bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nativity-based view: A new audience measurement standard that drives television return on investment for US Hispanics
Authors: Beniflah Jake , Hughes Brian , Carrasco Mario X.
Published: July 2024

Significant shifts in the US demographic landscape combined with the rise of digital media 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 US Hispanic media spend. This study investigates whether there is a better way to drive television return on investment (ROI) with Hispanics at a time when television viewership is declining and digital and social media usage is almost ubiquitous among Hispanics. The paper advances the ‘Nativity-Based View’ (NBV), a new methodology which proposes that nativity is an effective variable in targeting and measuring the changing US Hispanic television audience, and applies this model across three business categories to measure its effectiveness in a real marketing context. The results of the first test show that US and foreign-born Hispanics are not homogeneous in what they watch on television, suggesting that Spanish-language television is not the ‘best way’ to target US Hispanics. The second test couples nativity with age, and finds that approximately 73–79 per cent of Spanish-language television does not reach Hispanic millennials, suggesting that the NBV is a valuable planning and investment tool in targeting key segments of the Hispanic population. The paper discusses the implications of the NBV, and encourages brands and advertising agencies to adopt a new tool to drive television ROI for US Hispanics.
Supporting neurodiversity using mainstream mobile technologies: A proposed fourth-generation model
Authors: Hayhoe Simon
Published: July 2024

This paper takes a philosophical approach to examining the use of mobile technologies to support Students Who Are Neurodiverse (SWANs). The paper is relevant as it addresses issues of social justice for students with disabilities and special needs. Methodologically, the paper uses the epistemological model of disability and a framework of active and passive exclusion to critically examine the nature of neurodiversity, the history of the development of accessible, assistive and inclusive technologies for SWANs and the management strategies of supporting SWANs using different forms of technology in different learning contexts. The focus of this analysis is an examination of mainstream mobile technologies and apps, and the support of people with disabilities. The study is framed by two research questions: 1) How has technology attempted to support SWANs based on their individual learning needs? and 2) Has the process of developing technologies for SWANs led to an efficient process of inclusion? The paper finishes by proposing a new model of technology usage and practice termed the Culture, Individuality, Multi-modality and Portability (CIMPo) model, which it suggests represents a fourth generation of accessible and inclusive technology and a second generation of inclusion. The key conclusion from this paper is that neurodiversity is often overlooked in education and that the culture of support using technology is burdened by its history of exclusion; however, systematised management strategies using mainstream technologies can often address many historical issues and the hurdles presented during teaching and learning.
Think beyond IT security — cyber resilience to build future-ready world : OT and ICS, critical infrastructure and beyond
Authors: Makadia Sanam
Published: July 2024

In the current scenario, cyber security professionals, along with industry leaders, are working hard to protect digital assets from current and emerging threats. Besides this, little thought has been given to securing the physical world consisting of vulnerable connected systems. Insecure operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS) have been installed within critical infrastructure and the manufacturing industry, making it vulnerable to cyberattack. Aside from that, satellites play a key role in communication, mobile phone networks, global positioning systems (GPS), weather prediction, ships, defence forces and much more, which are insecure and vulnerable to hacking. This paper provides insight into current issues, disintegrated workforces and its challenges, critical infrastructure security and how to think beyond information technology (IT) security to secure the digital and physical world. While providing an insight into the US Army in multi-domain operations 2028, it explains how taking a similar approach within the cyber security industry will help improve cyber maturity to defend against adversaries.
A data-driven approach to government social media
Authors: Proehl Bryan
Published: July 2024

This paper will describe how the City of Boulder, Colorado, has embraced data as an essential component of its social media strategy, leading to big gains in engagement, follower growth and return on investment of time. Discover lessons learned from the city's efforts to overhaul its social media team and strategy. Boulder, which saw more than 80 per cent gains in followers on Facebook and Twitter in 2016, has been working to enlist departments across the city—and community partners—to provide social media content that generates strong engagement and aligns with city communication priorities. Find out how data has been used to identify sought-after content and evaluate what is and is not working on social media, creating organisation buy-in for a new strategic approach.
Developing a supply chain organisational structure to gain competitive advantage in today’s marketplace
Authors: Gloss Laura
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this paper is to apply change management principles as developed by Kübler-Ross and Kotter and combine them with Tuckman’s team development model to build a strategic proactive supply chain team. We will explore various tools, techniques and communication plans to form an organisational structure that supports early supply chain interaction in regard to design engineering and even as far up the chain as business capture. Supply chain, at its best, can help gain competitive advantage in terms of long-range planning and preparation. We need to be knowledgeable about ever-changing laws and regulations and develop strategic supply partners, while facing increased cost and schedule pressure to remain competitive in a global market.
How to communicate flood risks effectively
Authors: Tinker Tim L. , Galloway, Gerald E.
Published: July 2024

Communicating flood risk is a complex endeavour with multiple perspectives, approaches and components as each flood-risk situation is unique and has numerous variables: the geographic proximity of involved parties, the type and extent of exposure, potential risks, possible actions and others. While business continuity and emergency response teams understand their technical and operational role in responding to flood hazards, many continue to struggle with their risk communication capabilities. This situation risks leaving key audiences in a precarious environment when better understanding of this communication effort could prevent ineffective and potentially damaging media and public responses. There is therefore a need, as well as an opportunity, to communicate about flood risk in a way that informs without frightening, educates without provoking alarm, and moves people to act. The seven principles described in this paper offer some first steps in ensuring that communication strategies are proven, evidence-based, and can motivate policy action and change on a public and private level. Their application will result in an informed, involved and collaborative public.
Legal issues arising from the use of artificial intelligence in government tax administration and decision making
Authors: Bishop Elizabeth
Published: July 2024

This paper examines the issues that arise when government administrative decisions, such as those relating to taxation and social security, are aided wholly or partially by artificial intelligence (AI). As we move further into the digital age, AI is increasingly adopted by the public sector to achieve greater accuracy of analysis and resource efficiency, but it is evident through instances such as the ‘Robodebt’ debacle that there is room for (non-human) error. In administrative law, such decisions can be reviewed judicially or on the merits of the case; however, the difference between error caused by a human delegate and an automated delegate is that we are not yet able to comprehend the reasoning steps undertaken by automated decision makers. This paper highlights the arising need to define what constitutes a decision (and a decision maker) for administrative law purposes, and addresses the implications of when decisions made predominantly by AI are erroneous or cause harm to taxpayers.
The invoice data exchange accelerates SME banking innovation: Trends and initiatives for e-invoicing in Japan
Authors: Yanagawa Eiichiro
Published: July 2024

Electronic invoice (e-invoicing) is a system that digitises qualified invoices that are mandatory for the deduction of purchase tax under the qualified invoice system. This invoice system is intended to provide an appropriate consumption tax credit for purchases in response to the multiple tax rates for a consumption tax in 2019 and is scheduled to be introduced in October 2023. When the invoice system begins, only invoices issued by qualified invoicing businesses will be eligible for the purchase tax credit calculation. Invoices issued by others (eg tax-exempt businesses) will not be eligible for the purchase tax credit. The handling of these qualified invoices is expected to create an unprecedented workload for both buyers and sellers and presents an opportunity for innovation. Government and private sector organisations involved in accounting systems have begun discussions to introduce e-invoicing — complete digitalisation of invoices exchanged between companies — in preparation for the upcoming launch of the qualified invoice system. This paper introduces the global trend of electronic invoicing, especially the successful cases in Europe, which is ahead of other countries; analyses the digitalisation of receipts, invoices, etc from the viewpoint of innovation opportunities, targets and execution; and proposes innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) banking.
Moving target defence: Economics and asymmetry
Authors: Maclean Don
Published: July 2024

In cyberspace, warfare is asymmetric. It takes only a small army of well-trained hackers to inflict major damage on a much larger adversary. Ironically, the inequity stems from standardisation. When bad actors find a vulnerability in a popular application or operating system, they can exploit it on millions of systems, yielding exponential reward for linear effort. The hacker’s advantage, then, is economic rather than technical. Unless and until we reverse this dynamic, the adversary will have the advantage. Moving target defence (MTD), also called polymorphic defence, has the potential to diminish the enemy’s asymmetric advantage. This paper surveys the major MTD technologies currently on the market and under development, with special attention to dynamic runtime environments. In particular, it explores how each technology might reverse, or at least mitigate, the economic leverage the enemy now exerts when discovering and exploiting vulnerabilities.
Accelerating systemness through shared vision and culture
Authors: Tomasik Jennifer , Hynes Brooke Tyson , Colon-Kolacko Rosa M.
Published: July 2024

As health systems across the United States consolidate, tremendous potential exists to expand and optimise their breadth and depth by integrating services so that patient care is coordinated, supportive and equitable. The financial pressures and workforce crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have further exacerbated the need for fiscal discipline and operational efficiencies that can come from effective, system-wide integration. Yet many health systems continue to fall short of achieving the promise of post-merger integration and the value it can create for the diverse communities they serve. This paper explores one health system’s journey from ‘operational synergies’ to full ‘systemness’ enabled by a shared vision laser focused on a commitment to frictionless, patient-centred care through enabling care teams to do their best work, accelerating integrated operations and building an inclusive culture. It will explore the journey of a system in name only (Wellforce) to a unified team with a single brand (Tufts Medicine) and a shared commitment to the future with a mission to empower people to live their best lives. This case study will describe how the system evolved, starting from the development of a transformational Strategic Vision, through the shared trials of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on patients and providers. Having a shared vision is an essential first step to building systemness. Bringing that vision to life requires significant discipline and culture change. It requires a systemic approach and unwavering leadership, rooted in a shared philosophy, deep commitment and aligned behaviour. The case study will continue with an exploration of the path system and entity leaders took to identify shared priorities, adapt organisational and governance structures, and engage more than 14,000 clinical and administrative staff and physicians in building an inclusive culture with a clear and actionable commitment to anti-racism. It is a story about moving from words and ideas to action and removing the barriers that impeded progress.
Directions in the development of the payment service market
Authors: Rustamov Tamerlan H.
Published: July 2024

Expansion of the activity of non-bank payment service providers (NBPSPs) and the application of innovative payment technologies, as well as increasing the usage of new effective payments methods, are the main targets in the future development of cashless settlements in a modern globalised economy. The modern economy needs a wide network of payment service providers to make electronic payment services available to everyone. To increase the financial resources in the banking system it is crucial to attract the population and economic subjects to the cashless settlement environment. Current trends across the world show that modern participants in payment service markets, such as payment institutions and electronic money institutions, are formulating the new view of this market. Mobile payment operators, organisations that establish payment gateways, local authorities as payment institutions or electronic money institutions are defining a new development strategy for cashless settlements. This trend has been extended in some European countries (eg, Germany, Luxembourg), in East Asia (eg, Sri-Lanka, Malaysia) and in CIS countries (eg, Georgia, Ukraine). This paper explains how to formulate an appropriate legal base, a regulation environment, as well as define requirements for the participation of NBPSPs in a payment circle, as well as how to expand their activities and push the application of innovative payments technologies.
Getting SharePoint right: Thinking about the ‘big picture’
Authors: Stephenson Marc
Published: July 2024

Many SharePoint implementations are unsuccessful. They do not deliver sufficient business benefit, they are more expensive to build than planned, they are too cumbersome to manage, and are difficult to use by the stakeholders they are seeking to help. This paper outlines the steps required to implement SharePoint correctly. This includes how to think about the ‘big picture’ or context in which the SharePoint system will reside. The big picture can be described by understanding what has to happen before, during and after the SharePoint implementation. The paper describes how the SharePoint implementation needs to be considered with respect to the organisation’s overall information management regime, which includes ways of working, governance, culture, existing tools and technologies, and any relevant information, technology or business strategies. The paper describes how to ensure the SharePoint implementation is a success, by making sure certain key activities are undertaken. These are the creation of an information inventory, an information strategy, a SharePoint strategy, an information architecture, a governance strategy, and a migration strategy. The paper summarises what these activities consist of, and so helps the reader implement a successful SharePoint system.
The changing nature of media and entertainment workflows
Authors: Wrabetz Joan , Weaver Erik
Published: July 2024

Production, broadcast and distribution companies are increasingly collecting high-resolution content from every stage of the workflow. Studios are struggling to find efficient infrastructure solutions to create, maintain and preserve comprehensive digital libraries that will support a global organisation. By leveraging hybrid cloud storage and processing resources that make the workflow more efficient, media and entertainment companies can leverage the C4 standard and object-based storage solutions to create a video platform with indelible metadata. This paper describes how media and entertainment companies are using the cloud and on-premises object storage to cost-effectively store all captured footage and accelerate production workflows. Also discussed are the infrastructure technologies being used to improve productivity and lower total cost of ownership for 2K, 4K, 6K, high frame rate (HFR) and ultra high definition (UHD) workflows.
How to develop a risk assessment programme for your vendor's BCP capabilities and their impact on your organisation
Authors: Marshall Michael
Published: July 2024

The paper discusses the inherent risk of relying on critical third-party service providers and how customer organisations would be affected if those vendors experienced an incident or disaster. Not all companies could recover from a devastating event like September 11th or a major hurricane, epidemic or pandemic. Indeed, without viable business continuity planning (BCP), many enterprises would simply go out of business. This is one reason why a company's vendors should all have a feasible BCP, regardless of company size. Those companies that do not plan sufficiently for an incident/disaster will be much less likely to recover if such a disastrous event befalls them. The case is made for developing an enterprise-wide vendor management programme that has BCP assessments as a key component, and is covered with process considerations and real-world examples. Identifying these risks and sharing this information with an organisation's senior management is essential to enhance risk mitigation strategies regarding vendor BCP risk.
The rise of SaaS ERP solutions
Authors: Walko John , Olney Mark , Hunt Dylan
Published: July 2024

This paper analyses how healthcare organisations must change as obsolete traditional ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems are replaced by cloud-based SaaS (software-as-a-service) technology. The adoption of a SaaS system will significantly impact how health organisations evaluate and select ERP providers from a cost and security perspective, as well as manage the relationship with their chosen vendor. It will also allow organisations to approach changes in business processes in a more agile way. The paper discusses how the fundamental changes will best prepare organisations for successful implementations and allow them to obtain sustainable long-term financial benefits and a competitive advantage in the marketplace. As we explore the concepts of cloud technology, its challenges and the future impact on companies, we will provide readers with a better understanding of the important components of a SaaS ERP/Human Capital Management (HCM) and, ultimately, its essential benefits. Additionally, the paper highlights principal considerations that organisations must evaluate when considering potential ERP providers and what typically leads to successful collaborative partnerships. Finally, this paper will outline the best practices that successful implementations commonly follow.
FinTech at the frontier: Technology developments supporting financial inclusion in Niger
Authors: Blakstad Sofie , Amars Latif
Published: July 2024

Micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses struggle to access growth capital, particularly in the developing world. They are critical to economies everywhere, but banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs) struggle to reach rural businesses because of data challenges, large distances and low profits. FinTech solutions have transformed financial inclusion both for businesses and individuals across the developing world, and Africa, in particular, has been impacted by the development of mobile money, primarily in East Africa. CARE International introduced its first Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) in Niger in West Africa, and VSLAs are now the largest financial institution in Niger, transforming women’s economic empowerment, although with limited overall funds. Commercial ecosystems based on hubs are also a natural focus for community finance because of the role they already fill for primary producers. Financially excluded populations with very limited access to infrastructure tend to have very low literacy and limited exposure to technology; however many, especially women, are eager to engage with a connected society. Digitising VSLAs and commercial ecosystems to create secure records not only helps microbusinesses and local lenders, but can also create investment opportunities in global capital markets. Blockchain-based solutions can help to overcome barriers faced by mobile money providers. This paper shows how solutions deployed in frontier territories like Niger can bridge the gap between rural populations and the formal financial system to build more sustainable and secure communities.
Enabling the decision-making process: Applying experience from Afghanistan to civilian crisis and incident management
Authors: Quam Michael
Published: July 2024

When it comes to crisis management, every second counts — whether it is a fire onsite or a reputational crisis, decisions must be made rapidly to protect the company’s people, operations and reputation. This paper gives real-world examples of standing up and running a crisis management process inside the Special Operations Command during the Afghanistan conflict. It highlights the need for fast, flat and accurate communication in order to enable rapid response and recovery. The paper describes the challenges of building an organisational approach to crisis management and establishing the buy-in, process steps and systems solutions for such an endeavour. The paper will review, step by step, how this process was built in Afghanistan and how to bring it to the civilian sector to create a level of intelligence and response that most civilian companies are yet to realise.
Whole community planning: Building resiliency at the local level
Authors: Grimm Dee
Published: July 2024

Business continuity planning often looks to preserving internal operations and focuses on customer retention as a marker for a successful outcome after a disaster. Building more resilient continuity plans also means planning for the survival of the community at large. As the national emphasis in the USA on ‘whole community planning’ becomes prominent guidance for emergency management planning, this paper examines the implications for businesses as members of the whole community and how they can increase their involvement in the whole community process. The paper will also discuss the impediments to and benefits of becoming a partner in planning for the community at large.
Exploiting the new opportunities in European payments
Authors: Williams Jonathan
Published: July 2024

Changes to the payments landscape in Europe are far reaching and will affect many corporate organisations, including those for which European payments may currently seem a low priority. This paper examines the drivers for change and the plethora of regulatory and legislative changes that have resulted. Central to the issue are differing perspectives as to the meaning of ‘Straight Through Processing’ depending on an organisation’s role in the payments process. This significantly affects perceptions of the success of payment systems. The paper examines a variety of strategic initiatives through which organisations can achieve efficiency in their payments processes, focusing in particular on the advantages of consolidating the payments function. It concludes by outlining specific action that organisations should take in the light of recent regulatory change, and offers general guidance on how to build a business case for change while minimising risk to existing business processes.
Socialising DAM
Authors: Struminger Alex
Published: July 2024

The success of a digital asset management (DAM) or other enterprise technology project depends upon system adoption within the organisation. This paper addresses the social aspect of system user adoption and maintains that ‘socialising DAM’ is a key component to the long-term success of the project. Because the success of collaborative technology platforms like DAM depend heavily on the system’s adoption by motivated stakeholders and key social influencers within the organisation, valuable lessons for project management can be learned from introducing innovation in social systems. These concepts should be considered and incorporated into the project design phase of a new DAM implementation. Using the implementation of a DAM system at the United Nations Children’s Fund as an example, this paper explores the concepts and some techniques for designing a DAM technology project in ways to ensure good internal support across the organisation and good system user adoption.
Beyond the hype: How can the financial industry benefit from artificial intelligence?
Authors: Mercier François
Published: July 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been in the spotlight for several years now and even remains so during the difficult COVID-19 period. There has been a lot of AI hype and a lot of AI-related ‘buzz-phrases’ such as ‘data is the new oil’, fueled by our imagination. In practice, nowadays, AI is more related to machine learning (ML). In this paper, we will review the different approaches that defines ML to have a better sense of the concrete strengths and weaknesses of each. In particular, we will tackle some misconceptions, which involve some mismatches between expectations and practical results. In addition, we will also see how some breakthroughs from academics, such as beating the Go world champion, could translate in applications for the financial industry. Finally, we will see the implications for business and organisation, beyond technical aspects. Indeed, the AI hype tends to create a lot of noise, making harder for decision makers and executives to distinguish noise from actionable signals. For instance, change of organisation culture is perhaps the most important for successfully deploying ML systems in real use cases. It requires changing many things from recognising the value from data from existing processes; increasing the organisation’s risk appetite; creating new teams and fostering internal and external collaborations. As an example, we will review the strategy from Quebec’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) for implementing these changes. Beyond a specific organisation, the whole financial industry could benefit from this new wave of innovative technologies as other sectors.
Reimagining real estate and facilities management outsourcing : A bp and JLL case study
Authors: Vitasek Kate , Duddridge Cherie , Lundin Alexander , Bonnin Valerie
Published: July 2024

In 2019 bp set out to renew its facilities and real estate contracts. What began as a typical request for proposal exercise turned into a complete reinvention of the bp workplace organisation. The team got a boost when Bernard Looney took the helm as bp’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in February 2020. Looney’s vision was the most far-reaching transformation in bp’s 112-year history: to transform bp from an international oil company to an integrated energy company by shifting bp’s focus from producing oil and gas resources to one that delivers energy solutions. bp’s ambition is to become a net-zero company by 2050 or sooner, and help the world get to net zero. bp’s workplace team accepted the challenge; the simple contract renewal they had started needed to be reimagined. This case study goes behind the scenes and shows how the parties pulled off what many in bp thought was impossible, especially in the middle of a pandemic when 100 per cent of the work had to be done virtually.
UK Faster Payments: Universal wave of the future or a distinctive UK payments model?
Authors: Senechal Nick
Published: July 2024

The ‘Faster Payments’ scheme run by the CHAPS Clearing Company is rapidly maturing into a fundamental part of the UK payment system. It has already gone much further than envisaged by regulators concerned about float on payments taking several days to clear. It provides a fully real-time payment backbone which has much wider application both within and beyond the UK. In examining the potential for such a payment backbone, one must look beyond the ‘Faster’ part of Faster Payments and consider the features enabled by real-time processing (including operation 24 × 7, real-time settlement risk management, self-service, third-party connectivity), which provide the platform for transforming payments processing. Roll-out of the UK Faster Payments service has focused on getting the widest possible reach for the basic service, but there are already plans to exploit the service to create new propositions, including remote account to account mobile payments and online payments. Outside the UK, VocaLink’s research has indicated that real-time payments are considered inevitable, with implementation supported by a number of initial business propositions, the most favoured being mobile remote payments, echoing the initiative in the UK. Evidence of real-time adoption or aspiration is becoming evident globally, with common themes becoming identifiable. A hypothesis can be advanced from this that real-time or Immediate Payments represent a significant stage in the development of payment systems, and will facilitate the long-term convergence of payment infrastructures.
Elevating employee competency and engagement through the design, development and implementation of a procurement and supply chain academy
Authors: Gamble Shauna
Published: July 2024

As part of a five-year transformation plan, Bombardier Aviation procurement and supply chain identified an opportunity to address employee engagement, enablement and development opportunities through the design and implementation of a procurement and supply chain learning academy. After consulting with external entities, a team of cross-functional internal stakeholders assessed the needs of the procurement organisation and designed a structured plan to build and roll out the learning academy. Careful planning and design resulted in a robust curriculum to address the needs of all levels in the organisation. Many forms of training are provided through the academy, including classroom training led by both internal and external instructors and customisable online self-led courses. The success of the academy will rely on on-going support and prioritisation from the organisation’s management. The academy is in its relative infancy but initial internal feedback is positive. The results of the programme implementation will continue to be assessed over time. Plans are in place to continue to grow the programme by expanding the scope of its offerings. The benefits of attraction, engagement and retention are expected to be enjoyed by both the employees and the organisation for years to come. This paper intends to relay the process that was followed to innovate and implement the procurement academy at Bombardier Aviation and share the keys to success and lessons learned along the journey.
Doing risk management correctly
Authors: Frietzsche Randall
Published: July 2024

This paper aims to help organisations better understand what risk management is, why we need to do it, the methodology and expected outcomes of risk management. All organisations understand risk — it is a critical part of business. Companies invest millions of dollars in new initiatives designed to spur growth, expand into new markets and extend product or service offerings to better serve customers. These initiatives always have large risks; businesses have to worry about financial, legal, compliance, reputational and many other risks. And since most organisations today leverage technology to run their business, IT issues can lead to additional business risk. This paper will discuss how we should perform risk analysis in order to properly identify and manage IT issues that may lead to these business risks. As an industry, we all need to be experts at managing IT risk and translating that to our businesses, in order for them to properly understand how to move forward.
Overheating in residential properties — define, identify and prevent : An overview
Authors: Kougionis Tassos
Published: July 2024

An increasing body of evidence suggests that a number of homes in the UK experience overheating. As both new homes and retrofitted properties target for higher energy efficiency and performance standards, and as the delivery capacity of the residential construction sector increases, the case of thermal comfort and quality in homes is raised. The current author draws on a range of available guidance and information, on both thermal comfort and overheating in homes, in order to provide a clearer understanding of the issue and challenges moving forward. Information presented and reviewed includes design guides, accepted industry standards, overheating assessment criteria, Building Regulations and guidelines found within the London Plan. Skills and knowledge concerns are raised with potential challenges relating to the understanding of the phenomenon by construction professionals. Recommendations on design considerations, along with references to handover processes and the role of the occupant, are also provided.
International regulatory and oversight trends in financial consumer protection: What can be gleaned from the UK, Portuguese, Irish and Canadian experiences?
Authors: Tedesco Lucie
Published: July 2024

Political and economic events with global ramifications continue to afflict new regulatory regimes. These regimes are being developed to address events such as COVID-19 and climate change, and developments in areas such as diversity and inclusion, cybersecurity, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), cryptocurrency, etc. These developments have forced organisations and regulators alike, including financial sector regulators, to assess their impact on the way regulators perform their work. This paper describes some of the trends related to financial conduct oversight that have emerged recently in the UK, Portugal, Ireland and Canada and how conduct authorities in these countries have responded to address these trends. It endeavours to shine a light on initiatives that have been taken by some regulators to advance conduct oversight and the protection of consumers in their respective countries. It is meant to sensitise and inform jurisdictions (whose conduct frameworks may not be as developed as those studied for this paper) to the progress that is being made in the area of conduct policy and supervision. It is hoped that it could also serve as a potential preparatory tool for compliance practitioners whose conduct authorities may be contemplating similar changes to their frameworks.
Investigations by multilateral development banks: How to manage risks, responses and expectations
Authors: Kiew Chiawen
Published: July 2024

Investigations by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) present significant risks to the business and reputation of companies, especially as they can result in public debarment and costly financial remediation. Appropriately managing an MDB investigation is crucial to mitigating the sanction that is imposed. The paper addresses tools to improve the outcome of an MDB investigation, including understanding the goals of the MDB, cooperating with MDBs and ensuring true remediation. It also discusses these issues through the lens of the enforcement mechanism of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, although the lessons are broadly applicable to other MDBs as well as national authorities. In addition to covering the policies and procedures that govern the investigation of allegations and imposition of sanctions the paper goes beyond the policy to provide insight into the considerations of the MDB in resolving allegations.
Valuing illiquid and ‘hard to value’ assets
Authors: Larsen David L.
Published: July 2024

Background: The financial crisis of 2008/2009 focused greater scrutiny on the concepts surrounding the valuation of ‘illiquid’ or ‘hard-to-value’ investment assets. The notion of ‘mark-to-market’ is often misunderstood and misreported in the press. As investors continue to allocate capital to less liquid and hard-to-value assets, it becomes increasingly important to understand what is meant by fair value. Discussion: Fair value, the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants, is the fundamental basis for reporting the value assets at discrete points in time. It is necessary to understand what fair value is, why it is used and how it is estimated. Generally, the value of the equity of a private company is used as the starting point for valuing individual securities. Valuing debt investments may require additional judgment. Other complexities arise when considering the interaction between debt, equity and other instruments in a capital structure. Conclusion: Obtaining timely fair value estimates for illiquid and hard to value assets is critical for investors to exercise their fiduciary duty of monitoring and reporting investments transparently. While judgment is required to estimate fair value, best practices have been established to increase consistency in valuing illiquid assets.
Out of chaos comes order: Implementing a trusted digital repository in the Webster Institute for the History of Astronomy at the Adler Planetarium
Authors: Boegen Lauren
Published: July 2024

This case study discusses the process that the Webster Institute for the History of Astronomy at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois is following to create a trusted digital repository (TDR) for digital assets related to its library, archival and museum collection, particularly focused on images. Balancing the desire for a system that allows for access and use of the assets with a desire to apply principles of digital preservation, the Adler is working with a vendor to develop a TDR that not only emphasises preservation but also allows for some functionalities of a digital asset management system.
The challenges of DAM as a workflow management system
Authors: Boerner Holly
Published: July 2024

Digital asset management systems have successfully evolved to serve asset repository needs, but more and more, DAM systems are being looked at additionally to serve asset workflow management needs. This paper looks at the advantages and disadvantages of employing DAM technology to perform asset workflow management tasks. It examines the ultimately successful roll-out of a DAM system tasked with performing both archiving and workflow functions at American Express Publishing. It looks closely at some of the problems encountered and solutions implemented in a real-time production environment, while considering some of the fundamental questions to be anticipated when employing a DAM for workflow management.
Social innovation: An imperative for brands to address systemic social issues
Authors: Blyth David
Published: July 2024

Social innovation is a sustainable and profitable way for businesses to address systemic challenges or needs in ways that benefit society. In a fast changing and complex competitive environment, businesses that aim to be ‘better for’ society, and not simply ‘better than’ competitors, will hold enduring, long-term advantage. Lessons from developing markets across the African continent suggest that the concept of ‘shared value’ is no longer a choice, but a necessity for business success and social progress.
How VisitScotland prepared for a flu pandemic
Authors: Page Stephen , Yeoman Ian
Published: July 2024

This paper examines one of the key risks facing businesses and emergency planners today: the likely impact of a flu pandemic on business activities. The paper uses the example of a large tourism organisation — VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation for Scotland, with over 1,000 employees — and explains how it has planned and prepared for such a pandemic. The paper reports the research methods used by the authors in this planning process, including scenario planning, economic forecasting and in-house workshops to scope the range of issues to address in preparing a contingency plan for a flu pandemic.
BCBS239: Reasons, impacts, framework and route to compliance
Authors: Chakravorty Rajib
Published: July 2024

In January 2013, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) published its BCBS239: ‘Principles for Effective Risk Data Aggregation and Risk Reporting’. The guidelines describe 14 principles that are intended to strengthen global, systemically important banks’ (G-SIBs’) risk-data aggregation capabilities and internal risk-reporting practices. The effective implementation of the principles is expected to enhance risk management and decision-making processes at banks and increase G-SIBs’ ability to cope with stress and crisis situations. This paper describes the requirement of such guidelines in light of G-SIBs’ current data problems along with the impact on these G-SIBs’ data management capabilities. It also describes the current status of these banks according to BCBS publications and how they are faring with respect to the various principles and their attainment. Finally it provides a framework for G-SIBs to achieve BCBS239 compliance with respect to defining and prioritising key data elements for risk management along with a data dictionary; data architecture including data quality framework, data lineage and data flow; physical data objects like databases, interfaces, services etc; and risk reporting and data consumption.
The Finnish workplace approach to coping with the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ahokas Maija , Pitkänen Antti
Published: July 2024

Finland and Finnish organisations have been coping well with the COVID-19 pandemic, when it comes to business continuity, economic effects and health issues. This paper shares some of the key learnings, context and practical ideas from Finnish companies and culture on how to thrive during moments of turmoil.
The right not to be subject to automated decision-making under the General Data Protection Regulation: Standard permission or default prohibition?
Authors: Devloo Lise
Published: July 2024

The right not to be subject to automated decision-making which has a legal or similar effect was originally taken up in the 1995 Privacy Directive and is thus not a new right in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The 1995 Privacy Directive left room for interpretation of its rights and obligations, of which the EU member states have made use. Some member states have interpreted the right as a ban on automated decision-making, while other member states allow automated decisions to which the data subject can object. The GDPR is a regulation, and therefore requires all EU member states to apply its rights and obligations in a uniform way. Therefore, a re-evaluation of current implementations of the right is necessary. This paper calls on the European legislators to take a clear standpoint. It also argues that the right not to be subject to automated decision-making should be interpreted as the default prohibition of automated decisions. This offers the most legal certainty to both companies and the individuals subject to said decisions. This interpretation is derived from the wording in the GDPR, the scope of the right to object to processing of personal data, and the spirit of the law.
Designing inclusive digital materials for ‘generation lockdown’ students : An author’s story
Authors: Southall Jane
Published: July 2024

Designing digital learning materials for the most experienced online learners higher education (HE) has yet to encounter requires more than embedding videos and quizzes into virtual learning environments (VLEs). It is more important than ever to create content in an engaging and fully interactive way, cover key concepts but make sure that each section is not too long and use clear and concise language. Breaking up text using photographs that show a range of ethnicities, ages, genders and abilities is vital but not easily achieved. Academic and critical thinking skills need to be embedded and scaffolded throughout.
Banks’ concurrent risks during the COVID-19 pandemic: A road map for risk officers and risk management
Authors: Diab Ahmed A. , Metwally Abdelmoneim , Alzakari Abdulkarim M. , Fazal Aisha
Published: July 2024

In the banking literature, the global financial crisis of 2008/09 is cited as one of the key challenges that faced the modern risk management profession. When we look at the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, we realise that banks worldwide are facing more concurrent risks that need interventions. This paper analyses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the banking sector worldwide, focusing on emerging markets such as Bahrain. In doing so, a road map for banks’ risk managers is proposed. In particular, we present specific recommendations for local and central banks to manage the emerging risks following the pandemic, including operational resilience and increased financial, market and credit risks. Further, we provide some insights and recommendations for the Bahraini banking sector, as an example of an emerging financial market.
A sale-leaseback transaction: Is it right for your business?
Authors: Jegher William
Published: July 2024

A sale-leaseback is defined as the sale of an owner-occupied property to a real estate investor followed by leasing back space from the new owner. The goal for the vendor essentially is to raise capital while retaining use of the facility in question, while the purchaser is happy to acquire stable, long-term cash flow; however, sale-leasebacks are not this simplistic and, in fact, are not suitable for every corporation. It is key to understand, not only the company's real estate, but also its overall corporate strategy, before determining if such a transaction is suitable. Understanding whether a sale-leaseback transaction could work for a corporation requires a robust financial model, a look at the pros and cons, approach and rationale, and more.
Improving apron air quality with aircraft ground energy systems at Zurich Airport
Authors: Fleuti Emanuel
Published: July 2024

The operation of aircraft auxiliary power units (APU) during ground time at airports causes emissions and noise and is not highly efficient. Instead, aircraft ground energy systems (AGES) provide technically feasible, economic viable and environmentally beneficial alternatives for providing electricity and preconditioned air to aircraft. This paper describes Zurich Airport’s adopting a concept to install AGES for electricity and preconditioned air at all pier stands and fixed electrical system on open stands. The combination of a high technical serviceability, enforced local regulations and an attractive charging scheme has led to significant reductions of local and global emissions while providing cost savings to airlines.