Search Results (29)

Disaster waste management (DWM) has gained much attention due to the issues associated with the enormous amount of disaster waste generated by natural disasters. However, moving beyond ad hoc and champion-based take-up by practitioners, there is generally a lack of momentum towards mainstreaming such DWM practices to achieve resilient outcomes. This study aims to explore the characteristics of DWM practices, drawing on the lived experiences of industry practitioners and government decision-makers. An interpretive case study method was used to investigate how local government organisations could readily engage in effective DWM processes using the “Resilient disaster management framework” previously established by the research team. Insights include a lack of documented plans for DWM and at best a moderate focus on recovery processes for disaster waste. With these issues counterproductive to community resilience outcomes, there is an urgent need to better manage disaster waste, which we propose can be enabled and supported through DWM plans. The extended ‘resilient DWM framework’ proposed in this study provides a useful reference to prepare practical, agile, and comprehensive DWM plans. Full article

The rapid rise of AI-driven cybercrime and deepfake fraud poses complex organisational challenges for US law enforcement, particularly the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Applying Maguire’s (2003) police organisation theory, this qualitative single-case study analyses the FBI’s structure, culture, technological integration, and inter-agency collaboration. Findings underscore the organisational strengths of the FBI, including a specialised Cyber Division, advanced detection tools, and partnerships with agencies such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). However, constraints, such as resource limitations, detection inaccuracies, inter-agency rivalries, and ethical concerns, including privacy risks associated with AI surveillance, hinder operational effectiveness. Fragmented global legal frameworks, diverse national capacities, and inconsistent detection of advanced deepfakes further complicate responses to this issue. This study proposes the establishment of agile task forces, public–private partnerships, international cooperation protocols, and ethical AI frameworks to counter evolving threats, offering scalable policy and technological solutions for global law enforcement. Full article

In an era of rapid digital transformation, organisations must cultivate dynamic capabilities that promote innovation and continuous learning. This study examines how self-determined motivation and innovation adoption are crucial enablers in developing the digital competencies essential for employees to navigate digital transformation. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory and the Diffusion of Innovation framework, our research underscores the systemic role of individual agency, technological advancements, and organisational structures in facilitating workforce adaptation. Employing a quantitative approach with 152 survey participants, our findings reveal that self-determined motivation alone is inadequate, while adopting innovation significantly influences digital competence. We demonstrate that human-centred factors must align with systemic digital transformation efforts. Moreover, we highlight the necessity of integrating employee capabilities into broader enterprise and government digital innovation strategies. The implications of this study are both theoretical and practical. We stress the need for organisations to design change processes that support digital knowledge acquisition and adaptability in evolving workplaces. Our research offers a systemic perspective on digital transformation, reinforcing that successful organisational innovation requires structured learning environments that empower employees. By fostering an ecosystem where digital competencies are nurtured, organisations can enhance agility, resilience, and sustained competitiveness in the digital age. Full article

Globally, economies are experiencing a paradigm shift from linear production practices (make–use–dispose) towards circular economy (CE) pathways as critical development strategies to achieve Agenda 2030. In the context of the progressive shift to CEs, we critically review extant literature to comprehend the trends and constraints concerning the adoption of CE practices, with a primary focus on India. Our review reveals the growing body of literature encompassing a range of CE practices prevalent in multiple domains globally. We also discuss the emergent trends and patterns in adopting CE across sectors in India. Our study also confirms that implementing the transition to CE with ad hoc policies or as a tactical response to external or internal stimuli is unsustainable; instead, it necessitates organisational agility and strategic collaboration among stakeholders. We also identify consumer perceptions and economic feasibility as the most significant criteria determining the institutionalisation of CE. Further, responding to calls for an investigation into the CE in small and medium enterprises in India, we present a conceptual framework that can enable a non-disruptive transition towards CE. This framework discusses the interlinkages of the above objectives and underscores the need for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders towards a sustainable CE. When practices align with these objectives, firms can successfully manage low environmental impacts while enhancing their economic relevance and social responsibility. The paper also adds to the ongoing investigations into the intersection of the Circular Economy (CE) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by outlining both direct connections (SDG 12) and indirect relationships (SDGs 2, 6, 8, and 13) among the three key pillars of CE: society, environment, and economy. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic devastated businesses globally, leading to significant economic and social challenges. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are particularly vulnerable to environmental turbulence, while their survival and resilience are critical to the national economic recovery of countries globally. This study adopted a qualitative approach to examine the strategic responses adopted by MSMEs and the impact of the strategies on survival and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The sample size comprises ten (10) MSMEs and data collection using a semi-structured interview schedule. The key findings indicate that the MSMEs adopted cost reduction and diversification strategies to mitigate the impact of the abrupt COVID-19 lockdowns and the subsequent financial and cashflow problems, threats to business continuity and survival. The study conclusions indicate that adopting a combination of cost reduction and diversification strategies improved the business continuity and survival of MSMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommendations include the need for government and stakeholders to enhance the capacity and competence of MSMEs in strategic and operational planning, investing in technology, innovation, creativity, training and development of strategic agility and fostering adaptive organisational cultures that enhance flexibility, resilience and survival when faced with economic and business environment disruptions in future. Full article

Introduction: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are an agile context for workplace training, which can provide physicians with needed knowledge and skills related to their clinical practice. From an organisational standpoint, their effectiveness can be assessed on physicians’ intention to transfer what they learn through them in the workplace. Despite the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) standing among the more solid models in explaining individuals’ behavioural intention, its adoption in investigating the training transfer process among physicians is notably underdeveloped, limiting its contribution to enhancing the transfer rates of MOOCs content. Method: Based on such a consideration, the present study adopted an extended TPB model to investigate the potential psychosocial factors affecting the intention to transfer knowledge and skills learned through MOOCs in the workplace among 217 Italian physicians who completed an online self-report questionnaire. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses were performed, showing that among the TPB variables, perceived behavioural control and attitude significantly predicted transfer intention. The inclusion of training satisfaction and job autonomy in the model significantly increased the explained variance in intention. Conclusions: These findings have valuable implications for human resource development (HRD) in healthcare as they suggest the need to design MOOCs based on a flexible competency model in order to promote physicians’ engagement and commitment to adopting new knowledge and skills. Finally, interventions aimed at recognising physicians’ efforts in transferring learned content as well as empowering their ability to shape how they perform their professional duties could further enhance the impact of workplace training. Full article

This study addresses FinTech implementation challenges in the banking industry in Palestine. This was accomplished by adopting qualitative research methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with interviewees from the Palestinian Monetary Authority, banks, and FinTech companies. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 12 software to identify themes in the interview scripts. Research outcomes suggest that FinTech development in Palestine encounters a range of multifaceted challenges, which can be categorised using the TOE (technological, organisational, environmental) framework. On the technological front, issues such as underdeveloped IT and telecommunications infrastructure, restricted mobile frequencies due to Israeli occupation, limited IT expertise, cyber risks, low digital literacy, and minimal FinTech awareness hinder progress. Organizationally, resistance to change, inadequate agility, limited digital skills, and slow Sharia compliance updates in Islamic banking impede innovation. Environmentally, the absence of a dedicated FinTech framework, unclear regulatory guidance, limited market size, and strict AML/CFT regulations create uncertainties for non-bank entities and restrict investment opportunities. Addressing these interconnected barriers requires coordinated efforts across legal, financial, and technological sectors to foster FinTech integration and growth in Palestine. Full article

The 5xFAD transgenic mouse model widely used in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research recapitulates many AD-related phenotypes with a relatively early onset and aggressive age-dependent progression. Besides developing amyloid peptide deposits alongside neuroinflammation by the age of 2 months, as well as exhibiting neuronal decline by the age of 4 months that intensifies by the age of 9 months, these mice manifest a broad spectrum of behavioural impairments. In this review, we present the extensive repertoire of behavioural dysfunctions in 5xFAD mice, organised into four categories: motor skills, sensory function, learning and memory abilities, and neuropsychiatric-like symptoms. The motor problems, associated with agility and reflex movements, as well as balance and coordination, and skeletal muscle function, typically arise by the time mice reach 9 months of age. The sensory function (such as taste, smell, hearing, and vision) starts to deteriorate when amyloid peptide buildups and neuroinflammation spread into related anatomical structures. The cognitive functions, encompassing learning and memory abilities, such as visual recognition, associative, spatial working, reference learning, and memory show signs of decline from 4 to 6 months of age. Concerning neuropsychiatric-like symptoms, comprising apathy, anxiety and depression, and the willingness for exploratory behaviour, it is believed that motivational changes emerge by approximately 6 months of age. Unfortunately, numerous studies from different laboratories are often contradictory on the conclusions drawn and the identification of onset age, making preclinical studies in rodent models not easily translatable to humans. This variability is likely due to a range of factors associated with animals themselves, housing and husbandry conditions, and experimental settings. In the forthcoming studies, greater clarity in experimental details when conducting behavioural testing in 5xFAD transgenic mice could minimise the inconsistencies and could ensure the reliability and the reproducibility of the results. Full article

Effective workplace leadership development programs are considered critical to organizational adaptive capacity and sustainability. The purpose of this exploratory study is to conduct an environmental scan of contemporary practices and approaches to leadership and management development programs in Australian workplaces. An online survey was distributed to a sample of Australian human resource professionals given the field’s strong practitioner orientation. The survey sample includes members of the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI), the professional body for human resource professionals and practitioners in Australia. The findings indicate a substantial majority of the current practice is not informed by evidence-based theory or practice. The most commonly used model is 70:20:10, which lacks a coherent evidence base and has been widely criticized for that reason. The findings point to the frequent application of bespoke leadership frameworks and significant theory–practice gaps. While organizations cite “ensuring delivery of business results”, as the main driver for instigating leadership development programs, with support from top management being crucial to the effectiveness and success of leadership development programs/interventions, evaluation and measurement of impact and return on investment remains problematic. Based on these insights, we present a future research agenda for monitoring and evaluating leadership development programs that will build a stronger theoretical foundation to inform evidence-based practice. Full article

The objective of the paper is to analyse and compare the consequences of the coronacrisis on the entrepreneurship of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovakia and the Czech Republic with the aim of identifying the determinants of changes in entrepreneurship. The secondary empirical research was carried out based on the analysis of secondary and primary data. The analysis used economic indicators of SMEs, governmental measures and surveys of the views of entrepreneurs. The analysis used data from statistical databases and official reports from government institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as data from primary surveys conducted by NGOs. Descriptive statistics, financial analysis and cross-comparison methods were used to process the data. The results revealed changes in the business of SMEs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia during the crisis, such as the adaptation of business strategies, improvement of flexibility and acceleration of digitalisation processes. These changes highlighted the importance of building business agility. The summary of the main changes in SME business based on both secondary data and primary surveys and the perception of state anti-pandemic aid by managers as feedback to governments represent the main contributions of the paper. Full article

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Ukraine–Russian conflict, both significant geo-political and socio-economic shocks to the global food system and food insecurity has risen across the world. One potential remedy to reduce the level of food insecurity is to move from a lean just-in-time food system to one where there is more resilience through greater agility both in routine supply operations and also in the event of an emergency situation. The aim of this critical perspectives paper was to firstly reflect on the concepts of lean, agility, and ‘leagility’. Then, this study considered the ability of individual organisations and the whole food system to be resilient, adaptive, enable the elimination of waste, reduce inefficiency, and assure the consistent delivery to market requirements in terms of both volume, safety, and quality. Promoting the concept of leagility together with advocating resilient, sustainable practices that embed buffer and adaptive capacity, this paper positions that increasing digitalisation and improving business continuity planning can ensure effective operationalisation of supply chains under both normal and crisis situations, ultimately reducing the risk of food insecurity at personal, household, and community levels. Full article

The assessment and feedback area of the European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu) establishes a specific competence related to the ability to use digital technologies to provide feedback and make decisions for learning. According to the literature, this particular competence is one of the least developed in the teaching profession. As there are few specialised training strategies in the field of information and communication technology (ICT)-mediated feedback, this study aims to validate a microlearning proposal for university teachers, organised in levels of progression following the DigCompEdu guidelines. To validate the proposal, a literature analysis was carried out and a training proposal was developed and submitted to a peer review process to assess its relevance. This study identifies the elements that should be included in a training strategy in the area of feedback and decision making for university contexts. Finally, it is concluded that this type of training requires a combination of agile and self-managed strategies (characteristics of microlearning), which can be complemented by the presentation of evidence and collaborative work with colleagues. Full article

This research explores how the cloud’s technological capability helps small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adapt to challenging business environments, providing long-term sustainability and strategic agility. The article uses a theoretical and quantitative empirical approach, known as the positivist research paradigm, in offering a unique capability called dynamic cloud capability that leverages the cloud’s technological capabilities. Based on the quantitative analysis of 222 Australian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) SMEs, dynamic cloud capability favourably improves the flexible allocation of resources (resource fluidity) and the ability to adapt business models (strategic agility). Additionally, because of the successful mediating effect of resource fluidity, it is inferred that dynamic cloud capability allows for the flexible allocation of resources leading to improved strategic agility. Hence, adopting dynamic cloud capability in an organisation’s strategy would be particularly appealing to ICT SMEs as it has been verified to enhance adaptability to a challenging business environment and flexible allocation of resources. Full article

The most successful organisations create businesses that can respond to sudden and unexpected changes in the market. The purpose of this research is to examine how big data analytics capabilities might, through strategic agility, impact on sustainable performance. We grounded our theoretical framework in two perspectives: the resource-based view and the dynamic capabilities view. In order to gather data from Saudi Arabian managers, we used the positivist methodology of a survey. Data were collected from 410 managers. The data were analysed using the SEM method. The findings indicated that big data analytics capabilities have a significant effect on economic, environmental, and social performance. They also revealed that strategic agility partially mediates the relationship between the capabilities of big data analytics and sustainable performance. Furthermore, the impact of big data analytics capabilities on strategic agility is stronger in a creative environment, while the strategic agility–sustainable performance relationship is more pronounced in more creative environments. The findings offer firms an insight into the actual benefits that big data analytics may generate and how firms may align the use of big data analytics with industrial conditions to foster sustainable performance. Full article

In this article, we critique and extend Bourdieu’s notion of cultural capital to develop the new concept of total diaspora cultural capital. We build on the limitations of cultural capital, which in the Bourdieu theory centre on materiality and class perpetuation. The article builds on an extensive review of the literature, using the PRISMA framework. We also use the findings of previous research to illustrate this argument. We differentiate between four types of organisations or groups that articulate various levels of cultural capital to build a body of evidence that establishes total diaspora cultural capital (type D groups) as a bounded collective identity creation encapsulating three main dimensions: appropriation, customisation and deployment. Total diaspora cultural capital is perceived as fitting the post-colonial global context through the acknowledgement that diasporas and hosts make the modern world, being agents who create and disseminate culture and economic sustainability through reciprocal appropriation of cultural assets. The research is the first to conceptualise the notion of total diaspora cultural capital. This research significantly extends Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital, which fails to capture the multiple contours of evolving sustainability perspectives. Total diaspora cultural capital creates bounded cultural capital that strengthens the agility of diaspora businesses. Full article