was a focus on the relationships that influence decision-making of simulation leaders and organisational buy-in, such that what started as a discrete programme becomes part of normal hospital operations. The discourse of ‘survival’ was strong, and this indicated that simulation being normal or embedded and sustained was still more a goal than a reality. The concept of being like a ‘business startup’ was regarded as significant as was the feature of leadership and how simulation leaders influenced organisational change. Participants spoke of trying to normalise simulation for patient safety, but there was also a strong sense that they needed to be agile and innovative and that this status is implied when simulation is not yet ‘normal’. Leadership, change management and entrepreneurship in addition to implementation science may all contribute towards understanding how to embed, integrate and sustain simulation in teaching hospitals without losing responsiveness. Further research on how all stakeholders view simulation as a normal part of a teaching hospital is warranted, including simulation participants, quality and safety teams and hospital executives. This study has highlighted that a shared understanding of the purpose and breadth of simulation is a prerequisite for embedding and sustaining simulation. An approach of marketing simulation beyond simulation-based education as a patient safety and systems improvement mindset, not just a technique nor technology, may assist towards simulation being sustainably embedded within teaching hospitals.

Servant leadership and employee innovative behaviour: Unpacking the role of support for innovation and creative self-efficacy in knowledge intensive service context

Employee innovative behaviour is widely emphasized as a critical driver of organizational innovation. Drawing on social information processing theory, this research proposes that by exhibiting servant leadership style, organizational managers can stimulate employee innovative behaviour directly and through the mechanism of support for innovation. This study also anticipates that the role of of employees’ creative self-efficacy in strengthening the influence of support for innovation on innovative behaviour. To test the proposed relationships, data is collected from 338 IT professionals working in twelve large-sized IT-based service organizations of Pakistan. The results surfaced from PLS-SEM analysis indicate strong support for direct and positive linkage between servant leadership and innovative behaviour and significant role of support for innovation in mediating this relationship. However, the accentuating role of creative self-effecacy is not supported. This study extends existing knowledge concerning the nexus between servant leadership and innovation by examining the mechanism of support for innivation by which servant leadership can augment employee innovative behaviour. Findings of this research entails vital implications for service organizations striving for superior innovation performance. Furthermore, some contradictory findings of this research call for further empirical investigation for more finegrained managerial implications.

A multi-criteria decision-making model for heavy construction equipment replacement in Saudi Arabia

Purpose This paper aims to propose a novel model that addresses the limitations of current practices, through considering quantitative and qualitative criteria in the decision-making process for equipment replacement. Design/methodology/approach Literature review and consultation with professionals in the heavy construction industry was conducted to identify the criteria influencing the replacement of construction machines. A questionnaire survey using analytic hierarchy process and multi-attribute utility theory was used to rank these criteria and establish their utility scores. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess how adjustments in the weights of main criteria would impact equipment replacement decisions. Findings The identified criteria were classified into three categories: economic, technical and socioenvironmental, encompassing a total of 15 criteria. The findings indicated that salvage value/meeting payback period/maximizing profitability held the highest importance in the replacement process, followed by considerations like high repair and maintenance cost; working condition and economic conditions. Safety and social benefits scored the least among all criteria and categories. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on earth-moving equipment and involves experts from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The model introduces a novel methodology to aid decision-makers, particularly contractors and project managers, in determining when to replace heavy construction equipment, which results in resource efficiency and time saving. Originality/value The model integrates expertise and knowledge from experts to establish criteria for replacing construction equipment. This research aims to improve the functionality of the decision-making process regarding the acquisition or replacement of equipment throughout its lifespan.

Degradation of Materials and Products Described with Eyring’s Rate Process Theory

Degradation of Materials and Products Described with Eyring’s Rate Process Theory

Expanding self, breaking stereotypes, and building hospitality: resident mindfulness’ role in host-tourist interaction

Mindfulness is a critical instrument in sustainable tourism development. However, existing literature on mindfulness’ role in hospitality and tourism sustainability has mostly focused on tourists’ perspective. In this study, we shift perspective to gain insight into how and when residents’ mindfulness relates to their attitudes and behaviors in host-tourist relation. Integrating mindfulness and motivated information processing theories, we develop and test a theoretical model examining the effect of mindfulness on resident hospitality and tourist negative stereotypes via resident self-transcendence (i.e., residents’ attunement with tourists). Residents’ ability to take tourists’ perspective is proposed to enhance the effect of mindfulness on their sense of attunement with tourists, further augmenting the positive and negative indirect effect of mindfulness on resident hospitality and tourist negative stereotypes, respectively. In a 2-week interval time-lagged study with 429 US residents, we found robust evidence supporting our model. Implications of our findings for host-tourist relationship management are thoroughly discussed.

Audience analytics and tensions in digital news work: evidence from Swiss news media

PurposeTracing audience preferences via audience analytics software has become a vital strategy for many news organizations to ensure their competitiveness in media markets. Extant research also confirms the growing presence of these tools in digital news work in recent years across many local and international news media. However, little is understood about the analytics-driven tensions emerging among journalists and media managers. This paper aims to address this gap by drawing on the labor process theory, which critically analyzes labor and workplace transformations under capitalism.Design/methodology/approachThe present study employs an interview-based qualitative methodology to deeply understand the factors at the base of the emerging tensions between news workers and managers brought about by audience metrics tools.FindingsResults show how some perceptions, activities and contextual triggers related to analytics could make relationships between workers and managers problematic. The pressures felt by some journalists stemmed from the way their media managers introduced, interpreted, communicated and applied analytics in the workplace, which were not tied to the quality and learning goals related to journalists’ aspirations. As our evidence suggests, the analytics-induced tensions among news workers were rather an outcome of managerial deficits than of systematic plans to exploit journalists.Originality/valueBy identifying the nature of fundamental analytics-driven tensions in newsrooms, this paper contributes to our understanding of how media managers can embrace more effective approaches toward audience analytics, workforce and organizational performance.

'Let him die in peace': understanding caregiver's refusal of medical oxygen treatment for children in Nigeria.

Efforts to improve oxygen access have focused mainly on the supply side, but it is important to understand demand barriers, such as oxygen refusal among caregivers. We therefore aimed to understand caregiver, community and healthcare provider (HCP) perspectives and experiences of medical oxygen treatments and how these shape oxygen acceptance among caregivers of sick children in Lagos and Jigawa states, which are two contrasting settings in Nigeria. Between April 2022 and January 2023, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study using reflexive thematic analysis, involving semistructured interviews with caregivers (Jigawa=18 and Lagos=7), HCPs (Jigawa=7 and Lagos=6) and community group discussions (Jigawa=4 and Lagos=5). We used an inductive-deductive approach to identify codes and themes through an iterative process using the theoretical framework of acceptability and the normalisation process theory as the analytic lens. Medical oxygen prescription was associated with tension, characterised by fear of death, hopelessness about a child's survival and financial distress. These were driven by community narratives around oxygen, past negative experiences and contextual differences between both settings. Caregiver acceptance of medical oxygen was a sense-making process from apprehension and scepticism about their child's survival chances to positioning prescribed oxygen as an 'appropriate' or 'needed' intervention. Achieving this transition occurred through various means, such as trust in HCPs, a perceived sense of urgency for care, previous positive experience of oxygen use and a symbolic perception of oxygen as a technology. Misconceptions and pervasive negative narratives were acknowledged in Jigawa, while in Lagos, the cost was a major reason for oxygen refusal. Non-acceptance of medical oxygen treatment for sick children is modifiable in the Nigerian context, with the root causes of refusal being contextually specific. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all policy is unlikely to work. Financial constraints and community attitudes should be addressed in addition to improving client-provider interactions.

Bolstering the adaptive information processing model: a narrative review

In recent years, several theoretical models have been suggested as complementary to the adaptative information processing model of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. A narrative review of such models was conducted to assess the contributions of each, as well as their convergences, contradictions, and potential complementarity. Seven theoretical models were identified. All focus on the effects of EMDR therapy as a comprehensive psychotherapy approach with its principles, procedures, and protocols. Several refer to concepts related to propositional or predictive processing theories. Overall, the contribution of these proposals does appear to bolster Shapiro’s original AIP model, potentially offering additional depth and breadth to case conceptualization and treatment planning in clinical practice, as well as a more precise theoretical understanding. The current exploratory comparative analysis may serve as a preliminary baseline to guide research into the relative merit of suggested theoretical proposals to enhance current standards for the clinical practice and teaching of EMDR therapy.

The interplay effects of digital technologies, green integration, and green innovation on food supply chain sustainable performance: An organizational information processing theory perspective

Green integration (GIT) and green innovation (GIO) in food supply chains (FSCs) have the potential to attain sustainability with the facilitation of digital technologies (DTs). Nevertheless, few studies have been conducted regarding the effectiveness of DTs and GIT in determining GIO and sustained FSC. Furthermore, an unsustainable food supply chain is a globally recognised problem that needs immediate, multidimensional holistic measures. Therefore, the present study tests the interplay effects of GIT, GIO, and DTs in FSC sustainable performance (FSCSP) under the strategic configuration for information-processing fit, i.e., organizational information processing theory (OIPT) perspective. A combined approach of structural equation modelling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) was used to examine the collected responses from different related industries and validate the robustness of the proposed hypothesis through ANN. The findings demonstrate that the usage of DTs has a favourable impact on GIO and GIT. Furthermore, GI has a positive influence on GIO. Finally, both GIO and GI have a positive impact on FSCSP. Theoretically, under the strategic alignment for information-processing fit, the study's findings suggest that GIT and GIO improve their FSC strategies and practically keep the FSC ahead of the competition for the long haul by ensuring sustainability. It is clear from the results of this research that practitioners should support more DTs to promote GIT, GIO, and FSCSP. This research fills a significant gap in the literature by analyzing the unexplored connections across the FSCSP, GIT, GIO, and DTs as facilitators in the context of sustainability.

I married a Traveller: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the lived experiences of women marrying into the Travelling community and its impact to their identity

Policy developments associated with increased lifestyle-related regulations have compelled Travellers to re-assess their social worlds and adapt accordingly. Adopting a social constructionist epistemological stance, this qualitative study drew upon the Identity Process Theory, alongside Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as a broad framework to (1) explore the way in which non-Traveller women experience a sense of community integration upon marrying into the Traveller community, (2) to explicate the extent to which their experiences of integration impact upon their own identity, and (3) to develop an understanding of how these lived experiences inform the changes within Traveller culture through the process of integration. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women aged between 28–42 years living within the UK. Guided by the principles of IPA, three superordinate themes, each consisting of two subordinate themes emerged from the analysis: ‘Joining the culture’, ‘Cultural Clashes’, and ‘Changes to the self’. The findings highlighted that participant’s experienced interpersonal conflict and continuous negotiations between continuity and discontinuity, that had either positive or negative impacts to their individual identity. This paper has important implications for professionals who aim to provide support and enhance the overall wellbeing of individuals living between these two contrasting cultures.

Unlocking the power of metaverse technology in tourism: enhancing experiences and perceptions about tourism destinations

ABSTRACT The metaverse is gaining rapid acceptance across various industries, including tourism and hospitality. It examines the nuances of visitor interaction in the metaverse based on presence and process theory. 313 participants data were analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modelling approach. The findings clarifies that metaverse telepresence plays significant role in users’ behavioural perceptions. Furthermore, metaverse cognitive, affective, and conative images are revealed to be positively impacted by metaverse telepresence. This study highlights the revolutionary possibilities of metaverse technology in the tourism sector by offering new insights and identifying areas for improvement.

Leadership humour style: role of self-disclosure and perceived similarity for employee’s thriving at work and burnout

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the leadership humour style and the mechanism through which leadership humour style transforms into follower’s workplace positive and negative outcomes such as thriving at work and burnout. It uses comprehensive elaboration theory and relational process theory to explore self-disclosure and perceived similarity as two new constructs to assess their relation to intrapsychic (self-enhancing and self-defeating) and interpersonal (affiliative and aggressive) leader’s humour style, respectively. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory qualitative study through semi-structured interviews was conducted with 10 leaders to understand the different aspects of leadership humour and their outcomes. Based on these dimensions, a questionnaire was created and sent to 200 respondents, and 158 responses were received. The empirical analysis of data was done by building structural equation modeling using smart partial least square. Findings The empirical study has shown that self-enhancing leadership humour is related to self-disclosure, and both affiliative and aggressive leadership humour styles are related to perceived similarity. When looking at the two critical outcomes of leadership humour, both perceived similarity and self-disclosure were related to social intimacy and thriving at work. The mediation effect showed that self-enhancing humour leads to self-disclosure which increases social intimacy leading to improving thriving at work and aggressive humour leads to norm violation which further leads to burnout. Originality/value The study has used the mixed methodology to understand leadership humour and its outcomes by conducting in-depth interviews with leaders and also provides empirical evidence related to leadership humour style by using the survey to collect data from the followers capturing their perceptions. And very critically, it has explored self-disclosure and perceived similarity as two new constructs to see their relation to leadership humour style and positive and negative outcomes at the workplace.

New Developments in the Theory of Historical Process: Polish Contribution to Non-Marxian Historical Materialism, edited by Krzysztof Brzechczyn

New Developments in the Theory of Historical Process: Polish Contribution to Non-Marxian Historical Materialism, edited by Krzysztof Brzechczyn