Decentralized Open Platform for Vaccination—A German Example: COVID-19-Vacc

The COVID-19 pandemic has massively impacted the health of many people worldwide and poses significant challenges for our social, economic, and political life. Global vaccination should help the world overcome the pandemic and return to a “normal” life. In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Health presented its “National Vaccination Strategy COVID-19”, which describes the primary actors, elements, and activities required for the immunization of the German population. However, the implementation is challenging due to the federal organization of the German state in sixteen federal states. While essential processes such as vaccination rate monitoring and surveillance are planned centrally, the sixteen federal states are responsible for implementing the vaccination strategy in a decentralized manner. Furthermore, the European General Data Protection Regulation (EU-GDPR) imposes strict rules for processing and exchanging personal data. However, Germany is only a case in point. Governmental decisions always need to be implemented by regional and/or local actors, the number of which varies greatly depending on the country. This work addresses these challenges by proposing the COVID-19-Vacc Platform—an open and decentralized digital platform focused on vaccinations as a matter of example. The proposed platform model connects various actors and enables them to involve, conduct, and track the vaccination process while meeting all necessary data protection and security requirements defined by EU-GDPR. Using the DMS Reference Model as the theoretical framework, the blueprint of the COVID-19-Vacc Platform is developed, outlining the platform’s ecosystem structure, its interactions process model, and the service stack, defining how the proposed platform works on the operational level. Our COVID-19-Vacc Platform may help facilitate a fast and EU-GDPR compliant implementation of COVID-19 vaccination strategies. Beyond that, the proposed open and decentralized platform model might facilitate international interconnectivity and therefore the management of emerging global pandemics or other global health-related crisis.

Dimensions of trust and information seeking on natural disasters, hazards, and extreme weather in North Carolina (USA)

<p>To understand where people turn for information regarding natural disasters, hazards, and extreme weather, we surveyed residents of Ashe, Watauga, and Rockingham counties in North Carolina (n = 79). Respondents ranged from 27 years old to 87 years old. Approximately 22% (17/79) reported some college or less. We found general preference for local sources. Most respondents were open to signing up for a phone or text alert service regarding air quality but were more likely to sign up for a local service than for one offered by a federal organization, e.g., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, t = 2.4, <em>p</em> < .05. Those with less education were more likely to sign up for a local phone or text service than counterparts, standardized beta = - .32, <em>p</em> < .01, in an ordinary least squares regression with age and education as predictors. The most cited sources of information on natural disasters, hazards, or extreme weather in terms of frequent or very frequent engagement were primarily local:<strong> </strong>local online sources, local television news, a local newspaper, neighbors or family members (through face-to-face or phone conversations), and social media. Sources that were most often cited as being trusted almost completely or completely<strong> </strong>also were largely local.<strong> </strong>We asked a subset of respondents (n = 62) to define trust in their own words and found their conceptualizations of trust to be multidimensional. Three coders established intercoder reliability (Krippendorff’s alpha > .70) in coding potential dimensions of trust in the definitions: trust as perceived source competency, as perceived consistency by the source, or as encapsulated interest (or as a source acknowledging one’s own interest). Respondents harbored different visions of trust: 84% (52/62) defined trust in terms of competency, 23% (14/62) defined trust in terms of consistency, and 47% (29/62) defined trust in terms of encapsulated interest. Those who defined trust in terms of encapsulated interest differed from those who did not in seeking information about natural disasters, hazards, or extreme weather from a local health organization, <em>t</em> = -2.1, <em>p</em> < .05, from state government, <em>t</em> = -2.1, <em>p</em> < .05, from a local nonprofit, <em>t </em>= -2.3, <em>p</em> < .05, from a local college or university, <em>t</em> = -2.0, <em>p</em> < .05, and from local TV news, <em>t</em> = 2.2, <em>p</em> < .05. (They were more likely to turn to a local health organization, local nonprofit, state government, or local college or university and less likely to turn to local TV news.) Results suggest warning and preparation communication efforts should partner with local organizations as message sources and highlight shared values and interests with audiences.</p>

Work satisfaction and burnout risk of gastroenterologists in Germany: results of a nationwide survey

Background More and more gastroenterologists are not satisfied with their working conditions and run the risk of developing burnout symptoms. Little is known about the job satisfaction and burnout risk among physicians working in endoscopy units in Germany. This study examines the risk of burnout and job satisfaction among gastroenterologists in Germany. Methods An electronic survey was distributed to gastroenterologists organized mainly in the Federal Organization of Gastroenterology in Germany (BVGD, Berufsverband Gastroenterologie Deutschland e. V.). In addition to general demographic variables, job satisfaction was determined using the Work Satisfaction Questionnaires (WSQ), and burnout risk was determined using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Results A representative sample of gastroenterologists organized in the BVGD (Berufsverband Gastroenterologie Deutschland e. V.) took part in the study (n = 683, 22 %). Above all, we could demonstrate relevant differences with regard to burnout risk and job satisfaction depending on the place of work, clinic structure, position in the clinic, and age. Younger physicians had significantly higher depersonalization (p < 0.001) and exhaustion scores (p < 0.001) with almost medium and small effect sizes (δt = 0.45 and −0.31). The higher the position in the clinic, the higher the accomplishment scores (medium effect size 0.27). Older physicians were especially more satisfied in the areas of patient care (p < 0.001, medium effect size δt = −0.53). Employed doctors show a higher level of satisfaction in terms of “burden” compared to practice owners (p < 0.001, δt = −0.69). Compared to norms used in the EGPRN study which were adapted to physicians, almost one-third of our sample had high depersonalization scores, about 17 % had high exhaustion scores, and about half had low personal accomplishment scores showing a higher general burden among German gastroenterologists. Conclusion Decreased work satisfaction and risk of burnout are important issues among German gastroenterologists. Specific actions should address this problem in order to avoid negative consequences, respectively.

Humanizing the Intellectual Capital to Optimize Knowledge Management Systems in Organizations

This chapter identifies the best way to measure, develop, and manage intellectual capital as part of knowledge management. The Ministry of Education is a federal organization whose environment has been studied in all aspects of intellectual capital to identify its model, methods, and tools for measuring, developing, and managing intellectual capital. The qualitative method was used to collect results, encompassing interviews, document reviews, direct observations, and focus groups. It was concluded that there is genuine interest within the ministry to develop its intellectual capital and invest in its different dimensions. The chapter offered several contributions, the most important being the process for measuring, developing, and managing of intellectual capital. It also recommends a sustainable and continuous professional development process for employees. Institutions must also pay attention to the knowledge, skills, and innovations derived from the human mind and harness all the supporting potential, which in turn helps develop institutional administrative work.

Exploring the role of employee voice between high-performance work system and organizational innovation in small and medium enterprises

Purpose Employee voice has emerged as a strong predictor of positive organizational outcomes. Grounding the theoretical model in resource-based theory; this study conceptualizes how high-performance work system (HPWS) can enhance organizational innovation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through voice behaviors. Specifically, the purpose of this paper is to empirically test if employee voice mediates the relationship between HPWS and organizational innovation. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative strategy and cross-sectional survey method for the collection of data from SMEs operating in Pakistan. A list of SMEs was obtained from the federal government organization responsible for the development of SMEs in Pakistan. A self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed and 239 randomly selected SMEs responded to the survey. Findings Findings confirmed the conceptualized model and revealed that HPWS was significantly and positively related to employee voice and organizational innovation. Employee voice was found as a significant predictor of organizational innovation and mediating factor in the relationship between HPWS and organizational innovation. Research limitations/implications This study is limited in terms of variables included in the conceptual model and relatively small size of the sample that was derived from a single federal organization. More variables and SMEs can be included in future studies to get broader results and, potentially, better findings. Practical implications SME managers/owners can design HR function in such a way that employees will be encouraged to raise their voice and participate more in the organization. Scholars should study voice behaviors distinct from citizenship behaviors. Originality/value This study is the first of its kind to conceptualize the relationship between HPWS, employee voice, and organizational innovation in SMEs of Pakistan.

The Politics of Connectivity

This chapter examines the history of the Islanders’ League (koinon ton nesioton), a federal organization centred on Delos, from the late fourth until the middle of the third century. It discusses the evidence of structure, key officials, and membership. The main source of evidence for the history of the League is a number of key decrees that the League produced and published on Delos, including the Nicouria decree. The chapter proposes that the Islanders’ League is the expression of a strong regional island identity, and emphasizes the islanders’ own agency in the processes of negotiation of power in the heavily contested space of the third-century Aegean.

Aegean Interactions

This book addresses the history of interaction in the Aegean world during the third century BC. The main focus is the island of Delos and its important regional sanctuary. Through a thorough investigation of the Delian epigraphic and material evidence, it explores how and to which degree the islands of the southern Aegean formed active networks of political, religious, and cultural interaction. The book aims to show that this kind of regional interaction in the southern Aegean resulted in the creation of a regional identity, which was expressed, among other things, in the existence of a federal union of the islands, the so-called Islanders’ League. It is structured along the lines of four case studies which explore different types of networks around Delos: the federal organization of islands (Islanders’ League), the participation of Delian and other agents in the processes of monumentalization of the Delian landscape, the network of honours, and the social dynamics of dedication through the record of dedicants in the Delian inventories.

AMÁLIA - UM GIGANTE DA ENFERMAGEM BRASILEIRA

Objetivo: descreve a vida profissional de Amália Correa de Carvalho, pioneira da enfermagem brasileira, aluna de Edith de Magalhães Fraenkel, de quem soube absorver a força do idealismo, a grande tenacidade e o enorme talento e capacidade de trabalho. Foi presidente das duas entidades maiores da enfermagem brasileira: a ABEn e o Cofen. A sede própria da ABEn, em Brasília, foi fundamentalmente construída em sua gestão de quatro anos, e no Cofen, nas duas gestões iniciais desse órgão, participou da implantação do órgão federal e da instalação dos regionais, assim como da elaboração do Código de Deontologia de Enfermagem. Soube com perspicácia conduzir os destinos da profissão. Que seu exemplo de vida ativa e generosa possa inspirar as novas gerações de profissionais da enfermagem.Descritores: História da Enfermagem; História; BiografiaAMALIA - A BRAZILIAN NURSING GIANTObjective: It describes the professional life of Amalia Corrêa de Carvalho, a Brazilian Nursing Pioneer, Ms Edith Magalhaes Fraenkel’s student from whom she knew how to absorb the strength of the idealism, the tenacity, and the enormous talent and work capacity. She was president of the two greatest institutions of the Brazilian nursing: the ABEn (Brazilian Nursing Association) and the Cofen (Federal Council of Nursing). The ABEn’s headquarters in Brasilia was mainly built up during her four–year mandate; and at the Cofen, during her two first mandates, she participated in the implementation of this federal organization and the installation of its regional offices, as well as the drawing up of the Nursing Deontology Code. She knew through her perspicacity how to conduct the profession destiny. It is expected that her example of active and generous life may inspire the new generations of nursing professionals.Descriptors: History of nursing; History; Biograph.UN GIGANTE DE LA ENFERMERÍAObjetivo: Se describe la vida professional de Amalia Correa de Carvalho, pionera de la enfermería brasileña, estudiante de Edith de Magalhães Fraenkel, de quien supe absorber la fuerza del idealismo, la gran tenacidad y el enorme talento y capacidad de trabajo. Fue presidenta de las dos entidades mayores de la Enfermería Brasileña: la ABEn (Asociación Brasileña de Enfermería) y del Cofen (Consejo Federal de Enfermería). La sede propia de ABEn, en Brasilia, fue fundamentalmente construida en su gestión de 4 años, y en el Cofen, en las dos gestiones iniciales de ese órgano, ha participado en la implantación del órgano federal y de la instalación de los regionales, así como de la elaboración del Codigo de Deontología de la Enfermería. Supo con perspicacia conducir los destinos de la profesión. Que su ejemplo de vida activa y generosa pueda inspirar las nuevas generaciones de profesionales de enfermería.Descriptores: Historia de la enfermería; historia; Biografia.

Territorial and political development of independent Ukraine: Long-standing problems and new challenges

The concept of territorial and political development is exposed. The trends of the dynamics of regional differentiation of the electoral and political activity of citizens of Ukraine for the entire current period of its independence, main regional and political problems are identified. It is concluded that the at the first stage of territorial and political development (1991–2000 years), despite widespread Soviet identity and significant differentiation of mental and political moods, preconditions for interregional rapprochement or understanding though slowly formed, the issue of including Crimea into the legal field of Ukraine is solved. Territorial and political development of Ukraine in the direction of conflict was oriented since 2000, as a result of the mobilization of pro-Russian forces by the leadership. It appeared in the polarization of electoral and political attitudes, expanding the range of openly anti-Ukrainian political organizations, imposing the federal organization for Ukraine. Prospects for sovereign territorial and political development of Ukraine aggravated when in 2010 Russia continued to stay the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea, and actually took control of the state security forces. Russia has moved to the open annexation of Ukrainian territories in the spring of 2014, occupying Crimea and Donetsk region that marked a new phase of territorial and political development of Ukraine. It is the restoration of the sovereignty and political integrity, countering Russian aggression and its attempts to destabilize the situation in other regions are the main challenges facing Ukraine at present. Key words: territorial and political development, regional and political issues of Ukraine, electoral geography, regional polarization of political attitudes, regional separatism.

INSTITUTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE IN BRAZIL: THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS' PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT This paper explores some of the institutional factors that guide the environmental action of municipalities in Brazil. The starting premise is that there are particular institutional factors that empower the Brazilian state and society, guide processes and provide a unique profile to local environmental policy. Regulations for environmental protection are analysed from a historical perspective, taking into account the federal organization of the Brazilian state and its particular distribution of powers. Five factors emerge as the driving forces behind the actions taken by municipalities in relation to the environment: the federal status of municipalities, the inclusion of the environmental protection provision in the Federal Constitution, the lack of consistent funding for environmental policy, the coexistence of several regimes within environmental rules, and the discretionary power, held by environmental bureaucracy, related to the indeterminacy of environmental regulation.