bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factories rust; brands do not
Authors: Veigel Uli
Published: July 2024

The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is going through a process of radical change. Brandleading rules of the past have to be fundamentally questioned, and in many cases discarded. Global FMCG brands are losing thought leadership to Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple (GAFA) across the board. But this is just the beginning. The good old days are not coming back. The FMCG industry has to redefine its business focus. In the future, investors will often dictate the way forward. For too long, the FMCG industry has ignored artificial intelligence (AI) as a brand-leading necessity. AI will become a substantial driver of revenue growth. So, what are the essentials that FMCG brands can – and need to – learn from GAFA companies?
What are the implications of health savings accounts for the US payments business? How can financial institutions best exploit this opportunity?
Authors: Baig Aamer
Published: July 2024

Health savings accounts (HSAs) provide financial services firms with a unique opportunity to enter the healthcare value chain and participate in the evolving healthcare market. Financial services firms can create enormous value for themselves and also for health plans and healthcare providers by adopting a new model for transaction processing that reduces provider bad debt, lowers administrative costs and improves decision making. This paper defines the scope of the opportunity (transaction fees related to HSAs alone will account for US$2.3bn over the next five years) and outlines the options to consider in developing a successful healthcare transaction processing strategy.
Creating an AI-based personal assistant: Case study of Is¸bank ‘Maxi’
Authors: Memiş Halim , Geylan Zeynep
Published: July 2024

This paper looks at Is¸bank’s Personal Assistant ‘Maxi’ as a case study to demonstrate the important touchpoints in building a personal assistant and provides details of its construction. Is¸bank was established in 1926 and is the biggest private bank in Turkey. Its personal assistant Maxi was added to its mobile application in 2018. Since its launch, Maxi has recorded an impressive number of queries, overwhelmingly positive feedbacks and a very high percentage of accuracy, all of which demonstrate that the steps Is¸bank has taken have been effective. Contrary to the customary application of artificial intelligence (AI) in customer services in the finance sector as chatbots, Maxi was designed to be a personal assistant. Therefore, while acknowledging the existence and the advantages of chatbots in the banking sector, this paper dwells on the formation of a ‘personal assistant’, which, unlike chatbots, recognises its unique user, carries out certain tasks given to it and provides insights to assist the user with regard to financial decisions. A brief overview of AI will first be provided, followed by a detailed explanation of the seven steps involved in creating an AI-based personal assistant in banking.
Addressing initial margin challenges in the new swaps world
Authors: Callahan Jack
Published: July 2024

As many firms are preparing for the impacts of Dodd–Frank, many are facing the challenges of funding initial margin. CME Group has worked closely with the market to create solutions to deal with these challenges in the wake of regulatory changes. To help alleviate some of the pain that firms will face with the additional costs, CME has broadened the acceptable collateral to include high-quality corporate bonds, portfolio margining of cleared interest rate swaps with futures, and launched new and innovative products including the deliverable swap futures. In a capital-constrained world, CME Group is committed to providing capital-efficient solutions to help firms with the collateral impact of clearing swaps.
C-3DP: A cross-cluster analysis model to identify latent categorical customer attributes
Authors: Kamena Roger
Published: July 2024

Using two-dimensional clustering methods to segment a customer database is a popular practice. The advantage of two-dimensional clustering is the ability to map customers according to a well-defined business logic. For example, how many segments can be identified based on the customers' age group and RFM score? Such an approach also has the advantage of reducing the dimensionality of datasets and a model's training time. Conversely, the trade-off of clustering on two dimensions is to ignore all the other dimensions potentially available in a CRM or web analytics platform. As such, the qualitative traits analysis of each segment from available customer dimensions can be challenging, especially for categorical dimensions with higher cardinality. In order to maximise the customer insights derived from cluster analysis, the paper proposes a qualitative trait prevalence scoring system: the C-3DP index (categorical density, dominance and diversity prevalence index). This technique maps a subset of dominant qualitative segment traits using a simple algorithm, as opposed to relying solely on traditional descriptive analytics approaches.
A new model to deliver housing: Land at Barton, Oxford
Authors: Ludiman Andrew , Sorrell Stephen , Hothi Kuljeet , Aujla Sharan
Published: July 2024

Oxford City Council’s ownership of the land at Barton provided Oxford with the single biggest site for housing development within Oxford and a significant opportunity to deliver new and affordable housing in an integrated, sustainable community in a city where new housing is much needed. However, technical, infrastructure, viability and market issues with the site, combined with the challenging economic climate, had meant that to date the council had been unable to bring the site forward for development and proposals had stalled. With innovative thinking and application of a bespoke delivery structure, a co-investment joint venture partnership has been established to unlock the site’s potential, ensure delivery of the proposed development and see fulfilment of the council’s aspirations. This partnership will provide the necessary infrastructure funding and create the delivery of serviced sites that can then be sold into the market to suitable house builders. The structure reflects the changing property market while achieving best consideration for the council and ensuring the council’s core objective of allowing early delivery of necessary infrastructure is met. Works on the site are due to commence by December 2013.
Addressing competition bottlenecks in digital financial ecosystems
Authors: Sitbon Elisa
Published: July 2024

Despite some early success, the mobile money sector’s future
remains unclear. In some markets, few dominant players have managed
to grow significantly. Their dominant position often reduces
incentives to lower prices or even hampers the ability of other
players to compete. This paper offers a framework to help policy
makers, regulators and the financial inclusion community to think
about anti-competitive behaviours in digital financial ecosystems,
and ways to address these bottlenecks without
stifling market growth.
Is there a role for culture in rebalancing the UK economy?
Authors: Murray Chris
Published: July 2024

The UK has among the worst regional economic imbalances in the developed world, despite attempts to change this stretching back decades. Second tier (core) cities have a significant role in addressing this imbalance, as drivers of wider city regions and labour markets, although that happens best when surrounding areas also benefit, through a ‘networked economy’ approach rather than trickle-down. Successful cities rely on a vibrant cultural scene as part of their offer, and culture is an important economic and employment sector in its own right. Yet in the UK, public funding for culture is under intense pressure due to the programme of austerity which has diverted funds to statutory services with rising demand. The Cultural Cities Enquiry was set up to investigate innovative sources of cultural investment, and was launched in early 2019. This paper sets out the key recommendations of that enquiry, linking them to the vital importance of culture in supporting the future success of cities, as they in turn support economic rebalancing in the UK. The paper argues that a more radical approach to devolution, national locational investment decisions and alignment of resources is needed to deliver rebalancing, and that this will also deliver new sources of — and free up investment for — culture, as part of the mix of creating successful places.
Why podium deck waterproofing systems fail
Authors: Hockey James
Published: July 2024

This paper is an assessment of typical design issues leading to water penetration through covered deck waterproofing systems, and into structures adjoining those decks.
Financial crime: Why are securities markets vulnerable?
Authors: Ehrenfeld Jonathan
Published: July 2024

In the last five years, regulators have begun to focus on compliance and money laundering risks specific to securities markets. It is clear to them that the ways in which securities are issued, traded, cleared and settled create a series of opportunities for criminals and that these opportunities make the securities industry vulnerable to financial crime. This paper explains where the vulnerabilities lie in securities markets, explores the regulatory and financial consequences for individual firms of failing to address these vulnerabilities, identifies guides to action and obstacles to effective compliance and discusses how they can be overcome at affordable cost.
AI and data privacy in big-tech: A new frontier in the digital market
Authors: Muncey Summayah
Published: July 2024

In recent years, there have been increased risks and challenges to data privacy and protection, specifically in digital markets where personal data is often a key competitive asset and a source of market power.1 Large digital platforms (LDPs) hold a dominant position in the digital market which continues to increase by using personal data to effectively target consumers and influence their decisions.2 AI has recently made remarkable progress and breakthroughs in various domains and applications allowing LDPs who adopt them to process an unprecedented amount of data.3 Although the rapid evolution of AI has the potential to revolutionise human life in abundant ways, AI also poses significant challenges and risks to data privacy and protection as it can collect, process and use large amounts of personal data from various sources, make decisions or predictions based on complex and opaque models, attack or manipulate personal data or systems and affect the privacy rights and expectations of individuals in public spaces. This paper argues that it is crucial to strike a balance between the benefits and opportunities offered by AI and the rights and interests of individuals and society concerning data privacy, protection and competition law. It also discusses potential safeguards that individuals, organisations and governments can adopt to achieve this equilibrium.
Investigating the role of the sub-custodian in risk mitigation and who bears the sub-custodian risk
Authors: Schnaitt Günter
Published: July 2024

The article investigates the role of a sub-custodian in risk mitigation. New regulations change the role of depositories and consequently the role of sub-custodians as well. This article follows some of the developments in oversight functions and liability in this field, highlighting changes in liability regimes for CSD, the difference between investor and issuer CSD and ways that subcustodians can play a major role in the chain of intermediaries. The article highlights some of the developments, such as T2S, and discusses different options and consequences.
Nine ways artificial intelligence is changing how and where we work
Authors: Andrew Peter
Published: July 2024

In March 2018, a panel of artificial intelligence (AI), corporate real estate (CRE) and workplace experts came together in Singapore. Their objective? To explore AI and how it will impact the way we work; the companies we work for; the technology that we work with; and consequently, the places where we work. Unsurprisingly, the relationship between AI and jobs was the first topic of discussion. The conclusion of the experts was straightforward: we should not worry that AI will take our jobs, rather we should focus on how augmented intelligence will enhance our existing jobs and increase performance. Central to this mind-shift, will be understanding how augmented reality (AR) tools (visual and audio) will converge our physical and virtual workplaces. Nowadays there is great uncertainty as to how many people (and therefore how much space) organisations will need in the future. AI is both the cause and a potential solution as ‘workplace as a service’ and ‘agile portfolio’ enter the real estate vernacular. When wearable AR devices go mainstream, will we work from ‘cockpits’, will an industry of ‘workplace skin’ design emerge and will we need virtual occupational health and safety (OH&S) officers? Amidst this chaos and change — what role, if any, will physical work environments play in our lives?
England’s overlooked neighbourhoods: Defining, understanding and regenerating ‘left behind’ communities
Authors: Bolton Margaret , Day Rob , Leach Matt
Published: July 2024

The term ‘left behind’ has become common currency since the 2016 UK referendum vote to leave the European Union (EU). It is often used to describe areas of the country that have missed out on the economic prosperity from which others have benefited. Generally, however, the term tends to be loosely defined and applied. This paper describes research which hazards a more precise definition and a mapping of areas that might be accurately referred to as ‘left behind’, acknowledging that the phenomenon has a social and cultural, as well as an economic dimension. The research described in this paper was commissioned by Local Trust from OCSI. A new Community Needs Index (CNI) was developed for the project. This new index identifies wards in England that lack civic infrastructure (places for people to meet, green space and recreational opportunities), connectivity — physical and digital — and community engagement. The 206 wards which the research identifies as perhaps the most ‘left behind’ are both in the top 10 per cent of this new CNI and in the bottom, or most deprived, 10 per cent of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). The research finds that ‘left behind’ wards are concentrated in post-industrial and coastal areas, often housing estates on the peripheries of towns and cities. The residents of these areas have markedly worse socio-economic outcomes compared to those living in similarly deprived areas; they have fewer job opportunities, lower levels of educational attainment and poorer health. The research indicates the multidimensional nature of the problems in these neighbourhoods and suggests the value and importance of civic infrastructure, connectivity and community engagement as a protective factor which helps to guard against them becoming too entrenched or severe. Our experience of delivering the Big Local programme, and our assessment of the evidence from past local area initiatives, is that flexible, community-led solutions which build community confidence and capacity, and which create connections to opportunities in the wider geographical area, are key to improving ‘left behind’ areas and the quality of life of the people living in them. We argue, based on the evidence, that new government investment in neighbourhood regeneration is urgently needed. This should take the form of long-term funding focused on building hard and soft civic assets. It is our view that only through this approach will sustainable positive change be created in the areas that most need it.
The intertwining of traditional and electronic word-of-mouth in building the credibility of local fashion brands
Authors: Ratriyana Ina Nur
Published: July 2024

In ascertaining the credibility of a brand, the source of relevant information is important, and choosing appropriate sources is a difficult task. Without a doubt, this has been complicated by the rise of the internet, which has changed the way people share information with each other, prompting a shift from the traditional word-of-mouth (WOM) to electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM). Many consumers, especially millennials, utilise social media not only as their primary source of information but also to disseminate information to such an extent that traditional WOM now receives less attention. This article will explore the significance of WOM and e-WOM as credible means of building the credibility of local fashion brands. Using an explanatory sequential design and mixed methods approach, it combines qualitative, quantitative and digital netnography to collect data about both traditional and electronic WOM. It finds that local fashion brands in Indonesia engage actively with their consumers through online and offline channels, using both traditional and electronic WOM to increase their credibility.
Innovation and competition in payments: Evolving policy challenges
Authors: Urbiola Pablo , Pacheco Lucía , Lozano Jesús
Published: July 2024

Technology-led innovation in payments has been a constant over history. Nevertheless, the ongoing process of digital transformation is proving to be radically different from the previous waves, as it is leading to a more profound reconfiguration of the financial industry. By facilitating the entrance of new players, particularly FinTech and big tech companies, technological innovation in payments has increased competition, further inducing innovation and efficiency gains. Despite having obvious benefits, payment system innovations and the associated changes in competition dynamics have implications for consumer protection, financial stability and market integrity that require an adequate response from supervisors and policymakers. This paper explores how the digital transformation of financial services has led to the opening up of the payments market to new providers, initially specialised FinTech companies and increasingly large technology conglomerates. The paper also discusses how regulators and policymakers have already responded to the evolving nature of the payment ecosystem, and key issues that policymakers should take into consideration to define a forward-looking approach. Finally, it calls for a balanced regulatory intervention that promotes electronic payments adoption and responds to the challenges posed by this unprecedented transformation trend in payments.
The role of digital assets in global payments
Authors: Treacher Marcus
Published: July 2024

This paper examines the role of digital ledger technologies (DLT) and their underlying digital assets in the arena of global payments, arguing that digital assets can make such payments faster, less expensive and more efficient. The paper begins by describing the state of cross-border transactions today, highlighting the often piecemeal development of systems that have led to today’s network of walled gardens corresponding to national borders and currencies. It also discusses DLT solutions that are being tested to overcome these limitations. However, this technology alone cannot overcome liquidity issues in local markets — especially emerging markets. Presently, banks and payment providers resolve these issues by prefunding accounts in local currencies on both sides of a transaction, using something called nostro accounts. This is where digital assets can deliver a clear advantage when used in combination with DLT. Acting as a bridge currency, digital assets can create the necessary pools of liquidity and enable direct transactions. The future of cross-border payments will then be realised through the combination of DLT and digital assets. In this way, banks and payment providers can quickly and easily complete affordable, transparent, real-time transactions. This promise is already being tested by early adopters, and is projected to grow exponentially throughout 2018.
Digital asset management: Modernising infrastructure and processes
Authors: Adacan Tansel , Vasiliev Maria , Mcgillicuddy Alex
Published: July 2024

This paper provides a detailed overview of the reasons to consider upgrading legacy digital asset management (DAM) IT infrastructure and explains how to do this, using simple layman’s terms. This paper focuses on IT infrastructure because it can easily be overlooked, yet the quality of an organisation’s infrastructure directly affects the cost, the type of DAM solution and process that can be deployed. This paper begins by describing the strategic business need for a DAM solution and why infrastructure is a critical driver in the final decision. It then outlines the features that could be considered for a DAM solution. The third part outlines the primary stakeholders to consider when upgrading DAM infrastructure, followed by a template for architecting and rolling out new DAM infrastructure. The penultimate section provides examples of issues faced by Landor when rolling out DAM, and the final section provides a summary on the future of DAM infrastructure. This guidance is suitable for organisations of all sizes, and may also be useful for greenfield projects.
The impact of COVID-19 on service charges in commercial properties
Authors: Richardson Lorna
Published: July 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting legislative measures and government guidance, have significantly affected all of our lives. This paper considers the implications of the financial difficulties faced by commercial tenants on the landlord/tenant relationship. The paper highlights issues in the practice of landlords, and surveyors advising them, in relation to works and services that come within the service charge provisions of a commercial lease, as well as examining how recent legislative interventions have limited recovery options for landlords faced with service charge arrears. The paper investigates the need for communication between parties to try to resolve difficulties the tenant may have meeting its financial obligations under the lease, as well as the need for any agreements reached to be properly documented in order to provide clarity and certainty for both landlords and tenants going forward.
The leveraging value of celebrating a university’s centennial
Authors: Barr Mary G. , Corvino Lori
Published: July 2024

This paper first summarises the focused and collaborative planning process Ball State University employed with its stakeholders to create a yearlong drumbeat of activities to mark its centennial. Secondly, it will make the case to craft research-informed institutional identity and marketing campaign in advance of embarking on marking a milestone. Thirdly, it will outline the many audiences targeted to advance strategic goals for giving, participation, and marketing the institution during the milestone year; and finally, it will conclude with the impact of the new marketing campaign as the university experienced record enrollment for its 2019 freshman class and the results of the alumni re-engagement campaign and record one day giving totals.
How passenger preferences influence low-cost terminal development
Authors: Sabar Rohafiz , Fewings Rodney
Published: July 2024

Culture may be defined as a population's behaviour, the beliefs and way of life that are passed down from one generation to the next. The existing models of low-cost terminals (LCTs) concentrate on cost efficiency without considering the influence of culture, which in turn influences the preferences of both business and leisure passengers. There is therefore a need to investigate alternative models for the provision of terminal facilities that take into consideration the influence of culture on development. This paper reviews the significance of alternative LCT models, taking into account passenger expectations and the provision of terminal facilities. The paper proposes a methodology for determining appropriate facilities for LCT development by taking into account the influence of passengers’ culture.
Retail planning in Japan: Implications for city centres
Authors: Balsas Carlos J. L.
Published: July 2024

Japan is known for its high number of shops. In the last decade, the number of shopping malls has increased greatly. These are mostly Western-style shopping malls, built in peripheral areas of cities with ample parking and good car accessibility. This type of commercial development has both positive and negative consequences. This paper attempts to fill part of a research void by examining the planning debates on regional malls and inner city shopping streets. The research hypothesis is that Japan is undergoing a change that has proved unsustainable in many Western countries. This paper discusses the forces influencing this retail transformation, the characteristics that are making Japanese society opt for these formats, and the likely consequences for cities and towns attempting to revitalise their centres. It also contributes to a better understanding of how European-based town planning policies might have an impact on Japanese retail development.
Assessing diminution in value of residential properties affected by Japanese Knotweed
Authors: Santo Philip
Published: July 2024

Japanese Knotweed continues to affect residential property transactions and owners, despite significant improvements since RICS introduced guidance in 2012. The stigma attached to the problem and periodic uninformed media comments mean that public perception of the problem remains at variance from the real risks the plant poses. Consequently, the value and saleability of a property can still be severely affected if an infestation comes to light. Diminution in value is a long-established principle for assessing financial loss, typically following negligence during a prepurchase survey, where case law has established that if the cost of reinstatement is significantly greater than the impact of a defect on market value, then the diminution in value will take precedence. Japanese Knotweed poses a different problem for the valuer because the market impact may be many times greater than the cost of remediation. This paper proposes a structured approach to assessing the impact of a Japanese Knotweed infestation on value by individually considering and then consolidating five separate elements which can affect value when Japanese Knotweed is present, providing a logical rationale in support of an assessment of diminution in value.
eVTOLs and vertiports: Operations and infrastructure for a new and sustainable way to fly
Authors: Cox Kevin E.
Published: July 2024

The world is on the cusp of a zero-carbon revolution in urban mobility. Within a few years, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) and vertiports will be operational across the globe. This is new, uncharted territory which needs some guidelines to help airport operators understand the commercial impetus behind vertiport development, and what eVTOL operators believe this new market needs. In particular, airports will want to know how they can connect to, and benefit from, urban air mobility. This paper describes the three main business models that eVTOL operators are working towards. It explains why vertiport designers must accommodate all those approaches and more. It then goes into some detail describing the factors that influence the selection and development of a vertiport location, together with the operational and regulatory requirements. This paper emphasises the importance of working with local communities because a vertiport network can only be effective if it is embedded in the community. Throughout the paper, there is a particular emphasis on the role that airport operators can play in helping to build this new industry. It shows how they can tap into this market to improve their own connectivity, ease local congestion and potentially open up routes to new groups of passengers.
Examining the effects of K-8 mergers on brand awareness and fundraising using a mixed-method research design
Authors: Cronin-Gilmore Julia , Hammond Helen G.
Published: July 2024

A research study was conducted to examine the effects on brand awareness and fundraising for a K-8 private urban school system known as CUES. A substantial number of private schools across the country have suffered financially, with many closing. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to evaluate stakeholder assessment of values, choice and opportunities as well as stakeholder engagement and philanthropic support. Purposive sampling was used to electronically collect data from a sample of n = 139. Quantitative findings illuminate success with more than 60 per cent of participants identifying performance as either ‘above average’ (39.57 per cent) or ‘excellent’ (23.74 per cent). Donors and Board Members described ease of donating to the school with 85.48 per cent indicating ‘very easy’ making it a significant finding relating to other K-8 private schools. Qualitative findings indicate the private school is providing an excellent education for children, diversity, small class sizes and a strong graduation rate where students succeed in high school and beyond. Findings indicate opportunity for community engagement through outreach and service to share successes and tell the story. Recommendations related to teacher support, community engagement, service to others, marketing and showing how donations support the mission are also provided. These findings are transferrable to other private K-8 schools.
Miramax and FilmTrack: Implementing an SaaS contract and rights management platform
Authors: Evans Denise , Coleman Thomas
Published: July 2024

This paper presents an analysis of the successful implementation of a contract and rights management system at Miramax Studios. Bound by no legacy infrastructure, Miramax selected FilmTrack’s cloud-based intellectual property management platform to store its extensive film library acquired from Disney. During the process, Miramax worked hand-in-hand with FilmTrack to define and establish its metadata standards and hierarchies. Because both Miramax and FilmTrack shared the same industry lexicon, decision making was accelerated, and roadblocks were quickly removed. The team’s tight collaboration enabled them to meet the aggressive 90-day implementation window. In addition, the flexibility of FilmTrack’s software as a service architecture and software design played an integral role in meeting Miramax’s business needs. Post roll-out, Miramax gained critical insight into the availabilities of its titles within its film library, thereby enabling its global salesforce to monetise fully all rights in play and directly affect revenue. Detailing the critical decisions and actions that led to that successful implementation, this paper identifies essential best practices that are applicable to contract and rights management implementations at any enterprise, in any industry.
How effective data management and automation can improve operational efficiency in onboarding and know your customer
Authors: Marsh Ben
Published: July 2024

This paper discusses the importance of effective data management and automation when onboarding and carrying out KYC (know your customer) on clients, thereby providing a holistic view of the challenges and solutions in the client lifecycle management space. In most firms, KYC remains a largely manual, time-consuming and error-prone process. The lack of competency in this area is reflected in the high level of fines levied by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Last year the UK saw in excess of £229m fines issued for compliance breaches. We will investigate the data management practices and automation required by firms to comply with AML and KYC regulations, covering data completeness, timeliness and quality of data — so companies can demonstrate compliance to the fullest extent with the regulators. The key to success is being able to understand all the strategic implications of data management and how to align the firm’s data strategy with the overall business and compliance strategy to ensure:

A good customer experience
Flexibility to react to regulatory and market changes
Accountability for data ownership
Internal commitment to data quality

It covers the methodologies used to enable the control and management of end-to-end data — bringing data management, onboarding and KYC operations together to ensure optimum efficiency and regulatory compliance.
‘There is space for the official and the unofficial’: A case study of a module-led Facebook page in online distance education
Authors: Mallon Sharon , Dresden Beccy
Published: July 2024

The emergence of social media platforms has been associated with a shift of students from university-moderated spaces towards Facebook; however, there has been a general reluctance among lecturers to engage directly with students on this platform. This paper provides evidence of how students at one online institution engaged with a module-specific, lecturer-mediated Facebook page, alongside the reflections of the staff who led the group. The case study shows that the page was both motivational and engaging for staff and students alike. As only one-third of students engaged, however, it is not a sole answer to problem of disengagement in this sector.
Using community partners to deliver low-cost and effective emergency management and business continuity services
Authors: Thomas Joan , Roggiero Jean Paul , Silva Brian
Published: July 2024

Small to medium-sized organisations enhance their business mission as well as their communities by continuing to offer services in extreme circumstances. Developing emergency preparedness and business continuity plans that are cost-effective, comprehensive and operational for small to medium-sized organisations with limited resources requires a consistent, supportive, hands-on approach over time with professionals to create appropriate and sustainable strategies. Using a unique, multi-layered and applied approach to emergency preparedness training, organisations have successfully created plans that are effective and sustainable.
The vibrant 15-minute geographies of suburban Morristown, NJ
Authors: David Milder N. , Ryan William F.
Published: July 2024

The notion of 15-minute geographies, neighbourhoods and cities has caught considerable attention among noted urbanists and the media, sparked by the actions taken in Paris to create vibrant 15-minute neighbourhoods. Their defining characteristics were, however, often unclear or questionable: how many of their residents’ needs and wants needed to be satisfied within them? Did they need to significantly diminish car use? Did the use of drive sheds mean an inauthentic 15-minute geography? Could they only be defined by walk or bike trips? These issues are addressed in this paper as we take up the particular assertion that suburbs cannot have 15-minute geographies because auto use would be necessary for residents to access the services and venues that can meet their needs and wants. In doing so, we argue that these geographies have two types of areas that must be analysed: a core walk trip-defined area, and a drive shed-defined associated access area.
Current practice in e-mail policies
Authors: Silverstone Ben
Published: July 2024

The aim of this paper is to explore the current practice in e-mail policies, considering how the current threat of cyber incursion is affecting the level of control needed and how user acceptance can be enhanced. This paper bridges a gap between early policy research and current practice as there has been little active research in this field within the past 10 years. A number of e-mail policies and user guides were requested from further education colleges for review within this paper and the common themes identified are used to structure the discussion. From the analysis it became clear that tighter controls need to be offset by enhanced levels of detail provided to users. Where organisations wish to claim ownership and reserve the right to search and use evidence from e-mails, great care needs to be taken to ensure that informed consent is obtained and that potential punitive actions are clearly detailed. Consideration is also made for providing some concessions so users can increase acceptance of restrictive policies and, in the case of e-mail, a straightforward concession is to allow users the right to carry out private communication using organisational e-mail systems. Crucially, restrictive e-mail policies designed to protect the organisation can be implemented effectively, but it requires thorough consideration of the needs of the user.
The case for regional post-natural disaster preparation
Authors: Claringbull Natalie
Published: July 2024

The private sector is becoming increasingly responsible to society and the environment. To this end, instead of simply contributing aid after a disaster, firms should establish relationships in advance, investing in regional growth through a post-natural disaster preparation pact. The pact should be a regionally focused partnership agreement — a natural disaster equivalent to the Kyoto Protocol. By coordinating preparation mechanisms through investment and collaboration before disasters hit, companies not only show confidence in the economy, encouraging regional cooperation and fostering economic growth, but also raise awareness of impending threats. Natural disasters affect all areas of life and livelihood; it is therefore beneficial for everyone to work together in advance to improve mitigation strategies and facilitate management processes in disaster recovery.
China’s social and mobile companies set to shake the tech world
Authors: Pearson Andrew W.
Published: July 2024

The days of China simply being a country that copies,
pirates and counterfeits US and European technology are coming to
end. Platforms like social and mobile are at the forefront of
China’s current technological revolution. The interconnectedness of
the modern world is creating a whole host of ways to market a
product and/or a service. Chinese blogs, micro-blogs, content
communities, social networking sites, virtual game worlds and
virtual social worlds are leading this new technological
revolution. Companies like WeChat, QQ, Weibo, Hexun, Youku,
Jiepang, Qieke, Ushi, Taobao and Ku6 are all experiencing
exponential growth. In China, the competition for consumers is
incredibly fierce, especially in the social media space. This
competition, however, does have a dark side: many companies
regularly employ ‘artificial writers’ to seed positive content
about themselves online and attack competitors with negative news
they hope will go viral. On the e-commerce front, Taobao has formed
a synergistic partnership in which store owners on Taobao create
accounts on Weibo and utilise it as a channel to market their
products and communicate with customers. On the virtual social
world front, China might also be leading the world with sites like
yy.com, which have found a way to monetise karaoke. Technology has
always moved at the speed of light, but today the barriers of
culture, language and communication are falling by the wayside and
China is finding itself at the forefront of this new technological
revolution.
Effective rostering and staffing levels
Authors: Nicholson Maria , Jarvis Jill
Published: July 2024

There is considerable evidence that reduced staffing levels and skill mix compromise care, and what constitutes safe staffing levels in nursing has always been a hotly debated issue. While the Francis Report effect led to 24,000 full time employment (FTE) nursing posts being created, the resulting £3.7bn agency bill was staggering. Agency capping has gone some way towards reducing this, but a failure to address workforce planning is fundamentally responsible for the situation and needs concentrated effort by all stakeholders. In the meantime, it is critical that the current workforce is managed and deployed effectively to minimise the need for agency staff. eRostering is an important workforce tool that can deliver benefits in visibility and control, increased shift fill rates, enhanced essential performance indicators, reduced cost and safe operation. It is, however, a tool that needs managing and sense checking, and the information needs to be used to inform decisions at every level for it to be valuable. This paper outlines some of the key elements of good rostering practice that, together with good management practice, will support the organisation and its staff in achieving efficiencies while ensuring that patient care is not compromised.
The imperative of building and fostering a strong compliance culture in the evolving cross-border payments space
Authors: Fleming Michele M.
Published: July 2024

It is a period of substantial change for the ever-growing cross-border payments space, with numerous new trends emerging, along with new technologies, new market entrants and participants, and unprecedented regulatory collaboration around the G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross-border Payments. This paper discusses the drivers for the changes underway, explains the continued context of elevated compliance risks in the cross-border payments space, and calls for the entire ecosystem, including banks, service providers, new entrants and regulators, to focus on building and fostering a strong culture of compliance. This imperative is even more critical for new entrants who may not be subject to the same level of stringency within their current applicable regulatory regime and who may believe that this gives them more flexibility than other service providers. Building and fostering such a culture of compliance will have numerous benefits, including the reduction of crime. This paper argues that the universal commitment to such a culture of compliance among all parties involved in the ecosystem must begin with the adoption of an inquisitive compliance mindset, that is, a mindset that acknowledges the critical importance of compliance requirements, the rationale for their adoption and a willingness to ask questions and get detailed responses on an ongoing basis. Such a dynamic understanding would facilitate any future changes required by evolving regulations.
Risk modelling: Convergence needed, but some variances are legitimate
Authors: Carr Brad
Published: July 2024

The level of variance between banks’ internal RWA models has generated concern, although the sources and effects of such variance are not always understood. An extensive review of modelling practices by the IIF RWA Task Force in 2014 has confirmed that, while variances are indeed too large, some components of this reflect underlying differences between banks’ portfolios and risk management policies and practices, among other legitimate factors. In this sense, some variance can have a positive effect, as capturing the inherent differences between banks helps strengthen risk management, making banks more attuned to the real risks and incentivising them to improve their capabilities. Some harmonisation of modelling practices is necessary to help restore RWA credibility, necessitating an extensive process of sifting through which model factors represent an intrinsic difference between banks or jurisdictions and which reflect more common factors. This can help enable the continued improvement of models, and the vital role of risk-sensitive metrics at the core of banking.
Condensation in loft spaces: Myths and realities
Authors: Parnham Phil
Published: July 2024

Both European and national governments see the insulation of the existing housing stock as an effective method of reducing energy use across the UK and the EU. Although the proportion of insulated ‘hard to treat’ properties remains low, a variety of government initiatives has resulted in the insulation of a high proportion of accessible lofts and cavity walls. In relation to the insulation of lofts, anecdotal feedback from residential surveyors indicates an increase in condensation problems in loft spaces. Although this problem has been described and solutions proposed in a variety of publications, the defect is still misunderstood by many in the surveying and contracting sectors. In this paper the author draws on a range of published guidance and research and separates the myths from reality. The paper discusses the factors that cause condensation in loft spaces; describes how condensation can be distinguished from other forms of dampness and outlines how loft space condensation can be reduced to manageable levels.
Six key principles for identifying and ensuring success in marketing channels
Authors: Oldani Heather
Published: July 2024

In today's continuously evolving media landscape, consumers expect brands to engage with them over multiple channels. Indeed, 87 per cent of people surveyed want meaningful interactions with brands. Yet only 17 per cent think that brands actually deliver that interaction effectively. With such an opportunity in front of all brand marketers, it is critically important to understand how to set priorities and maximise communication channels in order to engage effectively with customers and other key stakeholders. This paper provides the reader with six key tenets for assessing and establishing channel priorities for a brand's marketing and engagement efforts. Tenets centre on the premise that brands should not try to be all things to all people but rather should identify those channels which both offer the strongest return on investment in reaching very targeted audience segments and which align with the brand's overall voice and content. Often overlooked and critically important is a focus on search and paid amplification in order to ensure broader reach.
Supply chain finance
Authors: Camerinelli Enrico
Published: July 2024

In the contingent situation of extreme reduction of credit flows, enterprises try to extract liquidity, as much as possible, through better and more efficient management of their operations. It becomes paramount, therefore, to understand the sources of possible internal financing. It is about aligning the operational flow with the financial flow. It is about fully evaluating the processes and the 'end-to-end' information that determine the values of liquidity, of the accounts and of the corporate working capital. The supply chain is a network of participants who trade goods, services and information in front of purchase and sales orders. The financial component, expressed through invoices and payments, acts as the 'glue' between the various participants. In such a context, control passes from corporates to the issuing institutions, that is, the banks. Banks also find themselves in dire straits owing to the serious economic crisis. They need to innovate products and services in an ever-more competitive — and prudent — market. By mapping the operational processes in front of these as well as other financial solutions, the supply-chain manager can guide the finance colleague proactively to involve the bank of reference to obtain solutions and services that positively condition the corporation's working capital.
The use of shared digital platform solutions to address challenges to multi-agency preparedness, response and recovery work within the UK
Authors: Drew Laura
Published: July 2024

This paper discusses ResilienceDirect — the UK’s strategic resilience platform for response and information sharing, designed to support the multi-agency aspects of emergency response. The paper will focus on the functionality of the system as well as the related challenges. The paper identifies a set of recommendations for addressing the challenges to improve usability and uptake. The recommendations will consider best practices from other multi-agency response platforms and feedback from ResilienceDirect users.