Times Of Crisis Research Articles

Calling for eco-peace: reimagining interconnected peace education

ABSTRACT In this critical co-constructed auto-ethnographic article we draw on research from two contexts, exploring how critical peace education can be more than palliative care in times of ecological collapse and profound crises across ecosystems. Examining the current crises of learning, living and being, we call for eco-peace-based education: grounded in interconnectedness and interdependence, as a way to transgress unsustainable violences on personal, interpersonal, and ecological levels. We focus on three main arguments that extend learning about nature, to learning with and in nature, towards regenerative approaches of learning, living, and being. Firstly, to move beyond the self-centered (ego) towards interconnected and Earth-centered (eco) epistemologies. Secondly, we explore concrete examples of alternative schools that learn from, in and with nature through fostering innate care between students and Earth (in our own contexts, India and Germany). Thirdly, we reimagine possible futures of eco-peace-based approaches, and argue for a shift towards more peaceful and interconnected futures by integrating eco-peace principles, content and pedagogies into current education systems.

Intermediaries in local schooling landscapes: policy enactment and partnership building during times of crisis

ABSTRACT Despite the expansion of New Public Management reforms across the globe and complimentary trends of disintermediation, performance and privatisation, local government authorities in England continue to shape local schooling landscapes. In this paper, we document the role of a local government authority in England in an initiative called ‘Building On’, directed at supporting teachers in the first year of compulsory school to develop and transform their pedagogical practices in response to and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on evidence generated from interviews, observations and documentary analysis, we demonstrate that local government personnel performed two important and potentially decisive roles within this initiative: first, as interpreters and translators of policy; and second, as brokers of partnerships and collaborative exchanges. We then illustrate, using the analytic of policy enactment, the contextual dimensions underpinning the role performed by local government personnel within the initiative.

Engaging communities as partners in health crisis response: a realist-informed scoping review for research and policy

BackgroundHealth is increasingly affected by multiple types of crises. Community engagement is recognised as being a critical element in successful crisis response, and a number of conceptual frameworks and global guideline documents have been produced. However, little is known about the usefulness of such documents and whether they contain sufficient information to guide effective community engagement in crisis response. We undertake a scoping review to examine the usefulness of conceptual literature and official guidelines on community engagement in crisis response using a realist-informed analysis [exploring contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes(CMOs)]. Specifically, we assess the extent to which sufficient detail is provided on specific health crisis contexts, the range of mechanisms (actions) that are developed and employed to engage communities in crisis response and the outcomes achieved. We also consider the extent of analysis of interactions between the mechanisms and contexts which can explain whether successful outcomes are achieved or not.Scope and findingsWe retained 30 documents from a total of 10,780 initially identified. Our analysis found that available evidence on context, mechanism and outcomes on community engagement in crisis response, or some of their elements, was promising, but few documents provided details on all three and even fewer were able to show evidence of the interactions between these categories, thus leaving gaps in understanding how to successfully engage communities in crisis response to secure impactful outcomes. There is evidence that involving community members in all the steps of response increases community resilience and helps to build trust. Consistent communication with the communities in time of crisis is the key for effective responses and helps to improve health indicators by avoiding preventable deaths.ConclusionsOur analysis confirms the complexity of successful community engagement and the need for strategies that help to deal with this complexity to achieve good health outcomes. Further primary research is needed to answer questions of how and why specific mechanisms, in particular contexts, can lead to positive outcomes, including what works and what does not work and how to measure these processes.

The implications of COVID-19 on ESG performance and financial reporting quality in Egypt

Purpose This examine the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance on financial reporting quality (FRQ) before and during COVID-19 in the Egyptian market. Design/methodology/approach This study uses quarterly data from 2017 to 2021 to draw conclusions, with a sample consisting of 486 firm-year observations for 27 Egyptian companies listed on the Standard and Poor’s/Egyptian Stock Exchange ESG index. This study uses both firms’ ESG scores and the Beneish Model, an earnings detection model, as proxies for FRQ. COVID-19 effects on ESG performance and FRQ were examined by using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and two-stage least squares. Findings COVID-19 has a significant impact on the link between ESG and FRQ. This implies that corporations with high ESG performance are less likely to manipulate earnings (having a low M-score) and thus provide high FRQ during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, there is a significant positive relationship between firm size, leverage and M-Score, indicating that large firms typically present a high FRQ. Research limitations/implications The sample size and data availability are the main research limitations. Additionally, this study only considers the effects of firms’ ESG performance on FRQ during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, future research should consider other factors associated with investors’ corporate social responsibility (CSR). Practical implications This research has practical implications for market regulators seeking to establish a legislative framework and enhance guidance to mandate managers to provide ESG data and CSR reports appropriate for Egypt and other developing economies in times of crisis. Social implications Promoting the adoption of ESG practices in business, particularly during crises, has the potential to effectively provide high-quality and reliable financial reporting required for investment. Originality/value This study aspires to address notable deficiencies in the pertinent literature concerning the relationship between ESG performance and FRQ during COVID-19. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, little is known about how ESG performance changes in response to pandemics in emerging markets. To address this gap, this study examines the effects of COVID-19 on the relationship between ESG performance and FRQ in Egyptian-listed firms from 2017 to 2021.

From isolation to revival: trade recovery amid global health crises

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of designing effective trade recovery measures in response to global health events (GHEs). This study combines international trade risk management theory and multi-case comparative analysis of past GHEs to present a theoretical framework for designing national trade recovery measures for future events.ResultsThe research finds that during GHEs, trade risks shift to fundamental uncertainty, requiring spatial–temporal-subject dimension recovery measures. The study suggests changing the focus of trade recovery policy design from emergency-oriented and single-dimension measures to reserve-oriented and enduring-effect measures of comprehensive dimensions at micro- and macroeconomic levels.ConclusionThe study contributes to the debate on managing trade risks in times of crisis, where there is a need to develop effective trade recovery measures that account for the complexities of global trade and the unique challenges of GHEs. The findings provide practical guidance for trade officials and policymakers to design measures in response to GHEs to improve a country’s overall trade recovery.

How Digital Platforms Promote Roles of Nonprofit Human Service Organizations During the COVID-19 in China

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic compelled nonprofit human service organizations (NPHS) to rapidly adapt to heightened service demands while prioritizing the well-being of their staff and volunteers. Although digital platforms hold promise in facilitating NPHS adaptation, little is known about their impact during the crisis. How and through what pathways do digital platforms help NPHS adapt their service roles in times of crisis? Did digital platforms with different types of sponsorship vary in the way they affect NPHS’s roles? Our study, based on 94 interviews in China, reveals that digital platforms assisted NPHS through three pathways: reducing transaction costs in stakeholder engagement, mitigating information asymmetry in targeting service recipients, and promoting shared responsibility for volunteer participation. Different sponsorship types influenced these pathways: government-sponsored platforms enhanced legitimacy, business-sponsored platforms leveraged private resources, and nonprofit-sponsored platforms bolstered citizen trust. This research informs scholars and practitioners on understanding how NPHS remained agile and innovative while facing extraordinary external challenges.

Three Sociologists as National Leaders: Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jože Pučnik and Bernardo Arévalo

AbstractFernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil and Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala are PhD sociologists who served as presidents of their countries. Jože Pučnik of Slovenia, also a PhD sociologist, was a leading but defeated candidate in his country’s first post-communist presidential election. This paper explores the relationship between their sociological work and their political careers. Cardoso’s work was interdisciplinary and focused on historical conjunctures. He was very widely cited in scholarly publications. Pučnik was concerned with overcoming fundamentalist megaliths and uniting theory and practice. He had difficulty communicating the relationship between his sociology and his political leadership. Arévalo wrote a dissertation in the historical sociology of Guatemalan militarism, and also pursued an applied sociological career in conflict resolution. Sociological leadership may be enhanced by using middle-range theories tuned to current situations, especially at times of crisis, and by advocating timely and feasible solutions.

Sentry of the Cyberspace during Covid-19 Pandemic: Experiences of Philippine National Police Cyber Cops

This study aimed to explore the life experiences of cyber cops as sentries in cyberspace during the COVID-19 pandemic in RACU 7. Specifically, this sought to answer the following specific problems: experiences of the informants as cyber cops during the COVID-19 pandemic, coping with the challenges they encountered, and how they tried to solve the situation and aspirations of the informants to improve quality service. The phenomenological and qualitative approach in this study was utilized through interviews as the critical process in gathering data. There were ten (10) selected police officers with a cyber cop badge. They were chosen randomly, but they met the minimum qualifications. The research location is at Cebu PPO Compound, Cebu City, where RACU 7 holds the office. A validated interview guide aided by the voice recorder to transcribe the informants' responses was used. Utilization of Colaizzi's method, a phenomenological analysis procedure, was used to analyze the responses of the informants during the interview. Results revealed that in the informants' experiences as cyber cops during the COVID-19 pandemic, the themes generated were Performing Duties Amidst the Pandemic, Maintaining a Good Image, and Encountering Insufficiency of Personnel and Supplies. In coping with the challenges encountered and how they try to solve the situation, the following themes were created: Expanding Cyber Cops Strategies and Having the Cyber Cops Initiative. For the aspirations of the informants, themes identified were the adaptation of advanced technology and the expansion of organizational support. It was recommended that PNP-ACG design a program that would address issues in times of crisis like the pandemic and extend services prospective complainants could easily access. Moreover, the PNP organization should produce more well-trained cyber cops.

Healthcare Leadership in Times of Crisis

Leadership is never more important than during a time of crisis, as healthcare organizations everywhere learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article defines crisis as it applies to healthcare leadership and suggests the various kinds of crises healthcare organizations may face in the future. It explores the psychology of crisis leadership—specifically, what it means for a leader to hold and contain during a crisis. It also explains the difference between crisis leadership and crisis management, and how the two work together. This article then offers healthcare administrators, leaders, and managers 25 practical strategies they can use to prepare for and lead through a crisis. Among these strategies are bounded optimism, circular vision, and leading by example. Finally, this article describes four key behaviors that will help leaders manage a crisis, and suggests what leaders need to do once a crisis is under control or over.

Resident perspectives on the impact of program leadership communication on well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a myriad of changes that negatively impacted resident physicians’ well-being. Communication from program leadership may mitigate resident stress during times of crisis, yet literature supporting this premise is scant, and best communication practices remain uncertain. This qualitative study aimed to identify stressors to residents and explore the influence of residency program leadership’s communication on emotional stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Informed by Kotter’s 8-step management model to support resident well-being, this qualitative study used grounded theory methods to interview 25 residents from three training programs (Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Medicine-Pediatrics) on a single academic medical campus from May-September 2020. Four investigators coded the data using the constant comparative analysis. Sampling continued until reaching thematic saturation. Codes were built using an iterative approach and organized into themes. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus discussion among investigators. Results Residents described increased stress levels, the all-consuming nature of COVID-19, mixed emotions about their role as healthcare providers, new coping mechanisms, and changes to their education and work environment that impacted stress. Communication from leadership to residents during the pandemic varied. Effective communication helped mitigate stress; perceived suboptimal communication exacerbated stress. Who was communicating, methods of communication, and content of communication influenced resident stress. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new stressors and challenges to residents. The perception of leadership communication played a critical role in mitigating or exacerbating resident stress. We propose a communication framework (“Who? What? Where? When? How?”) that residency leadership can utilize during times of crisis.

From e-service quality to behavioral intention to use e-fitness services post COVID-19 lockdown: when a crisis changes the social mindset

Lockdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic forced fitness centers to quickly adapt their entire offering to an online format. The subsequent health situation facilitated the maintenance of the online offer and has been a paradigm shift for sports centers. Success in the nowadays situation requires a proper understanding of what factors influence e-service quality and how these factors behave in relation to consumer satisfaction, attitudes toward online fitness services, and behavioral intentions. This research was conducted in April 2020, with 745 participants (492 women, 253 men) completing the Carlson and O'Cass e-service quality evaluation battery. The results showed that e-service quality during the lockdowns predicted attitudes toward the digital platforms and behavioral intentions, and e-service quality predicted attitudes and behavioral intentions. However, attitudes did not predict behavioral intentions; the possible influence of subjective norms and low perceived control in this particular situation is discussed. When offering services on digital platforms, fitness service managers must take into account the importance of the quality of the e-fitness service, but also the social context in which it is offered. Psychosocial functioning in times of crisis influences users' perceived control and their future intention to use online services.

Editorial: Policy Framing and Branding in Times of Constant Crisis

This editorial serves as an introduction to <em>Media and Communication</em>’s thematic issue Policy Framing and Branding in Times of Constant Crisis. Crises cast challenges for political actors and concurrently create opportunities for policymaking, public reflections, and political competition. In times of crisis, when it comes to communicating policymaking but also framing the crisis itself, issues close to political communication (including political marketing and political branding) become of paramount relevance. The eight articles of this issue cover a broad array of subjects, expanding the understanding of the relevance of communication when it comes to policymaking in times of crisis, through the lens of policy framing and policy branding.

Indonesia Employment in 2023: Labor Force Conditions and Policy Developments in the Early Stages of the Demographic Bonus

In 2023, amidst the complexities of a volatile global economy, Indonesia demonstrated economic resilience, propelled by its dynamic workforce. This abstract synthesizes the intricate interplay between macroeconomic forces and employment trends within Indonesia, drawing from comprehensive data analyses and policy evaluations. The report encapsulates a year marked by economic recovery despite global headwinds such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, inflation surges, and supply chain interruptions. With a predicted global growth of 3.6% by the IMF, Indonesia's economy experienced fluctuations but maintained a growth trajectory from Q2 2022 to Q2 2023. Labor force data indicates a predominance of the working-age population, signaling potential for sustained productivity and economic fortitude. The demographic composition, skewed towards a younger populace, underpins the vibrant labor market. Employment policies have been responsive to digitalization, globalization, and demographic transitions, focusing on skill development, vocational training, and job safety. Notably, vocational training for SMK graduates was prioritized to match industry requirements. Regulatory advancements aim to balance worker protections with corporate operational efficiency. Amidst COVID-19's lingering impact, policy adaptations were crucial to support workers and businesses, exemplifying Indonesia’s agility in times of crisis. The landscape of employment disputes, predominantly centered around termination, underscores the necessity for robust conflict resolution mechanisms. With 71.15% of industrial disputes tied to terminations, mediation emerged as the preferred dispute resolution strategy. Regional data unveiled disparities in job placements and complaints, spotlighting the need for equitable workforce distribution and grievance redressal mechanisms. The report concludes that Indonesia's labor policies and employment conditions are dynamically evolving, poised to sculpt a robust, inclusive, and sustainable labor market landscape.

“No Countries for Municipalities?” – Old and New Faces of Centralisation in the Time of Crisis

Public service provision and administration have been transformed by digitalisation and the application of information and communication technologies (ICT). The article will focus mainly on the impact of these changes on regulatory issues. New approaches have been developed: “soft power” issues, like regulation and standards of public service provision, and central financial tools have become new elements of centralisation reforms, and the concentration of local public services and local administration has become a new issue, especially in Northern and Western Europe. Similarly, the “platformisation” of local services can be interpreted as a new form of centralisation. A “Northern” and “Southern/Eastern” approach to centralisation can be distinguished, and these are analysed in the article.

Guest editorial: Creating business and societal value through sustainable development goals in times of crisis

Guest editorial: Creating business and societal value through sustainable development goals in times of crisis

Public perception of psychiatry, psychology and mental health professionals: a 15-year analysis

BackgroundX (previously known as “Twitter”) serves as a platform for open discussions on mental health, providing an avenue for scrutinizing public perspectives regarding psychiatry, psychology and their associated professionals.ObjectiveTo analyze the conversations happening on X about psychiatrists, psychologists, and their respective disciplines to understand how the public perception of these professionals and specialties has evolved over the last 15 years.MethodsWe collected and analyzed all tweets posted in English or Spanish between 2007 and 2023 referring to psychiatry, psychology, neurology, mental health, psychiatrist, psychologist, or neurologist using advance topic modelling and sentiment analysis.ResultsA total of 403,767 tweets were analyzed, 155,217 (38%) were in English and 248,550 (62%) in Spanish. Tweets about mental health and mental health professionals and disciplines showed a consistent volume between 2011 and 2016, followed by a gradual increase from 2016 through 2022. The proportion of tweets discussing mental health doubled from 2016 to 2022, increasing from 20% to 67% in Spanish and from 15% to 45% in English. Several differences were observed on the volume of tweets overtime depending on the language they were written. Users associated each term with varied topics, such as seeking for help and recommendation for therapy, self-help resources, medication and side effects, suicide prevention, mental health in times of crisis, among others. The number of tweets mentioning these topics increased by 5-10% from 2016 to 2022, indicating a growing interest among the population. Emotional analysis showed most of the topics were associated with fear and anger.ConclusionThe increasing trend in discussions about mental health and the related professionals and disciplines over time may signify an elevated collective awareness of mental health. Gaining insights into the topics around these matters and user’s corresponding emotions towards them presents an opportunity to combat the stigma surrounding mental health more effectively.

Media Framing of Government Crisis Communication During Covid-19

During the early phase of the Covid-19 crisis, televised speeches and press conferences were one of the preferred means of government communication. They emphasized the urgency and severity of the situation and allowed actors to lead news coverage. While in the immediate phase of the crisis these press conferences were also directed at the general public, their original function was, of course, to inform and influence media coverage. The article investigates how government press conferences were received in newspapers in the first phase of Covid-19, answering two research questions: Did a rally-around-the-flag effect occur among journalists during Covid-19? And how did government press conferences influence salience and sentiment in newspaper opinion pieces? To answer these questions, I draw on a unique dataset, including transcripts of all Covid-19 press conferences in five European countries between January and July 2020, as well as opinion pieces from tabloid and broadsheet newspapers. Based on a mix of automated and manual content analysis, the results reveal how factors such as country context, newspaper type, and the progress of a pandemic can influence how the government agenda is reflected in the media in times of crisis.

Explained – How Layoffs Affect Employees in Startup Ecosystem

Experiencing a layoff can be a challenging and overwhelming time of loss and adjustment. While some individuals may view it as an opportunity for a fresh start or a welcome relief from a demanding work environment, for others, the loss of their career can be deeply distressing. Coping mechanisms for stress and change vary among individuals, but the following paper outlines common emotional, psychological, and physical reactions. In the past, layoffs were primarily seen as a last-resort measure during times of economic recession or crisis. However, they have become more commonplace in today's business landscape, particularly in the commercial sector. Many companies have recently announced layoffs, citing the need to increase profitability as the economy recovers and job prospects improve. Unfortunately, these layoffs often do not result in the intended profitability. The dynamics are quite different within the startup ecosystem. This research paper will delve into the journey of layoffs in startups and explore their impact on employees. Layoffs can be highly stressful for both startups and their employees. The paper will examine the aftermath of layoffs on employees and provide recommendations to help them navigate this challenging situation.

Impact of public health communication for prevention and personal resilience at the time of crisis. A pilot study with psychophysiological and self-report measures.

Health communication promotes public and individual health. Psychophysiological indices can unveil the unconscious emotional variables that influence audience's representations of these communications. This study explored emotional and cognitive responses to health communications using implicit (psychophysiological) and explicit (self-report) measurements. Twelve communications (health prevention, personal health, public health, Covid-19) were shown to N = 19 participants, while psychophysiological (i.e. Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), skin conductance level and response (SCL and SCR)) and self-report (Semantic Differential and Self-Assessment Mannikin (SAM)) data were collected. Higher arousal and physiological engagement (SCL) were observed for health prevention, public and personal health communications. Lower HRV values were found for health prevention compared to crisis communication (Covid-19 stimuli), suggesting higher emotional reactions and concern for the first topic. Self-report results confirmed psychophysiological findings. Overall, using public health communication activates objective indicators about emotional reactions that have important implications for the effectiveness of the communication itself.

Ian Fleming Introduces Jamaican Plants: Gardens, Plantations, and Natural Threats in <em>Dr. No</em> and <em>The Man with the Golden Gun</em>

Ian Fleming’s Dr. No (1958) and The Man with the Golden Gun (1965) – published before and after Jamaican independence in 1962 – each connect the botanical concerns of the island of Jamaica to its colonial past. This article takes a plant humanities approach to these novels, to reveal that Fleming’s interest in Jamaican flora and fauna is inseparable from his interaction with Jamaica as a colony and his reaction to independence. Fleming’s description of Jamaica in Dr. No opens that novel, focusing on the trees and flowers from the Hope Botanical Gardens bordering the beautiful English lawns of Kingston’s wealthiest homes. The gardens at Hope were just one of the colonial botanic gardens in Jamaica established in the nineteenth century by the British government to exploit the island by improving its agricultural industries. Bond’s encounter with a basket of poisoned, glasshouse-grown tropical fruit in Dr. No is a precursor to another threat disguised by a natural product: guano, a garden fertiliser front for Dr No’s operation at Crab Key, while the scale of the threat posed by Scaramanga’s burning of sugar plantations in The Man with the Golden Gun emphasises the dependence of Jamaica’s economic security on agricultural plants. As this article will argue, Fleming’s interaction with plants demands more attention within Bond scholarship, as a way of engaging a new readership with the breadth of his work in a time of ecological crisis.