Work Strategies Research Articles

The lancet series nutritional interventions in Ghana: a determinants analysis approach to inform nutrition strategic planning

BackgroundMalnutrition is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among children in low- and middle-income countries. Ghana is one of 36 countries with the highest burden of stunting, globally. The aim of this work is to use data driven planning methods to conduct in-depth analysis on the Lancet series nutrition interventions in Ghana to inform nutritional strategic planning.MethodsA mixed methods approach was employed for this national nutritional assessment conducted in May 2016. Quantitative data on nutritional interventions were generated by application of the Determinants Analysis Tool and phenomenological approach was employed to explain the causes of barriers identified. Outputs from the tool were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics and data from group discussions were assessed by thematic content analysis. The base line years for this assessment were 2014 and 2015.ResultsOverall in Ghana, 21.0% of frontline health workers are trained on lactation management and breastfeeding counselling and support, 56.6% of mothers of children 0–2 years initiated breastfeeding within one hour of birth, and 59.4% of mothers with children 0–5 months took iron folate supplementation for 90 or more days during pregnancy. In addition, only 19.9% of children 12–59 months received two doses of vitamin A supplementation in a calendar year, and 32.5% of children 6–59 months with severe acute malnutrition were admitted for treatment at health facilities. In all, among infants 6–8 months old, 6.9% were fed with minimum dietary diversity, 50.6% received age appropriate meal frequency and 21.6% received iron rich diet. Inadequate pre-service and in-service training for staff, low prioritization and coordination (at higher levels) and weak integration of services (at lower levels) were key barriers to nutrition coverage in Ghana.ConclusionData driven analysis and planning based on proven nutritional interventions in Ghana demonstrated gaps and barriers and garnered workable strategies to improve nutrition services.

Energy saving assessment of a desiccant-enhanced evaporative cooling system in variable air volume applications

Abstract Desiccant-enhanced evaporative (DEVap) cooling system have been recently introduced as an alternative to conventional air conditioning systems. This system consists of a liquid desiccant dehumidifier and a dew point evaporative cooler. In this research, workable operation strategies for the DEVap system were suggested and applied to an energy simulation for estimating the energy saving potential of the system over the conventional variable air volume (VAV) system. Four different modes of operation determined according to outdoor air conditions were suggested for annual operation of the DEVap system. Energy simulations for both DEVap and VAV systems were performed for a model office building. The results showed that 2–3% of annual primary energy could be saved by using the DEVap cooling system compared with the conventional VAV system.

Malaysian Mandarin variation with regard to Mandarin globalization trend: Issues on language standardization

AbstractMalaysian Mandarin is a unique variation of Mandarin that exhibits certain degrees of variation as opposed to Putonghua, the standardized Mandarin spoken in Mainland China. Following the spread of Putonghua under the Mandarin globalization trend, the issue of language standardization has become a central concern among the Chinese Malaysian community. This article examines the central principles of language standardization and thus gives suggestions to the proper and workable strategies needed for managing the Malaysian Mandarin variations. By these principles, in addition to an analysis of issues within Malaysian Mandarin standardization, this article proposes, through illustration of lexical standardization, a flexible and dynamic approach to setting strategies for standardization of Malaysian Mandarin with regard to the Mandarin globalization trend.

Knowledge and attitude profile of hospital visitors towards blood donation in Central India

Introduction: Safe blood is defined as blood from voluntary and non- remunerated blood donors.1 Today, 6.22 million units (73%) of the 8.5 million units required in India annually, are from relative and professional donors who under pressure, can hide their high-risk status, including diseases in window period.[2],[3] Unawareness, misconceptions and myths act as hindering factors in voluntary blood donation.[4],[5] This pilot research project was carried out to explore knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of hospital visitors towards blood donation in central India. Objectives: The objectives of this study were: 1. To know the motivating factors and misconceptions regarding blood donation in a selective population i.e., the hospital visitors. 2. To examine the basis of their decisions regarding participation in blood donation activities in the hospital and community. 3. To develop basic data for large population based survey of the region, for the same. Settings and Design: This was a case control pilot study carried out at Kasturba Hospital Sevagram, a rural tertiary care center of central India. Methodology: For this study 100 hospital visitors were recruited, of which 50 had donated blood in their life (consecutive donor cases) and 50 were non-donors (Age, gender and education matched controls). A questionnaire was developed by taking partial help of previous studies in Asia region4-6 and it was validated for our needs, by testing it on medical colleagues and then on random hospital visitors. A written interview was done with all the participants to assess their KAP. Statistical Analysis: SPSS 15 and Microsoft excel software were used to compare KAP of two sets of study population by using univariate and multivariate analytical tools mainly percentages. Evaluation of P value was also done by Fisher exact test/Chi square test/Phi value/Z test where ever appropriate. Results: The majority of participants were in age group of 20-29 years (44%) and only 2% participants were females. A total of 72% had attained education up to intermediate level and above that. Both of the populations had good knowledge regarding qualities of blood donors, process of donation and attributes of stored blood units, like required body weight, age limit, amount of blood drawn, shelf-life of blood and also some causes of donor deferral. But there was a general lack of awareness regarding minimum hemoglobin level required, types and uses of blood products, screening tests done after collection of blood. While donors had better knowledge of duration of donation process, non-donors had better knowledge of transmission of various infectious diseases through blood transfusion. Although, positive attitudes were found in both groups, however both groups believed that patients' relatives should be asked first, for blood donation. 62% donors donated blood only once, which too in relative-donor category, however there was a significant difference in both populations on willingness to donate. The most effective motivational factor for repeated blood donation was found to be possibility of future need of blood for oneself and own family; others being inspiration by television and friends, or a blood bank/hospital campaign. The most common reason for not donating blood was nobody approached them to realize the need of blood donation. Conclusions: Good knowledge and positive attitudes in both the study-populations are unable to motivate for actual blood donation. Use of social and mass media, creating donation opportunities and removing wrong beliefs in general population emerged out as workable strategies for increasing voluntary blood donation. Implication: Report of this pilot project will be helpful in designing a more elaborate survey of general population and thus a more efficient and targeted motivational campaign for voluntary blood donation.

Digitization of Archival Collections by Libraries in Pakistan: Issues, Strategies, Challenges and Opportunities

In the backdrop of a case of a major archive digitization initiative completed by a Library in Pakistan to preserve a decaying last copy of an Urdu News Magazine from 18th century, the author highlights the threats to documentary heritage in general and in Pakistan in particular. The paper gives a comprehensive discussion of the digitization process, its issues, challenges and constraints by highlighting how in Pakistan, libraries and documentary heritage are facing neglect and a threat for extinction due the environmental, economic and political conditions and human threats like terrorism. Discussing the practical and operational problems of digitization work in an environment where the archival digitization is not a common practice, the paper suggests some workable strategies and solutions to overcome the barriers and bottlenecks. The paper is a good example to educate the future digitizers in Pakistan and offers workable suggestions and many thought provoking ideas for local librarians for saving the decaying archives and rare materials held in their libraries, by collective and collaborative digitization efforts.

Teaching About Better Family-Clinician Partnerships in High-Risk Pediatric Asthma Care.

Family–clinician partnership including communication, trust, respect, and power leveling is essential in pediatrics. Our case study illustrates elements supporting/hindering partnership in a high-risk urban pediatric asthma clinic. Data from observation of a 100-minute visit were qualitatively analyzed by applying codes to themes, using family-centered principles. Three key categories emerged from examining interactions and their sequencing: (1) partnership supported, (2) partnership missed, and (3) partnership hindered. Practitioners must become more sensitive to families’ lives and skilled in family-centered care delivery. Clinician education about partnership can help with negotiating workable treatment strategies for complex conditions such as asthma and reduce health disparities.

The fading phase of Igbo language and culture: path to its revitalisation

In recent times, some concerned linguists, lovers of the Igbo language and indeed, owners of the language have been asking questions about possible strategies to be adopted in resuscitating the Igbo language and culture which critics and observers have warned are depreciating in value and usage. The Igbo of South East Nigeria, as well as various governments in the Igbo region have in their own various ways jumped into action to revive and save the situation through the organisation of cultural activities and forums for the promotion of Igbo language and culture and legislations. Commendable as these attempts may be, the issue which does not yet appear properly addressed is the need to identify the factors responsible for the present state of Igbo language and culture and the possibilities of workable strategies to remedy the situation. This paper therefore, is an attempt to interrogate the receding utilization of Igbo language and culture using UNESCO’s 2002 and 2003 nine-point criteria of the Ad Hoc Expert Group on Endangered Languages as bases for our study and recommendations. The study has attempted to get at the root of what the author considers the crux of the matter through the study of the philosophy of the Igbo man towards himself, his environment and his personal effects, and has discovered that the bane of Igbo language and culture is the Igbo man’s attitude towards that which is his, and his easy enchantment with foreign cultures. The paper then recommends a total reorientation of the Igbo man’s core philosophy as a panacea to the problem, among others. The revelations of this paper will benefit linguists, the Igbo, and indeed scholars.

A critical reflection on the multiple roles required to facilitate mutual learning during service-learning in Creative Arts education

ABSTRACTIn this article, I critically reflect on my own learning during a community-based, service-learning pilot project, highlighting the multiple roles that were required of me as facilitator. I provided opportunity for student teachers in a Creative Arts module to engage with youth from a local township community. The purpose of the participatory action research was to explore how this process enhanced reciprocal learning. Data were generated through multiple qualitative methods in four cycles of interactive activities. Adapting to the challenges of community-based learning necessitated that I was flexible enough to know when to don the hat of educator or research designer and when to be less directive to promote professional development and intercultural competencies. I learned to value relational platforms, enable diverse modes of communication and find workable strategies for mutual learning. By sharing my lessons learned, I hope to provide a better understanding of the facilitator’s multiple leadership roles.

Politics, Power, Poverty and Global Health: Systems and Frames.

Striking disparities in access to healthcare and in health outcomes are major characteristics of health across the globe. This inequitable state of global health and how it could be improved has become a highly popularized field of academic study. In a series of articles in this journal the roles of power and politics in global health have been addressed in considerable detail. Three points are added here to this debate. The first is consideration of how the use of definitions and common terms, for example 'poverty eradication,' can mask full exposure of the extent of rectification required, with consequent failure to understand what poverty eradication should mean, how this could be achieved and that a new definition is called for. Secondly, a criticism is offered of how the term 'global health' is used in a restricted manner to describe activities that focus on an anthropocentric and biomedical conception of health across the world. It is proposed that the discourse on 'global health' should be extended beyond conventional boundaries towards an ecocentric conception of global/planetary health in an increasingly interdependent planet characterised by a multitude of interlinked crises. Finally, it is noted that the paucity of workable strategies towards achieving greater equity in sustainable global health is not so much due to lack of understanding of, or insight into, the invisible dimensions of power, but is rather the outcome of seeking solutions from within belief systems and cognitive biases that cannot offer solutions. Hence the need for a new framing perspective for global health that could reshape our thinking and actions.

New Paradigms in Cataloguing in the 21st Century: A Review of Implications and Adoption of New Strategies for Nigerian Libraries

The purpose of this paper was to discuss new paradigms in cataloguing in 21 st century and its implications and challenges for libraries in developing countries like Nigeria. The authors recommended the adoption of new strategies. The paper adopted four dimensional approaches in the discussion of issues. In the first part, the paper introduces the concept of 21 st century library. The second approach focused on the role of information and communication technology in cataloguing and recent cataloguing practices. In the third approach, the paper compared cataloguing practices in developed countries with Nigeria. The fourth and final approach discussed implications, challenges and strategies for Nigerian libraries to adopt. The paper listed some challenges and strategies that Nigerian libraries and other developing countries should adopt, such as funding, training of staff, provision and maintenance of infrastructure, eradication of corruption, and so on. While there is numerous literatures on the challenges of application of ICT to library operations in Nigeria, very few recommend practical and workable strategies to solving the problems. This paper proposes the adoption of new and workable strategies to efficient and effective application of ICT to cataloguing operations.

Book Review of "#Follow the Leader: Lessons in Social Media Success from #HigherEd CEOs"

Zaiontz, Dan. (2015). #Follow the leader: Lessons in social media from #HigherEd CEOs. St. Louis, MO: EDUniverse Media. Pages: 143. Price: 29.99 USD (paper).Dan Zaiontz's #Follow the Leader's subtitle, lessons in social media from #HigherEd CEOS, pithily captures the essence of the book. Written as a social media manual for leaders in higher education, it is based on interviews with twenty-two college and university presidents in Canada and the United States, focusing on they navigate the social media landscape, using (as the frequent use of hashtags already suggests) Twitter, yet also Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google+, YouTube and other tools build and maintain an institutional presence, communicate with various stakeholders, and create and support virtual communities for their respective higher education institutions. #Follow the Leader is an accessible, engaging and well-structured book that outlines the risks and rewards of social media presence for higher education leaders, culls best practices from the range of social media profiles it offers on college/university presidents that have been interviewed, and offers planning tools and matrices for higher education leaders and their communication advisors develop workable and actionable social media strategies. Importantly, #Follow the Leader is not an academic treatise nor does it desire locate itself within larger scholastic debates around social media consumption and behaviour, theories of leadership and management, the corporatization of higher education and the politics of higher education leadership and administration, name a few potential discussions. While avoiding these debates and those similar them may contribute its reading ease, better situating itself in various kinds of debates that traverse higher education and business management, academically and in terms of policy, might have also deepened the significance of its approach and message.Zaointz's primer begins with the suggestion that, in 2015, when the book was published, social media presence for higher education leaders wasn't mandatory. Yet, his whole book is a detailed examination of the merits and benefits of actively cultivating such a presence. He begins with outlining key questions that leaders should entertain in deciding embark on their respective social media journeys, including their reasons for engaging with prospective and current students, faculty, alumni, government, media and fundraising stakeholders, their own personal capacities for risk and reputational harm and their personal strengths as communicators. Thus, Zaointz's manual is both a how to as well as a learn from. While profiling the relatively successful strategies employed by his interviewees, including presidents of such institutions such as Laurentian University, Southern New Hampshire University, Olds College, and the University of Cincinnati (as well as the now maligned University of Missouri), Zaointz also outlines the steps required build a social media presence and the strategy undergird it for a higher educational leader testing the social media waters and looking for guidance.Zaointz argues that benefits of an active social media presence, such as improved metrics on student satisfaction, ameliorated reputational perceptions, favourable legislative change, and renewed funding, need outweigh the potential risks personal, professional and institutional reputations. He suggests that when higher education leaders seek build and cultivate a social media presence, they should align their messaging with that of their institution's interests and values, be transparent, model someone they find effective, identify interests and provide metrics, design a success matrix and work with strategic advisors or communication specialists. Zaointz diagnoses three models of social media content creation: the ghostwriter, the hybrid and the independent. …

Adapting feeding methods for less nitrogen pollution from pig and dairy cattle farming: abatement costs and uncertainties

This study assesses abatement costs of three measures aimed at reducing nitrogen (N) emissions from livestock production: two protein-adjusted feeding strategies for pigs, and higher-quality forage for dairy cattle. In a partial cost approach, we quantified the effect of different measures on N losses and production costs. We accounted for emissions of NH3, N2O and NO from animal housing, manure storage, manure application, and from soils. Uncertainties related to volatile prices and assumptions about excretion rates and emission factors were assessed in a Monte Carlo simulation. Covering variability of individual input parameters, this uncertainty assessment addresses a fundamental gap in current decision support on N loss reduction measures. For the scenarios investigated, average N abatement costs at farm level were negative and represented net benefits to farmers: In pig husbandry, adapting feeding practices in most individual situations resulted in net benefits, both for three-phase feeding (min −35, max +5, mean −14 €/kg N abated) and optimised single-phase feeding (min −52, max +4, mean −21 €/kg N abated). In dairy production, N abatement by improved forage quality proved invariably more economic than current practice (min −40, max −11, mean −21 €/kg N abated). As shown in this study, N abatement costs can serve as a framework for comparing the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of N loss reduction measures within and between livestock production systems. This is in turn critical when informing practitioners and providing policy support on workable strategies for reducing the N footprint of animal husbandry.

Environmental policy: new directions for the twenty-first century

I. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND POLITICS IN TRANSITION 1. Environmental Policy over Four Decades: Achievements and New Directions - Michael E. Kraft and Norman J. Vig 2. Racing to the Top, the Bottom, or the Middle of the Pack? The Evolving State Government Role in Environmental Protection - Barry G. Rabe 3. High Hopes and Bitter Disappointment: Public Discourse and the Limits of the Environmental Movement in Climate Change Politics - Deborah Lynn Guber and Christopher J. Bosso II. FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS AND POLICY CHANGE 4. Presidential Powers and Environmental Policy - Norman J. Vig 5. Environmental Policy in Congress - Michael E. Kraft 6. Environmental Policy in the Courts - Rosemary O'Leary III. PUBLIC POLICY DILEMMAS 7. Science, Politics, and Policy at the EPA - Walter A. Rosenbaum 8. Conflict and Cooperation in Natural Resource Management - Mark Lubell and Brian Segee 9. Applying Market Principles to Environmental Policy - Sheila M. Olmstead 10. Toward Sustainable Production: Finding Workable Strategies for Government and Industry - Daniel Press and Daniel A. Mazmanian 11. Sustainable Development and Urban Life in North America - Robert C. Paehlke IV. GLOBAL AND DOMESTIC ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES 12. Global Climate Change: Beyond Kyoto - Henrik Selin and Stacy D. VanDeveer 13. Environment, Population, and the Developing World - Richard J. Tobin 14. China's Quest for a Green Economy - Kelly Sims Gallagher and Joanna I. Lewis 15. Environmental Security - Richard A. Matthew V. CONCLUSION 16. Conclusion: Toward Sustainable Development? - Norman J. Vig and Michael E. Kraft

The Cultivation of Health Care Ability of College Students And The Research of Sports Intervention

<p>By means of reference to literature, expert interviews, questionnaires among others, with improving the health care ability of college students as the goal, from the perspective of sports curriculum intervention, the paper focuses on the college students' various physiological and psychological pressure in this modern world, trying to find the positive role of the sports culture(P.E) in the development of health care ability of students, and effective and workable strategies for sports intervention through the systematic research and exploration.</p>

Gaining Access and Establishing Trust in a Fieldwork with Psychiatric Patients

The aim of this paper has two-pronged of objectives: firstly, to know the gatekeepers and their significant roles; and secondly, to share the workable strategies in building rapport and gaining access to the social institution, particularly the studied context. The research was undertaken at public hospitals in Pulau Pinang and Kedah, Malaysia on 37 respondents. The preliminary finding suggested that the gatekeepers play important roles to maintain the status quo in the mental health care. However, compromises are vital to ensure the accessibility to the potential respondents.

Implications of Ebola virus disease on wildlife conservation in Nigeria.

The recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in some West African countries spanning from late 2013 and currently on as of 13th March, 2015 is the most widespread and fatal with human mortality that has surpassed all previous outbreaks. The outbreak has had its toll on conservation of endangered species. This portends danger for the wild fauna of the country if proactive measures are not taken to prepare grounds for evidence- based assertions concerning the involvement of wild species. To this end, there is an urgent need for sweeping census of reserves, national parks and wetlands. As well as the creation of a system involving reportage by sectors like the industries (extractive and construction) including persons and organisations involved with wildlife related activities. This documentation of die offs and unusual events to collaborating institutions, will help in monitoring trends which hitherto would have gone unnoticed. The importance of bats and primates in agriculture and public health via consumption of vermin insects and seed dispersal cannot be over-emphasized. There is the need for caution on the tendencies to destroy indicator species which could be silent pointers to emerging or remerging health and environmental issues. Wildlife resources are still reliably useful and caution is advised in the use of blanket destructive policies like fumigation of caves, indiscriminate culling and poisoned baits to destroy supposedly Ebola Disease Virus wildlife reservoirs. This paper highlights the immediate conservation problems and likely future implications of Ebola saga in Nigeria. It tries to identify the gaps in wildlife researches and makes recommendations for probable workable conservation strategies.

Civil-Military Relations: The Role of Military Leaders in Strategy Making

ABSTRACT: This article addresses the current inadequacies of the civil-military relations model advanced by Samuel Huntington and embraced by the US military, the tensions and realities of security policy development, and the professional responsibilities military leaders have for providing the best military advice possible to political leaders. ********** National security strategy making is difficult business. Some contend the entire enterprise, at its very best, is just focused improvisation. (1) Post-9/11 decisions to use military force, as part of national security policy implementation, and the execution of those polices, have been plagued in the past by a host of factors that have reduced public confidence in both government decision making and the efficacy of military force in the 21st century. With some clear exceptions, the senior leadership of the military, and those who advise it, have contributed to the confusion because of their largely self-imposed mindset of civil-military relations stemming from our almost 50-year acceptance of the orderly and appealing concepts of Samuel Huntington. (2) Huntington's 1957 The Soldier and the State, has defined civil-military relations for generations of military professionals. Soldiers have been raised on Huntingtonian logic and the separation of spheres of influence since their time as junior lieutenants. His construct assigns to both military and civilian leaders clear jurisdictions over the employment of military force. This clarity appeals to military minds and forms the philosophical basis for military doctrine and planning systems. The logic of Huntington's objective control of the military focuses on the role of civilian leaders to determine objectives and broad policy guidance up front. The military offers options to achieve these goals and provides its assessment of risk for each of these options. The president makes the key decisions and then the military executes this guidance with minimal political oversight or meddling and is held accountable for the results. However appealing to the military, Huntington's conceptualization of proper civil-military relations does not reflect the reality of security strategy making and implementation today. Such an orderly, logical world simply does not exist at the top of the national-security hierarchy. The result is that many senior military leaders find themselves, when thrust into this stratosphere, ill-served by the tradition the military's embrace of Huntington has taught them. They worry that diving into the murky waters of national security decision-making causes them to become political, which is seen as antithetical to military culture and ethics. Since America puts so much faith in its military leaders and these national security decisions put American lives at risk, military officers are morally obligated to help craft the best possible policies and strategies. (3) As opinion polls show and commentators assert, the American public holds the US military in extremely high regard and gives significant deference to military leaders on matters of security. This deference creates a responsibility, even an obligation, for generals to participate fully in the dialogue that leads to civilian decisions on the use of force. (4) Our senior general officers, pressed into this dialogue by the demands of their current positions, know this obligation well. Although their war-fighting skills are unquestioned, most military leaders do not naturally wade, by inclination or assignment, into these political waters on their way up in rank. To be effective and to assist the president in crafting and implementing national-security policy involving military force, senior military leaders must embrace a more involved role in the back-and-forth dialogue necessary to build effective policies and workable strategies. Thus, educating and developing strategic-mindedness in our rising senior military officers is an imperative that trumps nearly all other aspects of their professional competence. …

Guest editorial: governing the challenges of climate change and energy transition in cities

Cities form the key context within which social, economic and environmental challenges for sustainable development will manifest in the years to come. As they face the grand societal challenges of climate change and the greening of energy systems, city governments are confronted with the challenge of designing and implementing workable policy strategies. We find that although much attention has been paid to low carbon energy transition in cities, there is surprisingly little attention to the dimension of governance, policy and politics in the scholarly literature. The main question in this guest editorial of the thematic issue, entitled ‘Governing the Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Transition Challenges in Cities’, is: How can effective policy strategies be designed and implemented to govern the challenges of climate change and energy transition in cities? We develop some preliminary answers to this question based on seven research papers that form the contribution to the thematic series. In particular, the various roles that cities play in governing the climate change challenges and energy transition require further description and analysis, specifying the different governing roles of urban actors and how the city—socially, institutionally or geophysically—forms the context within which governance initiatives and arrangements are formed and implemented, while cities themselves are in turn part of larger physical, infrastructural and institutional networks that influence and condition the local governance opportunities. A research agenda to explore the topic further must include particularly the following areas: the role of local government in the interplay between governance initiatives at multiple levels, the influence and the confluence of current (sectoral) policies, learning from a variation of practices of local low carbon policy, mapping the institutional dimension, mapping design and implementation practices of urban low carbon policy, assessing the effects and legitimacy of urban low carbon policies, further understanding of strategic action fields and lines of conflicts between (coalitions of) actors and identifying workable governance frameworks and policies supporting community-led energy initiatives.

Data breach trends in the United States

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the trends of various types of data breaches and their compromised records in the USA using a new model recently developed by the authors. Design/methodology/approach – The 2,280 data breaches and over 512 million related compromised records tracked by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse from 2005 through 2010 were analyzed and classified into four external, five internal and one non-traceable data breach categories, after which trends were determined for each. Findings – The findings indicate that although the trends for the annual number of data breaches and each of the internal and external categories and their related compromised records have increased over the six-year period, the changes have not been consistent from year to year. Practical implications – By classifying data breaches into internal and external categories with the use of this new data breach model provides an excellent methodological framework for organizations to use to develop more workable strategies for safeguarding personal information of consumers, clients, employees and other entities. Originality/value – The topic of data breaches remains salient to profit and nonprofit organizations, researchers, legislators, as well as criminal justice practitioners and consumer advocate groups.

Ecosystem health towards sustainability

Ecosystems are becoming damaged or degraded as a result of stresses especially associated with human activities. A healthy ecosystem is essential to provide the services that humans and the natural environment require and has tremendous social and economic value. Exploration of the definition of ecosystem health includes what constitutes health and what it means to be healthy. To evaluate ecosystem health, it is necessary to quantify ecosystem conditions using a variety of indicators. In this paper, the main principles and criteria for indicator selection, classification of indicators for different kinds of ecosystems, the most appropriate indicators for measuring ecosystem sustainability, and various methods and models for the assessment of ecosystem health are presented. Drivers, sustainability, and resilience are considered to be critical factors for ecosystem health and its assessment. Effective integration of ecological understanding with socioeconomic, biophysical, biogeochemical, and public‐policy dimensions is still the primary challenge in this field, and devising workable strategies to achieve and maintain ecosystem health is a key future challenge.