Amidst a dynamic global landscape, supply chains have transformed into complex, interdependent networks. These ever-growing complexities can catalyze a snowball effect, where minor disruptions ripple through sub-infrastructures, culminating in significant cascading failures. As a result, the imperative to bolster supply chain sustainability and resilience has never been greater. This dissertation explores the intricate dynamics of supply chain sustainability and resilience, introducing innovative methodologies for assessing and enhancing these critical aspects. This dissertation rigorously examines the themes of sustainability and resilience within supply chain networks through distinct yet complementary lenses. Initially, it delves into sustainability by introducing the Supply Chain Performance Index (SCSI), which evaluates the biomass industry's environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Separately, it progresses to scrutinize Supply Chain Network Resilience (SCNR) through a structural assessment model that highlights the influence of network topologies on resilience capabilities. The investigation provides significant theoretical insights and practical applications, underscoring the pivotal role of strategic design in cultivating supply chains that are both sustainable and resilient.

Yes / Poor medicines management places patients at risk, particularly during care transitions. For patients with heart failure (HF), optimal medicines management is crucial to control symptoms and prevent hospital readmission. This study explored the concept of resilience using HF as an example condition to understand how the system compensates for known and unknown weaknesses. We explored resilience using a mixed-methods approach in four healthcare economies in the north of England. Data from hospital site observations, healthcare staff and patient interviews, and documentary analysis were collected between June 2016 and March 2017. Data were synthesised and analysed using framework analysis. Interviews were conducted with 45 healthcare professionals, with 20 patients at three timepoints and 189 hours of observation were undertaken. We identified four primary inter-related themes concerning organisational resilience. These were named as gaps, traps, bridges and props. Gaps were discontinuities in processes that had the potential to result in poorly optimised medicines. Traps were features of the system that could produce errors or unintended adverse medication events. ‘Bridges’ were features of the medicines management system that promoted safety and continuity which ensured that, despite varying conditions, care could be delivered successfully. ‘Props’ were informal, temporary or impromptu actions taken by patients or healthcare staff to avoid potential adverse events. The numerous opportunities for HF patient safety to be compromised and sub-optimal medicines management during this common care transition are mitigated by system resilience. Cross-organisational bridges and temporary fixes or ‘props’ put in place by patients and carers, healthcare teams and organisations are critical for safe and optimal care to be delivered in the face of continued system pressures.

This research reports on the use of the resilience assessment approach to evaluate the social-ecological systems (SES) at the NWU (Vaal) for a nine month period from March 2013 to November 2013. The research aims to determine the merits of the use of a resilience assessment approach to determine the resilience of the NWU (Vaal) in respect of social-ecological systems. Objectives of the research include the identification of disturbing events to environmental resilience, to construct a conceptual social-ecological systems model of the NWU (Vaal) in order to determine thresholds relevant to resilience and to determine if the resilience assessment approach can be applied at the NWU (Vaal). Data was collected in the form of a literature review, which aided with the construction of a time line for the focal social-ecological system; document reviews, interviews with relevant role players, observation by the researcher and the use of the assessment approach to construct the social-ecological system model. The research findings include identification of possible disturbances and thresholds relevant to resilience of the social-ecological system of the NWU (Vaal). The construction of a social-ecological system model of the NWU (Vaal) aids with proposals to incorporate a stewardship approach which enhance resilience of the focal social-ecological system. / M (Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This research reports on the use of the resilience assessment approach to evaluate the social-ecological systems (SES) at the NWU (Vaal) for a nine month period from March 2013 to November 2013. The research aims to determine the merits of the use of a resilience assessment approach to determine the resilience of the NWU (Vaal) in respect of social-ecological systems. Objectives of the research include the identification of disturbing events to environmental resilience, to construct a conceptual social-ecological systems model of the NWU (Vaal) in order to determine thresholds relevant to resilience and to determine if the resilience assessment approach can be applied at the NWU (Vaal). Data was collected in the form of a literature review, which aided with the construction of a time line for the focal social-ecological system; document reviews, interviews with relevant role players, observation by the researcher and the use of the assessment approach to construct the social-ecological system model. The research findings include identification of possible disturbances and thresholds relevant to resilience of the social-ecological system of the NWU (Vaal). The construction of a social-ecological system model of the NWU (Vaal) aids with proposals to incorporate a stewardship approach which enhance resilience of the focal social-ecological system. / M (Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Thesis (DPhil (Psychology))--University of Stelenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A probe into resilience research has revealed that psychologists have taken on the role of “keepers of the crypt”, where our attained knowledge has been “entombed” by virtue of our reluctance to allow it to bear practical fruition. Consequently, the impetus of the research is a response to the aforementioned gap and is explicated in four phases: Phase 1: A detailed literature review consisting of the review and integration of appropriate preceding resilience research, thereby serving as a possible reference guide for future studies; Phase 2: Provision of a succinct, comprehensive framework for programme development within the field of psychology; Phase 3: Family hardiness was selected as the resilience quality to be attended to via the development of a universal, multidimensional resilience-enhancement programme; Phase 4: An assessment of whether the resilience-enhancement programme is successful in developing the selected resilience quality in families. Following the salutogenic approach, the main theoretical foundation of the investigation resides in the Resiliency Model of Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991). The significant contribution of the research is its provision of a framework for programme development within the field of psychology. Self-report questionnaires and open-ended questions were completed by mothers as representatives of their families. Therefore, the research amalgamated both qualitative and quantitative measures in its quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest natural control-group research design. A total of fifty families living in the Western Cape, South Africa participated in the research. The statistical trends observed in the study hinted at the enhancement potential of family hardiness. It became evident that gender, level of education, income and occupation, emotional intelligence and the time frame of interventions affected the enhancement potential of family hardiness. Age may also play a role, but the conflicting research results render conclusions about the correlation between age and hardiness questionable. Comparative studies would clarify this aspect. Future studies attempting to develop these findings further, need to consider the influence of factors such as gender, level of education, income and occupation, emotional intelligence and the time frame of interventions. Family hardiness is but one of the identified resilience qualities. An exploration of the enhancement potential of other identified resilience qualities will provide a plethora of interventions for service providers to choose from, enabling them to meet families and communities at their point of need. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nadere ondersoek van veerkragtigheidsnavorsing het aangedui dat sielkundiges die rol van “bewaarders” aangeneem het, waar ons versamelde kennis verberg word as gevolg van ons onwilligheid om dit prakties toe te pas. Gevolglik is hierdie navorsing gedoen in respons op bogenoemde gaping in die navorsing, en word dit in vier fases gelewer: Fase 1: ’n literatuuroorsig wat die voorafgaande veerkragtigheidsnavorsing integreer en hersien ten einde as verwysingsgids te dien vir toekomstige studies; Fase 2: Die voorsiening van ‘n omvattende raamwerk vir programontwikkeling binne die veld van die sielkunde; Fase 3: Gesinsgehardheid is gekies as die veerkragtigheidsfaktor om deur middel van ’n universele, multidimensionele program verryk te word; Fase 4: ‘n Bepaling om te ontdek of die veerkragtigheidsverrykingsprogram suksesvol is om die geselekteerde veerkragtigheidsfaktor in families te verryk. Die studie is gedoen vanuit die salutogeniese benadering. McCubbin en Thompson (1991) se “Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation” is as teoretiese basis benut. Die navorsing se betekenisvolle bydrae lê in die voorsiening van ‘n raamwerk vir programontwikkeling binne die veld van sielkunde. Selfbeskrywingsvraelyste en oop vrae is deur moeders as verteenwoordigers van hulle gesinne voltooi. Die navorsing het dus van beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metings gebruik gemaak in die kwasi-eksperimentele voortoets-natoets, natuurlike kontrolegroep navorsingsontwerp. ’n Totaal van vyftig families wat in die Wes-Kaap van Suid Afrika woonagtig is, het aan die navorsing deelgeneem. Die statistiese neigings wat in die navorsing waargeneem is, sinspeel op die verrykingspotensiaal van gesinsgehardheid. Dit het aan die lig gekom dat geslag, opvoedkundige vlak, inkomste en beroep, emosionele intelligensie en die tydsduur van intervensies die verrykingspotensiaal van gesinsgehardheid beïnvloed. Ouderdom kan ook ‘n invloed hê, maar die teenstrydige navorsingsresultate in dié verband maak gevolgtrekkings oor die korrelasie tussen ouderdom en gesinsgehardheid twyfelagtig. Vergelykende studies sal die bogenoemde kan uitklaar. Toekomstige studies wat poog om die bevindinge van hierdie navorsing verder te ontwikkel, moet die invloed van faktore soos geslag, opvoedkundige vlak, inkomste en beroep, emosionele intelligensie en die tydsduur van intervensies in ag neem. Gesinsgehardheid is maar een geïdentifiseerde veerkragtigheidsfaktor. Verdere ondersoeke na die verrykingspotensiaal van ander veerkragtigheidsfaktore sal ‘n oorvloed van intervensies aan diensleweraars beskikbaar stel, ten einde in die behoeftes van families en gemeenskappe te voorsien.

Severe recovery deficits after post-disaster interventions have become the landscape seen globally. Humanitarian operations have struggled to find coherence between relief and recovery activities, which has resulted in a perceived operational gap between relief, recovery and development. This current dynamic has caused significant deficiencies within humanitarian programming, such as weak strategy, a lack of transition mechanisms, exit plans and effective recovery. A situation that stems from the current paradigm the humanitarian system operates under and the framework that has evolved around it. Supporting the development of adaptive resilience of a disaster-affected population, within the humanitarian sphere, has been theoretically posed to be fundamental for recovery; a programmatic consideration that could ensure former weak resilience would not hinder post-disaster recovery. Therefore, could a resilience building approach offer much needed solutions to the challenge of recovery within post-disaster contexts? This research aimed to understand whether resilience building within post-disaster environments could increase potential recovery of disaster affected populations and whether it is feasible to build individual/household (HH) level resilience through emergency response operations? The research looked specifically at adaptive resilience at the individual/HH level, clarifying the concept and understanding its modality in order to operationalise it within humanitarian programming. The common barriers to recovery experienced by individuals/HH in a crisis event were gauged, and the relationship between adaptive resilience and recovery determined. A unique singular case study was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data required to answer the key objectives of this research. The case study chosen was the 2010 Haiti earthquake response. Primary data was collected over a 7 months period through 37 semi-structured interviews and 31 online questionnaires with donors, government, INGOs, LNGOs and the private sector, that were operating within the Haiti response, and 18 disaster affected community members within a community discussion forum. Bringing a total participation of 86 individuals and organisations. An in-depth case study was developed in order to offer an evidence base for the proposed theory, that supporting adaptive resilience through emergency response programming has the ability to stimulate recovery. A new data collection tool was trialed within the community discussion forum, namely the Sociogram. This tool looked to assess the main components of adaptive resilience. Methodological rigour was introduced through the use of methodological and data triangulation to ensure validity and reliability of the research. The research successfully identified the main barriers to recovery, pinpointed the key components for adaptive resilience and the influence of emergency programming on the development of adaptive resilience, establishing the relationship between them. The role emergency response operations can play in the development of adaptive resilience was then explored. It has been demonstrated that to ensure recovery and allow for a more resilient society to evolve, adaptive resilience needs to be and can be supported and developed within emergency response operations. The research has been able to demonstrate, through the analysis of the Shelter and WASH response undertaken in Haiti, that developing resilience in the post-disaster environment is possible and an approach that is able to improve strategy within emergency response operations. Improvements would be seen in the provision of essential services within the response, a substantial increase in transitional and exit options and an increased capacity to proactively stimulate rapid recovery. This strategic approach to emergency response programming has the ability to offer the coherence needed between relief, recovery and development. Determining that a resilience building approach within emergency response operations could be the missing link or resolution to the perceived operational gap between relief, recovery and development. Pursuing a resilience building approach has the potential to bring much needed cultural change within the humanitarian sector that will shape operations for a more strategic and successful future.

No description available.

The Jamaican hurricane history goes back a long time. The country has an average ratio of getting hit or brushed every 3.84 years and it is estimated to be hit directly every 9.47 years. This underscores the relevance of this paper since it seeks to investigate the construction, social structure and policy response of Jamaica. The impressions of the author combined with the interviews and literature study resulted in the conclusion of the constructions and social structure not being the main issue, but the policy response.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between positive psychological capacities (state ego-resilience and state self-efficacy) and burnout levels of employees (N = 164) in a chemical organisation and to determine whether state ego-resilience and state self-efficacy can be used to predict burnout levels of employees in a chemical organisation. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The Ego-Resiliency Scale (ER89), the State Self Efficacy Scale (SSES) and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) were administered to measure the constructs. The research method for this article consists of a brief literature review and an empirical study. Confirmatory factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha coefficients and the inter-item correlation coefficients were used to assess the reliability and validity of the measuring instruments. Descriptive statistics were used to describe data, and Pearson's product moment correlation coefficients, and regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the constructs employed in this research. Results obtained confirmed the internal consistency and one-dimensional factor structures of the state ego-resilience and state self-efficacy measuring instruments. Although the two - dimensional factor structure of the OLBI was confirmed, the two subscales were not consistent with the expected factor structure. Consequently, only the total burnout scale (which presented with adequate internal consistency) was used. A significant statistical and practical correlation was found between state ego-resilience and burnout. State self-efficacy and burnout demonstrated a significant statistical and practical correlation. Regression analyses indicated that both state ego-resilience and state self-efficacy hold predictive value with regard to burnout. Conclusions were made, limitations of the current research were discussed and recommendations for future research were put forward. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

Bakgrund: Vårdskador drabbar närmare 10 procent av alla patienter. I samband med ett traumaomhändertagande kommer anestesisjuksköterskan att arbeta i en miljö som inte är dennes dagliga arbetsplats. Detta ställer höga krav på kompetens, följsamhet till riktlinjer och inövade rutiner för att kunna bibehålla ett patientsäkert och effektiv traumaomhändertagande.   Syfte: Att identifiera faktorer som kan inverka på patientsäkerheten i samband med att anestesisjuksköterskan larmas till akutrummet.   Metod: Med resilience engineering som utgångspunkt gjordes en flerfallsstudie med holistisk design. Varje fall (n=8) analyserades separat för att sammanställas med en induktiv ansats genom instrumentet Functional Resonance Analysis Method. Följsamheten mot lokala riktlinjerna kontrollerades med en deduktiv ansats.   Resultat: Anestesisjuksköterskan har till hälften av fallen den lokalkännedom som krävdes enligt gällande riktlinjer, anestesisjuksköterskan förefaller i flera fall sakna kunskap om den tekniska apparaturen som används. Detta resulterar i att anestesisjuksköterskan inte arbetade självständig utan blev beroende av traumateamet för att slutföra sina uppgifter. Förberedelserna varierade stort, i majoriteten av fallen fanns ingen större följsamhet till de riktlinjer som styrde anestesisjuksköterskans arbete i ett traumaomhändertagande. En hög patientsäkerhet bibehölls genom att arbetsfördelningen och förberedelserna delades på, ofta outtalat inom traumateamets medlemmar. Tack vare stor personalgrupp och hög kompetens inom traumateamet kunde teamets medlemmar komplettera varandra.   Slutsats: Flera aspekter som kan påverka patientsäkerhet negativt identifierades. Flertalet av dessa bl.a. lokal- och utrustningskännedom för anestesisjuksköterskor bedömdes kunna minskas eller elimineras om följsamheten till riktlinjerna skärps. I alla analyserade fall bibehålls god patientsäkerhet tack vare traumateamets höga resilience. / Background: Injuries in care occurs in approximately 10 percent of all patients. In a critical trauma care the anaesthetic nurse works in an unfamiliar workplace. This requires high competence and directive guidelines to maintain a high patient safety and effective trauma care.   Objectives: To identify factors that can have impact on the patient safety when the anaesthetic nurse is called to the ER.   Methods: Through resilience engineering, a multi-case study with a holistic design was conducted. Each case (n=8) analysed separately with an inductive approach with the instrument Functional Resonance Analysis Method. Thereafter, the compliance with guidelines was studied with a deductive approach.   Results: The anaesthetic nurse lacked the required knowledge of the ER that is required by the guidelines in half of the cases. The anaesthetic nurse also appeared to lack knowledge of technical equipment. This caused dependency in the anaesthetic nurse to fulfil its duties. Preparations varied greatly, in most of cases there was no major compliance with the guidelines for the anaesthetic nurse. High patient safety was maintained by dividing the labour within the team’s members. Thanks to large staff and level of competence within the team, the members could complement each other.   Conclusions: Several aspects that could affect patient safety negatively were identified. Most of these negative aspects could be reduced if compliance with guidelines were tightened. Throughout all cases, good patient safety is maintained thanks to the team's high resilience.