Turbulent Times Research Articles

GOOD, BETTER & THE BEST SECURITY

If the goal of an organisation is to build a culture of cyber security awareness the cyber security leadership and the security team must be approachable and engaged with the business. This may sound like a simple mission but it's not. Cyber security and IT in general suffers from a very binary ”Is it on or off?” view of the organisation. in contrast to the business which is far more nuanced in its perspectives ”on-ish, off-ish or on & off at the very same time - business is rarely 100% certain of anything - especially in these turbulent and dynamic times. The desire to demonstrate or measure security through the application of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) becomes counter intuitive to actual progress in strengthening the organisational cyber posture. The number of ”insert security metric here” does little to advance the organisation culture and awareness as the metric is likely to be meaningless outside of the narrow field of vision of the security team. If you are genuinely interested in improving or building a culture of security within your organisation it's time to spend less time measuring and more time communicating.

Situated (im)mobilities research in the mobile risk society: the dispersed management of risk of contagion in public transport

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the in-situ accomplishment of travelling together during the turbulent times of a global pandemic. It expands the literature on the Mobile Risk Society to enquire into the dispersed, situated management of risk of contagion in public transport. Particularly, it suggests combining the grand theory and epochal account for risk assumed by Beck with a Foucauldian governmentality-perspective that understands risk management as the numerous endeavours to steer and manage the conduct of passengers as well as, importantly, the passengers’ conduct of themselves. Appropriating ethnomethodological categorisation analysis, the paper analyses video footage from inside train carriages running in the north region of Denmark during the pandemic and points out the fine-grained details of passengers’ interactional negotiation and fulfilment of the train company’s risk-management strategy.

From Managerial to Organizational Dynamic Capabilities: Enabling Adaptability in Turbulent Times

From Managerial to Organizational Dynamic Capabilities: Enabling Adaptability in Turbulent Times

Turbulent Times: Living Environments in Transition

Liebe Kolleginnen, liebe Kollegen,„Bewegte Zeiten: Lebenswelten im Wandel“ lautet das das Thema der gemeinsamen Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Medizinische Psychologie (DGMP) und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Medizinische Soziologie (DGMS), die vom 20.–22. September 2023 von Prof. Dr. Renate Deinzer und ihrem Team in Gießen ausgerichtet wird.

Digital Transformation in the Public Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic and how it was impacted by Leadership: Literature Review.

Digital transformation has been slow in the public sector due to the culture and leadership of institutions. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic created a change in the attitude and confidence of leaders with regard to the adoption of digital transformation. In this article, the focus is on digital transformation in the public sector and how it was impacted by the pandemic and organisational leadership by mostly reviewing studies conducted between the years 2019 to 2022. The changes in the work environment made public institutions more digital and required new skills in order to manage the process and the organisation through these turbulent times. A new kind of leadership known as "digital leadership" was formed as a result of the e-work environment that resulted from information technology's advancement and incorporation into organizational processes.

Study of Influencing Factors on CFD Method and Separated Flow by the Virtual Static Captive Test

In this paper, Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) methods are adopted to predict the manoeuvring behaviour of the KCS benchmark model. At first instance, the model is calibrated on the basis of three factors namely (a) turbulence model, (b) grid size and (c) time step. Secondly, a Static Oblique Towing Test (OTT) that utilises the SST K-ω turbulence model with a grid number of 1.64 million and a time step of 0.01 s is conducted. The maximum difference of the lateral force between the port and starboard ship sides is observed at x/Lpp = 0.055. Finally, application of Reynold Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) and Dettached Eddy Simulation (DES) CFD models indicates that the latter may be preferable in terms of capturing the oblique flow field.

The Varying Effects of Four Components of Employee Psychological Capital on Sustainable-Business-Model Innovation in the New Normal

In view of the intensification of market uncertainty and complexity, interest in sustainable-business-model innovation (SBMI) has increased among both global companies and educational institutions in the new normal. However, although many organisations find it challenging to accomplish their sustainability goals, limited research has delved into SBMI in the post-pandemic era. To address this research gap, we adopt a unique micro-foundational approach to investigate how the four components of employees’ psychological capital (PsyCap) affect SBMI. Based on a primary survey of 430 employees of small and medium-sized Chinese enterprises using online and offline methods, we used structural equation modelling to analyse the results. We found that optimism, hope, and self-efficacy were each positively related to SBMI, with resilience moderating these positive associations. The main theoretical contribution of our study is the use of a micro-foundational approach to unravel the different effects of the four dimensions of PsyCap on SBMI, thus offering novel insights into a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of relevant issues in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic. Practically, our findings can help global managers to develop strategies to leverage the psychological resources of individuals in order to cope with firm-level innovation challenges during this turbulent time.

Effects of Bubble Plumes on Lake Dynamics, Near‐Bottom Turbulence, and Transfer of Dissolved Oxygen at the Sediment‐Water Interface

AbstractWe quantify the lake dynamics, near‐bottom turbulence, flux of dissolved oxygen (DO) across the sediment‐water interface (SWI) and their interactions during oxygenation in two lakes. Field observations show that the lake dynamics were modified by the bubble plumes, showing enhanced mixing in the near‐field of the plumes. The interaction of the bubble‐induced flow with the internal density structure resulted in downwelling of warm water into the hypolimnion in the far‐field of the plumes. Within the bottom boundary layer (BBL), both lakes show weak oscillating flows primarily induced by seiching. The vertical profile of mean velocity within 0.4 m above the bed follows a logarithmic scaling. One lake shows a larger drag coefficient than those in stationary BBLs, where the classic law‐of‐the‐wall is valid. The injection of oxygen elevated the water column DO and hence, altered the DO flux across the SWI. The gas transfer velocity is driven by turbulence and is correlated with the bottom shear velocity. The thickness of the diffusive boundary layer was found to be consistent with the Batchelor length scale. The dynamics of the surface renewal time follow a log‐normal distribution, and the turbulent integral time scale is comparable to the surface renewal time. The analyses suggest that the effect of bubble plumes on the BBL turbulence is limited and that the canonical scales of turbulence emerge for the time‐average statistics, validating the turbulence scaling of gas transfer velocity in low‐energy lakes.

Editorial: Youth personality development

The period between childhood and adulthood is a turbulent time of life (Hollenstein & Lougheed, 2013). While there is a solid body of research on youth social, biological, and psychological development (Sawyer et al., 2018; Steinberg & Morris, 2001), surprisingly little is known about personality processes and individual differences in them during these years. The papers in this Special Issue make important contributions to the current literature in three ways: first, by mapping developmental patterns to broader conceptualizations of personality, including personality pathology, second, by examining predictors and mechanisms in youth personality development, and third, by linking youth personality development to later life outcomes. We hope that the results of these papers will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of adolescent personality development in diverse cultural contexts and stimulate new integrative research.

Hedging precious metals with impact investing

Our study investigates the role of impact investing as a risk management tool for precious metals (i.e., palladium, platinum, gold, and silver) in calm and turbulent times. The findings show that impact investing and precious metals portfolios have higher hedging effectiveness. Furthermore, the results show that the hedging effectiveness for the portfolio of gold and impact investing increased during the COVID–19 crisis. Finally, we find that when factoring the transaction cost in portfolios of impact investing and precious metals, investors at various levels of risk aversion gain higher utility. These findings contribute to the literature and interest of investors, policymakers, fund managers, and regulators.

Obstacles to collective action during a crisis: A meta‐organizational perspective

AbstractMeta‐organizations form to advance collective action. But collective action can be more difficult to coordinate for meta‐organizations comprising governmental agencies or sovereign states, with system‐level objectives often conflicting. These challenges can be more binding during a crisis, where the responses called for are outside of the original reason for the meta‐organization's existence. We advance a framework for conceptualizing meta‐organizations that focuses on both internal attributes and external perceptions and suggests how each may help or hinder meta‐organization influence during a crisis. Using as a case study the response of the European Union (EU) to COVID‐19 and, specifically, to air travel restrictions at the outbreak of the pandemic, we show how meta‐organizations can have difficulties in responding expeditiously to crises, particularly when encountering contradictory system‐level goals. We argue that meta‐organizations must plan for crises during less turbulent times, developing the processes that contribute to the gradual creation of new system‐level goals.

Ruling in turbulent times: government crises in Italy and Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 constitutes an unprecedented exogenous shock for democratic political systems across the globe. During this turbulent period, Italy and Israel have also experienced a government crisis. Building upon the “coalition life cycle” and the “critical events” approaches to government stability, this article explores the trajectories of the government crises in Italy and Israel in times of COVID-19. The article examines the impact of the cabinets' structural attributes and the pandemic in relation to the governments' early termination. In both countries, the oversized coalition configuration of the cabinets led to conflicts between the governing parties, which became untenable during the pandemic crisis, thus precipitating the governments' collapse.

Iconographic Trends in Roman Imperial Coinage in the Context of Societal Changes in the Second and Third Centuries CE: A Small-Scale Test of the Affluence Hypothesis

Abstract This article presents a quantitative analysis of iconographic trends in the depiction of deities in the coinage of the Roman Empire throughout the second and third centuries CE to explore temporal shifts in Roman imperial propaganda in the context of developments and pressures in affluence, prosperity, and political stability. Next to providing deeper insight into the topic of Roman imperial ideology, the article’s main objective is to test the validity of the so-called affluence hypothesis from the debate on cultural evolution. The hypothesis predicts that an increase in affluence and prosperity leads to the emergence of moralizing themes in religion. Based on the comparison of the iconographic trends in Roman coinage, as represented by the Online Coins of the Roman Empire project portal of coin types, with changes in affluence and prosperity indicators for the period of the second and third centuries CE, the results suggest that in times of political stability and prosperity, Roman Empire emphasized moralizing deities on coins more often than in times of crisis. In contrast, martial deities and those oriented on dominating power were promoted on coins more frequently in turbulent times. In this small-scale case study, the results support the arguments of the affluence hypothesis.

Exploring the Challenges in Developing and Managing Digital Agility Among Sri Lankan Family Business Owners During the Economic Crisis Situation

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the ongoing post-pandemic challenges in developing and managing digital agility among Sri Lankan family business owners. This study used a mono-method qualitative approach to identify the management strategies using the self-determination theory and social exchange theory to cope with digital agility among Sri Lankan family business owners. Authors interviewed 25 family business owners in Sri Lanka and assessed the findings using the NVivo software. A total of five thematic findings have been identified as challenges in developing and managing digital agility among Sri Lankan Family Business owners. According to this study, digital capability plays a significant role in supporting top management to apply ambidextrous leadership during turbulent times. Findings contributes to the family business owners in Sri Lanka to identify proper strategies in overcoming the challenges associated with developing and managing digital agility of family business firms.

Creating spaces of well-being in academia to mitigate academic burnout: a collaborative auto-ethnography

PurposeIn contrast to prior studies examining burnout in academic employees, this paper explores how academic employee agency mitigates burnout risks in the context of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and how this agency facilitates research productivity and influences well-being in the face of changes in learning and teaching practices.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use collaborative auto-ethnography (CAE) in the higher education (HE) sector to probe how an employee productivity group supported the group's members during the pandemic.FindingsThematic analysis revealed four emerging themes: burnout, beneficial habits for research productivity, blocking-out-time and belonging. The authors' findings suggest that by acknowledging and legitimising employee-initiated groups, feelings of neglect can be combatted. Purposeful employee groups have the potential to create a therapeutic, safe space and, in addition to the groups' productivity intent, diminish the negative effects of a crisis on organisational effectiveness.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature by utilising a CAE approach to provide greater insight into how academics enact agency by creating digital research workspaces, attending to the spatial dimensions of well-being especially during turbulent times.

Does board diversity in Islamic banks matter?

Purpose – This paper discusses the diversity of boards and the performance of Islamic banks in three different conditions. Specifically, I will prove whether the diversity of the board is important for the performance of Islamic banks in normal conditions, turbulence, and recovery. Methodology – The data includes all Islamic and conventional commercial banks in Indonesia during 2018-2022. The research period is divided into normal, turbulent, and recovery conditions. The data were analyzed with a panel regression model. Findings – The results show that the level of board diversity in Islamic banks is lower than that of their conventional counterparts. In general, the level of board diversity is very important to encourage better bank performance. The effect of board diversity on performance is only significant in recovery conditions, but in times of turbulence, it is the opposite. In addition, I also find that diversity is most important for the BoD, while for the BoC it is the opposite. Novelty – This study is different from previous research. This study examines the factors of board diversity as a whole and focuses on board diversity as a whole. Therefore, this research will better reflect the actual conditions. Originality – This is the first paper to study the relationship between board diversity and bank performance in three conditions. It is also the first to compare the effects of diversity on Islamic banks with their conventional counterparts.

Liquid Consumer Security

Abstract Systemic risks––pandemics, economic recessions, professional precarity, political volatility, and climate emergencies––increasingly erode previously taken-for-granted stabilities and consumers’ confidence in the future. How do consumers manage risk and uncertainty when economic and ontological security are on the decline? Traditionally, consumers have built a sense of security through solid consumption (e.g., home ownership, accumulating possessions). A four-year ethnography of digital nomadism, however, demonstrates that looming uncertainty can render solid consumption a source of vulnerability and an unwanted anchor in turbulent times that call for agility and adaptability. We outline the emergence of liquid consumer security, defined as a form of felt security that stems from avoidance of solid consumption and its risks and responsibilities. Liquid consumer security inheres in the absence of ownership, attachments, or rootedness, and is derived from circumventing the temporal demands, financial liabilities, and commitments that solid consumption requires, which emerge as sources of risk. It is achieved through a recursive process of engaging in three strategies: (1) solid risk minimization; (2) security reconstruction through the liquid marketplace; and (3) ideological legitimation. Contributions to consumer risk and security, liquid consumption, social theories of risk, and digital nomadism are discussed.

Preliminary Insights into the Formation of Minimal Winning Coalitions in Western Europe

Coalition governments have prompted a stream of prominent research since the birth of modern political science. Several studies have been performed on the lifecycles of cabinets, focusing particularly on their formation and duration. The first investigations into such issues were carried out using game theoretic approaches. In their ground-breaking works, William Riker and Lawrence Dodd argued that office-seeking outcomes, i.e. minimal winning coalitions, are more frequent and stable than other cabinet types. However, more recent research suggests that this proposition is disputable. By relying on an original multilevel dataset on West European cabinets, this study examines the actual rationality of minimal winning coalitions by asking whether they have been more recurrent than different government formulae, as predicted by game theory. The analysis finds that such coalitions have not been formed more frequently than non-rational cabinet solutions, i.e., oversized majority cabinets. In addition, the article showcases that minimal winning coalitions may occur in both polarised and less polarised West European political systems. By shedding light on office-based game theoretic propositions and their observable empirical records, this study contributes to the scientific examination of a fundamental stage of democratic governance in Western Europe.

Supply chain risk assessment in disruptive times: opportunities and challenges

PurposeProactive risk assessment suggests that risk assessment should emphasize the consequences that it might cause and the opportunities it might create for firms. Hence, this study aims to validate risk impact on supply chain performance in the context of the Vietnamese construction sector. Also, a complex network, in which multiple risk factors mutually affect, impede or promote each other, is developed to assist managers in tackling unpredictable risks proactively. In particular, the authors investigate whether certain risks could be considered either challenges or opportunities for businesses in turbulent times to improve SC performance.Design/methodology/approachThe construction industry is the focal study context as it is one of the most essential industries in charge of providing accommodations, infrastructures and employment for society. 289 valid responses used in this research are from a large-scale survey result, supported by a Japanese government project promoting sustainable socio-economic development in Vietnam.FindingsFrom the study findings, the authors find that external risk brings opportunities for supply chain performance. Meanwhile, demand risk, when it occurs, can reduce the danger level of operational risk, which is an interesting finding of this research. It is evident that when multiple risk factors mutually affect, impede or promote each other, it provides a more meaningful examination of mutually interconnected supply chain risks.Originality/valuePractitioners should perceive risks as an opportunity than a threat. This study contributes to preventing risks and guaranteeing an effective and efficient supply chain by tackling unpredictable risks in a disruptive period. Moreover, data on validating research models collected during the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine and Russia conflicts reflect the topicality of this study.

Lidar measurements of wake around a bridge deck

Remote wind sensing technologies allow for measurements in a spatial domain beyond the one accessible by anemometers fixed to a mast. Remote optical wind sensors installed at an existing bridge site can both provide new information on the wind flow upstream of the bridge and capture the disturbed flow around the structure. These possibilities are explored in the presented measurement campaign with three synchronised continuous-wave Doppler lidars at the Lysefjord bridge in Norway. In particular, the interaction between the oncoming wind flow and the bridge deck is studied in terms of the mean velocity deficit wake profile as well as the spectral turbulence characteristics. The lidar measurements are validated by comparing the lidar observations at locations undisturbed by the structure with corresponding sonic anemometer data recorded 6 m and 10 m above the deck. The consistency between the two sets of data is tested in terms of the turbulence time series, their spectral content and the statistical moments. Within the wake of the bridge, significant values of vertical velocity and inclination angles, as well as turbulence intensities are seen. Moreover, the wake region can be distinguished by its singular spectral content, cross-correlation coefficient, and coherence. The results show that the tailored configuration of the lidars succeeded in providing information on 3D turbulence around the bridge, thereby capturing the bridge aerodynamic characteristics in full-scale.