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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]

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]

Utilizing communication privacy management (CPM) theory as a framework, we explored the privacy boundaries that individuals with bipolar disorder have around their diagnosis information in romantic relationships. Participants' (n = 92) responses to an online survey were coded and analyzed, resulting in themes that evidenced consideration of possible individual and relational outcomes when contemplating renegotiating or fortifying boundaries around diagnosis, and the use of both core and catalyst criteria in deciding when to make romantic partners co-owners of diagnosis information. Results of this study provide empirical support for CPM theory and implications for privacy boundary management decisions for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder. [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]

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]

Introduction: Physiotherapy in the private sector has a great presence and weight in today's health care. Knowing the satisfaction between private health insurance patients and private patients will help to improve quality standards in Physiotherapy treatment, and thus clinical outcomes. Material and method: survey carried out during 2023 in Google forms distributed among private clinics in Galicia between March and August. More than 300 survey responses were obtained with a correct distribution. Results: patients with private health insurance showed lower satisfaction than private patients. Behavioural and organizational aspects were considered. The factors evaluated show a clear difference between the two groups, being more positively valued by patients treated by private Physiotherapy. Conclusion: treatment time, fewer resources, accessibility, communication and patient management should be valued and taken into account in order to offer a higher quality of care in Physiotherapy. Lower satisfaction is related to lower perceived quality and worse clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The university documentary heritage stored in the historical archives of higher education institutions (HEIs) is of vital importance for the development of the substantive processes of universities. The documents that comprise it record the training, research and extension activities carried out by these educational institutions from their emergence to the present; therefore, they constitute testimonial sources on their history and academic, scientific and cultural achievements over time. Based on the documentary analysis, the article aims to support the relevance of the communication management of the documentary heritage from the university historical archives, for its proper use and enjoyment, as well as its preservation and recognition. [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]

The purpose of this article is to analyze the relevance of Internal Communication (IC) in the University Management process. This is a theoretical essay that presents a conception of university and contextualizes IC within the scope of University Management. The IC encompasses communication phenomena that can both facilitate and complicate relationships within the institutions – therefore, it´s easy to see that IC guidelines can increase its effectiveness. In order to formulate communication guidelines in federal universities it is necessary to know the reality in which they are inserted. Furthermore, the existence and implementation of IC guidelines, with objectivity and clarity, brings up the possibility of enhancing the internal climate in the institution, as well as the commitment and satisfaction with work, decreasing conflicts and uncertainties, in addition to acting as a factor of innovation and integration within the institution, strengthening the role of the university as a social institution. [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]

The magnitude that communication has acquired today explains, to a large extent, the development experienced by communication offices. Any organization of any kind needs an organizational structure that optimally manages its relations with its relational universe, both externally and internally. This research aims to find out what the current panorama of communication departments is in Andalucía --territorially, one of the largest autonomous communities of Spain-- and to discover how it has evolved in the first two decades of the 21st century, taking into account the public, private and social sectors. The results show a generalized growth in the number of communication offices in all provinces and in all sectors, especially those of local administrations, as well as communication companies and social organizations, which have tripled in the last century. In addition to significant changes in the digitalization of communication. Now, Andalucian organizations, in addition to having a website, have profiles on the main social networks. [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]

This work explores the role of public relations in managing public controversies within a municipality in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). The study employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data to analyse the effectiveness and shortcomings of the municipality's public relations efforts during this period. The research is grounded in established models of public relations and public controversy management. It references the four models of public relations (press agency, public information, two-way asymmetrical, and two-way symmetrical) as described by Grunig and Hunt (2000). Additionally, the study draws on the concept of public controversy management (ACP) as defined by Solórzano and others, emphasizing the importance of early identification and strategic response to potential conflicts. The primary objective of the research is to analyse how public controversy was managed as a function of public relations within a municipality in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. The study aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the municipal management in handling public controversies and the role of public relations in these efforts. The research employs a concurrent nested design approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative component includes semi-structured interviews with municipal officials and a focus group with district residents aged 30 to 59. The quantitative component consists of a survey administered to 380 residents who have lived in the district for over five years. Key findings of the research are: - Communication Deficiencies: The study found significant deficiencies in the municipality's communication strategies during the pandemic. The official social media channels exhibited poor bidirectional communication, leading to dissatisfaction among residents. - Lack of Proactive Measures: The municipality failed to establish proactive measures for managing potential conflicts, resulting in reactive responses that often exacerbated issues. - Inadequate Public Relations Management: The research identified a lack of understanding and implementation of effective public relations practices, highlighting the need for a dedicated public relations professional within the municipal team. - Public Perception: The survey results indicated low levels of trust and satisfaction among residents regarding the municipality's management of the pandemic. Over 40% of respondents disagreed with the municipality's efforts to identify, evaluate, and manage public controversies. - Recommendations for Improvement: The study suggests several improvements, including the need for a strategic public relations plan, better training for municipal communication teams, and enhanced engagement with the community through more effective use of digital platforms. Among the implications for the practice, the findings underscore the critical role of public relations in managing public controversies, particularly in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective communication strategies, proactive conflict management, and a deep understanding of the community's needs and expectations are essential for maintaining public trust and institutional credibility. In conclusion, the study concludes that the municipality's public relations efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic were insufficient and poorly managed, leading to significant public dissatisfaction. The research highlights the importance of strategic public relations practices in managing public controversies and provides actionable recommendations for improving communication and conflict management within public institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on change managers use participatory strategies to address resistance, focusing on the communication practices and perspectives of implementers and employees during the change process including role of communication techniques.

The article presents the discussion on development and validation of a communication measure to assess how military veterans perceive civilian communication, particularly focusing on feelings of mild contempt showing reintegration into civilian work life and promote workplace diversity.

Emergencies are often accompanied by negative public opinion or even public opinion crises. To effectively deal with emergencies, negative opinion management should not be ignored; positive information seems to be a natural opinion control strategy, but its nature and applicability remain to be explored. Based on social judgment theory, the possible negative influence and the applicability of positive information are exposed conceptually. From an attitude-laden communication perspective, opinion evolution with mass communication is modeled. A Java-based Agent-based Modeling approach is applied to conduct extensive simulation experiments. Experiment data-based results indicate that both communication and attitude aspects of positive information are essential, and the strategy has its conditional applicability: under some conditions, the strategy is usually able to effectively achieve its expected effects; under other situations, it may not meet the expectation, or may even produce obviously negative effects; and non-positive information strategies and non-intervention are also management options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly advancing landscape of machine learning, Federated Learning (FL) stands as a transformative paradigm, preserving data privacy and overcoming challenges in training models. Existing FL research has primarily concentrated on refining the learning process, often overlooking the critical aspect of minimizing communication costs, especially for clients with limited resources. This article introduces a groundbreaking approach, Explainable AI Empowered Resource Management for Enhanced Communication Efficiency in Hierarchical Federated Learning (XRM-HFL). XRM-HFL utilizes an explainable AI-driven resource management strategy, precisely predicting computational resource requirements. The hierarchical framework minimizes communication burdens by assigning communication with the cloud server to a designated Node Controller (NC) via edge aggregation. Empirical evaluations demonstrate that XRM-HFL outperforms prior methods, facilitating efficient communication, resource utilization, and faster convergence. The model exhibits notable decreases in intercommunication expenses, global costs, failure nodes, and execution time, along with an increase in resource utilization. XRM-HFL provides resource-constrained clients with an effective solution for federated learning, minimizing costs while preserving model accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A transparent and generic framework is proposed to design a risk matrix. • Weights of probability and consequence indices represent their importance on given risk level. • Experts judgements are quantified using fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process. • A risk matrix is designed for Maritime Surface Autonomous Ships. Risk matrix, a tool for visualizing risk assessment results, is essential to facilitate the risk communication and risk management in risk-based decision-making processes related to new and unexplored socio-technical systems. The use of an appropriate risk matrix is discussed in the literature, but it is overlooked for emerging technologies such as Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). In this study, a comprehensive framework for developing a risk matrix based on fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is proposed. In this framework, a linear function is defined where the risk index is treated as a response variable, while the probability and consequence indices are explanatory variables, with weights of these two indices representing their importance on given risk level. This significance is assessed by experts and quantified using AHP in interval type 2 fuzzy environment. A continuous risk diagram is then created and converted into a risk matrix that can be improved. To verify the feasibility of the proposed framework, a risk matrix is designed in the context of MASS grounding. The results show that the proposed approach is feasible. Our discussion results can provide new insights for the design of risk matrices and promote the management of MASS navigational risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Management of scientific communication. 25 ideas to improve your research" is a review of the book written by José Manuel Noguera Vivo, a Journalism professor at the Catholic University of Murcia and delegate in Spain for the Online News Association. The book offers practical advice for effectively communicating scientific work, with the aim of maintaining a pace of dissemination of results and having a voice in society. Noguera proposes 25 tips grouped into the areas of ideation, planning, production, and dissemination of research. The author highlights the importance of strategically designing the publication, proposing counterintuitive hypotheses, and building habits to maximize the public reach of the work. The article praises the systematization of the lessons learned by the author in his more than 20 years of experience and highlights the usefulness of the guide for both novice researchers and established academics. [Extracted from the article]

This study explores an area that has not been widely researched in the Latin American and Caribbean region: the identification of a capability gap in relation to key strategic public relations and communication management issues and activities. To this end, this article presents findings and analysis from a survey conducted in 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries in 2020. The existence of a capability gap in relation to key issues and activities in public relations and communication management is confirmed, which represents a challenge for the development of the public relations field as well as for higher education institutions across the region. • The concepts of competencies and capabilities are characterised and differentiated. • The most important strategic issue for Latin American public relations practitioners was "coping with digital evolution and the social web". • Almost one in two Latin American professionals lacks technology and data management capabilities. • A capability gap in relation to the key issues of public relations and strategic communication in Latin America is identified, which is a challenge from a practical and academic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights several key updates from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). It mentions that the IEDC announced the accreditation of three new Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) including St. Tammany Corp. in Louisiana; Lee County Economic Development Group in Iowa; and the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County in Washington, marking significant regional milestones.