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AbstractAlthough an increasing number of studies explore the factors influencing users’ privacy concerns regarding social robots, the existing understanding of this issue remains largely fragmented. Previous studies have mainly focused on the "net effect" between variables, leaving the complexity of causal configurations, and the holistic impact of design characteristics of social robots on user privacy concerns remains unclear. Based on the Stimuli-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework and Communication Privacy Management Theory (CPMT), this study integrates social robot design characteristics such as Anthropomorphism, Warmth, Competence, and Transparency into causal configurations, and uses Perceived Privacy Risk and Perceived Privacy Control as mediating variables to propose a Comprehensive conceptual model. Based on valid data from a sample of 198 Chinese social robot users, this study conducted empirical analyses of the conceptual model using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA). PLS-SEM results show that anthropomorphism, warmth, competence, and transparency are key factors influencing privacy concerns, and perceived privacy risk mediates the relationship between warmth, information transparency, and privacy concerns. The FsQCA results further validated the findings of PLS-SEM and identified five configurations of factor combinations that led to higher levels of user privacy concerns. Among them, the combination of high anthropomorphism design, high competence, and low warmth of social robots is the core configuration that leads to users’ privacy concerns. Overall, this study broadens our understanding of social robot users’ privacy concerns and reveals the causal complexity behind social robot users’ privacy concerns. It provides some theoretical and practical insights for subsequent scholars and designers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the situational theory of problem solving to explicate how publics engage in conspiratorial thinking as a form of cognitive problem solving. In doing so, we develop a new typology of conspiracy theories and introduce conceptual definitions and operationalizations of conspiratorial thinking as both dispositional and situational. We conduct two survey studies which provide evidence of the measures' reliability and validity. We also investigate the debiasing effects of relational and informational strategies employed by social institutions. Finally, we present institutional behavioral strategies, grounded in the strategic behavioral theory of communication management, that can reduce conspiratorial thinking. Our new concepts and measurement approaches describe the origins and processes of public conspiracism and provide a foundation for implementing ethical and effective interventions, ultimately contributing to a more informed and educated society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost half of all U.S. employees have experienced some form of workplace bullying. Stress and decreased job satisfaction are just some of the negative impacts victims or bystanders of workplace bullying can undergo. With the increased use of computer-mediated communication and social media, workplace cyberbullying is a concern in addition to face-to-face workplace bullying. The current study explored decisions to disclose workplace cyberbullying from a communication privacy management perspective. Quantitative results from 185 participants show the contextual criteria of important reason and conversational appropriateness to predict the depth of workplace cyberbullying disclosures and important reason to predict the breadth of disclosures. Qualitative results show factors that influenced concealment of workplace cyberbullying include fear of potential negative outcomes, lack of trust, and unwelcome culture, whereas factors that influenced disclosure of workplace cyberbullying included an open and safe space, impact of cyberbullying, the 'greater good effect,' and confidence in the situation improving. Results of this study can assist organizations and leaders in creating environments and trainings that encourage employees to disclose workplace cyberbullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to identify, categorize, and prioritize the benefits and challenges of implementing common data environments (CDEs) in the construction phase of building information modeling (BIM)-based projects. For this purpose, a systematic literature review, semistructured interviews, and the Delphi method were conducted, and online sources of CDE providers were investigated. 54 benefits and 15 challenges were identified. Cronbach's alpha, standard deviation, interrater agreement level, and significance level statistics were calculated to analyze and validate Delphi method outputs. Results demonstrate that the most important benefit of implementing CDEs in the construction phase of BIM-based projects is access to accurate, reliable, up-to-date information. The most critical challenge is the exclusion of CDE planning in the front-end phase of the project. Prioritizing the benefits shows CDEs' full potential for the construction phase of BIM-based projects. Prioritizing the challenges demonstrates possible future works, requirements, and the areas that should be improved. This research provides a comprehensive point of view on the benefits and challenges of implementing CDEs in the construction phase of BIM-based projects. It analyzes the potential of CDEs by strengthening the findings from the systematic literature review with the SMEs' evaluation, comments, and feedback. This study provides valuable insights into implementing CDEs in the construction phase of BIM-based projects, defining their capabilities, status, and potential, and giving suggestions about how to deal with their challenges. This research shows how CDEs ensure streamlining information and communication flows in BIM-based projects by mitigating nonvalue-added activities resulting from informal, nonstandardized data exchanges, lack of proper data exchange protocols, loss of project data, and lack of efficient collaboration and communication between project team participants. This study reveals the importance of implementing CDEs in the construction phase of BIM-based projects to achieve adequate information and communication management that may prevent project data loss, informal, nonstandardized data exchanges, and inefficient collaboration between multidisciplinary teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adding to the work on creative conflict management that has been the object of organizational and management studies for the last several decades, we focus on a subset of Gen Z or "Generation Tech" (Gen T). This generation will be the first to instinctively and reflexively bring a "technology first" approach to their work practices including conflict resolution. Scholars of organizational communication identify the management of creative conflict as a prosocial process with important ramifications for organizational well-being. Taking a social diagnosis approach, we contribute to this growing literature by bringing it into dialogue with digital sociology and Gen Ters who are well-suited to use digital communication platforms (DCPs) like Teams and Slack to engage in creative conflict that benefits the well-being of organizations and their members. Our analysis shows that DCPs can encourage prosocial behaviors, when they (1) include nonsynchronous functionality, (2) associate contributions with members' real names, and (3) make all interactions visible to all team members. Our study reveals that when organizational DCPs are governed by these parameters, they can foster the Seven Cs of Creative Conflict that we identify as clarity, candor, contribution, cooperation, challenge, courage, and collegiality. The Seven Cs foster a growth mindset feedback loop in which members learn to self-reflectively apply a social diagnostic approach to their own digitally mediated well-being, thereby potentially improving organizational communication. Therefore, the Seven Cs form a core of communication competencies that will be increasingly important for organizational success as Gen Ters continue to mature and become colleagues in a variety of organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It remains unclear how patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and clinicians perceive the level of patient–clinician communication and if there could be potential lapses. This cross-sectional study aims to compare perspectives between patients with AD and dermatologists regarding communication and treatment expectations in Asia. Methods: Moderate-to-severe patients with AD and practicing dermatologists were recruited from eight Asia–Pacific territories, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. Patients and dermatologists completed separate surveys designed to elicit their expectations regarding AD management, and their perceived level of patient–clinician communication. Patients were also asked about their treatment satisfaction and whether they prefer additional treatment beyond what was prescribed. Demographic information and responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study was reviewed by the institutional review board in each territory, and all participants provided informed consent. Results: A total of 1103 patients and 271 dermatologists completed the surveys. Both patients and dermatologists were largely aligned in their top treatment goals in AD management. However, greater proportions of patients prioritized the prevention of exacerbation (78.0% versus 47.2%), minimization of treatment adverse effects (46.4% versus 9.1%), and improvement in mental health (16.0% versus 4.9%), compared with dermatologists. Although patient–clinician communication was observed to be generally good, 10.9% of patients reported dissatisfaction with communication in AD management. The majority of patients were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their latest acute AD treatment, but 65.5% of patients still desired additional treatment. Conclusions: This multinational study has provided insights on the perspectives of Asian patients and dermatologists in treatment goals, AD management, and communication. In general, both patients and dermatologists were aligned in treatment goals and there was satisfactory patient–clinician communication in most aspects. However, potential areas of improvement have been identified to further enhance patient-centered care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the Digitalization of Diplomacy Maturity Model (DD-MM), a comprehensive framework designed to assess and enhance the digital capabilities of diplomatic institutions. The DD-MM encompasses four critical dimensions: people, digital visibility, technology and security, and policies, providing a structured approach to evaluate and advance the maturity of digital diplomacy practices. In the people dimension, the model emphasizes role definitions, change management, and specialized training programs, highlighting the need for diplomats to acquire digital literacy and competency. The digital visibility dimension focuses on the strategic use of social media and other online platforms to enhance a nation's presence and influence in the digital sphere, emphasizing engagement with a global audience and proactive digital communications management. The technology and security dimension addresses ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data management, advocating for the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies to support diplomatic activities and ensure the security of sensitive information. The policies dimension underscores the necessity for clear guidelines and regulatory frameworks to govern the use of digital tools in diplomacy, including the formulation of policies that align with international standards and promote ethical practices. The DD-MM outlines a clear pathway for continuous improvement, guiding institutions from the initial stages of digital integration to advanced levels of optimization and strategic alignment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IP mobility support is based on terminal behavior, recognizing mobility and maintaining a continuous communication session. The existing mobile IP location registration sends a message to one or more routers during a handoff within a domain by using a multicast address to process messages continuously. This implementation requires persistent message processing among all routers to determine new multicast address assignments. To solve this problem, we propose a method that enables the mobile user to obtain a QoS guarantee when the mobile device moves to an overlapping area under the mobile IP. Therefore, dynamic mobility management includes location updates under the mobile IP, and transmission of packets from the expected access points. When a handoff occurs while the mobile device is connected, the mobile host dynamically adapts to the mobility characteristics of the mobile node and transmits missed packets. In addition, by first using a location router, handoff latency reduction and packet loss requirements between domains in the overlapping mobile network environment are resolved. Second, the proposed algorithm has low-control traffic in the mobile network, allowing quick handoffs. Although instantaneous throughput is reduced during handoffs, tunneling is reduced by 10-30%, even after a handoff, by retransmitting packets missed by the mobile host, while location-registration-update times are reduced by 20-80%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inclusive workforce leads to higher productivity and creativity, increased job satisfaction, and decreased turnover. Though few studies have identified factors affecting inclusion in construction, there is a need for a measurement index to enable organizations to assess their progress in inclusion. Therefore, this study aimed to compute the share percentage of each attribute contributing to inclusion in the construction industry, specifically for women and transgender individuals. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used as the multiattribute decision-making tool to transform the judgments of five experts, three practitioners and two academicians, into a list of weighted attributes. Fourteen attributes emerged from AHP, which were grouped into eight unique gender inclusion factors: endorsement of inclusion, external collaboration, quality of work–life, career development, equitable work environment, effective communication, worker health and welfare, and safe work environment. The results underscored the predominance of endorsement-related attributes such as commitment from top management and inclusion at the top management level for enhancing gender inclusion on sites. External collaboration emerged as a prominent factor, whereas communication with management was the least weighted attribute. The findings have threefold implications. The hierarchy structure will enable practitioners to map the various attributes in their organization and suggest actions based on the requirements of the workforce. Second, the ranked list will enable practitioners to focus on the limited resources available to enhance the inclusion of the attributes with higher weightage. Third, the attribute weight will help researchers develop a quantitative index for computing the level of gender inclusion on construction sites. Apart from the general limitations of an AHP-based evaluation, the findings of this paper cannot be used to assess the presence of an attribute onsite; instead, they can indicate the extent to which an attribute contributes to inclusion in the construction industry. Practical Applications: Existing studies have made it abundantly clear that diversity and inclusion are essential practices for the sustenance and progress of the global economy. However, there is limited practical evidence to back up these studies. For example, research that suggests an increase in inclusion in construction sites increases worker productivity cannot be proven quantitatively. This is because although productivity data can be measured, the level of inclusion at a site or that a person feels cannot be measured. To facilitate such research directions about inclusion, especially in construction, it is of the utmost importance to come up with an index that will enable practitioners to assess the inclusion at a site. Developing such an index is a complex task involving many stages. This study endeavored to address one of the stages—weighting of attributes—in detail and explore the results and applications therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective written communication is a critical part of management success. Before beginning to write, the manager should consider the importance of the document, its intended audience, the goals to be achieved, and the tone. The most important factor for successful writing is clarity so the recipients correctly understand the message and know what they should do. Careful editing for all types of errors is a must including involving others in the editing process. The manager should consider using the many free tools that are available to improve writing. Two specific tips are: always give the reason for reading the document in the first sentence and use a flat, factual style to communicate negative news. Finally, remember that any poorly written communication, even informal efforts such as emails and social media posts, can have negative management consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families manage daily conflict through communication and healthy family communication is critical to promoting better family relationships and youth adjustment. Community families without high‐risk factors, such as domestic dispute or clinical problems, are no less affected by the ramifications of poor communication and conflict management. However, there is limited translational research on community families analyzing the changes in parent–adolescent communication quality. This study aimed to test whether a brief 4‐week family conflict intervention improved openness and problems in mother–adolescent (MA) and father–adolescent (DA) communication and whether mothers, fathers, and adolescents experienced the intervention effects differently. A total of 225 community families with adolescents were randomly assigned to either a parent–adolescent treatment condition (PA: n = 75), parent‐only treatment condition (PO: n = 75), or control condition (n = 75). Mother, father, and adolescent reports on parent–adolescent communication were analyzed from pretest through a 3‐year follow‐up assessment, over five waves. ANCOVA results indicated significant intervention effects at posttest for mother‐reported openness in MA communication, youth‐reported openness in DA communication, and father‐reported problems in DA communication, for PA condition. No significant intervention effects were found for PO condition. Exploratory trajectory analysis revealed the necessity of testing both linear and nonlinear models to be able to best illustrate the 3‐year change trajectories of parent–adolescent communication quality. Resulting trajectories revealed interesting variations in longitudinal changes across three intervention conditions. The findings highlight the importance of involving fathers and adolescents in family intervention programs and the necessity of multi‐informant assessment to better clarify the interplay among different family members behind the intervention effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As technology continues to evolve, so too do privacy concerns individuals have about technology. This is especially true when individuals share highly sensitive, personal content through technology. When individuals sext, they are sharing sexually explicit messages, photos, and videos with another person. Two theories are interrogated in how they may apply to sexting and privacy: communication privacy management theory and privacy calculus. Utilizing these theories, privacy is highlighted in this article as a negotiation process between partners and technologies. Individuals must consider who they share material with and the channels they use, and these theories can help in developing a better understanding of these processes. Sexting can be a positive influence on adults' romantic relationships, whether serious or casual; yet, they need to be able to engage in these behaviors in ways that encourage trust both interpersonally and with their technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) refers to a condition widely discussed on social media, but rarely mentioned in the medical literature. It typically involves a patient with chronic eczema who abruptly discontinues topical corticosteroids (TCS) believing they are ineffective and damaging. Symptoms include an acute eruption, worse than the previous eczema, of painful erythema followed by oozing, crusting, desquamation and sometimes prolonged systemic weakness. Patients self-diagnose and often avoid healthcare professionals who dismiss the diagnosis and persist in offering TCS, leaving them unsupported. We analysed 121 responses to a survey of UK dermatologists' attitudes to TSW. Views on aetiology included relapsed eczema, erythroderma and a social construct. A total of 88.4% (107/121) agreed that TSW needs better understanding and more research. Respondents earlier in their careers are more cautious than senior respondents about prescribing TCS long term because of TSW, suggesting a trend that might lead to better understanding, communication and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless communication technologies have profoundly impacted the interconnectivity of mobile users and terminals. Nevertheless, the exponential increase in the number of users poses significant challenges, particularly in interference management, which is a major concern in wireless communication. Machine learning (ML) approaches have emerged as powerful tools for solving various problems in this domain. However, existing studies have not fully addressed the problem of interference management for wireless communication using ML techniques. In this paper, we explore the application of recurrent neural network (RNN) approaches to address co-channel interference in wireless communication. Specifically, we investigate the effectiveness of long short-term memory (LSTM), bidirectional LSTM (Bi-LSTM), and gated recurrent unit (GRU) network architectures in two different network settings. The first network comprises 10 connected devices, while the second network involves 20 devices. Our experimental results demonstrate that Bi-LSTM outperforms LSTM and GRU in terms of mean squared error, normalized mean squared error, and sum rate. While LSTM and GRU produce similar results, LSTM exhibits a marginal advantage over GRU. In addition, a combined RNN approach is also studied, and it can provide better results in dense networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing calls for increased communication scholarship that interrogates power in stigma processes, we develop a critical postmodern approach to stigma management communication (SMC) theory and demonstrate how it can be used in the context of difficulty orgasming. Semi-structured interviews with mostly white, cisgender women experiencing orgasm difficulties in mixed-sex relationships (N = 31) revealed how dominant discourse creates an idealized standard of sexual behavior that stigmatizes women with orgasm difficulties, and how stigma management strategies act as discursive practices that reify, resist, and transform the status quo. We extend SMC theory by articulating a critical postmodern approach that can be used to interrogate power in stigma processes, and by illuminating how stigma management strategies are enacted in varied ways and toward different ends. Practically, our findings underscore the need for multifaceted interventions aimed at addressing the underlying causes of stigma and offer recommendations for reducing stigma through health campaigns, programming, and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study enhances the explanatory power of the stigma management communication theory [SMCT] while providing practical communication techniques for people who may want to respond to racist/colorist comments. Using the typology of SMCT, we propose a predictive model that includes two new variables– perceived agency and perceived efficacy to verbally respond to racist/colorist comments. Results from a survey (N = 655) and in-depth interviews (N = 43) of predominantly US adults show that perceived agency and perceived efficacy impact how one responds to racist/colorist comments. The study also found that social media can nurture the perceived sense of agency and learning the history of racism/colorism can nurture the perceived sense of efficacy. The study concludes by discussing how the explanatory power of SMCT can be further improved by refining the constructs of agency and efficacy, and providing practical steps to equip those who want to verbally respond to racist/colorist comments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Communication privacy management (CPM) theory is a major theory explaining the tensions between disclosing and concealing private information in interpersonal communication. By considering differences in interpersonal and humantechnology information disclosure and drawing on existing work related to privacy and technology, this article presents CPM theory as a broad theoretical framework for human-technology privacy boundary management. Method: This research employed a speculative theoretical approach by drawing on existing literature and synthesizing it to both apply and extend CPM theory's propositions to human-technology privacy boundary management. Results: CPM theory can be applied to understand the dynamics of humantechnology information disclosure and should incorporate technological literacy as a key consideration in human-technology privacy boundary management. Legal ties characterize human-technology privacy boundary coordination instead of social ties. Additionally, in human-technology information disclosure contexts, CPM theory should provide guidance regarding managing third parties that may gain access to information. Conclusion: CPM theory is the most comprehensive framework for how individuals manage privacy boundaries, be it in interpersonal or human-technology contexts. By considering technology as a property of technological actors instead of an actor itself, CPM theory in human-technology contexts becomes a flexible theoretical framework for understanding information disclosure and privacy boundary management, both for existing technologies (e.g., social media, online shopping platforms, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things) and future technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing maritime economy, ensuring the quality of communication for maritime users has become imperative. The maritime communication system based on nearshore base stations enhances the communication rate of maritime users through dynamic resource allocation. A virtual queue-based deep reinforcement learning beam allocation scheme is proposed in this paper, aiming to maximize the communication rate. More particularly, to reduce the complexity of resource management, we employ a grid-based method to discretize the maritime environment. For the combinatorial optimization problem of grid and beam allocation under unknown channel state information, we model it as a sequential decision process of resource allocation. The nearshore base station is modeled as a learning agent, continuously interacting with the environment to optimize beam allocation schemes using deep reinforcement learning techniques. Furthermore, we guarantee that grids with poor channel state information can be serviced through the virtual queue method. Finally, the simulation results provided show that our proposed beam allocation scheme is beneficial in terms of increasing the communication rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oro‐control communication is one of the complications associated with dental extraction and oral surgeries. This case report presents a minimally invasive surgical approach for bone regeneration at the site of oro‐antral communication utilizing a prefabricated computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD‐CAM) allogenic bone block. Methods: A 20‐year‐old healthy female, nonsmoker, with a badly destructed upper right first molar was referred for dental implant placement after extraction. Cone beam computerized tomography images revealed the presence of a large bone defect associated with oro‐antral communication with the maxillary sinus and insufficient bone for dental implant placement. A prefabricated CAD‐CAM allogenic bone scaffold was fabricated. After surgical exposure, the scaffold was secured in place and covered with a non‐resorbable membrane. A dental implant was placed after 5 months, and a trephining biopsy was processed for histological evaluation. Results: Closure of the oro‐antral communication was clinically observed. The average width of the alveolar bone was 12 mm, and the average height was 11 mm. Histological analysis at 5‐month intervals showed thin newly formed bone trabeculae encircling remnants of graft material surrounded by osteoid tissue. The newly formed bone percentages were 32 ± 18% and 28 ± 17% volume remained after the biodegradation of the scaffold. Specific immune‐histochemical staining by anti‐vascular epithelial growth factor expression index value was 32.06%. Conclusions: A prefabricated CAD‐CAM scaffold was successfully used to seal a large oro‐antral communication and regenerate sufficient bone to place a dental implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past years the relatively new field of veterinary management faced incredible challenges. In order to maintain the fluent workflow and guide the veterinary practitioners through economic and health crises the profession itself demanded a new skill-set to be implemented focused on the so-called soft skills. The present study focused on a survey among owners, managers and employees at veterinary clinics and hospitals in order to establish the level at which they have implemented some non-technical skills in their work. We investigated the amount of time during the workhours which the respondents used for non-clinical tasks as communication with animal owners, suppliers, governmental officers, colleagues, financial management and time management. The conclusions drawn could be used for improvement of the curriculum for veterinary professionals, addressing their needs for acquiring and updating their non-clinical skills and competences in managing their businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between citizens' satisfaction with government COVID-19 communication and management (SWCCM) and institutional trust. By employing a longitudinal approach, using three-wave panel data from Sweden from 2020 to 2022, the study addresses the current lack of research on the interplay between SWCCM and institutional trust across different stages of a societal crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that SWCCM increased slightly over the pandemic period, while trust in institutions slightly decreased. The study also finds that changes in SWCCM predict changes in trust in institutions, suggesting that increased satisfaction with communication and management is associated with increased trust in institutions. Additionally, we find that higher initial levels of SWCCM contribute to a faster decline in trust over time. However, no evidence supports the idea that initial trust in institutions predicts changes in SWCCM. This suggests a unidirectional relationship where SWCCM is a key driver of institutional trust during a crisis. Overall, the study uncovers intriguing dynamics in the relationship between SWCCM and trust over time, and it emphasizes the significance of effective and consistent communication and management in maintaining and boosting public trust during crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The advancement of enterprise social networks (ESNs) facilitates information sharing but also presents the challenge of managing information boundaries. This study aims to explore the factors that influence the information-control behavior of ESN users when continuously sharing information. Design/methodology/approach: This study specifies the information-control behaviors in the "wall posts" channel and applies communication privacy management (CPM) theory to analyze the effects of the individual-specific factor (disposition to value information), context-specific factors (work-relatedness and information richness) and risk-benefit ratio (public benefit and public risk). Data on actual information-control behaviors extracted from ESN logs are examined using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analysis. Findings: The study's findings show the direct effects of the individual-specific factor, context-specific factors and risk-benefit ratio, highlighting interactions between the individual motivation factor and ESN context factors. Originality/value: This study reshapes the relationship of CPM theory boundary rules in the ESN context, extending information-control research and providing insights into ESNs' information-control practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying the Delphi method, this study aims at characterizing the perceptions and needs of physicians, individuals with hemophilia, and their caregivers in relation to the management of routine visits during regular follow-ups. A single structured questionnaire, prepared by an advisory board, was administered to 139 participants, comprising hemophilia treaters, patients and caregivers, during the period from May to June 2023. Agreement (defined following the Delphi method as developed by RAND Corporation) was reached on several topics. The Principal Component Analysis methods identified the four most relevant areas where consensus was reached among the interviewees, underscoring the necessity for in-depth discussions during routine visits: (1) medical aspects related to symptoms, life-limitations, pain, etc.; (2) non-medical related aspects (ambitions, lifestyle, network, etc.); (3) logistical-organizational aspects (home–hospital distance, alternative modalities of communication); and (4) visit duration and telemedicine integration. The results of both the Delphi and Principal Component Analysis underline that the care of individuals with hemophilia extends beyond merely prescribing drugs or treatment regimens. Instead, it necessitates consideration of numerous variables from both therapeutic and non-therapeutic domains, all of which are deemed important for the holistic management of the individuals. As a result, these aspects are routinely discussed and addressed during visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the influence of communication, work motivation, and work discipline on employee performance at PT Surgika Alkesido. The study, which used a quantitative descriptive method and analyzed data from a closed questionnaire distributed to 100 respondents, found that communication, work motivation, and work discipline have a positive and significant effect on employee performance. The article emphasizes the importance of these factors in enhancing organizational performance and achieving goals. It also discusses the results of various tests conducted to assess the assumptions of classical regression analysis, all of which support the findings of the study. The article concludes by recommending that companies prioritize effective communication, meet employee needs for security and safety, and enforce discipline to improve employee performance and productivity. [Extracted from the article]

The paper proposes innovative modern solutions for an integrated mobile monitoring system with elements of artificial intelligence in the Internet environment based on a mobile communication-information system for collecting, aggregating, processing, and presenting in realtime streams of information objects. It presents the management of communication networks to optimize the transport and processing of information objects based on discrete-event data flow representation and modeling with a hierarchical structure. Qualitative aspects are considered for networks designed for monitoring and notification of geophysical, climatic, and other natural phenomena as well as for anthropogenic systems. A comparison of centralized and decentralized management capabilities is made, as well as the state of the art of network technologies and the possibilities for practical implementation in different network architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of risk management on collaborative innovation and the intervention of communication intensity in agricultural cooperatives. A survey was conducted with managers of Brazilian agricultural cooperatives listed in the Organization of Cooperatives of Brazil. The structural equation modeling technique was applied to a sample of 103 valid answers. The results show that risk management positively influences collaborative innovation and communication intensity, and that communication intensity positively influences collaborative innovation. Furthermore, a mediating effect of communication intensity was observed in the relationship between risk management and collaborative innovation. Theoretical implications arise from the observation of the intervention of communication intensity in this relationship, mainly by providing insights to expand research in this direction. Practical implications also arise from observing the intervention of communication intensity in this relationship, such as alerts to the managers of these organizations about the relevance of aligning communication and risk management to the purpose of collaborative innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During disasters and emergencies, healthcare systems, particularly hospitals, as the leading providers of care, play an important role; accordingly, this study examines the preparedness of hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences for biological incidents. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the preparedness level of 14 teaching hospitals in response to biological incidents in 2022. The preparedness of the hospitals in facing biological incidents was evaluated by the secretaries of the hospitals' risk and disaster management committees using a standard questionnaire (hospital preparedness questionnaire in response to biological incidents) to assess different dimensions of hospital preparedness, including the development of managerial structures, capacity building, training and practice, information and communication management, healthcare system and laboratory, safety and security, patient management, and hospital resilience. Results: The assessment of different hospital preparedness dimensions in facing biological incidents showed that the mean scores of the managerial structure development, capacity building, training and practice, information and communication management, safety and security, healthcare system and laboratory, patient management, and hospital resilience were 20.12, 44.71, 14.14, 19.21, 46.64, 20.42, 27.42, 15.92, respectively. The highest score was related to safety and security and information and communication management, with average scores of 50.78 and 22, respectively. Also, the dimension of training and practice, with an average score of 16.28 and an average percentage of 64.29%, attained the lowest score among the eight dimensions of hospital preparedness. The net score of hospital preparedness in response to biological incidents was obtained at 230.28. According to the final score of hospital preparedness, 9(64.3%) hospitals had a good preparedness status, while 5(35.7%) hospitals acquired an average level of preparedness. Conclusion: The preparedness of the investigated hospitals in response to biological events was favorable. However, coping with biological incidents mandates the highest level of preparedness; therefore, it is necessary to maintain good preparedness and try to improve the condition to an optimal level by focusing on all dimensions, especially those acquiring lower scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Arbaeen march ritual stands as one of the largest congregations, attended by tens of millions every year. Given the large number of participants in this ritual, it is essential to minimize the health repercussions for pilgrims and ensure their prompt access to medical care. The present study was conducted to analyze the healthcare services during the 2019 Arbaeen march. Materials and Methods: Employing a qualitative approach, this study utilized various data collection methods, including in-depth and semi-structured interviews, field observations, and document review. The target population comprised healthcare decision-makers, managers, and providers of the 2019 Arbaeen march. The interview and data collection guide were developed in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Data collection continued until data saturation. Directed content analysis was employed to analyze the data. Results: Data saturation was achieved after conducting 30 personal interviews. Out of the challenges and significant factors found in healthcare deliveries during the Imam Hussein (AS) Arbaeen march, 9 main themes and categories were identified: Trauma system, disease surveillance system, health issues, health education and promotion, healthcare coordination and collaboration command in the health system, information and communication management, response planning, support and resource management, and safety and security. Conclusion: This study identified the major healthcare issues in the AS Arbaeen march, serving as an evidence-based guide for policymakers and planners of this famous religious ritual. The results of this study are applicable to similar public gatherings and marches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Higher education (HE) institutions can play a fundamental role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, universities often face various obstacles to sustainability management, leading to a lack of strategies for implementing governance for sustainability (GFS). The purpose of this paper is to propose a model, based on work and organizational psychology (WOP), for the analysis, promotion and implementation of GFS in HE. The model includes five dimensions: culture, leadership, teamwork, communication and transition management. Design/methodology/approach: Using a mixed methods approach, GFS was investigated in four Piedmontese (Northern Italy) universities and in their sustainability network, applying the model proposed in this paper. Findings: The five dimensions of the model have proven to be fundamental to the development of GFS in HE. Each dimension was filled with experiences from specific contexts through data collection, highlighting specificities and barriers. Furthermore, the mixed methods approach and the WOP perspective proved to be effective in addressing sustainable transitions in HE. Originality/value: A practical proposal for analyzing and improving HE sustainable transitions in a WOP perspective is still missing, as well as a model that identifies organizational dimensions that should be monitored. This study not only provides an example of this transition but also confirms the importance that the literature attributes to the specificities and barriers of dimensions such as culture, leadership, teamwork, communication and transition management in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the impact of training, communication, and the work environment on employee performance at PT. Lestari Dini Tunggul, a garment industry company in Jakarta, Indonesia. The study uses quantitative research methods and a questionnaire to gather data. The results of the analysis show that training, communication, and the work environment all have a positive and significant influence on employee performance. The article suggests that PT. Lestari Dini Tunggul should focus on these factors to enhance employee performance. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between perceived communication and career management of employees working at various levels in different sectors in Turkey in terms of demographic variables. The research covers 260 employees working in the public and private sectors in Istanbul. Results showed that employees' perceived communication barriers have a significant negative and weak correlation with career management and also regression analysis indicated the same results. Further, differences were reported for participants' age and work experience in terms of perceived career management and no significant differences were found for the other demographic variables in terms of employee communication barriers and career management. Based on the findings, it is suggested that to increase the positive perceptions of career management of employees, communication barriers should be eliminated and organizational communication effectiveness should be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Destinations increasingly use chatbots in the management and communication with tourists. This study analyzes the mediating effect of chatbot usage satisfaction on forming the destination's image. As a case study, we use the Chabot "Victoria la Malagueña," Spain. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations were necessary to identify the relationships between the constructs. The results show that informativeness and empathy are the main attributes that influence user satisfaction and mediate forming a destination image. The study has managerial implications and provides destination management organizations with practical information for creating chatbots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study, extending the communication accommodation theory and the Communication Predicament of Disability Model, examined people with disabilities' perceptions of four manipulated communication styles and tested the effects on their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses. Results revealed that participants in the integrative talk condition judged the coworker as the most competent and satisfying and had the least anxiety, followed by a relational talk, dismissive talk, and directive talk. Additionally, integrative talk resulted in the least internalized stigma and the highest likelihood of participants using accommodative response strategies, such as problem-solving and obliging. Furthermore, results revealed indirect effects of the communication styles on communication competence, satisfaction, stigma, and response strategies through communication anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to identify editorial practices related to time management in Spanish Communication journals and determine whether their time management is homogeneous, as well as to evaluate which journals are more agile, discover the differences between general and special issues, and identify practices that could streamline the publication process. To this end, we worked with an exploratory‐type methodology focused on content analysis. The sample analysed included 1,581 articles published in 2021 by the 62 Communication journals included in the Índice Dialnet de Revistas (IDR) 2020, differentiating between those published in general and special issues, with the aim of focusing attention on the time elapsed from when journals receive articles until their final publication. The results reveal little homogeneity in policies regarding information on dates and confirms average times of more than 6 months for the duration of the process, with the publication process for special issues being more agile. The strength of this work lies in the demonstration of the need to work on common policies that enable the publication process to be streamlined while accelerating the availability of research results for the benefit of academia as well as society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on how Communication Management in Preventing the Negative Impact of Online Games on Students at SD Negeri 09 South Jakarta. The phenomenon of using online games among elementary school children is very widespread, which is feared is the negative impact experienced by elementary school students. These elementary school children have not been able to filter out what is right or wrong to apply in their lives. For this reason, it is necessary to manage school communication in order to develop good communication to prevent the negative impact of online games at SD Negeri 09 Jakarta. Because through good communication management carried out by school residents, students in this elementary school can take advantage of technology and become media literate so as to avoid negative behavior of online online games. By using the concept of communication management, and the concept of online games, and the concept of elementary school. The methodology used in this research is a qualitative method with indepth interviews with principals, teachers, students and parents and conducting data validity tests with data credibility tests. So the results of the research show that the management of communication carried out by SD 09 elementary school to prevent the negative impact of playing online games through the stages of communication planning then determining the best communication method and conducting socialization and education as well as collaborating with parents and monitoring and evaluating in monitoring student activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to describe and analyze social responsibility communications management at large companies in Ecuador, Colombia, and Chile and contribute empirical observations to understand sustainability management in Latin America better. The study followed a quantitative approach and conducted a survey based on the Communications and Sustainability Convergence Model. The survey was administered to 96 executives in the three countries, who were asked to rate their practices in these two dimensions. Notwithstanding the limitations associated with survey respondents self-evaluating their practices, we found that most of the companies surveyed categorize their communications and sustainability management as more strategic than tactical and that their practices fit within a scenario known as the Common Good, which aims at creating a triple social, economic and environmental value. However, conceptual differences emerge when understanding sustainability and where it should be focused within the organization. Further research is recommended to help achieve a consensus on the concept of sustainability and how it can be implemented through communications initiatives that benefit both organizations and the communities in which they operate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to show what are the applicants' institution selection criteria in higher education in Hungary and what changes this will imply in higher education management and communication. These questions were investigated based on a review of the most relevant literature and the analysis of 1396 Hungarian higher education University of Pécs applicants in two consecutive years. Exploratory and confirmative factor analyses were used to identify the relative order of the application influencing factors: as a result, the first most important is the vivacity, followed by career and costs, fourth is image and the last one is the low commitment. In this context, the paper has shown that the identification of the application strategies requires renewed management and communication techniques. The results help the institutions to determine the possible actions to be implemented to attract more students and improve the level of offered services. The permanent system change of the Hungarian higher education as a phenomenon versus the applicants' institution selection criteria gives the uniqueness of the Hungarian situation, and this study provides information for researchers in higher education in this field additionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research applied an affordance approach to the literature in instruction and pedagogy. Because of the continued trend in online instruction and course management, there exists a need to study the impact of technological affordances and communication in learning management systems. The current study replicates and extends research investigating the responses of undergraduate students to discussion comments on a course management page, in which the presence or absence of peer identity and the helper heuristic of fellow students were manipulated. Results suggest that the act of being helpful (through the helper heuristic) positively impacted source credibility, perceptions of an assignment-related message, and computer-mediated competence. Findings for student rapport and task attraction did not replicate. Furthermore, identity cues continue to be unrelated to the variables of interest. Findings are discussed in terms of both theoretical and instructional relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is a chronic disease common in developing countries like Afghanistan, and improving patient awareness of the risk factors and the significance of regular treatment decreases the burden of the disease. In Afghanistan, a higher level of health literacy can help patients with hypertension to know the risk factors, the role of lifestyle management, and the significance of regular treatment for hypertension. Also, a higher level of health literacy can provide venues for the patient to comprehend the provided information and actively participate in the care. Alternatively, patients with lower health literacy might need to appropriately understand the information related to diet, treatment, and provider communication during the management of hypertension. A lack of understanding of hypertension-related treatment suggestions might lead to poor compliance with hypertension medication. This qualitative study aimed to assess the health literacy level among patients seeking care for hypertension at Blossom Health Care Center in Kabul, Afghanistan. A total of 198 patients who had hypertension participated in the study, and patients were interviewed using a Likert scale for responses generated by a focus group of 10 Afghan doctors practicing in Kabul, Afghanistan. We found that 68.7% of patients with hypertension scored Strongly Disagree to having adequate hypertension knowledge. Moreover, around 37.3% of participants indicated Always visiting a doctor for this condition, and 38.4 indicated Always taking their medication. Studies have shown that lower health literacy in patients with hypertension might negatively impact their health outcomes. Therefore, increasing awareness and knowledge of hypertension related-treatment among people with hypertension might improve their overall health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In underground environments, survey elements such as survey points and observations provide the information required to define legal boundaries. These elements are also used to connect underground legal spaces to a geodetic survey network. Due to the issues of current 2D approaches for managing underground cadastral data, prominent 3D data models have been extended to support underground land administration. However, previous studies mostly focused on defining underground legal spaces and boundaries, with less emphasis on survey elements. This research aims to extend CityGML to support underground cadastral survey data. The proposed extension is based on the survey elements elicited from underground cadastral plans, which is then implemented for an underground case study area in Melbourne, Australia. This extension integrates underground survey data with legal and physical data in a 3D digital environment and provides an improved representation of survey elements, facilitating the management and communication of underground cadastral survey data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the lens of Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory, this article examines communication between health care providers in the southern United States emergency department (ED) and patients who have experienced IPV. We qualitatively examine communicative challenges that COVID-19 protocols have created, as well as routine difficulties that occur when communicating with survivors of violence. The participants described challenges including: (1) Feeling uncertainty, (2) Encountering patient resistance, (3) Managing apathy and frustration, and (4) Navigating time pressure. Furthermore, the providers explained how COVID-19 compounded those challenges through: (1) Minimizing contact, (2) Losing nonverbal behavior, (3) Encountering limited resources, and (4) Facing visitor complications. This article extends CPM theory by exploring disclosure challenges related to IPV in health care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic including permeability, linkages, and privacy rules. It offers practical suggestions for increasing patient disclosure of IPV experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solving problems of high dimensionality (and complexity) usually needs the intense use of technologies, like parallelism, advanced computers and new types of algorithms. MapReduce (MR) is a computing paradigm long time existing in computer science that has been proposed in the last years for dealing with big data applications, though it could also be used for many other tasks. In this article, we address big optimization: the solution to large instances of combinatorial optimization problems by using MR as the paradigm to design solvers that allow transparent runs on a varied number of computers that collaborate to find the problem solution. We study and analyze the MR technology, focusing on Hadoop, Spark, and MPI as the middleware platforms to develop genetic algorithms (GAs). From this, MRGA solvers arise using a different programming paradigm from the usual imperative transformational programming. Our objective is to confirm the expected benefits of these systems, namely file, memory, and communication management, over the resulting algorithms. We analyze our MRGA solvers from relevant points of view like scalability, speedup, and communication vs. computation time in big optimization. The results for high-dimensional datasets show that the MRGA over Hadoop outperforms the implementations in Spark and MPI frameworks. For the smallest datasets, the execution of MRGA on MPI is always faster than the executions of the remaining MRGAs. Finally, the MRGA over Spark presents the lowest communication times. Numerical and time insights are given in our work, so as to ease future comparisons of new algorithms over these three popular technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Higher education (HE) institutions can play a fundamental role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, universities often face various obstacles to sustainability management, leading to a lack of strategies for implementing governance for sustainability (GFS). The purpose of this paper is to propose a model, based on work and organizational psychology (WOP), for the analysis, promotion and implementation of GFS in HE. The model includes five dimensions: culture, leadership, teamwork, communication and transition management. Design/methodology/approach: Using a mixed methods approach, GFS was investigated in four Piedmontese (Northern Italy) universities and in their sustainability network, applying the model proposed in this paper. Findings: The five dimensions of the model have proven to be fundamental to the development of GFS in HE. Each dimension was filled with experiences from specific contexts through data collection, highlighting specificities and barriers. Furthermore, the mixed methods approach and the WOP perspective proved to be effective in addressing sustainable transitions in HE. Originality/value: A practical proposal for analyzing and improving HE sustainable transitions in a WOP perspective is still missing, as well as a model that identifies organizational dimensions that should be monitored. This study not only provides an example of this transition but also confirms the importance that the literature attributes to the specificities and barriers of dimensions such as culture, leadership, teamwork, communication and transition management in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responding effectively to climate change requires an understanding of what shapes people's individual and collective sense of agency and responsibility towards the future. It also requires transforming this understanding into political engagement to support systems change. Based on a national representative survey in Sweden (N = 1,237), this research uses the novel SenseMaker methodology to look into these matters. More specifically, in order to understand the social and institutional prerequisites that must be in place to develop inclusive climate responses, we investigate how citizens perceive their everyday life and future, and the implications for their sense of responsibility, agency, and political engagement. Our research findings show how citizens perceive and act on climate change (individually, cooperatively, and by supporting others), their underlying values, beliefs, emotions and paradigms, inter-group variations, and obstacles and enablers for change. The findings reveal that, in general, individual and public climate action is perceived as leading to improved (rather than reduced) wellbeing and welfare. At the same time, climate anxiety and frustration about structural and governance constraints limit agency, whilst positive emotions and inner qualities, such as human–nature connections, support both political engagement and wellbeing. Our results shed light on individual, collective, and structural capacities that must be supported to address climate change. They draw attention to the need to develop new forms of citizen involvement and of policy that can explicitly address these human interactions, inner dimensions of thinking about and acting on climate change, and the underlying social paradigms. We conclude with further research needs and policy recommendations. In general, citizens perceive increased individual and public climate action as leading to improved (rather than reduced) wellbeing and welfare. Effective responses to climate change require addressing underlying social paradigms (to complement predominant external, technological, and information-based approaches). Such responses include increasing policy support for: o learning environments and practices that can help individuals to discover internalized social patterns and increase their sense of agency and interconnection (to self, others, nature); o institutional and political mechanisms that support citizen engagement and the systematic consideration of human inner dimensions (values, beliefs, emotions and associated inner qualities/capacities) across all sectors of work, by systematically revising organizations' vision statements, communication and project management tools, working structures, policies, regulations, human and financial resource allocation, and collaboration; and o nature-based solutions and other approaches to support the human–nature connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world to launch various digital information campaigns in an attempt to boost public awareness about the virus and increase public information on effective measures to prevent its diffusion in local communities. Different public relations and data preservation, data retention, and data distribution strategies have been applied by healthcare policymakers to initiate, implement, and promote a wide range of public information campaigns, unique open data-driven platforms, and related digital solutions and tools to achieve the goal. Likewise, they were driven by different motivations and priorities as well as demands and political signals that they received from both top government leadership and civil society. In this regard, it is interesting to analyze how these different public relations and data management strategies were manifested in real administrative and technological practices, what priorities policymakers put in promoting such digital platforms, what communication and data management tools they used, and how effective they were in raising public awareness about the pandemic via such digital information platforms and related data-driven projects, startups, and initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective facility management process is crucial to overall firm performance and is becoming a core competency for organizations seeking to gain a competitive advantage. The recent literature on facility management reveals that poor facility management is a major cause of management inefficiency, leading directly to budget overruns, maintenance delays, repetition of work, variations, noncompliance incidents, unnecessary risk, and dissatisfied customers. Therefore, facility management firms should pay close attention to the most critical success factors in order to effectively manage and measure performance. This paper presents a multidimensional campus facility management performance framework (CFMPF) that addresses both operational and systematic factors. Facility management companies, owners, contractors, and consultants can use this framework to identify systemic weaknesses using key indicators to specifically assess the effectiveness and success of facility management. The significance of 45 key facility management success factors across seven categories was determined via a literature review, expert interviews, and the Delphi method. The seven process groups are: Campus Facility Work Force Management, Campus Facility Communication Management, Campus Facility Systems Management, Campus Facility Organizational Management, Campus Facility Financial Management, Campus Sustainability & Environment Management, and Campus Facility Assets Management. To verify the overall agreement via the Delphi rounds, the score percentage and standard deviation to mean ratio were examined. Mean value and interrater agreement (IRA) analyses were conducted to evaluate the correlation between the factors and facility performance. This research adds to the body of knowledge by presenting a systematic operational framework for campus facility management that identifies the underlying factors influencing performance and fills the gaps left by previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]