Times Of Crisis Research Articles

The Politics of French History in Times of Crisis

A roundtable discussion following the Western Society for French History online event, "The Politics of French History in Times of Crisis" that took place on October 21st, 2023, with an introduction from moderator Sarah Horowitz (W & L University). In this written exchange, Jacqueline Couti (Rice University), Corinne Gressang (Slippery Rock University), Terry Peterson (Florida International University), and K. Ringelberg (Elon University) discuss their experiences with external pressures on their teaching and research, and how they have struggled to support students and colleagues of color and/or who belong to the LGBTQ+ community in a time when academia is facing renewed threats of censorship and political interference.

Provision of supportive care by an NGO in the face of a dual challenge: cancer and wartime

Abstract Purpose In this study, we explored the work of Halasartan (Stop Cancer), an Israeli nongovernmental organization (NGO) and unique social support network for cancer patients and survivors aged 18–44, during a war period. Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, we examined whether self-efficacy, social support, psychological distress, and participation in activities that were geared toward alleviating the war situation at Time 1 (T1) would predict engagement in such activities at Time 2 (T2). Methods A longitudinal design with two time-points was used, and NGO members completed self-report questionnaires. At T1, the cohort comprised 250 members (cancer patients/ survivors); at T2, there were 213. However, only 90 NGO members completed the questionnaires at both time-points. Results A significant reduction in psychological distress was observed over time among participants engaged in the NGO’s activities, but no differences were observed in participants’ self-efficacy or social support. Moreover, participation in NGO activities during wartime at T2 was predicted by biological sex (female), lower self-efficacy, and participation in NGO activities at T1. Conclusion Halasartan (Stop Cancer) played a pivotal role in offering a sense of normalcy, community, and support to young-adult cancer patients and survivors during a period of war. The study underscores the essential nature of NGO activities tailored to the unique needs of this demographic, particularly in times of crisis. A broader implementation of such supportive interventions to enhance the well-being of vulnerable populations is suggested.

Responding to the ongoing pandemic-related challenges of individuals with brain injury through the perspective of community-service in Canada: A qualitative study.

To investigate brain injury (BI) associations' perspectives regarding the impacts of the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with BI and BI associations services across Canada. This qualitative descriptive study included 26 representatives of Canadian BI associations that participated in six online focus groups to discuss the effects of the second year of the pandemic on clients living with BI and on the provision of community services. Findings revealed three main themes: 1) ongoing pandemic-related challenges faced by clients living with BI, including worsening mental health and basic needs insecurities, difficulties faced by clients in adhering to safety measures, and ongoing technological issues; 2) ongoing adaptations to accommodate clients' needs, including offering tailored services, ensuring consistent and transparent safety measures, and providing hybrid services; and 3) developing a sustainable 'new normal' aligned with association mandates and resources by expanding networks and building resilience. The unfolding of the pandemic has brought increased challenges for people with BI and reinforced the need for adapted, clear, and accessible public health information to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations in times of crisis. It is essential to bolster community-based associations that provide direct care to people with BI.

The space of immigrant discourse in the European press

In this article we offer a new analysis of two never previously combined datasets on press coverage of the “refugee crisis” in Europe in 2015. Consisting of twenty-nine newspapers from eleven countries, the data provides an unprecedented sample of the European press in the time of crisis. Using forty-six characteristics of frames, agents, aids and protective measures mentioned in the articles, we demonstrate an innovative analytic approach, where multiple correspondence analysis is used to construct and explore main differences in an European statistical space of articles (N=1674) and a sevenfold statistical typology of stories concerning the crisis. The findings indicate that while national and regional differences in the coverage are salient in explaining the balance of humanitarian or securitisation attitudes, it is the intra-national differences that emerge as particularly significant, revealing rich complexity of texts and contexts. Analysing the structuration of stories as space of press coverage allows us to move beyond isolated variables and look at how individual articles are more divided in their fundamental narratives.

Early Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Benefits Recipients

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted employment, housing, and food security for low-income public benefits recipients. The present study seeks to understand public recipients’ self-reported critical and ongoing needs at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses logistic regression to analyze survey data gathered on 10,089 public benefits recipients in the early stage of the pandemic to better understand their self-reported critical and ongoing needs. We also explored variations in need among different racial/ethnic groups and public benefits receipt status. Our research found that respondents from most racial/ethnic minority groups indicated a significant need for food, housing, and back-rent, with variation among different racial/ethnic groups in expressing specific needs for finding employment and help with applying for public benefits. Our findings also identify SNAP/CalFresh recipients as a particularly vulnerable group, and they were more likely to need help with food insecurity, finding employment, applying for public benefits, and paying backrent. While numerous federal, state, and local programs and initiatives were created to address widespread need, this study identifies potential gaps in these efforts and increases understanding of how to target aid for low-income populations in times of crisis.

‘Col Fumetto Posso Fare Di Tutto’. Life Narratives and the Italian Graphic Novel

ABSTRACT While comics studies are now a fully recognised field within academic debate in the humanities, it wasn’t until around ten years ago, when the medium really began to flourish, that they began to be accepted as an object of study in universities and research centres, including the field of Italian studies. This collective volume brings together an international group of scholars who were invited to reflect on one of the most fruitful genres in the Italian graphic novel: life narratives. This vitality is not surprising: at a time of socio-political crisis and instability, such as the one Italy is currently experiencing, the possibility to narrate and/or represent real-life experience, whether openly or metaphorically, stands out as a powerful tool for intellectuals and artists to analyse socially relevant questions of the day and, possibly, take a stance on these issues. Cutting across genres, editorial formats, targets, and markets, graphic novels closely mirror the historical complexity of their times, problematising issues and negotiating pressing questions of our social reality.

The devil‐angel shift in times of crisis: How Swiss scientists used policy narratives during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractThis paper studies how scientists participated in policy debates during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Switzerland not only by telling facts but also by telling stories. It combines insights from Narrative Policy Framework and science communication literature with a conceptualization of scientific advice to study how scientists used narratives and the devil‐angel shift narrative strategy to communicate about policies and problems. Quantitative content analysis of Swiss newspaper articles shows that in statements with problem advice scientists use more narratives than in statements with policy advice and that the devil‐angel shift score for problem advice is significantly lower for narratives with problem advice. Overall, the research shows that problem advice is a good predictor for the use of the devil shift. However, when scientists used narratives with policy advice, they often followed a negative narrative strategy that also highlights problems.

"I'm always fighting the Coronavirus because it's dangerous to my family": Children's agency, resilience, and role in the family during COVID-19 in Israel.

This study explores the experiences of Israeli children (N = 50) aged 3-6 years from middle to high socioeconomic status on the COVID-19 pandemic from their own perspectives. Following a qualitative-phenomenological paradigm and utilizing a semistructured interview format designed to involve children through a card game, this research seeks to unearth the nuanced dynamics of parent-child communication against the backdrop of Israel's distinctive sociopolitical context, characterized by "deep securitization" and some of the strictest COVID-19 restrictions enforced globally. Based on the interviews conducted with children, four main themes emerged: (1) how children were exposed to information; (2) types of information children were exposed to; (3) active mediation versus restrictive mediation; and (4) militant discourse and desire to fight. Incorporating multisystem theory (Masten & Narayan, 2012) to explore the interplay of risk and protective factors, the study situates these within Israel's unique sociopolitical context which engendered expressions of resilience and agency among young children. By highlighting the interrelationships between national security measures and family life, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex factors that affected young children's experiences during the pandemic, highlighting the workings of the transformation of adversity into resilience within contextually specific settings during times of crises. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Creating Industrial Ecosystems as a Tool for Anti-Crisis Management

In the current economic climate, the Russian industrial sector needs significant structural reform to facilitate its transition to a new, more advanced technological level. To achieve this goal, it is recommended to introduce new management tools, one of which is the establishment of industrial ecosystems.The purpose of the article is to prove that industrial ecosystems have a positive effect on the sustainable development of the Russian economy, especially during economic crises.The subject of the study includes industrial ecosystems as a crucial tool for managing economic crises. It also explores the historical context of industrial collaboration and the formation of clusters during economic downturns. This paper explores two industries that have been significantly affected by recent economic crises: pharmaceutical and automobile manufacturing. It is shown that during times of crisis, some industries develop characteristics similar to ecosystems. The authors propose a method for analysing and evaluating the performance of industrial ecosystems.The theoretical and practical significance of the study of this study lies in identifying the key factors that contribute to the development of effective industrial ecosystems. Furthermore, it aims to develop a trustworthy tool for evaluating their influence on socio-economic processes. The establishment of industrial symbioses is seen not only as a way to overcome economic crises but also as the foundation for the strategic long-term development of the Russian economy.

Coping with Supply-chain Shocks: Learning from Organization’s Response in Times of Crisis

Coping with Supply-chain Shocks: Learning from Organization’s Response in Times of Crisis

Sensemaking View on Servant Leadership in Crisis Discourse

This study is based on leadership in crisis time - a panel discussion after 62 leaders’ discussions in various workshops. Analysing the data through the sensemaking typology for organisations - using sensemaking typology (Sandberg & Tsoukas 2020) and coming up with servant leadership theory offers a fresh and welcomed view in servant leadership study - revealed how servant leadership and especially the readiness to shift in sensemaking helped to overcome the crisis. The leaders used the four typologies: immanent, involved-deliberate, detached-deliberate, and representational sensemaking in various ways for a servant purpose. For example, seeing the personnel with new eyes and allowing them to act freshly, lowering barriers, and bringing others’ potentiality to use helped to tolerate crisis. To demonstrate, leaders with detached-deliberate sensemaking found a new direction and valued co-work whereas when acting with the immanent sensemaking they held on to routines and kept the focus on the basic task. In brief, the servant-first attitude was emphasized for the leadership to be willing to set oneself in use as well as create an atmosphere where others can work on their best and emerge from others capabilities for them to serve the common good.

Profiles of goal adjustment capacities are differentially associated with perfectionism, excellencism, and psychological adjustment of students in a time of crisis

ABSTRACT Students had to adjust their goals during the sudden shift to online teaching amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This study with 613 university students identified four multidimensional profiles based on how they relied on goal disengagement, reengagement, and perseverative engagement (a new dimension of goal adjustment capacities). Students who disengaged from goals, reengaged in new ones, and were less likely to dwell on their former goals (goal reengagement profile) experienced less stress and burnout and more growth experiences. Students who reengaged less in goals (goal entrapment profile) and those who reengaged but dwelled on their former goals (action crisis profile) experienced worse psychological outcomes. Perfectionists were more likely than excellence strivers to be part of an action crisis goal adjustment profile.

Factors Influencing Hotel Revenue Management in Times of Crisis: Towards Financial Sustainability

(1) Background: Facing the challenges of a post-pandemic period and the Ukraine War and recognising the gap in scientific research on the application of revenue management (RM) in the Portuguese hotel industry, the main objective of this study is to identify the most effective and least appropriate RM practices for use in periods of low demand and crises, reflecting the financial sustainability perspective. The theoretical framework of this study focuses on the main RM practices, grouping them into price and non-price strategies. (2) Methods: A quantitative methodology was employed, collecting information from Portuguese hotels through an online questionnaire, and statistical analysis using Mann–Whitney and Chi-square tests was conducted. (3) Results: Hotels offered discounts during the pandemic, but room rates were reduced during the recovery period. These findings also revealed that commonly used techniques were the best available rate (BAR) and rate fences, particularly during the pandemic. Quality, brand image, strategic partnerships, and marketing actions are recognised as essential. However, loyalty programs, length of stay (LOS) control, rate parity, and bundled services are not commonly implemented despite their importance during periods of low demand. Larger hotels, five-star hotels, and members of international chains applied more RM practices than smaller four-star independent hotels. (4) Originality: This study provides original and valuable insights into increasing hotel revenues and occupancy rates during future periods of low demand, which benefit financial sustainability.

Murder in a time of crisis: a qualitative exploration of the 2020 homicide spike through offender interviews

ABSTRACT This study investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest following George Floyd’s murder influenced the 2020 homicide surge, focusing on individuals already at high risk for violence. Based on life history interviews with 18 people convicted of homicide in Minnesota, the research explores how the disruptions of 2020 intensified pre-existing vulnerabilities, accelerating pathways to lethal violence. Participants reported that the breakdown of social order, loss of routine, and economic instability created conditions that rapidly escalated violence within their lives and communities. This qualitative analysis complements existing quantitative research by offering a detailed account of the micro-level experiences behind the homicide spike, revealing how large-scale societal disruptions can shape individual trajectories toward serious violence. Findings underscore the need for policies that address structural inequalities and ensure continuity of social supports and mental health services during periods of widespread upheaval to prevent future escalations in violence.

Depression, anxiety, and help-seeking among Slovenian postsecondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has faced students with many challenges, contributing to their mental distress. This article explores the role of demographic characteristics, psychological status, year of study, and social support during the COVID-19 pandemic in explaining Slovenian university students’ mental health problems and help-seeking behavior.MethodsIn February and March 2021, data were collected on 5,234 full-time Slovenian postsecondary students who were enrolled in public and concessionary independent higher education institutions. Participants completed a questionnaire, which included The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7), Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3), and items measuring psychological status, help-seeking behavior and demographics. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and hypothesis testing for differences.ResultsFactors, such as gender, age, psychological status and social support, contributed to experiencing anxiety and depression among Slovenian students during the COVID-19 pandemic, with year of study additionally contributing to experiencing depression. Similarly, gender, age, psychological status and social support contributed to help-seeking behavior. Higher levels of depression and anxiety were reported by female students, students with prior mental disorders, and students with lower social support levels. Female students and students with lower social support levels reported more frequent help-seeking behaviors.ConclusionThe results provide insight into the mental state of the Slovenian student population in the context of imposed public health measures at the end of the second COVID-19 wave in Slovenia. The findings can help identify vulnerable groups within the student population to whom we must be particularly attentive in times of crisis.

I have seen this before: imprinting experiences and Bank CEO risk-taking in times of crisis

Abstract Understanding the causes and consequences of corporate risk-taking has remained a crucial topic for organizational scholars. Using the case of U.S. banks and one dimension of their risk-taking behavior around the 2008 financial crisis, we offer a theory of how the diverse experiences of corporate leaders can shape their risk-taking behavior. Building on the imprinting literature, we theorize how different types of experiences that bank CEOs had in the past interact to shape current risk-taking behavior, resulting in risk moderation under crisis conditions. We focus on two imprinting experiences with particular relevance for bank CEOs’ risk-taking behavior—MBA education and past crisis experience. We argue that the latter played a pronounced role during the crisis because of greater imprint-environment fit. Our analysis using data from 170 large banks between 2001 and 2019 shows that bank CEOs’ firsthand experience of a prior banking crisis not only directly tempered bank risk-taking but also did so indirectly by limiting the risk-taking tendencies of CEOs with an MBA, particularly during the crisis period. Our study contributes to the sociological literature about organizational risk-taking by emphasizing the crucial role of organizational leaders’ biographies and exploring how earlier institutional conditions shape their risk-taking behavior later.

Governance and Leadership in Enhancing SME Resilience in Ghana: A Systematic Literature Review

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are especially susceptible to pandemics. Consequently, resilience and adaptability to shocks from pandemics like COVID-19 are crucial. Nonetheless, although SMEs have strategies to cope with these, there is still a dearth of research on the nature and effectiveness of these coping strategies. Thus, it remains unclear how leadership and governance frameworks reduce SMEs’ vulnerability and increase their resilience to pandemic risk. This academic article provides a systematic literature review on the role of governance and leadership in enhancing the resilience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. The review explores existing literature on SME resilience, environmental uncertainty, and the impact of governance frameworks. The article also focuses on how leadership practices in the Ghanaian context contribute to building SME resilience in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analysis revealed that there are opportunities for SMEs to adopt better governance and leadership practices that foster long-term resilience. Governance practices, such as formal structures, board diversity, and leadership, enable SMEs to respond to crises and navigate challenging situations. Moreover, leadership styles that prioritize governance procedures, especially transformational leadership, empower SMEs to maintain agility and innovation, thereby securing their survival and growth in a rapidly evolving environment. The review highlights the need for stronger governance frameworks and leadership development programs that equip SME owner-managers with the tools to navigate environmental uncertainties.

Tilly versus Milward: Experimental Evidence of Public Preferences for European Defense Amidst the Russian Threat

AbstractFollowing the “bellicist” school of state formation, the external threat of war is expected to spur polity formation by centralizing military capacity (Tilly, in Coercion, Capital, and European States, Oxford, Basil Blackwell, 1990). It has been argued that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could provide such an impetus for centralization in the EU polity (Kelemen & McNamara, Comparative Political Studies, 55(6):18–34, 2022). We adapt the Tillian argument to the era of mass democracy, where governments need citizen support. Public support is crucial because it can constrain governments in times of crisis, especially regarding salient policies. We do not yet understand what degree of centralization the European public supports and under which conditions it can increase. We conduct an experiment where we vary both the Russian (escalation from presence in Ukraine to the invasion of Moldova or Lithuania) and the American responses (continuation of support vs. withdrawal) and see how European preferences vary for polity building in defense. We field our experiment in 7 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Finland, Poland, and Hungary) with different sensitivities and exposures to the war in Ukraine. We propose an alternative argument to the Tillian approach based on the seminal Milwardian argument according to which polity coordination of national capacities is preferred (Milward, in The European Rescue of the Nation State, University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1992). We show theoretically and empirically that external threats can actually hamper polity centralization, at least in the short term. Rather, they strengthen the subunits of a polity through coordination.

Socioeconomic status and adherence to COVID-19 preventative measures in Australia: A national cohort study.

The uptake of recommended preventative measures is a critical concern for protecting the public against COVID-19 outbreaks and future pandemics. However, it is unclear to what extent COVID-19 preventative measures were followed in Australia. This study aims to determine adherence level to COVID-19 preventative measures in 2021, and whether these were associated with socioeconomic status (SES). This was a national cross-sectional study using data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. This study included 15 457 community-dwelling adults (18 years or older) who participated in the 2021 wave of HILDA survey. SES was assessed by the Socio-Economic Index For Areas (SEIFA) score, split into quintiles. Outcomes included self-reported adherence to COVID-19 preventative measures (mask wearing, keeping distance, staying home; sum score range 3-15) and COVID-19 status (yes/no). Linear and logistic regression were used accordingly to assess the association between SES and the sum score of adherence to COVID-19 measures, and COVID-19 vaccination status. Adherence to COVID-19 preventative measures and uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in Australia in 2021 were moderate (between 60% and 70%). Regression models showed higher SES was associated with a slightly higher score of adherence (β = .08, 95% CI = .04-.12) and a higher likelihood of self-reporting receiving COVID-19 vaccination (OR 1.27, 95% CI = 1.23-1.31). SES was positively associated with the level of adherence to COVID-19 preventative measures and the probability of receiving COVID-19 vaccine. The findings of this study highlight the potential benefits of considering SES, particularly its impact on equity and access, when designing an educational program or awareness campaign in times of crisis. SO WHAT?: The findings of this study highlight the importance of considering SES when designing an educational program or an awareness campaign in times of crisis.

Children and young people's access to food, education, play and leisure in times of crisis: An international, integrative review of policy responses, impacts and adaptations during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic led to an unprecedented global moment when the core needs of children and young people (rights for education, food, play and leisure) were not adequately addressed, recognised from a policy perspective and to varying extents, ignored. This paper, by bringing scholarship and grey literature together, provides an integrative, international, comprehensive review and analysis of how the pandemic affected children's core needs (and rights) simultaneously. It also reviews and compares adaptations—often local, informal and/or community‐led—that attempted to respond to the shortcomings and negative impacts of more formal policy measures, including lockdowns themselves. By doing so, it engages with the question of resilience and calls for children and young people's needs and voices to be heard in the future, particularly considering future forms of crisis‐preparedness that can better account for children and young people's needs.