Systematic Action Research Articles

The impact of digitalization on work quality at the enterprise operational level

The object of research is the work quality of operational staff. One of the most problematic places in the introduction of new production technologies is the adaptation of personnel to digital transformation. Understanding and systematic management actions of managers can lead the company to business growth, make it more flexible through the proper use of digitalization as a potentially important component of business strategy.Methods of logical generalization and analysis are used in the analysis of literature sources on the research topic. The work quality at the enterprise operational level was considered in two dimensions: the quality of work results and the quality of working life. During the sociological study at machine-building enterprises is developed a conceptual model of the interaction between work tasks, methods of labor organization and technological tools. According to the expert potential consequences assessment of the impact of digitalization on the operational staff work quality, the highest scores are given to the following factors: work intensity; content of work tasks; control over work; learning; motivation and work life balance; health; rights; career management. The Analytical Hierarchy Process, which allows to determine the components of the adaptation system of personnel to digital information and to form an algorithm for choosing the optimal version of the system for the enterprise, is also used.The results of the presented study confirm the insufficient level of workers and industrial engineers readiness to implement changes related to the use of digital tools. The results provide a practical basis for the enterprises management to form a hierarchical structure of employee adaptation system to digital transformation. Presented system will be the projects framework for production technologies modernization, labor processes improving, staff training and the successful implementation procuring of digital transformation based on the model of interaction between work tasks, methods and technological tools at the operational level of the enterprise.

The Mediating Effect of Innovation Capability Towards Export Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Sri Lanka

Export is one of the most important factors influencing economic growth. As a developing country, a systematic action plan is needed to expand the export sector because Sri Lanka’s economy is largely dependent on international trade. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role to develop the export performance of a country. entrepreneurial orientation and innovation capabilities are important factors that directly affected on internationalization of SMEs. There is no research done in the past to identify the mediating effect of innovation capability on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and export performance. Accordingly, this study intended to fill the gap by testing the mediating effect of innovation capability on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and export performance. In this context, the objective of this research is to examine the mediating effect of Innovation capabilities on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and export performance of SMEs in Sri Lanka. This study followed a quantitative research design to examine the above relationship by using the processing technique. The examined population in this research are the exporters who have export turnover below Rs. 150 Mn. Data is collected through a structured questionnaire distributed among 200 exporters. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyze the collected data using SPSS. The study found that innovation capability has a partial mediation effect on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and export performance. Accordingly, SMEs should improve the level of entrepreneurial orientation and, innovation capability to improve the export performance of SMEs.

A Systematic Observation of Early Childhood Educators Accompanying Young Children's Free Play at Emmi Pikler Nursery School: Instrumental Behaviors and Their Relational Value.

A significant number of literature documents young children’s innate interest in discovering their surroundings and gradually developing more complex activities and thoughts. It has been demonstrated that when environments support young children’s innate interest and progressive autonomy, they help children acquire a self-determined behavior. However, little is known about the application of this evidence in the daily practice of early childhood educational settings. This study examines Emmi Pikler Nursery School, a center that implements an autonomy-supportive educational approach. We conducted a systematic observation of two experienced Pikler educators while they accompanied young children’s free play. Our objective was to assess: if educators’ instrumental action follows a systematic behavioral sequence, if specific relational behaviors support each instrumental action, and if educators display differentiated intervention levels concerning children’s free play through the adaptation of the relational dimension. We conducted a lag sequential analysis to find behavioral patterns and concurrences between the observed behaviors. Our findings indicate that educators perform systematic action sequences and that each of the instrumental actions of those sequences has a specific relational value. We conclude that educators display three differentiated intervention levels depending on the child and the circumstances of the moment, providing appropriate autonomy support and reinforcing children’s self-determination.

The use of biotechnologies in textile processing and environmental sustainability: An emerging market context

The research aims to critically discuss key new biotechnologies in textile processing and examines the foundation of the resistance to adoption of such technologies in emerging markets. Using semi-structured interviews and the scientific literature, the paper draws on experts’ opinions about enzyme applications; at the same time, the paper interrogates policymakers and economic operators about the barriers to biotechnology adoption in emerging markets. The paper finds that the application of biotechnologies in textile processing is an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional chemical processing. Enzymatic processing involves less water and energy, thus causing less environmental degradation. The research builds on strategic management tools, such as Lewin force field analysis and change framework to examine drivers and barriers to enzymatic processing specifically in the textile sector in developing economies. This has enabled the paper to suggest more vigorous and systematic actions from both policymakers and economic actors for greater environmental sustainability. The research contributes to raise awareness about the environmental consequences of older textile processing methods and defuses the argument that new technologies are out of reach for emerging market economic actors. Biotechnologies in the form of enzymatic processing represent strategic opportunities for emerging markets in economic, environmental and public health terms.

Lie algebra expansion and integrability in superstring Sigma-models

Lie algebra expansion is a technique to generate new Lie algebras from a given one. In this paper, we apply the method of Lie algebra expansion to superstring σ-models with a ℤ4 coset target space. By applying the Lie algebra expansion to the isometry algebra, we obtain different σ-models, where the number of dynamical fields can change. We reproduce and extend in a systematic way actions of some known string regimes (flat space, BMN and non-relativistic in AdS5×S5). We define a criterion for the algebra truncation such that the equations of motion of the expanded action of the new σ-model are equivalent to the vanishing curvature condition of the Lax connection obtained by expanding the Lax connection of the initial model.

Motivações e dificuldades vivenciadas por jovens empreendedores: Estudo qualitativo

O empreendedorismo vem se destacando como uma nova forma de inserção no mercado de trabalho, principalmente para os jovens. Assim, o presente estudo objetivou compreender as motivações e dificuldades vivenciadas por jovens ao longo do processo de empreender. A amostra foi composta por seis jovens empreendedores, sendo cinco mulheres e um homem. Foram aplicadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, analisadas por meio de análise de conteúdo. A análise das entrevistas resultou em categorias relacionadas com motivações, dificuldades e características dos empreendedores. As características pessoais relatadas pelos jovens empreendedores foram compatíveis com a literatura, abrangendo assumir riscos, comunicação, responsabilidade e criatividade. As categorias mais frequentes como motivações para empreender foram prestígio, influências de terceiros e familiares, necessidades e oportunidades. As dificuldades elencadas associaram-se a iniciar o projeto, adesão dos clientes, liderança, falta de planejamento e desgaste físico e mental. Por meio das categorias elencadas, nota-se que efetivar o empreendedorismo entre jovens requer ações sistemáticas por meio de políticas públicas atreladas aos campos de saúde, educação e trabalho.

Personalised medicine – best practices exchange and personal health implementation in European regions – a qualitative study concept under the Regions4PerMed (h2020) project

Personalised medicine (PM) is the adaptation of medical treatment to an individual patient. More importantly, PM offers the potential to detect disease earlier when it is easier to treat effectively. PM is beginning to overcome the limitations of traditional medicine. In PM there are many potential benefits and facilitators but also many barriers. The goals of the Regions4PerMed project are to set up the first interregional cooperation on PM, align strategies and financial instruments, and most importantly, identify primary barriers in personal medicine adoption in the health care system and systematic actions to remove as many of them as possible to create a future where PM is fully integrated into real life settings. Each key action activity will be followed by a focus group or semi-structured qualitative interview. The questions asked during the research will concern barriers and facilitators of PM implementation in the country of a subject and will concern: medical big data and electronic medical records; health technology in connected and integrated care; the health industry; facilitate the innovation flow in health care; socio-economic aspects. The qualitative study outcomes are supposed to bring more qualitative data to the discussion. They could be implemented to the daily practice of the health care system’s stakeholders through the best practices transferred to all five key strategic areas of the Regions4PerMed project.

A Review of Literature on Immigration in Developed Countries: Determinants of Employment Discrimination

Despite having endorsed civil rights and equality of all individuals, society nowadays remains segregated in many aspects. Apparently, those with unfamiliar styles (culture, communication, religion, etc.) have always been the centre of this malaise, which is getting even more serious with the recent immigrant crisis in Europe. Hence, the goal of this literature review is to gain an understanding of research into the causes of prejudice and discrimination so far. Specified in this paper are the reasons why such employment discrimination still exists, which may come down to one or more of five major factors: Ethnicity and Religion, Culture Norms and Values, Educational Level, Historical and Contemporary Issues and Organizational Environment. None alone would be solely sufficient to explain the causes; hence, this paper will attempt to connect them into one integrated model. Ethically, this paper pointed out not only the roots but also the solutions to them. Though, it is a complex issue, requiring a systematic solution, societal awareness and action. However, the paper has given details of potential future directions from household to national level that may simplify the complexity of the solutions.

Banking System Modeling by Viable System Modeling (VSM)

This paper attempts to design a viable system model for banking systems that are at the risk of losing their business because of the complexity of the business environment. The complex environment that organizations are facing is an uncertain situation in which banks and financial institutions are at the risk of losing their business. Organizational structure flexibility is required for their viability in the current situation so the VSM model proposed for the banking system. Systematic action research did at Tejarat bank as one of the major banks in Iran. The VSM model designed with Viplan methodology. The VSM model proposed for Tejarat bank. This model can be used for other banking systems. The VSM model can guarantee the viability of banking systems. Adaptability to a complex environment can be obtained via this cybernetics approach.

Vigilância Sanitária em Saúde do Trabalhador em postos revendedores flutuantes de Manaus, Amazonas

Work is a fundamental determinant of the health-disease process. The risks associated with worker’s health must be detected and analyzed so that measures must be taken to prevent them. In the Gas Stations workers are exposed to several risks, including chemical exposure, explosions, tramplings, robberies, etc. These establishments are also present on the rivers, lakes and oceans, in boats without propulsion and fixed, especially in the Amazon region, where they are responsible for supplying the vessels. These establishments, classified by the National Petroleum Agency as Floating Gas Stations (FGS), are located mainly in the Amazon region, which concentrates more than 95% (192) of all FGS in Brazil (199), locally known as Pontoes. In Manaus, territory of this study, there are 17 PRF authorized by the National Petroleum Agency. The Floating Gas Stations are very important for this region, characterized by a small extension of highways and wide river network that facilitates the displacement between the municipalities. The Automotive Gas Stations have been the subject of research and interventions on workers' health, but there are no scientific publications about the Floating Gas Stations, as well as systematic actions in these services. In addition, there are no specific rules governing the operation of the Floating Gas Stations. The method used is multi-institutional and multiprofessional research-intervention, a research-action modality used in the field of worker's health; the strategies adopted for structured data collection included a specially adapted check list and interviews with workers. The main results are the specificities of the FGS; the irregularyties found; the interviews with the workers and the measures adopted to mitigate the risks identified in these establishments. The specificities of the Pontoes are related to their aquatic location. Regarding the irregularyties, some are similar to those reported in the scientific literature available for Gas Stations on ground, and others are associated with FGS specificities. Concerning the interviews of the workers, they mainly reported situations related to work accidents; referred morbidity; subjective perception of risks and improvements in processes, conditions and work environments. The precarious processes and working conditions encountered require aditional actions, but the study carried out generated collective learning and institutional conditions for the future, aiming at greater protection and better quality of life for the Floating Gas Stations’s workers.

Health Inequalities

Health inequalities are embedded in a complex array of social, political, and economic inequalities. Responding to health inequalities will require systematic action targeting all the underlying (“upstream”) social determinants that powerfully affect health and well‐being. Systemic inequalities are a major reason for the rise of modern populism that has deeply divided polities and infected politics, perhaps nowhere more so than in the United States. Concerted action to mitigate shocking levels of inequality could be a powerful antidote to nationalist populism. A basic yet critical start to addressing health inequalities is to recognize them, which demands improving data collection and analysis. Certainly, global indicators show vast progress in reducing poverty and extending life. Yet aggregate health data mask a deeper reality: health gains have disproportionately benefited the well‐off, leaving the poor and middle‐class behind.

SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTION (S&HP) IN MANAGING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Construction objects arise during the implementation of construction projects. Participants in these projects are interested in taking systematic actions to improve the state of occupational safety and health protection. The effectiveness of these activities requires that they be carried out as part of a comprehensive system of managing the construction project implementation process.The safety management and health protection system is part of the overall project management system, which includes: organizational structure, planning, responsibility, rules of conduct, procedures, processes and resources and requires analysis of safety and health protection issues in its individual areas, phases and stages. This is primarily due to the fact that proper management is the most effective way to ensure an adequate level of safety and health protection (S&HP), desirable both due to the need to comply with legal provisions in force in construction, social expectations, and the possibility of obtaining positive economic effects by individual process participants in the scale of the entire construction project.The article proposes a theoretical model of the built undertaking that can be used to recognize the state of bioses. The model distinguishes parts, activities and areas in accordance with the logical course of the process, which was assigned to individual stages of the project. A research tool - RADAR S&HP - was developed to identify the factors affecting S&HP. To assess the condition of bioses, an analytical and mathematical model of the examined undertaking was formulated to ultimately determine the directions of preventive actions in the field of safety and health protection at individual stages, phases and areas of the construction project implementation process.

Identification of the Molecular Mechanisms of Peimine in the Treatment of Cough Using Computational Target Fishing.

Peimine (also known as verticine) is the major bioactive and characterized compound of Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus, a traditional Chinese medicine that is most frequently used to relieve a cough. Nevertheless, its molecular targets and mechanisms of action for cough are still not clear. In the present study, potential targets of peimine for cough were identified using computational target fishing combined with manual database mining. In addition, protein-protein interaction (PPI), gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using, GeneMANIA and Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) databases respectively. Finally, an interaction network of drug-targets-pathways was constructed using Cytoscape. The results identified 23 potential targets of peimine associated with cough, and suggested that MAPK1, AKT1 and PPKCB may be important targets of pemine for the treatment of cough. The functional annotations of protein targets were related to the regulation of immunological and neurological function through specific biological processes and related pathways. A visual representation of the multiple targets and pathways that form a network underlying the systematic actions of peimine was generated. In summary, peimine is predicted to exert its systemic pharmacological effects on cough by targeting a network composed of multiple proteins and pathways.

Another one bites the dust: taxonomic sampling of a key genus in phylogenomic datasets reveals more non-monophyletic groups in traditional scorpion classification

Historically, morphological characters have been used to support the monophyly, composition, and phylogenetic relationships of scorpion families. Although recent phylogenomic analyses have recovered most of these traditional higher-level relationships as non-monophyletic, certain key taxa have yet to be sampled using a phylogenomic approach. Salient among these is the monotypic genus Caraboctonus Pocock,1893, the type species of the family Caraboctonidae Kraepelin, 1905. Here, we examined the putative monophyly and phylogenetic placement of this family, sampling the library of C. keyserlingi Pocock, 1893 using high throughput transcriptomic sequencing. Our phylogenomic analyses recovered Caraboctonidae as polyphyletic due to the distant placement of the genera Caraboctonus and Hadrurus Thorell, 1876. Caraboctonus was stably recovered as the sister-group of the monotypic family Superstitioniidae Stahnke, 1940, whereas Hadrurus formed an unstable relationship with Uroctonus Thorell, 1876and Belisarius Simon, 1879. Four-cluster likelihood mapping revealed that the instability inherent to the placement of Hadrurus, Uroctonus and Belisarius was attributable to significant gene tree conflict in the internodes corresponding to their divergences. To redress the polyphyly of Caraboctonidae, the following systematic actions have been taken: (1) the family Caraboctonidae has been delimited to consist of 23 species in the genera Caraboctonus and Hadruroides Pocock, 1893; (2) Caraboctonidae, previously included in the superfamily Iuroidea Thorell, 1876 or as incertae sedis, is transferred to the superfamily Caraboctonoidea (new rank); (3) the superfamily Hadruroidea (new rank) is established and the status of Hadrurinae Stahnke, 1973 is elevated to family (Hadruridae new status) including 9 species in the genera Hadrurus and Hoffmannihadrurus Fet & Soleglad, 2004 and (4) we treat Uroctonus and Belisarius as insertae sedis with respect to superfamilial placement. Our systematic actions engender the monophyly of both Iuroidea and Caraboctonidae. Future phylogenomic investigations should target similar taxon-poor and understudied lineages of potential phylogenetic significance, which are anticipated to reveal additional non-monophyletic groups.

Анализ и оценка эффективности управления рисками в авиационной деятельности

Innovative technologies of risk management in aviation activities are considered. The purpose of the research is determined by the need to form a qualitatively new approach related to the creation of a risk management system that allows the active use of modern digital technologies. Risk analysis includes procedures for identifying risk factors and assessing their significance. Risk management plays a particularly important role in aviation activities and requires a consistent and systematic process of objective analysis and assessment using reactive and proactive methods and techniques. It is shown that risk management is a structured approach and systematic actions aimed at achieving a balance between identified and assessed risk, as well as practical risk reduction. Two main elements should be considered in the process of risk research: hazard identification, i.e. identification of undesirable or adverse events, and analysis of the causes that cause these events and may cause harm. The article describes a conceptual approach to risk management in aviation activities, which is the basis for implementing the principles of operational management of the air transport security system, and provides recommendations for the analysis and assessment of risk events. To improve the effectiveness of the security management process, indicators are defined and a methodology for risk assessment and management is proposed.

Developing Action Plans in Youth Photovoice to Address Community-Level HIV Risk in Rural Malawi.

Youth-driven approaches to HIV prevention can engage youth and improve health outcomes. Photovoice has been used to engage youth in identifying the assets and challenges in their communities. In sub-Saharan Africa, youth remain vulnerable to HIV infection. This article describes a photovoice project, named Youth Photovoice, conducted in rural Malawi, which focused on community places and situations relating to risky sexual behaviors that place youth at risk of HIV infection. Twenty-four youth, ages 13–17 (12 males and 12 females), participated in Youth Photovoice. During the photovoice process, youth identified five community situations and places that put them at risk of unsafe sex and thus HIV infection: initiation ceremonies, isolated places, community celebrations, local businesses such as bars and rest houses, and church-sponsored activities. Youth used a systematic action planning process to develop action plans. They presented their action plans to local leaders and parents. Parents and leaders responded positively and agreed to help the youth carry out their plans. If their plans to address community situations that put them at risk of unsafe sex succeed, there will be a direct impact on reducing the risk of HIV infection among youth. Youth Photovoice provided the opportunity for youth to obtain new skills, build new partnerships, and present their ideas to community leaders. Integrating this action planning process into photovoice helped to guide the youth toward actualizing their HIV prevention plans in their community. This process can increase the effectiveness of photovoice initiatives to address other community issues in a wide variety of settings.

ЕЛЕКТРОННИЙ СУД ЯК АДМІНІСТРАТИВНО-ПРАВОВА КАТЕГОРІЯ

The purpose of the article is to define the content and determine the essence of e-court as a legal and administrative category based on the analysis of the current domestic legislation, international normative legal acts and lawyers’ opinions. Methods. The validity of theoretical provisions and recommendations for further research, as well as the reliability of the results are ensured by the use of a set of philosophical, general and special research methods. The dialectical method of scientific cognition is used as the main general research method. Formal legal and systemic structural methods are applied for studying normative legal acts regulating e-court functioning. Logical semantic method is used when formulating definition constructions. Results. It is noted that for the successful implementation of Electronic court project it is important not only to adopt relevant regulations and organizational measures, but also to develop a scientific concept within the science of administrative law. The content of the category has not got a legal definition in domestic law yet, although it has been legally formalized. The authors express the opinion that domestic legislation requires the concept formulation and consolidation at the legislative level – within the Law of Ukraine on the Judiciary and the Status of Judges. The importance of developing and adopting a separate law on distance e-justice is emphasized. It is highlighted that further introduction of e-court in Ukraine involves systematic actions. They are technical and information support of courts; development of measures and systems to ensure information security; legal regulation of responsibility in case of violations; measures to prevent cybercrime; court staff trainings; educational campaign among population, monitoring of the system effectiveness and its constant modernization, etc. All the above allows considering e-court as an administrative and legal category. Conclusions. As a result of the analysis, the authors suggest forming the awareness that e-court, as a legal and administrative category, is a component of e-government, a relatively independent and unique form of judicial administration and legal process based on information technology that provides a full cycle of documentation flow and litigation in an electronic format and has genuinely legal nature.

THE ROLE OF SCHOOL IN PEER VIOLENCE PREVENTION

School plays a large role, but also has a big responsibility, when it comes to peer violence, through systematic action through prevention and intervention. The paper presents the results of a survey that examined the opinion of young students in primary school about preventive activities conducted with students, as well as the analyzes of elementary school prevention programs against violence. The sample consisted of 12 primary and secondary schools in the Zlatibor district and 342 third- and fourth-grade students. The results show that students are able to recognize the role of bullies and victims of violence and that they believe that bullies can change their behaviour in a positive way. The students stated that they would feel sad, helpless and humiliated in a situation of violence. In such situations, students would first turn to the teacher. Rules of conduct were adopted in the classes of the students surveyed. The students also report that sometimes issues of violence and conflict are discussed in departmental classes and that school-level activities such as workshops or lectures on violence are not implemented very often. Schools have programs for prevention of violence, but there is a lack of systematic, differentiated work and lack of planning for monitoring and evaluating the effects of the programs, which is an indicator of the quality of their implementation

Legal Levers for Health Equity in Housing: A Systems Approach

This report is the second in a series of reports exploring the role of law in housing equity and innovative uses of law to improve health equity through housing. The reports are based on extensive literature scans and semi-structured interviews with people who are taking action in housing policy and practice. The full series includes: Report I: A Vision of Health Equity in Housing; Report II: Legal Levers for Health Equity in Housing: A Systems Approach; Report III: Health Equity in Housing: Evidence and Evidence Gaps; Report IV: Creative People and Places Building Health Equity in Housing; Report V: Governing Health Equity in Housing; and Report VI: Health Equity through Housing: A Blueprint for Systematic Legal Action. This report describes some of the factors that make housing in the U.S. a complex system, and establishes a model of the key legal elements, or “levers,” in that system. The model helps people from many backgrounds include law in a systematic approach to promote greater health equity in housing. Our model aims to pull together the key factors that are often separately identified and worked on, and organizes the legal levers we identified into five domains: Increasing the Supply of New Affordable Housing; Maintaining Existing Housing as Affordable, Stable, and Safe; Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing; Enhancing Economic Choice for the Poor; and Governance.

A Vision of Health Equity in Housing

This report is the first in a series of reports exploring the role of law in housing equity and innovative uses of law to improve health equity through housing. The reports are based on extensive literature scans and semi-structured interviews with people who are taking action in housing policy and practice. The full series includes: Report I: A Vision of Health Equity in Housing; Report II: Legal Levers for Health Equity in Housing: A Systems Approach; Report III: Health Equity in Housing: Evidence and Evidence Gaps; Report IV: Creative People and Places Building Health Equity in Housing; Report V: Governing Health Equity in Housing; and Report VI: Health Equity through Housing: A Blueprint for Systematic Legal Action. This report describes the strong relationship between housing, neighborhood and health, and reviews old and new evidence about health, health equity and housing to make the case for “health equity in housing” as a top goal of the movement to create a Culture of Health in America. Achieving health equity in housing means that a substantial proportion of people living in the United States will have the option to live in racially and socio-economically mixed communities where all residents benefit from safe and affordable houses, good schools, transportation, parks and recreational facilities, and economic opportunities.