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Despite their prevalence, diversity initiatives do not necessarily motivate employees to facilitate diversity goals. We advance understanding of diversity rhetoric—defined as how leaders talk about diversity and its effects—as a tool for motivating employees to foster diversity and inclusion. Prior work has investigated rhetoric that emphasizes diversity in organizations is necessarily beneficial (value-in-diversity rhetoric), which is puzzling given the reality that diversity can have positive or negative consequences. We introduce the construct of contingent-diversity rhetoric, which emphasizes that diversity is beneficial if its challenges are overcome, and thus captures the reality of diversity's effects. Drawing from the psychology of the self, we theorize that leaders use contingent-diversity rhetoric less commonly than value-in-diversity rhetoric, due to fear of appearing prejudiced. Drawing from the psychology of employee motivation, we theorize that contingent-diversity rhetoric results in more diversity effort among employees than value-in-diversity rhetoric does because contingent rhetoric increases perceptions that diversity goals are difficult to achieve. Four multimethod studies support the proposed descriptive–prescriptive paradox: contingent-diversity rhetoric is descriptively less common, but prescriptively more effective, than value-in-diversity rhetoric. Our research advances theory on fostering diversity and inclusion in organizations and suggests that leaders can increase employees' diversity effort by changing the way they talk about diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As organizations are increasingly expressing their value for diversity and investing in efforts to create more equitable and inclusive workplaces and societies, such efforts have become scrutinized by critics. Often disparaged as being "woke," firms have been stigmatized for public support of social initiatives. Much criticism derives from skepticism regarding organizations' true motivation for engaging in social activism, which some consider antithetical to business purposes. More specifically, an awareness of, and active attention to, social issues are posited to derive from firms' interests in creating an appearance of social consciousness to acquire resources or boost their own reputations. Drawing upon impression management theory, we explore performativity (i.e., inauthentic or insincere activity designed to make a positive impression on others) in diversity management. We present a typology for examining how organizational investment in and communication of diversity management influence stakeholder impressions and other outcomes. We also consider enabling conditions that may alter the likelihood of performativity in their actions. Based thereon, we offer a research agenda for examining impression management as a motivation for diversity management and understanding variability in firm approaches. We offer practice recommendations for engaging in diversity management to activate positive change and transform organizational structures and cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

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]

Background: Delivering bad news is a sensitive and challenging aspect of nursing healthcare, requiring a holistic approach that respects patients' preferences, cultural values, and religious beliefs to promote adaptation to the person's state of health. Aim: We aim to map the evidence of the dimensions present in the communication and management of bad news by nurses to a person in a palliative situation, their caregivers, and their family members. Methods: Based on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, the search was conducted through MEDLINE Complete (EBSCOhost), CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), SciELO, and the Open Access Scientific Repository in Portugal. From a total of 756 articles, 14 were included, published between 2018 and 2023. Results: Structure components in bad news are influenced by the characteristics of the palliative patients, their caregivers, their family members, the nurses, and the organizational environment. Promoting the quality of the communication process is desirable through continuous and advanced training in end-of-life care, training in bad news, religiously and culturally sensitive nursing interventions centered on hope and maintaining faith, emotional management, and the utilization of a checklist protocol. Conclusions: Honest communication allows people to actively participate in the decision-making process and in the trajectory of the care plan that is focused on themselves and their preferences, which has outcomes in functional capacities and readaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trust is imperative for the successful navigation of strategic change initiatives. So, we ask ourselves the question: How do perceptions of organizational trust (composed of institutional and interpersonal trust) develop over time and what are their interactions during strategic change? We answer this question through a real-time ethnographic analysis of a merger process focusing specifically on trust at multiple levels, between employees, middle and top management and how it interacts with the trust these individuals have in the informal and formal processes of the organization. We unearthed three key processes in the dynamic interplay between levels and types of trust. (Dis)trust obfuscation allowed top management to overcome negative perceptions of employees by foregrounding one figurehead with whom employees build trust whilst backgrounding the other members. Multi-level mirroring in which middle management mirrored the content and emotionality of the communication of top management amplified trust building. Third, integrative elaboration whereby middle management actively helped employees to stay the course whilst top management withdrew from actively engaging with employees. These processes resulted in the trust dynamics to go from building with employees and preserving with middle management to preservation and finally trust erosion. Our findings contribute to the study of trust as a multi-level phenomenon as well as understanding trust dynamics at multiple levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paradigm shift within the administrative framework of domestic higher education institutions (universities) towards marketing management necessitates the incorporation of innovative methodologies in relation to their positioning, branding, and brand communications. Consequently, there exists merit in scrutinizing and assimilating the progressive experiences of leading European universities within the realm of their brand communications. The article presents the results of analysis of universities' branding activities in a qualitative case study of ten EU universities, which occupy leading positions in the Shanghai Academic International Ranking of Universities. An examination of the preceding decade reveals discernible qualitative transformations in the modalities through which universities articulate their inherent values. In the initial years of the second decade of the 21st century, preeminent values encompassed excellence (or quality), social justice (or diversity), third mission (or outreach), academic orientation, community (or collaboration), internationalization, and performance measurement (or evaluation) (Mampaey, Huisman, and Seeber (2015). These values were extensively disseminated by universities as part of their brand communications. Emergent values observable in the contemporary brand communications of leading EU universities include: autonomy, academic freedom, innovative mindset, creation of an innovative ecosystem, marketization of research, ethics and academic integrity, sustainable and climate-friendly organization, make a difference approach, impact, openness, courageousness, effectiveness, solution-oriented thinking, life-long partnership, creation the environment, society confidence, brand development, creativity, cultural influence. An evolution in brand communication strategies of EU universities has been discerned. While the early years of the second decade of the 21st century witnessed a notable convergence in these strategies among leading universities, accompanied by "mimic" strategies by less competitive institutions, the current trend reflects a divergence in these approaches. This differentiation is evidently driven by the distinctive characteristics inherent to each university, a strategic vision for future development, and a proactive inclination to establish a distinct and clearly differentiated position within the competitive landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an innovative Teleoperated Driving (ToD) system integrated with virtual twin technology using the MORAI simulator. The system minimizes the need for extensive video data transmission by utilizing text-based vehicle information, significantly reducing the communication load. Key technical advancements include the use of high-precision GNSS devices for accurate vehicle location tracking, robust data communication via the MQTT protocol, and the implementation of the Ego Ghost mode in the MORAI simulator for precise vehicle simulation. The integration of these technologies enables efficient data transmission and enhanced system reliability, effectively mitigating issues such as communication blackouts and delays. Our findings demonstrate that this approach ensures stable and efficient operation, optimizing communication resource management and enhancing operational stability, which is crucial for scenarios requiring high video quality and real-time response. This research represents a significant advancement in ToD technology, establishing a precedent for integrating virtual twin systems to create more resource-efficient and reliable autonomous driving backup solutions. The virtual twin-based ToD system provides a robust platform for remote vehicle operation, ensuring safety and reliability in various driving conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Contemporary Accounting Research is the property of Canadian Academic Accounting Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examines the implementation and effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) into employee communication training for Texas Department of Transportation employees. The study also explores the impact of iterative, in situ research-based design on VR system usability, and potential relationships between the usability and ergonomics of VR devices, and user receptiveness to VR content. For this work we adapt the definition of in situ to mean a learning activity that takes place in the location or environment where the participants will actually be trained. Following the pandemic, many office-based workers adopted hybrid-remote work formats (Yang, Kim, & Hong, 2023), necessitating updated approaches to employee training and instruction which VR may provide. Further, VR may offer opportunities for private role-play for employee communication practice, as well as an overall more high-fidelity learning opportunity. Findings indicate that VR is an effective and engaging solution for workforce and management communication training, and that hardware configurations influence overall employee enthusiasm for VR-based training. [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]

Complexity, uncertainty, and conflict characterize contemporary environmental challenges. Addressing these issues is beyond the purview of any one actor. A collaborative approach to environmental management is required; participation in collaboration is needed. However, participation in collaborative environmental management is a persistent challenge in practice. This research examines tactics used to engender participation in collaborations. Tactics constitute a strategy for communications with an intended goal and encompass the framing (i.e., wording, imagery) and platform of dissemination. This research examined the influence of tactics on an intention to participate in an environmental management collaboration. Eight tactics were empirically tested on 300 individuals aged 18–29. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was undertaken. Results uncovered the effectiveness of contextual and personal framings in engendering participation and deepened the understanding about past participation, tactics, and an individual's intention to participate. Opportunities to engender participation in collaborations using tactics are abundant. The research emphasizes the need for greater attention to tactics in environmental management and contributes to a greater understanding of tactics, identifying effective practices for engendering participation and broad dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underdog stories––in which the disadvantaged and outmatched protagonist overcomes the odds—are ubiquitous. Leaders across industries, from telecom to sports, employ these narratives to inspire members of their organizations. However, little is understood about how underdog narratives influence the actions and attitudes of members of organizations. To address this gap, we explain how a leader's communication of an underdog narrative may instill confidence in members of the organization that together they can overcome their shared disadvantage and achieve a clear set of organizational aspirations. In doing so, we introduce a conceptual model that draws on the sensemaking and social identity literatures to explain how a leader's underdog narrative fosters the adoption of a collective underdog identity by members of an organization. Further, we explain that the specific attributes of the leader's underdog narrative influence how this unique type of collective identity leads to varied outcomes for members of an organization. As such, this paper aims to contribute to the understanding and utilization of a prevalent but underexamined organizational phenomenon. [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]

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]

Enhancing safety communication within the construction industry is of paramount importance due to its potential in curtailing occupational injuries and improving the overall well-being of construction field workers. While the importance of improved communication is apparent, few studies have been focused on identifying the factors that positively influence communication, particularly in the context of safety. Especially in the case of foreign construction field workers (FCFWs), who often face communication challenges stemming from language and cultural differences, performing labor tasks in harsh and constantly changing environments is contributing significantly to the increasing rate of industrial accidents. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the vital factors that impact safety communication among FCFWs. A phenomenological qualitative method was applied to determine the vital factors influencing the safety communication among FCFWs. On applying the analytical hierarchy process, the factors and their importance were determined, and the vital factors were identified. Quantitative assessment through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) established that extrinsic motivation (weight: 0.513), management communication style (0.264), and visible safety information (0.127) significantly overshadow other factors in safety communication effectiveness, validating their pivotal roles. However, a major limitation is that interview data were collected from workers of only four nationalities. Future studies should address this by expanding the range of nationalities included to enhance the diversity of experiences and perspectives from a broader variety of foreign construction field workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the level of satisfaction for a training program on hypnotic communication in pain management clinics. Design: Qualitative study. Methods: Six health professionals who first completed the hypnotic communication training participated in 30 minutes virtual semi-structured interviews. These testimonials allowed them to elaborate on their user experience and potential areas for improvement. Thematic analysis using qualitative data management software NVIVO was conducted on the interview data. Results: Two themes emerged from the interviews. 1) Satisfaction: Participants expressed satisfaction on various structural aspects of the training, including the provided materials, atmosphere, training structure, presentation modalities, practical workshops, acquired knowledge, trainer quality, and training duration. 2) Areas for Improvement: Five main improvement suggestions were identified (providing more material; more practical workshops, more concrete and adapted; testimonials from former patients; follow-up training meeting; and continuing education). Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care and Conclusion: The results improved the training program to help minimized inherent biases related to this technique, cut associated costs, and identify reasons that would explain its underutilization among medical professionals in Quebec. Our work highlights that healthcare professionals in chronic pain management clinics (eg, respiratory therapists, nurses) can incorporate this simple hypnotic communication technique into their usual care and contribute to the well-being of patients. Impact: This study aimed to address the lack of training protocols for healthcare professionals, that are underdeveloped and understudied. The main findings on participant' satisfaction and the areas of improvement for the training will help the refinement of the training to better suit healthcare professional's needs in hospitals and chronic pain facilities. [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]

Objectives: The aim of this work was to systematically review and carry out a statistical metanalysis to identify the best treatment for close oroantral communications and fistulas and to avoid the risk of recurrence. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was conducted on the MEDLINE database (Pubmed), Scopus, and Google scholar using the following keywords: "oro antral communication (OAC)" OR "oro antral fistula (OAF)" OR "antro-oral communication" OR "communication between maxillary sinus and oral cavity" OR "oro-sinusal communication" OR "oro-sinusal fistula" OR "sinus communication" OR "sinus fistula" OR "antral communication" AND "treatment" OR "management" OR "surgical treatment" OR "surgical interventions". This work was performed in accordance with the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). After article screening, 9 RCTs (randomized controlled trials), comparing two or more techniques, were included in this review. Results: A statistically significant difference was detected in favor of the buccal fat pad compared to the buccal advancement flap and palatal rotational flap. Conclusions: With the limitations of this study, the buccal fat pad showed the best results in terms of communication closure and reducing the risk of relapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to present a systematic literature review that discusses the importance of Stakeholder Management (SM) and Communication Management (CM) for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Through a systematic search in three databases, 35 studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria and addressed the area of SM and CM, focusing on the perception of the influence of CM on stakeholder engagement and satisfaction of their needs, as a Critical Success Factor (CSF) for project success. A mapping of the findings is also presented. Additionally, the limitations found in the literature were discussed and possibilities for future research are proposed. The study emphasizes the relevance of SM and CM for the success of NGO projects and highlights the need for more strategic and integrated approaches to managing these factors. Thus, this article contributes to the debate on SM and CM in NGO projects, offering effective practices for the successful management of these CSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over and above technical skills, software development graduates need to also poses team-based skills, such as, leadership, oral communication and project management by the time they graduate from tertiary institutions. In order to fulfil this requirement, institutions introduced a project-based module, generally referred to as capstone, to be undertaken by students on the their final year. The essence of this module, amongst other things, is to expose students to the real-world professional experience through partnership with industry. Much research has been conducted on students software projects, but very little investigation has gone into understanding how students evaluate the success of their projects. In is in this light that this study was conducted. A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed on empirical studies published between 2000 and 2022, to establish criteria used by students in evaluating software project success. The investigation led to the discovery of one (1) paper, which identified three most important success criteria used by students. However, this study identified some short-comings (eg students had to pretend to be employed graduates when evaluating the imaginary projects) with the approach used by the abovementioned research paper in determining the students' success criteria. Beside the fact that there is only one study that was found that addresses the study's phenomenon, the identified short-comings on the paper indicate that there is a need for empirical research studies on this matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of internet of things (IoT), 5G, and power line communication (PLC) provides real-time and low-cost data transmission services to meet the quality of service (QoS) requirements for distribution grid energy dispatch. However, the IoT-empowered communication resource management system faces challenges in optimizing delay and traffic cost for distribution grid energy dispatch. There is a contradiction between the long-term performance guarantee and short-term optimization objectives, compounded by competition for communication resources. In this paper, we construct the minimization problem of the weighted sum of data transmission delay and traffic cost. Utilizing Lyapunov optimization, we aim to decouple the long-term constraint of average queuing delay with the short-term optimization objective. Then, a delay and cost-balanced communication resource management algorithm based on two-layer iterative matching is proposed. It optimizes the communication mode selection by I-to-2 bidding matching in a large timescale and subchannel allocation by many-to-many deferred acceptance matching in a small timescale. The simulation data present that the proposed algorithm excels in reducing data transmission delay, minimizing traffic cost, and decreasing queuing delay. [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]

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]

Commencing from the already obtained results of the maritime market research, this work aims at defining and development of the innovative model. The research work will clarify a new approach of understanding the context of maritime companies through the processes that influence the purpose, goals and sustainability of port facilities. By using modern scientific methods and approaches, a new multicriteria model was developed in the work, which was tested in real conditions and with real data, with solutions for ranking the strategic elements created within the general sub-strategy for each port service. The defined new approach is the starting point for managing the maritime system of transport and for the development of the IMS strategy of the sea port, in the field of communication strategy, on a strategic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fire danger rating systems are used daily across Australia to support fire management operations and communications to the general public regarding potential fire danger. Aims: In this paper, we introduce the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS), providing a short historical account of fire danger rating in Australia as well as the requirements for an improved forecast system. Methods: The AFDRS combines nationally consistent, spatially explicit fuel information with forecast weather and advanced fire behaviour models and knowledge to produce locally relevant ratings of fire behaviour potential. Key results: A well-defined framework is essential for categorising and defining fire danger based on operational response, the potential for impact and observable characteristics of fire incidents. The AFDRS is modular, supporting continuous and incremental improvements and allowing upgrades to components in response to new science. Conclusions: The AFDRS provides a new method to estimate fire danger based on the best available fire behaviour models, leading to potentially significant improvements in the way fire danger is calculated, forecast and interpreted. Implications: The Australian Fire Danger Rating System was implemented in 2022, the most significant change to fire danger forecasting in Australia in more than 50 years. We introduce the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS), providing a history of fire danger rating in Australia and requirement for advancements. We describe development, design principles and the supporting framework of the AFDRS as an introduction to subsequent papers in this series. This article belongs to the Collection Australian Fire Danger Rating System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public relations practices are widely accompanied by communication and persuasion. Especially today, when new media platforms provide direct accessibility, communication through PR has become more improved. This research focused on media organizations in the UAE, with a special consideration given to their audience content management. The researchers applied the case study method and selected a sample of n = 280 individuals from n = 12 media houses currently working in the UAE. The results obtained by structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that media organizations in the UAE pay significant consideration to public relations practices (p > 0.000) and new media adoption (p > 0.000). Moreover, both these public relations practices (p > 0.000) and new media adoption were also found to significantly focus on two-way communication. Consequently, this two-way communication is significantly affecting content management among these organizations (p > 0.000), leading to the design, evaluation, and alteration of content that is acceptable and liked by their audiences. Thus, it has been concluded that media content and its management is not a simple task. Audience and communication are two basic factors that play an important role in this regard. Furthermore, the role of public relations practices also enhances communication and content management practices, leading to even more constructive outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine how Covid‐19 was utilized by the management of a university as a catalyst for ideological change, with the objective of transforming the ethos of a university management school and the role(s) of the academics employed within. Through new modes of working that maintained corporeal distance between university staff, market‐based ideology was mobilized to institute radical and lasting change within the roles of academics and operations of the institution. We focus on a singular case study: "Blue Management School" (BMS, pseudonym), based within an English mid‐tier research university which has historically embraced corporatization more readily than most of its peers. We conducted a qualitative analysis of management email communications and from interviews with nine academics (both current and former employees) who were working at BMS during the time concerned (March 2020 onward). We observe that Covid‐19 posed significant challenges to corporatized universities, and that university managers at BMS sought to address these challenges by undertaking further steps toward corporatization and mobilizing organizational change legitimized by the need to manage the Covid‐19 situation. This included hierarchical forms of accountability, with academics answering for module content to teaching convenors and the management team ("manager academics"). We draw attention to how management communications carried profound effects for the mobilization of ideological change within the institution, during this period. In addition, academic identity was affected, moving away from traditional research and teaching scholars toward revenue‐generating customer service workers, facilitating a power shift away from academics and further toward managers. [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]

Network slicing is introduced for elastically instantiating logical network infrastructure isolation to support different application types with diversified quality of service (QoS) class indicators. In particular, vehicular communications are a trending area that consists of massive mission-critical applications in the range of safety-critical, intelligent transport systems, and on-board infotainment. Slicing management can be achieved if the network infrastructure has computing sufficiency, a dynamic control policy, elastic resource virtualization, and cross-tier orchestration. To support the functionality of slicing management, incorporating core network infrastructure with deep learning and reinforcement learning has become a hot topic for researchers and practitioners in analyzing vehicular traffic/resource patterns before orchestrating the steering policies. In this paper, we propose QoS-driven management by considering (edge) resource block utilization, scheduling, and slice instantiation in a three-tier resource placement, namely, small base stations/access points, macro base stations, and core networks. The proposed scheme integrates recurrent neural networks to trigger hidden states of resource availability and predict the output of QoS. The intelligent agent and slice controller, namely, RDQ3N, gathers the resource states from three-tier observations and optimizes the action on allocation and scheduling algorithms. Experiments are conducted on both physical and virtual representational vehicle-to-everything (V2X) environments; furthermore, service requests are set to massive thresholds for rendering V2X congestion flow entries. [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 study investigates into the complex interplay among communication strategies, globalization, and socio-economic factors within the context of regional development, with a specific focus on Ukraine. Employing a mixed-methods approach, it seeks to investigate the profound impact of effective communication strategies on socio-cultural management and their contribution to regional growth in the era of globalization. The study combines quantitative data from regional development reports with stakeholders across various Ukrainian regions. A theoretical model, based on game theory and the Prisoner's Dilemma, is employed to examine strategic choices in communication, globalization integration, socioeconomic focus, infrastructure development, and cultural initiatives. Through an extensive analysis combining quantitative data derived from regional development reports with insights from stakeholders representing diverse Ukrainian regions, this research reveals that cooperative communication strategies, characterized by robust engagement, a balanced approach to globalization, equitable socio-economic development, strategic infrastructure investment, and active promotion of cultural initiatives, yield the most favourable outcomes for regional development. The key takeaway from this study is the paramount significance of inclusive and participatory approaches, effective communication strategies, and harmonious integration of globalization to foster sustainable regional development. Notably, tailored communication strategies exhibit a significant correlation with the success of socio-cultural initiatives, consequently exerting a positive influence on regional development. These encompass community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and adaptive information dissemination. In conclusion, comprehending and optimizing communication strategies emerge as critical imperatives for harnessing the benefits of globalization in the realm of regional development in Ukraine and analogous contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Argo buoy detects marine environmental data by making profile movements in the ocean and transmits the profile detection data to the shore base through the communication terminal. However, due to the large volume of data collected from profile detections and the continuous operation of the terminal, the remote communication of buoys is characterized by lengthy communication times and significant power consumption. A low-power Beidou transparent transmission terminal is designed to solve these problems in this paper. The terminal performs low-power operation management and power management for terminal remote communication. After the end of a communication process, the microcontroller turns the Beidou module power off and enters STOP mode. Before the next communication process begins, the serial port wakes up the microcontroller, which powers up the Beidou module. Before the remote communication, the microcontroller compacts the profile detection data collected by the buoy to reduce the quantity of remote communication data. In this paper, a variety of data compression methods are used to compare the compression rate, and the best compression method is selected according to the format characteristics of the data. The results show that the Beidou transparent transmission terminal of the Argo buoy can realize low power consumption for remote communication in ocean exploration. The terminal reduces power consumption by 77.282% per communication, and the average number of remote communications for each profile detection data are reduced by 55 times. The low-power Beidou transparent transmission terminal improves the battery life and is conducive to the long-term operation of the buoy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Renovation of existing buildings pose unique challenges to the projects, especially when facilities must remain operational during construction. Building Information Modeling (BIM) methods offer a potential solution by enhancing project management and coordination. Nevertheless, comprehensive case study research on BIM implementation challenges and benefits in renovation projects is lacking. This research addresses this gap through an ethnographic investigation of BIM implementation in a complex renovation project. The ethnographic methods involved direct observation of project meetings, active engagement in all project communications, and access to project data resources. Additionally, surveys and expert interviews with key decision-makers were conducted. The findings reveal how BIM implementation streamlined project management and improved communication, decision making, and output quality, despite limited prior BIM expertise among the major stakeholders. Challenges included a lack of BIM skills, absence of standardized practices, and unclear data management. Furthermore, valuable lessons were identified, including that the necessity of BIM requirements and proper procurement methods encompassing the entire project workflow, formalizing information exchange, preventing information fragmentation, facilitating model accessibility, and ensuring clarity in model detail and content are crucial for project success. This research sheds light on the potential of BIM in renovation projects and highlights key considerations for successful implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicular communication is gaining popularity, and seamless handover is critical to maintaining a stable and uninterrupted network connection between vehicles and roadside units. This paper investigates the advancements in handover approaches in vehicular networks, with a specific focus on fifth generation (5G) technology. Vehicular Ad-hoc networks (VANETs) face challenges due to high mobility, dynamic network topology, and frequent information exchange. The paper discusses handover issues in 5G-VANET environments, such as too-late and too-early handovers, wrong handover decisions, and unnecessary handovers. It also explores key performance indicators (KPIs) used in handover evaluation. The advancements in handover approaches presented in this paper pave the way for enhanced connectivity and communication management in 5G-VANETs, contributing to the development of safer and more efficient intelligent transportation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]