Unpredictable Changes Research Articles

Climate-Adaptive Transmission Network Expansion Planning Considering Evolutions of Resources

Weather-sensitive resources are the main source of uncertainties in power systems. However, the unpredictable climate change further introduces ambiguity (i.e., unknown probability distribution) into the system, since the weather-sensitive resources would evolve with the climate and gradually exhibit a different probability distribution from the past in an uncertain manner. Lack of considering this climate-induced ambiguity in transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) may cause misunderstanding of future operational scenarios. Aiming at a higher security operation level under climate change yet less line investment, this paper proposes a climate-adaptive TNEP, which is essentially a robust TNEP equipped with a climate-adaptive uncertainty set (CUS) to embody injections from the weather-sensitive resources that have high probabilities in the target year despite the climate-induced ambiguity. Determination of the CUS involves three steps. First, model future unknown distribution under climate change. Specifically, the climate-driven evolution in distributions is quantified by an evolutionary distance between historical and future true distributions, whose upper bound is derived from practical data, while the future unknown distribution is then modeled by a distance-based ambiguity set; Second, determine the CUS which has a minimal volume yet a desired confidence level in the face of the ambiguous future distribution. To that end, a parametric Wasserstein distance-based distributionally robust optimization ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">p</i> -WDRO) is developed over the ambiguity set; Third, solve the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">p</i> -WDRO by a data-clustering-incorporated reformulation. After the CUS is determined, the overall climate-adaptive TNEP is solved by a column-and-constraint-generation method with an inner multi-loop algorithm tailored for the CUS. Simulations are conducted on three test systems with data from Australia and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) under scenarios issued by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which demonstrate that the climate-adaptive TNEP can improve operational security under climate change while reducing investment costs.

How to help adolescents with depressive disorders? Prevention and support strategies

The article describes the importance of prevention and support for adolescents with depressive disorders. The mental health crisis in this age group has significantly increased in recent years, which is the result of, among other things, dynamic and unpredictable changes in the sphere of social, economic and civilisational life, therefore the issues raised in the article are intended to draw attention to the dissemination of knowledge about prevention and strengthening the emotional condition of adolescents.The analyses clearly emphasized that school, family and self-care can significantly influence the mental health of adolescents. Attention was paid to the school, which should provide access to school psychologists, implement programmes and workshops and promote supporting education. The family home should create a safe atmosphere of communication, understanding and acceptance, where closeness and joint solving problems of adolescents would be the basis. An adolescent, in turn, should not be afraid to seek and ask for help and try to take conscious actions to take care of his or her well-being.

Genetics of biochemical attributes regulating morpho-physiology of upland cotton under high temperature conditions

BackgroundCotton is a strategically important fibre crop for global textile industry. It profoundly impacts several countries' industrial and agricultural sectors. Sustainable cotton production is continuously threatened by the unpredictable changes in climate, specifically high temperatures. Breeding heat-tolerant, high-yielding cotton cultivars with wide adaptability to be grown in the regions with rising temperatures is one of the primary objectives of modern cotton breeding programmes. Therefore, the main objective of the current study is to figure out the effective breeding approach to imparting heat tolerance as well as the judicious utilization of commercially significant and stress-tolerant attributes in cotton breeding. Initially, the two most notable heat-susceptible (FH-115 and NIAB Kiran) and tolerant (IUB-13 and GH-Mubarak) cotton cultivars were spotted to develop filial and backcross populations to accomplish the preceding study objectives. The heat tolerant cultivars were screened on the basis of various morphological (seed cotton yield per plant, ginning turnout percentage), physiological (pollen viability, cell membrane thermostability) and biochemical (peroxidase activity, proline content, hydrogen peroxide content) parameters.ResultsThe results clearly exhibited that heat stress consequently had a detrimental impact on every studied plant trait, as revealed by the ability of crossing and their backcross populations to tolerate high temperatures. However, when considering overall yield, biochemical, and physiological traits, the IUB-13 × FH-115 cross went over particularly well at both normal and high temperature conditions. Moreover, overall seed cotton yield per plant exhibited a positive correlation with both pollen viability and antioxidant levels (POD activity and proline content).ConclusionsSelection from segregation population and criteria involving pollen viability and antioxidant levels concluded to be an effective strategy for the screening of heat-tolerant cotton germplasms. Therefore, understanding acquired from this study can assist breeders identifying traits that should be prioritized in order to develop climate resilient cotton cultivars.

FORMATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF A BANKING INSTITUTION IN THE STRATEGIC ASPECT

The article examines the essence of the process of managing assets and liabilities of a banking institution. The works of ukrainian and foreign scientists devoted to issues of asset and liability management systems were studied and analyzed. The essence of the concept of the structure of assets and liabilities is determined. The main strategies for managing the bank's assets and liabilities have been identified - the asset management strategy, the liability management strategy, and the combined strategy.&#x0D; The purpose of the article is the formation of the formation of the system of administrative management of assets and liabilities of a banking institution. The main tasks of a comprehensive strategy and its important elements are defined. Two basic groups of asset and liability management methods are highlighted - methods of managing a certain risk and methods of modeling the optimal balance sheet structure. The shortcomings inherent in both groups were analyzed.&#x0D; It is proposed to use, in addition to classic digital methods, tools for influencing the structure of the bank's assets and liabilities. A diagram of the asset and liability management system from a functional point of view has been created. In order to effectively manage a banking institution, it is proposed to include digital tools for influencing the structure of assets and liabilities to the tools of the asset and liability management system in order to obtain maximum profit while maintaining reliability. For the formation of the MAL system, it is proposed to implement the following digital elements: implementation of the biometric system of online banking; integration with the Diya platform; distribution and promotion of the use of Visa pay-Wave cards; expansion and adaptation of POS lending (including biometric identification of the recipient) using POS terminals; expansion of online banking functionality. Their influence on the three main factors determining the degree of profit of a banking institution is determined.&#x0D; In the course of the analytical work, it was found that an important tool in the asset and liability management strategy is bank digitalization. Using digital technologies, banking institutions have the opportunity to reach a completely new level, providing innovative services and services to clients. Despite the fact that these directions have received active development in recent years, their potential has not yet been exhausted. The impact of digitalization provides significant benefits to banks and improves their attractiveness. This, in turn, provides stability to the banking institution and the ability to quickly adapt to unpredictable changes in the market. Thus, using digital tools as part of the formation of the asset and liability management system, it is possible to directly influence their structure and attract a larger number of customers, which directly affects the bank's profitability.&#x0D;

Promoting sustainability in nursing and midwifery clinical laboratories: Strategies for resource reduction, reuse, and recycling

BackgroundThe impacts of climate change on planetary health are multifaceted and threaten public health gains made since World War II. Healthcare is the fifth largest global emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, demanding significant efforts to transition to an environmentally sustainable future. Addressing these issues will require collective societal action. In this regard, universities have a dual responsibility – (1) to tackle complex social, economic, and environmental challenges by championing sustainability initiatives designed to positively impact planetary health; and (2) to ensure that graduates are equipped with the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to steward planetary health towards a more sustainable future. The future nursing and midwifery workforce must be educated to mitigate the health sector's impact on the environment, advocate for action on climate change, prepare for ongoing health impacts of unpredictable climate and environmental changes, and help communities and healthcare systems become more climate resilient. What this paper contributesTo help increase nursing and midwifery educators' and students' capacity to support planetary-health related interventions, the overarching purpose of this paper is to provide a series of exemplars that illustrate sustainability initiatives used in four university-based clinical skills laboratories. These initiatives each demonstrate a commitment to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals and can be used to help embed the importance of planetary health in student learning.

Learning from coproducing digital courses in sexual health in higher education in Norway

Purpose Sexual health is insufficiently addressed in health care and higher education, which can lead to lower quality of life and negative health outcomes. To improve the situation, it is necessary to address both the needs of patients and professionals and collaboratively engage in finding sustainable solutions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility and value of large-scale digital coproduction in higher education. Design/methodology/approach A study of a project that developed seven interprofessional, digital master-level courses covering different topics related to sexual health. The project was performed through digital coproduction in higher education, with over 100 persons with various backgrounds working together online in designing content and novel digital learning activities. Findings Large-scale digital coproduction in higher education is feasible and valuable, but the process demands sensitive leadership, understanding of coproduction processes and willingness to learn from each other. To meet the demands from practice it is important to understand the complexity, ever-changing and unpredictable working life changes which, in turn, demands engagement in continuous learning, training activities and the need for formal education. Originality/value The study provides learning of the feasibility of the value of large-scale digital coproduction in higher education, which is a novel way of working in higher education.

System dynamics model for an agile pharmaceutical supply chain during COVID‑19 pandemic in Iran.

Unpredictable changes in the current business environment have made organizations pay attention to the concept of agility. This concept is a key feature to survive and compete in turbulent markets while considering customers' fluctuating needs. An organization's agility is a function of its supply chain's agility. The present study offers a System Dynamics (SD) model for Iran's Pharmaceutical Supply Chain (PSC). The model is presented in three steps. First, the Supply Chain (SC) indicators were extracted based on theoretical foundations and literature review results. Second, an SD model of the PSC was extracted in the context of the COVID‑19 pandemic with the necessary analyses. Finally, the desired outputs and strategies were obtained by conducting a case study. The results indicated that the PSC's highest agility could be guaranteed by the simultaneous implementation of three strategies: investment, Human Capital Development (HCD), and accelerated completion of ongoing projects on a priority basis. According to these results, the organization had better determine the amount of capital and workforce required for ongoing projects, then design funding solutions to implement these projects and implement them according to the projects' priority.

The detrimental effects of student-disordered behavior at school: evidence from using the cusp catastrophe.

The purpose of the present study is to examine the potentially complex relationship between disordered behavior at school and students' engagement with reading activities given that they enjoy reading. Of particular interest is the role of disordered behavior which we believe moderated the relationship between liking reading and reading engagement. Participants were 2,420 fourth graders who participated in the 2021 PIRLS study from Saudi Arabia and were selected using stratified random sampling from 117 schools in the Kingdom. Data were analyzed using linear and nonlinear means such as the linear model, the logistic model, and the cusp catastrophe. Results pointed to the superiority of the cusp catastrophe towards predicting student engagement in reading by highlighting the splitting role of students' disruptive classroom behavior. It was evident that exceeding a critical upward level in disruptive classroom behavior was associated with unpredictable and sudden changes in reading engagement. It is concluded that the application of non-linear means may be conducive to understanding complex educational phenomena.

Remote work demands and work-life balance: Moderating effect of perceived leadership behavior

This study investigates the relationship between remote work demands, work stress, and work-life balance among employees in the service sector, specifically those working in Information Technology companies. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizations to shift to a new mode of working, which has led to significant changes in work and family roles. Due to the unpredicted changes, remote work causes work stress among employees. A cross-sectional study was chosen, and data were gathered from 242 employees working in the service industry. A purposeful sampling technique is used, and data were collected using a questionnaire. Grounded with Conservation of Resources (COR) stress theory and transformational leadership theory, the result of moderated mediation analyses specifies that the negative influence of remote work demands on the work-life balance of employees is potentially increased by work stress and reversed by the influence of their leader’s behavior style, specifically transformational leadership. Through the dimensions of transformational leadership such as idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, intellectual simulation, the leaders help the individuals working in the team cope with stress and support them in all possible ways to achieve the goal. The outcome also signifies the moderating effect of gender on balancing work and life.

The difference and variation of gut bacterial community and host physiology can support adaptation during and after overwintering in frog population.

The hibernation of amphibians can offer a unique window into overwintering adaptation processes and host-gut microbiota interactions through changes in metabolic availability and homeostasis. We attempted to identify differences in the physiology and gut microbiome during and after hibernation in Japanese wrinkled frogs (Glandirana rugosa), an aquatic overwintering amphibian. After hibernation, the high alpha and beta diversity of the gut bacterial community appears to reflect the more diverse and complex environmental conditions. During winter, Proteobacteria dominated the majority of the gut bacterial community, likely due to high oxygen saturation. After hibernation, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes increased, which are supportive of host metabolism by gut microbiota. Corticosterone also showed high values and variances after hibernation, presumably allowing the population to remain adaptable across a broad range of environmental gradients. Innate immunity was high after hibernation but exhibited low variation among populations, which supports the idea of a prioritized investment in immunity after hibernation. Blood biochemistry suggests that aquatic overwintering frogs have a mechanism to adapt through overhydration and regulate homeostasis through water excretion associated with the kidney and urine after hibernation. Frog populations exhibit variations and adaptability in gut microbiota and physiology during and after hibernation: Through this, they may demonstrate an adaptive response that regulates metabolic availability in preparation for unpredictable environmental changes. We also propose that the maintenance of Proteobacteria during hibernation can support the colonization of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes after hibernation, underscoring the need to study the complex effects of gut microbiota across multiple life stages.

Constrained trait variation by water availability modulates radial growth in evergreen and deciduous Mediterranean oaks

Spatial and temporal variation in functional traits allows trees to adjust to shifting environmental conditions such as water stress. However, the change of traits, both mean and variances, along water availability gradients and across growing seasons, as well as their covariation with tree performance, have been rarely assessed. We examined intraspecific trait variation in coexisting evergreen (Quercus ilex ssp. ilex and Q. ilex ssp. ballota) and deciduous (Quercus faginea and Quercus humilis) Mediterranean oaks along a wide water availability gradient in northeastern Spain during six years. We measured leaf area (LA), shoot twig mass (Sm), leaf mass per area (LMA) and the ratio of shoot twig to leaf biomass (Sm:Lm). We characterized tree performance through basal area increment (BAI) and drought resilience indices. Higher variation was found within individuals than between individuals across populations and years. Within species, we found trait adjustments toward more conservative water-use (low LA and Sm and high LMA) with increasing drier conditions. Intraspecific trait variation was constrained by water availability, particularly on the deciduous species. In Q. ilex, trait variance of LMA positively covaried with annual BAI, whereas variance of LA, Sm and Sm:Lm was positively related to resistance and resilience against the severe 2012 drought in deciduous oaks. Our results support a tradeoff between the ability to tolerate drought and the capacity to cope with unpredictable changes in the environment through increased intraspecific trait variation, which may have implications on tree performance in the face of increased extreme events.

Protective role of virgin coconut oil on potent biochemical biomarkers in Wistar rat model of comorbid depression.

Chronic stress arises from stressful situations in day-to-day life that are ignored or managed incorrectly. Long-term stress can have negative effects, especially when it plays a role in the development of neurological illnesses. Severe stress can also negatively impact emotional well-being. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has numerous health advantages. The aim of this study was to assess how VCO affected the biochemical and behavioral characteristics of Wistar albino rats exposed to chronic, unpredictable stress. Healthy Wistar albino rats (150-200 gm) were split into two groups: experimental group and control group. Based on stress exposure and treatment with VCO and antidepressants, they were further divided into various subgroups. A chronic, unpredictable stress procedure was given for 21 days. After the experimental procedure, the rats were anesthetized, and through a cardiac puncture, blood was collected. The liver and brain were dissected to estimate different biochemical markers. VCO proved to be a protective agent against chronic, unpredictable stress-induced changes in the biochemical parameters, hepatic enzyme activity, lipid profile, oxidative stress, and cognition. VCO might be helpful as an effective natural treatment that can be utilized to effectively combat chronic, unpredictable stress-induced changes in brain and liver tissue.

Awareness and Availing of Insurance Products and Services Among Tribal Community of Aralam in Kannur District of Kerala

The aim of the study is to investigate the awareness and availing of insurance products and services among tribal community of Aralamin Kannur district of Kerala by focusing various type of insurance products and services. In recent years, importance and form of insurance has vast challenge in all sectors due to the unpredictable changes in the society and environmental conditions. All the societies adopted the insurance either due to compel from government or the awareness as well as the experience in the society but the socially and educationally weaker section lag behind it, especially tribal communities. A well-structured form of survey methodology is applied to investigate the awareness and availing of insurance products and services among the tribal community in the study area. The sample of 200 tribal households from Aralam panchayat of Kannur district (Kerala) was randomly selected. The study shows that most of the respondents (64.5%) had a basic level of knowledge health insurance services. Majority of the respondents of the tribal community are not aware of Personal accident insurance, Crop insurance, Livestock insurance, General insurance and Vehicle insurance. Around fifty percentage of the respondents are aware of life insurance services. Study discloses that there exist significant association between the awareness of life insurance and Vehicle insurance among various tribal communities. But there is no significant association between the awareness of health insurance, personal accident insurance, crop insurance, livestock insurance and general insurance among various tribal communities. It is seen that, 33.0 percentage of the respondents are availed any of the insurance services, and 67.00 percentage are not availed any of the insurance service..

Актуальність формування маркетингової стратегії в умовах цифровізації

The aim of this article is to theoretically substantiate the relevance of the formation of a marketing strategy in the context of digitalization. One of today’s major issues is the rapid and unpredictable changes in the digital environment. Digital transformation is accelerating, technology is constantly changing, and new platforms and channels are emerging at an astounding rate. This presents businesses with the challenge of constantly adapting to new conditions and effectively using the available tools to achieve their marketing goals. Such dynamics require marketers to constantly update their knowledge and skills, as well as flexibility and speed in managing strategies. The oversaturation of the information space creates additional difficulties for marketers. Consumers receive a huge amount of information from a variety of sources on a daily basis, making it difficult to capture their attention. In such a situation, companies must develop creative and effective communication strategies, create high-quality content and use innovative techniques to attract and retain audiences. This can include using social media, creating video content, blogging, and other activities aimed at creating unique and engaging content. As a result of the analysis of scientific sources, it is found that the evolution of marketing is a potentially promising direction based on various factors of digitalization. In today’s digital environment, companies are discovering opportunities to evolve their marketing strategies that open up new opportunities to improve customer engagement and create closer connections. Using content personalization and AI tools to analyze data allows businesses to create more customized and relevant offers for their audiences. The active use of social media and interactive formats opens up opportunities for deeper customer engagement and community building. Improvements in mobile experiences and the use of emerging technologies such as video or as virtual reality allow businesses to create more immersive and impactful interactions with their audiences. In addition, collaboration and joint development of initiatives through open collaboration creates opportunities to increase the impact and create innovative solutions in the marketing field.

ПАРАМЕТРЫ КИНЕМАТИКИ И ДИНАМИКИ ЭЛЕКТРИФИЦИРОВАННОЙ ПЛАТФОРМЫ ДЛЯ ПОСТРОЕНИЯ МОДЕЛИ АДАПТИВНОГО УПРАВЛЕНИЯ

Increasing the efficiency of transport operations at agribusiness enterprises is inextricably linked with the introduction of automated, including adaptive control systems. This makes it possible to optimize and expand the functions of vehicles, improve the quality of their performance in conditions of significant unpredictable changes in the parameters of the control object and the external environment. The realization of the advantages of adaptive control is possible when using methods based on the laws of mechanics and taking into account all the essential features of both the vehicle design and its interaction with the external environment. (Research purpose) The research purpose is analyzing and substantiating the parameters that determine the kinematics and dynamics of a four-wheeled vehicle with independent drive of all propellers, an electrified platform, and building adaptive control algorithms. (Materials and methods) Using the methods of theoretical mechanics, the main groups of parameters describing the static and dynamic loading of an electrified platform, as well as its interaction with the environment, are considered. (Results and discussion) Based on the performed analysis of the proposed design of the electrified platform, its functionality and control features, groups of parameters are given that fully characterize the properties of the vehicle itself and its interaction with the environment. (Conclusions) The use of vehicles with a fully independent drive of rotational and rotary movement of the wheels allows you to get a number of advantages. To implement them, it is necessary to use adaptive control systems that must take into account all the groups of parameters considered.

ОПТИМІЗАЦІЯ СИСТЕМИ УПРАВЛІННЯ АГРОПІДПРИЄМСТВОМ У ПРОЦЕСІ ЇЇ ФОРМУВАННЯ НА ЗАСАДАХ ДІДЖИТАЛІЗАЦІЇ

Optimization of the agricultural enterprise management system is critically important due to several reasons caused by the specificity of the agricultural Sector and constant external challenges. First of all, the agricultural sector faces a high level of uncertainties, including unpredictable changes in weather conditions, price fluctuations in the market, and changes in legislation affecting agricultural operations. Therefore, effective optimization allows agricultural enterprises to adapt to these challenges, minimizing risks and optimizing resource utilization. The second important aspect is the growing need for sustainable development and environmental responsibility. Optimization helps implement practices that reduce environmental impact, particularly through efficient water use, minimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and introducing crop rotation systems that enhance soil fertility. Based on the results of the conducted research, approaches to the construction and improvement of the economic-mathematical model for optimizing the agricultural enterprise management system have been considered. It has been proven that the inclusion of dynamic, stochastic, multi-criteria, robust, and adaptive elements can significantly enhance the effectiveness and adaptability of the model, ensuring better alignment with the actual operating conditions. It is justified that the implementation of sensitivity analysis as a method for assessing the impact of variable parameters on the model's performance provides a deeper understanding of the model's sensitivity to external and internal changes. This analysis allows for the identification of critical parameters influencing decision-making and the formulation of strategies for their optimal use. A systematic approach to the verification and validation of the model is argued to be necessary to confirm its accuracy and reliability. These processes ensure a high level of trust in the model's forecasts and recommendations, which is essential for effective management of agricultural enterprises under uncertainty. Thus, a comprehensive approach to modeling and analysis has been developed, which can serve as a solid foundation for making informed management decisions in agricultural enterprises, enhancing their ability to adapt to rapidly changing external and internal conditions.

Shifting consumer perspectives on energy efficiency and sustainable development

The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably transformed the landscape of people’s daily lives, influenced not only their immediate mental and physical health concerns but also reshaped their attitudes and economic behaviour in many profound ways. Among these shifts, one of the most noteworthy is the change in consumer perspectives towards energy efficiency and energy consumption. As the pandemic brought about an era of uncertainty marked with economic upheavals and unpredicted changes, it simultaneously served as a catalyst for a collective re-evaluation of priorities, particularly concerning environmental sustainability and personal consumption habits. This paper focuses on assessing how the consumer perspectives on energy efficiency and energy consumption have altered during and after the recent pandemic into the ongoing post-pandemic era. Our results have some profound implications for stakeholders and policymakers who wish to shape up the acceptance of energy efficiency initiatives leading to tackling global warming and climate change and increasing the energy resilience of the society.

ВПЛИВ СОЦІАЛЬНО-ЕКОНОМІЧНИХ ЧИННИКІВ НА ФОРМУВАННЯ БІЗНЕС-СЕРЕДОВИЩА ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

Socio-economic factors play a key role in shaping the business environment of an enterprise, influencing its stability, development and competitiveness. These factors can be conditionally divided into macro- and micro-levels, where each of them has its own specificity and power of influence. Macroeconomic factors include the inflation rate, the state of economic growth, the exchange rate, the unemployment rate, and government policy. Economic growth contributes to an increase in the incomes of the population and investments, which has a positive effect on business. Social factors include demographic changes, educational attainment, cultural characteristics, and social values. Demographic changes, such as population aging or migration processes, affect the size and structure of the labor market and the consumer market. Cultural characteristics and social values shape consumer behavior and preferences, which is important to consider when developing marketing strategies. Political stability and the legal framework also have a significant impact on the business environment. Political instability can create risks for investors and lead to unpredictable changes in regulatory policy. Instead, a stable political environment promotes predictability and long-term planning. The development of technologies and their implementation in business processes is another important factor. Innovative technologies can significantly increase production efficiency, reduce costs and open new sales markets. Enterprises that actively implement the latest technologies have a competitive advantage and can quickly adapt to changes in the business environment. Thus, socio-economic factors have a complex impact on the formation of the enterprise’s business environment. For successful functioning and development, enterprises need to constantly analyze and adapt to changes in the external environment, taking into account both macroeconomic and microeconomic aspects. This will allow not only to maintain a position in the market, but also to find new opportunities for growth and development.

Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: How Organizations Adapt to Environmental Changes?

In an increasingly volatile global business environment, organizations must navigate complex and unpredictable changes. This study aims to explore the adaptive strategies organizations employ to manage decision-making under uncertainty, focusing on how these strategies enhance organizational resilience and effectiveness in the face of environmental changes. This qualitative study collected data through semi-structured interviews with 26 participants from various industries including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, and retail. Participants ranged from senior management to operational staff, ensuring a comprehensive view of organizational strategies across different levels. The interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, ensuring depth and breadth in the collected data. Thematic analysis was employed to identify and analyze patterns within the data. Three main themes were identified as central to organizational adaptation: Strategic Adaptation, Operational Responses, and Organizational Learning. Strategic Adaptation included subthemes such as Scenario Planning, Resource Allocation, Communication Strategies, and Leadership and Governance. Operational Responses covered Change Management, Innovation and Creativity, Process Optimization, and Risk Management. Organizational Learning focused on Knowledge Management and Employee Engagement. Each theme encapsulated several strategies and practices crucial for navigating uncertainty effectively. The study concludes that effective adaptation to environmental changes relies heavily on a cohesive strategy that integrates strategic foresight, operational agility, and a continuous learning culture. These elements are crucial for building resilience and ensuring sustained organizational performance in uncertain environments. The findings suggest that a proactive approach to strategic planning, coupled with robust operational responses and an emphasis on organizational learning, forms the backbone of successful adaptive strategies.

Robotic safe adaptation in unprecedented situations: the RoboSAPIENS project

Abstract The robots of tomorrow should be endowed with the ability to adapt to drastic and unpredicted changes in their environment and interactions with humans. Such adaptations, however, cannot be boundless: the robot must stay trustworthy. So, the adaptations should not be just a recovery into a degraded functionality. Instead, they must be true adaptations: the robot must change its behaviour while maintaining or even increasing its expected performance and staying at least as safe and robust as before. The RoboSAPIENS project will focus on autonomous robotic software adaptations and will lay the foundations for ensuring that they are carried out in an intrinsically trustworthy, safe and efficient manner, thereby reconciling open-ended self-adaptation with safety by design. RoboSAPIENS will transform these foundations into ‘first time right’-design tools and platforms and will validate and demonstrate them.