bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to ensure provision of accurate data to enhance decision-making
Authors: Clarke Naomi
Published: July 2024

Data is increasingly under the spotlight as regulators and clients demand more from financial institutions. In order to address this issue, this paper puts forward a framework for improving the accuracy and overall quality of data that is used to inform decision-making. Drivers for adopting a more systematic approach to improving data quality are explained in terms of the current regulatory and business context. The paper describes ‘fitness for use’ in terms of various aspects of quality that will be important to the various consumers in an organisation. The importance of data governance as an appropriate control mechanism is emphasised and a framework of necessary components is put forward. An overarching approach to corporate internal controls is vital to provide the strategic context and management backing for a data governance initiative and the various components are explained in detail. This then sets the scene for the specific data components of the framework. The paper describes how to catalogue data inventory and put meaning and relevance at the heart of explaining the data requirements of the business. Analysis of how the data is used in frontto- back processes provides the link to data lineage and describes accountability and ownership for data quality, so implementing governance within the day-to-day business. Ongoing monitoring of data quality and the types of metrics that should be used is discussed and an example of their use in a buy-side value chain adds real-world context. Finally, the meaning of data accuracy in relation to future trends in the world of ‘Big Data’ and analytics leads to the conclusion that organisations should be aiming for ‘good enough’ for a given situation. This, and future business success and profitability, however, is predicated on a fundamental understanding of the nature of the data that the business requires.
The cost of an outdated strategy: The case of US Hispanic marketing
Authors: Beniflah Jake
Published: July 2024

Significant shifts in the US demographic landscape over the last 20 years have transformed the face of marketing. Yet, for more than three decades, marketing to US Hispanics has undergone little change, with Spanish-language television continuing to represent the bulk of media spend. This paper provides a brief summary of the ‘nativitybased view’ (NBV) — a new methodology that recognises that US and foreign-born Hispanics are not homogeneous in what they watch on television; rather, nativity is a more effective variable than language in targeting and measuring the changing US Hispanic television audience — particularly Hispanic millennials.
Trust in native advertising: The neuroscience behind the processing of branded content
Authors: Egan Beth , Hirshfield Leanne , Costa Mark R. , Buntain Noah
Published: July 2024

Native advertising seeks to bypass consumer avoidance behaviour by integrating with sponsored content. While such advertisements are more likely to be seen and remembered, they may also increase viewer feelings of betrayal. Self-report surveys make it unclear when this sense of betrayal occurs, especially for applications of branded content, such as sponsored television. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, this study compared viewer reactions to a branded talk-show segment versus an unbranded control. Results of the pilot study suggest specific regions of the brain correlate with viewer feelings of distrust and negative emotion regulation that can be measured in real time. Implications for researchers and the advertising industry are included.
Online engagement, offline action
Authors: Mitchell Hannah , Perry Hannah
Published: July 2024

Digital technology has transformed the way that marketers communicate. But all too often it is viewed in isolation, with the prevailing assumption that digital media can only be measured in terms of digital outputs. vInspired, the national youth volunteering charity, wanted to change this. The organisation sought to understand how digital trends could be harnessed to drive offline action. This paper shares the findings of a bespoke piece of research it conducted with the support of insight and innovation consultancy, FreshMinds, designed to get to the heart of this issue. Readers will learn about four digital trends which lead to genuine impact in the real world: advocates and influencers, curating content, incentives and the collaborative economy. The paper shows how vInspired has harnessed these trends to drive volunteering offline, transforming the charity into a truly digital-led organisation in the process. The paper will also present tips for how other organisations and digital marketers more widely can tap into the trends identified to increase offline action and impact.
BIPV solutions in district renovations towards nearly zero-energy cities
Authors: Martin David , Rico Elena , Sánchez Isabel , Fernández Cristina , Del Caño Teodosio
Published: July 2024

The current building stock is formed by about 160 million buildings in EU-25 (the 25 EU member states up to 31st December 2006) that represent about 40 per cent of the energy consumption, and 36 per cent of the EU’s total CO2 emissions. The construction of new buildings represents only 1–1.5 per cent of the building stock,1 so the focus needs to be put on renovation of existing buildings to achieve substantial impact in energy saving and GHG reduction. In this sense, the purpose of R2CITIES project, funded by the European Commission through its Seventh Framework Programme, is to develop and demonstrate replicable strategies for designing, constructing and managing large-scale district renovation projects in order to achieve nearly zero-energy cities. These results will open the way for new refurbishments on a European scale within the framework of new urban energy planning strategies. One of the innovations of R2CITIES is the implementation of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Solutions (BIPV)2 for districts retrofitting, used for replacing conventional building materials which have the advantage of generating electricity, while at the same time providing passive benefits such as heat insulation, daylight entrance and acoustic comfort. Onyx Solar has studied the behaviour of the PV ventilated façade in three European demonstration sites located in Kartal (Turkey), Genoa (Italy) and Valladolid (Spain). In addition, it is expected to obtain an innovative urban mobility concept related to the renovation at district level focused on the development of a PV parking lot for public lighting and charge of electric vehicles. This paper is focused on explaining the main BIPV solutions and their application for R2CITIES.

1Leonardo Energy, ‘Connecting Energy Technologies, Policies and Markets’, available at: http://www.leonardo-energy.org (accessed 1st October, 2016).
2EU Commission (2015), R2CITIES ‘Annex I: Description of Work (after amendment), Gran Agreement no. 314473’, Seventh Framework Programme.
Audiovisual content description using semantic scene representation
Authors: Pastor-Sánchez Juan-Antonio , Bazán-Gil Virginia , Escribano Manuel
Published: July 2024

This paper describes the development of software to provide semantic descriptions of audiovisual content. Through its reliance on Semantic Web technologies, this new software will achieve a much higher level of formalisation than systems based on free text. The paper describes the first deliverable of the project — the AudioVisual Semantics ontology — which addresses the formal representation of the descriptions. The ontology has been modelled using OWL and SKOS vocabularies so that the description elements can be extended more easily. The ontology is now in the process of final validation. It will then be implemented in the VSN media asset management system to test its effectiveness and speed for cataloguing audiovisual content.
Encouraging resilience within SMEs: The Cabinet Office’s proposed approach
Authors: Sterling Stuart
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces the Cabinet Office’s Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS). It explains how the National Risk Assessment, produced within the CCS, is created and used. As part of the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Government made a commitment to improve the business continuity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).This paper describes the CCS’s approach to achieving this, and explains why the resilience of SMEs is important to both local communities, at a time of disruption or crisis, and the essential services sectors, such as energy, food and transport. It provides an outline of a strategic approach that will seek to simplify business continuity by making it accessible, achievable and affordable, and, in partnership with the organisations that SMEs turn to for advice, promotes the benefits of business continuity and encourages its use.
How to build high impact content: A case study in museum online content strategy
Authors: Dodge Ryan
Published: July 2024

Online content is not something museums are good at. It is seldom one of their essential functions and as such its practice has for some time lagged behind that in the private sector. This paper examines online content strategy best practices and how to apply them in a nonprofit and museum setting. Topics include the psychology of sharing and how emotions play into the sharing of content. This paper is full of resources and practical examples that will help readers build or update their content strategy to take back control of their institution's online presence and align it with overall goals. Finally, it will discuss the online content strategy that has been in place at the Royal Ontario Museum since 2015, which is based on the best practices described in this paper and from across the online content strategy community. This strategy demonstrates how a fundamental shift in process and thinking around online content can allow museums to compete with organisations outside their sector by delivering content that is engaging, relevant and practical to their communities.
On the wicked problem of quantifying and managing non-financial risks and the role of digital technology in providing solutions
Authors: Butler Tom , Brooks Robert
Published: July 2024

The management of operational risk in financial institutions has all the characteristics of a ‘wicked problem’. Certainly, the repeated efforts of the Bank of International Settlements, (BIS) Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) to have banks control and mitigate their operational risks speak to the tractability of extant approaches to addressing them effectively. The original ‘Principles for the Sound Management of Operational Risk’1 and its recent revisions,2 the BCBS ‘Principles for Effective Risk Data Aggregation and Risk Reporting’3 and the ‘Principles for Operational Resilience’,4 collectively offer a sound foundation for addressing this enduring problem. Why then are solutions so elusive for banks to implement? This paper first outlines the institutional and social web of conditions and factors that contribute to the existence of this ‘wicked problem’. It then identifies how AI-based digital technologies can once and for all effectively address the problem of operational risk in large banks. Nevertheless, as powerful as today's digital technologies are, they require an organising vision, particularly if they are to contribute to the management of operational risk. This paper informs such a vision and identifies a comprehensive artificial intelligence-based digital architecture to realise it.
Penalty clauses as they apply in dilapidations claims
Authors: Shaw Edward
Published: July 2024

Penalty clauses have been exercising the courts over the last few years. Although much of the discussions were not property related, being contract law they have a more general application to tenure documentation so it is worth reviewing the current situation and then relate it to dilapidations claims. As a building surveyor, the current author proposes to focus on the physical aspects of repairing covenants and decoration and reinstatement obligations rather than go into detail about the valuation side, significant though that may be.
Capturing emerging payments opportunities in rapidly developing economies: A review of the Malaysian payments landscape
Authors: Wong John
Published: July 2024

The role of technology has largely changed the Malaysian payments landscape. With consumers becoming more aware of the power that technology brings, they are also demanding more sophisticated, efficient payment services to simplify their lives. The widespread adoption of the internet and the rising popularity of smartphones in Malaysia are enabling new ways of making payments. Electronic and mobile payments, in particular, have emerged among the most popular means of making payments. Although the payments space has traditionally been owned by banks, non-bank players have proved themselves to be highly proficient in developing innovative payments solutions that cater to the needs of the modern consumer and are slowly gaining market share in the payments space. Banks are now more pressured than ever to keep up with their competitors and to remain current with technology in order to remain relevant to their customers. This paper looks at the latest payment trends in Malaysia and the type of payment solutions that Maybank offers to consumers and corporations in meeting their growing demands for greater convenience and flexibility in managing their finances.
Evaluating cyber risk reporting in US financial reports
Authors: Fisher Ron , Wood Justin , Porod Celia , Greco Lydia
Published: July 2024

Cyberthreats are increasing — in 2018 there were over 53,000 cyber security incidents identified. The cost of global cybercrime continues to escalate and is upwards of US$3tr according to 2015 data. US publicly traded companies report business risks in their financial reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) based on guidance provided on cyber reporting. Additionally, there have been several highly visible public company cyberattacks (eg Sony, Target, Home Depot, Yahoo) in the news. Using the Wharton Research Data Services system for analysing SEC reports, a time series analysis was conducted of US publicly traded companies which submitted SEC filings identifying cyber as a risk from 2002 through 2018. We find that 2.8 per cent of companies identify cyber risk as one of their business risk concerns in their financial reporting (Form 10-K) for 2017. This paper documents the low cyber risk reporting, analyses causation of companies that are reporting, and identifies obstacles to increased reporting (ie cyber insurance coverage, negative publicity, stock price decrease, contingent legal liability and disincentives to reporting). We conclude that the SEC needs to engage relevant stakeholders (eg public companies, investment firms, regulatory offices, US Department of Homeland Security) to develop a cyber risk framework that provides more consistency in reporting cyber risks.
Practical applications of performance improvement techniques to streamline health-care delivery
Authors: Desai Sapan , Cosentino John
Published: July 2024

Healthcare enterprises are in the midst of a paradigm change that is increasingly focused on clinical outcomes, quality of care and financial performance. This intense pressure, in the form of value-based purchasing programmes, the CMS MACRA quality reporting system, transparency of performance results through multiple online portals and millions of dollars in penalties for underperformers are transforming how hospitals function around the United States. This paper discusses how the implementation of a successful performance improvement programme is of paramount importance to streamline health-care delivery, and that, combined with Lean Six Sigma methodologies and advanced data analytics, it is possible to achieve the holy grail of delivering better health and better care at a lower cost.
M-commerce comes of age: Collaborate to succeed
Authors: Koss Victor , Miles John , Boyes Edward
Published: July 2024

Decade-long mobile commerce hype looks finally set to deliver. Developed markets are on the cusp of mass adoption, aided by developments in technology and changing user behaviour. Yet what was once seen as simply ‘a new way to pay’ now has much broader relevance, adding value throughout the entire retail journey. Many companies now see m-commerce as a strategic priority: some are looking to employ it to protect their core businesses, others will use it to apply existing capabilities to new areas. But few will find themselves in a sustainable, value-accruing position. It is highly likely that a dominant scaled solution will emerge within each country. For most, the only way to win at scale is through collaboration in the form of as yet untried partnerships.
Using advanced audience tactics in paid media to keep up with the modern consumer
Authors: Osmundson Brooke
Published: July 2024

This paper will discuss the changing landscape of paid search and how this affects the setup and structure of paid search campaigns. It describes in depth how the combination of keyword and audience targeting has become essential to search, display and YouTube campaigns. Building on this, the article provides detailed guidance on how to make audience-targeting part of a digital marketing campaign, informed by specific goals and where the consumer is in the purchase/lead funnel. The article also offers words of caution with respect to problems that could derail campaigns. The examples given in this article use anonymised client data and describe how companies are experimenting with newly available advertising features to reach their specific goals.
Shifts in payment strategy to support the ‘stay-at-home’ workforce during the current COVID-19 pandemic: Survey results
Authors: Gupta Mahendra , Palmer Richard J. , Brandt James
Published: July 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many unprecedented challenges to organisations. Before the pandemic, modern business practices, particularly related to administrative activities, had become highly centralised, often compartmentalised in ‘shared service’ centres. The new reality has forced organisations to make multiple changes to comply with governmental health guidelines. At the centre of these adjustments is the use of commercial card technology, a payment method well suited to emergency situations and a dispersed workforce with the flexibility to meet evolving user demands. This paper presents results from a recent survey of North American card programme administrators about how organisations have adapted and are continuing to adapt their commercial card programmes to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for the future of payment technology are considered.
Sustainability goes mainstream : How health and wellbeing is changing real estate
Authors: Francis Richard , Huggett Elinor
Published: July 2024

Much has been written about how technology is disrupting the property market in terms of new information and services, but relatively little has been said about what this means for green buildings. This paper shows how technology is democratising sustainability, giving ordinary individuals extraordinary new powers and, in the process, creating new markets and opportunities for forward thinkers.
Using skills development strategies to tackle poverty and inequality
Authors: Goulden Chris
Published: July 2024

On the face of it, it seems obvious that enabling people to develop their skills and improve their education would be an important way of decreasing their chances of experiencing poverty. For individuals, this can often be true, but when one looks at the full distribution of families and households in the context of wider changes in both the labour market and tax and benefit systems, the picture becomes much less straightforward. This paper outlines research to test strategies for developing skills that might be used, and argues that these could worsen levels of poverty and income inequality if some of the interactions and underlying relationships are not better understood.
International remittance markets in Lesotho: Implications for economic and social development
Authors: Sekantsi Lira Peter
Published: July 2024

This paper assesses international remittance services in Lesotho. It finds that only a small portion of inward remittances are processed via formal remittance services, with the bulk going through informal channels, which are unsafe and inefficient. Existing commercial bank channels are rarely used, and international money transfer operators have a limited presence in Lesotho. Innovative channels, such as the mobile money services and Shoprite cash-to-cash services, have the potential to substantially formalise inward remittances and encourage the move towards digital payments and broader financial inclusion. However, the market faces numerous challenges, including: a high preference for cash; the limited number of access points and agent networks outside of urban areas; and inefficient interoperability between the commercial banks and mobile network operators, as well as between mobile network operators themselves. This paper argues that the authorities in Lesotho should enhance the payment systems infrastructure, harmonise the legal and regulatory framework, enhance financial literacy and encourage remittance service providers to be more active in the remittance market. In addition, the authorities should clarify the consumer protection and dispute resolution framework for remittance services as well as other financial services.
The benefits of migrating content to the cloud: How mass tape-to-cloud migration services helped the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame preserve music history
Authors: Evans Kyle , Thomas Jennie
Published: July 2024

When the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame opened the doors on its library and archives in 2012, magnetic backup tape storage was the right solution for managing large files like the ones for its induction ceremonies, original concerts, education series and programmes. Over time, however, many of those tapes became less accessible due to hardware and software failures and onsite storage limitations. In 2018, after the Rock Hall evaluated its underlying technical infrastructure and needs, it decided to do what a growing number of organisations have been doing: migrate to the cloud. This case study examines how mass tape-to-cloud migration services helped the Rock Hall move data stored on Linear Tape-Open (LTO) tape storage to the cloud, where it can be preserved for years to come while being instantly accessible at any time and from anywhere.
Supply chain agility: An imperative in an unpredictable world
Authors: Leung Terence
Published: July 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has only confirmed what we already knew: modern supply chains must be built on a foundation of extreme agility and responsiveness. Fortunately, advanced technologies are making it easier for the supply chain to consider real-time data as conditions change, perform predictive analysis and react immediately, often with little to no human intervention. This paper discusses how companies can work with their trading partners to achieve profitable agility across their end-to-end supply networks, no matter what the future holds. It posits that they can do this by leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive analytics.
Large-scale mixed-use development and the UK planning system: Does it fit, and will the Planning White Paper assist?
Authors: Ricketts Simon , Field Duncan
Published: July 2024

The failings of the UK planning system are well documented but are particularly acute and perhaps less understood when it comes to large-scale mixed-use development. This paper explores:—the dilemma as to when to bring forward an application for planning permission against the background of emerging national, regional and local policies; weighing up the risk of prematurity against the reality that there will never be a right time—the level of detail required in order to promote a scheme before its principle has been accepted and potentially many years before development is to be commenced or end-users identified—elements of planning practice without express statutory backing, such as hybrid planning applications and non-material amendments—the lack of flexibility in the process to allow scheme iteration—the artificiality of traditional planning law concepts when applied to modern mixed-use schemes—the various roles of the local authority in the process which leads to increased risk of legal challenge—the particular issues associated with section 106 agreements in large-scale mixed-use schemes.
From pitfalls to best practices : Thriving in the dynamic landscape of workplace technology
Authors: Wang John C.
Published: July 2024

Workplace technology investments hold significant potential for corporate real estate (CRE) and facilities management (FM), yet a considerable number of these endeavours have faltered. Drawing on case studies and business analysis, this paper elucidates the underlying factors contributing to such failures, including inadequate planning, deficient employee training, data security vulnerabilities and vendorrelated challenges. By distilling these lessons, we uncover recurring pitfalls and offer actionable strategies, emphasising the imperative of strategic clarity, robust change management, data security diligence and prudent vendor selection. Moreover, this paper provides current business strategy and trends, enabling executives to benchmark their initiatives effectively and navigate the dynamic landscape of workplace technology investments with foresight.
Identifying drug couriers in airports
Authors: Oolman Mike , Parker Mark , Meehan Nathan , Garinther Alex
Published: July 2024

With the goal of understanding and combating the transportation of narcotics through airport systems, this paper provides a descriptive analysis of how drug couriers move through airports and the behaviours associated with their doing so. Utilising the expertise of veteran courier interdiction subject matter experts, the authors catalogued 69 distinct behaviours in seven topic categories. These include ticket characteristics, luggage characteristics, general behaviours, deceptive behaviours, verbal behaviours, nonverbal behaviours and group behaviours. These behavioural indicators are situated within eight sub-environments. Developing an understanding of the unique context of airport environments is essential to assessing behaviour and using behavioural cues to identify the concealed transportation of drugs and money by individuals or groups. This represents a skill set relevant to security and law enforcement personnel protecting transportation systems.
The art of the recovery: How the changing ESG landscape adds alpha — and risk — to securities class action and foreign withholding tax recovery
Authors: Kazimi Ali H. , Lipton Len A. , Lubitz Jeff
Published: July 2024

Securities class action recovery and foreign withholding tax reclamation drive investment performance for investors and provide a competitive advantage for financial institutions that offer robust services. Emerging environmental, social and governance trends offer enticing new opportunities for increasing returns from these services while adding complexity and risk for asset servicing professionals. This paper summarises both the emerging opportunities and wider changes in the regulatory landscape, concluding with considerations for restructuring asset servicing business models to adapt to the shifting landscape.
Programming the purchase funnel
Authors: Gertz Oliver , Mcglashan Deirdre
Published: July 2024

This paper examines the development of programmatic technology and how it can now be used to reach consumers at every point of the purchase funnel. It will explain how success requires a radical change to traditional media planning starting from the consumer rather than affinity, reach or historical performance. Making this a reality requires marketers to understand the programmatic system; and this paper also identifies the essential terms and explains them in a way that will help brands interrogate the landscape and develop the right solutions for their company.
Optimising cyber threat intelligence for your organisation
Authors: Girtz Christina
Published: July 2024

As the sophistication and capabilities of cyber threat actors increase, so does the need for cyber threat intelligence (CTI). Most organisations, however, do not have the resources for a large CTI team. Organisations can offset this disparity by optimising resources and focusing on what really matters. Even one CTI analyst can make a significant difference for an organisation by identifying business assets, aligning those assets to potential threats, and then working with cyber security components to prioritise detection and mitigation efforts. Getting to know the organisation and working with key stakeholders to build priority intelligence requirements will help a CTI team identify where to effectively focus its efforts. A small CTI team must also find force multipliers internal and external to the organisation, tailor deliverables and manage expectations. By following these guidelines, a CTI function will help move the cyber security posture of an organisation from reactive to proactive and gain an advantage over the adversary.
Opportunities and challenges for payments innovation in the UK
Authors: Dunne Chris
Published: July 2024

This paper examines the essential trends and current state of payments innovation in the UK to identify the markets with the greatest potential for future development of digital banking. The paper also describes the current environment for payments innovation in the UK, with particular reference to the newly established Payment Systems Regulator and the role of the Payments Strategy Forum.
The cyberthreat facing the financial services industry
Authors: Antonacci Pat
Published: July 2024

The financial industry is a clear target for cybercriminals. In early 2016 a cyberattack on a bank in Bangladesh resulted in the attempted theft of US$1bn, an event that proved to be a watershed moment for our industry. It rapidly became clear that this was not an isolated incident, but part of a wider and highly adaptive campaign targeting banks around the world. This paper considers the Customer Security Programme (CSP), the dedicated initiative that SWIFT established to help the industry better protect itself against further attacks, and to reinforce and safeguard the security of the wider payments ecosystem. As a global cooperative, the approach the programme has been able to take is far-reaching and all-encompassing; it is aimed at every customer, from the smallest to the largest, and from weakest to strongest. By design, it seeks to overcome barriers and reach all geographies. SWIFT’s global reach, its cooperative structure and its unique governance have enabled us to both prepare our response and ensure its aptness. It has afforded us the privilege of being able to learn from, and to reach out to and assist the community — transferring skills and experience from one customer to another, and from one geography to another — all the while preserving confidentiality.
Understanding the risks and challenges of shell companies in managing AML compliance
Authors: Tucker Ola M.
Published: July 2024

This paper begins by discussing how anonymous corporate entities serve as vehicles for the entry of illicit funds into the legitimate financial system, allowing criminals to carry out untraceable transactions and engage in illegal activity while remaining hidden from law enforcement, regulators and the public. It continues by discussing some of the stronger regulations focusing on corporate transparency many countries have adopted now that this issue is more widely recognised. The paper then discusses the various attempts to increase corporate transparency and combat the misuse of US shell companies, and analyses two recently introduced AML bills which demonstrate that there is strong bipartisan support for ending anonymous companies within the USA. Regardless of whether the proposed bills pass as currently drafted, the probability of AML reform impacting the US financial services industry is inevitable amid mounting domestic and international pressure, and the paper proposes that, in order to effectively manage AML compliance and meet increasingly stringent regulatory demands, it is critical that compliance leaders have a thorough understanding of the ways in which anonymous companies may be abused and the risks associated with such entities. The paper discusses the expectations places on regulators, financial institutions, and that financial institution’s AML compliance programme, including the processes and procedures around beneficial ownership. The paper contains advice on reassessing existing AML compliance programmes, with a focus on enhanced due diligence processes and procedures around the identification and verification of beneficial ownership.
State-led financial support in property development to support ‘Levelling Up’ in England
Authors: Miles Stephen
Published: July 2024

The purpose of the paper is to explore recent practical experiences of state financial interventions in property-led regeneration in England. It considers the policy context for property regeneration through ‘Levelling Up’, explains the reasons for market failure and why state support is needed, and then outlines the various models/methods of financial state support to address such failures. It provides a commentary on the pros and cons of the various models, citing examples where appropriate, and concludes by highlighting some of the current challenges and opportunities facing funding and financing of regeneration activity.
From sport to ‘sportainment’: The art of creating an added-value brand experience for fans
Authors: Richelieu André
Published: July 2024

Sport, by itself, ceased to exist a long time ago. We are now living in the era of ‘sportainment’, the merger of sport and entertainment. On the one hand, ‘sportainment’ epitomises a major trend, or process, that is reshaping the boundaries of the industry, which aligns with Schumpeter’s ‘creative destruction’ theory. On the other hand, ‘sportainment’ is a potential strategic leverage for sport organisations and sport industry stakeholders in order to create an added-value brand experience for fans. Therefore, the objectives of this conceptual article are to articulate the concept of ‘sportainment’, identify strategic branding implications and present a set of guidelines to managers who work in the sport industry. If ‘sportainment’ can fit naturally in some cases and contribute to broadening the fan base, as well as deepening customer loyalty, in some others, finding a balance between the product on the field and entertainment can become challenging. In this vein, the article examines the four pillars that can help generate an added-value brand experience via ‘sportainment’ and how a stakeholder can deliver its brand promise through sport, spectacle and technology.
Surviving as a small surveying business during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gomes Aileen
Published: July 2024

As a follow-on from a paper given at the RICS Scotland Virtual Conference on Thursday 12th November, 2020, this paper discusses the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on small surveying businesses. Setting out how small surveying firms have managed their businesses during the pandemic from the earliest stage at the start of 2020 to the first quarter of 2021, it details what steps firms took to protect their businesses through the various stages of the pandemic. Good early communication with clients and the wider business community, prudent financial management, taking advice in respect of the various forms of government support available and being flexible and adaptable were found to be key steps. The loss of life and the accompanying psychological and emotional effect on the world’s health have been devasting and will be the lasting legacy of the pandemic. History shows, however, that the pandemic should come to an end. The paper reflects on the outlook for small businesses post-COVID-19 by reference to current economic forecasts and thoughts on potential business opportunities. Anticipated structural changes in the workplace brought about by the pandemic, addressing climate change and the effects of government stimulus are thought to be contributing factors to creating a positive outlook for small businesses in the post-pandemic world.
Straight-through processing: Current trends driving investment and how to deploy a strategic plan without disrupting business operations
Authors: Pedersen Kaj
Published: July 2024

This paper reviews the current trends that are driving up investments in straight-through processing (STP) and the impact that is being felt by security processors as a result. The paper provides a brief overview of STP and how it has evolved in the financial services industry, before examining the spending drivers that are impacting STP investment decisions. The drivers discussed include settlement risk, regulatory and compliance changes, and operational improvements, in conjunction with the other benefits that are being realised by businesses once they have implemented STP. The paper also takes the opportunity to review briefly some of the changes in the definition of STP today in comparison with that at its initial introduction as a concept to the market. STP is still about automation, but with subtle nuances that enable organisations to derive meaningful information from their transaction processing, towards improving processes and providing a better service for their customers. STP now plays an important role in knowledge acquisition and management for many organisations. The paper then finishes off by looking at an approach for deploying STP in the form of an improvement plan. The main thrust of this discussion is to demonstrate the fact that STP does not need to be deployed as a 'Big Bang' solution from end to end within an organisation; it is less disruptive and more beneficial to deliver STP as a series of tactical solutions for the business — but these mini-projects should link back to an overarching strategic plan that lays out the key objectives for an organisation's STP initiative.
Stress testing of credit portfolios in light- and heavy-tailed models
Authors: Kalkbrener Michael , Packham Natalie
Published: July 2024

In light of the recent financial crises, stress tests have become an integral part of risk management and bank supervision, and the analysis and understanding of risk model behaviour under stress has become ever more important. This paper analyses asset correlations, default probabilities and default correlations under stress in a generalised Merton-type credit portfolio set-up covering light- and heavy-tailed distributions. It turns out that the model behaviour under stress strongly depends on the heaviness of the tails of the risk factors. For realistic severity levels, stressed probabilities of default (PDs) are higher in heavy-tailed models. Contrary to popular belief, however, light-tailed models show a higher impact in extreme stress scenarios. Results are used to study the implications for credit reserves and capital requirements under stress.
How is cyber threat evolving and what do organisations need to consider?
Authors: Borrett Martin , Carter Roger , Wespi Andreas
Published: July 2024

Organisations and members of the public are becoming accustomed to the increasing velocity, frequency and variety of cyber-attacks that they have been facing over the last few years. In response to this challenge, it is important to explore what can be done to offer commercial and private users a reliable and functioning environment. This paper discusses how cyber threats might evolve in the future and seeks to explore these threats more fully. Attention is paid to the changing nature of cyber-attackers and their motivations and what this means for organisations. Finally, useful and actionable steps are provided, which practitioners can use to understand how they can start to address the future challenges of cyber security.
Technology in leading and maintaining organisational change
Authors: Trask Amanda , Chaska Benjamin , Sage Jay
Published: July 2024

In the pandemic and post-pandemic environment, the shift in patient care needs alongside physician and advanced practice provider burnout and staffing challenges has heightened the need for health-system-driven solutions for both temporary and intermittent physician and advanced practice provider staffing solutions. The solution must not simply be a staffing solution but must also meet quality of care delivery, cultural alignment and cost standardisations. This transformation requires technological and adaptive processes to achieve a sustainable solution. Patients need high-quality, consistent care, and health systems need reliable transformations. During a time of ministry alignment and pandemic adaptations, CommonSpirit Health leadership implemented a technological solution alongside adaptive changes to achieve such a transformation. This paper illustrates a process that has endured a pandemic and demonstrates the importance of technology and adaptive transformation in leading and maintaining organisational change.
Enhancing immigration services at DXB: A passenger satisfaction survey
Authors: Farah Assaad , Abouzeid Shadi
Published: July 2024

This paper describes the main steps involved in the development and implementation of the first phase of a large project aimed at improving immigration services at Dubai International Airport (DXB). This endeavour consisted of a survey study based on responses collected from 11,091 passengers using DXB’s terminals during summer 2012. The project is led by the American University in Dubai’s Center for Executive Programs and Professional Services (CEPPS) on behalf of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs–Dubai. This paper highlights the key quantitative findings as well as some recommendations reported in the aforementioned initial project stage.
Designing and communicating higher education DEI strategies and tactics in a polarised political landscape
Authors: Hill Ronald , Mady Sarah , Merida Stacy
Published: July 2024

The ideas inherent in and about diversity, equity and inclusion philosophies have reached a fever pitch within and outside the halls of the academy. In some institutions, they seem like a template for reform of higher education recruiting, hiring, training and communicating practices with various audiences and stakeholders that is long overdue. In other contexts, they are an embodiment of a ‘woke’ culture that continues to espouse perspectives from left-leaning constituencies that may have ignored ordinary citizens. Unfortunately, few in-between positions seem appropriate. This paper examines the conditions that led to this stalemate and how universities and colleges are delineating their positions and communicating accordingly. We close with implications for university marketing professionals who must craft messages for internal and external audiences.
Influence of tower air traffic controller workload and airport layout on airport capacity
Authors: Mascio Paola Di , Carrara Riccardo , Frasacco Luca , Luciano Eleonora , Ponziani Andrea , Moretti Laura
Published: July 2024

Air traffic control’s aim is to optimise airport capacity, that is, to increase the number of aircraft movements per hour maintaining a limited delay. There are several definitions of capacity, which depend on the considered airport element. This study focused on the development of a method that allows evaluating the impact of tower air traffic controllers’ workload on airport capacity. It adapts a model for the workload of sector controllers designed by Eurocontrol to tower controllers and tests it on a heavily busy international airport. In order to collect controllers’ working times, a campaign on data research has been carried out from which it was possible to extrapolate the hourly percentage of work of the various tower controllers using a fast-time simulation software. By imposing an hourly working threshold on tower air traffic controllers, it was possible to obtain a maximum number of manageable aircraft, which was compared with the airside capacity of the airport. The results show that the maximum traffic manageable from the airside would produce unacceptable workload for tower controllers, highlighting the link between airport capacity and human component.
Marketing promotions in social network games: Making them work
Authors: Killian Ginger , Hulland John
Published: July 2024

More than 55 per cent of Americans play video games, and advertisers are turning to games as a viable platform for marketing communications and promotion. Both managers and consumers stand to benefit from a deeper understanding of how marketing communications can be integrated into existing games. This paper proposes a typology of social network game-based marketing promotional strategies using two dimensions: (1) functional congruency (the ability to respond to the promotional offer while playing the game) and (2) motivational congruency (the promotion aligning with players’ motivations for playing the game). Interviews with players of a popular social network game are used to confirm and refine the proposed framework. Findings support prior research and extend existing knowledge in two ways. First, even promotions that are congruent with the storyline can result in negative brand attitude or resentment when misaligned with the functional or motivational aspects of the game. Secondly, a deep understanding of the wider context of social network games is paramount when developing promotions to ensure integrated marketing communications are well received by players.
Owner's control and risks in various airport delivery methods
Authors: Ghavamifar Kamran , Bakhshi Payam , Touran Ali
Published: July 2024

Airport projects are sensitive in terms of security and control over operations. They are usually complex undertakings and require a comprehensive risk analysis. Many airport projects have a phased plan for expansion which equates to simultaneous operation and construction. These distinguishing characteristics affect the choice of project delivery method (PDM) as each PDM provides the airport with its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of risk, control and security. This paper studies the interactions of risk, control and security in airport projects and discusses these interactions in the context of major available PDMs, namely design-bid-build (DBB), design-build (DB) and construction manager at risk (CMR). Several interviews with airport authorities were conducted to ensure the validity of findings. This paper shows that there is no ideal delivery method that can facilitate risk transfer and security measures implementation while giving the owner a high level of control over the project with the lowest possible contract price. The trade-off between risk and control in airport projects is the main focus of the paper.
Community resiliency through recovery resource supply chain planning
Authors: Franklin Charlotte , Todt Kiersten
Published: July 2024

Information in this paper is the result of recommendations and remedies developed at ‘Local Supply Chain Capacity in a Crisis Summit Exercise’ held in Arlington, VA on 30th–31st January,2013. At the event, which was funded through the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, national private sector and not-for-profit essential resource provider experts in sectors such as transportation, communication systems, energy/power, financial resources, medical supplies and other vital supplies, together with emergency managers, discussed best practices, major challenges and exchanged remedy recommendations.