Marta Angelici, Paolo Berta and Giorgio Vittadini
This chapter aims to provide suggestive evidence on how the Lombardy region dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and discuss future challenges for the Lombardy healthcare…
Abstract
This chapter aims to provide suggestive evidence on how the Lombardy region dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and discuss future challenges for the Lombardy healthcare system. After an introduction to the wide spread of the virus inside the region, we describe the Lombardy health system so the reader may understand the context in which the virus has taken hold so quickly. The pandemic has heavily stressed the system, mainly because Lombardy experienced an excess of hospital admissions. We have considered the increased mortality rate as a proxy of the proper managing of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we describe the process of treating non-COVID patients, such as those affected by acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke and oncological diseases. Despite the pandemic, hospitals have been able to guarantee a high level of performance. A discussion of the future evolution of the healthcare system concludes this chapter.
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Alexander Nikolaevich Raikov and Massimiliano Pirani
The purpose of the paper is to propose an effective approach of artificial intelligence (AI) addressing social-humanitarian reality comprising non-formalizable representation. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to propose an effective approach of artificial intelligence (AI) addressing social-humanitarian reality comprising non-formalizable representation. The new task is to describe processes of integration of AI and humans in the hybrid systems framework.
Design/methodology/approach
Social-humanitarian dynamics contradict traditional characteristics of AI. Suggested methodology embraces formalized and non-formalized parts as a whole. Holonic and special convergent approaches are combined to ensure purposefulness and sustainability of collective decision-making. Inverse problem solving on topology spaces, control thermodynamics and non-formalizable (considering quantum and relativistic) semantics include observers of eigenforms of reality.
Findings
Collective decision-making cannot be represented only by formal means. Thus, this paper suggests the equation of hybrid reality (HyR), which integrates formalizable and non-formalizable parts conveying and coalescing holonic approaches, thermodynamic theory, cognitive modeling and inverse problem solving. The special convergent approach makes the solution of this equation purposeful and sustainable.
Research limitations/implications
The suggested approach is far reaching with respect of current state-of-the-art technology; medium-term limitations are expected in the creation of cognitive semantics.
Practical implications
Social-humanitarian events embrace all phenomena connected with individual and collective human behavior and decision-making. The paper will impact deeply networked experts, groups of crowds, rescue teams, researchers, professional communities, society and environment.
Originality/value
New possibilities for advanced AI to enable purposeful and sustainable social-humanitarian subjects. The special convergent information structuring during collective decision-making creates necessary conditions toward the goals.
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An examination of the adverse occupational distribution of blacks as a function of direct and indirect discrimination.
Abstract
An examination of the adverse occupational distribution of blacks as a function of direct and indirect discrimination.
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L. Roberts, D. Brown and M. Pirani
In a study of 116 Volvo dealers and 146 Forddealers, attitudes towards the use of informationtechnology as a method of creating competitiveadvantage were examined. Based on…
Abstract
In a study of 116 Volvo dealers and 146 Ford dealers, attitudes towards the use of information technology as a method of creating competitive advantage were examined. Based on Porter′s work it was hypothesised that in the British market Ford operates as a broad focus cost leader whilst Volvo operates as a narrow focus differentiator and this leads to greater emphasis on strategic market information by Volvo dealers and on cost data by Ford dealers. The results partially supported the thesis. However, the research cast doubt on the assertion that companies must choose one strategy to avoid being stuck in the middle. At the level of attitudes towards information needs and more strongly in uses of information technology for competitive advantage, motor dealers remain naïve and the major initiatives flow from the manufacturers and potentially reduce the long‐run autonomy of dealerships.
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Davoud Pirani, Meysam Safi-Keykaleh, Iman Farahi-Ashtiani, Hamid Safarpour and Katayoun Jahangiri
The use of volunteers is one of the approaches to capacity building, preparedness and the response of the health system in disasters. Appropriate management of volunteers during…
Abstract
Purpose
The use of volunteers is one of the approaches to capacity building, preparedness and the response of the health system in disasters. Appropriate management of volunteers during disasters and emergencies is essential. This study aimed to explain the challenges of volunteer management in the Pandemic COVID-19 in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative research was conducted using the content analysis based on the Graneheim method. The participants' selection was done based on purposeful sampling and theoretical sampling until data saturation. Direct field observation and 26 interviews were applied to collect data.
Findings
Four categories and 15 sub-categories emerged to describe the challenges of volunteer management during the COVID-19 crisis including policymaking barriers (including legal barriers, insurance and support coverage and risk governance), managerial barriers (including planning, coordinating and organizing, training and awareness, command and leadership and information management and documentation), socio-cultural barriers (personal safety attitude and culture, attitudes and expectations of the community and perspectives on volunteers) and executive-operational barriers (monitoring and evaluation, cost and needs assessment).
Originality/value
It is essential to increase managers', officials' and volunteers' perceptions of COVID19 risk through education and information. Preparing a database for volunteers' information, including non-governmental organization and governmental organization volunteers, planning for needs assessment, establishing a mechanism for recruiting volunteers and using their capacities and appropriate organizing, tracking and monitoring of volunteers can be among effective strategies.
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An investigation into the skills used by 82 personnel and industrial relations managers, particularly in negotiations, shows that some of the theoretical and prescriptive ideas…
Abstract
An investigation into the skills used by 82 personnel and industrial relations managers, particularly in negotiations, shows that some of the theoretical and prescriptive ideas that exist on negotiating need to be revised. The notion of rational, calculated negotiating strategy on the part of management needs to be challenged. Management have a fairly clear idea of settlement terms derived from an informal network which is likely to ensure fairly similar terms of settlement. It is essential to emphasise that according to respondents the union side usually loses and settles on average 1–2 per cent below the rate management will accept. In connection with this shop stewards are not seen as good negotiators. The theoretical assumptions which underpin the prescriptive literature on negotiations are examined.
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Atsuko Kawakami, Juyeon Son and Charley Henderson
This study aims to better understand the key factors that affect the quality of care that patients with Hepatitis C are likely to receive in rural communities and to consider how…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to better understand the key factors that affect the quality of care that patients with Hepatitis C are likely to receive in rural communities and to consider how to build a more effective health support system for the rural residents.
Methodology/Approach
This qualitative study with a grounded theory approach allowed us to draw a conceptual map of the occurrence while informants had the opportunity to contemplate and share their thoughts on the issues, which led into new understandings of the subject matter.
Findings
The local leaders held a romanticized view toward rural life while the disadvantaged reported a sense of powerlessness to bring about the needed changes to help them battle Hepatitis C.
Research Limitations/Implications
Although describing a single social setting provides in-depth description, generalizability to other settings is always a limitation. If one wishes to start a support group, he/she may have to start asking the clergy of different churches to be the cofounders of the support group organization.
Originality/Value of Paper
Churches may have the most potential to bring about the needed changes in rural settings by fostering a supportive heath care environment in their communities.
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Pietro Burrascano, Mario Carpentieri, Alessandro Pirani, Marco Ricci and Francesco Tissi
The paper seeks to present a novel pulsed eddy currents (PEC) non‐destructive technique to investigate deep cracks in metallic structures.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to present a novel pulsed eddy currents (PEC) non‐destructive technique to investigate deep cracks in metallic structures.
Design/methodology/approach
The method is based on the time‐domain analysis of the “defect response” and joins the PEC approach with the exploitation of the peculiar auto‐correlation properties of the Galois sequences. The procedure, relying on the deconvolution of Galois sequences, greatly improves the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and thus the operating depth. De‐convolving even short Galois sequences allows one to investigate at depth ranges larger than those allowed by the conventional pulsed excitation techniques.
Findings
The technique has been tested on a benchmark and compared with numerical simulations. The experimental results showed that the SNR and the detection depth range have been significantly improved.
Research limitations/implications
Some limitations of the measuring set up were evidenced requiring a new measuring apparatus if explorations at larger depths are of interest: the 0.1 per cent impedance differences among the four coils in the bridge, although limited by an accurate construction, resulted in a limitation of the measuring system in DSP procedure adopted to null the background signal: different probe configurations must be pursued in order to allow further improvements in the deep defect detection.
Originality/value
For the first time the peculiar Galois sequences excitation was applied in a PEC system. By using these inputs the signal energy was significantly enhanced, allowing one to reconstruct by the deconvolution process the crack signatures.
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The paper is centred through an examination of a short piece of recorded talk between managers and shop stewards within a UK National Health Service (NHS) Trust, relating to the…
Abstract
The paper is centred through an examination of a short piece of recorded talk between managers and shop stewards within a UK National Health Service (NHS) Trust, relating to the manner in which one of the shop stewards attempted to get the managers to accede to a request he made for changes to the wording of a section of the Trust’s disciplinary procedure. In examining this piece of talk, the paper first contextualises the Trust through the decentralisation process of the early 1990s. The decentralisation process clearly did not introduce formal negotiation into NHS units, but instead increased the scope of formal negotiation encounters. The paper argues that there was an increased importance for persuasion as the need to gain others’ assent on industrial relations matters at the local level was significantly increased. The paper analyses the dynamics of one particular negotiating encounter between two managers and two shop stewards. In analysing this, the paper focuses through rhetoric. In coming through a rhetorical framework, the paper highlights the need for managers, when negotiating, to be alert to the implied elements of the arguments of those across the negotiating table. Concludes by also understanding the rhetoric of the encounter in the light of the marketisation of the NHS during the 1990s.
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There are thought to be great technical and economic benefits potentially available through the application of multiple surface engineering technologies in new market sectors…
Abstract
There are thought to be great technical and economic benefits potentially available through the application of multiple surface engineering technologies in new market sectors. This is illustrated through the combined plasma and PVD treatment of low alloy steel substrates. Unique opportunities exist, through the advent of high energy beam technologies, to liquid phase thermochemically alloy aluminium and titanium materials which can then be combined with plasma or PVD techniques to enhance the performance of engineering components by many orders of magnitude. The most recent work in this field suggests that roller element bearings in titanium alloys will soon be within the bounds of design capability and advances towards the design and manufacture of titanium gears could well be possible in the longer term.