bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How abusive vendor compliance programmes are affecting retail store success
Authors: Katz Norman
Published: July 2024

The retail industry is seemingly one that is at odds with itself. It is an industry that seeks to deploy cutting-edge technologies such as facial recognition, Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, and hand-held devices to improve the customer experience. However, the retail industry still relies upon 40 year-old technologies — namely barcodes and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) — as the backbone of its vendor-supported supply chains. Inasmuch as the science behind these technologies has advanced, (eg faster laser scanners, Internet connectivity versus dial-up modems), the technologies themselves remain essentially unchanged. What also has stayed effectively the same are retailers’ supply chain vendor compliance programs. This paper explores how abusive vendor compliance programs are a contributing factor to the current state of disenfranchisement between retailers — both brick-and-mortar and online — and the vendor community today. The paper highlights how, in an era where brick-and-mortar retailers are struggling with their business models against their online competitors, vendor compliance programs are an overlooked opportunity. It provides real examples of how retailers’ abuse of vendor compliance standards and best practices only serves to drive up both their own and their vendors’ operating costs, extend compliance timelines, and delay order fulfilment. Using various industry study statistics, this paper showcases how vendor compliance has worked to contribute to supply chain disruption, not supply chain collaboration, which reduces retailers’ ability to collect and analyse critical data. As the paper concludes, for the overall good of the retail industry, retailers — as the industry leaders and authors of their vendor compliance programs — must take immediate improvement action as the results will enhance the supply chain partnerships they have with their vendors in key beneficial ways.
The psychology of the social shopper
Authors: Briffett Philip
Published: July 2024

In the space of a few years, the daily deals industry has grown exponentially — LivingSocial, for example, has over 75 million members worldwide. One reason for the industry’s rapid growth is the behaviour of the social shopper: members purchase as a group, they have a fear of missing out, they purchase quickly, and the results are normally dramatic and immediate. This paper looks at the reasons for such purchasing behaviour, how it relates to social networks and the best ways that local and national brands can benefit from it.
Stress testing for supervisory purposes: Framework and challenges
Authors: Cox Joseph , Ryu Lisa
Published: July 2024

Since 2009, when the Federal Reserve conducted the Supervisory Capital Assessment Program (SCAP), the Federal Reserve has been conducting supervisory stress tests to evaluate the capital adequacy of large banks and to support broad supervisory programmes. These stress tests provide a case study on the key challenges to designing a supervisory stress testing framework for ongoing supervision. The evolution of supervisory stress testing in the USA also provides a lens to examine particular considerations for scenario design, stress testing methodology, and public disclosure within the context of an annual exercise. The US experience suggests that annual supervisory stress tests can help link micro-prudential supervision to macro-prudential objectives; however, the value of supervisory stress tests is best assessed within the context of the broader supervisory programmes they support.
The reconstruction of Zonouz historical bazaar: A case study
Authors: Khalili Hassan
Published: July 2024

Architectural theorists have differing opinions on the reconstruction of historical works and textures and address the issue of architecture with different personal attitudes and knowledge. In addition, they select different methods for distinguishing the buildings requiring reconstruction. Despite the international charters and agreed principles in some developed countries, creating a unity of opinion in terms of tastes and thoughts seems difficult. Some principles and measures can, however, be considered and developed as common points to direct thinking in reconstruction and maintain the appropriate attitudes and principles. Such principles may have some behavioural similarities and include the expected features of architecture. In this case study, the reconstruction of Zonouz historical bazaar is studied to understand how international charters and principles have been applied to restore the historical identity and function of a structure.
How Sweden’s roadmap for fossil-free aviation paved the way for a more constructive dialogue regarding aviation and climate change
Authors: Littorin Henrik
Published: July 2024

Based on the decision by the parliament to make Sweden climate neutral by 2045, the governmental initiative Fossil Free Sweden has encouraged business sectors to draw up their own roadmaps as to how they will be fossil free while also increasing their competitiveness. The aviation sector in Sweden responded to this and was one of the first nine industries in Sweden to handover a roadmap to the Swedish government in 2018. After the roadmap was delivered to the government, a number of coordinated initiatives have been initiated both by the industry and by the government. It has in many parts contributed to a more constructive debate regarding aviation and climate change. The roadmap is based on two longterm goals. The first one is fossil-free domestic air traffic in Sweden 2030. This requires that approximately 15 per cent of all jet fuel in Sweden is replaced by fossil-free fuels. The other goal is that all aircraft taking off from Swedish airports will be fossil free in 2045. By focusing on a few key challenges and solutions where all involved parties could agree, it was possible to deliver a roadmap that seemed realistic and was broadly accepted. One finding in the roadmap is that a pragmatic and balanced approach between what is technically and commercially possible is needed. There are solutions that work today and where the basic efforts are will, courage, clarity and a working business model. If we dare venture into new solutions and learn from these ventures, we will probably reach much further than if we wait for the perfect solution. One example is Swedavia Airport’s decision to buy sustainable aviation fuel corresponding to the fuel demand for Swedavia’s own business trips. Swedavia made a procurement of this amount of fuel. The biofuel was purchased and delivered as a blend in the aviation fuel distribution system in Sweden. Last year, Swedavia made a joint procurement with three other companies. It was a very important step as it is not a traditional compensation but an actual reduction of emissions and something that can easily be copied by all companies and authorities in Sweden as well as in other countries. This paper will describe the process behind the roadmap for fossil-free aviation in Sweden and some of the initiatives that have evolved as a response to the roadmap.
Dilapidations update: The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on insolvency claims and landlord and tenant disputes
Authors: Andrews Kate
Published: July 2024

This paper addresses the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on insolvency claims and real estate disputes between landlords and tenants. In particular, focus is given to the effect on, and changing consumer patterns in relation to, the retail and hospitality sectors and the knock-on effect this has had on landlords of business tenants. The number of company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) has grown significantly and is likely to remain high throughout 2021 and into 2022. While the Government tried to reduce the number by the introduction of the CIGA 2020 Restructuring Plan, which has several benefits over the usual CVA route, this is but one of various pieces of legislation brought in by the Government in an attempt to address the issues raised by COVID-19. There have been many restrictions introduced which limit landlords and their ability to bring insolvency claims, to seek forfeiture of a lease or to pursue rent arrears which are being phased out as of 1st October, 2021, with some landlord restrictions being wholly removed by 30th March, 2022. From recent government announcements, it appears some of the restrictions are here to stay. While both tenants and landlords struggled to survive in the midst of the UK’s national lockdowns, the Government now seems to be making it clear the economy is open for business, not quite as usual, but heading in that direction. It remains the case that some are still struggling and that negotiation with regards to payment of rent and possible rent reductions are an important tool on both sides. It will also be important for landlords to consider their options with regards to seeking repayment from third parties should it prove unviable to recover from tenants directly. Overall, it is likely we will see a change in the relationship between landlords and tenants and the terms on which they are willing to engage in the future.
The new cost basis rules: Preparing to comply without regulations
Authors: Bentsen Martin
Published: July 2024

During the past year many financial services companies have been preoccupied with a very specific portion of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, which was passed in October 2008. This ‘bailout’ law not only set up a facility to purchase ‘distressed’ assets and make capital injections into ‘troubled’ financial institutions, it modified the current information reporting scheme to include cost basis on 1099B returns and that has left many financial institutions ‘troubled and distressed’ once again. Leading consulting organisations and well-known industry pundits have offered their views on the new cost-basis reporting requirements and have contrasted them against the current 1099B proceeds of sale reporting scheme. The course of this paper will differ from these writers as the focus will not be so much on what the new law says but rather how financial institutions are dealing with the monumental task of preparing to comply with it. At the time of writing this paper, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has yet to issue any preliminary regulations, let alone final ones, and the law takes effect on 1st January, 2011. Subsequent to a solicitation for responses to 36 questions the IRS posed in February 2009, communications to and from the IRS have reduced significantly and many financial services firms have begun major Project Management Programs to accommodate tracking, transferring, presenting and reporting cost-basis information while left to fill in the blanks as far as what final cost-basis regulations will look like. This paper will provide a comprehensive understanding of how some industry participants are going about preparing for the implementation of cost basis in light of the issues that are known to be presented as well as the issues that cannot be known until the regulations have been issued and finalised.
The future of blockchain
Authors: Neyer Gene
Published: July 2024

Bitcoin ushered in the age of cryptocurrencies, blockchain and digital ledgers with the potential to revolutionise financial services. This paper analyses representative cryptocurrencies to conclude that rumours of Bitcoin’s imminent irrelevance stem from the difficulty of measuring adoption. The interest in Bitcoin is high and still growing. It is likely to continue to develop as a relevant financial instrument. The excitement about blockchain must be tempered by the fact that at its development stage every technology is seen as disruptive and transformative. The paper then proposes a selection approach to aid business leaders in moving blockchain from the innovation lab experiments to production deployments and into sustained operation.
The New Barn-Raising: Sustaining community and civic assets in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Detroit and Baltimore
Authors: Potts Gareth
Published: July 2024

This account distils the key messages from a free online toolkit, The New Barn-Raising, published in May 2014. The toolkit draws on the author’s research in three US cities — specifically Baltimore, Minneapolis–St. Paul and Detroit. The focus of the research was ways to sustain community and civic assets that have long received a great deal of financial support from government — notably parks, libraries, recreation centres, senior centres, theatres, art galleries, and museums. The paper looks at the raising of three things — awareness, money and (volunteer) help. On awareness, the assertion is that asset support groups can best make the case for assets continuously and collectively rather than simply pursuing 11th-hour protests against cuts. The asset offer should also be marketed to the public. On money, there are many tax mechanisms available to US local government/voters to support assets, but there are benefits for assets of support also coming from communities, business and charitable foundations. Such partnerships can bring increased awareness, innovation and governance. On help, there are some possibilities to fill jobs that have had their funding cut, but there are various limits on what volunteers can do. Volunteers can supplement but not supplant professional staff.
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Strategies for success
Authors: Buttinger Lydia
Published: July 2024

The diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) agenda has been growing in importance in recent years and is now seen by many firms as essential to a productive and effective workforce and a healthy culture. In addition, with increasing regulatory scrutiny in this area, firms are investing more in strategies to promote DEI in their workplace. However, many firms still struggle to identify which programmes bring the greatest benefits. This paper explores the fundamental case for DEI in the workplace, looking at the benefits for firms and wider trends in DEI. It also examines the regulatory perspective and analyses the findings of the FCA multi-firm review published in December 2022 on approaches to D&I (diversity and inclusion) in financial services. Finally, this paper turns to look at the essential elements of an effective DEI approach, including a clear strategy driven by firm-specific data, buy-in from the top, a positive firm-wide culture, measurable targets and interventions across the employee life cycle. Practical examples are provided of workplace initiatives and how firms can build success.
The shortest distance between two people is a story: Storytelling best practices in digital and social media marketing
Authors: Carlton Jason
Published: July 2024

A well-told story engages people in experiences that are shared, even if the story is simply being recounted by a third-party. Simply put, stories bring people together. This article draws on the author’s experience of having his heart kick-started to illustrate how, as marketers, the ability to tell meaningful and captivating stories can make the difference between success and failure.
Efficient care delivery of effective hepatitis C virus treatments in Medicaid beneficiaries without cirrhosis
Authors: Mantravadi S.
Published: July 2024

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) targets the liver and increases the chance of negative liver-related health outcomes. The recent wave of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments is highly effective, with reduced side effects compared to prevailing options, and is recommended by the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease–Infectious Diseases Association (AASLD–IDSA), as of June 2017. In the administration of DAA treatment in Medicaid, however, patients with cirrhosis have been given priority. The extent of efficiency and cost savings associated with delivery of treatments in patients without cirrhosis is in question. The aim of this study was to analyse the efficiency of HCV treatment options and practice recommendations in Medicaid beneficiaries as a national cohort. To quantitatively evaluate treatment efficiency, treatments recommended by AASLD–IDSA were modelled using inputs from the published literature and the Medicaid National Average Drug Acquisition Cost. For modelled patients, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir/ribavirin would be the preferred, most efficient and effective treatment for Medicaid. Despite real world variation in treatment discontinuation, DAA treatment results in savings for Medicaid. The results suggest that DAA regimens as a first line of treatment is both an effective and an efficient practice in patients without cirrhosis, reducing all-cause health-care costs, preventing disease stage progression and averting morbidity.
Branding Lagos through regeneration of historical physical features
Authors: Amakihe Emeka
Published: July 2024

Recent decades have witnessed a growing willingness for cities to design and integrate local culture as part of their development. As such, history and cultural heritage are now being embedded in regeneration and rebranding of cities. This paper explores the regeneration of Lagos through its historical physical features. It identifies the National Arts Theatre and the surrounding disused land as one of the important historical and cultural physical features existing in Lagos, and explores the 4D place branding model theory specifically designed for regeneration and rebranding of the National Arts Theatre and the surrounding site.
How distributed ledger technology could solve regulatory problems
Authors: Spouse Tom , Green Ben
Published: July 2024

Distributed ledger technology (DLT) is at the forefront of emerging technologies, and one which we believe has the potential to radically affect and transform not only the financial services industry (FSI), but all industries. Nascent as the technology currently stands, its core attributes have the potential to completely change the way our world works, in the same way that the internet has done. Through 2017–2018, we have interacted with key players in financial services (FSIs as well as regulators) to understand their demands; and explored the financial technology (FinTech) and regulatory technology (RegTech) spaces to find viable solutions in the market. This paper aims to explain how three functionalities of DLT (namely immutability, trade matching and smart contracts) can revolutionise the process of regulatory compliance for FSIs. The authors have included a use case of how an underlying DLT could be beneficial to future proof elements of the regulatory initiative published by the Bank for International Settlements in January 2013 for systemically important banks to improve risk data aggregation and risk reporting (BCBS239).
A deeper look at the 2020 Facebook boycott and related themes of misinformation: A text mining analysis of topics, emotion and sentiment
Authors: Bright Laura F. , Sussman Kristen Leah , Hendricks Abby , Archer Leah , Wilcox Gary B.
Published: July 2024

Facebook has repeatedly come under fire from consumers, companies and government agencies in recent years owing to the prevalence of misinformation on its platform as well as the way it handles information related to social justice and public health, among other things. Using a large data set of 604,269 social media mentions sourced from popular social platforms (eg Twitter and Reddit), this study set out to discover themes associated with misinformation and the Facebook advertising boycott that occurred in July 2020. To understand the discourse, a linguistic analysis approach called theme extraction was used. This method employs machine learning and natural language processing to reveal relationships in the data that may otherwise be buried in the mass of social media mentions. The most prominent theme identified among social media users was the desire that Facebook and other social media platforms actively stop the spread of misinformation. Other trending topics included #StopHateForProfit, lockdown protests, hate speech policy, news as spam, right-wing politics and suspended ads. Managerial implications for advertisers are discussed as they relate to social media management and how misinformation impacts brand engagement on social platforms.
Issues with shopper tracking and data quality: From solving multi-floor issues to driving better positional accuracy
Authors: Angel Gary
Published: July 2024

One of the most popular methods for tracking the in-store shopper journey is through the electronic detection of smartphones. While there are various technologies for doing this, most share the same basic approach: using multiple sensors to monitor for phone signals. By analysing the signals received at each sensor, it is possible to backtrack and establish the location of the phone. Unfortunately, this process has numerous challenges in most real-world settings. Physical locations are difficult environments for electronic measurement. Floors add a three-dimensional problem to shopper positioning that breaks many systems. Blockages, reflections and even the phone’s location on the customer can influence signal readings by individual sensors. These factors make positioning based on sensor readings unreliable and erratic. Store and associate devices further complicate the picture. Unless these devices can be identified and filtered, they create a false picture of actual shopper movement. None of these problems is easy to solve with traditional processing techniques. However, they are problems for which machine learning is highly suitable. This paper will describe each problem, explain its significance and then outline a machine-learning approach for solving it.
Optimising the customer experience: Lessons for banks from tech giants
Authors: Finken Silke , Rusp Katharina
Published: July 2024

Customer experience has received growing attention as an essential element of the overall customer relationship for banks. The omnipresence of tech giants, their customer centricity and their highly intuitive and user-friendly customer experiences are changing users’ expectations regarding banks’ digital and digitally provided services and points of customer contact. This raises the question of which aspects customers value in their interactions with tech giants and which insights banks can derive for optimising their customer interfaces, experiences and journeys. The present paper is among the first to analyse these various aspects and to derive relevant insights and lessons learned for banks. The study is based on a quantitative online survey with 573 participants. Participants were asked about their degree of satisfaction and loyalty regarding their current bank, the aspects they value most in their interaction with tech giants, in general as well as with their favourite tech giant, and which of these aspects they would like their bank to adopt. Convenience and ease of usability of services, products and interfaces; the constant availability of services regardless of time and place; the seamless integration across different channels and access devices; and the high aesthetics of interfaces and services were considered valuable by more than 70 per cent of the respondents. In particular, the degree of convenience, extensive availability, speed and easily understandable interfaces were also rated highest in terms of characteristics that users would like their banks to adopt. For banks, this means that the design and optimisation of their digital customer experiences should be customer-centric and should focus on intuitive usability, timely delivery of services and information, comprehensive availability of functionalities and relevant data as well as an appealing design of their customer interfaces.
Risk appetite: A crucial consideration for effective board risk oversight
Authors: Mandel Christopher E. , Parija Soubhagya
Published: July 2024

Progressive risk management has, among other things, inferred that effectively managing risk requires significant commitment to a risk appetite framework (RAF) that educates, trains and enables decision makers to make risk decisions in the context of understanding risk-taking capacity, preference and, ultimately, need. The starting point for this assumes a reliable measure of the current levels of risk has already been taken to understand the wherewithal to take incremental risk — taken for its potential to increase value. Yet, the need for commitment and investment by leadership can be hard to secure. Proving the value and reliability of a RAF is also not easily accomplished. Thus, RAFs have not been widely established across different industries, not nearly as much as in the financial services.
Research shows that proving RAFs' impacts on performance is necessary for successful implementation. Both the literature and testimonies of successful practitioners demonstrate that risk culture, strategic priorities, board risk oversight requirements, effective communications to stakeholders, reliable quantification of risk and a commitment to quality decision making that sufficiently considers relevant risks are all crucial to successfully managing risk taking guided by a RAF. Thus, after being properly designed, thoroughly tested and ultimately approved by senior management and the board, a risk appetite strategy (RAS) and RAF can be instrumental in more effectively managing and creating value, ultimately leading to a more resilient enterprise. This paper will delve into the many elements of RAFs, allowing the reader to fully understand why management and governance should support their use. It will cover the challenges that practitioners face and how to resolve them. It will also provide a step-by-step methodology for designing, implementing and operationalising a RAS, including the roles of key players in doing so.
From ‘root shock’ to ‘Main Street’: For a biopsychosocial urban psychology
Authors: Fullilove Mindy Thompson
Published: July 2024

This paper reflects upon a lifetime of scholarship and activism which has sought to increase the urban policy literacy of psychiatrists and the psychiatric literacy of urban policy makers. She underscores the generative importance in her thinking of a unique intellectual ‘progressive’ niche-milieu which emerged in US psychiatry in the late 1970s and early 1980s and in particular the insights provided by George Engel’s Biopsychosocial Model; charts her research on forms of urban development in US cities that have left as their legacy mass displacement and gentrification, which has wounded disproportionally poorer and ethnic communities and caused ‘root shock’; and outlines the author’s hopes for a new tradition of Biopsychosocial informed urban regeneration and renewal which seeks to nurture and thicken communities and pro-social spaces so as to protect, repair and heal the mental health of those hitherto construed as ‘casualties of progress’. This paper calls attention to the literal and figurative importance of the idea of the ‘Main Street’ in projects of healing.
Securities operations: Future pricing models and operating models — Trade-offs between cost, operational efficiency and diversification
Authors: Pandiri Samir
Published: July 2024

A significant cost for sell-side firms, but not a differentiator: this is the reason why, in recent years, Securities Operations have not seen the investment needed to modernise fully, as the demands of the front office have come first. But a confluence of regulatory, technological and market trends is now forcing a fundamental change in post-trade, with innovative pricing and operating models coming to the fore. The volume spike in the COVID-19 pandemic was a final catalyst for many firms to look at their options afresh. This paper outlines the challenges facing securities operations, analyses current developments in pricing and operating models and looks ahead to the opportunities that more flexible models offer. I am grateful for numerous insights from Broadridge clients and colleagues.
Exploring urban transformations: Synchronic discourse analysis in the field of heritage conservation and urban development
Authors: Oevermann Heike , Mieg Harald A.
Published: July 2024

Historic industrial sites and their buildings present new challenges for heritage conservation as well as for urban development. Their transformation invokes conflicts between different concepts and objectives. This paper investigates whether and how transformation and conflicts can be analysed by a research instrument used in the social sciences: discourse analysis. It is presumed that the concepts and objectives of the various planning agents involved as well as the inherent core statements and values can be understood as discourses. Different discourses — as the term is used in the social sciences — clash with planning practice and trigger conflicts. The authors assume that these conflicts are based on differences in values. A case study examines the transformation since the late 1980s of the former Zollverein coal mine and coking plant in Essen, Germany. The results of this synchronic discourse analysis indicate approaches to an integrated planning practice. A version of this paper was previously published in German: ‘Städtische Transformationen erforschen: Die Diskursanalyse im Bereich Denkmalschutz und Stadtentwicklung’, Forum Stadt, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 319–325 (2012). It was produced in the framework of a DFG research project (2011–2014, MI 788/4-1,2, in collaboration with TU Berlin, Prof. J. Cramer). Copyright is given by Forum Stadt.
MyBank: Creating and launching a pan-European e-authorisation solution for e-commerce transactions
Authors: Broxis John
Published: July 2024

E-commerce has reached critical mass and mainstream acceptance among consumers, but its potential is still hampered by the limitations of the various e-payment services available, especially in Europe. The internet may be a co­operative, borderless network where retailers can display their range to a worldwide audience, but the payment methods they depend on are all too often mistrusted by consumers, incompatible with each other and disproportionately expensive to the various participants in the payment process. With the MyBank initiative, EBA CLEARING is aiming to roll out an online banking e-authorisation solution that operates on a pan-European basis and offers equal benefit to consumers, merchants and payment service providers, including banks and payment institutions. Consumers are able to use the same payment method for e-commerce purchases anywhere in Europe, merchants are not charged interchange fees, and payment service providers, via their online banking sites, are at the centre of the process. MyBank is currently in a pilot phase and is scheduled to be launched on 25th March, 2013. This paper explains why the time is ripe for a truly pan-European OBeP offering, ie an online banking-based e-authorisation solution that works at both national and cross-border levels, what obstacles lie in the way (from regulatory uncertainty to interchange fees) and how these can be overcome. MyBank is an initiative of a private-sector company. At the heart of the initiative is the idea of a solution extending core financial services to the online payments world. MyBank gives payment service providers the opportunity to offer their customers a safe and familiar payments environment through the internet.
Using predictive analytics to morph marketing in real time: A consumer electronics case study
Authors: Federico Francesco
Published: July 2024

Today’s omni-channel consumer purchase funnel has become non-linear,
cross-device and totally unpredictable. While technology has been the enabling factor of this radical disruption, it is also the key for brands to use to pivot and master the change. Indeed, predictive analytics, artificial intelligence and data modelling can be used to morph marketing communications in real time, achieving the scaled relevance of one-to-one communication. This paper will explore how Acer embraced predictive real-time marketing and how it contributed to achieving a truly unique view of the customer.
Best practices in supplier relationship management and response when supply is disrupted by cyber attack : An incident response framework
Authors: Green Cyrus
Published: July 2024

This paper explores the growing dependency of organisations on suppliers and the importance of supplier relationship management (SRM) in achieving sustainable competitive advantage. It highlights the various reasons organisations engage with suppliers, including accessing specialised expertise, cost savings, flexibility, risk mitigation and improved quality. The paper emphasises the need for organisations to adopt best practices in SRM to enhance their resilience to disruptions, particularly those caused by cyber attacks. It introduces a threat assessment process for organisations to evaluate the potential impact of supplier disruptions and proposes strategies for improving resilience through collaboration with suppliers. The article also discusses the significance of data sharing between organisations and suppliers, outlining different channels and methods for secure data exchange. It addresses the risks associated with data sharing, such as breaches, intellectual property theft, compliance violations and loss of control. Additionally, the article examines the impacts of supplier disruptions on organisations and emphasises the importance of establishing clear guidelines and policies for data sharing. It concludes by presenting a threat assessment process for supplier disruptions due to cyber attacks, including identifying critical suppliers, conducting risk assessments, analysing findings, developing mitigation strategies, implementing strategies and conducting ongoing monitoring.
An integrated approach to knowledge management for internal consulting in healthcare
Authors: Cramer Angela , Fjerstad Eva , Frye Jim , Macken Carrie , Schilling Keith
Published: July 2024

Mayo Clinic’s Management Engineering and Internal Consulting Department has a comprehensive and integrated approach to knowledge management (KM). This enables the department to provide consistent delivery of services, reduce project duration and innovate and build from the collective and diverse expertise of their team members, who are in multiple health system locations in the United States. The KM and sharing programme consists of tools to manage content and best-practice methodologies as well as informal and formal approaches to sharing broad knowledge and expertise via project design forums, social networks (eg community of practice groups) and knowledge sharing and project libraries. Staff are encouraged to contribute to the stored knowledge to support future project needs and to extract data for best practices and lessons learned (including successes and failures) to assist current project efforts.
Open banking: Towards platform and modular banking
Authors: Moysan Yvon , Rudnicki Margaux
Published: July 2024

PSD2, the second Payment Services Directive, is progressively affecting the European banking sector, creating a favourable environment for a more ambitious open banking system. This major change driver encourages the potential of open banking in the European Union. Banking data is becoming available to third-party players, such as FinTech start-ups or big tech companies. Open banking is both a threat and an opportunity for traditional actors. It will structurally and durably affect the banking sector, favouring new kinds of partnerships and ecosystems. This paper aims to help the reader to: understand the fundamental drivers of the structural change brought about by open banking; have a better vision of how application programming interfaces (APIs) can be used in a competitive market; identify the strategies banks can use to adapt to this new environment; appreciate how the emergence of new entrants is favoured; figure out how these new entrants’ approach can diverge from traditional models; get ready for the challenges facing tomorrow’s banking sector. The examples provided illustrate how new strategies tend to emerge and present a panel of innovative solutions to manage our banking and investing services.
The social enterprise: Building a digitally driven business to gain competitive advantage
Authors: Weber Larry
Published: July 2024

Since the millennium, social media have grown from a teenage fad to an essential business platform. Social media have permeated enterprises, transforming the ways they engage with customers, partners, employees and other key stakeholders. Today, businesses that execute a digitally driven business strategy enjoy a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace. This paper provides a framework for businesses to create a digital strategy and develop an enterprise-wide engagement capability. It then uses specific examples drawn from a variety of industries to illustrate how marketing, customer service, product development and human resources can harness social platforms to build deeper customer relationships, innovate new products and services, and attract and retain talent.
Hospitals narrowing post-acute networks in greater numbers and partnering with post-acute providers to improve outcomes, lower readmissions
Authors: Luke Josh
Published: July 2024

This paper discusses the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provisions that focus on readmission penalties and lays out a case for reducing penalties by creating a post-acute network and coordinating care with post-acute providers. The paper serves as a tool kit for the reasoning and justification for creating a formal post-acute network around a hospital to improve the care continuum. Hospitals and health systems interested in learning more about creating a formal network of post-acute providers in the community will benefit from reading this paper.
Building a resilient workforce for tomorrow by investing in the employees of today
Authors: Messer Lori
Published: July 2024

Building a resilient workforce with the ability to navigate the increasing rate of change in the financial services operations sector requires investment in an organisation’s employees. This paper explains how leaders can proactively engage employees in the process of transitioning to a more digitised ecosystem while sustaining or improving employee adoption and retention. It highlights how an operating model, culture and diverse approach to talent development can enable an organisation to transition smoothly into a more streamlined service delivery model without losing the institutional knowledge that its employee base possesses.
How Belfius Bank’s response to the terrorist attacks in Brussels helped embed business continuity in the company culture
Authors: Jappens Ludo
Published: July 2024

Until 2015, major terrorist incidents in Belgium were considered a ‘black swan’. However, the suicide attacks in Paris on 13th November, 2015 provided a wake-up call. Investigations revealed that the raid was prepared in Belgium by jihadists who grew up in Brussels and was coordinated by Belgian ISIS fighters in Syria. In an instant, it became clear that terror had been embedded in Belgian society and could erupt at any moment. At Belfius Bank Belgium, the subsequent months were a rollercoaster ride of terrorist-related events. Business activities were strongly affected, as the company’s head office is located in the centre of Brussels. This paper focuses on the way Belfius responded to the events and how the lessons learned have helped to improve its business continuity and crisis management capability.
Telemedicine: The cure for rural outmigration?
Authors: Bossard Brian , Friesen Carol
Published: July 2024

The Quadruple Aim — enhancing patient experience, improving population health, reducing costs and improving the work life of healthcare providers — is widely accepted as a compass to optimise health system performance. Access to timely, high-quality health-care services is an ongoing challenge in most rural communities in the USA, and a shortage in family practice and specialty-trained physicians is increasing rapidly according to current projections. In addition, a significant number of rural facilities are facing financial challenges and potential closure. Telemedicine offers an innovative solution to these problems in rural America by increasing access to medical specialty expertise. This paper considers the implementation of telemedicine services and potential barriers to its successful implementation, and describes examples of successful telemedicine programmes.
AI and sustainability: The opportunity for brands
Authors: Fink Carly , Goldman Jeremy
Published: July 2024

The opportunity to advance green initiatives with advanced technologies is endless, and this new area of growth will bring a number of revenue opportunities. Consumers, governments, and special interest groups are willing to reward brands for their sustainable practices, in which artificial intelligence (AI) can play a major role. AI can be a force for good and lift how a brand is perceived — but it has to be championed internally by proving its ROI, using the right vendors, and being properly implemented and well-communicated to consumers. As AI can help synthesise large amounts of data and automate tasks, it brings new possibilities for advancing green initiatives. Because of environmental concerns across the globe, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pollution, governments and corporations are championing these initiatives. For example, over 5,000 companies enrolled in the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign in 2020; this initiative seeks to secure commitments to reduce GHG emissions.
Energy surveys and audits: The need for best practice
Authors: Lewry Andy
Published: July 2024

EU Directive 2011/0172 is about to become finalised in European law and mandates energy audits for organisations. As yet it is not clear how the UK government will implement this and over what timeline. The directive states that where energy audits are generally not offered commercially (such as small and medium-sized enterprises), Member States should develop programmes to encourage SMEs to undertake their own energy audits. Energy audits should be mandatory and regular for large enterprises, as energy savings can be significant. Audits should take into account relevant European or International Standards, such as ISO 50001:2011 (Energy Management Systems), or BS EN 16247-1:2012 (Energy Audits — Part 1: General requirements).BS EN 16247-1:2012 (Energy Audits — Part 1: General requirements), has just been published but has insufficient underpinning guidance to enable good quality audits to be specified. Andy Lewry has just published a signposting booklet,1 with the Energy Services and Technology Association, to provide underpinning guidance on how to achieve the requirements. Conducting an energy audit is essential in that it provides the data and information required for informed decision-making.
Great places: The role housing associations can play in creating thriving communities
Authors: Jeffwitz Will , Ryder Rebekah
Published: July 2024

Housing associations have an important role in addressing regional and local inequalities and creating thriving local areas. This paper explores the characteristics of housing associations which make them particularly suited to their role as community ‘anchor organisations’ — their substantial asset base, secure income, longevity and independence. It describes examples of successful place-making by housing associations and examines what more they and partners could do in future, including developing strong, long-term partnerships, engaging closely with residents and communities, directing their supply chains locally, and using their assets for the benefit of the wider community.
Analysing ‘Brexit’: Opportunities and challenges for economic growth
Authors: Rumfitt Andy
Published: July 2024

While much is still unknown and changes on a daily basis, there are some clear and emerging Brexit issues that will affect economic development nationally, regionally and locally. This article summarises the key trading, foreign direct investment and policy issues before showing how these could affect three contrasting case study areas of Sunderland, Suffolk and Southampton. A brief review of the recent performance and economic characteristics of each area is provided. This paper is a longer version of a presentation given at the Westminster Social Policy Forum in London on 14th December, 2016.
A commentary on the New Urban Agenda
Authors: Field Brian G.
Published: July 2024

The New Urban Agenda (NUA) was adopted at Habitat III, the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, which was held in Quito, Ecuador, in October 2016. This paper is informed in large measure by the resulting documentation on the so-called ‘Quito Declaration’ and accompanying ‘Implementation Plan’ set out in the official NUA publications prepared by UN Habitat, as well as drawing on various supporting documents prepared by other UN agencies in the wake of the Declaration. The Implementation Plan lists 175 commitments and principles that respond to the vision and ambitions in the Declaration in which the building of more resilient urban settlements and supporting infrastructure is implicitly seen as the pathway to sustainability, and the adoption of more climate-friendly urban planning and development protocols is therefore a priority. While such ambition is clearly laudable, the paper questions the efficacy of the Agenda’s key principles and associated development guidelines, and asks if these are sufficiently detailed to inform policy makers in pursuit of its aspirations, as well as questioning their flexibility as implementation tools to accommodate geographically specific contextual differences in disparate urban settings. It is not therefore a research paper in the normally accepted academic sense, but is simply an essay-cum-commentary on the Agenda’s progress as it seeks to promote good practice in urban planning, and whether this is likely to deliver on more sustainable development that is also responsive to climate change imperatives.
Reframing the awareness funnel and lead nurturing strategies to increase B2B brand awareness and quality lead generation
Authors: Montague Jennifer
Published: July 2024

Many business-to-business organisations tend to focus their efforts predominantly on intent marketing strategies owing to the very nature of the buyer’s understanding of, and willingness to buy, their product. For the most part, this strategy makes sense — when someone is actively looking to buy your product or service, it is an easy win for your organisation. However, adding well-executed paid social strategies is an effective way to reach and educate a wider audience, nurturing their intent and feeding your lead generation machine. Intent marketing strategies are great at reaching a certain subset of your target market — but more needs to be done to reach larger audiences who may not yet have intent to buy your product owing to lack of understanding and knowledge of your brand and service. This paper, outlines tried and true strategies aimed at increasing brand awareness while simultaneously educating and nurturing intent.
Organisational performance and business continuity management: A theoretical perspective and a case study
Authors: Sawalha Ihab Hanna Salman
Published: July 2024

This paper seeks to extend the research relating to the strategic view of business continuity management (BCM) to the context of organisational performance (OP). It discusses potential performance consequences resulting from applying BCM aspects/elements within an organisation. The paper contributes to the understanding of the role of BCM in OP by discussing how deployment of BCM key aspects/elements can improve OP. Two main issues are discussed: first, background to performance and the elements of OP; and secondly, the role of BCM in achieving optimised OP. These issues are significant, as they go further than the extant literature relating to the significance of BCM and its potential influence on OP. The study focuses on Jordanian banks as a case study and as a way of illustrating how BCM helps improve OP for those organisations facing performance shortcomings or difficulties.