bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is distributed ledger technology built for personal data?
Authors: Chang Henry
Published: July 2024

Some of the appealing characteristics of distributed ledger technology (DLT), which blockchain is a type of, include guaranteed integrity, disintermediation and distributed resilience. These characteristics give rise to the possible consequences of immutability, unclear ownership, universal accessibility and transborder storage. These consequences have the potential to contravene data protection principles of Purpose Specification, Use Limitation, Data Quality, Individual Participation and Transborder Data Flow. This paper endeavours to clarify the various types of DLTs, how they work, why they exhibit the depicted characteristics and the consequences. Using the universal privacy principles developed by the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), this paper then describes how each of the consequence causes concerns for privacy protection and how attempts are being made to address them in the design and implementation of various applications of blockchain and DLT, and indicates where further research and best-practice developments lie.
Market impact measurement of a VWAP trading algorithm
Authors: Fraenkle Jan , Rachev Svetlozar (Zari) , Scherrer Christian
Published: July 2024

This paper proposes a model for the market impact of algorithmic trades. Usually large orders cannot be executed immediately without significant trading costs. For optimised execution one relies on the help of a VWAP (volume-weighted average price) trading algorithm. It is demonstrated that the VWAP algorithm is the optimal solution of the optimisation problem using the market impact models presented in this paper. The purpose of this work is the empirical market impact analysis of a homogeneous set of algorithmic trades. The underlying data set contains trades resulting from a hedge fund trading strategy. The analysis shows that the participation rate is the most important description variable. Therefore, a linear model and also a concave power law model of the market impact, dependent on the participation rate, are used. The estimated parameters lead to interesting consequences for verifying certain aspects of the market microstructure theory. The results also suggest different behaviour of the various analysed markets. On the one hand the market impact dependency on the participation rate behaves differently for the Japanese market compared to the European, US and Canadian markets. On the other hand, the individualised linear regression results suggest a dependency of the market impact on tick size for the Japanese and US markets.
The sustainable investment assessment: Data and methodologies
Authors: Gordon Maryse
Published: July 2024

Sustainability has been making an impact across many industries, and within Financial Services, it has changed the methods and motives in which investors grow their wealth. The data and analytics surrounding sustainable development goals have been key to providing the right information to determine the effects, whether they be risks or opportunities, of an investment, and whether it aligns to an investor’s sustainability objective. As the scope of information available and the methodologies for assessing, qualifying and using this data continues to evolve, the pre- and post-trade world is working towards integrating this notion into their business strategies and aligning to new adviser and investor values. Using examples in Fixed Income from Beyond Ratings delivered via The Yield Book, London Stock Exchange Group, this paper will discuss some of the sustainable data available within financial services, how effective qualitative and quantitative data elements are in this analysis, and how the pre- and post-trade communities have been adopting these data elements into their processes.
Challenges and strategies for incorporating Generation Z into the workplace
Authors: Knapp Curtis A. , Weber Christine , Moellenkamp Sarah
Published: July 2024

Generation Z (Gen Z) is about to enter the workforce by the millions, bringing with them new demands and challenges for companies and their corporate real estate (CRE) portfolios. This generation (born within the past 20 years) is more technologically savvy than any previous generation and more likely to collaborate with colleagues to complete a task. But with these talents comes certain drawbacks. Gen Z’s tendency to be always plugged in makes them one of the unhealthiest generations both physically and emotionally. To incorporate this new generation into the workplace (and make them every bit as valuable as their Baby Boomer, Generation X [Gen X] and Millennial colleagues) will require accommodations that allow Gen Z to focus. These include spaces that encourage mindfulness, promote sense of place and foster teamwork. Case studies presented in this paper offer examples of how two companies recently prepared their workplaces to integrate tomorrow’s worker.
How Concordia University built a virtual alumni programme that creates broad and deep constituent engagement
Authors: Akin-Aina Temi , Piccirelli Olivia
Published: July 2024

This paper discusses the strategic planning and implementation of Concordia University's #CUatHome digital alumni engagement programme. Taking the form of a case study focusing on The Alumni Career Services' (ACS) portfolio, the programme is an engine to mobilise and engage alumni, support students, build partnerships and, ultimately, fundraise for the university. In 2021, the CU at Home programme received excellence awards from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE)1 and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE D1)2 in recognition of its success in increasing alumni participation and building constituent affinity.
Using complaints handling insight to enhance conduct risk assessment
Authors: Afzal Sheraz
Published: July 2024

Complaints handling provides significant insight into the drivers of conduct risk. From a high level, the method by which complaints are handled in the round is an important cultural indicator of the value a firm places on a customer. Individual complaints are of high informational value in and of themselves, and can be joined to other data points to create powerful insight.
Qualifying control data with propensity score matching
Authors: Crisp Dakota , Kristo Matt , Everest Courtney , King Jenna , Brehmer Emily , Barnes Danielle , Prantner Jonathan
Published: July 2024

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought with it a proliferation of data and an environment with ever-increasing complexity. While experimental design is the gold standard in assessing direct causal impact, the need for frequent business pivots and the abundance of pre-existing data makes quasi-experimental design a notable contender. Propensity score matching is one such quasi-experimental design tool that enables retrospective hypothesis testing, enabling businesses to use previously unviable data. This paper provides a case study of how this technique helps process nonrandomised data into viable analyses.
Corporate practitioners moving to mobile banking: Key factors driving adoption
Authors: Darsow Michelle , Listwan Laura
Published: July 2024

The appeal is undeniable. The ease, immediacy and accessibility that make mobile banking so attractive to consumers have not gone unnoticed by corporate practitioners. As companies seek to work smarter, faster and more efficiently, corporate mobile banking is a natural fit. By pushing the most-wanted, time-critical information out to corporate users, mobile banking allows them to stay in control on the go. With a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device, users can communicate transaction decisions and authorisations anywhere. As corporate practitioners begin to use mobile to perform critical banking functions, how will this change their expectations and interactions with their banks? Meanwhile, banks are applying lessons learned from previous mobile banking solutions to enhance the corporate user experience, add functionality and address mobile security concerns. This paper explores the growth in mobile and compares differences and similarities between consumer and corporate mobile banking, including small businesses. An analysis of trends and factors highlights key considerations in corporate mobile adoption: from which features and functionality to look for, to best practices for mobile security and a preview of what is in store for the future. This discussion includes industry research and the results of U.S. Bank’s proprietary research on mobile banking.
Innovative solutions to leverage resources and maximise efficiency in the battle against cheque fraud
Authors: Sarra Silvia
Published: July 2024

This paper presents an approach to innovative solutions in using available resources and maximising efficiencies within the fraud shop. It reviews the effectiveness of an enterprise fraud alert management system and a fraud category, cheque fraud, which is in the eyes of many experts on its way to its demise, but continues to be a challenge for financial institutions. Undeniably, according to fraud surveys and consortiums of fraud experts, financial institutions continue to combat cheque fraud, which over the years has evolved from just ‘bad cheque writing’ into sophisticated frauds ranging from work at home, Nigerian telemarketing schemes involving rings across multiple countries, to cross-channel fraud and identity theft. According to the latest available American Bankers Association Deposit Account Fraud Survey 2009 ‘counterfeit items accounted for 26 per cent of 2008 cheque fraud and 30 per cent of the loss amount. This category includes losses from organised customer scams, frequently referred to as advance fee fraud, international lottery scams, inheritance fee scams, etc’ (ABA Deposit Account Fraud Survey Report 2009, p. 21). It is important to understand that fraud data streams, which for the most part include cheques, either at the point of entry (deposited cheques) or as a means of funds exiting the bank (on-us cheques), cannot be effectively worked in silos, but must be tackled in a manner in which suspicious alerts are aggregated to allow the fraud analyst to be presented with data at the account level, or more effectively at the customer level, in order to make educated, quick decisions before the fraudster absconds with the institution’s money. The more information that can be amassed into one platform or an enterprise fraud alert management system, the increased chance that a fraud is caught earl­ier. Building such a platform takes time and money, and the most effective are completed in phases, as the project can be an overwhelming one if tackled all at once. As payments continue to evolve, so will fraud trends. Cheques will also continue to be part of the picture for a while longer, specifically in the US. This paper will consider proven solutions that have improved performance in managing fraud prevention efforts: the implementation of an enterprise fraud alert management system and applying predictive analytics to fraud systems that screen suspicious/fraudulent deposited and on-us cheques.
Resource allocation: An approach for enhancing hospital resiliency
Authors: Smith Deborah , Paturas James L. , Tomassoni Anthony , Albanese Joseph
Published: July 2024

The objective of the work described in this paper was to develop the Hospital Emergency Support Function (HESF) model, which could be used by hospitals to augment medical surge capacity based on the reallocation of internal hospital personnel, in the wake of a catastrophic natural or manmade disaster. A group of subject matter experts, including clinicians with disaster response experience, hospital emergency coordinators and business continuity planners, was assembled to conceptualise the basic framework of the HESF model. The model was validated via feedback from a panel of decision makers at Yale-New Haven Hospital and development of a consensus among the panel, using a modified Delphi method. Hospital personnel and departments were reviewed, evaluated and stratified according to their latent contributions to medical surge capacity. Those pivotal to medical surge capacity were deemed HESFs, whereas those ancillary to medical surge capacity were considered non-critical or ancillary functions. Based on this classification, personnel assigned to non-critical hospital departments were identified as potentially divertible to HESFs, ie available to enhance medical surge capacity during a catastrophic emergency. The activation of the HESF model provides an alternative to utilising external resources for enhancing staffing during a medical surge event. The HESF model is based on the National Response Framework Emergency Support Functions and relies solely on internal hospital personnel to augment medical surge capacity in the event of a medical and public health crisis.
The six stages of digital transformation and practical steps to get started in your organisation
Authors: Wilcox Justin , Bugni Marcus
Published: July 2024

Many of today’s most successful supply chains are ones that have executed a digitisation of information processes. Digital information unlocks game-changing experiences that we have recently grown accustomed to, such as two-day online delivery and order visibility. Digital transformation has quickly become a popular buzzword in supply chain management, a term that everyone understands as important for the future. Unfortunately, many struggle to get started with this concept, facing an immense resistance to change and a lack of leadership support. This paper compares and contrasts companies that are data-driven and those that are not, introduces the six stages of digital transformation and helps the reader to identify where their company currently is. It also provides a set of practical steps to get started in your organisation and discusses some roadblocks that you are likely to encounter. The paper will be especially impactful for those looking to drive digital change in their organisations by leading the effort to analyse, simplify and digitise legacy processes.
Using generative AI to turbocharge digital marketing
Authors: Thomas Ian
Published: July 2024

AI has been used in marketing for some time to enable better targeting and optimisation of messages, but some of the benefits of these approaches have been limited by the ability to create personalised content at scale and the ability to measure the effectiveness of this content in a structured way. Generative AI offers a way to address these challenges and to facilitate integrations that make it easier to execute and measure marketing in a fragmented ecosystem. However, the technology presents a series of technical, privacy and copyright challenges that organisations will need to overcome in order to use it effectively.
An interview with DAM industry veteran and taxonomist, Fran Alexander
Authors: Alexander Fran
Published: July 2024

In this interview, digital asset management (DAM) industry veteran and taxonomist, Fran Alexander offers valuable insights into the fascinating work of metadata, taxonomy and DAM. Topics such as standards, social media, linked data and big data are explained in detail with a nod to the future and where DAM and content professionals need to be focused. Fran Alexander provides thoughtful analysis on future trends and practices for those working with and managing content.
Effects of the COVID-19 crisis on airport investment grades and implications for debt financing
Authors: Vogel Prof Hans-Arthur
Published: July 2024

While a rich body of literature on airport performance has been established during the last three decades, significantly less attention has been given to related financing aspects — although these are directly influencing the cost structure of an airport, thus affecting financial performance. This paper discusses bond financing as one of the funding options of an airport company and how it is impacted on by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the law of risk and return, the price (interest) which the issuer needs to pay to raise money in the capital markets correlates to its risk profile as reflected by an investment grade. Such bond ratings are opinions assigned by credit rating agencies of the creditworthiness of the issuer’s debt. Globally reputable examples are Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Service and Standard & Poor’s. The black swan COVID-19 brought air transportation to a standstill and keeps eroding credit metrics of airlines and airports. This study is compares the credit ratings of 113 airports per year end 2019 vs investment grades assigned during the first semester 2020 (1H20). Comparable to the global financial crisis 2008/09, the number of downgrades has been limited, with most actions resulting in a one notch decrease. Privately owned airport operators have been concerned higher-than-average. The negative outlook, however, almost affected the entire sector. Investment grades appear to be more stable than share prices, which seem to be more volatile and to trigger rating actions. Nevertheless, the cost of capital for the bond financed share of debt tends to go up according to the risk and return trade-off.
How to build new competitive competencies in transaction banking
Authors: Chan Boon-Hiong
Published: July 2024

This paper holds a view that technology advances have added pressure to transaction banking’s existing revenue model. There is also a further potential longer-term structural risk to lower profitability via the industry’s current strategic responses that can cause further downward spiralling effects on margins. As a result, this paper suggests that banks should consider three new competitive competencies – as part of their frontoffice functions such as product development and management – to create new strategic options. This can be achieved by competing on new value creation based on application programming interface (API) as a means to transition from legal to new system capabilities, data consent and analytics for predictive-based services, and cybersecurity as part of product designs to build new digital trust. As necessary conditions for such pathways to be available to the transaction banking industry in future, the paper also attempts to highlight the considerations of existing regulations and legal aspects in the intersection between technology and uses of technology in finance, and the importance of having aligned frameworks for such advances to be sustainably applied.
Expanding the ‘Orlando experience’
Authors: Engle Brian , Ryan Dr Patricia
Published: July 2024

Airports have been ranked by organisations such as Skytrax, ACI World (through ASQ), and J. D. Power for their customer experience for years, but no formal identification of the factors that contribute to customer experience has been established. The authors worked together over the past three years to determine the significant factors that create world-class airports offering outstanding customer experiences. Also, the methodologies, techniques, technology, benchmarks, metrics and best practices used by recognised awardwinning airports were compared with the Orlando International Airport customer experience programme. Additional training was developed for all Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) employees to reinforce the existing customer service programme and assist in individuals and departments to embrace their role in providing the ‘Orlando Experience’. A gap analysis was performed to compare the current executive leadership’s idea, and that of management and rank and file, of their role in providing improved ‘Orlando Experience’ with the traveller’s perspective. The result is improved customer experiences throughout MCO and awards by J. D. Power for the past two years for the best airport in customer satisfaction for mega airports. This paper is intended to share the results of research, meetings within the airport staff, focus groups conducted, extensive social media analysis and methodologies employed to provide an enhanced ‘Orlando Experience’, which may be employed by other airports desiring to improve their customer experiences.
Standing in their shoes: How people-centred research can revitalise the research industry
Authors: Buckley Andy
Published: July 2024

The market research industry faces the challenge of staying true to the robustness and traditions of its first principles, while struggling to remain relevant to the current and future generations it needs to take part. Despite all the technological innovations, representation in market research is proving a challenge across the globe, and clients and agencies alike are increasingly raising concerns over data quality. This article offers potential solutions under the umbrella of ‘people-centred research’, the premise being that instead of expecting people to take part on the industry’s increasingly outdated terms, researchers need to build studies, use tools and design questions which fit with people, their lifestyles, needs and behaviour. Researchers need to stand in the shoes of their participants. While some of the approaches might seem controversial to research industry purists, the article presents the results of A/B experiments that suggest there is significant value to be gained from embracing new ways of communicating and conducting market research.
Enhancing fundraising performance through pipeline-based goal setting
Authors: Harrell Katie
Published: July 2024

Like many large, decentralised organisations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign historically used matrices or manager discretion when setting goals for fundraisers, resulting in a spectrum of performance standards. Acknowledging the importance of portfolio health to a fundraiser's success, Illinois launched the Stoplight system, a pipeline-based approach to setting goals that combines a discounting algorithm (science) with fundraiser knowledge about each solicitation (art) to arrive at aspirational, yet achievable goals. Pipeline-based goal setting at Illinois resulted in improved fundraiser confidence, more ambitious dollar targets, and increased closures from pipeline, even among pandemic disruptions.
Segmenting consumers based on willingness to share data for marketing purposes
Authors: Block Martin P. , Schultz Don E.
Published: July 2024

Despite new privacy rules and regulations, such as the European Union’s General Data and Protection Regulation and the pending California Consumer Protection Act, not all consumers feel the need for data protection. Recent research has shown that 20–25 per cent of the US adult population are willing to share their personal data with marketers they ‘trust’. The marketing challenge thus becomes how to identify these willing ‘data sharers’. Using a widely available data set, this study illustrates several ‘Big Data-based’ segmentation methodologies to screen this important segment out of the general population, ranging from factor analysis to chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) decision trees. The results of these analyses identify some unexpected potential segments among these ‘data sharer’ groups, most notably young men who participate in team sports. Thus, the paper argues that rather than looking at privacy regulation as a burden, marketers might well consider it a key element in their toolbox.
Data centres: Unprecedented opportunity for positive impact
Authors: Horowitz David
Published: July 2024

With annual operations budgets that can exceed US$100m for power and cooling alone (according to 451 Research's Q4 2015 ‘Voice of the enterprise’ report), data centres represent one of a corporate real estate (CRE) executive's biggest opportunities to impact the strategic direction and bottom line of their business. This paper draws from extensive experience as an influential CRE broker who focused solely on data centres for 11 years. Both the seasoned CRE executive and those new to data centres will benefit from the latest trends and detailed best practices on how to identify optimisation opportunities and engage existing data centre stakeholders to yield maximum positive results.
Lost in translation/ Managing multi-lingual A/V and metadata in the digital supply chain
Authors: Boldon Robin , Carter Rod
Published: July 2024

This case study describes the process of supplying the global market with audio-visual material that is localised for its intended territory. The reader will gain an insight into how this is executed and how to overcome the challenges along the way.
Land contamination and remediation
Authors: Gennaro Mike
Published: July 2024

Land contamination can have a significant impact upon land values and re-development costs, and pose liability issues and reputational risks to owners or developers. However, re-development of contaminated land, if approached correctly, can present commercial opportunities and, on a wider level, aids regeneration of our urban spaces and helps to reduce the pressure on the development of greenfield land. Robust and timely assessment of ground contamination issues prevents avoidable delays and costs to development projects, and enables appropriate remediation of contaminated soils and/or groundwater, thus reducing environmental liabilities, increasing asset values and facilitating re-development of land otherwise liable to long-term dereliction.
Managing the OR: Tools, resources and guidelines to effectively manage operative suites
Authors: Pederson Michael D. , Abildgaard Andrew S. , Caplan Sherry M. , Krings Ginger H. , Krosch Tara C. , Linder Lindsay E. , Loeffler Stephanie A. , Mueller Jennifer L. , Paul Travis C. , Bhandari Pawan , Anil Gokhan
Published: July 2024

As modern medicine offers novel surgical therapies for conditions simple and complex, the proper resource allocation of operating rooms, surgical staff and supporting services is becoming increasingly important for healthcare organisations. Surgical services are one of the most essential parts of any healthcare system, substantially influencing patient choice of healthcare services. These services are typically the centre for revenue but also impart considerable costs. Given the complexity of surgical schedule planning, expectations of high reliability and demand on resources, many healthcare organisations have resorted to using a static block schedule based on historic utilisation patterns. This is based on the dogma that surgical schedules are not predictable, surgical blocks are stable, and surgical yield has no direct correlation with outpatient schedules. Here we share our two-year experience with a Surgical Predictor Tool using our surgical practice management principles and the cost-effective use of these means to meet the needs of patients and our surgical staff in an integrated community health system.
Soft skills in a hard world: Why emergency management and business continuity leaders must update their professional toolbox
Authors: Gladstone Michael , Brown Shaun
Published: July 2024

In today’s rapidly changing threat environment, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the roles of emergency management (EM) and business continuity (BC) professionals are continuously evolving. Today’s EM/BC professional has become more mission-critical than ever, with their position placed under a spotlight as companies of all sizes prepare themselves for the next unknown, but inevitable, crisis. A common problem, however, is that many professionals with the requisite hard skills lack a light touch when it comes to communicating the goals they are striving to achieve. This paper discusses the importance of soft skills for the crisis management guru. The paper lays out which of the multitude of soft skills are the most critical, outlining ways for EM/BC professionals to build, utilise and maintain their soft skills, with case studies that exemplify the use or misuse of such skills.
Reaching scale : The opportunity for volumetric modular techniques in the UK offsite manufacturing industry
Authors: Hannah Michelle
Published: July 2024

The aim of this paper is to explore how modern methods of construction can theoretically alleviate some of the construction industry’s inherent and systemic problems, such as low industry margins, financial fragility and adversarial pricing models. By delving into what we actually mean by modern methods of construction (MMC), I want to emphasise the diversity of modern methods available in our industry and how the pre-manufactured value spectrum works as a basis to steer away from outdated and inadequate delivery models. Case studies from the UK will be used throughout to bolster my argument, highlighting the benefits of using MMC in delivering housing, as well as showing that MMC requires a wholesale rethink of everything from procurement models, to technological or digital adoption. After all, MMC is much more than just a modern form of construction — it is a total rethink of how we conceptualise, design and deliver.
Using slot management to optimise airport operational utilisation
Authors: Isla Alain Urbeltz , De Oliveira Hildoberto Augusto
Published: July 2024

The growing demand from airlines for airport capacity poses a real challenge to airport managers. Hence, smart solutions enabling current airport infrastructures to render maximum performance have taken a leading role. One of the principal processes guaranteeing the operative efficiency of an airport is slot management and coordination. Landing and take-off time frames are the key factors determining entry and exit airport traffic, so their management is strategic. Coordinating, optimising, detecting dysfunctions, applying the corrective measures necessary to resolve problems, and planning efficiently based on the varying needs of winter and summer seasons are essential airport functions. This paper shows how efficient slot management can improve the use of airport capacity, enabling one and the same infrastructure to attract new operations; liberate capacity for the distribution of the demand for operations based on airline records and needs; promote competition among airlines to comply with the slots assigned; and facilitate better management of the air traffic burden, through close collaboration in data sharing between the airport and air navigation authorities. All this is shown through a real case, such as that experienced by RIOgaleão Airport in Brazil, which faced the need to increase its capacity to meet the growing demand induced from its hosting of the Olympic Games in 2016.
Understanding 'new regional policy': What is behind the government's sub-national economic development and regeneration policy for England?
Authors: Hildreth Paul
Published: July 2024

This paper considers what is behind sub-national economic development and regeneration policy for England and how relevant it is to the economic development and regeneration challenges faced by sub-national places. It shows how the present paradigm, 'new regional policy' (or 'regionalism'), has been shaped out of endogenous growth theory and how it differs in policy prescription from the other two paradigms ('neoclassical' and neo-Keynesian' economics) which collectively provide the broad sets of ideas that have shaped national and sub-national policy since 1945. It then considers whether sub-national policy is working and what the way forward might be for policy development.
Acts of terrorism in airports: Air carriers, states and airport operators' liability and security duty
Authors: Luongo Norberto E.
Published: July 2024

Terrorist attacks are nothing new, but some venues in which they occur are. During recent decades, airport facilities have been the setting for some of the most criminal actions committed against civil aviation. This paper discusses the current legal scheme allocating responsibility and liability in international transportation, and introduces some concerns about recent legislation that pretends to alter the current status quo.
Evaluating humanitarian aid and development sector resilience: Finding solutions to complex problems
Authors: Blyth Michael
Published: July 2024

Resilience allows organisations to withstand complex threats through the process of resisting risks through control measures, making incremental adjustments when faced with a threat, or undergoing transformative change when a crisis requires major adjustments to structures and practices. The humanitarian aid and development community is unique in that its very nature draws it to danger, while other sectors avoid or withdraw from environments that present elevated human-made threats and natural hazards. The sector faces increasing safety and security challenges, commonly within fragile states or post-disaster environments, which is further complicated by rising stakeholder expectations. Strategies that integrate resistance, incremental change and transformation protect organisations that are exposed to high levels of risk, while the absence of resilience exposes organisations to potentially catastrophic threats. This paper explores shortfalls and potential solutions within sector resiliency by discussing the meaning of resilience and its application, assessing the challenges the community faces, evaluating the importance of the security practitioner in building and promoting resiliency, defining what constitutes best practice, and determining how knowledge can be operationalised through learning.
Passenger terminals in airports with highly seasonal demand
Authors: Psaraki-Kalouptsidi Voula
Published: July 2024

Passenger buildings in regional airports with highly seasonal demand are subject to operational constraints that require different design approaches from those typically applied to busy airports. Passenger traffic is shaped by organised tourist flows that exhibit special behavioural patterns affecting peak design hour and dwell time, and hence dimensioning and cost structure. This paper approaches the typical peak design hour via a new method based on the clustering of hourly passenger volumes. It goes on to propose a design based on flexible buffer spaces placed before and after check-in facilities as an efficient planning alternative for airports.
The impact of the General Data Protection Regulation on the banking sector: Data subjects’ rights, conflicts of laws and Brexit
Authors: Baker Lori
Published: July 2024

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will undoubtedly have an impact on how businesses manage compliance in the coming years. The banking and finance sector is not immune. It does however already operate in a heavily regulated environment, because the type of personal data banks receive, while not generally fitting the definition of ‘sensitive personal data’ in the EU, is still highly vulnerable data that could see the data subject becoming a victim of fraud or other financial crime. Between the NIS Directive and the GDPR, what then will be the impact of additional toothy, large-scale regulations requiring databases full of documentation for auditability, transparency and accountability on an industry already (presumably) running a very tight compliance ship? This paper will address: ●● the key changes of the GDPR (and for completeness, the NIS); ●● what happens when these laws conflict with other applicable regulations; ●● other changes in the banking in general, including the end to banking secrecy in light of certain elements of the GDPR around sharing of personal data; and ●● the impact Brexit will have in the context of regulating privacy in a non-GDPR environment.
Maximising efficiency and standardisation in digitisation at University of Houston Libraries: A programme-based vs project-based approach
Authors: Wu Annie , Krewer Drew
Published: July 2024

In September 2013, University of Houston Libraries (UH Libraries) released its 2013–16 Strategic Directions document. This resulted in a close examination of current digitisation practices; it became clear that in order to fulfil aspects of the new strategic directions, it was essential to improve the quality and efficiency of digitisation operations. To achieve this goal, Metadata and Digitization Services (MDS) department engaged in a series of activities to revisit its digitisation practice. An overview of current digitisation practice was conducted. MDS utilised a data-driven approach such as focus group interviews, survey research methods and institutional site visits to collect data, input and feedback. Analysis and reflection on collected data allowed several themes to emerge regarding workflow, equipment and staffing. Research and data analysis from this process led to recommendations in three areas: workflow, digitisation resources and infrastructure. These recommendations help shift MDS practice from a project-based workflow to programme-based workflow, which addresses a more comprehensive set of digitisation needs through multiple workflows. Proposals were also made to increase resources, diversify digitisation equipment and implement a more robust digital asset management system that can support a higher-volume workflow. This paper describes the process.
Strategies for payment systems planning
Authors: Farrow Gary S. D.
Published: July 2024

The need for a structured approach to payment systems planning is driven by (i) the complexity of the Payments Integration Space, which defines the scale of the payment systems planning problem, and (ii) the Payments Integration Paradox, this being the idea that, while the objectives of the planning activity is simplicity in the IT estate, the phases in achieving the simplification are themselves highly complex. In this context, this paper introduces strategies for payment systems planning. Three macro strategies are described, which highlight long-term approaches to achieving a chosen IT target architecture. Complementary micro strategies are also introduced, which highlight valuable localised approaches within a specific phase of the overall macro strategy execution. Several target architectures that achieve a simplified payment systems landscape have been identified previously. This paper explores the extent to which these architectures are fulfilled in the execution of the strategies, illustrated using a comprehensive functional model of payments processing. Given the dynamic nature of the payments business environment, any systems improvement initiative must be able to accommodate impacts due to ‘shocks’ within the environment. An overview of the variety of business events that can occur is provided, and a qualitative assessment of the robustness to each event of the candidate target architectures and associated strategies is made. The paper concludes by presenting case studies highlighting practical experiences in executing the different strategies within two major payment systems modernisation initiatives.
That tiny spur no one noticed: Unexpected results found when digitising audio recordings
Authors: Cavaglieri Stefano S. , Franzoso Gabriele
Published: July 2024

When digitising an analogue audio recording, audio archivists adhere strictly to the recommendations compiled by bodies specialised in audio preservation; entrust the original sound documents to the hands of well-trained preservation engineers; use the best, optimally calibrated, transfer equipment; and listen carefully to the result of the transfer. To gauge the quality of the work in progress, archivists rely on a number of graphic aids. Perhaps understandably, these visual tools are usually focused within the boundaries of the audio signal; however, by extending the fields and methods of measurement, it is possible to make some interesting — and sometimes even alarming — discoveries. As this case study demonstrates, no one can be 100 per cent insulated against this.
COVID-19: Transitioning to the new normal
Authors: Jasgur Cary
Published: July 2024

As organisations worldwide have starting invoking return-to-work plans, many people stand on the sidelines wondering what this ‘new normal’ will be like. This paper walks the reader through the various phases of transition to this new normal. It explores the options that organisations can take to safeguard their employees while trying to create a safe, comfortable and caring environment for their returning employees. The paper also highlights the various procedures, protocols and processes that organisations can put in place to ensure the transition process goes as smoothly as possible.
Securities operations: In-house or in the cloud?
Authors: Tsai Brian J. , Shen John
Published: July 2024

The architecture of IT infrastructure has evolved from what was once a mainframe system to personal computing in recent decades. As cloud computing proliferates in today’s environments, we see a reversion to the mainframe system. The level for computing and processing power in the asset management industry, and in general, allows for cloud computing to be widely used. The business of asset management can also allow a discipline of having low capital expenditure and minimising of depreciation assets. A cost-benefit discussion in this paper reveals many ways in which cloud computing makes sense from the facets of e-mail, file storage, and trading and accounting applications.
Development and deployment of a new operating model: A framework to engage leaders and align them with execution
Authors: Sweeney Brian
Published: July 2024

Healthcare systems are complex organisations. Therefore, well-defined systems and processes are necessary to achieve and sustain desired quality, safety, patient experience and financial outcomes. Success depends on aligning members of the workforce, producing robust action plans and creating a culture of accountability. These aims can be accomplished by use of an operating model that organises daily work and coordinates the completion of priorities via an annual operating plan. In that model, an operational excellence team — built on existing resources — identifies and manages important projects and initiatives. Their focus is to develop standardised, templated project plans, support project teams through execution and organise regular performance reviews with senior executives to monitor important performance indicators and act upon barriers or project vulnerabilities. Such a simple, low-cost, structured approach is used to engage leaders, initiate change and create a high-performing organisational culture. This model was developed and deployed across an operating division of Jefferson Health, an 18-hospital health system with US$10bn in annual revenue, to accelerate transformation. This paper, in a case study format, details the framework, tactics, results and learning through implementation.
Relevant, impactful and trusted data analysis: A framework for driving the efficient adoption of results
Authors: Johnson Mike , Cousins James
Published: July 2024

Data analysis and soundly implemented analytics are critical aspects of marketing. Sound implementation, however, is not a guaranteed follow-on from data analysis projects. Strategically planning ahead for implementation is essential. In other words, the planning, methods and communication of results must integrate seamlessly into business requirements and objectives. Typically, the burden falls on executives and leadership to seek insights from analysts, but analysts can further their impact by proactively optimising their analysis for the implementation phase. This paper details a framework for guiding strategies that drive relevance, trust and adoption during all stages of analysis and the decision-making process.
The application of mathematical models to measure collateral concentration risk
Authors: Seagroatt Martin , Cockram Ed
Published: July 2024

The financial system is shifting towards greater use of collateral to mitigate counterparty credit risk. On a systemic basis, this is reducing credit risk; however, it is creating new market and liquidity risk on the collateral held, potentially resulting in weak points in the resilience of the financial system. Use of ‘cheapest to deliver’ collateral optimisation algorithms also may lead to firms allocating larger quantities of lower quality collateral to counterparties. Managing the concentration risk of the collateral portfolio is therefore becoming more important. This is particularly the case as high-quality liquid assets become scarcer due to rising demand, leading to a move to non-cash collateral or acceptance of lower-rated assets. In addition, many firms are using basic methods to monitor concentration at the trade or counterparty level; they have no clear view of collateral concentration at the firm level. This paper looks at some of the trends in monitoring collateral portfolio concentration. It also reviews the mathematical models available to measure build ups of concentration risk. This includes measures such as diversity scores, the Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) and Gini coefficients. The paper concludes that market participants and particularly central clearing counterparties (CCPs) have incentives to move down the liquidity spectrum in terms of the collateral they will accept. More advanced models and technology solutions to manage concentration limits are therefore important tools in preventing future defaults and crises.
Securing DLT-based KYC via randomised audits
Authors: Drgon Matus , Georgiou Lamprini , Kiayias Aggelos
Published: July 2024

Know Your Customer (KYC) is a costly and heavily regulated process that financial institutions are legally required to undertake to conduct business with their customers. Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) can be used as a coordination mechanism for financial institutions to share KYC costs in a common jurisdiction. Previous techniques that use DLT to support the KYC process, perhaps unexpectedly, introduce a single point of failure in the system. Indeed, financial institutions are vulnerable to repercussions if a single institution makes an operational mistake during the onboarding stage. We tackle this problem by introducing a probabilistic mechanism, where some of the financial institutions involved need to independently repeat the KYC process in the form of a randomised audit. This novel approach mitigates the single point of failure of the previous DLT-based KYC designs and introduces a natural trade-off between the security of the KYC process and its cost efficiency. In our approach the audit probability can be either set as a global DLT parameter or be dependent on attributes associated with the particular client.
Bringing structure and success to internal communications: Why and how the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health turned multiple listserv e-mails a day into the bi-weekly ‘SPHeed Read’
Authors: Morales Lymari , Powder Jackie
Published: July 2024

As the largest school of public health in the world, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health struggled to find a way to effectively share internal communications with its community — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this challenge, the school's communications and marketing team conceptualised, piloted and successfully launched ‘The SPHeed Read’. The twice-per-week, one-stop-shop newsletter has dramatically changed how the school's internal communications are sent and received and earned praise from the school's community.
Applications of survival analysis to customer management
Authors: Leventhal Barry
Published: July 2024

This paper gives an overview of the use of survival analysis techniques for measuring and predicting customer life cycles. The key concepts of these techniques are presented, together with case studies using descriptive and predictive survival analyses. The main applications for customer management are identified. Issues are discussed, including which products and services are most suitable for survival analysis, the distinction between market-wide and brand churn, and the practical questions that commonly arise when using these methods.